Week 3 of the "Vine Chronicles" was an exciting week. Not only was the Estate 25 years old but we had a great deal of temperature variation and some rain. Only .53 inch of rain and the temperature was 38 degrees this morning. Spring is still coming!
We borrowed Bobby's pictures to show some of the evening's excitement. The Gala was grand!!!
As we get closer to the big anniversary date, Chef Teplitzky surveys the Estate and prepares samples for us to enjoy.
As the week ends, the nervousness of the event begins to set in. Today - we were thinking this is bigger than our wedding. After all, the guest list, the goodie bags, the food, the introduction of a great wine and more. The tenting is now complete and the gardens are ready. Next - the final preparation.
Week 2 of "The Vine Chronicles" (March 13th through March 20th) started with some signs of budbreak early in the week and by the end of the week - about 3/4 of an inch of growth. It was a warm week to start and cooled dramatically for the past three days. 
You should always be proud of your kids. Dawn has made us all proud- two grand kids, a great husband and wonderful career.
Kristin Horton, Director of Estate Marketing, did a great job of chronicling our business time line over the past 25 years.
Expert landscaper, Scotty Gibson's crew prepares the "Wine Estate" for the 25th celebration event to be held next week. The winter freeze and unusual cold (Global warming????) played havoc with the estate gardens. However, the Color is back!
Well, finally the vines have taken the hint (80 degree weather) and came alive. I will attempt to chronicle, weekly, the vine growth and post as the "Vine Chronicles" - Budbreak is two weeks later than last year mainly due to an extremely cold winter and still cold ground temperature.
Good news! The 275-GTS represented the "Racing of the 60's" at the request of the track. The car they selected is the same one I raced in Italy in 2004. As you can see, the day was perfect (temp was 80 degrees) and Tony Aniello was also having a good time (see slide 3). The gathering was to celebrate 50 years of racing at the track and to allow the CHAMP cars an opportunity to return to the track and do some time testing.
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.
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.
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.
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. 
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. 
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.
