Clark-Claudon’s WeBlog » Uncategorized http://blog.clarkclaudon.com Engage, Experience, Educate Sat, 24 Jul 2010 19:41:07 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 en hourly 1 Coming and Going http://blog.clarkclaudon.com/2010/07/coming-and-going/ http://blog.clarkclaudon.com/2010/07/coming-and-going/#comments Mon, 12 Jul 2010 15:53:53 +0000 laurie http://blog.clarkclaudon.com/?p=76 Clark-Claudon in Asia
Clark-Claudon Vineyards is an inaugural winery partner of Altruistic Wines, www.altruisticwines.com.  The new company rolled out in April with a Boutique Wines Festival in Hong Kong featuring 30 small artisan wine producers and the culinary creations of:
- Ken Frank of La Toque
- Josiah Citrin of Melisse
- Hosea Rosenberg –the season 5 winner of Top Chef
It was an amazing 6 day whirlwind of dinners, tastings, cultural experiences & great people topped by a $2500 (HK)/person gala. I would travel with that group of vintners & chefs any time any where!

Floods in Tennessee, Heat in Texas & Rain at Home
I returned from Hong Kong and then left for Tennessee two days later to participate in our friend and customer Tim Brinkmann’s Wine and Spirits charity event. Sadly, we were derailed by the floods…

Two weeks later I was off to Texas for a short hot market visit and wine dinner. The dinner at Boo Rays in Fort Worth was a night to remember; like no wine makers dinner I have ever experienced. I felt like I was in the bayou for sure. By the end of the evening I had 70 new Clark-Claudon wine loving friends!

Back in the Napa Valley…
In Tennessee there was record breaking rain and floods and in Texas, no one could remember when it had been so hot so early. Of course at home, we were having more rain than I could remember!

Thankfully, Napa Valley is now having perfectly beautiful warm days and cool nights. Just right for our 2010 vintage! It is good to be home…

]]> http://blog.clarkclaudon.com/2010/07/coming-and-going/feed/ 0 Supporting the Future of Small Production Wines http://blog.clarkclaudon.com/2009/02/supporting-the-future-of-small-production-wines/ http://blog.clarkclaudon.com/2009/02/supporting-the-future-of-small-production-wines/#comments Mon, 09 Feb 2009 17:15:34 +0000 laurie http://blog.clarkclaudon.com/?p=69 Well, I don’t know if the stars are in line, but the moon was bright orange and beautifully full when I walked to my office this morning.  Don’t be impressed; it is only 20 yards from my house, but it was cold and crisp outside.  Add that orange moon peeking through the trees…absolutely awsome.  

So, what better day to be releasing our 2006 Three Stones.  It too is awsome & perfect for drinking by the fire or with a hearty meal.  At $48 a bottle it won’t break the bank either…of course your bank might already be broken…all the more reason for a $48 Napa Cab…as good or better than many Napa Cabs twice the price.

What could be better; a wonderful wine, at a bargain price while supporting the future of small production wines.

]]> http://blog.clarkclaudon.com/2009/02/supporting-the-future-of-small-production-wines/feed/ 0 What a day… http://blog.clarkclaudon.com/2009/01/what-a-day/ http://blog.clarkclaudon.com/2009/01/what-a-day/#comments Mon, 19 Jan 2009 23:38:04 +0000 laurie http://blog.clarkclaudon.com/?p=67 Another beautiful WARM day in January!  The daffodils are beginning to pop & the air is balmy…hopefully we will be back to cold temps soon.  I probably should be worried, this doesn’t bode well for the vines, but I happily admit, I am caught up in the optimism that is surrounding the country.  Red, Blue or otherwise.  It feels good to be an American today!

]]> http://blog.clarkclaudon.com/2009/01/what-a-day/feed/ 0 Harvest Begins http://blog.clarkclaudon.com/2008/09/harvest-begins/ http://blog.clarkclaudon.com/2008/09/harvest-begins/#comments Wed, 03 Sep 2008 14:51:03 +0000 laurie http://blog.clarkclaudon.com/?p=60 Sun peeking over the horizon, walking up the steep hill, sky amazingly blue, air crisp and cool, sorting beautiful purple fruit, sweet sticky fingers…ahhh, harvest has begun…

]]> http://blog.clarkclaudon.com/2008/09/harvest-begins/feed/ 1 Back at It… http://blog.clarkclaudon.com/2008/08/back-at-it/ http://blog.clarkclaudon.com/2008/08/back-at-it/#comments Sat, 23 Aug 2008 15:35:26 +0000 laurie http://blog.clarkclaudon.com/?p=58 Sorry for the lack of entries over the last few weeks…Whew! Sometimes life just gets in the way…

I always expect summer to be that lazy break between the craziness of Spring & Fall…silly girl…that just isn’t true!  Three great winemaker dinners in Houston, Texas, marketing the yummy 2004 Estate, ‘07 Wild Iris & ‘05 Three Stones, final blending of the 2006 Estate & the 2006 Three Stones, preparing the 2005 release…even more yummy?…, sadly assessing 2008 frost damage production loss, label changes for the 2006 Three Stones, preparing for the ‘08 harvest….& joyfully kicking off our Cabernet to Care Outreach project!!!  Throw in health issues due to all the smoke, our daughter’s scary medical emergency & an economy that has us all worried…Have I worn you out yet? 

