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Note from Mary Ann
Hello All,
Happy Spring! You may have heard that we’ve had “a little” rain lately!! I tell you…I have been in this town for a long time – I won’t tell you how long – and I have never seen a March with so much rain. The last report I heard said that it had rained more than 23 days during the month of March…the most rain Sonoma has had in March since 1904.
We have had only minor incidences of flooding thank goodness; and luckily, it has not damaged our vines in any way. The trusty weatherman has assured us sunshine is in our future, and just in time, too, as the grapevines are beginning to awaken from their dormant state. I always get excited this time of year because the “field of sticks” begins now to push out some buds, and it looks like beautiful green lace wrapped around the arms of the vines. As usual, there is a lot going on here at the winery, but I will let you read all about that in the pages to follow.
Best Wishes,
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| Mary Ann Sebastiani Cuneo |
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Update form the Vineyards
Well the sun has finally come out in the Sonoma Wine Country. After one of the wettest Seasons in recorded history, the normal weather pattern seems to be back in place. Sonoma Valley and many other areas throughout the County endured major flood damage due to a New Year’s Eve storm that left behind almost 6 inches of water in many parts of the County. Many businesses in Sonoma Valley were flooded and had to shut down. With time, everyone has been able to get things cleaned up and back in working order.
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In the vineyards, vines are completely dormant through January and February and didn’t have a problem with the excessive rainfall. Flooding can be a problem in that it tends to move lots of debris into a vineyard that then needs to be cleaned up, and often small repairs need to be done to trellis wires and irrigation lines. The threat of erosion is always a concern on hillside vineyards, but staying away from any tractor driving and having a good drainage system in place has protected most growers.
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With the first stage of spring, we go into one of the most “weather concerned times of the year” for vintners. As the days become longer and warmer the vines begin to grow and “bud break” begins. This time of the year it is particularly important that the fresh new growth does not have to endure a cold night below 31º F. A heavy frost will kill the new growth resulting in much less fruit per vine later in the year. So for the next month and a half grape growers are constantly connected to their remote thermometers in the vineyard, and alerted by an automatic call to their cell phones if the temperature is dropping too low. We can then do our best to protect our young vine growth. This is done by a wind machine that circulates the warmer air which is higher than cooler air or by sprinkling the vineyard with water that creates a small amount of heat when freezing takes place.
As always it is an exciting time of the year with every farmer having their worries for the weather, but is also the start to the new growing year when we all get to see the vines come back to life after their winter sleep.
Cheers to a wonderful 2006 vintage,
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Marc Cuneo
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Fourth Generation Family Member |
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Meet Justin Nuzum, Wine Club Manager: Congratulations are in Order!
If you are a Wine Club Member, chances are you have met or spoken to Justin Nuzum. Justin is the Wine Club Manager here at Sebastiani and he makes it his priority to meet and get to know as many of his members as possible. “...working with them (wine club members) is the best part of my job. They are our loyal extended family and are always so enthusiastic about our wine; it really becomes contagious!” Justin has become known around the winery for his cheerful nature, diligent work ethic and wonderful customer service.
Justin started at Sebastiani in the Shipping Department in
August of 2004 and has quickly scaled the ladder to become our Wine Club Manager.
Before Sebastiani, he spent
close to a year
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working for a Canadian Company that took care of our Military’s water treatment in Dubai, Iraq. As if living in a war zone was not stressful enough, Justin was also attempting to court the girl of his dreams from over 10,000 miles away.
Justin met his now fiancée, Susan Stoorza, while working at Winebid.com directly out of college. He chose to wait to ask her on their first date until after he left Winebid with only two days left before his departure to Iraq. Against all of the odds, Justin and Susan decided to continue their relationship over the very long the distance. They spoke via telephone and email and were able to see one another a handful of times over the following six months. As his time in Iraq drew close to an end, Justin decided to make a trip into town to purchase a special souvenir: a diamond ring. Justin chose the diamond and literally watched as the jeweler hand-made its setting. Not two months after his return to America, Justin treated Susan to a romantic dinner at the Vintage Inn in Yountville. After dinner he escorted her out to the courtyard for an after dinner drink where he took to his knee and proposed. Justin and Susan will be married on April 30, 2006 here at the Winery outside of Sylvia Sebastiani’s historic mansion. They will honeymoon in Costa Rica. Congratulations Justin!
