Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout Wins Gold at Tastings.com World Beer Championships

December 6, 2018 by evebushman Leave a Comment

FORT BRAGG, Calif. (PRWEB) – North Coast Brewing Company, an independent craft brewery producing exceptional, high-quality beers, is excited to announce that its Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout has been awarded a gold medal at the Tastings.com World Beer Championships.

Tastings.com judges described Old Rasputin as “a craveable hoppy imperial stout that is superbly balanced,” rewarding it with a ranking of 94 points and a gold medal at the Tastings.com World Beer Championships.

Internationally recognized, the Tastings.com World Beer Championships is America’s oldest annual international beer competition, dating back to 1994. The World Beer Championships reviews a different beer category each month, using feedback provided from an exceptional panel of judges with expertise in categories such as beer retail, production, distribution and taste. Beers are blind tasted and judged on a 100-point scale, providing the highest level of control to guarantee beer fans with top quality reviews.

“North Coast Brewing Company is thrilled that our Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout received a 94-point score from the Tastings.com World Beer Championships,” said North Coast Brewing Company Brewmaster, Chuck Martins. “Old Rasputin is a fan favorite and it’s an honor to be recognized with one of the highest ranking scores.”

Rooted in history, Old Rasputin is one of North Coast Brewing’s most famous brews, nationally recognized within the craft beer industry. Featuring a remarkable mix of rich flavor elements and a warming finish, Old Rasputin is a timeless take on an imperial stout.

Old Rasputin is an internationally distributed beer and can be found locally using North Coast Brewing Company’s beer locator.

About North Coast Brewing Company:
Founded in 1988, North Coast Brewing Company is an independent craft brewery producing exceptional, award-winning beers in Fort Bragg, CA. North Coast Brewing crafts a wide range of beers, including barrel-aged ales and popular seasonal offerings, including a Berliner Weisse series, to 48 U.S. states and internationally. A pioneer in the brewing community, North Coast Brewing Company is focused on sustainability and is a Certified B Corporation, California Benefit Corporation and Best for the World 2018 Changemaker honoree. For more information on North Coast Brewing, please visit: https://northcoastbrewing.com/.

Paso: The 8th Annual Garagiste Festival, Rare and Reserves and Grand Tasting

November 30, 2018 by evebushman 2 Comments

Over 60 Garagiste winemakers – aka garage winemakers, most of whom don’t have tasting rooms and don’t produce over a certain number of cases annually – would be pouring for the 8^th Annual Garagiste Festival in Paso Robles. We’d covered this event in Los Angeles and Paso Robles over the years and oftentimes these wineries would grow – they would have to leave the event to make room for new Garagistes. This turnover meant an influx of new discoveries every year, as well as seeing some winemakers that have remained small and we could then taste their new vintages.

The Garagiste events, co-created by our very own Doug Minnick of Hoi Polloi and the Double Trouble Wine Room on Main in Downtown Newhall, is also the non-profit brainchild of partner Stewart McLennan.

In this two-day Paso event Minnick and McLennan had separated the rare and reserve tasting from the main event by a day. I loved the idea as I usually experience palate fatigue after the first tasting anyway. Combining my notes with day two, the wines of special note have the winery names in bold, with the Rare and Reserves noted as RR in bold as well. And, as is my usual disclaimer, if I missed a winery or a wine it wasn’t due to any distaste but can only be blamed on palate fatigue and/or I had already tasted their lineup at Garagiste Santa Monica earlier this year:

Adron Wines*

Alta Colina

Armitage Wines*

Artisan Uprising – RR: 2015 Tempranillo and 2017 Sangiovese.

Ascension Cellars – RR: 2012 Trinity GSM and 2012 Soul Shaker Cabernet Syrah blend.

Bevela Wines

Bolshoi Family Wines*

Bon Niche Cellars – RR: They did a vertical of their Bordeaux Blends including a 2010, 2012, and 2015. I liked the balance of the 2012 the best.

Caldera Cuvee

Caliza Winery – We have tasted Carl Bower’s wines off and on over the years at this event, happy to have tried them today as enjoyed: 2015 Azimuth GSM, 2015 Syrah and 2014 “Cohort” blend of Petite Sirah, Mourvedre and Syrah. All wines are from estate vineyards.

Circle B Vineyards

Cloak & Dagger Wines

Copia Vineyards – RR: 2016 “The Story” blend of Grenache and Syrah.

