HERE'S TO WISHING PEACE ON EARTH AND GOOD WILL TO YOU ALL.  THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING A PART OF US AND FOR MAKING THIS A GOOD YEAR.  WE'LL ALL HOIST ONE TONIGHT, AND, I'LL CATCH YOU ON THE FLIP SIDE.

CHEERS!

SATURDAY, 12/30/5--Just some quick notes to finish out the year before I head to the New Year's Eve Raiders game.  We're enduring a tropical rain storm here that's melting what snow we have left in the Sierras and flooding our small town.  We were awakened several times during the night by the flooding evacuation sirens.  We may have to camp out up the hill in Michael's and Elizabeth's chateau.  Here's hoping this global warming thing doesn't last too long.

    Some Sundance/Slamdance news:  Lissa's Film School classmate, Paul Gordon, will have his feature film premiere at the Slamdance Film Festival, January 20, and then again January 23.  Lissa plays a bit part in it.  However, her husband, Chris, pictured below, stars in it. 

    Also, as I told you previously, Flannel Pajamas, the film Yaacov Barselah worked on and worked to include Karl Lawrence will premiere at Sundance.  So for those of you attending the Park City Film Festivals, check them both out.

TUESDAY, 12/13/5--We've moved the office.  So have been out of communications for a while.  The phones and the emails still don't work as they should.  So please bear with me.  I have been able to finish most of the processing and shipping of the Reserves.  DDC Shipping only has a few orders to move out this week, and then they will shut down for the holidays.  We encountered only a few hitches.  Thank you for bearing with me on those.  I feel pretty good about this Reserve season as I was able to satisfy most people with at least something and spread around Michael's lightning in a bottle.

SUNDAY, 11/6/5--Crush is over.  Michael and the crew crushed the last thirty tons yesterday, the final day.  All told, they crushed 254 tons higher than average years, working twelve to fourteen hour days, seven days a week.  During the final week, I cooked three large kettles of chili, one, vegetarianna, one no picante, and the final one, picante.  Then I placed a bowel of muey picante chili powder at the end of the line.  The picante chili, covered in muey picante powder was the first to go.  The exhausted crew ate in somber silence, like zombies shoveling in fuel.  I only washed the dishes and retired home as the crew returned to work, late into the floodlight lit night.  Many kudos goes to these unsung heroes who make it possible for all of us to enjoy the finer things in life.

Members of the crush crew wolf down muey picante chili, body fuel for grape crushing.

     Three appearances approach for the Karl Lawrence partners.  Michael will attend this year's Red Carpet Cabernet Classic II, November 12 & 13 at the Glendale Hilton.  Forty wineries should be there. Check it out at www.redcarpetwine.com, or call 800/339-0609. 

     Bryan and I will pour at Stanford's Faculty club Thursday evening, November 10.  Victor Fu arranged this and will help pour.  Bryan will speak briefly on the trials and rewards of clearing land and planting vineyards.  We will also celebrate both Bryan's and Victor's birthdays, which so happen to be on that very day.

     I'll be pouring wine along side a few other wineries at Dennis Wilson's King King Hollywood night club Friday evening, December 9. Matt Lichtenberg is penciled in to help me pour.  Check it out at www.kingkinghollywood.com. 

     On the Reserves front, I hope to complete invoices, take inventory, and distribute any unclaimed wine this week.  I'm a week behind as usual.  Thank you all for your patience with me.

THURSDAY, 10/27/5--Awoke yesterday to find that fall weather and rain had come to the land of the perpetual Indian summer.  As I drove down Valley at 6:15 AM, I couldn't help but be amazed at the bumper-to-bumper traffic heading into the Valley.  These are the many people who work here, but, can't afford to live here.  This factors into the making of premium wines.  Then I noticed stadium like flood lights, lighting Far Niente's vineyards, allowing the vineyard workers to harvest the grapes in the still, very dark, and wet, early morning.  A number of vineyard managers told me they haven't been able to get enough vineyard workers this year. I recently read how this has become the worst death toll year for Mexican laborers, crossing the boarder to work, as they are forced by boarder patrols to seek more circumferential, and thus, more hazardous routes.   This too is part of what it takes to bring the product of this Valley to you.  I trust that you may give these factors a moment of thought the next time you hoist a glass of our fine wine.

     Monday is the target date to figure out what Reserve wine is unclaimed.  I have filled and shipped all orders that didn't ask for extra bottles or who had at least a six-pack.  This was done so as to reduce shipping costs.  By the latter part of next week, I plan to take stock of inventory and do the necessary redistributions. 

AHHH.  I love the smell of the crush in the morning.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18--It appears that Indian summer will never stop. From a moderate and evenly temperatured summer, we've segued into a blue sky fall where everyday is 75 to 85 degrees.  Word on the street is that this has produced a Bordeaux style vintage, with higher acidity levels and less sweetness.  That translates into wines that are considered "great and complex."  It also has produced higher volumes--a lot higher--thirty plus percent.  That means every tank is filled, and, all the floor space is taken up with barrels waiting to be filled. Nnow we need a bigger line of credit to cover the larger volume of grapes, corks, bottles, labels, etc.  What this means for you is:  you should be able to get some really good wine...and lots of it. 

     As always, crush is a great time to visit the Valley.  The smell of crush hits me as I exit my door.  This is the time of year I drive my convertible just so I can drink in the smell.  Michael and his crew are putting in long days harvesting, crushing, fermenting, pumping over, and drinking beer.  It's a great experience to be involved in.  A team working together to produce works of art, makes it the best of times; hard work and great camaraderie.

     Right now, some Morisoli, Dr. Crane, and a new vineyard from Spottswoode, are in tanks.  Lamb and more Morisoli will make it to the tanks within the week.  To Kalon is tentatively scheduled for next week.

Andy & Deb Fry

     I tooled Andy and Deb, from Lancaster County, PA, up to Mark Neal's place enroute to Henry Brother's Ranch, where we picniced.  Their brother-in-law, Tim, took this picture that they emailed me.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 4--Today is my nephew, Jasper Henry's, first birthday.  Ten-four good buddy.  Well I see that Jessi got all the Reserve offering letters out whilst we were away.  Cheryl and I returned to face a fax load of orders and about 200 emails.  I wish word would get out to those people trying to sell me those cheap Rolex's that I don't even wear a watch.  For those of you staying in San Francisco on your next sojourn to the Valley, I highly recommend that you try the private roof top studio that Cheryl and I rented for the week.  It had panoramic views of the bay, not to mention all the food, wine, and music that North Beach has to offer. Check it out at www.vrbo.com. Steve and Kim's listing is 63308.  They were great hosts.

