August 28, 2014
The wines are starting to get some favorable press here in France. The Guide Gibert & Gaillard, a well-respected wine publication similar to the Guide Hachette, has selected the 2012 Ombre du Chateau for inclusion into its latest (2015) guide. For those of you in the US, this wine is available through our website. Get ’em while you still can!!
read moreAugust 19, 2014
After some consternation, and several attempts, I was finally able to find the right people to help me get the authority to use an ‘Official’ Chateauneuf-du-Pape bottle. The one I must use is not THE bottle (with the Pope’s mitre and the crossed keys)…because I am not a producer – I am a negociant. And, I can’t use the ‘Official’ negociant bottle…because I haven’t been a negociant long enough. It seems like there is always something! But – I have persevered, and...
read moreApril 9, 2014
Spring has arrived in the valley. The vines are starting to show green. And with that, a new season begins.
read moreTours
The new Tour season is off to a good start. I am still doing about 2 each week, which is plenty. Its great meeting the many new folks and introducing them to the wine region. Every Tour is little different, but all have been great fun.
read moreWine
We continue to ship wine to the US- our 4th shipment,including the new 2014 Cotes du Rhone rose’ should be in the warehouse shortly! The Big news: We just received the results of the tastings for the Guide Gilbert& Gaillard. The 2013 Ombre du Chateau (which we will release in August) received 85 points,and the 2012 Chateauneuf-du-Pape received 90 points!! Its nice to have all the hard work recognized. Add that to the Robert Parker scores of 85 and 89 points respectively from last fall , and you start to feel pretty good about...
read moreAugust 11, 2013
Hello…Again I know, I know. Its been like forever since I posted last. Have you forgotten about me..? Well, I’m back..and I promise to do better if you will stick with me. NEW WEBSITE: If you have found your way here, then you have seen the new updated, improved website. Pretty cool, huh?!?! We thought it was time (way past?) to update it to change the focus on what the winery now is – we are now a NEGOCIANT. That means that instead of growing the fruit for the wine, we contract with other growers to buy either juice or...
read moreJune 6, 2012
Hello to All Been a while. I have a few new things to share. Vineyard first: Vineyards in the area are all doing well. We’ve had seasonably warm (70’s and 80’s) weather together with a few thunderstorms, so the plants are thriving. And, of course, so are the weeds. I have been watching from afar as the folks at Domaine Saint Prefert tackle ‘my’ vines. Looks like it is going to be a good crop – flowering went well, with no heavy rain or wind to disturb the flowers turning into fruit. Wines I have the...
read moreApril 4, 2012
Hello Again – Happy Spring!!First – vineyard news:The vineyards around the area are all growing by leaps and bounds. We have had mostly sunny and relatively warm weather, with the occasional rainy day – – just what the vines need to grow up big and strong. Its a great start to the new year.It is this time of year that makes me SAD to have needed to sell-off the vineyard. I have always looked forward to the new growing season with anticipation for a great vintage- but not for me this year….it is...
read moreMarch 9, 2012
Hi All – the travelogue continues:This Week – HILL TOWNS of the COTES DU RHONE (part deux)This week takes us to Gigondas, Vacqueyras and Beaumes de Venise – homes to some most interesting wines.First stop is maybe a quick nip into La Bastide Saint Francis, which is actually down on the flats just outside the small town of Violes, But they have vineyards up in the AOC of Gigondas, and make some very nice wines…plus its on the way.Or, another potential visit is to Domaine Saint Damien – another...
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