Voix De La Terre

We Enjoy Unique French Wines
  • We taste & select from thousands of wines in Burgundy, Rhone Valley & Champagne
  • Our wines travel directly from wineries in France to our warehouse
  • Each member selects his or her favorite wines
  • Many of our wines are only available in the U.S. at VDLT
 
Tasting Videos & Dinners 
  • Our expert Raphaël Gimenez Fauvety tastes and discusses wines and winemakers.  Watch video.
 
Past Dinners:
  • Allen Meadows (Burghound)
  • Christine Dubreuil-Fontaine at Grifone Restaurant 
  • Francois Mikulski at Pietro's Restaurant 
  • Philippe Colin at "The Chief's" ( Watch video) 
 
Tasting Kits
  • Assorted six packs or cases at same-case prices
  • Offerings constantly change 
  • Tools for exploring “the voices of the earth”
 
Extraordinary Prices
  • Efficient importation reduces costs & economical Internet merchandising result in significant savings for members
 
Gifts
  • Wine – a great gift for all occasions
     
    Attractive Shipping Rates
    • Excellent prices for delivery to your door
     
    Member Services
    Call 855-SIP-VDLT (747-8358)
    • Assistance with wine selections
    • Travel plans to Burgundy
     

    Become a VDLT Member
     

    1-5 pk single unit price x number of bottles
    6-11 pk receive 5% discount
    12 pk mixed or solid receive 10% discount

    This discount will be given at the checkout.

     

    Thomas Jefferson and French Wine HistoryThomas Jefferson

    Thomas Jefferson - our third President, the author of the Declaration of Independence, and America’s first wine connoisseur. On Monroe’s election to the presidency, Jefferson sent him a four-page letter, the first sentence of which stated how elated Jefferson was that our country was in Monroe’s capable hands. The remainder of the letter contained detailed instructions regarding purchasing, storing, and serving wine at the White House. Thomas Jefferson was a wine guru and loved sharing his passion with friends. He had a wine society and buying consortium whose charter members were George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, James Madison, and James Monroe.
     
    While Ambassador to France, Jefferson toured that country’s finest wine regions and was totally captivated by the “voices of the earth” concealed in the French terroir – the incredible rainbow of tastes that the earth, the environment, and man engraved into the wine. Jefferson visited and kept careful records of his favorite vineyards which are today, TWO HUNDRED YEARS LATER, THE SAME VINEYARDS THAT PRODUCE FRANCE’S FINEST WINES.
     
    These vineyards are in Hermitage, Côte Rôtie, Cornas, Chambertin, Volnay, Vosne-Romanee, Meursault, Corton Charlemagne, Bonnes Mares, Clos de Beze, Clos Vougeot, Musigny, and Montrachet. Today, our consortium, Voix de la Terre (VDLT) sources wine from these vineyards. It is widely acknowledged that France produces the finest wines from the Chardonnay grape (white Burgundy), the Pinot Noir grape (red Burgundy), and the Syrah grape (Côte Rôtie, Hermitage, Cornas, and St. Joseph). Today, both the quality and quantity of the wine produced from these vineyards are significantly greater than they were 200 years ago. VDLT has and continues to select the best offerings from this group. Jefferson and his club members would be in awe of our current wine portfolio.
     
    Jack Kennedy once said to a group of Nobel Prize winners at a dinner at the White House, “I think this is the most extraordinary collection of talent, of human knowledge that has been gathered together at the White House with the possible exception of when Thomas Jefferson dined alone.”  However, even Jefferson, the inventor, could not imagine the array of conveniences existing today. Technological advances in travel and communication allow us to see, learn, and share with great ease. Voix de la Terre has taken Jefferson’s vision and developed an incredible unique wine experience that will change the way you buy wine forever.

    Rapahel Gimenez FauvetyRaphaël Gimenez Fauvety
     
    Raphaël Gimenez Fauvety is among the five most interesting, talented, knowledgeable, honorable, and  passionate souls I have met in a life filled with exciting, wonderful people is a Frenchman and partner of VDLT who I affectionately call “the Grape.” Francois Mikulski (Meursault, not vodka) introduced us to “the Grape” ten years ago. His given name is Raphaël Gimenez Fauvety.
     
    Raphaël has made the most of his privileged upbringing. His parents inspired without inhibiting – exemplified by his ponytail and the motorcycle parked outside his wine store in the Bastille section of Paris. Our “Man of La Mancha” is living his dream. He isn’t tilting at windmills, but rather continuously circumnavigating France’s wine regions bringing his sunshine and passion to every winemaker’s cellar he visits. He monitors each vintage from the first bloom on the vine to harvest – from the barrel to the bottle – and from bottling to the wine’s maturity. He is admired because of his knowledge and work ethic and he is enjoyed because of his warmth and engaging personality. VDLT’s treasure trove of exceptional wines has been assembled with the careful guidance and sensibility of “the Grape.”
     
    Raphaël's wine store in Paris, Les Caprices de l’Instant, is filled with followers eager to taste the treasures that his travels have unearthed. In addition to the wonderful relationships he enjoys with established, well-known winemakers, Raphaël is constantly tasting in the cellars of winemakers with potential to become future stars. Consequently, several of our extraordinary wines have never before been imported into America.
     
    Yes, our chivalrous knight is the source of our wonderful wine. However, he is also an intricate part of the team that has molded the VDLT experience and culture. To fully appreciate Raphaël, you must read his winemaker write-ups and enjoy his tasting videos.
     

    Michael Kimelman
    Founder

    “Enter here to be and find a friend.” In 1953, Michael Kimelman walked under this inscription entering the Hackley School as a shy, insecure, mediocre student. Three years later, thanks to the School’s culture and Pop Lindsay (an incredible human being and teacher), he graduated as a young, confident man prepared and anxious to seek and enjoy life’s journey.
     
