"Two In A Vineyard" The Adventure Begins!

Here We Go Again!
If I am correct, I remember mentioning to my former "Adventures In Wine Country" co-host, Greg Rist, that I wasn't going to do another series, article, book to do with wine again. Though the final product was excellent and the series was a critical success and well received, I had expected more. Greg and I had travelled over 75,000 miles and visited 6 countries, at least 30 wine regions, almost 200 wineries, tasted countless wines (not to mention the food----OH!! The food!!!) and met some of he most interesting and charming people ever! All this was done in a whirlwind Spring, Summer, Fall and Early Winter journey that taxed our resources both physically, mentally and financially. We did it and did it well! I felt that that was it!
I remember Greg looking across from the table at our McDonald's meeting place and saying, "Chuck, it's in your blood. You can no sooner give up wine writing and production as I could give up my work and passion!!!" Greg was absolutely correct!
After some rest and rethinking, I began writing again and then that led to tasting and finally---the unbelievable----the words "New Series" came to mind. This time, however, I would aim at a new demographic---another group of wine lovers. I chose women ages 35 to 55 as the main group. Of course the series would be seen and appreciated by other demographics but my main focus was to be women. Why??
Women in that age range are increasingly becoming aware of wine and appreciating both its health and social benefits. Statistics show that women are also moving towards all facets of wine appreciation---from White and Rose to Reds. Educational Facilities dealing with wine are reporting massive increases in the number of women enrolled in classes and when one looks at the constitution of winemakers, sommeliers and consultants in Ontario alone, it is clear that women are making a significant increase in their numbers. The situation around the globe is the same with women surging ahead in their appreciation of this great beverage. One woman winemaker/marketer in Veneto/Lugana, Nadia Zenato, has formed a professional women's society that is making headway around the World. Another, Ontario Sommelier Lindsay Groves, has spent the better part of this year in India working as both a consultant and writer. Lindsay who is still in India, was one of my main subjects in an article I did last year called "Sommelier". The number of Canadian women wine "experts" keeps growing: Natalie MacLean, Judy Eberspaecher (her cookbook "Totally Scallops" won fourth place in the "World's Best New Cookbook Competition), Christie Lee McWatters and Sherri Darling to name a few.
In order to start this off, I needed a female co-host to attract that part of the demographic. Sandra Kraft---well known wine consultant and oenophile---was perfect for the job. She had the knowledge, style and presence to ensure the image that would encourage women to watch the program. The fact that she was "very easy on the eyes" ensured that the male demographic would also be very prominently visible. She certainly made up for my bald headed wonder!!!
The title of the new series says it all! The show will be about two persons---one male and one female visiting vineyards wherever their journey takes them. Vineyards however will not be the only ventures that these two will take. Wherever there are vineyards, there is a story that involves history, geography, cuisine and culture. Intertwined with the the "juice of the vine" will be the "soul" of the area we will visit. Wine is a living, breathing creation which is made by living, breathing people who live in areas rich in culture scenery and folklore. This is what interests people and this is what wine is all about!
"Two In A Vineyard" has already filmed in Prince Edward County, Durham Region, Niagara, Toronto. Soon it will be going to various parts of the globe. Stay tuned and keep an eye out for some terrific new adventures in places that will make your imagination go wild and spirit run free!!