Clark-Claudon’s WeBlog 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 CC Shorts; Sweet Deals??? http://blog.clarkclaudon.com/2010/07/cc-shorts-sweet-deals/ http://blog.clarkclaudon.com/2010/07/cc-shorts-sweet-deals/#comments Sat, 24 Jul 2010 19:41:07 +0000 laurie http://blog.clarkclaudon.com/?p=110 Financial troubles have motivated some wine distributors, retailers and individuals to sell their wine inventory at extremely discounted prices.  Consequently, there are some very sweet deals out there.  This is good for wine lovers now, but it can cripple small artisan winemakers and have a negative impact on what will be available in the long term. 

 We appreciate all of our customers who have continued to support us and other artisan producers.  Together we are sustaining the art, the passion and the soul found in great wine.

]]> http://blog.clarkclaudon.com/2010/07/cc-shorts-sweet-deals/feed/ 3 Barrel Party; You Should Have Been There http://blog.clarkclaudon.com/2010/07/barrel-party-you-should-have-been-there/ http://blog.clarkclaudon.com/2010/07/barrel-party-you-should-have-been-there/#comments Tue, 20 Jul 2010 14:36:40 +0000 laurie http://blog.clarkclaudon.com/?p=86 2nd bottling party

It was a Buen Dia; 'good day'!

…funky barn, yummy wine, sticky fingers, hand filler, purple smiles, crooked labels, family fun, laughter, hand corking, amazing sky, vineyard beauty, new friends…

If you weren’t…you should have been there!

Next Event: October 2010

Barrel Party/2007 Release Celebration/2010 Harvest Party all rolled into one

]]> http://blog.clarkclaudon.com/2010/07/barrel-party-you-should-have-been-there/feed/ 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 Children of the Valley http://blog.clarkclaudon.com/2009/09/children-of-the-valley/ http://blog.clarkclaudon.com/2009/09/children-of-the-valley/#comments Tue, 22 Sep 2009 20:25:19 +0000 laurie http://blog.clarkclaudon.com/?p=74 My 36th Napa Valley harvest is well on its way.  Enjoy my Napa Valley Vintners Blog post about the children’s role in this amazing valley.

]]> http://blog.clarkclaudon.com/2009/09/children-of-the-valley/feed/ 0 There is a lot going on! http://blog.clarkclaudon.com/2009/07/there-is-a-lot-going-on/ http://blog.clarkclaudon.com/2009/07/there-is-a-lot-going-on/#comments Thu, 23 Jul 2009 15:59:02 +0000 laurie http://blog.clarkclaudon.com/?p=72 2007 being bottled, every detail in the vineyard being covered, Paxton Joshua Clark is born, move to Arkenstone Winery soon under way, changes in our winemaking team & beating back the effects of the recession…never a dull moment around here!

Since wine making is about the most regulated business there is we had to send a huge packet to the TTB to prove we are who we have always been & have not become felons etc.  I have been assured that the license will be in our hot hands in time for harvest! 

In the interim; what hasn’t made the cut is being sold on the bulk wine market while used barrels & racks are going too.  Since we experienced such frost damage in 2008, the cream of what was harvested, about 20 barrels of 2008 Cab, will be moving with us to Clark-Claudon @ Arkenstone.  That translates to 500 cases.  Once we go through our evaluation process it may go down to 250!

We are so excited about this upcoming vintage.  In many ways it feels like a new beginning.  It has been 20 years since we began to develop our vineyard…I wonder what the next 20 will bring!

