Reykjavík Grapevine - 09.05.2014, Qupperneq 4

Hello,
Just a quick note of thanks: I’ve just arrived back in London
after my first trip to Iceland, with which both myself and
the friend with whom I was travelling have fallen totally in
love. We also found Grapevine—both in print and on the
web—a totally indispensable resource for our time in Reyk-
javik. We wouldn’t have got nearly as much out of our swift
four-day trip had we not read Grapevine!
By way of return, should you find yourself in need of
photography then you’re very welcome to anything from my
meagre offering — just drop me a line: http://archive.rob-
pinney.com/#!/portfolio/C0000tWCLmwZILe0/G0000FjP.
msSOpbQ
With thanks!
Rob Pinney
***
Hi, Rob-
Someone once told us that the best way to travel was to take
short trips and always leave something undone so that you’d
have a reason to return. That person may have had more
disposable income than we do, but nevertheless, we tell our-
selves this a lot when on long weekends and quick holidays.
Anyway, we’re glad that we could be of service to you on
your first visit here in Iceland, and from your lovely photos,
it does look like you made the most of your time.
Come back and see us again—there’s lots left to do.
The Grapevine
Say your peace, voice your opinion, send
your letters to: letters@grapevine.is
Sour grapes & stuff
MOST AWESOME LETTER
Dear Grapevine,

I’m pretty new to Iceland. So, I’ve been relying a lot on your
paper to keep me informed as I settle into North Atlantic
living. Thanks for that.

But, I must ask, to what interpretation of the term grape-
vine does your name refer? I assume it must be the idiom
popularized by Marvin Gaye suggesting that our news is
coming from a few degrees of separation. Surely, it can’t be
the literal meaning as I guess it’s rather impractical to start
a vineyard here in Iceland.

But, it did get me wondering…can one successfully grow
grapes in Iceland? And, if so, how (im)practical would it be?
In my own (admittedly, half-assed) research, I discovered
a man in Húsavik who makes and sells organic wine from
berries. But, that’s different.

So, my question to you, grapevine, is whether you know of
anyone who succeeds or has succeeded in making wine from
grapes in this seemingly impossible agricultural landscape.
And, if so, did you get a taste? Because if anyone is deserv-
ing, it must be you fine folks…
Thanks and happy grapevining!
Mike
-----------------
Hey there Mike.
Thanks for your letter.
As one of the founders of this magazine, I'd like to try to
answer your question regarding its name.
Back in 2003, when we were trying to get this magazine
started, we had a hard time finding a name for it. The first
issue was coming together, publishing date closing in, but
no name yet. During the weeks prior to the first publication,
we had come into contact with this older gentleman, Ólafur
Stephensen. Ólafur, who's actually the last private owner of
Viðey island, a former advertising mogul and a renowned
jazz pianist, had taken on the task of writing our food
reviews for the first few issues (under a false name, I might
add). I don't remember how exactly, but our "name for the
magazine" problem came up and he came up with calling
it The Grapevine, referring to the saying to hear something
through the grapevine, just like in the song, but without
actually referring to Marvin, Motown or CCR.
Well. We didn't jump on that right away, but eventually we
ran out of time to come up with anything better. So that was
what we went for. So, the name doesn't refer to any Icelandic
grapevines, nor is its name inspired by Iceland's lack of
grapevines as such, but by our lack of ideas back in 2003.
Warmest,
Jón Trausti Sigurðarson
Issue 5 — 2014 4

YOUR PRIZE FOR THAT MOST AWESOME LETTER OF YOURS IS:
TWO FREE MEALS AT THE ICELANDIC HAMBURGER FACTORY
Dear reader. We love you very much, especially those of you that write us letters all the time.
In fact we love you so much that we keep trying to reward you somehow for writing us those
letters. They entertain us, and they keep us informed of what our readers think. That is a
pretty great deal. Now. Whoever wrote this issue’s MOST AWESOME LETTER gets a prize.
And it’s a pretty great one. Yes, not one but TWO delicious hamburger-style meals at the
wondrous ICELANDIC HAMBURGER FACTORY, which is an Icelandic themed restaurant that
specializes in huuuuuge and mouth-watering burgers to fit every occasion (we recommend
the lamburger, unless you are a vegetarian. Lamb is not a vegetable). And if you for some
reason didn’t write this issue’s MOST AWESOME LETTER don’t panic. Their tasty burgers
aren’t that expensive, and you can always try for a MOST AWESOME letter later.
Just write us at letters@grapevine.is