     Now back to the Reserves.  Many of you are asking for extra wine.  In trying to please as many people as we could, we split up the usual 3 and 3 offering.  I'll work this week to invoice and get to the shippers, all wine orders that didn't request extra wine.  For those requesting extra, I'll have to hold those orders until November to see if there is unclaimed wine.  And along that line, some of you who were able to get unclaimed wine last year; I know you were a little disappointed to see that that didn't become a part of your regular allocation.  Here again, we're trying to be as fair as we can to as many people as we can.  So please be patient as we wait to see what wine is unclaimed. 

     As many of you know, I do appreciate the emails more than phone calls.  I'm away from the desk much of the time as I'm at the winery, the warehouses, or the shippers.  Also, I do much of my desk work at odd hours and do like the written (and readable) record that emails provide.  Even with emails, though, please put as much of your directions to me, down on the order form.  I do have troubles matching your email requests up with your order form requests.

     Elizabeth participated in a charity auction for Guide Dogs for the Blind.  She submitted a lot consisting of:  3 L Karl Lawrence, 3 L Sequoia Grove, 1.5 L Herb Lamb.  It went for $3,000, being the largest ratio of donation to stated retail value of the event. 

     Victor Fu arranged for Bryan to speak about his odyssey planting on our forty acre parcel on Howell Mountain to the Standford Alumni Club this coming November 10, in Palo Alto.  While he talks, Victor and I will be pouring.  I don't know who gets the better deal here:  Bryan, us, or the alumni.  By the way, the tenth is both Victor's and Bryan's birthday.  Guess I'm driving.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22--Cheryl and I will be gone to the city for a week; the Blues Festival, Giants, Raiders, restaurants, blues bars, golf, concerts, plays, and the like.  So things will be closed down here.  Crush is starting.  So Michael will be pretty busy from here on out.  He'll have fourteen hours days, seven days a week.  He should be at the winery much of the time, though.  So you can still stop by and see if he has a minute or two to visit with you.  He won't be able to make appointments, but if you call him the morning of your visit, he might be able to let you know how things look for that day.

     I'm printing out the Reserve offering letter, order forms, and labels, today and tomorrow.  Jessi Friedrich will put it all together early next week.  Therefore, they should be out to you by late next week.

     Elizabeth Naylor recently partnered up with Christine Madrigal in a new winery called Two Wives Wine Company.  On Tuesday, October 16, they're hosting the Luna Bar's Lunafest fundraiser for the Fight Against Breast Cancer at St. Helena's Cameo Theater.  They'll have food, drink, a silent auction, music, and, of course, some short films.  This project is close to Elizabeth's heart as she lost her sister to breast cancer a year ago this past October.  You can check it out at www.lunabar.com, and/or, www.twowives.net, or email Elizabeth at Elizabeth@twowives.net.  I believe Michael, Chris Madrigal, and I will all be there.

PS  Late word just came in from Michael, a little more Reserves will be made available to the mailing list people.  Therefore I'll be able to bring on about half the people on the Reserve wait list.  I'll do this by seniority.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14--Just a quick note to let you know that we're pushing the release of the Reserves back at least a month.  Hopefully we'll get the newsletter out in mid to late October.

     Also, will will calls please call and make arrangements to come and pick up your wine.  I'd like to clear out the space to get ready for the Reserves.  And also on that note, will those of you who's shipments have been held for the fall, please email me and let me know when you want your order to be shipped.  I have a lot of housecleaning to do. 

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 3--I shouldn't have opened my mouth about the nice fall weather we're having.  It got into the high nineties last Saturday, just in time for the Calistoga Blues Festival. And one day last week, it broke the century mark.

     You should all plan on coming here for the Blues Festival next year.  Elvin Bishop headlined this years event and brought the tent down.  He sang a song about fishing and told us that fishing was better than golfing because with fishing, you're at your fishing hole and Tiger Woods doesn't come and kick your ass.  He continued by stating that fishing was better than working on your computer, because instead of networking, you're not working, and instead of checking emails, you're checking females.

     Our sympathies are with the people of New Orleans, Louisiana, and the the Gulf areas of Mississippi that suffered from Hurricane Katrina.  The partners of Karl Lawrence will do what we can to help out.  Right now, and from our distance, we are pretty hard pressed to know what to do other than to donate money.  This we will do.  We have eight Karl Lawrence customers in Louisiana, two of which live in New Orleans and two who live in Metairie, the site of the people living on the freeway.  One of our Metairie people visited with me last November in Glendale at the Red Carpet wine tasting event.  I hope they are all safe and well.

     I have fond memories of New Orleans.  Where else can you party all night, take a nap, and then brunch with people just leaving the bars.  During Cheryl's medical conference at the St. Louis Hotel, I golfed five times during the week.  And of course, Lissa and I shot our film there, two March's ago (see the picture at the bottom of the page).  The Film Commission, the police, and the people, were all good to us. We wish a speedy recovery for the people, their property, and their land. 

     One of you all snuck into town, Friday, August 26, without telling me.  Liss and Chris (& Zoey of course) were dining out at the Rutherford Grill with Scott and Linzi.  One table over they uncorked at 3 liter bottle of Karl Lawrence.  Since there's a limited number of these, it can only be one of so many people.  So now I'm curious as to which one of you was here.  Please let me know.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 27--I finally got a report from Bryan about his work on the Henry Brother's Ranch on top of Howell Mountain.  It appears that communications don't work too good between the civilized Valley floor and the wilds of the mountain top.  As of Thursday, Bryan and his three sons, (sounds like a TV show, doesn't it?), Mike, Ben, and Mathew, have planted five acres and hope to have the final thirteen acres planted by the end of next week.  The primary varietal is cabernet sauvignon, with the other four Bordeaux grapes also represented.  Bryan promised to provide pictures soon.

