Eve's Wine 101

Must! Charities Raises Upwards of $2 Million at Wine Industry Party with a Purpose

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Wine and Business Industry Leaders Gather to Invest in the San Luis Obispo County Region, Ranking It one of the Country’s Top Grossing Wine Auctions

Paso Robles, California—Wine industry and business leaders from across the country once again came together at Must! Charities’ PURPOSE event with a shared passion to give back—and the results were astounding. Indeed, in only its third year, PURPOSE raised nearly $2 million, generating over $5.5 million in its three year rise to fame.

Quickly becoming renown as “the best damn party in Paso Robles,” PURPOSE is more than fine dining, luxurious auction lots and festive live performances. It is a party with a heart, dedicated to supporting critical needs in the greater San Luis Obispo County region. The overwhelming success of the event stems from how it organically originated from small vintners who harnessed the power of allocation lists.

“As our region continues to develop into a world class wine destination, it’s essential we invest to make sure everyone benefits.,” Andy Niner, this year’s host of PURPOSE said. “That’s what Must! does and we are honored to be a part of something that has tangible, real-time results in our region.”

The following wineries were some of the biggest supporters of the Ready2Act Fund a Need:

  • Eric & Lisa Jensen
  • Doug & Sabrina Kruse
  • Andy Niner
  • Justin and Heather Smith
  • J. Lohr Vineyards and Wines

The following wineries leveraged their relationships and created opportunities for people to be involved in the giving thru hosting a table:

  • Barton Family Wines
  • Booker and My Favorite Neighbor
  • Caliza
  • Constellation Brands
  • Denner Vineyards
  • Dilecta
  • J Lohr Vineyards & Wines
  • John Anthony Family of Wines
  • Justin Vineyards and Winery
  • L’Aventure
  • Law Estate Wines
  • Niner Wine Estates
  • RIISE
  • Top

“Fund a Need” Nets $1.1 Million

PURPOSE’S darling this year was the “Fund a Need” lot benefitting the Must/Ready2Act Fund which addresses a crucial need for Must! Charities. As we look into the next decade, Must! sees a future where they will need to be more proactive, more nimble.

The Must/Ready2Act Fund will enable Must! Charities to continue to carefully consider, develop, and vet projects with their growing list of community non-profit partners, but also allows them to fund these projects immediately when the time is right.

“When people are living in crisis we cannot put them on hold,” said Becky Gray, Executive Director of Must! Charities. “And while we continue to grow and expand our reach, the process to vet and fund projects still needs to be faster. The Must/Ready2Act Fund creates opportunities life lines for people and families in need in real time.”

While Must! Charities has historically been a grassroots effort in the region, PURPOSE extends the organization’s reach by bringing local Paso Roblans and out-of-towners together. The result allows for greater reach and leverage, increasing the impact for those who need it most. The success of PURPOSE ultimately gives Must! Charities increased capacity to move the needle on social issues.

To find out more about the Must! Charities fundraising charitable campaigns, visit mustcharities.org or call 805.226.5788.

Halter Ranch Achieves Organic Certification

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PASO ROBLES, Calif., /PRNewswire/ — Halter Ranch, a renowned 2,700-acre nature estate and winery located in the heart of California’s wine country, is thrilled to announce its official organic certification granted by California’s Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF). This achievement reflects Halter Ranch’s ongoing commitment to the future of farming and producing exceptional wines of the highest quality. The 200 acres of wine grapes will join the previously CCOF-certified organic walnuts, olives, and culinary garden.

Organic certification is a significant milestone for Halter Ranch, strengthening a long-term commitment to environmentally conscious agriculture. With this certification, the vineyard reaffirms its dedication to preserving the health of the land, fostering biodiversity, and ensuring the well-being of consumers and the environment.

The certification process involved rigorous inspections and audits by the CCOF, an accredited organic certifying body. It required Halter Ranch to adhere to strict guidelines and standards that govern organic vineyard management including the elimination of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides. Instead, Halter Ranch takes a holistic approach to viticulture, respecting the balance of the ecosystem. Sheep are grazed in the vineyard for weed abatement and fertilization; see the recent announcement regarding the year-round grazing of sheep. Natural predators and mealybug mating disruption are used for pest control, and the winery operates on 100% solar power.

