Justice Ginsburg Tipsy On Napa Wine During State Of The Union Nap
OAKVILLE (CBS SF) - Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is blaming the irresistible draw of California wine for her apparent nap during President Barack Obama's State of the Union Address last month.
In a lighthearted moment before an audience at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., Thursday night, the 81-year-old Ginsburg cracked up telling the story that she was before going to the State of the Union, according to CBS Washington.
"The audience – for the most part– is awake because they're bobbing up and down all the time and we sit there stone-faced, sober judges," Ginsburg said. "At least I wasn't 100 percent sober because before we went to the State of the Union we had dinner."
Ginsburg said that Justice Anthony Kennedy was the culprit, indicating that he brought a California wine.
"Justice Kennedy brought in … it was an Opus something or other, very fine California wine that Justice Kennedy brought," she recalled, apparently referencing the famed Opus One label, produced in Oakville. No other labels turn up during a search for "Opus California Wine." The Opus One winery is the product of a joint venture between vine royalty: the Rothschilds of France and the Mondavis of California.
"I vowed this year just sparkling water, stay away from the wine," Ginsburg told the audience. "But in the end, the dinner was so delicious, it needed wine to accompany it."
Ginsberg said she got a call from one of her granddaughters when she got home saying "'Bubbe, you were sleeping at the State of the Union.'"
Friday afternoon, Opus One issued a statement about the justices enjoying their wine:
@CBSSF We are just glad to have been a part of that meal with distinguished guests, with wine being shared between friends and colleagues.
— Opus One (@OpusOneWinery) February 14, 2015