So it is a long process to establish a brand, and get it into a store or restaurant/bar near “YOU”.

Having said that, if you want to purchase Swan’s Neck at a local store of yours’, or have favorite eating and/or drinking establishments you frequent, you can certainly ask the manager/owner/buyer to order some Swan’s Neck Vodka for you directly from Southern Wine & Spirits.

Southern W&S basically covers just about every establishment with a liquor, beer and wine license.

So even if the establishment has not heard of Swan’s Neck Vodka, just ask them to order from Southern for you. And if the Southern sales representative has not yet heard of Swan’s Neck, the establishment can assure them it is in their system and is a new product.

If you live in Southern California, there would need to be a little extra coordination as right now I am opening up Northern California and the inventory is up here; however, I can help arrange for transfers and sales in Southern California. Please just contact me if the account says “OK”, and I can help facilitate.

So you are all empowered to spread the good word – Swan’s Neck Vodka, get your favorite establishments to order it for you, and for you to enjoy the best vodka in the world!!!!

Please let me know of any successes or issues, importantly.

Thank you so much for your support!

Cheers!

Tel. 415-552-9755

Email. info@swansneckvodka.com

www.swansneckvodka.com

Swan’s Neck on the Southern Wine & Spirits California Home Page:

http://www.southernwine.com/OfficesNationwide/California/CAHome/tabid/396/Default.aspx

Looking good!!

For Immediate Release

May 7, 2012

San Francisco, CA – L&P Spirits Imports, LLC, owner and importer of Swan’s Neck Vodka, is very pleased to announce the appointment of Southern Wine & Spirits as its exclusive distributor in the state of California, effective immediately.

Swan’s Neck Vodka is distilled from grapes in France using traditional copper Alambic pot-stills to attain its exquisite liquid spirit. Having also just undergone a substantial package redesign by one of the country’s foremost graphic designers, and with its competitive suggested retail price point of $29.99 per 750ml bottle, Swan’s Neck is poised to expand on its loyal consumer and retailer base in California through Southern Wine & Spirits, the premier distributor in the state.

According to David Laverne, President, “Swan’s Neck is a remarkable spirit. It has all the elements for success, including the acclaimed vodka itself, elegant new packaging, great branding, and competitive price point. Obtaining Southern Wine & Spirits as the distributor for California is not only an enormous honor, but really the truest validation as to the caliber of Swan’s Neck. I look forward to tremendous growth opportunities within California, and in other states throughout the country.”

The name “Swan’s Neck” is a translation of the French “Col de Cygne”, which refers to the curved portion of the Alambic’s copper piping that carries distillate vapors away from the onion-shaped kettle top.

For more information on Swan’s Neck Vodka, please visit www.swansneckvodka.com or contact the company at telephone # (415) 552-9755.

www.swansneckvodka.com

www.southernwine.com

***********************************

http://pinterest.com/pin/92957179779007782/?timeline=1

Hopefully available tomorrow or Friday.

And then where will it go?!! That update to follow shortly.

Cheers

Naturally, I was curious, inquisitive.

He said the company was really bootstrapping it, raised somewhere north of two million dollars in the Series A, if I recall correctly.

I guess ‘bootstrapping’ is subjective.

Sounds more like Krug and caviar than toughing-it-out to me.

I did just look-up the term ‘bootstrapping’ on Wikipedia and Dictionary.com

Here are those definitions:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bootstrapping

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/bootstrapping?s=t

www.swansneckvodka.com

www.facebook.com/swansneckvodka

www.twitter.com/swansneckvodka

I understand……, you are asking, “How could you re-design the previous re-design, which was artistic design genius, absolute perfection, an attainment of higher design enlightenment? It was the embodiment of contemporary minimalism design combined with true interpretation of consumer product design packaging……”

Well, in any event, I do hope you enjoy and truly appreciate the new Swan’s Neck Vodka. And it still is the same exquisite vodka on the inside.

The website and Facebook page are still a work-in-progress, so please check back.

Also, IMPORTANTLY, I will have another wonderful, exciting update very very shortly for you.

Thank you so much for your support, it means the world!!!

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank my brilliant, genius design group for their extraordinary efforts. They are the best, and also just the finest people, thank you.

