Vintastic! A Taste of Grand Cru

Nancy Wallace, Christopher Chan, Aisha Kabani

On Thursday, Nancy Wallace and Andy Frey and Aisha Kabani joined me for the second in the series of Vintastic! wine tastings at the Rainier Club.  It was more than a sell-out event, so Christopher Chan, the Rainier Club Director of Beverages & Spirits had to quickly make some last-minute adjustments to his tasting menu in order to accommodate all the guests.
As in our prior tasting, Christopher was again a wealth of knowledge about each of the areas and wines that we tasted.  He reminded us that the Premiere Cru labels are only five:  Chateau Latour, Chateau Haut Brion, Chateau Margaux, Chateau Mouton Rothschild, and Chateau Lafite Rothschild.  We took time to identify the color and then the nose of the wine both above and in the glass before actually tasting.  And again, we identified numerous floral, fruit, herbal and earth notes through our olfactory senses before we actually tasted each wine.

My favorite of the eleven wines we tasted was the 2002 Chateau Pichon-Baron de Longueville Deuxieme Grand Cru Classe, Pauillac, France, but I also loved the 2002 Chateau Coutet Premiere Grand Cru Classe Sauternes, France which was our final tasting wine.

Here is the full list of wines:

2000 Franck Bonville Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Champagne, FRA

2007 A. Bichot Chablis, FRA

2007 C. Moreau “Les Clos Grand Cru” Chablis, FRA

2008 Lucien Albrecht “Cuvée Romanus” Pinot Gris, FRA

2002 Lucien Albrecht “Pfingstberg Grand Cru” Pinot Gris, FRA

2005 Ch. Pibran Cru Bourgeois Pauillac, FRA

2002 Ch. Pichon-Baron de Longueville 2iem Grand Cru Classé, Pauillac, FRA

2006 Clos L’Oratoire St. Emilion Grand Cru Classé, FRA

2004 Saint-Croix-du-Mont Late Harvest Semillon, FRA

2002 Ch. Coutet 1er Grand Cru Classé Sauternes, FRA

Next week I look forward to the third Vintastic! tasting which is titled "Double Gold - The Best of the Pacific Northwest".

Featured Entrepreneurs of the Week: Dave Lefkow and Justin Esch

Dave Lefkow & Justin Esch

Our ZINO Society featured ZINOpreneur Members this week are Dave Lefkow and Justin Esch, Bacontrepreneurs for J&D's Foods, Inc. Dave and Justin presented their company at the ZINO Society ZINO Marketplace Investment Forum featuring consumer products and services in November, 2010.  J&D's Foods was selected as a fund finalist and ultimately as the fund winner! We asked Dave and Justin to share the answers to a few questions about their company.

• What is your one-sentence elevator pitch? . . . J&D’s Foods delivers flavors people LOVE in new and innovative ways.
• How did you come up with the idea for your company? . . . Bacon Salt, our first product, was inspired by a drink called a Mitch Morgan, which is a shot of bourbon with a bacon garnish. Seeing that served in a popular bar in Colorado made us realize that the world needed a seasoning that made everything taste like bacon.
• The word that best describes your company culture is . . . Unique!
•  How are you different from your competition? . . . We have delicious and innovative products, we’re incredibly hard-working (there are currently only 4 of us) and nimble (we can launch a new product for under $1,000), and have perhaps the most cost-efficient, highly effective marketing strategy in the food industry.
• What is the biggest challenge you face? . . . Not having enough capital to continue our aggressive rate of growth.
• How much money have you raised to date? . . .  $985,000
• If someone gave your company $3 million tomorrow, how would you use the money? . . . We would continue with our strategy to expand the distribution of our fastest turning items, add staff to keep up with demand and push the pace of sales.
•  What is the oddest or most unusual thing about your company? . . . Our guerilla marketing tactics, which included a unique launch party for Baconnaise, during which we wrestled a giant strip of bacon vs. a giant jar of mayonnaise in 6,000 lbs of mayonnaise (for charity of course). Our Giant Bacon mascot continues to be one of our most effective promotions.
• What is one thing missing from your business? . . . Real bacon – all of our bacon-flavored products are vegetarian and kosher.
• Why will your company be successful? . . .  We believe it comes down to 4 main things: having the right people, the right products, strong distribution networks/relationships and the right promotional strategy.
  Without question, we’ve got the hardest working people in the food business – in 3 years, we’ve gained distribution in over 10,000 grocery stores worldwide with only 4 people on staff, and have shipped over 100,000 online orders to people in all 50 states and 58 countries. In terms of products, Bacon Salt is the fastest growing line of seasoning salts in the entire US, and BaconPOP is exceeding the largest grocery retailer in the US’s sales expectations by 150% (and accelerating), and lots of momentum with products like Bacon Ranch, Baconnaise and Bacon Gravy. These products are resonating with retailers and consumers – in fact, there are some major opportunities with Walmart and Kroger on the near term horizon.

