Newhall Refinery NEW Reserve Wine List is a Wish List For Everyone

October 27, 2018 by evebushman Leave a Comment

Several factors should go into play when creating a wine list. As a consumer we may not be aware of all of them. As a wine writer I get to learn some of them. Here’s what I learned and what you can now expect from the new Reserve Wine List at Newhall Refinery.

Simon and Shannon Mee, owners of Newhall Refinery, already had re-vamped their existing Wine List with the help of Guy Lelarge, formerly of Valencia Wine Company. Lelarge introduced several new wines – that have become new favorites – while removing some older wines from the list. But it doesn’t end here for the Mees and Lelarge, as Newhall Refinery is one of the most cutting edge restaurants in the Santa Clarita Valley (many would argue that they are the most cutting edge) they wanted to create a reserve wine list that would encompass classic Napa wineries as well as global favorites, wines with high critic scores, name recognition and pair the best with their ever-changing fare.

One look at the new Reserve Wine List (below) and wine aficionados will notice a Far Niente vertical, 2010, 2011 and 2012 – of their Cave Collection Cabernet Sauvignon. They may also notice that the selections also include global choices – notably France and Italy – to pair with the dinner menu, Chef Dustin’s weekend menus and of course, the upcoming holiday parties and special events in The Cellar at Refinery.

These new reserve wines are now safely tucked away, in a temperature controlled wine fridge in The Cellar, near to the decorative racks of wines that will still be available from the latest wine menu.

There will be three by-the-glass selections, all Napa Cabernet Sauvignons: the 2015 Duckhorn, 2014 Silver Oak and a 2012 Heitz Trailside. How can they possibly open such nice bottles just for a glass? The Mees have purchased a Coravin Model 2, which is a unit that extracts wine from the bottle without removing the cork. Usually winery representatives and distributors use this model. Lucky for us, the Mees know the value of fresh wine as well.

Lastly, there are only a select number of these wines that are currently available, so don’t wait too long to come in and try a new dinner pairing at Newhall Refinery!

My own opinion of this new Reserve Wine List: it’s incredible! And now we both now know – and can appreciate – what should go into the selection process.

The Reserve List

PINOT NOIR

Patz & Hall ‘Gap’s Crown’, Sonoma Coast, 2015

Sea Smoke ‘Southing’, Santa Rita Hills, 2014

Sea Smoke ‘Ten’, Santa Rita Hills, 2015

CABERNET SAUVIGNON

Bella Union, Napa, 2015

Duckhorn, Napa, 2014

Silver Oak, Alexander Valley, 2014

Heitz ‘Trailside’, Napa, 2012

Nickel & Nickel ‘Rock Cairn’, Oakville, 2015

Caymus ‘Special Selection’, Napa, 2014

Far Niente ‘Cave Collection’, Napa, 2010

Far Niente ‘Cave Collection’, Napa, 2011

Far Niente ‘Cave Collection’, Napa, 2012

Stag’s Leap ‘SLV’, Napa, 2015

RED BLENDS

Flora Springs ‘Trilogy’, Napa, 2015

Miner ‘The Oracle’, Napa, 2013

Opus One Meritage, Oakville, 2014

Joseph Phelps ‘Insignia’ Meritage, Napa, 2014

Dominus Meritage, Napa, 2014

ITALIAN WINES

Pio Cesare Barolo, Piedmont 2013

Antinori ‘Guado Al Tasso’,

Bolgheri Superiore D.O.C, 2013

FRENCH WINES

Joseph Drouhin ‘Vosne-Romanee’, Burgundy, 2016

Chateau Magdelaine, Saint Emilion, Bordeaux 2011 Chateau Lynch Bages, Pauillac, Bordeaux, 2010

PORT WINES

Dow’s 30 Year Tawny Port

Grahams Vintage Port, 1983

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. You can also seek her marketing advice via Eve@EveBushmanConsulting.com

Château de Pommard Introduces Three New Wine Experiences

August 9, 2018 by evebushman Leave a Comment

Château de Pommard is introducing three new Wine Experiences to teach consumers the professional secrets of tasting, pairing and selecting wines. The Tasting Experience, Climats Experience and Gourmet Experience have been created by the domain’s new Director of Wine Education, Vanessa Guébels, a Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) Diploma graduate.

“Wine consumers today are passionate, not only about great regions and vintages but also about the understanding it takes to navigate the complex world of fine wine,” commented Michael Baum, CEO, and Propriétaire of Famille Carabello-Baum. “With wine knowledge comes wine enjoyment and visitors to Burgundy are thirsty for both.”

Guests participating in the Tasting Experience will learn, in just 45 minutes, the WSET systematic method for professional tasting and gain the confidence in describing wines using the language of professional sommeliers. The Climats Experience lasts 60 minutes, during which, the complex array of Burgundy villages and wines are explained. Guests are empowered with a grasp of the true meaning of terroir. The Gourmet Experience offers each visitor the opportunity to travel the world and build a foundation for matching fine wines with international cuisine. This, 90-minute workshop, hosted by WSET trained Wine Advisors, was developed by Ms. Guébels and Château de Pommard’s award-winning winemakers to encourage a methodical approach to food and wine pairing.

“The opportunity to combine the unparalleled wine knowledge in Burgundy with consumer experiences is a wine educator’s dream of a lifetime,” quipped Ms. Guébels.
“With the launch of these new Wine Experiences, when somebody leaves the domain they do so with precise knowledge about grape varietals, tasting methods and the winemaking and food pairing techniques that professionals around the world rely upon.”

From passionate wine lovers looking to strengthen their knowledge of Burgundy to industry professionals dedicated to improving their craft, there’s a wine experience suited to all tastes and levels. These experiences are one of many forthcoming projects, both onsite and online, from Château de Pommard designed to ignite passions for wine education.

The new Wine Experiences can be reserved online, by phone or through Château de Pommard’s travel, tourism and hotel partners.

Vintage Eve 5/2015: Cabs of Distinction = Dinner at Opolo and The Quaff Report Panel

July 17, 2018 by evebushman Leave a Comment

Dinner at Opolo Vineyards after our first day learning and tasting at the Paso Robles Cab Collective Cabs of Distinction was a special treat booked for us by the public relations company marketing the event, Parker Sanpei. Starting with an after hours tasting in their tasting room – their Zin and Sangio stood out uppermost in my mind the next day – we also took a brief tour.

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Dinner at Opolo Vineyards!

The winery now houses not one but two copper stills in which chief distiller and vineyard manager Paul Quinn has been making a freaking outstanding grappa, and just that day, had completed distilling a pear brandy. Come to find that several Paso wineries are getting their license to distill alcohol from fruit and sell from their tasting rooms. I told Paul that since Opolo is SIP certified this is a natural following, to use up every scrap…for our pleasure.

We then toured the grounds. We visited a large welcoming grassy area that is used for the 8,000-strong club member parties, the rooms for overnight guests and a main house with plenty of windows for vineyard views set up for our dinner.

Starting with a lovely fruit-forward Roussanne we dined on a spinach salad with dried cranberries, apple slices, walnuts and then buttery scallops over Parmesan risotto. The owner, Rick Quinn, who had already wowed us with his smoked pork salami and smoked pork loin as appetizers, had created a meaty Goulash with grilled artichoke which I believe they served with their reserve Zinfandel. For dessert, our only store bought item, was a light cheesecake covered in berries and compote.

If you haven’t been to Opolo and like big friendly wines paired with friendly people, don’t miss them on your next trip to Paso.

The Quaff Report Panel Discussion

On day two of our visit we were invited back to the Paso Robles Inn Ballroom for a sommelier led seminar.

While the panelists got ready Meredith May, publisher of Tasting Panel and SOMM Journal, announced that she will soon be unveiling a chef-focused cannabis magazine coming in the fall, contact info@TheCleverRoot.com if you want to learn more. This was news!

Then it was time for the panel.

Okay, right off the bat, this is my first experience watching others – as the audience wasn’t participating – taste and comment on wine. One thing I did learn came from sommelier Mike Madrigale, the moderator, who discussed helping restaurant staffs by blind tasting wines and discussing them on their merits.

Then he asked his fellow panelists to taste and only comment on any remarkable attributes found in the wines poured out in front of them.

Like a silent movie, with no music as an accompaniment, we waited for what seemed like several minutes for ANYTHING to happen. May took the opportunity to talk about the reach, 90k readers, of the Tasting Panel. She then explained that she had offered to take over the Sommelier Journal when it was about to fold, revamped it as the Somm Journal and offered it up for free to trade – and now up to 60k are reading it.

That time spent allowed our panel of Somms and wine directors to come up with some ideas of what was in their glasses. Savory, dusty, no oak…was it a Cabernet Franc or straight Cab? Across the board they had differing opinions other than what we already knew: all are Bordeaux, the only questions is new or old world?

The MS at Giada at the Cromwell Hotel, Darius Allyn said for us, as he believed that many lay people were in he audience, that they have to look at cost and how the wines offered up to pair with their cuisine.

Madrigale commented that the first wine, once revealed was a $200ish Bordeaux, wholesale would be about $125 and then about $300 on a wine list – for a wine that needs age, he wouldn’t buy this for a restaurant. He gets better deals looking for this and others at auction.

Allyn mentioned that he is given a budget by the restaurant, and he can’t speed up time on a bottle that needs age.

Both commented that Burgundy may triple in value with time, while current Bordeaux would not, and the price of Bordeaux is somewhat inflated. Which was another reason they routinely chose not to invest money in them for their wine lists.

As they worked their way through the remaining wines, we tweeted along with them, but there was more discussion about if the blind wines were new or old world and less about things I could get into, like what their customers would think, what would they pay, if it was unexpected would a customer send it back. In conclusion: if you want us to watch while you drink you better engage us. Oh well.

Story in photos: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10205508500739325.1073741916.1455706632&type=1&l=dbb4543053

Eve Bushman has been reading, writing, taking coursework and tasting wine for over 20 years. She has obtained a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust, has been the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video, authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and recently served as a guest judge for the L.A. International Wine Competition. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits that may be answered in a future column. You can also seek her marketing advice via Eve@EveBushmanConsulting.com

Château de Pommard presents Rootstock 2018, Burgundy’s music, wine and food festival

June 24, 2018 by evebushman Leave a Comment

POMMARD, FRANCE – Rootstock, Burgundy’s music, wine, and food festival returns this summer for the French holiday Bastille weekend (July 13-‐15, 2018). The festival will feature a roster of chart-‐topping international acts, including British band Jungle, Canadian group Soul Jazz Orchestra, Swiss band Le Roi Angus, and Nigerian-‐born guitarist Keziah Jones. This international lineup will be completed with the French pop electro group Isaac Delusion and a special Bastille Day DJ set of the unmissable Breakbot. Château de Pommard throws open its doors and invites international travelers to its new luxury Pop Up Hotel, where guests can sleep in an elegant outdoor setting surrounded by hundreds-‐year-‐old vines and 17th-‐century architecture. Discover the finesse of food and wine pairings in the Chefs Alley, learn to taste like a professional in the Burgundy tasting seminar, bike the ancient vineyards on a guided cycling tour, meet the chicest designers from Paris and Marrakech or join your friends and family for a picnic in the ancient Clos Marey-‐Monge.

With 50,000 US travelers heading to Burgundy from May to September, the Californian owners of Château de Pommard, want to share their love of the French countryside and music with fellow Burgundy-‐lovers around the world. The team at Château de Pommard conceived of the Rootstock music festival to attract world-‐class talent to the region, and to support young, rising artists at the beginning of their careers. Awarded annually to select performers, the Rootstock Artist Package, provides financial support early in an artist’s career including; professional recording studio time at Paris-‐based Studio Ferber, media promotion and, connection with booking agents. Theo Maxyme, a 2017 Rootstock Artist Package winner, recently released his first single ‘Sur le Fil’. The song is topping the rock chart on iTunes France.

With only 1,500 Rootstock Passes available, these three days of world-‐class music among the vines is the exclusive summer vacation of a lifetime. Just three hours from Paris, and 90 minutes from Lyon, one of the nation’s most popular tourist hotspots, Château de Pommard is ideally placed to receive international travelers. A new Concierge Service is now available to coordinate visitors’ arrangements, with travel and accommodation packages

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1 Day Pass: 60€
3 Days Pass: 150€
VIP 3 Days Pass: 250€
(USD prices at the time of release: 1 Day Pass $75 -‐ 3 Days Pass $180 -‐ VIP 3 Days Pass $350)

Booking & information -‐ www.rootstockburgundy.com Château de Pommard -‐ 15 Rue Marey Monge, 21630 Pommard

About Château de Pommard

Founded in 1726 by Vivant Micault, secretary to King Louis XV, Château de Pommard remains one of the most iconic and visited wine estates in Burgundy. Clos Marey-‐Monge, at the heart of the domain, has been producing one of the greatest expressions of Pinot Noir for more than two millennia. The 20-‐hectare clay and limestone rich terroir make it the largest and most interesting monopole in the Côte d’Or. In July 2015, UNESCO declared the clos a world heritage protected Climat of Burgundy. The Carabello-‐Baum family of San Francisco purchased the domain in 2014 and became just the fifth family to guide the estate in almost 300 years. The family has transformed the estate into the ultimate wine education destination where anyone can experience the phenomenon that is Burgundy.

For more information, visit www.chateaudepommard.com

The Circuitous Path from Network News to Fine Wine, by Tim Ortman (Part Three, Concludes Next Week)

June 21, 2018 by evebushman Leave a Comment

After a fruitful overseas run with NBC News, I returned to Chicago where, with the support of NBC and other news operations, I created a production company to continue covering the news. At this point, it had been seven years since I’d left the U.S. and I realized a lot had changed. I discovered two publications dedicated solely to wine coverage. Imagine that. What was next? An all-sports network, or one dedicated to cooking?

As I read through those magazines, I found that a plethora of ink had been devoted to the much-heralded back-to-back ’89 and ’90 vintages in Bordeaux. While I knew nothing of this French region, review after review screamed that these were must-have wines. I had just grasped Brunello di Montalcino and was now confronted with the much larger and more complex right and left bank. Once again, I had to dive in. There was no turning back. Would it ever end?

Of course, the correct answer is no.

Once again, my professional TV life intersected with my burgeoning wine life. I was hired to produce a project on the growing wine auction business and invited to sample some of the Bordeaux and Burgundies being auctioned. There was that dirt component again from my earlier run-in with French reds. But this time, coupled with ripe fruit from great vintages, I found it was delicious. If a picture is worth a thousand words, a taste is worth ten thousand words, and after that auction project, I was a hopeless collector – with all of our available funds going into the cellar. Brunello, Bordeaux, and Burgundy would soon be followed with Napa Cabs, Barolo, Barabresco, Rioja and Priorate.

My cellar was growing and diversifying, and so too was my occupation. After decades of globe-trotting network news coverage, I was looking for television work that seemed less perilous and closer to home. I began to replace my exhausting news career with a new and popular format called reality TV. Work was plentiful and the compensation rewarding. But, I quickly discovered that there was nothing real about reality TV, and it proved to be even more exhausting than network news. It was decided. After 25 years in TV, I needed a break from television.

Living in Southern California and enjoying the fruits of my second marriage to a highly successful corporate executive who was also a fan of fine wine, I had the luxury of choosing a ‘second act’ without jeopardizing our financial solvency. We discussed a possible detour on my career path and agreed wine was my only other true passion – an avenue worth pursuing while I pressed the pause button on TV. But where to begin?

Retail shop clerk or cellar rat didn’t appeal to me, and I didn’t have the resume for the restaurant biz. Distribution or sales would be a radical departure, but perhaps something I could manage. I took a job as a sales rep for a prestigious importer and distributor with an impressive portfolio of wines. Learning the portfolio would be daunting but doable. But acquiring ‘street cred’ would be tougher. I soon found out “Emmy award-winning cameraman and producer” made for a meaningless introduction in the wine world. I had to get new credentials.

(Editor’s Note: This story is broken into four parts, please return to this website on the same weekday next week for part four, the conclusion.)

Tim Ortman is an Emmy Award-winning cameraman and producer and author of the new book, Newsreal: A View Through the Lens When… He is a certified Sommelier and member of La Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin. Connect with him on Facebook, @TimOrtmanWriter.

STARS of Pinot at the Montage Beverly Hills on July 11th, 2018

June 11, 2018 by evebushman Leave a Comment

Beverly Hills, Calif. – Pinot Noir has been a very important grape since the ROMAN era. In fact, Pinot Noir has two times as many acres/hectares planted in France than it does in California, even though Pinot has been in a huge growth mode for almost 20 years! To honor this majestic grape, WineLA is thrilled to present our 4th annual STARS of Pinot event on Wednesday, July 11, 2018 at The Montage Beverly Hills. With over 40 top Pinot Producers set to participate, WineLA invites you to join us and taste over 100 different wines at this annual gathering. The Montage Beverly Hills expects to welcome hundreds of wine enthusiasts to meet the makers and celebrate the best Pinots’ from many of world’s top producers.

Wineries set to participate: Clos Pepe Estate, Croix, Kanzler Family Vineyard, King Estate, Iris, Mail Road Wines, McIntyre Vineyards, Tolosa, Wrath, J Vineyards and Winery, Fess Parker Winery and Vineyard, Willamette Valley Vineyards, Bernardus, Hyde Vineyards, Old Bridge Cellars, Robert Talbott Vineyards, Hartford Family Winery, Alma Rosa Winery and Vineyards, The 50 by 50, Bouchaine Napa Valley + Carneros, Roadhouse Winery, WeatherBorne Wine Corp, Artesa Napa Valley, Carmel Road, Russian River, Sonoma Coast, Oregon, Burgundy and yes, Champagne is anticipated to be there! (more brands joining daily).

All guests will be able to participate to bid on wines and collectables during our silent auction, benefiting the T.J Martell FOUNDATION for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.

The event will begin at 6PM for VIP DINNER TICKETS (Advance tickets for the VIP experience may be purchased for $150; price increases as sell out approaches, remaining tickets will be $200 at the door). 6PM entry grants a delicious VIP PINOT PANEL Dinner and a beautiful Los Angeles Magazine gift bag lined with artisan products and thank you gifts. There are a limited number of VIP (6 p.m. admission tickets). 7 p.m. doors open for General Admission. Advanced tickets may be purchased for less than $80 per person with day of tickets (if available) at $95.

The VIP PINOT PANEL DINNER – Hosted by Master of Wine, Jennifer Simonetti-Bryan (the most famous MW in the world)! This VIP panel dinner gives you a chance to enjoy a great MONTAGE dinner and drink a special set of VIP wines served with the discussion at the panel. The Winemakers debate and discuss various topics and the audience is typically filled with wines most enthusiastic. Panelists’ Include: Jeff Stewart of Hartford Family winery (SONOMA); Richard Sanford of Alma Rosa winery (SANTA BARBARA); David Coventry of Robert Talbott Vineyard (CARMEL/MONTEREY); Brandon Sparks of Dragonette (SANTA BARBARA); and Jay Somers of J.Christopher (OREGON).

Come and meet with the who’s who of Pinot Noir while enjoying unlimited wine tasting, great MONTAGE tray passed appetizers and a wonderful audience. WineLA welcomes wine fans of all experience levels.

For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit http://www.winela.com/stars-of-pinot-2018

About WineLA

WineLA is about enhancing the wine culture of Los Angeles one event at a time. To do so, wine must be in rhythm with fashion, music, food and other beverages. It must take advantage of the geography, the architecture and the centers of interest. Los Angeles is a giant playground with an amazing array of venues, spaces, wine bars, restaurants, beaches, rooftops, gardens, and magical views. We are a part of the LA lifestyle, the wine lifestyle, and celebrate the people, the place and the passion.

For more information call 310-451-7600 or email PR@winela.com

The School of Wine & Spirits Business unveils world’s first fully dedicated premises

May 27, 2018 by evebushman Leave a Comment

Dijon, May 2018 – Founded in 2013, the School of Wine & Spirits Business (SWSB) centralises all wine and spirits management training and research activities carried out by Burgundy School of Business (BSB). In April 2018, the School unveiled a new building of over 1,000m2 at the heart of the BSB campus. These truly unique premises are the only ones of their kind in the world dedicated entirely to teaching of and research into wine and spirits management. Launched in conjunction is the Wine & Spirits Business Lab, an unprecedented research laboratory concentrating on behavioural studies within the wine and spirits sector.

A unique location for a unique institution

The School of Wine & Spirits Business is currently an international benchmark in the field. Every year it provides training to over 180 students of around 20 nationalities from 5 continents, via its range of programmes: the Specialised Master in International Wine & Spirits Business (taught in French), the MBA in Wine & Spirits Business (launched this year along the lines of the MSc in Wine Business), the MSc in Wine Management and the Wine Tourism specialist option as part of the Bachelor in Marketing & Business (all three taught in English).

The new, entirely dedicated building was constructed during BSB campus works in 2017. Covering a surface area of over 1,000m2, the premises comprise a range of work spaces available for students, researchers and guests, all of whom can take full advantage of the best possible reception and working conditions:

The Wine & Spirits Business Lab, the behavioural research laboratory
The Tasting Room, a 32-seat, fully-equipped classroom for tasting courses and research activity
The Cellar, a 12-degree storage cellar that is home to the School’s entire bottle collection; a prime location for more informal tasting sessions
The Spirits World, an area entirely dedicated to spirits
The Business Lounge, a stylish and sophisticated reception area

The Wine & Spirits Business Lab: where behavioural sciences serve the wine and spirits sector

This research laboratory is the only one of its kind in the world dedicated entirely to behavioural studies into the wine and spirits sector – from production through to consumption via assessment. Under the leadership of Prof. Nikos Georgantzis, the set-up employs experimental economics techniques in order to unearth the emotions, cognitive procedures and decision-making factors that influence the actions and opinions of consumers, producers and experts.

To achieve this, the team can call upon the expertise of the BSB Behavioural Economics academic department and use the top-quality facilities made available by the SWSB. In addition to the experiments conducted, the Lab also provides a forum for combining expert knowledge of and interest in the world of wines and spirits in order to provide new responses to long-running issues and also with a view to generating new knowledge and pushing back the boundaries of research into the area.

The Wine & Spirits Business Lab team works in close collaboration with partners from the wine-producing industry, and students and universities from all over the world, an open set-up that enables them to produce academic research that is both intellectually stimulating and of genuine use to Society.

Introducing Montrésor – New Lively French Bistro Gives Studio City a Taste of “La Belle Vie”!

March 19, 2018 by evebushman Leave a Comment

(Studio City, CA) – Studio City has been building a reputation as a new dining mecca, not just for residents of “The Valley,” but for all throughout Greater Los Angeles. Now, an even more exciting addition, Montrésor, Studio City’s newest French bistro with Executive Chef Paul Shoemaker in the kitchen, emulates the grace and style of Paris in the 1920’s is calling this city home. Serving traditional French cuisine with innovative technique and a whimsical flare, this lively, neighborhood bistro has finally arrived just in time and Montrésor officially opened February 14th, 2018!

Photo Credit: acuna-hansen

Montrésor is the brainchild of actress, producer and long-time restaurateur, Lisa Long, and designer and partner, Ann Booth Luly. Long, originally raised in the Midwest, has made a name for herself in Los Angeles over her remarkable thirty-year career as an actress with over 77 film and television credits, and Restaurateur of some of L.A.’s top spots such as La Loggia Ristorante, Barsac Brasserie, Firenze Osteria with Top Chef fan favorite Chef Fabio Viviani, and The FLATS in Beverly Hills with Michelin starred Executive Chef Paul Shoemaker. Long met her now-business partner, Ann Booth Luly, 30 years ago on the set of a Pointer Sister video and the two hit it off right away. Luly is a multi-faceted talent who taught herself how to sew at the young age of 6. She began designing clothes for her family which led her to open a boutique store 20 years ago in Studio City called “Hoity Toity.” Her clothing store features her custom-made clothing, bags and functional art and from there, Luly branched out to restaurant design. Her stylistic eye and concern for the environment helped conceive the very essence of Montrésor’s look and design, creating a fun French setting for guests to feel swept away to the French countryside.

Long and Booth Luly, decided to partner professionally to open Montrésor, Studio City’s lively new French Bistro with Executive Chef Paul Shoemaker creating the menu and overseeing the kitchen. Shoemaker gained recognition at Alan Ducasse and French Laundry before making his way to the kitchens of Water Grill and Providence with Chef Michael Cimarusti, Firefly in Studio City, and his very own restaurant Savory in Malibu. His most noteworthy accomplishment was at Joe Pytka’s Bastide, where he earned himself a Michelin star in less than six months. Shoemaker’s recent talents landed him at INTRO Art Gallery & Chef’s Table, a secret supper club that took guests on a multi-sensory journey, before joining Long as Executive Chef at The FLATS in Beverly Hills, Long’s restaurant that specializes in delectable comfort foods, featuring artisan flatbread pizzas and mouthwatering burgers all served with fresh, Farmers Market produce.

Shoemaker was excited to get back to cooking traditional French cuisine with some innovative techniques he has learned along the way. “I like to take a classic dish and have a little fun, give it some flair and get playful. I want to create something different, that stands out amongst the classics,” says Shoemaker. Rich flavors combined with the beautiful, fresh produce Angelenos are accustomed to seeing at Farmers’ Markets will be making a noteworthy appearance on the opening menu. “It is simple and classic French cuisine prepared with modern technique and seasonal ingredients, accompanied by an eclectic wine bar,” states Shoemaker. Guests will start their evening with a choice of Appetizers including a crisp Bib Lettuce Salad with avocado, fines herbs and a tarragon cream dressing, the French Onion Soup with house-made baguette croutons, Mussels in a garlic white wine sauce, or fresh the Crab Cake served with remoulade and frisée. The Entrées include a choice of the Black Truffle Winter Gnocchi served with a Reggiano foam, the delicious Short Rib with a potato purée, the Salmon served over a porcini ragu and Bloomsdale spinach, and 10 oz. Bone in Tenderloin Steak with potato pavé and tomato confit. Dessert includes two delectable choices to start: the classic, French Profiteroles served with an almond toffee brittle, vanilla ice cream and topped with chocolate sauce, and the delicate Crème Brulée served with a savory pistachio biscotti.

Like the infamous wine regions of France, Montrésor has an eclectic wine list to perfectly pair with Chef Shoemaker’s menu. Enjoy the Château Haut Rian from Bordeaux or a glass of the Saint-Véran blend from Burgundy as each wine is offered by the glass and has been handpicked to accompany your meal. Guests can enjoy a bottle of the Puligny Montrachet, the Château Monbousquet, or the Perrier Jouët “Belle Epoque” champagne. Those that prefer a fruiter, New World California wine can also enjoy a selection of Northern California selections such as the Stags Leap Cellars Sauvignon Blanc, the Cakebread Cellars Chardonnay, and the beloved Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon. Beer aficionados can also enjoy a bottle of Chimay “Grand Réserve Blue, Delirium Tremens, Bavik, Gavroche, Duchesse de Bourgogne or Saison Du Pont, and there is also a selection of American beers including the Allagash, Anderson Valley, Old Stock and Old Rasputin to match every beer-lover’s preference.

Montrésor, which translates to “my treasure” in English, is just that. Tucked away on Ventura Boulevard, Montrésor was designed with a 1920’s French theme in mind, full of vintage design and repurposed decor at every turn. A vintage refurbished headboard serves as one of the restaurant’s benches while the 8-foot reclaimed wooden doors are recycled from a winery in Orange County. Even the mannequin bodice lamp was recycled and crafted by Luly herself. Every hand-picked piece at Montrésor tells a story, full of whimsical inspiration. Luly wanted to evoke a feeling that guests were effortlessly transported to the past, in a way that is both whimsical and comfortable. “From the beginning, the vision for the design of the restaurant was to inspire a lively, yet romantic setting, leaving guests feeling reminiscent of the late 1800’s in the Loire Valley of France where the village of Montrésor is located,” explains Luly. “From the moment you first see the green patina on the exterior of Montrésor and then enter through the carved wood doors, guests will see a copper patina ceiling and etched glass extending down to the carefully hand-tufted banquettes, creating a sense of whimsical decadence. I really tried to create a world of treasures,” says Luly. “Walls painted in a Venetian plaster help to conjure a feeling as though we traveled back in time to decades past, while the rich burgundy and pewter colors, with green and gold accents make you think of the Rhône and Burgundy valley. That, and of course the wall of decorated wine bottles and red, silk brocade.”

As guests sit amongst playful, French vintage decor in the heart of Studio City, each of their senses are playfully indulged leaving one feeling delighted and sentimental. Vive La France and Vive Montrésor!

Montrésor is open Tuesday through Sunday from 5:30 pm to 10:30 pm. For more information about Montrésor, please visit www.Montresor.LA or call Montrésor directly.

Montrésor
11266 Ventura Boulevard
Studio City, CA 91604
T: 818.760.7081
www.Montresor.LA

2018 World of Pinot Noir Tickets on Sale

January 21, 2018 by evebushman Leave a Comment

Santa Barbara, Calif. – The World of Pinot Noir (WOPN), the wine world’s foremost organization dedicated to advancing and celebrating Pinot Noir, has officially released tickets for its marquee event taking place March 2-3, 2018 at the seaside Ritz-Carlton Bacara in sunny Santa Barbara. Tickets can be viewed and purchased at WorldofPinotNoir.com.

The WOPN Board of Directors are proud to announce Joshua Greene, editor of Wine & Spirits Magazine, will lead a tasting seminar exploring the rich and exciting link between Oregon’s Pinot Noir and Burgundy; David Glancy, a Master Sommelier and founder of the San Francisco Wine School, will guide WOPN’s popular Burgundy tasting seminar; and Matt Kettmann, contributing editor at Wine Enthusiast magazine, will host a panel tasting of the 92-plus scoring Pinot Noirs from the preeminent cool-climate vineyards in California’s exciting Central Coast.

On pace to be the largest and most well-attended event in the organization’s 18-year history, the 2018 World of Pinot Noir will include two full days of pairing dinners prepared by renown chefs, Pinot Noir parties, two Grand Tastings featuring more than 250 premier Pinot Noir wineries from around the globe, and additional expert-led seminars.

There are multiple ways for Pinot Noir fans and aficionados to take part in the events throughout the weekend.

This first wave of tickets include all-access Weekend Passes, Day Passes, Grand Tasting tickets, and tickets for marquee seminars and lunches.

Currently available tickets include:

WEEKEND PASS
Includes an invitation to the Opening Night Celebration March 1; admission to the Friday and Saturday Tasting Seminars & Luncheons; VIP Admission to the Friday and Saturday Grand Tastings; and Pinot Noir Pairing Dinners on Friday and Saturday evenings.

FRIDAY & SATURDAY SINGLE-DAY PASSES

Includes admission to the day’s Tasting Seminar & Luncheon, VIP Admission to the day’s Grand Tasting, and a Pinot Noir Pairing Dinner.

FRIDAY SEMINAR & LUNCHEON: Exploring the Oregon-Burgundy Connection

Joshua Greene, Editor of Wine & Spirits Magazine, will lead a winemaker panel discussion and tasting that explores Oregon’s deep and growing ties to Burgundy, and the how this is influencing the current and future state of this exciting New World region. The seminar includes a three-course Pinot Noir-paired lunch prepared by the Ritz-Carlton Bacara culinary team, with wine service by World of Pinot Noir Sommeliers.

SATURDAY BURGUNDY SEMINAR & LUNCHEON: Tasting Through The Best of Burgundy

Founder of the San Francisco Wine School and Master Sommelier David Glancy – along with a panel of Burgundy experts and winemakers – will lead a fun and educational tasting of some of the most notable producers and most acclaimed vintages from France’s famed Pinot Noir region, and will discuss the varying classification systems of Burgundy’s sub-regions, their history, trends and the changing roles of growers and negociants. The seminar includes a three-course Pinot Noir-paired lunch prepared by the Ritz-Carlton Bacara culinary team, with wine service by World of Pinot Noir Sommeliers.

FRIDAY CENTRAL COAST SEMINAR: Discover the Cool Climate Terroirs of the Central Coast
Wine Enthusiast magazine’s contributing editor, and Central Coast expert, Matt Kettmann, will explore Pinot Noirs from the varied preeminent cool-climate terroirs of the vast Central Coast. Along with a panel of acclaimed winemakers, Kettmann will guide the tasting of award-winning wines he scored 92 points or above.

FRIDAY & SATURDAY VIP GRAND TASTINGS (Early Bird pricing through Nov. 5)
This exclusive VIP ticket provides you with early entry to the Ritz-Carlton Bacara’s Grand Ballroom, where you’ll be able to meet winemakers, be the first to bid on silent auction items, and taste through hundreds of Pinot Noir producers from around the world. Several other exclusive VIP experiences will be announced soon.

For more information about the World of Pinot Noir, please visit WorldofPinotNoir.com. Members of the media interested in covering the annual event, please contact mike@solterrastrategies.com.

About The World of Pinot Noir

WOPN, a non-profit trade organization, was established in 2001 by a small, dedicated group of winemakers from California’s Central Coast. The group’s mission is to bring together the world’s foremost Pinot Noir producers, and in a gorgeous setting, celebrate the delicious wine grape. Wineries, potential sponsors and wine enthusiasts interested in learning more, please visit WorldofPinotNoir.com, or contact info@wopn.com. Follow and tag us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. #wopn #wopn2018

Newhall Refinery Adds New Wine List For the New Year!

January 19, 2018 by evebushman Leave a Comment

A New Destination for Wine Lovers in Downtown Newhall Includes Wines by the Bottle, Glass, Chef and Pastry Chef Pairings

Santa Clarita Valley, CA – Throughout 2017 Simon and Shannon Mee, owners of Newhall Refinery and the Egg Plantation, have been gathering feedback on their food, beer, cocktail and wine programs. There was only one area that they thought needed tweaking: creating a Wine List for Newhall Refinery that reflected the quality of what they stand for.

A few months ago, Guy Lelarge, formerly of Valencia Wine Company and with a long tenure as both a wine distributor and buyer, curated a new wine list for Newhall Refinery, replacing nearly every wine and adding a full third more. Wines from the best vineyards from Burgundy to the Rhone Valley in France, and from Sonoma to Napa Valley are standouts on the list, as well as fine representations from Germany, Argentina, Monterey and more.

The staff spent over two months learning about the new wines, the wine list will be in a dedicated folder, house wines will be rotated for a better selection and the dinner and dessert menus all now have suggested wine pairings. These are just some of the mouth-watering temptations now available:

Craft Burger: Havarti, bacon onion jam, arugula, confit garlic aioli, brioche, with fries or salad. Suggested wine pairing: Belleruche 2016–Cotes-Du-Rhone, France

Fish and Chips: beer battered cod, red cabbage slaw, garlic parsley fries, tartar sauce, malt vinegar, lemon. Suggested wine pairing: Vidal Fleury Viognier, France

Airline Chicken Breast: Mary’s organic chicken, crispy gratin potatoes, mushrooms, prunes, truffle purée, jus gras. Suggested wine pairing: Diora 2015 Pinot Noir, Monterey, CA

Apple Bourbon Cobbler: Granny Smith, Gala, bourbon raisins, oat crumble, bourbon sauce, brown butter ice cream. Suggested wine pairing: Orogeny Chardonnay, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County.

Blueberry Bread Pudding: sourdough, blueberries, orange zest, Grand Marnier crème anglaise. Suggested wine pairing: Nicolas Feuillatte Brut Reserve, Champagne, France.

Churros & Horchata: cinnamon sugar churros, dulce de leche caramel sauce, Horchata ice cream. Suggested wine pairing: Chateau Grand-Jauga Sauternes, Bordeaux, France.

The restaurant hopes that their loyal customers will seek out these new wines to try, and the servers are happy to share their own favorites for a taste to help! Some of Simon’s picks include 2014 Southing Sea Smoke Pinot Noir, 2015 Ten Sea Smoke Pinot Noir, 2014 Opus One and the 2013 Lewis Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon.

For vinophiles interested in what the wine critic ratings are for some of the new wines: 2014 Redon Chateauneuf du Pape garnered 91pts from Wine Spectator, 2015 DAOU Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon received 91pts from Robert Parker, 2013 Flowers Chardonnay 91pts Wine Enthusiast, Louis Roederer Brut Premium Non Vintage 92pts Wine Spectator, 2014 Stag’s Leap Petite Sirah 91pts Robert Parker, 2016 Matua Sauvignon Blanc 90pts Wine Spectator. (This Sauvignon Blanc is on the Spectator top 100 wines of the year list!)

Newhall Refinery will continue their popular bi-monthly Wine Around the World dinners; the next one is French themed and scheduled for March 8. Also upcoming and always-sold-out is their annual Valentine’s Day Dinner with several options on reservations times.

Newhall Refinery

24258 Main St. Newhall CA 91321

www.newhallrefinery.com

661-388-4477

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