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by Fred McMillin
for June 29, 1998
The Legend of Glen Ellen
Prologue
In 1983, the management of the embryonic Glen Ellen Winery in Sonoma Valley noticed a gap in the market. There were inexpensive jug wines with names like Chablis, and wines named after the grape,like Chardonnay at $10 and up. But there weren't wines named after the grape at $4 or $5. The plan had been to reach a production rate of 50,000 cases a year of $1O+ varietal wines by 1990. Instead, they switched to the $5 varietal target, and here's what happened.
The Rest of the Story
1982—Sales were 6,500 cases. The stainless steel fermentation tank was a
rented milk truck. 1983—The target was changed to $5 varietals called Proprietor's
Reserve.
1988—Would you believe, sales were sixty million dollars. Grapes were
being purchased from 250 growers in various regions of California.
1989—A new $2 million bottling plant is built in the city of Sonoma. Glen Ellen
employees exceed 200. 1994—Annual sales reach about four million cases.
1995—My panel selects the $5 1994 Glen Ellen Proprietor's Reserve Chardonnay
as the Best Buy of the Year...Today they feel the latest, the 1997, is a fine
value, too.
The
Wine
1997 Proprietor's Reserve Chardonnay, California
Glen Ellen Winery and Vineyards, Sonoma, CA.
Rating—Highly recommended in its price range.
Contact—Tim McDonald, (707) 939-6209
Price—$6 range
Postscript
About the name "Glen Ellen"—The vineyard was established in 1868. The Glen Ellen Ranch was run by Mrs. Ellen Stuart, who both grew grapes and made wine. The town of Glen Ellen was named after Ellen Stuart. (Source: Prof. T. Pinney)
 |
About the Writer
Fred McMillin, a veteran wine writer, has taught wine history for 30 years on three continents. He currently teaches wine courses at San Francisco State and San Francisco City College and is Northern California Editor for American Wine on the Web. In 1995, the Academy of Wine Communications honored Fred with one of only 22 Certificates of Commendation awarded to American wine writers. |
WineDay
Annex
More articles by
Fred McMillin
Welcome to WineDay, the electronic Gourmet Guide's daily update. Monday through Thursday, WineDay presents a wine profile. Then on Fridays we present the Winery of the Week to take you through the weekend.
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1997 WineDays
06/26/98
Winery of the Week
The Water Problem
06/25/98
A Honey of a Wine
06/24/98
Banned in France
06/23/98
Gangway for
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06/22/98
Hurrah for Victoria
06/19/98
Winery of the Week
A Sonora Soliloquy
06/18/98
A Seco Rarin' to Go
06/17/98
Man's Best Friend,
The Blend
06/16/98
What's Torrontes?
06/15/98
Well Done Napoleon
06/12/98
Winery of the Week
Death of a Vineyard
06/11/98
Jarvis Bliss
06/10/98
The Gray Grape
06/09/98
Lo and Behold
the Pink and Gold
06/08/98
Sangiovese Goes West
06/05/98
Winery of the Week
Staton Hill Thrills
06/04/98
ZD? Oui, Oui!
06/03/98
A Colombard Wild Card
06/02/98
A Cab to Remember
06/01/98
Here Comes the Bride
Copyright © 1998—the electronic Gourmet Guide, Inc. All rights reserved.