Corner Cellars*

Cutruzzola Vineyards

Decroux Wines*

DENO Wines

DeWitt Vineyard*

Diablo Paso – RR: 2014 Tempranillo Gran Reserva. Learned that these were grapes sourced from Napa and had spent 42 months in oak. My second favorite of the rare and reserves.

Dusty Nabor Wines – RR: I’ve liked all of Dusty’s wines at Garagiste, this time it was a 2016 NSO, meaning for “No Special Occasion”, California Red Wine for $19 that was the winner!

Gary Kramer Guitar Cellars* – RR: A barrel sample of Malbec? I hate barrel samples as it’s all oak to me sometimes, this one was nice indeed.

Golden Triangle

Hoi Polloi Winery – I stopped at the table to say hello, but I have had their wines many times as they have a tasting room five minutes from my home in Santa Clarita.

Hoyt Family Vineyards – RR: 2009 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon was my favorite of the entire rare and reserve tasting.

Jardesca*

Kaleidos Winery – RR: 2015 Praying Mantis Syrah.

Kitson Wines*

Last Light Wine Co

Leverage Wines – RR: 2017 Chardonnay and 2016 Trajectory GSM blend.

Lost Blues

MagnaVita Cellars*

Marin’s Vineyard

Mastro Scheidt*

MCV Wines – RR: 2011 1105 Petite Sirah blend. Also enjoyed to of their 2015 Petite Sirah – one from the Rosewynn Vineyard and the other from the Gemeny Vineyard.

Merisi Wines* – RR: 2016 Los Carneros Grenache.

Montage Russe

On Your Left Wine Co. – RR: A fellow wine taster sent me here. 2015 Two Wheeler Grenache Mourvedre that hadn’t been released but I thought was ready and a 2014 Single Track Syrah.

Pagter Brothers Winery – Of course I stopped in to say hello, even though the share a tasting room with Hoi Polloi (see my notes above) and was rewarded today with a wine club only pour of their 2016 Petite Sirah. Well done!

Pelletiere Vineyards – RR: 2015 Reserve Sangiovese and 2016 Lagrein (Lagrein is the name of the grape.)

Powell Mountain Cellars – RR: 2010 and 2011 Pinnacle Bordeaux blends.

RF Wines – Enjoyed their 2015 Exceed Malbec, 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon and their 2015 Petite Sirah was my favorite at the grand tasting.

RN Estate Winery – 2015 Estate Cabernet Franc, 2014 Cuvee des Trois Cepages Bordeaux Blend and 2014 Malbec.

Saint K Wines

Seven Angels Cellars

Seven Oxen Estate Wines

Sea Shell Cellars

T. Berkley Wines* – 2016 Cabernet Franc, Napa.

Tlo Wines – 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon, Lucas and Lewellen.

TOP Winery

Torch Cellars

Transmission Wine Co.*

Turtle Rock Vineyard – I had enjoyed a wine luncheon highlighting Turtle Rock Vineyards so I was thrilled to try the new 2016 Willow’s Cuvee GSM with a touch of Tempranillo and the 2016 Maturin Rhone Blend from the James Berry Vineyard. (Winemaker Don Burns is the assistant winemaker at Saxum.)

TW Fermentations – RR: 2015 Cultivator blend and a newly released 2015 Merlot.

Ultima Tulie

Vandella Vineyards*

Vigo Cellars*

Vinemark Cellars

Vino Vargas

Volatus Wines – RR: 2008 Reserve Red – a Syrah and Petite Sirah blend.

Willow Creek Wine Group*

*First time pouring at the Paso Festival.

To see the photo grids from all of our Paso winery visits from this trip click this.

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 15k 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

Paso Robles Award Winning Estate Winery Holds Second Annual Harvest Dinner

November 22, 2018 by evebushman Leave a Comment

PASO ROBLES, Calif. (PRWEB) – Paso Robles award winning estate winery, Allegretto Vineyards and Wines, held the second annual Harvest Dinner on October 19, 2018. This was an opportunity for the community to help the winery celebrate its harvest and meet the winemaker, Allen Kinne.

Photo: Allegretto Vineyards and Wines Facebook page

The evening began with hors d’euvres at sunset and concluded with live music under the stars on the Piazza Magica. Executive Chef Justin Picard prepared a culinary experience as the highlight of the evening. In celebration of the harvest, Allegretto poured their award-winning small lot, single vineyard and Allegretto estate wines.

