Saturday, November 08, 2008

Great Wines Steve & Steffanie…

As a wine lover, importer, wholesaler and maker (yes, we are also making wine now - look for upcoming announcements), I don’t pass up an opportunity to taste wines. Two weeks ago we went to Paso Robles on the Central Coast of California for the Harvest Festival and visited some wineries. One of the wineries we visited was the Anglim Winery, our favorite during this trip (http://www.anglimwinery.com/). Steve and Steffanie Anglim are making vineyard specific amazing wines all sourced from Paso Robles. The Zinfandel, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Grenache and Pinot Noir were all amazing.

One of my favorites was the 2005 Cabernet Franc from the Paso Del Sol Vineyards, Paso Robles (btw I opened another bottle last night with roasted chicken, and it was great). This wine has a great nose of cherry and raspberry, a lot of fruit and a big long finish; I am sure the chicken enjoyed it also. Very enjoyable, our guests loved it too. Then again our guests always expect to be served good food and good wine at our home.

Steve and Steffanie are another example of how passion, dedication, hard work and perseverance can produce something that you would be proud of (and very delicious) and make you a success. Keep up the great work Steve and Steffanie…

Good for you Barbara Lynch…

I just read a great article about Barbara Lynch in the November issue of Inc. Magazine (by the way Inc., Entrepreneur and Fast Company are some of my most favorite magazines). What an inspiring story! It shows how hard work, perseverance and dedication pay off in this country. There are no short cuts in life, you just have to do it and don’t give up. Good for you Barbara Lynch.

Thursday, March 27, 2008

Back in Brazil...

I got to Sao Paulo, Brazil this morning. It is a long trip from Los Angeles but not as long had I taken another airline.

I flew LAN this time and it was very pleasant, but for a couple of inconveniences.
LAN has a direct flight from Los Angeles to Lima, Peru to Sao Paulo. There is a one hour layover in Lima. It is the same flight number; you just get off and then get back on the plane.

The service on LAN is superb, particularity in the business class, where they offer matching wines with every course. Additionally, LAN is putting in 180-degree lie flat seats for sleeping purposes, which is very comfortable and makes a big difference on a long trip like this.

The flight from Los Angeles to Lima is eight hours and from Lima to Sao Paulo is four hours and fifteen minutes, which makes the entire trip 13 hours and 15 minutes.

Here is my beef, as a business class passenger, we are called first to board the plane, yet, once we get on the bus to be taken to the airplane, since there was no jet way either in Los Angeles or in Lima, we had to wait another 15 minutes for the buses to fill up with all the passengers in the heat of Los Angeles and the heat and humidity of Lima. I would think that once the business class passengers are called and board the bus, they should be taken to the airport and the second bus should bring the rest of the passengers.

I am here in Brazil to meet with our winemakers and taste the new wines. I am very excited about this. As you know Brazil is producing world class wines and our highly rated and award winning PIZZATO Wines are superb and gaining exceptional reputation both in Brazil and in the United States.

I am also here to meet with our master distiller for our award winning Rio Joe’s Cachaça.

Stay tuned for new and exciting news about our Rio Joe’s Silver Cachaça and PIZZATO Wines.

It is getting late now and I will be meeting some friends for dinner. They eat dinner very late hear, no earlier that 10:00 p.m.

Stay tuned…

Stepan

Sunday, February 03, 2008

Rio Joe’s Carnaval Ball was a great success!




The 2008 Rio Joe’s Carnaval Ball was a great success. Everything fell into place very nicely. David, Dolores and Valeria did a great job. Congratulations and thank you for a fantastic Carnaval.

Of course when things happen as they are supposed to happen means that it took a lot of hard work and preparation, and this was no different.

The music was true Carnaval, the food was true Carnaval, and the drinks were true Carnaval, of course serving authentic Caipirinhas with the award winning Rio Joe’s Silver Cachaça and equally delicious PIZZATO Wines. Thank you, thank you.

I had never been at the Vault in Long Beach before but I was impressed. Great venue and the management did a great job in working with us to make sure that the event was a great success and everyone had a great time.

Pictures from the event will be coming soon. They are being developed (“LOL”).

Overall it was a fantastic party where everyone had a great time and enjoyed the evening. It was a true Carnaval experience.

Saturday, February 02, 2008

Rio Joe's Carnaval Ball 2008




Hello Brazilians,
(Everyone is Brazilian during Carnaval.)

Come and celebrate Carnaval at the Rio Joe's Carnaval Ball at the beautiful Vault 350 on Pine Avenue in downtown Long Beach on Saturday, February 2, 2008 from 9 pm - 2 am.

Headlining the 2008 Rio Joe's Carnaval Ball are:

Katia Moraes, Pure Samba, SambaLeza dancers, Carlinhos do Pandeiro, Renni Flores, Bira Martins, and Kleber Jorge.

Of course no Carnaval will be complete without Caipirinhas made with the award winning Rio Joe's Silver Cachaça and delicious PIZZATO Wines from Brazil.

During the PARTY we will be give away Rio Joe's and PIZZATO hats, t-shirts, muddlers...

A portion of the proceeds from the event will go to help children's charities in Mexico and Brazil through the work of the LA-based non-profit group the Self-Enlightenment Institute.

All ages are welcome! Tickets for adults are $35 prior / $40 at the door, for tables $50 prior / $60 at the door, and for children ages 4-12, $20 / $25 at the door. For additional information on the Rio Joe's Carnaval Ball, visit http://www.carnaval.org/, email contact@carnaval.org, or telephone 562-508-4504.

It's the BIGGEST PARTY in town. Don't MISS it!

===============================================

Rio Joe's Brands, Inc.

is the leading importer, wholesaler and online retailer (http://www.riojoes.com/) of Brazilian wines and cachaças.

Look for Rio Joe's Silver Cachaça and PIZZATO Wines at your local wine stores and restaurants, including Brazilian restaurants.

Rio Joe's Brands, Inc.
800-200-1919
info@RioJoes.com