All The Best,
Swan’s Neck Vodka and family

Swan’s Neck Smoked Anise:
Swan’s Neck Vodka with the spice of Anisette liqueur and a touch of smoke from Laphroaig 10 year Single Malt Scotch; stirred and served up in a martini glass with a star anise.

Go try it at Elixir.

Cheers!

“Got a couple of bottles last week. I can’t tell u how beautiful I think the packaging is and the taste is so smooth and unique. Instead of bringing wine this is now my go-to when I go to friend’s for dinner.”

Thanks so much!

Cheers!

I was in the mood though for a celebratory drink and some appetizers, and so I called my friend Buffalo LoGrasso, whom you know from Cotogna and Quince, but alas, he was preparing cocktails for our President Obama at a private fundraiser. Pretty creative excuse, so I bought into it.

I was in the neighborhood and ambled into The Brixton to visit friends and owners Andy Wasserman and Adam Snyder, but alas they were not in either.

So I had some wine and dinner and enjoyed the great people-watching and ambiance.

Andy did end-up dropping by, so great to catch-up. A beautiful and fun gal Michelle joined us, and we enjoyed cocktails, with me doing some bourbon tasting. Ouch.

But the point here really, other than my news that I’m not going to share, is hey, congratulations Andy and Adam on such an incredible job with The Brixton, just blowing it up on Union Street, packing in the crowds. I love great success stories.

Thanks for the support also Adam and Andy, you know it means the world to me. The Swan’s Neck Basil Cucumber Gimlet is alive, well and thriving at The Brixton, so go in there and enjoy.

Cheers To All!!!

Quince is featuring Oscar-themed cocktails, and this one is for Swan’s Neck:

- Vesper: “This stylish Martini first appeared in “Casino Royale,” coined by James Bond in honor of his love interest Vesper Lynd, with London dry gin, Swan’s Neck vodka and lillet blanc.”

And for the record, Buffalo is a movie, film buff.

Check out all of the drinks and the article on it at this link:

http://sfist.com/2012/02/15/oscar_watch_new_hollywood_cocktails.php

Enjoy, thanks Buffalo, and make sure to drop by both Quince and Cotogna for some of the best drinks, food and ambiance in the City.

Cheers.

She said she is going to phase out all the other straight vodkas, and just have Swan’s Neck at the bar.

Thank you so much Farnoush. Now we have two premier restaurants in San Francisco, including Bar Agricole, where Swan’s Neck is the exclusive vodka.

The experts know…….!!

So go enjoy Swan’s Neck at one of San Francisco’s original mixology bars for great drinks, vibes and people in the Mission District.

Thanks to everyone at Elixir for their support.

Cheers

I hope a happy New Year so far for everyone.

Here are three new Swan’s Neck accounts for your enjoyment, three of the hottest restaurants and bar scenes in town:

Farmer Brown

The Alembic

Aziza

Thanks to Chase, Daniel and Farnoush for their support.

Please go in and enjoy!!

Cheers

Another beautiful, crisp fall/winter day in Napa, and Angele was certainly the cozy, delightful restaurant to be at.

Leslie, the creator of the Diane Lane, and bar manager at Angele, kindly mixed me up a Diane Lane.

Leslie started with a fresh sprig of rosemary, fresh lime juice, Swan’s Neck of course, and then some rosemary-infused simple syrup, Bundaberg Blood Orange Soda, all shaken in a cocktail shaker. It was served on the rocks in a tall glass.

Wonderfully refreshing, and the rosemary fused beautifully with the Swan’s Neck and Bundaberg Blood Orange Soda. A nice start to the day! Took the edge off before it could get sharp.

Naturally, as I was there, some lunch to accompany, or rather, follow, the Diane Lane cocktail, made sense, so I ordered the hearty open-faced Parisian Ham sandwich on thick, crusty Country Bread, heated and melted with a topping of tasty Gruyere, a side of Dijon mustard, and a mixed salad with cornichons. Excellent!!!

I asked for a glass of the new Heritance Wines Cabernet Sauvignon to accompany, but it was being served by the bottle, so I thought best to go with a glass of their Cotes du Rhone, which paired perfectly.

So another great experience at Angele!!

Here are some pictures of Leslie in action, making the Diane Lane:

More details and pictures to come as to the Diane Lane cocktail.

