A Wine Club change: No more Riserva level

I am sorry to inform you that I have decided to cancel the Riserva level of our Frankie’s Wine Club. This will take effect immediately.

I had thought about making this last year, after the recession had taken it’s toll on the high end, Riserva club level. At the time, we lowered the price. But neither that, nor the recovering economy, has helped (though the other two club levels are thriving!). It has simply come down to inadequate return for the time invested in finding the right wines and writing newsletter articles.

So from now on we will have just two club levels; the Top Value and Smart Buy levels.

We have attempted to contact those of you in the Riserva level of the club. If this is the first you’ve heard of this I apologize. Of course we would love to keep you as Wine Club members, and hope you will consider switching to one of the other club levels.

Ciao, ciao!  Frankie

Frankie’s Wine Project Part II

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Last Friday, I traveled to eastern Washington once again with my friend, Jim Garner of Icon Cellars.  If you read my last post, you will know that Jim and I are planning to make a Super-Tuscan style wine to serve at Frankie’s Pizza and Pasta.  It will be a blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.  The wine will have a Frankie’s label on the front, with the Icon Cellars lable on the back.

On this trip we harvested the Sangiovese (as well as some Mouverdre for Jim), and trailered it back.  We arrived at dawn Elephant Mountain vineyard at dawn. It was a frigid but beautiful morning.

On that Saturday, my wife Rhonda and granddaughter Teddy, came along with me to the winery for crush.  Jim shares winery space at Pleasant Valley Vineyards in Carnation.  It is a beautiful place!  Enjoy the slides.

Frankie’s Wine Project

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Recently, I started an exciting new project with my friend, Jim Garner, owner of Icon Cellars. Together we’re planning to make a Super-Tuscan style wine to serve at Frankie’s Pizza and Pasta.  It will likely be a blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.  The wine will have a Frankie’s label on the front, with the Icon Cellars lable on the back. 

Jim has asked me to be involved in every aspect of the project… harvesting grapes, crush, and blending the grapes.  I am very excited!  I know I will learn a lot and I really enjoy working with Jim.

 A few weeks ago we visited the vineyards, owned by Hattrup Farms.  This prime vineyard, known as Elephant Mountain, is located in the Rattlesnake Hills area of Yakima Valley AVA, and is managed by Denis Gayti.  Dennis is another guy I am really enjoying to work with.  He is of French heritage and recently returned from six years in Languedoc, France, where his aunt is mayor of a small town.  Dennis managed vineyards during these years.

So keep an eye out for more updates as the project progresses.