You have to hand it to Gary Vaynerchuk. If you haven’t read his book Crush It you need to. One of his main emphasis throughout the entire book is to brand yourself.
The easiest way to explain what he is talking about is to think of someone famous, like Donald Trump. When you hear his name what immediately goes through your head. Money, properties, Casino, New York.
That is because his name is automatically associated with those items. Hence, that is his branding.
There is strong reason to agree 100% with Gary V. Because plain and simple, it’s true.
ROGERLEEPAIGE was born because of a desire and a passion for wines. Just like a child it is growing and evolving.
Like the masses it was created with hopes of profit and exposure. However, in reality it’s was just like the other thousands of blogs that talk, review, or critique wine. Floundering out in the sea of blogs with no sail to catch the tradewinds and guide its way to safe harbor.
What reason would anyone have to want to invest in this or the site of anyone else? I shall tell you what will, individuality that will draw in the masses.
It’s one thing to read about a trip to a winery and view the photographs presented by the author. They will try to give you the best interpretation of what that winery and vineyard are like. Your imagination needs to come into play. You are only utilizing one of your senses, the sense of sight.
Now combine that with the sense of hearing. You see people, and they are talking with you. True, it is through third party, but yet you get the sense that you are there and have been able to get a better idea. Now you can really get an idea of whether that is a place that you want to go and see.
It benefits all three parties involved. You the consumer and afficianado of vino, because you get to experience the winery before you ever step foot there. The Winery because there is an active force searching out interested parties and enticing their future guests with a tease of the enchantment you hold within. Lastly, ROGERLEEPAIGE benefits just as well. It gets exposure, credibility, and the recognition of branding itself. Not to mention that it is the first site to dedicate itself to Southern California Wineries.
Southern California is loaded with wineries that many unfortunate few know absolutely nothing about. You live in SoCal, yet you drive for hours north to go to a winery. ROGERLEEPAIGE is going to expose them to you. Most are easily within a one-hours drive from your front door.
They are here, and they want you to come and visit with them. That is exactly what ROGERLEEPAIGE wants you to do. We are going start using video as well as story columns. Eventually turning totally to video. That is our brand. The first media site to make a difference in the public exposure and promote of Southern California wineries.
The video was not high quality, or shot within an opulent stage. It was created it much the way Gary Vaynerchuk says it should. The quality does not always matter. What does matter is the ability to have content that will get peoples attention.
Southern California wineries are waiting for you. Let me take you to there.
Orange County is the home of Mission San Juan Capistrano. It was the first successful California vineyard, established in 1779. Not far from that mission, nestled in Trabuco Canyon near Cleveland National Forest lay another true gem of Orange County. That gem is the Hamilton Oaks Vineyard.
I followed friends to Hamilton Oaks and honestly thought we were lost when Andy had to stop for a security gate to a private neighborhood on Hamilton Trail.
Andy dialed the security phone, Hey Ron it’s Andy.
A buzz a few seconds later and we were driving down a narrow neighborhood road to the winery. That would explain why it is a by appointment only winery.
The winery is located directly behind the home of Ron Tamez.
Ron has been creating his enchanting wine on this property for nearly twenty-one years. No, he did not always host gatherings and tastings. That started on July first of 2002 according to his brother Robert who runs the events and public relations for the winery. It is also Orange County’s first vineyard to be planted in over 100 years.
To simply state that his wines are good would honestly be an insult. His wines are featured out of country in Hong Kong, out of state in Virginia and Nevada, as well as over fifty establishments within California. Here are a few of the restaurant names: Aliso Creek Inn, Anaheim White House, Brussel’s Bistro, Chat Noir, Five Feet, French 75, Hannah’s, Houstons, Orange County Mining Company, Pleasant Peasant, Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, Salt Creek Grill, The Secret Garden, The Wicked Garden, The Wine Cellar, Trabuco Oaks Steak House, Traditions by Pascal, and Tutto Fresco to name a few.
I asked Ron how this all got started. He explained that he started with wine kits as a hobby for himself. As he got better his friends started taking notice and asking him to make wine for them as well. As his winery started to create a life of its own he began asking other winemakers questions.
Winemakers from near and far were more than willing to guide and assist me when I started out, Ron said. Later, Ron experimented with his wines to find just the right balance.
The balance he achieved shows with all the awards his wines have recieved.
His 2002 Port received double gold in 2007, and gold in 2008 from the Sonoma Grand Harvest Awards. It also took silver at the 2010 Winemakers Challenge in San Diego.
