Perlis Picks: Elevating Zinfandel 2017

May 27, 2017 by Michael Perlis 1 Comment

A few days prior to attending Ian Blackburn’s wineLA Elevating Zinfandel event with my wife Karen, I happened across a video that had been posted on Facebook by ZAP [Zinfandel Advocates and Producers – the organization “dedicated to advancing public knowledge of and appreciation for American Zinfandel and its unique place in our culture and history”] featuring Joel Peterson, founder of Ravenswood winery and often called “the Godfather of Zinfandel.” Joel really gave a great explanation of why Zinfandel is considered America’s Heritage grape, given that it truly found its greatness here in California versus, for example, Cabernet Sauvignon in Bordeaux and Pinot Noir in Burgundy.

This greatness was evident at Elevating Zinfandel, where more than a dozen of California’s best producers of Zinfandel showed up to La Brea Bakery to pour their wines for a group of very appreciative tasters.

VIP attendees got to start their tasting an hour early as well as getting an opportunity to taste some special wines reserved just for them. [Obligatory note – when a VIP option is available, always go for it!]

The wineries pouring:

Beekeeper Vineyards

Bedrock Wine Co

Bella Vineyards

Robert Biale Vineyards

Brown Estate

Carol Shelton Wines

Gamba Vineyards and Winery

J Dusi Wines

Mauritson Wines

Ottimino

Peter Franus Wine Co

Quivera Vineyards

Seghesio Family Vineyards

St. Francis Winery & Vineyards

There were absolutely no losers here. Every winery on this list was pouring some outstanding Zinfandels. I could easily end this article here by just saying you should go buy wines from any of these producers and you will be happy. But, that would make for a pretty short article. So, let me expand on some wines that really stood out for me.

When people in Southern California think about Zin, especially those of us in Northern LA County, Paso Robles may come to mind more than any other region. At this tasting, Paso was represented by J Dusi. I knew that Janell Dusi would be up to this task, having made wine from her family’s Dante Dusi vineyard for about 10 years now. The Dusi Vineyard is one of my favorites anywhere for Zinfandel [not just Paso], so I was happy when Janell started making a small amount of wine from the family property, later expanding into other varietals as well. The 2014 Dante Dusi Vineyard Zinfandel and the 2014 Escandalosa blend of Zinfandel, Syrah and Mourvedre were two of my favorite wines of the evening.

The rest of the wineries were based farther North – in Napa Valley and Sonoma County. Since people tend to think of Napa Cabernet Sauvignon and Sonoma Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, I thought it was great that the Zinfandels from these areas were being highlighted. Here are few of our favorites…

Bedrock Wine Co. & Under The Wire – winemaker Morgan Twain-Peterson [son of the aforementioned Joel Peterson], along with partner Chris Cottrell, has been making wine since he was 5-years old [although he started out with Pinot just to piss off his dad]. The 2013 Under The Wire Bedrock Vineyard Sparkling Old Vine Zinfandel was stellar, and the two 2015 Heritage [historic vineyards – field blends] wines being poured – the Evangelho [Contra Costa County] and Pagani [Sonoma Valley] were great examples of what I think Morgan does best.

Ian Blackburn’s Beekeeper Cellars has been getting well deserved rave reviews. Based in Dry Creek Valley, my favorite was the 2014 Secret Stones, Madrone Spring Vineyard, Rockpile, Sonoma County. Not surprising – Rockpile is a favorite AVA of ours; more wines from there will appear later in this article.

Another Dry Creek Valley winery, Bella Vineyards, impressed us with their Westphall, Rockpile, Sonoma County 2013.

We first tasted Brown Estate Vineyards Zinfandel several years ago at a restaurant in Las Vegas called Rosemary’s. We ended up ordering a second bottle, it was so good. Sadly, Rosemary’s is gone but Brown Estate is still making great wine in Napa Valley, especially for us the Napa Valley, Chiles Valley District 2015.

Not sure where to begin with Carol Shelton Wines. We were just really impressed with her whole lineup. Based in Santa Rosa, she sources from various places. Nice of her to share a 2014 Carignane [loved that she snuck that one in] along with her Zins. And a big shout out for making a Zin from Southern California’s Cucamonga Valley.

When I first tasted the Zins from Gamba Vineyard and Winery many years ago, they seemed too big, even for me. I’m happy to report that they are doing it right. Luscious lip-smacking wines across the board from this Windsor based winery.

You can’t really talk about Dry Creek Valley, especially Rockpile, without mentioning Mauritson Wines. Clay Mauritson was pouring a few wines – favorite by a nose was the Rockpile Ridge Vineyard.

Ottimino is a new winery to me. Really cool to taste a 2001 Zin from them as well as their current releases. Based in Sebastopol in Sonoma County, the 2014 Ottimino Estate Russian River Valley Zin was great.

Robert Biale Vineyards – an old favorite of ours. I did not make it back to their table after the VIP portion of the event, but the 2009 Black Chicken Zinfandel that winemaker Tres Goetting had poured me at that time was excellent.

Turley Wine Cellars – while many people associate Turley with Paso, and rightfully so, the winery is actually headquartered in Napa Valley. Christina Turley was on hand to pour a few of the winery’s delicious Zins. I’ve made no secret of how much I like this winery. This time, the 2015 Duarte Contra Costa County earned top marks for me.

I apologize for the wineries I missed mentioning. As I said, all of the wineries represented are worthy of your attention.

Big thank you to La Brea Bakery for hosting the event and serving some delicious food.

Thanks to Ian Blackburn and his great staff at wineLA for putting on another great wine tasting. Check out his website and sign up so you don’t miss anything.

Michael Perlis has been pursuing his passion for wine for more than 25 years. He has had the good fortune of having numerous mentors to show him the way, as well as a wonderful wife who encourages him and shares his interest. After a couple of decades of learning about wine, attending events, visiting wineries and vineyards, and tasting as much wine as he possibly could, he had the amazing luck to meet Eve Bushman. Now, as Contributing Editor for Eve’s Wine 101, he does his best to bring as much information as possible about wine to Eve’s Wine 101 faithful readers. Michael is also Vice President of Eve Bushman Consulting (fka Eve’s Wine 101 Consulting) http://evebushmanconsulting.com/ and President of MCP Financial. Michael can be contacted at michaelthezinfan@aol.com or michael@evebushmanconsulting.com.

