Pieces for the Masterpiece (2)
As we walked down from the vineyard after finalizing the contract, Warren asked, "Are you satisfied now?"
"Yes. The quality is even better than I had imagined."
It wasn't that there were no places growing Cabernet Franc in the Napa Valley area, but it was usually planted as a secondary variety for blending or produced according to the niche tastes of a few winemakers. It wasn't the kind of thing you could just buy whenever you wanted high-quality stock.
That was why I had a question.
"I have a question, actually..."
"What is it?"
"If you're such close friends and he's so well-versed in wine, he must be someone famous, and he should be running an incredible winery, right? But this is the first time I've heard his name, and the first time I've heard of his winery."
"Ah, that?"
Warren gave a soft, knowing smile and said, "He's a peculiar fellow. He’s never been the type to live his life linking wine to money from the start. He’s just a guy who loves delicious wine, and because his palate is so unique, he just wanted to grow the wine he wanted to drink himself."
"Oh..."
"But because he’s so skilled, those unique wines sold well, and ten years ago, he got hooked on Cabernet Franc, sold his Napa farm, and moved to a farm 600 meters above sea level."
"He sounds like an amazing person."
"Don't look at him with pity, though. His wine has a clear cult following, so while he’s never had a massive 'hit,' he’s never failed, either."
"When I tasted the wine earlier, I could feel the technique of a master."
"If Cabernet Franc ever gets recognized as a flagship variety like Sauvignon, his winery will probably hit the jackpot, too. Though, it'll be lucky if he's still alive by then."
Perhaps because he’s an old man, he talks about death so casually.
"You two must be very close."
"We clicked. We didn't pry into each other's private lives, and he never envied my winery or my achievements. You might not feel it yet, but when I become too successful, many people around me tend to drift away."
"......"
"When you have money and your reputation rises, more people approach you, but they’re drawn to the money and the fame, not to me. And the friends who genuinely liked me start comparing themselves to me at some point and naturally distance themselves. Then, they start to feel jealous. Before you know it, there’s no one left around you to whom you can open your heart."
Having lived a life before my regression that couldn't exactly be called a success, his advice hit home quite deeply.
"To keep friends for a long time, we all have to succeed together, then."
"Exactly. A relationship where you don't envy each other but can genuinely celebrate and boast about one another is the only kind that lasts. Edward is a bit of an outlier there, but that’s because he’s special. He’s a guy who isn't swayed by the wealth and honor others possess. There aren't many people like that in the world."
"I think you're right."
I thought about how I should help my friends succeed regardless of my own profits to keep those friendships long-lasting, and I also felt glad that I had already tied them together through contracts.
After descending the mountain for a while and arriving at the winery, a guest was waiting for me.
"It's been a while."
It was Christopher White, who distributes our wine, Sylphid. He gave me a slight nod and looked at Warren with excited eyes. Seeing his look, which practically begged for an introduction, I chuckled and gestured toward Christopher.
"This is Christopher, who distributes our wine, Sylphid. His company is White & Co. Wine Trading. He’s also a UC Davis alumnus."
"Nice to meet you."
When Warren reached out his hand, Christopher took it with a look of awe.
"I've seen you from afar before, but this is my first time greeting you properly. I'm Christopher White."
"I haven't heard of your company before. What do you mainly distribute?"
"Until now, I’ve mainly distributed Pinot Noir and Merlot from the Sonoma region in the $30 to $80 range, but with the distribution of Sylphid, I’ve started offering wines over $100."
"I heard Sylphid is mainly going to the East Coast?"
"That's correct. With interest in Pinot Noir exploding, centered around New York, the value of Sylphid is continuing to rise."
"You must be making a lot of money."
"It's all thanks to Brian."
Christopher had been sitting alone in the office reception area because Dad was out managing another farm plot.
After I brought out some simple drinks and we each took one, Christopher got to the point.
"The reason I came today is that I heard Warren Winiarski was at Redwood and wanted to pay my respects, and also, I’ve entered into an agreement with a Japanese wine distributor and wanted to inquire if you had any export volume in mind."
The greeting was already done, so I frowned at the mention of Japanese exports.
"Japan? Hmm... are you asking if additional volume is possible beyond the existing Sylphid supply?"
"That's right."
"I did secure a significant amount of Cabernet Sauvignon by acquiring Ironwood Cellars, but I haven't decided whether to release it this year yet."
"It would be a very good opportunity. Thanks to the 30th-anniversary re-tasting of the Judgment of Paris held last year, interest in American wine is gradually emerging in East Asia as well. If it’s a wine from Redwood, which has achieved great results at the San Francisco Chronicle and the DWWA (Decanter World Wine Awards), they will be very interested."
