Another sunny day in California…but wait…what’s this…a wine fest! Yahoo! Nothing makes a weekend any better than to spend a few hours in the backlot of Raleigh Studios sipping wine, sampling tequila, trying out a new single malt scotch and pairing it all with old pals and new acquaintances.
Yes, it’s my life, go get your glass and I’ll tell you all about it.
This last weekend was the Los Angeles Wine Fest. My pal, sommelier and event king, Dr. Joel Fisher has brought this event to Santa Clarita twice so far. But the LA Fest is his baby.
I’ve had an education on Sake, Scotch, Wine, Beer, Tequila, Vodka and many other spirits through the sommelier-led tastings and classes that Joel plans for his guests every year.
And this year was no different. Though I did get lucky to have a quick bite with Joel and heard what he thought. “In this, our 7th year of getting the wine together with the people, we had our single-largest crowd here yesterday and it’s looking like another good crowd today.” Joel began. “I usually don’t have time to talk, little chance to eat, so you got me on a rare occasion.”
Then I learned that Joel is planning some changes. “For 2013 we will see a change in classes and some refining of some our classic lectures. This early in the planning it’s all about sponsorship. Our Business Development Director Joe Wehinger is already very busy preparing. For our 3rd Santa Clarita Valley Wine Fest we want sponsors that want to work with us to expand the day event with an evening’s VIP dinner…and other plans. Stay tuned!”
I may have missed some good tables, as I don’t have a lot of time to wait and tend to just move on. (The full list is below of you want to see my choices) But I loved:
Every damn thing that Paso’s Derby Wines Estates poured; finding Stanger Vineyards though not on the program; Frank Family Wines; everything Paso’s Jada Winery brought; the whites by Cielo Estate Vineyard in Malibu: finding the table of award winners from the LA International Wine and Spirits Competition; our local Reyes Winery’s full line-up that included a wonderful white port; Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association selection from Europa Village, Falkner Winery and Hart; Surfriders 08 Cab; a nice bunch of wines brought in by the “WineGrowers of Dry Creek Valley” in Healdsburg included an awesome 07 Frick 100% Cinsaut that one guest loved for its notes of cinnamon; and all of the wines available from the Ventura County Winery Association that included Cantara Cellars 09 Zin, Bella Victorian 10 Grenache, Four Brix 09 Temptress, Magna Vino’s 09 Cab and San Vicente’s 09 Tannat.
Other than the more traditional California wines at the event I also enjoyed Pacific Edge Wine & Spirits that wowed me with tequilas; JVS Imports full line-up (as usual!) of single malt scotch and my first taste of Pritchard’s Double Chocolate Bourbon; the Korean herbal wine and the distilled spirit from Bekseju USA; some interesting wines poured by Allied Importers from Israel; finally making the time to taste a couple of Paso’s Roxo Port Cellars extensive line-up of ports, the Terre O Sangria at TGIC’s table that guests were raving over; Ventura Limoncello Company’s lemon and blood orange liqueurs; the ceviche served by Café Sierra in Hilton Universal; visiting with my pal Tuanni Price at Zuri Wine Tasting to hear about their latest adventure; and Icelandic Glacial water that kept us well hydrated!
One more thing: The people working the event that I may have met but would have loved to spend more time with include Fest Sommelier Denise Lowe and her right-hand-man John Dickey, Volunteer Chair Tammy Rouah, Miz En Place’s Rico Mandel and Adam Rubenstein, Reyes Winery owner Robert Reyes, Shai Cellars’ Shawn Halahmy, Wandering Wino Shawn Burgert, Cheese Impresario Barrie Lynn, wine expert Mark Newman, Edward Sellars, Four Brix co-owner Gary Stewart, Cantara Cellars’ Mike Brown, the Pisco Portons’ demo, Celebrity Chef Rocky Fino, Scotchmaster Chris Uhde, Agave King Dean Berger, Rob Barnett of Vin Village, the dozen or more gourmet food trucks, friends and volunteers Bob Jones, Susie Majesky, Xochitl Maiman, Debra Bizek, Marya Glur, Jessica Javier and Kevin Friend, Allison Levine, Jeannie Wagner, Brandon Drake, Laura Bengford, Michelle McCue, Sienna Spencer, Candy Sparks and her pal Monica.
