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2010-04-26T18:07:00.001-07:00

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2010-04-19T11:57:00.000-07:00

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Its amazing how you get a little sunshine, and people want to visit.

Chris Sholota and his family from Duluth, Georgia visit with Michael at our tasting room in St. Helena. The Beckstoffer-Dr. Crane Vineyard lies in the background at the base of the Mayacamas Mountains.

Audrey Hagen, of Arizona plays makeup with my granddaughters, Zoey and Indiana, while inside our tasting room.

2010-03-19T14:45:00.000-07:00

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Our Comcast cable was down for three days. So we didn't have any phone, fax, or internet. Thank you all for being so persistent. When we did get back up and running, I received a ton of emails with orders and questions as to what was up. Well, we're back in business now and its been over 80 degrees in the Napa Valley for the past three days. So please, get those orders in before summer totally supplants spring. While the cable was down, Jefferson and I snow boarded at Tahoe where it was 50 degrees at 10 AM. After lunch, we exchanged our boards for water skis.
Michael and Chris Madrigal are co-hosting, along with others, a fundraiser at Madrigal's Estate Winery on Friday, April 30 from 6:30 PM to 10:30 PM. You're all invited. The fundraiser is for the Foundation for African Medicine and Education (F.A.M.E.). It'll be an evening of wine, noshing, music, and a silent auction. Of course Karl Lawrence and Madrigal wines will be poured as well as those from Charles Krug, von Strasser, and Switchback Ridge. You can sign up at: www.famenapavalley.com.
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2010-03-16T10:30:00.000-07:00

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Yesterday was in the high 70s making it the warmest day of the year and the blossoms are springing out all over. I'm finally posting some 2009 harvest pictures.

When Brad Keller's not sandbagging his Fargo home from the Red River, he likes to volunteer at Henry Brother's Ranch.

Jefferson also joined in the fun. So much for office work.

2010-03-05T13:05:00.000-08:00

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The 2007 Release Offering Letter went out this week to those of you living in the cooler areas. By "cooler," I mean colder than the warmer areas. March and April are good shipping weather months. So now is a good time to send in your orders.
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2010-02-19T12:46:00.000-08:00

Karl Lawrence at the San Jose Rep Theater Gala

Rep Patron and Blues Cruise buddy, Barry Walter shows some gangsta' attitude.

