THE WCM&P "HIRE A DD" PROGRAM

Wine Country Marketing and Promotions (WCM&P) offers its existing clients our innovative “Hire-A-DD” Program whereby we provide a Designated Driver (DD) to escort our clients and their quests, or their merchandise and documents, to and/or from their intended destination(s) in their selected vehicle whether owned, leased, or rented by them.

For airport trips we return the clients’ vehicle to its origin and secure the vehicle accordingly. For the return trip of our clients, our DD’s then return to the clients’ home and/or work location and proceed to the airport to pick-up the client in its vehicle. The client’s vehicles always remain in the most secure of environments.

In our “Hire-A-DD” Program the client bares all the expenses of vehicle insurance, bridge tolls, gas, etc., during the timeframe our DD’s are contracted to provide driving services.

We refer to our existing clients as “The Wine Country Club Founders.” They receive our service which include, but is not limited to, the following:

* Portal-to-portal service at any hour requested

* Unlimited advance time for booking dates

* Airport runs to/from work and/or home

* Pick-up and/or delivery of merchandise/documents

* Medical and business appointments

* Social events whether day or evening

* Wine Country/San Francisco Tours for the guests of our clients

We accept new clients based on the referral of the existing TWCC Founders.

Our rates are very reasonable and competitive.

Cabo and our Associate, Brian, "The Cabo Guy"

THIS SITE ENTRY UNDER CONSTRUCTION

March 21, 2009

Background & Experience - John M. Olney

Founder & Chairman, Wine Country Marketing & Promotions

Tourism, Customer Services, Marketing & Promotions

Moving to Napa, Calif. in 1985, Mr. Olney pursued employment in the golf, wine and food industries including two golf courses, three winery tasting rooms (Silverado Vineyards, Mumm and Andretti Winery) and one restaurant.

He produced two wine label poster-maps on Napa Valley winegrowers under his own company.

He then began writing both fiction and non-fiction articles and books. He published numerous stories and opinions about Napa wineries and related laws. The list of publications that have presented his work include Suite 101 on the Internet, Napa Valley Register, St. Helena Star newspapers and he is a regular writer for the Napa Elks Lodge News letter and our own Wine Country Marketing & Promotions (WCM&P) blog web site.

In late 2006, he commenced his first fiction book on the California wine industry titled “Entwined Vines.”

As an acknowledged historian on the history of wine in America, in 2007, he began the draft of his first non-fiction wine book tentatively titled “Wine U.S.A. - A Modern Historical Perspective” with the draft of the chapter tiled, “The Gentlemen Winegrowers of San Francisco: The men who really established Napa Valley.”

In 2006, he was selected as one of the top wine writers in America by the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) and participated in the selection of the inaugural members of the California Vintners Hall of Fame (HOF), located at the CIA Greystone complex in St. Helena, CA. In October 2007, he was added to the Nomination Committee for the 2nd Annual CIA HOF Induction selections. He continued to serve on this very important California Vintner recognition organization ever since and in 2009, the body became the Vintners Hall of Fame Electoral College as was pared to about 45 voting members.

Alternative Energy and Conservation, and

Public Awareness Programs

In 1975, Mr. Olney and partners drafted the federal grant applications for Energy Conservation, Alternative Resources and Public Awareness for the State of Hawaii and the U.S. Territory of American Samoa. His company was subsequently contracted to manage the grants and train local governmental workers to assume management of the grants on a continuing bases.

He was the invited speaker at the South Pacific Forum in 1978 where he traveled to Western Samoa and spoke to the kings, prime ministers and presidents of the Forum member countries. His topic was “Alternative Energy Resources and Energy Conservation for Developing Island Countries of the Pacific.”

His company also implemented the first rideshare program among all the Pacific Islands on Oahu, Hawaii in 1973.

The company also designed and conducted the 1st Energy Fair in the South Pacific in 1975 in the Eastern District of the Territory of American Samoa.

Military Duty and Sciences

He served in the U.S. Navy during the 1965-70 timeframe while stationed in Alaska, California and Hawaii where he conducted detection and tracking of Soviet submarines transiting the Pacific. For the next five years and as a civilian he continued analysis of Soviet submarine operating parameters while employed by Arthur D. Little, Litton, and Pacific Analysis Corp. He then left the industrial-military industry to start his own company.

