Before Retirement, Vance Petrunoff Was Selling Bulgarian Wines from Sonoma, CA

David Park 's "Head" gouache on paper, 1960 14.5 x 11.5 inches. From the book "David Park, Painter: Nothing Held Back" by Helen Park Bigelow.

The newly build winery is located in Dragomir village, situated 32 km Northwest from Plovdiv and 100 km from Sofia. Dragomir is situated in South Central region, in the foot of Sredna gora, next to the dam Pyasuchnik, Starosel, Koprivshtitsa, Panagyurishte, Krasnovski bani, Hisar. The altitude of the village is 300-499 m, the hill region together with the suitable soil and climate conditions are the perfect prerequisite for growing high quality vines.

This winery is our jewel, our enormous passion turned into modern working winery of highest level. Its wines are not only the pride of their makers but we dare say that they are the new face of the Bulgarian winemaking. The person who creates these wines and guides the team of young oenologists of Castra Rubra Winery is Michel Rolland, the most significant representative of the contemporary wine world. Michel Rolland is not only the exclusive consultant of the winery but he is also the guru of all modern-thinking winemakers. It is our honor to have him as a member of our team and we believe that this is a privilege for the Bulgarian wine as a whole. Three young and talented oenologists work constantly at Castra Rubra Winery. These are Plamena Kostova, Todor Katzarov and Anton Dimitrov. Enthusiastic and ambitious, they are the new hope of the Bulgarian wine. We should also mention with gratitude the name of the manager Tzvetan Georgiev who takes care of everything in Castra Rubra and it...

My wine brand VINI (veni, vidi, vici) will now be available in Alaska after being started in Hawaii. Salut!

San Francisco Slavonic Society - founded in 1857. Today they hosted the concert for Dessy Dobreva. Keep up the good work and our cultural traditions.

enjoying Beaujolais Nouveau with persimmon, missed it at the Sonoma Wine Shack on Wednesday, thank you Whole Foods for having it today. A Votre Sante!

Anderson Pleads Guilty to Arson in Wines Central Blaze $100 Million in Premium Wines Destroyed in Attempt to Elude Debtors By Bradley Gray – Special Report to Grapelive Four years and one month later, Mark Anderson of Sausalito pleads guilty to setting the fire at Wines Central, a 240,000 square foot wine storage facility that housed the cellar inventory for about 100 Napa Valley premium wineries. Anderson’s fire destroyed an estimated $100 million dollars worth of wine. Why did he do it? Apparently to cover up for embezzling his clients out of wine he was storing for them and erase $290,000 he owed in taxes. http://www.grapelive.com/?p=832

Magura Winery was founded 40 years ago in the village of Rabisha. It is located in one of the most mystical and beautiful places in Bulgaria — between the Danube River and the red sand rocks of the town of Belogradchik and the natural phenomenon of Magura cave. The winery has the most modern equipment for wine producing in accordance with all European standards. A part of Magura Cave — The Bat Gallery has been a place for ageing of selected wines for tens of years. With its soil and climate conditions the region around The Rabisha mound is similar to the French region of Champaign so the best Bulgarian natural sparkling wine is produced here according to the classic technology. The wine is preserved and slowly aged in the deep undergrounds of the cave. The constant temperature of 12°С and the appropriate humidity in the cave provide excellent conditions for the natural production of sparkling wines. The traditional method with bottles and the controlled three–year aging turn the grape ...

I loved that day - 20 years from the fall of the Berlin wall

US embassy wine-tasting On November 5 a wine-tasting evening was held at the US embassy in Kozyak Street during which visitors were able to sample and buy some of the Balkan’s most prestigious wines presented by vintners.

Russia threat to nationalise wine is 'political' November 13, 2009 Jane Anson in Rioja The Russian government is threatening to renationalise the wine industry, putting a million jobs at risk, a leading wine distributor said today. Dimitri Pinski, of DP Trade in Russia, told delegates at the Winefuture conference in Rioja that he considered the situation had more to do with political expediency than a desire to control alcohol abuse. 'I don't need to polish the truth, it is all very alarming,' he said, adding he believed the timing of the crackdown was 'artificial and suspicious.' Since August 2009, levels of alcoholism in Russia have been under the spotlight, with Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's deputy, Igor Sechin, championing tighter controls over the drinks industry, and ultimately the reintroduction of a state monopoly. A government committee was created on 29 October to look into regulation of the alcohol markets. Its results will be announ...

Our goal was to reveal to the greatest extent the terroir, or how the combination between superior land, climate and fully dedicated team can be a guarantee for a great wine. We create the Katarzyna Estate wines for those to whom a real experience means to discover new and unique flavors.

