Week 6: Boxed Wine Experiment with Duca del Frassino’s Garganega/Pinot Grigio

I’m a huge proponent of boxed wine. I regularly have a box of white wine in my refrigerator for easy access. It’s a great space saver, and they allow me to buy a lot of wine at one time. I love having it and not having to store it elsewhere, or worrying about it becoming oxidized if we don’t enjoy it within a few days. Boxed wines are touted as having a six week shelf life, once tapped and put into action.

I was sent an Email and asked if I’d write about this new DUCA DEL FRASSINO brand from Italy. It’s the first ever Italian boxed wine. I suggested that a box be sent to me, and I’d conduct a six week experiment, similar to what Dorothy Gaiter and John Brecher did. The one caveat was going to be that they had six boxes and went back and forth from box one, to box two, to box three, etc., until they had experienced the entire six weeks. I don’t have that kind of refrigerator space, and the experiment has already been done by a couple of complete pros.

1. For five weeks, I’ve talked about what the Garganega/Pinot Grigio was tasting like.
2. I wanted to also see if flavors shifted from one week to the next.
3. I also wanted to taste it six weeks later, and see if the wine was tired at all, or oxidized.

So, here’s what I found, six weeks later.

• I’ve talked about what the Garganega/Pinot Grigio was tasting like each week, and found it slightly different from the past week’s experience. I do have to say that some memory doesn’t serve us well in this kind of a process, because how much can you remember, a week later? But I did have glimpses of memories, and I did perceive slight differences… All of which were fairly pleasant. My week to week notes changes slightly with the different fruit that I was tasting. Here’s just the nose changings…
  • Week 1: I did the nose and found a freshly sliced Pippen apple aroma, lemon/lime, a touch of petrol, and lilies of the valley.
  • The immediate nose was of pink bubble gum… the kind I loved to chew as a kid, and it’s still not an offensive aroma in my world. Swirling, this wine is now citrusy lemons and lavender.
  • Green leaf lettuce, and I don’t think it’s from my salad. It’s just got a green aroma to it that reminds me of a spring day with daffodils pushing open. Slight petrol and floral, too.
  • Green fruit and a faint hint of Petrol continues, and the green fruit remains in tact.
  • SICK: Today, I can’t taste a blessed thing. I swirled, I sniffed and sniffed, and sniffed again…
  • This was my final tasting, as my nose and palate had returned about 50 percent. I did still pick up green fruit. Between not being completely well, and having a box of wine that had now been tapped into for the last six weeks, I’m here to say that there was still fruit remaining. Although I wouldn’t be serving the last bit of this wine to guests for the obvious reasons at this point in time, it did enhance the rice & beans that I had cooked all day, along with a green vegetable salad last night, while I watched Oscar winners receive their awards. Bravo!
• I wanted to also see if flavors shifted from one week to the next.
  • Yes, it did, interestingly. Always pleasant for me.
• I also wanted to taste it six weeks later, and see if the wine was tired at all, or oxidized.
  • Yes, it was a tiny bit, but honestly – I won’t have another box of wine last six weeks in my refrigerator. We enjoy a daily glass of whatever is there throughout the week, so it doesn’t last that long in my house.

Can it last six weeks? Yes, it can and the Duca del Frassino’s Garganega/Pinot Grigio proved itself worthy.

Tags: Diaz Communications, Dorothy Gaiter and John Brecher, Drink, Food, Fruit, Garganega/Pinot Grigio, Italy, Jo Diaz, Juicy Tales by Jo Diaz, Recreation, Wine

It just had to happen.

In 2002, when I organized and started not only PS I Love You, but also started the Association of African American Vintners, I was thinking about starting an Irish American Vintners Association. It just made sense to me. Concannon Vineyard was/is a client of Diaz Communications. (Although I’m no longer the winery’s publicist, I still work with Concannon, as they’re the sponsor for the annual Petite Sirah Symposium.) I kept urging for this important group to be formed, most especially when St. Paddy’s day would come around. I came up with a “Beyond Green Beer” tag line, so people had other options with which to celebrate… But, we were – and continue to be -  just too busy, and we never got to it.

INCOMING EMAIL: When Irish Wines Are Smiling.

