"The lost civilization of California wine"

[ed. - Two articles by Esther Mobley for The Chronicle. Click here to view The Chronicle's introduction to this story.]

The lost civilization of California wine

A California cult unwittingly created one of the country’s great wineries — and then lost it. The haunting story of a vineyard’s rise, collapse and refusal to die.

By Esther Mobley

The San Francisco Chronicle Aug. 23, 2018

[ed. - Caption and link for the Renaissance Winery photo in The Chronicle introduction:]

Renaissance Winery in Yuba County was founded by the Fellowship of Friends, which many consider a cult. Against all odds, it produced some of California’s greatest wines. Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez / The Chronicle

The original ‘cult’ wine: How I discovered California’s strangest vineyard

Renaissance, a winery deep in the Sierra foothills, has remarkable wines — and a history almost too outlandish to believe.

By Esther Mobley

The San Francisco Chronicle Aug. 23, 2018

[ed. - Caption and link for the photo of Robert Earl Burton accompanying this article:]

Robert Earl Burton founded the Fellowship of Friends in 1970. The former East Bay schoolteacher eventually recruited 2,500 members into his organization. | Gary Fong / The Chronicle 1981

 The Renaissance vineyard was still under development in February 1981. | Courtesy Of Fellowship Of Friends
[ed. - View toward High Sierra from top of vineyard, January 24, 1981 (Photo: T. Campion)]

[ed. - See also End time wines, WineBerzerkers "Northern California Wine Tour, Part 2" and thejournal.ie's The original cult wine.]

Renaissance Vineyard Slope 19, May 2018 (Photo: Ken Zinns)

“Will Fellowship of Friends (FoF) members organize and support Randy Fletcher in their vote this November?”

Fellowship of Friends President Greg Holman, Fellowship member and Frenchtown Inn proprietor
Charles Sharp, and 5th District Supervisor Randy Fletcher at the recent ribbon cutting
for Frenchtown Inn's new tasting room. (Photo: Territorial Dispatch)

[ed. - Alton Wright is a candidate for Yuba County 5th District Supervisor this November. The 5th District includes Oregon House and Dobbins. Wright is opposing incumbent Randy Fletcher, whom The Fellowship of Friends strongly favored over then-incumbent Hal Stocker in the 2014 contest.]

"Alton Wright" wrote on his Facebook page, August 22, 2018:

FOR THE PEOPLE, ALL THE PEOPLE

This question recently appeared on a FB page, “Will Fellowship of Friends (FoF) members organize and support Randy Fletcher in their vote this November?”

This subject has already affected me in a very serious, yet constructive manner -

Early in the campaign I was offered to meet with FoF members, as well as tour their property. I really didn’t know much about the FoF except for what I had read and, of course, the rumors. I had personal hesitations about their practices, but I also knew about positive endeavors they brought to the Dobbins/OH community. I also knew of their past, collective support of Supervisor Fletcher. I also knew about the FoF tax battles and settlements with Yuba County.

From the onset, I didn’t see the FoF as an adversary or supporter, but I knew they were real people that shared many of the same community issues and ideas that many of the rest of us share. I knew that it was just as important for me to connect with them as anyone else.

However, I had supporters, several ex-FoF members, who chastised me and warned me that if I did anything with the FoF, that they would pull their support from me. They went as far to say, “don’t drink their wine if you visit.” They threatened to engage retaliatory activities against my campaign if I made any contact with the FoF. I felt hate and anger from those who I thought were open-minded. It was pretty eye-opening.

It was this reaction by a handful of so-called supporters that helped me truly understand the most basic principle of being a county supervisor - A supervisor must listen to everyone and represent everyone fairly. While I may not agree with the practices of an organization, I will respect their rights (as long as they are not acting in a criminal manner or not taking advantage of elected officials for financial gains or protections) and I must “be there” for them as much as I will “be there” for an organization that I may align with. It’s called fairness. I cannot pick and choose who I will represent.
In the end, I lost a few supporters (and friends) and saw their threats made real. Why? Because I decided to be fair, transparent and open. Essentially, because I did the right thing. Yes, I met with several FoF members and toured their property. I listened to their concerns and ideas, and I shared mine.

Was I indoctrinated or was a spell cast over me? No! Is there any favoritism in play. No! If anything, I became a better candidate and a better person, knowing in my heart that I am for the people, all people.

#wrightforthepeople

During the 2014 elections, this photo of then candidate Randy Fletcher, Fellowship President Greg Holman,
and Fellowship  investor (and Fletcher's business partner) Charles Sharp stirred some controversy.

Submit to Robert Burton, or leave the Fellowship

"Is this a sunrise or a sunset?"

