Well I woke up today and had the brilliant idea that I'd check the database at Wine Spectator. Big mistake! You can imagine my disappointment, and frankly embarassment when I read the 78 point review of our 2007 Merlot:
"Juicy but generic, showing black cherry notes laced with strong herb flavors. 1,072 cases made. –TF"
Well I don't know who TF is or who tasted our wine but I need to tell you that our 2007 Merlot hasn't shown any "herb" flavors in the tastings we've done nor do I associate anything 'generic' with our wine. But at least we can agree on the black cherries:) In truth, I it is my opinion that the 2007 vintage has been the best of the decade so far in Suisun Valley and the 2007 Merlot may be our best varietal wine to date. And we have a large and loyal local following and my guess is that they just might agree (you know who you are and you're great!).
Question; why bother even printing the review? In business being candid has it place, but I'm not sure it is my place to keep someone down, and if I have an axe to grind or something negative to say, I try not to offer my opinion.
We are winery built on grass roots, word of mouth following and to this point have not fallen into 'ratings driven' trap. This is a good thing for if we were attached to the pursuit of a number or praise we would have been out of business some time ago. We have been open 8 years with very modest PR/Marketing. And to clear up any hyprocisy, yes we do continue to submit to publications and wine competitions in various states. And we are pleased to share with others when our wines are acknowledged for what they are. But ratings are an interesting phenomenon in that we love em and we hate em.
I get that wine is a very personal experience, but I think after this debacle, I'd just assume not send another bottle to whoever tasted our 2007 Merlot at the above mentioned publication as they misunderstand the wine we made and what we are trying to accomplish at Ledgewood Creek (and succeeding mind you).
I'm off to have a glass of 2007 Ledgewood Creek, Estate Grown Merlot with my lunch. Anyone care to join me?
Onward and Upward!
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Can you say lost luggage?
So I had the unfortunate opportunity to spend 2 nights and a day in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida last week. OK don't tear up, feel sad for me or lose any sleep. It's ok. But for the purposes of this blog, this was a business related trip.
Well for the record I have travelled somewhere around 70k miles this year for work (ok I admit some pleasure) and I can't remember the last time I went to luggage hell.
As I stood next to the US Air Carousel, tired from my long flight; alone, embarassed and dowtrodden with no bag in sight, a sudden cloud of depression enveloped me as I eased into the reality of my situation and made the long pilgrimage (or walk of shame, you get the point) to the baggage claims office.
I presented my claim check to a nice gentlemen behind the counter and he informed me that my bag did arrive in Phoenix but was offloaded in the hot desert sun. OK so my first question: WHY? Wasn't I on a through flight, no plane change? Indeed I was. So now all kinds of thoughts are going through my mind; like the couple they just arrested for absconding with over 1000 pieces of luggage in Phoenix. Could they or someone else like them have gotten mine to? Will I ever see my dear and personal belonings again? The attachment was killing me.
The nice agent at the desk (and he was nice) suggested I call an 800 number in about 2 hours for an update. They had one more flight arriving around 10 that night. It was likely my bag would make that flight. I politely (ok dramatically) accepted his peace offering and left with my head held high with hope.
Well the sheer panic did finally subside as I pulled away in my rental car. Can you say retail therapy? I couldn't possibly work that night without a change of clothes. Lets just say I had a good time accessorising.
And I did call later from a lively party as suggested and my bag did arrive in Florida around 10:30 that night. Yippee!!! But I tried not to get to high or to low. And because of this new found life skill I was able to embrace the fact that I had to go back to the airport @ 7 am the following morning to get my bag as it was abundantly clear there wasn't anyone in a hurry to feel sorry for me and my problems (Florida time you know). And when I got to the airport there it was, my poor lonely bag sat behind a locked door staring at me. And evidently baggage claim agents don't have to start working until they feel up to it, or 8am. So I climbed two escalators and walked for what seemed like forever and eventually found a ticketing agent upstairs. She agreed to accompany me back downstairs. Eventually she unlocked the door, reacquainting me with my long lost friend (sorry, bag).
And I just want you all to know that after a long breakfast on the beach and a cool shower I quickly recovered and was back to my old self. I know you were all very worried for me and I appreciate your concern.
