Wednesday, December 20, 2006

Busy schedule

Yesterday, I stopped by the office between 7:30 and 8:30 am… then at 9am I went to Château La Dominique to sign checks for a few payments and plan future investments. Our small businesses must also adapt to the evolution of our business environement American style (lawyers, accountants, etc…).

10 am meeting with the Association des Grands Crus Classés from Saint Emilion where, for lack of representing Valandraud (not yet classified), I was representing La Dominique. It was a good meeting, which is rare, with an strong will to take-up future challenges: INAO, Unions, trades, medias, …

12:15 pm lunch (Clos des Fées 2003 and Clos del Rey 2003) with a friend broker « from the place ». We talked about the evolution of relationships between wholesalers and wineries, the changes going to take place due to the age of some of the top leaders (around 65 years old… which doesn’t prevent me from thinking that I will try to work until 100 if God allows), and on the expectations of the 2006 campaign which look better than we thought, for the market in Bordeaux is healthy (inventory, cashflow of the wholesalers and good brands).

2:30 pm Tasting of samples from 2005 and 2006.

3 pm Office, work on the kosher cuvee and preparation of the trip to Singapore and Japan February 1 until 16.

4:30 pm Meeting with a supplier of air conditioning systems for the cellar and temperature regulation.

5 pm Meeting with the person who will most likely oversee the processes to make sure that we are in accordance top the ISO 9001 and 14001 standards.

6 pm Various telephone conversations including one with Christian Dalbavie who just returned from the USA.

7 pm Fortunately, Puzio (Château Croix de Labrie) picked me up to have a drink at l’Essentiel. ;-)

No time to get bored…

Today, meeting with the architect of the future Château Valandraud in Saint Etienne de Lisse, and at 11 am with the architect for the work in Bellevue de Tayac.

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