Zachys Wine Auctions Stuns in $7,884,529 and 99% sold Season Opener

April 6, 2017 by evebushman Leave a Comment

White Plains, NY (PRWEB) – Zachys two-day auction on March 9 & 10 held in conjunction with La Paulée de New York realized $7,884,529 and was 99 percent sold, smashing pre-sale expectations. Held during NYC’s “Burgundy Week,” the auction was the most-attended Zachys auction ever with well over 150 friends, bidders, consignors, and Burgundian winemakers in the room at Le Bernardin Privé. All in all, an astonishing 833 lots of the 1925 on offer realized prices at or above the high estimate. Only 30 of the 1925 lots failed to find a buyer.

The big winner of the auction was Burgundy with the top 26 prices realized in the auction. A 1990 DRC Assortment was the top lot of the auction at $49,000 against a pre-auction estimate of $38,000-$55,000. Next was two magnums of the exceedingly rare 1988 Roumier Bonnes Mares VV, which realized $44,100 against presale estimates of $24,000-36,000. All told, DRC accounted for 16 of the top 25 wines in the auction, proving once again that DRC is the king of the hill at a Zachys auction.

For many collectors, the highlight of the auction was Treasures From the Legendary Collection of Robert Caine, which realized $1,674,820 against a pre-auction estimate of $950,750-$1,448,250, or 16% above the high estimate. 62 lots from the most famous white Burgundy producer, Coche-Dury, realized 28 percent above the high estimate. The two biggest winners in the Coche-Dury section were full 12-bottle cases of 1992 and 1996 Meursault-Perrières, each of which realized $39,200 against pre-auction estimates of $18,000-$28,000.

After the auction, Dr. Caine commented, “I couldn’t be more thrilled with the results of the auction last week. Everything about the sale—from the gorgeous catalog and photography to the beautiful venue of Le Bernardin, combined to produce spectacular results. My past consignments have done very well but, in this sale, Zachys exceeded my expectations. I’ve been collecting Burgundy for over 30 years, and Coche-Dury has always been a personal favorite. I am truly delighted that Zachys’ clientele appreciates the rarity and excellence in winemaking represented by this collection, and bid accordingly!”

Jeff Zacharia, President of Zachys, continued the sentiment and said, “It would be impossible to be more excited about the results of our ‘kick off’ auction in New York—especially as we head into the spring season. We look forward to partnering with La Paulée de New York or San Francisco every year, and this year was no exception. Burgundy ruled the week—in our auction as well as in our glasses—and taken in conjunction with our February Hong Kong sale, we’re delighted to report that we’re in the midst of a Burgundy upswing as we head into the heart of the spring season. A special thanks to Rob Caine for entrusting us with such a special collection.”

Please join Zachys at Smith & Wollensky on April 29 for a Bordeaux-Only Auction in Celebration of Burdigala. Email auction [at[ zachys [dot] com to reserve your seat today.

The Top Ten
Lot 1349: twelve bottle (750ML) Assortment Case Domaine de la Romanée Conti 1990
Pre-Sale Estimates: $38,000 – $55,000
Price realized: $49,000

Lot 1534: two magnums (1.5L) of Bonnes Mares Vieilles Vignes Georges Roumier 1988
Pre-Sale Estimates: $24,000 – $36,000
Price realized: $44,100

Lot 1199: three magnums (1.5L) of La Tâche Domaine de la Romanée Conti 2005
Pre-Sale Estimates: $20,000 – $30,000
Price realized: $41,650

Lot 1504: twelve bottles (750ML) of Chambertin Clos de Bèze Armand Rousseau 1993
Pre-Sale Estimates: $24,000 – $36,000
Price realized: $41,650

Lot 1204: one magnum (1.5L) of Romanée Conti Domaine de la Romanée Conti 1999
Pre-Sale Estimates: $22,000 – $32,000
Price realized: $39,200

Lot 1243: three bottles (750ML) of Romanée Conti Domaine de la Romanée Conti 1996
Pre-Sale Estimates: $26,000 – $40,000
Price realized: $39,200

Lot 1332: twelve bottles (750ML) of Meursault Perrières Coche-Dury 1992
Pre-Sale Estimates: $18,000 – $28,000
Price realized: $39,200

Lot 1333: twelve bottles (750ML) of Meursault Perrières Coche-Dury 1996
Pre-Sale Estimates: $18,000 – $28,000
Price realized: $39,200

Lot 1812: right bottles (750ML) of La Tâche Domaine de la Romanée Conti 1990
Pre-Sale Estimates: $22,000 – $34,000
Price realized: $36,750

Lot 979: three bottles (750ML) of Romanée Conti Domaine de la Romanée Conti 2013
Pre-Sale Estimates: $24,000 – $36,000
Price realized: $34,300

Les Marchands: Weekly Wine Wednesdays and Monthly Somm-Guided Tastings

March 30, 2017 by evebushman Leave a Comment

Starting March 2017, Les Marchands resumed their acclaimed educational program with WINE WEDNESDAYS and SOMM TASTINGS, designed and created by new Retail Wine Manager Jeremy Bohrer and General Manager and Advanced Sommelier Emily Johnston, respectively.

Weekly, Les Marchands offers WINE WEDNESDAYS, an informal way to taste wines among fellow wine lovers. The early evening wine flight tasting is hosted by Les Marchands Retail Manager Jeremy Bohrer in collaboration with importers and distributors of some of their favorite wines. Each week Les Marchands works with a different distributor or importer in presenting fresh flights of wines. Guests are invited to stop by after work to try something new and have the chance to purchase one of their favorite bottles from the retail store. Bohrer has assembled a starting lineup that includes tastings from Epic Wines with samples from Lebanon, Italy, France and Spain; Vance Erickson Imports specializing in French, Austrian and German wines; The Bradford Wine Group showcasing local Rising Star wines and small artisanal French producers; and WineWise with unique Austrian and German wines.

