Ever since I was a child, I wanted to excel in everything.

I want to make wines that harmonize with food - wines that almost hug your tongue with gentleness.

I say to consumers: instead of relying totally on critics, drink what you like and like what you drink.

Later, at Stanford University, I thought I'd become a lawyer or businessman, but my father came to me and said he thought there was a big future in the fine-wine business.

Critics have done the wine industry a lot of good overall.

In both life and work, stay flexible. Whether in a country, a company, or a family, the same holds true: Dictatorship and rigidity rarely work. Freedom and elasticity do.

Wine always inspires sociability.