John finally arrives to NY after 16 hrs of travel...I save 2 slices of Pizza for him but he gets in too late to have them. 
We started on Tuesday working the Rochester market after meeting with Jeff Walker the Western District Manager Upstate for the Opici Wine Company of New York for a quick breakfast. I worked with Walter Liss and John was off with Don Murphy. Walter had some great account calls set up for the day. I sold my first 3 cases (Woo Hoo) to Pedulla's INC Wines & Liquors,
a big Thank You to Brian. We had some good success and for lunch we met with Kelly Towers, Restaurant & Bar Manager at Belhurst Castle and 
tasted through the wines. Kelly liked all 5 varietals we tasted with her and she promised us that she will feature Shannon Ridge wines by the glass for the month of September when the tourist season is high. Thanks Kelly, this means a tremendous amount to all of us at Shannon Ridge. Thanks to all the accounts in the Rochester market that embraced the Shannon Ridge wines. Your willingness to help grow the brand is greatly appreciated. That night john and I headed to Syracuse to check into the hotel and meet Mike Proch, Vice President of Sales Upstate for Opici. Cocktails and dinner suggested by Charlene Gentile at Gentiles Restaurant with a nightcap of wine (of course) with Mike as we plan our next day. After a meeting with Mike we hit the street. I work with Bridget Bullock and John is with Derek. Bridget has great accounts for us to see and right off the bat we sell 12 cases to Bob at Liquor Express in Baldwinsville, NY. Bob schedules Bridget to come back in and conduct a tasting to help bring customer awareness to the Shannon Ridge wines. Thanks to Bob, Tracy at Mac Kinnon Liquors, Charlene at Gentiles for pouring the Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon by the glass and all others in the Syracuse market. Next stop...Hudson Valley, 3.5 hours away according to Tom Tom GPS. Next morning I work with Karl Hillringhouse a Wine & Spirits Consultant for Opici. Karl is a great guy and also has good appointments set for us. First stop is to meet with JL (aka John-Louis Kronfeld) the General Manager of Star Wines & Liquors in Monroe, NY. JL says that their internet sales of wine is sky rocketing...be sure to check out their website (and order some Shannon Ridge wines). Another great day of sales 1 account at a time. Special thanks to the following folks for making this a great first week at the new job...
a big Thank You to Brian. We had some good success and for lunch we met with Kelly Towers, Restaurant & Bar Manager at Belhurst Castle and 
tasted through the wines. Kelly liked all 5 varietals we tasted with her and she promised us that she will feature Shannon Ridge wines by the glass for the month of September when the tourist season is high. Thanks Kelly, this means a tremendous amount to all of us at Shannon Ridge. Thanks to all the accounts in the Rochester market that embraced the Shannon Ridge wines. Your willingness to help grow the brand is greatly appreciated. That night john and I headed to Syracuse to check into the hotel and meet Mike Proch, Vice President of Sales Upstate for Opici. Cocktails and dinner suggested by Charlene Gentile at Gentiles Restaurant with a nightcap of wine (of course) with Mike as we plan our next day. After a meeting with Mike we hit the street. I work with Bridget Bullock and John is with Derek. Bridget has great accounts for us to see and right off the bat we sell 12 cases to Bob at Liquor Express in Baldwinsville, NY. Bob schedules Bridget to come back in and conduct a tasting to help bring customer awareness to the Shannon Ridge wines. Thanks to Bob, Tracy at Mac Kinnon Liquors, Charlene at Gentiles for pouring the Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon by the glass and all others in the Syracuse market. Next stop...Hudson Valley, 3.5 hours away according to Tom Tom GPS. Next morning I work with Karl Hillringhouse a Wine & Spirits Consultant for Opici. Karl is a great guy and also has good appointments set for us. First stop is to meet with JL (aka John-Louis Kronfeld) the General Manager of Star Wines & Liquors in Monroe, NY. JL says that their internet sales of wine is sky rocketing...be sure to check out their website (and order some Shannon Ridge wines). Another great day of sales 1 account at a time. Special thanks to the following folks for making this a great first week at the new job...The Opici family and representatives for distributing our wines.
Patrick A. Botten, Executive Vice President & General Manager (and a BMW Driving Instructor to boot)
Michael Proch, VP of Sales Upstate
Jeffery Walker, Western District Manager Upstate
Don Murphy, Walter Liss, Bridget Bullock, Karl Hillringhouse and all the other Consultants.
Kristin Colombo, Regional Sales Manager Long Island for helping me find John Girty.
Emily at the front desk of Opici...you are one of a kind and keep that place in order.
Rennie Alba, NY District Manager
Erin Leopold, Brinley & Company (Good Rum)
Ken at Ryan's Wine & Spirits
Bob at Liquor Express
Tracy at Mac Kinnon Liquors
Johnny Matthew at Hilltop Wines & Liquors
Kenn & Elena Brodmerkel at Cornwall Wines & Spirits (Kenn is a great photographer)
Nick at Palmieri Wines & Spirits
Ryan Joo at Samsondale Wine MerchantJL at Star Wines & Liquors
Kelly Towers at Belhurst
Brian at Pedulla's Inc. Wines & Liquors
Jim & Doretta O'Conner at Cobblestone Cork and Bottle
Polly & Jim at Vineyards Discount Wine & Spirits
Murphy the wonder dog
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