WSWA - Wine & Spirits Wholesale Convention in Orlando

WSWA kicked off in high gear today with the ribbon cutting of the Exhibit Hall grand opening. The ribbon cutter was Krista Aynes, the 2007 Penthouse Pet of the Year - Runner-Up. And which of you think I'm not working hard?

Last of the 82nd Birthday and 22nd Anniversary pictures

We all had a great deal of fun. The "Wine Estate' is so far from Florida that our visits are not as often as we would like. Again, Happy 82nd Birthday, Mom and Happy 22nd Anniversary to Elaine and Carlos!

Celebration of Mom's 82nd Birthday

April 26th is the big day. Mom opens her gifts and we all enjoy a day together. Happy Birthday - Mom! Also, Happy Anniversary to Elaine and Carlos.

We begin the celebration of Mom's 82nd Birthday

It started in Las Olas, Florida - we had the first dinner at one of Mom's local area favorite restaurants. This is the first of a few great days, celebrating Mon's birthday and my sister and brother in laws' anniversary.

Off to WSWA

Reporting on the winery will get a little difficult for the next week. Our industry has its' annual convention in Orlando and before I get there it is time to take a few days and visit with Mom for her 82nd birthday.

The Vine Chronicles - Week 7 (April 23, 2007)

Week Seven (7) of the growing season was marked by a little over 1/2 inch of rain. This was probably the last significant rainfall of the 2006-2007 rain season. Some of the shoots have reached the "Wire" and others are considerably behind. This week promises a warm up and should show a big difference.

TRADING UP PHENOMENON REVEALED

AS REPORTED BY WINE & SPIRITS DAILY - "THE TRADING UP PHENOMENON REVEALED. One trend we're seeing time and time again - can you guess? - is trading up. It affects every avenue of the alcohol beverage industry as premium and super-premium sales shoot through the roof. Why is that, do you think?

What are consumers looking for when they trade up in wine and/or spirits? Will the trading up trend last? Understanding this phenomenon is key. Terms like "quality," "prestige" and "image" popped up the most in our survey, but here's a closer look at what you had to say:

"Trading up is The American Way".

"We all trade up. My first car as a VW bug and now I drive an Audi. My first wine was Blue Nun, now I am one (couldn't resist). The trade up trend will be with us for a long time, particularly since there is an interest by Young wine drinkers. They will get older but they will never want to go back to the bottom"

"Consumers either want approval of peers or the self-satisfaction of drinking a better product (at least the perceived better product)."

"Consumers are trading up in the on premise locations due to societal pressures."

Membership to Toques Blanches

Toques Blanches has invited Bob Brower to become a member. The organization is an elite club, with active membership limited to only those chefs who are in the top echelon of the profession. it also admits as affiliate members those general managers, food and beverage directors, and sommeliers who meet the high standards of the club. Only a limited number of Associate memberships are granted to those outside the profession who support the industry and possess the personal standards required.

Thomas Jefferson's White House

On the subject of "Did you Know" ??? President Jefferson turned the White House into the most interesting social center of the new city. His staff included two Frenchmen; to administer the White House, Jefferson hired Etienne Lemaire and, as his chef, 42 year old Honore Julien.... He dined at four o'clock, and they generally sat and talked until night. "Dinners were lavish and were prepared by Chef Julien on a large coal-burning stove. Diplomats and politicians were treated at the President's house to menus that included "rice, soup, round of beef, turkey, mutton, ham, loin of veal, cutlets of mutton, fried eggs, fried beef, a pie called macaroni which appeared to be a rich brown crust... a great variety of fruit, plenty of wines and good," according to Federalist Senator Cutler.

The Vine Chronicles - Week 6 (April 18, 2007)

Week 6 of the 2007 growing season was off to another luke warm start and a cold finish. This morning we recorded a 36 degrees temperature in the vineyard. It never got warmer than 54 degrees today. You can tell by the rather yellow color that spring is still not happening.

We are beginning to question the theory of "Global Warming"????

Anthony Gogliucci's 82nd Birthday Party

It was a fabulous celebration of Anthony's 82nd Birthday in Las Vegas. Anthony has been the Treasurer of our Company forever. We enjoyed many great dinners at local and the "strip" Casino's. For those that do not know the history of Anthony, he is famous. In 1962 he was one of two Engineers that developed a program called "Protecting the Package". This was a daring experiment that began in China Lake, California and they developed a high-powered game of catch with ordnance. Through the development of a supersonic rocket sled, they "caught" a shell in mid air to obtain the data on damage to the shell upon firing. Anthony was written up in Life Magazine and Time Magazine in 1962. Happy Birthday.

25th Celebration - the last of the pictures!

Well, it has been two weeks since the Big Event. We are still talking about it and hope you are too. Stay tuned for "Part 2" of our yearly long celebration in July. Mark your calender for July 8th, the next part of our 25th Celebration!

25th Celebration pictures

This is a continuation of the two week post of the 25th Celebration pictures. What a great time.

Great Wine Scores in the 2007 World Wine Competition

Wow! - 89 Points in the 2007 World wine Championship competition for our 2003 Barrel Select Cabernet Sauvignon, Not too shabby. All the wines were "Highly Recommended" and rated from 85 points to 89 points. Hats off to Bill Anderson, our Winemaster!

More on the 25th Celebration

Local Celeb's enjoy the evening at the 25th Celebration of Chateau Julien Wine Estate!

Chef Kasky with his Chateau Julien jacket

Chef Kasky, while on vacation in Sienna, Italy, proudly wears his Chateau Julien Wine Estate jacket. Thank you, Jon!

The Vine Chronicles - Week 5 (April 10, 2007)

This was a week of dramatic growth. The warm temperatures set in (warm only at 45 degrees a night and 66 degrees daytime high). You can now see the actual clusters of grapes forming.