Making Wine

Are Stocks Enough, or Can Your Portfolio Do Better? – The Daily Progress

March 6, 2021 by ADSWineReporter

Are Stocks Enough, or Can Your Portfolio Do Better?

1 of 2

(David Butler)

The stock market is one of the greatest creators of wealth. That’s true, but it’s not the only game in town. Real estate, commodities, collectibles, things like cryptocurrencies, and even owning your own business are other modes of investment differentiated from stocks.

Historically, a lot of alternative assets carried more barriers to entry for the average investor. These days, the rise of specialized funds, trusts, and other avenues is making those investments more accessible.

Benefits of alternatives

If you make good picks, there really isn’t a better alternative to the stock market in terms of just creating gains. Zoom Video Communications brought shareholders returns of 300% in a year’s time. In a five-year period, Amazon shares have gained 1,500%. There are not a lot of alternative assets that can do that. And the housing market is thought to have returned around 3.7% annually from 1928 to 2013.

In comparison, the S&P 500 usually does around 10% to 12% per year. Over the long haul, common inflation hedges like gold also underperform.

So why not just put everything into individual stocks?

Image source: Getty Images.

Alternative assets like real estate, commodities, and collectibles perform to some degree independently from, or even in opposition to, the stock market. This helps you hedge risk against the potential downturns in stocks.

When you look at something like SPDR Gold Shares (NYSEMKT: GLD), an exchange-traded fund (ETF) that has actual gold reserves as assets, you’ll see that the commodity has the ability to drastically outperform the market in shorter time frames, especially in times of trouble. The ETF drastically outpaced the market going into the Great Recession, and continued to do so for several years.

Commodities operate on economic factors around supply and demand, with less speculation than is involved in buying stocks. Something like gold or silver is considered very low-risk, and creates stability for a portfolio.

If you look at the tough year of 2020, home values actually increased as low interest rates made mortgages more affordable. Real estate itself is probably one of the most commonly used forms of alternatives.

A large percentage of people own homes, giving them an asset of utility for their lives, and a form of equity to build over time. Perhaps one of the best benefits of this type of investment is that you actually get to use it.

Downsides of alternatives

Historically, alternative asset classes have been more difficult for the typical retail investor to invest in. How much gold can you buy? How many vintage cars can you store? If you invest in wine, are you going to dig a cellar in your yard to store and age it? How can you manage the time and financing for building out a real estate portfolio?

Okay, I’ll admit the car thing remains a problem. Other alternative assets, however, are becoming more and more accessible to the common investor.

One of the biggest issues with alternative investments is liquidity. In the aforementioned case of housing prices rising, what is great for owners in one way is detrimental in another. With housing at such highs, it naturally becomes harder to find buyers.

It’s a lot easier to sell $250,000 worth of General Motors stock than it is to sell a $250,000 house. The former can be done in a day. The latter can take months, if not longer.

Removing the cons from the equation

Through ETFs and mutual funds focused on alternatives, investors can now gain exposure to alternative assets all within the realm of their brokerage account. You don’t have to go buy real estate. You can invest in real estate investment trusts, or REITs, that offer investors the ability to gain returns from housing or commercial buildings. A popular option these days is Medical Properties Trust (NYSE: MPW), which invests in healthcare-related real estate.

The beauty of stuff like this? You’re not buying homes or commercial buildings. You’re not responsible for managing them, or covering the taxes and payments. You’re simply investing into a small cut of the entity that already is.

As pointed out earlier, you can invest in gold ETFs like SPDR Gold Shares, or silver through something like the iShares Silver Trust (NYSEMKT: SLV). Aimed at following the price fluctuations of silver, this ETF is up more than 50% over the course of a year, outpacing the S&P 500 by around 25%.

Technology and innovation are even starting to crack the mold on the very specialized alternative asset classes. Vinovest, an online platform acting as a sort of brokerage for wine investing, allows investors to gain access to a market that has strong historical returns.

The company handles the storage, insurance, and selling of your portfolio all for a 2.8% fee, making liquidation of assets much simpler. It also handles the investment process through a staff of portfolio advisors, sommeliers, and industry analysts.

Image source: Getty Images.

This is just one example of relatively undiscussed segments, but it packs some compelling returns. The Liv-ex 1000, an index of 1000 wines that is tracked by The London International Vintners Exchange, has returned just under 45% in five years, or 9% annually.

More selectively, the exchanges’ Burgundy 150 index, tracking wines from the Burgundy region of France, has returned 85% in that same five-year window. That’s fairly comparable to what the S&P 500 produced over the same period, making wine a compelling alternative play.

Vinovest co-founder Anthony Zhang was kind enough to discuss the industry with me, and noted the increasing interest from retail investors. Their business hit $25 million in assets under management in 2020 alone, and the company is now forecasting that figure to hit $100 million over the next 12 months, with the average portfolio being owned by nonprofessionals.

This is just one example of how alternatives are becoming more and more available to the typical buyer.

A balanced portfolio

At present, you can’t beat stocks. They’re simply the best all-around form of investments to create gains. There is an abundance of research and data available for thoughtful investors to base their decisions on, and the gains on individual equities can simply be life-changing. The catch is significant volatility and risk.

That is why investors need to look to diversify with some alternative assets as a piece of their overall strategy. Real estate is a valuable asset. They’re not making any more of it.

Metals like gold, silver, platinum, and cobalt are all needed for industrial purposes, making them increasingly useful for products. The ongoing development of car batteries is an example of where these types of commodities are getting used.

In terms of gaining access to this stuff, there has never been an easier time to do so. You can create a fairly strong holding of alternatives simply by investing in ETFs. One can of course still go the more traditional route, and buy buildings, homes, and jewelry, but there’s a lot more involved, and it drastically decreases the liquidity of your investment.

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John Mackey, CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. David Butler has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Amazon and Zoom Video Communications and recommends the following options: long January 2022 $1920 calls on Amazon and short January 2022 $1940 calls on Amazon. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Brunello di Montalcino trophy winner: Tenute Piccini 2015 – IWSC

March 6, 2021 by ADSWineReporter

Tenute Piccini is currently led by Mario Piccini, the fourth generation of the family

Brunello di Montalcino is one of the most revered red wines in Italy. Made with 100% Sangiovese, it was first produced in the mid-19th century, and bears the country’s highest classification: DOCG. One of its finest proponents is Tenute Piccini, which has been making wine in Tuscany since 1882, and is the recipient of an IWSC Trophy this year for its Brunello di Montalcino 2015.

Tenute Piccini is located in the heart of Chianti Classico, and also owns estates in other Italian regions: Basilicata and Sicily. The company has an altruistic side, too: in 2019, it saved Chianti Geografico, one of the oldest cooperatives in Tuscany, from bankruptcy – a move that brand ambassador Giacomo Panicacci said would “make sure that the new generations will keep working the vineyards rather than abandoning them or selling them”.

Piccini’s Brunello is aged for a minimum of five years before being released, during which time it develops haunting aromas of liquorice, cherry and spice. The wine scored 95/100pts and drew considerable praise from IWSC judges, who described it thus: “Flows from one sense to another, utterly seamless and natural. Giving refined red fruits, chestnut and truffle savoury aromas on the nose with velvet smooth tannins and refreshing bright acidity on the finish. Truly a remarkable wine.”

We spoke to owner Mario Piccini to find out more about this historic producer and its award-winning wines.

Tell us about the history and background of Tenute Piccini…

The history of Tenute Piccini covers three centuries. It’s a long family history that has shared moments of patience, tough work and goals achieved with sacrifice. Today, the company, led by Mario Piccini, the fourth generation of the family, boastpresence in more than 80 countries around the world. The Piccini Estates project is a journey through the different regions of Italy. Five estates, now all organically ruled, have entered the Piccini family; three of these arise in the most prestigious wine areas of Tuscany: Chianti Classico, Maremma and Montalcino. The picture is completed by the two volcanic estates: Torre Mora, set along the slopes of Etna, and Regio Cantina, located at the foot of the Vulture, in Basilicata.

How did you get into wine?

The love story that binds us to wine has lasted for five generations. We need to go back to 1882, when Angiolo, the forefather of this family, rolled up his sleeves and established a small enterprise, designed to forge the Tuscan and Italian wine culture.

What is your winemaking philosophy?

The winemaking philosophy that inspires the work in all five estates of the company is to create wines that reflect the territory of origin while respecting the expressiveness of the grapes. The vineyards of each estate give life to different wines but with a common thread of absolute quality. In each estate the purpose is different, but it follows the same philosophy: distinctive, high-quality wines, produced in suitable areas and accompanied by the leading experts in the field.

What is the best piece of advice you have been given and how did you use that in your winemaking?

The best advice to which we always try to remain faithful is imprinted in the words that Angiolo Piccini loved to remember: “Everything we do in the present is for both the past and for the future”. These 15 words sum up the entire history of the company. Our five generations that have followed one another have always held out their hands to each other, in the wake of tradition and constant attention to innovation.

Who or what has been your most important influence and why?

For this reason, our reference point will always be the family, the bond that unite us to the land since 1882. However, nothing would be possible without the passion that has been driving us for more than a century and that encourages us to continually challenge the future.

How can people best enjoy your wine?

The great complexity of Brunello Piccini makes this wine the perfect companion for game or matured cheeses.

Are Stocks Enough, or Can Your Portfolio Do Better? – Grand Island Independent

March 5, 2021 by ADSWineReporter

Are Stocks Enough, or Can Your Portfolio Do Better?

1 of 2

(David Butler)

Benefits of alternatives

In comparison, the S&P 500 usually does around 10% to 12% per year. Over the long haul, common inflation hedges like gold also underperform.

So why not just put everything into individual stocks?

Image source: Getty Images.

Downsides of alternatives

Okay, I’ll admit the car thing remains a problem. Other alternative assets, however, are becoming more and more accessible to the common investor.

It’s a lot easier to sell $250,000 worth of General Motors stock than it is to sell a $250,000 house. The former can be done in a day. The latter can take months, if not longer.

Removing the cons from the equation

Image source: Getty Images.

This is just one example of how alternatives are becoming more and more available to the typical buyer.

A balanced portfolio

That is why investors need to look to diversify with some alternative assets as a piece of their overall strategy. Real estate is a valuable asset. They’re not making any more of it.

10 stocks we like better than SPDR Gold Trust

When investing geniuses David and Tom Gardner have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market.*

*Stock Advisor returns as of February 24, 2021

Making the Case for New Zealand Reds (Mar 2021) – Vinous

March 5, 2021 by ADSWineReporter

Making the Case for New Zealand Reds

BY REBECCA GIBB MW | MARCH 02, 2021

Almost a century before Pinot Noir found its feet in Central Otago and Martinborough, a Croatian-born viticulturist toured New Zealand to assess the potential for making wine. In 1895, Romeo Bragato visited the country’s fledgling vineyards, tasting the fruit and delivering his thoughts on the suitability of the climate and soils. In his Report on the Prospects of Viticulture in New Zealand, he declared that Central Otago, the Wairarapa and Hawke’s Bay were well adapted to wine production. In a later publication Bragato suggested that the most suitable red grapes were Syrah, the two Cabernets, Dolcetto and Pinot Noir. However, the brakes were slammed on New Zealand’s development as a wine-producing nation. Bragato’s report coincided with the rise of a strong temperance movement, which led to a close-run vote on prohibition in 1919 and ushered in a slew of restrictive measures on wine sales, some of which endured for the best part of the century. Voters continued to be asked if they were in favor of staying wet or going dry at every general election until 1987. In that same year, the first commercial Pinot Noir was produced in Central Otago, as was the first inaugural Gimblett Gravels Syrah. It had taken 92 years but some of Bragato’s predictions had finally come true.

Te Muna Road is about four miles from Martinborough’s centre but activity is growing here with Craggy Range increasing its holdings and Australian winery Torbreck acquiring Escarpment.

Marlborough

However, Bragato didn’t stop in Marlborough. The region now represents 70% of the country’s total plantings, but in the 1890s, you didn’t need the fingers on one hand to count its wine producers. Given its present-day dominance, it is unsurprising that Marlborough accounts for half of all New Zealand’s Pinot Noir; although it might not be as renowned for the variety as Central Otago or Martinborough, that’s a holdover from its past. Vines were planted on the alluvial, free-draining valley floor, often with the Swiss clone 10–5 (ten bar five), resulting in wines with little depth and structure. There is still plenty of fresh, fruity and forgettable Pinot Noir produced on the valley floor for drinking young, but the opening up of the so-called Southern Valleys to viticulture in the early Noughties has significantly raised the bar in Marlborough.

Duncan Shouler, chief winemaker at Giesen, explained: “If you look at Marlborough Pinot Noir 15 or 20 years ago, it was probably the wrong clone in the wrong place. It was cropped high, had low anthocyanin development and your job as a winemaker was to extract every living grain you could out of every berry. Then we figured it out and started planting the right material in the right places, like the Southern Valleys, and started getting more structure. It’s fair to say, though, some have not adapted.”

The Southern Valleys are not one but five valleys: Ben Morvan, Brancott, Fairhall, Omaka and Waihopai. They spread like fingers from the palm that is the Wairau Valley floor and currently represent approximately one-quarter of the Marlborough vineyard area. On these dry, north-facing hillsides, the soils are richer clay-loess. There is a variety of UC Davis and Burgundy clones planted (typically 114, 115, 667, 777) as well as New Zealand’s Abel clone. Combined with the increasingly mature vines, Marlborough Pinot Noir is developing depth, structure and genuine complexity.

