Sunday, September 23, 2007

The Vine Chronicles (Week 27) - September 23, 2007

Well, week 27 (more than half of the year) concluded with 4/10 of an inch of rain and cooler temperatures. Maybe a harbinger of fall or winter? The grapes are maturing and uniform color is now pretty consistent. Quality grapes require a great deal of diligence, we prune, thin, leaf pull, than thin again, to get one to two clusters per spur and only 4 spurs per side. More to come!



























Friday, September 21, 2007

Germany Roadshow - 2007

Every year we participate in our importers "Roadshow". Our importer, Mike and Gunda Mundt, are good friends and we have have a great relationship over the past 10 years. These are their pictures of the event that I participated in from September 1st to the 9th.


Some Industry News as reported by the "Wine and Spirits Daily"

BABY BOOMERS: FITTING A SQUARE PEG IN A ROUND HOLE. Reaching baby boomers through advertising is not always easy in the modern world, as many marketers will tell you. Cell phones, the internet and video games, for example, were not around when Baby Boomers were children, and therefore do not resonate with Boomers as they do with their children and grandchildren. [Ed. note: My dad, a successful and intelligent individual, has no idea how to work a computer or cell phone, and has no interest in learning, either.]

With that said, an interesting article on adage.com by Michael Antonoff this week specifically addresses how to market to Baby Boomers.

"You don't want to overwhelm us with science, but by the same token you don't want to make us think we're stupid. Appealing to our sense of nostalgia is a smooth entry point."

"So, how do you appeal to anadigious Americans, measured by some accounts at 82,826,479 strong? You make them feel comfortable about change. You play the nostalgia card," he writes.

Sunday, September 16, 2007

The Vine Chronicles ( Week 26) September 16, 2007

Alright, I have not been as diligent in getting the weekly pictures as you would expect. However, I am the author of the Blog and I love to make the postings. So, The top picture shows the intensity of the fruit for this years Sangiovese. Don't get confused, I do, some of this vineyard goes to Rosato (for a great Rose' Wine) and the balance goes to Sangiovese, or Italian Chianti. Check it out!










Thursday, September 13, 2007

Germany Roadshow - Part 2

From our wine tasters in Wiesbaden to a few hours off in Berlin, the Tour was great. In Wiesbaden, visit the Emmel Apfelweinkelterei and ask for our wines! A great many visitors did. A little flashback in Berlin takes us to Checkpoint Charlie (yesterday and today) and the Brandenburger Tor (gate). What a great city!




















Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Germany Roadshow 2007 - Part 1

Every year our German Importer has a great Roadshow. This year was no different. Fifty Vintners andwinemakers from around the world participated in the event. Below are the pictures from Dusseldorf, Hanover and Hamburg. Can you tell what I was doing in the next to last picture. Hint (an Apple product)!




















Sunday, September 02, 2007

Fresno City College - Fire Academy Graduation

Bobby Brower completed Fresno City College - Fire Academy Class 27, with a graduation ceremony. Twice Bobby was recognized for his outstandng atheletic ability. We are very proud of his extra efforts to complete academy while pursuing Enology at Fresno State University.