football

I am delighted to once again be immersed in college football. Perhaps it is simply the time of year: somehow it signals the end of the oppressive hot weather and promises turning colors, cool nights and braised foods. When asked what foods I would pair with a given wine that we are pouring I find myself suggesting braised foods for the big reds. During the heat of summer the customers look at me like I am crazy; who would have the oven or stove top going for hours in July or August? It is why I love my crockpot. So why does the word Crockpot conjure up images of casseroles and bland foods? If someone asks how I made something and I say I braised it for hours they think of something rich and savory. However, if I said I put something in the crockpot in the morning and it will be ready tonight they aren't so anxious to join in the meal. Maybe just the mental image. If you say casserole it isn't nearly as attractive as saying you are having Paella or risotto for dinner but they are essentially the same things: a variety of foods thrown together and cooked to enhance the flavors. It's one of my favorite things on menus, to see how they have described something to make it sound much fancier than it really is.

the new technology is amazing

There must be something about having been born post 1975 that enables one to automatically understand the capabilities and working of all of the new technology that makes our lives so effortless.  Unfortunately I was born much before that so have to rely on my sons and our web/technology queen who keeps us up and running. Last year for Christmas I bought myself a flat screen tv and an Ipod.  I then  told my sons that what I wanted from them for Christmas was to put it all together and then VERY PATIENTLY teach me how to use them (When they had left for college I had to call them for  the first two months to walk me through getting a DVD to run).  So, I am happy to report that I have now learned how to post a blog from my handheld and you will hear from me a  lot more often>

GustavoThrace 2005 Syrah

We are excited to release our very first Napa Valley Syrah. Gustavo was curious to work with this variety and this fruit is from the Coombsville area in the southern end of the Napa Valley. Just two barrels of this wine (51 cases) were produced at the winery here in Napa. The grapes were fermented in half ton picking bins and then aged in used French oak barrels until bottling. This is an unusual style for a syrah: not the big, smokey, meaty style of hte Rhone but rather a softer approach with aromas of cola, dried blueberries, dark cherries and summer herbs. There is a creaminess in the mouth that allows this to be a stand alone wine for sipping or pair it with grilled meats, falafels or a soft Montbriac blue. $30/bottle - only available at the tasting room at 1021 McKinstry in Napa

dream customers

With the tremendous reaction to Bottle Shock here at the tasting room we are a bit overwhelmed with filling orders from those curious after seeeing the movie. We open the doors here at 11 am and I was running late this morning, only to arrive and have someone waiting patiently at the front door. Gustavo was already here stocking more wines he had brought up from the winery so I got the doors open and welcomed our visitor. She said no problem with the wait, asked for two bottles of the Barbera and handed me the cash. The wines got bagged up and out she went, just to return some minutes later to say I had given her the wrong change. She was correct and we just laughed about it, stepping over the shipping boxes and orders and confusion that generally exists when first opening in the morning. I asked her how she had found out about the wines and she said a friend had recommended them-our favorite reference! So, with the correct change she left and then returned ten minutes later. She had bought two bottles of Barbera and I had put two bottles of Petite Sirah (in my defense they had been shelved in the wrong place by an employee but still my error). Again she just laughed and said she would be back for more. I couldn't have designed a better reaction than hers, good-natured, understanding and infinitely patient. It makes me re-examine my daily outlook on life and my reaction to things that don't go exactly how I would like them to. She chose to make light about it and won't drag it around with her -although she'd be right to tell others that I'm pretty much of a ditz - while someone else may have made the choice to be upset about it and then complain about it on and on and on. I don't know your name but thank you for adjusting my attitude> Next bottle is on me. T

bottle shock

When we were first approached by the screenwriters of Bottle Shock to see if Gustavo would read the script and 'sign off on it', Gustavo said he wasn't really interested. I am sure there are multiple reasons for his apprehension but as the 'marketing queen' I almost strangled him..........it took some explaining on my part to convince him of the exposure this would give to GustavoThrace. "Just meet them and read the script" I said. So, we had dinner together with the screenwriters and read through the script. Gustavo said ok and then we didn't hear anything else for a year and figured it never got picked up. We were then contacted by Brenda Lhormer, the producer of the movie, who introduced herself and wanted to chat. What a treasure she has turned out to be (as well as her charming husband Marc). It was very revealing to watch her, even at a distance, orchestrate the whole thing. The energy they put into this was astounding. She dragged Freddy Rodriguez - who plays Gustavo in the movie - over for dinner, she sent updates and kept up the cheerleading all the way through Sundance and now in releases. We hosted a party at the new tasting room on Friday before the premiere of the movie here in Napa and then all walked across the street to the theater. Marc Lhormer spoke before the movie started and it was great fun to have our crowd clap/boo/hiss/laugh together (we had been pouring liberally at the tasting room since we were all walking) throughout the movie.
Lots of controversy about the 'details'. Is it factual? Partly. Is it Hollywood? Absolutely. Is it wonderful? We sure think so. Go see it and tell us what you think too. Thrace