Yeah… Someone has finally figured it out!

When Irish Wines are Smiling is the inaugural tasting to honor those of Irish descent working in wine and food in California. There’s a long history of Irish involvement in the wine trade globally, dating back to the eighteenth century.  Concannon Vineyard launched in 1893, as the first Irish American wine making family, started by Irish immigrant James Concannon. Today, James Concannon’s grandson ~ Jim Concannon ~ and his great grandson John Concannon can be seen walking across their courtyard. Jim is the winery’s ambassador, and John is busy with national sales. He’s also this year’s president of PSILY.

Winegeese is the name given to emigrant Irish families and their descendants, like the Concannons, who ~ from the eighteenth century onward ~ have been involved in owning and operating wineries in their newly adopted countries. Today, their names and wine brands are highly recognized as quality products on the international wine market.

There are dozens of wineries in California and beyond that have a link in one form or other with the Emerald Isle. When Irish Wines are Smiling will highlight the contribution made by the Irish to modern Californian wines, by showcasing some incredible and hard to find wines.

This Irish Themed Wine & Food tasting is going to feature wines from Irish owned, named, and ancestry wineries, which will be served alongside freshly prepared traditional Irish dishes and Irish Cheese.

Rutherford Grange Hall, Rutherford, CA 94573

Sunday 14th March 2010 from 2-5pm

Tickets $25 in advance / $30 at the door

Advance tickets available at Brown Paper Tickets

(A portion of proceeds will benefit the Rutherford Grange)

Live Traditional Irish Music & Dancing

Raffle

You can follow the event on Facebook for updates as they happen: When Irish Wines Are Smiling

Participating Wineries

• Brown Estate – Chiles Valley, Napa
• Dillon Vineyards – Yountville, Napa
• Fitzpatrick Winery – Sierra Foothills
• Harrington Wines – Sonoma | SF
• Hunnicutt Wines – Napa
• Irish Family Vineyards – Murphys
• Kelley & Young Wines – Alexander Valley, Sonoma
• Mc Grail Vineyards – Livermore
• Murphy Vineyards – St Helena, Napa
• O’Brien Estate – Oak Knoll, Napa
• Roche Winery – Carneros, Sonoma
• Sullivan Vineyards – Rutherford, Napa
• Taylor Family Vineyards – Stags Leap, Napa
• Twomey Cellars – Calistoga, Napa
• Waits-Mast Family Cellars – SF

Participating Food Vendors

• Hurley’s Restaurant – Yountville – Chef Bob Hurley and his team
• The Napa Valley Wine Train – Chef Kelley Macdonald and his team
• Irish Dairy Board –A selection of Irish Cheeses will be provided

Others to be confirmed.

Contacts:

Andrew Healy | 707 227 4273 | threerockwine@gmail.com | www.threerockwine.com

Becky Tyner | 707 254 5152 | becky@smalllotbigwines.com | www.smalllotbigwines.com

Tags: Concannon Vineyard, Diaz Communications, Jim Concannon, Juicy Tales by Jo Diaz, Wine, wine-blog.org

I’ve been pretty open on this wine blog that Enoforum Wines, from the Alentejo region of Portugal, is one of my clients. This is my journal, and I’m recording my realistic journey in the wine business. When Enoforum Wines and our Diaz  Communications partnered, it wasn’t with the thinking that Enoforum might be imported into the United States. It’s more a matter of when. Enoforum’s ducks are in a very neat row.

• Enoforum has so much to offer.
• Couple that with the fact that Alentejo wines are becoming a really hot commodity item in people’s minds.
• Now, frost the cake with extremely well priced wines, and we’ve got a winner.

The only question that remains is, “Who’s the missing importer link?”

As I mention Frank Johnson here, from Frank Johnson Selections, I am not stating that we’ve all found the perfect fit between brand and importer. It’s way too soon in that process. It takes a whole lot of time to get from point A to point Z. We’ve only just begun to get to know each other. We’re just in the “getting to know you” stage. We’ll all see what the future will bring for any of us.

That all said, I’ve still found a treasure of a person that I’m enjoying getting to know, and that’s what is worth sharing… here and now.