Kevin Sass, the Winemaker at Halter Ranch, expressed his enthusiasm about the organic certification, stating, “We are thrilled to be recognized as a CCOF Certified Organic Vineyard. The decision to undergo the stringent requirements set forth by the CCOF reinforces our commitment to preserving the environment while crafting exceptional wines. We believe that organic farming is not just a trend but a responsibility we owe to our land and future generations.”

As an organic vineyard, Halter Ranch will continue to prioritize conservation efforts, leaving 90% of its 2,700 acres untouched, promoting soil health, and biodiversity, all ensuring the long-term sustainability of its vineyards. The winery aims to inspire other wine producers to embrace organic farming practices and contribute to a more environmentally conscious industry.

Halter Ranch invites wine enthusiasts, industry professionals, and the public to celebrate this significant milestone and experience their exceptional range of wines made with organic grapes. By choosing Halter Ranch, consumers can savor remarkable wines that embody the spirit of sustainability, environmental stewardship, and the rich terroir of California’s wine country.

To learn more about Halter Ranch please visit www.halterranch.com.

About Halter Ranch:

Set along the western-most boundaries of Paso Robles, California, and surrounded by the wild and wide-open Santa Lucia Mountain Range of the Central California Coast, Halter Ranch is a 2,700-acre nature estate dedicated to land, art, and legendary California terroir. Envisioned by Swiss entrepreneur, philanthropist, and world-leading land conservationist Hansjörg Wyss, the estate is an homage to his mother, Alice Halter, and a haven for the natural world to flourish and deliver exceptional timeless wines.

VINTAGE EVE CIRCA DEC. 2008: Cellar Cleanout

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Yesterday was a day cold enough, 42 degrees, to keep our cellar door open for two hours. Why would we want to do that Wine 101ers may ask…out with the old and in with the new.

We had about 2 dozen bottles that had previously rested in a closet in our home office. Many from our memberships at Robert Mondavi, Nickel and Nickel, Pride, Joseph Phelps and a couple of coveted bottles of Phifer Pavitt “Date Night” Napa Cabernets.

We had to take out 24 bottles to make room for 24 newer vintages.

I put on gloves and a scarf to do the dirty work. My husband Eddie managed the computer program to adjust the changes. We always have a corkscrew and glasses handy and this was the first time we were out there long enough to drink while doing our duty. (See photo.)

With that hurdle over we moved the older 24 into our refrigerated storage unit, that replaced our trash compactor earlier this year, and some lesser valued ones to the ordinary non-temperature controlled rack in our dining room.

(We were left with a couple of bottles, given to us by non-wine people that know us to be wine people. A blog all on itself…but I always wonder why people do this to us. The only people I can re-gift these to are my mom and my sister. Both admit to knowing nothing and enjoying anything. Of course they only admit that about wine.)

Now, instead of helping Eddie make a ham soup, ham omelets or anything remotely to do with cleaning up the inside of our house from the recent holidays, I turned to my computer.

Eddie had loaded my new “Wine 101 Calendar” for me to track Santa Clarita events for myself, and my readers, as we sometimes have conflicts in our schedules. (I had a lot of fun adding events! Send me yours at ebushman@earthlink.net or comment on this blog below.) Having to choose from more than one great wine event a day is now easier…if you check MY site first! It’s the only one that solely features your wine events.

So that’s it for today: A clean cellar, a messy house and a new way to plan your wine event schedule. And you heard it here first.

Republic of Georgia Wine Tours

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Did you know that Georgia (the country) is home to the oldest wine producing region in the world? Locals have been cultivating grapes and producing neolithic wine in the South Caucasus for at least 8,000 years! That’s why Georgia proudly claims the title of “birthplace of wine.” Below are some high points of the new trip we offer there, and you can see the full itinerary here.

Republic of Georgia: Tbilisi, Winelands & Highlands
During this 12-night learning adventure in the Republic of Georgia, spend three nights in the Kakheti Region— Georgia’s wine country— visiting vineyards and villages to learn about agriculture, sustainability, winemaking, bread baking, and community.

