I'm On A Roll

A blog roll that is and as a blogger, I just used all the golden key words in less than 12 words. I've been reading a lot of contemporary online marketing  tips from the pros, what works for them and what fails. For one thing, people want plain language, honestly original stuff, not cut and paste posts. A recent survey showed that the number one thing that people were looking for when they were shopping, overwhelmingly, friendly people. That doesn't seem like much to ask. So, I've decided to be a "Friendly Blogger" email me and see, answers are FREE! I just used another obvious golden keyword to drive traffic to this article, can you tell what it is?

Local Artist Makes Good

Right smack dab in the heart of downtown Napa, California. Over the past eight years I have been developing relationships with local small business and that means mostly winemakers, wine shops, wine web sites, etc... <wine></wine>

My primary motives in the marketing and promotion fields is to help all business that I come in contact with to thrive and prosper in these especially trying times. If you have new ideas about how you can grow your business, I want all my clients - new, old, large & small - to always know that I can deliver the most flexible and economical way to represent them online, to provide marketing print materials and always be there for them with backup files. Not just a webmaster, but your own personal art department, photographer, blogger, tag master! Maybe you just need a brochure, or a custom wine label design, I want to be included in YOUR prosperity plans for the future.  I really love my job and sincerely thank you for all your support.

I've been keeping up with the technology, I'm using Live Writer for all my blogs, which makes my blogging time far more efficient. The new stealth shuttle craft laptop sings like I know it could. Editing web pages is easier than ever for me now, there's no reason for any tiny wine producers to go with out proper web presence, old pages or bad information. Take a look at our web site and see if you want us backing up your venture: Napa Valley Graphics

Another Honey Bee Post

According to Albert Einstein, our very existence is inextricably linked to bees - he is reputed to have said: “If the bee disappears off the surface of the globe, then man would only have four years of life left.” ~ Read the FULL article HERE

Without this army of migrant pollinators paying a visit for three weeks every year, the trees would fail to bear the almonds that are California’s most valuable horticultural export. Last year, they earned the state more than $1.9bn, double the revenue from its Napa Valley vineyards. Moreover, 80% of the world’s almonds now come from this pocket of the planet. But the supply of almonds in confectionery, cakes and packets of nuts is now threatened by a mysterious malady that is causing honeybees to disappear.

Hackenberg was the first beekeeper to report that his bees had vanished. On a November day 18 months ago, he checked the hives in his Florida bee yard to find they were empty. “They weren’t dead, they were just gone,” he recalls.

Since then, close on two million colonies of honeybees across the US have been wiped out. The strange phenomenon, dubbed colony collapse disorder (CCD), is also thought to have claimed the lives of billions of honeybees around the world. In Taiwan, 10 million honeybees were reported to have disappeared in just two weeks, and throughout Europe honeybees are in peril.

Downtown Napa

2003 Boodeaux Cabernet Sauvignon

Hosier Daddy Cabernet ~ BOODEAUX vineyards has twenty seven hundered vines and averages two and one half tons per acre. The quality of this Napa Valley hand-made wine speaks for itself. If you love cabernet, you should try some BOODEAUX! Scott Becker is one of those winemakers that doesn't produce very much wine and the wine he does produce doesn't last very long. Seeing the wine industry in the Napa Valley transform poor farmers into gentlemen farmers, in 1997 he purchased 20 acres Capel Valley (just over the hill from Lake Hennessey) in which 3.5 planted to Cabernet and half an acre planted to Primitivo. With his trusty companion, Boodeaux (Rhodesian ridgeback) and the sage advice of Jeff Smith of Dusinberre Cellars & Bob Milat of Milat Vineyards, he has released his first wines. There are only about 50 cases of 2003 Boodeaux Cabernet left. $38. per bottle, but call Scott and ask him about a case discount.

In Memorium to Robert Mondavi

2005 Mondavi Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon $39.95 Here's to you, Mr. Mondavi [cheers] thanks for making the world a better place.