And, honored to have Swan’s Neck in a drink named after one of my favorite actresses, dating all the way back to when I was a child and first saw Diane in her debut movie, A Little Romance.

Special thanks to Leslie, Bettina, and of course, Diane Lane!!!

http://www.alcademics.com/2011/11/the-50-best-bars-in-the-world.html

http://www.drinksint.com/news/fullstory.php/aid/2530/World_s_50_Best_Bars_2011_announced.html

Please go in and visit their beautiful store – great wines and Swan’s Neck of course!!

http://lafittesf.tumblr.com/post/12211584804/citron-swansneckvodka-december-here-we-come

December Citron Infusions @ Lafitte. I take it these will marinate, infuse for the whole month of November (??). Buddha’s Hand?? Waiting for the delicious details from Chef, Owner of Lafitte, Russell Jackson.

Phantom of the Opera
London Gin, Dubonnet Rouge, Maraschino

* an adaptation of the classic “Opera” cocktail

Zombie
Dark Rum, Brandy, Coconut, Lime

* resurrected from Charles H. Baker’s “The gentleman’s companion”

Satan’s Side Burns
Rye, Vermouth, Orange, Fire

* a play on the classic” Satan’s Whiskers” cocktail using rye whiskey in place of gin

Voodoo Child
Jamaican and Haitian Rums, Elderflower, Grapefruit, Chili Potion

* a Cotogna original. Contains no poisonous Fugu powder.

Lady in White
Swan’s Neck Vodka, Cointreau, Meringue

* a vodka version of the Savoy’s ” White Lady” renamed after the spooky 80′s flick

Corpse Reviver #2
Gin, Lillet, Lemon, Absinthe

* another gem from the Savoy Cocktail book. Unchanged. Don’t mess with something that’s already dead.

http://yfrog.com/nxpx1jhj

http://yfrog.com/nu2rrlj

Thanks Russell!!

Made with Swan’s Neck Vodka, OJ, Campari, Vermouth di Torino

http://pixelpipe.com/ticket/rhrJl3XLT20/T5xA-aE7_7o/6280f530-4e34-41a8-82ae-d0889c68b40d

Hamada Nectarine Rose Swan’s Neck Martinis!

Grilled cheese sandwich marinating in Swan’s Neck at www.lafittesf.com
Swan’s Neck is featured for the month of October by Chef Russell Jackson!!
Grilled cheese martinis!

Swan’s Neck drink specials, spoke to the patrons about Swan’s Neck, how it is made. Everyone loved it.

Thanks also to Levanah for creating her specialty Swan’s Neck drink for the eve:

http://www.swansneckvodka.com/2011/09/23/swans-song-by-levanah-ananda-at-elixir-saloon/

Please go visit Elixir, where they will be having Swan’s Neck drink specials all week until next Wednesday.

Thanks to all the great people last night, and to H., Nick, Shea and of course Levanah.

Cheers

1.5 oz swans neck vodka
1oz perfect purée of napa valley pink guava purée.
0.5oz fresh lime juice
0.25oz organic agave

Method:
Pour ingredients into a shaker add ice. Shake well and strain over fresh ice in a double old fashioned. Garnish with a lime wheel dipped in cocoa powder.

1.5 oz Swan’s Neck Vodka
1.5 oz Bardstown Whiskey
0.5 oz Cocchi Americano
Shake, serve up with a Lemon Twist

And:

1.5 oz Swan’s Neck Vodka
1.o oz Dimmi
0.25 oz Luxardo bitters
Dash of Chocolate bitters
Shake, serve up

2 parts Swan’s Neck Vodka
1 part Dimmi
1 part Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur
2 drops Orange bitters
0.50 oz freshly squeezed lime juice
Shaken, served up with a lemon peel

1 oz Swan’s Neck Vodka
1 oz Dimmi
0.5 oz Fresh Squeezed Lemon
1/2 bar spoon simple syrup
herbs & flowers
Served Tall on the rocks

And:

1.5 oz Swan’s Neck Vodka
0.75 oz Cardamaro
0.50 oz Dimmi
2 dashes house-made orange bitters
Shaken, served up with a lemon peel

Doctored Julius
Swan’s Neck Vodka, Orange, Vanilla Honey, Fresh Cream

2oz Swans Neck Vodka
1oz Fresh OJ
3/4oz Heavy cream
1/2 oz Vanilla infused Honey
1/2oz lemon juice
1/2 oz egg white

Thanks for the support H., Nick and Shea!!!

