A toast to love
Alan Kropf, a sommelier and director of education at Anchor Distilling Company, was undaunted by the notion of crafting a beverage metaphor about his new bride: “If Ashley were a beverage, she’d be a bottle of vintage Champagne: bubbly and bright, simple on the surface but infinitely complex,” he said. The couple met in 2010 when Ashley, now 36, arranged an interview for Alan, also the founder of Mutineer Magazine, which covers the beverage industry, with one of her clients. [...] when Alan, then living in Calaveras County, showed up, she remembers being struck that he was like the guy in high school who was “cool, alternative and outgoing.” “Most wine journalists aren’t cute young men,” she said. To snag him, she thought she’d wow him with her knowledge of Napa wineries. Nothing came of that first meeting, but a few months later, Alan noticed Ashley on Facebook and pinged her. [...] throughout their early courtship, Ashley faced an emotional challenge; her mentor, notable PR maverick Pam Hunter, was very sick. Over those first months, it became clear that Alan, in some ways a vagabond and rolling stone, was truly, inside, a rock. Close friends Steven and Claire Stull volunteered their private home as the venue, and the couple combined their culinary and beverage chops to curate an event that told the story of their courtship and relationship. World-class wines were served that echoed those that the couple had consumed on their path to the altar; food was prepared by celebrated chef Todd Humphries of Kitchen Door, a venue the couple frequent often. “Wedding beverages are overlooked because of cost, but we were able to provide great pairings for reasonable prices,” said Alan. With spirits from Anchor Distilling, they made four signature cocktails served by Napa bartender Jason Withrow. Throughout the party, the couple delivered handwritten letters to each guest telling their story and how those in their community had contributed to their lives. Weddings are about your partner, but also include the friends who are going to be there for both of us for our life together. Direct and sweet, with a good acid bite that pairs well with spicy food,” she said, “Alan is a perfect balance between sweet and warm, fiery and bright. Chef Todd Humphries of Kitchen Door