The invitation announcing “Colby Red Wine – Amazing Milestone of $500,000 Raised for Heart Charities” arrived a few weeks ago from my Australianborn friends of the vine Daryl and Lisa Groom. 
The vintage celebration will be March 30 at the VML Winery in Healdsburg.
Groomy, as he is affectionately called by insiders, is one of the world’s famous “flying winemakers” with over three decades experience producing fine wines, including a flavorful California cuvée of Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Shiraz, Merlot and Petite Sirah.
Colby Red is named after son Colby who prior to his 10th birthday underwent back-to-back open heart surgeries.
Today, Colby is a seasoned volunteer with the American Heart Association and was inspired to raise money for heart research through creating a wine with his father.
“He came up with the grand idea to make a wine that we could sell and donate the profits to heart charities. In Colby’s words, he wanted “no kid to go through what I went through.”
“In 2010, from grapes Colby found online, we made two barrels of wine called Colby Red and hoped to raise $500,” said Daryl. “This is a unique and generous red wine, just as Colby is a unique and generous child. I blended five different grape varieties to make a red that’s juicy and velvety smooth, with rich fruit flavors and a soft finish.”
“Apart from being able to make major donations to many charities across the USA and Canada, Lisa and I get an added pleasure of watching Colby grow and mature. From a young boy who one day said, ‘I do not want to live,’ we now proudly watch him onstage giving speeches to up to 1,000 people and receiving many standing ovations.”
“After such a difficult time when Colby was younger, we feel so blessed every day that we are now on this wonderful journey. We are very proud parents,” said Daryl. “A year ago Colby said, ‘Mom, Dad, I think I can change the world,’ and we are certainly not going to stand in the way of his heartfelt dream.”
Colby Red is sold and generously supported by Walgreens nationwide. It is priced at approximately $12.99. Daryl Groom can be reached at darylgroom@mac.com. To learn more about Colby and his wine, visit www.colbyred. com.
Did you know? Geyser Peak’s Cu camonga Valley DeAmbrogio Ranch Zinfandel releases remain some of the highest-rated Zins ever. The grapes were farmed by Don Galleano Winery and produced by Daryl Groom, perhaps best known for his many years at Geyser Peak Winery – then a worldclass producer.
The DeAmbrogio Ranch was located along Foothill Boulevard and Haven Avenue. The vines are gone, other than a small vineyard growing from cuttings by caring historians at Cal Poly Pomona University.
— Gino L. Filippi can be reached at Ginoffvine@aol.com.
