One of the wines we’re now carrying has a spooky back story that I thought I’d share. Owen Roe’s Sinister Hand, a blend of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre and Counoise from the Columbia Valley, depicts a severed left hand on the label.

According to Owen Roe’s website, this severed left hand is actually the family crest of O’Neill family. Apparently, there was a rowing competition between the O'Neill's and the O'Reilly's (Owen Roe was an O’Neill). The winner of the competition – the one who touched land first after rowing across the lake – was rewarded the land he touched. Lagging behind, the O’Neill competitor grabbed his sword, cut off his hand and threw it to shore. Touching the land first, he won the land and eventually ruled over it as king.

So grab a bottle of Sinister Hand and you’ll have something to think about as we celebrate this spooky time of year!