Vintage Eve Circa 12/2013: Wine of the Month Club Wine Tasting and Podcast

July 25, 2017 by evebushman Leave a Comment

We have so many options for wine clubs these days! Our favorite wineries, wine stores, even newspapers offer clubs. So why Wine Of the Month Club it? Lemme tell ya what I learned during a recent visit, tour and podcast taping with owner Paul Kalemkiarian. (Direct YouTube link is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzdbgQI9Gk8)

eve and paul large First of all Paul is Paul the second, his father started the company. And this Paul is doing it all: tasting, rating, negotiating and selecting every wine for their three different monthly clubs. Where that would be it for me, Paul sends a monthly magazine – two-dozen pages – about all of the wines he selected, gifts, recipes and tasting notes. This is the part that got my attention on the cover of the December 2013 issue: Wines evaluated last month: 287; Rejected: 243; Approved: 44; Selected:12. Sounds like Paul has a highly developed palate!

Before we did our video Paul wanted to know more (we had admitted to trolling each other’s websites!) about me. Of course, this was because we would soon appear on film together, but the way he spoke with me showed a real interest. Where I might have expected to meet a salesman, I met a warm, open, compassionate, hard-working business owner. It was an eye-opener for those of us that should never judge a wine by its label. Paul is the real deal, and only provides the real deal.

So let’s see what he sent me home with to taste:

Tasting

2012 Grange Des Dames

Grapes: Clairette and Grenache

Appellation: Ventoux, Rhone

Pale gold in color with aromas of freshly cut sweet pineapple, juicy pear, red Delicious apple, hay and a cool breeze passing over a lush flowerbed; in the mouth I was rewarded with a decent amount of acid – sometimes this characteristic is too bold for me – as well as pineapple juice, a hint of lemon and green honeydew melon. Very pleasant.

2010 Domaine de Poulvarel

Grapes: Syrah and Grenache

Appellation: Costieres de Nimes, France

A full glass elicited a more purple color; aromas of rich dark blueberry, toasted oak, wet stones, pomegranate seeds, and flavors that included blue to black berries, plums, dry, with a very balanced fruit and tannic structure, medium length.

2011 Hermoso Hermosa

Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon

Appellation: Valle del Moule, Chile

Greeted by a dark garnet color, followed by pungent aromas of stewing dark fruit, plums, menthol and a lit cigar. On the mouth it was slightly astringent, bright red fruit, smoke, dry and light tannins. Good for the club price.

2010 Prahova Valley

Grapes: Feteasca Neagra

Appellation: Romania

Romania? This was one of the wines that I tasted during the taping with Paul. Never had the Romanian grape, roughly translated as “Black Maiden”, before. And it was good. Now that I had time to linger over it I found the color to be garnet with a ribbon of browner red on the edge, aromas of fresh raspberry, strawberry, mushroom, simmering spaghetti sauce and a hint of red licorice. Once tasted I got the same bright fruit, including cherry, spice, good tannins and a nice round mouthfeel. Another good club bargain.

From the Website

Wine of the Month Club™ is the oldest mail order wine club in America. Specializing in value-oriented wines, the Wine of the Month Club is open to anyone who has an appreciation of fine wine and is interested in a monthly wine club service. Quality wine delivered to your door, guaranteed!

Our search for our wine club selections never ends. Each month I taste over 400 Italian wines, German wines, California wines, Argentinean wine, Chilean wines, and wines from all the other regions of the world—and I only select 2 to represent the best wine values in the world.

Join the Wine of the Month Club™, America’s favorite wine club. See where it all began…

http://www.wineofthemonthclub.com/

Wine Discovery of the Week: Something from Romania? At a Wine of the Month Club tasting I got to try ’10 Prahova Valley made from Feteasca Neagra (Black Maiden) grapes. Aromas alone included fresh raspberry, strawberry, mushroom, simmering spaghetti sauce and a hint of red licorice.

Family Roots Run Deep in the Paso Robles CAB Collective

July 24, 2017 by evebushman Leave a Comment

Paso Robles, Calif. – The Paso Robles CAB Collective celebrates the family roots that run through member wineries. In many cases, multiple generations work together to create exceptional, age-worthy Bordealais wines that are highly coveted. It is this family commitment to winemaking and grape growing, and to the continued stewardship of the appellation, that has contributed to the growing success of Cabernet Sauvignon and red Bordeaux varietals and blends from Paso Robles.

Cab Collective 2013 Seminar-wine-line-up (Eve Bushman photo.)