WINE WEDNESDAYS are scheduled from 4:00-6:00 p.m. and open to the public. Pricing is $15 per guest.

On the third Thursday of each month, Johnston will present SOMM TASTINGS at Les Marchands. The SOMM TASTINGS are guided educational events hosted by Advanced Sommelier Emily Johnston focused on understanding the nuances of a specific wine producing region or a particular grape. The tasting is comprised of flights of three or four wines to highlight classic styles and current trends. This is an opportunity for wine lovers of all experience levels to learn more about wine in the most enjoyable way possible. The first four months of tastings include wines from Austria, the Rhone Valley, a Lesson in Blind Tasting and White Burgundy.

Upcoming dates for SOMM TASTINGS are April 20, May 18 and June 15, 2017, from 6:00-7:00 p.m. The Tastings are open to the public and priced at $25 per guest.

“Tasting wines that speak to a region is not only a key study tool of mine, it can also be a method of transport to another place or time,” states Johnston. “I’m looking forward to getting to know more wine lovers in our community and sharing this experience.”

For further information and to make reservations contact Les Marchands at 805.284.0380 or email inquiries@lesmarchandswine.com. Space is limited.

WINE WEDNESDAYS
with Retail Wine Manager Jeremy Bohrer

March 29
Vance Erickson Imports
Specializing in French, Austrian and German wines
$15

April 5th
The Bradford Wine Group
Local wines by Rising Stars and small artisanal French producers
$15

April 12th
WineWise
Unique Austrian and German wines
$15

********

THE SOMM TASTINGS

with Advanced Sommelier Emily Johnston

Les Marchands

April 20
Syrahs from the Rhone Valley
winding through the Northern and Southern Rhone Valley
to understand the nuances of this complex grape
3 wines $25

May 18
How to Blind Taste
curious to know the secrets behind recognizing
a wine from just a glance and a taste?
flight of blind wines $25

June 15
White Burgundy Tasting
3 wines $25

WINE WEDNESDAYS WITH JEREMY BOHRER

Every Wednesday from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.; continues indefinitely

$15

SOMM TASTINGS AT LES MARCHANDS WITH EMILY JOHNSTON

April 20, May 18 and June 15, 2017

6:00 – 7:00 p.m.

$25

WHERE:

Les Marchands Wine Bar & Merchant

131 Anacapa Street, Ste. B, Santa Barbara, California 93101

At the Corner of Yanonali and Anacapa

For further information and to make reservations contact: 805.284.0380 or email inquiries@lesmarchandswine.com

About Les Marchands Wine Bar & Merchant

Awarded the “Wine Bar of the Year” by Imbibe, and one of the 21 Best Wine Bars in the country by Thrillist, Les Marchands Wine Bar & Merchant is led by a world-class team of certified sommeliers and wine professionals with more than 100 combined years of experience in the wine and hospitality industries. Hailing from some of the most prestigious restaurants and wine retailers from around the country, the Les Marchands team enthusiastically brings their love for and deep knowledge of wine to confidently guide each guest through an outstanding wine experience matching every palate and budget with wines to enjoy in the wine bar or to take home. Product knowledge and personalized service is lived out daily at Les Marchands and is incorporated into every phase of the business from private cellar consultation to custom tasting events to the wildly popular Les Marchands Wine Club. The wines curated by the sommeliers represent quality-conscious producers – imports are Eurocentric, from the most relevant producers in France, Italy, Austria, Germany, and beyond. On the domestic side, the focus relies heavily on local Santa Barbara County producers who are shaping and redefining the region. A full bar of handcrafted artisan spirits complements Les Marchands’ extensive wine program with classic stirred cocktails made in the old-school traditional way. These include such favorites as The Vesper, Hanky Panky or the Bijou just to name a few. Chef Weston’s bistro menu showcases seasonally inspired food for supper nightly from 5 pm, weekend brunch from 10am-2 pm and an extensive selection of cheese and charcuterie every afternoon from 2 pm-5 pm.

About Emily Johnston
Emily Johnston’s early training includes interning at Brander Vineyard in the Santa Ynez Valley followed by wine sales for a small Italian wine import company in Santa Barbara. Thoroughly inspired, Johnston left for Italy to study as a sommelier at ALMA Scuola Internazionale di Cucina’s Wine Academy where she received the highest academic honors in her class and achievement in Italian fluency. She became a Certified Sommelier with the Associazione Italiana Sommeliers (AIS) in 2011 while working alongside AIS Master Sommelier, Roberto Jacquemod Pane. Johnston became a Certified Advanced Level Sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers in 2016. Before arriving at Les Marchands as General Manager in 2017, Johnston served as Wine Director/Sommelier for the Toscana Restaurant Group overseeing the wine programs at four operations – Toscana, Bar Toscana, S.Y. Kitchen and Nerano for four years. At Les Marchands, she oversees the wine bar’s ever-changing menu of selections, educational programs and retail offerings. In 2015, she was awarded Zagat’s “30 Under 30” award for young talent to be watched in the hospitality industry.

About Jeremy Bohrer
Jeremy Bohrer is a veteran wine and spirits professional with over seventeen years working the vast wine world, including wholesale, retail, restaurant and production endeavors. His early experience as a wine rep for Constantine Wines, led him to California in 2000. He worked as a manager at Bacchus, a small family owned wine shop in Manhattan Beach and was a manager at Trader Joe’s where Bohrer was in charge of overseeing the wine sections of multiple locations and developed “Wine 101,” a course that was used to train company employees throughout California. His other roles include eight years with K&L Wine Merchants as the Burgundy Department liaison. In 2014, Bohrer opened his own small business, Still, a retail space devoted to the art of cocktail craftsmanship. Still sold all things cocktail related, from mixers and bitters, to shakers and vintage barware. The following year Bohrer also opened his own wine bar, Five & ¼, which focused solely on Old World wines France, Spain, Italy, and more unfamiliar regions like Croatia, Slovenia, Georgia and Hungary. As Retail Wine Manager for Les Marchands, Jeremy Bohrer brings his wealth of knowledge and passion for all things wine to the operation.