Dave Lefkow, "Bacon", Justin Esch with ZINO check.

In terms of promotions, we focus on using PR, social media, and guerilla marketing to level the playing field and set ourselves apart from much larger food companies. To date, our products have been featured on Oprah, ABC News, CNN, The Food Network, E! News, The Daily Show, The Tonight Show, and in hundreds more TV, radio, print, online and social forums. Our marketing strategies have been featured in 6 McGraw Hill textbooks and the Wall St. Journal as well as a book by word of mouth marketing guru Seth Godin. We’re also about to put Bacon Salt on the tables of the biggest breakfast restaurant chain in the US and Canada in March of 2011, which will result in millions of consumer trials and an even higher level of awareness about J&D’s Foods.

Last but not least, we have a LOT of fun doing what we do, and when you do what you love, you have great opportunities to be successful.

Bringin' Home the Bacon!

Kristie Lanum,, Dave Lefkow, "Bacon", Justin Esch & Cathi

Last night at the ZINO Society Roundtable meeting at the fascinating new Urban Enoteca in SoDo, Chief Dealflow Officer, Kristie Lanum, and I had the fun duty of presenting the oversized check for $50,000 to the fund winners of our recent ZINO Marketplace Investment Forum, J&D's Foods Inc.as selected by the ZINO Angel Fund Investors!  Not only were J&D's Foods co-partners, ZINOpreneurs David Lefkow and Justin Esch on hand to accept the investment award, their mascot "Bacon" was there also!  ZINO Society members and guests in attendance had no problem identifying "Bacon" since he wore a ZINO Society nametag with his name prominently displayed.

Cathi, "Bacon", Ken Hatch

"Bacon" was hotly pursued for photo ops following the business session.

You may want to refer to this additional blog posting to see more details about J&D's Foods and the interesting story of their birth and growth.

Congratulations to Dave and Justin for bringing the "Bacon" and taking the bacon home too!

Chopin, Schumann and Lasagna!

Ken Hatch, Suzy Krabbe, Susan Neumann

On Monday evening, Ken and I, along with Suzy and Moe Krabbe  were invited to a small dinner party in their home by Gary Neumann following a private concert performed by his wife, Susan Neumann and musician friend, Wally Hansis.  Susan played the piano and Wally played the viola.

Susan's fingers were flying over the keyboard, especially when she played three solo Chopin Waltzes (No. 6, No. 7, and No. 11) out of the twenty that he wrote during his lifetime.   Together she and Wally played selections from Schumann, Glazunov, Elgar, Massanet and Bruch.  In addition, Susan played the Fantaisie-Impromptu, plus the Schumann Widmung (Dedication). The sound quality in the Neumann's high-ceiling living room was exquisite.  Wally's viola sounded rich and mellow, while Susan's notes were concise and clear and played with so much style and energy.  (I am not really a musician, so I'm not sure that I am describing this correctly, but I can say that I loved the music!)

Susan Neumann & Moe Krabbe

The concert was followed by a casual dinner featuring delicious lasagna and salad from Cafe Lago.  The entire evening was organized by Gary, who sent out email invitations and also ordered and picked up the food so that Susan could focus on her concert.  It was so much fun that we decided that we have to take turns planning future casual dinners at home where we choose different restaurants from which to bring in food.  We did tell Susan that she is the required future entertainment however, since my piano playing ability is excruciatingly slow and my repertoire mostly includes only Christmas carols.    