Cheers

He told me he recently served diners at The Plank, the by-reservation only kitchen table seating with special preparations and wine pairing by Chef, a Swan’s Neck cocktail called Heirloom.

I had to come in and try it. It was made with Swan’s Neck, Lemon Basil, Heirloom tomatoes and sea salt, muddled together, a splash of Averna, and then the glass lightly ‘washed’ with a coating of Pastis. It was delicious, like a garden with a punch.

Chef decided to send out an entree to try while I was there:
Biere Filet de Boeuf Poche
Poached beef tenderloin, smoked tomatoes and eggplant, topped with a beer foam!!
Delicious as well!

I’m saying, for the record, Chef Russell Jackson is in line to be one of San Francisco’s next Iron Chef competitors!!

Thanks Russell.

Swan’s Neck is the only vodka served at Bar Agricole!!

My great thanks again to Eric and Thad for their continuing support of, and loyalty to, Swan’s Neck, and to their educating consumers about it.

Thanks guys!

With the Balboa Cafe Mill Valley, Piazza D’Angelo, and Vintage Wines & Spirits, really getting the square in Mill Valley going!

Thank you to everyone at the Balboa, and please go in there to enjoy Swan’s Neck drinks during this beautiful Fourth of July weekend, and onward!

Cheers!!!

Campton Place is one of the finest hotels and restaurants in the world, always of the highest caliber, a true San Francisco institution and destination hotel and restaurant.

Management’s appreciation of Swan’s Neck, its elegance and finesse, the quality of the spirit, the original, exquisite artwork of the package design, all helped to reconfirm and re-validate what we have always believed – that Swan’s Neck Vodka is a spirit of unparalleled quality and distinction.

Thank you so much to everyone at Campton Place who made this possible. It is really a great honor to have Swan’s Neck served at your remarkable establishment.

Please visit Campton Place Restaurant, Bistro & Bar starting tomorrow to enjoy Swan’s Neck in the most elegant of settings.

http://www.camptonplacesf.com/

http://www.tajhotels.com/Luxury/City-Hotels/Taj-Campton-Place-San-Francisco/Overview.html

Cheers!

The Courtside Club in Los Gatos recently brought in Swan’s Neck. My thanks to everyone there, including Linda and Ray!

Swan’s Neck will be featured at the upcoming High Sierra Music Festival. Should be a great time, great music, and great cocktails. I hope you enjoy.

Swan’s Neck is now the ultra-premium vodka well not only at Cotogna, but also at sister restaurant Quince, two of the finest restaurants in town! Very honored and happy about that.

Also, Perbacco, another of this city’s finest restaurants, and a great, fun, people-watching spot with incredible Italian food, wines and cocktails, has brought in Swan’s Neck. Thank you to everyone at Perbacco for your support!!

Still a lot more great stuff in the works and upcoming.

Cheers

www.fluidsf.com

www.manorwestsf.com

Cheers!!

I thought I would enjoy a Swan’s Neck martini as well while I was there, and also offer to provide a staff presentation on Swan’s Neck should Doug be interested and have the time at some point.

Next thing I know, I am ushered into one of the rooms where the entire Kokkari staff is seated, and prepping for dinner. So into an impromptu Swan’s Neck presentation I went.

The vodka was extremely well received, and the entire staff was just the nicest group of people possible. The presentation went very nicely and well (I thought), and then they finished-up while I went to the bar to order a martini.

Of course, you cannot just have one or two Swan’s Neck martinis at Kokkari without needing to dip into the delicious, aromatic, mouth-watering food. So I ordered some appetizers, including the calamari stuffed with feta cheese. Apparently, the calamari are free-range, fed a strict diet of feta and then harvested – (no, not true at all).

In any event, the food was spectacular, as was the atmosphere, and everyone around me at the bar was just wonderful and friendly.

The servers and service are truly a cut above, just the most attentive, professional, courteous and friendly staff I have had the pleasure to be around.

And as I was sitting there, I kept seeing the Swan’s Neck bottle go into martinis, which the staff were recommending!! Of course, I talked a couple people sitting next to me into ordering as well, such is my job. We managed to go through a whole bottle in less than two hours.

