Stroke of Genius – Tennis, Wine, and Roger Federer

Written by: Staff on 5th December 2011

Stroke of Genius - Tennis, Wine, and Roger Federer |

By: Andrew Schreiber

As I look back on the last 50 plus years, the road traveled has been an enjoyable trail which has meandered through much varied scenery. I first became mesmerized by math and science as a teenager but at the same time was fascinated by the craftsmanship and imagination of my father, a world class artist and sculptor.

I finished my undergraduate studies at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, and then enrolled in the School of Medicine, at the University of Chicago. The next eight years were spent learning my craft as a neurologist. During that time, my only appreciation of the phrase “the art of medicine”, was that I needed an understanding of each individual patient’s psyche and environment in order to choose a treatment plan that would be effective and acceptable to the patient. As luck might have it, art was not far behind.

In 1990, I received my first decent camera, (a Canon EOS 630), and attended the U.S. open in Flushing Meadow, (my first of 22 consecutive Opens). Being a New York native, I was able to maneuver into the first row to try out the camera by tipping (think bribing), the usher. After that day’s matches, I raced to a local photo lab, and to my great surprise, my very first shot was a classic Boris Becker backhand. I was immediately addicted! For next 21 years I have been attending tennis tournaments including majors, masters series events, and lower tier events as well- I have been in blimps and helicopters, and on the ground and have at times had my work published and more significantly appreciated by the players that I have gifted photos to. I have in return a personal collection of one of kind photos and appreciative letters from players and their families.

About five years ago, I began assisting a winemaker friend who produces an extraordinary cabernet franc and merlot blend from grapes harvested in Santa Barbara County. I had been collecting wine (and consuming of course), for almost twenty years and now I was getting a chance to see how it was created. From its birth on the vine to it’s education in the winery. This process is, in itself, a highly complex amalgam of art and science. While some things could be measured, such as brix and alcohol content, so many other facets could only be judged by taste, mouthfeel, texture, color, and aromatics. These latter traits were not only subjective, but were determined to be variable from person to person.

In 2007 I purchased ½ ton of grapes from vines I helped to tend. I also purchased and oak barrel and a stainless steel fermenting tank. I was on my way to making my own personal wine. In order to insure its individuality, I blended my own “feel” for the best mix of cabernet franc and merlot so it would be at least slightly different from the commercial release of my winemaker friend. Then I realized that my wine needed a name and a label- it looked like art was about to have the last word.

I decided to make my own life’s blend by naming the wine “Stroke of Genius” red, and would christen the first vintage by honoring one of my finest photographic subjects, Roger Federer. His grace, power, and elegance were evident in so many of my photographs and seemed perfectly paired for this wine. Best yet, the photo on the label has never been published, and is unique.

I feel very fortunate to have found a way to blend my interest in science, my love of tennis, and my passion for art in such a pleasurable way.

Editor’s note: Who do you think should be on the wine bottle label?

Topics: Roger Federer