History of New Year's Traditions

Whether your popping bottles of Tobacco Road Cellars "Private Reserve", your favorite box wine or bubbly this New Year's, I found it interesting where the celebration all came from. New Year's is the oldest of all of the holidays and it started in Babylon about 4000 years ago when they recognized the beginning of spring. They considered it the season of rebirth, planting new crops and enjoying the new warm weather. The Babylonian New Year lasted for 11 days and each day had its own celebration...I think I know why they call it "Amateur Night" now.

The Romans continued to observe the holiday in late March, but their calendar was continually tampered with by various emperors, so the Roman Senate and Julius Caesar eventually declared January 1st the beginning of the new year.

People believed that their luck could be affected by what they did and who they were around on the first day of the new year, so it became common for people to celebrate around the middle of the night with family and friends. As far as the idea of eating black eyed peas, cabbage and ham to bring good luck...uhh I think I will pass. After doing several dozen body shots and enjoying a few cocktails then throwing back the bubbly...I'm thinking an order of hot wings, pizza and a milkshake are more in order. I hope the restaurants don't care when I show up in my pj's. (http://tinyurl.com/yfc82km)

Celebrate Life's Great Occasions!

TRC in South Florida Restaurants and Wine Shops

Just finishing up with our distributor Strategic Importers out of Boca Raton in the South Florida market. We have had a great time introducing our wines to South Florida and especially meeting all of the wonderful people. We shared our wines with fine wine retailers and restaurants from Palm Beach to South Beach and everywhere in between.

Our Syrah, Pinot Noir, Cabernet "Vitality" and Cabernet "Private Reserve" can now be found at such places as the Boca Resort, The Addison, Rustic Cellar and Ferraro's Ristorante in Boca Raton. We are also featured in La Bottega and Uva 69 in Miami. We will be back in South Florida in March for several wine maker dinners and in-store wine tastings and will be sure to keep everyone updated.

Thank you for your continued support and we hope everyone had an amazing holiday. Please send us any pictures of you and your family enjoying our wines this holiday and New Year's. info@tobaccoroadcellars.com

Celebrate Jimmy V Week

Today is the last day of the inaugural Jimmy V Week -- a week-long initiative featuring special content across ESPN platforms and programs to drive awareness of and donations to The V Foundation for Cancer Research. It may be the last day of Jimmy V week, but it is not the end of our battle to eradicate cancer.

The V Foundation for Cancer Research was founded in 1993 by ESPN and the late Jim Valvano, legendary North Carolina State basketball coach and ESPN commentator. Since 1993, the Foundation has raised more than $70 million to fund cancer research grants nationwide. It awards 100 percent of all direct cash donations and net proceeds of events directly to cancer research and related programs. The Foundation, which has received five consecutive top 4-star ratings from Charity Navigator, awards grants through a competitive awards process strictly supervised by a Scientific Review Committee. For more information on The V Foundation or to make a donation, please visit www.jimmyv.org.

At Tobacco Road Cellars, we embrace the history of tradition and reputation for excellence that one of the richest characters in Tobacco Road history helps create…Jimmy Valvano. It was an honor to create the 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon from the world’s premier vineyards in Napa Valley and pay tribute to Mr. Valvano with our limited edition “V”. This special bottle will make a great holiday gift and we will donate 10% from all proceeds of the “V” bottle to The V Foundation for Cancer Research. See the bottle at http://tinyurl.com/yhdjmh9