  • Visit Tibaani Vineyards, owned by the Pheasant’s Tears Winery, one of the country’s rising stars in the natural wine industry. Walk through the vineyard and cellars with a local winegrower to learn about Georgia’s natural methods of winemaking. Find out how the grapes are grown, macerated, and aged in huge ceramic vessels lined with beeswax, according to ancient Georgian traditions.
  • Enjoy a wine tasting at Togonidze Winery, where beloved founder Gia Togonidze and her family have earned worldwide recognition both for their warm hospitality and for their natural wines crafted with methodologies passed down through over 8,000 years.
  • Take a day trip to Ikalto and Shalauri villages to learn more about the history of winemaking in Georgia at Ikalto Monastery, where an academy was established in the 12th century by David IV of Georgia, which included a wine-making school. Ikalto is also the site of some of the oldest found qvevris (clay jugs used for winemaking) in Georgia. In 2013, the traditional Qvevri method of wine-making was honored by UNESCO when it was inducted into their prestigious Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
  • Visit Chavchavadze House Museum, located in the historic estate of Georgian aristocrat, poet, and winemaker Alexander Chavchavadze. This estate was a center of the intellectual life during the 19th century. Here, Alexander and his father founded the first and foremost winery in the country, which still produces the dry white Tsinandali wine.
  • Take part in a craft beer tasting at Lost Ridge Craft Brewery & Inn in the village of Qedeli, where they specialize in farmhouse ales like Saison and Tripel with a Georgian twist. Brewed on-site and aged in the beer cave, the brewery pairs classic Belgian (and other) styles with local Kakhetian fruits and spices in some of their recipes. You’ll also have the chance to walk around the Lost Ridge greenhouse and organic orchards, where a “food forest” is in the making, to hear from a local expert how fruits, nuts, and vegetables are grown sustainably on-site for their cuisine and beermaking.
  • Visit the village of Zinobiani to learn about the Orthodox Udi refugees who settled here in the 1920, escaping the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict. Today, a group of young Udis descendants are dedicated to sharing their rich cultural and gastrnomoic heritage. You’ll sample Udi cuisine, which incorporates flavors from the Muslim culture, including “fakhlinhooft”– a savory combination of beans and rice flavored with basil served alongside matsoni, an authentic Georgian sour cream.
  • Visit a local family in the tiny village of Tsdo, where you’ll participate in a master class in the art of making Khinkali– savory Georgian dumplings. In Georgia’s mountainous areas, cooks often mix in special signature spices that set their regional khinkali apart. You’ll feast on your creations together with the family, while sipping fiery Georgian chacha– a strong traditional liquor made from grapes.
  • Stay at the Kabadoni boutique hotel, set on the hilly slopes of the historic wine region village of Sighnaghi, with views of Alazani Valley and the Caucasus Mountains.

Three Tips to Create the Perfect Fall Harvest Party from Rodney Strong Vineyards

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The crisp embrace of autumn will be here before we know it! As the golden leaves begin to cascade gracefully from the trees, we want to share a few tips from Sonoma’s Rodney Strong Vineyards for the perfect Fall Harvest Party.

1.The venue and the vibe: Choose a location that embodies your favorite things about the season. Being outdoors or creating a picturesque view creates an ideal ambiance for fall festivities. The decor should capture the essence of fall, combining rustic charm with elegant touches. Think hay bales adorned with plaid blankets, pumpkin displays, flickering lanterns, and fairy lights strung through the trees to add to the magical atmosphere.

2. Delicious farm-to-table cuisine: A highlight of the party should be the delectable farm-to-table spread, featuring an array of dishes prepared using the freshest local produce. From hearty root vegetable stews to apple-infused desserts and perfectly paired beverages, design a menu that will tantalize taste buds and nourish the soul. Speaking of beverages: the wine! The 2018 Rodney Strong Vineyards Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, SRP $60, truly compliments all the flavors of an autumnal meal. This rich and lush wine displays intense aromas of black currant, cassis and crushed violet. It is velvety on the palate with a smooth, lingering finish of herbal notes, vanilla and cocoa. Our Reserve wines are the result of a careful blend of individual lots from meticulously farmed sections of some of the very best vineyards in Sonoma County. Created in a small lot artisan cellar, winemaker Justin Seidenfeld employs techniques such as cluster pre-sorting and extended maceration, a representation of our commitment to producing the finest wines possible.

3. Finally, build in time for extra fun: curate an assortment of engaging activities and include a pumpkin carving contest, cornhole game, a craft station, candle-making or even a scavenger hunt. 

