Uncle
Charlie's Notebook
Specializing
in Syrah and Barbera wines that we call "sophisticated",
the Green Family Winery motto is "If it ain't red, it ain't
wine." Our small winery only churns out about 600 cases
- 7,200 bottles - each year.
< Diary Index November
2004
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Month >
11/1
Time to start thinking about Thanksgiving Day. This year we are
going to stay home & hide. I just don't put up with traffic
anymore. Besides, every place worth going to will be full to the
brim.
11/5
Just back from Las Vegas. Took the whole
family and a few others and drove down to Laughlin & Las Vegas
for three days of high living and fun. Last time I was in Las
Vegas was 25 years ago. Lots of things have changed! The hotels
are much nicer but the people are still the same. No one smiles
unless they are on the stage. Laughlin was more fun, but a lot
fewer choices. The Freemont Street experience was out of this
world! A video screen 50' wide and 4 blocks long! How did they
do that? One of the few FREE things in Vegas. There are some really
beautiful new hotels in Los Vegas, just walking through them is
quite an experience, and about all most people could afford. We
did find a $5.99 Buffet on Freemont St. which again proved to
us that you still get what you pay for. (and no more)
11/10 Went to the Farm & Barn dinner in Loomis and it was
a blast. Roast pork with all the trimmings, served with my 2002
Sierra Syrah. A very good match. The dinner was to thank all of
us who participated in the "Farm & Barn Tour" last
month. (see Oct 2004) There must have been 500 people at the dinner,
including most of the County Supervisors & a lot of local
movers and shakers.
11/19 Went to a truck auction today. I need
a new truck very badly. Well at least before next harvest. The
theory is that right now, no one wants to buy a truck as construction
season is over & everyone is thinking about Christmas bills.
Wrong on that one! The bidding was very competive. I had one or
two good ones picked out, but at one point, I sort of woke up
& said "Christ, thats at least $2,000 over retail price!!
What am I doing here??" So, no truck at this time. There
will be another auction in Janurary & maybe everyone will
be poor by then.
11/17 just put the labels on the new test batch of Pinot Grigio.
I think it's pretty good; clean, fresh & fruity. Just right
with light fish or chicken dishes. Perhaps to go with a nice salad.
I just made a small test batch, so it is only avaiable at the
winery and for a very limited time. At $6/bottle or $60/case it's
a steal!
11/20 Had a group visit the winery today
and they bought the first 6 bottles of the Pinot Grigio. That
is a first for me! The very first bottle of white wine I have
ever sold!! Well, if thats what people want then I guess I can
make some. Think I'll call up some growers I know and see how
their availability for next harvest is.
11/26 Now that the dust of harvest has cleared I am going back
to some Farmers Markets. First is the one in Davis, Calif. at
4th & C streets. Will be there tommorrow, Saturday the 27th,
8am till 1pm. Second is the one in Granite Bay, Placer County,
Calif; at the corner of Auburn Folsom Rd. & Douglas Blvd.
- hope to have all the permits & be there on Dec. 2nd 8am
till 12 noon. Hopefully, everyone will be in the holiday mood
& looking for some fine wine.
I visited the local fine wine store in Granite Bay this last week
to see Sammy the owner to see if he would put my wine on his shelves.
No Luck whatever! I just can't hit it off with this guy. Seems
I came on his busyday & he had no time for me. Just a quick
sip, spit & that's it, "Nice wine, if anyone asks for
it I'll order some."
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