In 1996 he began writing his first draft of an unpublished novel (14 chapters, 347 pages titled “The SOSUS Man, “on his Navy experiences detecting and tracking Soviet submarine operations in the Pacific Sound Surveillance System (SOSUS). He is currently revising and editing the draft in anticipation of self publishing the novel in the summer of 2009.

The Early Years

Mr. Olney was raised in San Leandro, Ca. where he earned High School All-American honors in the 400 yard freestyle swimming event and was a four time letterman.

He graduated from the College of the Pacific, a cluster school of the University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA in 1964 where he majored in Speech, minor in Drama. He was co-star in the play “The Beautiful People, “written by William Saroyan conducted in theater-in-the-round and for his senior studies he produced and directed “Waiting for Godot” written by Samuel Beckett.

He was an eight time letterman (four each in swimming and water polo) and member of the Letterman’s Society (President his senior year).

He was a member of the social fraternity “Delta Upsilon” and was selected as the “Man of the Year” in 1963 by the social sorority “Gamma Phi Beta” in 1963.

In 1964, he was selected to “Who’s Who among American Universities and Colleges.”

KULETO WINERY GROUNDS

PHOTO JOURNAL UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Photo's and text by John M. Olney

march 15, 2009

Copyright all rights reserved, Wine Country Marketing and Promotions,
1325 Imola West, #409, Napa, CA Phone: 707-299-9548Web site: http://www.twccwcmp.blogspot.com/ E-mail: winecountrypromo@aol.com

If you haven’t heard of Pat Kuleto before, by the time you are done enjoying this photographic journal of one of the most recent building designs of his genius, you’ll want to examine all his master pieces which I have listed below for your ease to locate.

But before going on about the estate design, and layout, I need to mention that the Foley Family Wines (FFW), headed by William "Bill" Foley, purchased a controlling interest in Kuleto Estate (www.kuletoestate.com/ ), owned by restaurateur Pat Kuleto, and his cadre of investors, in mid March of this year. FFW posses a 70 percent interest in the operations and owns an undisclosed number of acres in vineyard land. The Estate includes approximately 75o total acres of land with about 150 planted to vineyard. The winery currently produces about 3,500 cases per year and plans show growth to about 14,000 cases.

William Foley is Chairman of the Florida-based Fidelity National Financial Inc.(www.fnf.com/ ) and Fidelity National Information services (www.fidelityinfoservices.com/ ). He began his operating interest in the wine industry in 1996 with the purchase of Lincourt Vineyards (www.lincourtwines.com/ ) in Santa Barbara County when he formed FFW. Next he purchased J. Carey winery and vineyards in Sta. Rita Hills and renamed it, Foley Winery (www.foleywines.com/) He went on to purchase two more California wine businesses - Firestone Winery (www.firestonewine.com/ ) in Santa Barbara County and Merus Winery in the Napa Valley (www.meruswines.com/ ) - before moving up to Washington to purchase the Three Rivers Winery in Walla Walla (www.threeriverswinery.com/ ).

Just before the end of 2008, in December, Foley purchased the old and well established Sebastiani winery of Sonoma, CA (www.sebastiani.com/ )

With the acquisition of Kuleto, FFW owns seven winery operations on more than 1,000 acres between the states of California and Washington.

Now let me get back to Pat Kuleto and his accomplishments which include the following designs:

Restaurants
Located in San Francisco
www.boulevardrestaurant.com/
www.farallonrestaurant.com/
www.jardiniere.com/
www.waterbarsf.com/
http://www.epicroasthousesf.com/

Located in Napa Valley (St. Helena)
www.martinihouse.com/

Restaurant & Lodging located along the shores of Tomales Bay, Sonoma County
www.nickscove.com/

Winery Estate located high in the hills east of Napa Valley's town of Rutherford.
www.kuletoestate.com/

I hope to tour the inside of the winery very soon and present it as part 2 of this photo journal.