    In 1986, Blue Chip Farms and the Hambletonian Society took Kimelman to Paris.
     
    In 1989, reading Robert Parker’s Rhone Valley book inspired a visit to Auguste Clape in Cornas. Tasting in Clape’s cellar and dining with him at Restaurant Jacques Pic transformed Michael from a mere consumer of wine to someone with a passion for the industry. He was overwhelmed by the people and the beauty of the Rhône Valley.
     
    Clape, Chave, Hermitage Hill, vineyards of Côtie Rôtie, Cornas, Condrieu carved out of huge hills. The only thing that prevented the Kimelmans from having a home in the Rhone Valley was visiting Burgundy and realizing they didn’t want to give up either area for the other.
     
    “Does Francois Mikulski live here and do you know if he speaks English?,”  The Chief shouted to a handsome young man mowing the lawn. “Yes, and when he finishes cutting the grass, he will offer you to taste his Meursault.” Ten hours later, Mike and Pat Kimelman kissed Francois and Marie Pierre goodbye. A terrific friendship was born that now embraces almost all members of both families.
     
    Given "The Chief’s" passion for people, food, and wine, the creation of Voix de la Terre was practically pre-ordained. Hosting stimulating dinners for six to twelve people was at least a weekly high for Mike and his sidekick, Lenny (“Marvelous”) Samson.
     
    Whether family, friends, or fellow board members – work or pleasure – it was always pleasure and with dazzling food and wine.
     
    With each trip, the relationships in France grew both in quality and quantity and with each year that passed, the wines at the table in New York multiplied as did those who wanted to buy them along with The Chief. In 2008, Raphaël, Madina, and The Chief agreed to jointly build VDLT. Dinners entertaining winemakers were held in France, and winemakers came to New York to participate in tasting dinners at restaurants and at Kimelman’s home. We were more than buying wine together – we were developing a wonderful atmosphere of sharing and growing. Now thanks to a push from my friend of forty years (Alex Porter), we have built a website. We invite you to slowly study the opportunities that “Voices of the Earth” offers and, if inclined – ENTER HERE  TO BE AND FIND A FRIEND.
     
    Michael Kimelman – Background
     
    Formed Kimelman & Baird, LLC, with Sheila Baird, a Registered Investment Adviser and Broker Dealer, now 45 years young
     
    Formed Blue Chip Farms with Oscar and Ted Kimelman – today one of the world’s leading standardbred breeding farms
     
    Trustee of The Hackley School
    1987-present: Member of The Hackley School Advisory Board of Trustees
     
    1987-present: Director of the Hambletonian Society
    First Vice President and Member of the Executive Committee
     

    "Some Enchanted Evening"...   with Burghound

     
     
    October 9, 2011; New York
     
    The curtain is up, the ball is in the air, the conductor raises his baton—moments that fill the air with electricity. Such was the feeling of expectation prior to our tasting dinner with Burghound. Allen’s first paragraph filled the room with warmth and passion; it was very clear that something special was happening. For the entire evening, the room vibrated with positive energy. The education was imparted so magnificently that this very eclectic group was practically breathing in unison. All of the emails the next day were homogeneous—an incredibly uplifting, enriching evening. The wines were truly spectacular - a privilege: 
     

    *2007 Puligny Montrachet 1er Cru Les Demoiselles, Domaine Philippe Colin

    *2005 Meursault Charmes 1er Cru (vieilles vignes), Domaine Francois Mikulski

    *2001 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru La Perriere, Domaine Marchand-Grillot

    *2002 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Lavaut St Jacques, Domaine Drouhin-Laroze

    *2001 Montrachet Grand Cru, Morey Blanc

    *1969 Corton Bressandes Grand Cru, Domaine Dubreuil-Fontaine

     
    Our Tasting Dinners
    Our tasting dinners are very special events. We share, we learn, we grow—and most of all, we enjoy. Recent dinners have been led by Christine Dubreuil-Fontaine, Francois Mikulski, Raphaël Gimenez Fauvety, and Philippe Colin.  
     
    These dinners have given such pleasure to our members that, in 2012, we will host four in the New York metropolitan area and at least two others elsewhere in the United States. So please, any members around the country who would like to have a tasting dinner in your area, contact Madina at (855) SIP VDLT. Jeff Johnson has been lobbying for Lincoln, Nebraska, and, we are going to help make it happen. Word has it that our mutual friend, Kris Lutt, has committed to come from Kansas City. This is all part of our goal to build a membership by adding more folks just like you.  
     

    Thomas Jefferson and George Washington
    ... have a plan for you

    Thomas Jefferson was America’s first connoisseur and he shared his passion for the French terroir with George Washington. Jefferson enjoyed and respected virtually all fine, well-balanced wine – Chambertin, Cotes du Rhone, Hermitage, Volnay. On the other hand, George Washington, being the General, was a “star” collector. Jefferson drank wine every day while George only drank special wines and on special occasions.

     


    Jefferson's Plan 
    Thomas will deliver to your door 36 different fine expressions of French terroir during the next twelve months. Your cost for each monthly delivery will be $150 (including shipping). You subscribe for 12 deliveries but you can cancel the plan with 10 days notice. Start now!

     

    Washington's Plan 
    Every 90 days, George will send you five of his favorite superstars at a cost of $400 (including shipping). You can cancel George’s plan with 10 days notice. The pricing for both of these plans is extremely appealing. These kits are priced to all members on a Member case price basis (10% discount). Either plan will put you and your partner comfortably seated at our table in the vineyard enjoying a terrific parade of French terroir. Start now!