Grapevine
For the past two weeks we’ve been exploring the various means by which entrepreneurs have been pursuing their love of wine and winemaking. Some have purchased vineyards, harvested their crops and then created their unique brand and profile of wines. Others have not been as adventurous or as capital-rich, instead opting to buy grapes and processing them in their wineries. Still others have gone the investment banking route: invest other people’s money in virtual vineyards, basically having no capital investment in vineyards or winery facilities.
Last week I focused on an entrepreneur engaged in a labor of love in winery ownership, largely outsourcing the essential steps in producing a wine; a wine which is unique to his standards and preferences. This individual is Charles Banks, an investment banker in California who has been involved in various aspects of investing in, and marketing, wines over the past eight years.
Twenty-first century technology and deep financial pockets have created a new breed of entrepreneurs like Banks: those who have a passion for wine but not the desire to soil their hands; they prefer to stain their hands writing checks.
So how has Mr. Banks fared?
He started out with a tried and proven plan executed in many industries prone to consolidation: buy market share. After selling his stake in his first venture – the cult winery Screaming Eagle – in 2009, he laid low for four years before acquiring highly acclaimed but under-recognized brands in California. Then last year, in quick succession, he purchased highly regarded Wine Gap, Qupé, Leviathan and Mayacamas wineries in California, Evening Land in Oregon and additional wineries in select international wine regions.
In a short period, he catapulted himself back into the rarefied air of high-end wines. Mission accomplished. Kudos flowed in, brand recognition skyrocketed, his trophy properties were the buzz of the wine industry – as well as the entrepreneurial financial industry.
Then he ventured into a new business plan: offer premier examples of wines from around the world at moderate prices. Forming Cultivate Wines with several partners, he is producing acclaimed wines from vineyards in the United States, South Africa, New Zealand, Argentina, Italy and Chile.
I liken Cultivate’s offerings to a sampler case of wines compiled from a wish list of the world’s hottest wine regions, with prices to attract American wine consumers.
Here is a sampler of the uniquely named wines of Cultivate, with tasting notes from third party sources. I’ve sampled each of the wines and found them to be excellent representations of the best offerings in select wine regions – at prices generally under $20.
2010 Dream Walking: Carries classic California Chardonnay aromas of toasted almonds, melon, pineapple, green apple and jasmine blossom. A gentle but bright mouth-feel rounds out toward the finish with a nice lift and notes of candied lemon peel.
2010 The Feast: A blend of Sonoma and Napa wines (66 percent Merlot, 34 percent Cabernet). The Merlot provides a soft, velvety textured base with aromas of incense, cinnamon and blue fruits, while the Cabernet offers structure, length and focus to the wine.
2011 The Gambler: A broad, brawny and powerful Argentinean red wine with intense flavor and texture. Ripe Malbec is counterbalanced with a touch of Bonarda to create a forceful and full mouth-feel of blue and black fruits, leather and spice.
2011 Copa Cabana: A smooth, easy-drinking red wine from the Curico region of Chile. Full of juicy red fruits and with a peppery spice on the finish, Copa’s balance and finesse come from a blend dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, balanced with Carmenere and Syrah.
Banks is on a mission to win you over, whether you are a devotee of high-end, acclaimed wines or are simply seeking to experiment with high quality wines from around the world at affordable prices. It’s easy to endorse these wines.
Nick Antonaccio is a 35-year Pleasantville resident. For over 15 years he has conducted wine tastings and lectures. He also offers personalized wine tastings and wine travel services. Nick’s credo: continuous experimenting results in instinctive behavior. You can reach him at nantonaccio@theexaminernews.com or on Twitter @sharingwine.
