Vintage Job Hunting 2011

As the Summer months were coming to an end, it was time to put Cloof Wines to one side and head for another vintage. 

So I began, starting off with a plan, Work in California for the 2011 harvest!! After having such a successful time at Stonestreet winery back in 2010. I was desperate to go back out for the 2011 Harvest. So I hunted around for my contact book and pinged of a few emails to friends, asking if they knew of anyone who was looking for vintage cellar hands. After disappoint not much came around. I kept on looking and went to my favorite website WineJobs.com - An all time lifesaver! 

Alexander Valley

On winejobs.com, just join their mailing list and your all set! Getting emails everyday showing listings of various job positions, and apply yourself, so useful!  After many emails received and applied for, it was time to wait.  A couple of days later, I had two responding back asking for interviews. "Williams Selyem" producing great Pinot Noir and "Chalk Hill" wines producing stunning Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc wines.

After having successful interview’s, my first problem arose VISAS!!! what a nightmare!! So I went to CAEP, a non - profit organisation that helps graduates and students like me from all over the world, come to the US and help organise your internships and visas - J1 Visa. After many phone calls to the Oenology department - Lori Holmgren, My plan for California harvest 2011 was on the way out!  

Time for plan B - work in Europe!!  I went back to my contact book and found a few in France! Gavin Quinney from Château Bauduc - Bordeaux, in a small town called Creon, as well as Richard Case from Domaine De La Pertuisane - Roussillon region, in a small village called Maury in the South of France.

With these two contacts I had in mind, I sent them a quick email. Where else could I go,  Germany - always wanted to make a traditional German Riesling. So with my CV all prepared I went on an email spree. Sending my CV to every winery in Germany I could find on the web or I could think of, one in particular was the famous Dr Loosen. It was now time to play the waiting game..... 

Its been ages!!!

Since My last blog message I wrote to you all back in June, I've been Busy.

I've been working for a South African winery called Cloof Wines acting as there UK sales rep! running around the country going to fairs, meetings and attempting to sell wine to the big boys. Tesco, Sainsbury, Morrison and Majestics.

 Cloof wines as I mentioned, They are a South African winery In the Darling wine region area of South Africa. For some of you who are not familiar with South Africa's wine Region. Darling is one and half hours north of Cape Town situated very close to the west coast.

 Cloof wines is a large winery with 400 Hectares under vine. With 60% bush vines and 40% on Trellis system. As Darling is very close to the coast they produce some stunning white wines - Sauvignon and Chenin Blanc Wines, Thanks to the cool air from the Coast. Cloof Wines have 14 different brands with crazy and bizarre names, such as "The Very Sexy Shiraz", "The Posh pinotage" and "Daisy Darling." Plus plenty of more! Check out there website if you want to find out more about there wines or other information.

If you ever decide you want to purchase, any of my wines that I have been working at. Please don't hesitate to get in contact with me.

 I'll be back... I have plenty more to tell you about whats happened over the last 7 months.

See you soon.