Sunday, August 16, 2009

It's in the Numbers!


I often wonder what it will take to get some of the locals to buy into the wine industry here. It makes no sense to think you can remain isolated from the "Big World" out there. It really is the old "sink or swim" when it comes to the wine industry.

In twenty years the US population will have grown by 73 million more mouths! And what do you put in those mouths? Wine, of course. Given the fact that all the great wine areas of our United States have already been put on the map, it stands to reason that it will be these areas that provide the next generation with wine. That's right here in the Umpqua Valley, if you follow me.

The next set of numbers has to do with the average comsuption of fine wine by the American public. That too is on the rise. Even in these hard times, that growth has not slowed. People like wine. They buy lots of it. And we grow it right here.

Come on Roseburg, let's get on the "wine train" and enjoy the dollars to be made. Let's all act like we know what's going on outside our little town and welcome the thirsty tourists that want to explore our wine. We can start with someone with vision that will do what it takes to open a fine dining restaurant here. One whose focus is on our wines.

We can become a World Class wine destination, if only we act that way!

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Thank you Richard Sommer


Somewhere in wine heaven Richard Sommer is sipping a 1961 Chateau Latour and smiling at his handiwork. I'm sorry I never got the chance to meet Richard as I'm sure he had some great stories to tell about the early days of Umpqua Valley wines. I have however had the enormous pleasure to taste recently his 1989 Cabernet Sauvignon. And they said you couldn't grow wine grapes in Oregon!!

At least that's what the "experts" at the UC Davis school of enology told the young 31 year old Richard Sommer. That didn't stop Richard from believing in Oregon wine. His dream helped fuel the Renaissance of fine wine in the state. Today there are 395 wineries in Oregon. Do you ever wonder what those "experts" are thinking of their advice today!

Some day Umpqua Valley will be on every serious wine enthusiasts list of wine destinations. And in no small measure it will have been due to the vision of one man. We have lost an icon of the Oregon wine industry with Richard's passing, but gained a powerful ally in the spirit which he left behind.

Salut Richard!