In the search process, I’m learning all the objections when looking for an importer:

• TBNT (Thanks, but no thanks) ~ “We’re not bringing on any new brands at this time.” This is the most common objection.
• “We go abroad, and find our own brands, based on our own interests.” Another common one.
• “We only specialize in certain countries.” Okay, I can see that, I guess. I don’t want to do PR for other industries, because I don’t have the media contacts, so I can understand that kind of constriction… But, and it’s a big BUT, I love exploring the world; so, if I had an import company, I’d be a bit more adventurous… Just sayin’ …
• “We buy juice, and put our own labels on the wines as our own imported brands. We spent too many years building brands, and as soon as they’ve got cache, they – in their minds – take it to the next level, by switching companies.” Well, isn’t that just a common theme. It also happens to small PR companies… We build brands and then they feel the need to jump ship, rather than stay the course. I also always see them fail after leaving, because it’s not a good principle, so it takes care of itself. I can certainly empathize with this one, but it means that I must cross that company off my list as a potential partner.
• “Nobody’s buying in this economic climate.” Not true, but thanks for sharing.

None of these objections, however, applied to Frank when I called him. Maybe it was because New York City was under extreme weather conditions. He was snowed in anyway, so he just succumbed to my call. Maybe he just had a few minutes of spare time, and my lead in was interesting enough to want to know more. I don’t know what it was, really, but Frank just listened. He at least listened because he has to have an open mind. As we talked, I quickly grasped that he’s his own man’s man. He’s been in wine business for over 35 years; and in that process, he’s stayed close to his ideals.

I can appreciate that, because that’s been my path my entire life. I’ve lost a lot of jobs because I’ve told bosses what they’ve needed to hear, not what they’ve wanted to hear. That doesn’t make for a good employee, nor doesn’t even guarantee that I’m a good consultant. That’s because I can’t/won’t compromise ideals or ethics.

As we talked, Frank shared that he once entertained the idea of having a Portuguese brand, but it didn’t work out. Just being back from Portugal, myself, I might have over exuded my enthusiasm, so I was at least interesting to him as I gushed on, no doubt. But the vital ingredient was the open-mindedness.

This is always the first step in any relationship that’s begun, no matter how brief or long it lasts. We all know, some are for a reason, and some are for a season.

So… now that I’ve told you how I came to begin communicating with Frank, I’m going to tell you things about him that he hasn’t told me, but I intuitively know… because I’ve been around this business and life a goodly amount of time, or I’ve found out by reading his Website. Websites are so great for learning about most things today.

In the 35+ years he’s been in the wine business, which includes being an importer; he’s worldly. He’s been abroad (having grown up in Europe), and that’s made him a much more well-rounded personality. I would dare say, he’s quite fascinating and has wonderfully rich stories to tell, based on his portfolio. He just sent a list to me, for a trade event he’s hosting. The brands are amazing. His list is quite long and formidable.

From the following locations listed (you can go his site for the Frank Johnson Selections to read who is whom on his list), you’ll see the great expanse of globalization:

• France
  • Alsace
  • Bordeaux
  • Burgundy
  • Champagne
  • Languedoc
  • Loire
• Germany
  • Mosel
  • Nahe
  • Rheingau
• Italy
  • Aquileia
  • Colli Orientale del Friuli
  • Piemonte
  • Tuscany
  • Veneto
• Spain
  • Murcia
• United States
  • California
• Spirits
  • Armagnac
  • Cognac
  • Calvados

This list tells me that there’s a fabulous story inside of Frank Johnson, that’s yet to be told. The relationships and the travels that have existed in building this kind of a portfolio tells me that there must be a rich tapestry of experiences associated with Frank’s life. This is a book waiting to be written, with the right focus and the best use of presentation and theme/purpose. I wish I had a publishing company. I’d be pairing a writer to the story; although, it may be Frank, himself, who is the best person to write it.

