The Vintners Voice

I've had several folks comment on the length of time it has been since I last posted.  I see that as a good thing, as it suggests that someone actually reads this stuff.  Nonetheless, please excuse my neglect.  This blog doesn't pay the bills ( in fact it IS a bill ), so it is always the at the bottom of my 'to do' list.

I've had a couple of whirlwind weeks; a week of sales in Ohio, Oregon Pinot Camp, and Pinot Days in San Francisco.  So I am easing back into things by not writing in my typical 'draw a line in the sand' style and instead will comment on a few things that I think need to be commented upon.

First.  While in Ohio I, along with my distributor, dropped in on an account that has been a supporter of Patton Valley.  Vue, in Hudson Ohio, is a beautiful space.  It was lively, comfortable and stylish.  I met the wine buyer, Mike Tomeselli in his red wine cellar.  He quickly began pulling corks and I soon found myself sitting at the bar with a glass of a kick ass Hermitage ( several actually ) and a plate of food paired with it, prepared by Chef Rick Carson.  The whole point of me mentioning Vue is because I was deeply impressed with Mike's hospitality and very much impressed with Ricks food.  It was the sort of experience I would tend to expect from great food cities such as NY, Chicago, Portland or SF.  If you find yourself in Hudson, Ohio do yourself a favor and stop by Vue, if you don't find yourself in Hudson, make the trip ( http://www.vue-restaurant.com ).

Second.  Oregon Pinot Camp has to be one of the best 'trade only' wine events there is.  Why, you ask?  I think there are a couple of reasons; because many attendees told me so and because I had a lot of fun myself.  For those of you not 'in the know' Pinot Camp is an event sponsored by 50 different wineries in Oregon.  We bring in about 200 wine buyers from around the country and make every attempt to brain wash them about the virtues of Oregon wines.  Participants attend a rigorous schedule of tastings, panel discussions, vineyard tours, lunches, dinners and of course visits to local hangouts ( just to get the full Oregon experience ).  I have to say that it is great to meet the people who support you in an environment where you have a chance learn who they are.  It is also great to meet people who don't know your wines and see them get excited about your wines and Oregon wines in general.  Be warned, if you step into a shop or restaurant staffed by an Oregon Pinot Camp participant you will likely get caught up in their enthusiasm for Oregon wines.  I think the brain washing worked!

Third.  Pinot Days in San Francisco was an amazing event.  I have never seen so many Pinot Producers under one roof.  Oregon was greatly out numbered, but I think we showed very well.  I personally liked the opportunity to get pushed into the vinuous mosh pit with some of California's top Pinot producers.  I want my wines to be tasted against the best, to be compared with the benchmarks of greatness.  I honestly believed Patton Valley held its own against the 'competition' but would certainly welcome readers comments in that regard.  Pinot Days also gave me the opportunity to meet; face to face, once and for all, the King of Wine Bloggers, Alder Yarrow of Vinography ( http://www.vinography.com ).  I frequently post on Alders blog and he has not yet banned me from the site.

So that is what I have been up to, again please excuse my neglect.