We are in Oregon in perfect autumn weather. Picking the Riesling Saturday before the rain comes on Tuesday.
I am fascinated by the matrix of climate and geologically-driven terroir possibilities in Chile (illuminated during Andew Jefford's and my terroir tour in 2005) and we (Ann and I) both enjoy the country very much.
I have been talking to Santa Rita for three years but Patrick Valette deservedly was offered the consultancy which eventually didn't work out. Santa Rita have vineyards in a cross-section of Chile's terroir diversity and need some externally-applied focus to optimise their quality opportunity. I like the management, Anibal Ariztia and Andres Illibaca, so it all fits as a later career challenge.
I don't need the work but there is a challenge there and room to make a difference with people and in a country I enjoy.