Revel in the magic of autumn, celebrate the season’s bounty, and the joy of coming together over flavorful food and delicious wine. Follow these easy steps and your next Fall Harvest Party promises to be a fun and memorable experience. 

VINTAGE EVE CIRCA NOV 2008: Wine 101 Tasting Event In My Home

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Organizing my first large-scale wine event, in my home, was 6 months in the making. This is the day of the event, October 11, and I’d rather write this column than think about the little speech I keep re-writing in my head instead. I can’t remember what I’m telling guests about what to look for in tasting, how to get the ‘nose’ or why we paired church favorite Lima Limon’s Peruvian fare with Chablis.

60 people are due here in three hours. Who would have thought that as hard as it was to ask people to donate to an event, the amazing amount of support seemed endless? The proceeds, well over $2000, was going to our local Unitarian Universalist church.

Before I ramble on any more I want to thank the generous businesses, in and out of Santa Clarita, that donated to our event.

First came the wine donated by local businesses: Guy Lelarge, my wine guru and owner or Valencia Wine Company donated a Tomero Cabernet, Cathy MacAdams, co-founder of Agua Dulce Vineyards, was more than generous not only with 3 ½ cases of wine but with 72 wine glasses, Lil Lepore and Shari Frazier owners of Vino 100 gave an Abundance Syrah and John Kelley poured and supplied Raven Oaks Vineyard’s Syrah and Cabernet Franc.

Then came the food: Fiona Soukup, owner of Fresh Xpress Produce Delivery, prepared her stuffed red ‘sweet ‘n piquant’ peppers from South Africa. George Thomas, owner of Route 66 Grill, offered the tasty chicken strips. Maria’s Italian Deli gave us a couple of huge platters of, you guessed it, the marinated olives that we love as well as some great sharp cheeses and deli meats.

Dream Dinners Valencia provided several pounds of beef tips, noodles and stroganoff sauce. Tamra Levine, private chef, caterer, event stylist, culinary educator, professional wine consultant for Heritage Lane Productions – wow let’s just take a breath here – made savory vegetarian Palmiers.

Lima Limon Peruvian Restaurant, in Saugus, is coming to our house to prepare Ceviche, a cheese salsa for dipping sticks of cooked corn into and Alfajores cookies (described to me as two butter cookies romantically joined by caramel.)

Church members Gerri and Mattie Brehm are bringing their slightly spicy Italian meatballs. Susan Hauptfeld had graciously created, for the first time, a chocolate Panini for dessert. Other church friends that helped make our event special included Trish Lester, Trish Paioni, Deana Perozzi, Rich and Pam Jaffke, Carol Winkler, Maya Loch, Ingrid Armour, Kirby Petersen, Evelyn Carpenter, Lucy Bates, Bill Gregory and Reverend Ricky Hoyt.

DiMaggio Washington, sommelier and winemaker, coming straight from teaching a real wine class at Tournament Player’s Club, had agreed to help me answer any questions about wine above my 101 level. We had some other experts, local vintners Chris and Jeannie Carpenter as well as Kerry and Susie Clark. Both also donated wine. (Ed and I are going to “Sunset in the Vineyard” that both the Carpenters and the Clarks will be serving their own home made wines at to benefit our local Assistance League.)

Jeff Jacobson, wine chair for the annual Santa Clarita Wine Classic (save the date for 2009: May 30. scvwineclassic.org) was responsible for the Black Chook Shiraz everyone will surely enjoy at our evening’s end.

We had door prizes and raffles that included several eclectic items from the obvious (wine) to the not so obvious (wine glasses hand crafted for any occasion).

Kirby made a donation of 1792 Ridgemont Reserve Bourbon Whiskey complete in a basket that included two tumblers filled with wrapped chocolates, a large Melmac bowl with autumn leaves motif and a bag of gourmet popcorn.

A chocolate ice bucket with rock candy ice, a chocolate champagne bottle filled with caramel, two white chocolate champagne glasses and gold foiled chocolate eggs came all wrapped up with a bow all the way from New York, from chocolatesbylorigailinc.com.

Domaine de Canton Ginger Liqueur & recipe cards didn’t come cheap. This amazing 56 proof liqueur produced in France is an infusion of crystallized handpicked baby Chinese ginger, Tahitian vanilla, Provencal orange blossom honey, sugarcane and VSOP Cognac. An award-winning new taste with limitless possibilities. I know because it was my bottle. I still have a half one left to make an excellent martini, or two.