The combined talents of winemaker Kinne and Chef Picard promised a magical evening of excellent wine, food, and good company.

Alan Kinne has been working with Allegretto Vineyards owner, Douglas Ayers, for the past six harvests, guiding the hand-picking harvest from all of the Allegretto vineyards and producing Allegretto’s award-winning Paso Robles estate wines. Kinne was the original winemaker at Horton Vineyards and helped launch Chrysalis Vineyards, both in Virginia, until leaving for Paso Robles in 1999. His winemaking career started in 1977 with Tabor Hill Winery in Michigan. Since then his career has taken him from Michigan to Virginia, to Paso Robles and Oregon and back to Paso Robles. Kinne is widely credited for introducing the Albariño grape to the Central Coast after planting the vines in Virginia in 1996.

Chef Justin Picard is the executive chef for Allegretto resort’s farm-to-table Mediterranean-inspired Cello Ristorante and Bar. A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in New York, Picard has worked in some of the most renowned kitchens in San Francisco and Aspen. His extensive career has led to opportunities overseas, two guest appearances at the James Beard House in New York, and participation in some of the nation’s most celebrated food and wine events.

The turnout for the evening was greater than expected and set the stage for future winemaker dinners and events. All of the wines poured during the evening are available from the Allegretto Vineyards tasting room.

The wine menu at the Allegretto Vineyard and Wines tasting room include flights presenting estate white and rosé wines, and estate Malbec, Tannat, Zinfandel, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Four different flights of award-winning wine are available. A special tasting room food menu from Allegretto Resort’s Cello Ristorante & Bar can be enjoyed with a bottle of wine in the family-friendly courtyard.

Allegretto Vineyard & Wines
2700 Buena Vista Dr., #101
Paso Robles, CA 93446
(805) 369-2526

BACA WINES TO HOST HOLIDAY DRIVE EVENT

November 19, 2018 by evebushman Leave a Comment

Photo: Baca’s Facebook page

ST. HELENA, CALIFORNIA – BACA Wines, a modern California Zinfandel brand spearheaded by Director Jennifer Brown and Winemaker Alison Frichtl Hollister, has announced plans to host a Holiday Drive event at HALL St. Helena on December 1. This event will serve as the kick-off for a month long holiday drive campaign benefiting NEWS, a Napa-based non-profit that provides support to survivors of domestic violence and abuse.

Entrance to the event, which includes a wine tasting and light bites, is a donation-based contribution to NEWS through the Eventbrite by selecting a Game-centric monetary value. The donation system is modeled with four different levels of donation named after games. For example, the DOMINOS donation is $30, with the next donation level being JENGA, a $50 donation, and so on. Each individual donation will translate to one complimentary tasting per person.

The format of this event will include a round-robin of engaging activities. Guests will make their way into the HALL’s modern Mezzanine and be invited to enjoy a bevy of holiday activities including a holiday selfie station, be invited to play BACA-inspired larger than life games, all while enjoying appetizers and currently released BACA wines.

The four 2016 BACA Zinfandel wines available to taste during the event include Cat’s Cradle: Rockpile, Tug O’ War: Maffei Vineyard, Russian River Valley, I Spy: Howell Mountain, and Double Dutch: Dusi Vineyard, Paso Robles. The 2016 vintage marks the inaugural year for the luxury Zinfandel brand owned by Craig and Kathryn Hall, the makers of HALL and WALT Wines. Winemaker Alison Frichtl Hollister will be present to answer any questions for guests about crafting the high quality Zinfandel wines.

“On behalf of NEWS, we are honored to have been chosen to receive proceeds from the BACA Holiday Drive,” says NEWS Executive Director, Tracy Lamb. “The support we receive will help bring a safe and joyful holiday season to the many Napa Valley families that we serve.”

BACA is Latin for berry. The team sources fruit from some of California’s most notable growing regions—Russian River, Rockpile, Howell Mountain, and Paso Robles. Using masterful winemaking techniques that include optical sorting, exacting fermentations and aging in French oak barrels, BACA crafts powerful wines that reflect the unique places the grapes are grown. The result is four complex, charismatic Zinfandels that pair beautifully with both food and adventure.

