Casanova di Neri Wine + Chef Giancarla Bodoni at Bar Toscana = A Taste of Tuscany

December 6, 2019 by evebushman

It was one of the nights that I will not be forgetting anytime soon. I knew we would have “lovely hors d’oeuvres made by Chef Giancarla, accompanied by the Casanova di Neri wine tasting” at one of my favorite places: Bar Toscana, but I was ill-prepared for tasting a Brunello di Montalcino that had not yet been released, never had food made by Chef Giancarla Bodoni that came all the way from the “Medieval village” created by Monteverdi Tuscany or met up with the movers and shakers for all three businesses.

Di Neri on the left, Chef Giancarla in white and a bit of Chef Luca on the right.

Just hitting the key points and heavy hitters blew my mind, here is my Facebook post:

W O W. It was one of those nights that can’t be covered in one social media post or one article. The short story is: we were one of the first in the U.S. to taste the 2015 Casanova di Neri Tenuta Nuova Brunello di Montalcino well before the 2020 release, meet and learn from 3rd generation family member and general manager Gianlorenzo Neri, meet and taste foods made by Executive Chef Giancarla Bodoni of Monteverdi Tuscany – a boutique hotel and culinary academy, meet Michael L. Cioffi the owner of Monteverdi Tuscany, get a chance to say hello to Kathie and Mike Gordon the owners of Toscana, Bar Toscana and S.Y. Kitchen (and vintners as well), and Chef Luca Crestanelli of S.Y. Kitchen…

Casanova di Neri Tenuta Nuova was a Wine of the Year by Wine Spectator, 100/100 from Robert Parker and 100/100 from James Suckling…to name just a few of their accolades. (Public Facebook link for photos are here.)

More Details

Fearful of missing anything, below you will find excerpts of news sent to me regarding each involved – Casanova di Neri, Monteverdi Tuscany and Toscana. These are just some of the notes I made at the event:

Gianlorenzo Neri, the third generation of the Neri family to work the winery, said that the 2015 is one of the best they’ve made in the past 20 to 25 years, with incredible potential for aging and drinkability now. The consortium had to approve the early release for the tastings, and had slapped a “sample” label on the bottles.

The vineyard was previously home to sheep before Neri’s grandfather planted grapevines there, the name roughly translates to Farmers of the Neri Family, and their home and offices are all in the same place. Neri said that he and his brother attended a high school for winemakers.

This tasting was part of a Taste of Tuscany tour through Brentwood, Santa Ynez and Napa Valley; introducing wine lovers to the new wine and food pairings by Executive Chef Giancarla Bodoni of Monteverdi Tuscany. Hotel owner Michael L. Cioffi commented that everything comes from the land, “the Tuscany of your dreams” with a landscape of green and gold that show vineyards, olive trees, and poppies. It all “reflects the majesty of the land.” The hotel is made from all reclaimed materials (part was a former school building and restored village) as it’s “important to part of the land they’re in.” It was “the land that captivated” Cioffi, just like the Neri family captivated him. Besides their marvelous Chef Giancarla in residence at Monteverdi Tuscany, famed Chef Nancy Silverton will be coming in March to cook at their academy. Chef Giancarla added, “Food grows everywhere” in Italy and she “ loves to teach, to share…is (her) true heart and soul.”

Restaurateur Kathie Gordon said that they take great pleasure in feeding people…and creating an enjoyable evening to remember; Casanova di Neri does the same thing with their wines. (Later Kathie shared their own wine: 2014 “Cocobacio”, Dove Meadow Vineyard, Bellebob Slope, Los Olivos District. The wine is a red blend of estate grown grapes, this vintage was 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Sangiovese and 30% Syrah with 13.9% alcohol. The wines are cellared and bottled for them at Andrew Murray Vineyards. It was a lovely wine and available only at their restaurants.)

2015 Casanova di Neri Tenuta Nuova Brunello di Montalcino Tasting Notes

Velvety aromas of plum, black pepper, figs, earth and a hint of eucalyptus followed by flavors of red to black fruit, bright but with good tannins, structure and balance. The bottle had been open for a few hours but not decanted.

