North of the Gate Wine Competition Announces Award Winning Wines

May 30, 2018 by evebushman Leave a Comment

PETALUMA, Calif. (PRWEB) – Of the 302 wines entered in the North of the Gate Wine Competition in Petaluma, California an unprecedented 294 were honored with awards. And yet despite the overall quality of the wines entered, this year’s esteemed judging panel of 12 had no trouble at all selecting just one overall winner. This year’s Best of Show was awarded to Lewis Grace’s 2015 Petite Sirah, which also won Best of Show Red, Best of Class, Best of El Dorado County, and a Double Gold award.

The North of the Gate Wine Competition, produced by the Sonoma-Marin Fair held June 20-24, 2018, is known for attracting high end luxury wines. Competing wines come from grapes grown in the wonderful Sierra Foothills all across Northern California to the beautiful California Coast. We have the consistently best wine producing regions in the world. More and more varietals are being grown and this year the judges had a difficult time awarding the best wines since so many were exceptional.

Not only is the competition one of the oldest to include all of Northern California’s unique wine regions, but it also has one of the highest esteemed judging panels. This year four panels of professional wine judges met on April 26 to determine which would be worthy of their accolades.

The Best of Show White Wine was a racey 2017 Albarino from Imagery Estate Winery with bright acidity that enhances its peach and citrus flavors. It has won top awards at many wine competitions and should not be missed.

Rosé wines are making a come back and just in time for summer. This wine judging category has exploded and the Best of Show Rosé Wine was a beautifully colored 2017 Rosé of Pinot Noir made by Rodney Strong Vineyards. It is fresh and vibrant with aromas of strawberry and white peach as well as fresh acidity and a lasting juicy finish.

The Best of Show Red Wine also won the top award: Best of Show Wine, highlighting the incredible wine-making skills of two brothers: Trevor and Tyler Grace from the El Dorado region. Their 2015 Lewis Grace Petite Sirah steps out with an intense maroon color and an equally complex boysenberry and cedar nose. The friendly pomegranate opening and chocolate finish complement it’s characteristic peppery kick.

Winery owner Steve Grace received this highly coveted accolade humbly by sharing, “we are more than thrilled with the results. While it is a small competition compared to some, the judging panel is superb and it’s great to have exposure to that group.”

Case in point, last year Grace Patriot Wines received multiple awards including the Sweepstakes Award for their 2016 El Dorado Rosé of Pinot Noir.

Among the best by county this year were Brassfield Estate Winery 2016 Sauvignon Blanc for Best of Lake County, Handley Cellars 2015 Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir for Best of Mendocino County, My Italian Cousin 2015 Eugenio for Best of Napa County, Oak Farm Vineyards 2016 Tievoli for Best of San Joaquin County, Grindstone Wines 2017 Rosé of Syrah for Best of Colusa County, Lewis Grace 2017 Torrontes was Best for Sacramento County, and Schug Carneros Estate Winery 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon for Best of Sonoma County.

For a complete list of this year’s North of the Gate Wine Competition winners and more information on this year’s judging panel, please visit sonoma-marinfair.org.

Wine tasting of the top medal winners will be available during the Sonoma-Marin Fair in the beautifully landscaped Wine Garden. The best of the best will be poured on Saturday, June 23 during the fair’s annual Taste of the North Gate. Guests can mingle with wine makers, enjoy live music, and partake in a cheese and chocolate pairing. A separate ticket will be required and available for purchase at the gate the day of and in advance online.

The 2018 Sonoma-Marin Fair will be taking the summer fun “Beyond the Milky Way” from June 20-24, 2018. Enjoy 5 fun-filled days of FREE concerts, unlimited carnival rides, the World’s Ugliest Dog ® Contest, action-packed Pit Stop USA Sprint Car Racing, fun games & contests, delicious fair food, and more. For details, visit sonoma-marinfair.org or call (707) 283-3247. Be the first to know about all of the fun by following us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Plan for an out of this world experience!

