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{ SOMMjournal.com } 47 Heart and Soul WITHIN A MINUTE OF TALKING to Patti Stanger, the dynamic powerhouse star of Bravo's hit show The Millionaire Matchmaker, it is abundantly clear why she's at the top of her game. Stanger is fast-talking and direct, but within that talk is a level of graciousness, know- how and a passion for wine that is hard to find in unison. "Wine is what I drink," explains Stanger when asked about her wine, P.S. Match. "There is something very special and all-encompassing about wine: I love the history and the relevance . . . and it can truly suit any mood." With a family rooted in the restaurant business and a love for cooking at home, Stanger is no stranger to the long-standing romance between food and wine. To hear the enthusiasm in her voice when Stanger speaks about wine, it is no surprise that she ended up with her own label. "It is exciting to see the resurgence of wine-drinking in America," notes Stanger, who values the idea of well-produced, delicious wines that are an excellent foil to any occasion. With the re-emergence of wine cocktails in craft mixology à la sangria and cobblers, Stanger wanted her wines to have the ability to be "mixed." ("What ever happened to the wine spritzer?!" she playfully queries at one point.) With three wines under her belt—a sweet sparkling red from Italy, a robust Central Coast Cab and a not-so-typical Cali Chardonnay—plus the arrival of a rosé Prosecco launching in the new year, Stanger has no intention of slow- ing down. "I would love to own a win- ery at some point," she continues. "And, if I can carve out some time, I would like to go through sommelier certifica- tion." She hints that the wines will make an appearance on this season of The Millionaire Matchmaker, which has just started its eighth season. Of her relationship with Mike Howard and Cameron Hughes, Stanger says she couldn't be happier. While Hughes works with Stanger to craft the blends, Howard bridges the often precarious gap between the art of creating a wine and the challenges of launching a brand into the market. "Mike is great because he is a business mentor," notes Stanger. "He gets the right message out." This project is truly a labor of love, with Stanger getting hands-on and inquisitive every step of the way. "I wanted to know everything about the process," Stanger explains with a smile, recounting the time she stepped into a vat of freshly harvested grapes, chan- neling Lucille Ball, "I wanted to see what it felt like—from harvest to bottle." Working with Hughes has allowed her to expand her nascent enthusiasm for wine into a full-fledge knowledge of the winemaking and blending process. "Cameron has an edge the way I have an edge," notes Stanger of Hughes. "He isn't afraid to speak his mind." A trait that is undoubtedly valuable working with the equally straight-talking Stanger. With a market full of gimmicky wines and spirits, Stanger wanted to stand out from the pack. "I didn't want to repro- duce a style or copy something that is already out there. Very simply, I want to make a really high-quality wine at a bet- ter price." And with all of her wines fall- ing under 20 dollars, Stanger has hit her mark. As for the super sleek and sexy packaging, Stanger explains, "I wanted bottles that popped off the shelf and appealed to both sexes." No fluff, no nonsense, just good wine. Proving that Stanger, true to her own words is "not your typical reality wine girl." PATTI STANGER MAKES YET ANOTHER MATCH by Karen Moneymaker ''" I wanted to see what it felt like [to produce a wine] from harvest to bottle." ''" -" Patti Stanger \