20 Years in one Location

Ken Hatch and Rich Malia

Last night, Ken and I met friend, Michael Kunath for a drink at the new Book Bindery restaurant, another creative venture by Michael Almquist.  We didn't stay for dinner as we had dinner reservations just down the street at Ponti Seafood Grill, but the menu looks very interesting with starters including sweetbreads (not my favorite but Ken likes them) and foie gras terrine (which I think sounds delicious).  The interior is elegant with lots of creamy painted millwork and a bright, open kitchen.  I look forward to going back for dinner soon.

After a cocktail, we moved our cars a block down the street to Ponti Seafood Grill, which has been in the same location for twenty years.  As Ken and I walked into the restaurant, we were greeted by owner, Rich Malia, who thanked us for returning to his restaurant.  It had been a long time since we had last eaten there.  The restaurant is perched on the edge of the Lake Washington Ship Canal in the shadow of the Fremont Bridge, decorated in warm colors and was full of energy and busy.  White lights on the shrubs lining the outside decks reflecting on the windows added to the sparkling interior ambiance.

We had a great food experience.  Mike and Ken enjoyed the very fresh oysters on the half shell followed by warm bread with an addictive garlic olive oil and balsamic vinegar dipping sauce.  For entrees, we tried the smoked black cod, the brick-roasted half chicken and the chanterelle risotto; all of which were cooked perfectly, flavorful and excellent.  Though we said we didn't want dessert, we shared a warm apple crostata a la mode and magically every bite disappeared.

I look forward to going back for another great meal soon.  This would be a fantastic venue for an upcoming ZINO Society Master of Wine Monday!

Vintastic! Wine Education Series

Jay & Icy Westerdal, Nancy Wallace, Andy Frey

On Thursday evening, along with ZINO Society member, Nancy Wallace, Andy Frey and Icy & Jay Westerdal, I attended the kick-off to the "Vintastic" wine education series at The Rainier Club:  The World's Best Reds.  Rainier Club Director of Wine and Spirits and a Court of Master Sommelier, Christopher Chan, led the tasting.  Here is a link to an interesting article that shares more about Christopher's interesting path to becoming a wine expert.

Christopher had specifically saved one bottle each of some great wines from The Rainier Club cellar for this tasting. We had the opportunity to taste eight great red wines ranging from 1997 to 2004 vintages from California, Oregon, Italy, Spain and France with grape varieties of Pinot Noir, Tempranillo, Sangiovese, Grenache, Mourvedre, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon.

As part of the session, Christopher also shared insights about glassware, how to do appropriate visual examination in the glass, how to use our olfactory senses most effectively both above the glass and in the glass prior to tasting and how to identify the different elements of the wine once we actually tasted it.  With Christopher's tutelage, we identified wine "nose" and "taste" elements including floral from gardenia to marigold, fruity from dark cherry to raspberry to cantaloupe, spice from cloves to dill as well as fresh-mown grass to loamy or compost, leather to 2x4 wood and dozens of others.

Here is the full list of the wines we tasted:

2004 Dom, Lignier-Michelot Morey-St-Denis 1er Cru Aux Charmes, FRA 

2004 Boedecker "Shea Vyd." Pinot Noir, OR

2004 Etude Pinot Noir, Carneros, CA

1996 Pesquera Tinto Reserva, Rioja, SPA

1997 A. Sanguinetti Brunello de Montalcino, ITA

2000 Domaine Vieux Telegraphe "La Crau" Chat. De Pape, FRA

1998 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa, CA

1999 Chateau Pape Clement Pessac-Leognan, FRA

Though every single wine was exceptional, my two favorites were the '98 Chateau Montelena and the '99 Chateau Pape Clement.  Now I am looking forward to next week's session which will be A Taste of Grand Cru Vineyards.

   

Time after time . . .

