Destination Cellars Adds New Partners Before Year End

By: Destination Club News
Date: December 29, 2010

Calendars are set to roll over to 2011, but that doesn't mean that Destination Cellars is willing to slow down at the end of the year. The wine themed destination club has added several new winery partners to their ranks and will soon be making their wines available to clients.

Selected by Destination Cellars Estate Sommelier Sean Meyer, the newest winery partners include some of the most exclusive and sophisticated wines available.

Football played an integral role in the creation of the Mirror Wine Company. Former NFL Quarterback Rick Mirer spent time in both San Francisco and Oakland during his playing career and a passion for wine developed off the field. "I couldn't let go of the idea of one day operating a winery - the thought kept lurking in the back of my mind," writes Mirer. Mirer would meet Jeff Smith of Hourglass, also a partner of Destination Cellars, and began a fast friendship. This would led to an introduction with Rob Lawson, and the foundation for Mirror was in place.

Led by Winemaker Luc Morlet, Vineyard 7 & 8 strives to bring the natural resources of the Spring Mountain District into their wines. The success of this philosophy is evident as Vineyard 7 & 8 received 94 and 93 points from Wine Spectator for their chardonnay and 2007 Cabernet respectively.

Last year, Destination Cellars spent time with D.R. Stephens Estate and Managing Partner Justin Stephens. Fans themselves, Destination Cellars is now bringing them on as winery partners and will help clients procure some of the limited 750 cases produced.

Moone Tsai is made by Philippe Melka, limited to just 181 prized cases. Melka has been recognized as one of the world's top nine consulting winemakers by Robert Parker and has left his imprint at Dominus, the Bryant Family Vineyards, Dana Estates, and Hundred Acre.

Earlier this month, Destination Cellars announced their 2010 Winery Partners of the Year, recognizing Fantesca Estate Winery as their National Winery Partner of the Year, Alex Gambal as the International Winery Partner of the Year, and Arista Winery for their efforts as New Winery Partner of the Year. Exclusive Resorts, the world's largest destination club, was named Alliance Partner of the Year.

As always, Founder David Keuhner has big plans for the new year, following 2010 when they partnered with both Quintess and The Markers Club. With a surplus of new clubs entering the market, Demeure, Second Home Destinations, or DUO may be the next to join the Destination Cellars partnership network.