2012 Participants
Accolade Brands
Allied Importers, New York
Dalton Winery, Upper Gailee, Israel
Canaan White
Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
Alma Shiraz, Mourvedre, Viognier
Teperberg Winery, Samson Valley, Israel
Meritage
Israeli Cabernet Sauvignon
Terra Malbec
Anglim Winery, Paso Robles
Pouring VIP event
Bekseju USA – Kooksoondang, Korea
Bekseju (Herbal Wine)
Draft Makkoli (Rice Wine unfiltered)
50seju (Rice Wine filtered)
MyungJak Bokbunja (Raspberry Wine)
Ssal Makkot (Rice Wine)
Charmsoon Soju (Distilled spirit)
Nature’s Bokbunja Makkoli (Raspberry Rice Wine)
Cal Bev Imports
Italian
2010 Zellina Pinot Grigio, Anselmi
NV Isabella Prosecco VSAQ Brut, Iris
2009 Chianti Don Guido, La Collina
2011 Ragosto Marche Igt Dessert/Port/Sherry/Cooking
2011 Gerbino Rosato Di Nero D’avola Igt *Certified Organic* Red And Rose Table Wine
2011 Gerbino Rosato Di Nerello Mascalese Igt*Certified Organic* Table Red And Rose Wine
Spanish
2010 ‘Joven’ Tempranillo D.O. Ribera Del Duero,Bodega Arroyo
2008 ‘Crianza’ Tempranillo D.O. Ribera Del Duero,Bodega Arroy
22010 ‘Roble’ Tempranillo D.O. Ribera Del Duero, Bode
2010 Vina Cerada D.O. Rioja, Rioja Vega
2008 ‘Crianza’ Vina Cerrada D.O. Rioja, Rioja Vega
2005 Gran Reserva Vina Cerrada D.O. Rioja,Rioja Vega
2007 Reserva Vina Cerrada D.O. Rioja, Rioja Vega
2007 ‘Crianza’ Tempranillo D.O. Arlanza,Senorio De Valdesneros
2008 ‘Roble’ Tempranillo D.O. Arlanza,Senorio De Valdesneros
Beer
Socal Black Bear Porter – 22 Oz Bottles
Socal Hang Loose Pale Ale – 22 Oz Bottles
Socal Red Carpet Ale – 22 Oz Bottles
Socal Seismic Ipa – 22 Oz Bottles
Calcareous Vineyards, Paso Robles
Also pouring VIP event
Cielo Malibu Estate Vineyard
Darms Lane Winery, Napa
Deep Bond Winery, Edna Valley
Derby Wine Estates, Paso Robles
Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits
Flirt, California
Josh Cellars, California
Barone Fini, Italy
Llai Lai, Chile
Ramon Bilbao, Rioja Spain
Lurton, Z, Argentina
Vidal Fleury, France
Firestone Walker Brewery, Paso Robles
First Crush Winemaking, Paso Robles
Frank Family Vineyards, Napa
Also pouring VIP event
Frey Vineyards, Mendocino
Also pouring VIP event
Grizzly Republic, Paso Robles
#88 Hope Family Wines, Paso Robles
Herzog Wine Cellars
Le Grande Cortâge, France
Inception Wines, Santa Barbara
Jada Vineyard & Winery, Paso Robles
JVS Imports, Scotland
Isle of Skye 12yr
Prichard’s Double Chocolate Bourbon
Isle of Arran 10yr
Smokehead Single Malt
Prichard’s Sweet Cream Liqueur
Local Wine Events
I caciagalli Basco 2010, Campania, Italy
I caciiagla liArivola 2010, Italy
Lamoresca Arivola 2010 Roso 2010, Italy
La Crotta di Vigneron2010 Chambave Muscat DOC Vale D’Aosta, Italy
Loacker Jus Osculi Cuve 2009, Alto Adige, Italy
Schiave, Lagrein, Cabernet, Derthona 2009, Piedmont, Italy
Maria Andrea 2010, Ribiera Del Duero, Spain
Vina Clavider 2010, Rueda Spain
Dostert Rosay 2012, Mosel, Germany
Lone Madrone Winery, Paso Robles
Also Pouring VIP event
Los Angeles International Wine and Sprits Competition
Armida Winery, PoiZin, Sonoma County, 2008, Best of Class, Gold Medal
BR Cohn Chardonnay, Sonoma County, 2009, Silver Medal
Chateau Saintongey Vieilles Vignes, Bordeaux AOC France, 2009, Gold Medal
Eberle Winery, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Sauvignon, Vineyard Selection, Paso Robles, Silver Medal
Eberle Winery, Muscat Canelli, Paso Robles, 2010, Best of Class, Gold Medal
Estancia Winery, Cabernet Sauvignon, Central Coast, 2008, Gold Medal
Concannon, Riesling, Central Coast, 2010, Gold Medal
Dancing Bull, Zinfandel, California, 2008, Gold Medal
Deinhard, Riesling, Piesporter, Germany, 2010, Gold Medal