Ken Hatch, Kemper Freeman, Jan-Patrick Schmitz, Cathi

Last week, Ken and I were invited to a small private dinner by Kemper Freeman at the Westin Bellevue hosted by Montblanc.  Whenever I have thought of Montblanc in the past, I have always thought of beautiful pens.  Now I know the breadth and depth of Montblanc means so much more; star shaped diamonds, sunglasses, exquisite leather goods and truly the most beautiful handcrafted watches in the world.

Irene Retel, Betty Freeman, Jeri Jensen

I was fascinated to learn so much about these very special watches along with other friends attending, Karen & Chuck Lytle, Joan & Bob Wallace, Patty Edwards, Jeri & Jim Jensen , and of course Betty & Kemper Freeman.  We also had the opportunity to meet the Montblanc management team including US CEO and President, Jan-Patrick Schmitz, Vice President of Retail, Mike Giannattasio, Bellevue Square Montblanc Boutique Manager, Irene Retel and Belinda Mayo, who heads the Marketing division.  I was also surprised to learn that Montblanc has been a tenant of Bellevue Square for over the past 12 years.

Cathi & Patty Edwards

Watches were displayed ranging from $10,000 to $275,000.  After cocktails and the chance to drool over the watches and the hors d'oeuvres, we were treated to a lecture and slide show where we learned about the history of Montblanc and its unswerving commitment to quality.  An interesting fact that I heard was that the Montblanc Villeret luxury watch division employs 40 fulltime master craftsmen watchmakers and that they produce only 250 watches per year!  Each watch in this division is an extremely limited edition.  Some of the watches are one of a kind, some are eight of a kind and the largest production is 54 of the same watch style.

Chuck Lytle & Cathi

We were then treated to a lovely dinner accompanied by Pacific Northwest wines.  Though every course was delicious, for me the stand out on the menu was the salad which was young field greens with shaved fennel, asiago cheese and grape tomatoes in a perfectly balanced white balsamic vinaigrette.  My only regret that evening was that because it began snowing very heavily and the snow was sticking to the ground, we left before dessert was served.  I'm sure that the "rustic apple tart with caramelized Granny Smith apples baked with almond cream in a buttery crust" could well have been my favorite.

If Ken asks you what I want for Valentine's Day, let him know to look at a beautiful rose gold Nicolas Rieussec.  Time after time . . .

Palate Pleasers at Purple Cafe!

Sommelier Dawn Smith, Chef Harry Mills & Cathi Hatch



Will Poole, Cathi & Ken Hatch, Susie Ostrander,
Melanie Corey-Ferrini, Mike Crill

This week the Purple Cafe and Wine Bar in Bellevue presented "A Menu for a Winter's Night" for the ZINO Society Master of Wine Monday event.  Heavy Restaurant Group Sommelier, Dawn Smith, and Chef Harry Mills, teamed together to present an exquisite paired food and wine tasting menu featuring foods of the Northwest and French wines for ZINO Society members and their guests.

Susie Ostrander, Janet Levinger

Richard Leeds with mystery wine

Each course was enthusiastically consumed by the sold-out crowd of 24 lucky tasters in the room.  Between each course, Chef Harry and Dawn supplied background and insights about the food courses and why each wine was selected to pair with those particular flavors.  Though it is hard to select favorites from such an incredible menu, my personal favorites were the Duck Confit Strudel with Yam and Pear Puree and Fennel Pollen and the Mushroom-Potato Pave which was served balanced on its side along with the grilled prime sirloin.  See the incredible pairings below at the end of this blog posting. 

ZINO Society members and guests had a marvelous time connecting with one another while sipping wine and tasting the culinary gems. Guest, Richard Leeds, brought along a favorite Bordeaux-style wine with the label hidden to share with some of the tasters, which turned out to be Long Shadows Feather.  In the 6 degrees of separation category (or is it only one degree of separation now?), Susie Ostrander and Janet Levinger, who had not previously met, discovered that they both had their ears pierced in Sioux City, Iowa, by the same doctor (Susie's uncle)!  The evening ended with an enthusiastic round of applause for all the Purple Cafe staff who had made our evening such a pleasure!

