Wine news « TaylorEason.com: Foodies unite

Seghesio Vineyards sells to Crimson Wine Group: New beginning or horrible ending?

Taylor Eason | June 3rd, 2011

It’s been the talk to the industry for the past several days, the famous Seghesio Family Winery selling to semi-corporate Crimson Wine Group. Seghesio has been growing and selling grapes as well as making wine for over a century in Sonoma County, California. They are the second oldest winery in Sonoma County, after Foppiano Vineyards, where I started working three months ago. Their successful turnaround has been likened to what Foppiano is trying to do now.

So this kind of hits close to home.

Seghesio made news about ten years ago when the younger generation successfully shed the jug wine image and entered the high end Zinfandel elite. They began producing countless high-scoring, popular wines, so I suppose that’s when the money people started paying attention.

Since I work for a family-owned winery, I can see both sides of this story. It’s really, really tough to remain a family-owned winery these days. Consumers want cheap wine and small wineries don’t have the equipment or the economies of scale to create $10 and under wines. Competition is frickin’ harsh and the players grow almost daily. After the Seghesio story on the Wine Spectator website, plenty of commenters bemoaned the “demise” of Seghesio and the family, but these guys are entering a new phase of life, and now sitting pretty with a boatload of cash. Sure, the Seghesio brand may not ever be the same (although Crimson also owns Pine Ridge and Chamisal and their wine still rocks, so who knows?), but Ted and Pete Seghesio will remain with the winery and maybe pull in a better salary under the new ownership. They’ll be free from the day-to-day drudgery that comes with the stressful, small-profit, fine wine business. It’s not easy work, folks. Read more »

Survey confirms what we all know: Americans don't drink wine with food

Taylor Eason | March 26th, 2011

In a pretty “duh” moment that anyone could assess by going to a local wine watering hole, a survey recently revealed that most Americans drink wine raw and wild… without food. Just like our beer and cocktails. This excerpt from the Napa Valley Register, written by veteran wine writer Paul Franson, sheds more light on the situation.

Changing wine signs of the times: Consumer Reports recommendations from 2000

Taylor Eason | March 21st, 2011

My Mom really belongs in an episode of Hoarders Gone Mild. Although far from the extremes of this psychologically disturbing reality show, she saves pretty much everything, including old issues of Consumer Reports Magazine. For giggles, she passed on an issue from 2000 — the one celebrating the best wine deals. As I read through them, it shocked me how things have changed in 11 years.

Jarvis Winery and its eco friendly wine caves

Taylor Eason | January 19th, 2011

I never think of Napa’s Jarvis Winery as more than an über expensive, high-end Cabernet producer that I can’t afford but they’re doing some pretty cool, eco-friendly stuff with their wine production.

2010 harvest report: What will the chilly weather mean for wine?

Taylor Eason | December 9th, 2010

2010 has been called “the worst ever harvest in California” with losses in the upper millions, and by some accounts, higher. Mother Nature gave the grape industry a devastating lashing.

Tim Hanni and his passion for wine consumers

Taylor Eason | November 13th, 2010

1WineDude.com posted a pretty great interview with Master of Wine and consumer advocate Tim Hanni, whom I interviewed back in 2008. Hanni attests that each human brings a different set of taste buds and experiences to the table each night and the “arrogant” wine industry is trying to shove all consumers into one flavor box: dry wines. Some people just aren’t made that way… literally.

K-Vintners and Charles Smith libel lawsuit moves forward

Taylor Eason | October 11th, 2010

In a nod to the growing importance of wine bloggers, Charles Smith of K Vintners is suing anonymous commenters on a post published on Blake Gray’s Gray Market Report. What do you think? Legitimate complaint or a bruised ego?

HR 5034 alcohol limitation bill in Congress takes a hit

Taylor Eason | October 2nd, 2010

An alcohol limitation bill written by the beer wholesalers and supported by wine and liquor distribution industries (and nicknamed “the wholesalers’ monopoly protection bill”) took some hefty blows in a Congressional hearing on September 29th.

Wine Spectator 2010 video finalists – what you should watch

Taylor Eason | September 29th, 2010

Each year, the venerated wine mag Wine Spectator invites its readers to get their inner vinous juices flowing with a 3-minute video contest. The finalists are chosen by the Wine Spectator editors, the winners are chosen by votes. Watch the three best.

HR 5034 bill that will effect our wine choices heats up in Washington

Taylor Eason | September 18th, 2010

Last March, beer wholesaler lobbyists presented a bill… er, I mean, legislators presented a bill in Congress entitled HR 5034 or the CARE Act. It now has the support of 139 congressmen and might threaten consumers’ choice of wine or beer.