Be careful what you wish for.

It appears that the machine known as Robert Mondavi Corporation is circling the drain for real. The way this thing has played out has been kind of like watching a train wreck, disturbing yet interesting.

I am not so sure that I follow the logic being used here: Sell off everything but the bottom tier, come up with a new classification for said tier (lifestyle wines), and watch the ticker light up. What is one to take from all of this? I have heard various rumblings here in Georgia about how people aren't buying wines over $20 retail anymore and how hard the distributors have it and blah, blah, blah. If this is the case, what am I doing still in business?

"The cuts are a result of a decision announced Sept. 14 that the company will sell off its Napa Valley vineyards, Oakville winery, and interests in Opus One, as well as wineries in Italy, Chile, Sonoma County and Santa Barbara County."

I will not fault them for backing away from the 'Opus One' thing one bit. This has been consistently one of the most overrated, insanely priced wines made here or anywhere else for that matter. The Mondavi name may be Italian, but the wines, not so much. Chile? Sonoma County? Santa Barbara County? Sell it all!!

Someone said a long time ago, "Once you're on top, there's only one way to go." How true.