Diamond Estates Wines & Spirits Ltd. Acquires Family-Owned De Sousa Wine Cellars
TORONTO, ONTARIO, Aug 25, 2008 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX) — Diamond Estates Wines & Spirits Ltd., the award-winning wine and spirits distribution and marketing company that owns Dan Aykroyd Wines, 20 Bees Winery, EastDell Estates, Lakeview Cellars and Birchwood Estates has acquired the Beamsville-based family-owned winery, De Sousa Wine Cellars, announced Murray Marshall, President & CEO of Diamond Estates Wines & Spirits.
Located in the highly regarded wine-producing area known as the Beamsville Bench, De Sousa Wine Cellars produces approximately 15,000 cases of wine annually and specialize in the production of both craft and value priced wines. The company also owns a retail operation in Toronto that serves as its direct-to-consumer outlet for purchasing its wines. The company currently has four listings at the LCBO.
“The De Sousa family has built a profitable and highly respected business in the Ontario wine industry. This acquisition complements our ongoing commitment to our aggressive growth strategy that will facilitate our ability to produce and distribute top VQA wines while strategically positioning Diamond Estates as one of Ontario’s top producers,” said Marshall.
In the past 60 days, Diamond Estates Wines & Spirits has invested over $20 million in the domestic wine industry, with the announcement in July that the company acquired the 20 Bees Winery and now De Sousa Wine Cellars. These acquisitions now position Diamond Estates as one of the top five wine producers in Ontario as well as one of the top VQA producers in terms of cases produced and sales.
For more information about Diamond Estates Wines & Spirits, please visit www.diamondwines.com.
Jordan Vineyard & Winery Offers Customers One-of-a-Kind Loyalty Program
HEALDSBURG, Calif., Aug 25, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) — Jordan Vineyard & Winery, producer of Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay wines that are well known for being consistently high quality and food-friendly, will launch a new loyalty program, “Jordan Estate Rewards” in September 2008 to award its best customers with one-of-a-kind experiences at the Jordan Estate.
When customers enroll in Jordan Estate Rewards, for every dollar spent at Jordan, they will earn points to redeem for exclusive guest privileges at Jordan Estate. Rewards include tours, tastings, exclusive events, and opportunities to learn more about pairing wine and food. Other rewards allow guests to enjoy private dining, delicious wine country luncheons on the terrace prepared by Jordan’s Estate Chef, or fishing excursions on picturesque Jordan Lake. Rewards at the highest level include overnight getaways in our luxury accommodations.
“We are very excited to announce this program and reward customers who have been so loyal to us over the years,” said John Jordan, CEO of Jordan Vineyard & Winery. “Our customers — whether they are new or long-time fans — are the foundation for our success, and we invite them to experience the best of Jordan Estate firsthand.”
Jordan Estate Rewards is open to anyone, and there is no cost to join. Customers can redeem their points once they have accumulated 4,500 points. Points are maintained on a rolling three-year period, and customers can check their balances by logging into their accounts at www.JordanWinery.com.
“Growing up at the winery, I enjoyed many of the Estate’s treasures which, up until now, have been behind the scenes,” says Jordan. “I can think of no better way to show our appreciation than by offering these privileges to our most loyal customers.”
FAT bastard Wine Wears Pink Ribbon in Support of Breast Cancer for Sixth Consecutive Year
SEATTLE, Aug 25, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ — October is National Breast Cancer awareness month and for the sixth consecutive year consumers can purchase FAT bastard wines to help conquer this devastating disease. During the months of September and October, Click Wine Group will donate 25 cents for every bottle of FAT bastard sold in restaurants and retail locations, up to $75,000. Over the past five years the company has raised more than a quarter of a million dollars.
Consumers purchasing FAT bastard can feel confident that their hard-earned dollars will directly support breast cancer research, education and treatment, making an immediate impact.
Anna Bell, Executive Director of Breast Cancer Survivors, a non-profit corporation that provides financial assistance and supports Southern Californians undergoing breast cancer treatment said, “Surviving breast cancer treatment is sufficiently challenging without having to worry about a roof over your head or where your next meal is going to come from, or how you are going to feed your children. Thanks to the kindness of companies such as Click Wine Group we’ve been able to help even more people in need of our services. We are proud to say that to date we have distributed more than $2,000,000 in assistance to over 800 breast cancer patients during the past ten years. The support we received from FAT bastard paid for 25 months of rent, utilities and nutritious food for breast cancer patients — this donation has a tremendous impact on our communities.”