    You've all heard the Zen question about when a tree falls in the forest; does someone hear it fall?  Well, the same thing happened to Bryan.  Often times, he's the only one working with and on heavy machinery up at the Ranch.  The place is pretty isolated and can only be reached on a dirt road.  A number of you all have been there for picnics.  A couple of months ago, Bryan was trying to right a heavy door by himself.  He slipped and the door crashed to the floor, nearly severing his left pinky finger from his hand.  He had to lever the door off his finger and drive himself down to the Emergency Room, where it was sewed back on.  He then wore a cast up past his elbow and made some one-handed deliveries the next week.  Now, many of us are demanding that he wear a panic button so he at least can get out the warning, "Help!  I'm stuck up here and I can't get down."

     The Valley weather these past two weeks has been damn near perfect.  We refer to it as San Francisco weather.  Each night get's below 60, with a high fog sheltering us from the morning sun till almost noon on most days.  Only twice has the day time highs, (around 4:30), soared over 90. So it's been a good time to visit. 

     Speaking of visiting; the '03 blend is in the tank and 99% done.  Michael wants to fine tune it and will bottle it within the month. So you still have a chance to sample it and give Michael a piece of your mind.  The '04 juice in the barrel has been returned to the warehouse in American Canyon.  So no more barrel tasting for a while.  However, the crush has begun, so soon we should have the '05 juice to try.

     On the business side of things, Jefferson ran a batch credit card charge last week.  I believe he covered from July 15 through August 15.  We'll probably do another batch charge in the middle of September to clear out any charges before the Reserve release.

     I have just one editorial comment, if you'll indulge me.  As you know, I rarely share my opinions.  Cheryl and I hardly go to the summer concerts at Mondavi anymore as they quit being fun a long time ago.  I don't mind a fair amount of visitors, as that's our life blood here.  And I don't mind when they party with and along side of us.  Life is good.  It's to be celebrated and lived to the fullest.  However, corporations are taking over our Valley, who more and more, stage events targeted for outsiders.  Now, we have become the guests.

    During earlier concerts, most of the people were locals, and the whole Mondavi clan was there, as well as most of the staff.  We mixed, danced,  and partied, often times carrying it over to Anna's Cantina.  Now, the corporation won't allow us to bring in wine.  That's used to be a crime in this Valley (just like charging corkorage used to be).  Now we're forced to buy wine at the event.  Thank goodness for those shaded water bottles that make wine look like water.  A couple of weeks ago, Cheryl and I walked through the crowd and counted less than a dozen locals.  And the Mondavis.  Only Margrit showed up to welcome the crowd.  She left part way through the show, her duty done. 

      It's sad that we've become merely a platform for outsiders to stage events for outsiders.  Rest assured that Michael, Bryan, and I, continue to work to keep our winery family oriented.  And we do count you as a part of our family.  When we party; it's not a staged event.  It's a party. 

FRIDAY, AUGUST 13--Our small little town is receiving more than it's fair share of tragedy.  Scout leader Stephen McCullah, and Scout, Ryan Collins were killed when struck by lightening, in their tent, while on a nine day trip up Mount Whitney.  Stephen was a good friend and worked at Terra Valentine winery.  He was a fellow Raider fan and frequent tailgater at the St. Helena section of the parking lot.  We'll miss his cheering at Raider games and his BBQ steak sandwiches at our town's Harvest Festival Scout booth.

    As for what's happening with our wine:  Michael's completed the next stage of the pre-blend by transferring most of the Morisoli and Lamb out of the barrels and into the tank.  He'll fine and bottle soon.  So this is the last chance to sample the '03 vintage before bottling.  Also, the '04 barrels are here for the next couple of weeks.  Then they head back to the warehouse.

    Harvest began a few days ago with Mumm picking the first grapes.   

SUNDAY, JULY 31--Returned from Lake Shasta to face only 138 emails.  Thanks.  When Bob Bressler returned from Australia--he had over 500.  It was 113 degrees driving through Redding and a cool 106 lakeside during our boat launch.  I know what you're all thinking: "why am I bitching? It was a dry heat."  While on the houseboat with Friedrich's, we try to cook gourmet meals with excellent wines.  It was our first time to have Bressler (you all know about Bob & Stacey through previous postings), Barbour (Jim's my back fence neighbor), and Hollywood and Vine (Doug & Claire are also good friends).  All are highly recommended by me.

     It's getting close to bottling time.  So anyone who wants to barrel sample better do it now.  Michael's moving towards blending the best barrels into the main blend.  So we may not have Single Vineyard Designated Reserves for the '03 Morisoli and Lamb vineyards.  Instead, what you'll get is a better '03 Karl Lawrence. 

     Speaking of Reserves, I hope to post today, or soon thereafter, those who will receive the '02 Reserve offering and those who are on the wait list.  So check out the Order Status page to make sure I didn't mess up somehow.   

     The Sequoia Grove party's coming up.  Cheryl and I will probably attend the Friday and Saturday night gigs.  Will see you there.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 13--I hope you all had a nice spring.  Around here we went from the monsoon season to summer.  Yesterday we hit triple digits for the first time.  So when you visit, dress, or undress, if you will, accordingly.

     Cheryl and I ate at Cindy's Backstreet Kitchen on Monday night.  It's now our favorite place and has become the local's favorite as well.  Robert and Margrit Mondavi came in and set next to us.  Their poodle couldn't decide whether to sit on my feet or under their table.  I said "no," but apparently the poodle didn't understand.  Then Margrit said "no" in French, which is what I thought I had said.  She went on with a few more French words and the poodle obeyed.  How was I to know that the dog only understood French.  I could have tried out the other two French words I know, "we" and "pardon."

     It was good to see them out and about, but also sad to see them in frail health.  They said they had driven themselves and had to park a block away.  They always amaze me because for royalty, they always live like and amongst us commoners.  If you haven't read my other reporting on them, please check out The Latest 2004 page.

     On another sad note, Reg Oliver passed away from melanoma.  He owned the El Molino Winery and was one of my tennis buddies. He and his fearsome ground stroke will be missed.

      And now, a party item.  You are all invited to the 25th Anniversary of Sequoia Grove.

Please come and celebrate with Michael, who's been there 23 of those 25 years.

FRIDAY

BBQ, Music & Barrel Tasting

6:30-10:00 PM

SATURDAY

Oak Seminar with Michael

11:00-1:00 PM

Blend Your Own Wine

2:00-4:00 PM

Four Course Dinner

6:00-10:00 PM

SUNDAY

River Walk & Vineyard Tour

8:30-9:30 AM

Mexican Brunch

9:00-11:00 AM

Please RSVP at www.sequoiagrove.com or with Katie Vitali at 800/851-7841.

