C. Mondavi & Family has just announced their first new wine brand in more than 50 years. The Divining Rod brand is based on Marc Mondavi, winemaker and his intense interest in water witching. Marc Mondavi is third winery generation in the C. Mondavi family and  he is also a water witch.

Currently two Divining Rod wines are available: 2010 Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay and a 2010 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Both wines are distributed around the United States. I haven’t had the opportunity to try either wine but I am looking forward to tasting them at my next opportunity.

According to a press release, Marc Mondavi says, “I have been water witching since I was just a teenager.  It usually catches people a bit off guard the first time they see it, but my track record speaks for itself; I’ve been able to find water where geologists have come up dry.” “I basically grew up in the vineyards learning about viticulture and winemaking.  This new brand is first and foremost a tribute to my winemaking heritage of which I am very proud.  It allows me to leverage all of my practical winemaking skills with a unique talent I have perfected over the years, a talent that some may think is a little more supernatural than normal.”

During June a special sweepstakes is taking place. Visit the new Facebook page, The Divining Rod, to enter a special sweepstakes. Winners will receive a Divining Rod Party Kit.

Water witching has been around for centuries and is a legitimate way to discover where underground water may be located. It saves the expense of drilling for water where there may not be any. While it’s not 100 percent accurate, it can work and save money and time.  I had an uncle who used water witching. Uncle Paul was a farmer and a carpenter. I recall as a young girl, Uncle Paul traveling a couple of hours to reach our small farm. He brought his divining rod with him to try to help my father and brother locate water on our land. I can still recall Uncle Paul noting a particular area where water might be found underground. I was fascinated with the idea and now my interest has been rekindled.

Cheers, Kathy