From one of my fave educational sources, Ian Blackburn of LearnAboutWine.com, I received an invitation to attend a VIP luncheon with 16 other vinophiles followed by a tasty tour of the STARS of Santa Barbara held in the beautiful Beverly Hills Peninsula Hotel. Winemaker Luncheon There were seventeen names on the guest list, four winemakers…
Prior to coming to Paso Robles, a couple of my friends that are regulars to the area introduced me to wines from a new winery called Daou. I was very impressed with the quality of the wines from this new winery. So continuing our Paso Robles adventure Tracy and I decided to stop at the…
As predicted, the guests of Valencia Wine Company’s 9th Holiday Tasting were thrilled with the move from TPC to having the event at their “home” at the wine bar. All of the comments I got, not just most, centered on the ambiance, the delivery of the promised best wine suppliers, visiting with winemaker Mitch Cosentino…
The Los Angeles Epicurean Festival (www.laepicureanfestival.com) was held Sunday, August 26th, 2012 at The Vibiana in Downtown Los Angeles. Designed to showcase all things epicurean [food, wine and accessories], the event was held in three parts, with a trade portion from 10 AM to 2 PM, and then two public sessions – 3 PM to…
First Crush http://firstcrushwinemaking.com/ First Crush’s full name is First Crush Winemaking Experience, and First Crush does in fact offer a variety of different experiences. They provide programs for picking, crushing and eventually bottling your own wine, vineyard tours, blending seminars, all the way through complete winemaking education. There are lots of choices depending how deeply…
Cantara Cellars www.cantaracellars.com Winery owners Mike and Chris Brown opened their Cantara Cellars tasting room in October 2007. But, their winemaking actually started four years earlier, in the garage of their home in Moorpark, in the Cantara section of the Serenata development [after all, the name “Brown Estate” was taken. J] Mike grew up in…
Family Winemakers of California Thirteenth Annual Trade Tasting Pasadena Convention Center Tuesday, March 13th If I had to go to only one wine tasting event per year, it would be the Family Winemakers of California tasting held annually in Pasadena. With typically about 200 wineries represented, many of which are not readily available, this event…
What a pleasure to once again attend the Family Winemakers tasting for media and trade in the Pasadena Convention Center. I’m always amazed at the array of talent – from winemakers to sommeliers – that take the time to educate and pour for us. I know that the event, as is the trend for all…
Ma(i)sonry Napa Valley www.maisonry.com In my previous article, I had mentioned that Jeff Durham of Gentleman Farmer had suggested we go to Silenus to taste wines from small producers. He also suggested we visit Ma(i)sonry Napa Valley in Yountville. “Pairing artisan wines with exquisite art and furnishing in a historic setting” per Ma(i)sonry’s website. Billing…