MONDAY, JULY 4--I'm baaack.  Sorry for the long time sans communication.  I did have some memory problems, which makes it hard to post on the web.  Our computer guy, David Mercer came in and fixed those.  If only I could find a similar person to work on my own memory problems.

     I believe the rain has finally left us for good.  We're at 53 inches so far this year, which is way above our normal 34 inches.  Some fear mildew and other problems, but so far, I haven't heard much bitching.  Our vineyard manager for Herb Lamb, Mike Neal, told me that he doesn't think harvest will start until August 20.  We've only had a few hot days.   All in all, things are fairly temperate around here.   Will keep you posted.

   With Michael T. and Elizabeth moving up to Howell Mountain, we now have a new official office:  P O Box 987, Angwin, CA 94508, 707/965-2943, fax 707/965-2983.  These numbers are for business and wholesale concerns.  Shipping and customer concerns will still remain with my office numbers.

     Good news for anyone visiting with us in July--our barrels just arrived from Barrel Stop.  So sampling all around.  We have the pre blends for Karl Lawrence and Aldin Red and the single vineyards for Gary Morisoli, Herb Lamb, Beckstoffer Tokalon, and Beckstoffer Dr. Crane.  I'm sure Michael T. welcomes all your advice on how to blend for the 2003 release.  Bottlings are planned for early August.  So, if anyone wants to help--you know the numbers.

    That said, most of the Henry's will be gone for a week for our annual houseboat trip on Lake Shasta with the Friedrich's, July 18-25.  I'll be there as will Alisa, Jefferson, Liss, and Mike H.  So hardly anyone will be left.  Bryan will stay but will be planting eighteen acres at the Henry Brothers Ranch.  That leaves Michael T. as the only one holding down the fort for that week.

     I'm still working on some big bottle issues.  When I get these cleared up, I'll contact you regarding who can have the remaining three and six liter bottles.  I over-sold these last year, making me more cautious this year. 

     Also, and along those same lines, we're virtually sold out of everything.  I'm pretty sure that I have some Karl Lawrence and Aldin Red 750s remaining.  I remain doubtful about anything else and will clear this up soon.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 25--The Napa Valley just went from winter to summer.  Last week it rained more in one day (our softball game day no less) than it normally does for the whole month of May.  And now, yesterday and today are expected to be in the low 90s.

     As to shipping wine:  Wine does ship better than is commonly accepted. That said, we and the shippers continue to work to get wine to you quickly and to avoid potential bad times.  Fortunately, most of our wine has already been shipped.  Many states that we were going ground to, we've now switched to air.  Stagecoach and UPS sent some out yesterday, and DDC sent some out this morning.  No more wine will go out until next Tuesday to avoid the long holiday weekend.  UPS and DDC have a few packages that they're holding onto until Tuesday.  Stagecoach still has around 50 cases.  Hopefully, most of those will go out on the same Tuesday.  Thank you all for being patient with our shippers and with us.

    Just a little shipping side note:  on the way to Stagecoach, I had to swerve around a case of wine strung out all over the road.  Ends up, the driver pulled into Stagecoach just before me.  That case was filled with $85/bottle wine. 

    We did take all the orders to 55 Degrees a couple weeks ago and will take Always Cool and Napa Valley Wine Lockers theirs, next week.

     A number of you have notified me that you haven't been charged yet.  So to satisfy your demands, Jefferson ran two large batches this week.  He's now charged all invoiced orders up to May 13.  That should make you all happy.

     I'm leaving town this afternoon for Los Angeles.  My daughter's film, "Below The Break," will show tomorrow night at the DGA Theater on Sunset Blvd.  It's at 7 PM, followed by a reception, if any of you would like to attend.  Liss, Cheryl and I will be there as well as other friends and family.  I will return to work here on Tuesday.  If you're needing a last minute scheduled pick up, please call Alisa at 707/217-1107.  Hopefully you'll be able to coordinate something.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 18--I've added a sixth shipper to our cadre of compadres working to get wine out of this Valley and into your hands.  I think next year, I'll just rent 20 big rigs and do it myself.  We're thankful that WW Shipping Solutions came on board.  They helped move a lot of cases last week and this week. 

     And new to us this week is DDC Shipping.  And, like WW Shipping, they're new to the scene.  Some of you may remember Didier Loustau and Deryn Fredette from Dean & Delucca's here in St. Helena.  They recently left there and started DDC Shipping, which specializes in serving us smaller wineries.  Their shop is located in Napa where Deryn can be reached at 707/312-1165, 707/255-8230 (fax), or www.ddcshipping.com.  I gave Deryn 40 to 50 cases on Friday and see that most went out yesterday and today, as I had a ton of tracking number emails this morning at 5 AM.  It's good to know that while I slept, somebody was on the job.

    As most of you are aware by now, the Supreme Court has ruled that all the states need to come into the 21st Century and do away with prohibition and anti-trade laws relative to the shipping of wine.  Many of you and many in the Valley are cheering this decision.  However, I'm still a little skeptical.  I'm sure that most affected states will do whatever they can, be it, required permits, permit fees, taxes, quarterly reports, etc., to put roadblocks in the way.  We've seen this in states that so-called, "loosened up," only to find that shipping became more difficult and more expensive to you. 

      So, in my humble opinion, work still needs to be done.  You all still need to work in your states to make free trade between parts of our country as free as it is between us and, say, China. 

     If phone calls are down today, I promise to try and get to the big bottle reassignments today.  We're also trying to get out newsletters to people who have been on the wait list.

      You're all invited to a wine tasting, open house, and art show at the Whitford Cellars, 4047 East Third Ave., Napa, this coming June 26, 1:00 to 5:00 PM.

Michael will pour wines along with Whitford Cellars and Ancien Wines.  Wines and cheeses will be accompanied by music as you enjoy the art of local artists Susan Chaney, Jim Hubert, and Oliver Sutter.  Please RSVP to Teresa Bernards by June 10 to either: teresa@ancienwines.com, 707/255-3908, or 707/255-6104 (fax).

5/5/5--It's Cinco de Mayo in most places in California, and especially here in Napa Valley.  I should be out partying.  Instead, I'm here in my cave. I feel like I'm "moving these microwave ovens and color TVs.  I wish I was like those guys on MTV.  That ain't working.  That's the way it should be.  Money for nothing and chicks for free." 