For further information on Les Marchands Wine Bar & Merchant visit:
www.lesmarchandswine.com
Become a fan of Les Marchands on Facebook: www.facebook.com/LesMarchandsWine
Follow Les Marchands on Twitter: @lesmarchandssb

March Signals the End of Winter with Fabulous Wine Events, by Barbara Barrielle

February 25, 2017 by evebushman Leave a Comment

The first weekend of March seems to be the traditional kick off to the wine country spring reemergence. After all of this rain and wild weather, don’t we need a little Pinot Noir and a taste of future vintages to give us hope that spring and summer are on their way?

World of Pinot Noir returns to the elegant seaside Bacara Resort and Spa in Goleta in a two day festivity of Pinot Noir tastings, lunches, seminars and dinners. There is also a silent auction that benefits local charities and the winemaking program at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo.

Hands down this is the best event and most spectacular venue at which to try an amazing range of Pinot Noirs and other wines like Rosé of Pinot Noirs (rosés are the super trend of 2016-2017) and Pinot Gris. Not only do winemakers flock here from across California and Oregon but Pinot Noir producers around the country make the WOPN pilgrimage.

And Pinot Noir tasting opportunities do not stop at our borders. Meet and try Pinot Noir producers from Burgundy and other parts of France, Germany, Austria, Australia, New Zealand and all regions that produce Pinot around the world.

Tickets to the Focus Grand Tasting on Friday, March 3^rd and the Grand Tasting on Saturday, March 4^th are still available. The lunches and dinners featured throughout the weekend are not only spectacular (Kosta Browne, Hirsch, Anderson Valley, Edna Valley, Burgundy and more) but they are exceptionally well-priced for the quality of the wines and food, much of it prepared by Bacara’s Angel Oak Restaurant and guest chefs like Dustin Valette of Valette’s in Healdsburg.

Go quickly to www.worldofpinotnoir.com and join the celebration. WOPN is a well-oiled event and participants spend the day at one of the most stunning resorts in California enjoying an array of Pinot Noirs found nowhere else.

The same weekend farther north on The Wine Road that encompasses the wine valleys of Dry Creek, Alexander and Russian River centering around the towns of Healdsburg and Sebastopol the 40^th Annual Barrel Tasting Weekend kicks off the first of two weekends in March celebrating recent vintages available to taste only by barrel samples. March 3-5 and March 10-12, 2017, are the weekend dates this year.

Even with the expansion to two weekends it remains hard to do this region justice. The wide variety of wineries and the high caliber of wines make Barrel Tasting Weekend in these three wine valleys the best way to judge what many call a spectacular 2016 vintage and be able to buy futures at a discount before they are bottles. In addition, older vintages that are still in barrel will be available to taste as well as current releases. Given the demand for the wines in these areas, buying futures guarantees you can obtain wines that many times sell out upon release.

Be an insider and be educated on what is coming down the pike among the excellent wineries of Dry Creek Valley (known for Zinfandel), Alexander Valley (known for Cabernet Sauvignon) and Russian River Valley (known for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay) and purchase futures to come back and pick up later. While there, don’t forget to pick up wines to drink now.

Announcing A New Way to “FlyWithWine”

January 14, 2017 by evebushman Leave a Comment

Napa, CA (PRWEB) – FlyWithWine, the leading retailer of safe and secure wine travel luggage, announces the concierge same day/next day delivery program in Napa/Sonoma. Solving the problem of worrying how to ship wine home safely and avoiding high-priced shipping costs, FlyWithWine’s VinGardeValise® is a wine enthusiast’s dream. It is well-built, easy-to-roll luggage that comes in 8 and 12 bottle capacities. If you are not carrying a full case, then you can pack clothes or other items too. The best part is that you or your local concierge can have the suitcase sent directly to your home, hotel room, or Air B+B.

Anyone who travels with wine knows how difficult and expensive it can be. FlyWithWine’s VinGardeValise® offers ultimate reusable protection, convenience, and versatility. Easily and safely transport your wine anywhere you want to go. Fully packed, it typically weighs between 43-50 lbs, staying under airline limits. It also conforms to all applicable TSA, FAA, and airline luggage standards.

“Being someone who regularly travels the world with wine, I know how frustrating it can be to get stuck with expensive shipping costs and no guarantee on ensuring the integrity of your wine. The first time I used my VinGardeValise, I knew I had to share it with the world. Our free same-day delivery service in Napa and next day in Sonoma, and free ground shipping in the continental United States, allows us to do just that. Don’t take my word for it, try it yourself and let your senses be your guide.” Ron Scharman, CEO FlyWithWine.com.

The removable wine cavities are especially designed to hold a combination of bottles of almost any shape. The suitcase includes a special Burgundy shaped cavity and a Bordeaux cavity that has removable “shoulder” pads to ensure a snug fit. From Champagne to Riesling, you’ll never have to worry about the safety of your bottles. In addition, there are optional special inserts for magnums, wine glasses, and custom needs.

Thoughtfully designed, FlyWithWine’s VinGarde Valise® is the most versatile suitcase your wine lover will ever own.

Buy online http://www.flywithwine.com/products/vingardevalise and get free same-day/next day delivery in Napa/Sonoma and free shipping to any location in the continential United States.

Contact: info(at)flywithwine(dot)com

Recap:
WHO – FlyWithWine.com
WHAT – FlyWithWine’s concierge network same-day delivery of the VinGardeValise® – The world’s first suitcase designed exclusively for transporting wine
WHEN – Available now on FlyWithWine.com
WHERE – Available in The United States and Canada
HOW MUCH- 12 Bottle suitcase – $269 plus tax. 8 Bottle suitcase – $199 plus tax. *Shipping is inclusive for all orders in the continental United States
—
About FlyWithWine
FlyWithWine is the leader in superior wine travel luggage. Operated by a group of wine enthusiasts who live in Napa and travel around the world, we are inspired by solving the complications involved with transporting wine safely and securely. By combining style and stability with a durable design, wine enthusiasts can transport their wine safely by plane, train, automobile, jet ski, boat, hang glider, submarine, gondola, motorcycle, bicycle, scooter, and more. (Please travel safely).