He’s been writing about wine for over thirty-six years, having two books to his credit, and a link to an article:

1. BOOK: The World of Wine
2. BOOK: Professional Wine Reference
3. ARTICLE: Frank Schoonmaker

The richest part of this story about Frank is his philosophies, as stated on his Website. We both share feeling more European than American… That may be part of the draw:

Frank Johnson spent the summer of 1969 living in Germany and came back an entirely changed man. From his experience abroad, he concluded that his outlook was more European than American, and so he changed his major in college from medicine to modern European history. Although a medical career might have been more rewarding to him financially, the European mind has always appealed to him. Wine was a logical outcome from his European cultural experiences, as was German beer, and, to an even greater extent, the people of central Europe, who are among his ancestors.

In 2009, Frank Johnson Selections has now expanded to France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and California. Besides brokering wines with importers and distributors around the country, Frank Johnson performs custom importing services for retailers, restaurants and clubs in the greater New York metropolitan area, offering fine wine rarities at a greatly reduced price. By eliminating a standard wholesaler’s markup, Frank Johnson Selections allows substantial savings to the customer, and also provides superior warehousing and delivery service.

I know from my own personal experiences as a salesperson, the people who bought the brands I was selling were not only buying the product, but they were also buying my integrity. I know that this is what has made Frank Johnson such a great success, and an intriguing person to add to my importer profiles.

From a Wine & Dine, University of Massachusetts biography… the man I’ve come to admire in the import business.

What do you do with a master’s degree in history? Wine broker may not leap to mind, but after sharing a bottle of St. Nicolas de Bourgueil Cabernet Franc with Frank E. Johnson ‘73G, that career path looks logical. Johnson draws on his knowledge of history, culture, languages, geology, botany, chemistry, and biochemistry when he travels to European vineyards to select wines for his clients.

Johnson spent part of his childhood in England, the beginnings of an affinity for the European way of life and for fine wine. He studied history at Rutgers University, then proceeded to UMass Amherst for graduate work in Modern European history. Already an oenophile, he wrote a wine column for the Collegian until his editor advised him, “Around here we turn on to other things.” His Amherst memories include finding a $15 Haut-Brion that today would fetch about $1,500 in a shop near the Lord Jeffrey Inn and making “pretty bad” wine from Concord grapes.

Self-taught, with a perceptive palate, before long Johnson was working as a wine writer, and in 1977 he wrote the Professional Wine Reference (Beverage Media Group, Inc.), now in its fifth printing. Purse-sized book in hand, you can learn that mousseux is French for frothy or get a primer in the cold soak winemaking technique.

After writing about wine, Johnson proceeded to work for several importers. In 2004, he struck out on his own and sells to restaurants, clubs, and retailers near his New York City home. He calls himself a contrarian, seeking undervalued yet classic wines from classic areas while avoiding trends favored by “punk sommeliers” who lack encyclopedic knowledge of wines.

Johnson believes wine makes everything better. When you follow his lead and sip the St. Nicolas de Bourgueil after raspberry coulis and discover the wine’s berry tones, the wine merchant has sold you.

Tags: Alentejo, Alentejo Region of Portugal, California, Diaz Communications, Enoforum Wine, Frank Johnson Selections, Jo Diaz, Juicy Tales by Jo Diaz, New York City, Portugal, United States, Wine

And, I interviewed Alex Trebek of Jeopardy, former proprietor of Creston Vineyards. [See below for more details and image.]

Talk about glamour… Fashion and elegance…

Hollywood event producer Anita Talbert (Hollywood Award Suites) was assisted during this smashing event by entertainment consultant Norby Walters (below with Sophia Milos), who is known in close circles as Mr. Hollywood.

Anita has again just executed on what was one of the most amazing events I’ve ever seen in the posh Beverly Hills Hotel – Rodeo Room. I mostly hang with winemakers, who are a much more conservative group of artist-scientists.

Even my rock and roll days can’t compare; because, that was always backstage at some stadium venue, and not done with the flair of Anita and Norby’s red carpet mentality… Which  was red carpet all the way.

The suite created by Anita Talbert (below) didn’t just amaze me, in my innocence of these types of events. It visibly dazzled all of the Hollywood icons, who also came out. Just amazin’… Just sayin’ …

Jose and I flew down to the Beverly Hills Hotel, where Norby and Anita held their Annual Pre-Oscar Gift Suite of 100 Stars. We were accompanying our client Tequila Semental, who was gifting the stars with their Silver, Reposado, and Añejo tequilas. We even had a small tequila tasting, with owner Efrain Lopez Gurza on hand to meet with all of the Hollywood celebrities.

