I spent Veterans’ Day at Franciscan Winery in Napa Valley in the company of winemaker Janet Myers and chef Cory Strike. Both have been at the winery for several years, 8 and 10 years respectively, but Strike turned out to be a more traditional kind of vet as well: he took leave in 2004 and volunteered to spend four years in Iraq, running the kitchen for the US Army, serving over 22,000 meals each day. We tasted a little more refined version of his cooking over lunch, alongside three beautiful wines—the 2009 Franciscan Cuvée Sauvage reserve Chardonnay, the 2006 Franciscan Magnificat Cabernet Sauvignon, and the 2004 Mount Veeder Reserve Meritage blend. An excellent way to toast him and all those who have served.