Day Six!

Getting to bed late and up early on your final day of a market visit is always a bit rough. This was the case Saturday. Visine is a mandatory toiletry when I travel. By a stroke of good luck, it turns out one of my dearest friends and her husband were coming to Naples for some sunshine. Anne, who works for Coach, flew in from Manhattan and her Brazilian Husband Vido, who owns a coffee production company, flew in from Minneapolis. The only free hour we had to catch up was for coffee. Meeting friends when you're on the road is always such a delight, even if it's just an hour.

Following our quick meet, Rik hustled us into his truck and we were off to set up for the Southwest Florida Wine Fest's grand tasting and auction. The extravagant affair was staged at the MiroMar Lakes Country Club, an absolutely gorgeous location just north of Bonita Springs. The grand entry involves two major gates and a fountain that looks like something you'd see in Versailles.

Unfortunately, rain was expected so organizers installed a large tent to host the visiting vintners and local chefs. Last year, the grand tasting was held poolside along shimmering blue waters - two shallow bodies of water that seem to float upon the concrete patio. It's quite a setting, especially when that Florida sun is shining brightly against the blue sky. Today was a different scene.

We found our table at the far end of the tent. Our wine had already been staged (thanks Premier) so we simply added a few brochures and cookbooks to the display. Joan and Laura Teachworth of Teachworth Vineyards in Napa Valley shared our table. Two beautifully gracious women who produce just 150 cases of carefully aged Cabernet. It's always a pleasure meeting other women in the business.

Speaking of women in the wine business, we were cheerfully greeted by Cameron Fischer of Fischer Vineyards in Napa Valley. I adore this wine family. I met winemaker Whitney Fischer years ago in Seattle and her folks Juelle and Fred a few years following. Much like us, this is a real family winery. Over the past few years, Whitney's older brother Rob and younger sister, Cameron have joined the ranks. We have such fun discussing the joy and challenges of working with family. Great wine and truly great people!

Within 30 minutes of showing our wines and chatting with acquaintances and friends, the rain began to come down. I looked behind me and saw a river forming. The rain was pounding down and within another five minutes I showed Rik my discovery and he suggested moving the table further into the tent. As we began to make the move, I look down and poor Laura (my table mate) was standing in 2 inches of water. What a trooper she was, moving her display, bottles and soggy cases as the water continued. I noticed she was wearing ballet flats. I had selected my high wedges so managed to stand a bit drier, but when I looked at her and what was going on outside and the state of the situation, I called surrender. Cases, brochures, bottles, signs were quickly dismantled and we went to seek cover in the club's bar.

The determined guests remained for another hour under that tent, sipping wine and sampling foods from the local chefs. Over 4 inches of water had accumulated in the middle of the tent! It was a real misfortune for the guests, the vintners and the guests. I did hear the auction, which followed the tasting, was extremely profitable, so perhaps the rain was a blessing for the charity as the indoors became increasingly attractive and forced folks to bid.

Nancy and I sat at the bar and chatted with new friends, drinking Napa Valley Cabernet and enjoy the entire scene. We departed MiroMar Lakes for our final evening in Florida, at the home of Kristen and Joe Palazzo. Joe is a caterer and Kristen has been selling Ponzi wines for years. This generous couple had several event organizers, chefs, restaurateurs and vintners over to their home and fed us lamp chops, marinated tenderloin and fresh Gulf shrimp. Needless to say, there was plenty of outstanding wines open for the gathering. Including stellar bottlings from Veuve Cliquot, Banfi, Antinori, Fischer and yes, even Ponzi.

This was my favorite evening. In a casual setting - just good conversation with people in the wine trade enjoying each other's company. It couldn't have been a better close to a full week of fun and business.

Mom and I woke the next morning at 4AM, to grab our flight home. Despite an emergency landing in Dallas due to a violently ill passenger on board, the flight was easy. We were welcomed by my little family at the Portland airport (including Sami waiting in the car) several hours later.

It was incredible trip. We were treated like royalty. The relationships I've been able to build over the many years in this market are invaluable. It's so rewarding. It's so rare all the components come together this way: the wines, the distributor and its talented individuals, the interested buyers, the enthusiastic consumers, one exceptional representative, Rik Steere, and the rest of the team at Wilson Daniels Ltd. Every component has to perfect to succeed, and in the case of South Florida, we have absolutely achieved that and more.

We are very, very blessed.

I hope you enjoyed my postings this week and it gave you a "sneak peek" into this part of my world. I'm will now sign off and get back to work at the winery. Thank you for your interest and perhaps at I'll see you in Beaverton sometime ... that's usually where you'll find me when I'm not playing celebrity in Florida.

Thanks to all!

Ciao

Maria