March 10, 2012 / by J Smoke Wallin / Make A Comment / Filed under 2012 Event, Blog, Brand Management, The Paddington Corporation
Well, we had an amazing week in South Beach Miami for the South Beach Wine and Food Festival by Food Network. This event has grown to a must attend gathering for anyone who loves wine, food and SOBE. SOBEWFF was held February 23-26, 2012. This year Paddington Brands became a major Silver sponsor with our Tequila 3 Amigos, Agoston Wines and we had the pleasure of pre-introducing the new Miami Cocktail Company owned by friends of mine Ross and Simon. (Here is the sponsor page)
The Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival presented by FOOD & WINE is a national, star-studded, four-day destination event showcasing the talents of the world’s most renowned wine and spirits producers, chefs and culinary personalities. Hosted by Southern Wine & Spirits of Florida and Florida International University(FIU), the festival benefits FIU’s Chaplin School of Hospitality and Tourism Management and the Southern Wine & Spirits Beverage Management Center. To date, the Festival has raised more than $14 million for the School.
Our corner display in the Grand Tasting tent looked fantastic and was one of the highlights of the whole event. We poured Tequila 3 Amigos Blanco, Reposado, Anjeo and Organic Blanco as well as our 3 Amigos Pineapple Serrano Pepper Margaritas which we have dubbed “Fire & Ice”. Agoston wines both Tempernillo Cabernet and Granacha Syrah. Miami Cocktails pre-introduced themselves with two of their flavors to fawning crowds. We saw so many friends and met so many new people it is hard to capture here.
One of many cool things we participated in was Michael’s Genunie Food & Drink “Farm to Table” brunch sponsored by Whole Foods. This was an amazing organic brunch by Michael Schwartz of MGFD a James Beard Award winning chef and friend. 3 Amigos Tequila was the beverage of choice and we again served our 3 Amigos Pineapple Serrano Pepper Margaritas. MGFD mixologist Ryan created what is now one of our favorite drinks with 3 Amigos
Cocktail Recipes:
“Fire & Ice” 3 Amigos Pineapple Serrano Pepper Margarita
Cut 1 Hawaiian “Gold” Pineapple into chunks (No Core) and blend with 1/2 Cup of Agave Nectar and 2 fresh Serrano Chiles (with the seeds and membranes removed) together in a blender. Once the “Base” has a puree consistency and is flowing smoothly turn off the blender and place in a container.
- 1.5 Ounces 3 Amigos Blanco Tequila
- 4 Ounces Margarita Mix
- 1 TBSP Piña-Serrano Puree
- 1 Scoop Ice
If you would like a little more sweetness you can add Superfine Bar Sugar to the rim of the glass.
The Caballero by Ryan @MGFD
- 2 oz Organic 3 Amigos Blanco Tequila
- 1 Barspoon Roasted Poblano Agave
- 1/2 oz Fresh Lime Juice
- 2 oz Red Bell Pepper Juice
- Garnish w/ Cilantro & Bell Pepper slice
Our partnership with POM Wonderful and Iron Chef Marc Forgione was a huge hit at the show. Marc created the “POM Thyme 3 Amigos Margarita” … voted by many as best of show at the event. Marc appeared for Food Network at the POM Wonderful stand prominently pouring 3 Amigos Tequila. Here are a few shots.. and a copy of the recipe:
POM Wonderful- 3 Amigos Tequila -1003_miami_recipe_card
I know we will be back! I hope you will join us next year! And let me know if you try our recipes… they will be a hit with your guests!
July 2, 2010 / by J Smoke Wallin / Make A Comment / Filed under 2010 Event, Distributors, E-commerce, Education, Software, Supply Chain, WITS Happenings
Abbey Klassen, Executive Editor, Ad Age
For those of you who have followed this blog over the years, you will know that it was launched in 2005 when we first created WITS. The 6th Wine Industry Technology Symposium promises to be our best ever. Besides an action packed agenda of break out sessions with real take home value, I am very pleased with our two keynote speakers Michael Gelb and Abbey Klaassen. Both of these accomplished individuals represent what WITS is all about, innovation and how we can all adopt to the changing business environment in which we live. I hope you choose to join me at this year’s conference. It will be worth the effort. See you in Napa!