It’s not only the development of these sites that is starting to make Marlborough a place for Pinot lovers to watch. There is a group of producers in their thirties and forties who have mustered the courage (and the funds) to ditch their day jobs and go their own way, often focusing on small parcels, bottled as single-vineyard wines. This new generation is a collaborative, supportive and dynamic bunch with sights firmly set on elevating Marlborough from a fruity white wine production area to a region known for fine wines. Not only do they share knowledge, they even go as far as sharing winery space: the former Seresin winery, for example, is now a bijou contract facility named The Coterie. This collective winery project was the idea of ex-Wither Hills winemaker Ben Glover, who produces his own brand, Zephyr, here. He has been joined by Mike Paterson at Corofin among others; Seresin continues to use its former facilities too.

Turning to the 2019 season, the months leading up to harvest in Marlborough and the country’s east coast were very dry and warm, causing drought conditions. However, the growing season started inauspiciously. Cool, wet and cloudy weather affected Pinot Noir flowering and fruit set during the spring and early summer. Low sunshine hours and regular rainfall put the dampers on Christmas party season, too. As the new year hit, the rain clouds disappeared and stayed away, in contrast to the soggy, cyclone-hit 2018 harvest period. The water reserves in the soil soon dried out during the third warmest summer on record and drought conditions were declared in parts of the country. While New Zealand grape growers are able to irrigate their vines, that’s only possible if there is sufficient water available, and in the summer of 2019, there wasn’t enough. Will Hoare of organic producer Novum is no stranger to dry farming but noted that this season had its own particular challenges. “We are lucky because we can irrigate, but the wells started drying out so the irrigation systems were being shut off. If you have a little vine stress, you can make good wine, but when it’s really stressed you are in trouble. The challenge is, when you spray sulfur on the vines that’s not getting washed off for lack of rain, it can be a cause of stinky fermentations, so you have to be really careful.”

The very dry run-up to harvest meant that the low yields became even smaller, explained Mike Paterson of Corofin, a single-vineyard Chardonnay and Pinot Noir specialist. “The irrigation got turned off on all the vineyards we work with but [on the hillsides with their clay/loam moisture-retaining soils] they hold water well [compared with the free-draining alluvial valley floor]. We probably lost about 15% berry moisture weight in the last two weeks. The bunches fit in the palm of your hand, averaging around 70 to 80 grams, whereas normally they’d be around 100 to 120 grams. As a result, there’s the potential for overextraction, so we didn’t add any whole bunches. I think most people backed off [because of the small berries]. Last time we used clusters was 2016, when we had 150-gram bunches and we wanted more structure.” However, in 2019 not all wineries were successful in their handling of tannins; some produced Pinots that seem fruity and juicy on first impression but conclude dry and chewy.

Beyond tannins, the high skin-to-juice ratio also means that the depth of color in 2019 New Zealand Pinot Noir is incredible. One Marlborough producer joked that the fermenting wine looked more like Barossa Shiraz than New Zealand Pinot Noir, and it’s easy to see why. Dr. Damian Martin, a researcher with New Zealand Plant and Food Research, co-authored a paper on Marlborough Pinot Noir in 2019. The findings showed that wine color was two to three times more intense in 2019 compared with the 2018 vintage – which, in fairness, was a rather anemic year. Martin noted that the color was incredible even taking into account low yields and small berry size in 2019. “We don’t have a single explanation as to why, but most likely contributing factors are lower vine nitrogen supply and moderate vine water deficits mid-season, and greater diurnal variation during early ripening in 2019,” he said. There are a few very fine examples that aren’t so richly colored, but that’s typically a result of very limited extraction in the winery and short cuvaison.

Two thousand nineteen in Marlborough – and New Zealand – produced the most intensely colored, richly fruited wines that offer hedonistic drinking from the off. The best are dense and structured without heading into extracted territory. The wines are, in some instances, incredibly attractive and bold. I do wonder if the warmer season has meant some loss of the very fine Pinot detail that cooler seasons and longer ripening imbue.

Vineyards and mountains rise above the waters of Lake Dunstan, Central Otago.

Central Otago

Following an oddball season in 2018, Central Otago returned to form in 2019. The growing season brought record temperatures, summer rainfall, disease pressure and the earliest harvest on record, to name but a few challenges. While there are some highly recommended 2018 Pinot Noirs on the market from producers including Prophet’s Rock, Akitu and Burn Cottage, the vintage will go down as solid rather than awe-inspiring. However, if the region had been faced with this season even a decade ago, there would have been far fewer successful wines due to picking and winemaking decisions. Jen Parr, Valli’s Oregon-born winemaker, admitted: “The 2018s were a throwback to the ripeness of the early days but without the extraction we would have pushed back then.”

Indeed, the most recent expressions of Central Otago Pinot Noir are far removed from the start of the Noughties, when bigger, riper, oakier was thought to be better. This impressive, bold style put the region on the world wine map in the early 2000s. But things have changed since then: the pursuit of elegance and freshness rather than power is now the objective. Practically speaking, this can be achieved through picking a little earlier, fermenting at slightly lower temperatures, reducing the number of pump-overs or punch-downs, and pulling back on the percentage of new oak. Those decisions play a major role in the stylistic interpretation of this region’s Pinot Noir. The use of whole clusters in Pinot is now a trend across the whole country, adding layers of floral and herbal complexity as well as a sense of drive. While I enjoy the aromas and sensation it provides, there is a danger of developing a cellar-created uniformity whether you’re in Central Otago, Marlborough or Martinborough.

The 2019 Central Otago season was challenging for vineyard managers. In spring, early-budding sites suffered during the severe frost of October 12-13. At harvest, the mercury dipped below the freezing mark on three consecutive nights (April 6-8), which damaged many vines’ leaves, hard-stopping photosynthesis. Harvest arrived earlier than forecast due to warmer-than-expected conditions in March. Phil Handford of Grasshopper Rock explained: “In February, we started to calculate when we would likely be harvesting. Then March came along and it was warmer than February, which is highly unusual. It’s not something we have experienced in the 18 years that we’ve been here. We realized we were going to be about 10 days earlier than we had thought.” For those local producers who hadn’t already got on with picking, these three frosts gave them a firm shove in the back to get the crop into the winery.

Central Otago is home to the country’s most arid spot, Conroy’s Gully, which receives just 363mm of rain annually. The 2019 growing season will also be remembered as the wettest spring in more than a decade. And yet the vintage set a new record harvest for the region in terms of tonnage, despite frosts and spring rains. Gibbston Valley’s winemaker, Christopher Keys, reported that its crop was down by around 30% due to the frost on October 12-13. Blair Walter, the long-time Felton Road winemaker, noted that flowering was more protracted due to the rains and cooler spring weather. “We didn’t have large crops; they were naturally moderated rather than having to green-harvest. It caused us concern at the time, but it brought differing berry sizes and I think that has added complexity.”

The latest Pinot Noirs are beautifully ripe, yet vibrant; they have a sense of freshness and tension, lifted fragrance, and finer definition than the 2018s. While the standard of Pinot Noir is high and some of the country’s finest examples can be found in this mountainous landscape, there inevitably remains a range of quality levels and stylistic interpretations. A number of producers continue to make overtly ripe and oaky reds instead of letting the pure fruit sing. It’s easy to get dark-fruit-filled wines here, but those that triumph walk the tightrope of ripeness and tension, exuding a sense of ease.

Central Otago is back on fine form in 2019, offering up vivid Pinot Noirs.

Martinborough

A number of the region’s key names, including Ata Rangi, Dry River and Escarpment, will be releasing their 2019s much later this year; thus the region’s current releases are a mix of 2018 and 2019. The 2019s, however, show the depth of color and seduction found in the rest of the country’s Pinots in this vintage. Two thousand nineteen was Julian Grounds’ first vintage as chief winemaker at Craggy Range. The winery is the area’s biggest vineyard owner by a mile, possessing 120 hectares on Te Muna Road and purchasing the neighboring 132-hectare property in 2019. At last count, the entire Martinborough vineyard area covered less than 700 hectares, which demonstrates Craggy’s scale. While Grounds said they managed to avoid the worst of the frost, cold soils and a wet spring reduced their 2019 Pinot yields by around 40%. “I started at Craggy in January. When I arrived there was lots of growth and green grass because there had been lots of rain before Christmas,” he recalled. “Martinborough is also known for being really windy and it wasn’t a particularly windy season. Being an arrogant Aussie, I was like, what the bloody hell are you talking about? But then we copped it in 2020! That wind shapes and structures the wines but the lack of it in 2019 has made these wines succulent.” Indeed, there’s a lot of flesh and ripeness. In the lower-priced wines, it’s all generosity and juice, but at the higher end, the shape, savory character and structural frame that are a classic hallmark of Martinborough Pinot Noir becomes more apparent.

While I’m delighted to be moving on from 2018 Pinots in most instances, I can’t say the same about Martinborough. If there’s a New Zealand wine region that has managed to overcome the odds in the challenging 2018 season, it’s Martinborough. There are a handful of outstanding Pinot Noirs that offer the depth, complexity and intrigue for which Martinborough has become renowned. They might not have the flamboyance of the 2019s but they are charming and finely crafted.

The first vines weren’t planted on Gimblett Gravels until 1981 but this former riverbed is now home to some of the country’s most respected Bordeaux blends and Syrahs.

Hawke’s Bay 2018

While Pinot Noirs might be New Zealand’s most exported reds, the country’s North Island is better suited to varieties that thrive in a warmer climate. Sitting at the same latitude relative to the equator as Ibiza (39th parallel), but without the heady nightlife, Hawke’s Bay is the home of classic reds including Bordeaux blends and Syrahs. It’s also on the corresponding parallel to Sardinia, but its chances of success with Vermentino or Cannonau are pretty limited. Surrounded by the cooling South Pacific, and separated from Australia by the treacherous Tasman Sea, New Zealand’s isolated location and maritime climate mean its summers are cooler than the human-drawn latitude lines on the globe would otherwise suggest.

Taking a look at comparative climate data, Bordeaux and Hawke’s Bay share a number of similarities despite being more than 12,000 miles apart. When it comes to average growing season temperatures, Hawke’s Bay sits at 16.3˚C while Bordeaux is 16.5˚C. The difference in growing degree days between the two regions is also pretty small: 1,334 versus 1,387 (Anderson, J.D. et. al, 2012). The situation is obviously more complex than the data suggests, but it does provide a reference point in a sea of wine climates.

Influenced by La Niña, 2018 was the hottest summer since records began in 1935. Dry, warm weather around flowering and fruit set meant volumes were up on the previous vintage, but that wasn’t hard. The 2017 harvest had been a bit of a wet weekend, leading to one of the lowest crops of the decade. The vines were tracking 10-14 days earlier than the average.

The 2018 curveball came in the form of a late February cyclone, rain in early March, and high humidity throughout the month. The warm days and warm nights of March, combined with the effects of the remnants of the cyclone, put pressure on the earlier-ripening Pinot Noir in Marlborough, on the condition of the Merlot bunches and, to a lesser extent, the Syrah crop. The thicker-skinned, later-ripening Cabernets managed to withstand the elements and were able to hang out until drier weather prevailed. Most producers pulled their Merlot crop in the early to mid-20s of March. These dates were earlier than ideal, but disease threat was mounting. There are some wines that show their earlier picking date in their green-edged nature, lacking the midpalate plushness that makes Merlot so resplendent.

As summer turned to fall, the weather became both drier and cooler, and Cabernet Sauvignon was generally picked in the first five to 10 days of April, which is a little earlier than normal. Villa Maria’s Hawke’s Bay-based winemaker Nick Picone explained: “It was a harvest of two halves. There was weather pressure early on but then we had a beautiful spell. Coming off the back of a warm season, we had plenty of ripeness and during that settled period, it was just about shedding that water.” The resulting Cabernet Sauvignon is fully ripe and perfumed, with flesh to fill out the variety’s frame, while the Merlot can be a little lean, particularly the 800-odd-hectare subregion of Gimblett Gravels. On free-draining, stony soils a 20- to 25-minute drive inland from the Pacific coastline, the proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon in the finest blends is comparatively high in 2018, with some shunning Merlot altogether. Jenny Dobson, who spent 13 years as cellarmaster at Château Sénéjac in the Médoc, and now consults to six local wineries, including Squawking Magpie, said, “2018 was the first year that I made Squawking Magpie 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. It has flesh. I did try blending it and I looked at my notes and they simply said, ‘better on its own.’ It wasn’t a warm end to the season, so we didn’t get high sugar accumulation and ripening was slow. Whereas the Merlot didn’t have enough time to mature fully.” However, she did note that due to disease pressure, she did not risk an indigenous ferment in 2018.

However, the threat of disease was still considerably lower in 2018 than it was in 2017, which was marred by periodic rainfall and low sunshine hours in the weeks leading up to the harvest. While producers claim to be delighted about the quality of the 2018s – rightly so, in some cases – our impressions of a vintage can be influenced by what has come before. It’s important not to get too excited about 2018 simply because it’s better than its predecessor. Yes, it’s a good vintage, but it’s not exceptional, though it will offer pleasurable midterm drinking. In what must be a headache for the wineries’ sales and marketing teams who have the 2018s to sell, winemakers are already championing the yet-to-be released 2019 and 2020 vintages.

Two thousand eighteen is a solid year for Syrah, with the usual suspects making successful wines, although results are varied. Site and picking dates were crucial. Some producers were forced to pull their Syrah off early, but fruit that successfully negotiated the mid-March rain and humidity yielded soft, gently spiced wines. This is not a blockbuster year for Syrah: it is fleshy and supple, with ripe fruit, providing pleasure in the short to medium term. The characteristic black-pepper character (more elevated in cooler vintages) often seen in Hawke’s Bay Syrah, derived from a compound called rotundone, is evident but subtle due to the warmer season. What’s more, the heat allowed producers to use a proportion of whole bunches in the fermentation, if they desired. For example, Trinity Hill included around 25% whole clusters in its flagship Syrah, Homage, as did Elephant Hill with its Stone Syrah.