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Wine News |
Employee Wine Pick
2004 Sonoma County Chardonnay.
This wine came into popularity with the staff with a fervor this month. According to one staff member it is the only cure for Spring Fever and “basking in the glow of Sonoma County Chardonnay makes you forget about the rain.” It has been said that Spring cleaning done with a glass of this Chardonnay is Spring cleaning done with a smile! Not to mention, it just received an 89-point score and a “Best Buy” from the Wine Enthusiast!! |
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Sebastiani Wines Continue to Make Headlines
2006 has been another banner year for press! Here is a recap of just some of the most recent reviews…
2003 Secolo: 91 – Wine Spectator, 92 “Editor’s Choice” – Wine Enthusiast, 92 “Good Value” – Connoisseurs Guide to California Wine
2004 Dutton Ranch Chardonnay: 90 “One of the Top 100 Great Values from Around the World, Under $25” – Wine Spectator, 89 – Wine Enthusiast
2003 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon: 91 – Wine Spectator, 90 – Wine Enthusiast
2004 Sonoma Valley Barbera: 94 “Wine of the Month” – Midwest Wine Connection “The 2001 version of this wine was our ‘Wine of the Month’ exactly two years ago. What a tribute to consistency that it again earns that honor!”
Oh, and it doesn’t stop there! Sebastiani was named a Hot Brand Award Winner for 2005 from Market Watch Magazine (an M. Shanken publication). This is the pinnacle recognition for sales and marketing achievements. Marc Cuneo, along with our Executive Vice President of Sales & Marketing, Ron Johnson, and our COO, Emma Swain, went to Las Vegas this month to accept the award. It was quite an affair!
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Hospitality Update
We are gearing up for peak season at the moment and what an exciting time it is. The marketplace is alive with color as are our gardens and grounds. We are looking forward to our Mother’s Day celebration, May 13 th and 14 th which is right around the corner. We will be offering “tantalizing tidbits” made from Sylvia Sebastiani’s family cookbook, prepared by Wine Valley Catering. Yes, the Centennial Edition of Mangiamo has arrived and is for sale in the tasting room. It offers a wonderful family history, exclusive family photos and wine pairing suggestions. We will also be offering decadent chocolates from Annette’s and a huge assortment of gifts any mother would love, including spa baskets, jewelry, kitchen items, and of course, wine! If you can’t make it to the winery, call our personal shoppers at 933-3346. They would be happy to customize a spa basket or find that perfect gift for your mom. Our Sebastiani Spa products have been especially favored among winery moms with their crisp citrus scent and luxurious, silky texture.
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As summer approaches we are looking forward to warm dry days and the stream of picnickers that come with the sun. Why not bring your pooch along for a visit to Sebastiani, grab a bottle of wine from the tasting room and enjoy a relaxing lunch or afternoon on our beautiful grounds? We hope to see you soon!
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Food and Wine |
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Wine Pairing with Recipe & Mangiamo Release: Baked Fish Slices with Sonoma County Chardonnay
This pairing is extra special this quarter because it comes from our Centennial Edition of Mangiamo! Call the tasting room at 800-888-5532 x3230 if you want to order a copy. It has a wonderful historical section in the front with vintage family photos.
Baked Fish Slices
4-6 slices of cod, halibut or sole
1/3 to ½ cup mayonnaise
1/3 cup cracker meal
salt, pepper to taste
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Season fish slices with salt and pepper. Spread mayonnaise on both sides of fish slices and dip into cracker meal. Bake in 400 degree oven on cookie sheet for 20 to 30 minutes or until fish is tender. Cooking time will depend upon the thickness of the slices.
This recipe is simple, delicious and the mayonnaise disguises any over-the-top “fishy” flavors and accentuates the fruit flavors in the Chardonnay.
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Save the Date
Cherryblock Club Members, mark your calendars for the
Second Annual Wine Club Dinner:
Saturday, October 21, 2006.
Formal Invitations to follow. |
Wine Trivia
During prohibition, an interesting product called the 'Grape Brick' was sold to thousands of wine-parched households across America. Attached to the 'brick' of dried and pressed winegrape concentrate was a packet of yeast, and the stern warning, "Do not add yeast or fermentation will result."
In ancient Babylon, the bride's father would supply his son-in-law with all the mead (fermented honey beverage) he could drink for a month after the wedding. Because their calendar was lunar or moon-based, this period of free mead was called the "honey month," or what we now call the "honeymoon."
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