"A Menu for a Winter's Night" 

Passed Canapes

Dried Figs and Spanish White Anchovy

Smoked Mussel, Sweet Pickled Fennel and Piquillo Pepper Aioli

Prosciutto, Fontina Val d'Aosta and Almond Butter

Jean-Paul Trocadero Brut . Savoie, France . NV

A Tasting of Kusshi, Totten Inlet and Kumomoto Oysters

Cucumber-Black Pepper Sorbet

Christian Moreau . Chablis, France . 06

Seared Diver Scallop

Beluga Lentils, Fennel Puree, Meyer Lemon-Hazelnut Vinaigrette and Gremolata

Chateau Bonnet Bordeaux Blanc . Entre-Deaux-Mers, France . 08

Intermezzo

Chilled Soup of Ruby Red Grapefruit, Campari and Crushed Mint

Pan Roasted Muscovy Duck Breast

Duck Confit Strudel, Yam and Pear Puree, Fennel Pollen

Jean-Paul Thevenet 'vieilles vignes' Morgon . Beaujolais, France . 08

Grilled Prime Sirloin

Mushroon-Potato Pave, Glace de Viande, Brown Butter Emulsion

Lalande Balestard . Bordeaux, France . 07

Smoked Chocolate Ganache

Pomegranate, Caramel Tuile

M. Chapoutier . Banyuls, France . 07

Grilled Prime Sirloin with
Mushroom-Potato Pave

Welcome Jamee Nunnelee!

Jamee Nunnelee

As part of recent organizational changes at ZINO Society, I am so pleased to welcome our new Vice President of Membership, Jamee Nunnelee, to the Z-Team!

Jamee is a Seattle native who spent the better portion of her childhood sailing around the world with her family.  Through these experiences her life’s passion has been on relationship building and connecting ideas and people. Jamee has worked in luxury real estate,  green commercial real estate and hi-tech. She also had a small catering business on Bainbridge Island and therefore loves fine food and wine in textbook ZINO style! In fact, she is a past ZINO Society Social member.

She enjoys philanthropy and her current focus is on the Seattle Art Museum Supporters organizing fundraisers for SAM. She is an avid tennis player, has a wonderful son named Kai and two miniature (very old) dachshunds.  She is excited to meet all the ZINO Society Roundtable, Social, ZINOpreneur, Sponsor, VC Financial and Wine Professional members to help promote new business in our community. 

If you are already a ZINO Society member or interested in finding out more about ZINO Society membership, please click here to send Jamee an email of introduction.  I know that she is eager to hear from you!

Featured ZINOpreneur of the Week: Paul Hagen of VacuPractor

Paul Hagen, VacuPractor

Our ZINO Society featured ZINOpreneur Member this week is Paul Hagen, Co-Founder of VacuPractor. Paul presented his company at the ZINO Society ZINO Marketplace Investment Forum featuring consumer products and services in November, 2010, was selected as a fund finalist. We asked him to share the answers to a few questions about his company.

• What is your one-sentence elevator pitch? . . . We are a revolutionary treatment for lower back pain.
• How did you come up with the idea for your company? . . . Having daily back pain.
• The word that best describes your company culture is . . . Fun!
• How are you different from your competition? . . . Our product works!
• What is the biggest challenge you face? . . . Sharing with people.
• How much money have you raised to date? . . . $0.
• If someone gave your company $3 million tomorrow, how would you use the money? . . . Marketing and Advertising.
• Why will your company be successful? . . . Product works, affordable at $59.99, and timing of the whole health care crisis.   We save people, insurance companies, and the whole country a lot of money when we help someone before they have a $75,000 back surgery.

Featured ZINOpreneur of the Week: Carl Bryant of Mr. Thoughtful

Carl Bryant, Mr. Thoughtful

Our ZINO Society featured ZINOpreneur Member this week is Carl Bryant, Founder & CEO of Thoughtful People, LLC dba Mr. Thoughtful.com. Carl presented his company at the ZINO Society ZINO Marketplace Investment Forum featuring consumer products and services in November, 2010. We asked him to share the answers to a few questions about his company.

