The Grapevine

Winter 2021

Inside this Issue:

From the Host

An Optimistic Outlook

Dear Wine Society Members:

I have an optimistic outlook and while 2020 was clearly not what any of us could have imagined I find solace in the fact that I have grown personally and professionally in the last year. While we were all given countless unprecedented circumstances, there has been so much innovation within our industry that I see an even brighter future ahead.

I am looking forward to the first virtual CMAA World Conference and Club Business Expo in March and while it will certainly be unfortunate that we cannot be together to network and share a glass of wine, I know there will be plenty of opportunities to be connected and continue as many of the incredible Wine Society events traditionally held during Conference as possible.

Sarah Kuhl, CCM, has set up the Business Meeting education with Peter Mondavi, Jr. that will feature a not-to-be missed educational wine tasting for any WS member. The Business Meeting and education session is one of the many annual events held at conference that normally draws a waiting list, but as we are virtual this year, all WS members attending conference will have the ability to attend. Also, The Wine Society will provide the wine for the first 100 Wine Society member clubs that RSVP for the session. I would encourage all to participate and consider using the platform as a training opportunity for your staff members as well. This is sure to be an excellent opportunity to spend time with one of Napa Valley’s first families and an even better opportunity to share the benefits of your WS membership with your teams!

Matthew Kurtas, CCM, Certified Sommelier, has the Wine Auction collections underway and as we have been using an online bidding platform already for the past several years, you will be able to bid high and bid often from wherever you choose! We hope you will consider donating to this year’s auction—please reach out to your Wine Society Chapter Rep for more information on donating guidelines or check out the announcement in the Wine Society group on CMAA Connect.

While the highlight event of the Wine Society at Conference each year is the Annual Wine Dinner it is sad to report that we will not be able to host one this year. However, the Board has been looking into alternative ways of offer regional Wine Society Wine Dinners later in 2021. Hopefully in time we will be able to incorporate these dinners.

I would like to thank the Wine Society for allowing me to serve as your Host, pass on my appreciation to the Board of Managers for all their dedication as well as the National staff for all that they do for our great association. Last but not least, I wish incoming Host Karl Habib, CCM, all the success in the coming year.

Colin H. Mack-Allen, CCM, CCE
2020 Host

Society Happenings

Previewing the At-Conference Events

Despite not meeting in person this year for the CMAA World Conference and Club Business Expo, we still have a handful of education and networking opportunities for our Wine Society members! And let us not forget the Annual Wine Society Auction—this will still occur during the week of Conference via the online bidding platform that we have been using for the past several years. The focus of this year’s auction will be on quality not quantity—we are asking that bottles have at least a $50 wholesale value and will limit the number of lots to 10 per chapter, with 3 bottles per lot. If you are able to donate, please contact your Wine Society Chapter Rep or Chapter Managing Director to coordinate your donations.

This year’s Wine Society Business Meeting will feature Peter Mondavi, Jr., Co-Proprietor of Charles Krug Winery. In addition to his family’s and his winery’s storied history, Peter will be covering highlights, as they pertain to the Mondavi family of wineries and the Napa Valley, of the most turbulent year in his lifetime. 2020 was a year of two struggles: COVID and Fires. And of course, Peter will be hosting a wonderful tasting of three of their signature wines to toast to a successful 2021. The following wines will be featured: Charles Krug Sauvignon Blanc 2019/20, Charles Krug Merlot 2016/17, Charles Krug Generations 2016/17. The Wine Society will provide and ship the wines to the first 100 Wine Society member clubs that RSVP, so please be sure to submit yours online via the RSVP form.

Another session that may pique the interest of our Wine Society members is “Wine List Fundamentals” presented by Larry O’Brien. Regardless of the endeavor, knowledge and practical application of the fundamentals determines success. During a period of extreme changes and challenges, this paradigm is more relevant than it has been in decades. Wine program operations contribute greatly to the success of any food and beverage program. Candidly, the composition of the wine list, while important, is a minor factor in a much larger equation. We will review the fundamental facets of a successful wine program, i.e., a program that acts as a tool of engagement with members, operates on a set of thoughtful, time-tested principles, and delivers optimal profit. This session is open to all CMAA members, but Wine Society members are recommended to attend!

