Bob Brower gives Webex Interview

The Chai, at "Chateau Julien Wine Estate" was the studio for an interview with Sara Moorthly (representing Webex) about the incredible benefits of using Webex. A great camera crew filmed the "Wine Estate" and conducted interviews with Bob Brower and Steve Diamond. Look for the customer video section at Webex.

Bottling Barrel Select Cabernet Sauvignon

So many people are interested in what is the crowning moment for any "Wine Estate" - the bottling of their vintage. We have our own bottling line and this is a labor intensive and nervous process. Why nervous - - - simply because most of the problems can occur on the bottling line and once the wine is safety in the bottle it is time for the winemakers to relax.

25th Celebration Party Begins

Patty and I held the first of many events for 2007, with our staff party at the conservatory. This was the official release of "Bravura" and everyone was invited to taste and enjoy the wine. We celebrated our associates that have been with the "Estate" for many years. To mention a few, Bill Anderson, Fina Dominguez and Michele Gogliucci have more than 20 years of service and friendship.

An Old Freind from Italy just dropped in!

Friend, Tony Nobles, dropped in Monday with his daughter (she is attending UC Santa Cruz) for a glass of wine and a little dinner. I met Tony in Italy for the 275 tour and we have been good bud's ever since.
By the way, we drank the first bottle of Bravura at Rio Grill and enjoyed every drop!

Wine wins - as it should!

As reported by Wine & Spirits Daily on March 5, 2007 - "WE'RE GREAT, BUT WILL IT LAST? It's no secret that in recent years wine and spirits have grown to a new high in the U.S. while beer has lost some of its share. ..... As a fly on the wall at our sister publication, Beer Business Daily's, annual summit last week, we snagged some information important in understanding the trends in order to continue perpetrating them.

INNOVATION GENERATES MOTION. First and foremost, wine and spirits are taking occasions from beer.....

Wine companies are playing a hand at sports advertising....

People want better, and people want options. By opting for higher price points, consumers are striving to differentiate themselves while simultaneously placing themselves in a more prestigious demographic."

Let's break our the really good wine!

Private Reserve Historical Collection

Chateau Julien Wine Estate has released its' first ever Historical Collection of Private Reserve Merlot. The vintages start with 1988 and include six vintages (vertical) to 2003.

Budbreak 2007???

Here it is on March 4th and we still do not have any signs that the vineyard is awaking from the long winter sleep. While today is 70 degrees, the nights are still in the 30's and low 40's and it has been cold. Early prediction for the harvest of 2007, low quantity harvest due to lack of winter rain and great concentration of flavors due to extreme cold.

United Hemispheres - March 2007 Issue

While travelling on United Airlines during March 2007, please check out page 138 of the Hemispheres Magazine on the airplane. This ad is in celebration of our 25th anniversary. Fly safely!

Thanks to the Park Hyatt and Masters of Food and Wine

Some of you have experienced this great event and for the past 21 years we have enjoyed this "World class exhibition of food and wine". We were early participants and enjoyed the past few years as the "last in the USA" participants. Thanks to Hyatt, Robert Weakley, and Mark Buzan for our invite.

Monterey County Delegates meet with the Honorable Sam Farr

As a delegate appointed by the Monterey County Board of Supervisors, we visited the Honorable Sam Farr at his Capitol Hill office. This was my first experience dealing directly with our elected members of Congress. This trip also included an outstanding meeting with the Assistant Secretary of the Department of Labor, Emily DeRocco. Washington D.C was an exceptional experience.

What we do after the Pruning - Weed Control

We have finished pruning and now for the weed control. We run the tractor through the vineyard and turn over the weeds into the ground. This is a natural way to groom the vineyard and avoid any chemicals.

Wine, Better than your Vitamins

According to Wine and Spirits Daily - "The Sixth International Wine and Heart Health Symposium revealed that doctors at Kaiser Permanente have found that not only does moderate consumption of wine reduce the risk for deaths from coronary and vascular disease, but it also reduces the risk for ischemic strokes, diabetes and even gallstones."

Ditch the coffee and have another glass of wine!

More on Passport Weekend 2007

The "Estate" for Passport Weekend extended great wine, food and hospitality to all that visited us.

Passport Weekend at Chateau Julien - February 2007

Passport Weekend at Chateau Julien Wine Estate features Cheese, Pate and many other favorites of Chef Jon Kasky. The weekend event started on Friday, February 16th and concludes today, February 18th. What a great way to start the week into "Masters of Food and Wine" at Highlands Inn.

Side Trips - For Wine Trips - El Paso

El Paso has everything from Indians (Ysleta) to the (no so) mighty Rio Grande, to a Panorama view of the west side towards New Mexaco and a simple Taxas State Line sign. The folks of this region have an enormous amount of History. Remember this was part of Mexico not too long ago.

What to do after the Wine Dinner in El Paso

After a great dinner at "Jaxons" in El Paso, Texas - there is always the question of "What to do?" No trip would be complete without a visit to Juarez, Mexico and spending a day with Alvin (our Distributor Sales Manager). By the way the "Kentucky Club" claims to have made the first Margarita - over 100 years ago.

Our Greatest Friends

Marshall and Candace are our "Best" friends. We have an incredible time with them when we get together. The post is one of those times that someone filmed us while we were enjoying life. What a privilege to know and enjoy such great people.

Remembering back - Stuck in February doldrums

Back in 2005 - Bobby was in High School and our life was different. Today, he is in college studying "Wine, Fire Academy and women" - and probably some beer. We miss him!

Are you in Boston this Weekend? Feb 10th and 11th

The pre release of Bravura will occur in Boston this weekend with Bill Anderson (Winemaster) and Fina Dominguez (Manager of Premier Accounts) opening the first bottles of our 25th anniversary wine. This is a grand event held in the Boston harbor for all wineries to participate. If you are in Boston, what a great time to avoid the tea and enjoy some wine.

White Wine Might Help You Breathe

"As Wine & Spirits Daily reported awhile ago, the health benefits of white wine are beginning to surface. Last month, scientists announced they had found evidence that the pulp of grapes are just as heart-healthy in laboratory experience as the skin, which means white wine may be just as healthy as red"

"Now, scientists are saying that while both red and white wine aid in lung function, white wine has a more positive impact on lung health. According to a study by the American Thoracic Society, a positive link between white wine and lung health was found for people who drank between one and three glasses a day."

Time out while I finish my glass of Chardonnay!

Global Warming - I'm not sure

On a recent business trip (coming back from Germany) the flight passed over Greenland. These are a few of my pictures from 30,000 feet. The ice melt was incredible. This was a great look at a barren country. I did not see any evidence of any grapegrowing region. Still too cold!