Good Morning,

I would like to think I am wiser than I really am. The only reason I think I am wise from time to time, is I know when I do not know something and I am brave enough to ask questions. I guess life give you some lessons and you learn from them and the next opportunity you are smarter to some extent.

When I figured out I wanted to make wine and not just wine for my friends and myself, I bought property in California. I was bold enough to spend my life’s savings on a massive piece of land in Cazadero, CA. I was smart enough to make sure I could live on the place and grow grapes. I was so young and bold that I dreamed of building a vineyard and winery that would make Angela Channing blush, from it’s mere size. (If you do not know who Angela Channing is, rent some old episodes of Falcon Crest, 1980’s at the peak of extravagance). She owned a vineyard, was driven around in a Rolls Royce and her grandson played by Lorenzo Lamas, he was just a kid back then.

Anyway, I had a vision of acres of vines, award winning wines and a tasting room, packed with customers from all over the world. I would be dressed in 5 inch Nine West heels and silk blouses with shoulder pads… pouring samples and I would be so charming and I would sell out vintages, years in advance. I would live in the mansion on the hill and some day I would pass the winery on to my niece and nephews. We would all be dressed in jeans and matching t-shirts during harvest and I could spend weeks working with designers on labels and I would jet set all over, invited to winemaker dinners and of course I would wear a size 6 and of course I would be a millionaire.

Fast forward 10 years and my vision of a winery and a vineyard have changed. I am not sure if I stopped dreaming or if I got real, or if I have now ask enough questions that the fantasy I once had flew out the door.

First lesson: Once you spend your life’s savings, you have to reload.

Second lesson: Wearing high heels in a winery for more than an hour is stupid.

Third lesson: Getting to the point where you can actually get wine on the market takes way more information than I had.

Fourth lesson: Getting wine to the market takes twice as much money than accounted for.

Fifth lesson: I do not have a driver or a Rolls Royce.

Sixth lesson: There are folks out there who grow amazing grapes for wine. Pay them for doing what they do best. Create a partnership, quit reinventing the wheel. If you have never been a farmer, there are costs, time and effort involved that you will never understand until you start growing the grapes.

Seventh lesson: Understanding licensing, distribution, state to state sales etc, can be super confusing. Hire an EXPERT.

Eighth lesson: When you want to develop a piece of land, expect some folks to say no…that can not be done, that has never been done…

Ninth lesson: Get a lawyer who shares your vision and trust each other.

Tenth lesson: I will never wear a size 6 again.

Any dream is a great dream, but I can only be the perfect Tammi Ramsey, I don’t wanna be Angela Channing, her life is too dramatic for me.

As you can probably tell, I am running into a few road blocks, but I will find a work around that is perfect for me and my wines. I can not wait for you to try them, love them and tell your friends about the wines.

I do everything with a big smile and few deep breaths and an open heart and total flexibility…Thanks for letting me vent and I will keep you posted on how I work around launching this business!

Much LOVE and wine,

Tammi