    Just think...it'll be another century before we hit 5/5/5 again.

     I can finally take a little breath of relief...ninety-nine percent of all orders received are out of my office.  Either wine is in your hands, or it's in the shippers.  As you know, all wineries concentrate their shipping during the spring and fall and we all use the same shippers.  So shipping orders are pretty much bottle necked at the shippers.  I did get the St. Helena Mailing Center to take about 30 cases last Saturday and Monday.  And, at the suggestion of one of you, I just took about 70 cases to WW Shipping Solutions in American Canyon (707/557-5915, www.wwshippingsolutions.com).  They're doing me a favor by taking these and will work to get them out early next week.  At this late date, they would only take electronic information, so my son, Jefferson, has been working to program their template into our system.  This has stalled him from charging your credit cards.  We believe that it is more important to get you your wine as soon as possible.  So, believe it or not, I've had more queries about, "why haven't you charged me?" than, "where is my wine?"

  The folks at Stagecoach are going on vacation, so have promised that all wine will be out the door by May 16.  I was also at Buffalo today where Ernie assured me that they were less than a week behind.

   The truth of the matter is, we set records this year in terms of what date it is now, and how much wine has gone out the door and into your hands.  One reason is that we've been hustling to get around bottlenecks.  And, we've had very good weather for this shipping season.  Thank goodness for global warming and the melting of the polar ice cap.  We've had a wetter and cooler spring.  However, many have a perception that it's taken a long time.  I can understand this, as the time between the sending in of the order and the actually getting the wine in hand, has been long.  This is because most people fax in orders now.  So we got deluged all at once.  It's no longer a situation where you go down and get the mail everyday and there's an even amount of orders to process each day.  Instead, it's a deluge, all at once.  So it took us longer than normal to invoice, and then, the deluge hits the shippers, where it takes them longer than normal.  Just know that we're hustling for you.  You come first in our lives right now.  We will kill for you.  We will die for you. We will get to you, what for us, has truly been a labor of love.

MONDAY, MAY 2--We're catching up on invoicing, which gives us a better idea of remaining inventory.  Right now I'd say that we're doing alright on 750s, mags, and the Aldins.  So there's more there if you need it.  However, things are much tighter with the splits and 750 SSs.  And, as always, there's a wait list on the big bottles.  Ten people have given up their 3 Ls, with more than twenty people asking for them.  Only one person has given up a 6 L, with more than ten asking for one. These will be allocated on a seniority basis.  Hopefully I can get to this within then next couple of days.

    All three of my shippers are backed up right now.  To relieve them, I took ten orders to the St. Helena Mailing Center on Saturday and will take another ten there later today.  I'll also be looking into a fifth shipper today.  I appreciate your bearing with us and them as all the wineries ship during the peak wine shipping time.  That's why everyone's backed up.  Thankfully, we have moderate temperature over most of the country with an outlook for continuing moderate weather.

TUESDAY, APRIL 26--The computer's been down since Saturday morning.  So we haven't been able to do any invoicing since then and we couldn't get some shipping orders out to thd shippers.  So this has delayed us a number of days.  The computer is fixed now and we will start to catch up.  I apologize for this delay and thank you for your patience as we work to get your wine to you.

The 29th Annual San Francisco Wine Auction

Sponsored by The Guardsmen and benfiting Bay Area Youth

       As he has done for the past ten years, Michael will once again attend and pour wine at the Guardsmen Wine Auction.  A 2000 Karl Lawrence Cabernet Sauvignon silkscreened 9 L. bottle has been donated and will be auctioned.  This is one of only four produced. 

      And back, by popular demand, Elizabeth.  Pregnancy prevented her from attending last year.  So I stood in as a capable, but less stellar, aide de camp to Michael.  She'll attend with Michael and pour at the table. 

SATURDAY, APRIL 23--Just when you think you're about caught up, the flood gates open.  As you can see on the Order Status page, a ton of orders came streaming in on Friday.  I have yet to invoice a single one as I spent the day responding to messages and taking phone orders.  We'll try to plow through these by midday Wednesday so we can make warehouse calls and deliveries to the shippers on Thursday.  Hopefully, by the end of the week, I'll have a clearer picture of inventory and can start making decisions about requests (mostly for the big bottles).  The Order Status doesn't include this week's mail yet.

   We did have a leaker, so are making the switch to air for the warmer further away areas.

    A number of you have had your friends calling in, asking for wine.  Please let them know that we will get to them after we have satisfied all our people.  We're not opposed to friends joining us as that's how most of you came on board.  Just let them know that we can't get to them right now. They'll appreciate this position once they've joined us for good.  The best method is to instruct your friends to sign up on our Guest Book.  They way I have all the information and don't have to rely so much on phone messages and slips of hand written paper, or, in the worst case scenario, my mind.  They can always list that they were referred by you.

TUESDAY, APRIL 19--Appreciate all your patience as you wait for us to process your orders and get your wine to you.  In the old days, ninety percent of your orders came in by mail.  Now, ninety percent come in by fax.  So that does give a little more urgency to the "where is my wine " question.  We have sent stacks of shipping orders to the shippers and still have stacks of orders to go.  As of now, the only bottle formats that are running ahead of the pack are the 750 ml silk screens.  So I will have to watch those a little closer.  And, as always, I have to put any requests for 3 and 6 litre bottles on a wait list until someone who got one last year decides to give one up.  These are then allocated according to the seniority of the person requesting it.

     I must also ask for your patience with our new charging system.  Many of you have already received your wine; maybe even tasted it, and yet, haven't been charged.  What a county?  Huh?  Well, you don't have to wait much longer.  The new system went in and charges started going through this past Friday.  And, as with all new systems, there will be mistakes.  Please bear with us and trust that whatever mistakes we or you find, the right thing will be done.  As of yet, I don't know if the new system will make any more or less mistakes than our former system.  Thank you for working with us on this.

     It's almost the transition time for warmer and further away areas to switch from ground to air.  These decisions are made in conjunction with the shippers and with what the other wineries are doing.  We're all like lemmings and take that leap off the cliff together.  Please know that we will do the right thing by you.  We are in this venture together to bring the best quality wine to you in the most reasonable manner.