About Casanova di Neri

Founded in 1971 by Giovanni Neri, Casanova di Neri Winery has become one of the most respected wineries in all of Italy. Upon the passing of Giovanni, his son, Giacomo, took over the reins in 1991 and today is recognized as one of the wine industry’s most influential producers. Wine critic James Suckling calls Giacomo “one of the masters of Brunello.”

This family-run cellar owes its success to a solid track record of powerful, luxuriant Brunellos and to the exclusive crus, Tenuta Nuova and Cerretalto… the wines of Casanova di Neri are renowned for their elegant, modern style and enjoy a steady flow of accolades from specialty magazines and contests the world over. In 2006, the Wine Spectator named their Brunello di Montalcino Tenuta Nuova 2001 the #1 Wine in the World, calling it “one of the best examples of the recent winemaking renaissance in Tuscany.” Casanova di Neri wines repeatedly score 100-points.

About Monteverdi Tuscany

Monteverdi Tuscany is a luxury boutique hotel centrally located between Rome and Florence, offering stunning panoramic views of the Val d’Orcia region of Tuscany, a UNESCO World Heritage Site…the six-year-old hotel is not confined within a single building but instead is dispersed throughout an idyllic, medieval village, with rooms and suites tucked in among authentic and fastidiously maintained properties. With its transformative restoration complete, the hotel now comprises eighteen individual rooms and suites plus three elegantly appointed villas…in addition, Monteverdi Tuscany boasts an award-winning farm-to-table restaurant, a Culinary Academy, a piano lounge and terrace bar, a separate enoteca and Library Bar, outdoor swimming pool and indoor heated spa pool, an award-winning holistic spa, yoga studio, a modern gym, an art gallery, and a beautifully restored 700-year-old church that serves as Monteverdi’s performing arts venue.

About Toscana

The talented culinary team at Toscana has firm Italian roots. Executive Chef Luca Crestanelli was born and raised in Verona, Italy, where he received his Culinary Arts degree…he was invited to work for the Gordon family, launching Bar Toscana in 2010. In 2013 the three partnered to open a third restaurant, S.Y. Kitchen in Santa Ynez, California.

The Gordons are grateful for the longevity of their restaurant and are actively involved in the management of Toscana, the adjacent Bar Toscana, Nerano in Beverly Hills and S.Y. Kitchen in Santa Ynez, California where they call 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.

Visionary Chilean Winery VIK Awarded 2019 Wine Star

December 4, 2019 by evebushman

SANTIAGO, Chile /PRNewswire/ — Wine Enthusiast Magazine revealed their 20th Annual Wine Star Awards this past month, naming VIK, in Millahue Chile, the inaugural Wine Star for ‘Best Winery Experience.’ The award celebrates wineries offering more than just superb wines in a beautiful setting, but those that provide an unforgettable immersion in wine lifestyle.

Photo from VIK’s Facebook page.

VIK is the first winery to be awarded this accolade. Wine Enthusiast Founder and Publisher Adam Strum extolled the achievement, saying, “From world-class pours and exceptional food to stunning architecture, boutique accommodations, cultural activities and more, VIK goes above and beyond offering one-of-a-kind, wine-centric wine tourism experiences.” Wine Star Award winners reflect the industry’s highest standards. Winners will be featured in the magazine’s December 31st Best-of-Year issue, and at January gala.

VIK is meticulously curated and designed to delight. Guests visiting for the day or staying at one of three spectacular on-site accommodations, Vik Chile, Puro Vik, or the Vik Cabin can explore the vineyard on horseback, taste a flight of exquisite wines at the altar to VIK, and learn culinary techniques from VIK’s exceptional and inspired Chef. “VIK redefines what a luxury winery experience can be,” said the winery Co-Founder Carrie Vik. “Awards like the Wine Star show how close we are to achieving our goal of joining the pantheon of the world’s great wines.” Visionary entrepreneurs Alexander and Carrie Vik trail-blazed Chile’s Millahue Valley, planting the first commercial vines in 2006, opening the Vik Chile retreat in 2014 and releasing the first VIK vintage to the public in 2015.

