San Diego Reader

That's hard even when you're a celebrity?

"It is. I think part of it is that people assume I'm sold out, so they don't even call. It's not the case -- so call! Ask, you know? I don't have trouble selling it, but I still need the contacts. I try not to put all my eggs in one basket. I try to sell as much as I can by mailing list, but consumers are finicky. They like to try whatever is the next hot thing. So I don't count on only mailing-list customers. The market changes," so it's wise to woo new fans through restaurant lists and shops. "It's easiest for me when people call and ask for the wine, and I say, 'I'd love to sell you some.' But you can't count on only that. You've got to go out and pound the pavement a little bit."

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