Ole Smoky Distillery Receives 2017 “Hot Brand” Award

April 18, 2018 by evebushman Leave a Comment

GATLINBURG, Tenn. (PRWEB) – Ole Smoky®, the world’s most awarded moonshine company, has been named a 2017 Impact Hot Brand by M. Shanken Communications, a leading publisher in the U.S. Wine & Spirits industry known for such magazines as Wine Spectator, Impact, Market Watch, and Cigar Aficionado.

“It is a huge honor to receive this award,” says Robert Hall, CEO of Ole Smoky. “We are all aiming to build a world class spirits brand, and this award is recognition of all of our efforts. We are proud of what we have accomplished to date, pleasing so many consumers with our great products, and will continue working for greater success in the future.”

The Hot Brand Award is given to both established and upcoming brands that have reached a minimum depletion number of 200,000 cases, and whose volume has grown at least 10% in each of the past three calendar years or at least 15% in 2017.

This award comes at a very exciting time for Ole Smoky. The company is not just growing its moonshine sales, but taking the brand to the next level with the late 2017 national launch of its whiskey product line. Mango Habanero is listed on menus at multiple on-premise locations, the demand for Salty Caramel Whiskey has far exceeded expectations, and Ole Smoky’s 5 year aged Straight Tennessee Bourbon Whiskey is among the highest quality product of its type in the market today.

Ole Smoky’s three distilleries in East Tennessee have been a source of competitive advantage to build awareness and trial of the company’s products, while educating consumers about the deep heritage and authenticity of the brand. Sales have been strongest in the states within a few hundred miles of these distilleries, but are now growing rapidly in many states further afield. This success has inspired the company to start building a 4th location in Nashville, which is targeted to open later in 2018, further fueling the growth of the brand.

“We are very excited to have our efforts in building such a strong brand recognized by receiving the 2017 Impact Award,” says Michael Bender, President of Wholesale at Ole Smoky. “Our numbers have been incredible these past few years. We are motivated to continue setting and reaching higher goals.”

Ole Smoky will receive their award at the Impact & Market Watch Hot Brand Awards Reception, held during the Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) 75th Annual Convention & Exposition in Las Vegas on May 1, 2018.

For more information about Ole Smoky and a list of other awards the company has achieved visit http://www.olesmoky.com

About Ole Smoky® Distillery LLC:
Ole Smoky is the leading distiller of premium moonshine in the U.S. and the first federally licensed distillery in the history of East Tennessee. The company’s roots can be traced to the early settlers of the Smoky Mountains. In 2009, (when the law in Tennessee changed and suddenly, it was legal to make, distill and sell the infamous bootlegger’s hooch), a group of families decided to bring their artistry of superior moonshine making to the world at large.

Over 3.9 million people annually visit Ole Smoky’s 3 famed East Tennessee distilleries: Holler™, Barrelhouse™ and Barn™. The Holler™ see’s over 2 million visitors per year making it the most visited distillery in the world. In 2018, Ole Smoky will open a 4th location in Nashville.

Ole Smoky now retails globally and offers more than twenty creative flavors crafted from authentic family recipes. Ole Smoky can be found in grocery and liquor stores, as well as in on-premise establishments including some of the biggest music and sporting venues in the country.

For more information, please visit http://www.olesmoky.com and find them on social media @olesmoky.

Shine Responsibly®

The Drunken Tomato Announces Annual Award Winners For Best Bloody Mary

April 15, 2018 by evebushman Leave a Comment

Seattle, WA – Cocktail lovers know the power of a properly mixed drink as well as any bartender. Always checking travel guides and online blogs, these aficionados are constantly searching for the best cocktail recipes and mixes around the world. For lovers of the popular tomato juice based Bloody Mary, The Drunken Tomato is the go to resource for the top international recipes, reviews, and merchandise. The Drunken Tomato has recently announced their list of award winners for their annual Bloody Mary competition. This year’s awards are the first given by the company.

“If you’re a drink aficionado, it can be tricky to know what the best mix options are,” says company Founder, Shelley Buchanan. “But for Bloody Mary lovers, the search for a guide to the best bloody mary mixes is over, thanks to The Drunken Tomato. We eat, sleep, and breathe all things Bloody Mary, and have compiled our handy blog to include relevant topics, recipes, and even merchandise. This year marks the first year that we are also tasting and awarding some of the best Bloody Mary mixes from around the world; the results of which can be found on our easy to use site.”