To visit the winery and reserve a tasting or book accommodations at Vik Chile, visit www.vik.cl.

About VIK
VIK is changing the world of fine wine. A pioneer of Chile’s Millahue Valley, located within the Cachapoal Valley, VIK is one of the most highly-awarded new vineyards in the world. Guided by holism and the stewardship of nature, the winery and vineyard employ exclusively sustainable practices. VIK wines are available internationally both through the winery website and through valued trade partners. First planted in 2006, VIK wines have been recognized with critical acclaim and are featured on leading Top 100 lists. To learn more, visit www.vik.cl

FireFly Farms, Among the Most-Awarded in the US, Proudly Celebrates Another 15 Awards for its Handmade Cheeses in 2019

November 25, 2019 by evebushman

ACCIDENT, MD. (PRWEB) – FireFly Farms, nationally and internationally-awarded maker of artisan cheese, proudly celebrates another successful year earning fifteen new individual awards won by its acclaimed line of cheeses in national and international cheese judging programs in 2019. Six of these awards were earned at October’s World Cheese Awards, making FireFly Farms one of the most awarded cheese makers in the United States.

Moo and Blue cheese from FireFly Farms website

“It has been a great year for FireFly Farms,” remarked National Sales Director, Cristi Menard. “These fifteen new awards bring FireFly Farms’s individual award count to a staggering one hundred and twenty!”

“FireFly Farms is proud of its respected place among American cheese makers,” remarked FireFly Farms’ President Mike Koch. “American cheese making is booming, and the quality of American cheeses now rivals that of our European peers. We’re proud that as the competitions grow, FireFly Farms’ cheeses continue to be recognized among the very best!”

The cheese judging programs recognizing FireFly Farms’ cheeses included:

The Good Food Awards hosted by the Good Food Foundation and held in January in San Francisco, California. The Good Food Awards were created to redefine ‘good food’ as being tasty, authentic and responsible.
The American Cheese Society Competition & Judging, the leading competition of American-made cheeses which takes place each year in conjunction with the annual American Cheese Society conference. The ACS cheese judging, held in July in Richmond, Virginia, is the largest annual competition held in the United States with nearly two-thousand individual entries from hundreds of American cheese manufacturers. Three awards were earned by FireFly Farms at the 2019 ACS Competition and Judging.
The Maryland Cheese Guild’s annual Maryland Artisan Cheese Contest held in conjunction with the Maryland Wine Festival annually in September at the Carroll County Farm Museum. Five awards were earned by FireFly Farms at the 2019 Maryland Artisan Cheese Contest.
The World Cheese Awards hosted by The Guild of Fine Food in the United Kingdom and held this year in October in Bergamo, Italy. This worldwide event is the largest cheese competition on the planet. Six awards were earned by FireFly Farms at the 2019 World Cheese Awards, making it one of the most highly recognized cheese makers in the United States.

Ten of FireFly Farm’s cheeses, including four recently launched cheeses, were recognized with new awards this year:

Piloted in 2015 and launched this year, its soft-ripened cow’s milk cheese Bloomy Breeze received a prestigious Super Gold Medal at the World Cheese Awards. The Super Gold designation was awarded to eighty-four cheeses in this year’s competition, only six of which are manufactured in the United States.
Piloted in 2015 and launched this year, its long-aged cow’s milk blue cheese Moo & Blue received a prestigious gold medal at the World Cheese Awards and a second gold medal in the Maryland Cheese Guild’s Artisan Cheese Contest.
Launched in 2017 for FireFly Farms’ fifteenth anniversary, its soft-ripened spruce-banded goat’s milk cheese Merry Goat Round Spruce Reserve received a gold medal and a Judge’s Choice Award in the Maryland Cheese Guild’s Artisan Cheese Contest and a bronze medal in the World Cheese Awards.
Launched this year, FireFly Farms’ herby harissa flavored fresh goat cheese received a bronze medal in the Maryland Cheese Guild’s Artisan Cheese Contest.
FireFly Farms’ fresh goat cheese received a silver medal in the Maryland Cheese Guild’s Artisan Cheese Contest.
Its soft-ripened goat’s milk cheese, and one if its three originally launched products, MountainTop received a Good Food Award and a bronze medal in the World Cheese Awards. These two new awards bring MountainTop’s total individual award count to thirty – FireFly Farms’ single most-awarded cheese. Previous awards include a 2005 selection by Saveur Magazine editors as one of their 50 favorite American cheeses and its international recognition at the World Cheese Awards in 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2013, 2014, and now 2019.
Its washed-rind goat’s milk cheese Cabra LaMancha received a third-place award in the American Cheese Society Competition & Judging and a silver medal in the World Cheese Awards. These two new awards bring Cabra LaMancha’s total individual award count to twenty-two. Previous awards include a 2005 selection by Southern Foodways Alliance as one of the “Top 10” American goat’s milk cheeses and its international recognition at the World Cheese Awards in 2008, 2009, 2012, 2015, and now 2019.
Its long-aged goat’s milk blue cheese Black & Blue received a second-place award in the American Cheese Society Competition & Judging. This new award brings Black & Blue’s total individual award count to twenty. Previous awards include a total of seven first-place finishes in the ADGA commercial products competition in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2015 and 2016.
Its long-aged goat’s milk Italian-style cheese Bella Vita received a second-place award in the American Cheese Society Competition & Judging in the ACS’s highly competitive Italian-style cheese category open to all milk-types. This new award brings Bella Vita’s total individual award count to thirteen. Previous awards include a 2010 first-place award at the American Cheese Society Competition & Judging, and a Super Gold Medal at the 2010 World Cheese Awards

“These fifteen new awards for our handmade cheeses are just fantastic,” commented FireFly Farm’s head cheese maker, Dan Porter. “We are especially proud of the recognition for our newly launched cow’s milk cheeses. It’s so nice to see the efforts of farmers and our cheese makers recognized.”

About FireFly Farms Inc.
Founded in 2000 by partners Mike Koch and Pablo Solanet, FireFly Farms now comprises a community of cheese makers and cheese mongers dedicated to making excellent cheese and creating value for their regional farming community as well as Garrett County Maryland’s rural economy. They are committed to ensuring their operations are sustainable and protect our natural environment for future generations. FireFly Farms is a proud member of the Maryland Cheese Guild and the American Cheese Society. They enthusiastically support the growth of sustainable farming, food production, and artisan cheese making in their region and across the nation.

FINGER LAKES WINE COUNTRY RECOGNIZED AS BEST WINE REGION 2019

October 7, 2019 by evebushman

FINGER LAKES WINE COUNTRY, N.Y. — Finger Lakes Wine Country has once again been recognized as the Best Wine Region by USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. The region was named the Best Wine Region in 2018 as well. Over a period of 28 days, readers voted for their favorite wine region through USA Today’s online poll. The Finger Lakes region competed against nineteen other wine regions across the United States; the Top 10 being recognized by USA Today as the best, with the Finger Lakes taking the highest honor once again.

President of Finger Lakes Wine Country, Laury Ward, expressed excitement at the news and stated, “To receive this honorable award two years in a row is a testament to our local community of farmers, winemakers, and hospitality ambassadors. And to the many visitors, who, through word of mouth, and passion-driven branding and marketing of the region, have discovered and fallen in love with our stunning destination.”

Finger Lakes Wine Country is named for the long, slender glacially-carved lakes that contribute to the exceptional terroir that is characteristic to the region. It is home to more than 140 wineries that feature a diverse selection of cool-climate wines including Riesling, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Noir, among many others. Our picturesque landscape entices visitors from around the globe to discover our world-class wine, award-winning craft beverages, historic small towns and welcoming communities, local gastronomy, and the perfect backdrop for year-round outdoor recreation.

For more information, please visit www.FingerLakesWineCountry.com. Find us on social media! @FLXwinecountry #myFLX

Trentodoc Sets the Italian Record

September 25, 2019 by evebushman

NEW YORK (PRWEB) – Italy has set a record at the annual Champagne and Sparkling Wine World Championships (CSWWC), which is regarded as the most comprehensive and rigorous international wine competition of its kind. For the first time since the contest’s beginning in 2014, Italy, led by Trentodoc with 27 Gold medals, has won the most medals of any other country, proving its consistent improvement in quality and importance on the global wine stage.

