Eve's Wine 101

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

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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.

Masters of Taste Returns Uniting L.A.’s Top Tastemakers Together to Sip, Savor & Celebrate On The Field of the Rose Bowl Stadium Sunday, April 2nd, 2023! (Update: use promo code EVESWINE FOR $10 OFF!)

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Los Angeles, CA –  Come celebrate and be part of the sixth annual Masters of Taste, as L.A.’s premier outdoor, luxury food and beverage festival returns and will be taking place on Sunday, April 2nd, 2023, from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm on the field of the Iconic Pasadena Rose Bowl. 100% of the proceeds will directly benefit Union Station Homeless Services, a non-profit organization celebrating 50 years of providing homeless services and housing for thousands of neighbors.

Masters of Taste is introducing Chef Michael Reed and Kwini Reed as Hosts of Masters of Taste 2023 which also marks the 6th Anniversary of this celebrated event. Masters of Taste 2023 Culinary Master and Host Chef Michael Reed is a classically trained chef and restaurateur, who has spent 19 years as a chef for restaurants across New York and Los Angeles. Today, Chef Reed is the co-owner and Executive Chef behind two Los Angeles restaurants, Poppy + Rose of Downtown Los Angeles, and Anaheim’s Poppy & Seed. In addition to the two concepts, Chef Reed and his wife and co-owner, Kiini Reed also run an upscale catering company, Root of All Food. 

Born and raised in Oxnard, California, Chef Michael Reed comes from a family with a passion for food. Thanks to his parents, Michael grew up around the barbeque and the smell of fresh, home-made pies. His family cooked every day, pulling ingredients straight from the garden which went on to inspire Michael’s passion for food and hospitality. After starting down a collegiate path that was separated from the food industry at University of Santa Barbara, a track injury prompted Michael’s decision to make a change. Months later, Michael was enrolled in the Culinary Institute of America in New York. While in culinary school, Michael Reed cooked at The Modern, the acclaimed restaurant at the Museum of Modern Art in Manhattan. After graduating in 2008, Reed returned to Southern California and worked at David Myer’s Michelin-star rated Sona, as well Xiomara per a recommendation from Nancy Silverton at the age of 26. In 2011, Chef Reed and Kwini Reed jointly created high-end catering company, Root of All Food which specializes in high-end boutique catering, in-home cooking and events, and catering to Southern California. Some of Root to All Food’s previous clients have included Gwen Stefani, Gavin Rossdale, The W Hotel, and Sugar Ray Leonard. During the summer of 2014, Reed opened DTLA brunch darling, Poppy + Rose, a restaurant that specializes in classic American diner-fare made from scratch with a seasonal menu. He owns the restaurant alongside his wife, Kwini Reed. In 2021, Poppy & Seed opened, branching more upscale service and cuisine in a modern greenhouse setting. Located in the Anaheim Packing District, Poppy & Seed totes a menu of refined American fare.

Host Kwini Reed is a Southern California native, wife, mother, and entrepreneur. She is the co-owner of brunch restaurant, Poppy + Rose in Downtown, Los Angeles, Anaheim dining destination, Poppy & Seed, and upscale catering company, Root of All Foods with husband and chef of these concepts, Michael Reed. Kwini Reed comes from a large family that values community, generosity, and a strong work ethic – traits that have helped her succeed in her career and personal endeavors. A graduate of California State University, Fullerton with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing, she now has over a decade of experience in business, finance, and human resource management, having worked at companies throughout LA, including The Standard Hotel, Band of Gypsies, and Brandy Melville USA. In her current day-to-day, she oversees operations of Poppy + Rose, Poppy & Seed, and Root of All Food managing finances, strategizing new concepts for the restaurant, spearheading collaborations, and more. She and Michael Reed have received numerous accolades for these concepts, including Orange Coast Magazine’s “Best New Restaurant” (Poppy & Seed); and CBS Los Angeles’ “Best All-Day Breakfast Restaurants in LA” (Poppy + Rose) – among others. She pioneers Poppy + Rose and Poppy & Seed’s giving back initiatives as well, coordinating meal donations to organizations across LA, supporting first responders, social justice causes, youth development programs, and more. She is active with local nonprofits, such as Brown Bag Lady, which provides meals to people experiencing homelessness in LA. In addition, she participated in the James Beard Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership (WEL) program in 2021, which is focused on empowering women food industry entrepreneurs and restaurant owners and is a member of Re:Her a non-profit with a mission to empower and advance all women identifying food and drink entrepreneurs by way of innovative platforms. In October 2022, Kwini Reed participated in the LA Chef Conference as a co-moderator of a panel on the future of restaurants and in 2023, Kwini and Michael Reed will open Poppy + Rose in San Pedro, offering casual brunch and a refined dinner menu.

