A few years ago there was a shortage of tanks in the California wine industry, and as a result, Two Buck Chuck was born. Now it appears we're headed for another shortage, according to an item in North Bay Business Journal, which indicated that tank producers have large backlogs and in some cases, won't be able to deliver until October.

That timing won't be much help to vintners if there's another large crop, like that of 2005, when everyone was scrambling for tank space and in a few cases, grapes had to be left on the vines because there was no place for them.

The article said the largest order is one for 10 million gallons in tanks placed by Bronco Wine Company "for existing brands such as Charles Shaw, which was revived last week with a launch in New York, and new brands."

(Two Buck Chuck revived? In California, he never left.)

Bronco is back

And speaking of Two Buck Chuck, Bronco Wine Company has been appointed the importer and distributor for Codorniu Group, the Spanish producers of the Codorniu Napa, Raimat and Bodegas Bilbainas brands of cava, or sparkling wine, among others.

The announcement said the Forest Glen/Vinum International Sales Division has been created to represent the Spanish brands, under the direction of Gary Ramona, who once was a top salesman for Robert Mondavi Winery, then later became part of a high-profile lawsuit including repressed memories.

(Glad to see Ramona back, but does this mean we can expect to see Two Buck Chuck sparkling wine soon?)

From jeans to wine

The founder of the Diesel fashion jeans label is in the wine business. Decanter.com reports that Renzo Rosso, who founded the label, debuted three new wines at Vinitaly this year, reported to sell for more than $250 in restaurants.

(That's almost the price of diesel fuel these days.)

Costco gets big win

Costco won its lawsuit against Washington's State Liquor Control Board and the road is open for the firm, and for other retailers, to buy wine directly from producers, rather than having to go through wholesalers, unless there's an appeal.

After Prohibition ended, Washington created the three-tier system -- producer-to-wholesaler-to-retailer -- but Washington allowed in-state producers to sell directly to retailers, yet prohibited out-of-state producers from doing so. Costco, which is based in Washington, said that violated the Sherman anti-trust act because it was anti-competitive.

A lower court previously ruled in Costco's favor, the state appealed, and the latest ruling was handed down by a U. S. District Court judge, who agreed and said that the state's argument that the system promoted moderate consumption wasn't valid, because such a purpose was never raised prior to the lawsuit.

The decision was stayed for 30 days so the state can appeal, if it wishes.

(Good news for consumers who are Costco members -- it probably means lower prices -- and also may mean more wineries can sell wines through Costco.)

More corks vs. screw caps

A European winery is planning to bottle two of its wines using screw caps as closures, replacing the traditional corks. With so many wineries around the world doing the same thing, so what? you might ask.

What makes eyebrows go up in this case is that the winery is in Portugal, where most of the wine industry's corks are produced.

Quinta do Cotto, one of the oldest vineyards in the Douro Valley, it putting a white and ros wine into screw-capped bottles. Although the industry has protested, the winemaker is quoted on decanter.com as saying, "We have been studying this type of closure for the past two years and are very pleased with it," and added that even putting vintage port in screw capped bottles is not out of the question.

The winery's owner said cork costs have spun out of control and today a cork is more expensive than a liter of wine.

(Could Portugal charge him with treason?)

Vintners' generosity

The generosity of California vintners, especially those in Napa Valley, never ceases to amaze. The 17th annual Culinary Evening With California Winemasters on May 6, benefiting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, will feature more than 60 wineries, with nearly two-thirds of them coming from Napa Valley.

Last year's event raised $1.3 million, and over the years more than $13.5 million has been raised.

(Maybe the fact that Napans Barbara and Alan Balik created the event has something to do with the large Napa valley contingent.)

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