Image: Sony Music Entertainment
Anyone who knows me knows that I’m a Petite Sirah freak. It’s done it to me, that Petite.
It began in 2002 when I was the Foppiano family’s wine publicist. “Put on a Petite Sirah symposium,” Louis told me. He had no idea that I could do a couple of things well… organize educational forums and begin groups. He was just getting to know me then, and didn’t know if I would turn out to be a dud. His right hand woman Christine Wells was the one who wanted me, after she had spent a semester with me in Santa Rosa Junior College’s wine marketing class. We were project partners. She found out on a fast track what I can do when I’m determined.
Today, after nine years of advocating for this variety, knowing that Mount Vesuvius has just been building, I can’t help ask myself, “Could this be the ember that ignites the volcano?”
Train is certainly popular enough. Who doesn’t want to sing along with “Hey Soul Sister?”
[Could I be a soul sister? … Well, I know I’m one, and a few people also know I am, but can I own this for more than a second? Let’s see where it goes…]
Meanwhile the news, in case you missed it:
For a while now, Train has been hosting a “wine club” on their official website, where fans could swap recommendations for various wines that they enjoy. Now, the band has taken it to the next step — they’ve confirmed that they’ve formed the Save Me San Francisco Wine Company and their first release will be — what else? — Drops of Jupiter. It’s a 2009 Petite Sirah [sic] which, according to the group, has notes of boysenberry and will cost about ten bucks a bottle. The wine will hit stores in select markets July 18th, and will also be available for purchase online.
Part of the proceeds of the wine will go to Family House, a non-profit organization that offers temporary housing to the families of seriously ill children receiving treatment at the University of San Francisco’s Benioff Children’s Hospital.
Provided by ABC News Radio
Meanwhile, I did read the funniest thing about this project of theirs. I couldn’t help but ask myself, “Where and how many times have I heard that one before?”
From SFGATE.COM:
…Train guitarist Jimmy Stafford said the wine venture isn’t an attempt to make a profit on the Train name — it’s more about creating something special for fans.
“We’re not really trying to get into the wine business [sic] or anything. It’s really kind of helping to spread the name out there, and something for our fans,” he said in a phone interview Tuesday.
Train, which won a Grammy Award this year for “Hey, Soul Sister,” has had an online wine club for a while. The group promotes a wine of the month, has a blog and even an app.
I’d say, they’re already in it, and welcome aboard the Petite train that’s called PS I Love You.
(Sorry, Jimmy Stafford, that I stole your thunder on Facebook, by talking about you being another rock group to have a wine brand. I didn’t realize you were trying to keep it a secret. This is the grape vine business, you know?
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