The Drunken Tomato Awards is a new annual international Bloody Mary competition that rewards the hard work and passion of industry manufacturers who produce superior Bloody Mary products. A blind taste testing by a panel of seven experienced industry judges, The Drunken Tomato Awards provides unbiased feedback on the latest bloody mary mixes. The objective behind the awards is to provide ratings and reviews that assist brands in marketing and product development, while also developing a method of providing annual quantitative research and analysis that can help develop the industry as a whole.

A medal from The Drunken Tomato denotes a high standard of achievement in the bloody mary community. The Drunken Tomato is known for its extensive industry experience, giving their medals real credit for the award winners. A Drunken Tomato award is an easy method for consumers and industry professionals to identify high quality products that fit their own tasting preferences. Forty-three medals were awarded across six categories: New Product, Liquid Seasoning, Hot & Spicy, Mild, Dry Seasoning, and Caesar. The Drunken Tomato Awards will continue to be a staple of the industry, providing unbiased reviews of commercially made bloody mary mixes in order to help consumers and those in the industry find a reliable resource to discover products based on their unique tastes.

The Drunken Tomato is located at 21108 Poplar Way in Lynnwood, Washington (98036). The company can be reached by phone at (917)710-0291.

To learn more about The Drunken Tomato Awards, or to find the top bloody mary mixes of 2018, visit https://www.drunkentomato.com.
Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/embed/L9zluJAw88k?rel=0

Japanese Shochu Maker, iichiko, Hosts Successful Bartender Competition in Honolulu

March 22, 2018 by evebushman Leave a Comment

NEW YORK (PRWEB) – Renowned Shochu maker iichiko hosted eight of Hawaii’s top bartenders for the 2018 iichiko BLŪ Bartender Competition on Jan. 31, at the popular Sky Waikiki. Andrew Woodley, of The Myna Bird Tiki Bar, took first place with his original creation, “Gift of the Islands,” showcasing the award-winning spirit.

iichiko roku photo from Kampai.US

iichiko hand-selected a panel of internationally and locally known experts to judge this year’s competition including the CEO of iichiko USA, Tomohisa Kadoyanagi, and award-winning bartender Jacques Bezuidenhout, voted Best Bartender in San Francisco and advisor for Liquor.com. Other experts in attendance included longtime “Barfly” columnist and Honolulu Star-Advertiser reporter Jason Genegabus; lead bartender at Yauatcha Skipper Bonano; and Jen Marshall, the New York Senior Portfolio Associate at Momentum Worldwide for William Grant & Sons.

iichiko BLŪ is a premium shochu spirit crafted and distilled from barley to ultimate create a rich yet delicate flavor. A favorite of local mixologists and foodies, iichiko BLŪ is exclusive to Hawaii, where restaurants and clubs alike incorporate the spirit into a diverse range of cocktails.

Andrew Woodley truly embraced the local flavors of Hawaii with his first prize cocktail, whose recipe includes pineapple gum, lemon juice, green chartreuse, shiso and mint leaves and iichiko BLŪ. iichiko awarded Woodley an all-expense-paid trip to visit the iichiko distillery in Oita Prefecture, Japan and a cash prize of $1,500. Second place winner William Hee of Stripsteak Waikiki, and third place recipient Tyler Johnson of SKY Waikiki, won cash prizes of $1,000 and $750, respectively.

“I was fortunate to win a truly amazing competition hosted by iichiko BLŪ. I was competing against friends who demonstrated, with their technical skills, showmanship and knowledge, why Hawaii is such a destination when it comes to craft cocktails, and why I’m so grateful and proud to be a part of this community,” shared Woodley. “I look forward to seeing the distillery, and its beautiful surroundings.”

