In this, the eighth annual LA WineFest to hit the historical Raleigh Studios the first weekend in June, my husband had this comment, “Joel’s doing a great job of introducing wine to the hipsters.”
The “Joel” is Dr. Joel Fisher, the founder of the event, and he continues to find new wines and spirits every year for a new crowd to try. This isn’t a wine event for wine snobs, rather, it is an event tailored for anyone that enjoys wine and spirits and beer and food and seminars and shopping and just plain partying.
In between my story, and the long list of booze suppliers at the end, are some photos of what I found interesting.
For the winos my favorites were Jada from Paso Robles, Magnavino from Oxnard, Reyes Winery in Agua Dulce, K L Wines in Hollywood, Vina Sympatico Sparkling Wines in LA, Cantara in Camarillo, Vibrant Rioja, ZAP and Stella Artois Belgian Beer.
For spirits we liked Ventura Limoncello original and Orangecello, VEE V Acai straight, Pisco Porton and all of the various Sakes distilled as wine and spirits.
Food we sampled and dug included Garlic Expressions salad dressing, Think Thin bars, La Brea Bakery, Carnevale cookies from the Venetian hotel in Las Vegas and the much-needed Icelandic Glacial water.
Vendors we always enjoy seeing: Rob Barnett with Vin Village; James Carling, owner Ventura Limoncello; Beth Heiserman, Marketing and Sales Director with Reyes Winery; Robert Wagner, owner/winemaker Magnavino Cellars; Tuanni Price, owner Zuri Wine Tasting; Yoshi Murakami with Boutique sake; David Galzignato, winemaker, Jada Vineyard & Winery; and of course, Dr. Joel Fisher, his daughter Sara Fisher Chapin, event organizer Scherr Lillico and Shawn Burgert.
All Wineries, Breweries & Distilleries:
Allied Importers, New York
Teperburg Collage, white, 2011, Israel
Teperburg Israeli Semi-Dry Cabernet, 2011, Israel
Teperburg Reserve Merlot, 2009, Israel
Dalton Canaan red, 2011, Israel
Dalton Almo White (Chardonnay-Viognier) 2010, Israel
Dalton Estate Petite Sirah, 2010, Israel
Boutique Sake (by Smart Assist), Rancho Dominguez
Sake
Shochu (Japanese Vodka)
Rum
Bekseju USA/Kooksoondang Brewery
BEK SE JU (herbal wine)
BEK SE JU DRY (herbal wine)
DRAFT MAKKOLI (rice wine)
SSAL MAKKOLI (rice wine)
MYUNGJAK BOKBUNJA (Raspberry wine)
NATURE’S BOKBUNJA MAKKOLI (Raspberry rice wine)
CHARM SOON (Soju-distilled spirit)
Cantara Cellars, Central Coast
Cielo Malibu Estate Wineyards
Darms Lane Wine, Napa Valley
2009 Darms Lane Cabernet Sauvignon, Bon Passe Vineyard
2008 Darms Lane Cabernet Sauvignon, Linda’s Hillside
2011 Darms Lane Pinot Noir
2010 Fortune 1621 Cabernet Sauvignon
Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits, New York
George DuBoeuf
Josh Cellars, Mendocino
Eppa North Coast
Double Bond Winery, Central Coast
Frey Vineyards, Mendocino
Sauvignon Blanc
Pinot Noir
Biodynamic Field Blend
Zinfandel
Syrah
Cabernet Sauvignon
Firestone Walker Brewing Co., Paso Robles
First Crush Winemaking Experience, Paso Robles
Herzog Wine Cellars, Ventura
J. Hamilton Wines, Westlake Village
Jada Vineyard & Winery, Paso Robles
11 “88”
10 Jersey Girl
09 Malstria
10 Jack of Hearts
JVS Imports, San Francisco/Commerce
Karl Strauss Brewery, San Diego
Red Trolley Ale
Pintail Pale Ale
L.A. International Wine and Spirits Competition
Alexander Valley Vineyards, Alluvia, Alexander School Reserve, Alexander Valley, 2008 www.avvwine.com – Gold Medal
Amici Cellars, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, 2009 www.amicicellars.com – Gold Medal
Aquinas, Merlot, Napa Valley, 2009 www.donandsons.com – Gold Medal
Cupcake Vineyards, Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand, 2011 www.cupcakevineyards.com – Gold Medal
Cocavin Vineyards, Syrah, Velvet Noir, Paso Robles, 2010 www.cocavin.com – Gold Medal
Col Solare, Bordeaux Style Blend, Columbia Valley, 2007 www.colsarewinery.com – Gold Medal
Eberle Vineyards, Muscat Canelli, Paso Robles, 2011 www.eberlewinery.com – Silver Medal
Forchini Vineyards & Winery, Bordeaux Style Red, BeauSierra, Dry Creek Valley, 2009 www.forchini.com – Gold Medal
Mission Hill Family Estate, Pinot Grigio, Five Vineyards, Okanagna Valley VQA, 2010 www.missionhillwinery.com – Silver Medal