It was really great to see their reactions. A favorite moment for me was when Natalie Cole tasted the Añejo, she remarked, “Oooo, this is so smooooth,” and then spent a moment to savor the flavors. Meanwhile, John Heard cautiously enjoyed his tasting, because he said it was a bit early in the day for him, but he did love the Reposado.

Personally, it’s really rewarding to see this client’s brand quickly developing into a benchmark standard as an ultra premium tequila of truly smooth enjoyment. Efrain practices the best business acumen of “only the best will do,” so that’s what he’s ended up producing… Simple logic, really.

The event began on a really high note for me, when I spotted Alex Trebek (above with Tequila Semental’s national ales manager Richard Burnley). He entered the suite early in the day; I’m sure so he could then be off taping Jeopardy later that afternoon, but I didn’t ask him. I didn’t want to intrude too much, because I was there to help with Tequila Semental, and he wasn’t in our area at the time of spotting him. But the wine blogger/publicist in me took over for just a second. He later came over to our area, and I snapped this one.

As I spotted him, I realized that he was also drifting away. I just couldn’t lose the opportunity to ask him about his winery. I knew that he had been a vintner, but I had also heard that he sold the winery. I hang out with these guys all day long. We speak the same language. It was a perfect moment to connect. I knew the odds of this ever happening again were 10,000,000 to one… So, I watched him, to see what direction he was going in. I stealthily crossed the room, strategically let him finish his conversation with the Suio Water people, and then he turned ~ a free agent ~ right in my direction. We were standing almost face-to-face. I had to work it a little, because he wasn’t looking for me, but I was looking for him.

“Excuse me Alex, could I ask you a question that’s off what we’re doing right now?”

“Sure,” he replied, looking at me quizzically. He’s usually the one asking the questions, right?

“Could you tell me whatever happened to the winery you used to own?” I queried. I felt like I was on Jeopardy, posing everything as a question.

“”Why do you ask?” he questioned.

“Because I’m a wine industry publicist, and I’d love to know.” All the while I was thinking how this would fit perfectly into this wine blog. Did you know that Alex had been a vintner a few years ago? Some people know it; others don’t. I wanted to record his history in one more location on the Web.

He said that he’d recently sold it, and someone has bought it; but, is running it under another name. I haven’t found that name, yet. Anyone know what it’s now called?

We had a few pleasant moments together; then with smiles, we were once again off in different directions.

The winery was Creston Vineyards: Central Coast region, South of Paso Robles. It’s a 15 acre producing vineyard with a dramatic architect-designed ‘glass house’ home. Wine grape varieties include Petite Sirah, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon. The property, in the South Paso AVA, gets the renowned Templeton Gap airflow. It’s a suburb area for red fruit.

It wasn’t until I’ve now just researched this that I’ve learned he grew Petite Sirah… If he only knew my connection to the variety as the advocacy director.

[Pictured below with William Shatner is Efrain Lopez Gurza of Tequila Semental. You'll see Efrain pictured throughout this story, as all the stars came over to meet him at the Tequila table. It's impossible to show everyone all on this one blog entry, but you'll get a good snapshot here and can follow-up shortly on the Tequila Semental Website. There will be plenty more there..]

According to Hollywood Today Magazine, Anita Talbert is quoted as saying, “This was the first-ever suite of its kind at the Beverly Hills Hotel and raised the bar in caliber, luxury and bonafide stars for a gifting suite.”

It continues, and I did see all of these people, “Guests were a mix of young Hollywood and established established industry celebs, including William Shatner, Natalie Cole, Martin Landau, Charlene Tilton, Sofia Milos, John Schneider, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Lou Ferrigno, Lou Diamond Philips, Dee Wallace, Vail Bloom and many others.”

I’m adding Stephanie Powers to the list, as I reflect on favorite moments… Doris Roberts, Fred Willard, Marilyn McCue, Mimi Rodgers, Maria Conchita Alonzo, John Salley, Courtney and Ashley Peldon (sisters), Chris McDonald… So many… (John Heard and Ashley are in the above image.)

