What Are You Collecting?

“Collecting wine has been tough,” says Tim Dang, producing artistic director of East West Players, “because I can’t wait to taste things. I end up inventing some occasion.” Dang’s collection, which he began last year, numbers about 60 bottles. Nearly all are California Cabernets. Why Cabs? “Maybe because of my sense of smell, which is not particularly strong. And Cabernets have a strong bouquet.” Dang maintains his stash in a temperature-controlled Glendale wine vault he shares with five friends. Among the highlights are a hard-to-find 1994 Vineyard 29 by Grace Family and a 1997 Dominus Estate Napanook Cabernet. Though not a wine snob, Dang suffers some symptoms: He owns a set of six Spiegelau glasses that he totes to monthly wine tastings with vault mates. Does wine invite the artistic muse? “I suppose it helps the creative process,” says Dang, who enjoys a glass or two with dinner. “A lot of my creative activity happens at night.”