Today I was out and about running some errands. At some point, I was struck by the thought that today would be the perfect day to sit outside and enjoy a glass of wine. The sun is out with only a few clouds in the sky, it’s not too hot and the city seems to be turning green. If that doesn’t warrant a glass of wine, I don’t know what does. The thing is when I got home after my errands instead of having a glass of wine I started reading up on Bulgarian grape varietals, growing regions and wineries. In fact I’ve just spent the last two-plus hours reading about wine. Obsessive? Maybe. Interesting? Oh, yes. http://karolinkabulgaria.wordpress.com/2009/04/16/bulgarian-wine/#comment-1393

Prognoses about the economic health of wine companies must focus on the potential and opportunties for export. This is because in nearly all wine producing countries, with the notable exceptions of the USA and Australia, per capita wine consumption is decreasing. Most producers will start to commercialise their 2009 harvest in 2010, even if not sending out the actual bottles of wine, apart from Prosecco which is always precociously sold the year of its harvest. The quality in Europe looks promising. Harvests for 2009 push France once again into the top spot as the world’s top producer with 48,1miohl (an improvement of 12% over 2008 which was particularly low yielding). According to recent estimates Italian wine production is estimated at 46,5miohl for 2009 harvest. Spain will likely be in 3rd place, with a volume around 39,9miohl. Climate change may bring some positive ffects for producers in the short term and certainly the Champenois, for example, are sangine on the issue of globa...

After a brutal year for the wine industry, California's 2009 harvest is shaping up to be a glorious success. Much of the Pinot Noir and white grapes are already off the vine, and even those winemakers who have been waiting for grapes like Cabernet are finding pleasure in the fruit. "It's delicious," says Cathy Corison of Corison Winery in St. Helena. The story she tells is similar to other winemakers'. A relatively cool, dry spring and summer provided the cold nights needed to maintain grapes' essential acidity - the only exception being heat waves in late August and early September, which actually allowed some growers to play catch-up. "We were thinking we were about 10 days behind most of the year, and that pretty much moved us up," says Nicholas Miller, whose family runs Bien Nacido Vineyard in the Santa Maria Valley. Otherwise? "An ideal growing season." Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/10/04/FD5L19UO75...

2007 Bessa Valley Winery Bv Enira Mature 2006 Bessa Valley Winery Enira Mature 2006 ...

Benito's Wine Review Bulgaria might not be the first country you think of when it comes to wine. In fact, ask most Americans to locate Bulgaria on a blank map and they'll gesture generally at an area that starts at Germany and ends at the Pacific Ocean. This little nation sits at the crossroads of history, bordered by the Black Sea, Turkey, Greece, Serbia, Romania, and Macedonia. It has witnessed every army, religion, and culture that has passed in any direction between Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. And it's one of the oldest wine regions in the world. Benito's Wine Review

September 8, 2009 Rebecca Gibb Wine and spirit giant Pernod Ricard has posted a 12.5% rise in profits but warned the drinks industry has a tough year ahead. The French-owned company has predicted 'an overall stagnation of the wines and spirits industry' in the next 12 months, echoing the forecast made by rival Diageo just 10 days ago. While the company posted a profit thanks to its vodka brand Absolut, its major wine brands all suffered as retailers and distributors reduced stock levels in response to the economic downturn. Its premium Champagne brand Perrier Jouët was worst affected, posting a 13% fall in volumes while its more affordable Champagne brand G H Mumm registered slight volume growth in all markets except the Americas. New Zealand brand Montana was also hit by a 13% fall in shipments with severe 'destocking' blamed for a massive 25% decline to the US. Its major Australian brand Jacob's Creek remained more stable with volumes down just 2% worldwide. The f...

You can listen to recent Radio interviews with Vance Petrunoff bellow: Mouthful, the Wine Country's Most Delicious Hour with Michele Anna Jordan KRCB Radio Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, CA Bulgarian wines discussed with Gene Burns' weekly Dining Around program KGO Radio ABC San Francisco

Bulgarian Wines Offer Quality, Value and History to Changing Wine Market (Sonoma, Calif.) VINI, the leading Bulgarian wine brand sold in America has released an outstanding Sauvignon Blanc to its portfolio of premium wines. The astounding popularity of the VINI brand represents the continuing trend toward superb value-priced wines from Bulgaria. VINI is produced by Sonoma-based Bulgarian Master Vintners, America’s leading importer of Bulgarian wines. VINI’s Sauvignon Blanc is produced and bottled in Bulgaria from the best vineyards in the historic Thracian Valley. The Thracian Valley has a rich history as a premium wine producing region dating back to 1,000 B.C. In fact, some of the oldest grape seeds and wine goblets known to man were recovered from Thracian tombs in this region. The warm climate of the Thracian Valley is ideally suited to Sauvignon Blanc, a varietal that is emerging as one of Bulgaria’s most respected wines. VINI produces Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvign...