Vintage Eve Circa Oct. 2012: The TPC/West Ranch Art & Wine Gala, Part FIVE

December 27, 2016 by evebushman Leave a Comment

The cool breeze off the golf course, highlighted by a setting sun, tickled cocktail-attired guests from the backs of their ankles up to the napes of their necks. Soft conversation paired with Champagne and wine, pens were plucked up to bid on silent auction items and assorted tray passed canapés, a seafood bar on ice and lamb lollipops were eagerly enjoyed by all.

The scene was set.

In 2005 the Joe Ranft/Alumni Scholarship Fund at Cal Arts was first endowed by Nancy and Dave Bossert in memory of their friendship with Ranft, and the talented contributions he made in his lifetime to animation, before losing his life in an automobile accident. In this, the fifth incarnation of the Art and Wine Gala, Ranft, who spent his career as a story artist at Disney, was once again honored by many art-minded former colleagues, friends and guests.

Other charities that were to benefit from the evening included the Santa Clarita Ballet Company, The Canyon Theatre Guild, the Performance-Composition Program, the Santa Clarita Master Chorale, Culinary Arts Department at College of the Canyons and PAC K-12 Arts Education Outreach.

Over the past four years the Art & Wine Gala has given over $225,000 in grants and scholarships to the arts in Santa Clarita.

Co-Chairs this year included Dave and Nancy Bossert, Cheri and Don Fleming, Guy LaLarge, Larry Mazzeo, Greg McWilliams, Michael Young, and Howard Green. Once again, Michele Reckon-Golden was the event’s incredible producer.

The evening was generously sponsored by Underwriter’s Laboratories.

Dave Bossert, as our evening’s emcee, opened by thanking all of the people that had contributed to the success of the Art and Wine Gala that evening, and in past years. Then he seemed to take special pleasure in introducing two-time Oscar winner songwriter Richard M. Sherman – famous for his work in “Mary Poppins”, “The Jungle Book” and “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” – and his wife, Elizabeth, as the honorary co-chairs.

Sherman’s duty as co-chair, and a thrilling surprise to most of the guests, was that he was prepared to perform.

Sherman wowed

Sherman casually took a seat at the piano bench and began singing Disney tunes such as “Chim Chim Cher-ee” and “A Spoonful of Sugar” from Mary Poppins, and “I Wanna to Be Like You” from Jungle Book – to which the audience gladly joined in with him singing along each time. Cell phones snapped photos and videos. When he finished his set the audience stood and applauded his talents, so many decades in the making.

What Art-Minded Guests Said

TimBen Boydston: “Dave is an angel, every year he has made the Canyon Theatre Guild a recipient.”

Cheri Fleming: “This is the most elegant and beautiful event in the Westridge and Santa Clarita areas. TPC is an amazing jewel in our community. Here we celebrate friends, wonderful food, amazing wine and the arts. Couldn’t make a more perfect night. I would just like to thank the artist that painted the full moon for us too.”

Don Fleming: “None of this would be possible without Dave Bossert, Cal Arts and the relationship with Disney – all of which is a treasure in our community.”

Greg McWilliams: “Dave Bossert puts on the greatest, most elegant event in the Santa Clarita Valley – and not a single dollar goes to administrations fees.”

Vanessa Wilk: “This is one of our favorite events. To support the arts is a great cause, and with wonderful food and wine. Chef Otto and Guy Lelarge deliver a one-two punch when it comes to pairing a phenomenal experience.”

Guy Lelarge: “In past years I provided wine from Spain and France, this year, except for the Champagne, everything is from California!”

Katherine Lauffer: “To see a bunch of grown ups singing Disney songs was priceless.”

Jennifer Haberer: “I loved the panoramic view during the reception. The weather – perfect and the ladies – elegant.”

Larry Mazzeo: “I’ve been a co-chair for every year of this event that benefits our arts community – specifically Cal Arts. All of the organizations are well-deserving of the support we give them,” And then Mazzeo joked, “Plus, the food and wine aren’t that bad either!”

Darlene Gandara: “It’s a first class event. Best food, best wine and the best creative minds. It’s awesome to be ‘in’ the arts and that’s where our money goes. It’s not just food and wine, it’s a specific donation to the arts.”

Robert Gandara: “Three words: Beautiful, wonderful and honored. Honored to be supporting the arts.”

The Auction

Among the many wine and art pieces paired together in lots for auction included hand sculpted pottery, limited edition chiarographs, cult Napa Cabernets and Chardonnays, Sonoma Pinot Noirs, rare photos, limited edition Beatles memorabilia, Spanish wines, signed original works, hand thrown wine glasses, vintage Charlie Brown signed and numbered screen prints, magnums, original framed paintings, rounds of golf, photographs, Champagnes, White Burgundies, Rhone varietals, Bordeaux, Sauternes, numbered Disney limited edition prints, diamond jewelry, hand embellished canvas prints, Dining with Roy P. Disney and…your very own theme music donated and composed.

Meeting Three-Time Scholarship Winner Julianne Lajac

I was seated next to Julianne Lajac, now in her third year of her masters program at Cal Arts with the help from the Art and Wine Gala. For tonight she had donated a piece of art that she had created in her advanced scenic painting class, as the “Big Head Project”. It was a piece that everyone noticed as they entered TPC that evening, for its size (4’ by 6’), its subject (“Sorrowing Madonna”) and its utter flawlessness.

I learned that scenic artists are needed for theatre, film television and theme parks. At the moment Julianne was enjoying an inflatable painting class – the kinds of inflatables seen at a Macy’s parade.