The event featured many designers and popular, new brands. These stars were offering the Hollywood stars their fabulous wares.

The gift list from designers and companies:

• Bejeweled Apparel (Susan Fixel) ~ hip fashions
• Cape Cod Leather ~ finest Italian leather messenger bags for men, stunning leather handbags for ladies
• Charlie Lapson ~ new collection of clutches and purses
• Cherry Berry ~ finest genuine vegan leathers and pleathers from their sumptuous handbag collections
• D’Bodinus Eco-Luxury Collection ~ Luxury Living Lounge for the event, gifting celebs with sumptuously fragrant eco-candles
• Fine Water ~ Italian Water launching in the US, totally pure
• Girlfriends Boutique, just say spa lush personally monogrammed robes
• Green Apple Active (Cristofer Smith) ~ certified organic bamboo and cotton contemporary active-apparel
• Hai-Elite ~ hair beauty tools
• Juan Juan Salon/Beverly Hills ~ Eric Bachlete, international stylist for L’Oreal flew in from Normandy, France to style the star’s hair and gift Beverly Hills products from his Beverly Hills locatioini, theJuan Juan Salon
• Julia Shlovsky ~ one of a kind jewelry for the red carpet and her world-wide clientele
• Just Look’n Eyewear (Daniel Oberti)~ dazzling collection of 18 carat solid gold framed sunglasses
• Kathy Wilson Atelier ~ understated clothes for today’s fashionistas
• LA Gear sneakers ~ sneakers in glowing, hot colors
• Leslie Belcher’s Accessoreez ~ line of gorgeous, “hot fired” borosillicate glass masterpieces
• Mignon Chocolate~ limited edition luxury “M” Collection
• Pevonia Botanica ~ elite, eco-friendly skincare line
• Robinson Designer Goldsmith ~ unique, hand-crafted, custom-designed jewelry, and Beach Bunny Swimwear
• Shoe Dazzle (Kim Kardashian) ~ online shoe membership society that includes personalized stylist recommendations and a pair of shoes every month
• Suio Water ~ Quenched everyone’s thirst
• Swartz Los Angeles (Kelly Ann Swartz) ~ Stars were trying on couture and ready to wear evening gowns
• Taber Studios (Martin Taber) ~ hand-forged and sculpted jewelry in sterling silver and 14k gold wire, accented with diamonds, pearls, precious, and semi-precious stones
• Tequila Semental (Efrain Lopez Gurza) ~ Silver, Reposado, and Añejo were given to the stars
• Tommy John ~ the ultimate undershirt, second skin
• Yon-Ka^® Paris ~ French-made luxury skincare line
• YooStar ~ revolutionary entertainment system makes YOO the star of famous movie and TV scenes

Hollywood is impossible to do, being that I’m a Sonoma County person. L.A. is really south of where I am, but this is a high note to my visits to their walk of fame…

Stars in attendance:

• Alesandra Torresani
• Alexa Vega
• Alice Greczyn
• Antonio Sabato, Jr.
• Bridget Marquart
• Candice Cameron Bure
• Candy Spelling
• Charlene Tildon
• Chase Masterson
• Chris McDonald
• Courtney & Ashley Peldon
• D Aloris
• David Winfield
• Dee Wallace
• Florence LaRue
• Hector Elizondo
• James Pitt (Avatar) with Stephen Powers
• Jamie Hilfiger
• Jason Ritter
• Jessica Hall
• John Heard
• John Salley
• Lee Reherman
• Linda Thompson
• Lorenso Lamas
• Lou Diamond Philips
• Lou Ferrigno
• Maria Conchito Alonso
• Martin Landau
• Mimi Rogers
• Molly Shea (Skip two)
• Natale Cole
• Nia Long
• Rick Hune
• Sofia Milos
• Stephanie Powers
• Tamara Tiara
• Tony Dennison

Our Tequila Semental Crew, left to right: Mark Howard (Vital Beverages, Las Vegas), Efrain, Carlos Fausto, Michael Burnley, Richard Burnley, Miguel Sandoval, Jose Diaz, Jose ~ a friend of Efrain’s who has just developed the first certified “green” house in all of Mexico, in Cabo.)

