Shoulder shimmies + holiday offer reminder December 11 2014

The songs of the holiday season...

Holiday music started in the Partridge headquarters this week, and I have been surprised by how many songs I've attached to certain memories or movies over the years.  Do they do this for you too?

Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas is You" not only prompted a little shoulder shimmy sing-along, but took me back to the early 90's when my dad would turn it on our home stereo system Christmas morning just before we dove head first into the presents under the tree. That song was the start of our day for as long as I can remember, and even with our own families now it remains a tradition.  Who knew my dad's celeb crush on Mariah Carey could turn into such a long cherished memory? 

Then I'll also hear songs like Mele Kalikimaka and all I can picture is Clark Griswold dreaming of his in-ground pool, or "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas," which is attached to Kevin McCallister singing into a makeshift hairbrush microphone in his bathroom after he's discovered he has the house to himself.  

This year, I know some fun new traditions and memories will be made as my sister and brother-in-law welcomed a baby boy into the family in August.  My first nephew!  He's too young to remember much about this year, but I hope 30 years from now he's also developed some delightful, song-prompted, memories from our holiday gatherings. If my sister and I have anything to do with it, I know Mariah will be at the top of his list :)

Don't forget about our exceptional holiday offers this year:

• Wine Bundles starting at $88
• Large format bottles at 30% off
• Free shipping anywhere in the U.S.

Kind regards,
Jessica Stock
National Sales Manager

A Great Weekend in Napa Valley! May 20 2014

(Photo from Achetypenapa.com website; we do not take credit)

I enjoyed a lovely dinner with the Partridge's at a new restaurant in St. Helena called Archetype this past weekend. 

As we entered the former building of French Blue at 1429 Main St., we were blown away by the rustic, simplistic beauty of Archetype. 
 
With a wide open floor plan, high ceilings, fresh flowers, and busy chefs preparing culinary delights in an open kitchen it felt like we had stepped into a white party in the Hamptons.
 
As is typical for Napa Valley, Executive Chef Ryder Zetts uses local and seasonal ingredients in his preparations, and dishes are flavorful and beautiful in presentation – plates are informed by the comingling of ingredients, and the whole is definitely greater than the sum of the parts. 
 
Some of the meals enjoyed at our table include Alaskan halibut with bacon crust, manila clams, grilled ramps, and marble potatoes; carola potato gnocchi with green garlic butter, young carrots, pea tendrils, and mushroom condiment; and chilled Dungeness crab with pearl tapioca, hearts of palm, red curry, and fried coconut. 
 
Sounds amazing, right?

Working for a winery, it’s often funny to enter new restaurants and become familiar with their protocol on corkage fees.  We were happily surprised with Archetype, where the fee was minimal (and free for the first bottle)– we have to be able to drink the good stuff, ya know. 
 
But let’s be honest, while the restaurant was fantastic, the company was even better.  Sometimes you just have to stop and say thank you to the great people who make living out your wine inspired dreams possible.
 
Jessica Stock
National Sales Manager