“iichiko BLŪ is such a versatile spirit that lends itself to many flavors and recipes, and we were delighted to see how each bartender was able to utilize the shochu in new and exciting ways,” said Tetsuro Miyazaki, iichiko USA North America Development Manager.

iichiko BLŪ was named the Chairman’s Trophy Award winner in the shochu category at the 2017 Ultimate Spirits Challenge, one of the world’s leading spirits competitions. It also garnered the Tried & True Award and scored 96 points, the highest of all the shochus, at the competition. iichiko BLŪ was also honored with the Best of Shochu award, scoring 95 points at the 2017 Los Angeles International Spirits Competition.

Tastings.com’s Top Drinks Of The Year

February 17, 2018 by evebushman Leave a Comment

CHICAGO (PRWEB) – Great news for all discerning drinkers, Tastings.com has awarded their 2017 Best of Category and Best of Show winners. Tastings.com’s beverage experts tasted through over 4,400 products in 2017 and have now announced the best of the best for your drinking pleasure.

Sagatiba Preciosa Cachaca is one of the clear standouts of 2017. Silently aged for 23 years, this batch of rare Brazilian sugar cane spirit was uncovered to the delight of Tastings.com’s judges. They awarded the superb sipping cachaça a superlative 98 points. Other barrel-aged spirits joined Sagatiba at the top— Kavalan, a brand that wows connoisseurs year after year, holds 2017’s Best Whiskey accolade with their 98 point Solist Port Single Cask expression; and Grand Marnier’s luxurious Quintessence is crowned 2017’s Best Liqueur.

Beer has its own royalty of 2017. 4 Hands Brewing Company in Saint Louis Missouri created the year’s Best Flavored Beer, Zelllige Moroccan Coffee Stout. Tastings.com calls the beer “An intriguing and exotically spicy Turkish bazaar of a flavored stout.” The prolific Samuel Adams released their smoky, hybrid-styled Rauchbier, Cinderbock, that topped the beer category at 97 points. It is prestigiously awarded Best Beer of 2017. Another can’t miss gem is 96-point WildCraft Cider Works’ Pinot Noir Barrel Aged Cherry Cider, a platinum-medal palate-pleaser that takes the interplay of fruit and wood to the next level.

The year’s Best White Wine is Corner 103’s pretty Grenache Blanc from Alexander Valley. With a long-lasting finish of lilac and wet stone, it’s no wonder that it achieved 95 points. As for wine of the pink persuasion, the definitive Best Rose of 2017 is the insanely delicious Retrofollies’ 2016 Coteaux Varois de Provence. For those with a sweet tooth, the stylish and elegant Alea Ludendo 2013 Elba Aleatico Passito scored 95 points, topping the dessert wine category. 2017 Best Of Awards are seen in every major wine category as well as all major wine producing countries. See the complete results here.

Devoted to helping consumers discover and understand the world’s best drinks, Tastings.com is proud to share their unbiased reviews with adult beverage enthusiasts everywhere. Their professional judges are esteemed members of the drinks trade and hold prestigious certifications and accolades in wine, beer, and spirits. All products are tasted blind, using proprietary methodology and software in a neutral laboratory environment. Tastings.com, powered by the Beverage Testing Institute, has been known for providing consumers the most impartial, fair reviews in the industry for 38 years. Drink like an expert and follow their motto: drink what you like, love what you drink. Visit Tastings.com before you buy.

Save the Date: Winesong 2018

February 15, 2018 by evebushman Leave a Comment

Please SAVE THE DATE for the 34th Annual Winesong, a glorious wine & food tasting and charity auction that takes place on the stunning Mendocino Coast every September. Produced by the Mendocino Coast Hospital Foundation and benefiting the Mendocino Coast District Hospital, this weekend of award-winning wine, spectacular food, exquisite art and charitable giving will be held at the beautiful Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, and will take place on September 7 & 8, 2018.

Here’s a quick overview of highlights you can expect during Winesong Weekend –

A Pinot Noir Celebration: Meet the Winemakers

Friday, September 7, 2018 | 1 to 4 p.m.

Presented by Winesong and hosted by Little River Inn, this memorable event features Pinot Noir from renowned Anderson Valley, as well as from other wineries in Mendocino County and award-winning pinot regions. Little River Inn pairs delectable hors d’oeuvres on passed trays during this fun pinot tasting.