Now the last thing I'll say is nor you nor I will ever know what really happened on the tarmak at Sky Harbor Airport but when the ticketing agent reluctantly handed over my luggage she said something like, "oh the TSA must have screened you luggage" What bothered me most about this is that no one had to put their grubby paws on my bag in Phoenix in the first place. Whoever did should have just had the common decency to leave it in its rightful place, for . . . . . . . sake! But even more was/is this pervasive attitude that it is/was somebody elses fault. I think this is entirely endemic (is this the right word?) in our country today. No one wants to take responsibility for anything anymore. Particularly anyone that works for our government and it seems to me that at its root this is why our government is unvravelling at the seams. But I'll save that conversation for another blog!
Phew! After all that Ill let you know we had a fruitful meeting that night. I'm super glad I made the trip and I hold high hopes that we will sell wine in Florida again soon. Did everyone know Florida is the country's number 2 wine market? Who's number 1?
Onward and Upward!
Well for the record I have travelled somewhere around 70k miles this year for work (ok I admit some pleasure) and I can't remember the last time I went to luggage hell.
As I stood next to the US Air Carousel, tired from my long flight; alone, embarassed and dowtrodden with no bag in sight, a sudden cloud of depression enveloped me as I eased into the reality of my situation and made the long pilgrimage (or walk of shame, you get the point) to the baggage claims office.
I presented my claim check to a nice gentlemen behind the counter and he informed me that my bag did arrive in Phoenix but was offloaded in the hot desert sun. OK so my first question: WHY? Wasn't I on a through flight, no plane change? Indeed I was. So now all kinds of thoughts are going through my mind; like the couple they just arrested for absconding with over 1000 pieces of luggage in Phoenix. Could they or someone else like them have gotten mine to? Will I ever see my dear and personal belonings again? The attachment was killing me.
The nice agent at the desk (and he was nice) suggested I call an 800 number in about 2 hours for an update. They had one more flight arriving around 10 that night. It was likely my bag would make that flight. I politely (ok dramatically) accepted his peace offering and left with my head held high with hope.
Well the sheer panic did finally subside as I pulled away in my rental car. Can you say retail therapy? I couldn't possibly work that night without a change of clothes. Lets just say I had a good time accessorising.
And I did call later from a lively party as suggested and my bag did arrive in Florida around 10:30 that night. Yippee!!! But I tried not to get to high or to low. And because of this new found life skill I was able to embrace the fact that I had to go back to the airport @ 7 am the following morning to get my bag as it was abundantly clear there wasn't anyone in a hurry to feel sorry for me and my problems (Florida time you know). And when I got to the airport there it was, my poor lonely bag sat behind a locked door staring at me. And evidently baggage claim agents don't have to start working until they feel up to it, or 8am. So I climbed two escalators and walked for what seemed like forever and eventually found a ticketing agent upstairs. She agreed to accompany me back downstairs. Eventually she unlocked the door, reacquainting me with my long lost friend (sorry, bag).
And I just want you all to know that after a long breakfast on the beach and a cool shower I quickly recovered and was back to my old self. I know you were all very worried for me and I appreciate your concern.
Now the last thing I'll say is nor you nor I will ever know what really happened on the tarmak at Sky Harbor Airport but when the ticketing agent reluctantly handed over my luggage she said something like, "oh the TSA must have screened you luggage" What bothered me most about this is that no one had to put their grubby paws on my bag in Phoenix in the first place. Whoever did should have just had the common decency to leave it in its rightful place, for . . . . . . . sake! But even more was/is this pervasive attitude that it is/was somebody elses fault. I think this is entirely endemic (is this the right word?) in our country today. No one wants to take responsibility for anything anymore. Particularly anyone that works for our government and it seems to me that at its root this is why our government is unvravelling at the seams. But I'll save that conversation for another blog!
Phew! After all that Ill let you know we had a fruitful meeting that night. I'm super glad I made the trip and I hold high hopes that we will sell wine in Florida again soon. Did everyone know Florida is the country's number 2 wine market? Who's number 1?
Onward and Upward!
Friday, November 6, 2009
To frolic . . .
I woke up this morning reflecting on an invisible line in my life between fall and winter. 80 on Tuesday has finally turned to grey cool weather.According to Websters to 'frolic' means to:
1) gambol merrily; to play in a frisky, light-spirited manner; romp: "The children were frolicking in the fields."
2) to have fun; engage in merrymaking; play merry pranks.