The 2005 Melange Du Sud took the silver medal at the 2010 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.
Ron’s Jumping Vines 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon ultra-premium wine, which is in a collaboration with Orange County entrepreneur Jeff Graves took top honors as ”Best of Class” $30 – $35 range, just two weeks ago at the 2010 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. The Cabernet Sauvignon also received a silver medal at the 2010 Winemakers Challenge in San Diego this month, as well as 1st place in in the 2009 Blind Tasting at Yorba Linda Country Club – GM of Yorba Linda Country Club.
The tasting room reminds you of an A-framed ski chalet in the Swiss Alps. It is positioned directly above his barrel room, and is small with stained wood throughout. It is even completed with a pot-bellied stove. On the day we visited the air was cool so Ron lit the stove.
They have three patios for you to enjoy the day and sample Ron’s masterpieces. Robert told me that they often have private parties, and have enough room to support 140 people. While there a private birthday party for 75 was being booked.
Ron is also in the final process or receiving a license to sell the first Grappa made in the United States. Before we left Ron had Andy and I go back in the tasting room. He took out two port glasses and poured a sampling of the future Grappa. We tried the Grappa infused with pomegranate. It’s aroma was so distinct you’d swear that you were smelling a freshly cut fruit. He also had another bottle that was melon. I cannot wait for them to be available.
My wife Kathy and our friend Andy join the Wine Club
The wines currently available by Ron are: Barbera, Cabernet Sauvignon, Canyon Blend, Chardonnay, Jumping Vines Cabernet Sauvignon, Melange du Sud, Merlot, Port Wine, Symphony, Syrah, and Zinfandel.
If you need anymore incentive to visit Hamilton Oaks let me throw this at you. On Saturday, February 13th from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. they will host a valentine’s wine tasting event with cheese and chocolate pairings, as well as barrel tasting. Not to mention that my dear friends Andy and Lisa aka Deek and Long will be the musical entertainment for the day. Just let them know ROGERLEEPAIGE sent ya.
Jumping Vines Wine image courtesy of Deborah Hernandez of id365 media
Tags: Cabernet Sauvignon, Grappa, Hamilton Oaks, Jumping Vine, Port, Trabuco, TV Wine Events, Winery
Trips to wineries are suppose to be enjoyable, educational, and drama free. Sometimes they are even entertaining, like the freak show at a three ring circus.
Here are a few actual occurrences that will have you leaving a winery saying -
I can’t believe what we saw.
Was that for real?
The woman way past her prime dressed like a Jezebel ~ This is more funny than disgusting. Do they really think they look hot? The more wine that is taken in the less sucked in the gut becomes. #muffintop
The staff that is having a bad day ~ every time you go there.
The guy looking to hook-up that afternoon ~ You observe him trying to quarry every woman in view. He is dressed like Rico Suave and uses a quarter bottle of cologne. Why do they wear sunglasses indoors? #Dork
The drunk bridal party ~ Jo Diaz of Wine-Blog.org refers to this crew as the 800 pound gorilla. Yup, that’s a pretty accurate statement right there. They come in with the bride wearing that stupid head piece with a mini-veil saying she’s the bride. By the time they leave she’s sauced beyond the ability to control bodily functions. I wonder if the future hubby would think she’s a prize now. How does that song go – at two I went home with a ten, and at ten I woke up with a two.
The winery tour guide that loathes questions ~My buddy Tom Plant of WINEormous recently had a tour of a winery that was more like a Disneyland attraction. They offered guided tours of their wine caves. The guide had been well versed and recited the speech effortlessly as if the script was right before her like a tele-sales caller. When she stopped to breath he had asked her a question.
OMG! Oh no he didn’t. Did he just ask a question in the middle of my beautiful and flawless speech?
With a humph of disgust the guide said that she will answer all questions at the end of the tour; a half-hour later.
The winery dog that won’t get his nose out of everyone’s crotch ~ It’s self-explanatory, do I really need to say more?
The horny couple ~ Your trying to enjoy conversation and great wine. They are trying to make a baby right next to you. Please people! #HotelRoom
My friend Dennis who works at James River Cellars in Glen Allen, VA once told a story about their Chambourcin wine. He said they nicknamed it the baby maker. Yah, it fits.
The creeper ~ Often times on a beautiful weekend day the wineries can tend to be crowded. As the norm you try to get to the tasting bar as people leave. Some see you waiting and offer to bring your glass forward or let you squeeze in.
