NEWS OUR DOMAINE

11.11.2008

    A lot has happened at Domaine Selections, as I know you’re aware; small potatoes compared to the turmoil occurring with the economy and unnamed big companies out there, but enough to keep things interesting here at world headquarters.

    Dino Ariston has retired. After 23 years as President and head janitor of Domaine, he has decided to take a well deserved rest. You could make the case that he has given all of us a well deserved rest also, but I digress. It’s been a good run for him. Starting from nothing, he built Domaine into one of Oregon’s most successful and respected fine wine distributors, having consistently grown for the last 23 years, and putting together a selection of wine as fine as any you’ll find anywhere in the country. He’s given us a great base to work from looking forward to in the next 23 years, and we wish him the very best as he rides off into the sunset (or if he returns to Greece, into the sun-up).

    We welcome our new owners, Stu Fuhlendorf and John Briant. As you could expect, after working for the same guy since the dawn of time, we approached this change with uncertainty and some trepidation. After working with them now for four months, we can report a hearty “all good”! It’s doubtful that you’ve seen any difference in how we work out in the field – great wines, great sales humans, great value – but inside world headquarters we’ve seen much positive change; a friendly voice on the phone, better organization in the warehouse, collaboration and communication in the office, and a strong sense of where we are and where we’re going. Add to that the fact they’re great guys and easy to get along with, and you can see why we’re excited about the future of Domaine Selections.

    We also welcome three new members of our team, Leah Moorhead, Pierre Beaulieu, and Trisha Stephens. After working in great restaurants in New York City and Portland for the last several years and a short stint with Mt. Hood Beverage, Leah joins us with a great enthusiasm for just the kinds of wines we offer and a wealth of experience in fine dining. Pierre moved to Eugene a couple of years ago after helping to grow Stacole Wines in Florida into the premier fine wine distributor in the state, and now after fixing up his house and taking a break from the wine wars he’s ready to help us grow the fine wine presence in the Willamette Valley. But perhaps our biggest change is the friendly voice on the phone when you call. In addition to that voice, and an eager willingness to help, Trisha brings us some much needed organization and a sincere desire to make Domaine Selections a better run organization. Each brings a different and valued perspective to Domaine with the same commitment to fine wine that we all share. We couldn’t be more pleased to have them join us.

     My role has changed a little recently, and perhaps none too soon for those of you waiting to get me out of your hair. I will concentrate on the parts of this business I’ve always been most passionate about; finding and promoting the love of great wine. I’m thrilled about the challenges ahead and look forward to sharing with you all our latest finds.

     We do have some challenges ahead of us. We have had some turnover in our French portfolio, including the loss of Louis/Dressner Selections. But with great change comes great opportunity, and we’re pretty thrilled about what we’ve found to continue our pursuit of the best of the world’s wine.

    We began the process of deepening our relationship with Neal Rosenthal Selections in late spring, and you’ll begin to see the fruits of this work (better pricing and broader and deeper selection) at the beginning of the New Year.

    We’re proud to announce we have begun work with Weygandt/Metzler (the first of these great wines will arrive in the next few weeks), and those of you who know this portfolio know the intelligence and passion Peter brings to his selections. We’re looking forward to acquainting and re-acquainting you with these fabulous wines.

    We’re also thrilled to begin work with Jenny and Francois Selections. Jenny Lefcourt and Francois Ecot are at the forefront of the natural wine scene in France. I’ve known of their work at the cutting edge of real, alive, and authentic wine for several years, and we think you’ll be equally thrilled to taste, learn, and offer to your clients some of the most vibrant wine on the market today. Look for the first of these wines to arrive before the end of December.

    Of course the economy will continue to be a challenge for all of us over the next little while. I don’t pretend to have a clue as to how this will play out in the future, but the broader societal challenges we face only strengthens our commitment to find quality and value from the world’s vineyards. On the plus side, the dollar is as strong as it’s been in the last couple of years, which only helps us in our quest.

    Finally, we are delighted to see the return of some of the most sought after wines in our portfolio, the great Italian wines of Marc de Grazia Selections. Marco’s wines also define the quality of our portfolio, and the fact that their return coincides with the strengthening dollar will allow us to re-introduce these wines at the best prices we’ve seen in years. Look for these wines before the end of November.

    So now that I’ve caught you up on the past, why don’t I fill you in on what I’m most excited about now:
The D. Ventura Ribeira Sacra Vina Burato 2007 is a fresh, vibrant expression of Mencia, old vines grown in slate/clay soils in a vineyard carved out of the rainforest in western Spain, and brought up in stainless steel so the purity and precision of the vineyard can shine through unsullied.

    Ch. Soucherie’s Anjou Blanc 2007 is so lean and steely that it initially shocks you, but then the depth of its flavor and focused intensity kicks in and you find yourself coming back to discover what else it has to offer.

    The Terenzuola Montesagna Colli di Luni Vermentino 2006 defines deliciousness, like the Ribeira Sacra grown in steep slate soils, rich and fresh with hints of orange peel and flowers, the perfect accompaniment to the fresh cold water seafood beginning to show up in the markets.

    I’m continually amazed at the ability of Steve Edmunds to find character and balance from the vineyards of California. The first release of the Edmunds St. John Porphyry Barsotti Ranch Gamay 2006 is a marvel; intense, minerally, light on its feet and completely at ease with itself. Grown at a high elevation in the El Dorado foothills and vinified in steel, it is a complex and perfectly balanced Gamay and, if you love the great wines of the Beaujolais, more than worthy of your attention.

    This is what I’m drinking these days; let me know what’s in your glass.

Don Heistuman
don@domaineselections.com

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