Now that is what I call team work.

I would like to thank everyone at Kokkari so much for a wonderful evening, and for their support of Swan’s Neck, including Doug, Dimitrios, Fatah who was serving up the Swan’s Neck drinks, and everyone else, whose names unfortunately I did not all have time to get.

Cheers to one of San Francisco’s absolutely finest restaurants, Kokkari!!!

Kokkari

Piazza D’Angelo

Vintage Wine & Spirits

Spencer & Daniels

Cheers!!

http://www.cotognasf.com/

http://www.quincerestaurant.com/

I also received a very nice call today from someone who enjoyed Swan’s Neck at The Girl & The Fig in Sonoma, and was looking to purchase some here in San Francisco. Naturally, I steered her in the right direction.

I will be putting-up an account list on the website shortly.

Cheers

http://clothingswap.com/fluid

http://clothingswap.com/palace

Also just heard from The Brixton. They are putting in a big reorder, which is wonderful. Those Cucumber Basil Swan’s Neck Gimlets are a winner!

I went to Napa yesterday. I think that will be a great market for Swan’s Neck – more on that later as it develops.

Good stuff in the works and great feedback on Swan’s Neck!

Cheers!

Did deliver the Swan’s Neck to RN74, so please go in and enjoy!!

Went into La Terrasse, the beautiful French restaurant in the Presidio. The restaurant has a very comfortable atmosphere, cozy bar area, and then a large outside patio to enjoy those beautiful San Francisco days and nights in the Presidio.

Managed to pour tastes for the owner, head chef, bartender and GM on Swan’s Neck. Everyone loved it, and the restaurant ordered, which was delivered on Friday. So please go in and enjoy!

The owner is a wonderful, friendly Frenchman, who has owned a host of restaurants previously including the Curbside Cafe, which I remember from my youth. He told stories of regaling over 30 to 60 year-old First Growths, Petrus, and Cheval Blanc. I indicated my willingness to be invited to such a fine dinner and wine feast, but apparently my charm ends at Petrus. Anyway, a lovely restaurant, and they have Swan’s Neck!

Visited Beretta in the Mission. Beretta is a long-time Swan’s Neck customer, actually from the very first day they opened. They still have Swan’s Neck in there, and the restaurant is as great and alive as ever, definitely a must-go for anyone.

I had the pleasure of meeting Jay Bordeleau, the General Manager, and Ryan Fitzgerald, one of San Francisco’s many bar-greats, and of whom I have long heard of but never met before. It was great to finally meet Ryan. He had great stories to tell, and makes just unbelievable cocktails using only the finest artisan spirits and ingredients. A true master of spirits and mixology! Go enjoy some of his craft, hopefully with Swan’s Neck.

Also went to Absinthe, where my friend and mixology-star Carlos Yturria is managing the bar and mixing-up his incredible menu of drinks. It was great to see Carlos, enjoyed some fantastic drinks, met some very friendly patrons, and also had a delicious burger and pommes frites.

Absinthe was absolutely packed by my estimation, but Carlos said it was a slower night. Definitely a must-go for a great time. Interestingly, both Carlos and Ryan were raving about Mezcal, with it being their favorite spirit these days. I tasted a high-end Mezcal, and it was definitely tasty, very earthy and smoky. I can see it creating incredible flavors in cocktails or on its own naturally.

Lots of other stops, but will wait for following-up on those before writing.

Cheers as always, and thanks for your support!!

Fleur de Lys is certainly one of the most acclaimed restaurants in the world, and it is truly an honor to have Swan’s Neck in there. Please visit Fleur de Lys, enjoy their incredible, award-winning food, and a Swan’s Neck to match. Or you may visit the bar and order a cocktail after work and perhaps an appetizer. In any event, thank you so much Chantal and Marcus, I sincerely appreciate it as always.

www.fleurdelyssf.com

777 Sutter Street in San Francisco

RN74 is one of Michael Mina’s beautiful San Francisco restaurants, with mouth-watering food and wine menus, wonderful ambiance, great decor, great staff and service. Located at 301 Mission Street, near the Embarcadero, it is an exceptional experience indeed.