Eddie, almost-willingly, donated two of our cellared wines: Nickel & Nickel Dyer Vineyard 2004 Syrah and a Joseph Phelps 2005 Le Mistral.

The door prizes included Six Heroes 2003 Memorial Merlot generously donated by George Bacon for Six Heroes Wine & Friar’s Choice North America LLC and “A Toast to You!” decorated wine glasses were created by two local business women, Eileen Elliott & Carolyn Goedike, from Inspired-Touch.com.

In conclusion, a word I didn’t use in my Wine 101 speech, let me apologize for not inviting you, dear reader, into my home. But I do have a solution. Next year, if I can convince Eddie to make it an annual event, we’ll hold it at the much-larger-than-my-home Signal offices. As long as the presses aren’t running of course, it interferes with the nose.

TASTE OF THE SANTA YNEZ VALLEY RETURNS SEPT. 28-OCT. 1

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Tickets now on sale for nearly two dozen events, each offering unique, up-close chance to wine and dine with the Santa Ynez Valley’s chefs and winemakers 

(SANTA YNEZ VALLEY, Calif.) — Tickets for Taste of the Santa Ynez Valley, the four-day, six-town celebration of the region’s bounty held each fall, are on sale now, Visit the Santa Ynez Valley announced. Held from Sept. 28-Oct. 1, the four-day, six-town celebration offers an experiential culinary exploration of the region’s food, wine, and more — and the people behind it all. 

Brought together by two of the West’s most respected travel brands—Visit the Santa Ynez Valley and Sunset Magazine—the unique event showcases the best of the region. More than 100 restaurants, wineries, tasting rooms, breweries, and distilleries will collaborate for more than a dozen main and ancillary events set in and around the distinct communities that make up the Santa Ynez Valley — Ballard, Buellton, Los Alamos, Los Olivos, Santa Ynez, and Solvang. 

“Taste of the Santa Ynez Valley offers an intimate and immersive view of what makes this region so appealing, in a way that is both memorable and fun,” said Shelby Sim, President/CEO of Visit the Santa Ynez Valley, which is overseeing the event’s production. “Whether you are a local or a visitor, Taste of the Santa Ynez Valley is a can’t-miss opportunity for anyone who wants to savor the region’s wine, food, and experiences.” 

Taste of the Santa Ynez Valley explores specific communities each day, beginning with a day in Los Alamos, the region’s burgeoning haven for foodies, on Thursday, Sept. 28. The celebration ends on Oct. 1, with the best of Solvang. Along the way, attendees are invited to enjoy wine and beer tastings, special communal and chef-driven dinners, vineyard experiences, horseback riding, wine tumbler making, and much more. 

This year’s late-September start for Taste of the Santa Ynez Valley also represents the earliest start for the event, during what many consider to be a favorite time of year in the region for the season’s mild temperatures and the buzz of harvest.

“Early fall’s combination of ideal weather and the excitement of harvest has always brought an alluring energy to the region,” Sim said. “There may be no better way to harness that energy than by celebrating over the four days of Taste of the Santa Ynez Valley.”

This year, 5% of all ticket sales for every Taste of the Santa Ynez Valley event benefits People Helping People, a local nonprofit that is a primary provider of human and social services in the region.

For more information on tickets and a full list of Taste of the Santa Ynez Valley events, dates, and times, visit TasteSYV.com.

About the Santa Ynez Valley:
Barely two hours from Los Angeles and a scenic four-hour drive from San Francisco, the Santa Ynez Valley is home to six distinct towns each with its own culture, vibe, and menu of experiences. Blanketed with fruitful farms and vineyards, the California Central Coast wine region’s temperate weather allows for year-round activities of all sorts, spread throughout the historical communities of Ballard, Buellton, Los Alamos, Los Olivos, Santa Ynez, and Solvang. Destination dining and world-class wines await, accompanied by lodging at every level, all painted into atmospheric backdrops that colorfully mesh Old World and Old West. Visit more than 100 wineries, feast on chef-driven cuisine, and enjoy festive events and design details from Victorian-era to mid-century to modern Danish. For more information, including a listing of wedding venues, restaurants, wineries, tasting rooms, and events, go to VisitSYV.com.