Larry has 30 years of experience in the restaurant and wine businesses. His wine career hardly seems likely as it began as a Teamster casual worker for a beer and wine wholesaler in Youngstown, Ohio. While the beginnings were humble, Larry earned opportunities at Bern’s Steak House in Tampa, FL, Emeril’s in New Orleans and Orlando, FL and Station Casinos and Resorts in Las Vegas, NV.

In 2010, Larry joined Jackson Family Wines and in 2012 he became the National Ambassador for Kendall-Jackson, a career-defining role. He travels extensively and works closely with Jackson Family’s distributor partners to deliver sales results for both retail and restaurant accounts.

Larry represented the United States in the prestigious international sommelier competition Meilleur Sommelier du Monde Concours Mondial in 2000 after winning the title of Best Sommelier in America earlier that same year. In 2001, he became one of approximately 190 Master Sommeliers in the world and the first Master Sommelier in Florida. He has sat on the Board of Directors of the Court of Master Sommeliers. He has served as a judge for the Confrerie de la Chaine des Rotisseurs’ Jeuene Sommelier Competition at the national and regional levels. He has participated as a wine judge, with other internationally recognized experts, at the Starwine International Wine Competition and the TEXSOM International Wine Awards, formerly the Dallas Morning News Wine Competition.

Larry O’Brien, Jackson Family Wines

Amber Mihnas, Staglin Familiy Vineyard

There will also be two networking breaks that will feature Amber Mihna, Trade Sales Director at Staglin Family Vineyard, while she leads enlightening discussions on Building a Diverse Wine List and Wine Dinner Ideas. We hope you tune in to these quick, but not short on content, discussions!

Monday, March 8, 12:00 - 12:30 p.m.: Building a Diverse Wine List
Tuesday, March 9, 12:00 - 12:30 p.m.: Wine Dinner Ideas

Welcome Our Newest Members!

This quarter the Wine Society welcomed seventeen new members:

Mrs. Heather Korte, Ozaukee Country Club
Mr. Andrew Lippka, Golden Valley Country Club
Mr. Kemorr S. Condappa, The Landings Yacht, Golf & TC, Inc.
Ms. Mary Schaffer, Round Hill Club
Ms. Christine Wengler, The Landings Yacht, Golf & TC, Inc.
Mr. Corey Heyer, Canoe Brook Country Club
Ms. Melissa Paule, Maketewah Country Club
Ms. Diana Poblete, Glen Ridge Country Club
Mr. Eric M. Fogg, Chartwell G & Country Club
Mr. Stephen Hurd, Plainfield Country Club
Mr. Matthew VanDine, Brae Burn Country Club
Mr. David Sumpter, Country Club of Little Rock
Mr. Said B. Kawkaba, CCM, The Country Club of Little Rock
Mr. Matthew P. Gaudet, The Forest Country Club
Ms. Samantha J. Lucas, Beach Point Club
Mr. Michael Lee McKagen, Brae Burn Country Club
Ms. Danielle Humphreys, Brae Burn Country Club

Do you know someone who might be interested in joining the CMAA Wine Society, but they’re not a CMAA member? They’re in luck with the Wine Society’s Associate Membership!

Associate Membership in the Wine Society shall be open to individuals who are 21 years of age or older and are not members of CMAA. These individuals must be from a club that has a CMAA and Wine Society member to sponsor them. The membership is nontransferable and nonrefundable if the individual leaves employment at the club and moves to a property that is without a CMAA and Wine Society member. They shall be admitted to membership following the receipt of a completed application, a sponsor endorsement, and payment of dues.

Upcoming Deadlines and Events

View the calendar

Take Five with Hourglass Winery

How One Winery Is Coping With the Napa Fire

Jeff Smith of Hourglass Winery has deep roots in the region. Facing the devastation of the Glass Fire to his property and community, he sounds a remarkable note of resilience.

Wine Industry Trends, News, & Stats

How the Wine Industry Overlooks Millennials

Marketed around tasting notes and points, instead of any sense of fun, wine is still perceived as intimidating. Grape varieties, regions, and industry terms can be hard to grasp. To make it more approachable, we should meet the new wine drinkers, millennials and Generation Z, where they are: on such platforms as TikTok and Snapchat, and apps such as Vivino.