Table Sponsors

(as of press time)

Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich, Los Angeles County, 5th District

B-2

Nancy and Dave Bossert

Duck Studios

Guy LeLarge and Helen LaPrairie

M3 Creative

Tracy and Greg McWilliams

Santa Clarita Ballet Company

COC PAC K-12 Arts Program

Williams Homes

CalArts Canyon Theatre Guild

City of Santa Clarita

Cheri and Don Fleming

Santa Clarita Master Chorale

Wine Sponsor

Valencia Wine Company

Artists and Special Thanks

Nancy Bossert

Marlee Bossert

Carla K. Buchanan

CalArts

Trevor Carlton

Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf

James Coleman

Collectors Editions

Diana Cusumano

Salvador Dali

Alice Davis

Marc Davis

Frederic

Frank DiGorio

Sheri and Roy P. Disney

Lisa Dunlap

Robb Dunlap

Harrison Ellenshaw

Peter Ellenshaw

Fast Frame

Richard Golden

Rodel Gonzalez

Gina Goodrich

Carl Gunther

Steve Gunther

Lauren Hart

Debbie Henson

Manny Hernandez

Michael Hirsh

Claude Hulce

Ignition

Ivy Day Spa

Cindy Jarasunas

Norma and Gerry Klein

Cora Lanzisero

Lasseter Family Winery

Tennessee Loveless

Lucille’s BBQ

Linda Bonita Lynch

Cristy Maltese

Lorelle Miller

Bill Morrison

Noah’s Bagels

Eric Poppleton

Laura Riggen

Ro,Ma Jewelers

Barbara Rog

Tim Rogerson

John Rowe

Jim Salvati

George Scribner

John Sedlar

Mark Shoolery

Spokes

Sprout’s

Starbucks

Allison Thompson

Trader Joe’s

Jenny Ulch

Jordan Ulch

Michael Winthrop

Aaron Wood

Valencia Pharmacy

Valley Crest Trees

Sandra Walker

Mark Watters

Ed Winquest

Michael Young

Julie Zajac

A special thank you to the volunteers as well.

Vintage Eve Circa Feb 2012: Wine Tasting on Cruise Ships

September 6, 2016 by evebushman 2 Comments

Cruise ship wine tastings are a nice diversion for a day at sea. And since it takes a day just to get to Glacier Bay in Alaska, and I wasn’t going to spend it all in the spa or playing Rummikub with my mother, carving out an hour of me time was not a problem. We enjoyed two wine pairings while on board the Holland America Zaandam; each one a sample of the different wine packages you could order from while on the cruise.

The movement of the boat, or some such excuse, restricted my notes so there are no “Eve Points” in today’s column. But I still had you in mind as I foraged ahead.

Premium Wine Tasting

Led by Cellar Master Rodrigo Geducos in the boat’s posh Pinnacle dining room, we began our escape with Moet & Chandon Brut Imperial, France, NV. (Non Vintage, aka NV, is common for most Champagnes.) Popped open just for us of course, I watched as the little bubbles danced into my glass. Notes of honeyed-sugar and green apple in our Champagne paired well with fresh strawberries.

Next came an 04 Lanzerac Chardonnay, South Africa, with a honey color in the glass, fresh oak on the nose, and but I thought it had an unpleasant taste. Geducos paired this with Brie, which helped blow off some of the wine’s aromas, and successfully tuned the pairing.

08 Willamette Valley Vineyards, Pinot Noir, had a young, fruity nose, dry, no tannins in the taste, and a light finish. Again, the pairing made this wine more remarkable: duck pate.

07 Hedges Red Mountain Blend, Family Vineyards, had a perfect nose and the taste held fully matured fruit, some pepper, tannins, and went well with goat cheese.

The last in this tasting was an 05 Silverado Vineyards, Cabernet Sauvignon, with strong flavors of black pepper, wood and structured tannins. The blue cheese it was paired with, not my favorite Stilton Blue, was stronger than the wine deserved.

The wines I liked the best were the Champagne, the blend and the Cabernet.

“We hope that this selection is just enough to please you,” said Geducos. It was.

Navigator Wine Tasting

I gave you the premium first, opposite of what I’d do at home, where I save the best for last. But, as a dry audience, I thought I’d get your salivary glands activated by reversing the order. I’m confident that these should continue to whet your palate:

Again Cellar Master Geducos aptly led us through:

An 09 Robert Mondavi Riesling, Monterey County was full of banana and honey on the nose, pear flavors and a delightful effervescence that dissolved into a long velvety finish.

08 Danzante Pinot Grigio, Italy had a green floral nose, a high acid mouthfeel, more tang than sweet and quite dry.

09 Laboure Roi Pinot Noir, Burgundy, France that I really wanted to like, but with its unripe cherry nose, and empty taste, I hoped it was just too young and would have benefited with decanting.

05 Errazuriz 100% Merlot, Chile, had a great spicy nose, with jammy black cherry and pepper.

08 Diseno Malbec, Argentina, had a lovely mature fruit – almost a perfect plum – and was good to drink. Ordered for dinner that night too!

In this tasting I loved discovering the Riesling, Merlot and the Malbec.

UPDATED NEWS for STARS of Pinot 2016 and a Promo Code!

July 15, 2016 by evebushman Leave a Comment

PINOT FANS WILL REJOICE – Next Wednesday!
The CHAMPAGNE of Pinot Events is here… NEXT Wednesday!
THE DIVA of PINOT EVENTS! No, more like the DEVO of Wine Events!

55 STARS of Pinot are invading LA next Wednesday Night! STARS of PINOT is here! And its bigger and better than last year. Some of The Worlds Best Pinot producers will be gathering in Los Angeles for an elite tasting event on Wednesday, July 20, 2016 at Sofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills.

Lets say you wanted to just come for the food… How does La Brea Bakery, Hudson Valley Fois Gras, Beemster Gouda, Olympia Provisions, Valrhona Chocolate, and many other artisan producers of fine provisions will be in attendance! In addition to the efforts of the SOFITEL providing a pasta bar and salad bar all night.