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center also acknowledged the importance of Click Wine Group’s contributions. “With federal funding plateauing in recent years, private support, such as that generously provided by Click Wine Group is even more critical. Their support enables us to continue life-saving research that will help discover more effective ways to detect, treat and ultimately prevent breast cancer,” said Kit Herrod, Director of External Affairs, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. “As an example, financial support recently enabled the Center to participate in one of the largest breast cancer prevention trials ever conducted. We toast the Click Wine Group for their steadfast dedication to conquering this dreaded disease.”
During the donation period, FAT bastard wines will be easy to spot on the shelf wearing the special “Live Large, Spread Hope” necker with an attached enamel pink ribbon pin for consumers to wear in show of their support.
Click Wine Group’s CEO, Peter Click, chose to earmark proceeds because breast cancer touches the lives of so many people. “Together with the many consumers of FAT bastard wine, we’re honored to support this important cause,” said Click. “I hope in my lifetime that we find a cure for this disease that has taken and irrevocably changed so many lives.”
FAT bastard Wines Make Heavy Impact
FAT bastard continues to grow in popularity with consumers. This is a compliment to FAT bastard’s consistent high-quality, fun and unforgettable name and consumer friendly packaging. The FAT bastard wine collection consists of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Rose, Pinot Noir, Shiraz, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. FAT bastard is part of Click Wine Group’s Global Wine Collection, a distinctive and memorable collection of wines made from world-class appellations.
For more information visit http://FATbastard.com or call toll-free 1.800.859.0689.
Click Wine Group, in partnership with highly acclaimed wineries, produces modern, memorable, exceptional quality wines from world-class appellations in the super-premium category. By focusing on signature varietals, the company showcases the very best characteristics unique to each varietal and region. Click Wine Group is a division of Winebow. For more information visit http://clickwinegroup.com.
The Daily Grape Vine
- Crimson Wine Group acquires Central Coast’s Domaine Alfred winery
- Apple moth found in Napa -again
- Kiwis cheer up and raise glasses to cheaper wine
- October is Wine Month in Virginia
- Foster’s Has First Loss in 16 Years on Wine Writeoff
- Seaview founder Ben Chaffey dies
The 2008 Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo Opens Today
LOS ANGELES, Aug 23, 2008 — Starting today the table is set for a feast of insights, ideas, and opportunities at the 2008 Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo. Today’s highlights include:
– The Hot Spot Culinary Extravaganza, an interactive, and entertaining
theatre featuring celebrity chefs and guest appearances to satisfy all.
Today’s Features Include
– 12:00 pm - Food Network Personality Guy Fieri and Restaurant
Marketing Expert and Author Linda Duke
– 1:30 pm - Top 10 Most Renowned New Chefs Taylor Boudreaux
– 3:00 pm - Founder of Intermezzo Roseanne Tully
– The LA Wine Expo will be open from 12 noon to 5:00 pm and brings the
opportunity to sample wines from over 40 winemakers from around the
globe, speak directly to the wine makers and other wine principles, and
pick up tips on serving, pricing, and selecting the right vintage.
– Keynote Speaker Nolan Bushnell, founder and former CEO of Atari
Corporation and Chuck E. Cheese’s Pizza Time Theatre and CEO of uWink
will speak at 12:30 pm.
– The Ultimate Barista Challenge brings professional baristi to face
challengers all preparing their signature espresso beverages for a
panel of judges.
– The Innovative New Product Gallery is the place to source new food,
beverages, desserts, ingredients/condiments, equipment, environmental
safety, technology, and solutions in the industry.
– The Second Annual Ferdinand Metz Foodservice Forum today’s featured
seminars include:
– Brewing Your Way to Profits
– Get Smart, Go Green
– Four Star Marketing and Promotions
– Sustainable Food
– Avoid Legal Landmines
– Thai Cooking Theatre - Thai and Fusion Cuisine has taken the world by
storm, today’s chefs include:
– 11:15 am - Chef Ben Diaz
– 12:15 pm - Chef Sal Mario
– 1:15 pm - Chef Ray Haynes
– 2:15 pm - Chef Tommy Tang
WHEN: Saturday, August 23, 2008 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Sunday, August 24, 2008 11:00 am - 5:00 pm
Monday, August 25, 2008 11:00 am - 4:00 pm
WHERE: The Los Angeles Convention Center, Los Angeles, CA
The Daily Grapevine
- U.S. consumers spent $27.9B on wine in ‘07
- Napa bulk-wine storage facility purchased by vintner Ken Laird
- Wine in a box: Earth-friendly, and the taste is ‘actually decent’
- Finger Lakes wine trail celebrates 25 years
- New tool for winery waste cuts costs, cleans up
- God smiling on Greek wines
- Palandri Wine Group company to be wound up
- Wine with a small carbon footprint
2006 Girasole Vineyards “Organic” Zinfandel
Winery Link: www.girasolevineyards.com
Winery Phone #:(707) 485-0322
MSRP: $13.00
There’s been a pretty big push over the last couple of years by some wineries to go organic - from the grapes to the type of yeast used. It sounds good on the surface, but really, when was the last time you had a stellar organic wine (seriously, email me and let me know) - dp (at) winefoot.com)?
