Big News from a Beacon in the Bordeaux Biz

After 48 Years: Retirement

I don't know where to start, but I will be brief here as I am sure there are a lot of great Bordeaux wines to get to in this newsletter. As some of you already know, I have retired from K&L after starting it with my partner Todd on December 31, 1976! It went from K&L Liquors to K&L Wines and Liquors (1978), to K&L Wines and Spirits (1992) to K&L Wine Merchants (July 1996). By the way, K&L was named after my wife, Kay, and Todd's wife, Linda. 

Looking back on all the years of newsletters (1978 and still going on strong), Wall Street Journal ads (1980s), Wine Spectator ads (1980s), Wine Club newsletters (since 1994), and direct mail pieces (since the "Information highway" started in the 90s), I see that Bordeaux has been a big part of K&L. As you all know, I am prejudiced toward Bordeaux! Our first three newsletters were in 1979 with Norm Jacobs and I writing the single-page, two-sided report. We graduated to four pages in 1980 and have grown to what it is today.

Well, all good things must end as they say. Trey and Kerri (leaving after 30 years) and I will miss all the great people that worked with us over the years, and we wish K&L many years of success in the future. You, our fantastic customers, are the reason why K&L is known as one of the best wine shops in the world. And remember: tous les jours Bordeaux! 

- Clyde Beffa Jr., Co-founder, Co-owner and Bordeaux Buyer Emeritus