HALL Wines
Mezzanine – Located in the Tasting Room, 2nd floor
401 St. Helena Hwy. South
St. Helena, CA 94574

Saturday, December 1, 2018
3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. PST

Entrance to this event is complimentary with the donation of a “Game Package” as listed below. The Game Packages include:
•   DOMINOS ($30 Donation)
•   JENGA ($50 Donation)
•   DICE ($70 Donation)
•   CHESS ($100 Donation).
There is also a Holiday Cheer ticket option on eventbrite that will allow for a monetary donation of one’s choice. Tickets can be secured HERE.

For more information, please visit www.bacawines.com, follow on social channels @bacawines, or by calling 707-967-2626.

BACA: Life’s An Adventure. Here’s To Those Who Drink It Up
BACA produces California Zinfandel sourced from some of the state’s most notable vineyards including Russian River Valley, Rockpile, Howell Mountain, and Paso Robles. Led by Winemaker Alison Frichtl Hollister and Director Jennifer Brown, the inaugural BACA 2016 wine portfolio includes four wines focusing on complex, high quality California Zinfandel. BACA is part of the HALL Family of wine brands and is produced at HALL Wines in St. Helena. For more information, please visit www.bacawines.com.

ABOUT N.E.W.S. NEWS- Domestic Violence & Sexual Abuse Services is a local non-profit, serving survivors and their children in Napa Valley. NEWS provides counseling, direct client services and a shelter that is available 24 hours a day/7 days a week. NEWS serves approximately 1,300 people each year and is continuing to grow and help their community. NEWS is dedicated to providing safety, hope, healing and empowerment for survivors of domestic and sexual abuse. Equally, NEWS is committed to promoting safe communities and social change through prevention, intervention, education, and advocacy. Donations would directly benefit NEWS’ staff and the people and families who they help every day. For more information, please visit https://www.napanews.org/.

SWIRL IN THE HOLIDAYS! POPULAR WINE CLUB OFFERS UNBEATABLE PRICES ON POPULAR WINE SELECTIONS + GIFTS SETS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

November 10, 2018 by evebushman Leave a Comment

ARCADIA, CALIF.—With the 2018 holiday season at our doorstep, wine lovers are turning to the Original Wine of the Month Club® for their holiday gift giving ideas—from high-quality wine assortment gift collections to gift-giving wine club memberships. Original Wine of the Month Club®’s unique, hand-picked selections of robust and flavorful wines create the ultimate holiday gift-giving experience. With convenient online ordering, free shipping and gift-giving ideas starting at $24.99, holiday shoppers are only a click or call away from the perfect gift for family members, friends and clients. To view our Top Holiday Wine Gifts Delivered, please visit www.wineclubgifts.com.

Paul Kalemkiarian talks wine with evewine101.com founder Eve Bushman.

For the gift that keeps giving throughout the year—wine lovers are discovering the added value and instant gratification they provide friends and relatives with Original Wine of the Month Club® Monthly Gift Clubs, which start at $152 for a four-month membership and features two bottles per delivery of exquisite wine and a signature monthly newsletter. New members receive a free wine accessory with wine gifts delivered.

Give friends and family a wine subscription gift they will savor throughout the year! The Original Wine of the Month Club® also offers a 6-bottle “Cellar Series,” which includes a wine shipment every other month of six extraordinary wine selections for as low as $185.

The Original Wine of the Month Club® Monthly Gift Club is a gift that keeps giving! Order a one-year membership for your friends and loved ones and they will receive a wine delivery every one- to- three months—your recipient will be reminded of your generosity with each flavorful wine selection! With free shipping for every order, each package is gift-wrapped and comes with a personalized, hand-written greeting. www.wineofthemonthclub.com

A perfect gift for wine connoisseurs or the wine novice, each of the featured holiday wine gifts delivered come with an attractive case or basket filled with the best quality wines from around the globe.

2018 Holiday Gift Ideas Under $150 include:

• Treasure Vintages–Our treasured treasure map fine wine gift box. One bottle of hand selected Classic, Vintners or Limited Series wines makes this a great grab and go wine gift bottle. (Starting at $46)

• Wine Elegance–Send your gift recipient on a tour of the world’s great vineyards with a wine gift delivery of one bottle of recent Wine of the Month Club Selections. Inspired by travel from city to bustling city, our chestnut-colored faux leather bottle carrier replaces flimsy bottle bags with something that will stand up to a tireless lifestyle. Featuring a magnetic closure and two sturdy metal handles. ($51)