YOU CAN CLICK ON ANY OF THE PICTURES TO VIEW AN ENLARGEMENT

Located on the northern hillside of Highway 128 - also known as Sage Canyon - Kuleto Estate winery & vineyards is at the end of about a 2.5 mile winding and narrow side road climbing the hill where once you reach the top you will experience fantastic views in all directions from roughly the town of Yountville to the south to Mt. St. Helena raising to the north of the town of Calistoga.

About half up I found this resting place which truly captured my attention with this beautiful spreading old Oak tree. I was fascinated by this very interesting branch growing into and out of an old wine barrel.


Found this work shack just after making the first sharp turn



Vineyards were planted in all directions as I wound up the road towards the winery

Probably the most striking element of Kuleto’s ground landscaping designs is the extensive use of separated rest area’s varying in size capacity from table settings for two to seating capacity for fairly large groups. He also uses a substantial amount of ponds, water falls and fountains throughout the property. At the base of the hill where he built the winery and a home Kuleto has sculpted a fabulous little lake complete with dock and wharf. As one rises from the pond he has created waterfalls and additional ponds that provide the viewer with the feeling that he/she must have arrived in the Shangri la of wine country Napa.


Pictured here is the driveway which circles around the winery located un the upper level in the right hand margin

From the parking lot you cross by these oven entry way to the winery and tasting room.







As it approaches night time the lights start going on and the facilities takes on a different look.

As you drive up to the winery building, Kuleto has established a collection of old farming equipment and this wonderful old Sage Canyon fire engine.

I started walking towards the other side of the winery and up the small hill towardsrds Kuleto’s residence. I first came upon this fountain . I found it fascinating. I stopped to walk around it looking for some sort of deep meaning but I just couldn’t come with anything at the time.

I’m still fascinated with this presentation and my current thought is that it’s some sort of presentation related to wine vases and vessels. I’m going be looking forward to actually meeting this man and hearing his explanation of the essence behind this fountain and pond.


Then I started walking the hill when I suddenly got a whiff of that familiar smell of animal droppings. As I turned around the island in the road, I saw what was causing the unpleasant odor. Pat Kuleto is a gentleman farmer!

How about these Turkeys?



The next stop was to see the view from the grounds surrounding Kuleto’s residence.

YOU CANNOT PROCEED TO THIS AREA WITHOUT SPECIAL PERMISSION FROM PAT KULETO OR THE SENIOR MANAGEMENT STAFF AT THE WINERY. THIS IS A PRIVATE RESIDENCY AND YOU NEED TO RESPECT THAT PRIVACY.

To the right is the private driveway leading up to his house from the Eastern side of his home and connecting to boathouse down below the winery as shown earlier.









These stairs lead to the home from the eastern side. I did not go up to house; rather I slithered around the southern side to see the view from the grounds.






























Here is the staircase leading to the home from the western side of the site.



Around the southern side of the home, I found spectacular views of Lake Hennessey.
This one was snapped as the sun was starting to set for the day.


The view west from the pool and pool house deck as the sun begins to set. The bridge crossing over the water near the closest point of the Lake is right at the split of Hwy 128 to go to Pope Valley to the left (north) and to head up to Lake Berryessa to the right (east).


The sky was constantly changing as the sun was setting.


I then went around to the northern side of the home. There were not as many trees blocking out the sun so it appears like more light exists than when I was on the south side of the home. This shot was taken directly behind the winery complex.















I turned around and took a couple of pictures to give you a feel for the size of this winery.



Now I’m back looking at the sunset but on the northern side of the complex.




But before closing this photo journal out I thought a few photo’s of other interesting points around the compound might be fun for you to browse. This little guy (left picture) is way up on the southern side roof of the winery building.


Then there are the doors and windows that caught my eye.






Presented below is a slideshow providing glimpses of the property as taken with my digital camera as well as 35mm camera.



Hoped you enjoyed this photo journal of a truley magnificient working estate.