This cat daddy has a different approach. You’re at the bar, and a glass comes barreling across your shoulder with an arm attached to it. No excuse me, pardon, or may I. Much like a child trying to get a free ice cream by yelling me, me, me, and shoving their hand to the front.
Occasionally, the drunken body follows the glass, and you can get out of the way or be leaned on as if you were the counter.
The educated moron ~ You’ve seen them, you’ve heard them, you may even have fallen victim to their stimulating conversation. They know everything about wine, from the seed to the stemware. They are worldly on every varietal grown and every variety of wine.
If you didn’t catch the joke in that one I can’t help you
Downtown Riverside is all aglow for the Riverside Festival of Lights, sponsored by the Mission Inn and Spa which is owned by Duane and Kelly Roberts. Over three and a half million lights lit up the night. The festival runs from November 27th thru January 3rd.
It was my first time visiting downtown Riverside despite the fact that I’ve lived in Southern California off and on for the past 23 years. I know, shame on me.
The festival had something for people of all ages. A large ice ring in the middle of the square will cost you $13 for one hour plus skate rental. Vendors abound up and down Main Street Square selling everything from funnel cakes and hot dogs, to flashing bubble guns and swords. Grandparents sipping hot chocolate and coffee watch their grandkids skate.
Free entertainment can be heard every evening during the festival. While we were there Pan-Jammin’ played steel drums to Caribbean music from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., then my friends Deek and Long rocked the stage from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Lisa was under the weather but still managed to be an all-out rock & rolla’.
The music stage is located near the skating rink. While listening to the music I noticed a row of people on the rail of the ice rink doing the same. They asked my wife if Deek and Long were going to be playing for a while, to which she replied to them they play until 10 p.m. They all left the rail, changed out of their skates and planted themselves in front of the stage to enjoy the music. I think they even managed to get Deek and Long to do a request, Fleetwood Mac I believe.
Whatever your plans are, this is a perfect opportunity to get out and enjoy Riverside County. After all, we pay county taxes so why not reap some of the results?
Many wineries are starting to realize the value of the multitude of media at their disposal to promote their wineries.
Many of us are still old school and are resistant to change. Unfortunately for them media is ever changing and it’s here to stay. You can either jump on the bus or be left at the stop watching the world go by.
There are three types of people, Those that make things happen, those that watch things happen, and those that wonder what happened. Personally, I prefer to make things happen. I prefer actively seeking wine afficionados and seeking out stories as opposed to letting my website sit there waiting for people to find it.
Here are the Temecula Valley AVA Wineries that currently are on Twitter. I suggest you follow them. I have every one of them set so I recieve their tweets on my blackberry, as I like to keep up to date ya’ know.
Some of them have contests and send out tweets. Cougar Vineyard sent out a tweet this morning saying:
Crisp, cool & time for another contest. 1st person in the winery today to say “winner, winner, chicken dinner” wins a bottle of Vermentino.
Happy tweeting everyone. If you use any of the information given to you that benefits the public exposure and promotion of wineries please let the wineries as well as myself know that ROGERLEEPAIGE is making a difference.
Saturday my wife and I had the opportunity to head out to the vineyards with our friends Tom and Laura of WINEormous. We started out at Maurice Car’rie and had a late lunch at Wilson Creek, then finished out at Cougar Winery and Vineyard.
This was the first time I have had the opportunity to see their winery from the inside. When you pass by you would mistake it for a large storage building. Nothing spectacular, just large and tan, made of sheet metal and no windows. A single steel door is the entrance. I had to remind myself of what the wise ancestors of yesteryear have said:
You never know what’s in the pickle barrel until you take the lid off
They do have plans to build a new building if all goes as planned. I saw the layout and it is NICE.
Inside you will find Rick and Jennifer Buffington’s entire operation. Everything from the wine tastings bar, and tables where the musicians frequently play, to the steel tanks and bottling machine. There are no secrets and nothing up their sleeve. You know, I think they like it that way.
Every area of the winery is divided by their stacks of barrels representing walls. On every barrel is a though provoking or humorous fact for their patrons to ponder. From one barrel reading the wine and year it was barreled, to another stating that there are 30,000 one ounce tastings inside of it.
Remember the post I did back in August called Why Do We Wine Club, where I said ~ Did you ever meet the winery owner or their wine maker? Do they converse with their cash cow or are they like punxsutawney phil and stick their head out only at events designed for their own publicity.
Well I had the opportunity to meet Jennifer and Rick while I was there. They were out and about talking with friends and patrons. Jennifer also introduced me to their yellow lab named Diego. Yup, he was a great door greeter. Walk in the door and he rolls over waiting for a scratch on the belly. That dog has marketing skills.