Wine & Food Grand Tasting in the Gardens

Saturday, September 8, 2018 | 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Wander through the lovely Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens while enjoying samplings from world-class wineries from Mendocino, Sonoma, Napa, and beyond as well as beer, spirits, and ciders; plus food bites from nearly 50 local and regional artisanal food purveyors. The tasting is accented by numerous musical groups performing a variety of styles including jazz, classical, blues, calypso and folk rock.

Silent & Live Auctions

Saturday, September 8, 2018 | SILENT: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; LIVE: 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The cornerstone of Winesong weekend is the Charity Auction, featuring both a silent and live auction. Nearly 200 lots will be on offer, featuring spectacular wines from the world’s most prestigious wine producers, rare vintages, large format bottles and special vertical and horizontal collections (including a Pahlmeyer vertical), as well as original art from acclaimed California artists and highly coveted international and domestic vacation packages, including another spectacular 10-day trip to South Africa.

Deemed America’s Best Charity Wine Event by Enobytes.com, Winesong is a must-attend event for lifestyle lovers, wine enthusiasts, and wine collectors of all levels. It’s a feel-good weekend of fun and philanthropy, and it’s on the breathtaking Mendocino Coast!

Please visit www.winesong.org for details. Tickets to all events go on sale April 1, 2018.

Visit Temecula Valley Reveals Winners of the Second Annual People’s Choice Blind Tasting and Awards

December 17, 2017 by evebushman Leave a Comment

TEMECULA VALLEY, Calif. (PRWEB) – Visit Temecula Valley (VTV), in coordination with Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association (TVWA), has announced the winners of the second annual People’s Choice Blind Tasting. The event took place on Sunday, November 12, 2017, at Leoness Cellars, and featured a walk-around blind tasting, a wine seminar led by Master of Wine Roger Bohmrich and a 6-course awards dinner paired with last year’s winning wines.

Doffo Winery’s 2015 Zinfandel took first place in the competition, after taking second place to Wilson Creek’s Petite Sirah at last year’s inaugural event. The 2017 second place winner was Lorimar Winery’s 2014 Syrah, and third place was taken by Thornton Winery’s 2014 Estate Syrah.

“We are beyond thrilled with receiving 1st Place in the People’s Choice competition,” said Damian Doffo, CEO and Winemaker for Doffo Winery. “We work very hard in the vineyard to produce high quality fruit and make exceptional wine. We look forward to sharing with wine with the public in February.”

Over 200 guests tasted 29 wines (6 whites and 23 reds) without knowing any of the wines’ identities, and rated them on a scale of 1-5 during a walk-around wine tasting. The top 12-scoring wines from this portion of the event went on to be poured during a wine seminar led by Master of Wine Roger Bohmrich, where they were again tasted blind and rated on a scale of 1-5, including by Roger himself. Final scores were tallied to determine the top 3 “People’s Choice” wines. Wines could be any variety or a blend, at any price point, as long as they were from the Temecula Valley American Viticultural Area (AVA). Entries ranged from just $24 per bottle to well over $100, and represented a number of grape varieties, from Falanghina to Syrah to Cabernet Franc.

In addition to the walk-around tasting and seminar, the event featured a six-course dinner created by Chef Daragh Matheson from Leoness Cellars, paired with last year’s People’s Choice winners. A VIP reception offered hand-selected pours presented by local winemakers and winery owners. San Diego singer-songwriter Christian Taylor performed throughout the tasting. The evening’s dinner program was emceed by Lindsay Pomeroy, Master of Wine Candidate and owner of the “Wine Smarties” school in San Diego, and a brief keynote was delivered by Bohmrich. Local musician Brian Stodart performed throughout the dinner program.

Sponsors included Gosch Ford, 34° Crisps, Palpula Dips & Sauces, Temecula Lavender Co., Old Town Spice & Tea Merchants, Aall In Limo & Party Bus, Grapeline Wine Tours and American AgCredit. Carter Estate Winery & Resort was the official hotel partner for the event.