In 2019, Trentodoc once again claimed the spot as Italy’s top sparkling wine denomination with a total of 27 Gold and 19 Silver medals, up from 22 Gold medals in 2018. Additionally, a Trentodoc producer was awarded the title “Sparkling Winery of the Year,” an affirmation of the wine region’s place among the finest producers of sparkling wines in the world.

According to the CSWWC, 2019 was truly a “record-breaking year,” which holds true not just for Trentodoc wines, but for Italy and the competition as a whole. This year saw an increase in entries of over 30% and a total of 185 Gold and 212 Silver medals awarded to participants from 18 countries. Italy doubled its entries and officially claimed the largest-ever national haul of medals with a total of 71 Golds and 92 Silvers awarded.

“The competition’s results are a clear sign that the Trentodoc wine appellation is growing not only in terms of numbers, but also in quality,” says Enrico Zanoni, President of the Trento Doc Institute, the association representing 53 Trentodoc wine producers from the northern Italian region of Trentino. “Trentodoc sparkling wines are being internationally recognized as among the best sparkling wines in the world and as the perfect expression of the area’s mountain environment and excellence in winemaking.”

Trentodoc wines are differentiated by the mountain environment, ties to tradition, and long aging potential. The cool temperatures from the Dolomites, the mitigating effect of the nearby Lake Garda, the high altitude where vineyards are grown – between 656 and 2952 feet above the sea level – and the soils rich in limestone and silica are key factors contributing to the unique freshness, acidity, and elegance of these sparkling wines.

Istituto Trento Doc works closely with Masters of Wine and AIS (Italian Sommelier Association) to communicate these unique characteristics and promote education of Trentodoc, bestowing the Trentodoc Award Best Sommelier of Italy to the country’s most accomplished sommelier each year. Trentodoc’s first-place performance in the CSWWC shows that this sparkling wine from the mountains continues to claim high international regard.

To learn more about Trentodoc: Sparkling Wine from the Mountains, visit http://www.trentodoc.com/en/.

About Trentodoc:
Founded in 1984, the Istituto Trentodoc promotes and safeguards the wines of Trentodoc, a denomination that now represents 53 sparkling wine producers from the Trentino region in northern Italy. Giulio Ferrari first began producing sparkling wine there in 1902 after visiting the Champagne region of France. The Trentodoc denomination was established in 1993 and is the first Italian DOC to produce only Classic Method sparkling wines. In 2007, the collective Trentodoc trademark was created, allowing the sparkling wines of Trentino designated as Trento D.O.C. to use it, thereby relaying the origin, connection with the territory, and excellence of Italy’s unique sparkling wine.

U.S. supermarket wines are catching up with European counterparts

September 16, 2019 by evebushman

NEW YORK /PRNewswire/ — U.S. supermarket wines, once considered to be poorly made and rarely worth drinking, scored a major success at the 2019 International Salute to Excellence awards for private label in Amsterdam, winning seven top honors in the category.

Getty images

The award-winning wines were:

From Costco: Kirkland Signature Bordeaux Supérieur 2016 (Bordeaux, $10), best quality; Kirkland Signature Asolo Prosecco NV (Italy, $10). best value.

From Trader Joe’s: Trader Joe’s organic Grower’s Reserve Merlot 2017 (California, $5), best quality; Trader Joe’s Platinum Reserve Pinot Noir 2017 (Russian River Valley, $15), best quality.

From Aldi US: Evanta Malbec 2017 (Argentina, $4), best value; Scarlet Path Zinfandel 2017 (Lodi, $8), best quality; Outlander Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 (Paso Robles, $9), best quality.

This is the best performance ever recorded for wines sold exclusively by U.S. supermarkets, more than doubling the number of 2018 winners. The showing demonstrates that U.S. private label wines continue to get closer to their European counterparts in terms of value and quality – especially among wines costing less than $15. This matters because wines that are sold exclusively by European supermarkets have long been considered among the best wine in the world at combining those two things.

