Tuesday, September 16, 2008

ON THE ROAD by Eric Glomski

Maynard and I have just wrapped up the first bottle signing event on our fall "tour". Whole Foods Markets is sponsoring us by hosting and marketing these events over the next few months.

It has been hard to get away for these couple days because so much is going on back at the wineries (Page Springs and AZ Stronghold). We have already brought in over 100 tons of grapes (primarily from our own vineyards in Arizona). In some ways, it has been a very difficult vintage: Our monsoon rains have lasted longer and have pounded us with more hail storms than any year I can recall (since the late 80's). This leads to damage in the vineyard and often breaks grape skins, which leaves them open to infection. Additionally, the rains themselves keep the environment moist thus creating ideal conditions for molds, mildews. fungus etc. Despite the fact that we have had challenges with all these things, we've continued to make great wines. Most notably, we have trained our grape pickers to identify borderline fruit, and have simply dropped it to the ground.

On a positive note, the TAZI, NACHISE and MANGUS are being received with rave reviews throughout the Southwest. Many of the top restaurants in Phoenix now carry it, and poeple in LA are going wild over the quality we're showing from Arizona.

Tomorrow we try our luck at Venice Beach for another bottle signing!

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi there, i was wondering...is there a reason you do "bottle signings" as opposed to tasting and talking about the wine with whoever may in come in the store for the same period of time? it's always great to hear some of the thoughts directly from those closest to the process!

ARIZONA STRONGHOLD VINEYARDS said...

We also do more intimate tastings frequently - and the bottle signings are an opportunity for people to receive the wines directly from us (on a larger scale) and, of course, many come to meet Maynard. I guess the way I think about it is that on the scale we are trying to operate, it is better to hand a bottle to someone face-to-face than to just have them pluck it off a shelf somewhere. The hope is that they then actually make the effort to check out our website, maybe visit our winery, and eventually explore wine in a way that expands their horizons.

Eric

Anonymous said...

it was a little..confusing to be honest, trying to figure out why "bottle signings" would be held, esp. with someone like maynard, so thank you very much for explaning..and its wonderful that you would want to be face to face with those interested. i have had the chance to visit ASV and another vineyard on the way (i was lost:) and i enjoyed myself very much, thanks again!

Mr_Kirkwood said...

Eric,

Sounds like yo uare the hardest working man out there in the wine world!
Would it be possible ot have a signing in Colorado somewhere? Grand Junction has a ton of Farmer's Markets.
Keep up the good work. just finished off the September PSV wine club wines...MMMM!

peace - robert

ARIZONA STRONGHOLD VINEYARDS said...

I think Maynard and I will be touring Texas, New Mexico and Colorado early next year. If you have a Whole Foods Market near you, let them know you'd like them to host us.

Cheers!

Eric

Mr_Kirkwood said...

Eric,

Does the Whole Foods need to carry wine for this to happen? Fort Collins has a whole foods but does not carry wine. there is a large Wilburs wine store right next to it.

Anonymous said...

Eric,Maynard,Fabian,Tim and ASV Crew
The wines are GREAT!! we have had the Nachise and Mangus, still waiting to get some Tazi,but have no doubt it will be par excellence. See you in El Segundo!!

ARIZONA STRONGHOLD VINEYARDS said...

We look forward o seeing you, too. Wait until you taste the new Chupacabra! Killer!

Eric

ARIZONA STRONGHOLD VINEYARDS said...

Robert,

We just set up a date for Denver at the end of February. Keep an eye on our website.

Eric

Mr_Kirkwood said...

Eric,

Thanks for the information. I will be there with bells on. My son turns 21 in February so he will be excited to be able to participate. Hope all is going well. Peace.

Anonymous said...

Eric & Maynard

Missed the Tazi in El Segundo, they had run out by the time my number was called, but that's ok I was able to get some of Maynard's fine product and my PSC shipment will arrive any day, so I'm fat and HAPPY!!

About the Chupacabra, I had a 06 first release at home and did a side by side with the second rel I picked up at the signing, they both are killer!! but the first was my favorite, will have to play with the other bottle's in the future to see how they evolve The shape-shifter, trickster for sure.

I was the guy in the ASV Tee who didn't know where he bought it? I bought in your tasting room! GEEZ all I could blurt out was Puscifer store,as I have purchased some tee's from there as well, but what a deer in the headlights response!
DUH.
What I really wanted to say was great job on both of your endeavors, totally diggin every facet, do not change a thing because this is ROCKIN!! AZ wine.


Freddy B

forcfedcrx said...

Eric,

Wow you sound very busy. I have yet to taste your product but have a great passion for wine. i would be happy to talk to a gen. manager of a local Wholefoods here in Seattle.(2210 Westlake Ave
Seattle, WA 98121
Phone: 206.621.9700
Fax: 206.621.9705). To help with the expansion of your ideals on Wine and the Elements of life. hopefully if you have time the northwest will be in your destination profile.

sincerely,

Jeffery Love.

Unknown said...

I just started talking with folks in the Pacific Northwest. I think there is a very good chance that we'll be making it up there!

Eric

Anonymous said...

Hi Eric,

Is it true that there will be no photos allowed at the bottle signings with Maynard?

Thanks,

A TOOL fan

ARIZONA STRONGHOLD VINEYARDS said...

Yep, no photos. Otherwise 75% of the people wouldn't get in due to time constraints...

forcfedcrx said...

I dont want to give you a comment.....more of an insight. here is a human that has no light................... for once seeing the hate off the first pine pure. in the haromeny of any givin sight...knowing what is there is a gift in its right. Dont look past for it is there.

..........Jeff Love.........


jeff love. now how about that visit to seattle.
P.s. I have direct conections to

DeLILLE CELLARS.....im family .

peace!
lets make it happen.

forcfedcrx said...

I dont want to give you a comment.....more of an insight. here is a human that has no light................... for once seeing the hate off the first pine pure. in the haromeny of any givin sight...knowing what is there is a gift in its right. Dont look past for it is there.

..........Jeff Love.........


jeff love. now how about that visit to seattle.
P.s. I have direct conections to

DeLILLE CELLARS.....im family .

peace!
lets make it happen.

forcfedcrx said...

I dont want to give you a comment.....more of an insight. here is a human that has no light................... for once seeing the hate off the first pine pure. in the haromeny of any givin sight...knowing what is there is a gift in its right. Dont look past for it is there.

..........Jeff Love.........


jeff love. now how about that visit to seattle.
P.s. I have direct conections to

DeLILLE CELLARS.....im family .

peace!
lets make it happen.

Anonymous said...

Aloha! Scott Miller . payday loans

Anonymous said...

bad credit loans toronto This website is worthwhile I liked it greatly
AAA Toronto Payday Loans 1172 Bay St #101, Toronto, ON M5S 2B4 (416) 477-2817