DAOU Vineyards & Winery

One of the founding members of the CAB Collective is Daniel Daou who, along with his brother, Georges, connected to their experience playing in their grandfather’s ancient olive groves in Lebanon and eventually began their winemaking journey. After immigrating to France, the brothers became passionate about the wine country lifestyle. After starting their careers in technology, the Daous returned to their agricultural roots, planting vines on Daou Mountain in the Adelaida District of Paso Robles. Ten years after founding DAOU Vineyards & Winery, the business continues to be a family operation, with daughter Lizzy joining the winery as assistant winemaker after graduating from the Wine & Viticulture program at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, and daughters Anna and Katherine involved in winery hospitality and trade relations. “Nothing makes me happier than working alongside my children,” says Daniel Daou, “the future of DAOU will someday be squarely in their hands.

Lohr Vineyards & Wines

Lohr Vineyards & Wines celebrates 43 years of family winemaking and grape growing in Paso Robles and the Central Coast. Respected internationally, the Lohr family’s success is attributable to founder Jerry Lohr’s vision and the longevity of key personnel who collectively craft iconic wines from 3,700 acres of sustainably farmed estate vineyards. The second generation, including CEO Steve Lohr, Trade and Brand Advocate Cynthia Lohr, and Director of Education Lawrence Lohr, work alongside Jerry to relentlessly champion Paso Robles’ promise. “Our father approaches J. Lohr with a farmer’s acumen and an engineer’s precision, drawing from his South Dakota roots and his engineering education,” shares Cynthia Lohr. “His wisdom guides the collaboration between our vineyard, winemaking and production teams each vintage.”

Parrish Family Vineyard

Located in Paso Robles’ Adelaida District, Parrish Family Vineyard has a grape growing tradition that dates back to 1925. Parrish Family Vineyard is led by the esteemed winemaker and luminary in trellis technology, David Parrish. Today, his wife, daughter and son-in-law are all involved in the winery making it a truly family-run business. “My learning really started at a young age with my dad. He taught me about responsibility and working hard – cleaning the horse stalls, pulling weeds and eventually working summers in the vineyard,” shares Cecily Parrish Ray of growing up in the wine world. She credits this work to understanding the commitment, determination and passion required of owning and operating a business, recognizing that it takes hard work as well as a positive outlook to find success in the wine world.

Riboli Family Wine Estates

For the Ribolis, the family legacy of winemaking began 100 years ago when San Antonio Winery was founded. To this day, rich history and the importance of family is the strong foundation the business is built on. “Family has always been the most important thing to us,” shares Anthony Riboli, fourth generation winemaker. “We grew up watching our parents and grandparents work hard to build the business, while always putting family first. This value has been instilled in me, and I strive to pass it on through my family.” Riboli Family Wine Estates continues a proud heritage of winemaking that spans four generations. The commitment to producing award-winning wines includes investing in some of California’s most prestigious regions, including the El Pomar District and Creston AVAs of Paso Robles.

Chateau Margene

First generation grape grower and winemaker, Michael Mooney, and wife Margene are fulfilling their dreams of owning and operating a family winery and vineyard in the area where his forefathers settled. Their family history in San Luis Obispo County dates back five generations – Mooney’s great, great grandfather, Victor Linares, received land in the area as part of a Mexican land grant in 1842. Today, Mooney’s sons have followed him into the wine business. “Our oldest son Chris worked for the family winery for 10 years and our younger son Jon is now an integral part of the operations at the estate and winery,” shares Mooney. “Margene is the CFO and her brother Bill manages the horticultural side. Bill’s son also works in the vineyard and tasting room. We’re proud to say that we are a family-run business, in every sense of the word.”

ABOUT THE PASO ROBLES CAB COLLECTIVE

Formed in 2012, the Paso Robles CAB Collective is an independent, collaborative effort of leading Paso Robles growers and producers of Cabernet and red Bordeaux varietals specific to the Paso Robles AVA in California. It promotes to trade, media and consumers the full potential of the Paso Robles region in producing superior quality, classic and age-worthy Cabernet and red Bordeaux varietals that compete on a global stage. For more information, please visit www.pasoroblescab.com.

Survey Reveals That Cork Closures Seal 89% of the World’s Top Wines

July 23, 2017 by evebushman 2 Comments

NEW YORK, NY (PRWEB) – According to a recent survey conducted on behalf of APCOR – The Portuguese Cork Association, 89 percent of the world’s top wines as selected by Wine Spectator in 2016 are sealed with cork closures.

Each year since 1988, Wine Spectator has released its Top 100 list, selecting the best wines from the thousands reviewed during the course of the year. According to the magazine, the criteria used to create this highly-regarded, annual list focus on quality, value, availability and excitement.

The survey also revealed that 97 percent of the American wines selected were sealed with cork closures, while 98 percent of the wines chosen from Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece, and Israel, were sealed with cork closures.

“The findings from this survey simply reflect the fact that top winemakers all over the globe trust cork closures to preserve the quality and character of their wines,” says Carlos de Jesus, Operational Director of the InterCork program of APCOR. “Cork closures have a long-standing history in the wine industry and have been scientifically and empirically proven to be the most effective sealing system for preserving the sensorial quality and neutrality of wines during the aging process. Going back centuries the world’s greatest wines have always used cork, and it comes as no surprise that in 2016 cork remains the preferred choice of fine wine producers and connoisseurs alike.”