There are just 400 hectares of Syrah in New Zealand, equivalent to 1% of the nation’s vineyard area. While there are some important plantings on Waiheke Island, a 40-minute ferry ride from Auckland’s central business district (CBD), the majority of the country’s Syrah is located in Hawke’s Bay. The region produces a distinctive style, although in the 2019 Master of Wine examination, most candidates placed the two Hawke’s Bay Syrahs in the northern Rhône, overlooking the quality that can be produced at the bottom of the earth. That lack of recognition was potentially a reflection of limited availability in global export markets. However, it is an important style in the world of Syrah and, unlike the Cabernet blends and Chardonnay produced in New Zealand, has a distinctly Kiwi twang. It shows the open fruit of the New World, and offers ripe blackberry, a floral twist, a sprinkling of black pepper and savory, smoky base notes. There’s always bright acidity and moderate alcohol levels, reflecting the fact that Hawke’s Bay does not provide warm-climate growing conditions. While you’d think this was as far south as Syrah could stretch its tendrils, you’d be wrong. There are also a number of Marlborough producers getting in on the act, more than 200 miles to the southwest. Admittedly, it can be too cool to ripen Syrah in some seasons, but in warmer years there are a handful of quality-oriented growers, including Fromm, Giesen, Novum and Te Whare Ra, that are producing Marlborough Syrah with success. The wines combine richness with tension and fine aromatic detail derived from a cool, lengthy ripening period. These are styles that provide great pleasure. However, the dominance of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc means the country has developed a reputation as a producer of fresh, aromatic whites, not savory reds. Fine wine lovers – who are a small drop in the world’s wine-drinking populace – might have New Zealand Pinot Noir on their radar, but Syrah remains relatively undiscovered, which is a shame. While Romeo Bragato suggested that Syrah should “be at least one half of the vineyard” of New Zealand, it’s fallen a long way short of his ambition. More than a century later, it’s time to wake up and smell the Syrah.

The wines were reviewed at my home, in December, 2020 and January, 2021 in the north-east of England with countless Zoom tastings with winemakers in New Zealand. Let’s hope the situation improves so that I may conduct the tastings in situ next time.

You Might Also Enjoy

New Zealand Whites: The State of Play, Rebecca Gibb MW, November 2020

New Zealand: Just For Starters, Neal Martin, November 2018

New Zealand’s Pellucid Wines: More Light Than Heat, Stephen Tanzer, May 2016

Club News, March 6, 2021 | TheUnion.com – The Union of Grass Valley – The Union of Grass Valley

March 5, 2021 by ADSWineReporter

EDITOR’S NOTE: While some clubs have informed The Union of meeting cancellations due to COVID-19 concerns, we did have not heard from them all. Please call ahead to confirm future meeting times and/or cancellations. We encourage club members to inform us of any future cancellations.

The Union publishes Club News each Saturday. To share the latest from your western Nevada County club or organization, email readers@theunion.com. Unfortunately only a small fraction of club submissions are published in the print version of The Union due to space constraints. To see the complete list of clubs, visit http://www.TheUnion.com, scroll down to the bottom and click on “announcements.”

The Pine Tree Quilt Guild

We will be offering a $1,500 scholarship to a student who plans to further his or her education in the field of fiber art, textiles or other art-related subjects.Current graduating students, past recipients who are continuing their studies, or current college students in these fields are encouraged to apply. The student must be a resident of Nevada County. All applications will be reviewed by the scholarship committee of the Pine Tree Quilt Guild. Application forms are available at https://pinetreequiltguild.com/forms. The completed application must be received no later than April 1, 2021.

Gold Country Senior Services

There’s a new wave of activity in the GCSS kitchen, as once a week, home-cooked meals are being prepared again. Providing nutritious meals to meet the increasing needs of local, homebound seniors remains our top priority. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, Meals on Wheels volunteers deliver several days of meals at a time, while similar supplies are available for drive-through collection at the Nevada City Senior Apartments, 841 Old Tunnel Rd., Grass Valley. Phone 530-273-4961 to sign up. Visit http://www.goldcountryservices.org for further information.

Nevada County Genealogical Society (NCGS)

We are holding a presentation via Zoom at 1 p.m. on March 9. Stephanie K. West will present “State Census Records: An Overlooked Resource.” The federal census was taken every 10 years. Did your ancestors move between these years? Are you looking for an alternative source for the lost 1890 census? An overview of the various state census records and resources available will be presented. Learn how to utilize these overlooked records to further your research. Stephanie is an educator, researcher and professional genealogist. A family history project in elementary and high school sparked Stephanie’s interest, and she has been researching for over 15 years. In 2017 she received the American Society of Genealogists Scholar Award for her manuscript. Her current research projects focus on New England, Pennsylvania, New York, and genetic genealogy. This presentation is open to the public and free of charge. For more information on attending this event, contact Diane Brown by email at diane.m.brown@comcast.net.

The Nevada County Amateur Radio Club

We normally hold monthly meetings at 7 p.m. on the second Monday of each month at the Salvation Army facility, located at 10725 Alta Street, Grass Valley, but due to COVID-19 there will be no monthly face-to-face meetings until further notice. However, non-ham members as well as persons interested in becoming ham radio operators or learning more about ham radio can go to the Club website at http://www.NCARC.org for the latest information on this subjects and other ham-related subjects.

Grass Valley Moose Lodge #2217

We are an international organization of men and women, dedicated to caring for young and old, bringing our community closer together and celebrating life. We are for children in need from throughout the world at Mooseheart Child City and School, just west of Chicago. We provide for seniors at Moosehaven, our 72-acre retirement community in Orange Park, Florida along the St. Johns River. We provide over $90 million worth of community service activities annually throughout the USA. We have fun doing so and develop lifelong bonds. We will have birthday celebrations, and dinners on some Saturdays, as well as our monthly Monday and Wednesday, Thursday, night dinners, and our great Friday night dinner specials with karaoke after dinner. Check our website, and calendar. We also have a place for clubs and social gatherings. Come in and make new friends. Please come join us as a guest. We are located at Grass Valley Moose Lodge, 15694 Allison Rd. in Grass Valley. For more information call the lodge at 530-273-1070 or email lodge2217@mooseunits.org.

Gold Country Welcome Club

Think about it: it’s nearly time to begin socializing again. Whenever you’re ready, the Gold Country Welcome Club will provide you with a new way to socialize and meet new friends. Find out about the many activity groups that we have at http://www.gcwelcome.com.

Gold Country Kiwanis

We are proud to announce that we, along with other Division 44 Kiwanis Clubs, have donated over $12,000 to the Global Uplift Projects. This is enough money to help build one classroom and a latrine in La Quebradita, Nicaragua. Gold Country Kiwanis also made donations to Sierra Harvest and the Nevada County Diaper Project this past month. We continue to meet twice a month via Zoom and have very interesting speakers. On March 11, we will be holding an in-club auction. On March 25, our speaker with be Tim “Sky Guy” Pinkney, a member of the NASA Solar System Ambassador team. Our most recent Mars Rover, Perseverance, landed on Mars on February 18 and Tim will be giving the club the most recent updates and any early discoveries. If you are interested in attending by Zoom, please contact us at 1822tinman@gmail.com or at http://www.goldcountrykiwanis.org and we’ll set you up to be part of our meeting. Our zoom meetings are from noon to 1 p.m. twice a month. If you enjoy working with children, we are always looking for new members.

Ladies Only Pistol Fun Shoots

Members and guests are invited to ladies-only pistol fun shoots from noon to 2 p.m. on the fourth Sunday of each month at the Nevada County Sportsmen’s Club, located at 11296 Banner Mountain Trail in Nevada City. The cost for non-members is $7. Previous pistol shooting experience is mandatory. This group is not an educational class. You will not be allowed to shoot if you have not had prior pistol shooting experience. This is for safety. Bring eye and hearing protection, pistols and ammo. Targets and fun times are provided. For more information contact Janette Carpenter at 530-263-9214 or juanitaent@gmail.com.

Business & Professional Women of Nevada County

Dr. Mona Lesley Siegel, CSU Sacramento history professor, author, and historian, will be our guest speaker for our March 17 virtual meeting. Siegel is the author of “Peace on Our Terms: The Global Battle for Women’s Rights After the First World War.” She will be discussing the remarkable international career of suffragist and civil rights activist Mary Church Terrell. From picketing the White House to meeting with global diplomats in Paris, Terrell was at the forefront of the battle for women’s rights and racial justice in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. She was also one of the first African-American women to earn a college degree. Join us at 6 p.m.; Zoom link: https://cccconfer.zoom.us/j/97322036830?pwd=SU9CL0xxNDRKRE11eFRTSDZEemNFdz09. For more information visit our website at http://www.bpwnevadacounty.org.

Alcoholics Anonymous of Nevada County

If you want to keep drinking, that’s your business. If you want to stop, that is ours. We have a 24 hour hotline (530-272-6287) and our website at http://www.dist20aa.org can guide you to in-person meetings and other information. The hand of AA is here to help.

The Nevada County Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW)

We are now seeking grant proposals for educational projects that primarily benefit girls and women. We will consider individuals and organizations in Western Nevada County. Grant applications will be available by March 1, 2021, by contacting ajshulse@gmail.com or by downloading from http://www.nevadacounty-ca.aauw.net. Completed applications are due by April 1, 2021. Successful recipients will be notified by May 1, 2021 for funding available after June 1, 2021.

Master Gardeners of Nevada County

Trained by the University of California, Master Gardeners offer free gardening advice to the public. Our office is closed for now but for gardening questions please visit our website at http://www.NCMG.ucanr.org. You can click on “Got Questions” to submit a gardening question by clicking the link for instructions. While we are not yet able to resume our in-person gardening classes, we offer free Saturday gardening videos on our website with complete instructions, beginning at 9 a.m. The videos are recorded and stored on our website for review by clicking on the “Workshop Recordings” link in the left hand column. You can watch them again and again. On the website, click on “Check the calendar here” to view upcoming events. Our Demonstration Garden, located on NID office grounds, is now open to the public but limited to 10 persons at a time.

Nevada City Lions Club

We will be participating in the California Lions Project Care: Hunger, a statewide Lions Clubs service project to be conducted during the month of February. The club will be collecting non-perishable food items for distribution to Interfaith Food Ministry, at 440 Henderson Street in Grass Valley. The purpose of the project is to engage all California Lions Clubs of all sizes in a statewide community service program that is of such vital importance during this COVID-19 pandemic. Nevada City Lions Club will be collecting non-perishable food items from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Feb. 28 in front of the main entrance of SPD Market in Nevada City All state and local COVID-19 health measures will be followed while the food collection is occurring. The goal is to collect 150,000 pounds of non-perishable food items throughout the state. To learn more about joining the Nevada City Lions Club, contact Jackie Wapp at beerwapp@gmail.com. For additional information about California Lions Clubs visit their website at http://www.californialions.org or their Facebook page and http://www.facebook.com/CaLionsClubs.

Soroptimist International of Grass Valley

We recently honored two recipients for the “Live Your Dream Award,” our signature project supporting a woman who is a primary wage earner as she returns to school. Our first awardee, who will go on to the Regional Award, is Laura Parsons, whose career goal is to become a nurse with a bachelor’s degree. The second recipient, Heather Cross, is working towards her degree in Liberal Arts for a future in Library Sciences. In addition we are welcoming back returning member Vicky Winters and inducting new member Tess DeVere. If you are interested in advancing the status of women and children in Nevada County and girls internationally, please visit us at http://www.sigv.org.

Business Networking International (BNI) Grass Valley/Nevada City Chapter

We meet virtually, via Zoom, from 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. every Thursday. Register at: https://tinyurl.com/Visit-BNI-Zoom or contact Machen MacDonald at 530-273-8000 or machen@probrilliance.com.

Grass Roots Genealogy Group (GRGG)

We are having Zoom meetings to stay connected and engaged with genealogy. We begin with the traditional sharing of “finds” (recent research discoveries) by members and brainstorming to help solve members’ research problems. GRGG is an informal gathering of people interested in learning and sharing about how to do family history research. We meet on the first Wednesday of every month (except for holidays). During the pandemic, meetings are held online via Zoom. We welcome newcomers and beginners to genealogy and enjoy helping you break through those “brick walls” to find your ancestors. Call Susan at 530-271-1311 for more information or to request the Zoom link for the meeting.

Golden Empire SAMS RV Club

Are you tired of sheltering in place? COVID-19 got you down? Why not give that lonely RV some love and join us? We’re the Golden Empire Sams RV Club, a fun loving group of RV enthusiast. Our last camp out of the year was Nov. 15 through 19 at the Almond Tree RV Park, 3124 Esplanade in Chico. For more information on our club check out our website at http://www.goldenempiresams.org.

Nevada County Travel Club

Hello fellow travelers. I’m sure that no one is surprised that we didn’t hold our monthly meeting in August and didn’t have a meeting in September. We want all of you to be safe and stay healthy until we can again gather safely for our monthly meetings. Meanwhile, our tour director has been working with two of our major suppliers and they have sent us a large list of available trips for 2021. They are too numerous to mention here. If you are a NCTC member you have already received two emails with details about these trips. If you are not yet a member but are interested in joining or hearing more about our club, just give me, Judi Foy, a call at 530-432-3393 and I will see that you get all the current info via email and a complimentary newsletter.

League of Women Voters of Western Nevada County

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization encouraging informed and active participation in government. It influences public policy through education and advocacy. Learn more about the League of Women Voters of Western Nevada County at http://www.lwvwnc.org.