ANDRETTI WINERY - MARIO ANDRETTI RACING

THIS SITE ENTRY UNDER CONSTRUCTION

March 21, 2009

By John Olney & John Naab January 2009
August 30, 2008, all rights reserved, Wine Country Marketing and Promotions,

1325 Imola West, #409, Napa, CA Phone: 707-299-9548
Web site: www.twccwcmp.blogspot.com E-mail: winecountrypromo@aol.com

ANDRETTI WINERY
4162 Big Ranch Road , Napa, CA 94558
Phone: 888-460-8463, 707.261.1717,
Fax: 707-259-6776
Web site: /www.andrettiwinery.com/

SOME HISTORY
Before going any further, I have to mention that I first visited these grounds back in the summer of 1986 when I was traveling all the back roads of Napa County in search of wineries that would provide me permission to use their label on my wine label poster-map. This site was the home of a couple of Hippie-like winemakers living among the tree grove in a typical two-story, California ranch style wood frame home.

When I arrived on-site, dogs were running around yipping and wagging tail as I approached in my old Dodge truck. Soon a young couple came out and met me as I was getting out of the truck. After exchanging pleasantries I told them what I was trying to accomplish and they invited me to come into their home and see their labels. The winery name at that time was “Mallard Vineyards.” They showed me two different labels and I immediately opted for the one that had the most fun; “Got-A-Way.” Needless to say, they were delighted that I would display their label at no cost nor obligation to buy any of the final poster product.

Fifteen years later in 2001, I found myself working in the tasting room of Andretti Winery. The new owners had purchased the property in 1996 and proceeded to completely remodel the existing buildings and added some structures to create the magnificent Tuscan estate which is modeled after one of the principal’s of the new ownership - Mario Andretti - home when he was growing up in Montona, Italy (renamed ;Motovun, Croatia, after World War II)
During the time I was associated to the winery tasting room, we were pushing out about 8,000 cases of wine per year spread among the tasting room, wine club, restaurants and other retail outlets.

The Tasting Room
I had not returned since my about nine month employment period ending in early 2002 until this last President’s Day Holiday, February, 18, 2008. WOW, was I surprised to see Sue Hendrick was still with the winery. I had hired her when I was essentially performing the role of acting Tasting Room Manager. When I first interviewed her, she indicted she could only work Sunday and Monday which was just fine as we were looking for part-time Tasting Room staff. Now, she has become Tasting Room Manager and is working four plus days a week. (Since this visit, Sue has retired from full time employment)
What a personal joy it was for me to find out how successful she had become at Andretti. Now she was going to be the tasting host to my party of which included Candi Koslowski, a server at Napa Cuvee Restaurant located near downtown Napa and John Naab, my business associate in Wine Country Marketing & Promotions (WCM&P).

The Key Players
I let Sue know that my mission was to taste Andretti wines for an article I was writing about the winery, the wines and its principals, Joe Antonini, former Chairman of the giant K-Mart Stores chain, Mario Andretti, voted “Race Car Driver of the Century,” at the millenium year of 2000, and Robert Petri, Jr., winemaker here as well as consulting a number of others. Sue had no problem with our mission and gave us permission to photograph the grounds, buildings and, of course, our tasting experiences.

JOE E. ANTONINI - Chairman
Former Chairman, President and CEO of Kmart Corporation where he was employed over30 years. He was selected Chairman of the large retail chain in 1987.
Mr. Antonini has held key positions such as: Chairman of the National Retail Federation and the National Minority Supplier Development Council, member of the Board of Directors of Polaroid Corporation, Chrysler Corporation, Shell Oil Company, Ziebart International, NBD Bank, Michigan Bell, and the Economic Club of Detroit. He also served as a Trustee for the National Italian American Foundation. He is a recipient of the Horatio Alger Award.

Mr. Antonini is a native of West Virginia where he attended college and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from West Virginia University. He was recognized by the University as its most distinguished alumni in 1992.

MARIO ANDRETTI - Vice Chairman
When he was 15 years old, his family immigrated to the United States. Near his hometown of Nazareth, Pennsylvania, he discovered a dirt racing track and has never looked back since he fell in love with auto racing. He raced for five decades, winning just about everything; the Indy 500, the Daytona 500, the Formula One World Championship and the Pikes Peak Hillclimb. He won the Champ Car National Championship four times and was a three-time winner at Sebring. He was the National Dirt Track Champion. He won races in sports cars, sprint cars and stock cars – on ovals, road courses, drag strips, on dirt and on pavement. He has been honored as the “Race Car Driver of the Millenium.”