-WINE ENTHUSIAST Dear Vance, Congratulations! The following wine has been selected as one of Wine Enthusiast Magazine Top 100 Best Buy Wines for 2009! Wine Enthusiast Magazine will publish the rank, rating and review in the November issue, (on-sale October 7) and we will also publish the results on November 1st on-line at www.winemag.com Rank:82 Score:87 VINI 2006, Merlot Thracian Valley, Bulgaria $8, Bulgarian Master Vintners Thank you for your consideration and Congratulations on making this year’s Top 100 Best Buy List! Cheers! Denise Valenza

Chardonnay is vinified many ways, including without oak, which seems to be a growing trend. Without the influence of new oak, the fruit takes center stage. A good unoaked Chardonnay has expressive fruit and zippy acidity - traits of a good food wine. The most classic example is Chardonnay from Chablis in northern Burgundy in France, which is traditionally fermented in all stainless steel or in combination with used or neutral oak. Not fermenting or aging in oak means none of the butter, vanilla and toast character that many people associate with California Chardonnay. Even so, winemakers still use other techniques such as time on the lees, which adds a creamy texture, and malolactic fermentation, which softens the wine's acidity. Judicious use of oak can add much to a wine, but if you want one without, look for terms on the label like "unwooded," "inox" or "acero," which is Spanish for steel. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/08/16/...

Sofia reborn as a cultural crossroads - The Boston Globe Posted using ShareThis

Program Day 1: Flight London, Manchester or Dublin – Sofia Arrival at Sofia airport, where a representative of Profi Tours will wait for you and will accommodate you in a hotel. Sofia sightseeing tour. Dinner and overnight in a hotel in Sofia. Day 2 - Bessa Valley: Sofia – Pazardhzik (at about 100 кm.) Wine tasting in “Besa Vali” wine-cellar. Afternoon travel to Starosel (at about 60 кm.). Wine tasting and lunch in Starosel. Sightseeing of the ancient Thracian temple. Dinner and overnight in Starosel. Day 3 - Villa Vinifera: Travelling to the village of Brestovitsa (at about 60 кm). Wine tasting and lunch in “Vila Vinefera” . Travelling to Plovdiv. ( at about 25 km) Dinner and overnight in Plovdiv. Day 4: Travelling from Plovdiv to Asenovgrad (at about 25 km) Sightseeing of the wine factory and wine tasting. Sightseeing of the Bachkovo monastery and the Asenova fortress. Dinner and overnight in Plovdiv. Day 5: Sightseeing of Plovdiv, the old city and visit to the Ethnographic museum. L...

VINI 2008 Sauvignon Blanc from Thracian Valley is now available in the US, cheers!

August 3, 2009 Rebecca Gibb The European Union's new wine regulations have come into force, ushering in a new era for the European wine industry. The hotly-debated plans - agreed by agriculture ministers in December 2007 - aim to modernize the European wine trade and improve its competitiveness in the face of a growing challenge from the New World. The reform will also bring in new simpler labeling laws. From August 1, all wine labels are now allowed to mention grape variety and vintage on the label. The French AOC becomes AOP (Appellation d'Origin Protegée) and the equivalent of vin de pays wines will now be known as IGPs (Indication Geographique Protegée). Mariann Fischer Boel, European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, said: 'Member States and producers have a great opportunity to make the best use of the new wine regime to build on Europe's international reputation for excellence. I truly believe this marks a turning point in our wine sector's ...

We have to share the good moments in life, so today's gift was that my daughter Anika, my son Troy and I had the luck to stumble on a very fine young jazz vocalist and composer Kathleen Grace and her band. http://www.myspace.com/kathleengrace

It was so much fun last night at Valley Wine Shack and the Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscat and Traminer from Targovishte were so well accepted by a very knowledgeable audience. I served the reds first (I love doing things the opposite way) VINI Merlot 2006 and Domaine Boyar Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 Reserve, and it worked great since the medium bodied reds were judged before the floral and aromatic Muscat and Traminer. Will do it again and the Valley Wine Shack deserves all the kudos.