Cigar & Wine Tasting

I know about as much about cigars as I do about wine. [tobacco & grapes] I love the smell and taste of a robust cigar when I am sipping wine. A plan for the perfect evening often involves cigars & port on the patio after dinner. I was just thinking, what do men think of women who smoke cigars? My favorite cigar shop has two catagories for men, not a one for women but that doesn't surprise me, it's primarily a man's sport and usually men over forty. I did my shopping, I don't want to spend a lot of money, I just want to try something different, perhaps an assortment so I can do a sort of "cigar tasting" to see what I like. Problem solved:

Cuban Crafters Cigars ~ This amazing value includes 12 gourmet cigars in a box with the cutter!A $68.00 retail for $20! I don't know how long that will last.


I'll be posting my "cigar tasting notes" sometime after I get MY package. If you're a man over 40, tell me honestly what comes to mind when you see a woman smoke a fat cuban.

If You've Been Afraid To Buy Wine Online

Try this:
When you buy wine online, or anything for that matter, I recommend setting up a seperate account online for that purpose. You can set up an online account easily at http://ingdirect.com/
Just make a deposit from your real bank account. This way, if anything BAD happens, it won't devistate your life.

One of the most popular online wine shops is:
wine.com

California has More than just Cabernets

This is the new stuff:
2006 Lazy Creek Anderson Valley Reisling $23.95
2006 Lazy Creek Estate Gewurztraminer $23.95
2006 Schild Estate Shiraz Barossa $24.95
2006 Beringer Chardonnay Private Reserve $27.95
2006 Frank Family Chardonnay Napa Valley $29.95
2005 Michael Austin Bad Habit Red $34.95
2005 Walter Hansel Chardonnay Cuvee Alyce $34.95
2003 Heitz Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley $36.95
2005 Snowden Cabernet Sauvignon "The Ranch" $37.95
2005 Walter Hansel Pinot Noir The South Slope $37.95
2004 Frank Family Napa Cabernet Sauvignon $39.95
2005 Walter Hansel Pinot Noir Cuvee Alyce $44.95
2005 Faust Cabernet Sauvignon $49.95
2004 Stag's Leap Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Napa $59.95
2005 Snowden Cabernet Savignon Reserve Napa $59.95
2004 Lancaster Estate Red Table $64.95
2005 Pahlmeyer Chardonnay Sonoma Coast $69.95
2005 Viader Proprietary Cabernet Blend $79.95
2004 Marston Family Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon $84.95
2005 David Arthur Cabernet Sauvingon $89.95
2003 Silver Oak Cabernet Napa Valley $89.95
2004 Viader V Proprietary Cabernet Blend $99.95
2004 Cain Five Red Blend Napa Valley $112.95
Valentine Wine Picnic Pack $129.95
2005 David Arthur Elevation 1147 Cabernet Sauvingon $149.95

This is the NEW stuff:

These are the most recently added wines to the collection. Too late for Christmas but there is always a reason to celebrate so I put the champagnes there below this list. With names like Silver Oak and Cakebread Cellars, you really can't go wrong. Cheers!

• 1996 Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley 6 Litre 92 RP $849.00


• 1998 Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame, French Champagne $124.95


• 2004 Husic Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Dos Palmas $109.95


• 2004 Schramsberg Blanc De Blanc $29.95


• 2004 Paradigm Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville Estate Napa Valley $59.95


• 2004 Paradigm Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville Magnum Napa Valley $159.95


• 2004 Twomey Cellars Merlot $59.95


• 2005 Alcina Pinot Noir Ramondo Vyd Sonoma Coast 91 pts (WS) $44.95


• 2005 Cakebread Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley $68.95


• 2005 Caldwell Proprietary Red Blend Napa Valley 92-94 pts (WS) BT $99.95


• 2005 Hanzell Chardonnay Sonoma Valley $62.95


• 2005 Martinelli Chardonnay Martinelli Rd Russian River 93 pts (RP) $49.95


• 2005 Melka CJ Cabernet Sauvignon $49.95


• 2005 Turnbull Cabernet Sauvignon 95pts(WC) $45.00


• 2006 Rudd Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley $29.95


• 2006 Marshall Family Pinot Noir Barry's Blend $19.95


• 2006 Robert Mondavi Moscato D'oro 375ml Half Btl $20.00



• 1995 Henriot Cuvee des Enchanteleurs French Champagne $129.95


• 1996 Veuve Clicquot Pucci Caprice $199.95


• 1998 Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame, French Champagne $124.95