ROBERT PEPI - Winemaker
Bob Pepi has been the Consulting Winemaker at Andretti Winery since its inception. He began his winemaking career training under his father, Robert Pepi, Sr., at the former Robert Pepi Family Winery in Oakville which was subsequently purchased by the Jesse Jackson Family and renamed “Cardinale.” He earned a reputation for pioneering the Sangiovese grape and wine. He consults a number of other prestigious wineries.
Today’s Production

Since I worked at Andretti, they have grown to over 40,000 cases per year. The wines include ______ lines of which their very best wine is presented under the __________ label. The other wines are offered under their __________ and _________ labels.

The Wines Tasted
Sue started us off with the whites wines just as one would expect. The Andretti 2006 Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc was simply delightful and refreshing but I could be biased since SB and Pinot Grigio are my favorite white wines. Unlike many SB’s this one had just the right amount of grassiness to my liking and the fruit was distinctive to the taste. I shy away from Chardonnay’s that have over about 20-25% Malalactic Fermentation and heavy Oaking.
Andretti 2006 Sonoma Pinot Noir
Andretti 2006 Napa Valley Sangiovese
Andretti 2005 Napa Valley Zinfandel-Primitivo Blend
Andretti 2006 Napa Valley Syrah
Port

A JEWEL IN NAPA VALLEY

By John Olney
August 30, 2008, all rights reserved, Wine Country Marketing and Promotions,

1325 Imola West, #409, Napa, CA Phone: 707-299-9548
Web site: www.twccwcmp.blogspot.com E-mail: winecountrypromo@aol.com

At the request of John Naab and Adrianne Love, on Sunday, August 17, 2008, I escorted their friends around Napa Valley for a little wine tasting, site seeing and lunch. The group included: Massimo Gareri, Jewel Di Paolo, Jennifer Liang and Savio Au (Shown from left to right below) Simply click on the pictures for enlargements.

They got a little lost coming to Napa from San Francisco, but not too badly. I suggested we meet at COPIA which has been tilted “The America Center for Wine Food and the Arts.” However, due to a lack of any serious attendance by local residents and out of area tourists, COPIA has had to drastically cut back on expenses. The first are of cuts was in the arts, followed by the food programs.

I walked them around the first floor area and they were not very impressed with what they experienced. There were only about 40-50 people milling around the displays, wine dispensing machines, the gift shop and the restaurant. They had seen enough so we moved on to our first winery - Silverado Vineyards located along Silverado Trail near the city line between Napa and Yountville.

I drove my car and they followed in theirs. I called them on the cell phone to provide tidbits on buildings, etc. as we drove north on the Trail. Jewel translated into Italian for Massimo and Jennifer translated in Chinese for Savio. This system worked quite well.

Our first stop, Silverado Vineyards (www.silveradovineyards.com/), is pictured below at the main entryway to the tasting room.

We then proceeded into the tasting room where I found Tom, who I worked with when I was employed at this winery back in 2000.

That’s me in the center being the ham that I am! We’re on the deck outside the tasting room looking north towards Mt. St. Helena which is above the head of Savio on the left.

From Silverado Vineyards I took the party to a site that very few tourists ever visit, but which I feel is very important since it commemorates the site where the first Caucasian settler, George C. Yount, who received the first Mexican Land Grant, established his home in Napa County. The town was originally named Sebastopol” but later was changed to “Yountville” about six years after Yount passed away.

/

Here is a blowup of the plaque:

We then left for the next winery, Mumm Napa (www.mummnapa.com/ ) at which I also had been employed.

Jewel couldn’t wait to get to this winery and taste the bubbly.

Then it was off to lunch at Rutherford Gill (a.k.a. Hillstone's chains including "Houston" - www.hillstone.com/#/restaurants/rutherfordGrill/ )

Boy, were they all very hungry! And where did they put all that food?