• What is your one-sentence elevator pitch? . . . The One and Only Greeting Card Buying System for Men!
• How did you come up with the idea for your company? . . . Being the target customer, perennially forgetting to buy birthday and anniversary cards and being disappointing to loved ones. 
• The word that best describes your company culture is . . . snarky – like the brand!
• How are you different from your competition? . . . We address a faulty gene in the male DNA which others do not.
• What is the biggest challenge you face? . . . Raising capital in this economy when investors are enamored with mobiletweetingsocialsearchapps.
•  How much money have you raised to date? . . . $57K.
•  If someone gave your company $3 million tomorrow, how would you use the money? . . . After giving back $2.5M of it and being satisfied being 60% oversubscribed, I’d aggressively role out our marketing plan to drive customer acquisition.
• What is the oddest or most unusual thing about your company? . . . Our service intervenes in a guy’s relationship with his loved ones.
• Why will your company be successful? . . . Having identified a high GP liquid existing market with a product our customers need.

Featured ZINOpreneur of the Week: Trip Allen of Cold Cold Heart

Trip Allen, Cold Cold Heart

Our ZINO Society featured ZINOpreneur Member this week is Trip Allen, CEOtipper of Cold Cold Heart. Trip presented his company at the ZINO Society Roundtable Investment Meeting featuring "Investing in Hospitality, Food and Beverage" entrepreneurs in December, 2010. We asked him to share the answers to a few questions about his company.

• What is your one-sentence elevator pitch? . . . Cold Cold Heart is dedicated to the preservation of roots Americana country music and social dance - a refuge from our modern world with the best live music and dancing on the best dance floor in town.
• How did you come up with the idea for your company? . . . Dancin', singin', cussin' and countin', and countin' and countin'.
• The word that best describes your company culture is . . . Social.
• How are you different from your competition? . . . We feature the best and widest variety of roots Americana country music and largest cushioned dance floor in the region, with comfort food & drink to match.
• What is the biggest challenge you face? . . . Start-up capital.
• How much money have you raised to date? . . . $150,000.
• If someone gave your company $3 million tomorrow, how would you use the money? . . . I would use it to meet our $1.5 goal to fund start-up and getting the doors open as soon as possible. I would ask that someone to please hold the balance for when we have established proof-of-concept, at which point we will make a move to purchase the property from the landlord and consider expansion to other cities.
• What is the most unusual thing about your company? . . . Ironically, it's highest of high-tech by being the kind of low-tech respite people need to recharge their battery before returning to the digital fray.
• Why will your company be successful? . . . An understanding of the market, from the competition right down to politics, diversity and customer behavior. By redefining the social experience around music and dance, it will outshine any establishment today and tomorrow.

Featured ZINOpreneur of the Week: Bob Mighell of Tiliting Motor Works



Bob Mighell, Tilting Motor Works Harley



Our ZINO Society featured ZINOpreneur Member this week is CEO Bob Mighell, of Tilting Motor Works. Bob presented his company at the ZINO Society ZINO Marketplace Investment Forum featuring consumer products and services in November, 2010, was selected as a fund finalist and also received the ZINO Zenith Award for Best Presenter. We asked him to share the answers to a few questions about his company.

• What is your one-sentence elevator pitch? . . . Tilting Motor Work builds a patented two wheeled tilting front end conversion for motorcycles that makes them safer and more stable.
• How did you come up with the idea for your company? . . . Being a long time motorcycle rider I knew the problem with motorcycles was the limited safety and stability inherent with having only one wheel.  I knew the ideal solution was to add another wheel to the front while retaining the exhileration and performance of a two wheeled motorcycle.
• The word that best describes your company culture is . . . Innovative!
• How are you different from your competition? . . . We are the only large displacement motorcycle with two wheels in the front that handles like a two wheeled motorcycle.
• What is the biggest challenge you face? . . . Making the jump from a development company to a production company.
• How much money have you raised to date? . . . $0.
• If someone gave your company $3 million tomorrow, how would you use the money? . . . I would go into production immediately.  Build Inventory.  Hire the best VP of Marketing and Sales with strong motorcyle industry experience I could find.  Begin marketing and showing my bike all around the country.
• What is the oddest or most unusual thing about your company? . . . The company founder's passion for motorcycles which led to the development of the Tilting Three Wheeler comes from 30 years of motorcycle riding experience including circumnavigating the United States, riding to Prudhoe Bay in Alaska (the northernmost point in the U.S.) and South Point in Hawaii (the southernmost point in the U.S.)
• Why will your company be successful? . . . Tilting Motor Works has been able to successfully solve a problem that I was told did not have a solution.  we have patented the blending of motorcycle and automotive technology in a unique three wheeled vehicle that creates its own category.