The Rotary Club of Grass Valley South

We are pleased to welcome our new president, David Jones, for the 2020-2021 Rotary year. Immediate Past President Susan Drown handed him the reins earlier this month after a fabulous year of service (even through the twists and turns). Rotary is an international leadership organization that opens doors internationally, locally and personally. For more information contact Norma Moore, Membership Chair, 530-277-5770, and visit our Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/Rotary-Club-of-Grass-Valley-South-251244471598945.

Grass Valley Retired Public Employees Association (RPEA)

CalPERS is sponsoring Assembly Bill 2473 (Cooper), exempting “Private Loans” made by a “Public Investment Fund” from the California Public Records Act (CPRA). “Private Loans” are a new and untested investment strategy, which has not been commonly used for the investment of money held in trust to fund public pension obligations. These loans only have the potential to yield high interest if they are made to borrowers with a high risk of default — or even bankruptcy. The RPEA has offered amendments that would require such “Private Loans” to be subject to public disclosure once they become assets held in trust by a public pension fund. Placing public trust funds into secret investments is a recipe for disaster. Keeping the transparency required by current law assures that the taxpayers will not be left holding the bag for losses caused by risky loans of public funds.

Tommyknockers Shrine Club

In 1876, members of American Masonic Lodges created a branch of their fraternity for brothers to socialize outside their Lodges. While carrying forward the principles of truth, charity and brotherly love, they adopted a middle eastern motif of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, characterized by their distinctive “fez” head wear. After several years of meeting for fun and fellowship, they created a philanthropy which in one hundred years has become their system of 22 Children’s Hospitals in North America and host to 300 outreach clinics, having served more than 1.4 million children from over 170 countries. The Shriners Hospitals for Children have one goal: to change and improve lives. They accomplish this in three ways; by caring for patients from infants through teens, by conducting research for new treatments and by providing training for health care professionals. The Sacramento Hospital treats about 120 children from Grass Valley and Nevada City each year at no charge to families. They’re fond of saying “Shriners Play so Children May.” More information is available at afsarch@sbcglobal.net.

Nevada City RV Club

Membership is open to all owners of all brands of RVs. The purpose of the Nevada City RV Club is to promote family camping and to meet others with similar interests in the RV lifestyle. The club has celebrated more than 30 years, with members representing all age groups and all walks of life. In addition to camping once a month. The club offers an annual picnic and Christmas party. By belonging to the Nevada City RV Club you will find new ways to enjoy your RV and make new friends. For information on joining, please call 530-274-1254.

The Bridge Street Society and Affiliates

We decided at our regular meeting on June 9 to distribute $2,000 of our reserve fund to the following: $500 each to The Nevada Theatre Commission, KVMR Radio, Miners’ Foundry Cultural Center, and Hospitality House. Future appropriate use of funds will be considered post COVID-19. All members were present.

Gold Country Square Dance Club

Following the guidelines set forth by our elected officials, the Goldancers Square Dance club will not be dancing for an undetermined time. We hope to be dancing again when everyone is healthy and it is safe to do so. Check our website at http://www.Goldancers.com to determine when we are dancing again.

Gold Country Fly Fishers

In accordance with the directives from state and federal agencies, all GCFF activities are suspended until further notice. The board of GCFF believes it prudent, due to public health and safety concerns of our members, for the GCFF to cancel all gatherings for at least 30 days. Gatherings include the monthly general meeting as well as face to face gatherings of the board, of committees and “fishouts.” Check our website at http://www.goldcountryff.org for more information about our programs. We will be posting program and meeting information when our activities resume.

Health Care for All – CA

Wishing all of you a safe journey through these rough times. We held our board of directors meeting via Zoom, and when we are on the other side of this pandemic, please join us to work harder than ever to make health care a human right. Our chapter is very busy working to pass Single Payer healthcare in California and nationally. According to the study published Feb. 15, 2020 in the Lancet Health Policy Journal from Yale University, “Although health care expenditure per capita is higher in the USA than in any other country, more than 37 million Americans do not have health insurance, and 41 million more have inadequate access to care. A universal system, such as that proposed in the Medicare for All Act, has the potential to transform the availability and efficiency of American health-care services. We calculate that a single-payer, universal health-care system is likely to lead to a savings in national health-care expenditure, equivalent to more than $450 billion annually. The entire system could be funded with less financial outlay than is incurred by employers and households paying for health-care premiums combined with existing government allocations. Furthermore, we estimate that ensuring health-care access for all Americans would save more than 68,000 lives every year.” Help us make this happen.

The PEO Gold Country Reciprocity Bureau

Our board (GCRB) cancelled the Founder’s Day luncheon, which was originally scheduled for March 21 at Sierra Pines Methodist Church in Grass Valley. This precaution was taken due to the COVID-19 virus. Apologies to all, but safety and well being was the first concern. Also the officers’ training slated for this month was cancelled.

Newcomers Club of Nevada County

We are a very welcoming club for those new to the area, newly retired, or have lived in the area for many years and looking for something new and interesting. Our meetings are generally held on the fourth Wednesday of the month at the Alta Sierra Country Club. These meetings feature a delicious lunch and an informative and entertaining program. For more information call Ann at 530-432-9954 or visit us at http://www.newcomersnc.org and Facebook.

Sierra Nevada Canoe and Kayak Club (SNCKC)

This group of flat water kayakers and a few canoe enthusiasts meet almost every fourth Thursday at Seaman’s Lodge in Pioneer Park (427 Nimrod Street) in Nevada City. Check out our website at http://www.mysnckc.org for details of the current month’s meeting, trips list, coaches corner, and much more information. Our monthly programs entertain, educate and give members and guests the opportunity to socialize and share knowledge of places, equipment and paddle skills to enhance their water adventures. Weather permitting we have several local one-day paddles each month. From April through October we also usually have a several-day car camping paddle trip each month. There are some activities that will probably appeal to you and your boat. We welcome those who love the sport of paddling. If that’s you, then please join us. For more info email us at snckc@att.net. See you on the water!

Pet Loss Support Group

Pets are more than companions, they are beloved members of a family. Find the support and understanding you need with others who share the loss of a loved pet. For anyone grieving the loss of a dear pet, please join us from 2 to 3 p.m. every third Tuesday of the month at Hospice of the Foothills, 11270 Rough and Ready Hwy. For more information, please call 530-272-5739.

Gra-Neva Ford Model A Club

Ah-Oooogah! That is the sound of a vintage 1928-1931 Ford Model A automobile’s horn. Our club is actively touring about and having fun! If you have one of these fine vehicles, and are not one of our members, you are missing out! We are a local bunch of friendly and welcoming people, who invite you to join us at our meeting as a guest, and to possibly consider becoming a new member. We meet at 7 p.m. monthly, January through October, on the fourth Thursday of each month, at the Nevada City Elks Lodge, 518 Hwy. #49. Our activities include touring on this area’s beautiful back roads, parades, maintenance of our cars, and enjoying good camaraderie at all our gatherings. Membership does not require ownership of a Model A, just an interest in the automobile. For questions, or further information, call 530-274-7079, or browse our website at http://www.granevaas.com.

Pinochle Players

Do you enjoy playing cards? We play Pinochle from noon to 4 p.m. every Tuesday and Saturday in Grass Valley. If you are interested, please call Rochelle Chapdelaine at 530-205-9452.

Nevada County Republican Women Federated (NCRWF)

Meetings are held the third Wednesday of the month September through June. Reservations are required. For more information about meetings, call Judy at 530-271-5794. Information about membership can be answered by calling 530-263-6733. For more information about NCRWF please email us at NCRWF@reagan.com or visit the website at http://www.nevadacountyrwf.org.

Golden Empire Nursing and Rehabilitation Center’s Auxiliary

We are in need of more members. The Auxiliary first started at the County Hospital in Nevada City and came to Grass Valley Convalescent Hospital with the first administrator when the County Hospital closed and Golden Empire opened its doors. The Auxiliary provides many services. Catholic services are offered every week, ceramics are made every week by both members for sale and residents, as therapy. Non-denominal chapel services are provided every week. Visitation is done by members and more visitors are always needed. Some residents are from out of the area and have no one to visit them. The Auxiliary makes favors for the food trays of those who must eat in their room and assists with the dressing and grooming for a formal ball held for the residents every April. They host an Ice Cream Social with live music every June and provide pies for the residents’ Thanksgiving Dinner, usually held before Thanksgiving for residents and their families. Each December the Auxiliary provides homemade cookies, small gifts for the residents before Christmas and more. There are never too many people to help provide our services. The Auxiliary meets at 10:30 a.m. on the third Thursday of every month, except July and August, in the dining room of the Center. If you are interested in joining this group you can contact membership Chairman Barbara Ford at 530-273-6084 for more information and a membership application, or come to the next meeting.

Soroptimist International of the Sierra Foothills

If you want to learn more about our club and see how we help our community thrive, come join us. Our meetings are the first, second and third Thursdays of every month at Tofanelli’s Gold Country Bistro in Grass Valley. We want you and your talents! It would be our pleasure to have you join us in our efforts to support nonprofit organizations that improve the lives of women and children in our community. For more information visit us at http://www.sierrasoroptimist.org, or visit our Facebook page. If you would like to feature your garden in our 2021 Garden Tour please email us at sisfgardentour@gmail.com.

Sierra Wine and Grape Growers Association

If you are interested in growing grapes, starting a vineyard, making wine, wine tasting or learning about wine in general, please join us for cheese and crackers at our meeting and bring a bottle of your favorite wine for all to taste. You do not have to be a grape grower or winemaker to join our group! We have interesting speakers, a summer picnic, a holiday party, and we provide a yearly scholarship to local students. For more information about SWGGA, visit https://swgga.org. We’d love to have you join us.

Nevada County Astronomers

NC Astronomers meet at 7 p.m. on the first Wednesday of the month in the community room at Madelyn Helling library. All are welcome. For more information, visit http://www.ncastronomers.org.

Hot Breakfast Club

The First Baptist Church is offering a free hot breakfast to Nevada Union High School students on the first Wednesday of each month throughout the academic year. Food is served from 7:15 to 8:30 a.m. along with “drinks and fun.” The church is located at 1866 Ridge Rd., across from NUHS. In addition to a hot breakfast, which often includes pancakes, breakfast burritos or French toast, a selection of doughnuts, cereals, coffee, tea and juice will always be available. This is drop-in event for high school students before school is sponsored by First Baptist Church in partnership with Campus Life. All are students are welcome.

Nevada County Democratic Women’s Club

Join us on the first Saturday of each month for breakfast. Check-in and socializing begins at 9:30 a.m. Breakfast and meeting at 10 a.m. at Trolley Junction Restaurant at the Northern Queen Inn, 400 Railroad Ave. Nevada City. Cost is $15 for full buffet breakfast, coffee and juice. Non-members and guests always welcome. RSVP at nevcodwc@gmail.com.

Family History Center

Nevada City’s Family History Center has expanded their hours. The Center will be open from noon to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays, noon to 8 p.m. on Wednesdays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursdays. The center offers free access to Ancestry.com, Find My Past, Fold3, Geneanet, My Heritage, Newspapers.com and Paper Trail. Volunteers are on site to assist with your research. In addition, on the third Tuesday of each month the Family History Center hosts a Family History Workshop from 10 a.m. to noon. Each month this workshop presents a topic related to genealogical research and related subjects. Parents with pre-school age children may find our Thursday hours more convenient for research and assistance. There will be activities available for children during Thursday research hours so parents can focus on research. Nevada City Family History Center is located at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 615 Hollow Way in Nevada City. The entrance is located at the back of the building where there is free parking and level access.

Gold Country Italian American Club

Do you enjoy good fellowship? Good food? Bingo? Then join us at our luncheon on the third Tuesday of the month. We meet at 11:30 a.m. the Alta Sierra Country Club. For more information, call Don at 530-271-7491.

Social Hour at the Library

The Madelyn Helling Library is now hosting a monthly Social Hour. The library loves to introduce newcomers to everything Nevada County has to offer. Just gone through a big life change and looking for new friends? Just want to get out of the house? Come to the library’s Social Hour! Each month, on the first Thursday of the month, the Social Hour program will have games, crafts, and snacks! Come meet new people and hopefully make some new friends. A future date has yet to be determined and depends on shelter-in-place orders. Attendance is free and no registration is required! For more information, visit the Events Calendar at http://www.mynevadacounty.com/library or call 530-265-7050.

Grass Valley Al-Anon

Is your life affected by someone else’s drinking? The Grass Valley Al-anon meetings have relocated to 1721 E. Main Street, Suite 1B. Please review our meeting schedule by clicking on the link below. Newcomers are welcome to all meetings; and the Monday morning sessions are specific to people new to 12-step meetings. If you want/need support, we are here for you! For more information, visit https://al-anon.org/al-anon-meetings/find-an-al-anon-meeting/ or https://al-anon.org/newcomers/self-quiz/adult-grew-up-with-alcoholic-quiz/.

Nevada City’s Evangeline Chapter 9, Order of the Eastern Star (OES)

OES is the world’s largest organization that admits both women and men to membership. The fraternal order supports friendship and fellowship among its members and philanthropy in the community, including a scholarship program along with cancer and heart research charities statewide. Locally we contribute regularly to the KARE Crisis Nursery and the Interfaith Food Ministry and just recently made and donated over 100 Port Pals given to Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital and the Grass Valley Dialysis Center to be provided to their cancer patients with chemo ports.

TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly)

For those interested in joining TOPS, our club meets at 10 a.m. on Friday mornings. Check-in is between 8 and 9:30 a.m. at the Salvation Army, 10725 Alta St. in Grass Valley. Everyone is welcome. Fore more information, call Sharon Rodriguez at 530-575-9325.

