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After the first Petite Sirah symposium that I put on in 2002 at Foppiano, I saw the potential; and, the birth of PS I Love You happened.

Please understand, the only reason I saw the potential was because Dan Berger of Vintage Wine Experiences had told me prior to the symposium, “I believe that a symposium is a great idea. Not only should there be a symposium, but there should also be a group and it should be called PS I Love You.” Dan had obviously thought a lot about this before we even met, and planted the seed. Unbeknownst to anyone, I have a history of starting groups and/or organizations. With PS I Love You, I’ve stuck with it, because the people with whom I’m working understand what I’m doing for them, thank me at every turn, and respect me in the process. That makes it really easy to just keep going for them all.

FAST FORWARD: The Oregon Pinot Gris Symposium this past June…

Each time that I’ve put on something of this magnitude, I’ve sought the counsel of people from whom I  know I’ll get good straight forward answers. I search out those with whom I’ve already got a friendly rapport going. So, this time, I consulted with Paul Gregutt. He’s very familiar with the Northwest, writing for the Seattle Times and Wine Enthusiast, among other periodicals, and he’s accessible for friendly discourse. Again, I was met with the same enthusiasm as I was with my friend Dan; Paul, too, was a huge advocate for the symposium and for forming a group after the event to better define Pinot Gris in Oregon.

While it’s taken months to start this group, which is about to launch into 2012, it’s not been without a lot of forethought… That’s been the hold up, actually. This time, with the third wine marketing group that I’ve started, I’ve learned a lot about having wine advocacy groups, and Jose and I are wanting to avoid some of the hard work that goes into such an endeavor, if at all possible. We’re committed to the group; we’re just not so committed to establishing another non-profit and/or incorporating. There’s so much legal, bureaucratic stuff that it’s just not worth all that administration. It’s so easy to get bogged down in admin with all of what I just mentioned; and so much more fun to just manage a collective marketing group, moving at the speed of light, instead of moving at the speed of filing.

So, in this way, this Oregon Pinot Gris group is going to be a marketing group that Diaz Communications manages; and in the words of the Pointer Sisters, “I’m so excited, I just can’t hide it….”

Welcome the group as it now stands:

• Airlie Winery
• Christoper Bridge Cellars & Satori Springs Estate
• David Hill Winery
• Oak Knoll Winery
• Pudding River Wine Cellars
• Terrapin Cellars
• Yamhill Valley Vineyards

The Website is being worked on and will launch on January 1, 2012. The members of this group are equally excited. We have a great marketing plan, and welcome any other Oregon Wineries with a Pinot Gris before the launch on January 1, 2012. Once the group is launched, the group will be closed to new members  for the upcoming year…

• in order to easily meet the goals for 2012
• and not get bogged down in administration
• After a year, we’ll evaluate, and if it’s still got great legs, we’ll open enrollment for one more year…

I’m so excited and I just can’t hide it… We’re about to lose control, and we think I like it…