The Toad Hollow Gazette
Since 1983
"All the News That's Hoppinin' in The Hollow"
March 1998, Issue 8
Notes From the Vineyards: Finally -- some really good news. At
least we think so, and we hope you agree. We are pleased to let you know that due to
a bountiful harvest this past September, we will be increasing our production of Toad
Hollow Chardonnay this year. That's right -- we expect to have a goodly
amount of Chardonnay for release on April 1. This means that you should be able to
enjoy our Chardonnay all year long. In the past, the Chardonnay was hard if not
impossible to find anywhere after October -- leaving up to six months with no Toad Hollow
Chardonnay to be enjoyed. If you don't see us in your favorite restaurant or wine
shop, ASK for us. Since there should be plenty to
go around, we expect to see Toad Hollow in many new locations we were not previously able
to service due to the short supply -- and of course we are counting on continued support
from our old friends.
Although the end result of 1997 was positive, the harvest was not without problems.
We had unseasonably early rains, and then all of the varietals matured at
the same time, which resulted in a shortage of pickers. And then storage and
fermentation space became an issue for many. But we were blessed and came out on
top. We feel that 1997 was not only a good year for quantity, but also for quality.
How wonderful to have a very good wine -- and more of it!!
Our new vintage of the Eye of the Toad Dry Pinot Noir Rosé was released in mid-January
1998. Hopefully many of you will have enjoyed it by now. We feel it is
spectacular! This particular vintage is bone dry with huge Pinot Noir fruit.
This wine does not fly off the shelf like the Chardonnay since much of the public
does not realize how wonderful it is. We still find resistance because many people
insist that they don't drink "pink wines." But most of you know that Dr.
Toad does not take no for an answer -- and once someone actually tastes the Rosé, we have
found that 9 out of 10 really like it and add it to their repertoire. Enjoy this
wine anytime -- but it's particularly nice in the springtime. At times when you are
not interested in a heavy red wine, but would like an alternative to the very popular
Chardonnay, this is the wine for you. Great to sip on its own, or very successful as
an accompaniment to food (especially spicy food such as Thai or Southwestern cuisine).
Have you tried our Le Faux Frog wines? These wines have been well received and
have garnered favorable press nationally. They have accomplished our goal of keeping
Toad Hollow in the marketplace while awaiting the release of our 1997 Sonoma County
Chardonnay (April 1, 1998). As we've stated before, Sonoma County wines have been
and will continue to be our primary focus. We'd be interested in any feedback from
out yonder.
We have some new projects on the horizon which we are very excited about. In the
works is a Russian River Pinot Noir due for release in May/June of this year, as well as a
Sonoma County Zinfandel in September '98. There will be a limited amount of each.
Look for these wines in your market -- and do call if you can't find them. We'll
do whatever we can to make it happen.
As most of you realize, the Apropos Lot #62 is no more. If you happen to come
across a bottle in your market, grab it! Even if and when we do another, it won't be
the same -- and people love Lot #62. We know folks who went to all the wine shops in
their area and bought up any and all bottles they could find. If you find it, buy it
-- and then drink it immediately. It is such an enjoyable wine.
Many of you have had the opportunity to meet Hank the wonder wiener dog, our most
beloved puppy --who will turn one year old on April 18. He's pretty much full grown
now -- up from 1-1/2 pounds to over 11 pounds. He's been to kindergarten, obedience
level 1, and he goes to daycare on Thursdays where he gets to hang with the big dogs.
So especially if you are a dachsund fan and planning to visit, make sure you don't
schedule for Thursdays. Hank would be so sorry to miss you. You can check out
pictures of Hank on our web site.
Quote for the Day
"No poems can please or live long which are written by
water-drinkers." -- Horace
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