As I sit down to write this, I’m reminded on Facebook that today is Bonnie Lee’s birthday. Unfortunately, we lost Bonnie a few months back after a battle with cancer, but I plan to toast to the sky with a glass of Pillsbury Wine Co. rosé tonight in her honor.
When I started this magazine, back when it was called Arizona Vines & Wines, I was introduced to Bonnie as a local wine blogger out of Tucson, who penned a blog “Pour Me Some Grapes.” I remember checking it out before every issue, to see if there was anything newsworthy that I might have overlooked. I first “met” Bonnie on Facebook, as I think was true for many people. Here was a woman who had a true passion for wine… and absolutely loved the Arizona wine industry.
The first time I actually met Bonnie in person was the night before the Arizona Wine Growers Association “Grape Stomp” 5K in Willcox. I remember bellying up to the bar at Coronado Vineyards and meeting this larger-than-life person – who maybe stood five feet tall. I almost giggled. I was actually a bit intimidated by her; here was a person who had been a writer and an editor for so many years, and she was talking to me about my publication, with my experience in publishing in its infancy. But instead of talking down to me, she treated me respectfully and said she would love to help if I ever needed it.
Well, it didn’t take long for me to take her up on her offer. She started by doing some last minute editing before we’d send the final version to the printer. From this long-time editor, I learned a lot about grammar and writing… and to this day, I second-guess every exclamation point I use because of Bonnie.
And she also authored a few of my favorite articles that we ever published – notably our featured winery articles on Sand-Reckoner Vineyards and Lightning Ridge Cellars. She had a way of writing that captured the imagery of the location, the personality of the people and even the taste of the wine in the glass.
When I heard that Bonnie was moving to Willcox to open the Pillsbury Wine Company Vineyard Tasting Room, I knew it would be perfect for Bonnie and perfect for Sam (Pillsbury). I always enjoyed her smiling face – eager to pour me the latest release or tell me the latest happenings in Willcox Wine Country. The industry misses you… as do I.
Rhonni Moffitt