Lets say, it was about the wine… again, this event will not disappoint. From Champagne, France to the heart of the Russian River in Sonoma, from McMinnville, Oregon to Casablanca, Chile; from Burgundy to Santa Barbara and great vineyards in-between; wineLA is proud to announce their 2016 winery participants which includes Official Champagne Sponsor “Charles Heidsieck” (Yes, “Champagne” is made from Pinot), Albatross Ridge, Argot Wines, AVE Winery, Alexander Valley Winery Co, Balletto Vineyards, Bernardus Winery, Blair Estate, Breathless Wines, Brittan Vineyards, Cakebread Cellars, Casa Marin, Cellars 33, Center of Effort, Challen, Charles Heidsieck, Clos Pepe Estate, Decoy Wines, Dolin Estate, Donelan Family Wines, Domaine Nicolas-Jay, Ferrari-Carano, The 50 by 50, Flowers, Fog Crest Vineyard, Foley Family Wines, FOXEN , Frank Family Vineyard, Goldeneye, Guarachi Family, Gypsy Canyon Winery, Hanzell Vineyards, Hawkins Cellars, Hope & Grace Wines, J.Lohr, Keller Estate, Le Cadeau, Lumos Wine Co., Mansfield-Dunne, Melville Winery, Migration, Niner Wine Estates, Rocky Point Cellars, Senses Wines, Sonoma-Loeb Wines, Talley Vineyards, Temerity Vineyard, Testarossa Winery, The Hilt, Timbre Winery, Tolosa Winery, Westwood Annadel , Wonderment Wines, Wrath …. and the list goes on…. over 200 wines!! Also, the founder of the BAND DEVO, GERALD CASALE will be there pouring his wine and taking photos!!!

Adding both delicious bites and conversation; event partners CHEFS WAREHOUSE distributors of all things tasty, and suppliers to some of the greatest restaurants in LOS ANGELES will be producing a luxury food show inside this event. Guest Chefs will be invited to participate and enjoy the PINOT tasting at the same time. Gourmet Cheeses from some of the nations top producers, Charcuterie by the best: Olympia Provisions from Oregon, Chocolate (can you say Val Rhona?) Truffles, Premium Olive Oils as well as our sponsor LA BREA BAKERY will be showcasing their best. Panel hosts and refined lifestyle experts will also be appearing for a luxury food panel (6:00pm VIP evening ticket holders) hosted by LA Restaurant Critic and Book Author Patric KUH – Author of “Finding the Flavors We Lost: From Bread to Bourbon, How Artisans Reclaimed American Food” .

General Admission tickets can be purchased for $125 and includes unlimited wine tasting, and an exceptional assortment of appetizers, cheeses, and desserts all provided by some of the great sponsors mentioned above, the list is growing! Wine aficionados may choose to purchase a VIP ticket for $200, VIP includes early admission, a 6:00pm plated dinner, VIP gift bag, and an exclusive panel tasting (Panel A) with Amy Christine, A Master of Wine, who panels with Matt Dees- Jonata/ Hilt, Michael McNeill- Hanzell, Gerald Casale- The Fifty by Fifty, Jim Kress- Tolosa and Tom Mortimer- Le Cadeau or (Panel B) with Patric KUH, and named professions to be announced. All ticket purchasing guests will receive one complimentary take-home SCHOTT ZWIESEL Pinot Wine Glass – a $15 value!

Guests will also have a chance to bid on an array of extraordinary auction items: rare wines, dinners, collectables, and exciting trips ranging in value from $100 to $10,000+. One hundred percent of the silent auction proceeds benefit the TJ Martell Foundation, a Los Angeles based 501(c)(3) charity dedicated to supporting innovative groundbreaking research for leukemia, cancer, and AIDS. We have raised over $350,000, and want to continue raising money for this fantastic life changing cause!

Stars of Pinot will commence for General Admission at 7:00pm and VIP at 6:00pm… with wine pouring until 9:30pm and celebrated ex-KROQ (now-SIRIUS XN) DJ RICHARD BLADE will play music until 10pm.
PROMO CODE “GOPINOT” SAVES $20 until 3pm on the day of the event

For more information about Stars of Pinot or to purchase tickets, visit www.winela.com/starsofpinot or
call wineLA at (310) 451-7600.

To accomplish it’s mission, wineLA recognizes that wine must be placed in rhythm with fashion, music, food, geography, centers of interest, and architecture. Los Angeles is a giant playground with an amazing array of venues, spaces, wine bars, restaurants, beaches, rooftops, gardens, and magical views. wineLA is leaving a footprint of wine lifestyle by celebrating people, places, and passion. Come and enjoy!

Announcing STARS of Pinot

July 10, 2016 by evebushman Leave a Comment

Over 60+ Pinot producers from around the world will be gathering in Los Angeles for an elite tasting event on Wednesday, July 20, 2016 at Sofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills.

Los Angeles, California – STARS of Pinot is back for a smashing event… we are preparing this to be wineLA’s biggest event in YEARS!!! From Champagne, France to the heart of the Russian River in Sonoma, from McMinnville Oregon to Casablanca Chile; from Burgundy to Santa Barbara and great vineyards in-between; wineLA is proud to announce their 2016 winery participants which includes Official Champagne Sponsor “Charles Heidsieck” (Yes, “Champagne” is made from Pinot), AVE Winery, AVV Winery Co, Balletto Vineyards, Breathless Wines, Bernardus Winery, Blair Estate, Brittan Vineyards, Cakebread Cellars, Casa Marin, Cellars 33, Center of Effort, Challen Winery, Clos Pepe Estate, Decoy, Dolin Family Cellars, Donelan, Domaine Nicolas-Jay, Ferrari-Carano , Flowers, Fog Crest Vineyard, FOXEN, Frank Family Vineyards, Goldeneye , Guarachi Family Wines, Hanzell Vineyards , Hope & Grace Wines, J. Lohr, Keller Estate, Le Cadeau, Mansfield-Dunne Wines, Migration, Niner Wine Estates, Rocky Point Cellars, Sonoma-Loeb Wines, Talley Vineyards, Temerity Vineyard, Testarossa, The Fifty by Fifty, The Hilt, Timbre Winery, Tolosa Winery, Westwood Annadel, Wrath…. and the list goes on.Adding both delicious bites and conversation; event partners CHEFS WAREHOUSE distributors of all things tasty, and suppliers to some of the greatest restaurants in LOS ANGELES will be producing a luxury food show inside this event. Guest Chefs will be invited to participate and enjoy the PINOT tasting at the same time. Gourmet Cheeses from some of the nations top producers, Charcuterie by the best: Olympia Provisions from Oregon, Chocolate (can you say Val Rhona?) Truffles, Premium Olive Oils as well as our sponsor LA BREA BAKERY will be showcasing their best. Panel hosts and refined lifestyle experts will also be appearing for a luxury food panel (6:00pm VIP evening ticket holders) hosted by LA Restaurant Critic and Book Author Patric KUH – Author of “Finding the Flavors We Lost: From Bread to Bourbon, How Artisans Reclaimed American Food”