“Don’t overlook private label store wines,” said Washington Post wine columnist Dave McIntrye, one of 18 international judges who participated in the 2019 wine awards program. “These were good value, high quality bottlings. Some stores are doing a great job sourcing really good juice.”

Wines were judged in 25 categories by varietal, style, and appellation, and each category was judged for best quality and best value. The 18 men and women who judged the competition came from around the world, and included Masters of Wines, sommeliers, winemakers, wine writers, wine educators, and retailers. They judged 350 wines from 40 retailers in 11 countries.

To see all results for the 2019 judging, visit www.plmasalute.com/wine-awards. The international Salute to Excellence Wine Awards are a competition sponsored by the Private Label Manufacturers Association, with offices in New York and Amsterdam. Founded in 1979, PLMA today represents 4,000 companies who are involved in the manufacture and distribution of store brand products in foods and beverages, as well as home and health products. PLMA sponsors two trade shows annually in Chicago and Amsterdam.

Lusso Della Terra Cellars Wins Top People’s Choice

September 12, 2019 by evebushman

Lusso Della Terra Cellars won first place in the People’s Choice Award at the 21st annual Winemakers’ Cookoff in Paso Robles on August 10. It was the winery’s first year participating in the Paso Robles Rotary sponsored event, which was held at the Paso Robles Event Center.

The owner and winemaker, Edward Cholakian, helped serve up Texas Beef Sliders alongside Cali Grill chefs, Marlynna and Adam Farleas. The sliders featured Texas beef, bacon, cheddar, onion straws, house-made barbecue sauce, on a toasted brioche bun, served with Cali Grill’s famous waffle fries, and was paired with Lusso Della Terra Cellars’ 2016 Barrel Select Cabernet Sauvignon.

Cholakian was proud to win the top award at the competition, which pits area winemakers in competition with each other, serving grilled masterpieces alongside their best wine in order to raise funds each year for local high school scholarships. “We were so thrilled to be apart of this amazing community event,” Cholakian said about participating. “We couldn’t have done it without our amazing staff and the staff from Cali Grill. They all worked hard to make this event unforgettable.”

The winemaker said he was also grateful to the event coordinators, who helped make their first year worthwhile. “This is an unforgettable event, we hope to continue participating in the future,” he said.

Lusso Della Terra Cellars is a boutique winery located in the Paso Robles AVA. Their small lot, specialty wines win competitions across the country and please wine connoisseurs from around the world. Their winery is located in San Miguel’s rolling hills, and they provide a luxurious experience for visitors, a space for private events, and vineyard backdrops for small, intimate weddings. Lusso Della Terra also provides full service Custom Crush to a variety of clients, and they work with winemakers from around the world, large and small.

Edward Cholakian is a Paso Robles area winemaker and has been making wine locally for over 10 years. A graduate from Sonoma State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Edward began his wine industry career on the accounting side of winery operations after graduation. He worked for an inspirational Italian winemaking family in the Russian River Valley that showed him the true wine industry lifestyle; he inevitably fell in love and the rest is history. Cholakian went to UC Davis and received a degree in Enology and named his winery Lusso Della Terra, Italian for luxury of the land, to honor their family.

Cali Grill is a family owned and operated restaurant and has been part of the Central Coast Community for over 40 years. Their home style Cooking is fresh and delicious, and the restaurant’s atmosphere is perfect for a business lunch, or a family dinner.

For more information on Lusso Della Terra Cellars, visit https://ldtcellars.com/.

For more information on Cali Grill, visit http://www.caligrillpaso.com/.

Clavey Vineyard and Winery Wins Top Placements with Wine Enthusiast, Sunset International Wine Competition, and Monterey International Wine Competition

September 11, 2019 by evebushman

NEVADA CITY, Calif. (PRWEB) – Grass Valley-based boutique winery, Clavey Vineyards & Winery, has won top placements from three prestigious establishments: Wine Enthusiast Magazine, Sunset International Wine Competition, and Monterey International Wine Competition.

