Don's Gillette's Weekly Wine Blog
Weekly musings from our store's resident wine guru
Don has over thirty years experience in the wine industry. For the last eighteen years his attention has been focused on the growing local industry. Don has a large following of customers who search out his opinions (never in short supply!) on new releases and on what's currently most distinctive on our shelves. Others seek his insights on wineries and trends that are still under the radar. Check back here each week for Don's latest thoughts on various wine-related topics. Read Don's full bio...
Email Don directly with your wine-related questions.
My Third and Last Anniversary Blog! (By NVWE store manager, Denise Johnson)
I got on an anniversary-themed roll and told Don I would take over his blogging duties for 3 weeks and then be done with it. Next Monday, watch for Don Gillette's blog to return! In the meantime, I have one more Anniversary to mention and that is the Twentieth Anniversary of the Napa Valley Winery Exchange.
Our Twentieth Anniversary is on May 1, 2008! It is hard to believe that we are coming upon this milestone. So much has changed since we opened our doors so long ago. Between now and that time, don't be surprised if we write little stories (in different publications) about how different things were then. For example, we had a cash register and only used a computer for word processing. We had not yet heard of a cell phone, the internet or email. There was virtually no good California Pinot Noir. Ronald Reagan was president. Kristen Kettell was single!
During the next several months, read this blog and other printed materials produced by our store for different trivia questions about the history of Napa Valley Winery Exchange. There will be prizes! Here is the first one: What was the name of the hotel directly next door to our store (on the south side; the left if you are facing our store) prior to its becoming the Serrano Hotel? The first person to email the correct answer to me, denise@nvwe.com, wins a bottle of 2003 Schramsberg Blanc de Blancs, shipped to your doorstep. (I will include a champagne "stopper" - a closure device - if you can name the coffeeshop that was in the hotel!)
Staff and former staff not eligible - Good luck!