The top twelve scoring wines in alphabetical order were as follows:

Avensole Winery 2014 Malbec, $32.95
Baily Vineyard & Winery 2014 Malbec, $25.00
Doffo Winery 2015 Zinfandel, $72.00
Falkner Winery 2014 Rock Creek Syrah, $49.95
Fazeli Cellars 2014 Shiraz, $48.00
Hart Winery 2014 Volcanic Ridge Vineyard Syrah, $60.00
Leoness Cellars 2014 CS Cabernet Franc-Merlot, $38.00
Lorimar Winery 2014 Syrah, $48.00
Miramonte Winery 2014 Estate Syrah, $65.00
South Coast Winery 2016 Viognier, $25.00
Thornton Winery 2014 Estate Syrah, $49.00
Wiens Family Cellars 2015 Sangiovese, $44.00

Most wines can be purchased directly online through each winery’s website. The entire list of wines entered into the competition can be accessed HERE.

ABOUT THE TEMECULA VALLEY AND VISIT TEMECULA VALLEY

With natural gifts of climate and geography, Temecula Valley is widely recognized for its scenic vineyards, award-winning wines, and friendly wineries as Temecula Valley Southern California Wine Country. The destination includes the Temecula Valley A.V.A. (American Viticulture Area) as well as Downtown, Old Town Temecula, and Pechanga Resort & Casino.

Visit Temecula Valley is online at VisitTemeculaValley.com; “Temecula Valley Southern California Wine Country” on Facebook and @Visit_Temecula on Twitter. The Temecula Valley Visitors Center is located in Old Town Temecula on Mercedes Street adjacent the Old Town Parking Garage. For visitor assistance, call 888/363-2852 or 951/491-6085.

ABOUT THE TEMECULA VALLEY WINEGROWERS ASSOCIATION

Temecula Valley is the largest and most commercially successful winegrowing region in the South Coast AVA, the viticultural zone spanning more than 2 million acres from Riverside County to the San Diego border. The Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association has long served as a steward of the Southern California wine community. Comprising 36 wineries and more than 60 winegrowers, the Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association is a nonprofit regional organization dedicated to increasing awareness of the quality wines and wine grapes grown in the Temecula Valley and South Coast Appellations. Established in 1984, the Temecula AVA consists of 33,000 acres, of which approximately 2,500 acres are currently planted to commercial vineyards. Known as Southern California’s wine country, the Temecula Valley is located in Riverside County just one hour from San Diego, Orange County and Palm Springs and 90 minutes from Los Angeles.

Fontanafredda Named “European Winery of the Year” by Wine Enthusiast

November 27, 2017 by evebushman Leave a Comment

New York, NY (PRWEB) – Fontanafredda, the historical winery in Serralunga d’Alba (CN), Piedmont, Italy, was named “European Winery of the Year” in the Annual Wine Star Awards of Wine Enthusiast. Each year, the magazine honors the individuals and companies that made a significant impact over the past year in the wine and alcoholic beverage world, distinguishing themselves for innovative vision and outstanding achievement.

The winery was nominated for the award in September, when Wine Enthusiast Italian Editor Kerin O’Keefe highlighted the quality of the wines as “higher than ever” and noted the “extraordinary beauty” of the estate, which has recently expanded its hospitality offerings. Today, Fontanafredda includes a park open to the public (Villaggio Narrante), four restaurants (Guido in the Royal Villa headed by Michelin-starred chef Ugo Alciati, the brand-new Taverna del Re, Disguido Osteria del Vino Libero, and the Lake Garden), two 4-star hotels (the Foresteria nelle Vigne and Magic Vines Hotel), and a Cultural Foundation.

Oscar Farinetti, President of Fontanafredda, Piero Bagnasco, its Managing Director, and all collaborators are very satisfied with the recognition. “For us, it is the crowning achievement of ten years of hard work, during which we began our transition to organic agriculture” says Farinetti. “We’ve put all of our efforts into treating this land’s grapes with respect, gentleness, and awareness.”