Cork closures are 100 percent recyclable and sustainable. They are sourced from the bark of the cork oak tree, which regenerates after being harvested by hand every nine years. Cork oak is a World Wildlife Fund (WWF) priority species because it is one of the most ecologically, economically, and culturally important species on the planet. Cork oak forests provide habitats for endangered species and are a dependable income for the Western Mediterranean communities that maintain and harvest them.

The information collected in this survey was conducted through individual phone calls and emails to the wineries, importers and distributors listed in Wine Spectator’s Top 100 List of 2016.

For more information about APCOR, visit http://www.apcor.pt. You can follow APCOR on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. For questions about APCOR, please contact Krisna Bharvani or Josh Zoland of Colangelo & Partners.

About APCOR:
The Portuguese Cork Association (APCOR) exist to promote natural cork and its products. APCOR is the employers’ association of the cork sector that represents, promotes and carries out research in the Portuguese cork industry. It was created in 1956 and is based in Santa Maria de Lamas, in the council of Santa Maria da Feira, at the heart of the cork industry around 30 kilometers from Porto, Portugal’s second largest city. Membership of the association is open to all companies operating in the fields of production, marketing or export of cork products. The organization advocates on behalf of the Portuguese cork industry worldwide and is the driving force of an industry based on tradition, innovation and sustainability.

New To The Roof: Pomp and Whimsy

July 21, 2017 by evebushman Leave a Comment

Before attending this year’s Second Annual Masters of Taste event I was already getting excited because not only was it a unique event held on the actual field of the Rose Bowl, with adult beverages and famous chefs, it also reminded me of my own mini version: Cocktails on the Roof held on the rooftop of Macy’s parking structure with our very own local chefs, their cocktails and whatever single spirit companies that wanted to join us.

I found Pomp & Whimsy at the Rose Bowl’s end zone, a VIP area of the event, and was immediately won over by their unique gin liqueur, both as a single spirit and in a cocktail. So much so that I invited them to join us on the roof.

Pomp & Whimsy brings modern sensibilities to the tradition of gin making, by infusing classically distilled gin with a natural, delightfully flavorful botanical liqueur. The result is a highly refined, yet playfully sensorial spirit, that is both graceful by itself, and effortlessly dressed, up or down. It’s gin, reimagined.

Made from scratch in Downtown Los Angeles from a select blend of 18 natural and whole ingredients, including juniper, coriander, angelica, grapefruit, bitter orange, cucumber, lychee, raspberry, lavender and jasmine pearls.

As to why this is a gin liqueur and not just a gin Dr. Nicola Nice, CEO at Pomp & Whimsy, LLC answered, “Hi Eve! A gin liqueur is a traditional gin that has been further infused with fruits, florals and botanicals. As a result, it is a lot more flavorful and aromatic than a regular gin. Traditionally, gin liqueurs were used as the basis for English cup-like cocktails (like Pimms). However, in our modern spin on the gin liqueur, we wanted to make a spirit that could also be sipped by itself on the rocks, as well as lightly mixed or used in place of gin in traditional cocktails. Compared to other liqueurs, Pomp & Whimsy is a lot less sweet, and at 30% ABV has a little more punch to stand up by itself.”

Tasting

A L O N E

Reminded me or rose water, sweetened and delicate, mouth coating viscosity.

NEGRONI ROSE

1 oz Pomp & Whimsy
1 oz Lillet Rose
1 oz Aperol

Combine the ingredients in an old-fashioned glass filled with ice; stir to combine.

Garnish with a twist of orange peel.

(From Eve: I LOVE that I had all of the ingredients ready to go in my liquor cabinet and refrigerator to make this cocktail! Very refreshing, reminded me of a perfect sugar-topped pink grapefruit, with hints of cling peaches, watermelon, mandarin oranges in light syrup all while getting a hint of rose petals on the aroma. I could have this as an aperitif or a digestif! And if this sounds too sweet – add more Pomp & Whimsy!)

SUFFRAGETTE MARTINI

1 oz Pomp & Whimsy
1 oz Vodka
1 oz Dry vermouth

Combine ingredients in a mixing glass or cocktail shaker and fill with ice. Stir well to chill.

Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Twist a piece of lemon peel over the drink for aromatics and use the twist as a garnish. (From Eve: Similar to a Vesper, aka Casino Royale, that also incorporates gin, vodka but with Lillet Blanc instead of Pomp & Whimsy, the Suffragette Martini is more delicate, and the botanical, floral and fruit flavors in Pomp & Whimsy are made just that much more delicate, with a less sweeter flavor. If you like your martini without the blaring flavors of say, of a Cosmopolitan, Lemon Drop or any dessert-flavored martini, this one is for you.)

https://www.pompandwhimsy.com/home/

https://www.instagram.com/pompandwhimsy/

https://www.facebook.com/pompandwhimsy/

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, authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits. You can also seek her marketing advice via Eve@EveBushmanConsulting.com

Travel + Leisure Names Écluse of Paso Robles A Top 25 Must-Visit Vineyard

July 20, 2017 by evebushman Leave a Comment

Paso Robles, Calif. – Écluse Wines, a boutique, family-owned winery located on the Westside of Paso Robles, was just named a Top 25 American destination winery by Travel + Leisure magazine.

The recent story, The Top Vineyards All Around the U.S., names Écluse Wines as No. 9 of the 25 wineries listed. Écluse was the only Paso Robles producer to make the list.

“What an honor!” says Steve Lock, winemaker and proprietor of Écluse Wines and Lock Vineyard, along with his wife, Pam. “We have always focused on both the quality of our small-production wines and the intimate experience we love to provide in our tasting room and vineyard for our visitors. We truly feel that this article was really a people’s choice award due to the way the top vineyards were selected.”

To create their must-visit winery list, Travel + Leisure editors used a combination of on-the-ground reporting and an analysis of Yelp reviews. The parameters included quality of wine, winery atmosphere and beauty, service, and overall approachability.

“Whether travelers are heading out to learn how wine grapes are grown or just trying to test out all the samples they can, these favorite vineyards can cater to all different tastes,” Travel + Leisure’s Cailey Rizzo says in the article.

Along with its award-winning wines year to year, Écluse is also the proud recipient of the Sweepstakes Award from the 2011 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, the largest competition of American wines in the world, where its 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon was named Best Red Wine. You can enjoy their award winning wines in the tasting room that overlooks Lock Vineyard. Tastings take place in the barrel room, offering a unique tasting experience focused on educating their guests, while highlighting their barrel program and winemaking style.

For more information on Écluse Wines, and to plan your visit, please go to EcluseWines.com.

Color Up Your Summer with Brazilian Wines

July 19, 2017 by evebushman Leave a Comment

New York, NY – Attention, wine lovers: the Wines of Brazil have made their way to the U.S. and are ready to take the country by storm. Internationally celebrated for its soccer players and its Rio Carnival, Brazil is also home to a variety of flavorful wines that will delight American consumers in search of young and fresh wines, at great value for money.

Photo: The Drinks Wholesaler magazine

In a region known for its at times excessively powerful wines, Brazil stands out for its production of lighter, friendly and easy-drinking wines. Brazilian wines offer a surprising and high-quality alternative to your usual wines choices, being generally pressed from the varietals you love: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot, both still or sparkling. Embodying the soul of the country, Brazilian wines are lively, aromatic and colorful, and will be the life of the party!

Brazilian Sparkling wines – the taste of celebrations

Shake up your habits and pop a Brazilian sparkling wine for your next festivities. Characterized by an exceptional acidity and freshness, they are ultimate crowd-pleasures. Many of the producers follow the méthode traditionnelle – the same as Champagne – Brazilian sparkling wines are mainly produced from Chardonnay, Italic Riesling, Pinot Noir and Muscat. Aromatic and vivacious, they can be enjoyed on their own as an aperitif, or with all kinds of every day food such as sushi and light salads.

Brazilian Red wines – the flavor of passion

Brazilian reds will delight every red wine lover: from fruity to earthier reds, the region is home to a palette of vibrant reds pressed mostly from Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, which produce elegant and structured wines. With lower alcohol contents than similar New World wines (around 11-12.5%), they can be sipped during the day, without fears of headiness. The wines’ aromatic flavors combined with mild tannins make them a perfect addition to the dinner table: fresh and young, they will not overwhelm your meal’s flavors. Sip them with a BBQ-grilled meat to feel like a proper Brazilian enjoying a churrasco, the country’s iconic ember-grilled steak.

A look inside Brazil

There are six wine regions in Brazil, covering an almost 2,500-mile distance along the country’s eastern border. 90% of the wineries are in Rio Grande do Sul, the state located in the southernmost part of Brazil, bordering Uruguay. The state is also on the same latitude as Argentina and South Africa:

Serra Gaúcha – the leading region in terms of production, representing 85% of all wines produced in Brazil, it is recognized for its fruity reds and fine sparkling wines. The basaltic soil, humid climate and mild nights produce wines with a distinctive personality.
Campos de Cima da Serra – known for its aromatic whites, and elegant and sophisticated reds, the region enjoys moderate temperatures and consistent winds, which guarantee healthy vines.
Serra do Sudeste – celebrated for its low-yield vines and delicate wines with great minerality, this mountainous region is recognized as one of the most promising wine areas in Brazil.
Campanha – located in the south, bordering Uruguay and Argentina, the region is devoted to vinifera grapes, including Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, but also Tannat and Tempranillo, and is recognized for its flavorful reds.
Planalto Catarinense – known for its high-altitude vineyards, Planalto Catarinense is celebrated for its fresh still and sparkling whites. The region is also developing an interesting organic and biodynamic wine production.
Vale Do São Francisco – the most northern vineyard in Brazil, its grapes have higher sugar levels, creating bold and fruity wines. The region is also known for its full-bodied reds, high-quality Moscato sparkling wines and exceptional yields with two harvests a year.

