I guess instead of writing about relatives I should write about wine. Nina does not feel that I give you enough insights into our wines and winemaking. It is hard not to be dreamy right now. My friend Russell down in Paso Robles gauges summer by how many women he counts wearing tank tops. I know it is summer when I feel like spending the afternoon lying on a soft hammock with an always full glass of ice and white wine by my side. It is the differences in our ages I guess. Spring is leaving and summer is coming. You can smell it in the air. Most of the frost danger is behind us and most vineyards made it through the most dangerous times. I just walked through our Russian River Sanchietti Ranch. Everything looks great. I have yet to get down to Santa Barbara.

I am going to make a reckless prediction for you wine bloggers out there. It is going to be a big crop. Yes, it is still a little early for such a prediction. But, I base it on years of experience. Whenever the wine industry gets into a sales slump, we normally get our biggest crops. Besides, the vineyards look good out there and the weather is cooperating for the most part.

What can I tell you about our wines as opposed to others'? I guess I get shy about it because most of those other wines are made by friends of mine. I think any given day one wine will beat out another. I just know my wine is as good, often better, and always less expensive. The wine commentators and bloggers that I have run across rarely compare prices. My wines are also made to compliment food. If Robert Mondavi and Julio Gallo got together and had kids (visually don't go there) I guess I would sort of be their love child. Try and stay with me here about the wines.... I want wine to be a part of your everyday life - enjoyed at most of your meals. That is what Julio wanted. That means it has to be affordable. I also want my wine to be remarkable. I want you to have to stop what you are doing for just a moment and think about the wine. That is what Robert wanted. I want for you and me the best of those two worlds and better. I dream and work hard for that.

All of our new vintages are in the market now. Our five year anniversary was April Fools Day, a fitting day to start a company. If I was asked what amazed me most about these last five years the answer would be easy. It is that so many of you are so kind to call and write me. You call me with praise, encouragement, laughter and kindness. You are wonderful. When I was thinking about Row Eleven I wrote on a card that someday I would have the best customers in the wine industry. That became true from the beginning. Now I also wrote that I would be selling a few more cases than I am now. So could you drink a little more this May? I am going to.

Believe it or not, my favorite two wines right now are my un-oaked Carneros Chardonnay and my Napa Cabernet Sauvignon. They are my Stratton Lummis wines. The Cabernet Sauvignon is probably the best I have made so far. We think of ourselves as unknown and undiscovered, so I was shocked and honored that the New York Sommeliers picked Stratton Lummis Cabernet Sauvignon as one of their favorites. The un-oaked Chardonnay tastes great as well. If you are tired of overwrought, over buttered, oaky Chard try this one. If you are tired of the steely, high acid Chardonnay alternatives, try Stratton Lummis. It will surprise you. It will help you like Chardonnay again. Stratton Lummis wines are all California with a little nod to the old world. Besides, you cannot duplicate these wines at these prices.