A Great Lunch at the Petit!

Lunch was served by Chef Terry Teplitsky at the Petit yesterday. Yes, the lunch was served for Chef John Pisto and Wine and Food writer, Bill Rice (Chicago Tribune). Bill Anderson, winemaker and I were the hosts for this great lunch served with Chateau Julien Reserve Chardonnay (vintage 2006), Reserve Merlot (Vintage 2003) and finally Rosato (Rose of Sangiovese - vintage 2006).

Pebble Beach - Concours d'Elegance

This was a Chamber of Commerce Day for the 57th annual, Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. As you can see the crowd could be deemed a "sell out event".

The Vine Chronicles - Week 23 (August 23, 2007)

Week 23 of the growing season finally brought some color to the grapes. The process ,called verasion, is the coloring of the fruit and the softening of the berries. We are at about 15 brix and need to harvest at 23+. The overall vineyard is healthy and green.

Moving a Large Wine Tank

Flying Wine Tanks!!!! or just routine maintenance. It's that later, but sure makes for good photo's.

Monterey Historics - 2007

What does the Cannes Film Festival and the Monterey Car week have in common??? It is the happening place to be! From Jay Leno to Phil Reilly, everyone (whether care enthusiast or not) was here. This was probably the biggest crowd we have ever seen for the "World's Best" car show!

McCall Motorsports Party - 2007

Gordon and Molly McCall present the best party of the year. Started 16 years ago, the event surrounds an entertaining evening with amazing automobiles and airplanes. Gordon's vision was to create the event that officially kicks off "Monterey Car Week". He has succeeded. My date for the evening is our new sales associate "Jodi Underhill" - she is our niece and just moved from New Jersey to join our team!

Harvest Begins - 2007 with Chardonnay

First day of Harvest 2007 was August 15th. While Patty pushed the button on the crusher and augers, Bill was tasting for the maturity of the grape clusters. The sugar was right on the desired level at 25 degrees brix. As you can tell, the winery crew celebrated with a little bit of the bubbly.

Christies Private Party - August 14, 2007

Car week parties on the Monterey Peninsula have already begun. The Christies party was held at Clint Eastwood's Tehama Club with great fanfare. The featured car in the first photo is Steve McQueen's Ferrari Lusso. The party was first class.

Monterey Pre-historics - 2007 at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca

The great week at the Monterey Historics begins with the Pre-Historic practice at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. These are world class cars that will be raced on the 11 turn track. During this week, the car parties are incredible, the Concours are a site to see, the auctions are unbelievable and of course the racing at the track will highlight this incredible 9 days of vintage autocars.