Williamsburg Winery Event Elevates Spirits

Our VJC events are intended to be interesting, informative and enjoyable. The November VJC event at the Williamsburg Winery organized by VJC Veep Bill Massey epitomised this intention. On arrival at the Winery parking lot on a cold but sunny Saturday morning in November , our spirits were elevated by a vintage Rolls, Dr. Bill's imposing MK7 Bentley, a pride of Jaguars, no less than three rare MGCs and an extremely rare Arnolt MG coupe from the Williamsburg based Classic Car Clubs.

After some tire kicking and greetings of fellow VJC members and other club members, we were guided round the winery which is mellowing nicely along with the vintages. The tour ended with a wine tasting in the great hall, starting with James River White ( light and refreshing), and progressing to a $28 Merlot Reserve, if memory serves me right following some enthusiastic sampling. My personal favourite was the $16 Hening's Statute Cabernet. The samples whetted the appetite for the light lunch.

However the Treat du Jour was provided by WW owner Patrick Duffeler, Belgian by birth but American by education. Mr. Duffeler became marketing director for Marlboro, and managed the Formula 1 BRM-Marlboro team in 1972. The team won the 1972 Monaco GP. Mr. Duffeler was associated with fabled drivers Emerson Fittipaldi, James Hunt and Jean Pierre Beltoise among others. He managed the Marlboro-McLaren team in succeeding seasons and organised the first Japanese GP at Mt Fuji. Mr. Duffeler also organized the Montreaux Vintage Car Rally routed from Paris-Epernay- Beaune-Montreux, via the St Bernard pass. It sounds like fun event to me, except I might quit at Beaune and enjoy my favourite wine. Mr. Duffeler contrasted BRM with Ferrari, the Ferrari factory was impeccable , the BRM a disaster. An hour of fascinating race talk went quickly and I regret not bringing a tape recorder as my notes are sketchy, possibly due to the sampling. Mr. Duffeler ended by announcing that he planned to organise a world-class antique car event in Williamsburg in spring 2009, after the regular Winery car show.

After the talk I inspected the table of racing memorabilia including a beautiful model of a T35 Bugatti, reputedly costing more than a car. My thanks to Dr. Bill Massey for organising a most enjoyable and informative event, and to Patrick Duffeler and his wife Francoise for their hospitality and precious time.