Girasole Vineyards, based in Redwood Valley California, uses its own vineyards out of the Mendocino AVA and has been producing organic grapes since its founding in 1955. The folks behind the organic movement claim that it best represents the terroir of the region which I wouldn’t argue because certain chemicals and/or yeast products can influence the overall “terroir” profile.
I found this Zinfandel at a local store and thought I’d give it a whirl.
Technical Data;
Appellation: Mendocino
Fruit Composition: 100% Zinfandel
Harvest Brix: 22
Alcohol: 13.5%
Cases Produced: 1,673
Nose: Crimini mushrooms covered in plums and black cherries, bell pepper and white peppper and bacon fat.
Taste: Good fruit-foward action which seems to taper off a bit too quickly on the back-side of the mid palate. I get the pepper, blackberries and plums, however, the mouth-feel is too flimsy for me. The finish is way too short and a bit too hot.
Overall Summary:
There are other Zinfandel wines in this price range which are frankly more appealing to my palate and those would include some of the ones from Montevina and Rosenblum. If you have allergies to wine then this organic kind might be your ticket, however, if you want a better bottle of Zin for the money, it’s not hard to come by.
W.E.P. Rating: 80%
LocalWineEvents.com - now allowing video posts
Philadelphia, PA (PRWEB) August 22, 2008 — LocalWineEvents.com, the world’s foremost online calendar for publicizing food, wine, beer and spirits events, just added post-it-yourself videos to its lengthy list of free features that benefit both consumers and food/drink professionals.
The exciting new feature, Video Juice food and wine videos can be used to spotlight a brand, product, event or service. Instructional videos are encouraged, as are entertainment clips.
With web videos dominating promotional media these days, Video Juice is the perfect cutting-edge companion to the site’s primary service - allowing industry professionals to post their upcoming events, such as food and wine tastings, festivals, gourmet events, culinary classes, brewery and spirits events - all at no charge. Video Juice ratchets up interest by allowing wine and food enthusiasts to see what they’ve been missing and learn a few things while being entertained.
LocalWineEvents.com founder and wine expert Eric Orange is on a serious mission to demystify wine. “My hope is to spur some witty, clever wine videos that will help in that regard, making wine appreciation fun instead of intimidating.” says Orange. “Plus, with LocalWineEvents.com reaching close to one million page views a month - this creates an extraordinary marketing opportunity,” Orange adds.
Using Video Juice, a nimble chef can show a theatrical display of culinary skills, a vineyard can give a virtual tour, a wine shop can provide a tasting demonstration, or an industry expert can share knowledge with all who are interested to learn more - the possibilities are endless.
LocalWineEvents.com has carried over 167,000 event postings to date. Additionally, Orange publishes a free weekly newsletter called “The Juice ®”, featuring city-by city listings of wine, beer, spirits, food events - from a champagne and chocolate pairing in Austin, to a “smelly cheese” and wine pairing in New York - plus informative articles, trivia, quizzes and more.
Orange’s site is also a life-saver for date night, girls - or guys - night out, globe-trotting couples who wish to experience local flavor on travel, and for married couples who can enjoy a night out with like-minded adults. “The Juice®” is rapidly approaching the 100,000 subscriber mark, and subscribers are toasting the site’s praises. Like a fine wine, LocalWineEvents.com just keeps getting better with age. For more information about LocalWineEvents, go to LocalWineEvents.com
The Daily Grapevine
- Wine Spectator drinks a hearty glass of blush
- Sour grapes
- Carmen Wines Go Green with Lighter Wine Bottles
- 1001 Wines You Must Taste Before You Die
- Australia becomes New Zealand’s biggest market
- Australia - Winery wins fight to stop trees
- Australia - Palandri investors set to lose millions
- Wine Spectator Gives ‘Award of Excellence’ to Fake Restaurant
WF joins today’s live Binendswine Twitter tasting
I’ll be joining the dudes from Binendswine.com and folks from other wine sites - doing a live tasting via twitter today at 4pm PST. We’ll be tasting some wines from French wine producer, Hugel - they’ve been making wine since the 1600’s. You can find these wines at a lot of wine shops around the country so feel free to pick them up and join our tasting.
Tasting Selections: (Click on the wine for pricing details)
Gentil 2006
Pinot Blanc 2005
Gewurztraminer 2006
Riesling Jubilee “Grand Cru” 2004
Gewurztraminer VT 2001
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