Dear Friends, It has been a crazy hectic couple of months and it has only gotten worse as we enter the busiest time of the year for bulk wine. About now most wineries are finalizing their '06 red blends and '07 white blends and the big corporate conglomerates are coming to the end of their fiscal years and are in serious write down mode. We are actively buying wine right now and have approximately 30 different Lots in various stages of production. Add to that a variety of structural changes (changing warehouses, accounting systems, adding personnel, revamping the website) and yours truly is seriously discombobulated these days. Nevertheless, the world marches on and so too must CHWine! Enough complaining and onto the good stuff – new releases, yeah! This week we have two big reds (and two more to come next week). To be honest, the large over-productions of 2005 are fairly worked through right now and anything left is crap (though we did get a look at some $100/bottle 2005 cabernet the other week that was magnificent but the guy ended up with an investor helping him out – bummer for us but more importantly, good for him). We are still buying wines but the mix is much more focused on small Lots of really high-end stuff that should come out this Fall (reds and whites from Mt. Veeder, Spring Mtn, Atlas Peak, Chalk Hill, Oak Knoll, Alexander Valley, Russian River Valley appellations etc.).  Today’s releases represent some of the last of the 2005’s and the reason for this is simply extended barrel times. Like our upcoming Lots they are small productions with only a pallet to a couple hundred cases of each allocated for the website.  Before I get to the wines please note that it’s starting to get hot out there. Feel free to take advantage of our BUY and HOLD temperature controlled summer storage program. Here’s how it works: Buy wine from our store as you would normally. Purchase one “Buy and Hold” for $5 in our storefront each time you order wine you want held (one “buy and hold” is enough to cover your entire order OF ANY SIZE. Choose either October 6 or November 3 to ship the wine. Very simple, eh? PLEASE NOTE: Once you choose BUY and HOLD your shipment will not be shipped until the date you choose – no exceptions, sorry. Now, onto the wines… Lot 63 2005 Lake County Syrah and Lot 64 2005 Red Blend (Napa Valley/Lake County blend of  Tempranillo, Carignane, Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Verdot ) are from the same guy who made Lot 1 Lodi Syrah. As you will recall he sold me those wines as he transitioned his sourcing up to the North Coast where he owns vineyards in Lake County and Napa. These wines are from those vineyards and are made in the same explosive style as Lot 1. The wines have 10 months in the bottle and are ready to drink now.  Check out Lot 63 and Lot 64 in our online store for tasting notes and the complete low-down on each wine. For those of you wondering about Costco distribution here’s what I know: Lot 63 will only be in NorCal Costco’s as there are only 7 pallets to go around. I believe Lot 64 is scheduled to go to Texas Costco’s but that could change. And to all those dads and granddads (and especially my Dad), Happy Father’s Day! Happy hunting!! Cameron

Now available in our online store: Lot 66 Pinot Grigio Awesome summer wine in any heat.  Bright, crisp, clean, and most importantly, refreshing. Buy now! Lot 68 Chardonnay Aussie Chard perfect for BBQ.  A clean, bright, fresh wine with just a hint of oak. Buy now!