The award, officially announced on November 9, will be featured in a special edition of Wine Enthusiast out on stands December 31. Fontanafredda was the only Italian nominee and faced tough competition with several highly regarded wineries, including Dr. Loosen from Germany, Domaine Shlumberger from Alsace, Gonzalez Byass from Spain, and DFJ Vignos from Portugal.

Founded almost 160 years ago, Fontanafredda makes a concentrated effort to support environmental sustainability and the well-being of its consumers and the community. Fontanafredda’s wines are certified as Vino Libero (“Free Wine”) because of their reduced use of chemicals, herbicides, and sulfites; and in 2016, after an investment of 2 million Euros, Fontanafredda began the transition to organic agriculture for all 197 acres of its property, making it the largest organic winery in Piedmont beginning with the 2019 harvest. The choice to become organic was an ambitious undertaking, because all 450 farming families who work for the winery in the zone will also adhere to organic agriculture standards. This progressive attitude is a testimony to the positive societal and educational role that Fontanafredda plays in the Langhe territory.

Portola Hotel and Spa Named Top Hotel

November 16, 2017 by evebushman Leave a Comment

MONTEREY, CA – More than 300,000 voters have made it official: Portola Hotel & Spa has just been chosen as a winner of Condé Nast Traveler’s prestigious 2017 Readers’ Choice Awards. Out of hundreds of qualified properties, the Portola Hotel & Spa takes its place among the Top Twenty Hotels in Northern California in the voting.

The Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards are the longest-running and most prestigious recognition of excellence in the travel industry and are commonly known as “the best of the best of travel.” The Readers’ Choice Awards have become more selective and specific to the passions that inspire today’s travelers. In 2017, more than 300,000 readers made their voices heard via desktop, laptop, tablet and smartphone.

It is no surprise that Portola Hotel & Spa was voted one of Northern California’s top hotels, considering that the scenic Monterey hotel has recently undergone a $6 million upgrade including a new restaurant, lounge and lobby bar. In addition, the hotel offers over 60,000 square feet of flexible meeting space with the adjacent $60 million renovated Monterey Conference Center and an additional 60,000 square feet of outdoor meeting space, all combining to make the Portola Hotel & Spa one of Northern California’s most welcoming gathering places.

About Portola Hotel & Spa:
The AAA Four Diamond, Portola Hotel & Spa in Monterey, CA was one of the first U.S. Green Building Council LEED® Certified hotels on California’s Central Coast. The Portola Hotel features 379 nautically inspired guestrooms and suites and 60,000 square feet of meeting space with the adjacent Monterey Conference Center. Home to the Monterey Peninsula’s original craft brewery, Peter B’s Brewpub, The Club Room and Monterey’s newest dining hot spot, Jacks Monterey. The Portola boasts an award-winning 6,000-square-foot day spa. Spa on the Plaza offers beautifully appointed treatment rooms and an extensive spa menu of signature treatments. Overnight guests also have access to the hotel’s spa and fitness facilities, complete with steam room, sauna, outdoor pool and Jacuzzi. For more information, please visit https://www.portolahotel.com/

For Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards full list is published exclusively online, at www.CNTraveler.com/rca.

Announcing TEXSOM International Wine Awards 2018 Call for Entries

November 15, 2017 by evebushman Leave a Comment

Dallas, Texas – TEXSOM Co-founders and Master Sommeliers Drew Hendricks and James Tidwell today announced that the TEXSOM International Wine Awards is accepting entries for the 2018 competition to be held February 12-14, 2018 at the Grapevine Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas

The following is a timeline with corresponding entry fees:

Submission Period
October 31 – December 31, 2017
$95 + 4 bottles of wine per entry
Wines must be received by January 1, 2018

Late Submission Period
January 1 – January 31, 2018
$105 + 4 bottles of wine per entry
Wines must be received by February 1, 2018

Late Expedited Submission Period
February 1 – 9, 2018
$145 + 4 bottles of wine per entry
Overnight Shipping Required, in order for processing to be completed for judging

“The TEXSOM International Wine Awards is the preeminent wine competition in the United States,” says Andrew McNamara MS, Vice President of Wine Development at Breakthru Beverage and Chairman – Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas. “TEXSOM International Wine Awards continues to assemble a panel of judges that is unmatched anywhere. Industry leaders, including many Master Sommeliers and Masters of Wine, judge an array of high-quality wines from around the world over the course of two days. Receiving a medal of any kind at TIWA is a boon to suppliers and distributors alike; mentioning it to sommeliers and buyers makes the already great wines that much more attractive.”