Definately not a lazy summer, but one that puts things into perspective.  Everyone is healthy again, the sky is clear & all that really matters is alive and well…more to come…

]]> http://blog.clarkclaudon.com/2008/08/back-at-it/feed/ 0 New Movement at Clark-Claudon: Pairing Stellar Wine with Generous Donations http://blog.clarkclaudon.com/2008/07/50-out-reach-program/ http://blog.clarkclaudon.com/2008/07/50-out-reach-program/#comments Tue, 15 Jul 2008 04:16:03 +0000 laurie http://blog.clarkclaudon.com/?p=53 We are so excited about this new focus!

 

  From the vineyard…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

to the bottle…

2004 Clark Claudon Cabernet,

 

 

to medical and educational outreach… the circle feels complete. 

 

Since our Peace Corp experience, hands-on-philanthropy has played an important role in Tom’s & my life.  We learned as young adults that the perceived giver is often the receiver. From Colombia to Nicaragua to Nepal to our own community, we have been touched by amazing people. Hence, besides making great wine, outreach will always be prominent in Clark-Claudon’s mission. 

 

 To that end, we have allocated 400 cases of Estate Cabernet to our new 50% Outreach program. 

 

The details: 50% of the proceeds will be donated annually to our family’s chosen charities.  The program will begin with our current 2004 Vintage. Want to join the movement?…order here & now!

 

The V Foundation and its tremendous support for cancer research stands out as one of the most impressive foundations dedicated to cancer research.   Hence, it will be the first recipient of our new outreach focus.  Funds raised will go directly to the V Foundation’s 2008 Pediatric Grant.  This new program will be kicked off at the V Foundation’s 2008 V Foundation Celebration weekend beginning August 1, 2008.  

 

]]> http://blog.clarkclaudon.com/2008/07/50-out-reach-program/feed/ 0 Thanks to the Tremendous Fire Fighters Across the State! http://blog.clarkclaudon.com/2008/06/thanks-to-the-tremendous-fire-fighters-across-the-state/ http://blog.clarkclaudon.com/2008/06/thanks-to-the-tremendous-fire-fighters-across-the-state/#comments Sat, 28 Jun 2008 19:27:27 +0000 laurie http://blog.clarkclaudon.com/?p=52 It has been like living in a mushroom cloud around here.  As we all tried to adjust to the dark choking gloom I appreciated our firefighters on a whole new level.  Thankfully most, if not all, of the fires are now contained or under control.  The blue sky has not returned, but at least the air is more tolerable, there is a breeze and clearer skys are on the way.  A week like this puts just plain breathing into perspective.   Thank you Fire Fighters!!!

]]> http://blog.clarkclaudon.com/2008/06/thanks-to-the-tremendous-fire-fighters-across-the-state/feed/ 0 Bring on Spring…the buds break! http://blog.clarkclaudon.com/2008/04/bring-on-springthe-buds-break/ http://blog.clarkclaudon.com/2008/04/bring-on-springthe-buds-break/#comments Wed, 30 Apr 2008 16:38:46 +0000 brianamarie http://blog.clarkclaudon.com/?p=32

The tender leaves pierce the dormant vines and announce to the world…spring is here!
The surest sign that a beautiful summer is right around the corner…bud break.

]]> http://blog.clarkclaudon.com/2008/04/bring-on-springthe-buds-break/feed/ 0 Pickers return from a full morning of hard work. http://blog.clarkclaudon.com/2007/11/pickers-return-from-a-full-morning-of-hard-work/ http://blog.clarkclaudon.com/2007/11/pickers-return-from-a-full-morning-of-hard-work/#comments Thu, 01 Nov 2007 05:01:13 +0000 clarkclaudon http://blog.clarkclaudon.com/?p=5 Pickers return from a demanding yet wonderful season. Thank you for all of your hard work.

harvest0745.jpg

]]> http://blog.clarkclaudon.com/2007/11/pickers-return-from-a-full-morning-of-hard-work/feed/ 0 Full Moon Sets on Harvest http://blog.clarkclaudon.com/2007/10/full-moon-sets-on-harvest/ http://blog.clarkclaudon.com/2007/10/full-moon-sets-on-harvest/#comments Mon, 08 Oct 2007 01:27:24 +0000 clarkclaudon http://blog.clarkclaudon.com/?p=4 5:00 a.m. October 8th, the sun is just rising on the horizon as a brilliant full moon sets over the vineyard; the last morning of harvest, what could possibly be more beautiful. A perfect ending to an exceptional season.

Let the buzz begin! Winemakers always like to be a bit tentative until a vintage begins to show what its got, but our 2007 Cabs are already showing deep color, incredible depth and evolving complexity. Plus, the Wild Iris Sauvignon Blanc is by far our best vintage of SB yet. Here at Clark-Claudon, under the experienced hand of new winemaker Douglas Danielak, the 2007 vintage is shinning.

]]> http://blog.clarkclaudon.com/2007/10/full-moon-sets-on-harvest/feed/ 0