It's a well-known fact that summer vacation is serious business in France. During the month of August, some segments of French commerce close down while proprietors and employees enjoy a four- to five-week respite from the workaday routine. Those of us in the U.S. wine industry who source bottling supplies (capsules and glass, for example) from French vendors are keenly aware of the need to get it done before August, or postpone it until September.



For years we have admired the French model, and this year we decided to emulate it — sort of. With the vineyards in a dynamic growth phase, a major bottling scheduled for the month of September, and harvest and crush following close on its heels, we are in no position to hang out a "Gone Fishing" sign. But we have closed the tasting room temporarily, until September 21st, in order to do some facility maintenance and plot our course through the fourth quarter of 2009.

In the meantime, we have been very fortunate, thanks to a wonderful partnership we established in the fall of 2008, to be able to refer would-be winery visitors to Ma(i)sonry in Yountville, which is serving as our off-site tasting room. In addition, we have enjoyed the stalwart support of local restaurants and wine shops that have kept Brown Estate in stock consistently. And finally, as always, we have our customers (the best on the planet) to thank for keeping your palates and perhaps even more importantly your hearts loyal to Brown Estate. Your fabulous enthusiasm for everything we do – from our winemaking program to our hospitality in the tasting room – is what keeps us on point, and we are grateful to have the opportunity, continually, to share with you the fruits of our labor.

Enjoy the rest of your summer, and come see us in the fall!