mcastleman's blog

Today is the day!!

You can watch through a webcam at this link Crushpad WeCam http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=798597

I forgot to mention...11am PST

My first bottling...can i be anymore jazzed?

Here is the Cellartracker link to this wine...only 25 cases produced. (The cab is sourced from To Kalon)

http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=798597

The blend is 82% Cab, 10% Petit Verdot, 6% Malbec and 2% 2008 Cab.

2 more additional Cabs to bottle later this summer

Ok...i'm in it big time.

Just added a fourth wine that will be bottled this month.

Adopted a To Kalon barrel...very excited about the blend that Kian has formulated...this should be a VERY complex wine that should challange the most sophisticated of palates.

I'm excited about this wine!

It's tough living in Austin and trying to figure out ways to get to NoCal for anything related to my wine.

I'm heading into year #2 and have taken my two barrels from last year and expanded to four. Doubled down on one cab and added a Syrah so that i now have 2 cabs and a syrah planned.

I know it's been awhile since i returned but i thought i'd share the experience...

It was a successful 6 days in the valley this this summer heavily measured by the fact that I gained 10 pounds, drank a ton of wine, bought a ton of wine and I'm still happily married!

(One Note: i did not take tasting notes at any stop along the way...simply couldn't bring myself to stop and do it.)

Here is the lowdown...

Day 1...all things wine must wait as we arrive after 9pm and the only priority is scarfing In N Out Burger.....(mmmm Burger)

Both wines are developing nicely to plan...(Kian is amazing)

Getting going a little late with the whole blog thing but let's just say that the mental gymnastics have been heavy since signing my first contract last summer.

What has started out as a "I like wine" day trip is slowly (or is it quickly) turning into an attack on my serial entreupreneurship as i am taking two barrells and adding four more.

I'll probably spend the balance of this year obsessing over the commerce program and trying to develop a brand that sustains my efforts.

Next stop...the economic question: