Trudie and I are finding it difficult to describe our feelings at the untimely passing of our great mentor, Alan York. Alan created our vineyard at Il Palagio in Tuscany, guided certainly by the principles taught by Rudolf Steiner but more than that by a lifetime of horticultural experience and an unmatched empathy with nature. Alan always put the needs of the earth first, and in so doing he became our inspiration, transforming our thinking about biodynamics and what it can achieve. His legacy will live on in the vines at our Italian home. With every visit to Il Palagio and with every sip of the great wines he helped to create, we will remember Alan's mystical connection with nature, his fantastic sense of fun, and his wonderful merry laugh. We are thinking of his dear wife Ros and the rest of family at this terribly sad time. Alan, we miss you.

Initial casting and creative team have been announced for The Last Ship - the new musical with music and lyrics by 16-time Grammy winner Sting and book by Tony winner John Logan and Puliter Prize winner Brian Yorkey - which will begin previews Sept. 30 at Broadway's Neil Simon Theatre. Directed by Tony winner Joe Mantello with choreography by Olivier Award winner and Tony nominee Steven Hoggett, the production will officially open Oct. 26. Principal roles will be played by Michael Esper, Rachel Tucker, Jimmy Nail, Aaron Lazar, Sally Ann Triplett, Collin Kelly-Sordelet and Fred Applegate. Additional casting for the ensemble will be announced at a later date...