About Wines of Brasil

Wines of Brasil, is an organization that represents 34 wineries that produce wines in six appellations: Serra Gaúcha, Campos de Cima da Serra, Serra do Sudeste, Campanha, Planalto Catarinense, Vale Do São Francisco.

The main mission of the Wines of Brasil project is to promote the quality of Brazilian wines in the international market. To achieve this goal, its work starts within the wineries, providing producers with guidance on how to export, which results in promotional campaigns in different parts of the world, including the participation in wine fairs and direct contact with trade agents and opinion makers.

The Brazilian wineries produced for the export market over 2.2 million liters and commercialized to 36 countries from January to December 2016. The exports to the USA market have increased 34.64 % in 2016.

Visit www.winesofbrasil.com for more information, or follow Wines of Brasil on Instagram (@brazilianwines), Faceebok (Wines of Brasil) and Twitter (@WinesofBrasil)

Vintage Eve Circa 12/2013: Visiting Phifer Pavitt

July 18, 2017 by evebushman Leave a Comment

Wowza – Suzanne Phifer Pavitt continues to blow us away! Greeting us – on crutches from a recent surgery – we climbed up to see the brand new second story tasting room. (Last year when we visited it was under construction.) It was the perfect backdrop for us to visit, and taste the latest vintages of her award winning DATE NIGHT Cabernet Sauvignon and the second vintage of winemaker Gary Warburton’s Sauvignon Blanc.

Suzanne explained that the Sauvignon Blanc had some residual sugar, besides a few other surprises, so she suggested we taste the Cab first. As Suzanne’s gut instinct about most things are dead-on correct, we switched up our usual routine and tried the Cab.

I was a wee bit distracted by the tasting notes provided by the winemaker, Ted Osborne, so I circled some of his that I found and added a few of my own:

Eve, Suzanne Phifer Pavitt, Photo credit Ed Bushman (2012 visit)

2010 DATE NIGHT Cabernet Sauvignon

Osborne and I both found Cinnamon, tannins, chocolate. I also noted cinnamon toast, plum jam, spicy dark chocolate, and a perfect balance of fruit and tannin.

2012 Sauvignon Blanc

100% Sauvignon Blanc, 100% stainless steel.

This is their second vintage.

Aromas of Sprite soda, green apple, sweetened grapefruit and a bit o’ honey. Flavors of crisp Ambrosia apples, apricots, pleasant mouth-coating viscous honey, and a long death-defying finish. (Tasting the wine it reminded me a little of the Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc for its nut fruit and low acidity. However, Warburton’s work was better!)

More About Suzanne Phifer Pavitt

Phifer Pavitt, prompted by Cub Reporter/My Husband Eddie Bushman, told us more about her work during our leisurely tasting. She had recently returned from DC where she was honored, along with only six others, for being Fortune’s most powerful women in business. One of her anecdotes was meeting Warren Buffet. With her long, slim hand she reached through a crowd of ladies to shake his. Then she introduced herself. Buffet was intrigued by her boldness even further when she said, “Sixty-six percent of luxury goods are purchased by women, but not wine” and then vowed to change that.

“How will you change things?” asked the cub reporter, to which Phifer Pavitt said that one way was through “A Woman’s Palate” online magazine that has a campaign geared for executive women called, “Don’t Give Up The Wine List.” Through their Wine Boot Camp a woman can be more confident about taking charge of a dinner she is hosting as well as she does the boardroom. The program was started by Susan Citron and Sharon Harris – with Phifer Pavitt.

Phifer Pavitt’s goals, besides helping other women traverse the wine world with ease, is to remain true to her own: Never sell more than a case of wine to anyone. This way when someone tells a friend about the winery, and that person tells their friends, not only will there be more people discovering Phifer Pavitt, they won’t run out of wine!

Conclusion: Can’t wait for my annual lunch with Warburton to pick up the bottles I bought and hear more about his work in Calistoga! And a possible DATE NIGHT Bubbly???

http://www.phiferpavittwine.com

Napa Valley November 2013 Facebook Album Link

Stu and the Kids Announces 2017 Fundraiser at Vibiana on July 30

July 17, 2017 by evebushman Leave a Comment

A Thai flavored Food & Wine Festival hosted by Chef Stuart Skversky and his chef friends who will create dishes for the 4^thannual Stu and the Kids Fundraiser on Sunday, July 30. Proceeds will fund scholarships for Hill Tribe kids in Chaing Mai, Thailand.