• Keep Cool–Send your gift recipient on a tour of the world’s great vineyards with a wine gift delivery of 3 assorted bottles of recent Wine of the Month Club Selections. Keep drinks cold on the go with this large insulated tote, sporting an ample front pocket and removable shoulder strap. Lined with food-safe PEVA, it holds up to three standard wine bottles. ($89 to $135)

• Say Cheese—Two of your favorite wine selections are shipped in a bamboo wooden gift box that transforms into a cheese board. Three cheese tools are included: Chisel, Knife, Spreader ($90 to $140)

• Treasure Trove of Wine–This is one of our most popular wine gift packs that we offer! Our 6-bottle “Treasure Trove of Wine” of found vintages not only shows your creative taste, our wood box adorned with ancient sailing routes is a great accent for any would-be interior designer. Brass studs accent this treasure chest of our most interesting finds. The gift box set includes: Six bottles of Classic, Vintners or Limited Series wines. ($135)ABOUT THE ORIGINAL WINE OF THE MONTH CLUB®

Serving both the novice and educated wine enthusiasts nationally since 1972, the Original Wine of the Month Club® is a highly-rated mail order wine service that offers its members hand-picked selections of fine wines from the world’s finest growing regions in such diverse areas as California, Oregon, Washington, Italy, Spain, France, Germany and Australia. Each month more than 400 wines are tasted and evaluated for club selection and brought to the members at extraordinary prices. Wine subscription gift packages are popular for any special occasion. Members may shop online from a full selection of wines in the “Wine Shoppe,” a collection of gourmet gifts and wine accessories. Original Wine of the Month Club® newsletter contains fascinating insights into the featured wines, gourmet recipes and serving tips for wine lovers. The club is FREE and you never pay for a wine you do not like. The original Wine of the Month Club® houses a wide selection of award-winning wines at a retail space/warehouse in Arcadia, California. For more information, please visit www.wineofthemonthclub.com

WTSO Offers Comprehensive Wine Guide for the Holidays

November 3, 2018 by evebushman Leave a Comment

PENNSAUKEN, N.J. (PRWEB) – As the holidays approach, WTSO has created a wine guide that allows their customers to find the ideal flavor for every occasion. The guide, which can be found on the wine store’s blog, discusses bringing bottles to office parties, putting a new twist on holiday brunch, selecting the best wine to complement Thanksgiving dinner, and much more.

By reading the tips that WTSO provides, customers can easily decide on what they want and purchase it all without having to leave the comfort of their own home.

Since the online wine distributor is known for offering a featured bottle for eight hours or until it is completely sold out, customers can select that bottle or take a look at the countless other selections that the website offers.

After making their selection, customers can order online and get the wine delivered right to their door. WTSO delivers to many states throughout the country including New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Texas, California, Illinois, Florida, and Georgia.

Wine lovers from across the country trust WTSO for high-quality, affordable, and unique domestic and international varietals. Therefore, their holiday wine guide is of the highest caliber. Not only do WTSO’s tips help customers make selections, but they also help them broaden their knowledge about the world of wine.

This holiday season, current customers and newcomers alike are encouraged to not only follow the wine guide to find the perfect fit, but to visit WTSO’s website to find exactly what they’re looking for.

They can also find WTSO and their wine gift recommendations in some of the nation’s leading publications such as New York Magazine, Women’s World, Life & style, and In Touch throughout the season.

During the months of November and December, the wine store will be featuring wintry wines that pair exceptionally well with the foods and feelings of the season.

To find their new favorite wine for every holiday gathering, interested parties can visit WTSO.com or contact WTSO directly by calling 866-957-2795.

About WTSO
WTSO.com is a flash sale wine website that offers high-quality wine one at a time, at the lowest cost—30-70 percent off original retail prices. A family-run business, WTSO is built on more than 30 years of personal relationships with top vineyards from around the world, enabling them to curate the best collection of wine and offer quality wine to consumers at the lowest possible price.

To learn more, visit https://www.wtso.com/ today.

