Wilson Daniels Films Trailer from Wilson Daniels on Vimeo.
Bret Lyman, a Napa Valley-based filmmaker has created an interesting series of short documentary films on the vineyards, wineries and principals of Wilson Daniels Ltd.'s French and Hungarian properties. The individual films will premiere online over the next six weeks, beginning with the October 2, 2008, debut of "The Renaissance of Tokaji," showcasing Royal Tokaji. Wineries Lyman profiled in the series of Wilson Daniels films include: Royal Tokaji of Tokaj; House of Champagne Delamotte and House of Champagne Salon of Champagne; Domaine Faiveley of Burgundy; Domaine Leflaive of Burgundy; Domaine Pierre Morey of Burgundy; Domaine Philippe & Vincent Jaboulet of northern Rhône; and Domaine Marc Kreydenweiss of Alsace and southern Rhône.

The films can all be downloaded as well as viewed online. The goal of the series is to give U.S. wine lovers a look at the Wilson Daniels properties in Europe and foster interest in their wines. Each mini-documentary explores the history, setting, and distinct personality of the properties through lush imagery and interviews with winery principals. It's like a five minute wine vacation. Check out the trailer above for a small taste.

When Marilyn Monroe sang, "There may come a time when a lass needs a lawyer, but diamonds are a girl's best friend," she probably never thought that the diamond, not  the girl, would ever need a good defense.

De Beers, the largest purveryor of a girl's best friend, has recruited none other than South African activist Nelson Mandela to be the new best friend of the diamond industry.

Diamond executives are growing nervous about a new movie called The Blood Diamond, which is scheduled for release in January, 2007. The film, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Connelly, tells the story of two South Africans, a mercenary and a fisherman during the savage Sierra Leone civil wars. During this conflict, rebels seized mines to sell "conflict" or "blood diamonds."

But will the PR effort work?

I guess it's hard to say. One thing is certain, Moissanite executives have probably already singing, "There may come a time when a girl needs a lawyer, but laboratory-produced-diamonds are an girl's best friend."