A wonderful, writer cohort of mine, Alice Feiring, recently emailed and inquired about including us in a new Random House book on high end wine cellars. An odd six degrees thing is that another member of the book design team (who is related to one of my favorite Sonoma vineyards, Landmark Vineyards) had earlier contacted me about the same project. Whaz up?
Just got home as the full moon was rising over my quiet street after returning from the second annual gathering of the Santa Lucia Highlands appellation's wine growers. Held at the Paraiso Vineyards (and featuring the finest pinot, chard and syrah artists around) I am so glad this is still an intimate setting where we can enjoy cutting edge winemaking and conversation.
Bless Bob Dylan for perspective. I always go hide in the Porta John when the Client/Contractor question arises: that's because I get way too triggered. Thankfully, the NY Times has brought my masochism into the moldy light of day. Imagine this: homeowners can become raging buttheads when either asked to choose between Miele and Bosch or when given an invoice?? Is it really OK to disconnect my cellphone? Read on...(current Clients please sign off).
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Just a weird note to clue you in to some interesting websites/blogs/events on the horizon. Let's just call them weblovents. The Open Wine Consortium is a site for both industry and enthusiasts alike. I would like to attend their European Wine Bloggers Conference in Rioja, Spain this year. On to more wackier things...
At the current VinItaly just ending in Verona, the big names of Antinori (Stags Leap), Argiano and Frescobaldi (Mondavi) are accused in an article at La Nazione (read at La Repubblica or check out the blog VinoWire) of secretly blending other grapes into their hallowed 100% wines of Brunello. For years, I have heard tales of Burgundian vignerons mixing Languedoc and lesser priced grapes into their Grand Cru pinot. When 2006 futures hover in the stratosphere, which fox is guarding the hen house?
Nancy and I stopped by Ehren Jordan's Failla Vineyards this weekend to pick up a few bottles of his GREAT wines and to see his new hillside cave.There is nothing quite like Napa Valley in the Spring: the incredible wysteria at Merryvale (above), the annual Mustard Festival or just kicking back on top of Spring Mountain. Read on...
Lately, I have been in the myopic focus of work. Imagine my surprise when I lift my head and see the plethora of great design going on outside my bubble. Do I need a vacation?? Innovation is alive and well despite absolutely no support from our government. Maybe that's a good thing.
Amid this incredible, worldwide, subprime mortgage furor, comes this reprint from the London Independent: Fine wines beat stock market with 39% gains. I guess this is good news for me in the winecellar business but somehow, I'm not amused.
Are we fiddling like Nero while the vineyards around us burn? World wine production soars due to climate change and increasing appetites for good juice... Hall Vineyards in Napa Valley hires Frank Geary to build a Gearyesque monument to insatiable tourism...Constellation Inc. continues to buy up every major winery within spitting distance... and people complain when they see immigrant laborers lining up in the local grocery parking lot to pick grapes for $5.00 per hour. What's up here??
What a year... I am worn out and glad Nature is allowing things to slow down. Its been many months since the last posting due to focusing our energy on Nancy's health and her cancer surgeries. She seems to be bouncing back with good bloodwork results and half as much treatment needed as usual.