Related articles by Zemanta

• From Dark & Delicious to a Pre Oscars Party with Tequila Semental (wine-blog.org)
• Oscars 2010: Anita Talbert & Norby Walters’ Suite Dazzles Hollywood Elite

Tags: Alex Trebek, Anita Talbert, Beverly Hills Hotel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Food, Natalie Cole, Paso Robles Cellars, Recreation, United States, William Shatner, Wine

Suisun Valley Grape Growers Association (SVGGA)

Experiences a Metamorphosis in Name…to…

Suisun Valley Vintners & Growers Association (SVVGA)

When the Suisun Valley Grape Growers Association (SVGGA) was formed in 2003 as a wine grape coalition, it had two main goals:

1. To advance awareness of the Suisun Valley American Viticultural Area, established in 1982.
2. To send their message of Ultra Premium winegrapes, in all direct sales methods, to all of their contacts.

According to SVVGA President Roger King, “The long term direction of that initial approach tied in with our strategic plan of brand building the Suisun Valley AVA. After the first year, we looked at the results of those initial efforts, and each year thereafter we’ve built upon all of our successful aspects. Getting our professional grape sales and PR strengths in place for a major roll out was the solid foundation for our forward movement. Within that first year, we finally began to be recognized as an Ultra Premium, wine-grape growing region by many, and that was very rewarding”

2004: By their second year, the grape growers had accomplished launching a website that was content rich, including the appellation history, facts, maps, members, and a buyer-seller forum. The importance of the Website was a critical communication tool, was easy to use, and made a strong statement for their commitment to excellence in grape growing. The emphasis for the grape growers remained a focus on all things related to their viticultural practices.

It wasn’t until late September in 2004, when an extremely high score was given to Ted Osborne’s Olabisi wine, which originated from Suisun Valley grapes, that the wine world also began to take serious notice of their wines. The growers now realized that the quality of their grapes receiving this kind of third party endorsement was of real benefit.

2006: By February 2006, the squeeze of consolidation forced adaptive innovation in Suisun Valley, and the grape growers became focused on growing niche fruit to complement a specific variety. They started growing artisan varieties in small quantities; they began seriously dropping fruit, cutting leaves, and hand-holding each vine in their possession. They also began finding buyers from outside of California; e.g., Ohio, upstate New York, etc., and identifying “home winemakers.”

2007: SVGGA created a S.W.O.T. analysis, which then allowed for the creation of a strong Strategic Plan for their future. They took into account all current market conditions and shaped a solidly structured, mapped future for Suisun Valley. Then, in June of 2007, the Suisun Valley Wine Cooperative was created, which was just the beginning of other wineries that would begin to find a home in Suisun Valley. This began a segue from thinking only in terms of grape growing to hosting wine events that would showcase Suisun Valley wine as an end product. At the end of 2007, Suisun Valley celebrated ~ with huge success ~ their 25th AVA Anniversary, with winery tastings of their Suisun Valley appellated wines and a Winemaker Dinner.

This was their turning point…

2008: In December of 2008, Suisun Valley again celebrated their AVA’s Anniversary with winery tastings of their Suisun Valley appellated wines and enjoyed their Second Annual Winemaker Dinner.

2009: Passport weekend was created by a newly formed Vintners Committee in February, and their Third Annual AVA Anniversary was again celebrated in December. Suisun Valley had found its niche, annual events.

These kinds of consumer activities, which have begun an exodus into the valley, necessitated the separate Vintners Committee, in order to handle all ongoing wine related activities. This gave pause to the Board of Directors; namely that they have now become as involved with the wine companies of Suisun Valley as they have been with the grape growers, with activities that also have as much focus as what the grape growers have been achieving.

This dichotomy of function is what has required the name change.

The visual is very subtle, but side-by-side, that slight change demonstrates a significant growth within and for Suisun Valley.

Tags: California, Diaz Communications, Juicy Tales by Jo Diaz, Suisun Valley, Suisun Valley AVA, Suisun Valley Grape Growers Association, Suisun Valley Vintners & Growers Association, Wine, wine-blog.org, Winemaking, Winery