Wine Enthusiast (will appear in late summer issues)

2015 Syrah – 90 pts
2015 Sangiovese – 91 pts
2016 Rose – 89 pts
2015 Class III – 86 pts

Sunset International Wine Competition

2016 Sangiovese – Gold Award
2016 Syrah – Bronze Award

Monterey International Wine Competition

2015 Sangiovese – 92 pts
2015 Class III – 90 pts

This brings us to 13 awards to date for 2019, including recognition from the esteemed San Francisco Chronicles, West Coast Wine Competition, and the Jefferson Cup Invitational among others.

“My wife Summer and I are excited to bring our boutique winery on a national stage,” says Executive Winemaker Josh Orman. “We are very proud that our family-owned winery is furthering the Sierra Foothill appellation on the wine map. Our dream is to bring more delicious natural wine options to the public.”

From the Sierra Foothills in Northern California, Clavey Vineyards & Winery specializes in unfiltered and unfined wines that are Certified Vegan. With a growing portfolio of award-winning wines, Clavey’s eco-friendly wines are ideal for environmentally conscious wine consumers and those with dietary restrictions.

These wines are now available in several locations including our Tasting Room in Nevada City, the Sacramento Natural Foods Co-Op, and online at http://www.claveywine.com.

For more about Clavey, please visit http://www.claveywine.com or connect with us on Facebook and Instagram.

Vintage Eve Circa 9/2016: A Trio to Taste From Paso’s Oso Libre

September 10, 2019 by evebushman

After regrettably missing out on a wine luncheon orchestrated by Cori Solomon of the #LAWineWriters Cori reached out to the winery and connected me so that I could review a few samples from home. The winery: Oso Libre in Paso Robles.

A Teaser

Nestled in the Santa Lucia Mountains on the far western edge of Paso Robles’ acclaimed Adelaida district, Oso Libre Winery is fast gaining recognition for its rich, complex wines and for the unusual microclimate of the sustainably farmed vineyards that produce them. This small, family-owned estate lies just 10 miles from the Pacific Ocean, which is consistently cooler than the rest of Paso Robles and is proving ideal for Cabernet Sauvignon, Rhone varieties and Primitivo.

Owners Chris and Linda Behr acquired the 90-acre property in 1996 when it was raw land and set about developing it into a sustainable working cattle ranch and vineyard. After more than 10 years of getting to know the region, understanding the property’s unique microclimates and learning how to grow grape vines and make wine, the couple was ready to embark on their next phase—a winery. Their son Jeff Freeland and his wife Elizabeth, with their twin daughters, moved north from Los Angeles in 2007 and two years later the family winery opened for business. (‘Oso Libre’ is Spanish for ‘free bear,’ a combination of their last names and a nod to Linda’s Hispanic heritage.)

Tasting – Aromas and flavors divided by ;

2012 Nativo (100% Estate Primitivo)

Dark browned plum in color. Spiced red apple, plums, dark cherry, mushroom, earth and dark cocoa; bright red fruit, cracked black pepper, dry and good tannins. 90 Eve pts.

2012 Carnal (Grenache, Petite Sirah, Syrah)

Blackberry in color. Smokey blue to black fruit including blueberry, blackberry, black plum, cigar, grilled mushrooms, grilled meat, spice rack; same dark and robust fruit, dust, black pepper, firm balanced tannins. Want another bottle. 92 Eve pts.

2012 Vino d’Oro (Chardonnay)

The color of pale yellow hay. Oak, Meyer lemon, cantaloupe melon unsalted butter; viscous, both cream and tang from the oak, lemon with a long finish. 89 Eve pts.

