Guess Who is returning to the wine business? ME! After an eight year hiatus and an incredible journey in writing and photography, I have returned to my beloved wine sales. This time with a significant twist. I am now importing wine from Italy and my great alma mater, The University of Dallas. The wine is called DUE SANTI ROSSO ( 2 Saints is also the location of the UD Constantin Rome Campus), and you may get in on the presale right here. Yes, of course, my photography career is going to remain a huge focus for me, but I am thrilled to be able to share this wine that I have long believed should be a part of the lives of all of us UD Alumni. Since I started in the wine biz in 1996, I have dreamed of one-day importing wines and having a portfolio of beautiful elixir to offer clients, friends, and family. Little did I know I would begin with a product from the place where it all began, Rome.
In 1995 I was sitting in a Cafe in Florence, with my UD girlfriend along with her mother and sister. The conversation had grown banal, and while I had not enjoyed dry red wine before that night, I began to sip from a 3-liter jug of Chianti a waiter had placed on the table. By the 3rd glass of my new favorite beverage, the conversation was flowing, I was poetic, and my life had changed. I returned to the US, got a job as a clerk in a wine shop, and 22 years later, here I am, importing wine from the campus of the University that gave me the opportunity to fall in love with wine and Italy.
[caption id="attachment_27019" align="alignnone" width="450"] The Beautiful Label Design of DSR[/caption]
Due Santi Rosso is the brainchild of Dr. Peter Hatlie, my dear friend, and director of the UD Rome Campus. Peter has nurtured the vines on campus like he coaches the minds of his students. The result is the 2015 DUE SANTI ROSSO, a wine of great typicity, perfect backbone, and a beautiful bouquet (I only use that term when it is beautiful). I could not be happier with the first wine in our new portfolio. My partner in this endeavor is Harvard MBA Chris Tyler. He started Cellar Browser to help collectors sell bottles of expensive and rare wines. I bought some great Barolo from him, and we began to discuss the DUE SANTI project. I had been telling Peter for a few years that this wine was commercially viable, and now with Chris's enormous help and talent, we are bringing the wine to the US (along with more wines this fall).
Our business model will be direct to consumer sales, and we will offer all wines as pre-sales at very aggressive pricing. For example, right now, the DUE SANTI ROSSO is offered at $19.99 a bottle when purchased in a case of 12 (or more) bottles. Of this, a portion of the sale price will benefit The University of Dallas and its Students.
The University of Dallas gave me the opportunities in life to be where I am today. I am honored to offer a product that will allow me to invest in their storied Rome program, and to hopefully inspire future students to choose a path in life that brings them joy and discovery on a daily basis. I will be coming to Dallas for the Alumni and Family Weekend on Oct 12-15 to pour DUE SANTI ROSSO and talk about all things UD, Rome, and Wine.
Today is one of the best days of my professional life.