Featured ZINOpreneur of the Week: Dolma Maria Halstead of Mistica Wines

Dolma Maria Halstead, Mistica Wines

Our ZINO Society featured ZINOpreneur Member this week is President and CEO, Dolma Maria Halstead of Mistica Wines.  Maria presented her company at a recent ZINO Society ZINO Marketplace Investment Forum featuring consumer products and services in November, 2010. We asked her to share the answers to a few questions about her company.

• What is your one-sentence elevator pitch? . . . Argentina wine importer and distributor with focus on artisanal, organic, and all natural.
• How did you come up with the idea for your company? . . . Lived in Argentina and enjoy wines.
• The word that best describes your company culture is . . . Passion!
• How are you different from your competition? . . . Cultural immersion and high level of customer service.
• What is the biggest challenge you face? . . . Competition of other wines.
• How much money have you raised to date? . . . $75k Self Funded, 100% by Founder to Date
• If someone gave your company $3 million tomorrow, how would you use the money? . . . Grow business to other states, brand own wines, and hire team to achieve objectives.
• What is the oddest or most unusual thing about your company? . . . Women only team.
• Why will your company be successful? . . . Company already has steady growth in past 6 months of business and continues to grow.

May Auld Acquaintance be NOT Forgot!

Sue Bianco & Cathi Hatch

Last night, Ken and I travelled from Clyde Hill to the West Seattle waterfront for a New Year's Eve party hosted by Jim & Sue Bianco.  It was a beautiful, cold crisp evening and our coach (okay, it really was an SUV) dropped us off at the front door of their home.  When we opened the door, their home was a-glow with Christmas decorations and alive with music and festive conversation.  We were warmly greeted with a champagne flute of chilled, bubbly, pink Billecart-Salmon NV Brut Rose.

The year 2011 will mark the 20th anniversary of Cell Therapeutics Inc. and this New Year's celebration was a kick-off to what appears to be an exciting year upcoming with the hope that Pixantrone will get a reprieve by the FDA and approval in Europe. Jim was resplendant in a deep blue satin dinner jacket and wearing his Christmas gift from Sue, an exquisite pair of diamond, sapphire and ruby antique Faberge cufflinks.  Sue was absolutely gorgeous wearing her gift from Jim which was a glittering, silvery Roberto Cavalli cocktail dress and towering jeweled sandals. 

Jim Bianco toasts CTI and friends.

We had the opportunity to meet the Bianco's talented architect, Mark Elster, and his outgoing and cute wife, Nancy Ellen and see his inspired architectural plans to convert the Bianco waterfront home into a traditional Italian villa.  The planned appearance is magnificent!  Friends Mike Kunath and Kate Harrison, John Bauer and Maryel Duzan were there as well as Heather & Michael Sandoval.  Michael was sporting crutches from a broken leg from a recent soccer accident.  CTI Co-Founder Jack Singer and his wife Tia Higano and daughter Emily were there to celebrate as well as Louise Grose and Andrew Bronstein and many other CTI associates too.

Jim toasted the upcoming year and all the people who have shared in both big and small ways in helping CTI achieve this 20 year milestone.  Jim pulled some gems out of his wine cellar that he shared with the revelers.  I was particularly enthralled with the Dalla Valle Napa Valley Estate Cabernet Sauvignon which appeared at the end of the evening.  See the amazing list of fabulous wines at the end of this blog posting.