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TASTE OF THE SANTA YNEZ VALLEY

Thursday, Sept. 28

  • Los Alamos Wine Tasting Reception at The Maker’s Son, featuring wines from Los Alamos and the Santa Maria Valley: 4-5:30 p.m.
  • Los Alamos Dinner, served on a communal table on Bell Street and showcasing Full of Life Flatbread, Bell’s, PICO, Plenty, and Bob’s Well Bread Bakery and paired with Los Alamos and Santa Maria Valley wines: 6-8 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 29

  • Vino Vaqueros Horseback Riding: 9-11 a.m.
  • Zipline Tour with Highline Adventures: 9-11 a.m.
  • Vineyard Tour & Tasting with Lumen Wines: 9-11 a.m.
  • Los Olivos Wine Tasting Reception at the Coquelicot Tasting Room Courtyard, featuring wines from Los Olivos, Ballard Canyon, Santa Ynez, and Happy Canyon served with local bites: 4-5:30 p.m.
  • Los Olivos Dinner, served on a communal table at The Inn at Mattei’s Tavern. Featuring cuisine from the kitchens of Mattei’s Tavern, Bar Le Cote, S.Y. Kitchen, Los Olivos Wine Merchant Café, and Enjoy Cupcakes, and paired with wines from Los Olivos and Ballard Canyon: 6-8 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 30

  • Horseback Ride and Classic Cowboy Breakfast at Alisal Ranch: 7:15-11:15 a.m.
  • Haywagon Ride and Classic Cowboy Breakfast at Alisal Ranch: 8:30-10:45 a.m.
  • Guided Hike on the Midland School Trail System, led by Midland students: 9-11 a.m.
  • Zipline Tour with Highline Adventures: 9-11 a.m.
  • Create Your Own “Chato” Wine Tumbler with Community Clayworks: 10 a.m.-noon.
  • Buellton Beer-Focused Tasting at Figueroa Mountain Brewing, featuring Santa Ynez Valley craft beer and Sta. Rita Hills and Buellton wines: Noon-3 p.m.
  • Santa Ynez Tasting Reception and Dinner at The Victor’s Coach House. Sample wines from Santa Ynez and Happy Canyon and cuisine from the kitchens of The Victor and other favorite Santa Ynez restaurants: 5:30-8:30 p.m. 

Sunday, Oct. 1

  • Stolpman Hike with Wine Tasting: 9-11 a.m.
  • Zipline Tour with Highline Adventures: 9-11 a.m.
  • Solvang Food and Wine Tasting at Solvang Park, featuring cuisine from the kitchens of Solvang’s favorite restaurants and paired with Santa Ynez Valley wines, local craft beer, and live music: Noon-3 p.m. 

The Grenache Association Welcomes International Grenache Day on Friday, September 15 with LocalWineEvents.com/GrenacheDay

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List your events celebrating Grenache for free at LocalwineEvents.com/GrenacheDay and Find a Celebration Near You 

AVIGNON, France, /PRNewswire/ — The Grenache Association – a not-for-profit coalition of fans of the Grenache grape – welcomes the world to celebrate the 13th International Grenache Day on Friday, September 15, 2023. This annual event, held on the third Friday of every September, has been instrumental in spreading the “gospel of Grenache” through social media initiatives, in-person and virtual wine tastings, and events at wineries, wine shops, wine bars, wine academies, and restaurants.

This year, the Grenache Association welcomes a new partnership with LocalWineEvents.com which created a portal specifically for #GrenacheDay on its website: LocalWineEvents.com/GrenacheDay. Participating venues, industry professionals, and others can post their public events on the site which wine lovers can search for by city or browse all events worldwide.

Local Wine Events is the world’s biggest site for neighborhood wine and food event listings in over 63 countries. Their weekly e-newsletter The Juice reaches over 300,000+ subscribers with an average readership of 500,000 wine and food enthusiasts weekly.

According to LWE founder Eric Orange, “Our mission at Local Wine Events is to make wine events easily accessible wherever you are in the world and to help promote wine shops, restaurants, wineries, and wine! Grenache is one of our favorite varietals and #GrenacheDay is a great opportunity to list fun events to promote it.”

