Yes, it has been a while since I last wrote, many seasons have come and gone, but I have gotten to spend a lot of time with our many friends. It is great to renew our relationships and to show off our new finds. The search for new wines and wineries is endless, many have been making wines for a long time, their limited production has kept them under the radar as it were, a well hidden secret, and that is what we specialize in, finding the best wines available and introducing them to you.
Our research and development, is almost my favorite part of what we do, I do get the most satisfaction from the reactions of our clients, after tasting some very good wines that they have never heard of before. That is when I know that I have done my job.
These last several months have seen a lot of changes for both Chris and me. We moved to Napa. Packed up the house, the carriages, the dogs and ourselves and firmly planted Cristal Blue Carriage right here in the heart of paradise. It’s tough but someone has to do it. This is where the R & D part really shines, we can check out a winery on the way to the store. Before we would have to get ourselves a driver and plan a whole day of tastings. Most of Napa’s 623 wine labels are within 30 minutes drive from our house -- sure does make life easy.
There are changes in the wine industry as well, the local saying “to make a small fortune in the wine industry, you start with a big one”, is beginning to have a new meaning, the millionaires are rapidly being replaced by the corporations with billions. They are buying up many of the most trusted wineries here in Napa, Duckhorn for $265million, and Stagsleap Cellars for $75million and rumor has it, there are more coming. The family owned and operated winery is now an endangered species. What upsets me the most about these acquisitions is that the wine then becomes secondary to income. Quality costs money so that is usually the first to go, but you will not see any drop in the retail price. For me it is about the wine, thankfully there are still many artisans out in this valley, all are passionate about the wine and are dedicated to their art. These are the people you need to meet.
We have a logo now, which says it all. Think outside the box when you go wine tasting and you will find the true treasures of Napa Valley and in my opinion some of the best wines in the world. You will complete the circle of the search for ‘your’ perfect wine.
THE QUIZ?
It seems that I made this just a little too tough this time, so let me work on a new one and make it easier for you next time. There are so many stunning locations, so many that our new camera has been working overtime in the few months we have had it.
THE ANSWERS!
 SWANSON VINEYARDS |
 JARVIS |
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 TERRA VALENTINE |
 VENGE VINEYARDS |
 FLEURY ESTATE |
