I think it was the book Accidental Tourist where I first I heard the phrase “armchair writer” to describe the main character who was a travel writer that wrote from home. For me the phrase was apropos because when my daughter was under 18 I really didn’t want to leave her with a sitter to go out to a wine event, let alone a weekend or longer. Now with the COVID-19 and zero events to cover and zero travel plans, it’s time to dust off the chair and write about wine like I used to – more about supporting the wine industry itself and not about the events that drive it.
For my first, in what I hope will be a minimal series of armchair articles, I will focus on local wineries and what we can do to support them at this time. I sent emails to some of the wineries near me (which are also near to local readers) to ask how we can support them at this time, their current varietals available (and how we can get them) and any specials. Also, look for most of these wineries at the upcoming Vine 2 Wine 2 GO benefitting Circle of Hope set for May 30.
Pulchella Winery
The winery is currently offering bottle sales for pick-up via the tasting room in Newhall, Fridays from 4pm-7pm and Saturdays from 1pm-4pm (call ahead, email orders, or walk ups welcome). Bottles can also be purchased via the website for shipment directly to your home.
They are happy to announce a few “stimulus packages” during this current “stay-at-home” time, which include: 20% off 6+ bottles (30% for members), 30% off 12+ bottles (40% for members), plus cases of 2014 Distinguished red blend are $150+ tax. They are also offering 50% off shipping costs via the website for all orders being shipped within CA.
Email customerservice@pulchellawinery.com for questions or orders, go to the website, or call the tasting room at 661-799-9463 to place an order. Feel free to leave a message with your order if you’re not calling during the limited hours above.
Golden Star Vineyards
Golden Star Vineyards is an Estate Vineyard and Winery in Los Angeles County with Estate bottled Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Malbec; and locally sourced Viognier, Chardonnay, Syrah and Purple Haze. They are currently open Sat/Sun 12-5 pm for VINO2GO at the winery in Littlerock, CA with contactless curbside pickup, as well as free delivery within the greater Antelope Valley area (3 bottle minimum). Wine Club members get 20% off all wines and non-Wine Club get 15% off 3 bottle minimum. They are also offering 50% Off shipping in CA with a 3 bottle minimum. Please go to their wine store of current releases at:
https://goldenstarvineyards.orderport.net/wines/CurrentReleases or call 661-713-6660.
Hoi Polloi and Pagter Brothers, of the Double Trouble Wine Room
The Double Trouble Wine Room, featuring the wines of the Pagter Brothers and Hoi Polloi Wineries, is open for bottle sales Thursday and Friday 4 to 7 pm and Saturday and Sunday 2 – 5 pm. They sanitize every bottle before delivering. Guests can pick wines up inside at a socially approved distance or they’ll deliver curbside to your car. They will also deliver to your home (in the SCV area) with the purchase of 6 bottles or more. For case sales they will extend an additional 10% off on top of their usual discount. “If you are in need of a last minute bottle when we’re not usually open just email us and we can zip over and meet you.” They are also working on a Zoom concert and a Zoom tasting, “Not tasting Zoom, but tasting our wines with the winemakers giving tasting notes, more to follow. If you’re not receiving our emails, please send your email to Scott@PagterBros.com or DKMinnick@mac.com”
Parhelion Cellars
Parhelion Cellars is a small family owned winery in Santa Clarita. They have been dedicated to making outstanding wine since 2017, and carry a wide variety of wines: a Cabernet from the Mount Veeder region of Napa, a Zinfandel from Paso Robles, and a single vineyard Sparkling rosé from Clement Hills in northern California. These are just three of the outstanding wines they offer.
Please visit their website at parhelioncellars.com, where they are currently offering a 30% off discount by using coupon code F&F on all our products. They also always offer FREE non-contact delivery to LA County. After you’ve selected the wines that you would like, choose “in person pick up” and make sure you share your phone number. The winery will then contact you and schedule a date and time that is perfect for your delivery. You can also reach them by phone: 661-644-9478.
Entourage Two Papas Wine
Entourage Two Papas Wine is a boutique winery based in Valencia, specializing in Rhône varietals. Each wine is produced with meticulous care while allowing the grapes to fully express their full flavor potential. Their grapes are sourced from the two top Rhône varietal vineyards in Santa Barbara County, Thompson and Saarloos Vineyards.The current inventory includes: 2017 Saarloos Grenache ( $20- 90 pt WS), 2018 Saarloos Grenache ($30), 2017 Thompson Grenache ($35- 90 pt WS), 2018 Thompson Grenache ($37), 2017 Thompson Syrah ($35- 90 pt WS), 2018 Thompson Syrah ($37)
2018 Thompson GSM ($37), 2018 Thompson Grenache Blanc ($27) and 2019 Thompson Stainless Steel Chardonnay.
“Until July 1st we are offering discounts of 10% off our normal prices while ordering 3 or more bottles. Order a mixed case and the discount will go to 15%. Current and new members will receive a discount of 20%. As always, all orders within 30 miles will be delivered to your front porch, much like the milkman of the 60’s. Check us out at Entourage Two Papas Wine or call me (winemaker Rick Pratt) direct at (323) 974-7021.”
Coruce Vineyards and Winery Tasting Room
Located at 1055 West Columbia Way (Avenue M) in Lancaster, Coruce proudly features award winning wines of the Antelope Valley and Los Angeles County. They offer a variety of white and red blends as well as several vintages of single varietals like Zins, Viogniers, Chardonnays and “some lip smackin’ Syrahs.” They currently have a “screaming deal on some delicious clearance wines.” For the immediate future all purchases at their website (www.corucevineyardsandwinery.com) will be shipped for a flat $10 fee. They are open for purchases through pick up or delivery of bottles or cases. Hours are 1 PM to 7PM Thursday, Friday, and Saturday and 1PM to 6PM on Sunday. Call ahead at 661-494-8877 and “we’ll have everything ready for you to minimize contact time and number of people present at any one time.”
Byron Blatty
Byron Blatty Wines, which features locally grown, Los Angeles wines, is currently offering free, contactless delivery on all orders in the Los Angeles area, and are running several “Stay at Home Specials” which include 3 bottle packs of select wines for $99 + tax. (30% off). “We are also holding weekly tastings on Zoom every Friday, which are free to attend.” https://purchase.byronblatty.com/stay-at-home
Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a “certification in first globally-recognized course” as an American Wine Specialist ® from the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), Level 1 Sake Award from WSET, was the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video (over 16k views), authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru and the Global Wine Awards. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits.