2010-02-05T13:32:00.000-08:00

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The Offering Letters for the 2007 release went out to those of you in the warmer areas, this past February 1. We're working to process these order this month while the shippers are not busy and the weather is nice and cool. The Offering Letter will then go out to those of you living in the cooler areas this coming March 1.
The 2007 vintage is our seventeenth release and our nineteenth year in business. Little precipitation fell during the 2007 growing season, resulting in early bud break, bloom and set. The summer temperatures ranged on the cooler side with very few hot days. This gave the grapes a longer hang time to reach full maturity. Our crop levels came in at twelve percent below average. Michael states that it is easy for him to predict that "2007 will be the vintage of this decade...outstanding in every way!"
2007 Cabernet Sauvignon
Our 2007 Cabernet is totally a ROCKIN' wine. Mother Nature gave us perfection in this vintage that comes to full expression in this finished wine. The vintage is loaded with color and packed with flavor, all knitted together with spot-on tannin balance. Even in analytical lab results, the numbers peg the scales.
The 2007 Cabernet has big, generous, forward fruit expressions of currants, black cherry, mocha, and licorice. Deep down there is a jammy black berry with sweet toastiness and hints of caramel. The nose is ever changing for the better and showing off its complexity layer after layer. In the mouth, the wine reveals big forward black cherry, currants, with bittersweet chocolate and cocoa. All these rich, full, silky smooth flavors are perfectly complemented by a firm but velvety tannin structure, expressing itself effortlessly and endlessly to an everlasting finish. Michael states that the wine can be approached early with proper decanting and sums up this vintage of the decade wine in one word--"Wowzza!"
Blend Percentages:
76% Gary Morisoli
9% Beckstoffer- To Kolan
8% Herb Lamb
7% Beckstoffer-Dr. Crane
2007 Aldin Red
As is customary, the 2007 Aldin Red Wine is created with the blending of Karl Lawrence's main four sourced vineyards. The Healy Vineyards Cabernet is new to the Aldin blend this year. In conjunction with the multiple Cabernets, Merlot and Cab Franc are blended in to loosen and broaden the wine. You'll find that Aldin Red is a smooth, silky wine with more spice and herbal notes coming in from the blending grapes. As a Meritage style red wine, Aldin Red tends to become approachable sooner than the Karl Lawrence Cabernet blend, however Michael cautions you not to rush into consuming Aldin Red too soon as it has shown wonderfully with additional bottle aging.
Blend Percentages:
59% cabernet Sauvignon (Gary Morisoli, Herb Lamb, Beckstoffer-To Kolan, Beckstoffer- Dr. Crane, and Healy vineyards)
28% Merlot (Boeschen and cunat vineyards)
13% Cab Franc (Beckstoffer-To Kolan vineyard)
2008 Aldin Chardonnay
Out Chardonnay this year, from the Matschullat vineyard near Soda canyon, shows more of a Burgundy style than past vintages. A mineral note accompanies the delicate and wonderful fruit aromas of pear, apple and subtl tropical fruit notes. Also, a creamy nuttiness adds complexity and layers in the aromas and flavors. The acid structure is crisper than past vintages, but balances nicely to support the delicate fruit flavors. The gravelly and mineral note reminds Michael of a young Burgundy wine which will complement many dishes. Upon release, the Chardonnay will be quite nice and a bit racy. It will respond well with a few additional months in the bottle and can lie in your cellar for a few more years.
Final Notes
We are pleased to announce the opening of our new tasting lounge in St. Helena and would be happy to have you come by for a tasting. We are open by appointment only. So please email me while planning your trip. I can meet with you on most weekdays and can arrange for someone to meet with you on some weekends.
All four of our sourced vineyards will be released as Single Vineyard Designated Reserves. We will automatically send out the Reserve Offering Letter to those who purchased the 2005 Reserves. As this is a separate mailing list, please let us know if you would also like to receive the Reserve Offering Letter.
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2009-11-13T15:51:00.000-08:00

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Gift packs of Karl Lawrence wines are available to ship directly to your family, friends, and business associates. The Offering Letter for this went out this week. You can order by faxing in the form or emailing me. The wine available for the gift packs is the: Karl Lawrence Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, the Beckstoffer-Dr. Crane Barrel-Select 2005, the Aldin Red 2006, and the Aldin Chardonnay 2007. You can mix or match the 750s. The 2006 mags are also available.

The open two gift pack for 750 mls.

The closed two gift pack as it appears when it slides out of the shipper. The band with the grapes will be red.

The mag gift pack.

The mag gift box as it appears when it slides out of the shipper.

Three gift pack boxes for the 750 mls are also available. Your personalized message will be written on a Karl Lawrence note and placed on the box.
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2009-11-06T09:53:00.000-08:00

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Between crush and releases, I'm behind on the times. So here's a little catch up.

My nephew (Bryan's youngest), Mathew Henry married Tessa Molinari on August 8 at Henry Brothers' Ranch. Mathew is the vineyard manager for the ranch. Tessa is the gardner for Frog's Leap.

And of course, they had great flowergirls, my youngest granddaughter, Indiana facing you, flanked by her older sister, Zoey on her right, and Loma, Mathew's brother, Ben's, girlfriend's daughter. Jasper, Mathew's brother, Mike's son, the ring bearer, is running up from behind.

And now to our Kansas City tour on September 16-21

Cheryl & I golfed with Karl Lawrence customers Bruce Johnston on our right and Mark Hungerford on our left.

That night we partied at our dream Karl Lawrence pouring organized by Jay Howard. Here Cheryl & I are pictured with our favorite blues band, Trampled Under Foot. The band is made up of the Schnebelen family. Singer and bassist Danielle is on my right, while guitarist Nick is on Cheryl's left and the drummer Kris on his left.

