As we expand our business, our commitment to our suppliers, wholesalers accounts and consumers remain strong — to continue to deliver exceptional wines.

It has been a remarkable year for TGIC — first being awarded Importer of the Year by Wine Enthusiast eight months ago and now the expansion of the company. I am delighted about the growth of TGIC’s business and look forward to serving our customers for years to come.

– Alex Guarachi

TGIC’s founding years are similar in the sense that we were the first importer to put South American wines on the U.S. consumer map. We lead the category and now we dominate it in terms of quality wines. John and Gail Kautz, founders of Ironstone, were the first to plant Chardonnay and other wine varietals in Lodi. Today Ironstone grows numerous varietals including Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel, along with several select, cutting-edge varietals. Ironstone is revered as an innovator in the California wine category. This represents what we do at TGIC: We lead.

We choose partners whose brands we know consumers will develop trust in. It is through this exercise that our suppliers, wholesalers, accounts and consumers have developed an allegiance to the TGIC portfolio. Our precise obligation is make every perspective of the wine experience so positive that we incite loyalty. This can only be achieved by working with wines that over-deliver on their promise of quality year after year. Wines like Ironstone fit this profile

Ironstone is noted for several leading U.S. brands. These include the flagship Ironstone brand, Ironstone Reserve and Leaping Horse Vineyards. Ironstone is listed as one of the largest family owned wineries in the U.S. Ironstone also sells significant amounts of wine in international markets including Canada, Japan, UK and more than 50 other countries. In all of these export markets, Ironstone’s sales and marketing will continue to be managed by Joan Kautz, Vice President International Operations.

In addition to vineyards in the Sierra Foothills, Ironstone draws on the production from its other vineyards — over 5,000 acres in all. “At Ironstone Vineyards, a healthy environment is important. By practicing Sustainable Viticulture, we are reducing water use, building healthy soil and maintaining the surrounding wildlife habitat,” explains John Kautz.

– Alex Guarachi

First and foremost, I want to thank you all — all of the people that believed in me, in us, 25 years ago. From the wineries that we represent to our customers and distributors and of course consumers — we couldn’t have done it without you!

I’m extremely honored and humbled simultaneously. There are no words to describe my joy and satisfaction at this phenomenal recognition! Of course, I would also like to thank Adam Strum and his team at the Wine Enthusiast!

This recognition is truly the greatest honor.

TGIC will be honored at the annual Wine Star Awards gala dinner on Monday, January 24, 2011, at the New York Public Library in New York City, along with the winners from the other categories.

TGIC has won this award for its leadership, innovation and strong belief in its wineries and winemakers who are the best from their respective regions of the world.

Thank you again for making this dream come true!

– Alex Guarachi

Click here to view the embedded video.

One hundred percent of the money we raised was donated to Music For Relief, a non-profit organization founded by the band, Linkin’ Park, to help victims of natural disasters. They passed every cent along to rebuild homes and community centers.

Thankfully, the dollar goes much further in Chile than it does in the U.S. A home can be constructed for about three thousand dollars. And so, rising out of the rubble, new homes now stand with many more under construction. Families who were sleeping in their cars and makeshift tents now have solid, new roofs over their heads and a place to call home.

From the bottom of my heart, I thank you. You opened your hearts, you opened your wallets and you opened up bottles of Montes and Santa Ema wines. In doing so, you made a difference.

Though the aftermath of the earthquake no longer tops or even appears on the daily news, the need for help has not disappeared.

Rebuilding Chile will require those of us outside the country to support its businesses and industry. Remember to buy Chilean, whether it’s wine or fruit for your table. Everything you do counts.

And, please continue to support Music for Relief in its unrelenting efforts to rebuild this wonderful country.

– Alex Guarachi

As can be expected from an earthquake of this size, damage has been considerable. Near the epicenter, the basic essentials — such as water, power, phone communications, housing and food — are still not available to those who have survived the quake. The country is in a state of emergency and recovery.

With respect to the wine industry, I spoke to James Molesworth from the Wine Spectator this morning. He has been keeping an up-to-date account through his Twitter feed and his blog of damages to the local wineries. As I told James, the good news from our winery friends in Chile is that all of our teammates and partners are safe.

I heard from Carlos Serrano from Montes a mere few hours after the quake hit. He reassured me that Viña Montes will “be back on duty as soon as possible … working hard with the help of Angels.” This is the spirit of the Chilean people as they recover in this difficult time. This independent resilience will take them far, but I believe that it is our duty to speed up this rebuilding process.

TGIC Importers is prepared to donate a significant amount to nonprofit relief and medical organizations. Since a bulk of our international wine imports are from Chile, we are currently organizing a program with our distributors to aid the earthquake victims directly. We will have more details for you soon.

If you feel the immediate need to help the causes for Chile, the following organizations are accepting text donations through the major cell phone carriers:

Text “CHILE” to 90999 to donate $10 on behalf of the American Red Cross.
Text “CHILE” to 25383 to donate $10 on behalf of the Habitat for Humanity.
Text “CHILE” to 20222 to donate $10 on behalf of World Vision.
Text “CHILE” to 52000 to donate $10 on behalf of the Salvation Army
Text “CHILE” to 85944 to donate $10 on behalf of International Medical Corp.
Text “4CHILE” to 50555 to donate $10 on behalf of Convoy of Hope
Text “CHILE” to 50555 to donate $10 on behalf of Friends of the World Program
Text “REBUILD” to 50555 to donate $10 on behalf of Friends of the Operation USA

– Alex Guarachi

Wine is a great, social beverage. We want to make TGICImporters.com your tool to experiencing our wine socially online and beyond the web. This design has grown to support popular social media sources like Facebook, Twitter, Digg and Delicious. In addition to these social media sources, we will be showcasing wine events in our “Events” page. These events — ranging from dinners to charity fundraisers — can provide you with an exclusive opportunity to experience TGIC wines in your hometown. Dates are available on Facebook, but you can also join our mailing list to be reminded of events through your email inbox.

Lastly, one will notice that this blog is a new addition to our website. “From Alex’s Desk” will include postings straight from my office. I hope to share my ideas and experience in the wine industry with posts that will be insightful and entertaining. I want this weblog to open up lines of communication and help create a forum for TGIC fans and industry professionals. Whether you are a wine novice or an experienced collector, I invite you to comment. I will be reading. And I look forward to sharing TGIC Importers with you.

– Alex Guarachi