Sophia ponders:  It's three thirty in the AM.  The wind machines are on.  I can't sleep.  Do you know where your wine is?

THURSDAY, APRIL 7--A number of you request odd numbers of bottles between 7 and 11.  Many of these requests are for 9 bottles.  Please understand that it's the same shipping charge for 7 bottles as it is for 12.  For instance:  6 bottles to Chicago is $30, while 7 to 12 bottles is $50.  So it much better for you to either stick with 6 bottles or go all the way to 12.  I try, as much as possible to consider your requests and then round them down to a case in order to save you an inordinate per bottle shipping charge.  I especially do this for mid to eastern areas.

     Please, when possible, have your order shipped to a business address.  And please provide the ship to phone number.  Also, when paying by check, please remember to include your credit card number for the shippers.

     We've been so inundated with orders that I had to make a command decision and decided to invoice areas that are farther away from here, even though the order arrived later.  I appreciate the West Coast people's patience with me on this one.  When all is said and done, everyone will have their wine in plenty of time to cellar it for the next couple of years.

     Bob and Stacey Bressler came over for dinner last night.  They brought along an '01 Two Hands/Ares Shiraz and a '93 Colgin.  Good wine, good company, and, but of course, good food.  Life is good.

PS  Michael T. just stopped by and tasted the last ounce of the Colgin and confirmed that it is a good wine.

MONDAY, APRIL 4--My tomatoes are in and the sun is shining, but none of us can leave our little cell block as your orders come pouring in. Hopefully we can invoice most of these this week.  There's a few things I'd like you to note:

1.  On will calls, Michael T. is pretty much out of the loop. So please don't try to contact him directly.  He doesn't have access to any of the will call information. 

      Please email us with the time and day you'd like to come by and pick up and we'll try to accommodate you.  Week days during working hours are best.  You can also give Alisa a call at 707/217-1107.  We're thinking that she's in a better position to coordinate will calls as she's in Napa and the rest of us are here invoicing and the like.  So if one of us meets you, (which we're happy to do) that pulls us away from processing orders.

2.  As usual, most people sending in checks have not included their credit card numbers so the shippers can charge for shipping.  This increasing our labor and processing time and delays orders.  So please remember to include those numbers.  If you would like to include shipping in your check amount, please look in our Ordering Information page to find the correct amount.

SUNDAY, APRIL 3--Have received and processed a ton of orders.  Lissa and Alisa have hardly come up for air.  Please check on the Order Status page to confirm that we've received your fax.  Have resent a couple of Newsletters for those who say their's never arrived.  Everyone should have their Newsletter by now.  So if you don't; you know the drill.  Am facing higher requests for splits this year.  Will see how this trend works out.  Appreciate your all working with us as we work to fulfill your requests.

     People in the news:  Powell Yang stopped by.  He'll be changing jobs and working with Mark Neal in much the same capacity as what I do here.  So be sure and give him your support.  And tomorrow night, Kester Smith with perform with Taj Mahal at the Napa Valley Opera House.  Cheryl and I will be there with Rodney and Margaret Friedrich.  I bet most of you didn't think we had an Opera House.  Well we do.  And I'm going to MapQuest it so I can find it.  I know Bryan won't make it there as he'll be laid up from his 50 mile marathon run in Sacramento. 

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23--March Madness has begun.  Most of the 2002 Release Newsletters were mailed yesterday and today.  Sophia's baptism caused Trujillo's from all over the US to come here for the event.  Little did they know that they'd also end up on the stuffing envelopes assembly line.  The next day, the Henry's gathered and completed the other half of the mailing.  I only have about a hundred left to work on.  Most of these are from label and print problems.  I hope to have most out in the mornings mail.  And wouldn't you know it; I already have a number of faxes.

    I'll try in the Order Status page to keep up with confirming receipt of faxes and letters.  I don't think we can do all the confirming we did for the Reserve release as the volume here is much larger.  Also, please check in the Ordering Information section on the current status of shipping.  As you know, this situation changes too often to write something definitive in the Newsletter.  We will continue to use Buffalo Shipping Post and Stagecoach Express to help us with shipping.  The main change is that Mike Henry will prepare many orders to be picked up by UPS.  And as always, thank you for being patient with us as we work to get your wine to you.

TUESDAY, MARCH 15--A month to go until tax filing is due and I haven't done anything.  Meanwhile:  SPRING HAS SPRUNG around here with a bang.  After a week of eighty degree temps, with a couple of days breaking the ninety barrier, the Valley's flooded in leaves and blossoms.  Particelli's wisteria, down the block at the Olive Oil Company is in full bloom.

     And with spring comes, allocation time.  I've worked a couple of days at the computer trying to make it work.   Here's the scoop on what I did.  I listed what everybody asked for and added it up and then first gave everybody what they got last year.  Then I counted what was left over versus what additional was now asked for.  I worked hard to try and please those asking for a type of bottle for the first time and those who already receive those bottles, but want a little more of it.  It's always a balancing act.  Then I'd whittle down the ask fors to get them within ten percent of the target.  I allow for this margin based on the experience of people not ordering what they asked for and for those people who don't order at all.  So if your allocation doesn't match up to what you asked for, please, list your request again in the additional request column and I'll work hard to fulfill your wishes.

     As for allocations for each bottle size, here's how it went:

     The production for splits is up slightly.  So most everybody is allocated what they asked for.  New people asking for large amounts had to be cut down slightly, but they will still receive some.

     The production of 750s was up almost ten percent.  However, adding up everyone's dream allocation came to forty percent over production.  So I went out on a limb here and did some creative regression analysis based on past statistical outcomes for new people and senior people with dismal purchase records and decided to make reductions, but not as draconian as you might think, given the forty percent overage. 

     The 750 silk screens are only one case less than last year.  So I stayed with the eight percent overage on this one and will just cross my fingers.

     With the mags, I have two more cases this year than last.  I reduced an eighteen percent overage to eight percent and will keep those fingers crossed.

     In the 3 L and 6 L categories, I have to stay much closer to par as these people tend to keep their verticals going.  I'm sorry, but I had thirty-three people ask for 3 Ls that we don't have.  The 6  Ls are an even sadder story.  Michael can't know the integrity of the bottle until he puts the cork in.  He experienced bottle failure in six bottles.  So, needless to say, production is down in this area while demand is up.  Two people were in line for each 6 L and I had to take away bottles from those who got them last year.  I did this based on seniority.  So if anyone doesn't want their 6 L this year, please let me know as early as you can so I can redistribute it.

