The Tasting Panel magazine

April 2014

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38  /  the tasting panel  /  april 2014 BYLINE A ll parents eventually experience the mixed emotions of sending their children out into society. You hope your kids have acquired enough character and savvy to succeed, you're proud of their achievements, and yet there's an emptiness in the house. Those same feelings I knew as a par- ent resurfaced recently when Sommelier Journal left the nest. The magazine itself was a family affair, launched by my wife Cindy, my son Phil and me as an outgrowth of our long-established dental publish- ing company. I had become interested in wine, like many people, as a consumer and then a collector. Wanting to know more, I attended tastings and passed the introductory course of the Court of Master Sommeliers. Then I found out about the month-long immersion program offered by the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone. I went off to school in St. Helena in Napa Valley, earned the Certified Wine Professional diploma and, most important, discovered that sommeliers are truly passionate and highly informed about their trade. I noticed that despite the existence of several professional organizations, these people didn't have an official journal. After considerable market research and financial forecasting, we decided to establish such a magazine. Sommelier Journal launched with a Preview Issue in the fall of 2007. Over the next six years, we acquired a reputation for publishing the most in-depth, unbiased information in the industry. We were able to attract many of the world's best wine writers on a freelance basis, and we built up a loyal core of subscribers. We were proud of being the geekiest magazine in the business, but we couldn't reach a critical mass of subscriptions. After concluding that we needed a major partner or a buyer to continue operation, we explored several options. In the end, the proprietors of THE TASTING PANEL offered the best prospects for survival of the journal. Led by Publisher Meridith May, Editor-in-Chief Anthony Dias Blue and Managing Editor David Gadd, this team has the experience, the knowledge, the circulation reach and the advertising support to keep our baby not only healthy, but flourishing. I am privileged to have the opportunity to stay in touch with my friends in the industry as a Consulting Editor for the publication I created, now revamped as The SOMM Journal, and I'm happy to play the role of proud parent as it makes its way in the world. The SOMM Journal will appear in May as a June-July 2014 issue. For a complimentary subscription, contact subscriptions@sommjournal.com. David Vogels Pens an Ode to the Old and the Soon-to-Be David Vogels founded Sommelier Journal in 2007. THE FOUNDING EDITOR OF SOMMELIER JOURNAL MUSES ON THE EVOLUTION OF HIS CREATION AS IT ENTERS A NEW INCARNATION Readers of THE TASTING PANEL have been enthusiastic about the revival of The SOMM Journal. Here are just a few of the many notes we've received by email. Hi Meredith, Congratulations on the acquisi- tion. I'm looking forward to seeing the incorporation! —Marybeth Bentwood, Executive Director, Wines of Chile Congratulations—unexpected and terrific news for the industry . . . I couldn't be happier for you and Andy [Anthony Dias Blue]. What you've done with THE TASTING PANEL defies logic, and your success is celebrated by all of us. —James Caudill, Director, Public Relations & Hospitality, The Hess Collection I just wanted to check in and congratulate you and the team on the acquisition of what will now be known as The SOMM Journal! —Lisa Adams Walter, Adams Walter Communications Dear Meridith, Congratulations on your acquisi- tion. I'm very happy for you. Look forward to seeing you in Napa. —Anthony Terlato r i c h i s a lway s a g o o d t h i ng ® layer cake wines...just that and more. handmade in: australia italy california argentina spain For sales and distribution information visit vintagepoint.com ©2013 One True Vine, LLC. Facebook: LayerCakeWine LayerCakeWines.com Twitter: LayerCakeWine TP0414_034-71.indd 38 3/21/14 2:41 PM

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