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earth2table: Designs. And Vines
August 9, 2006

Stu Stein

August 9, 2006
Summer …

Here we are, full steam into summer in the Pacific Northwest. Trust me when I say I would rather be interacting with my artisan producers and frolicking in the fields than meeting with developers, architects and lawyers. Call it a necessary evil. I met with architects Kelly Edwards and Jess Graden and saw the layout and interior design for the first time. Is it me or do architects really like colored pencils? It’s hard to describe, but it was the same feeling I had when I saw my cookbook up on Amazon.com’s Web site for the first time. Exciting, frightening and an “Oh my god, I have so much work to do!” moment.

That being said, Kelly and I met with Ben Kaiser, the developer of BackBridge Station Lofts (l.). As I mentioned previously, I’m negotiating to get the best deal and as many concessions as possible. And since we are still designing, we have to check on all the changes we want to make to Ben’s design. How much could it cost to move a load-bearing wall or exterior door?

House Wines

It wasn’t all numbers, spreadsheets and legalese. I met with a number of winemakers out at their wineries to discuss their ability and willingness to make several co-branded wines for Terroir and taste, taste, taste. Sometimes I really love my job. My goal is to show the range that the Pacific Northwest has and can accomplish. Score big time! Gilles Antoine de Domingo, winemaker for a local winery, will be co-branding several wines with me: to begin with, a pinot gris, a pinot noir and a vin glace of pinot blanc. The vineyard is an Oregon Tilth-certified organic (www.tilth.org) and Demeter-certified biodynamic (www.demeter-usa.org) winery. Its owners, Dr. Robert Gross and Gilles, make wines that “blur the lines between science and magic and all that matters is a finished wine that reflects varietal character, terroir and the hands.” Most importantly, they taste good.

My graphic designer and their marketing/sales director are busy coming up with ideas for the name, brand and labels. Wasn’t it Ronald Reagan who said: “Surround yourself with the best people you can find, delegate authority, and don't interfere as long as the policy you've decided upon is being carried out”? Can’t believe I actually quoted a Republican.

And the journey continues.

Cheers!

Stu

Posted by Stu Stein on August 9, 2006 | Comments (0)