• 1999 Dom Perignon Champagne French Champagne $159.95


• 1999 Dom Perignon Champagne French Magnum $349.95


• 1999 Perrier Jouet Le Fleur Brut Champagne 90 pts (ST) $108.95


• 2000 Mumm DVX Napa Valley Sparkling Wine 91 pts (WS) $49.95


• 2004 Schramsberg Blanc De Blanc $29.95


• Bollinger Special Cuvee Non Vintage 93 pts (WS) $39.95


• Champagne Krug Grande Cuvee 93 pts (RP) $149.95


• Charles Ellner Brut Rose $69.95


• Henriot Brut Souverain Non Vintage $39.95


• J Cuvee 20 Brut NV Russian River Valley $25.95


• Mumm BLanc De Noir Napa Valley Sparkling Wine 90 pts (WS) $16.95


• Mumm Brut Prestige Napa Valley Sparkling Wine 90 pts (WS) $13.95


• Perrier Jouet Grand Brut Cuvee Champagne 91 pts (WS) $29.95


• Rene Geoffroy Nv Cuvee Selectionnee Brut Champagne $49.95


• Roederer Estate Brut $19.95


• Veuve Clicquot Yellow City Traveler $59.95


• Veuve Clicquot Yellow City Traveler & Glasses $84.95


• Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Brut Champagne $42.95


• Veuve Clicquot Yellow MAGNUM with Ice Jacket $117.95

KILLER DEALS!!!

Buying wine online during the Holidays shouldn't be difficult, this is easy, just press one of the links that interest you and open an account. There is no obligation to buy anything. You can add or take away as many wines as you want, charge it and ship the wine in minutes. You must be at least 21 years old to have wine shipped to you.

I have found the best deal on fine wines online and here are my results for this Holiday season. Buy them individually or all together for the GREAT CASE.
2004 BV Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley - $14.95
2005 Avalon Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley - $14.95
2005 Ramsay Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley - $14.95
2004 Capolan Merlot Sonoma - $13.95
2006 Hayman & Hill Pinot Noir Reserve - $12.95
2005 Rosenblum Zinfandel Contra Costa Bay - $14.95
2005 Tom Eddy Elodian Sauvignon Blanc - $14.95
2005 Pellegrini Russian River Chardonnay - $13.95
2006 Chateau St. Jean Fume Blanc Sonoma - $12.95
2006 Saintsbury Carneros Vin Gris of Pinot Noir - $13.95
2006 Vinum Cellars Its OK Rose Napa Valley - $9.95
2000 Mumm Brut Prestige Napa Valley Sparkling - $13.95

$166.40

Get a really GREAT CASE of Napa Valley [and Sonoma] fine wines for the Holidays for less than a hundred and sixty-seven dollars [plus tax and shipping to your state].

These wines are all taste tested and the BEST value online. Any one of these wines would make a most welcomed gift! I did the shopping for you and got a little of each varietal. Three delicious Cabernet Sauvignons from Napa Valley, Sonoma Merlot, Russian River Pinot Noir, Contra Costa Zinfandel, [yummy]. Then, a selection of white wines. Tom Eddy Napa Sauvignon Blanc, Russian River Chardonnay and Sonoma Fume Blanc. And then there's dessert! A Carneros Vin Gris and a complex Napa Valley Rosé, you can always save the bottle of champagne for New Year's Eve.
Now, check out these Holiday Sampler packs 3, 6 or 12 wines together. If you didn't see what you wanted in the above mixed case, you're sure to find it here:
Better Than Fruitcake 6 wines at a really great price - $92.70
Deck the Halls 6 wines with really BIG ratings - $569.70
Festive American Bubbles 3 U.S.A. Sparkling wines - $88.40
Festive French Bubbles 3 Champagnes from France - $122.85
Holiday Cheer A Pair of Wines, Red and White - $76.90
Holiday Crowd Pleaser 12 Wines from Napa and Sonoma - $343.40
Home for the Holidays 3 Wines for Holiday Sipping - $88.40
Jingle Wines Pair of Wines, Red and White - $29.90
Mistletoe Pinots 6 really great Pinot Noirs - $257.70
Tidings of Great Cab 6 really great Napa Cabernets - $409.70
Ultimate Bubbles Best Bubbles in the House - $595.85
Wine Winter Wonderland The Ultimate Case of wine - $1384.40