Navvaro Vineyards, Gewurztraminer, Dry, Cuvee Traditional, Anderson Valley, Mendocino, 2010 www.navarrowine.com – Gold Medal
Oakridge Winery, OZV, Old Zin Vines, Lodi, 2009 www.oldzinvines.com – Gold Medal
Ravenswood, Zinfandel, Old Vine, Lodi, 2009 www.ravenswoodwinery.com – Silver Medal
Raymond Vineyards, Cabernet Sauvignon, North Coast, 2010 www.raymondvineyards.com – Silver Medal
Red Rooster, Rosé, Reserve, Okanagan Valley VQA, 2011 www.redroosterwinery.com – Best of Class, Gold Medal
Red Rooster, Viognier, Okanagan Valley VQA, 2011 www.redroosterwinery.com – Gold Medal
Rodney Strong Vineyard, Chardonnay, Sonoma County, 2010 www.rodneystrong.com – Silver Medal
Santa Barbara Winery, Grenache, Santa Rita Hills, 2009 www.sbwinery.com – Silver Medal
Sierra Madre Vineyard, Chardonnay, Santa Maria Valley, 2010 www.sierramadrevineyard.com – Silver Medal
Smoking Loon, Chardonnay, California, 2010 www.smookingloon.com – Gold Medal
Sofia, Riesling, Monterey County, 2010 www.francisfordcoppolawinery.com – Gold Medal
South Coast Winery, Riesling, Carter Estate Vineyards, Temecula Valley, 2011 www.southcoastwinery.com – Best of Class, Gold Medal
Stonegate, Chardonnay, California, 2010 www.stonegatewinery.com – Gold Medal
Whalebone Vineyard, Meritage, Bob Wine, Paso Robles, 2008 www.whalebonevineyard.com – Gold Medal
[yellow tail], Cabernet Sauvignon, Reserve, South Eastern Australia, 2010 www.yellowtailwines.com – Best of Class, Cellars, Syrah, Lake
Martian Ranch & Vineyard, Los Alamos
Naked Rebel Winery, San Mateo
Pink Panda Champagne
Naked Rebel Cab
Phantom Rivers Winery, Central Coast
2008 Phantom Rivers Pinot Noir
2009 Phantom Rivers Grenache
2011 Phantom Rivers Sauvignon Blanc
Pisco Porton, Peru
Reyes Winery, Agua Dulce
2010 Cabernet
2010 Merlot
2010 Syrah
2011 Chardonnay
nv White Delight
Rosenthal Estate Winery, Malibu
2011 Surfrider Grenache Blanc/Albarino
2009 Rosenthal Chardonnay
2008 Surfrider Cabernet Sauvignon
2009 Rosenthal Cab Franc
Roxo Port Cellars, Paso Robles
08 Paso Melange
08 Ruby Traditional
08 Magia Preta
San Antonio Winery/Maddalena, Los Angeles
Maddalena Winery , Paso Robles
San Simeon Winery, Paso Robles, Monterey
Stella Rosa Winery ,Italy
San Antonio Bowtie Winery, California
San Felice Winery, Italy
Rare Red and White Winery
San Diego Spirits Festival
Pisco Porto
619 Vodka
Black Momma Vodka
Roaring Lion Energy Drink
Josef Mach Herbal Liqueur
El Cartel Tequila
Simply Vino, Los Angeles
Vina Sympatica White, California Sparkling Wine
Vina Sympatica Violet, California Sparkling Wine
Vina Sympatica Red, California Sparkling Wine
Powell & Mahoney Vintage Original Cocktail Mixers (powellandmahoney.com)
, Mañana Tequila (tequilamanana.com)
Diplomatico Rum (rondiplomatico.com)
Compass Box Scotch Whiskey (compassboxwhisky.com).
Stella Artois, Belgium
Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association
Callaway Vineyard & Winery
Cougar Vineyard & Winery
Danza del Sol Winery
Europa Village
Hart Winery
Leoness Cellars
Lorimar Vineyard & Winery
South Coast Winery Resort & Spa
Weins Family Cellars
VeeV Spirits
VeeV Acai Spirit
VitaFrute by VeeV – Margarita
VitaFrute by VeeV – Cosmo
VitaFrute by VeeV Lemonade
Ventura County Winery Association
Bella Victorian Vineyards
Cantara Cellars
Four Brix Winery
Magnavino Cellars
Panarro Brothers Winery
Plan B Cellars
San Vicente Cellars
Ventura Limoncello Company, Ventura
Liqueurs & Cocktails
Vibrant Rioja, Spain
Marques de Riscal Reserva 2006
Marques de Riscal Proximo 2009
Conde de Valdemar Rosado 2012
Conde de Valdemar Sierra Cantabria Blanco 2011
Conde de Valdemar Crianza 2008
Antano Tempranillo 2010
Antano Viura 2011
Dinastia Vivanco Crianza 2008
Dinastia Vivanco Reserva 2005
Faustino VII Tempranillo 2010
Beronia Crianza 2008
Wilson Creek Winery & Vineyards, Temecula
Almond Champagne
Orange Mimosa
Peach Bellini
Sparkling Sangria
Decadecia
Vin Village
Ricardus Corculum (Napa/Sonoma)
Synopsis Winery (Chile)
Village Vin (My Wine from “Mendocino”)
Witch Creek (San Diego)
ZAP (Zinfandel Advocates & Producers),
ZAP 2011 Heritage Wine (produced by Scott Harvey Wines)
