The Beginning of Harvest

Our winemaker Molly Lyman sent this to one of our distributors and I thought I should share this harvest update as well:

"The harvest is off to a slow but optimistic start. The crop in the vineyards looks ample and even, but largely temperate days throughout late July and August have things measuring a bit late on the comparative scale (vs the last few years). I harvested a Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc vineyard this week on September 4th, for example, and it’s the first time since I began working with this fruit five years ago that it hasn’t been ready in August (historical dates were Aug 18-24). The general word on the street (throughout California) is that harvest is on a ~two week delay. The good news is that the crop seems to be heavy and of good quality. And sunny, dry days with milder temps afford the grapes more time in developing flavor and phenolic maturity, versus high temp days which force sugar accumulation regardless of any other markers of ripeness."

We look forward to getting harvest underway and into winemaking!

Sep 10, 2018 at 10:44 AM Permalink

Quick Trips to Colorado and Ohio

Just left Denver this morning with my oldest son, Dante, and heading to Cleveland. We attended the general sales meeting for Colorado distributor, Elite Brands of Colorado. We focused on Annabella Napa Chardonnay and Russian River Pinot Noir. Also, our Giapoza Cabernet and Pinot Noir. The wines were were well recieved but tbe the sales staff and we both felt confident that this will lead to a spike in sales.

Next stop, Cleveland, Ohio, where we will be participating in the Private Reserve's annual portfolio tasting for retailers and resturaunters. The event will be held at the beuatiful Botanical Gardens by College Square.  Looking forward to a fun and energetic show.
 

Aug 25, 2018 at 12:31 PM Permalink

Pozzan Sauvignon Blanc - 90 Points, Best Buy

Today I am excited to announce that our 2017 Sauvignon Blanc from Lake County received 90 points and Best Buy from Wine Enthusiast Magazine!  Sauvignon Blanc is a varietal I’ve worked with for 15​ years, and it can be a struggle to find vineyards that allow us to offer the quality we want at the price our customers want.  Since working with our Lake County vineyard, we’ve produced some of my favorite Sauvignon Blanc. This is especially perfect timing to share this news since summer is here and it seems like everyone (my family included) is looking for a cold, crisp bottle of white to enjoy on these hot days.

I hope you all get a chance to try it and love it as much as I do!

The review will be published in the August 2018 issue of WineEnthusiast, but the review is available online at link below:

WineEnthusiast: Michael Pozzan 2017 Sauvignon Blanc

Jun 27, 2018 at 12:04 PM Permalink

Denver Colorado

I returned home last weekend from Denver after participating in Elite Brand's annual event, The Great International Beverage Festival. Elite Brands is our Colorado distributor, and did a magnificent job hosting the five hour show. Literally hundreds of people from all around the greater Denver area attended. Wine and beer from all parts of the United States and Europe were showcased - even some spirits as well. The booths were situated on three floors of the McNichols Civic center Building, and we were all treated to some great passed appetizers so no one left hungry.

As usual, it was great to speak to fans of our wines and also to have the opportunity to pour for those who hadn't tried them before. Shows like this are an integral part in introducing our brand to new consumers, and pouring at them is one of my favorite parts of the job.

Jun 19, 2018 at 11:04 AM Permalink

Taste The World

Mary Ann, Dante and I attended Henry Wine Group's Taste of the World Monday at the Grand Hyatt in San Francisco. The event name is a nod to the array of varietals offered, and it gives wine buyers from restaurants and retail stores the unique opportunity to taste wines from around the globe.  Dante hosted the Michael Pozzan booth for five hours and poured wine for old & new fans alike. Events like these are a favorite, and gives us an opportunity to really get to know our customers and share our story & family history.

Like all good evenings, the night was wrapped up at one of my favorite Italian restaurants in San Francisco, Perbacco. Pictured is the roast duck breast in a rhubard (surprisingly pronounced "rhu-bar") sauce with braised greens and roasted green strawberries. We'll take two please!

May 24, 2018 at 10:20 AM Permalink

As Spring Trade Shows Wrap Up

It’s been a busy month for all the Pozzan men.

After pouring at events in Austin, Dallas, San Antonio, and Houston, Dante met me in Atlanta, Georgia to introduce our Matthew Joseph wines to our new distributor, Quality. We met with their managers and tasted through the wines over a wonderful lunch at the Blue Ridge Grill. If you ever make it there, try the lobster Cobb salad. It was delicious!

The group was very impressed with the quality of the wines and felt that they over delivered. We look forward to building the brand with such a prestigious distributor.

