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The Tip is 'Manufacturer's sites' I recently ran out of my favorite pancake syrup. I loved the brand we had been using but when I went to the grocery store, I couldn't find it. The syrup was made in Indiana and I was living in Florida at the time. I tried unsuccessfully to find it on an internet. The manufacturer is small and their products are not readily available so I thought I would try their website. They did, in fact, have their own internet store so I ordered it directly from them. Now, I always buy their made in USA maple syrup from their website and never run out. Made in America Secrets has thousands of made in USA products offered by hundreds of small manufacturers. These small Made in America companies are a large contributor to our economy. In fact, according to the 2008 US Census Bureau small businesses, those employing 1 to 99 employees comprise 98% of all the USA businesses. This is equivalent to 5.8 million businesses that employee over 40 million people. Most American's are unaware of how significant small business is when compared to the total size of the US economy. This website is aware of it and that is why 99% of the businesses that advertise on Made in America Secrets are small businesses. Use this web site to for a list of products made in the US- especially since it is likely that a small US manufacturer employs someone you know- your husband, wife, children, or grandchildren. When using Google to search for Made in America products often times these small made in the United States businesses never show up on page one- and most folks don't look past page one. What does this mean? The consumer has a difficult time locating that US made product. Made in America Secrets was conceived to provide a solution to that problem. As an example search for motorcycles Made in America using Google and you will likely miss many of the companies that make this country great. Use Made in America Secrets for the search and you will likely find a hidden jewel. Buying Tip Continued - Read more on Made in America Products by Stinson Vineyards Stinson Vineyards is a family-owned estate winery in Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains specializing in small lot wines with a distinct French influence. The father/daughter team of Scott and Rachel Stinson takes inspiration from garagiste wineries of France, in both their winemaking techniques and the winery itself, which is built into an old three car garage. The wines of Stinson Vineyards are enjoying growing critical acclaim, and the winery has become a visitor destination for its fine wines, stunning views, and artisan farm store. Historic Piedmont House The Piedmont House at Stinson Vineyards was built in 1796, and expanded to current size in the 1840s. Local legend has it that General Stonewall Jackson stayed at the house during his Valley Campaign of 1862. Anchored by this historic house, the total property now consists of 12 acres of which the vineyard block occupies 5. The house retains many of its original details and infrastructure and is a restoration project in progress. Vineyard The first vines at Piedmont House were planted over 40 years ago by Father of Modern Virginia Wine Gabriele Rausse. Primarily consisting of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, the vineyard fell into disrepair through multiple changes in owners. After tearing the disease-ridden vines out on the recommendation of renowned viticulturist and vineyard consultant Lucie Morton, the long neglected soil has been returned to a growable state. 7 acres are currently replanted with carefully selected clones of Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Petit Manseng, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Tannat. The new vines and rows are closely spaced in the French method and utilize a Vertical Shoot Position (VSP) trellis system with cane pruning to ensure optimal exposure of the grape clusters to sunlight. Close spacing curtails vine vigor, and careful pruning limits the amount of fruit per vine, resulting in quality berries with concentrated flavors. Carefully sourced fruit from other Virginia growers adds the complexity of different terroirs and microclimates to the wines. Grapes come from as far North as Virginia's Shenandoah Valley and as close as Mount Juliet/Grace Estates. Winemaking Wines are made on premises by father/daughter winemaking team Scott and Rachel Stinson. The Stinsons are devotees of French wines, especially those from the Bordeaux and Loire Valley regions. Traditional French winemaking methods are employed under the guidance of winemaking consultant Matthieu Finot, including whole berry fermentation for reds and sur lie aging (on the spent yeast lees) for whites. Focus is placed on European-style wines that emphasize subtlety and complexity rather than power and super-ripeness of West Coast wines. Winery & Tasting Room Stinson Vineyards's winery and tasting room are designed by owner/architect Scott Stinson. Built into an existing three car garage on the property, the facility is a true small scale garagiste winery offering stunning 360-degree views of the surrounding mountains, The tasting room also doubles as a unique farm store offering grass-fed beef, farm-raised pork and chicken, free range organic eggs, local produce, and garden fresh herbs. |
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