Ken Hatch & Michael Sandoval

Kate Harrison & Cathi



Chef William Belickis and associates



The guests did not go hungry of course since the open display kitchen was under the command of Chef William Belickis of Mistral Kitchen.  Each small plate was a work of art.  My favorite was the Osetra caviar served atop a potato galette with creme fraiche and chive.  Though I did not intend to try the octopus ceviche, Chef William insisted that I at least taste it and I was surprised at how delicious and refreshing it was and not the least bit rubbery.  It was most appripriate that he played the Beatles' song, Octopus's Garden, as he served this course.  I was also quite amazed at the completely recognizable flavor of the corn microgreen garnish atop the seared Japanese hamachi and the delicious combination of Chef William's handmade Trofie pasta served with slow-cooked pork shoulder. See the full menu at the end of this blog posting.

It was an extraordinary New Year's Eve party to remember and with food and wine memories to savor.  Thank you Jim and Sue!  Happy New Year!

New Year's Eve Celebration Menu  

presented by Chef William Belickis, Mistral Kitchen 

Osetra Caviar, POtato Galette, Creme Fraiche, Chive

Pork Belly, Steamed Buns, Panang Curry Vinaigrette, Cilantro

Octopus Ceviche

Seared Japanese Hamachi

Trofie Pasta with Slow Cooked Pork Shoulder

Seared Hudson Valley Fois Gras, Toasted Brioche

Loin of Lamb, Black Eyed Peas, Pomegranate

Beef Short Ribs, Black Piedmontese Truffles

Selection of Artisanal Cheeses

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Rosemary Cookies, Fromage Blanc Mousse

Chocolate Cream Puff

Black Forest Parfait Pops

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Billecart-Salmon NV Brut Rose

Krug Grand Cuvee

1981 Chateau Coutet a Barsac, Premier Cru

1982 Brico Asili, Barbaresco

1990 R. Rostaing Cote Rotie, "Cote Blonde"

1989 Pichon-Lalande, "Comtesse de Lalande" Pauillac

Peter Michael Chardonnay

Dalla Valle Napa Valley Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

Betwixt and Between

A holiday table one more time.

As the days after Christmas waned and it wasn't quite time for New Year's Eve, it seemed just the time to do a spur-of-the-moment, holiday dinner party and set the table one more time with sparkling crystal and china to complement all the festive, seasonal decorations.  Our friends, Paul Birkeland and Diane Roberts, had recently married just 8 days ago which seemed a good thing to celebrate too!

Gordon Kuenster & Susan Neumann listen to
Paul Birkleand tell of the romance.

Susan & Gary Neumann offered to bring the Manhattans (Susan makes the best Manhattans!) and Diane Kuenster offered to bring the cute Christmas Tree butter which she had tracked down online.  Kathleen & Tom Schafer, Sandi & Tim Premselaar and Paul all brought wine and it was a party.



Tim Premselaar, Diane Kuenster, Tom Schafer and
newlywed, Diane Roberts Birkeland



Gary Neumann, Sandi Premselaar, Gordon Kuenster &
Susan Neumann



Once we sat down for dinner, Ken announced that we would go around the table and each person would have 60 minutes which he quickly amended to 60 seconds to tell us about themselves.  He started with the newlyweds, and just as Paul was telling us the story of their romance, Ken announced that his time was up and that he must cede the floor to the next person.  The rest of us at the table complained because we were enjoying hearing the story, but Ken had his vision of how the conversation should progress and insisted Paul's time was up!  It may have been the Manhattan talking or Ken may have been re-living past Board meetings that he chaired, but he enforced his time limit as we progressed around the table.  However, once we had pretty much heard very briefly from everyone, Ken relaxed his ironclad grip on the conversation and we turned to more casual conversaton with one another.



Kathleen and Paul and I discussed the upcoming ZINO Society Walla Walla Spring Wine Adventure that we are putting together for the last weekend in April.  This should be a very fun weekend with wine tastings and meals planned at some of the great wineries in Walla Walla including established wineries and up-and-coming wineries as well.  Details are still being confirmed, but it looks like it is shaping up to be a fantastic wine experience.

As the dinner party wound down over Bananas Foster accompanied by 20 year old tawny Port, we toasted the newlyweds and we toasted the upcoming New Year.  Cheers to 2011!