ABOUT GRENACHE: Grenache is planted on six of the seven continents and delivers a “sense of place” or expression of its terroir in every sip. It is enjoyed by wine mavens and newbies who embrace its earthy fruitiness and complexity, long finish, and medium body which translates to a velvety, voluptuous mouthfeel. This versatile varietal is the cornerstone of great wines like Châteauneuf-du-Papes, GSMs, and many rosés.

Laurence Ferraud of Château Pegau loves how Grenache morphs into “1000 variations and nuances,” reflecting the varied soils — pebbles, sand, clay– that give birth to her award-winning wines: “Grenache is our King, no other grape variety matches better the terroir in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. It gives full expressions as it ages, from its deep black fruit to its range of spices. Our Domaine du Pegau wines are 80% Grenache. This grape has been the heart and soul of my family for generations, since the start of Domaine Pegau in 1987 and my own Chateau Pegau since 2012.”

GRENACHE ASSOCIATION: Thanks in part to the Grenache Association’s campaign, Grenache has also been recognized as a major player in the wine world as a standalone single-varietal wine. The late Stephen Spurrier, Michel Bettane, Walter McKinlay of Domaine du Mourchon, and Nicole Sierra-Rolet of Chêne Bleu wines launched #GrenacheDay in 2010 with their grassroots association run by volunteers.

CLIMATE CHANGE WARRIOR: Grenache is considered by many as the most climate-change-friendly grape grown. Its wind and drought-resistant deep root system reaches the water table, making it less dependent on rainwater or irrigation for hydration.

Comments Grenache Association co-founder Nicole Rolet of Chêne Bleu: “More and more superstar winemakers are turning to Grenache to build their blends and even more are embracing it as a single blend wine. The word “Grenache” should be in every wine lover’s lexicon.” 

How to Celebrate #GrenacheDay:

Log an Event: www.localwineevents.com/GrenacheDay

Post #GrenacheDay photos and videos:

Twitter: @grenache_global,

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GrenacheSymposium or Instagram.

Download a #GrenacheDay image:

http://www.grenache-association.com/index.php/grenacheday/ to email to friends, post on your social media, or create an invitation.

Kathryn Hall Harvest Celebration RETURNS SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9

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ST. HELENA, CALIFORNIA –HALL Napa Valley, one of the leading, family-owned Cabernet Sauvignon producers in the country, has announced the date for its annual Kathryn Hall Harvest Celebration. The annual event will be taking place at HALL St. Helena on September 9, 2023. The harvest event, which includes a new, fun theme each year, features the 2020 vintage of HALL’s flagship wine, Kathryn Hall Cabernet Sauvignon.

HALL’S ANNUAL EVENT RETURNS SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9

“Each year, we love celebrating each new Harvest with our flagship wine” says Vintner Kathryn Hall. “With its rich and complex flavors, velvety texture, and elegant structure, this wine represents the culmination of our passion and dedication to producing the finest expressions of Cabernet Sauvignon.”

The Kathryn Hall Harvest Celebration will allow guests to sample the 2020 vintage of Kathryn Hall Cabernet Sauvignon. This year’s theme is Camp Kathryn, where guests will get to experience a favorite summer pastime – summer camp with wine country style. There will be a bevy of camp-inspired activities for guests to take part in, live entertainment and California cuisine stations, including a camp must-have, smores.

The event includes three ticket options for guests to purchase:

  • General Admission Ticket – $150
    12:00pm – 3:00pm
    Guests are invited to celebrate CAMP KATHRYN as HALL releases the 2020 vintage of its flagship Cabernet Sauvignon. This ticket includes admission to all the Camp-inspired fun at the main event.
  • Kathryn Hall Vertical Ticket – $350 (SOLD OUT)
    11:00am – 12:00pm
    The Kathryn Hall Cabernet Sauvignon Vertical Tasting will be hosted by Vintner Kathryn Hall, HALL President, Mike Reynolds and HALL Winemaker, Megan Gunderson. The vertical tasting includes five vintages of Kathryn Hall Cabernet Sauvignon from 2016 – 2020 vintages. This Ticket also includes General Admission access to the main event.

The celebration allows guests to learn more about HALL’s flagship wine, the Kathryn Hall Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine is defined by its core of dark, succulent Sacrashe Vineyard fruit located just above the Rutherford Appellation at the top eastern ridge of the Vaca Mountain range in Napa Valley.

