D&D Celebrates the end of harvest and the Fall Wine Line-up

Another harvest and massive array of fall releases put to bed - I have to say, it feels good to be wrapping up the season. After a bit of discussion, we decided to go ahead with our second annual fall catalog reception at Press Restaurant in St. Helena. Faced with what has been one of the most challenging economic times, I thought with some smart spending, we could still put on a great party celebrating with our vintner friends that we included in the fall line-up.

With only two weeks notice, I emailed the invitations to every vintner, winemaker and distributor who helped us acquire some of the best offerings for our customers. The invitation list was nothing short of amazing. It was really one of those Who's Who type of lists- a group that encompassed some truly great people in the California wine business.

Like with most events I've hosted, I was a little nervous as to what kind of response I would get back. But within a few minutes of sending out the invitations, my nerves were put to rest as the RSVP's started to come through- most with the perfect phrase…Yes, I'll be there. Even my CEO, Mark Daley and proprietor, Leslie Rudd, responded with a Yes.

Great people like Dick and Anne Grace of Grace Family, Ren Harris and Robin Gerber of Paradigm, Pam Starr of Crocker & Starr and Bridesmaid, Jeff Pisoni of Pisoni, John Conover, Tony Biagi and Ryan Keith of Plumpjack, Kirk Venge of Venge, Chuck McMinn and Holly Anderson of Vineyard 29, Linda Neal of Tierra Roja, Shirley and Charles Roy of Roy Estate, Mac McDonald of Vision Cellars, Scott Palazzo of Palazzo, Mac Watson of Macauley, April Gargiulo of Gargiulo, Larry Pina and Anna Monticelli of Pina, Dennis Bell of Lewis, Paige Biagi of La Sirena, Mark Herold of Celani- these were just a few among the many that came to celebrate.

So with some Distillery 209 cocktails, wines that vintners brought which we included in the catalogs and awe-inspiring cheese and meat platters made by Dean & DeLuca Catering along the bar area, we toasted to another incredible harvest and remarkable releases.

The best part of the evening was being able to introduce some people that had never met others before. It was also a fantastic opportunity for our D&D wine team to taste the new releases and get to know some of the great California vintners. It's funny how that works- being in the position that I'm in regarding the wine business, I'm always under the assumption that everyone knows everyone else. The wine business is a seriously small, intimate arena and we all know of each others work life and even personal life to a certain extent because we're in the business of making, promoting and selling not just wine, but the stories behind the wine. In reality, we care about our business as if it were a child. While I've seen this business grow every day and what each vintage brings, it's truly amazing to talk with those that have been making and selling wine beyond my years of existence. So all in all, a memorable night!