Celebrations

Celebrating 4060 new vines divided in 13 different white grape varietals. I like this number !

Dear Friends,

As I am just back from 2 wonderful weeks visiting the US, my return to the farm came with other festivities. But before detailing what happened here, I would like to thank all of you who have come to the many tasting events, wine dinners and who have supported our wines. Thanks also to all of you who have made my trip easier and, boy, I kind of needed some hands as the itinerary was very tight. And, of course, thank you to all our Importers, Distributors Reps, Retail Stores, Chefs, Waiters... who have worked hard to make this tour a success.

On the road, I met with Susan and Kendall who drove 5 hours from Chicago to attend our Iowa City wine dinner ! Susan is "artisan" making the most delicious chocolates with a unique hint of spices. She is offering them fresh.
Order them at http://www.cacaocuvee.com. If you don't like them (which would be very unlikely), I will send you a bottle of wine !

Celebrating our first wine dinner US with friends at Blue Farm Hill in NYC

My return home started with the celebration of 4060 new babies in the family. With two hard working guys, we have planting our last empty parcel which had been prepared for 3 years for this with diffrent crops which have amended the soil. Originally, we were supposed to plant 8 grape varieties mostly from our area (Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne, Bourboulenc, Viognier, Clairette Blanche, Clairette rosée and Vermentino) but since we missed some babies, I asked my friend Lilian who provides those plants to complete with another 5 "strangers" which are Sauvignon, Gros Manseng, Muscal Petit Grain, Chardonnay and Chenin.
See the following video (listening to the great song) which will give you an idea of how we plant vines :

Those plants have already been blessed with two heavy rains which complete their plantation with the best conditions and you are welcome to send all your positive thoughts to all those Rouge-Bleu family members.
 

- I came back just a few days after spring, which celebrates life back in the fields. Thankfully, our winter has been very cold and the vines have not bloomed yet...which gives me a little time to finish pruning. And look what I found in the vines, which really shows that Spring is there and which hopefully brings good Karma :
 
Lady Bug on a pruned vine
 

- Just before I left for the US, I heard that our Dentelle red 09 was awarded with a Bronze Award at the Paris Agricultural Fair. Well, this is not "Gold" (like last year) but since we got the Silver two years ago, we now have received the 3 metals in 3 years...Not too bad for a start.

Silver in 2008, Gold in 2009 and Bronze in 2010. "Le compte est bon"
 

- Lastly and talking about 3 years, we have also celebrated 3 years here which also corresponds to my birthday. I can't believe that time has gone so fast and how much we have completed, even if I don't take anything for granted.

3 years...that's the time our new baby vines need to produce their first harvested fruits as we will green harvest the ones before in order to force the vine to concentrate on making roots and wood. For now, it looks that we will have to wait an eternity to enjoy the first bottles of this new wine but If I look backwards, I am sure time will go very fast.

Thank you all for your wishes messages and all your support

Cheers,

Jean-Marc Domaine Rouge-Bleu

 

Comments

[Barbara E. Pickens]

Congratulations Jean Marc! looks as if your wine tour to the USA was succesful! Perhaps we will be able to get some Rose in Georgia when the new vines are old enough! Wish you would include Atlanta in one of your tours! We have an active French community there and I'm sure some of the retailers would be interested in buying some of your wines. Hope all goes well with the planting, It is hard work, but well worth it! Happy Birthday even if it is overdue! We southerners love good wine too!
Barbara and Jim Pickens

[Candice]

Welcome Home Jean-Marc and belated Birthday wishes!

It was so great to see you in NY again.
LOVED this planting video - can't wait for more to see how all the new babies are growing! Keep us posted.

A votre Sante!
Candice

[Suzanne, Monroe Township, NJ]

Bonjour Jean-Marc et congratulations!

It was wonderful to see you at the tasting in Brooklyn and cannot wait for my case of 2009 rose to arrive sometime this spring. I enjoyed the video and the enthusiastic spirit of the planters. What a fabulous team!

Bonne Chance with the new grapes and i cannot wait to try the new red from the old vines.
Suzanne

[laura]

WOW! HOW EXCITING!!!!! That is truly back-breaking work planting all those vines. You're right, looking back, the time flew by :) At least for those of us lucky enough to hitch our wagon to yours and have a front seat view on this adventure.

So wonderful to see you in both SF *and* LA!
BIG HUG from SF, L

[Jean-Marc]

Thanks so much for your comments guys. They are cheered as good can be.

[Marianne Rankin]

Every time I read about what you are doing, or watch another video, I am so impressed by all the work you do. I'm sure most people have no idea what goes into producing a fine wine. I will never be able to drink any without thinking of your efforts and care.

[Andy Newlands]

Good to see you again at the Portland dinner. Hope you have had a good rest as we were all concerned that you had worn yourself to a frazzle! Next time bring your bike and we'll go out for a quick 100km before dining. Cheers. Andy + Kelley.

[Jean-Marc Espinasse]

Thanks Andy...I feel a bit "bad" about that evening...I was very very tired after a whole week traveling all around the US, sleeping 3 hours per night average... I hope this has not transpired too much on my behaviour. Please give all my regards to the group.
Next time, I will take the time to ride with you...why not around the OR vineyards.
Cheers,

[Michele Kawamoto]

Love it! So exciting! Sorry to have missed you while you were in the U.S. Just came back from Asia - they can definitely use some Rouge-Bleu there!