Visit was worth wait

Many folks from the North Shore have been impressed by the old Armour Mansion towering over the homes in northwest Lake Bluff. That entire area was once the backyard of the Armour family, who built it in 1916, and it currently reigns to this day as the corporate offices of the Terlato Wine Group.

Probably the most luxurious business offices on record, I think it typifies the quality and class these days of the Terlato family and their products.

I have driven past that impressive building for many years and have walked all my dogs down the back yard path to the back door and have even peeked in the windows when there is a light in the library and the dining room. When driving through the area called Tangley Oaks with friends for the first time, I usually pull up at the door, park and invite my guests to take a stroll through my home.

They usually catch on, knowing me and my simple tastes and my wife's modest request for the good life, and most of them ask me if I know the owner and am allowed to get away with the charade.

In any event, I finally made it inside last Sunday and so did my wife. So did more than 200 of our neighbors, who were invited en masse for an afternoon of wine tasting and appetizers made by the company's corporate chef, no less.

I even met, personally, the chairman of the wine group, Anthony Terlato. Mr. Terlato and his two sons, Bill and John, conducted several tours of the building for the neighbors and every type of wine (all tasty, of course) was served inside. The "mansion" is called that by most of the residents and neighbors of the area, but it is technically the Tangley Oaks Manor House.

The Terlato family has been marketing fine wines for 50 years and today, one out of eight bottles sold over $14 is a Terlato wine. Admittedly, my taste buds have been destroyed over 50 years of drinking gin martinis, but I had several glasses of chilled Pinot Grigio and I loved it. I may even switch drinks now. (I said "may" ... probably.)
In line with the visit, guests were informed of the family's new wine creation named Tangley Oaks, which has been launched on the East Coast and the brand consists of Merlot, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, which the guest/neighbors put away like it was diet Pepsi!

I want to thank a most generous family for providing a method of getting all the neighborhood together to enjoy a beautiful Sunday afternoon, an exciting tour, and for great food and endless wine! As Terlato public relations exec Susan Holmer advised, the Terlatos have entered and mastered every facet of the wine business from the vine to the glass!

I'll top that -- they are gracious hosts and a wonderful family!

See you next week ... maybe!

- By Chuck Wenk
©2007 Lake Forester.