tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210235767643862872.post8947385792815007488..comments2024-03-18T04:47:16.199-07:00Comments on The Gray Report: New Ballard Canyon AVA considers $30 minimum retail price for SyrahW. Blake Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17755307711801965966noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210235767643862872.post-14344378965912721972013-11-25T21:43:09.603-08:002013-11-25T21:43:09.603-08:00I should further note that the total AVA acreage i...I should further note that the total AVA acreage is some 7,600 acres, current bearing vine acreage is only at 540 plus or minus.<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02318183262090839888noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210235767643862872.post-27400657484891307272013-11-25T21:33:47.003-08:002013-11-25T21:33:47.003-08:00Blake, thank you for the well written piece and fo...Blake, thank you for the well written piece and for bringing our great news to your audience. As former Ballard Canyon Winegrower's Alliance president and a founder of the Ballard Canyon AVA we are all very excited and honored to be introduced to the wonderful list of California AVAs. All the vintners on Ballard Canyon are also very energized in ensuring that both the industry (restaurants, Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02318183262090839888noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210235767643862872.post-69815675194972726842013-11-24T21:59:36.646-08:002013-11-24T21:59:36.646-08:00I am late, as often, to comment, but it is not har...I am late, as often, to comment, but it is not hard to sell Syrah or Sangio. Sell it to D Swift Phinney and let him mark it up. Or market it like Kors or Hilfiger. Heck, you don't need to sell 100,000 cases, does anybody? Listening to R. Graham moan about sales or marketing is like letting Obama make your Dr. appointments for you. Man About Winehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06184906755226888130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210235767643862872.post-74463549393195137402013-11-22T11:19:32.693-08:002013-11-22T11:19:32.693-08:00You didn't need to do that Blake, but thank yo...You didn't need to do that Blake, but thank you.Waynehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09247716750840220554noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210235767643862872.post-27555440868155730682013-11-22T11:08:19.204-08:002013-11-22T11:08:19.204-08:00Thanks Wayne, I changed the post to reflect your c...Thanks Wayne, I changed the post to reflect your comments. W. Blake Grayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17755307711801965966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210235767643862872.post-75830839327061037412013-11-21T22:08:36.839-08:002013-11-21T22:08:36.839-08:00Thanks Wayne for weighing in- I didn't realize...Thanks Wayne for weighing in- I didn't realize Jonata was planted to that much Syrah. Thanks Blake for writing about Santa Barbara County and Ballard Canyon Syrah!Matt Mauldin https://www.blogger.com/profile/08730509895080535690noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210235767643862872.post-53427591885317733562013-11-21T18:02:27.244-08:002013-11-21T18:02:27.244-08:00Blake. The portion of the vineyard that is visible...Blake. The portion of the vineyard that is visible from our neighbor's property is gently sloped. However, that is maybe a 1/4 of the vineyard. The majority of the 83 acres that is JONATA, is spread over hundreds of acres, mostly hills, some of which are very steep. Our highest points are among the highest in the canyon. However, when compared to Beckmen Vineyard for example, one of the Waynehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09247716750840220554noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210235767643862872.post-16273410421949791232013-11-21T15:57:38.260-08:002013-11-21T15:57:38.260-08:00Thanks Wayne. Help me out here: Is there a relativ...Thanks Wayne. Help me out here: Is there a relatively flat vineyard at Jonata -- not that that's a bad thing, let's not get crazy here, some of the world's best vineyards are relatively flat -- or is that an optical illusion?W. Blake Grayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17755307711801965966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210235767643862872.post-86995134675032352082013-11-21T15:39:49.922-08:002013-11-21T15:39:49.922-08:00Dear Matt and Unknown,
Thank you for the comments...Dear Matt and Unknown,<br /><br />Thank you for the comments. JONATA is planted mostly to Syrah but includes nine other grapes spread out over a rather large area, most of which cannot be seen from neighboring properties. As far as harvest dates, they are comparable if not the same as our neighbors. Harvest was finished in early to mid-October, with much red fruit coming in in early August. We Waynehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09247716750840220554noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210235767643862872.post-91028842647134720122013-11-21T08:52:51.844-08:002013-11-21T08:52:51.844-08:00Well gosh, Damaris, if you think something's w...Well gosh, Damaris, if you think something's wrong here and you're an expert on the subject, don't be passive-aggressive. Just tell us who you are and what you know. See Jason Haas' comment above, for example.W. Blake Grayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17755307711801965966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210235767643862872.post-33596618476695900962013-11-21T07:03:25.588-08:002013-11-21T07:03:25.588-08:00I haven't been to Jonata's vineyard(s). O...I haven't been to Jonata's vineyard(s). One of the previous comments touched upon their vines still looking a bit healthier given the time of year. One likely leap of logic, their wines tend to be a richer/lusher expression. Most likely they are harvesting much later than their surrounding neighbors at higher brix.?<br /><br />Anyway, thanks for covering the AVA, some very nice wines.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05783753821337837698noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210235767643862872.post-66403633597771661912013-11-20T22:45:59.063-08:002013-11-20T22:45:59.063-08:00Blake: I want to be polite and will be polite.