     The production of Aldin Red Table Wine is up by ten cases.  This allowed me to stick with the allocations at a nine percent overage.  Please remember though, that Aldin Red was one of the most requested reorders last year when I had none left to give.  So be sure and order what you want of this on the first go around.

    The production of the Aldin Chardonnay is down by a full one third.  You just have to go with what the earth gives you.  The Chardonnay market is a little more fickle, so I went with the twenty percent allocation overage here.

    This was hard and trying work for me as I try to please as many people as I can.  If you didn't get allocated a format that you asked for, please list it again in the request column.  I watch the numbers as they come in and get a feel for how the season is going and will do my best to fulfill your requests.

     Slight increases in prices will be listed on the 2002 Release Order Form, and are based on the 750 ml. suggested retail price of $54.  This puts the mailing list people's discount at $50, and the Reserve people's discount at $45.  The other sized format bottles will reflect a similar increase except for the Aldin Chardonnay, which will remain the same as the last couple of years.

     A little news flash here:  Tra Vigne's restaurant caught fire today.  I was talking to Jefferson over at Taylor's Refresher and then drove past Tra Vigne's on the way home.  There I picked up some stuff and ran out to pick up Nicholas at the high school.  The whole block was in smoke.  I drove back past Tra Vigne's where it looked like the smoke was coming from the roof over the kitchen.  All the people were running out into the parking lot.  One fire dispatcher was there and a police squad car turned in front of me.  I went on ahead and got Nicholas and couldn't return home as the street was now blocked.  We went around and then drove off to Napa as Nicholas wanted to get some driving in (for his driving license) and buy a skateboard.  On the way home, we ate at the Wine Garden in Yountville.  Try their tortas carnitas.  They're to die for.  Anyway, I'm on edge from the teenage driving, when we go by Tra Vigne's.  It was pretty weird seeing a dark empty parking lot at 7 PM.  Cheryl and I have only seen it this dark and empty when we close down the place and walk home.  Will keep you posted as this used to be my favorite place.  Now it's been replaced by Cindy's Backstreet Kitchen.  But man, what a number two, huh? 

PS--STILL TUESDAY--Okay I figured this out.  Here's the pictures I promised.  Michael took the top two shots and Elizabeth took the bottom one at their new home in Angwin.  Bryan couldn't make it as he got stuck at the hospital delivering the Obstetrician's baby.

Zoey, Jasper, Sophia

The New Karl Lawrence Triumvirate

The Current Powers Behind the Triumvirate's Thrones

Lissa, Wendy, & Elizabeth

And the Totally Powerless

Ric & Michael

TUESDAY, MARCH 9--Michael T. and Mike H. are flying to New York city today for the annual Michael Skurnik tasting.  Elizabeth usually goes with Mike, but will stay and hold down the fort with Sophia.  They'll return at the end of the week and then Mike H. will head to San Diego on Monday for a Paul Bullard tasting.  So check in on them if you can.

    I've got baby pictures on the way and will post them as soon as I figure it out.  The newsletter is still at the printers.  Thanks to the new people who have sent me address updates.

TUESDAY, MARCH 1--The 2002 Release Newsletter is at the printers.  I hope to have it back sometime next week.  Then we'll spend a couple of days in folding and inserting the order form, attaching labels and stamps, licking and sealing, and, bundling and mailing (not a pretty picture for those of you drawn to the allure of working in the Napa Valley).

     In preparation for the mailing, I've also been working on the data base and am making the following adjustments:

A.  taking off the list anyone who hasn't purchased in the last three years.

B.  changing allocations to:

      1.  reflect what was purchased last year for those not making 2002 requests

      2.  honor requests for the 2002 release when listed on the 2001 order form

           (these will be honored by seniority and availability)

      3.  adjusted to 3-750s for those who did not purchase any wine

C.  change customer status to:

       1.  Reserve, for those who have purchased from the winery for three years in a row.

             (an R will now appear at the end of your customer number and you will receive a                discount)

        2.  Regular for the Reserve customers who did not purchase last year

             (a K will now reappear after your customer number and you will not receive the discount)

D.  Added all the wait-list people who signed up by 2/28/5 with an initial allocation of 3-750s

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23--First off--thank you all for your emails of support.  "We Are Family" here and we consider you all as a part of our extended family.  Thank you very much for your kind words regarding our Father.

     Now back to the business at hand.  Many of you have asked where the Newsletter is and if you've missed it.  No you haven't.  As per usual, it will be out in the middle of March.  I'll be checking with Craig today to see where it is in the pipeline.  So there's no need to email unless you need to update your information.

     All new and wait list people will be offered an initial allotment of 3 750 ml. bottles if you sign up by the end of February.  Those signing up on the guest list after that, will have to wait until late May to see if we have any wine unclaimed.  We try our best to gauge this pretty close, but do have an obligation to fulfill the requirements of those who have been with us for a longer time.  Some people have been with us since the beginning of time (our time that is).

    Many of you on the wait list were sent a confirmation letter, sent out over a matter of weeks as Lissa was also making the slide show video presentation of my Dad's life.  So that delayed things a bit.  If you signed up recently and did not get a confirmation letter; no worries.  You just signed up too late to get the confirmation letter.  As I stated above, if you sign up by the end of February, you will receive a allocation offering in the 2002 Release Newsletter.  Thank you for those of you who emailed me updated address information.

    Josh duLac emailed me that he posted some notes regarding the Reserves at:

http://fora.erobertparker.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi/topic/1/50724.html.  I hope I copied that correctly.  If not, please let me know.

     As many of you know, the biggest, best, and most local charity event of the year is the Soroptomist's Crab Feed that takes place the first Saturday of February in the Native Sons Hall.  We eat unlimited amounts of crab (of course), bid on a whole tent full of silent auction items, buy lottery tickets, bid on the ten biggest live auction items, and top it off by dancing the night away.  Margaret Freidrich serves as one of the main organizers of the event.  The Karl Lawrence partners and our wives attend each year.  This event was the first night that Elizabeth left Sophia at home.  That's how much fun this event is.  Our lot was once again one of the highest of the night. And, as happens every time they're able to attend, Bob and Stacey Bressler won the Karl Lawrence lot.  To tell you the truth, I forget how much it was; but, it was a lot.