Stu and the Kids 2016 – photo credit Erik Fisher

Participating chefs for this year’s event include Hosts Neal and Amy Fraser, Vibiana; Brooke Willamson and Nick Roberts, Playa Provisions; Walter Manzke, République; Eric Klein and Connor Shanahan, Wolfgang Puck Catering; Shirley Chung, Steamer’s Co. Raw Bar & Bowl of Hug; Gilberto Cetina, Chicken Itza; Matt Lee, Restaurant 917; Kris Yenbamroong, Night+Market; Jason Neroni from The Rose Café; Akasha Richmond, AKASHA and AR cucina; Sherry Yard, The Tuck Room; Warren and Rose Schwartz, Magpies Softserve; Jason Fullilove, Barbara Jean’s; Tetsu Yahagi,Spago Beverly Hills; Roxana Jullapat, Friends & Family; Gavin Mills, Miro; Joel Miller, The Wallace; Carlos Enriquez;Bakers Kneaded; Matt Dixon, Division 3; Gilberto Cetina, Chichen Itza; Food Network Celebrity Chef Jet Tila and special guest Rocco Whalen of Fahrenheit who will be flying in from Cleveland, Ohio with his team. Other chefs to be announced.

Other participating restaurants include 71 Above; Bar Alma; Chadaka Thai; and Jitlada (complete list of participating chefs and restaurants below).

Beverages will be plentiful, featuring the Stu and The Kids popular fresh Coconut Bar and Herb + Orchard water infusions. The Bodega Wine Bar will offer Santa Monica Brew Works beer and a great selection of beverages for a summer afternoon. Wines will be provided by Youngs Market, including sparkling wine and cider. Thanks to a generous donation from Tito’s Handmade Vodka, the festival will showcase a Thai-inspired cocktail mixed with Austin’s favorite spirit.

In 2009, Stuart Skversky, a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America and a rising- star chef, made a dramatic life change by giving up a promising chef career in Los Angeles to move to Chiang Mai, becoming a full-time volunteer at the Wat Dan Chan (a local Buddhist temple), teaching local children English, cooking and baking. Recognizing a need to help prepare these high-risk Hill Tribe kids following their graduation, he founded Stu and the Kids to better prepare them for adulthood, helping them get into a university or technical college and giving them the tools for an independent future. Proceeds from this event go directly to the children’s education, school uniforms, supplies, housing, food and tuition for higher education. Now in their ninth year of fundraising throughout the world, Stu and the Kids has raised over $300,000 for the charity, including last year’s astounding record of $110,000 accumulated from the LA festival, fundraising on the east coast and online donations during 2016. Stu and the Kids supervise seventeen kids, including fifteen who have earned four-year scholarships to university and a seven and fourteen-year-old that is supported with rent and food due to family hardship. The charity hopes to increase the awards to twelve four-year university scholarships in the coming year.

During the evening there will be an educational presentation and activities for all ages, including a vivid display of Northern Thai umbrellas and lanterns from the Tourism Authority of Thailand and performances of Thai music and dancing. The silent auction benefiting Stu and the Kids will include photos of locations in Chiang Mai, Thailand, hand-made Hill Tribe bags and silver jewelry, gift certificates, gift baskets, autographed cookbooks and a month of yoga classes.

The incomparable Billy Harris, celebrity charity auctioneer and host of Hanging with Harris will lead the live auction with several spectacular experiences:

An exclusive 4 night, 5 day trip to Thailand to meet the kids and enjoy the beauty and flavors of Chiang Mai.
2 tickets to the two hour finale and live reunion show for Survivor: Heroes v Healers v Hustlers.This also includes an exclusive, fun luncheon with the Survivor players where the winner can meet, chat and take photos. Winner of the auction will also participate in some Survivor challenges that will be set up on the CBS lot. This once in a lifetime afternoon for the diehard Survivor fan is tentatively scheduled for Dec 20th, 2018 at CBS in Los Angeles. Dates might fluctuate slightly.
Dinner for eight guests at The Rogue Experience, Wolfgang Puck’s experimental Test Kitchen at the Pacific Design Center. A one-of-a-kind full dining experience valued at $5000.
Dinner for four at Vespertine by Jordan Kahn, valued at $1000.

Hours are 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tickets are $125 General Admission, $195 for VIP Admission and $25 for children 6-12. To purchase tickets, visit StuandtheKidsTickets
Sunday, July 30, 2017, 4 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. for VIP tickets

General Admission: $125

VIP Admission: $195; early admission at 3:30 p.m. including a meet and greet with Chef Jet Tila, the Culinary Ambassador to Thailand and of the Food Network fame. Includes a personalized autographed copy of Chef Tila’s new cookbook, “101 Asian Dishes You Need To Cook Before You Die.”

