Archive for the ‘Wine Places’ Category

Jun 17, 2008

Napa Valley Vintners Respond

Never let it be said that Napa Valley Vintners association is not staffed with smart, well intentioned highly competent folks. The comment below by NVV Terry Hall demonstrates this fact. Hall offered this comment in a previous post on this blog concerning the controversy surrounding the pending application for a "Calistoga" American Viticultural Area (AVA) and the impact this new appellation might have on Calistoga Cellars, a winery that, if NVV gets its way, would be forced to either change…

Jun 12, 2008

That Stink is Coming From Napa Valley

Let me say right off the bat, I think the Napa Valley Vintners are a remarkable trade association that has done a better job than any other such association in representing the wineries that make up their organization. I’ve done work for the Napa Valley Vintners too. And I know the folks over there as well as numerous members. That said, the NVV’s latest attempt to demonize Calistoga Cellars STINKS to high heaven! A couple hours ago I received a…

Jun 2, 2008

I’ve Got Gas!

I finally paid more than $4.00 per gallon for gasoline. It happened this weekend, yesterday actually, early in the morning on my way to the golf course. I didn’t see the price on the sign or the pump. I was just leaning against my car thinking what I needed to do later not to embarrass myself with my driver. Then I looked up and saw it: $4.11 for regular. Now, I knew this was coming. Everyone knew. And the fact…

May 30, 2008

Do the French Have an IQ of 12?

There was a moment back in the early 1990s when many folks in the wine industry believed fervently that America’s Neo-Prohibitiionists would play a key role in inhibiting the marketing of wine in the United States. Mothers Against Drunk Driving seemed to have the ear of every law enforcement agency in America. It appeared their goal was nothing less than stopping all drinking. The news about Fetal Alcohol Syndrome was everywhere and threatened turn off every single pregant woman in…

Apr 28, 2008

Totalitarianism and Gigantism in Napa Valley?

James Conaway is wrong about Napa Valley: While at the California Preservation Foundation Conference in Napa Valley, Conaway said about Napa Valley (Quoting from the Napa Valley Register): "Conaway said the undoing of the Napa Valley may be the sprawl of boutique wineries by rich newcomers who would sacrifice our natural and architectural heritage in the name of “showing off.” First, would it be different if the sprawl of boutique wineries were being built by middle class, old-timers? Second, the…