Malibu Oaks celebrates a beautiful life with a limited edition wine to support Pawsitive Pets and a touching story to keep you Present.
Tin Capsule
Manufactured and printed in Spain of old-world tin.
Glass Bottle
Manufactured in the USA by Saint-Gobain
Grapes
At the heart of the bottle is a field blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. A classic Bordeau Blend from a little vineyard in Malibu
Wine
Crushed, Cold Soaked, Fermented, Malo-lactic Fermented, Barreled, Topped, Blended, Fined, and bottled over the period of one decade. by Kris Curran and Bruno d’Alphonso
www.dcwines.com
Tin Capsule
Manufactured and printed in Spain of old-world tin.
Glass Bottle
Manufactured in the USA by Saint-Gobain
Grapes
At the heart of the bottle is a field blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. A classic Bordeau Blend from a little vineyard in Malibu
Wine
Crushed, Cold Soaked, Fermented, Malo-lactic Fermented, Barreled, Topped, Blended, Fined, and bottled over the period of one decade. by Kris Curran and Bruno d’Alphonso
www.dcwines.com
The Closure
Natural Corks, sustainably harvested manufactured by ….
Artwork
Label and Capsule artwork conceived and created by Valori Book
The Barrels
A mix of French oak barrels, coopered by Seguin Moreau in France, re-assembled in the USA. The manufacture of each barrel takes at least two years.
The Name
Present = Now
Present = Gift
Present = I’m Here
Our Story
Planting a Vineyard
It began with a knock on the door. On the other side of the door was a fireman, who explained how we needed to remove the brush that surrounded our new home. We knew that removing the brush from the hills would cause erosion issues, so after research, decided to plant a vineyard. We planted, not all at once, but expanding as we learned. And soon every plant was like our family, and it became a passion.
It takes at least 3 years before a plant yields grapes worthy of picking. It takes a lifetime to learn about wine making. We made the first few years ourselves, then went to local winemakers. In 2010 we found a pair of highly accomplished winemakers who were willing to deal with a couple of neophytes. We were ecstatic
Then shocked when we were told our harvest would be under care for 5 years. Most wines sit in barrels for 2. But Kris and Bruno had a plan. They knew we were in it for the wine and not they money. We wanted a great wine. For the next two years we would pick our harvest and truck it by refrigerated truck from Malibu to Lompoc. They were exhausting, exciting days. Visiting the winery and tasting the wine stolen from barrels assured us that something great was happening.
Southern California Drought
2014 brought a drought. Our plants struggled without the winter rains and little irrigation. They did not produce enough to take to Kris and Bruno. The drought continued through the 2015 harvest. The grapes were sparse. We lost plants.
Cancer
I don’t know. Maybe it was the stress of the drought. Maybe it wasn’t. I knew Gig was not well, but she wouldn’t let me do anything to help until I finally got here to Saint John’s in Santa Monica in late 2015. It didn’t take long for the emergency room doctor to ask if there was a history of colon cancer in her family.
All of a sudden, wine in barrels didn’t seem so important. There was a new challenge. Kris and Bruno figured it out on their own and said they would take care of our wine.
Colon cancer is tough. It claws at your dignity. Gig always said she wouldn’t fight cancer if it ever happened, but she fought. This fight took her Saint Johns far too many times. For long, long stays. Two Thanksgivings, a Christmas, a New Years and lots more. Tough stays. Multiple surgery stays. No fun.
Pawsitive
But I saw the positive effect of the visit of a dog to her bedside. I could always tell when one had been by, and if I ever saw a dog passing the lobby I would also tell them they would have a good visit in her room. A visit from a dog simply gives a patient something to talk about.
Lost
Gig lost her fight in August of 2018.
A few months later, the house and vineyard were lost to the Woolsey Fire.
Present
The PRESENT vintages will be the last from our plants. I tasted the wine with Kris and Bruno a month or so after that. I was astounded by what they had, and in speaking with them realized that we had a very special wine that wouldn’t have happened if we hadn’t ignored the winemakers. Ignored them because of cancer.
And so I hatched this idea – to use this wine to help those who came behind Gig, who would benefit from a head to scratch, or a wagging tail.
Pawsitive Pet Program
The Paula Kent Meehan Pawsitive Pet Program is comprised of dog and handler teams that visit Providence Saint John’s Health Center. Their mission is to provide friendship and comfort to patients during their hospital stay. It is not only the patients that benefit from the Pawsitive Pet visits. The dogs love their work and are welcomed and adored by Providence Saint John’s caregivers as well as visitors to the hospital.
Malibu Oaks will donate all the profits of the sale directly to Saint John’s Hospital, for the Pawsitive Pet program.
Donations re tax deductible, less $30 per bottle.
The Offer & Goal
PRESENT is the name of the wine we have given our 2010, 2011 and 2012 vintages. We are releasing 1,000 bottles of PRESENT from each of the vintages. A maximum of 6 bottles per purchaser will be released from each vintage. Purchasers of 2010 will have first chance to purchase 2011 and 2012. Purchasers of 2011 will have first chance to purchase 2012, assuming it is not all purchased by 2010 owners.
The goal is to give the hospital ½ million dollars.