Saturday, June 12, 2010

Skipping ahead

Sorry to those two people who keep coming back to the blog looking for updates. I have been snowed under with tax and assorted paperwork, not to mention a mate's wedding in England, but I hope to get back and complete the European journal.

I must write shorter entries!

On the road in Australia now. First day I stopped at Caveau in Wollongong, that city's only one-hat restaurant (that I know of) and they have ordered Aladame Montagny 1er cru Cuvee Selection 06 and Alluviale Anobli 08 sweet wine.

Then to the fine wine store in Berry, where the Dombeya Stellenbosch Boulder Road Shiraz 07 will find a home, alongside Mantra Shiraz Viognier 06 and Alluviale Merlot Cabernet Franc 07.

Unfortunately I didn't hear back from Banisters, which I thought was keen on some grand cru Burgundy. Not too many restaurants these days say they don't need entry level, they want top end!

Stayed in Bateman's Bay with a lovely lass who has been a good friend for 26 years. The friendship is easy, even if we don't see each other for months.

After a typical 2.5 hours' sleep on Wednesday I managed 6.5 in BB, had a fairly lazy morning and then set off for a couple of appointments in Canberra. As it turns out they were next door to each other and my last-minute hotel is across the road! I even got free parking. To make up for it, Rydges charges a ripoff $29 a day for internet access, although I have tapped into another hotel's service for $15 a day.

Flint's restaurant wine buyer was very keen on the wine and has promised to order, and also gave me a good lead for a keen French wine lover in the Blue Mountains. Next door, Peter Bell at Parlour Wine Bar ordered the Dombeya Merlot to run by the glass, and is going to look further at the portfolio. Then he filled me to overflowing with good food and lovely wine from his own list.

On Saturday I have an appointment at Onred and will try to make one or two other calls, then I'm meeting with a winery to discuss distribution across NSW.

Another exciting bit of breaking news: I have a fantastic cult Spanish wine on the way. I've also had a look at a solid quirky cheapie, and have leads on some good Italians. All the gaps I want to fill should be taken care of by the end of the year. Or maybe next year if I get to visit those places.

In the meantime I am still shaking trees trying to raise the money necessary to pay my bills and get a couple of containers on the water. The wines to come really are fantastic and should sell quickly.

The business is two years old, sales more than doubled in year two, and momentum seems to be building. People are starting to talk. Or maybe they are just listening to the wines.