Thievery

Hello Turiya lovers!

I can't thank you enough for your constant support.  You, my special friends, are all part of the Turiya story now.  Sharing my experiences with you is one of the best parts of my day and I would like to share a challenging situation I recently encountered at a wine event.  As a young female winemaker and small business owner, my stories can be quite unique! I do suggest pairing this one with a bottle of the 2009 Malbec. Here we go...

I recently poured wine at an event and, after it was over, I left the cases of wine unattended while getting a cart to move them.  While gone for those few minutes an attendee of the event decided to help herself to those cases of wine, opening them up and stealing some bottles. When I was alerted to this person stealing my wine, my babies, I ran up to her and well - let's just say I lost my cool.  The bottles were recovered but the altercation has left me feeling a little depressed. 

I have heard of wine being stolen, especially the collectable wines from high end producers such as Domaine de la Romanee Conti, Screaming Eagle and the like.  Sadly thievery is more common than the small incident I endured.  Here is a recent story about thieves who stole wine from the French Laundry in Napa and other high-end restaurants. 

What have I learned from this?  Sadly that some people look for opportunities to take advantage of others.  I have also learned that I cannot EVER leave my wine unattended, even for a moment.  It's good stuff, how can I blame her for WANTING it?  Shoot, I guess it's flattery in some weird way.  The incident has caused an uprising of pride for the wines. 

Anyway, I have made the promise to you, my treasured friends, to share these experiences... the highs and the lows of being where I am today with my business.  I can't 'wine' to much though; things are getting to be a but more predictable as I move into my 7th year of business.  I'll be bottling the 2011's this coming week and look forward to the release of these beauties in November.

I hope to see you soon and catch up in person - perhaps one of these events?  I think I could use a few more eyes watching the babies - after all they say it takes a village, right?  ;)

Down time? Nah...

For my patient readers… I bet you wonder what I have been up to since harvest ended in early December.  Well, honestly I did do that whole ‘holidays’ thing, but right after that was over I am right back in the game!  Topping barrels, moving them around (or should I say organizing), and spending lots of money.  Writing checks is a big part of being a winemaker.  I have been writing checks for three years now and have all these amazing barrels of wine to taste through… wow, what fun!

I recently wrote checks for my bottles.  That was a nice one.  As some know my bottles are big, heavy and going to be screenprinted with 22k gold for the label.  I know, spare no expense!  Well, I believe that my wine should be housed in an equal vessel compared to what is on the inside of the bottle.  Do you agree?

Next up is the cork order.  I am trying to think of some clever print to put on the cork itself.  A treat if you will for the consumer.  Yes, more than just my phone number… who wants that anyways?

So, still working, still having fun, and still very, very excited.

Ang