                                                                   Photo by: Rodney Friedrich                         

Karl Lawrence Live Auction Lot

2002 Vineyard Designated Reserves

Gary Marisoli

Herb Lamb

Beckstoffer- To Kalon

3-750 mls bottle

3-1.5 l. bottles

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16--Brayn's and my Dad passed away last Friday afternoon.  He was 81 years old and had been in frail health for the past four years since falling off the roof of the board and care home that he owned and operated.  He was at the outpatient clinic at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital where his dialysis catheter had been treated.  He has been passing out because his heart was too weak to pump oxygen to his brain.  While on the gurney, he said he wanted to go out to eat at Fresh Choice.  However, when transferring to his wheelchair, he passed out again and didn't recover.  He had a "do not resuscitate" order on file.  So he went his way and without pain.

    Bryan had planned to celebrate his July 15 birthday up on the acreage right in the middle of planting.  We still may do that, but, it will be a memorial service instead. 

     The Karl Lawrence newsletter is at Craig's, our graphic artist, and should be out on time in mid-March.  Craig's also working on my Dad's funeral bulletin.

WEILAND ALEXANDER HENRY JR.

1923-2005

After work at Mare Island Navel Shipyard

1941

       Our Dad was born in a highway shanty town in the western hills of North Carolina as our grandfather operated a steam shovel for the highway construction.  His Dad was Irish and his mother was mostly Irish with some French and Indian blood.  Two years later his younger brother, Bill, was born a few miles down the same highway. 

      They moved to Buffalo and Cleveland for more road construction work and then headed west to work on the Hoover Dam.  My Dad entered the fourth grade there in Las Vegas.  It was there that our Grandmother switched from being a Baptist to become a Seventh-day Adventist.  The rest of the family kind of followed suit.  After completing the Dam, they moved to towns east of Los Angeles (Corona, Monrovia, Arcadia, Death Valley), and then up to Redding to homestead. 

      There our Dad completed his tenth and eleventh grades while lettering in track, football, baseball, and basketball.  Many of his sprint and pole vault records stood for forty years.  The summer league team, he pitched for, was the best in Northern California.  He, and two other team mates, were scouted and recruited by the New York Yankees. 

      Our Dad turned them down, skipped his senior year, and came here to attend Pacific Union College.  He majored in Theology, met my Mom, Lois Stump, got married, and became a preacher.  He became kind of a circuit preacher, serving the churches in the greater Tulsa, Oklahoma area for five years, where my oldest brother, Weiland III was born in '47. 

      He returned here in 1949, the year Bryan was born in Napa.  I was born here in '51 and my little brother, Doug, at St. Helena, in '57.  My Dad served as the singing evangelist, holding tent meetings and building churches in many of the Northern California towns and cities.  During that time, we mostly lived in Santa Rosa. 

      When our pastor died, our Dad gave up the sawdust trail, and became the pastor at Santa Rosa.  While there, he designed and built the new church.  We moved to Sacramento, during our high school years, where our Dad designed and built the Sacramento church.  While we were in college, here at PUC, he bought a convalescent hospital in Santa Rosa and operated that and a board and care home until this past year. 

      It was in the mid seventies that he purchased the forty acres on top of Howell Mountain, with the dream of building his retirement home and a home for each of his four boys.  Subsequent restrictive subdividing referendums did away with that dream.  By the end of this summer, it should be eighteen acres of grape vines.  A few birthdays ago, we planted a redwood tree in his honor. 

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2005--Kester Smith, of Taj Mahal, and long time St. Helena resident, shows off his Karl Lawrence cap while performing on the Blues Cruise sailing from Tortola to St. Maartin.  Also sporting Karl Lawrence caps during the week were members of Susan Tedeski's  and Tommy Castro's bands. Check them out when they're in your area and share a bottle of their favorite wine with them.

MONDAY, JANUARY 17, 2005--Happy New Year to everybody.  I'm back for a few days.  There's not much to report on the wine front.  We're sold out of the Reserves.  The last remaining shipments will go out this week.  Thank you for bearing with us.  We didn't plan on running into the holidays shipping rush.  We're shooting once again for mid-March as the date to get the 2002 Release Newsletter out to you. 

     As to what are we doing now:  Michael's working on taxes and financing, and keeping an eye on the '03 and '04 barrels. He'll also travel a lot, doing marketing for his day job, and then returning to spend time with Elizabeth and Sophia.  Bryan and Patti are representing St. Helena Hospital in the Bahamas' by providing medical aide to the hurricane victims.  Upon their return, he'll go back to burning felled timber, on our parent's property, with his one good arm that's not suffering from chainsaw elbow.  I'm working on simplifying and reducing the costs of shipping, and installing a new charging system. My daughter, Lissa, is helping to update the data base and enter people from the waiting list.  My nephew, Mike, is working on getting the warehouse ready for the Spring shipments and helping me work on shipping issues.  He'll also be working with Michael in the winemaking area and with Bryan in the forest burning area.  Alisa's attending classes at Davis, and serves as our person for duties in Napa, and other parts south.  So all in all, lots to do during a so-called off-season.

     In other news:  my daughter's short film, "below the break," premiers this next week at the Slamdance Film Festival in Park City, Utah.  So if any of you are in the area, please attend one of her three showings.
http://www.slamdance.com/2005/festival/film_detail.asp?film_id=633

     Lissa and I co-wrote the script which was based on one of my feature scripts which won the screenplay competition a few years ago at the No Dance Film Festival.  The film was shot in the studio at the University of Texas at Austin and on the streets of New Orleans.  This still picture, taken from the film, was shot on Bourbon Street.

     And in other films:  Dan MacLeith, served as the executive producer for the film, "Messengers," which was shot last year and is currently on the festival circuit.  Karl Lawrence wine was served and consumed in a number of scenes.  Unless you know that it's Karl Lawrence, it's hard to tell.  We'll have to have our agents work on more close-ups for the next film.  In one scene, the star pours wine on the ground in remembrance of her father.  We'll also have our agent look into this.

     Yaacov Barselah placed Karl Lawrence in the film, "Flannel Pajamas," which was shot a month or two ago.  No word yet on any release or festival showings.  Will keep you posted.

     I'm leaving, with Cheryl, on Friday, for a week of Blues Cruising, in the Caribbean.  See you in February.