“TEXSOM attracts extremely experienced and knowledgeable judges, world-class wines and imposes ironclad integrity in the judging process,” says Debbie Zacharias and Peter Granoff MS, General Partners at Ferry Plaza Wine Merchant and Oxbow Wine & Cheese Merchant. “Many competitions make that claim, but the bar is truly higher here. Wineries and importers often ask us which competitions are the best ones to enter in the U.S. and TEXSOM is always at the top of a very short list.”

“An exciting global perspective is one thing that sets the TEXSOM International Wine Awards apart,” says Catherine Miles, Senior VP, Creative & Marketing Director for Broadbent Selections. “But the main reason a TEXSOM medal shines brighter than many other awards is that TEXSOM is so much more than an awards program. It’s an invigorating experience and an inspiring education that’s become a can’t-miss event for the wine world’s best and brightest.”

“TEXSOM International Wine Awards has been critical in building awareness for Greek wine,” says Sofia Perpera, Director of the Greek Wine Bureau-North America for Wines of Greece. “From the recognition garnered by ratings from world’s top opinion makers, as well as the exposure within the Sommelier community that TEXSOM allows.”

All award-winning wineries are asked to reserve at least three additional bottles of each award-winning wine for possible promotion and feature opportunities, such as inclusion in the Wine Awards hospitality suite at the TEXSOM conference; TEXSOM’s newest venture, the publication Sommelier; and in tastings outside the TEXSOM conference. Award-winning wines are candidates for consideration in TEXSOM seminars, but no guarantees are made regarding an individual wine’s use in seminars. Aside from the two bottles requested by TEXSOM International Wine Awards, restaurant and retail partners might contact award-winning entrants for participation in promotional tastings, dinners, wine list features, etc. Participation in events with restaurant and retail partners is at the discretion of the entrant.

In addition to the activities listed above, the following is a list of benefits for award winners:

Award-winning wines announced via social media, email messaging, website, press release, publication partners
The entire list of award-winning wines will be presented online by the presenting sponsor, Texas Monthly
Listing of all award-winning wines and featured content on select award-winners in Sommelier, TEXSOM’s newest publication for sommeliers, wine buyers, other beverage professionals, and engaged consumers
Exposure to TEXSOM’s international network of sommeliers and wine buyers with a tasting of medal-winning wines at the TEXSOM conference hospitality suites in August 2018
Award-winning wines presented at events throughout the country through wine tastings, wine dinners and special events with restaurant and retail partners
Award-winning wines featured on the TEXSOM International Wine Awards website throughout the calendar year
Results available through the TEXSOM International Wine Awards searchable online database
Recognition of the quality of the wines by a group of the best palates in the country, including the judges and Sommelier Panel. The Sommelier Panel is unique to TEXSOM International Wine Awards. The Panel consists of prominent sommeliers from around the country who write expository content following the awarding of medals by judges during the blind tasting

Wineries interested in submitting their wines for judging may visit the TEXSOM International Wine Awards website at http://texsomiwa.com. Further inquiries may be made by emailing enter@texsomiwa.com or by calling 214.886.1665.

ABOUT TEXSOM

Founded in 2005, TEXSOM was started by Master Sommeliers James Tidwell and Drew Hendricks to help promote professional wine service standards, outline paths for further wine education and certification, and raise public awareness about the professional standards and certifications for sommeliers. Today, the conference draws more than 1,000 attendees, of whom more than 800 are sommeliers and other beverage industry professionals. The TEXSOM group purchased the competition now known as the TEXSOM International Wine Awards in April 2014. One of the largest, most respected, and longest-running in the United States, the competition was founded in 1985 by journalist and wine expert Rebecca Murphy.