Archive for April, 2009

Thursday, April 30th, 2009

Rasa Vineyards – Online Ordering Almost a Reality

So close… the wine is ready to be released and the mailer is ready to send.  Our techs have been working hard to get all the issues straightened out.  As soon as the online processing is working, we will send out our first mailer.
By this weekend?  I hope so…

1 Comment » - Posted in Rasa Vineyards by Pinto Naravane

Tuesday, April 28th, 2009

Facebook Rasa

I created the Rasa Vineyards Facebook fan page about two weeks ago.  Please visit.
Blogging, twittering, facebooking…embracing the new social networking paradigm.

No Comments » - Posted in Rasa Vineyards by Pinto Naravane

Sunday, April 26th, 2009

The Adirondacks, 2007 Pax Cuvee Christine and 2007 QED

I spent this weekend in the Adirondacks.  Once a year, my friend hosts a weekend getaway at his cabin.
Just the guys – wives stay home.  What an idea!  As you can imagine, the weekend devolves into silliness pretty quickly.
Saturday night after a grueling hike (I have to start exercising; the hike was embarrassingly hard for […]

No Comments » - Posted in Wine and Food by Pinto Naravane

Thursday, April 16th, 2009

2007 QED

We are just about ready to release our wine.  I’ve tasted it several times now and the effects of bottle shock have passed.  The wine is drinking wonderfully right now and I’m very proud of it.
The 2007 QED is a blend of 94% Syrah, 3% Grenache and 3% Mourvedre.
The majority of the Syrah comes from […]

4 Comments » - Posted in Rasa Vineyards by Pinto Naravane

Tuesday, April 14th, 2009

2006 Cedric Vincent Pouilly Le Monial Vieilles Vignes Beaujolais

When I’m not familiar with a foreign wine, I look to see who imported it.  There are certain importers whose wines I would try unreservedly.  Kermit Lynch is one of them.
Many years ago I read Mr. Lynch’s Adventures on the Wine Route and since then, if I see a wine imported by him, I’m apt […]

No Comments » - Posted in Wine and Food by Pinto Naravane

Saturday, April 11th, 2009

Rasa Website Updated, Twitter, and The National Baseball Hall of Fame

What won’t I do for Rasa Vineyards?  Last week I started twittering.  Yes, I am now a twittering fool.  For anyone who cares to follow my tweets, my username is winerasa.
The Rasa Vineyards website has been updated with a new skin (www.rasavineyards.com).  I think it looks much better.  There still are a few small changes […]

4 Comments » - Posted in Rasa Vineyards by Pinto Naravane

Wednesday, April 8th, 2009

2004 Ada Nada Barbaresco Elisa

Barbaresco is a DOCG in the Piedmont region of Italy.  The red grape used is Nebbiolo.  The majestic Nebbiolo thrives in Barbaresco and Barolo and can make some of the finest wines on Earth.
A wine labeled Barbaresco must be aged for a minimum of two years with at least one of those years in wood.
I […]

No Comments » - Posted in Wine and Food by Pinto Naravane

Sunday, April 5th, 2009

1999 Hirsch Gaisberg Riesling

Even though it’s cold here, when spring comes, I get in the mood for white wine (yes, I’m just a Pavlovian dog salivating for white wine; the Vernal Equinox is my celestial conditioned stimulus).
A few weeks ago, I came across a bottle of the 1999 Hirsch Gaisberg Riesling at a local fine wine store.  The […]

No Comments » - Posted in Wine and Food by Pinto Naravane

Friday, April 3rd, 2009

Direct Shipping – What a Hassle

I spent most of today filling out forms so we can ship direct to certain states.
What a pain in the ass!
Every state has its own regulations.  Some are nice and easy, some make it extremely hard and some just don’t allow direct shipment.
Here is a list that I’ve been working on:
WA: Great.  Nothing to do.  Of course, […]

5 Comments » - Posted in Rasa Vineyards by Pinto Naravane

Wednesday, April 1st, 2009

Rosso di Montalcino - 2006 Bolsignano and 2005 La Gerla

Usually I find myself passing over the Rosso di Montalcino wines in favor of the better (and more expensive) Brunello di Montalcinos but curiosity got the better of me and I bought two.
I assume the Rosso di Montalcino DOC was created to generate cash flow.  The wines come from the same vineyards as those that […]

No Comments » - Posted in Wine and Food by Pinto Naravane