This Weeks Feature
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Press Room
Dick Vermeil: Football Legend, and Winemaker?
Dick Vermeil: Football Legend, and Winemaker?
Former Philadelphia Eagles Coach Dick Vermeil to Sign Bottles of Vermeil Wines at PA Wine & Spirits Store in Allentown on Aug. 6
Former Philadelphia Eagles Coach Dick Vermeil to Sign Bottles of Vermeil Wines at PA Wine & Spirits Store in Allentown on Aug. 6
Vermeil Toasts the New NFL Season with his Wine
For THE MORNING CALL
Friday, August 6, 2010
Dick Vermeil didn't have to be told the NFL season is about to start.
Vermeil and his wife Carol were discussing it as they drove from their Chester County home to the Lehigh Valley on Friday afternoon.
"Oh yeah. … first game this weekend. … Hall of Fame game," said Vermeil, beaming about an exhibition game that ushers in the 2010. "I love it. I watch three games every Sunday and then the Monday night game. It's four games per weekend. (read more)
Vermeil Wines Launch XXXIV
For NAPA VALLEY REGISTER
Friday, August 6, 2010
Dick Vermeil, Super Bowl-winning coach and two-time NFL coach of the year, and winemaker Paul Smith of OnThEdge Winery have released XXXIV, a proprietary red wine blend of cabernet sauvignon (82 percent), cabernet franc (16 percent) and merlot (2 percent) from the Calistoga AVA.
It's named for Vermeil's St. Louis Rams' victory in Super Bowl XXXIV.
"XXXIV represents the very first proprietary red wine produced by the full team at Vermeil Wines," said Vermeil. "It is a powerful reminder that when every member contributes, the team can thrive." (read more)
Dick Vermeil Stops By The Morning Show
For FOX 2 NEWS IN THE MORNING
Former St. Louis Rams coach Dick Vermeil stopped by the morning show to talk about the upcoming Rams season and to promote his new wine, XXXIV, which he named to commemorate the season in which the Rams won the Super Bowl. (see more photos)
"Former Philadelphia Eagles Coach Dick Vermeil to Sign Bottles of Vermeil Wines at PA Wine & Spirits Store in Allentown on Aug. 6"
For PR NEWSWIRE
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
(HARRISBURG, PA) Former Philadelphia Eagles coach Dick Vermeil will share his thoughts on football and winemaking while signing bottles of Vermeil Wines from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 6, at the PA Wine & Spirits Store at Crest Plaza Shopping Center, 1516 N. Cedar Crest Boulevard, Allentown.
"Football season is once again upon us and Dick Vermeil is a legend in the sport. Many people may not know that Vermeil is also a talented and accomplished winemaker," said Patrick J. "P.J." Stapleton III, chairman of the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board. "The PLCB is thrilled that Coach Vermeil set aside some time to share his passion for winemaking with our consumers and his fans."
Vermeil will offer a complimentary tasting of his cabernet sauvignon, sauvignon blanc, cabernet franc and zinfandel and will sign pre-purchased bottles, all priced at $23.99 and up. All four products will be priced 10 percent off the day of the signing only. The tasting is free for those 21 and older.
Vermeil began his National Football League career as special teams coach of the Los Angeles Rams. He became head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles from 1976 through 1982, leading the franchise to its first Super Bowl in 1980. He led the St. Louis Rams to Super Bowl victory in 2000 and ended his head-coaching career with the Kansas City Chiefs.
A native of California's famed Napa Valley winemaking region, Vermeil oversaw the creation of his first wine – the Jean Louis Vermeil Cabernet Sauvignon, named for his great-grandfather – in 1999. More recently, in collaboration with winemaker Paul G. Smith, Vermeil Wines has produced a number of varietals, including the wines that will be featured at the tasting. (read more)
Excerpt from "Burgergeddon Heats Up"
By John Waters, Jr.
For THE WEEKLY CALISTOGAN
Thursday, July 15, 2010
There’s a new battle being waged; not over oil, or gold, land water or between the sexes, it’s a grilling competition to create the best known burger — yes, that’s hamburger — in the Napa Valley.
The first shots were fired May 31 in St. Helena. A second skirmish followed at the Vermeil Wines/OverTheEdge Winery tasting room on Lincoln Avenue July 7.
Although it’s customary for businesses, especially diners, to compete for customers, now the stakes are higher. The winner will become the well, burger king of wine country. Call it Burgergeddon, Burger Wars, a burger smackdown or rumble. Whatever the label, also call it fun. (read more)
Excerpt from "Celebrity Wines: Actors, Athletes, Rock Stars and Icons Become Winemakers in Droves"
For INTOWINE
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
In 2009, NFL coaching legend Dick Vermeil partnered with longtime friend and OnThEdge Winery founder Paul Smith to launch Vermeil Wines. Currently they produce a Cabernet Franc, two Zinfandels, a Sauvignon Blanc, a Charbono, a Red Blend and a Cabernet Sauvignon. Unlike so many celeb wines, this endeavor appears to be genuinely about making good wine for people who love good wine. Vermeil Wines even has a... (read more)
"Blogging Along the Brandywine: An Eagle Flies in Calistoga"
By Sally Jane Denk
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
So what’s a hometown Philadelphia boy doing making wine in the Napa Valley of northern California?