Christopher looked at me with desperate eyes, as a large sale was on the line. But Warren cut in.
"What is Ironwood Cellars?"
"Ah... it's a Cabernet Sauvignon farm about 20 minutes away by bike, and it's 30 acres in size."
"Then it's much bigger than this place?"
"Yes. If you add this place, the Silveroak Hills vineyard site, and Ironwood, it should be about 65 acres in total."
"You've been growing it steadily."
He nodded with a satisfied expression. However, Christopher, who wasn't particularly interested in that, kept staring at me, waiting for an answer.
"I do think the quality of the grapes grown at Ironwood Cellars won't be bad."
"And?"
Although I had been tilling the soil and growing the grapes using the same Redwood farming methods since the acquisition, that only started this year. The grapes harvested last year, even if my hands had touched them, weren't grown my way from start to finish. So, it was hard to guarantee the quality.
"I have to see their condition after at least August passes. If I judge that the quality is lacking, I can't blend them into Astra Vale."
"Ah..."
Christopher looked disappointed. Even if it came from the same winery, if it wasn't a brand that had already received good reviews, it was hard to command a high value.
Moreover, if I released it at a lower price than the existing flagship wines? Consumers would undoubtedly treat it as a cheap version of Astra Vale.
"If that's the case, I'll release it as a new brand with a lower price point, but that will also take some time. I have no intention of releasing it with the same blend as the existing Astra Vale."
Literally, I had no intention of releasing it as a cheap version of Astra Vale; even if the quality was slightly lower, I intended to release it as a wine with a completely different character.
"It's a shame, but I guess I'll have to wait until after August. Actually, I was a bit impatient because they said they would set their budget according to the volume if I let them know in advance. Please just forget what I said today and take your time making it."
"Thank you for understanding. I would love to give it to you if I were certain... Astra Vale's overseas distribution is outside the existing contract, so I could give you as much as you want."
"It's fine. Oh, and... is there any news on new products from Golden Grain House?"
"Not yet. The current shipping volume is already overwhelming."
If I had to pick the busiest friend among the four, it would definitely be Jacob. Jacob, whose The One sales were already doing well, had practically been living at the distillery and was so busy lately that he couldn't even come to school often.
Here, Warren cut in again.
"What is Golden Grain House?"
"Ah, I had a friend who used to run a rice farm, and he recently set up a distillery and started selling Korean-style vodka and fruit soju."
"Your friend runs a distillery?"
"Yes. Another friend is making grape vinegar at a farm in Alexander Valley, and another friend is running a cherry and pear orchard."
Warren looked impressed by my friend pool.
"You're not even in your mid-twenties yet; how are your friends so impressive?"
"We've all been friends since high school, and we got even closer after we all went to UC Davis. Only Armando, the friend with the Alexander Valley farm, bought his recently, and the other two had families that were already farming..."
"Then is the friend who does the rice farming also around your age?"
"Yes. With the fruit soju being a huge hit this time, how much was it...? They said the sales already exceeded $2 million in the first quarter."
At my words, Warren looked dumbfounded.
"I gave you unsolicited advice earlier. You're already doing better than me."
"No, that's not it. It just happened that way. Anyway, there won't be any new products for the time being."
"Understood. Then I will visit again in August."
"Yes!"
Christopher, who shook hands with me lightly, bowed politely to Warren once more and left the winery.
"I'd like to visit your friends' farms sometime."
"They're all in a busy season, so do it later. Although Armando might like it."
Even though I said that, I knew he wouldn't have much interest. I haven't known him for long, but he is a person who has an unusually strange lack of interest in anything other than wine.
Three days later, I carefully moved the Cabernet Franc barrels, which had been transported by a special vehicle, into the aging room.
Warren checked my blending plan and said, "You're very short on Merlot. The Merlot you have is excellent, but that will only be enough for the auction supply. Besides, you'll need Petit Verdot as well, won't you? What did you do for Astra Vale?"
"I contracted and brought it from places that looked good; I didn't go to every farm to check them myself."
"I see... If you're not careful, there could be issues with Michel Wine, so it's difficult for me to recommend Merlot and Petit Verdot in Napa or Sonoma. If we take the high-quality stock, they could attack me for leaking internal information."
"I understand completely. It's fine."
I thought he had helped enough already and that I didn't need further assistance, but he waved his hand instead.
"What are you talking about? The best wine should never be compromised."
I had never said I would make the best wine in the world, but Warren stroked his chin with his fingertips, agonizing as if he were facing a major decision.
"If you insist..."
Just as I was about to refuse, he looked up and said, "It doesn't necessarily have to be California, does it?"
"I... suppose not?"
"How about you come to Washington with me?"
"Washington?"
"Yes, Washington's Columbia Valley, the region where the best Petit Verdot comes from."