The Tale Continues
The wines were sourced by people who had life long experience in both Germany and Australia, which ensured their ready acceptance by the Australian palate. As well as known grape varieties - such as Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc - other wines from hitherto in Australia little known, or indeed not at all known, grape varieties were introduced. Among these were: Silvaner, Müller-Thurgau, Scheurebe, Rieslaner, Kerner, Huxelrebe, Dornfelder, Trollinger, Lemberger, Domina, Blauer Zweigelt, and St. Laurent. There were 66 wines on the initial list, many of them gold and silver medal winners. The tastes were different, but outstanding, and these wines found ready, almost universal acceptance once the grapes were explained to the drinkers, and they were given the opportunity to try them.
But that required knowledge; and such knowledge is built up only after years. Not only that, but such knowledge needs to be kept available to the drinkers for a substantial period of time after the initial introduction of the wines. Indeed that was a structural pillar essential to Vinothek.And it was the undermining of that pillar which brought about the demise of the whole, just at the first, green shots of shrubbery were about to appear.
The foundations were strong. Knowledge and experience, one the one side, were there in spades, whereby the knowledge and appreciation of all that was Vinothek was shared by two, quite different generations. But there were other forces, which controlled the finances; and these were, unfortunately, quite lacking in the knowledge and experience to even be in such a business.
Bring to this tension the destabilising intrigue, subtly and deceitfully whipped up by those foreseen for management and more, but who were not ready, and who would not wait, and it forms an implosive mix. Leaving aside the quite bizarre and Machiavellian machinations which ensued, suffice it to say that Vinothek became very little more than stillborn.
But it is said that hope springs eternal in the human breast. Having shed all previous impediments, those with the knowledge and experience, who were responsible for the little amount of success the business was previously permitted to enjoy, have again entered the game through another door. The excellence of what was previously available will again be available to those who appreciate what was offered. This time, it may begin differently, but it will be bigger and better than ever.