I received word back from Justin yesterday that we were all good to go in terms of bringing Swan’s Neck into RN74!! I sincerely appreciate Justin and Marko’s continued support and efforts in bringing-in Swan’s Neck to RN74, and am very honored to have Swan’s Neck as a part of one of Michael Mina’s extraordinary restaurants.

We will probably also do a Swan’s Neck happy hour (which I believe will last more than an hour) in the near future. I will keep you updated on that!!

Thank you again very much Justin and Marko!! Cheers!

www.rn74.com

I met with Eric Johnson of Bar Agricole. Bar Agricole was started by Eric and Thad Vogler. Eric and Thad are certainly two of the most brilliant, dedicated, uncompromising mixologists and spirits experts in the country.

They know about spirits distillation in detail, travel to distilleries around the world, and search out and use only the finest, artisan spirits. They make their own ingredients for use in the bar and drinks, from bitters to syrups, etc.

Their resumes of bar programs created, restaurants they have worked with and helped to establish or otherwise revamp bar programs for, are unequaled.

The rest of the restaurant reflects this total commitment to absolute quality, from the beautiful design and architecture of the restaurant, to the food, wine, coffee and tea menus. The restaurant sources its produce, meats, etc directly from local suppliers they approve and want to work with. They will drive up to the farms to pick-up produce, buy whole animals and use the entirety of the animal, offering diners specialty, one-time plates based on the animal.

If I had to make any comparisons on the food side, it might be Chez Panisse and Incanto, not that comparisons are applicable – Thad and Eric are certainly charting their own course.

Vodka certainly has not been a major focus for Bar Agricole in terms of variety offered. To date, they have only carried one brand of vodka, while their rums, cognacs, and other spirits offerings are deep and varied, and carry only the finest of those they taste for any category.

Well, I am enormously honored to say that Eric and Thad have just doubled the range of their Vodka collection. They had a late night tasting and chat after close last night, and decided they would love to support Swan’s Neck and carry it. They opened with a five case order, which is absolutely fantastic.

Eric and Thad, thank you so very much. Your support truly validates my efforts and passion and belief in the caliber of Swan’s Neck. Cheers to you both!!!

Bar Agricole

http://www.baragricole.com

355 Eleventh Street in San Francisco

I spent some time the other night speaking with customers at Eastside West, and easily sold through a bottle’s worth of drinks to new Swan’s Neck fans!

I also went to The Brixton on Union Street, where Andy and Lulu were having dinner – I guess my timing was good again! Swan’s Neck was on the menu, in the Basil Cucumber Swan’s Neck Gimlet! So goooood and tasty, those gimlets go down like ice water in the desert.  Anyway, had a great time, the restaurant was packed, ran into some friends, it was all good.

Looking forward to a great week ahead.

Cheers!

Please ask for Swan’s Neck at Eastside West starting as of Friday. Ask Cat, Rachel and Merkat (I think!) behind the bar for some cocktails.

I also met with Lafitte, and they bought a case and are bringing in. I have known Russell Jackson, the founder, owner, head chef of Lafitte for maybe around 6-7 years now. I lose track of time. He originally cooked in LA, I think for a while with Wolfgang Puck, though I may be wrong on that, but was then the personal chef to the Counting Crows.

When he came to SF, he started doing those underground dinners, roaming dinners at different locations, but invite only.

Russell is an incredible chef, and his restaurant Lafitte on Pier 5, just south of Broadway Street, is beautiful. I highly recommend it. Once we get Swan’s Neck in there in the next few days, I look forward to doing some marketing events with Russell and Lafitte. He is going to put on the drink menu, and he loves Swan’s Neck, always has.

Russell and I were both entrepreneurs striving to turn our ideas into reality when we originally met, and it is great to have us both now with our ‘products’. Check out his website at:

www.lafittesf.com

Beyond that, some great meetings set-up that I am looking forward to.

Cheers as always!

Lot’s of appointments, follow-ups still, and new accounts to go to.

Remember Grasshopper, “baby steps”. I think I am mashing together my movie quotes.

The Girl & The Fig (http://www.thegirlandthefig.com) on the square in Sonoma brought in Swan’s Neck. The Girl & The Fig is an institution there in Sonoma, and I am very honored to have owner’s Sondra Bernstein’s support. Not only is their food and wine incredible, but they get visitors from all over the world, so it will be great exposure for Swan’s Neck. Thank you very much Sondra, and I look forward to great success with Swan’s Neck at The Girl & The Fig. The fact that Swan’s Neck is distilled from grapes certainly also ties in beautifully with the restaurant and the area’s (Sonoma) wine theme. Cheers Sondra!!!