The Nevada-Placer Chapter of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence

We are devoted to creating an America free from gun violence, where all Americans are safe at home, at school, at work, at place of worship, and in our communities. We work to educate families about gun violence prevention and to help create and support public policy, legislation and regulations for sensible gun laws at the state and national levels. We seek to reduce firearm injury and death by keeping weapons out of dangerous hands. Contact bradynevadaplacer@gmail.com for more information.

Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR)

Our local Captain John Oldham Chapter meets the fourth Monday each month. We are a nonprofit, non-political, volunteer women’s service organization dedicated to promoting patriotism, preserving American history, and securing America’s future through better education for children. Members can be any woman 18 years or older, regardless of race, religion, or ethnic background – who can prove lineal descent from a patriot who supported the cause of independence in the Revolutionary War. Locally we promote patriotism, history, conservation and education with community projects and through chapter donations. For instance, our local Community Classroom Committee connects DAR with area schools by volunteering in classrooms, providing school supplies and helping teachers wherever there is a need. For further information on our monthly luncheon meetings or for membership, please call Emily Boling at 530 273-6140.

Jewel Heart Norcal Study Group

We will now be meeting evenings from 6 to 7:30 p.m. every Wednesday. We are starting a study of “The Foundation of Perfections,” which is a practical guide of stages on the path to full enlightenment. The Foundation of Perfections is a Buddhist text that offers intimate access to the material through explanation, group discussions, and meditation. The group will use Gelek Rimpoche’s text by the same name as a guide. All are welcome — Buddhist background or affiliation is not required. Meetings are held at a member’s house in downtown Grass Valley. For more information and location please contact Joe at 530-263-8508 or email jbreault51@gmail.com. Jewel Heart Norcal is affiliated with Jewel Heart International. For more information visit http://www.jewelheart.org.

P.E.O. Sisterhood

Since its inception in 1869, P.E.O., Philanthropic Educational Organization, has helped more than 109,000 women pursue educational goals by providing almost $345 million in grants, scholarships, awards and loans and the stewardship of Cottey College. Through membership, the P.E.O. Sisterhood has brought together nearly a half a million women in the United States and Canada who are passionate about helping women advance through education, while supporting and motivating them. What started with a bond of friendship among seven women in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, is now one of the oldest women’s organizations in North America with close to 6,000 chapters. To learn more about P.E.O., visit http://www.peointernational.org.

Kentucky Flat 4-H Club

The mission of 4-H is to engage youth in reaching their fullest potential while advancing in the field of youth development. Our club would like to invite all those interested or those who would like to learn more about 4-H to join us at our next community club meeting. Our club consist of Primary, age 5 to 8 years old, Junior, Intermediate and Senior members, age 9 to 19. We meet on the second Monday of each month at the Kentucky Flat Community Center, 13281 Newtown Rd in Nevada City. We offer a wide range of projects for our members. For more information, contact leaders Jeff Tynan and Teresa Toledo-Larios at kentuckyflat4h@gmail.com.

National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE), Grass Valley Chapter 1335

All federal employees and retirees and their spouses are invited to join NARFE. It is a non-partisan, non-profit organization founded 97 years ago to protect the earned benefits of federal employees and retirees. Members meet the second Thursday each month at Margarita’s restaurant on Plaza Drive in the Glenbrook Basin, except for July and August. Social time is 11:15 a.m., lunch to follow and then our speaker. A short business meeting follows. Local chapter meetings serve as an opportunity for federal employees and retirees to socialize, receive timely updates on policy actions affecting the federal community, and hear programs of general interest or of value to members. Reservations for lunch are not required. For more information on the luncheon or program, please call chapter president Larry Kinkor, 530-265-6477.

Banner Community Guild

We are dedicated to promoting, supporting and advocating for our community, regenerative farms, local economy, cultural diversity, education, the arts, and a variety of charitable causes. Membership in the Guild is open to women and men, people of color and people of diverse beliefs. We are an organization that listens intently to the myriad of voices in our community in order to nurture an organization that is inviting to all. Our motto is “Neighbors helping neighbors.” Monthly meetings are held at the Guild Hall at 12629 McCourtney Rd. in Grass Valley on the third Thursday of every month with a potluck at 5:30 and meeting beginning at 6 p.m. All meetings are open to the public and membership is encouraged. For membership information, rental of the Guild Hall including two large rooms and a completely equipped kitchen. For upcoming events and more, go to http://www.bannerguild.org. A Flea Market is held on the second Saturday of each month from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Vendor sites are available for $10 – no reservation required. For more info about the Flea Market call 530-277-4310. Coming soon: a Tool Lending Library! Stay tuned about this and other additional developments at the Banner Guild.

SIRs (Sons in Retirement Branch 55 Grass Valley-Nevada City)

Renew old friendships and make new friends through our monthly luncheons and organized activities. Activities are base on members interest; wine testing, bocce ball, pool, bowling, golf, fishing, and many more. We invite men of ALL ages that are semi-retired or retired looking to meet new friends and participate in fun activities. We are a 501-(c) 4 nonprofit men’s organization that has been established for over 60 years. We meet for lunch the third Tuesday of every month at the Grass Valley Moose Lodge (non affiliated host) located at 15694 Allison Ranch Rd. Lunch is at noon. Come early for happy hour and billiards/pool. Come alone or bring a guest. Joining is free and there are no dues. Come join us, no reservation necessary. (Cost of lunch includes main course and desert)

Come check us out! For further information if needed, Call the ‘Big SIR’ at 530-271-5679. More information about SIRs can be found at http://www.sirinc.org.

Child Loss Support Group

Anyone who has had a child die in their family is invited to contact Shari Homan, who is in the process of establishing a local chapter of The Compassionate Friends. The national nonprofit is a self help bereavement support organization for families that have experienced the death of a child. To complete the application process Homan is seeking three to four volunteers who are a parent, grandparent or adult sibling to act as a steering committee to help manage the formation of a Nevada County Chapter. If interested please contact Homan at Shari.homan@yahoo.com. To learn more about The Compassionate Friends, visit http://www.compassionatefriends.org.

The Craft Guild of Nevada County

Join crafters interested in sharing their crafts with others in selling handmade items locally. Meetings are at 6 p.m. on the last Tuesday of the month except for Feb., April, June, July and December. We meet at the Earle Jameson Education Building at 112 Nevada City Hwy. Check out our blog at http://www.craftguildnevadacounty.blogspot.com.

Dementia Support Group

Cascades of Grass Valley, a senior living community located at 415 Sierra College Drive in Grass Valley, will be hosting a monthly support group for family and caregivers of those with dementia to help provide proven techniques to care, connection and understanding. Meetings will be held on the third Friday of each month from 2 to 3 p.m. Refreshments will be served.

Caring for a loved one with memory loss can be challenging and difficult, but with support and the care of others who are going through similar experiences, it can become easier. At Cascades of Grass Valley, we want to provide an environment that fosters engagement and connection and welcome you to join our Dementia Support Group. Take some time to rest and recharge with others who understand your journey, ask questions, share your story, give and receive support and learn care techniques from local experts on memory loss. Meetings are free and open to the public. Please call Brianna Phillips or Pepsi Pittman at 530-272-8002 to for more information or to RSVP.

American Contract Bridge League Duplicate Bridge Games

Come join the friendly folks who play duplicate bridge. We have games every week – Mon., Tues. Wed. and Fri. at the Golden Empire Grange in Grass Valley (for info call Bruce at 530-477-9586 and for partnerships on Mon. email Bill Jones at bill8jones@yahoo.com. Thursdays at Eskaton in Grass Valley (Harvey, 530-477-5107) and Mon. and Wed. at Lake Wildwood in Penn Valley (Jim, 530-432-5593). If you need any other information or you are interested in learning how to play bridge, you can contact Bruce Lester at 530-477-9586. For information and a class concerning the “duplicate game,” email Bill Jones at bill8jones@yahoo.com. Our games are not only competitive and sanctioned ACBL games, but we always serve delicious coffee/tea and refreshments.

Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous

S.L.A.A., is a fellowship based on the 12 step program of Alcoholics Anonymous. This self-help fellowship is open to people of any age or sexual preference. Members include those who suffer from a compulsive need for sex, those with a desperate attachment to one person, and those who have a compulsive need to avoid sexual or emotional attachments. What all members have in common is an obsessive/compulsive pattern, either sexual or emotional (or both), in which relationships or activities have become increasingly destructive to all areas of their lives – career, family, and sense of self-respect. Meetings are open to any person who believes he or she has this problem and wants to find help in recovering. More information, including Nevada County meetings, may be had by calling the phone number for the Sacramento Regional Information number – 916-552-1442, or by going to the S.L.A.A.’s international website: https://slaafws.org/ (S.L.A.A. Fellowship Wide Services).

The Tapestry Network of Nevada County

We have just celebrated our 7th anniversary in Nevada County. This Christian business networking chapter serves Nevada County’s local nonprofits while promoting each other in business. Part of our recent growth is the expansion, adding a Christian Bookstore in our downtown Grass Valley location. Their store includes Christian jewelry as well as books from local authors. The organization showcases authors as guest speakers and will have book signings along with the regular book sales of office hours Monday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Our monthly fundraisers normally take place on the second Thursday of each month. The Tapestry Network is open to all women in the marketplace. Details may be found on their Facebook page: The Tapestry Network of Nevada County – BAM. Or email melisa@m3mall.biz.

Nordic Skiers of Nevada County

We promote back-country skiing and snowshoeing for its members and the community. The club sponsors trips and monthly club meetings the first Thursday of every winter month. The general public is welcome to attend meetings and may join at club meetings. The club web site is http://www.nordic-skiers.org.

Over Eaters Anonymous

OA is a fellowship of individuals who, through shared experience, strength and hope are recovering from compulsive overeating. We welcome everyone who wants to stop eating compulsively. There are no dues or fees for membership: we are self-supporting though our own contributions. OA is not affiliated with any public or private organizations, political movement, ideology or religious doctrine: we take no position on outside issues. Our primary purpose is to abstain from compulsive eating and compulsive food behaviors and to carry the message of recovery through the twelve Steps of OA to those who still suffer. If you think you are one us of please join us at the following meetings. We meet at 12:30 p.m. on Mondays and 10 a.m. on Saturdays at Trinity Episcopal Church, 201 Nevada St. in Nevada City. Also at 5 p.m. on Fridays at BriarPatch Co-op, 290 Sierra College Dr. in Grass Valley. For more information please visit http://www.sacvalleyoa.org http://www.oa.org.

The Gold Country Miniature Society

We enjoy making doll houses and doll house accessories. We build miniatures in all scales and have a variety of interesting projects throughout the year. We meet at 11 a.m. on the first Wednesday of each month and new members are welcome. There are three other miniature clubs in the area which get together on different days. Those interested in this fun hobby can email Barbara at bathca@gmail.com or Pat at pat@beachesbeaches.com.

Senior Social Singles

We are a group of congenial single people in western Nevada County and nearby areas. We get together several times a month for activities such as social hours before local restaurant dining, potlucks, picnics, game nights, movies, dancing, hikes, and other outings. We are a social club whose purpose is to find people with like interests and form good friendships. Membership is open to single, widowed, divorced, or legally separated persons. For more information call Virginia at 530-477-8969.

Gamblers Anonymous

The High Nooners chapter of Gamblers Anonymous meets from noon to 2 p.m. Mondays at the Nevada City United Methodist Church, 433 Broad St. in Nevada City. Thousands of people who have created problems due to excessive gambling have found the strength to quit by joining Gamblers Anonymous (G.A.). If gambling is destroying you or someone you care about, call 775-430-2771. There is no charge to belong to G.A.

Penn Valley Toastmasters

We hold our meeting on Thursday evenings, in the ReMax center, 10126 Commercial Ave (near Player’s Pizza), from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Summer Brown was last week’s Toastmaster for the evening. It was her first time hosting the evening. Toastmaster not only helps improve your speaking skills, Toastmaster learning platform also assists in the development of one’s leadership skills. Stop by and enjoy an evening of both prepared and extemporaneous speeches.

Sons In Retirement Branch 124 Alta Sierra

Men, looking for something to do in retirement? Not excited about becoming a greeter at that big box store? Want to meet new friends, try new things, retry old things and have fun? Come join us for lunch and an interesting speaker. We are SIR (Sons in Retirement) a group of retired Gents who get together for fun and companionship. We are golfers and bowlers, wine tasters and food lovers. We like to try new things and have new experiences. We meet at the Alta Sierra Country Club on the first Tuesday of every month. Social hour starts at 11 a.m. and lunch is begins at noon. Contact Dave Gates at 530-333-5975.

United Nations Association, USA Golden Empire Chapter

Our chapter presents monthly programs on global issues related to the United Nations and the principles on which it was founded. The goal is to educate members and the community on issues such as the conflicts in the Middle East, sustainable development, climate change, inequality, energy access, gender equity and the plight of refugees around the world. For further information, visit http://www.unausa.org.

Nevada City Inner Wheel Club

Our clubs are all over the country as well as all over the world. First club founded in England in 1924. We are on e of the largest women’s service clubs in the world. Our District 519 has about 10 different clubs mostly in and around Sacramento. We meet about five times a year. This year District 519 held their Annual Founders Day Luncheon celebrating 94 years in existence. Our guest speakers were ladies from “Canine Companions for Independence.” They spoke about their organization and how they helped the disabled. They brought three gold labs and an 8 week old black lab. An older lady who was wheelchair bound demonstrated many things her dog could do for her and all with one word commands. Our club meets once a month for a meeting and lunch. Information about our club call Carole at 530-265-6989.

Diabetes Support Group

Sierra Medical Nutrition Therapy is offering a free diabetes support group for people with diabetes and those who care for them from 4 to 5 p.m. Mondays at their office, located at 360 Sierra College Dr., Suite 220 in Grass Valley. For information please call 530-615-4155.

