So here goes...

First blog...I start with Shannon Ridge on Monday after 11 years with Ste. Michelle Wine Estates....and I'm very excited!!

I had a chance to work with Clay Shannon (owner) the week of June 18th in Florida and I have to say that he is one of those rare breeds..great sense of humor, honest, hard working as well as being very down to earth and focused. His vision of producing great wines from the grapes he grows in Lake County, California is tremendous. Clay is one of the country's top consulting viticulturist and currently the Chairman of the Lake County Wine Grape Growers. He has been selling his high quality grapes to many well known wineries in California for years (Clos du Bois, Beringer, Coppola, Hess, Pride Mountain, Steele etc). Clay has decided to start making his own wine with the family name on the label. He hired a former co-worker of mine, John Girty as Vice President and General Manager. John is in charge of assembling a national sales force and fortunately called me and persuaded me to take a look at Shannon Ridge. I flew to California and met with Clay, his wife Margarita, John and Rick Gunier (Director of Marketing). I was interviewing them as much as they were interviewing me. I knew from the moment that I stood at the top of the vineyards looking back over Clear Lake that I wanted to be a part of this...this is something special. I tendered my resignation to Ste. Michelle after 11 years and while posting some of the top growth year to date in the company (+40%). It was a total shock throughout the company as most viewed me as a lifer. I took some time off and did a little road trip with my oldest son Christopher via Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Toronto, Montreal, Halifax, Boston and back to Charlotte. Next week I spend the week in NY with John and the following week in California at the ranch....I'm wearing my new cowboy boots..yee hi. Stay tuned as this brand grows. I'll post results of distributor assignments, restaurants that are featuring Shannon Ridge wines and other industry news.......Chris