We topped of our stay with a rare Raider victory. A number of Karl Lawrence people showed up for the party and the game. That's Sally Jamieson, from Modesto, on Cheryl's right, while Mel Scott, from Sacramento is on my left. Bob Jamieson is in the back row in the silver and black. All the other people are work friends of Mel's from Sacramento. You can see that one of his friends is from Kansas City.

2009-10-09T11:21:00.000-07:00

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The '05 Offering Letters for our Gary Morisoli and Herb Lamb Single Vineyard Designated Reserves are out. Please let me know if you haven't received yours.
Crush has slowly and finally come upon us. We've had such a mild summer, that we thought crush would never get here. So the pace has picked up, somewhat, but not like years in the past. Already, at some of the higher elevations, the vines are shutting down. We do expect some rain next week.

John Elway recently visited with the Karl Lawrence partners at Henry Brothers' Ranch. He knew he was in the land of the Raider Nation, so he was the perfect gentleman.

2009-09-08T11:15:00.000-07:00

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The Offering Letters for the 2005 Vineyard Designated Reserves for the Gary Morisoli and Herb Lamb vineyards are going out as we speak. Please let me know if your's didn't come through.
We'll be on the road a lot this month.
Seotenber 12, Jefferson and Alisa will pour at Staglin's Music Festival.
September 17, I'm in Kansas City pouring at Boulevards while Trampled Under Foot plays.
October 3, Jefferson will be in Los Angeles pouring for Wolfgang Puck's American Wine and Food Festival.
October 4, someone will pour at the Jocelyn Lonen Golf & Grapes, Tee off for a cure for brain cancer at the Mayacamas Golf Course.
October 8, Jefferson will pour at the Phoenician in Phoenix.
Please let me know if you need any info regarding any of these events.
And...for those of you who missed riding on the Karl Lawrence Cycle Team for the 100 mile Tour of Napa Valley...

Here we are, chillin' in 88 degrees at mile 88.
Back row: Scott Gay, Dave Jamieson, Reg Rice, Steve Herber.
Front row: Chris Pratt, Dave Goodgame, me, Michelle Torres, Mark Jenson

We accomplished our goal of averaging 15.5 mph. Next year we'll be bigger, faster, stronger. You all have a year to train. (Did you notice that the Karl Lawrence cycle jerseys are Silver & Black? Raiders Pride and poise all the way.)
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2009-08-19T17:36:00.000-07:00

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The Offering Letter for the Single Vineyard Designated Reserves for the Gary Morisoli and Herb Lamb Vineyards will go out the first week in September.

Michael will be pouring our Reserves and other wines at the St. Helena Wine Center, Main St., St. Helena on August 29, from 2 to 5 PM...

...while I'll be getting ready to party in Kansas City with my newest, greatest blues band, Trampled Under Foot. Hope to see you there.

2009-07-07T11:29:00.000-07:00

Happy July 4th

We celebrated at Pete McClory's and Holly Mason's house with most of the Soroptimist in St. Helena. Holly took this shot just before the St. Helena Fire Department showed up.

2009-07-01T12:37:00.000-07:00

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Michael will pour Karl Lawrence wines this Friday night, July 3, from 5:30 to 9 PM at Acme Fine Wines during St. Helena's Cheers celebration. We started Cheers this year which happens on the first Friday of the month. Its like the whole town turns out for a cocktail party. Almost every store has a winery pouring wine and some small bites of food available. So if you're in the area, be sure and attend. Acme is on Fulton, just before the railroad tracks.
On July 27, I'll be at the Discover Gold In A Glass conference at the Doubletree Hotel in Sacramento. I'll be appearing on a panel in the Capitol Ballroom A at 3:15 PM as part of David Glancy's presentation: "Do Points Matter?" You can register for this conference at: www.societyofwineeducators.org.
For anyone in the Kansas City area, save the date for a Karl Lawrence party at the Boulevard Brewery on September 17. We'll be dancing to the newest blues discovery, Trampled Under Foot. More on this later.
And finally, check out this link about Sophia's day with Michael at Sequoia Grove.
http://thylandviews.blogspot.com/2009/06/fathers-day-look-at-sequoia-grove.html.
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2009-06-08T09:40:00.000-07:00

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Sorry. Its been a while since I've been able to provide any latest information. Many thanks to those of you who placed orders this year. I know that times are tough and that many have had to pull back on their discretionary spending. So we really appreciate those of you who have chosen to remain with us this year. We still have '06 wine available for you or any of your friends. So please keep us in mind.

I recently toasted the success of the American Heart Association's Cotes du Couer in Dallas with their board member, Ted Domitrovich...

...while...

...Michael & Elizabeth celebrated John Corino's 50th birthday bash in Barbados. John's been with us since the first vintage. Now you tell me...who's working harder?

2009-04-08T10:40:00.000-07:00

When in France...

Michael and Sequoia Grove's Associate winemaker, Molly Hill, just returned from a two week tour of France's wine regions.

Sharing glasses of each other's wines are Molly, Eric Tourbier (Winemaker for Baron Philippe Rothschild), Jean Emmanuel (Winemaker for Rothschild's Clerc Milon and Opus), Michael, and Lars (Molly's husband).

Also in France was Loic Dupont, the Winemaker for Tattinger. Michael worked with him twenty years ago when the Domaine Carneros project was just starting.

Mark your calendars for May 30. Karl Lawrence Cellars is helping the St. Helena Skatepark's fund raising event. We'll be pouring wine at the tables and there will be a live auction lot called, "The Partners of Karl Lawrence Cellars and their MAGnanimous off the Beaten Path Friends." The lot should have 20 to 30 mags in it. Jeff Smith, of Hourglass, will have his band, Wristrocket there. So it should prove to be a great party. Just let me know if you need more information on how to attend.
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2009-03-19T10:01:00.000-07:00

THE TAX MAN COMETH

On April 1, the California sales tax goes up 1% for all orders shipped to and taken delivery in California. So its wise to have your order in before the deadline. Please have your orders into our office by the end of the closing day on Wednesday, March 25. Jefferson will then process all the California orders with the current sales tax rate. Any order received after that will be taxed at the new rate.
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2009-03-03T11:23:00.000-08:00

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The Offering Letters, to those of you living in the cooler areas, are going out this week. For the most part, this is good shipping weather. So order early to avoid having to go by air.
The economy is effecting the Napa Valley. Some restaurants closed during the month of January. One restaurant closed all together. A number of tasting rooms have closed during the mid week times. Many larger wineries with a number of tasting rooms, have closed some of them. Maybe during this time, some wineries will bring their pricing down to Karl Lawrence levels. We have always been a good deal. These times make Karl Lawrence an even greater deal.

Maryanne Layne (of Layne Vineyards), Stacey Bressler (of Bressler), & Elizabeth Naylor (of Karl Lawrence, of course) celebrate Stacey's and Les Behrens (of Behrens-Hitchcock) birthdays along with 200+ guests at St. Helena's Native Sons Hall. Jeff Smith's band (of Hourglass), Wristrocket, provided the dance music. The co-age of the co-birthday people will remain a St. Helena secret.

Mile 18 of 26.2.
My brother, Bryan runs the Napa Valley Marathon again, along side my son-in-law, Chris Pratt (of Staglin) during a rain day where the yellow mustard carpeting the vineyard rows gave us a glorius Vincent Van Gogh day. At the finish, it was age before beauty as Chris finished a few minutes ahead.

2009-02-17T13:16:00.000-08:00

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Michael will be in New York city for the Michael Skurnik tasting during the March 9 week. He's been known to also poke his head into a few nice restaurants and wine shops. So keep on the lookout for him.

This past Sunday the Amgen Tour of California passed thru the Napa Valley. Our party of 30 watched from Matt and Kari Anderson's driveway on Howell Mountain Rd. It rained about three inches that day. Lance Armstrong is the second rider. He said that it was his most miserable day riding ever.

2009-02-13T10:34:00.000-08:00

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It's Friday the 13th. What were you doing at one this morning. The Karl Lawrence family got a new addition. I got left home as Cheryl went to the hospital to help with the delivery of Mike & Wendy Henry's baby Oliver. Cheryl took the pictures.

Bryan delivered Oliver with Mike's help.

Mike gives Wendy her due after she did all the work. It doesn't matter now that he was way past due.

And for hopefully the last time; Iowa is a cooler area. So anyone living in a place around, or similar to Iowa; you will receive your Offering Letter the first week of March.
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2009-02-11T14:51:00.000-08:00

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While in Ft. Lauderdale we went out to dinner at Casa D'Angelo with Mike and Alison DeYoung. The chef-owner, Angelo Elia, came out and toured us thru his showroom cellar. We had a fabulous dinner. So stop by when you're in the area.

Alison & Mike Deyoung & Cheryl

For those of you who love to dance and have great wine, check out the Soroptimist party this coming August 1. Besides Karl Lawrence, wine will be supplied by Clif Family, Flora Springs, J3, and Regusci. Food will be provided by Go Fish, Azteca, The Soroptimists, and Crane Carter. The band will be the Four Shotz. They're the same band that played at our 35th wedding anniversary party last December. They play danceable rock n' roll. My dentist is the bass player. It's $100/ person and will be here in the field between my office and the Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard. You can email me for tickets. Check out the poster below.

2009-02-07T16:00:00.001-08:00

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While I was away at the Blues Cruise, the cats that stayed here, that is to say, Jefferson, Mike H., and his younger brothers, Ben, and Mathew, got the Offering Letter out to those of you in the warmer areas. So now I've come home to a lot of questions as to what constitutes a warmer area. Well, the easy answers are: Pittsburg is not a warmer area. Neither is Cleveland. VA is a place that is on the cusp. Last year it was considered a warmer area. This year, Jefferson made an executive decision and moved it into the cooler areas. So VA and the rest of you all that haven't received the Offering Letter yet; you'll get it the first week of March.

Our good friends, Barry and Holly Walter, from the South Bay, purchased this year's Karl Lawrence 3 L, with the etched & painted Blues Cruise logo on it, at the Blues Foundation Charity Auction. As you can see, many blues artists signed the bottle.

And of course, no Blues Cruise can go by without a shot of St. Helena's own favorite son, Kester Smith. He was up for two Grammy's the other day. One for Taj Mahal's Maestro disc and the second for Pinetop Perkins' Pinetop Perkins & Friends.

2009-01-22T12:56:00.000-08:00

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Our Offering Letter will be coming out shortly. Here's Michael's notes for this years releases.
2006 Vintage and Growing Season
The 2006 growing season proved to be an interesting journey, providing us with lots of unpredictability and surprises. In the end, it produced great wines for Karl Lawrence. The Napa Valley started the season under water with our New Years Eve flood. The cool drizzly weather hung around through the spring with the sun coming out in June, causing the vines to finally bloom. The vines were hit with a record ten day heat wave in the middle of July. Most of the wines faired well with the heat boosting them to the normal season schedule. A cooler August gave the grapes a perfect, slow repening and extended hang time period. The fruit weathered the rains of early October with no damage. Our patience and the good weather that followed gave us that last bit of ripening to perfection. All in all we were given a great vintage.
Winemaker Notes from MIchael Truillo: 2005 Karl Lawrence Cabernet Sauvignon
The 2006 vintage wines are very rich and bright with expressive dark fruit characters. This year is not a power vintage with lots of bold tannin, but one built on finesse, richness, and complexity. Michael blended in the barrels set aside for the Reserve programs, judging that this vintage was one not to be cherry picked as it shows better as a whole.
Michael states that our Cabernet Sauvignon is very fruit expressive in the aromas and taste, with big forward black cherry, currants, with hints of bittersweet chocolate and mocha. It's rich, smooth flavors follow hand in hand to the aromas. Plush with bright dark cherry and currant, coco, sweet vanilla, toasty oak are all laced together with perfect tannin and perfect acidity. This 2006 will be a crowd pleaser young and will only improve with time.
73 % Gary Morisoli Cabernet Sauvignon
11% Herb Lamb Cabernet Sauvignon
10% Beckstoffer-To Kolan Cabernet Suavignon
6% Beckstoffer-Dr. Crane Cabernet Suavignon
2006 Aldin Red
The 2006 Aldin Red is made from the same Cabernet grapes from all the vineyards that make the Karl Lawrence cabernet but it is complimented and blended with Merlot and Cab Franc. This is a smooth silky red wine with a bit more spice and herbal notes coming in from the Merlot and Cab Franc. The Aldin Red is a Meritage style wine and put together to be more approachable with a smooth soft texture complimented with a forward abundant rich flavor. Michael suggests that you don't rush into consuming the Aldin Red too quickly as it has been showing wonderfully with a bit of bottle time.
70% Cabernet Suavignon (Morisoli, Lamb, Beckstoffer To Kolan & Dr. Crane, & Healy)
18% Merlot (Boeschen Vineyards)
12% Cab Franc (Beckstoffer-To Kolan)
2007 Chardonnay
The 2007 Aldin Chardonnay shows great elegance and finesse. This was a very good year for Chardonnay. The long and cool growing season lends itself to the subtleness of this wine. This wine has nice delicate Chardonnay aromas of pears, red apples and honey with hints of pineapple and roasted nuts. The initial flavors are crisp with fruity pear and apple, shifting towards ripe peach and pineapple. The nice balance of acidity hold these rich flavors together for a full, rich finish. Michael recommends that you drink and enjoy this Chardonnay with food and that it is good to consume now and possibly throught 2011.
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On another note: we finally got some rain after a month of record setting highs and blue skies. I say, let it rain as I'm off to the Blues Cruise.
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2009-01-16T10:30:00.000-08:00

