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VILLA SAN JULIETTE (MOSTLY)
Saturday, we feature wines from Villa San Juliette -- Cabernet Sauvignon ($11.99). Petite Sirah ($11.99) and a red blend called "Chorum" ($24.99). Who is Villa San Juliette, you ask.
From childhood friends in the backstreets of Liverpool to producing the huge U.S. prime time hit, American Idol, Ken and Nigel are a phenomenal success story. Nigel is currently executive producer and "judge" on So You Think You Can Dance, and Ken is executive producer of the head to head ratings rival, NBC's America's Got Talent, and they are both enjoying the rewards and Hollywood lifestyle that come with a string of prime-time U.S. network hits.
Originally, the purchase of the vineyard was planned as a consortium of buyers, including Ryan Seacrest, Randy Jackson, Simon Cowell and Simon Fuller, but one by one the investors pulled out leaving Nigel and Ken to purchase the beautiful 168 acre vineyard in Paso Robles, California alone. Problems arose from the outset -- wild boars caused chaos; potential profits disappeared; and vines become infested with rot. In 2007 the vineyard went into full transformation. Ken and Nigel hired Tony Domingos, a local vineyard consultant in the area. Blocks of the older vineyard were replaced by new rootstock, and slowly but surely the vineyard was revitalized. In May 2008, the first Estate grown bottling was made.
Their wines have been very well received and are currently being poured and sold at various restaurants and wine shops. While things have been crazy Nigel and Ken refuse to give up on their lifelong dream.....Villa San-Juliette Vineyard and Winery is slowly developing into what will someday be a HUGE Success! Come see how they're doing and contribute to their (and our) success by buying lots of their wine Saturday. Help them avoid the typical plight of novice successful dreamers who make a fortune in the business world, only to fritter it away making wine.
For you Chardonnay lovers, we'll also be pouring the Lees-Fitch Chardonnay ($14.99).
Our featured wine, $5 tasting fee proceeds from which will support the Avery County Humane Society, is the super Super Tuscan 2003 Cannonica a Cerreto Sandiavolo ($43.99). From Wine Spectator (90 points): "Lots of excellent berry, vanilla and currant character follows through to a medium-bodied palate, with fine tannins and a long, delicious aftertaste. Cabernet, Merlot and Sangiovese."
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