April, 2008

We are excited about recent developments so can't wait to share. Our wine, what's left of it, keeps getting better in the bottle, grab the last of it at www.biallavineyards.com/store/.

So here is what's up. First we are bottling our '06 vintage on July 10th. This is the vintage where our winemaker said a Japanese guest almost fainted by tasting our wine from the barrel. I've tasted it numerous times and was blown away at the complexity, personality and evolution of the '06 and what our wine maker Craig MacLean is doing. This is the first vintage that has some of our newly planted fruit and a small amount of our Merlot added for softness. Since we make our wine for drinking and not storage it won't be long before we release the '06. My guess is 90 days or so after bottle shock, October but in time for Thanksgiving.

Next let's talk about ratings a moment. There are a couple powerhouse personalities that matter as far as ratings are concerned -- well three actually. Jim Laube from the Wine Spectator, Robert Parker and third, YOU of course which is what we think is what really matters.

What I've learned being in the business a little bit is that Laube doesn't like Parker-style wine so he gives them low ratings. Is this boys being competitive? Our '03 got an 88 same as Screaming Eagle (WS trashed the entire year remember?) and our '04 just got a 91 from WS which is below an anticipated Parker score according to my insiders who would know. Parker on the other hand loves the kind of wine we make but hasn't rated our wine. I think we need to wait in line and are patient.

In the meantime we are fortunate enough to have been introduced to Howard Kaplan, who is one of Robert Parker's close friends ever since the early years. You can access his company on www.erobertparker.com and simply go to Executive Wine Seminars. EWS does public tastings in New York which are usually done "blind" from pristinely stored bottles purchased at retail. They focus on the world's finest and most desirable wines. They do an incredible job at the most sophisticated level of appealing to true wine afficionados, a true experience. In Oct '08 at one of the key events in NY we will be included in a blind tasting up against roughly 15 or so of Robert Parker's handpicked Napa Cabs. Some of the company we will be in has included the likes of 2003 Araujo "Eisele" • 2002 Bryant Family • 2004 Caymus "Special Selection" • 2003 Colgin "Tychson Hill" • 2003 Harlan Estate • 2003 Paul Hobbs "Beckstoffer To-Kalon" (97) • 2005 El Alma de Jonata Cabernet Franc • 2004 L'Aventure Estate • 2004 Chateau Montelena • 2003 Quilceda Creek • 2004 Schrader • 2004 Screaming Eagle • 2002 Shafer "Hillside Select" • 2003 Sloan • 2003 Verite "La Joie"

For us it is a very very unique opportunity to be in a league of simply the world's greatest wines. For you, if you are near NY and are a serious about wine, get on Howard's list ASAP and attend his seminars.

Now you may not know it, but in the first week of May Direct TV is featuring a new segment. Several months ago we received a letter from Brix House Wine. I was extremely impressed how much research they had done on us, our wine and our reputation. This California business model was formed by a group of serial business entrepreneurs with a passion for wine and fine living. They plan, in partnership with Direct TV, to sell wine in over 2 million homes each week! Their motto is "The Perfect Blend of Wine and Services."

Because they seek out the most unique, boutique wines from around the world, they invited us to be part of their new venture. These wines are carefully bought and selected by their wine experts and trained sommeliers. Brix's online wine store provides a meeting, learning and buying point for wine connoisseurs and novices alike. Starting in May 2008, Brix House Wine will bring these wines to your living room via broadcast television. Linda and I are proud to be part of this new approach to marketing and it should be lots of fun to watch as it evolves. Look for Bialla's 2005 Napa Cabernet to be featured.

In case you want the real Napa experience in person, then of course visit the downtown Napa scene on the Waterfront which is going through a complete transformation. Our favorite, very favorite place in the world for a Wine Bar smack in the middle of it all offering authentic atmosphere of course is the Bounty Hunter. I think it's possibly the best wine bar in America and the staff and help are simply the best too. After you visit there you easily walk to Angele's for lunch or dinner. Napa Waterfront is going to be red hot this year as a place to visit so don't miss it, with new shops, new waterfront condos and docking for boats.

The last item is of course the Tiburon Wine Festival on May 17th which is a must attend if you are remotely near Marin and enjoy the coolest wine tasting ever open to the public. Tickets sell out fast at tiburonwinefestival.homestead.com/ and you can eat dinner at Three Degrees and even spend the night there for safety www.threedegreesrestaurant.com/tiburon/

We have a few bottles of our 05 left so shop now www.biallavineyards.com/store/ ...or regret later.

We thank you for sharing our passion.
Vito & Linda Bialla