Andy from The Brixton got back to me. They are starting off with 2 cases (!!!) and will add Swan’s Neck to the Brixton Basil Gimlet (the drink I raved about the other day), and which will allow Swan’s Neck to be featured on their Cocktail Menu, Lunch Menu, Dinner Menu and even Brunch Menu!!! Andy said will also try to educate their staff as to Swan’s Neck so that people will hopefully order it other ways. That is the kind of support one can only dream about. Adam and Andy, thank you both so much!!! I feel as if this is the beginning of a new dawn of vodka enlightenment. I expect the order will arrive tomorrow, Wednesday, so please go in and order Swan’s Neck Brixton Basil Gimlets and delicious food at the Brixton at 2140 Union Street, between Webster and Fillmore in San Francisco.

I also visited our mutual and childhood friend Danny Braun’s new wine store that he bought. It is called Spencer and Daniel’s (already had Daniel in the name), and is located at 1541 Polk Street (@ California) in San Francisco. http://www.spenceranddaniels.com/ Danny is in the process of completely redoing the store, concept, wine and spirits list, website, store design, etc. Dan thinks big. He started http://www.evergreenlodge.com/, and is the total entrepreneur. At present, you can get great selections of wines and spirits at incredible pricing. The website is going to be completely redone, but please sign-up for their weekly newsletter of specials.When the store is redesigned, it will be rocking. And congratulations again Dan on the new baby boy!!

There were other stops along the way, and a lot of emailing and telephone calls, but basically a lot of follow-up that needs to be done. I also got a parking ticket. That was not a part of my projections.

Anyway, onward into today, Tuesday.

At a little after 2 p.m., I headed to Petaluma, where I had a scheduled 4 p.m. meeting with Bryan Lewis of Graziano’s. I showed-up a bit early, so walked around historic old Petaluma. I ended up in Jason Jenkin’s Vine & Barrel Wines store (www.vineandbarrel.com).

You know when you meet certain people and know they are a piece of work, and I mean that in the very best sense of the word? Jason is one year younger than I am, but looks fifteen older. He’s had the life. Extreme skiing ala Warren Miller-style, until he broke some part of his leg/foot one too many times; putting on shows for Bill Graham Presents; kick boxing in Thailand. Jason mentioned this one show at Laguna Seca with John Popper and Blues Traveler. I said wait, I was there. Neither of us could remember the other bands, until I mentioned Big Head Todd and the Monsters, and sure enough, that was the weekend. Though again, neither of us are sure – it was quite a weekend. Anyway, after ten plus years of hard partying in San Francisco, he ended up in Petaluma, married, kids, dogs, and a fantastic wine store. This is a must stop, plus get on his mailing list, because he also has special events that sound incredible. Whole roasted pig and wine events; he is on ZAP; etc. Jason is a great connect for wines, very much enjoyed meeting him. At the least, go in there and enjoy his wines, buy some, and appreciate his stories!!

Then I was off to Graziano’s. Graziano’s used to carry Swan’s Neck in the old package. I think they were in a depression since the lag-time between old and new packaging. As I understand it, and perhaps I am wrong, but I don’t think so, Swan’s Neck is their favorite vodka. You can check with Bryan, he’ll confirm one way or the other.

Graziano’s is old-school. Unfortunately, Graziano himself was not there, but from what I read and heard, he used to cook for the Brat Pack, came over to America and made a success of himself. Ended up in Petaluma, and has been there near 28 years, with a successful restaurant ever since.

Vodka is a big program for them. They have a 28 degree, freezing vodka room in the front where parties can taste vodkas. The restaurant provides faux fur jackets to keep you warm. I didn’t use one while I was in there, but I could certainly see how you could end up looking like the gentlemen in the back of the frozen meat truck at the end of Martin Scorcese’s Goodfellas.

Anyway, they loved the new package, having Swan’s Neck back, the pricing was great, and they put in a 2 case order. For those of you looking to start a vodka company, let me just say, a 2 case order to start is a beautiful thing.

