Wine production has flourished in the United States over the past 40 years, due largely to the talent and quality of the many wine makers who have dedicated their lives to the production of a quality product. In the last 20 years we have witnessed the doors of the industry begin to swing open much wider than before, as small, family run operations expand, or have been sold to larger vineyards. Whereas in the smaller family run wineries the traditional patriarchal system was generally maintained, passed on from grandfather to son, to grandson. Rarely has a granddaughter or daughter taken over as winemaker prior to the 1980's. Things have changed. We have witness young couples purchasing land and turning it into thriving wineries, everyone chipping in to do the things necessary to run a successful operation. And now with more qualified vintners graduating from the U of Davis oenology school, the business plan has moved from small family, to international sales, with a wider vision of the marketplace. And so from the days thirty years ago when Zelma Long was one of the first women wine makers at Simi, to today with hundreds of women engaged in the business and pleasure of making wine, the industry has evolved. This month we are offering wines from three well known California wineries: Meeker, Ch. St. Jean, and Geyser Peak

Here is just a partial listing of women wine makers working in California to provide us with excellent products:

The State of Ohio has been encouraging new liquor distillers to open within the State over the past few years. We are now reaping the liquor benefits of these encouragements with the introduction of several really well made products from our home state. BUT I MUST WARN YOU...they are limited in availability . Perhaps 1000 cases were made for the first batch, and we have to wait for another 6 months to get more. SO because I am listing them does not mean they will be available when you get here. Call or email to inquire first: 216 283 6300 or 1verona@msn.com Cleveland Black Reserve bourbon $34.95 released march 1, 2013. Hopefully will have some soon. Portside Rum $29.95 Oyo Bourbon $46.05 Oyo Whiskey $46.05 Oyo Whisky $46.05 Oyo Vodka $32.40 Oyo Stonefruit $33.50 Oyo Honey Vanilla $33.50 Seven Brothers Vodka $33.05 Buckeye Vodka $19.95 ...more to come gene