We frolicked for sure! While Rick watched and others listened intently, our Winemaker, Larry Langbehn our Cellar Crew: Jeff, Brittany Logan and I playfully layed seed to our open fields with a new crop of assorted poppies.
Just in time for rain, can't wait to see our handiwork in action. A great time was had by all :)
Quick commentary, I found Wilfred Wongs' piece "Does 'Green' sell wine?" in the Nov/Dec issue of Vineyard and Winery Management an interesting, thought provoking read. Then PAULG's blog November 5 blog "green acre" www.paulgregutt.com came up and I have to tell you I absolutely agree.
As strong adherents to the California Sustainable Winegrowing Program; if we are mindful of our cultural pratices, I suggest that sustainable is likely enough. Any thoughts?
Monday, October 19, 2009
Monday, 7:30am - rain's back! Shoot:( No reds today. Make the best decisions we can with the information we have. Back to it tomorrow, big day.
Nice NPR, "Spoken Word" piece Friday. Can be found at the following URL: http://www.spokenword.org/program/749459
Fun discussion on Suisun Valley and upcoming "Fun Family Farm Days", October 25. Just 25 minutes if you have the time, thanks to Tracy, Vicki and Ron for the interview:)
2007 LC Merlot, off the charts! Best varietal wine we've made to date. Great release party Saturday.
Owl House Red - Wow! I misunderstood it's appeal. Recent ACNielsen data suggests 1 in 5 table wine brands introduced features and animal on the label and sales generated by new brands featuring a "critter" outperform other new tables wine by more than double. Right package, right price, right wine.
Until tomorrow.
Nice NPR, "Spoken Word" piece Friday. Can be found at the following URL: http://www.spokenword.org/program/749459
Fun discussion on Suisun Valley and upcoming "Fun Family Farm Days", October 25. Just 25 minutes if you have the time, thanks to Tracy, Vicki and Ron for the interview:)
2007 LC Merlot, off the charts! Best varietal wine we've made to date. Great release party Saturday.
Owl House Red - Wow! I misunderstood it's appeal. Recent ACNielsen data suggests 1 in 5 table wine brands introduced features and animal on the label and sales generated by new brands featuring a "critter" outperform other new tables wine by more than double. Right package, right price, right wine.
Until tomorrow.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Sunshine!
We're back in business! hooray for us. reds, reds and more reds on Monday. Full week ahead. Happy to have the work.
With the crazy success of our newest wine, Owl House Red, and the ongoing traction with our PQ Red cuvee, and Estate GSM; I was getting a little worried we weren't going to be able to bring in enough red grapes this season. Feel a little (ok a lot) better now:)
2007 Merlot, release party tomorrow. Our best varietal wine to date! Excited to have people taste it.
Nothing but blue skies an sunshine ahead. Nearing 81 degrees today. Get outdoors and enjoy this fabulous Fall weather!
With the crazy success of our newest wine, Owl House Red, and the ongoing traction with our PQ Red cuvee, and Estate GSM; I was getting a little worried we weren't going to be able to bring in enough red grapes this season. Feel a little (ok a lot) better now:)
2007 Merlot, release party tomorrow. Our best varietal wine to date! Excited to have people taste it.
Nothing but blue skies an sunshine ahead. Nearing 81 degrees today. Get outdoors and enjoy this fabulous Fall weather!
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Rain, rain go away . . .
Trace amounts last night, very moist out today. Yuck:( Still can't get back into the vineyards. Next pick on Monday maybe? Hope it dries out quickly!
Hear reports out of Napa that grape yields are down due to the "boring", uneventful weather this year, but that quality potential is extremely high. Grape supply, can you say, inventory challenges? We know, 'premium' wine sales are sluggish at best and that well respected properties have become grape sellers themselves this year while they try and undig from backed wines. But believe it or not we had a balanced supply picture in California coming into the 2009 harvest.
So to follow up on this point, somewhere in the last 9-18 months, on top of the 'balanced' california wine grape market many wineries collectively purchased the equivalent of 20% of the existing California grape supply in foreign juice, (mostly Australian). This tipped the scales on the low end. So slowing premium wine sales and a perceived oversupply on the 'low end' quashed any market opportunity.
Stuck in the middle with 'premium' North Coast wine grapes and no where to go!