[ed. - A Fellowship member who resisted Robert Burton's demands for sex wrote the following entry on his Facebook page. A forced leave of absence often precedes excommunication from the Fellowship of Friends. "Higher Forces" are providing the individual an opportunity to reexamine their valuation for the sacred gift of a conscious teacher. Burton has often warned followers that leaving the Fellowship is "a fate worse than death."

Fearing repercussions from the recent expulsion of two men who refused to "service" Robert Burton, it is reported the Fellowship of Friends Board of Directors is exploring legal defenses and suppressing "gossip" related to the incidents.]

"Anonymous" wrote on Facebook:

Is this a sunrise or a sunset?

This is the last day of my leave of absence and I wanted to let my friends know my story.

About a month before my leave of absence RB told me that I would be sleeping with him every Friday night. This prospect was so unpleasant that it woke me up and caused me to defend myself.

First I refused his invitations to private dinners, then I stopped looking him in the eye at meetings, then I cut back on meetings, I stopped doing dining exercises and finally I unsubscribed to FOF emails. About this time I was disciplined. Now I find it necessary to intentionally maintain a negative attitude towards RB so as not to fall back under his power.

After saying no to him internally many, many times I gradually realized that I had been hypnotized. It is shocking to realize that I actually slept with an old man whom I find very unattractive both physically and psychologically.

I realized that mind control is a very profound thing and one cannot see it.

MIND CONTROL IS REAL! And it is happening to you now in a very big way.

I am grateful to a former student for trying to tell me and now I tell you because I want to do unto others as I would have done to myself. YouTube videos about cults have been very helpful.

Particularly this video Jonestown: Life and Death of Peoples Temple (Documentary)

I also read about mind control techniques and I recognized all of them in my school life. Perhaps a new one is, RB pretends not to hear you if you address him.

I write this not out of anger or to shock you. It is dangerous for me to publish this because I may lose friends and my livelihood comes from students. I am telling the whole world that I slept with an old man. That is humiliating and there are other risks. But I think that silence is his strongest power over us.

I take this risk because it is right and I want to follow the Golden Rule.

I still love all of my dear friends in “the school” as do many former students, but there is fear of the rejection of former students which RB has insisted upon.

I want to make myself available to provide emotional support to anyone who needs it. Also if anyone has some ideas about how to continue this work without RB let me know.

I leave you with this thought. What would be the ultimate gesture of submission to RB?

Your Friend,

(Anonymous)

PS: For those of you who do not know what I am talking about, this is a letter to certain of my friends and not meant to be understood by all. Sorry.

"Insider" wrote on the Fellowship of Friends Discussion blog, August 7, 2018: 

The cult of the Fellowship of Friends, led by Robert Earl Burton, has entered a particularly sick phase, as if anything could be worse than what has been described on this forum, and numerous others, during the past 10-15 years.

Two older heterosexual men, one married, have been released from the group (excommunicated) for refusing to have sex with Burton. ALL men, single or married, younger or older, regardless of sexual preference, are on notice that they might be next. Burton will not tolerate ANY man saying “NO” to his desires.

How long can the current members keep “buffering” by mouthing the ancient party line that this is what “the gods” wish Burton to be doing?

As if there was any doubt, the notion of the Fellowship being any sort of a 4th way school, or engaged in any sort of “spiritual work,” has been shattered once and for all.

Hypnotized puppets following and supporting a sick, self-centered psychopath.

R.I.P.

"Golden Veil" wrote on the Fellowship of Friends Discussion blog, August 9, 2018:

Insider – August 7, 2018 [above]

“Two older heterosexual men, one married, have been released from the group (excommunicated) for refusing to have sex with Burton. ALL men, single or married, younger or older, regardless of sexual preference, are on notice that they might be next. Burton will not tolerate ANY man saying “NO” to his desires"?

Crikey, I don’t believe this. These two members must have questioned the old geezer’s metaphysical influence C interpretation of animal poop or a car license plate, or something. Isn’t REB an elderly man with a heart condition?!

"Insider" wrote on the Fellowship of Friends Discussion blog, August 9, 2018:

Golden Veil [above]

You’re probably right. Since Dorian’s meeting a couple years ago when he predicted/announced that the intellect would no longer be needed in the “new phase” of the FF, which was to begin soon, Burton has been on somewhat of a rampage getting rid of people he deems to be unfaithful. People who don’t go to enough meetings. People who don’t believe Burton is the highest being on the planet, now and over the past 2000 years. People who find it less than credible that the universe himself (Mr. Absolute) likes to visit Burton at Apollo, especially when Burton’s dogs are pooping in the garden.

And now for the latest that’s going around (watch out all you doubting followers!): that The Absolute and Burton “crystallized” together, which sort of makes them like twin Absolutes, or parallel universes. (Seriously; no way to make this stuff up.)

No questioning. No pondering. No comparing. No seeing contradictions. No doubting. No thinking.

Just keep repeating: Blind belief is intelligence. Forced sex is love. Sleep is awakening.