Blood of the VINE:

This is your Cabernet BEFORE it goes in the bottle...

As The Autumn Leaves Turn

Wow, looks like someone spilled paint out there in the vineyards!

Veraison in the Wine Garden

Wow! Have you ever wanted to get close up and personal with the legendary Napa Valley Cabernet grapes? We took our cameras to Perata Vineyards one fine morning and captured the essence of magic in the making. It was stunningly beautiful. It was as if we were witnessing history, the 2007 vintage from this wine garden paradise. I reached out and plucked one of the plump purple berries, tasted it and became one with the process of creating the some of the finest wine in the world. Aren't we lucky?

Mustard in Spring, Silverado Trail

Gustavo Thrace Cabernet

2003 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon - $38.

This wine is perfectly balanced, pretty, elegant and really only shows the tannin structure on the finish. There are up front flavors of cassis, licorice, mint and roasted red fruits but your tongue will search out hidden pockets of tannins and flavor bursts long after you’ve swallowed the wine. This is much more of a Bordeaux style of Cabernet and will continue to age well in the bottle for another ten years. Give this wine time to open up and breathe to showcase the layers that Gustavo has worked so hard to incorporate into this beauty.

MORE INFO

T-Vine Cellars New Releases:

GREG BROWN SAYS:

"2006 will be my 15th vintage of T-Vine. What began as a passion evolved into a long love affair. T-Vine, now fully mature, has achieved more than I ever dreamed. So it’s time to SLOW DOWN, take Cletus on more walks, listen to the rain, spend more time in my robe with a cup of coffee warming my hands and share lots of time practicing yoga with Ulrika (my love and teacher)."

"This coming year I encourage you to use your fireplace more often, light lots of candles, splurge a little & spoil yourself and of course, drink lots of good wine. Lets relish in it all."

Here’s to NOW baby!

Peace and Love,


Greg Brown

T-VINE CELLARS NEW RELEASES:





2003 T-Vine Cellars Napa Valley Zinfandel - Calwine Price: $28.95


2003 T-Vine Cellars Duarte Vineyard Syrah - Calwine Price: $29.95


2003 T-Vine Cellars "T" Red Meritage - Calwine Price: $44.95

Calwine.com - 1215 Silverado Trail Napa, CA 94559 - 707 226-7671 - Toll Free: 888 CAL-WINE Email: info@calwine.com Fine California wine & accoutrements from the Napa Valley since 1995

2005 Matua Sauvignon Blanc

Distinctive aromas of gooseberry and passionfruit dominate with hints of lime and tropical fruits. Layers of tropical fruit flavours are enhanced by the well balanced and refreshing zingy acid and lingering seductive finish.

2005 Matua Paretai Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc $16.95

2001 Heitz "Martha's Vineyard" Cabernet

2001 Heitz Cellars "Martha's Vineyard" Cabernet Sauvignon
This is an exciting wine from the Oakville appellation with a track record dating back to its first vintage in 1966. There is nothing like a Martha's Vineyard Cabernet - tried and true, it is a remarkable treasure from the Napa Valley.

2003 John Anthony Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

John Anthony Truchard was raised in the family tradition of farming and worked hand in hand with his father Tony Truchard learning the wine business. It was during this time whre he learned to enjoy the hard work, dedication, and focus required to produce world class grapes that yield exceptional wines.