Gold Country Stamp Club

Is grandpa’s old stamp collection in the attic gathering dust? Bring it in and we will help you sort the trash from the treasure, the gems from the junk, the extraordinary from the … well you get the idea. If you are considering selling these family treasures, for say some new transportation, we could help you decide if you’ll be browsing for a beamer or haggling over pre-owned sneakers. On the other hand, maybe you would rather pick up where grandpa left off and fill in some of those blank spaces. We can help with that too! We’re Gold Country Stamp Club and we meet from 4 to 5:30 p.m. on the first and third Thursdays of each month at the Eskaton Recreation Center at 645 Eskaton Circle in Grass Valley. Everyone is welcome. For more information call 530-477-0108.

Families and Friends of People with Memory Loss

An ongoing support group, “Families and Friends of People with Memory Loss,” meets from 1 to 2:30 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month at Eskaton Village. The group is facilitated by Barbara Larsen, the creator and author of Movement with Meaning. Larson has been working in the field of dementia care for 30 years and is the chair and founding member of the Elder-Care Providers’ Coalition of Nevada County. Meetings include tips on how to communicate effectively with a loved one or friend with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia. Information on local resources is also available.

Thursday Bingo

Come join us for a fun filled evening of Bingo at the Grass Valley Elks No. 538, 109 School St., Grass Valley. Food available in kitchen at 5 p.m. Help yourself to free coffee. Bingo starts at

6:30 p.m. For more information 530-273-9228.

Grass Valley Daughters of the Nile, Chapt. 4

We are an international fraternal organization for women 18 years or older, who are related by birth or marriage to Shriner, Master Mason or Daughter of the Nile, or is a majority member in good standing of a Masonic-related organization for girls; or who was a patient, with or without Shrine or Masonic relationship, at a Shriners Hospital for Children. Founded in Seattle in 1913, members total 25,000 in 136 cities throughout the U.S. and Canada. The members are proud of their long association with Shriners International and their continuing support of Shriners Hospital for Children. We meet at 11:30 a.m. On the second Tuesday of each month at the Madison Masonic Temple for fellowship followed by a bring-your-own lunch at noon. For more information on membership, contact Jeanne Allgeier at 530-273-8359. We welcome new members with open arms.

Food Addicts in Recovery

Are you having trouble controlling the way you eat? Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous (FA) is a free twelve step recovery program for anyone suffering from food obsession, overeating, under-eating or bulimia. Meetings are held at 7 p.m. on Thursdays at Auburn Grace Community Church, 3126 Olympic Way, Room 204, in Auburn. For more information or a list of additional meetings throughout the U.S. and the world, call 781-932-6300 or locally at 530-885-4292, or visit http://www.foodaddicts.org.

Roamin’ Angels Car Club

Established in 1962, the Roamin’ Angels Car Club is an icon both within the hobby and the community. We are dedicated to promoting the preservation of classic, vintage and historic vehicles but with the recent changes to our bylaws you no longer have to own a pre-1973 American made classic to belong to our club. We meet at 7 a.m. every Friday at Penny’s Diner in Grass Valley, across from B & C Hardware in the Fowler Center. We also meet at 5 p.m. the first and third Wednesday of each month at the Grass Valley Round Table Pizza next to Staples. A love of old cars and having fun is all you need to join the Roamin’ Angels. New friends, lots of car talk, day trips, mystery tours, progressive dinners, and our annual Cruisin’ the Pines Car Show are just some of the adventures that await you. Want to help our community? We have held our Annual Christmas Toy Drive for over 25 years and our Scholarship/Education Program has provided financial assistance to our local youth for close to 20 years. Come on down and find out more about one of the oldest and largest Car Clubs in Northern California. Visit our website at http://www.Roaminangels.com.

The Nevada County Healing Through Loss and Grief Support Group

We meet at the FREED office, 2059 Nevada City Highway, Suite 104 in Grass Valley. Anyone who has experienced a significant emotional loss, whether current or from the past, is welcome. There is no charge to participate, but members join only several times a year. For more information, visit http://www.LossAndGrief.org.

High Sierra Corvette Club

Corvette owners, if you are interested in Corvette runs, social events, food, laughter, racing events, and all around car club fun, then High Sierra Corvette Club has something to offer you. Our club meetings are held monthly on the third Thursday at Apple Alley Cafe, located at the Brunswick “Y” — Colfax Highway. The meetings begin at 6 p.m. Arrive early for social hour or if you want to eat before the meeting. All Corvette enthusiasts are invited to attend our meetings and see what we are all about! For more information, please visit http://www.highsierracorvettes.org or call Hank Bradanini at 530-273-1285.

Alienated Grandparents Anonymous

Do you feel alienated from your grandchildren? You are not alone. Please consider joining our support group at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 235 S. Church St., Grass Valley. We hope you to see you at future meetings to:

• Be encouraged.

• Learn more about AGA Nevada County California and AGA International mission and goals.

• Establish regular meetings and event(s) schedule.

Please invite anyone you know that is experiencing alienation or estrangement from their grandchildren to this meeting.

Knowledge is power. Understanding the complexities of alienation helps grandparents.

We focus on the struggle so many loving grandparents have in trying to be part of their grandchildren’s lives. AGA offers strategies for repairing, rebuilding, and healing these relationships. AGA offers coping skills to help manage the devastating emotional pain of being disconnected from our grandchildren. You are not suffering alone.

AGA is a 501c3 nonprofit founded in 2011. It has a presence in all 50 states in the U.S. and 13 countries. For more information, visit http://www.aga-fl.org, email MyAGA.NevadaCounty@gmail.com or visit Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Alienated-Grandparents-Anonymous-Nevada-County-California-316925188659157.

Gather the Women of Nevada County

We are a global sisterhood that connects women through circles. We create safe spaces to share our true selves. Meeting in circles, we find our voices, claim our power, and celebrate self worth, leading to personal and planetary transformation. Some examples of our circles are drumming, organic culinary arts and feasting, practical well-being, women studies book circle and looking within for personal and spiritual growth. For more information, visit http://www.gatherthewomen.org or call Marceline at 530-615-4018.

Peripheral Neuropathy Support Group

Peripheral neuropathy, a result of damage to the peripheral nerves, often causes weakness, numbness and pain, usually in the hands and feet. It can be very painful and can also affect other areas of the body. For more information on the next meeting, call 530-268-1017.

Marijuana Anonymous

Has smoking pot stopped being fun? Some of us have found marijuana controls our lives. Our dreams go up in smoke … Marijuana Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share experience, strength and hope with each other that we may solve our common problem and help others recover from marijuana addiction. We meet every Wednesday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in Room 106 at CORR, 180 Sierra College Drive in Grass Valley.

Le Tip

We are a professional organization of men and women dedicated to the highest standards of exchange of business tips. The Gold Country lunch chapter meets at Kane’s on Wednesdays from 11:46 a.m. to 1:01 p.m. Call 530-263-6094 for more details.

Gold Country Trails Council (GCTC)

GCTC is a nonprofit organization that was formed in 1981 to develop, maintain and protect non-motorized recreational trails in the Tahoe National Forest and the Sierra Foothills area for public use and enjoyment. Today, it is the Sierra’s largest community of active equestrians. GCTC hosts trail work days, horse camp outs, day rides, barbecues, the big ice cream social and Thanksgiving Holiday Feast. General meetings are on the second Tuesday of every other month at 7 p.m. and include fascinating speakers and presentations. New members and guests are welcome. For complete information and full calendar of events, visit http://www.GoldCountryTrailsCouncil.org.

SIR’s (Sons in Retirement Branch 55)

Renew old friendships and make new friends through our monthly luncheons and organized activities (some activities include spouses or significant other). Activities are base on member’s interests: wine tasting, bocce ball, pool, bowling, golf, fishing, and many more. We invite men of ALL AGES that are semi-retired or retired looking to meet new friends and participate in fun activities. We are a 501-(c)4 non-profit men’s organization that has been established for over 60 years. We meet for lunch the THIRD TUESDAY of every month at the Grass Valley Moose Lodge (non affiliated host), located at 15694 Allison Ranch Rd. Lunch is at noon. Stick around afterwards for billiards/pool! Come alone or bring a guest. Joining is free and there are no dues. Come join us, no reservation necessary. (Cost of lunch includes salad, main course and desert) Come check us out! For further information if needed. Email: sir55grassvalley@gmail.com or call Hershel Golden at 530-272-3378. More information about SIR’s can be found at http://www.sirinc.org.

American Chronic Pain Association

We meet monthly to facilitate peer support and education for individuals with chronic pain and their families. The group hosts knowledgeable speakers on a regular basis who give helpful information on ways to live more fully in spite of pain. Group members also share experiences as well as support and encourage one another. The American Chronic Pain Association meets at 1 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month in the Gold Room at Hilltop Commons Senior Community. For more information, contact Jeanne Spring at 530-432-0247.

American Legion Auxiliary Frank Gallino Unit 130

Last month, members traveled to Yountville to visit the largest veterans’ home in California, the Veterans’ Home of California, founded in 1884. After a tour of the buildings and grounds we met with the Poppy Production Team and learned about the Poppy Making program.

Blue Star Mothers of America, Chapt. 12

We meet at 10 a.m. on the third Saturday of the month at Paulette’s Country Kitchen in Grass Valley. If you are a mother, adoptive mother, stepmother, foster mother, grandmother or legal guardian who has a son or daughter who is serving, or has been honorably discharged from the Armed Forces of the United States, we invite you to join us. For information, visit http://www.sierranevadabsma.org or email bsmaca12@earthlink.net.

Nevada County Freethinkers

Reason and rationality in the foothills — we welcome freethinkers, humanists, atheists, skeptics, and anyone looking to make a connection with other like minded people in our community. During our meetings we discuss how we arrived at our worldview and the difficulties we may have with friends and family who have trouble understanding our views, we review and discuss articles and other media about our views, and generally just have an enjoyable time together. For more information, visit http://www.meetup.com/Nevada-County-Freethinkers.

The Marine Corps League, Gold Country Detachment of #885 of Nevada County

Calling all Marines! Join us for our meetings at 6 p.m. on the first Monday of every month at the Veterans Memorial Building in Grass Valley. Look for the Marine Corps’ flag and yellow footprints at the bottom of the stairs at the rear of the building. For more information, call Al Hernandez at 530-864-2480.

Are Stocks Enough, or Can Your Portfolio Do Better? – Kearney Hub

March 5, 2021 by ADSWineReporter

Are Stocks Enough, or Can Your Portfolio Do Better?

1 of 2

(David Butler)

Benefits of alternatives

In comparison, the S&P 500 usually does around 10% to 12% per year. Over the long haul, common inflation hedges like gold also underperform.

So why not just put everything into individual stocks?

Image source: Getty Images.

Downsides of alternatives

Okay, I’ll admit the car thing remains a problem. Other alternative assets, however, are becoming more and more accessible to the common investor.

It’s a lot easier to sell $250,000 worth of General Motors stock than it is to sell a $250,000 house. The former can be done in a day. The latter can take months, if not longer.

Removing the cons from the equation

Image source: Getty Images.

This is just one example of how alternatives are becoming more and more available to the typical buyer.

A balanced portfolio

That is why investors need to look to diversify with some alternative assets as a piece of their overall strategy. Real estate is a valuable asset. They’re not making any more of it.

10 stocks we like better than SPDR Gold Trust

When investing geniuses David and Tom Gardner have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market.*

*Stock Advisor returns as of February 24, 2021

Sonoma company introduces 1st non-alcoholic wine-infused seltzer – Santa Rosa Press Democrat

March 5, 2021 by ADSWineReporter

INDEX-TRIBUNE MANAGING EDITOR

March 3, 2021, 8:00PM

Updated 5 hours ago

The taste of cabernet or chardonnay without the alcohol? There’s good news coming out of Kenwood for teetolalers or anyone who enjoys wine but doesn’t want an alcoholic drink.

Sonoma Valley-based G-Zee Brands has launched H2O Sonoma Soft Seltzer, which founder Georgos Zanganas bills as the world’s first wine-infused non-alcoholic sparkling water.

The project is a partnership between founder Zanganas and longtime Deerfield Ranch winemaker and owner Robert Rex.

“People want an alternative to wine,” says Zanganas. “There are people who don’t want to drink for religious reasons, athletes, women who are pregnant, or those who just want to reduce their consumption.”

Zanganas and Rex got the idea for the new beverage while pouring wine and talking to customers at a Whole Foods at the end of 2020.

“While pouring, we get to check out developments of other product lines,“ Rex told the Index-Tribune. ”We were watching the boom in no/low alcohol drinks as well as the rise in popularity of seltzers. But there was nothing out there like this.“

H2O is mineral rich well water infused with de-alcoholized wine made from 100 percent California varietal wine grapes and natural flavor extracts, says Zanganas. “The alcohol is stripped out so natural extracts are then added, as well as vitamins and potassium and calcium.”

“The drink provides the nuanced flavor of the wine but is refreshing – it reminds you of wine but is light,” said Zanganas. “This is what to drink when you’re not drinking.”

Beer, wine and spirits companies around the world are scrambling to cater to a growing population of teetotalers.

Longtime Sonoma resident Jody Purdom says that she has cut back on her wine consumption over the years but the last time she tried them, she didn’t enjoy the few non-alcoholic wines that were widely available.

“It would really be great if someone could bring a wine to market that was no, or even low, alcohol that was palatable,” she said. She recommends hop water – Lagunitas makes one – “as it’s tasty and has no alcohol.”

