2007 has been a busy year for Barsetti Vineyards. Beginning February 10 and 11, we poured our wines at the Lodi Wine and Visitors Center for the Wine and Chocolate weekend. We paired our wines with fudge made with our wines. The fudge was made by Merrilyn Gourmet Fudge (www.candyfudgecookiesgifts.com) from Galt. It was a great opportunity for so many people to enjoy our four wines while tasting excellent wine fudge.
We, then, participated in the Lodi Spring Wine show (www.grapefestival.com)
on the Lodi Grape Festival grounds on March 23 and 24. This is always a wonderful event where local restaurants and caterers present food to be paired with the great wineries of our area.
Our wines were poured for several events at the Hutchins Street Square: The Tom Rigney Show, Night Time Live, and Art on the Square. Lodi is fortunate to have such a wonderful place as the Hutchins Street Square where excellent productions and art events take place throughout the year. (www.hutchinsstreetsquare.com)
In March, we participated in a wine pouring at the Woodbridge Golf and Country Club. The Club has one of the most beautiful courses and facilities around. We are very pleased to be members of this great Club. (www.woodbridgecountryclub.com)
April 14th, we were the wine of the week for Raleys in Grass Valley. We poured our wines for several hours, while Raleys provided wonderful appetizers. Even though the weather was rainy, store director, Bob Santin and his staff, did such a great job; they had first timers and regulars coming to this event. It is evident that Grass Valley has adopted this weekly event, turning it into a wine group. (www.raleys.com)
We always enjoy the Lodi Wine Strolls. This is where wineries set up in local businesses on School St. in downtown Lodi. In April, we poured our wines at the House of Clocks; and in October, we poured at the Clothes Closet. This is a great opportunity for the people to taste our wines; and also enjoy shopping at our fine businesses in Lodi.(www.lodichamber.com)
We came home to Galt in May for the wine pouring at the Strawberry Festival. It is always good to see old friends and neighbors. This is one of the wonderful assets of living in a community my entire life: A community, where my father was born and raised also.(www.galtchamber.com)
One of our most exciting events of the summer was Janis’ 35th college reunion at the University of the Pacific. Those alumni that became vintners poured their wines for the Wine and Food event. U.O.P. did an excellent job with pairing foods from all over the world with the wines. The University of the Pacific is still one of the most beautiful campuses in the United States. I am very proud to be alumni of UOP. (www.pacific.edu)
In September, we participated in the Wine on the Waterfront in Stockton. The event was for the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of the Greater Sacramento Area. It is a very well received event, with wonderful food, excellent wine, good entertainment; and all for a good cause. (www.bbbs-sac.org)
Most recently, we poured our wines for The First Sip. This was a 2-day event where people would travel to the participating wineries and to the Lodi Wine Center (where we were). Each winery had food pairings for their wines. Another great event that showcases Lodi’s superior wines.(www.lodiwine.com)
We saved the biggest event of the year for us, until the last. We were invited to participate in the Expo Vino in Costa Rica in October. We were one of 11 California Boutique wineries, and one Balsamic Vinegar maker from Central California to participate in this 3-day event. Our group poured from 1 pm to 9 pm for each of the three days. The hours were long, but the benefits of meeting most of the 4000 attendees, talking about our wines, and talking about our growing region in California, were very rewarding. We not only introduced the attendees to our appellation in California; but we were introduced to the Costa Rican culture as well. We were guests of the U.S. Embassy throughout our stay. The Embassy had several events scheduled for us. The first event, on the evening prior to our first day of pouring, was a very formal wine tasting of all of our wines, paired with exquisite appetizers. Richard was interviewed by a Costa Rican television station, radio station, and the Chamber of Commerce (of course, he had an interpreter). We had the opportunity to meet with members of the U.S. Embassy, telling them about ourselves and the wine region we represented. The highlight of our trip was when the attending public of the Expo Vino voted the wines of our 11 wineries as the best of the show. There were 106 booths from around the world represented at the Expo. This was an honor for all of us; as well as a surprise since we did not know that there was any voting. We are all extremely proud of the trophy and what it represents to our region. The week we spent together forged new relationships, was a time of exchanging ideas, and a time to bring attention to our Central Valley. The U.S. Embassy also arranged a tour of Doka Coffee Plantation and of the Regency Heart of Palm plantation. Thanks to Frank Haversack, Frank Gayaldo, Carlos Chamberlain and Karl Hempel for giving us the opportunity to participate and allowing us to be one of the “ambassadors” from our wonderful region.
Most recently, we poured our wines at Raleys on Elk Grove Blvd in Elk Grove. Raleys does an absolutely fantastic job with their Friday (sometimes Saturday) wine pouring. They are always fun for us because we have the time to talk to each person. It is evident that Raleys has a following, as many of these people met each other coming to this function; and have forged somewhat of a “wine club” among themselves. They meet here for the wine, appetizers, and good conversation. (www.raleys.com)
In 2008, we will participate in all of the same events, plus several others (see Upcoming Events tab). We hope to meet and talk with you at these events. Thanks so much for making 2007 an exciting and rewarding year for Barsetti Vineyards.