July 21, 2009 Oliver Styles A new film that ridicules the world of wine is set to be shown in San Francisco next month after receiving positive reviews from previous screenings. The film, called 'Corked!', is a low-budget spoof documentary, or 'mockumentary', which follows the travails of four different wineries and the people associated with them. Characters in the film include Jerry, the independent winemaker ('eventually, I'll be the hospitality host – if I ever get a tasting room'), the marketing boss ('I certainly don't have to drink wine to sell wine'), Donald, the PR director of a large winery ('this is our provincial Italian courtyard - many people feel it evokes Tuscany...I like to think of it as a French chateau') and Dane, a vineyard manager with a 120dB bird scarer. Locations for the film include Simi winery, Bella vineyard, and the Michel-Schlumberger estate. The film was premiered at the Cannes film festival in France in May...

Host: Location: Sonoma Valley Wine Shack 535 Napa Rd. Sonoma, CA 95476 US When: Wednesday, July 22, 6:00PM Phone: 707-322-003 Vance will pour Dry Muscat, Traminer and Riesling from Black Sea Coastal Region and some Summer Reds from Thracian Valley. This will be the first time a wine country retailer is presenting Bulgarian wines. Please join us for some exotic wine and fun.

July 16, 2009 Sophie Kevany in Lima, Peru The discovery of liquid cocaine in bottles of Bodegas Kohlberg wine has shocked the owners of the 40-year-old winery in northern Bolivia. The narcotic was found during a drugs inspection by customs officers in Bulgaria, at the port of Varna-West. Wines from Vinos Kohlberg are normally exported from Bolivia via the Chilean port of Arica. No Kohlberg wine is currently exported to Chile. 'We export about 10% of our production to the Czech Republic and China, via Chile, but those shipments have not even left yet,' said Herbert Kohlberg, marketing manager at the winery. The Kohlbergs condemned the adulteration of their wines. 'This illegal action is absolutely not what we stand for,' said Lisette Kohlberg. Of the 1020 bottles of Kohlberg wine – 765 litres - discovered by Bulgarian authorities, news agencies reported 714 litres was liquid cocaine. The rest – 68 bottles – was reported to be real wine. The Kohlberg winery is...

NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- The top-performing letter that predicted the Crash of 2008 now predicts a confiscatory Franklin D। Roosevelt-style "bank holiday." But it's surprisingly sanguine about stocks -- in the (very) short term. In its current issue, HSL reports rumors that "Some U.S. embassies worldwide are being advised to purchase massive amounts of local currencies; enough to last them a year. Some embassies are being sent enormous amounts of U.S. cash to purchase currencies from those governments, quietly. But not pound sterling. Inside the State Dept., there is a sense of sadness and foreboding that 'something' is about to happen ... within 180 days, but could be 120-150 days." Yes, yes, it's paranoid. But paranoids have enemies -- and the Crash of 2008 really did happen. HSL's suspicion: "Another FDR-style 'bank holiday' of indefinite length, perhaps soon, to let the insiders sort out the bank ...

VERY INTERESTING INTRODUCTION. June 2009 My long-lasting vision is to establish the ultimate Bulgarian wines in one of the finest wine regions in the world, capable of producing Grand Cru quality wines. I strongly believe in organic and biodynamic farming, and we are the first producer in Bulgaria to apply those methods from the very first day we planted our vines. Our project is a challenge and a dream at the same time. The challenge is to be able to produce wines of the highest quality in a specific area of Bulgaria: South Sakar, which, we believe, has great potential and a unique terroir. Our dream is to see a Bulgarian wine on a par with wines from the best sites in the world. Our first harvest in 2008 produced a small portfolio of wines. We produced 150 cases of Rosé and 150 cases of Syrah. The recent trend of hot summers continued in 2008. In July and August we had sixty-three days of extremely hot weather with no rain. We reduced the yield per vine and picked earlier in o...

June 25, 2009 Sophie Kevany A US-based conservation organisation has called for a Boycott of South African wine, following the shooting of over 40 beached whales near Cape Town. Paul Watson, head of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and Captain of its eponymous 'eco-warrior' ship, has posted a demand on the Society's website exhorting the global public not to buy wine from South Africa. He further demands that winemakers step in and force the departure of Mike Meyer, director of South Africa's Marine Coastal Management (MCM), who reportedly authorised the shooting. South African wine producers have expressed outrage at the ban and questioned what it has to do with the shooting. 'I suppose it shows we are one of the most visible South African exports,' said winemaker Ross Sleet of Kleine Zalze winery in Stellenbosch. 'Touch wood it hasn't hurt sales; conservation is a priority for us.' He added it was a warning to the industry that it could be at ...

and next to it, in Mill Valley again

cool cafe in Mill Valley

Miro Cellars (Miro Tcholakov) 2006 Petite Sirah won Gold and Best of Class at the California State Fair 2009 Commercial Wine Competition (and no, Miro was not a judge in this category :) За тези които не знаят, Миро Чолаков от Троян е в листата на 20 най-добри винари в Калифорния

World refugee day