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It's that time again, during the dead of winter (it's been 80 degrees here everyday for the past week) that we do our data base clean up. It may take us a bit longer to clean it up this winter as there's golfing to do. Just as a reminder, for data base clean up we:
1. activate the people from last year's wait list,
2. archive people who haven't purchased during the last three years,
3. upgrade people who have purchased from us for three years in a row to Select Customer status,
4. downgrade Select Customers who did not purchase wine last year.
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As we did the last couple of years, the 2006 Release Offering Letter will go out to people in the warmer areas on February 1, and to people in the cooler areas on March 1.
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Jefferson in Robert Gallery's jersey at the Raider game.

Last year the Raiders had us serve Karl Lawrence wine to the luxury suites. I failed to get a picture then. So this year, they had Cante Swerigen, from Viader serve wine. Cante's a good friend and first baseman on our ball team. So Jefferson and Alisa got a second game in the luxory suites serving wine. Both times, Cheryl refused to go up there as she wanted to stay down where the action was, even in the rain.
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Shad Harris plays keyboard with former frontman Tommy Castro.

We had the opportunity to experience a rarity at Modesto's State Theater; our good friend Shad Harris was reunited with Tommy Castro for one blistering blues night. Shad used to be Tommy's drummer. However, he had a stroke and can't fully use his left side. So he took up the one handed keyboard and gave us another bring down the house version of Big Legged Woman. These are tough economic times and tough times for all businesses. When I went up to say hi to Shad, before I could say anything, he asked, "Hey Ric, how's your writing going?" I was too choked up to reply. Inspiration from Shad will get me through this year.
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At Raider game for start of 35th wedding anniversary celebrations.

And speaking of inspiration, Cheryl and I could think of a no better way to start our 35th wedding anniversary celebration than another rarity: a Raider victory. We got married in 1973, which was called the worst recession since the depression. Now at our 35th, we're once again at the worst recession since the depression. Love conquers all.
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Sophia in the snow of Howell Mountain.

Elizabeth took this picture during our one week of winter that we had in December. Hopefully we don't have bud break this week or next. And hopefully winter returns as we are already on water restrictions here.
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2008-12-18T10:08:00.000-08:00

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Winter's finally arrived here in Napa Valley. It snowed the kind of snow that makes for great snow balls up in the higher elevations. We're having record lows as it was 28 degree yesterday as we tried to play tennis on frozen clay.

Tres Amigos
Aris Francisco

Aris sent in this picture for his holiday greetings to us. I told him that I didn't know he was a triplet. He asked, "What are you talking about?" So I thought I should leave it at that. It reminds me of the refrain that Johnny Nitro, of the Johnny Nitro Blues Band, says every night in one of the blues bars in the city: "Drink triple till you're seeing double and feeling single." Aris has been with us since the mid 90s. He's always amusing.
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