Bottles Across The Border
The first Mexican-American wine is on its way. Two of the oldest wineries on this continent have created Duetto, a cabernet sauvignon made from equal parts Alta and Baja California grapes. Wente Bros., founded in 1883, is the oldest family-owned winery north of the border, and the Santo Tomas winery was founded in 1888 as the second vintner in Mexico, from grapes originally planted by missionary priests for their sacramental wines.
Only six of thirty Mexican wineries have survived since the 1980's, and Mexican wine in general has not enjoyed the same global reputation as that of Chile or Spain. But the Santo Tomas valley shares the same cool nights and ocean currents that make its growing conditions comparable to France and Northern California. The ultra-premium wine is expected to be released in 1998, selling for between $20 and $25 in the US and Mexico, respectively. NAFTA is credited for offering the economic climate suitable for growing a financially feasible joint venture such as this.
Remember a couple of years ago when Ben & Jerry's launched an essay contest to find their new president? Robert Holland, Jr., was selected for the role, but was in fact discovered through an executive search firm hired to supplement the essay contest efforts. Now, just 20 months after his first day on the job at this icon of homespun companies, Mr. Holland's opus has reached its final crescendo. Holland, an experienced management consultant, was cryptic about his resignation, speaking vaguely about how following the succeeding founders and difficult marketplace demands created a "need for accelerated succession," reported the Los Angeles Times. Ben Cohen, the co-founder who left the president's position to develop new flavors, remains the chairman and issued a concise statement, saying Holland had arrived in time to launch their new sorbet line and get the new plant up and running. Ben & Jerry's stock is at its lowest levels, partly due to increased dairy costs, a new fat conscious public, and lower ice cream sales nationwide.