Beer companies have experimented with non-alcoholic recipes for years. Anyone who has survived Dry January can vouch for variations in success. Currently Beck’s Blue and Heineken 00 are the top-selling labels, but dozens more brands have recently thrown their hats into the ring. According to a 2019 Morning Advertiser Report, the low and non-alcoholic sector is the fastest growing part of the world beer market.

Diageo now owns the 4-year-old British company Seedlip, which bills itself as the world’s first distilled non-alcoholic spirits. Other fast-growing players in the alcohol-free spirits category include Apolos, Ritual Zero Proof, Amass, Kin Euphorics, Lyres and Monday.

“Nobody yet has a product like this in wine, however,” said Zanganas. “Wine is great but some people don’t have the power to stop. This gives them an alternative.”

“My team and I have been making wine for nearly a half-century, focusing on the subtle flavor nuances that make a wine truly great,” said Rex. “It is the inclusion of these subtle flavor essences from our favorite wine grape varietals that makes H2O Sonoma Soft Seltzer so innovative and exciting.”

Zanganas is particularly proud of the science and market research behind H2O. During the brand’s development, he enlisted professors at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo to study both their recipe and the market demand for a nonalcoholic beverage of this type.

H2O_paper_CalPoly_University.pdf

“Their peer-reviewed papers confirmed both the nutrients and that the market is ready for this,” he said.

H2O currently offers rose, sauvingnon blanc and pinot noir. Moscato, cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay, merlot, and zinfandel will be released in 2021. All varietals are served chilled.

A 16-ounce can of H2O – two generous servings – has a total of 30 to 60 calories and no added sugar. It contains electrolytes, potassium and calcium — with no detectable sulfites, gluten, artificial flavors or artificial sweeteners. Each serving also has 100 percent of the daily recommended allowance of vitamin C and B12.

H2O retails for around $5 per can, or $20 for a four-pack, and is available on Amazon Prime and at Deerfield Ranch, with additional local retailers to follow.

Contact Lorna at lorna.sheridan@sonomanews.com.

Sultana (Raisin) Market to Witness an Outstanding Growth by 2027| Xinjiang ACST Food, Turpan Raisin, West Orchard – NeighborWebSJ – NeighborWebSJ

March 5, 2021 by ADSWineReporter

Los Angeles, United State, March 2021- –The report on the global Sultana (Raisin) market is a compilation of intelligent, broad research studies that will help players and stakeholders to make informed business decisions in future. It offers specific and reliable recommendations for players to better tackle challenges in the global Sultana (Raisin) market. Furthermore, it comes out as a powerful resource providing up to date and verified information and data on various aspects of the global Sultana (Raisin) market. Readers will be able to gain deeper understanding of the competitive landscape and its future scenarios, crucial dynamics, and leading segments of the global Sultana (Raisin) market. Buyers of the report will have access to accurate PESTLE, SWOT, and other types of analysis on the global Sultana (Raisin) market.

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Popular Players

Competition is a major subject in any market research analysis. With the help of the competitive analysis provided in the report, players can easily study key strategies adopted by leading players of the global Sultana (Raisin) market. They will also be able to plan counterstrategies to gain a competitive advantage in the global Sultana (Raisin) market. Major as well as emerging players of the global Sultana (Raisin) market are closely studied taking into consideration their market share, production, revenue, sales growth, gross margin, product portfolio, and other significant factors. This will help players to become familiar with the moves of their toughest competitors in the global Sultana (Raisin) market.

The report is just the right tool that players need to strengthen their position in the global Sultana (Raisin) market. It is also the perfect resource that will help players to sustain their lead or achieve a competitive position in the global Sultana (Raisin) market.

Key Players Mentioned in the Global Sultana (Raisin) Market Research Report:Xinjiang ACST Food, Turpan Raisin, West Orchard, Loulanmiyu, Fruits of Turkey, Farzin Group, Silu, Tianshan Jiayuan, Tunhe, Gulsan A, S, Antan, SIMIN TAK CO

Top Segments

The segmental analysis section of the report includes a thorough research study on key type and application segments of the global Sultana (Raisin) market. All of the segments considered for the study are analyzed in quite some detail on the basis of market share, growth rate, recent developments, technology, and other critical factors. The segmental analysis provided in the report will help players to identify high-growth segments of the global Sultana (Raisin) market and clearly understand their growth journey.

Global Sultana (Raisin) Market by Type Segments:

Natural Dry, Artificial Dry

Global Sultana (Raisin) Market by Application Segments:

, Direct Eat, Making Wine, Deep Processing

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Leading Regions

The authors of the report have analyzed both developing and developed regions considered for the research and analysis of the global Sultana (Raisin) market. The regional analysis section of the report provides an extensive research study on different regional and country-wise Sultana (Raisin) markets to help players plan effective expansion strategies. Moreover, it offers highly accurate estimations on the CAGR, market share, and market size of key regions and countries. Players can use this study to explore untapped Sultana (Raisin) markets to extend their reach and create sales opportunities.

The Middle East and Africa (GCC Countries and Egypt)
North America (the United States, Mexico, and Canada)
South America (Brazil etc.)
Europe (Turkey, Germany, Russia UK, Italy, France, etc.)
Asia-Pacific (Vietnam, China, Malaysia, Japan, Philippines, Korea, Thailand, India, Indonesia, and Australia)

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Table of Content

1 Sultana (Raisin) Market Overview

1.1 Sultana (Raisin) Product Scope

1.2 Sultana (Raisin) Segment by Type

1.2.1 Global Sultana (Raisin) Sales by Type (2016 & 2021 & 2027)

1.2.2 Natural Dry

1.2.3 Artificial Dry

1.3 Sultana (Raisin) Segment by Application

1.3.1 Global Sultana (Raisin) Sales Comparison by Application (2016 & 2021 & 2027)

1.3.2 Direct Eat

1.3.3 Making Wine

1.3.4 Deep Processing

1.4 Sultana (Raisin) Market Estimates and Forecasts (2016-2027)

1.4.1 Global Sultana (Raisin) Market Size in Value Growth Rate (2016-2027)

1.4.2 Global Sultana (Raisin) Market Size in Volume Growth Rate (2016-2027)

1.4.3 Global Sultana (Raisin) Price Trends (2016-2027) 2 Sultana (Raisin) Estimates and Forecasts by Region

2.1 Global Sultana (Raisin) Market Size by Region: 2016 VS 2021 VS 2027

2.2 Global Sultana (Raisin) Retrospective Market Scenario by Region (2016-2021)

2.2.1 Global Sultana (Raisin) Sales Market Share by Region (2016-2021)

2.2.2 Global Sultana (Raisin) Revenue Market Share by Region (2016-2021)

2.3 Global Sultana (Raisin) Market Estimates and Forecasts by Region (2022-2027)

2.3.1 Global Sultana (Raisin) Sales Estimates and Forecasts by Region (2022-2027)

2.3.2 Global Sultana (Raisin) Revenue Forecast by Region (2022-2027)

2.4 Geographic Market Analysis: Market Facts & Figures

2.4.1 North America Sultana (Raisin) Estimates and Projections (2016-2027)

2.4.2 Europe Sultana (Raisin) Estimates and Projections (2016-2027)

2.4.3 China Sultana (Raisin) Estimates and Projections (2016-2027)

2.4.4 Japan Sultana (Raisin) Estimates and Projections (2016-2027)

2.4.5 Southeast Asia Sultana (Raisin) Estimates and Projections (2016-2027)

2.4.6 India Sultana (Raisin) Estimates and Projections (2016-2027) 3 Global Sultana (Raisin) Competition Landscape by Players

3.1 Global Top Sultana (Raisin) Players by Sales (2016-2021)

3.2 Global Top Sultana (Raisin) Players by Revenue (2016-2021)

3.3 Global Sultana (Raisin) Market Share by Company Type (Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3) & (based on the Revenue in Sultana (Raisin) as of 2020)

3.4 Global Sultana (Raisin) Average Price by Company (2016-2021)

3.5 Manufacturers Sultana (Raisin) Manufacturing Sites, Area Served, Product Type

3.6 Manufacturers Mergers & Acquisitions, Expansion Plans 4 Global Sultana (Raisin) Market Size by Type

4.1 Global Sultana (Raisin) Historic Market Review by Type (2016-2021)

4.1.1 Global Sultana (Raisin) Sales Market Share by Type (2016-2021)

4.1.2 Global Sultana (Raisin) Revenue Market Share by Type (2016-2021)

4.1.3 Global Sultana (Raisin) Price by Type (2016-2021)

4.2 Global Sultana (Raisin) Market Estimates and Forecasts by Type (2022-2027)

4.2.1 Global Sultana (Raisin) Sales Forecast by Type (2022-2027)

4.2.2 Global Sultana (Raisin) Revenue Forecast by Type (2022-2027)

4.2.3 Global Sultana (Raisin) Price Forecast by Type (2022-2027) 5 Global Sultana (Raisin) Market Size by Application

5.1 Global Sultana (Raisin) Historic Market Review by Application (2016-2021)

5.1.1 Global Sultana (Raisin) Sales Market Share by Application (2016-2021)

5.1.2 Global Sultana (Raisin) Revenue Market Share by Application (2016-2021)

5.1.3 Global Sultana (Raisin) Price by Application (2016-2021)

5.2 Global Sultana (Raisin) Market Estimates and Forecasts by Application (2022-2027)

5.2.1 Global Sultana (Raisin) Sales Forecast by Application (2022-2027)

5.2.2 Global Sultana (Raisin) Revenue Forecast by Application (2022-2027)

5.2.3 Global Sultana (Raisin) Price Forecast by Application (2022-2027) 6 North America Sultana (Raisin) Market Facts & Figures

6.1 North America Sultana (Raisin) Sales by Company

6.1.1 North America Sultana (Raisin) Sales by Company (2016-2021)

6.1.2 North America Sultana (Raisin) Revenue by Company (2016-2021)

6.2 North America Sultana (Raisin) Sales Breakdown by Type

6.2.1 North America Sultana (Raisin) Sales Breakdown by Type (2016-2021)

6.2.2 North America Sultana (Raisin) Sales Breakdown by Type (2022-2027)

6.3 North America Sultana (Raisin) Sales Breakdown by Application

6.3.1 North America Sultana (Raisin) Sales Breakdown by Application (2016-2021)

6.3.2 North America Sultana (Raisin) Sales Breakdown by Application (2022-2027) 7 Europe Sultana (Raisin) Market Facts & Figures

7.1 Europe Sultana (Raisin) Sales by Company

7.1.1 Europe Sultana (Raisin) Sales by Company (2016-2021)

7.1.2 Europe Sultana (Raisin) Revenue by Company (2016-2021)

7.2 Europe Sultana (Raisin) Sales Breakdown by Type

7.2.1 Europe Sultana (Raisin) Sales Breakdown by Type (2016-2021)

7.2.2 Europe Sultana (Raisin) Sales Breakdown by Type (2022-2027)

7.3 Europe Sultana (Raisin) Sales Breakdown by Application

7.3.1 Europe 129 Sales Breakdown by Application (2016-2021)

7.3.2 Europe 129 Sales Breakdown by Application (2022-2027) 8 China Sultana (Raisin) Market Facts & Figures

8.1 China Sultana (Raisin) Sales by Company

8.1.1 China Sultana (Raisin) Sales by Company (2016-2021)

8.1.2 China Sultana (Raisin) Revenue by Company (2016-2021)

8.2 China Sultana (Raisin) Sales Breakdown by Type

8.2.1 China Sultana (Raisin) Sales Breakdown by Type (2016-2021)

8.2.2 China Sultana (Raisin) Sales Breakdown by Type (2022-2027)

8.3 China Sultana (Raisin) Sales Breakdown by Application

8.3.1 China 152 Sales Breakdown by Application (2016-2021)

8.3.2 China 152 Sales Breakdown by Application (2022-2027) 9 Japan Sultana (Raisin) Market Facts & Figures

9.1 Japan Sultana (Raisin) Sales by Company

9.1.1 Japan Sultana (Raisin) Sales by Company (2016-2021)

9.1.2 Japan Sultana (Raisin) Revenue by Company (2016-2021)

9.2 Japan Sultana (Raisin) Sales Breakdown by Type

9.2.1 Japan Sultana (Raisin) Sales Breakdown by Type (2016-2021)

9.2.2 Japan Sultana (Raisin) Sales Breakdown by Type (2022-2027)

9.3 Japan Sultana (Raisin) Sales Breakdown by Application

9.3.1 Japan Feb. Sales Breakdown by Application (2016-2021)

9.3.2 Japan Feb. Sales Breakdown by Application (2022-2027) 10 Southeast Asia Sultana (Raisin) Market Facts & Figures

10.1 Southeast Asia Sultana (Raisin) Sales by Company

10.1.1 Southeast Asia Sultana (Raisin) Sales by Company (2016-2021)

10.1.2 Southeast Asia Sultana (Raisin) Revenue by Company (2016-2021)

10.2 Southeast Asia Sultana (Raisin) Sales Breakdown by Type

10.2.1 Southeast Asia Sultana (Raisin) Sales Breakdown by Type (2016-2021)

10.2.2 Southeast Asia Sultana (Raisin) Sales Breakdown by Type (2022-2027)

10.3 Southeast Asia Sultana (Raisin) Sales Breakdown by Application

10.3.1 Southeast Asia K MT Sales Breakdown by Application (2016-2021)

10.3.2 Southeast Asia K MT Sales Breakdown by Application (2022-2027) 11 India Sultana (Raisin) Market Facts & Figures

11.1 India Sultana (Raisin) Sales by Company

11.1.1 India Sultana (Raisin) Sales by Company (2016-2021)

11.1.2 India Sultana (Raisin) Revenue by Company (2016-2021)

11.2 India Sultana (Raisin) Sales Breakdown by Type

11.2.1 India Sultana (Raisin) Sales Breakdown by Type (2016-2021)

11.2.2 India Sultana (Raisin) Sales Breakdown by Type (2022-2027)

11.3 India Sultana (Raisin) Sales Breakdown by Application

11.3.1 India Sultana (Raisin) Sales Breakdown by Application (2016-2021)

11.3.2 India Sultana (Raisin) Sales Breakdown by Application (2022-2027) 12 Company Profiles and Key Figures in Sultana (Raisin) Business

12.1 Xinjiang ACST Food

12.1.1 Xinjiang ACST Food Corporation Information

12.1.2 Xinjiang ACST Food Business Overview

12.1.3 Xinjiang ACST Food Sultana (Raisin) Sales, Revenue and Gross Margin (2016-2021)

12.1.4 Xinjiang ACST Food Sultana (Raisin) Products Offered

12.1.5 Xinjiang ACST Food Recent Development

12.2 Turpan Raisin

12.2.1 Turpan Raisin Corporation Information

12.2.2 Turpan Raisin Business Overview

12.2.3 Turpan Raisin Sultana (Raisin) Sales, Revenue and Gross Margin (2016-2021)

12.2.4 Turpan Raisin Sultana (Raisin) Products Offered

12.2.5 Turpan Raisin Recent Development

12.3 West Orchard

12.3.1 West Orchard Corporation Information

12.3.2 West Orchard Business Overview

12.3.3 West Orchard Sultana (Raisin) Sales, Revenue and Gross Margin (2016-2021)

12.3.4 West Orchard Sultana (Raisin) Products Offered

12.3.5 West Orchard Recent Development

12.4 Loulanmiyu

12.4.1 Loulanmiyu Corporation Information

12.4.2 Loulanmiyu Business Overview

12.4.3 Loulanmiyu Sultana (Raisin) Sales, Revenue and Gross Margin (2016-2021)

12.4.4 Loulanmiyu Sultana (Raisin) Products Offered

12.4.5 Loulanmiyu Recent Development

12.5 Fruits of Turkey

12.5.1 Fruits of Turkey Corporation Information

12.5.2 Fruits of Turkey Business Overview

12.5.3 Fruits of Turkey Sultana (Raisin) Sales, Revenue and Gross Margin (2016-2021)

12.5.4 Fruits of Turkey Sultana (Raisin) Products Offered

12.5.5 Fruits of Turkey Recent Development

12.6 Farzin Group

12.6.1 Farzin Group Corporation Information

12.6.2 Farzin Group Business Overview

12.6.3 Farzin Group Sultana (Raisin) Sales, Revenue and Gross Margin (2016-2021)

12.6.4 Farzin Group Sultana (Raisin) Products Offered

12.6.5 Farzin Group Recent Development

12.7 Silu

12.7.1 Silu Corporation Information

12.7.2 Silu Business Overview

12.7.3 Silu Sultana (Raisin) Sales, Revenue and Gross Margin (2016-2021)

12.7.4 Silu Sultana (Raisin) Products Offered

12.7.5 Silu Recent Development

12.8 Tianshan Jiayuan

12.8.1 Tianshan Jiayuan Corporation Information

12.8.2 Tianshan Jiayuan Business Overview

12.8.3 Tianshan Jiayuan Sultana (Raisin) Sales, Revenue and Gross Margin (2016-2021)

12.8.4 Tianshan Jiayuan Sultana (Raisin) Products Offered

12.8.5 Tianshan Jiayuan Recent Development

12.9 Tunhe

12.9.1 Tunhe Corporation Information

12.9.2 Tunhe Business Overview

12.9.3 Tunhe Sultana (Raisin) Sales, Revenue and Gross Margin (2016-2021)

12.9.4 Tunhe Sultana (Raisin) Products Offered

12.9.5 Tunhe Recent Development

12.10 Gulsan A, S

12.10.1 Gulsan A, S Corporation Information

12.10.2 Gulsan A, S Business Overview

12.10.3 Gulsan A, S Sultana (Raisin) Sales, Revenue and Gross Margin (2016-2021)

12.10.4 Gulsan A, S Sultana (Raisin) Products Offered

12.10.5 Gulsan A, S Recent Development

12.11 Antan

12.11.1 Antan Corporation Information

12.11.2 Antan Business Overview

12.11.3 Antan Sultana (Raisin) Sales, Revenue and Gross Margin (2016-2021)

12.11.4 Antan Sultana (Raisin) Products Offered

12.11.5 Antan Recent Development

12.12 SIMIN TAK CO

12.12.1 SIMIN TAK CO Corporation Information

12.12.2 SIMIN TAK CO Business Overview

12.12.3 SIMIN TAK CO Sultana (Raisin) Sales, Revenue and Gross Margin (2016-2021)

12.12.4 SIMIN TAK CO Sultana (Raisin) Products Offered

12.12.5 SIMIN TAK CO Recent Development 13 Sultana (Raisin) Manufacturing Cost Analysis

13.1 Sultana (Raisin) Key Raw Materials Analysis

13.1.1 Key Raw Materials

13.1.2 Key Raw Materials Price Trend

13.1.3 Key Suppliers of Raw Materials

13.2 Proportion of Manufacturing Cost Structure

13.3 Manufacturing Process Analysis of Sultana (Raisin)

13.4 Sultana (Raisin) Industrial Chain Analysis 14 Marketing Channel, Distributors and Customers

14.1 Marketing Channel

14.2 Sultana (Raisin) Distributors List

14.3 Sultana (Raisin) Customers 15 Market Dynamics

15.1 Sultana (Raisin) Market Trends

15.2 Sultana (Raisin) Drivers

15.3 Sultana (Raisin) Market Challenges

15.4 Sultana (Raisin) Market Restraints 16 Research Findings and Conclusion 17 Appendix

17.1 Research Methodology

17.1.1 Methodology/Research Approach

17.1.2 Data Source

17.2 Author List

17.3 Disclaimer

About US:

QYResearch established in 2007, focus on custom research, management consulting, IPO consulting, industry chain research, data base and seminar services. the company owned a large basic data base (such as National Bureau of statistics database, Customs import and export database, Industry Association Database etc), experts resources (included energy automotive chemical medical ICT consumer goods etc industries experts who own more than 10 years experiences on marketing or R&D), professional survey team (the team member with more than 3 years market survey experience and more than 2 years depth expert interview experience). Excellent data analysis team (SPSS statistics and PPT graphics process team).

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After years of experimenting with wine making, this couple has opened Lecompton’s sole winery – The Topeka Capital-Journal

March 5, 2021 by ADSWineReporter

India Yarborough

| Topeka Capital-Journal

Lecompton residents Troy and Vickie Clark never expected to make a business out of their love for wine.

“We’ve always been one of those couples that goes to all the little wineries when we go on vacation,” Vickie said.

And until eight or nine years ago, that was the extent of it. Then, the couple took a trip to Niagara Falls.

“We probably went to 25 wineries while we were up there,” Vickie said.

During their travels, the pair decided to take their own crack at wine making, and upon returning home, they established a small operation in their basement.

“We started making wine from kits,” Vickie said, “and then, branched into recipes and just kind of went from there.”

It was fun, Troy added, so they kept making more and more.

“Pretty soon we had a lot and started giving it away to family and friends,” he said. “They were telling us, ‘You should sell this. It’s really good.’ I wasn’t sure about that.”

But then they went on another vacation, this time to Yellowstone National Park.

“It’s always vacations,” Troy joked.

On their way back from Yellowstone, the pair stopped at a small wine store in Laramie, Wyoming. The store owner made a variety of unique fruit wines in the back of the store and sold them out front.

And that small, one-man operation inspired the Clarks to do something similar back home in Lecompton — a Douglas County town of fewer than 1,000 people, just northwest of Lawrence.

“It’s always been my dream to have a little downtown store, be my own boss and all that. It just never worked out,” Troy said. “When I saw that little storefront and I saw how he was doing things, I was like, ‘You know, I could do that.'”

The Clarks already had the product. It was just a matter of finding a location, scaling up production and putting a business plan into action.

More: Take a look at which Topeka businesses closed in 2020 — and which opened despite the odds.

Opening Empty Nester’s Winery

A couple months after the Yellowstone trip, Troy and Vickie Clark purchased a storefront in downtown Lecompton, and that purchase laid the groundwork for the town’s sole winery. After more than two years spent renovating the place, the Clarks officially opened Empty Nester’s Winery, at 338 Elmore St., earlier this year.

“We went from making six-gallon batches in our basement to 60-gallon batches here,” Troy said. “It’s been a lot of fun.”

The winery’s name began as a joke when they made wine as a hobby, Vickie said, as their kids are out of the house. But the name stuck and wound up on the winery’s logo and bottle labels.

Empty Nester’s Winery has about a dozen different wines available. They are all fruit wines — not your classic reds and whites — and feature names that hold historical significance for Lecompton residents.

The name “1918,” for instance, is a nod to when businesses on the block in which Empty Nester’s now sits were rebuilt, after being destroyed by a fire two years earlier. The name “Bald Eagle Blueberry” has a similar backstory.

“When Lecompton was first founded,” Troy said, “the settlers came over a bluff and saw a bunch of bald eagles flying around the river right here next to us, and they named the town Bald Eagle. About five years later, they changed it to Lecompton, after judge Samuel Lecompte.”

More: Southwest Topeka’s Brookwood Shopping Center has some notable changes on the horizon

According to Troy, there is a story about each wine’s name on the back of its bottle. When visiting the winery, customers may purchase wine by the bottle, by the glass or by sampling several different flavors.

The winery doesn’t have a kitchen, he said, because they didn’t want to take business from the cafe next door. But for those in the mood for snacking, Empty Nester’s does offer a couple different cheese trays, as well as chocolates from Hazel Hill in downtown Topeka.

According to the Clarks, Empty Nester’s Winery has gotten a lot of support so far from Lecompton residents.

It was a bit scary to open during the COVID-19 pandemic, Vickie said, but they had already put so much work into the venture that they didn’t plan to wait.

“Although, we’re not going to do our grand opening until April,” she added. “We thought we’d wait until we could be outside.”

In the meantime, they are looking to attract locals and travelers alike — including people like them who make winery hopping a habit.

“We knew it would be risky opening a business in a very small town,” Troy said, “but a winery is something that draws people.”

“It’s an event in itself,” Vickie added.

She and her husband hope to grow the business as their following increases. Right now, they are the only employees Empty Nester’s has, but they would like to bring more people on board in the near future.

“After we opened, I was talking to some other wineries, and they said January, February are the slowest months of the year for wineries,” Troy said. “I’m expecting by summertime to be pretty busy.”

And with the traffic they have seen so far, they have a reason to be optimistic.

“We’re really excited,” Troy said. “If this is the slowest time of the year, I think we’ll be OK.”

Are Stocks Enough, or Can Your Portfolio Do Better? – Daily Journal Online

March 5, 2021 by ADSWineReporter

Are Stocks Enough, or Can Your Portfolio Do Better?

1 of 2

(David Butler)

Benefits of alternatives

In comparison, the S&P 500 usually does around 10% to 12% per year. Over the long haul, common inflation hedges like gold also underperform.

So why not just put everything into individual stocks?

Image source: Getty Images.

Downsides of alternatives

Okay, I’ll admit the car thing remains a problem. Other alternative assets, however, are becoming more and more accessible to the common investor.

It’s a lot easier to sell $250,000 worth of General Motors stock than it is to sell a $250,000 house. The former can be done in a day. The latter can take months, if not longer.

Removing the cons from the equation

Image source: Getty Images.

This is just one example of how alternatives are becoming more and more available to the typical buyer.

A balanced portfolio

That is why investors need to look to diversify with some alternative assets as a piece of their overall strategy. Real estate is a valuable asset. They’re not making any more of it.

10 stocks we like better than SPDR Gold Trust

When investing geniuses David and Tom Gardner have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market.*

*Stock Advisor returns as of February 24, 2021

A.D.S. WINE NEWS
All Daily Stories: News About Wines

Making Wine

Are Stocks Enough, or Can Your Portfolio Do Better? – The Daily Progress

Benefits of alternatives

Downsides of alternatives

Removing the cons from the equation

A balanced portfolio

Brunello di Montalcino trophy winner: Tenute Piccini 2015 – IWSC

Tell us about the history and background of Tenute Piccini…

How did you get into wine?

What is your winemaking philosophy?

What is the best piece of advice you have been given and how did you use that in your winemaking?

Who or what has been your most important influence and why?

How can people best enjoy your wine?

Read more about award-winning Italian wines:

Are Stocks Enough, or Can Your Portfolio Do Better? – Grand Island Independent

Benefits of alternatives

Downsides of alternatives

Removing the cons from the equation

A balanced portfolio

Making the Case for New Zealand Reds (Mar 2021) – Vinous

Club News, March 6, 2021 | TheUnion.com – The Union of Grass Valley – The Union of Grass Valley

Are Stocks Enough, or Can Your Portfolio Do Better? – Kearney Hub

Benefits of alternatives

Downsides of alternatives

Removing the cons from the equation

A balanced portfolio

Sonoma company introduces 1st non-alcoholic wine-infused seltzer – Santa Rosa Press Democrat

Sultana (Raisin) Market to Witness an Outstanding Growth by 2027| Xinjiang ACST Food, Turpan Raisin, West Orchard – NeighborWebSJ – NeighborWebSJ

After years of experimenting with wine making, this couple has opened Lecompton’s sole winery – The Topeka Capital-Journal

Opening Empty Nester’s Winery

Are Stocks Enough, or Can Your Portfolio Do Better? – Daily Journal Online

Benefits of alternatives

Downsides of alternatives

Removing the cons from the equation

A balanced portfolio