Our pourer was Jamie. WE LOVE YOU JAMIE!!!
She was great fun and knew everything about every wine she poured for us, which is a breath of fresh air. Many, and I mean many wineries that I visit have pourers who are in the wrong occupation. They take your ticket and pour your wine, period. God help them if you asked how long the wine was barreled, or how big the property is. You either get a deer in the headlights look or one that clearly tells you that they would rather spit in your glass when your not looking.
She would give us the low-down on every wine she poured, and she poured every wine. Here’s a little tidbit – they are the only vineyard in Temecula Valley to grow Vermentino grapes. The aroma is a knockout with the lemongrass giving it some moxie.
There’s a great story of how a wine club member started a legitimate petition requesting that Cougar bring back their Chardonnay. It resulted in the creation of their ass-kicking 2009 Petizione Chard. Rick was hesitant to do it, and you can see the I got the last word in on their label.
Rick seems pretty happy about all the wines they have made, as he should be. Very few wineries have a list that I would choose every wine from, and they have it.
I have the same philosophy on the wine classification as Richard Paul Hinkle ~ there are only three types of wine 1) I like it; 2) I don’t like it; and 3) I will drink it if someone else pays for it.
I honestly have to say that all are number one, and that’s not lip service. That’s the beauty of writing about someone who is not a sponsor. I praise and slam as I see fit. Treat me like crap and I will reciprocate the same. I’ve grown this year to having over 3,500 visitors per month, so word of mouth has it’s effect.
I tell no one that I am a member of the media when I walk in the door. I want to see how everything plays out naturally. The game changes once you open your kisser and blurt out that your a press or media member and toss out your card. I don’t want anyone to give me more service than that bloke standing next to me. I want to observe them like a creature in the wild and not a zoo. You know, in their natural environment.
They are on Twitter and Facebook, and I suggest you follow them. They are one of the few that I have where I get tweets on my blackberry. They even have periodic contests for prizes. One last month said, whoever comes in and says if I were any better I’d be a twin wins a prize. Damn, and I was at work in San Diego county. My friend Tom walked in, blurted it out and voila – winner, winner, chicken dinner!
Tags: Wineries
Well, well, well my friends. It’s been a prodigious four days of mystery and suspense, but the game has played itself out.
A mere three wineries out of thirty-four went above and beyond the call-of-duty and not only decorated their wineries, but their vineyards as well. What better way to acknowledge their efforts than by putting them in the spotlight with a friendly competition.
The votes did vacillate several times, but one came out the Grandios Champ.
Congratulations to South Coast Winery for being the winner of the 2009 Best Holiday Decorated Vineyard in the Valley Award!
I was joking when I said that I will see if I can scrape together change in my Crystal Light container. I will present you with your award as soon as I get your name inscribed on it.
Thanks for voting everyone. Much like the existence of the Temecula Valley Wineries, without your loyalty this contest would not have been possible, and for that I thank you all. Maybe next year other wineries will jump on the bus too! To Keways Winery and Ponte Winery ~ thanks for being a good sport.
The Temecula Valley, as well as San Diego have phenominal wineries with an amazing array of wine. Some are Artisan, and by appointment only, while others are open every day of the week for their visitors. I am here to show you them all, one by one.
Napa, Paso Robles, Sonoma, and all other well known northern California AVA regions are realizing that they have some severe competition in the Southern California Region, and I’m the voice to do it. I am tenacious, light-hearted, vocal, and inquisitive. Seems a good blend to be in the business. Salute!
Tags: Wineries
In Temecula Valley there are currently 34 Wineries. Some have evening events during the holidays and want visitors to come and see their vineyards all aglow.
Right then and there the idea of the the Best Decorated Vineyard in the Temecula Valley Contest was born by yours truly.
To my amazement there are only three of the thirty-four wineries decorating their vineyards and winery above and beyond the normal white lights that stay up all year long. What up people? I know there are not that many Jehova Witnesses that own wineries.
Ponte Winery, South Coast Winery, and Keyways Winery were the only ones to burn a few extra watts this season.
The contest is relatively simple, and the rules are straight forward. All wineries entered in the contest will be voted on by you the visitor. Simply state who you vote for in the comments section. The winner will be tallied by the number of comments that winery received. The winner will be announced Christmas Day.
What do you win? Bragging rights. You may even get a traveling plaque depending on how much change I’ve collected in my Crystal Light container by then.
