BLOGSCHU

WaxOn From NOLA Airport

...The poetry judging is going well. Took me 3.5 hours to get through and rank all 130+/- on the four components: Message, Technical, Word Use and Overall Impact. My scores are now being reconciled with those from the rest of the family. There are many good ones and some dogs too. Further confirming that my middle name should be Beavis, I chuckled the loudest at a 12 +/- worder that is x-rated. Stay tuned.

Friday of last week we worked on final bottling blends for the 07 Cabernet. The session consisted of Keith, Anne, Jessica, and a guest appearance by my cousin Towle who is now working with us as consulting viticulturalist. Grueling but rewarding work. Our mission was to take the base blend that was assembled last summer and fine tune it using a myriad of lots of Cab and other Bordeaux varietals that we kept separate. Lots of nuanced tasting and lots of learning. I am beginning to really get a feel for how the team tastes together, and how they respond to the kaleidoscope of flavors our vineyard provides. I can't help but be very excited.

Made it to the Sonoma Valley Vintners and Growers Alliance poster shoot last Thursday, where we all dressed in Togas to promote the auction coming in August. You can see a picture of three of the Sonoma wine community’s most distinguished members below.

Yes, that would be Schug Winemaker Mike Cox and the younger Sangiacomo Bros. The pic is dark on purpose, to protect the innocent (me, from them)

...Even with only 24 hours in NOLA, one should be able to come up with too many adventures to list. Luckily I have two. First is seeing this very cool beer fountain at a pub that chooses to remain nameless. If you know the area, think Garden District outdoor and gritty.

 

And best of all was the tasting I did at Swirl last night. Easily the grooviest wine shop I have been in awhile, with great wine, great customers and a great dog. They even bike ride and direct a charity team that raises big bucks and wears very stylish jerseys. Beth & Kerry from Swirl have a blog too, check it out at swirlandsavor.blogspot.com, and please pay them a visit when you are in New Orleans. Rudy Rowell was there too, signing bottles of our 2005 Vintage Reserve that bears his artwork on the label, and selling some of his paintings. Now onward, to Atlanta.

1,621 Trees!

For the first time, I just logged in to see the power being generated by our new solar panels at the winery, and watch the flow of power from Rhinefarm back into the grid. In just ten weeks, the CO2 offset by our one 80kw ground mounted array is the equivalent of planting 1,621 trees! Wow.

What Rhymes with Monday

Still in awe over the success of of our little poetry contest.  Final tally for the 24 hours was 134 poems and over 2700 page views.  What a start to a great annual tradition.   New and old friends alike posted little and bigger ditties.  My man Glen Bardgett, the nicest Somm you'll ever meet, from Annie Gunn's in St. Louis, penned this one, that just happened to catch my eye this morning.

there once was a lach bundschu from gun
where daily the focus was fun
we walked up their hill
wine started to spill
i tripped and fell on my bun

the years are 151
like famed bacardi of rum
time is the proof
their wines are no spoof
to know them has always been fun

Oh The Poets!

So it is now 4 minutes into the second day of GB's 152nd year, and with the stroke of midnight here the poetry contest ended. And do we have a motherload of creativity to show for it. Frankly, I am in awe. What an amazing day. The poems just kept on coming and coming. Based on the quality and number of these puppies, the process of choosing the best ones will be fun and challenging. Can't wait to get to it.

Thanks to all who participated. The great poet of our family, Charles Bundschu, is smiling down on all of you right now. Keep checking back, as will be posting the results within the next few weeks.

POETRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The poety constest we are running today is off the hook!  Check out http://www.blogschu.com/151 and click on the 'view entries' to read some very cool stuff.  Oh the Smell of it!!!!!!!!!

BTW, I rolled out of bed yesterday and recalled a little ditty that I came up with some time back.  Check it out...

Rhinefarm Summer Mornings:

Poetry Contest Underway

Tomorrow is the official anniversary of Gundlach Bundschu—March 12, 1858, is the date that Jacob Gundlach signed the deed to our estate and the beginning of my family’s love affair with the land and the vine. 

Poetry and writing have been an integral part of my family’s life ever since my great-great-grandfather, Charles Bundschu, joined the winery and married Jacob Gundlach’s daughter in 1875. A poet of some renown, Charles started the tradition that all guests write and recite poetry in honor of each harvest and family gathering—a tradition we still follow, to the alternate delight and dismay of our cousins and wine club members! We now bring this tradition to a wider audience with the first of what we hope to make an annual tradition.

To celebrate our 151st Anniversary, I decided to hold a one-day, online poetry slam. Until midnight, March 12, 2009 we invite everyone who is passionate about wine to explain why, in 151 words or less, in honor of our 151st anniversary.

So tell me, what is it about wine that stirs your soul?   www.gunbun.com/151

Majestic Memphis

Last week, our friends Deni & Patrick Reilly of The Majestic Grille in Memphis, put together an event that sums up so much of what inspires me about our business. 

The evening featured a fantastic menu Patrick created to showcase our 2005 Vintage Reserve, and a show of the work of New Orleans artist RK Rowell.

We feature a unique work of art on every label of Vintage Reserve, and for the 2005, we chose to celebrate the rebirth of the great city of New Orleans. We found RK Rowell through an organization of Katrina artists - Rudy lost his studio and home in the storm. He then spent some time in Memphis, during which he sold a painting of the Majestic Brass Band to Deni Reilly at an art fair.  When Deni saw the label on our new Vintage Reserve, she put together this great night. We are so lucky to work in a business that connects people who are passionate about art, local food and distinctive wines.

The 2005 Vintage Reserve label

The art in the show was all framed with reclaimed 'Katrina' wood moldings and scrap wood, many with hardware still attached. You can see them all here and learn more about Rudy at vigoboom.com.