We are also going to do a launch party, though somewhat belated, in the somewhat near future, using the frozen vodka room, and the restaurant. Should be great. Can’t wait for the details to come together.

Thank you Bryan, and to everyone at Graziano’s for your enormous support. As I was there, drinking vodka and wine, I did decide to go for some dinner as well. I started with the iceberg lettuce wedge with blue cheese dressing and pancetta topping. Bread with an olive oil and balsamic bowl with a center of a chick pea paste that was delicious. And then Angel Hair Puttanesca. I was going to go with the Pappardelle (spelling?) in white sauce, but I figured all of the foregoing protein was too much as it was, and I didn’t need the extra carbs from the white sauce.

If you are taking everything I say literally, please don’t.

Well, that’s it for this Sunday.

Cheers

First stop was straight to the designer’s office, to drop-off samples. “Pleased with the results” is an understatement. I want to thank Michael, Kellie and Barbara so so much for all of your incredible efforts, time, support, and belief – it really means a lot. The package design, new website design, and collateral marketing materials are truly magnificent. And the new bottle logo design is, truly, a work of art. Thank you!!!!

I also want to thank so much my friend Andrew Kane (www.kanetech.org) for all of his incredible, timely, never ending help and assistance with the website.  Thanks Andrew!!  He’s the guy to call!

From there, it was pure adrenaline drive for the rest of day.

San Francisco retail institution John Walker & Co (www.johnwalker.com) was my first sale and customer for the newly designed Swan’s Neck. They were supporters before, and remain loyal and supportive now. Thank you very much to Lucy Hogan, and, of course, to her father Mike Hogan. Please visit them at 175 Sutter Street in San Francisco for one of the finest selections of wines and spirits in town.

My second sale was to Swirl on Castro (www.swirloncastro.com). Again, Swirl, and owner Jerry Cooper, were loyal customers before, and remain so now. Thank you very much Jerry, and Swirl Manager Josh Beckett, for your support. They, as well, have a beautiful collection of wines and spirits, located right in the heart of the Castro. So for everyone in the Castro and all of the many surrounding neighborhoods, please visit Jerry, Josh and everyone at Swirl for a wonderful shopping experience in the beautifully designed store. They are located at 572 Castro Street.

There were a lot of other stops along the way, but as it turns out, and as I knew, late afternoon, early evening on a gorgeous, hot Friday is not the perfect time to get the bar managers’ attention. I knew that, but my enthusiasm got the best of me. In any event, good to see some folks briefly, and I look forward to following-up further.

The day ended at The Brixton on Union Street (www.brixtonsf.com), and went well into the night. Childhood friend and Owner Andy Wasserman, along with his charming and beautiful wife Lulu, Owner Adam Snyder, and childhood friend Ken Silver were all there. We tasted Swan’s Neck, showed the new bottle around, everyone loved it.

We tried it neat, chilled and up, and, best of all, in a Basil Cucumber Vodka Gimlet that included Swan’s Neck, Veev Acai, muddled cucumber and basil, lime juice and simple syrup. Seriously one of the best drinks I have ever had. It would work at any time of day!!

I also broke down and had the Brixton Burger, a Prather Ranch burger with balsamic red onions, tomato, lettuce, pickle, blue cheese, avocado, condiments and a basket of mixed sweet potato fries and French fries. I do generally try to watch my meat and fat intake, usually as it passes my line of sight into my mouth, but definitely indulged with one of the tastiest burgers around. Yesterday’s food pyramid had the three corner stones of Swan’s Neck Basil Cucumber Gimlet, wine, beer, filled in with Prather Ranch juicy burger and tasty fries. I earned it.

Thank you for the great hospitality and great time Adam and Andy, and congratulations on your success!!!! You can visit the Brixton at 2140 Union Street in San Francisco.

I woke up this morning, and it was my hush puppies that were really hurting. I have a very old and well worn pair of Ferragamo’s, the shape/design/style of which I love. But they were truly not built for walking all over San Francisco with a heavy bag in sweltering heat. I just picked-up a pair of those Dr. Scholl’s gel inserts, for which I have seen ads, and I can tell you, I am now gellin’!!

I hope you will enjoy Swan’s Neck, our website and blog. Please sign up as fan on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/swansneckvodka and on our Twitter page at www.twitter.com/swansneckvodka

I look forward to providing you more updates.

Cheers