Contest rules for wineries are as follows:
In life you have one shot at first impressions. Just the same as visitors driving past your winery, the photos represent the first glimpse they have to decide whether they will visit or not.
1) All photographs are taken from the same vantage point at all wineries ~ the street. You know, where people get the first glimpse of your winery and vineyard?
2) All photographs include the vineyard and winery in the same shot.
3) All photographs were taken with the same exposure f7.1, tripod, and wireless remote. Blah, blah, blah.
4) Obvious effort must be seen in decorating the vineyard. The same lights that stay on all year do not apply.
5) The judges are visitors.
6) The contest ends at 6:00 p.m. PST. on Christmas Eve. The winner will be announced Christmas morning as soon as I have my morning cup of Joe.
7) Don’t be sore if you do not win. However, please remember that second place is commonly known as the first loser.
C’mon, lighten up Francis. Temecula Valley is the cats meow of Southern California and we all know it. We are free spirited with a sense of humor and a dash of competitiveness.
You may enlarge the photos full size by clicking on them. Now for the entrants in alphabetical order, happy voting:
Keyways Winery owned by Terri Pebley Delhamer
Ponte Winery owned by Claudio Ponte
South Coast Winery owned by Jim Carter
Tags: Wineries
Dear FTC, I disclaim that this wine was purchased through a group effort of friends attempting to get enough cash together to consume the listed bevy. If you need the receipt, too damn bad. It’s located with the other receipts that I failed to remove from my pockets, and is now part of the lint filter in my dryer.
If you are not familiar with the name, DO NOT say it around law enforcement under any circumstance. You’ll sound like a drunken idiot and be subject to sobriety testing despite being stone sober. Go ahead, try to say it.
Now, as the sound of the jeopardy game show dissapears you can laugh at yourself for making weird facial expressions as you were trying to say it. If you say you didn’t you are a frickin’ LIAR!
I have been enjoying this vino for some time, and still cannot formulate the name. That’s neither here nor there, anyway…
A little historical background:
Six generations of care and nurturing go into this Sonoma zin. Agoston Haraszthy emigrated from Hungary to the U.S. in 1842 in search of what everyone else came to California for – gold. In 1857 he built Buena Vista winery in Sonoma, and is rumored to be The Father of California Viticulture. Yes, they definitely have “street cred”
There family motto is on their label, SOLUS STO, Stand Alone. It dates back all generations, but now refers to the Haraszthy family specializing in a single cultivar, zinfandel. I believe they made a pretty good decision.
The Sonoma County Zinfandel is awesome from the get-go. It’s nose is like that of Jimmy Durante – big, bold, and you can’t ignore it. Tart cherry and raspberry, with hints of dark chocolate and pepper.
For the attack. Hmm, wait one. The first sip into the mouth is the attack? What the hell are we doing, a frontal assault here? Nah, I prefer to use my own word. I am a big time cigar goober, and the proper term a gentleman uses for taking in the smoke of a quality cigar is the draw. Yup, that’s my word for it, the draw. Anyway, the draw is beautiful. Bold fruit and pepper, along with the expected mild tannins that you notice on the tongue’s bitter buds.
The finish is like a motivational speech, it leaves you with a feeling of wonder and lasts a heck of a long time.
Historical data was retrieved from the Haraszthy family site.
As I have stated in earlier posts, any information regarding wine interests me. Truth be told, I guess you could say I’m a wine information goober.
While gallivanting across the internet for more wine propaganda, I happened to cross the Tax and Trade Bureau’s monthly report on the United States wine production.
We already know our beloved federal government keeps tabs on everything. When it comes to wine, they track it to the gallon, every month, in every state. They break wine down into two types – still wine, and effervescent. I am not going to including effervescent wines in this post.
According to the last report issued by the TTB, the United States bottled over 46 million gallons of wine in August alone.
Here are the top ten. Remember, these are bottled gallons, and not bulk gallons. That’s another story of its own.
1) California 38,652,895
2) New York 3,072,007
3) Washington 1,888,519
4) Oregon 629,012
5) Pennsylvania 247,776
6) North Carolina 158,665
7) Indiana 133,784
8) Florida 129,898
9) Texas 123,721
10) Michigan 113,319
As expected, all states are a mere shadow to their big brother, California. It’s no surprise when you consider that there are 195 Authorized Wine Appellations of Origin for the United States; and California possesses 109 of them. That only leaves 86 left for the rest of the U.S. That too, is another story.
As I come to a close for this post I can’t help but here the song “Ventura Highway” by America playing in my cranium.
Tags: tax and trade bureau, Temecula
