Book/sports/wine event set for June 6 at Bravuro Cellars
Kerry Eggers and Mike Riley
Book talk. Sports talk. Wine tasting. Ambiance. Great late-spring weather (hopefully).
If that sounds inviting, plan on an afternoon with Mike Riley, Craig Hanneman, me and perhaps Mike Parker at Steve Saxton’s Bravuro Cellars winery in Amity.
The event is scheduled for Saturday, June 6, from 2-4 p.m. at Bravuro Cellars. The address is 9779 SE Hillview Drive, Amity. The event was arranged for the Bravuro wine club but the public is welcome to attend.
My new book "Scrolls of a Sports Scribe" -- a collection of my stories through a half-century of sportswriting -- will be a main topic of conversation. Articles on Riley and Hanneman are featured in the book.
Autographed copies will be for sale, along with the opportunity to get them signed by Riley and Hanneman and, if the customer is so inclined, me. Wine-tasting will be available at $10 per person, lowest of any winery in the Willamette Valley. (And by the way, some of the best wine in the region.)
Unless there is a conflict with Oregon State baseball -- a.k.a. a Super Regional -- broadcasting legend Parker will serve as moderator. If he is unavailable, I will conduct a Q&A featuring the lives and careers of Riley and Hanneman.
Riley is retired after 50 years of coaching college and pro football, including 14 years at Oregon State and three years as head coach of the San Diego Chargers. He lives in Corvallis and is a member of the College Football Playoffs selection committee.
Hanneman is a former All-America defensive lineman at Oregon State and played four years in the NFL before a serious knee injury ended his career at age 26. He took up mountain climbing at 50 and is the only former NFL player ever to scale the Seven Summits. Craig is retired and lives in Salem.
Craig Hanneman
I can tell you that Mike and Craig are two great human beings. (I feel the same way about Mike Parker, but hope that another engagement keeps him from participating). Riley has been a close friend of mine since seventh grade. I think so much of Hanneman, he was the officiate of my wedding in 2022. (Steph and I call him “the Reverend Dude.”)
If you haven’t met Mike and Craig, this event will give you a taste of what they are all about. Bravuro Cellars is a magical place, situated on a hill with a scenic view. It is a lovely spot to spend any spring afternoon. Adding Saxton — a terrific host — and Riley and Hanneman to the equation should make it a great experience for those in attendance. I hope you will come out and join us on June 6.
► ◄
Readers: what are your thoughts? I would love to hear them in the comments below. On the comments entry screen, only your name is required, your email address and website are optional, and may be left blank.
Follow me on BlueSky.
Follow me on X (formerly Twitter).
Like me on Facebook.
Find me on Instagram.
