What a time to be alive...

If 2020 just wanted to be a ho(e), why it ain’t say that?

As I’m still recovering from the latest blow of 2020 — a broken relationship, I’m still writing this with a grateful heart and a positive attitude. Indeed I could have chosen violence (shoutout to friends who ride for me!), but honestly it’s not needed. I am more excited to move forward now that I have felt all the feels. I’ve come to peace with the notion that there are certain things in life you cannot come back from. Love is hard. Loving yourself, even though it’s harder — is always more rewarding. Although I’m ready to see this year leave, I’m grateful for what it’s taught me. Now, we are still in a pandemic and life won’t magically change in 2021! But, I am choosing to welcome newness. I just joined Clubhouse (follow me @winedwnwithcole), signed up for finance classes, made some excellent post-breakup purchases and drank my fair share of beer & wine. I also do a daily, 20-30 min spin class (shoutout to my new exercise bike!) on Apple Fitness now. I love a good balance between wine and wellness.

So the 2020 roundup goes like this:

• Since starting this newsletter I’ve sent 120 people bottles of wine

• Most people love Riesling

• A lot of people love Cabernet Sauvignon (Rose and Sauvignon Blanc were up there as well)

• Merlot and Moscato was were the least requested

• People have paid it forward by contributing $500 worth of donations - I am grateful!

Yet, the best milestone is that you read the newsletter. A lot of people have opened it, but I appreciate you for genuinely reading it.

So, all I can really say is that I’m excited to keep on putting this out. We’re 6 months away from the first anniversary of Wine Down With Cole, so send me celebration ideas! One of my New Year’s Resolutions is to partner with sponsors to get more wine-related goodness in your hands. If you know any wineries or stores you think may be down, email me. Let’s talk. We are also still taking donations via Venmo: @winedownwithcole and CashApp: $winedownwithcole (making it more official now!) if you want to pay it forward for the upcoming giveaways (keep reading..)

Since I’m still wrapping up the WineMas deliveries (damn you Rona!), this will be the only newsletter where I won’t be giving out wine. However, don’t be alarmed! 7 Days of Sparkling will be happening from the 9th to the 15th. January is going to be a good month.

Before I sign off, a few quick tips for NYE:

If you aren’t popping champagne, cava, or prosecco, do a pet nat. It’s a natural sparkling, which means less bubbles, less sugar, but still delicious. It’s also low in alcohol, so you won’t get too much of a hangover. Not naming names or brands here because honestly rock out with whatever sparkling you want.

Splurging on Red Wine? Zuccardi, Schug and Martin Ray. Opus One and Caymus if you really want to talk nice.

Splurging on White Wine? Chateau Picque Caillou, Azores, Henri Bourgeois, J. Vineyards. Louis Latour, Joseph Drouhin, Louis Jadot if you really want to say something!

For What It’s Worth...

I would like to thank Josh for being on this ride with me. He is a man of many talents and didn’t have to bother with editing this, so I am grateful. We did it Josh! We did it. (Kamala voice)

I would also like to thank myself because I committed to something and saw it all the way through. This was tough, but I proved to myself when all else fails — I have this. This was birthed out of a need to give and share my thoughts to people. This project is priceless in my eyes.

So farewell and catch you on the flipside in 2021.

This concludes the year end issue of #WineDownWithCole! (I got tired of counting..) – Stay vino’d up and indulge in a glass.