More about winemaker changes soon…

 

]]> http://blog.clarkclaudon.com/2009/07/there-is-a-lot-going-on/feed/ 0 Where do I begin… http://blog.clarkclaudon.com/2009/04/where-do-i-begin/ http://blog.clarkclaudon.com/2009/04/where-do-i-begin/#comments Mon, 20 Apr 2009 21:11:30 +0000 laurie http://blog.clarkclaudon.com/?p=71 I wait way too long to blog.  Then I have more to say than anyone would want to read.  On a day as beautiful as this, I will just recommend a place to enjoy it; Cavallo Point Lodge, Sausalito, California; www.cavallopoint.com

After a recent stay, I can confidently recommend everything about this very special place.  During the day you can enjoy; Golden Gate views, luxurious rooms, relaxing porch time, beautiful hikes and a spa & healing arts center.  Then, at the end of the day, the casual elegance of Murray’s Circle, Marine County’s only Michelin rated resaturant, is perfect.  The menu is artistically crafted by Executive Chef Josheph Humphries while the wine cellar, created by Wine Director Dan O’Brien, is one of the most extensive in the country.  I am pleased to note, it includes multiple vintages of Clark-Claudon Cabernet.

Cavallo Point is also great for day trippers.  Enjoy the lively Farley’s Bar, sit on the long white porch or stay a little longer and soak in the warmth from the fire pit as you watch the evening colors change and the lights come alive in San Francisco.  Cavallo Point Lodge is a destination not to be missed.  It is my new favorite place in the San Francisco Bay Area.

 

]]> http://blog.clarkclaudon.com/2009/04/where-do-i-begin/feed/ 1 I Propose a Toast to Chuck Jenkins! http://blog.clarkclaudon.com/2009/03/i-propose-a-toast-to-chuck-jenkins/ http://blog.clarkclaudon.com/2009/03/i-propose-a-toast-to-chuck-jenkins/#comments Thu, 19 Mar 2009 17:04:23 +0000 laurie http://blog.clarkclaudon.com/?p=70 We are all hearing such down news every day.  But, there are some good stories out there.  I had to blog about this particular one.  Chuck Jenkins, a wine consultant & educator from Houston, Texas was the winner of the etched 2005 3L we raffled off during Premiere Napa Valley. Rather than just say yahoo and take the wine, Chuck wrote; “ 

“I originally thought that I’d tell you to to sell the bottle and give the proceeds to your favorite charity (I believe you’re involved with several) but on second thought, I’ve decided to take the bottle and will statrt to make annual contributions to whatever charity you’re featuring on your website. (I see it’s the V Foundation right now, so I’ll be sending them a check in your honor).  In the long run, everyone will benefit more, so thank you for getting the ball rolling!”

This again proves that wine can inspire on many levels.  I propose a toast to Chuck! 

]]> http://blog.clarkclaudon.com/2009/03/i-propose-a-toast-to-chuck-jenkins/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 2 Reasons… http://blog.clarkclaudon.com/2009/02/2-reasons/ http://blog.clarkclaudon.com/2009/02/2-reasons/#comments Thu, 05 Feb 2009 22:26:12 +0000 laurie http://blog.clarkclaudon.com/?p=68 Reason #1:  Check out the Episodes link on the new site www.wineexpedition.com.  It is the first of three episodes at Clark-Claudon Vineyards.  In the first, Tom is discussing fruit ripeness in the vineyard, next will be bass fishing in the reservoir & then a wine & cheese pairing on the vineyard cottage deck.  I hope you enjoy!

Reason 2:   It is raining! Hallaluja!  We are down 10 inches below normal.  Ugh!  First the economy and now an angry Mother…Mother Nature that is…but, today it is raining…oh the simple pleasures.

Thankfully our reservoir will be full by irrigation time.  Our spring fed creek, dry last fall, is now flowing beautifully.  We have a license to capture some of its wet glory for agricultural use.  Tom engineered a system that takes the water up over the hill and into the reservoir…little by little…it will be full just in time.

Growing grapes & making wine is so much like life; oh, thats right, this is our life…what doesn’t get us will give us character, complexity & grace.  Well, at least that is true for our wine.  

Two reasons to smile! 

]]> http://blog.clarkclaudon.com/2009/02/2-reasons/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!

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