Later that day, we flew to Charleston, South Carolina, where we met up with my lovely wife, Mary Ann. We were in town to participate in The Country Vintner's annual trade show. This year it was held at the Cigar Factory in the Cedar Room. Great venue! Buyers came from all over the state to taste wines from all of the producers they represent. We had a great response to our wines, but the two that really stood out that day were the Michael Pozzan Russian River Pinot Noir and the Sailors Grave. I think it's safe to say that we made some new fans.

Bright and early on Monday it was back to Napa and trying to get caught up. Wednesday morning will find us tasting through Cabernet barrels to put the 2015 Marianna blend together.

May 14, 2018 at 9:41 AM Permalink

On The Road Again

After traveling from Texas, where Dante finished doing wine events in Austin, Dallas, San Antonio, and Austin, he met me in Atlanta, Georgia to introduce our Matthew Joseph wines to our new distributor, Quality. We met with all of their managers and tasted through the wines over a wonderful lunch at the Blue Ridge Grill. If you ever make it there, try the lobster Cobb salad. It was delicious! The group was very impressed with the quality of the wines and felt that they over delivered. We look forward to building the brand with such a prestigous distributor.

Later that day, we flew to Charleston, South Carolina, where we met up with my lovely wife, Mary Ann. We were in town to participate in The Country Vintner's annual trade show. This year it was held at the Cigar Factory in the Cedar Room. Great venue! Buyers came from all over the state to taste wines from all of the producers they represent. For us, we had a great response to our wines, but the two that really stood out that day were the Michael Pozzan Russian River Pinot Noir and the Sailor's Grave. I think it's safe to say that we made some new fans.

Bright and early on Monday it was back to Napa and trying to get caught up. Wednesday morning will find us tasting through Cabernet barrels to put the 2015 Marianna blend togther. I will let you know the outcome later in the week. 
 

May 2, 2018 at 9:19 AM Permalink

A Trip Back East

Just returned from Cleveland, Ohio this week and had a great trip. Participated in the Grapes Under Glass event sponsored by Heinen's Market's. On Thursday evening we poured our 2014 Napa Valley Sailors Grave Cabernet Sauvignon that was paired with a wonderful pork entree, flavored with Moroccan spices and served on a flat-bread accompanied by a yogurt and cilantro sauce. The subtle nuances of the wine paired perfectly with the pork.

Two days later we poured our Giapoza Cabernet and Pinot Noir at their Gala event along with 35 other wineries. Truly a memorable night! The event brought out some serious wine drinkers and connoisseurs. 

My youngest son, Matt, accompanied me on the trip, and offered a great deal of insight to the Giapoza wines since it was named after his daughter, Gianna Pozzan. We just introduced this wine only a few months ago and it has been met with rave reviews. Only home for a couple of days and then off to Atlanta, Georgia and Charleston, South Carolina for another wine event. 
 

Apr 27, 2018 at 10:31 AM Permalink

Palm Springs Tasting

Just finished doing the Ranhco Mirage Food and Wine Festival in Rancho Mirage last Saturday. Mary Ann and I flew ddown the day before. We had visited the Bevmo store in Palm Springs and had a nice visit with Mary, the store manager. The store was very busy.  Later that evening we had a wonder dinner at one our favorite Italian restaurants in the Dessert, Mama Gina. We started with Capeillini in a Pomodoro sauce and it was delicious. Mary Ann had scampi and I had seared scallops in a sffaron sauce over a bed of fresh asparagus.

The event itself went very well. Met a lot of people, not only from the Dessert communities, but from LA, San Diego, and from as far away as Canada. The wines were all recieved, especially the Sailors Grave.

Feb 20, 2018 at 12:45 PM Permalink

The Napa Fires

On Saturday, October 14th, my wife Mary Ann and I returned home after being displaced by the Napa and Sonoma fires. My son Matthew and his family evacuated Monday at 1:30 am and came to our house. By 3 pm that afternoon, we all decided to get out of the valley. Our grandaughter is only four months old and we were especially concerned with the amount of smoke that was accumulating in Napa.

This was the worst act of nature that I have ever experienced. Luckily, all of us are well and our homes escaped destruction. Our hearts go out to friends, family, neighbors, and fellow vintners that were not as fortunate. Napa came together as a community like never beore, and I am proud be a resident.

We are thankful that all of our grapes had been picked and crushed before the fires began. It is now time for us all to move forward and help our neighbors get their lives back to some type of normality.

Thank you to family, friends, and customers that reached out to us during that week. We are grateful for your thoughts and prayers.

A special thanks to fire fighters, police, rescue crews, and all first responders. You are awesome!
 

Oct 21, 2017 at 9:49 PM Permalink