Chicago:
What a great city. Who said the weather is lousy? It was a perfect 85 and sunny. My wine dinner was at the Signature Room on the 96th floor of the Hancock building. I hate heights. But, I don’t think I have enjoyed a better view and wine dinner. If you live in Chicago go attend their monthly wine events. You won’t regret it. Where else can you find a building that has no inner support beams, only sways 8 inches in sixty mile an hour winds, and is 90 plus stories high? By the way, did you know John Hancock was a molasses smuggler? It warms my little half-Cuban heart, that does.
I want to thank especially Angela Roman their Wine Director. When I started Row Eleven I swore I would only work with the very best vineyards, and people. You are one of the best I have worked with Angela. Special thanks as well to Kelly Wisecarver, Mary Alice, and the Tunney’s.

Running Wild:
I don’t get to be wild on the road. My sales force is very protective of me, especially, the Chicago “Jens”. They cut me absolutely no slack. They make sure I am properly dressed. “Are you really going to wear those pants? Don’t you have any black pants you can wear?”
They make sure that they sit between me and any females interested in Row Eleven. They also are careful how much I drink. They were shocked to find out that I have never had a Stolle Dole at the Capital Grill. The trick they claim is to empty the entire jar on the bar. They gave it a good try. By the way, I told the story to our National Sales Manager Craig Boggs. He claims he invented Stolle Dole. Thanks to Paul Calzaretta, and Jennifer Kane for being so good to them.

Tucson:
Special thanks to everyone who came by to say “hi” at the Tucson Culinary show, especially Shari. If you are in Tucson check out the Maynard Dixon exhibit at the Art Museum. The first drawing you come to is one of Lummis as in Stratton Lummis.

Thoughts on the trail:
Will the current crunch on money affect any winery sales that were in the process of going down?
Chateau Montelena?
Chateau St Michelle?