Yes, my friends! After 43 vintages, I have retired from the wine business. When I started in 1983, I had no idea that making wine would be such a long, fun and exciting career. I can honestly say that all my dreams came true. I've made lots of wonderful and talented friends. Got to live in places most folks only get to visit on vacation. Of course, let's not forget all the great wine and food I've tasted! I was very lucky to help make some of that wine.
As I often say, it's people who make our lives worth living. Whatever success I've had has been because so many people have helped me. It would take hours to mention everyone by name. Thanks, y'all!
However, I will talk about the people I've spent the last eleven years with. As most of you know, I've been lucky all my life. Perhaps some of my best luck was meeting Marc Chase and his family at Barons Creek Vineyards. I'm so grateful that I was able to end my career with such a great bunch of people and wish them all the best forever.
When I bought my vineyards in Spain in 2012, it was the fulfillment of a dream I had since 1977. I was optimistic that good wine could be made from those old vines. One vineyard was planted in 1954 and the other in 1974. The vineyards are in Priorat County which, in my opinion, is one of the most ideal grape growing areas in the world.
I was so happy when Marc Chase told me he wanted to buy the vineyards and keep them with Barons Creek. I've always known the vineyards would outlive me 😋😋😋 and was concerned that they would continue to be well taken care of. This has worked out even better than I expected.
Josep Maria Beltran has agreed to keep farming and Ania Andrews will take over the winemaking and administration of the vineyards. Marc will be in good hands. Josep Maria farms organically. The vineyards are in better shape now than they were when I bought them. Ania has a great palate and is looking forward to working with Pep Soldevila at the winery. She will also take over production of our other Spanish wines. This is definetly a dream team!
I will continue to be available when asked but have complete confidence that everything will be as good or better than the past. My contact info will remain the same so please reach out when you like.
Thanks again, y'all!!!