Highlights from 2018 Winesong on the Mendocino Coast

October 28, 2018 by evebushman Leave a Comment

FORT BRAGG, CA – During a spectacular weekend of award-winning wine, fabulous food, fine art, music, merriment, and charitable giving, the 34^th Annual Winesong saw a record-shattering amount raised for the Fund-A-Need auction lot, which this year benefited Cancer Care at Mendocino Coast District Hospital. Held on the Mendocino Coast on September 7^th and 8^th, highlights included A Pinot Noir Celebration, the Grand Tasting a Silent and Live Auction, where attendees witnessed unbelievable generosity. Winesong is the main fundraising event benefiting the District Hospital. Produced by the Mendocino Coast Hospital Foundation, all proceeds go towards supporting the local Hospital that serves the entire Mendocino Coast, plus rural inland areas covering nearly half the distance to Highway 101.

Winesong 2018 kicked off on Friday, September 7^th with an insider’s view of spectacular Pinot Noirs at ‘A Pinot Noir Celebration’ hosted by the Little River Inn. Guests enjoyed Pinot Noir tastings and delicious passed hors d’oeuvres, along with a chance to “talk shop” with the winemakers from Mendocino County, Napa and Sonoma Counties plus Pinots from Willamette Valley and New Zealand. On Saturday, September 8^th, attendees to the Grand Tasting strolled the enchanting Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens while enjoying vintages poured by world-class wineries from Mendocino, Napa, Sonoma and beyond, and bites from numerous fine food purveyors. The celebration continued in the Auction Tents with the always-entertaining main attraction, the Live and Silent Auctions, where well over 100 lots were on offer – including spectacular wines from a selection of prestigious wine producers, rare and hard-to-find vintages, special vertical and horizontal collections, original paintings and art from highly acclaimed artists, and domestic and international vacation packages.

Bidders at the Live Auction under the big tent helped raise significant funds, with the highlight being the Fund-A-Need focused on Cancer Care. While the bidding was set to start at $20,000, Honored Vintner Dan Duckhorn surprised everyone under the tent with an opening $50,000 donation. That was followed by a $25,000 donation, and from there, paddles shot up around the tent until the final tally of $265,000 was announced – more than the $250,000 the Foundation had hoped for and nearly $60,000 more than the previous record. Since the event, more donations from the FAN have been received, to the gratitude of the Foundation and District Hospital, and 100% of these donations going directly to the Hospital. Trips to Italy and South Africa each garnered $20,000 each, with the South Africa trip being doubled. A week in Anguilla was tripled at $33,000. A 2006 Shafer Hillside Select in a 6L format sold at $4,000, while a vertical collection of Vosne-Romanee, Clos de Reas’ Premier Cru spanning four decades went for $7,000.

Winning bids on other lots included:

Lot 9: “Honored Vintner – Take Flight” – Tasting Experiences between Napa and Anderson Valley with private jet transportation, plus dinner and several large format bottles – $12,000
Lot 12: Artist of the Year Stained Glass, “The Wave” – $7,000
Lot 19: “One Big Beautiful Bottle of Bordeaux” – 2008 Chateau Palmer, Grand Cru Margaux 6L – $5,700
Lot 30: “Jazz You Like It” – 2019 VIP Experience for two at Monterey Jazz Festival – $5,500
Lot 47: VIP Experience for Winesong’s 35^th Anniversary – doubled at $12,000 apiece.

“We were thrilled with the outcome of Winesong 2018,” states Michelle Roberts, Executive Director of the Mendocino Coast Hospital Foundation. “It was another great year, with incredible results for the Fund-A-Need benefiting Cancer Care patients and the Oncology Department at Mendocino Coast District Hospital. We thank everyone who helped make the day a success, and the generosity around this event is truly awe-inspiring.”

About Winesong & the Mendocino Coast Hospital Foundation

Winesong is produced by the Mendocino Coast Hospital Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to raising funds for the Mendocino Coast District Hospital. Its mission is to help the small rural Hospital provide the best possible medical care to residents as well as the many visitors to the Mendocino Coast. Winesong proceeds have enabled the Hospital to purchase chemotherapy equipment, portable ultrasound machines for the Emergency Room as well as a state-of-the-art Diagnostic Imaging Center, Cardiology Equipment, a Bedside Medicine Verification System, a Patient Bedside Monitoring & Alert system, and Patient Smart Beds for all rooms plus ER.

For further information, please visit http://winesong.org or call (707) 961-4688.

JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery Expands Brand Footprint With New Tasting Room In The Heart Of Downtown Paso Robles

October 21, 2018 by evebushman Leave a Comment

PASO ROBLES, Calif., Sept. 25, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — Today, JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery opens a second Tasting Room location situated prominently on the square along Downtown City Park in Paso Robles. As the region continues to gain global recognition as an award-winning AVA, this expansion allows more visitors the firsthand opportunity to experience the renowned JUSTIN brand.