As we conversed during our late lunch, I found out that Jennifer lives in my hometown of San Leandro, California, located across the bay from San Francisco. So we compared notes on streets, restaurants and bars that I knew about when growing up in the town and I found most of the bars & restaurants were either gone or she just didn’t know anything about them.

As it was getting late and they all had to return to San Francisco we said our goodbye’s at the Grill. Believe me, this was a great group to be out touring with and I look forward to being with them again.

Just some general snaps:

A TOUR OF LUNA VINEYARDS

THIS SITE ENTRY UNDER CONSTRUCTION

March 21, 2009

Text & photo's By John M. Olney & John Naab June 19, 2008
Copyright all rights reserved, Wine Country Marketing and Promotions.
1325 Imola west, #409. Napa, CA 94559 jjolneytwcc1@aol.com

Background
My first experience at this site was back in 1987 when I was collecting labels for my second wine label poster-map on Napa Valley wineries. At that time this was the site of St. Andrews vineyards and winery. The buildings were unimposing structures designed as a “working winery site.” In the early 1990’s the business collapsed and shortly thereafter Clos Du Val, located just a few miles north also on Silverado Trail, took over the facility for use as increased production and wine storage.

In 1995, Michael Moone and George Vare began their plan to produce quality wines on a much smaller scale than their previous endeavors in Napa Valley by purchasing the former St. Andrews property and renaming the property “Luna Vineyards.” Web site: www.lunavineyards.com

Mr. Moone brought extensive experience and talent to the Luna investor group having previously being an executive with the St. Helena based Wine World Estates owned by Nestle Enterprises Inc. (American subsidiary of Nestle N.A. of Switzerland) since the mid 1970’s and rising to become its President. Wine World Estates had owned Beringer winery since 1972 and Mr. Moone is credited with being the instrumental figure to have turned the winery, built in 1876, into a giant within the national and international wine industry. Along with others, he formed Silverado Partners, the group that would buy Beringer from Nestle in 1996. Then at Silverado Partners and other partnerships , he masterminded the sale of the Beringer holdings to Fosters of Australia in 2000.

Mr. Vare began his career in the wine industry in 1972 by buying Geyser Peak Winery for Schlitz Brewing Company. He built it into a 700,000 case operation before leaving in 1979. He then started a number of other wineries and wine-related companies. In 1991 he became president of the Henry Wine Company (wine wholesalers). In 1995 he was part of the group that formed Silverado Partners. Mr. Vare was President of Luna from its founding until 2001 when he “retired” to manage his own operation, “Vare Vineyards.” Web site: www.varevineyards.com

John Kongsgaard was brought in as the first winemaker. Mr. Kongsgaard, is a fifth-generation Napan, and has grown grapes in Napa since 1975. He began his winemaking career 1979 at Newton Vineyards where he remained for 13 years. In 1995 he became a partner and vice president in Luna in addition to being its first winemaker. In 1996, he along with Fritz Hatton founded Arietta. Web site: www.arietta-wine.com He now works the 20 plus acres his family has owned since 1920. Web site is www.kongsgaard-wine.com/.

My 2nd visit to this winery site
The next time I visited this winery site was in 2002 when I was working in the tasting room at Silverado Vineyards and my Manager brought me down the trail to taste the Sangiovese made at Luna because he thought it was as good at that made at Silverado and wanted me to compare the two. And, just as he had said, it was certainly as good if not just a little better than Silverado’s.
On June 7th, I drove Mr. Moone and Luna’s President, Mary Ann Tsai, to attend the 2008 Wine Auction. During the drive the conversation somehow brought up what I was beginning to implement in providing very specialized wine country tours focusing on wines of distinction and the history behind the development of the wine industry in Napa Valley. They both suggested that what I am implementing coincides in many ways with their market development plans. They suggested that I come to their Luna winery to see the extensive remodeling they had recently completed and to once again taste their wines. I was obvious thrilled by their suggestion and during the next week made an appointment to visit the winery.

My associate, John Naab, photographed the compound during our visit.

