THANK YOU

It has been a long time since I got around to writing, so I figured I would use this last post of the year to thank the many people that have been instrumental in my growth of wine and wine education.


Without good people around you, growth and knowledge about this little fruit would never happen. There are really to many people to thank, but I am going to keep it to the ones that I have gotten to share some great wines with this very year.

Of course the very first person I have to thank is my big brother Michael.

It all started with him many many years ago in San Francisco where there have been to many great bottles of wine that we have had. Now 13 years later, and a great collection of wines put away, I owe my big brother many thanx for the education and knowledge that he has put into my head. This year we shared some Dunn Family and some Spottswoode which are 2 of my very favorite Cabernets produced in California. May we have 40 more years of tasting and drinking wines together.

To my best friend Jr. Duarte

Always there with an extra special bottle in hand. The Great bottles keep stacking up. I feel so fortunate to have had so many good ones with you, not to mention so many more to come.

To my Sister-In-Law Linda Montoya

Although she has a small collection it doesn't stop her from wanting to drink them all up. A very generous person with a big heart that I can call upon any day for a taste, pour or bottle. We have so many more great bottles to come that we are both looking forward too. Don't worry Linda, you will live long enough to enjoy them all.

Lisa Ceja, Ernie Ceja and the entire Vinatero Wine Shop Staff

http://www.vinaterowineshop.com/

The buck stops here for wine tasting. More bottles that I can count or remember. The education keeps growing as I continue to wander there great wine shop tasting each and every bottle. I am so thankful to the Ceja's for there generosity and to there staff for there knowledge and education.

Janet Dugan, Tom Dugan and the entire California Wine & Cheese Staff

http://www.cawineandcheese.com/

Another great wine shop that I have learned so much from. Tom Dugan shares the same birthday with my father and the same passion and love for wine like myself. There staff are both knowledgeable and entertaining every time I walk in the door. I have met so many great wine friends in this shop. Lisa & Dan Murphy, Dave Buckley and many more. A special thanx to Mr. Jeff Schultz and his great knowledge of cheese. When there is wine you must have good cheese.

Mr. Ken Rushworth

I am so fortunate to have gotten to become friends with Ken from my many trips to California Wine & Cheese. His generosity is more than I will ever be able to repay. His passion for wine is endless, especially for Pinot. We have gotten to drink and share some of the very best wines that California has to offer.

The La Cañada Flintridge Wine Club

With a very special thanx to my friend and client

Mr. Jon Jilg at the far right

It seems like just yesterday when I made my first appearance at one of your wine events. The Freemark Abbey did pretty good that day. Now 9 months later and more wines that I can remember, getting together is a highlight of my week. Again! I have tasted more wines with your group than I will ever be able to repay, but tasting and judging wines is the best way to learn and hone your skills. This is what makes this wine group so great. From "Brown Bagged" to "Black Glass", the Padres Panel rules. Thank you again for allowing me to join such a fun bunch of wine enthusiasts. May we continue to enjoy each others company for many years to come.

A special thanx to Randy Watson all the way from Tampa, Florida and his Wine Whore Blog & web page. http://www.winewhoreblog.com/. So many great wines and stories that keep me coming back for more.

And to the rest of my friends that slip my mind at this time. I learn so very much from people that love wine as much as I do.

So I say goodbye to 2009 and hello to 2010.

Another decade and more wines to collect and share.

I better get busy!!!!

Cheers