For generations in California, families made their own wines, sometimes tending small vineyards behind their homes or just checking on a ceramic crock of fermenting juice hiding in a closet. It was a tradition for everyone, from mom and dad, to the smallest children, to be involved in everything from growing the grapes, to crushing and bottling (or jug-ing, perhaps) these rustic wines. Today, many small-production, boutique wineries continue that tradition in Napa.
Though technology has made the process easier, and many hire some of the valley's most prestigious winemakers to help craft exceptional, rather than rustic wines, the homegrown feeling is much the same. Walking into tiny tasting rooms, often run by the family themselves, the air is less of a corporate machine, and more of an extended living room where visitors can casually sip a glass of wine while chatting with the folks who know the wine from the inside, out.
Joy Kagele is responsible for advising on product development, sales and marketing activities for domestic as well as international sales. She has the experience of building the national sales and marketing positions of some of the most high profile wineries in Napa Valley, Stag's Leap Wine Cellar, Grgich Hills, Bouchaine Vineyards, Quail Ridge, Liparita Cellars and Staglin Family Vineyards.
Joy is now enjoying the pleasure of assisting these high quality, small family owned vineyards with their brand building.
| Vin-d-Cuisine - The Vin-de-Cuisine concept started with CEVICHE Sauvignon Blanc, a crisp wine with ideal acidity for pairing with all preparations of seafood. With its sophisticated packaging, Ceviche takes the guesswork out of food and wine pairing. BUCATINI, to launch in September 2010, expands the range with a red blend designed for pairing with pasta or pizza. The blend of Zinfandel, Syrah and Cabernet Franc creates a rich, spicy wine that will stand up to bold sauces. |
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| Mandolin Wines - Mandolin Wines has a new website! Mandolin is a collaboration between veteran winemaker Philip Zorn and longtime wine executive Brent Shortridge. Bringing together their previously established relationships with winegrowers in California's Monterey County, Zorn and Shortridge have created wines that stand out for their balance, finesse and distinct varietal character, as well as their sense of place. |  |
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Tamburlaine Wines - In 1998 work with Mike Daniels (an Environmental Consultant) put in place a series of trials at the vineyard to add value to winery waste solids, previously seen as having little value, by processing these through windrow style worm beds. The resulting product was transformed into a valuable soil conditioner with the potential of reducing the reliance on chemical fertilizers. |
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Highlands Winery - At Highlands Winery, we aim to produce big, intense, focused wines from hillside and mountain grapes. We concentrate on two varietals from small select growers in the Howell Mountain region: Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel, and focus on making wines of great power and elegance. |
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| ©2012 Wine Marketing Liaison