March 2006 Newsletter
March 2006 Newsletter
I. NEWS ABOUT BRENDAN, THE FIRST SON WE NEVER HAD
Brendan is launching his own winery in Emeryville, California, just around the corner from where he lives. It's called Periscope Cellars and he is the sole proprietor of a new and expansive warehouse and tasting facility located at 1517 63rd Street, Emeryville CA 94608. You'll still see his bright and shining face here at our winery from time to time at special events, crush time, or whenever else we can convince him to leave his new enterprise. In the meantime, he wanted us to let you know that he's going to be offering the last of his 2003 Tipicita (you remember that wonderful Syrah he made here at our winery a couple of years ago with that special black "Tipicita" label). So for your last chance to snag a bottle or case, or two, you can contact Brendan directly at brendan@periscopecellars.com, by phone at 510-655-7827, or you can order directly by visiting his website at http://www.periscopecellars.com.
II. NEWS ABOUT MATT, THE SECOND SON WE NEVER HAD
Matt is the new kid from out of town. He came to us nine months ago from San Francisco, after just having finished up at the California Culinary Academy (CCA), where he trained to become the chef he always thought he could be. Instead, he quickly left that dream behind to help us out and learn all he could about the vineyard and winery from the ground up.
Being a quick study and having a great desire to spread his knowledge, Matt will be offering an intimate "Grape to Glass Tour" of the estate vineyard every Friday at 11:00 am and 1:00 pm by appointment. Give him a call or e-mail him at matt@coffaro.com to set up your personal tour. After your vineyard walk, he will take you into the winery where you will be able to intrigue your taste buds with the final product!
Since Matt is a trained CCA chef, you can also expect to see him working in and around our kitchen from time to time for special events and the like. His first official tour of duty will be creating and preparing a sumptuous and interesting recipe to pair with our wines during the Wine & Food Affair event which we will be participating in for the first time this coming November.
III. NEWS ABOUT STEVE, THE BROTHER WE NEVER HAD (aka Dave's stunt double)
You'll still be seeing Steve daily 11:00 to 4:00 behind the bar or out on the barrel floor sharing his vast knowledge of our wines and overall operation of the winery, as he entertains you with his quick wit and one-liners. He's also known around here as the "BBQ Guy" and you'll see him out in front of the winery during most of our special events, positioned next to his giant barbecue trailer, wielding his sharp knives and special
sauces to get your juices flowing.
IV. NEWS ABOUT GRAPES THAT YOU'VE NEVER HEARD OF
In an effort to try and grow only the most interesting and slightly obscure grape varietals on the estate, we have just planted two acres of new vines. Included in that are grapes that come from the Italian regions of Alto Adige, Chianti and Basilicata, the Basque region in the southwest of France and the Portuguese Douro River Valley. Why have so many different new grapes you ask? Why not!
We want to introduce you to some of the amazing grapes from around the world and make some delicious wine at the same time. We aren't crazy, though this is going to make us have to explain the wine to every person who tries it. If you haven't heard of these grapes, that's all right. If you go outside of the U.S. there aren't many people who have tried Zinfandel, though it is a huge grape here. When tasting our "Fresco" there is an amazing floral smell that wouldn't be present unless the Portuguese grape Alvarelhao was there. Or take our dark and complex "Escuro", which owes its color and depth of flavor to Tannat, a Basque grape.
The vines will mature in a few years and we will begin harvesting and making wine from them. The vines that were planted are Tannat, Touriga Nacional, Souzao, Alvarelhao, Aglianico, Sangiovese, and Lagrein. Come on by and we will taste and talk.
V. NEWS ABOUT HOW TO BUY YOUR 2006 PRE-HARVEST FUTURES
Beginning March 28, 2006, you may purchase 2006 Pre-Harvest Futures by submitting an on-line order on our website's secure server at http://www.coffaro.com/shop/orderform.html. Remember, this is the first time the 2006 vintage is being offered.
If you do not wish to order via the internet, please call us at 707.433.9715 and we will send you an order form by mail or fax.
Prices for this initial pre-harvest offer, will be good only through May 31, 2006.
Remember, if you are a Vintage Circle member, you will receive the special price listed on the order form ($2 per bottle discount). Just check the "Vintage Circle" box on the order form if you are already a member. If you'd like to find out how to become a member, or if you might already be a member, refer to this page on our website for specific details: http://www.coffaro.com/vintagecircle.html. Keep in mind that the orders are not automatically processed on-line, but that we review each order ourselves to insure that you are getting all the discounts to which you are entitled.
If you would like to check to see if you still have 2004 wine to pick-up or whether or not you may have a 2005 futures order reserved in your name for delivery or pick up later this year, you may follow the link in the email we went you which contains your own personal ID code number. The on-line database is located at:
