Oct 3, 2006

Dear Bryan,

Both Kathleen and I very much enjoyed the viticultural education you so kindly gave us last week on our honeymoon when we stumbled onto your store. We're excited to have joined your group, and happily await the first box shipment. This because we, as Tree Huggers from way back, sit in perhaps the most conservative state in the Union -- Georgia, where distributors seem to rule and allocated-only wines abound. Though there is no one way to enjoy wine I guess, I can't tell you the number of Georgians I've served as a waiter years ago, who mixed vintage 1990-something California Reds with Sprite, just to make a cooler! Don't blame me, I'm from Pensacola, I only mix bourbon with Sprite, and will leave the Chardonnay to make friends with the fresh Shrimp. For me, wine can mean more than just the box it comes in! :)

In the spirit of Mark Twain's story "A Connecticut Yankee at King Arthur's Court," I was a Confederate Yuppie visiting California from Atlanta. I had had my time as a waiter watching people trophy hunt and name drop wine -- so many customers I waited on through my college days just wanted wine to broadcast "status" from their tables. As a southerner I believe drinking to show what's on top of the table is rude. Drinking yourself under the table is more democratic, as everyone has an outside chance at arriving down their with you, if they try hard enough.

I've always wanted to get at understanding America's different regions of farmers and their common sense humor behind the job, and just trying to learn the land, the valley's secret slopes and farming seasons, and the craftsmanship behind the wine. That's what I get for reading the Hobbit over and over growing up, with it's elves and wine barrel rides down a misty river. Yet Sonoma winemakers seem to have that special more humble sense of whimsy in their approach, not too serious, where Napa seems more like Vegas with Grapes on marble! We were excited to find someone like you who's philosophy is still the land, not for it's commercial use, but more importantly for what lessons it can teach. Some cool "inside stories" from the wineries will be interesting. Although I'm pretty sure Marvin Gay did NOT mean wine country when he wrote "Heard it through the Grapevine". Yet as first time East Coast visitors to your valley, Sonoma taught us what California must have been like during the 1960s cultural revolution -- dusty, unassuming farmland in the vein of Steinbeck's novellas, before cyberspace was a place we now devote hours to.

I look forward to your recommendations and to emailing you once in awhile about certain vintages, such as the Chateau Montelena 1999 Calistoga Cuvee offering, and others.

Thanks for the tour,

Cliff & Kathleen

October 2, 2006

Bryan, I’m just now catching up on my work email since this is my first official day back in the office. I wanted to let you know that we loved the Paradise Ridge Rockpile Merlot. It was everything that you said it would be. Our Sonoma trip was quite eventful in that we found several small producers that don’t market in the Northern Virginia area such as Martinelli. We also were told by everyone that we needed to stop by Arista Vineyards, which we attempted 4 times, but they were closed. Everyone raved about them including their peers at Siduri and Martinelli. Do you carry any of there wines? We would love to try some. Thanks again for your help and we really enjoyed our visit with you. I also hope that we can find some synergies with our respective endeavors.

Gerald

April 29, 2006

I get: Blackberries on the nose, strawberry on the toungue, with a nice spicy finish... smooth, tannins don't present until later in the glass.

Damn - with a nice wine like this, who NEEDS dinner??

AhhhHaHaaaHahaaaaa

Does chicken soup count? :)

I've decided I'm going to email you every time I open a bottle of Whine Club wine. Get out my tasting notes! I love the Nero Misto! I wonder what it would taste like if I could hang onto it for a few years? (Fat chance!)

Love, Ruth

PS - The SWS website needs more exclamation marks !!!!
(a note on the derivation of exclamation marks! which are derived from Greek drama – If a line was to be delivered with force, in the margins was written, “IO,” meaning “forceful - expression of joy.” In time the “O” was written underneath the “I.” Kinda kinned to “alhamdulilah,” “all praise to the Divine!”)

- from Caroline Casey's "Compassionate Trickster Experimental Juju Mystery School # 3"

And - oh, dude, you need a proofreader! I'm available... "Chicken with Cream Sause"? Etc. Nice going though! Git 'er done!

More love, Ruth

Mitch and Ken

This months Zin, Bucklin is awesome. Can we order a case? If so just send it to us and bill the credit card. We will try the others next weekend.

Thanks

Mimi and Nick

Dear Sonoma Wine Shop:

We received our 2003 Wild Hog Nova Zin last week and think it is very tasty! I would like to order 1 case (12) of this wonderful Zin to have for future enjoyment.

We are club members so you have our information on file. Let me know if any problems with this request. Thanks!

Sincerely,

Kyle and Laura

April 9, 2006

Dateline Tokyo

Hello Bryan

We do not know if it is a first but would like you to know that we enjoyed a Bella Vineyards Zinfandel from the Sonoma Wine Shop while dining at the New York Grill.

The view of Tokyo from the 52nd floor of the Park Hyatt Tower was enhanced by this lovely wine and nothing was lost in translation.

We have been happily promoting Sonoma County to our very international acquaintances and the wines we brought from you have made a good impression of our region.

Frances and Max

August 24, 2005

Hi Mitch,

Just a quick note to say thanks for all the good stuff you have been sending my way. Really appreciate the notes on the wines as well.

Michael

August 2, 2005

Hey Bryan,

Ray

August 1,2005

Hi, I am a wine club member from Forest Hills, New York, and wanted to add a few more bottles to the August shipment:

* The 2 bottles you would normally select for me, and,
* 1 Bottle of the - 2001 Spencer Roloson / Palaterra Grenache/Syrah blend (red), and,
* 1 Bottle of the - 2002 Frick / Cinsault Dry Creek, Sonoma (red), and,
* 1 Bottle of the - 2002 Mazzacco / Sauvignon Blanc Russian river (white), and,
* 3 Bottles of the - 2000 Mazzocco / Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel Quinn Vineyard (red)(please make sure this one is the same one you sent me a little while ago... it was excellent!!).

Total = 8 bottles.

Dan

July 28, 2005

Dear Bryan,
7PM rolled around... and some of my close friends & colleagues are still around working late ...
One of them says... hey I saw a rectangular box delivered to you.... was that wine? & do you mind sharing?
Needless to say I'd like to request 2 more bottles of this Months Merlot.... My God what a sexy wine!! Just enough to pull you in then leaves you wanting more!

I have never been partial to merlots, they tend to be somewhere between a bad date & a trip to the Dr...... not memorable & uneventful.

But this one... with it's full body structure & tantalizing bouquet.... got my attention immediately... The cherry & ever slight oak make it an extremely memorable experience... who'd a thought Tannins would complement a wine so much, as the soft & firm tannins are prevalent in this one.... even out of a Dixie cup.... they don't have wine glasses here.... what do you do? I wasn't about to pass the bottle around.... though I contemplated the thought... :0)

So thank you ever so much Bryan, for always knowing what to send & when.... Timing was perfect...

I'm thinking tomorrow I'll be in the mood for a smooth tequila... can you help?

My regards to you & Gené

Thank you again... I hear Sonoma calling!! Might call in sick next month...

Verónica

July 28, 2005

Hi Bryan-
I so much enjoyed meeting you and Gene' the other night with Bill. Hopefully I can get back to Napa sometime soon and we'll get together again. In the mean time--- I want to order some wine!
Please send me 4bottles of the Moon Mountain Zin that was in my first wine club shipment - and 3 bottles of the King Estate Pinot Gris that was also in my first shipment - and 3 bottles of the Falcor Chardonnay 2001 that was in my most recent shipment and throw in a couple of bottles of the Pinot Noir you were telling me about at dinner that you like d (the one that your friend made ) If that is not available just throw in a couple of bottles of something you like just to finish out the case. You should have all my info on file but if you need anything else just email me.
Again, enjoyed dinner- see you sometime I'm sure.

Thanks

Jean

April 1, 2005

I was in the shop on Wednesday afternoon and signed up for the club.

I appreciate all the help picking out some new wines to try.  I'm looking forward to their arrival next week so I can get a few of my South Carolina wine drinking buddies together for an informal tasting.

I also appreciate the dinner suggestion.  The Meritage Martini & Oyster bar was outstanding.  And as you said, no corkage fee for Sonoma Wine Shop purchases.

Speaking of purchases!  At "the zin-man's" suggestion I picked up a bottle of Wild Hog, Porter-Bass Vineyard, 2002 Zinfandel, Russian River Valley, for dinner at Meritage.  It was OUTSTANDING, bold and spicy.  Please add it to my profile.  In fact, once I get through a few of the selections coming next week, I plan on putting in a special order which will include a few bottles of Wild Hog.

Take care,

Keith

February 11, 2005

The 2001 Benessere Sangiovese - delicious !!!!!
 
Paul

January 30, 2005

Hi Bryan,

Cathy and I joined your club this summer and I have been remiss in not letting you know what a great time we are having with the wines you have sent. I particularly liked the Robert Rue Zinfandel and Toulocay Cabernet. We hope to make another trip to California in the spring and will definitely stop by for a visit.

When we were in last summer we picked up some of the 2001 Five Vintners Cabernet and I was wondering if they released the 2002 in October? If so I would like to order some from you. Also if you have some of the Provenance Cabernet that was in your recent club letter please add a bottle to our next monthly shipment as we would like to try it.

We did not hear from you in January and hopefully you were taking some vacation after the holiday crush. Please keep us on the club list especially now with the weather in NY running in the negative digits for the last couple of weeks.

We hope your year is off to a great start.

Best Regards, Gary and Cathy

January 5, 2005

Bryan--
 
I'm a new wine club member...met you in early October...we tasted many wines that afternoon...I was in your Shop on an afternoon when several winery reps were there parlaying their offerings...which you and I partook!
 
I'm glad I joined your wine club...the first 4 bottles...2 cabs, 1 zin, and 1 petite syrah have been great!  My preference...big, bold reds...so keep 'em coming.  When we met, I mentioned my love of Silver Oak cabs...can you either include a bottle occasionally in your shipments or let me know what you'd charge to ship me 2, 6, or a case of that good stuff?
 
As a former "ad agency guy"...I must compliment you on your initial hand-written "thanks for joining greeting" and your other club shipment inserts...nice personalization touch!
 
Here's wishing you and your staff a happy, healthy, and prosperous 2005...all year long!!
 
Regards,
 
Mike

Dear Bryan,
Received the last shipment of vino..Loved the Longboard Cab! I may not drink it it's such a cool bottle. My husband and I love to open the box and read your commentary. It's nice to know someone in beautiful Sonoma is looking out for our best interests!

Cheers and a Merry Christmas,
Ellie

PS
Lola says "ALOHA" (she loves her zins)

Bryan,

My wife and I have been remiss in writing to you. We were in Sonoma in
March of this year and spent close to two hours at the end of a day wine
tasting with you. I'm sure this is a fairly common story. We had met you a
year earlier at Grgich Winery in Napa Valley. Thank you for your time and
patience with us. We bought a case of wine that day and joined your wine
club on an every other month basis.

We just wanted to let you know that we have enjoyed both the wines we bought
while there as well as your selections. We have not had the occasion to
enjoy all of the wines as yet. We have had all the white wines except this
last delivery and enjoyed them all. I confess that I tend to cellar reds
and have only opened and enjoyed the first Zinfandel that you sent. It too
was delightful. Keep up the good work.

I will try to remember to update you on how you are doing.

Your satisfied Illinois customers,

Steve & Mary

Hey Bryan,

We've received our first 2 shipments, and we're really happy with your selections. We tried the Beaucanon last weekend (among several others) while we were riding out Hurricane Frances! Now that we've cleaned up after the storm, we can't wait to try some more.
Hope everything's well, and we look forward to our next arrival.

Best regards,
John and Chris

Dear Bryan,
 
Hey Stranger!!!  Greetings from Smog city.... :0)
 
Thank you so very much for EVERYTHING you've done!!! Very few people jump into our lives and have nothing but a positive impact on us... you are just that for me!!!  OK... so it's the wine... but you make it happen!!! I love learning about new wines....   
 
