Elaine and Jack Spear 1937

My Grandfather, Jack Spear, was born to middle class parents in New York City in 1909. My Grandmother, Elaine Strauss, was born to upper class parents in Chicago in 1919. Elaine and her sister, Carolyn, moved to Los Angeles in 1923 when her Father was appointed Vice President for The May Company. In 1935 my Grandmother graduated high school and flew to Europe with her sister. Elaine and Carolyn boarded the "S.S. Normandie" in La Havre for its maiden voyage 29 May 1935. Stylishly the Strauss sisters arrived in New York City four days later as the paparazzi greeted the record-breaking French built ocean liner.

My Grandfather graduated high school in New York City and worked for Saks Fifth Avenue. In 1936 Jack and Elaine met on a blind date in New York and quickly fell in love. Three weeks later Jack moved to Los Angeles. Jack and Elaine eloped to Las Vegas and were married 26 March 1937. Jack sold women's clothing in downtown Los Angeles while Elaine raised three children including my Father, John Spear. Quite the hedonist and socialite Jack "would take the entire family to dinner at Chasen's every Saturday night" according to my Father. Jack had several favorite dining spots in Los Angeles including Ah Fong's, Scandia and Nate and Al's in Beverly Hills, Don the Beachcombers inside the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, El Toril in Westwood Village and Macambo in North Hollywood. Jack also adored the Los Angeles Rams.
Jack took my Father to many Sunday games at The Coliseum during the 50s and 60s (something my Father would repeat with me in the 70s and 80s). Jack eventually left the garment industry for real estate.
Jack traded multiple lots along Sunset Boulevard for a large house in Bel Air. Jack and Elaine lived at 949 Chantilly Road until a traumatic Santa Ana-fed fire burned the house to the ground 6 November 1961. The fire devastated Elaine. Jack and Elaine divorced after 27 years of marriage. On 8 May 1970 (exactly nine days before my third birthday) Jack passed away from a heart attack very unexpectedly.
Jack was 59 years old.

I was my Grandfather's first grandchild. As long as I can remember I have been curious about my Grandfather and his lifestyle. I have asked my Grandmother, my parents and my Aunts countless questions regarding my Grandfather. My Grandfather was very handsome. Once my Grandmother described my Grandfather as "the taskmaster of sarcasm" to me. Not surprisingly, my Father was very sarcastic with me as a child. When I was growing up in Tarzana in the 1970s my Father always rewarded me for my sarcastic wit just as my Grandfather had praised his son while growing up. As a parent I find myself teaching the art of sarcasm to my children almost as if it was a right of passage in the Spear family tree. From the New Yorkers I have met over the years in business and in social gatherings I would bet that my Grandfather honed his sarcastic humor while living in New York. Perhaps this sense of humor makes me very comfortable when traveling to New York? More importantly, I realize that both as a winegrower and as a parent I have many gastronomic tastes and dining habits in common with my Grandfather.

Often I find myself wishing for more time spent with my Grandfather...

... time at a Los Angeles Kings game together.

... time at a Los Angeles Dodgers game together.

... time at Aqua, Boulevard, Campanile, Fleur de Lys, French Laundry, Patina, Ritz-Carlton San Francisco, Bemelmans Bar, Gotham Bar & Grill, Jean-Georges, Per Se, Veritas, Chez L'Ami Louis, Château Cordeillan-Bages, Pic or La Beaugravière together.

... time sharing a bottle of the 1955 Château Lynch-Bages, the 1978 Henri Sorrel Hermitage, the 1978 Guigal La Landonne, the 1998 Henri Bonneau Cuvée Spéciale, the 1999 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti La Tache, the 1990 Château d'Yquem together.

One day I will open a bottle of 1999 Clos Mimi with Maggie and a bottle of 2004 Clos Mimi with Tristan at a celebrated restaurant and toast my Grandfather from New York.

Sincerely,
Tim

PS. From my birth at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles to my high school graduation at Taft in Woodland Hills, my Grandmother was very close to me. Because I was her first grandchild, my Grandmother spoiled me constantly. Bless my Grandmother as Elaine celebrated her 88th birthday on New Year's Day 2007 in Southern California.

Tim and John Spear 22 April 2007