Espresso has been a huge part of my life for more than four decades. From being an avid consumer as a visiting youth in Pisa and Parma, to my time as a newbie professional at Spellbinder. From training with Aaron de Lazzer and then with David Schomer in the early 2000s. From working bar shifts at the Downtown Stumptown with the legendary Lizz Hudson to the early era of The Barista Guild of America. From the professional days to my casual home days pulling shots for, and cupping coffee with, everyone from Drew Cattlin to Tonx; from Duane Sorenson to Andrew Barnett; from Gabe Boscana to Bronwen Serna and Kyle Larson and Sarah Allen and Scott Callender and on and on to all the other wonderful amazing people I got to know in coffee... espresso has been a part of who I am for a very long time.
Back in the late 2000s, I received the gift of all gifts. The incredible Terry Ziniewicz gave me an amazing vintage late '70s La Marzocco GS. And not just any old GS (as if there could be such a thing). This was the customized La Marzocco GS that for years had been the show booth machine for Terry and his company. I've posted about it many times - but suffice it to say that it's one of my absolute favorite espresso machines, and is my most prized possession.
In 2021 we bought a place in Hawai'i and in early 2022 we made the move permanent. Before we left, however, I decided to send the GS off to be refurbished, cleaned, and brought back to spec. This ended up being the beginning of a long and winding journey which eventually took the machine back to Terry at his new company Caffewerks before finally, just a few weeks back and a year and a half later, it showed up here on the north shore of Kauai.
Then Terry arrived along with the lovely Kelly Ziniewicz, and yesterday he (assisted by our friend Texas Billy Zietz) installed the GS in its new home.
And today, at long last, I was able to pull shots again.
Today, at long last, I was able to share espresso with people who love it.
It felt so very good.
Mahalo nui loa to everyone who has been a part of this process - to every hand who helped along the way. I kind of feel like I've regained a missing limb or something.
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| nice view from the Waiakalua Espresso Bar |
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| Rise Up blend from Outpost Coffee |
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| GS group head and cups |
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| The first shot |
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| One of a kind |
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| Terry and Tex doing their thing |