Thank you also for the awesome recommendation of wine, places around town... & the Glenn Ellen Inn... I find myself often day dreaming at the office, in the car...  Can't wait to go back!!!  I'm hoping Thanksgiving... forget the family..... Sonoma is calling....  ~ = 0 )
 
I got the best surprise yesterday when a lovely package arrived...  you know me too well.... I can't wait to savour the wine!!!  Thanks for the great wine notes too!!!  Must admit... still smiling....

Thanks again for your wonderful services!! know you've made a friend for life!!! 
 
 

Thank you,

Veronica

Yes, you've been very good about sending Pinots.  In fact, you are to be credited with figuring out the right wine for Christine.  I had not been exposed to many Pinots before you proposed them.  As a result, I always was looking for soft zins and syrahs.  

We need to open some of the Syrahs.  Problem is that when you have a bunch of wines that are $20 and up and others that are $5 - $10 less, it feels like the 20s and up should be for more special occasions and not the average weeknight dinner.

Take care,

Mike

Looking forward to trying this month's wines that I received today. We just returned from 10 days in Italy and had some wonderful Italian wines. Since summer is upon us (gets hot early in Atlanta!), how about sending at least one white for the next couple of months.

Thanks.

Barry

Bev and I are drinking your fine wine here in Seattle. Bev has joined me
for a few days on my "RADIATION VACATION" in Seattle.

We thought of you yesterday on our "wine tour" of Whidbey Island as we
were sharing our story to yet another wine vendor! Soon we will be on the
Maury Show and we will give credit to you both! Save that diagram because
it will be worth $$$$$$$$$$ soon!!!!

For some reason, we seem to be making more "stories" as we travel
together - (didn't bring the "kitty" this time!)

I received the wine - thank you - it is great. I want to do every other
month on the club - please.

We look forward to our return to the Sonoma Wine Shop!

Bev & Darcy

Bryan,
Thanks for your gracious, genteel hospitality last week.(and we thought the south had a monopoly on that.) Pollyanna and I felt like the time we spent with you in your shop was a highlight of our trip. We apologize for changing your "tasting" room to a "drinking" room. That night we went to dinner at The Girl and the Fig and had the Joseph Phelps "Le Mis." we had looked for with you in your shop. The dinner was delightful.

On Thursday we went out to Domaine Chandon for a tour and Lunch and came back with a bottle of Etoile' (sic). On Friday we went up to the Russian River in the convertible and had a great time. On the way up we stopped to taste some wine at the St Francis winery and their Wine maker had just been there opening bottles to check them so we got to try some very expensive wines that would not normally have been available.

We both loved their 1998 Cab, Kings Ridge Vineyard Sonoma County and the 1999 Anthem Meritage Sonoma Valley but at $85 and $55 respectfully we won't be buying to many bottles. We did like one of their whites that was reasonably priced, a Chardonnay, 2001, Behler, Sonoma Valley. It was great. When we got back to San Francisco Friday night they had a tasting of X Vineyard with the owner and wine maker there at the Hotel Vintage Court where we have stayed for at least part of our last four trips. We enjoyed a 2000 Petite Sirah of theirs.It was a bold wine. 

We look forward to our shipment from you and the future monthly surprises from your wine club. Again, thanks for everything.
Bernie  

not sure if you remember us. I'm that German guy +
Spanish fiance who stopped in your shop about a month
ago, and we ended up tasting and sampling for a couple
of hours. In case you can't put a face to the name,
we agreed that a wine should have some "oompf"

We got all the packages, including the Grey Burgundy
type Chardonnay, that you guys call the Sumo. We were
glad we ordered what we did, and are looking forward
to what you have to suggest. I'll continue to give you
feedback on what we like and why and why not, if
that's alright to participate in your palate
classification exercise.

Thanks for the good time at your store, and take care!

Soeren

Thanks again for your hospitality when we visited over Labor Day weekend. Deb and I had a ball! We received our first shipment and just opened the Merlot----spot on! Good choice. Thanks again….

Dave and Deb