Getting ready for another workday at the vineyard. This beautiful "Rouge-Bleu" sunrise helps us getting all the energy needed to run this small operation.
Dear Friends,
While Winter is slowing fading away and Nature will soon re-take its rights...
Last year, you may remember that we planted some grapes on a block and by lack of time and appropriate tools and because we obviously don't spray weed killers, we got "invaded" with "Chardons". Those have actually because big bushes and will not permit us to plow the ground. So, in order to get ready for the new season and, also, save those baby vines from this competition, the only way to get rid of them was to pull them one by one and burn them. Thanks to my "Marseillos-Belgiums" friends Olivier and Eric and with the help of my brother Jacques and his friend Michel, we have initiated this hard job.
This done was finally done with another team of nice Moroccan people who helped me finish the work which we celebrated by this big "joy" thistle fire
In between those two pulling weeds WE, I had the pleasure to ear that our Mistral red 09 got rewarded with a Gold Medal at the paris Wine-Agricultural fair, probably the most respected wine French competition. This is our second Gold Medal in 3 vintages along with a Silver and Bronze and this has probably smoothed down the back pain and surely given us the will to continue working on our organic and natural spirit commitment.
I hope to celebrate this new reward with you as I am now getting ready for my US wine tour. I would like to apologize for all the people I won't be visiting and where I actually can't go as I need to focus on where we currently have distribution and as I have 2 weeks to visit with 12 places...
My itinerary is now definitely set. Please have a lot at it (clicking here or on the map below) and meet with me if you are around. I am bringing a couple of surprises with me (including the "gold medal" one) I look forward to sharing a glass with you.
Cheers,
Jean-Marc
Domaine Rouge-Bleu
I am looking forawrd to your visit to Portland. See you at Cork.
Posted by: Pat Graham | February 28, 2011 at 08:30 PM
Congratulations on the second Gold Medal. It is well deserved, and I am so thrilled I picked those grapes!
Can't wait to taste it. :)
Posted by: Voie de Vie | February 28, 2011 at 10:34 PM
Congrats on the Gold Medal!
Can't wait to taste it and see you in NY!
Posted by: Candice | March 01, 2011 at 04:54 AM
You can be proud Denise and you will see that all the 09 are actually wonderful...including the last baby "Lunatique".
See you at Cork Graham and Denise and Sunday in Brooklyn Candice
Cheers,
Posted by: Jean-Marc Espinasse | March 01, 2011 at 10:31 PM
Jean-Marc, Congratulations on your gold medal and for having defeated those Texas-size weeds. You're fortunate to have such good friends. And good luck on your upcoming trip to the U.S. We, Americans, are fortunate to have the chance to taste your wine.
Posted by: Tom Fiorina | March 04, 2011 at 08:48 AM
Fantastic achievement Jean-Marc. I can't wait to be part of Harvest 2011.
Posted by: Vincent De Kime | March 05, 2011 at 07:04 PM
J-M, Looking forward to seeing you tonight in D. C. Returning again this year with my friends Leslie and Stan. Congratulations on the Gold!
Posted by: Pat Cargill | March 08, 2011 at 01:51 PM