Kids tickets: $25 for kids 6-12
Tickets for general admission, VIP admission and kids may be purchased online: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/stu-and-his-friends-a-thai-style-food-festival-to-support-stu-and-the-kids-tickets-33984327037

Vibiana, 214 South Main Street | Los Angeles, California 90012

ABOUT STU AND THE KIDS:

Stu and The Kids is a 501c3, tax-exempt nonprofit organization that provides scholarships for orphaned and underserved Hill Tribe children for continuing their education in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

For further information on Stu and the Kids, visit www.stuandthekids.org

Become a fan on Facebook: www.facebook.com/stuandthekids

Follow Stu and the Kids on Twitter and Instagram at @stuandthekids

****

Participating Chefs

Presenting Chef and Culinary Ambassador to Thailand – Chef Jet Tila

Gilberto Cetina

Shirley Chung

Neal and Amy Fraser

Jason Fullilove

Eric Klein and Connor Shanahan

Jason Neroni

Warren and Rose Schwartz

Rocco Whalen

Brooke Willamson and Nick Roberts

Sherry Yard

Tetsu Yahagi

Kris Yenbamroong

Participating Restaurants

71 Above

Akasha

AR cucina

Bar Alma

Barbara Jean

Broken Spanish

Chadaka Thai

Chichen Itza

Division 3

Fahrenheit (Cleveland, Ohio)

Friends & Family

Jitlada

Magpies Softserve

Miro

Night+Market

Pastry Lab

Patina Catering

Playa Provisions

Redbird and Vibiana

République

Restaurant 917 at the Porches Experience

Savore Catering

Sinners & Saints

Spago Beverly Hills

Steamer’s Company, Raw Bar and Bowl of Hug

Tender Greens

The Ensaymada Project

The Olive Pit

The Rose Café

The Tuck Room

The Wallace

Wolfgang Puck Catering

Sponsors

6 Degrees LA

Behind the DJ Booth

Chef Spoons

Chefs to End Hunger

Erik Fisher Photography

LA & SF Specialty

Sustainable Works

The Bouqs.com

Tito’s Handmade Vodka

Tourism Authority of Thailand

Vibiana

Wolfgang Puck Catering

Young’s Market Company

Charlie Palmer and Clay Mauritson Invite You to the 7th Annual Project Zin Event

July 16, 2017 by evebushman Leave a Comment

The renowned chef and award-winning winemaker collaborate once again to raise funds for the Down Syndrome Association of North Bay at Hotel Healdsburg and Dry Creek Kitchen.

photo courtesy Christa Weaving

Healdsburg, Calif – Chef Charlie Palmer and winemaker Clay Mauritson announce the Seventh Annual Project Zin event, taking place on Saturday, August 19, 2017 at Hotel Healdsburg. This preeminent wine event will gather some of the most sought after Zinfandels paired with food from Chef Palmer and top local Sonoma County chefs. All proceeds will benefit the Down Syndrome Association North Bay.

Project Zin lines up 21 of the most highly acclaimed Zinfandel wines from Northern California. The number 21 is significant: in most cases of Down Syndrome there is an extra copy of chromosome 21, which changes the body and brain’s normal development. Clay and Carrie Mauritson’s nine-year old son Brady was diagnosed with Downs Syndrome at the age of 2 ½, which led the Mauritson family to seek support from friends, family, and community organizations, including the Down Syndrome Association, North Bay (DSANB). In addition to DSANB, Clay solicited the aid of his close friend and winemaking partner, Chef Charlie Palmer, and Project Zin was born. In the six years since Project Zin’s inception, the Sonoma County winemaking and culinary community has come together to raise nearly $500,000 for DSANB, providing much needed funds for research and support for individuals and families affected by Down Syndrome. A letter from Clay and Carrie Mauritson highlighting their personal challenges with Down Syndrome and the subsequent support they received from the DSANB can be found here.

Now in its seventh year, Project Zin attracts some of the most highly recognized Zinfandel winemakers and chefs in Northern California, including such prolific wineries as Carlisle Winery & Vineyards, Robert Biale Vineyards and Limerick Lane Cellars, and acclaimed wine country restaurants Dry Creek Kitchen, Valette, and SingleThread Farm – Restaurant – Inn, and more. A full list of wineries and restaurants can be found here: http://projectzin.org/talent/.

Tickets and packages for Project Zin can be purchased online at http://projectzin.org/tickets/.

Tickets and package pricing are listed below. Please note all packages are sold out.