General Admission tickets can be purchased for $125 and includes unlimited wine tasting, and an exceptional assortment of appetizers, cheeses, and desserts all provided by some of the great sponsors mentioned above, the list is growing! Wine aficionados may choose to purchase a VIP ticket for $200, VIP includes early admission, a 6:00pm plated dinner, VIP gift bag, and a exclusive panel tasting (Panel A) with Amy Christine, A Master of Wine, who panels with Matt Dees- Jonata/ Hilt, Michael McNeill- Hanzell, Gerald Casale- The Fifty by Fifty, and Tom Mortimer- Le Cadeau or (Panel B) with Patric KUH, and named professions to be announced. All ticket purchasing guests will receive one complimentary take-home SCHOTT ZWIESEL Pinot Wine Glass – a $15 value!

Stars of Pinot will commence for General Admission at 7:00p.m., and VIP at 6:00p.m.

For more information about Stars of Pinot or to purchase tickets, visit www.winela.com/starsofpinot or
call wineLA at (310) 451-7600.

About wineLA
wineLA is focused on enhancing the wine culture of Los Angeles. wineLA hosts significant events, occasional classes, wine programs, private client in-home wine experiences, and tastings of merit. This is the second phase of what the organization started 20 years ago at LearnAboutWine.com – America’s first wine education website and first in wine event creation!!To accomplish it’s mission, wineLA recognizes that wine must be placed in rhythm with fashion, music, food, geography, centers of interest, and architecture. Los Angeles is a giant playground with an amazing array of venues, spaces, wine bars, restaurants, beaches, rooftops, gardens, and magical views. wineLA is leaving a footprint of wine lifestyle by celebrating people, places, and passion. Come and enjoy!

Vintage Eve Circa 9/11: Waugh-Wine-Isms and Wit

May 10, 2016 by evebushman Leave a Comment

Novelist and column writer Auberon Waugh (1939-2001) wrote a wine book in 1986, that albeit is very dated when it comes to specific wine reviews, shows great wit. I found this interesting as my wit has all been drained from me after completing the Wine & Spirit’s Education Trust Level 2 course, that trains sommeliers to use wine descriptors that people understand. So I had to stop saying “cherry lifesaver candy” and instead use “ripe cherries”. I miss being caustic, and Waugh’s attitude is helping me regain my old self.

“Waugh On Wine” served to give me several anecdotes of wit and wine:

“…hosts that skimp on their wine should be exposed, ridiculed and humiliated.”

In complaining about using descriptors such as “cherries” and “smoke” in regards to Pinot Noir, Waugh said “…When describing tastes, one is bound to use some sort of shorthand, in any case, unless one is to embark on some baroque poetic fantasy on every occasion” and “I have been eating cherries all of my life, and breathing smoke for much of it, but I have never found a Burgundy which tasted of either – let alone tobacco, perfume, rose petals or lavender. If I found one of my wines tasting of any of those things I would send it back and demand an explanation. It is true that I once thought I detected a hint of cigar smoke in a Joseph Phelps Chardonnay I was given at a British Academy of Gastronomes lunch. But I had been told to look for it, and decided eventually that the smell probably came from my neighbor, a nice fat Sunday Times journalist…who was smoking a cigar.”

In his chapter on Aperitifs I love that Waugh wrote, “The general effect of cocktails is to anesthetize the brain, drive out the worries and preoccupations of the day and prepare men and women for each other’s company.”

In the Summer Wines section, Waugh makes a reference to illegal drugs that I would never dare write, “For those readers that are still old-fashioned enough to smoke pot, the only wine I ever found that went well with it was Deinhart’s Hochheimer Konigin Victoria Beng Riesling Kabinett.”

In writing about the Rhone wines Waugh gets more serious. He contends that the increasing prices in for Bordeaux and Burgundy have driven consumers over to Rhones: “Suddenly, wine drinkers are beginning to take the wine of the Rhone very seriously indeed. They are discovering virtues in the Syrah and Grenache grapes which they had quite forgotten about. Wines of the Rhone Valley have quite simply come to represent the best buy from France.”

In attesting that vintage port is by far better than any other type of port, Waugh wrote, “Those who cannot afford vintage port, or who cannot be bothered with all the business of storing and decanting it, should find a good tawny. Ruby is nothing but an inferior, younger form of tawny and generally comes under the heading of a low taste, although it is much favoured in certain quarters as a flavouring for surgical spirits, when it is called Red Biddy, and it is said to drive you mad, then blind, before killing you…all other ports…are inferior versions of the vintage port experience and proclaim your poverty to the world – which is not, really, the purpose of serving port.”

In describing California winemaking Waugh wrote, “I had thought to polish off Californian and Spanish reds in a single section with a little faint praise and some sneering remarks about the poor. No doubt they would taste quite nice but so does ginger beer. Who could be expected to pay attention to bottles with names like Firestone, Inglenook, Stony Hill or X-D Wines, let alone hold a serious conversation with them?…I find myself facing a personal crisis with roots in the cultural identity of us all. There can be no doubt that the Californians, for all their psychobabble and personal hygiene, are producing some very good red wines indeed.”

And my final, favorite, Waugh-on-Wine-ism: “According to Michael Broadbent, who is a Master of Wine and supervises Christie’s Wine Department, the best wine really only begins to develop – open out, show a leg, whatever – once it is in the glass. Within a space of two hours a wine which has lain undisturbed for twenty or thirty years will turn the gamut through tight, unsuspicious puberty, vivacious adolescence, joyful awakening, sensuous maturity, fat and crumbling middle age to sour, crabbed old age.” Funny, the way Waugh writes makes me want to drink, and write, many more joyful awakenings.

Here’s one last funny story about this book: I requested the book Waugh on Wine from a library in Temecula to be delivered to my local library for me to pick up. It comes in and the flyleaf has a sticker that reads, “Donated from the collection of Bob Foster”. I Google Foster, find him on Facebook, friend him, and then learn more about the former lawyer turned wine judge’s collection: 1400 books.