Jil Child's connections

Jil Child's Groups

Started this discussion. Last reply by Jil Child Nov 29, 2008. 6 Replies 0 Likes

Interests: Discovering new food, Discovering new wines, Consulting, Making Friends, Networking, Finding Investors, Deals

Biography: In a nutshell...I was born in Salt Lake City, Utah and have lived in Santa Rosa, California for 12 years, where I began my career as a wine professional. I have a loving husband, lovely 21 year old daughter (studying to become a vet), a white kitty that I adopted from Kendall Jackson winery and an African Gray parrot. I love sailing on my Island Packet 51 foot sailboat, cooking and of course drinking great wine with friends. I'm a sommelier, entering the Master of Wine program in September. I work one day each week at a local winery and spend the rest of my time and energy on my company, Wine Tours of the World, with my three partners, Chris, Dave and Leslie. I participate in several annual wine competitions as both a panel coordinator and a wine judge. I consult upon request and teach Tasting Room Management and Wine Education at Sonoma State University as part of their business wine, continuing education program. I'm currently writing a wine book that is quite amusing and hope that I can complete the book by the end of the year. I absolutely love living in Northern California!! The availability of fresh and organic ingredients and of course great wine is awesome. Someday however, I would love to retire in Cape Town, South Africa.

Years in the Industry: 12 as a professional and 12 more as a collector and conessuier

At 11:02am on April 27, 2008, Michael L. Atkinson said…: Hi Jil,

I was just up in Napa, again, for a release party at Franciscan. Beautiful day, like 95 degrees!

We plan to come back on the 10th of May and plan to visit Sonoma, per your suggestion. Thoughts? Suggestions?

At 8:36am on April 23, 2008, Jil Child said…: I will give this some serious thought and respond back to you within a day. In California, some of my favorite brands are simply the names of the Vintner's and proprietors, some that I know personally (bias?). However, there are many clever brand names in the industry across the globe that appeal to me. Stand by!

At 12:42am on April 23, 2008, Alan Williamson said…: Hello Jil
Thanks for the list of California sparklers - some potential investors in English vineyards?

Next month, we'll be brainstorming a potential brand name for the new English sparkling wine region.

What would very helpful is your (say) Top 5 wine region brand names - around the world - and why you like them?

Thanks Jil.

At 1:43pm on April 22, 2008, Michael L. Atkinson said…: Ever been to Copia? Thoughts?

At 1:42pm on April 22, 2008, Michael L. Atkinson said…: Hi Jil,

Awesome. I'll take that offer. :-)

At 7:43pm on April 20, 2008, Michael L. Atkinson said…: Hi, on Sonoma, not too much but I should. I have been to Ferrari Corona.

At 5:23am on April 20, 2008, Alan Williamson said…: Hello Jil
Thanks for the insight into the Napa; also the perfect metaphor: Adult Disneyland.

My interest in the Napa brand is based on a new destination brand project I'm about to embark on based on the success of English sparkling wines beating the French champagnes in international viticulture competitions. Recent example includes: Nyetimber http://www.nyetimber.com/

The big branding issue is that the two words: 'English' and 'Wines' are an oxymoron, so the first thing we've got to do is create a new destination brand name for the new wine region - based in my backyard - the Southeast corner of England comprising the counties of Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire and Kent - the soil and climate is perfect for sparkling wines, so much so that growers from France and California are snapping up English vineyards.

Jil, thanks for the offer of providing interesting insights to the Napa. Look forward to continuing this discussion on FohBoh.