Right now, there are many branded California, USA products that include globally sourced juice and as far as I can tell, according to existing rules they are entitled to source up to 25% in a given product. Isn't this what you call commoditization? Where's the integrity in California products that have bought into this shell game?
I agree that the legacy of the "Great Recession" we currently experience is likely lower consumer spending. No one predicted the meltdown of our global economy. It's a mess out there. But business decisions were made which will likely affect our grape market for years to come. Like all others, our business cycles. But this 'bottom' just feels harder than others and for good reason. Faced with a common dillema to shift with our market or perish at our own free will. We will continue to produce, estate grown wines from 100 % California grown grapes.
Our winery is at capacity this year, and wine sales are plugging along nicely. Indeed we have 'quality' problems. But on the vineyard side of things, as a result of lower grape revenue, and thus less available cash, we will have to make some uncommonly hard decisions for the upcoming season(s).
But, onward and upward!
Trace amounts last night, very moist out today. Yuck:( Still can't get back into the vineyards. Next pick on Monday maybe? Hope it dries out quickly!
Hear reports out of Napa that grape yields are down due to the "boring", uneventful weather this year, but that quality potential is extremely high. Grape supply, can you say, inventory challenges? We know, 'premium' wine sales are sluggish at best and that well respected properties have become grape sellers themselves this year while they try and undig from backed wines. But believe it or not we had a balanced supply picture in California coming into the 2009 harvest.
So to follow up on this point, somewhere in the last 9-18 months, on top of the 'balanced' california wine grape market many wineries collectively purchased the equivalent of 20% of the existing California grape supply in foreign juice, (mostly Australian). This tipped the scales on the low end. So slowing premium wine sales and a perceived oversupply on the 'low end' quashed any market opportunity.
Stuck in the middle with 'premium' North Coast wine grapes and no where to go!
Right now, there are many branded California, USA products that include globally sourced juice and as far as I can tell, according to existing rules they are entitled to source up to 25% in a given product. Isn't this what you call commoditization? Where's the integrity in California products that have bought into this shell game?
I agree that the legacy of the "Great Recession" we currently experience is likely lower consumer spending. No one predicted the meltdown of our global economy. It's a mess out there. But business decisions were made which will likely affect our grape market for years to come. Like all others, our business cycles. But this 'bottom' just feels harder than others and for good reason. Faced with a common dillema to shift with our market or perish at our own free will. We will continue to produce, estate grown wines from 100 % California grown grapes.
Our winery is at capacity this year, and wine sales are plugging along nicely. Indeed we have 'quality' problems. But on the vineyard side of things, as a result of lower grape revenue, and thus less available cash, we will have to make some uncommonly hard decisions for the upcoming season(s).
But, onward and upward!
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Rain, rain, rain
Day 1, finally entered the 21st century, Blogging. Yeah for me:)
Rain, 4.41 inches in Suisun! I'm guessing the white grape harvest just officially ended:( But the good news? My nights have become days again. Still have reds on the vine: Merlot, Cab, Syrah, Mourvedre and yes Counoise.
14 years harvesting for me and still can't recall this much rain, this quickly this early (or late in the growing season). Some reports out of Sac that this storm will make the history books. Will likely take 4-7 days to dry out. Will the rest of reds make it? Hoping for the 80 they're predicting (and wind would be nice).
On to another 'sore' subject; grape sales. First time in our history (22 years) there hasn't been a market above harvest cost for Chardonnay. Lots of Chardonnay still on the vine with no home; not, fun! Tough got tougher and toughest this year.
I get why it happened, wish it hadn't. Can you say labeling laws? More on this later.
Onward and upward.
Rain, 4.41 inches in Suisun! I'm guessing the white grape harvest just officially ended:( But the good news? My nights have become days again. Still have reds on the vine: Merlot, Cab, Syrah, Mourvedre and yes Counoise.
14 years harvesting for me and still can't recall this much rain, this quickly this early (or late in the growing season). Some reports out of Sac that this storm will make the history books. Will likely take 4-7 days to dry out. Will the rest of reds make it? Hoping for the 80 they're predicting (and wind would be nice).
On to another 'sore' subject; grape sales. First time in our history (22 years) there hasn't been a market above harvest cost for Chardonnay. Lots of Chardonnay still on the vine with no home; not, fun! Tough got tougher and toughest this year.
I get why it happened, wish it hadn't. Can you say labeling laws? More on this later.
Onward and upward.
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