As guests enter the JUSTIN Downtown Tasting Room, they are met with an elegant space featuring an expansive wine-tasting bar, lounge, and a full dining room, all ideal for exploring JUSTIN’s portfolio of award-winning Bordeaux-style wines. Guests can enjoy JUSTIN’s seasonal wine-tasting flight and select wines by the glass, which can be savored alongside a locally-sourced artisanal cheese platter or pâté board. Those looking for a more formal dining experience are encouraged to indulge in the rotating menu of à la carte items or a seasonal pairing flight, both inspired by the award-winning Restaurant at JUSTIN.

Every detail of the new space was artfully curated and customized—from the “infinity” underground bottle display at the front alcove down to the pattern of the floor tile, which is a reproduction of the famous “Gaudí tile” designed by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí in the early 20th century. Kaoru Mansour, a Japanese-born artist now based in Los Angeles, created the series of six paintings displayed throughout the dining area and French artist Christophe Côme created the room’s dramatic metal and glass divider. Throughout the space, 14 state-of-the-art high-definition screens take guests on a visual enological journey coined, “Liquid Containers.” The rotating digital installations produced by Mill+, a collective of the Oscar-winning studio The Mill, feature a series of different JUSTIN wines being slow-poured at 1,000 frames per second.

“This is a special day for JUSTIN as we expand the footprint of our brand and our commitment to the Paso Robles community,” said Clarence Chia, Vice President of Marketing and Direct-to-Consumer for JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery. “Nearly 40 years after first establishing our roots in Paso Robles, we are thrilled to welcome our neighbors and wine lovers alike to our second location in the heart of downtown for a taste of JUSTIN’s world-class wines in one of California’s most distinguished wine regions.”

“The Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to welcome a new tasting room experience of JUSTIN’s caliber to beautiful Downtown Paso Robles,” said Gina Fitzpatrick, CEO of the Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce. “It’s exciting to be bringing one of the region’s pioneers into such a historical space in the Paso Robles city center, knowing it will only add to the character and prestige our region and community is best known for. Welcome, JUSTIN!”

The new JUSTIN Downtown Tasting Room is located at 811 12th Street (next to the historic Acorn Building) and is open to the public Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., as well as for private events by reservation only.

About JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery
Located in Paso Robles, JUSTIN® Vineyards & Winery was founded in 1981 and is known for crafting world- class wines using Bordeaux grape varieties. Widely recognized for their iconic ISOSCELES® Bordeaux-style blend, JUSTIN is also known for their Cabernet Sauvignon. The estate, located at 11680 Chimney Rock Road features a Tasting Room, luxury five-star accommodations at the JUST Inn®, and a Restaurant—making it one of the only wineries on the Central Coast to offer all three options. In addition to its stellar hospitality, JUSTIN consistently receives top honors around the world, establishing itself as a leader in Bordeaux-style winemaking. JUSTIN wines are available through discerning fine wine retailers and restaurants throughout the United States, or directly from the Winery via JUSTIN’s Tasting Room, online store or to members of the exclusive JUSTIN Wine Society wine club. To discover more about what makes JUSTIN unique, visit www.justinwine.com.

The 8 Million-Bottle Man Keeps Gold Medal Wine Club’s Focus on Artisan Wineries and Gifting

October 14, 2018 by evebushman Leave a Comment

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (PRWEB) – After twenty five years and the delivery of 8 million bottles of wine to his club members, Gold Medal Wine Club’s David Chesterfield feels a responsibility to keep doing what he and his wife Linda have always done: Focus on introducing their members to the dedicated artisan winemakers who form the core of the California wine industry.

Now embarking on the beginning of his second quarter century in the Wine Club channel, Chesterfield believes his past success and future success will depend entirely on providing what he believes is at the foundation of what wine lovers want.

Real Value in Wine Depends on Delivering Substance and Quality

“It’s all about the act of discovering something that is real and that carries with it an authentic and compelling story,” says Chesterfield. “It’s fine to guarantee a customer cheap, drinkable wine, but that’s not what we did to deliver 8 million bottles to our members. What we have done and plan on continuing to do is introduce our members to the real artisan producers that deliver value through quality and substance.”

