The winery expansion has been completed, and the juice factory next door is still under construction. Although he's not short on funds, he maintains a bank loan of $20 million.
Fortunately, the state government offers interest subsidies, and William White isn't naive when it comes to publicity; his associates are willing to cooperate.
With the addition of a juice factory, the grapes in the surrounding area won't go to waste, making it an excellent project for local farmers.
White wine is currently selling well, especially in the Los Angeles area. While Texas wine used to be the regional favorite, Bordeaux still held the high-end market.
Although not much has changed, some people are willing to give it a try. The celebrity effect still holds sway, and keen-eyed viewers will notice that every wine featured in William White's movies is from White Winery.
The short-term effects might not be overly pronounced, but William White believes that over time, more people will come to appreciate this wine.
While sommeliers can distinguish between wines, for regular folks, it's all Greek to them.
Bordeaux may not be the ideal choice for Americans; wines like Tu Ao and Texas red wines are better suited due to the dietary preferences centered around steaks and hamburgers.
Texas red wine's richness complements the hearty American palate, and William White's wines have gained support from government officials promoting local agricultural products.
This year's farming has faced difficulties, making strong support essential for success.
William White's marketing strategy is simple: the celebrity effect and patriotism.
Texas wine merchants are pleased to see increased sales in such a challenging environment. However, not everyone is thrilled; French wine agents are naturally dissatisfied as their sales have dwindled. They consider Texas wine inferior and in a different league.
Publicly challenging this view would be irrational; agents are agents, and William White doesn't give them much thought. Besides, have you seen French wineries publicly respond?
Ultimately, whether or not Americans embrace Texas wine, the French roosters' arrogance won't waver. In their eyes, no one in the world can produce or appreciate wine except themselves.
The capital market is befuddled; how can this commodity be tied to agriculture? Carbonated beverages and soft drinks seem outdated; Coca-Cola is everywhere. How can they compete?
Each time William White sees Coca-Cola's stock price, he salivates. It's incredibly cheap, almost a gift. If it weren't for his constrained funds, he'd have invested heavily already.
The current CEO is profligate; both his in-laws jet around the world on the company's dime. Such a company is a goldmine.
Selling carbonated drinks while dabbling in various business ventures?
Thankfully, William White has time; he intends to channel this into the family fund and gradually accumulate more funds.
The economy is struggling this year, and it's expected to worsen next year. With Coca-Cola's stock trading at such low prices, it's a golden opportunity.
Buffett only acquired shares in 1989, and before that, Coca-Cola had already surged nearly fivefold. Buffett invested $1.3 billion, ultimately making over $15 billion in profit, earning accolades. Unfortunately, times have changed since the early 2000s.
As living standards improved, the demand for carbonated beverages declined. Although Coca-Cola attempted to adapt, the results have been mediocre. It's no longer a cash cow.
Natural juice beverages have only gained traction in recent years. William White may be early to the game, and market acceptance might not be high yet.
Even with foresight, success without a brand is challenging. For now, he occupies the high-end market, where affluent individuals still pay attention to such products.
"Master, it's almost time for dinner," Fu Bo remarked with a smile.
"I'm famished. What's on the menu today?" William White had spent a considerable time at the winery, and he felt like he could eat a whole cow.
"Master, they've prepared some lobsters from Tu'ao; they should be much better than the ones from Boston."
"Ah, Fu Bo, we should get an aquarium and stock some for the future. I do prefer them fresh."
"Very well, young master, I'll arrange for it."
William White found it frustrating that all the seafood in this era was cooked; he wondered what happened to those fishermen. Why not just steam it directly?
It was clear to him that seafood was best when it was fresh. Steaming and refrigerating preserved the taste effectively.
In the afternoon, they needed to cut down some trees. Even though it didn't snow, having a Christmas tree was a must. Thankfully, on the farm, they could cut down trees without much fuss.
William White ate quickly, and Erha was also devouring his meal eagerly. This dog had gone crazy on the farm, provoking anything and then retreating after a few confrontations with turkeys.
The plump, old, and beautiful turkeys knew that their days were numbered, and they didn't hesitate to stand up to the boss's dog. It wasn't just Thanksgiving; they could be on the Christmas dinner menu too.
The box office for "The Imp" in its second week was gratifying, and it appeared that it hadn't fallen below $20 million. This translated into a substantial donation, and mainstream media would undoubtedly take notice.
William White had been attending various charity events; while they seemed lively, the actual donations weren't substantial, likely not even a fraction of this amount.
His prior philanthropic efforts had garnered a positive reputation, and this latest contribution brought him closer to his goals. If anyone dared to label him as a wasteful spender again, they'd surely face his wrath.
In America, modesty didn't make you popular; legitimately earned wealth needed to be flaunted. If he were just a trust fund baby, he'd be nobody, merely the subject of gossip and envy, with nothing substantial to say about him.
If he allowed himself to be as reckless as he used to be, the "prodigal son" label would be impossible to shake.