Yes...Blake: I want to be polite and will be polite.<br />Yes, I spend a lot of time on the property. That's why I was surprised to hear it described that way. <br /> Damarishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12311944917947086554noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210235767643862872.post-25577328491481388752013-11-20T21:26:05.637-08:002013-11-20T21:26:05.637-08:00Damaris: "Touring the entire 600 acre site?&q...Damaris: "Touring the entire 600 acre site?"<br /><br />I want to be polite but .... bwahahahahaha. I toured the entire canyon. Have you been there? It didn't exactly take all day. W. Blake Grayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17755307711801965966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210235767643862872.post-74407533309217090822013-11-20T21:13:35.984-08:002013-11-20T21:13:35.984-08:00The comment on Jonata- "it also appears to ha...The comment on Jonata- "it also appears to have the healthiest grapevines, which still have rich golden-colored leaves when many of the vines on the hills around it are looking straggly and near-bare."<br /><br />If vines lose their leaves and go dormant based on when the grapes are harvested- wouldn't Jonata's foliage have more to do with what varietals they grow (mostly Matt Mauldin https://www.blogger.com/profile/08730509895080535690noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210235767643862872.post-76347389110084247552013-11-20T21:12:18.784-08:002013-11-20T21:12:18.784-08:00This comment has been removed by the author.Matt Mauldin https://www.blogger.com/profile/08730509895080535690noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210235767643862872.post-83403247834593572392013-11-20T19:26:11.475-08:002013-11-20T19:26:11.475-08:00Jonata "appears to have the flattest vineyard...Jonata "appears to have the flattest vineyard"...is this based on an observation from afar or from touring the entire 600 acre site?Damarishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12311944917947086554noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210235767643862872.post-69420857764509234512013-11-20T17:34:06.006-08:002013-11-20T17:34:06.006-08:00there is no minimum on the wines from the Ballard ...there is no minimum on the wines from the Ballard Canyon AVA. <br />The Group was discussing a special bottling on Estate Fruit from the AVA. Those bottles that we discussed would sell for a minimum of 30. <br /><br />It is not a blanket price for the AVA. <br /><br />SAarLooShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05988849897568690797noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210235767643862872.post-63714438718005711622013-11-20T14:43:51.263-08:002013-11-20T14:43:51.263-08:00Thanks Jason. Had Tablas Creek rosé a couple weeks...Thanks Jason. Had Tablas Creek rosé a couple weeks ago in Napa. Nice wine.W. Blake Grayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17755307711801965966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210235767643862872.post-40495473300885060412013-11-20T13:45:13.175-08:002013-11-20T13:45:13.175-08:00Still sounds like collusion and as for "They ...Still sounds like collusion and as for "They have garrigue-type aromas. They smack of lavender, of rosemary."<br />I'll believe it when I smell it.Jonas Landau, everydaywineguyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09929744739806090047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210235767643862872.post-78586786986463814952013-11-20T11:43:18.878-08:002013-11-20T11:43:18.878-08:00This is an interesting idea, and a fun article, Bl...This is an interesting idea, and a fun article, Blake. One small correction. We did look in Ballard Canyon before settling on a property in Paso Robles, but didn't reject the area because it was too expensive (anyone who's looked at the investment we put in at the beginning of the Tablas Creek project, from vine imports to nursery to winery will realize that the land cost was only a Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210235767643862872.post-59358780563917000032013-11-20T09:09:08.542-08:002013-11-20T09:09:08.542-08:00Yes Ballard Canyon is one of the more richly deser...Yes Ballard Canyon is one of the more richly deserved AVAs. And yes, many of those growers care a lot about quality and are making excellent juice. But a guaranteed price floor makes me suspicious. I fail to see why it's necessary. We know who the quality producers are; and they price their product according to their needs. The current system is working, in other words.Patrick Frankhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10144823620170293402noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210235767643862872.post-15726791803600179242013-11-20T08:50:27.137-08:002013-11-20T08:50:27.137-08:00The idea of a minimum price for syrahs in the area...The idea of a minimum price for syrahs in the area is certainly an interesting one. Being a producer who purchases fruit from the area, I'm all about creating more visibility for the area as I too feel it is a gem among gems in Santa Barbara County.<br /><br />One thing that somewhat bums me out is that, though syrah certainly does well here, so does Grenache, a variety that has tremendous tercero wineshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11718156055439684277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210235767643862872.post-73993018869297414552013-11-20T08:01:57.605-08:002013-11-20T08:01:57.605-08:00Please note an update to this story from the first...Please note an update to this story from the first version: the price floor would be for a particular bottle, similar to the Domaines et Traditions Riesling. <br /><br />Kyle, you may be right that they may need to trademark a name other than just "Ballard Canyon Syrah."<br /><br />I'm not going to comment further here on the antitrust issue, but BC vintners might as well consult W. Blake Grayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17755307711801965966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210235767643862872.post-38968587929076722802013-11-19T15:12:58.122-08:002013-11-19T15:12:58.122-08:00Not sure about the legality or rationale...but I c...Not sure about the legality or rationale...but I can say one thing. Ballard canyon syrahs are exceptional. I have had numerous versions of Larner syrah from various producers over the years-- as a common thread they have the acidity and "savory-ness" of cool climate syrahs and the big, luscious fruit from warm climate syrahs which both play together in harmony. Tonight, I am going toAndyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16573267840182461358noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210235767643862872.post-15069226805393262442013-11-19T11:40:20.067-08:002013-11-19T11:40:20.067-08:00It's an interesting approach, but I believe it...It's an interesting approach, but I believe it would be challenged. The FTC says: A plain agreement among competitors to fix prices is almost always illegal, whether prices are fixed at a minimum, maximum, or within some range. http://www.ftc.gov/bc/antitrust/price_fixing.shtmDave Nershi, CSWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17825382913061165764noreply@blogger.com