Graffigna Centenario, Cabernet Sauvignon, Reserve, Argentina, 2007, Gold Medal
Irma La Tage, White Rhone Blend, California, 2009 – Best of Class
Keating Wines, Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma, 2009, Gold Medal
Laetitia Vineyards, Pinot Noir, Reserve du Domaine, Arroyo Grande Valley, 2009, Bronze Medal
Liberty School, Chardonnay, Central Coast, 2009, Gold Medal
Lucky Star, Chardonnay, California, 2009, Gold Medal
Maddalena Vineyards, Zinfandel, Paso Robles, 2008, Gold Medal
Michael David, Incognito, Lodi 2010, Gold Medal
Montevina Winery, White Zinfandel, Amador County, 2010, Silver Medal
Navarro Vineyards, Zinfandel, Mendocino, 2009, Silver Medal
Simi Winery, Chardonnay, Sonoma County, 2009, Gold Medal
Tangent Winery, Albarino, Edna Valley, 2010, Best of Class, Gold Medal
Tsillan Cellars, Syrah, Lake Chelan, Washington , 2008, Silver Medal
Villa Maria New Zealand, Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, 2010, Best of Class
Villa Mt Eden, Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast, 2009, Gold Medal
Vina Robles, Signature, Estate Cuvee, 2007, Gold Medal LAWineFest, Los Angeles
Martian Ranch and Vineyards, Santa Barbara
Modus Operandi Cellars, Napa
Mosby Winery and Vineyard, Santa Barbara (sat only)
La Seduzionei 2006
Pinot Grigio, 2010
Sagrantino 2006
Sangiovese 2007
Teroldego 2006
Opolo Vineyards, Paso Robles
Pacific Edge Wine and Spirits
Beverages TBD
Pisco Porton, Peru
Pouring VIP event
Reyes Winery, Agua Dulce
White Port
Also pouring VIP event
Regency Wines, Inc.
Wines TBD
Riboli Family Wine Estates
Bodega San Antonio Sangria Blanco
Stella Rossa Berry
Maddalena Muscat Canelli
San Simeon Pinot Noir
Santo Stefano Cabernet Sauvignon
Sips Sparkling Cocktails
Purple Cosmo
Cucumber Mojito
Lavender Lemondrop
Pineapple Mandarin Tropitini
Other Wineries
Sierra Madre Santa Maria
Chardonnay
Pinot Noir
Eberle Winery
Cotes du Robles
Full Boar Red
Anthony Scotto Selections
Heavy Weight Red
Rare Red Blend
Kokomo Winery
Sauvignon Blanc
Zinfandel
Rosenthal, the Malibu Estate, Malibu
Also pouring VIP event
Roxo Port Cellars, Paso Robles
Port
Stanger Vineyards, Paso Robles
Also pouring VIP event
2007 Bench Covee
2007 Tempranillo Library Reserve
2006 Syrah Library Reserve
2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Library Reserve
Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association
Callaway Vineyards & Winery, Temecula
Europa Village
Falkner Winery
Hart Winery, Temecula
Miramonte Winery, Temecula
Palumbo Family Vineyards & Winery, Temecula
Ventura County Wine Association
Cantara Cellars, Camarillo
Also Pouring VIP event
Bella Victorian Vineyard, Camarillo
Four Brix Winery, Ventura
Magna Vino, Oxnard
Ventura Limoncello Company, Ventura
VinVillage
Carpathian Wine Imports
. . . . Kupljen Winery, Chardonnay Cuvee, Slovenia
. . . . Oszvald Cellars, Juhfark, Hungary
. . . . Bock Cellars, Kekfrankos, Hungary
Ricardus Corculum Winery, Napa
VinVillage ‘Village Vin’ Mendocino
Witch Creek, San Diego
Wedell Cellars, California Central Coast
Also pouring VIP event
Wilson Creek Winery, Temecula
Almond Champagne
Peach Bellini Champagne
Orange Mimosa Champagne
Wine Luxury
Tre Ricci, 2009 Chardonnay, Sonoma County
Verge, 2007 Syrah, Dry Creek Valley, CA
Mansfield, 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
Zuri Wine Tasting
Selected wineries from California
Always fun and sorry I missed you!
Yep, the event has always been a blast. Betting you were there Saturday? We went Sunday.
That definitely looks like a great time. I’ll have to make it out to a wine festival one of these days.
I hope you do, would be great to meet the blogger behind Great Cocktail Recipes.