Pretzels and beer are an unbeatable combination. So, too, are whiskey and rye. And certainly wine and cheese. Just before Thanksgiving, another unbeatable combo hit the Maryland-Washington, D.C. market in the form of Marcus Notaro of Stag's Leap Wine Cellars and our own Fran "Pineapple" Schmitz. Schmitz ushered Notaro around to several major accounts to press the flesh and talk up the Stag's Leap label.
"Every time I've come to the market," stated Notaro, during an interview with the Beverage Journal, "I've had the privilege of working with Mr. Pineapple. He has never failed to deliver me to some world-class establishments. When I have done wine dinners here, the folks who attend are very passionate wine consumers. They are very knowledgeable, and they travel. People in the D.C.-Maryland area not only know about Napa Valley wines, but wines from around the world. There's also a surprising number of our wine club members here. So for me to be out in their market and to be able to tie them back closer to our winery is pretty special."
Among the stops this time around were presentations at Le Diplomate and The Palm in Washington, D.C., along with a luncheon at Baltimore's Center Club and a wine dinner at the Maryland Club.