David and Linda Chesterfield established Gold Medal Wine Club in 1992 and were one of the first wine of the month clubs in existence and remains as one of the oldest, most respected, independent wine clubs in the country. Over the years the Chesterfields have added new club levels to meet the demands of changing tastes and interests. Today, six different clubs are offered: Gold Club, Platinum Club, Diamond Club, International Club, Pinot Noir Club and the Garagiste Club. They range in price from $39 to $179 per two-bottle shipment and all of them feature wines produced by genuine artisan winemakers at significant discounts off their winery retail pricing.

The focus on discovering artisan wineries located up and down the West Coast has been at the heart of the 8 million bottles shipped over Gold Medal’s first 25 years and define its ongoing success. Together, David and Linda have introduced their club members to hundreds of artisan wineries including the likes of Keller Estate and Couloir from the Petaluma Gap AVA, Napa Valley’s Blackbird and Odette, Santa Barbara’s Press Gang Cellars and Cordon, and Anderson Valley’s Fulcrum and Philo Ridge wineries.

Competition From Bulk Wine-Based Wine Clubs Renews Commitment to Real Winemakers

Despite increasing competition from new, bulk wine-based competitors in the wine club sphere, Gold Medal Wine Club is embarking on its second quarter century with the belief that more and more wine drinkers will demand an authentic artisan experience from their wines and their wine clubs.

“We could look toward reaching the 10 million bottles shipped mark by hawking cheaper, bulk wine and we are sure it would attract an audience,” says Linda Chesterfield. “But like our hundreds of thousands of members over the years, we don’t see any delight in this approach and prefer to continue on our course introducing our members to something real and honest.”

Wine lovers can learn more about Gold Medal Wine Club, the Chesterfields’ 25-year journey to find authentic value and see the wines that are delivered in club shipments by visiting http://www.goldmedalwineclub.com

The 10th Annual “STARS of Cabernet”

October 13, 2018 by evebushman Leave a Comment

Beverly Hills – Were you aware that Cabernet Sauvignon, the most cultivated grape in the world, is the result of a marriage between the Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc grape varietals?

In celebration of Cabernet Sauvignon, “STARS of Cabernet” is the premier tasting event of the year! More than 30 of the best Cabernet producing wineries in California–and the world, will showcase their Cabernets and other wine varieties. Come and taste over 100 different wines hailing from Napa, Sonoma, Paso Robles, Santa Barbara, France, Argentina and Chile.

List of wineries set to pour: Wines of South Africa, Trujillo Wines, Vineyard 29, Alpha Omega, Palazzo Wine, Frank Family Vineyards, Roy Estate, CAMi Vineyards, Bernardus Winery, Addendum, Allegretto Wines, Hawk and Horse Vineyards, axr, Hestan Vineyards, Jonata, Ladera Vineyards, Moraga Bel Air, Roca Family Vineyards, Hertelendy, The Debate, Clark-Claudon Vineyards, Michael Rolland, Duckhorn Vineyards. Merryvale Vineyards, JACK Winery, Almaviva Winery, S.R. Tonella Cellars, The Unfiltered Collection, VGS Chateau Potella & many more!

The evening will commence at 6pm with a VIP-access-only vintage tasting, followed by a PENINSULA catered dinner buffet- Acquaint yourself with the world of Cabernet while enjoying exquisite tray-passed appetizers! From 9-9:30pm, guests will enjoy a delicious dessert after-party.

A silent auction containing collectable and large format wines will benefit The TJ Martell Foundation–the music industry’s largest entity funding innovative medical research focused on finding cures for leukemia, cancer and AIDS, as well as sourcing/supporting early-stage research projects aimed at developing more effective clinical treatments for patients who otherwise cannot afford a panacea. Learn more at tjmartell.org.

Tickets now on sale!
For information and ticket purchasing, please visit Stars of Cabernet. STARS of Cabernet thanks its generous sponsors: Peninsula Hotel, Los Angeles Magazine, Evian, Robb Report, The Somm Journal and Tasting Panel Magazine.

About Peninsula Hotel:

The only AAA Five Diamond and Forbes Five Star-rated hotel in Southern California every year since 1993, The Peninsula Beverly Hills offers 194 guest rooms, including 38 suites and 16 private villas, nestled among lush tropical gardens in the heart of Beverly Hills. The Peninsula is located at the intersection of Wilshire and South Santa Monica Boulevards and within comfortable walking distance from the legendary Rodeo Drive.

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.