The surprising answer: Dick Vermeil was born in his great grandfather’s home in Calistoga, Calif. (read more)
"Dick Vermeil: Football Legend, and Winemaker?"
By Joshua Green
For THE ATLANTIC
Friday, April 9, 2010
Recently, my favorite Washington DC restaurant, BlackSalt, invited patrons to a dinner hosted by Dick Vermeil, the legendary football coach. The occasion was designed to introduce people to Dick Vermeil's wines. I was not aware that Dick Vermeil had become a winemaker, and the news struck me as hilariously incongruous. It's not that it's unusual for a pro football coach to (read more)
"Wine Dinner at the Windrift"
For THE SOCIETY PAGE MAGAZINESaturday, March 27, 2010
Last night we had the pleasure of attending a wine dinner at The Windrift in Avalon. The Windrift, managed by Pete Compare, is the shining star of Jersey shore dining and nightlife. Recent renovations have made The Windrift a stand out in the restaurant and nightlife offerings in the region.
The wine dinner was hosted by Dick Vermeil a former NFL coach who now owns and operates along with his wife, a very popular wine brand and vineyard. The evening started with a one hour reception in the formal dining room’s bar with plenty of wine and tray served appetizers of very generous proportions. To list them all would only make me stop writing this post as the thought of how good they were would drive me to the kitchen in search of something to eat.
The reception was followed by a 7-course dinner, featuring a fish course, entrée and six wine pairings. Special guest speakers including Dick Vermeil took turns discussing the wines and each course as we ate.
Overall, the evening was memorable and very enjoyable. The staff at The Windrift was exceptional. They were very friendly and attentive. It was obvious that Pete, the general manager, is one of those rare few that understands the details of hospitality.
The Windrift has been honored with the 2009 Wine Spectator Award as having one of the most outstanding restaurant wine lists in the world. This award is one of many and deservedly so.
The Windrift is right on the beach in Avalon and has many rooms which meet and satisfy many needs. You can enjoy brick oven pizza, Sushi, at either of the two Sushi bars, fine dining in the formal dining room (with its own wine room), frozen drinks on the deck while overlooking the ocean, and of course live entertainment in each area of The Windrift.
Join The Society Page at The Windrift on Memorial Day Weekend as we welcome the start of summer at this exceptional location.
(ready the blog entry)
Excerpt from "Are You Ready for Some Football (Wines)?"
For WINE SPECTATORSaturday, September 24, 2009
Retired NFL coach and Napa native Dick Vermeil has been making his own wine (and wine-centered controversy) for years, and now he has a brand-new Calistoga tasting room and wine shop in which to share and sell Jean-Louis Vermeil, the signature Cabernet Sauvignon named in honor of his father and great-grandfather, among other wines bearing the legendary coach’s name. Vermeil’s wine roots in the Napa Valley are deep: in the early 1900s, his maternal great-grandfather established the Calistoga Wine Company. (read more)
Excerpt from Vermeil's interview with "ESPN 101 in St. Louis with the Fast Lane"
Sunday, October 18, 2009Asked by “ESPN 101 in St. Louis with the Fast Lane” Thursday on whether he gets the itch to coach again, Calistoga native and Super Bowl-winning coach Dick Vermeil said:
“I miss it. There is no question about it, but I don’t regret doing what I did because I knew it was time. I just don’t have the emotional and physical stamina to do it at the level that it has to be done, that’s all. You move off into the sunlight and get into the wine business, that is what you do.” (read more)
Vermeil opens new downtown Calistoga tasting room
The list of those include Rios Wine Company, Calistoga Cellars, The Wine Stop, W.H. Smith Wines. Nearby are Lava Vine and Silver Rose, and another one is under construction and may open in early 2010.
In mid-September, one of the best-known names in Calistoga and football, Dick Vermeil, paired with long-time family friends to open Calistoga’s newest tasting room. (read more)
Vermeil Wines Celebrates Opening of New Tasting Room
CALISTOGA, CA (September 10, 2009) – Dick Vermeil, Super Bowl-winning Coach and two-time NFL Coach-of-the-Year, and winemaker Paul Smith celebrated the Grand Re-Opening of the Vermeil Wines and OnThEdge Winery Tasting Room today with an official ribbon cutting ceremony...(read more)
Read more in the Weekly Calistogan