A la carte tickets

Includes admission to event, unlimited tasting of Zinfandels and culinary creations

$200 (excludes fees)

Project Zin Packages

All packages include two night accommodations for two in a luxurious Hotel Healdsburg or h2hotel room, complimentary breakfast and valet parking, welcome wine reception on Friday, August 18 at Hotel Healdsburg, Rockpile Vineyard Lunch, Tour & Tasting with Clay & Carrie Mauritson, and two tickets to Project Zin.

What’s new on THE ROOF?

July 14, 2017 by evebushman Leave a Comment

Well, we can certainly tell from the social media BUZZ around town that you are VERY excited about the upcoming Cocktails on the Roof on August 25, 2017. Come join your hosts Eve Bushman of Eve Bushman Consulting, Marlee Lauffer, President of Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital Foundation and Amy Daniels, Executive Director of the WiSH Education Foundation at our NEW Pre-Party on August 17^th from 5-9pm at The Oaks Grill in TPC. Gear up for #COTR17 with NO COVER, happy hour pricing all evening long, bartender lessons and our #COTR17 DJ MAV and dancing. With the best sunset viewing from their amazing patio, the Oaks Grill is also donating 15% of their proceeds back to the WiSH Education Foundation.

On THE ROOF, what you will recognize from previous years is the amazing venue atop the Macy’s parking garage at Westfield Valencia Town Center and the wonderful all-you-can-partake-in signature cocktails and food, DJ MAV for the third year and dancing and cool, modern lounges and lighting.

What will be new this year is that everyone’s a VIP! Rather than have two levels of tickets, we invite everyone up on THE ROOF from 8-11pm, while our sponsors will be greeted at 7:30pm. General Admission tickets are only $85 and Designated Driver tickets are $65 (by bracelet). Tickets at the door, if still available, are $95.

NEW: WiSH you could be a sponsor and get first dibs??? This year you CAN – we are offering a limited number of private 10’X10’ lounges that seat up to 8-10, allowing you and your friends – or your company – a spot to gather on your own for the party! The cost of the lounge, which includes all marketing, private entry and signage, is only $1,000! Get yours before they run out by contacting Executive Director Amy Daniels at WiSH@hartdistrict.org.

NEW: SoCalMagicMirror.com is joining us, “An Entertainment company specializing in providing the latest in entertainment venues for parties, weddings, business openings and more! More than just a standard ‘photo booth’, SoCal Magic Mirror provides a full length mirror to take your picture at the event, allowing a head-to-ankle capture instead of the standard waist-up shot. You can also write on the screen, choose from hundred of emojis, and personalize your pictures in ways other booths only dream of.”

In addition, our layout will be slightly larger to allow for the fun to reach all corners of the event so no matter where you are, the fun will follow. Don’t forget to have that picture taken at our Step and Repeat as you enter, sponsored by The Magazine of Santa Clarita and Elite Magazine. Tickets are live AND limited – don’t be left off THE ROOF – get yours right now at www.WiSHscv.org.

As of July 12, participants on THE ROOF this year include Deep Eddy Vodka, LA Scotch Club, JFC International sake-based cocktails, Speakeasy Bakery (check social media for hints to get the good stuff here), Honu Coffee, solita Tacos and Margaritas, Sisley Italian Kitchen, Newhall Refinery, NEW: Bonefish Grill, NEW: An Indian Affair, Wolf Creek Restaurant and Brewery, Persia Restaurant and Lounge, Salt Creek Grille, Oaks Grill at TPC, NEW: Mammoth Coffee Roasting Company with a Coffee Martini, NEW: Vines Restaurant and Bar, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Olive Terrace Bar and Grill, NEW: Pomp and Whimsy Gin Liqueur, Lazy Dog, Sweet Beams Ice Cream, Marston’s, NEW: CPB Winery with a wine-based cocktail, The Distillery at Opolo and Vina Sympatica sparkling wine.

Our wonderful and generous sponsors are lining up to again be a part of the fun while giving back to our local students. WiSH greatly appreciates Westfield Valencia Town Center, The Magazine of Santa Clarita and Elite Magazine, The Signal, Brightview Tree Company, Nick Rose Insurance, Lundgren Management, California Credit Union, Andy Gump, Oasis Associates, SolPrint Solutions, Craig and Lisa Eichman, Jeff and Melanie Meyer, Eve’s Wine 101, Peterson Printing and Graphics, Littler Mendelson, Randy Plaice and Associates and the Watters Group. We would also like to thank SOS Entertainment, 24/7 Events, Burrtec, MitchPicksWine.com, Enchanted Kids, KHTS, SCVTV. Want to join us as a sponsor of COTR17? Email us at WiSH@hartdistrict.org.

Finally, keep up to date by checking out the WiSH Education Foundation, Pre-party and COTR FB event pages, WiSH site www.WiSHscv.org, and – thanks to web designer Genesis Moss – our brand new dedicated COTR website, http://cocktailsontheroofscv.org/