Since the first vintage was produced in 1996, the Kathryn Hall Cabernet Sauvignon wine has been one of the highest rated in HALL’s portfolio, earning over 100 scores rated 90 points and above from the industry’s top critics including The Wine Advocate, Wine Spectator, Wine Enthusiast, Jeb Dunnuck and Vinous. Additionally, Kathryn Hall Cabernet Sauvignon earned the #2 spot in Wine Spectator’s “Top 100” list in 2011.

WHAT: Kathryn Hall “Camp Kathryn” Harvest Celebration

WHEN: Saturday, September 9, 2023

WHERE: HALL St. Helena
401 St. Helena Hwy S.

St. Helena, CA 94574
TICKETS: Tickets can be purchased HERE.

For more information, please visit Kathryn Hall Harvest Celebration, follow on social @hallwines, or by calling 707-967-2626. # # #

HALL produces award-winning Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon at two properties in Napa Valley in St. Helena and Rutherford. Owned by Craig and Kathryn Hall, the winery crafts artisan wines that express the unique and diverse character of the wine country’s soils and climates through meticulous attention to detail in the vineyards and the winemaking process. Led by Vice President of Winemaking, Megan Gunderson, HALL focuses on producing distinctive Cabernet

ABOUT HALL Wines:

Sauvignon bottlings highlighting the finest vineyards and sub-appellations of the Napa Valley. The HALL St. Helena Winery was the first LEED® Gold Certified Winery in the State of California in 2009 and earned another LEED® Gold certification for its high-tech production facility and Tasting Room in 2014, making HALL a leader in green efficiencies. For more information about HALL, please visit www.hallwines.com or by calling 707.967.2626. @hallwines #artofcabernet.

Eve Asks: What Books Did Your Book Club Enjoy Most With Wine…Extra points if it was a wine- themed book!

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It’s become somewhat of a joke, book club meetings that are really just opportunities for people to get together over wine, aka the wine club meeting. But it made me wonder, what kind of books – and what wines – might have been people’s favorites during those meetings? So, I did what I sometimes do, I took the question to social media to find out. This was my post:

Hello wine lovers…and book lovers! Today’s round-up question is two, possibly three, fold: I know a lot of you enjoy your book club meetings for the wine more than the books – if we’re being honest here – but what I want to know is what books have been your favorites to discuss over wine? And what wines were the most memorable at those meetings?

Maybe because my question was a bit too specific, I didn’t have a lot of good answers to share. Mostly the lol emoji type stuff. But I bided my time and the best answer, and a nice list of wine-themed books to read, came from fellow WSET wine educator Dana Kramer:

I am in a Wine Club that reads books… at least that is what my husband, Chris Kramer calls it. We meet every other month and have done so for years with about a dozen women.

Whomever hosts typically serves wine, and other beverages… but the most fun is the host makes dinner or snacks based on something in the book. We do discuss the books at our club meeting, but we always have a nice time getting together. During COVID we met in a cul-de-sac and brought our own wine and snacks. LOL.

When I host, I usually have a wine themed book and select the wines based on the book. I also pair the wine with what was featured in the book if possible.

These are some well-received books in my club:

The Vineyards of Champagne, Juliet Blackwell

The Winemaker’s Wife, Kristin Harmel

The Vintner’s Daughter, Kristin Harnisch

The Lost Vintage, Ann Mah

The Winemakers, Jan Moran

While there are lots of wine related books in my library, these are some of my recommended relaxing reads in no particular order…

These Tangled Vines, Julian Maclean

Vertical, Rex Pickett

Sideways, Rex Pickett

Sideways 3 – Chile, Rex Pickett

A Good Year, Peter Mayle

The Vineyard, Barbara Delinsky

Judgment of Paris, George Taber

The Billionaire’ Vinegar, Benjamin Wallace

The Ripening Sun, ViIrginia Atkinson

The House of Mondavi, Julia Flinn Siler

I drive between 400-500 miles a week, so I get books on Audible. It is fun to compare my Audible experience with those who read the book.

Cheers.

Then I asked Dana, what about the wines, anything memorable: Actually, when we read the Vineyards of Champagne, we had several types of Veuve Clicquot. While the sparkles in my glass were very good, what was most interesting was the story of the widow and women making it during WWI.

Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a “certification in the 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 Proof Awards, Cellarmasters, LA Wine Competition, Long Beach Grand Cru and the Global Wine Awards. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits.