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Perlises Pick Wine at Mazzocco Sonoma and a Surprise from Winemaker Antoine Favero

March 25, 2023 by Michael Perlis

As mentioned in our previous article, one of the benefits of staying at the Briar Cottage is that it made it that much easier to get to our scheduled visit with Mazzocco Sonoma winemaker, Antoine Favero. All it took was a short stroll over to the Mazzocco tasting room.

We were a little early, so Mazzocco’s tasting room attendant, Simon, got us started. His knowledge of the wines along with his droll humor helped to make the experience especially memorable. All of the wines described below except for the last two are single vineyard as designated in their names. Our visit was right after the 2023 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. Mazzocco-Sonoma, as usual, won an amazing number of medals, as indicated below – some noted are from the 2022 competition.

2020 Stuhlmuller Reserve Chardonnay – 100% Chardonnay from the flats of the southwestern edge of the Alexander Valley AVA, near the Chalk Hill and the Russian River Valley appellation boundaries. This wine spent 22 months in French Oak and had a bouquet of fragrant white peach with notes of banana and apricot. Gold Medal winner at the 2023 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.

2019 Aguilera Zinfandel – 79% Zinfandel, 21% Primitivo from the valley floor of the Dry Creek Valley AVA, next to Unti winery off Dry Creek Road. Fruit forward and very approachable with ripe raspberry notes from the Primitivo.  Gold Medal winner at the 2022 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.

2019 Stone Zinfandel – 100% Zinfandel from a vineyard at 350 feet elevation of the Alexander Valley AVA next to the Frances Ford Coppola winery in Geyserville, off Highway 101.  Pretty cranberry juice color, red berry and currant notes and a medium finish.

2019 Sullivan Zinfandel – 96% Zinfandel, 4% Petite Sirah – at 300-350 elevation, this 7 ½ acre vineyard from the Dry Creek Valley AVA is within view of the Mazzocco Sonoma winery. With dark red, blackberry notes and a medium to long finish, this wine was awarded a Double Gold Medal at the 2022 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition

2019 Thomas Reserve Zinfandel – 96% Zinfandel, 4% Petite Sirah from the acclaimed Rockpile AVA, near Lake Sonoma at about 1,300 feet elevation. Deep garnet color, intense plum flavor. Very lush and fruit forward with a long finish. Gold Medal winner at the 2022 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.

2020 Pomo Reserve Zinfandel – 93% Zinfandel, 7% Petite Sirah also from the Rockpile AVA, this vineyard is named for indigenous people. Huge notes of red berry and bing cherry, along with jam and a touch of chocolate. Still young but very good structure and an elegant finish. Gold Medal winner at the 2023 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.

2020 Juan Rodriguez Reserve – 90% Zinfandel, 6% Primitivo, 4% Petite Sirah from the Dry Creek Valley AVA. One of the Los Tres Amigos Special Reserve bottlings. This one is named for Mazzocco’s vineyard manager. Only 3 barrels (75 cases) were produced of this truly special occasion wine. Smooth, full, rich with jammy notes and deep dark fruit.

2020 Caz – 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 50% Zinfandel, a blend of fruit from several Dry Creek Valley vineyards. These two varietals complement each other very nicely, working in harmony to produce a rich well-balanced wine. Gold Medal winner at the 2023 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.

As always, Antoine’s wines are full-bodied and delicious, certain to please all levels of wine drinkers. Speaking of Antoine, somewhere in the middle of the tasting, he joined us. In the middle of catching up on matters both personal and wine-related, he got a certain gleam in his eyes. “What are you doing tomorrow afternoon?” he asked.

‘Nothing”, we replied.

Truthfully, we actually did have the next day’s afternoon open, although we might have changed our plans regardless if we had any.

Mazzocco Sonoma

www.mazzocco.com

1400 Lytton Springs Rd

Healdsburg, CA 95448

To be continued…

Michael and Karen Perlis have been pursuing their passion for wine for more than 30 years. They have had the good fortune of having numerous mentors to show them the way and after a couple of decades of learning about wine, attending events, visiting wineries and vineyards, and tasting as much wine as they possibly could, they had the amazing luck to meet Eve Bushman. Michael and Karen do their best to bring as much information as possible about wine to Eve’s Wine 101 faithful readers.

Filed Under: Michael Perlis Tagged With: alexander Valley, appellation, aroma, ava, balance, barrels, body, cabernet sauvignon, California, Chardonnay, chocolate, color, double gold, finish, flavor, French oak, fruit, gold medal, juice, medal, Petite Sirah, primitivo, Reserve, rockpile, Russian River Valley, san francisco, tasting notes, tasting room, wine competition, Wine tasting, winemaker, winery, Zinfandel

The Moon Mountain District Winegrowers Association will hold Reach for the Moon On June 3

March 8, 2023 by evebushman

SONOMA, CA – The Moon Mountain District Winegrowers Association will hold Reach for the Moon!, the inaugural Moon Mountain District Master Class and Grand Tasting on Saturday, June 3, 2023 at the Gallo Family’s historic Monte Rosso Vineyard. 

Renowned wine authority and Vinous critic Antonio Galloni will host the Master Class, featuring a curated selection of wines made from celebrated Moon Mountain District sites, which are illustrated on Vinous’ groundbreaking new map of the region. A private tour of the Monte Rosso Vineyard, hosted by Ranch Manager Brenae Royal, follows. The Grand Tasting will include a wider offering of small-production wines from 30 of the Association’s members wineries, presented with a special menu developed by Executive Chef Joseph Paire of Berkeley’s Claremont Club and Spa Hotel.

Wineries confirmed to present their Moon Mountain District wines at Reach for the Moon! include Kamen Estate, Louis M. Martini, Lasseter Family Winery, Repris Wines, Pangloss Cellars, B. Wise Vineyards, Stone Edge Farm Estate Vineyards & Winery, Bedrock Wine Company, Hanzell Vineyards and many more.

One of the country’s newer American Viticultural Areas (AVA), having been officially recognized in 2013, the Moon Mountain District has been home to carefully tended mountainside vineyards and small-production wines for over 130 years. The AVA is noted for its early efforts in organic and biodynamic vineyard practices dating to the 1980s. 

“Although the Moon Mountain District AVA is young, the region is steeped in history.” Antonio Galloni continues, “Reach for the Moon! will shine a light on the world-class wines being made in one of the most fascinating and storied viticultural areas in California.”

“As grape growers and winemakers in the Moon Mountain District, we carry on a generational commitment to serve as stewards of the AVA from which our highly regarded, small-production wines are sourced. Most of these wines are only available direct from the wineries or with limited distribution, so it’s a pleasure for us to share our wines at this first-of-its-kind event,” said Jim Momtazee, President of the Moon Mountain District Winegrowers Association and Proprietor of Moon Mountain Vineyard, Repris Wines and Pangloss Cellars. 

In recognition of the contributions of the Sonoma community to the success of the AVA, a portion of the proceeds will go to La Luz Center, supporting family services, economic advancement and community engagement. 

Reach for the Moon! tickets are available at  www.moonmountaindistrict.org/events  and include two ticketing options. The Full Pass Ticket is limited in availability and includes the Master Class, Monte Rosso Vineyard Tour and Grand Tasting, beginning at 9:00 a.m. Full Pass Tickets are $400 per person. The Grand Tasting Ticket provides access to the walk-around Grand Tasting where guests will enjoy wines from more than 30 Moon Mountain District wineries along with a substantial menu of food pairings designed to complement the wines. Grand Tasting Tickets are $250 per person.

Located on the Sonoma County side of the Mayacamas Mountains, the Moon Mountain District AVA descends from the tallest ridge peaks at an elevation of 2,200 feet, down the mountain slopes to an elevation of roughly 400 feet. The district’s western boundary rises above the towns of Kenwood and Glen Ellen and continues southeastward just above the city of Sonoma and reaches toward Carneros. Bordeaux varietals comprise the vast majority of plantings on Moon Mountain, primarily Cabernet Sauvignon, while Chardonnay is the major white grape varietal. The AVA also produces Zinfandel and Syrah as well as other desirable Bordeaux varieties including Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Merlot and Petit Verdot, plus Pinot Noir from the southwestern edge of the AVA.

For more information and an overview of the wineries and growers within the Moon Mountain District Winegrowers Association, please visit the website at www.moonmountaindistrict.org. 

Filed Under: Guests Tagged With: antonio galloni, ava, biodynamic, Bordeaux, Cabernet Franc, cabernet sauvignon, California, carneros, cellar, Chardonnay, charity, chef, estate, grape grower, Malbec, menu, Merlot, organic, petit verdot, Pinot Noir, Sonoma, Syrah, tasting, varietal, vineyard, wine education, wine event, Wine tasting, winemaker, wineries, winery, Zinfandel

Wine Spectator Unveils 2022 WINE VALUE OF THE YEAR

March 4, 2023 by evebushman

New York, NY —Wine Spectator, the world’s leading authority on wine, has unveiled its Top 10 Wine Values of 2022, with Beaulieu Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2019 taking top honors as the Wine Value of the Year. At a $33 price point, the bottle offers consumers an entrée to a historic winery whose roots lie in a four-acre estate in the heart of Rutherford.

Spotlighting the best-priced wines of the year, the list features bottles that are rated 90 points or higher on Wine Spectator’s 100-point scale, cost $40 or less and are made in large enough quantities to be widely available. 

“The thrill of trying something new is one of the many pleasures of wine, and as quality has risen across the globe, it’s easier than ever to find a wine you love,” said Marvin R. Shanken, editor and publisher, Wine Spectator. “This means that well-priced wines from California to Italy to Argentina offer some of the special qualities that distinguish their pricier counterparts.”

The Top 10 Wine Values of 2022 are:

  1. Beaulieu Vineyard | Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2019 | 92 points | $33 | 44,700 Cases Made | California
  2. Decoy | Limited Red Napa Valley 2019 | 91 points | $30 | 32,500 Cases Made | California
  3. Antinori | Toscana Villa Antinori 2019 | 90 points | $20 | 80,000 Cases Imported | Italy
  4. Bodegas Marqués de Murrieta | Rioja Finca Ygay Reserva 2018 | 91 points | $32 | 14,000 Cases Imported | Spain
  5. Joel Gott | Sauvignon Blanc California 2021 | 91 points | $16 | 92,000 Cases Made | California
  6. Domaine Bousquet | Malbec Tupungato 2021 | 90 points | $13 | 49,122 Cases Imported | Argentina
  7. Mumm Napa | Brut Napa County Prestige NV | 90 points | $24 | 220,000 Cases Made | California 
  8. Kendall Jackson | Merlot Sonoma County Vitner’s Reserve 2019 | 90 points | $24 | 50,000 Cases Made | California
  9. Montinore | Pinot Noir Willamette Valley Red Cap 2019 | 90 points | $25 | 19,849 Cases Made | Oregon
  10. Drouhin | Chablis 2020 | 90 points | $27 | 19,000 Cases Imported | France

The full Top 10 Wine Values List can be found at WineSpectator.com, and in the February issue of Wine Spectator.

About Wine Spectator

Wine Spectator is the world’s leading authority on wine. Anchored by Wine Spectator magazine, a print publication that reaches around 3 million readers worldwide, the brand also encompasses the Web’s most comprehensive wine site (WineSpectator.com), mobile platforms and a series of signature events. Wine Spectator examines the world of wine from the vineyard to the table, exploring wine’s role in contemporary culture and delivering expert reviews. Parent company M. Shanken Communications, Inc., also publishes Cigar Aficionado, Whisky Advocate, Market Watch, Shanken News Daily and Shanken’s Impact Newsletter.

Filed Under: Guests Tagged With: argentina, cabernet sauvignon, California, chablis, Italy, Merlot, Napa, New York, red wine, Rioja, Sauvignon Blanc, wine spectator, winery

Where it Began: Phifer Pavitt and Del Dotto Hospitality

March 3, 2023 by evebushman

I’ve done retrospective articles before, and for those I often turn to Google searching my name and the subject so I can refresh my memory and share links. Today I feel reflective without Google and want to share some of my favorite memories, those that involve the first two Napa wineries that I covered as press over a dozen years ago. (If you’re looking for wine reviews for these two fine places, search this blog or Google!)

Del Dotto

In looking for a winery to write about I was immediately attracted to Del Dotto Vineyards as the tasting room looked so grand, and there was more than one location. I called the winery, told them I was a wine blogger and asked for a press – aka FREE – tasting. They asked me which location and I remember answering, “whichever you think might like press” as I really had no clue what I was doing.

My first tasting at Del Dotto – and every tasting after that over the years – was with their esteemed winemaker Gerard Zanzonico. Gerard had a fascinating story, coming from Chateau Montelena during the time of the Judgment of Paris, and winemaking for other Napa wineries while gaining a wealth of experience before his decades at Del Dotto. But what slayed me was his accessibility to this new blogger. He spent several hours with Eddie and me, using a wine thief to extract samples from probably 60 barrels – barrels made from oak all over the U.S. and Europe – as well as clay pots. Subsequent visits included time with Dave Del Dotto, visiting their other properties and of course, more sampling. The wine was as grand and memorable as were the experiences these fine gentlemen extended to us.

Gerard always teased me about my blog, asking questions about who would ever read it, with a sly smile, while admitting that he appreciated the press and critics  – and of course his high Robert Parker scores to name one. One other memory I’ll share involves Dave Del Dotto and when he sat with us as I took meticulous tasting notes. He nodded yes as he looked over my shoulder, he noted chocolate too…then I turned to query him as my WSET instructor queried me so long ago, “What kind of chocolate Dave? Dark, milk, chocolate covered cherry, brownie…?” To which Dave returned to the wine to further identify, and in my memory he laughed as well.

Fast forward to today. My visits have temporarily ended at the winery, as I wasn’t able to secure an appointment last year. No matter, as I’ve since followed Gerard and am now tasting his wines – albeit without him for the first time – that he now makes from his home in Valle de Guadalupe, Baja, California. So far I’ve tried every vintage of his Syrah, Chardonnay and Nebbiolo. We plan to follow Gerard on social media and purchase his wines from LMA, a Baja distributor until I’m a wino no more.

https://www.lmawines.com/shop?Category=Vinos+Zanz%C3%B3nico

Phifer Pavitt

At the LA Wine Fest over a decade ago I met home winemaker Gary Warburton and his Chateau Pacific – bottled at his home in Manhattan Beach – wines. We struck up a conversation that day (he was a dentist and I worked part time for one at the time – now we’re both retired) that turned into a friendship. I went to his home in Manhattan Beach for bottling parties, and soon, would be introduced to his son Shane and daughter in law Suzanne’s Napa winery Phifer Pavitt at a private fundraising event.

After that, while planning my first trip as press to Napa, I reached out to Suzanne Phifer Pavitt for a tasting appointment. She also extended an invitation for us to stay in her guesthouse. (This would be on the same trip I first visited Del Dotto.) The wine at the time was Date Night Cabernet Sauvignon, they would later add more reds, a sparkling and a Sauvignon Blanc made by Gary.

Suzanne impressed us with her southern hospitality, warmth and charm. She was the type of vintner I had never encountered before, and never would again. One story she shared with us, after a few repeat visits, I will always remember this way: A fellow southerner came in late to the tasting room (with or without an appointment) and Suzanne gave him the same experience she gives all of her guests. After his lengthy stay she asked if he cared to purchase some wine and he replied, “one”. Oh boy, she may have thought, all this time and he only wants one bottle. Then he edited his response: he wanted one full pallet of her only wine at the time, Date Night Cabernet Sauvignon. Charm should always pay off this way.

For several years Gary and I would meet up locally, often over lunch with him toting his latest Phifer Pavitt Sauvignon Blanc for me to review. He eventually began to spend more time in Napa and less in Manhattan Beach so now I just order Phifer Pavitt wines when the winery calls me to talk about their newest releases. We have fond memories of the last dinner we had with Gary and his wife Terry at the restaurant at Auberge du Soleil, where Gary introduced me to one of their new wines, fried Kale chips and my first Espresso Martini. His wine and their company were the highlight.

https://www.phiferpavittwine.com/

Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a “certification in the 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 Proof Awards, Cellarmasters, LA Wine Competition, Long Beach Grand Cru and the Global Wine Awards. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits.

Filed Under: Eve Bushman Tagged With: baja, barrels, cabernet sauvignon, California, chateau, clay, del dotto vineyards, Napa, Phifer Pavitt, robert parker, tasting notes, vineyard, vineyards, Wine tasting, wine writer, winemaker, winery

HALL CABERNET COOKOFF RETURNS APRIL 22

March 2, 2023 by evebushman

(ST. HELENA, CALIFORNIA) – HALL, one of the world’s most notable, high-quality Cabernet Sauvignon producers, has announced plans for its annual Cabernet Cookoff to return on Saturday, April 22 at HALL St. Helena. Hosted by Vintner Kathryn Hall, the annual event will feature an impressive lineup of renowned culinary teams vying for a chance to win proceeds for a charity of their choice by participating in a food and wine pairing competition. 100% of ticket proceeds benefit non-profit organizations as selected by the winning chef teams. The event includes two ticket options; a VIP Ticket granting access to pre-event activities from 11:00a.m. to 12:00p.m, as well as a Main Event Ticket that takes place from 12 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

“This event makes a difference for many lives in our community. So many people come together to celebrate passion for food and wine, and in the end, local non-profits garner awareness and proceeds,” says Vintner Kathryn Hall. “Bringing together foodies and wine lovers by way of this enthusiastic competition helps expand our commitment to supporting the community and its many diverse organizations.”

Chef teams are tasked with creating a small dish they feel pairs best with 2020 HALL Jack’s Masterpiece Cabernet Sauvignon, a highly rated wine that has earned praise from the wine industry’s top critics. The 2023 Cabernet Cookoff also serves as the public release of the 2020 vintage of the coveted Jack’s Masterpiece wine. Guests in attendance will sample 15 different dishes and sip on the featured wine while voting for two People’s Choice Winners.

Additionally, a star-studded panel of celebrity judges will taste the pairings to vote for two Judges’ Choice Awards. In total, four winners will be announced – two People’s Choice Awards and two Judges’ Choice Awards.

The HALL Cabernet Cookoff has two ticket options that include:

• VIP Ticket, $300pp. 11:00am – 12:00pm @ Olive Grove
Guests are invited to join Vintner Kathryn Hall and Rock and Roll icon, Huey Lewis for a Q&A and vertical wine tasting of Jack’s Masterpiece Cabernet Sauvignon prior to the main event. All VIP ticketholders will have IN/OUT access to the VIP location throughout the main event that takes place from 12:00pm – 2:30pm. The VIP ticket will offer elevated wines and small bites. VIP Ticketholders also receive a HALL Tote Bag that includes a bevy of luxury products as part of the VIP ticket purchase.

• Main Event Ticket, $150pp. 12:00pm – 2:30pm @ Great Lawn
Guests with the Main Event ticket can sample bites from all competing chef teams, enjoy the 2020 Jack’s Masterpiece Cabernet, and vote for the People’s Choice Award via mobile devices.

Chef teams for 2023 include Sobra Mesa, Luce at InterContinental San Francisco, Tarla Grill, One Market, Aurum, Clandestine Table Napa Valley, Oenetri, FARM at Carneros, Lucy Restaurant & Bar, Crisp Kitchen & Juice, The Vault Steakhouse, Nob Hill Club at InterContinental Mark Hopkins, and more. Each chef team will be competing for a charity of their choice. Past non-profit beneficiaries include Napa Humane, JDRF, All Stars Helping Kids, Sprouts Chef Training, California Pit Bull Rescue, Hands Across the Valley, St. Helena Hospital, NEWS, No Kid Hungry, FIREFLY Autism, Collabria Care, Napa Valley Food Pantry, Zero Prostate Cancer Napa Valley, and more.

The 2023 line-up of celebrity judges include Natalie Morales, Co-Host of CBS’ The Talk; singer/songwriter Huey Lewis; Bravo tv personality Craig Conover; Michelin-rated Chef Ken Frank, NBC Bay Area’s Raj Mathai, and Nutrition & Healthy Lifestyle Expert for NBC’s TODAY Show, Joy Bauer.

HALL Cabernet Cookoff Sponsors include Sewing Down South, Chefs Life Olive Oil, Cypress Grove, Alastin Beauty, Aloha Collection, Benefit Marketing, PrintInk, Harvest Sanitation, ProForma Wine Country, Kollar Chocolates and Signum Architecture.

SATURDAY, APRIL 22, 2023
11:00am-12:00pm: VIP Ticket, $300pp
Jack’s Masterpiece Cabernet Sauvignon Vertical Tasting + Q&A with Vintner Kathryn Hall, President Mike Reynolds & Huey Lewis.
Includes access to the Main Event.

12:00pm-2:30pm: Main Event Ticket, $150pp

HALL St. Helena
401 St. Helena Hwy. S. St. Helena, CA 94574 (707) 967-2626

To purchase tickets, please visit: www.hallwines.com/cabernetcookoff

Since inception, the HALL Cabernet Cookoff has raised hundreds of thousands of dolla

HALL Cabernet Cookoff Sponsors include Sewing Down South, Chefs Life Olive Oil, Cypress Grove, Alastin Beauty, Aloha Collection, Benefit Marketing, PrintInk, Harvest Sanitation, ProForma Wine Country, Kollar Chocolates and Signum Architecture.HALL St. Helena
401 St. Helena Hwy. S. St. Helena, CA 94574 (707) 967-2626

To purchase tickets, please visit: www.hallwines.com/cabernetcookoff

Since inception, the HALL Cabernet Cookoff has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for non- profit 501c3 organizations all over the country. For more information, or to get involved as a culinary team, sponsor, or non-profit organization, please visit www.hallwines.com/cabernetcookoff.

###

HALL produces award-winning Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon at two properties in Napa Valley in St. Helena

ABOUT HALL Wines: The Art of Cabernet

and Rutherford. Owned by Craig and Kathryn Hall, the winery produces artisan wines that express the unique and diverse character of the wine country’s soils and climates through meticulous attention to detail in the vineyards and the winemaking process. The family’s luxury wine portfolio, led by Vice President of Winemaking Megan Gunderson, sources fruit from the most prominent vineyards up and down the West Coast Led by Vice President of Winemaking, Megan Gunderson, HALL focuses on producing distinctive Cabernet Sauvignon bottlings highlighting the finest vineyards and sub-appellations of the Napa Valley. The HALL St. Helena Winery was the first LEED® Gold Certified Winery in the State of California in 2009 and earned another LEED® Gold certification for its high-tech production facility and Tasting Room in 2014, making HALL a leader in green efficiencies. For more information about HALL, please visit www.hallwines.com or by calling 707.967.2626. @hallwines #artofcabernet.

Filed Under: Guests Tagged With: cabernet sauvignon, California, chef, food pairing, judge, st. helena, vineyard, vintage, vintner, wine event, wine pairing, Wine tasting, winery

Best Wine Destinations and Events in the Pacific Coast

February 26, 2023 by evebushman

SEATTLE (PRWEB) – Where When Wine, the first woman-owned business to create an online directory and community dedicated to wine destinations and events launches thousands of listings featuring the best wineries, top tasting rooms, the most popular wine event venues, and the best places to stay and dine when wine tasting. The website also features fun and useful blogs on family-friendly wineries and dog-friendly vineyards, plus keeps wine aficionados informed on new wineries and winemakers to watch.

Napa has been world-renowned for producing the best cabernets and chardonnays for decades—but the Pacific Coast from the state of Washington all the way to the southern tip of California, has been producing some of the best wines in the world and some of the most scenic locations beyond the valleys of northern California.

“I built this online community for fun, for friends and families who wanted recommendations of my favorite wine destinations and wedding spaces along the west coast. Over the past year, it’s taken a life form of its own, since there is no website dedicated to all things wine for the vineyards of the Pacific Coast. So now we’ve launched it as an official online community for wine lovers who want to explore everything our west coast wine destinations have to offer,” remarked Where When Wine Founder, Christine Sternfels.

Walla Walla’s lush valleys in Washington State offers more than 120 wineries consisting of 2,900 acres of grapes. The Willamette Valley, Oregon’s leading wine region, has two-thirds of the state’s wineries and vineyards and is home to more than 700 wineries. And Temecula Valley in Southern California is one to watch with nearly 50 wineries populating the region’s rolling hills and sprawling valleys producing a variety of wines, including award-winning and artisan Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir.

WhereWhenWine.com features these regions and so much more including onsite and nearby lodging such as the quintessential hotels to stay at and vineyards that allow overnight stays for recreational vehicles. Onsite bistros and nearby eateries from a hole in the wall to restaurants with Michelin star chefs. Amenities such as spas, golf destinations and family and pet-friendly wineries. Many bucket list items to check off.

In addition to exploring the best in #winelife, wine aficionados can become members of Where When Wine to join an annual road trip planned by the founder so its like-minded community can explore the same destinations and share their experience in real life #IRL and on social media. Wine enthusiasts can sign up here to become members for free or follow Where When Wine on Instagram. Wineries, vineyards, wine bars, wine shops, hotels, spas, and wine-related vendors can also apply to become members of the community here.

Filed Under: Guests Tagged With: cabernet sauvignon, California, Chardonnay, Napa, Oregon, Pinot Noir, Syrah, tasting room, tour, travel, vineyards, walla walla, washington, willamette valley, wine events, winemakers, wineries, Zinfandel

My Fave Wines + Spirits of 2022

February 3, 2023 by evebushman

Every year I reflect back on the best wines I’ve enjoyed the past year, and since I’ve had so many I often Google my name on the Internet to remind myself of it all. Of huge note was our trip to the Lake Garda, Italy DOC, and Chateauneuf du Pape…but there were many, many other wines – and spirits –  I’ve enjoyed. Here they are, pretty much in order from January through December 2022:

Lodi

I only had one day in Lodi to taste wines, and for this section I will focus on just one as it was so remarkable we became club members. Winemaker and owner Susan Tipton of Acquiesce Winery, aka the White Wine Winery, has been making award-winning Rhone wines that many other people have discovered long before we found them. There wasn’t a single wine that we didn’t love, from that first tasting and since with our club shipments.

Napa

As a wine journalist I try very hard to visit new wineries to write about when I visit California wine country. This past year the wineries of note that I loved in Napa include Myriad Cellars (winemaker Mike Smith makes an amazing number of 100-point wines), Hall Wines, Cakebread Cellars, Ladera Vineyard, Stag’s Leap Cellars, Titus Vineyards and Honig Vineyard and Cellars.

The Garda DOC

Lake Garda is the biggest lake in Italy, not as famous as Lake Como – I’m told that’s only because George Clooney made Como more popular when he set up residence there – and a large winemaking AVA. Prosecco is king, but I also enjoyed many red wine varieties while there. It’s also a beautiful lake dotted with amazing coastal towns that each offer something interesting for travelers and wine lovers. Read more about it in my article in Elite Magazine.

Chateauneuf du Pape

Eddie and I jumped at the chance to visit this amazing wine area – and this is how our adventure was titled for the online magazine Daily Ovation: A Wine Lover’s Bucket List: Eve Bushman Spends a Week Touring and Tasting in Chateauneuf du Pape. (Bite-sized articles on the area can also be found on this blog.) Besides all of the amazing Rhone wines we got to taste in several wineries, and sharing the experience with seasoned writers, my most vivid memory was seeing the amazing large quartz stones, that went two meters down before hitting any earth, that many of the vineyards were covered in. I’d heard it described many times, “rocky soil”, but seeing it was believing it. Wineries we visited included Domaine Du Pegau, Domaine Roger Sabon, Domaine de la Mordoree, Domaine Andre Brunel, le Clos du Caillou, Domaine la Barroche, Chateau Mont-Redon, Domaine du Grand Tinel, Domaine Saint Prefert et Domaine Isabel Ferrando and Vieux Telegraphe.

Single Bottle Posts and Events

When I have a remarkable bottle I do single-bottle blog posts on them in this blog. My thinking is that a winemaker has spent so much time creating that one wine, let me try and do it justice by devoting an article to it. I also receive bottles for review, dedicating the same space on the blog for them as well, and attended some remarkable events. In 2022 I truly loved a 2008 Robert Mondavi To Kalon Cabernet Sauvignon from our cellar, Vinos Zanzonico 2020 Reserva Chardonnay and 2019 Reserva Syrah, Middle West Pumpernickel Rye whiskey, Corvezzo wines from Italy, the 2022 Bar and Restaurant Expo, 2021 Alavida Kosher Malbec, wines from Portugal’s Herdade do Esporao, Masters of Taste 2022, PureCru Brut Rose Sparkling wine, 2019 Chateau du Moulin-a-vent Beaujolais, many discoveries at the Universal Whisky Experience, Greek wines, 2019 Catena Malbec from Argentina, Knox and Dobson ready-to-drink cocktails, Valdobbiadene Prosecco and others. (If any of these interest you feel free to email me for the hyperlinks, or search this blog for more details.)

Now I can only ask, what exciting wines and spirits will 2023 have for us?

Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a “certification in the 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 Proof Awards, Cellarmasters, LA Wine Competition, Long Beach Grand Cru and the Global Wine Awards. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits.

Filed Under: Eve Bushman Tagged With: bar, beaujolais, cabernet sauvignon, California, Chardonnay, Chateauneuf du Pape, cocktails, doc, garda, Greece, Italy, journalist, kosher, Lodi, Malbec, Napa, Paso Robles, portugal, prosecco, ready to drink, red wine, restaurant, Rhone, Rose, rye, Sparkling wine, spirits, Syrah, tour, variety, vineyard, whiskey, white wine, wine and spirits, Wine tasting, wine writer, winemaker, winery

Tasting Argentina’s Domaine Bousquet Reserve Certified Organic Wines

January 20, 2023 by evebushman

I’ve sampled wines from Argentina before, and organic wines from the area as well, so when I received bottles of new 2021 vintages of a Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec all from organic fruit found in the Uco Valley I looked forward to trying them. The winery, Domaine Bousquet, sent some information and I found more details on the wines from their website that I’ve shared here. My tasting notes are also below.

From the Winery

Domaine Bousquet’s 100% estate-grown/bottled wines from the winery’s Reserve line is the foundation on which the Domaine Bousquet winery was built. Domaine Bousquet’s 667 acres of vineyard has been certified organic from the get-go, and now twenty-five years on…Domaine Bousquet’s Reserve wines hail from estate vineyards planted at elevations of 4,000 feet and up and offer older vines, great body and concentration, structured tannin in the reds, a deep flavor and increased aging capacity. All three enjoy nationwide distribution (including Southern in OH, and Burke Beverage in IL)

Tasting Notes

Domaine Bousquet Reserve Certified Organic Chardonnay 2021 / SRP $18

From tech sheet: 100% Chardonnay, 13% alcohol, made with “purchased organic fruit from the Uco Valley in the high Andean foothills”, unoaked, sandy loam soil. 90 points and Best Value award from Wine Spectator.

EB: Sparkly gold in the glass, enticing. Sweet Meyer lemon, pineapple chunks, Mandarin orange, cold wet stones, white pepper all on the nose while the flavors included bruised yellow Delicious apple, lemon-lime hard candy, with both fresh citrus and tropical fruits, a nice mouthfeel, mild acidity and great viscosity.

Domaine Bousquet Reserve Certified Organic Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 / SRP $18

From tech sheet: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14.5% alcohol, made with “purchased organic fruit from the Uco Valley in the high Andean foothills”, unoaked, gravel and sandy loam soil. Best Value award from Wine Spectator. (The bottle also had a gold sticker on it that read 91 points from James Suckling.)

EB: Crushed blueberry, ripe blackberry and somewhat sweet plum fruits on the nose, followed by wet rich earth, tree bark, grilled mushroom, black licorice and my spice rack – when my husband Eddie opens up everything to season a steak. The taste reminded me of those same dark fruits I found in the aromas, as well as a hint of grilled green bell peppers, a lot of spiciness, some sweetness and gripping tannins. Considering how young this Cab is I found it very approachable and drinkable now.

Domaine Bousquet Reserve Certified Organic Malbec 2021 / SRP $18

From tech sheet: 100% Malbec, 14% alcohol, made with “purchased organic fruit from the Uco Valley in the high Andean foothills”, unoaked, sandy soil. 90 points from Wine Spectator. (The bottle also had a gold sticker on it that read 91 points from James Suckling.)

EB: Very dark purple opaque color, with notes of earth, blue to black fruit, black pepper, tobacco, very dark chocolate and espresso on the nose. Tasting the wine I was met with juicy dark fruits, a good mouthfeel, lots of spice, tannins and a lingering finish that held a strong balance of both the fruit and spice.

More From the Winery

Domaine Bousquet: Transformation + Sustainability, High-altitude Terroir, Organic Fruit and a French-Argentine Profile

A 1990 vacation in Argentina was all it took. For third-generation winemaker Jean Bousquet (Boo-SKAY), it was love at first sight. The object of the Frenchman’s desire: the Gualtallary Valley, a scenic, remote, arid terrain high in the Tupungato district of the Uco Valley in Argentina’s Mendoza region, close to the border with Chile. Here, where the condors fly and not a vine in sight, Bousquet discovered his dream terroir, an ideal location in which to nurture organically grown wines.

With altitudes ranging up to 5,249 feet, Gualtallary occupies the highest extremes of Mendoza’s viticultural limits. Fast-forward to the present and wine cognoscenti recognize it as the source of some of Mendoza’s finest wines. The same could not be said when Jean Bousquet first set eyes on this cool-climate locale. Back then, it was virgin territory: tracts of semi-desert, nothing planted, no water above ground, no electricity, and a single dirt track by way of access. Locals dismissed the area as too cold for growing grapes. Bousquet, on the other hand, reckoned he’d found the perfect blend between his French homeland (high acidity, cool climate) and the New World (sunny, with a potential for relatively fruit-forward wines). Another distinct plus: land prices at the time were approximately 1/25th of those for property in more established districts of Mendoza.

Undeterred by the challenges, Bousquet returned to France and, between visits to Argentina, set about divesting himself, bit by bit, of virtually everything he owned, including the family winery and vineyards in Pennautier, near Carcassonne in Southwest France.

“You know you’re making the biggest mistake of your life, don’t you?” said the real estate broker, as Bousquet inked a contract in 1997 to buy just shy of 1,000 acres in this beautiful, but desolate location. “What are you doing?” teased daughter Anne, an economist by profession, from her home in Massachusetts: “Buying a beach? All sand, no sea?” “Anne: they (the locals) just don’t get it,” was Bousquet’s response.

Bousquet was neither the first nor the only wine producer to have his interest piqued by the Gualtallary Valley. But what sets him apart is that he succeeded where several other better financed, well-known names notably did not. What Bousquet seized upon, but others failed to grasp, was the singular importance of water. Water is hard to come by in Gualtallary. Technically, the area is desert. But Bousquet had done his homework, so his first task in 1998 was to dig a well – all 495 feet of it. Two years in the making, its completion was followed by the planting of vines. Other investors in the region, meantime, watched their hopes fade, chiefly due to an inability to extract water or secure water rights.

As and when the need arose, Bousquet would sell off portions of his initial 988 acres, retaining just 173 acres by the time he released his first vintage in 2005. Bottle by bottle, money was raised to buy a vat or equipment. Today, Domaine Bousquet is housed in a striking modern winery, complete with a hospitality area and restaurant, and the property accounts for 667 acres planted under vine.

Bousquet’s daughter, economist Anne Bousquet, and her husband Labid al Ameri, a trader with Fidelity in Boston, found themselves increasingly drawn to the cause, and the opportunity it offered to put their shared philosophy on sustainability to the test. After a 2002 visit, the couple began to invest in Domain Bousquet. A devaluation of the Argentine currency rendered land prices cheap and Argentine exports competitive. In 2005, al Ameri joined his father-in-law full time, helping to build the winery. Anne continued her work as an economist before joining the company in 2008. In 2009, the couple moved to Tupungato full-time, assuming full ownership in 2011.

For Anne and Labid, sustainability encompasses more than organic fruit or a reduced carbon footprint. It includes economic sustainability for the surrounding community. When the couple set up home in Tupungato, the area was a rural backwater (still is), abandoned by a failing central government. That necessitated building an infrastructure from scratch. The Bousquets joined an alliance of local wineries in funding construction of a new road providing better access for employees, deliveries and a small, but growing number of tourists. The couple also immersed themselves in training a workforce new to winegrowing and office work. Every detail had to be thought through, from transport for employees who didn’t own a car to micro-loans for continuing education. Today, success stories abound. Domaine Bousquet’s head of purchasing, for example, started out as an 18-year-old high school graduate on the bottling line. The wine industry has transformed the Tupungato economy, but Domaine Bousquet was there first, and Anne and Labid count this among their proudest achievements.

With the U.S. today Domaine Bousquet’s primary market, Anne and Labid now live in Miami, with their daughter Eva., and alternate in spending one week every month at the winery in Tupungato.

Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a “certification in the 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 Proof Awards, Cellarmasters, LA Wine Competition, Long Beach Grand Cru and the Global Wine Awards. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits.

Filed Under: Eve Bushman Tagged With: acidity, alcohol, argentina, aroma, body, cabernet sauvignon, Chardonnay, color, flavor, fruit, james suckling, Malbec, nose, organic, points, Reserve, spice, tannins, tasting notes, terroir, vineyard, wine spectator, Wine tasting, winery

New Frontier Wine Company Launches Boundary-Pushing Tasting Lounge in Downtown Napa

January 16, 2023 by evebushman

NAPA, Calif. (PRWEB) – New Frontier Wine Company, a collection of international wine brands made by renowned winemakers Philippe Melka, Michel Rolland, Alberto Antonini, Mayaan Koschitzky and Matt Sands, has opened the doors to its luxury tasting lounge in downtown Napa. The living-room style space and outdoor patio upend tasting room norms, eschewing a tasting bar for customized alcoves designed to inspire conversation, discovery, and connection over exceptional wines. 

A global collection of 44 brands, New Frontier Wine Co. believes in bringing together the best vineyards and winemakers to craft wines of uncommon complexity. Featuring a range of Napa Valley Cabernets, including several top-scoring wines from Beckstoffer Heritage Vineyards, each New Frontier Wine Co. bottling showcases its origins through a distinctive lens. At the tasting lounge, a wide range of international wines complement New Frontier Wine Co.’s domestic offerings, presenting options for every drinker and embodying modern hospitality.

Opened in June of 2022, the New Frontier Wine Co. tasting lounge experience layers traditional tasting flights with by-the-glass pours and distinctive side-by-side comparative tastings that highlight both esteemed and up-and-coming terroirs. Guests are welcomed to enjoy wines from well-known Napa brands including Lithology, Waypoint, Justice, and Pursuit plus exquisite Southern Hemisphere wines from Otronia and Devoción. In addition, rotating offerings highlight esteemed vineyards from traditional and up-and-coming terroirs including Patagonia Extrema, Barossa, the Russian River Valley, and Bordeaux. 

“We are a collection of real wine innovators that are serious about making wines with a sense of place,” explains Consumer Sales Manager Chris Cardoso. “We feel grateful to have a wide range of wines to satisfy almost any palate, and the ability to share new and different wines anytime our guests come in.” 

With tastings available by appointment and on a walk-in basis, the New Frontier Wine Co. tasting lounge offers modern and warm hospitality in the heart of downtown Napa. Easily accessible from many of Napa’s hottest hotels and eateries, New Frontier Wine Co.’s curated menu of wines is a natural extension of downtown Napa and offers a fresh and original tasting experience for locals and visitors alike.

The name “New Frontier” was inspired by then-candidate John F. Kennedy’s 1960 democratic nomination acceptance speech. This historic address described the dual challenges and opportunities confronting the nation and the opportunities that could be realized by confronting them. The New Frontier Wine Co. team, led by managing director and California wine industry veteran Jim Silver, draws a parallel between these ideas and the challenges – and opportunities – confronting the wine industry today. New Frontier Wine Co. approaches these challenges – such as climate change, sustainability, and new generations’ evolving attitudes toward wine – with the same optimistic ethos as Kennedy. New Frontier Wine Co. believes in utilizing technology and team work to approach the novel challenges facing the wine industry today. By combining the expertise of world-renowned winemakers and farming experts, New Frontier Wine Co. believes it can overcome these challenges and push winemaking forward to proverbial new frontiers.

“There is always challenge on the road to opportunity, and the wine business isn’t immune to that,” says New Frontier Wine Company Managing Director Jim Silver. “And we’ve arrived at a place where we can offer incredible opportunity to visitors in a single place in Napa. The diversity of our selections is remarkable. There are 40 wines by the glass, 40 wines to taste, and 40 wines to purchase by the bottle. And the experience is enhanced by the quality of the wine.”

In addition to sharing values of sustainability, collaboration, and a relentless pursuit of quality, the brands within the New Frontier Wine Co. collection share centralized ownership under global vintner and humanitarian Alejandro Bulgerhoni. This connection allows the wineries to pool their collective resources and expertise across continents, leading to the creation of exceptional wines that always over-deliver.

About Colangelo & Partners 
Colangelo & Partners specializes in premium food, wine, and spirits brands, and has long-established relationships with the key press that drive these business categories and help determine the industry leaders. Agency principals have years of experience in retail and distribution as well as communications, a rare combination that gives Colangelo & Partners invaluable insights into consumer purchasing behavior. The agency focuses on ‘closing the loop’ between creative communications programs, distribution, promotion, publicity, and the consumer in order to maximize the efficiency of its communications programs and deliver measurable results. http://www.colangelopr.com.

About New Frontier Wine Co. 
New Frontier Wine Company is a collection of 44 premier wine brands from around the world, linked by a commitment to excellence in farming and winemaking. Named for the “new frontiers” referenced by Democratic candidate John F. Kennedy in his 1965 presidential nomination speech, New Frontier Wine Co. strives to use technology and collaboration to explore both the literal and figurative frontiers in the modern wine industry. Based in the heart of downtown Napa, New Frontier Wine Co.’s flagship tasting lounge showcases some of California’s most prestigious vineyard sites to visitors daily. The collective is owned by global vintner and humanitarian Alejandro Bulgerhoni. 

Filed Under: Guests Tagged With: Bordeaux, bottle, cabernet sauvignon, California, climate, menu, Napa, Russian River Valley, sustainable, tasting room, terroir, vineyard, wine list, Wine tasting, winemaker

ZD Wines In the Napa Valley Adds Winery Chef to Enhance Tastings And Events

January 12, 2023 by evebushman

NAPA, CALIF. (PRWEB) – ZD Wines, located in the heart of Napa Valley in Rutherford, recently expanded their culinary program by adding Jill deLeuze Billeci, third generation of the winery’s founding family, as their winery chef.

Jill joined the family business in 2010, rounding out the third generation with her brother, Brandon, ZD’s winemaker. She worked many summers at the winery during high school on the bottling line, and later graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Clinical Nutrition from UC Davis. Following college, Jill became ZD’s California sales manager and tasting room manager.

After taking some time off to raise her two daughters with her husband, Scott Billeci, ZD’s regional sales manager, Jill decided to follow her passion for cooking. Further refining her skills during the pandemic, Jill recently began upscaling ZD’s experiences by offering quarterly Food & Wine Days featuring three food pairings to their Vineyard View Tasting.

With much acclaim and the popularity of these events, Jill was promoted to ZD’s winery chef. She now curates and oversees the supplemental food pairing options, currently a vegan white bean dip, smoked salmon rillette, and a beef short rib rillette. Jill also prepares the food offerings during the special events hosted by ZD Wines, most recently being the fundraiser Crush Challenge. Recent highlights were a 4-course lunch at their exclusive Winemaker’s Boots Tours in October, Harvest Wine Celebration benefit for the Teen Center at Boys & Girls Clubs of Napa Valley in November, and the upcoming Holiday Open House in December.

To experience any of Jill’s wine and food pairing opportunities, visit zdwines.com/events to learn more information and book your next experience.

Founded in 1969, ZD Wines crafts award-winning Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Sauvignon, along with two small-production wines under the “Rosa Lee” label, named after the founding matriarch. ZD is also known for Abacus, a solera-style blend of Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. Abacus XXIV, which includes 30 vintages of the winery’s 100% Napa Valley Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, is available this fall.

ZD Wines is open daily from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at 8383 Silverado Trail in Rutherford. Reservations are required for all tours, and highly recommended for the Vineyard View Tasting. Appointments can be made by calling (800) 487-7757 or emailing experiences@zdwines.com.

About ZD Wines
ZD Wines is owned and operated by the deLeuze family, who is dedicated to producing world-class wines, sustainable winemaking, and giving back to the community. Located in the Rutherford region of the Napa Valley, the winery and hospitality center offer panoramic valley views of premium Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards and the Mayacamas mountain range to the west. The deLeuze family produces wines from their certified organic vineyards in the Rutherford and Carneros regions, as well as organic vineyards in Napa, Santa Barbara, Monterey, and Sonoma. With innovative winemaking practices, they produce wines of quality, consistency, and style. ZD Wines celebrates over 50 years of winemaking and can be found online at http://www.zdwines.com and @ZDWines on Facebook and Instagram.

Filed Under: Eve Bushman Tagged With: cabernet sauvignon, California, Chardonnay, chef, cooking, culinary, event, food pairing, harvest, Napa, Napa Valley, Pinot Noir, rutherford, tasting room, UC Davis, vegan, vineyard, wine pairing, Wine tasting, winemaker, winery

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Eve Bushman

Eve Bushman, owner Eve’s Wine 101 and Eve Bushman Consulting.

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