Abbey Klaassen of Advertising Age to Deliver Keynote at
Wine Industry Technology Symposium in July
Register Now for Tech Summit
June 9, 2010, Napa, CA – Abbey Klaassen, Executive Editor of Advertising Age, a leading global source of news, intelligence and conversation for marketing and media communities will deliver the keynote speech at the sixth annual Wine Industry Technology Symposium (WITS)® July 13-14, 2010 at the Marriott Napa Valley.
Klaassen’s address, titled “Living in a Post-Digital World,” will address consumer behavior and the resulting opportunities for businesses in this post-digital world. When every physical location is accompanied by a digital experience, social media increasingly becomes a reflection of real life. Interactive technology is like the air we breathe “so ubiquitous we often take it for granted.”
Conference co-chair, Lesley Berglund said: “We were looking for a keynote speaker who could address the technology shift that has changed the way we do business. We wanted to go beyond networking tools and really take a look at the far reaching implications of our digital lives. We are thrilled to have Klassen sharing her perspective…”
Best Selling Author Michael Gelb to Deliver One of the Keynotes
at Wine Industry Technology Symposium in July
Wine Drinking for Inspired Thinking - Gelb and Wallin at book release
Register Now for Tech Summit
June 22, 2010, Napa, CA – Michael Gelb, author of international best seller How to Think Like Leonardo Da Vinci, Innovate Like Edison: The Five-Step System for Breakthrough Business Success and Wine Drinking For Inspired Thinking: Uncork Your Creative Juices will deliver the keynote speech at the sixth annual Wine Industry Technology Symposium® (WITS) July 13-14, 2010 at the Marriott Napa Valley.
Gelb’s general session address, titled “How to Think Like Leonardo Da Vinci,” will discuss the application of genius thinking to personal and organizational development. Gelb is a pioneer in the fields of creative thinking, accelerated learning, and innovative leadership and has more than 30 years of experience as a professional speaker, seminar leader and organizational consultant.
Gelb will not only be one of the keynote speakers in the general session but will also be a speaker for the networking dinner being held at the Napa Marriott on Tuesday night, July 13th. His address, titled “Wine Drinking for Inspired Thinking: Uncork Your Creative Juices,” also the title of his book, will discuss expanding creativity through wine appreciation. Gelb’s book comes highly recommended by wine authorities such as Gary Vaynerchuk, Host of Wine Library TV and Robert Parker Jr., The Wine Advocate and others.
Conference co-chair, Smoke Wallin said: “Gelb’s message couldn’t be more timely. The wine industry is changing at a rapid pace which requires both owners and team members to find new ways to do business. We’re thrilled that we can offer both innovative technologies and a new perspective for applying them at the conference.”
Online Registration Now Open
The Wine Industry Technology Symposium® (WITS), the premier industry event showcasing innovation and the strategic use of information technology, is now accepting online registrations for its fifth annual conference. The event will be held on July 13-14, 2010 at the Marriot Napa Valley. www.wineindustrytechnologysymposium.com
Early Bird Pricing Ends July 2
Tickets are available online before Friday July 3rd and at the “early bird” price of $100 for day one and $250 for day two, per guest. After July 4th, registrants pay the full price of $150 and $300, respectively. Full program details are available online.
About WITS
The Wine Industry Technology Symposium® (WITS) was created in 2005 by a group of wine industry and technology professionals. The purpose of WITS is to address the unique information technology and services needs of the wine industry. WITS is dedicated to bringing the world’s leading wineries, wholesalers and retailers together with some of the world’s leading technology experts to foster learning and discussion. Panels of experts will discuss specific examples and case studies. www.WineIndustryTechnologySymposium.com
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Media Contact:
Lesley P. Berglund, co-chair, 707-246-6827
Pete Blackshaw of Nielsen on last year’s WITS conference:
Pete Blackshaw on WITS 2009