We first headed for the tasting room to check in for our tour. Indeed, the owners had totally remodeled the existing facilities developing a true showcase winery operation exhibiting an elegant simplicity but done with expensive touches that provide the visitor with a comforting atmosphere in which to enjoy the wines.

The tasting room has the familiar wine bar. The glass doors to the left on the above photo lead out to the winery weight station, crusher and the barrel storage building.

Now the room also includes lounge areas near the entry way seen in the back of the picture above.

We were greeted by Patrick Jefferies, Director of Retail. I first met Pat when he was the floor manager at Cole’s Steakhouse in downtown Napa a few years back. After the exchange of updating information on what we both have been doing since we last met, Pat began walking us through the facilities starting with the expansive private tasting room located behind the general tasting room

Here he is shown on the left as he explains to me what the finishing decorative touches will be to complete this special tasting room designed for parties of up to eight. As you can see, the owners have designed an elegance into the room that will convey to those who will be tasting the Luna wines a graceful lifestyle that will make their wine tasting experience a moment to remember.

Pat then led us out to the expansive courtyard located between the tasting room and tank/barrel storage facility.

You can see the reddish umbrellas in what was the makeshift tasting room while all the remodeling was being completed in the tasting room building.






Pat talked about the various uses they are thinking about for this area. One of the first possibilities was their wine club which previously was named “Lunatics” but has recently been dropped.

We then followed Pat into the wine cellar for look at all equipment and barrels slowing aging the Luna wines awaiting their pending release to the consuming public.





Tasting Time
We then returned to the tasting room where Randy Hester, winemaking staff, would pour some selections for us. By the way, that’s when we noticed the ceiling and admired the gold foil vine imprint on the beams.

The white wine I wanted to taste first was the Luna Pinot Grigio (vintage was 2007). What a wonderfully refreshing hit this wine made on my palette! Randy explained to us that Luna produced about 60% of its wines from the Pinot Grigio grape. It is 95% PG and 5% Chardonnay.

Next we tasted the 2007 “Freakout,” a blend of Chardonnay (35%), Sauvignon Blanc (25%) PG (33%) and Ribolla Gialla (7%), the latter of which I had not heard of before. It comes from the George Vare vineyards and the Luna literature says that Vare is the only place in America where this Italian varietal is grown. This wine caused a slight tingle on my tongue. I probably liked it so much because there was sufficient amounts of PG and SB to override the taste of Chardonnay which I feel out with a few years back because so many wineries were using too much malolactic fermentation for my palette. I still have not learned why Luna named it what they did but I’ll go back and get the answer soon - By waiting it gives a reason to try their wines some more!

As we needed to start wrapping things up and getting ourselves to our next destination, John and I asked to taste the Sangiovese (2006). It is composed of 75% Sangiovese, 18% Merlot and 7% Petite Sirah. And as before, it was smooth with a delicious rich fruit flavor and not heavily oaked.

In addition to the three wines tasted, Luna offers a number of reds: Merlot (2004), Canto (2005), NV Cabernet Franc (2005), NV Sangiovese Reserve (2005) - which I will have to try on my next visit -
Howell Mtn Merlot (2004), NV Cab. Sauv. (2005), and NV Cab. Sauv. Reserve (2004)


John and I were fortunate when we were able to talk to Mr. Moone as he was heading out for his luncheon engagement just before we were about to leave the tasting room. After introductions and pleasantries, John went on outside to conduct more photography of the grounds.

As I was about to finish my conversation with Mr. Moone when the president Mary Ann Tsai came into the tasting room with the winemaker, Mike Drash. She was moving along to meet her daughter for lunch as we again discussed our mutual marketing strategies.

Here you see us as we walk to the outer parking lot. Prior to joining Luna, Mrs. Tsai was employed at Beringer Wine Estates for twelve years Her last position there was vice president of marketing.

Mr. Drash came to Luna following ttenures at Sonoma’s J Vineyards and Napa’s Far Niente winery located in Oakville.

About the site Itself
Luna is over a 50,000-case wine production compound including a 42-acre estate vineyard. They also receive garpes from a 7-acre vineyard owned by Vare. All the Luna vinyard land is planted to Pinot Grigio (also known by the European spelling as Pinot Gris).