Visiting Oso Libre

With its distinctive Central Coast location, award-winning wines and picturesque working ranch and vineyards, a visit to Oso Libre Winery offers guests much more than wine. Just off Highway 46 towards Hearst Castle, the mountain setting boasts outdoor patio seating just steps from the vines. The SIP-certified (Sustainability in Progress) estate is powered by solar panels and a wind machine, and Oso Libre practices sustainability in all areas of the business. A spacious and welcoming tasting room is open every day except Tuesdays, and visitors are encouraged to take their time tasting and learning about Oso Libre’s limited production wines. An impressive display of 54 bottles on the tasting room wall, one from each of their neighboring wineries, emphasizes the close ties Oso Libre has to its fellow vintners and the community spirit they all enjoy. The winery is dog and kid-friendly and families can view the “working partners” grazing in the pastoral, mountainous ranch setting. Wine club members are treated to the locally raised dry-aged beef at member gatherings and special events at the winery.

Oso Libre’s wines not only offer a sense of terroir of this coveted Central Coast region, they also embody the winery’s blended beliefs of commitment to sustainability, craftsmanship and charity. Oso Libre prides itself in creating a sustainable and healthy ecosystem for every component of its working ranch.

Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust, a “certification in first globally-recognized course” as an American Wine Specialist ® from the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), 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.

The New York Wine and Grape Foundation Announces Winners of the 2019 New York Wine Classic

September 9, 2019 by evebushman

NEW YORK /PRNewswire/ — The New York Wine & Grape Foundation (NYWGF) has announced the winners of the 34th Annual New York Wine Classic. The New York Wine Classic took place on August 5^th – 7^th in Watkins Glen, NY and included entries from 113 wineries from across the state. Six Mile Creek Vineyard from the Finger Lakes region took home the most prestigious award of the competition, The Governor’s Cup, with their 2016 Cabernet Franc. Additionally, the esteemed “Winery of the Year” award was presented to Wagner Vineyards of the Finger Lakes region. The Specialty Wine Champion award, reserved for wines made of fruit or meads, was given to Johnson Estate Winery for their Passionate Peach fruit wine.

The Governor’s Cup, a large silver chalice, recognizes the “Best of Show” or top prize in the New York Wine Classic. The “Winery of the Year” award is presented to the winery with the best overall showing based on the level and number of awards in relation to entries. The Governor’s Cup and Winery of the Year winners will be presented with their awards at a special event later this summer.

Known as “The Oscars®” of New York wine competitions, the Classic is organized by the New York Wine & Grape Foundation. This year the competition included 883 New York Wines from across the state. A total of 31 Double Gold, 56 Gold, 278 Silver, and 320 Bronze medals were awarded by a panel of more than 20 expert judges consisting of influential wine writers, wine educators, retailers, restaurateurs and experts from around the state and globe.

“The New York Wine Classic is one of our largest annual events honoring the best of New York Wines. We are thrilled with the turnout this year. The Classic and our annual NY Drinks NY events continue to help New York shine as a truly exciting and innovative wine region,” said Sam Filler, Executive Director, New York Wine & Grape Foundation.

Regional events and wine dinners hosted by the New York Wine & Grape Foundation will run throughout 2019. Event details will be listed on www.newyorkwines.org this summer.

The New York Wine & Grape Foundation is also proud to announce the following “Best of Category” winners:

Best Sparkling Wine
Harbes Vineyard, Blanc de Blancs

Best White Wine
Wagner Vineyards, 2017 Dry Riesling, Estate Grown

Best Rosé Wine
Coffee Pot Cellars, 2018 Rosé

Best Red Wine
Six Mile Creek Vineyard, 2016 Cabernet Franc

Best Dessert Wine
Vineyard View Winery, 2017 Ice Wine

Click here to view the full list of winners from the New York Wine Classic including complete “Best of Class” awards, given to Double Gold or Gold medal wines in classes of at least seven wines.

About The New York Wine Classic
The New York Wine Classic was created and is annually hosted by The New York Wine & Grape Foundation. Open to all New York State wineries, categories include vinifera wines like Riesling and Cabernet Franc, and hybrid wines like Traminette and Maréchal Foch. The contest also includes categories for wines made from labrusca grapes, other fruits, and honey.

About The New York Wine & Grape Foundation (NYWGF)
The New York Wine & Grape Foundation promotes the world-class image of New York grapes and wines from the state’s diverse regions to responsibly benefit farmers, producers and consumers through innovative marketing, research, communication, and advocacy. Learn more at www.newyorkwines.org.