Masters of Taste 2022 was a sold-out event that attracted over 3,000 guests and garnered media attention all throughout Southern California and beyond. The sixth annual Masters of Taste 2023 is also expected to bring over 3,000 food and beverage enthusiasts together for one afternoon to celebrate this exhilarating festival, which will include the finest fare from over 100 Culinary Masters and restaurants, delectable sweets prepared by L.A.’s top Sweet Masters, top Beverage Masters who will be featuring signature handcrafted cocktail tastings from over 25 spirit brands and top cocktail bars, a premier 50-Yard-Line Cocktail Bar, select wineries, local craft breweries, cold-pressed juices, cold brew coffee, live entertainment and much, much more. 

Some of this year’s Masters of Taste 2023 participating Culinary Masters and Restaurants include:

Poppy + Rose and Poppy & Seed 2023 Hosts Chef Michael Reed & Kwini Reed – Downtown Los Angeles, Anaheim

Angelenos’ Wood Fired Pizza Chef Carmen Samaniego – Los Angeles

Arth Bar + Kitchen Chef Mihir Lad – Culver City

Ayara Thai Chef Vanda Asapahu – Westchester

1212 Santa Monica Chef Luca Maita – Santa Monica

Agnes Restaurant and Cheesery Chef Thomas Kalb – Pasadena

Alexander’s Steakhouse Chef Richard Archuleta – Pasadena

Casa Cordoba Chef Rebelino Villalta – Montrose

Celestino Ristorante Chef Calogero Drago – Pasadena

Champion’s CURRY Chef Yoya Takahashi – Downtown Los Angeles

Chili John’s Chef Stephen Hager – Burbank

City Club Los Angeles Chef Victor Munoz – Downtown Los Angeles

Fat Boys Chef Michael Gray – Pasadena, Los Angeles

Gabi James Sarah Gabriele & Adam Aro – Redondo Beach

Georgia’s Restaurant Nika Shoemaker-Machado – Anaheim, Long Beach

Great Maple Chef Scott Floyd – Pasadena, Anaheim, Newport Beach, San Diego

Gus’s World-Famous Fried Chicken – Burbank, Long Beach, Los Angeles

Hank’s Chef Isaias Peña – Pacific Palisades

Interstellar Chef Angie Kim – Santa Monica

La Bohéme Chef Atsushi Kenjo – West Hollywood

Lunasia Chef Lee Han Fu – Pasadena, Alhambra, Cerritos

Marlou Chef Louis Huh & Chef Marcos Spaziani – Downtown Los Angeles, Koreatown

Mercado Chef Jose Acevedo – Hollywood, Los Angeles, Manhattan Beach, Pasadena, Santa Monica

Per L’Ora Chef Courtney Van Dyke – Downtown Los Angeles

Pez Cantina Chef Bret Thompson – Downtown Los Angeles

Ramen Tatsunoya Chef Ryuta Kajiwara – Pasadena, Silver Lake

Santuari Restaurant Chef Seth Greenburg – Toluca Lake

Smoke City Char Bar Chef George Huynh – Downtown Los Angeles

Soulmate Chef David Joyce – West Hollywood

Taishi Hainan Chicken Chef Theo Shio – Redondo Beach, Long Beach

The Green Room Chef Czarina Sico – Burbank

The Peppered Goat Chef JohnPaul Arabome – Van Nuys, Las Vegas

VCHOS Wendy Centeno – Los Angeles

West Side Bahn Mi/Street Kitchen Chef Jack Ourfalian – Los Angeles

World Empanadas Chef Matthew Hirtz – Burbank

Yardbird Chef Eduardo Osorio – Los Angeles

Yuca’s Restaurant Socorro “Mama Yuca’s” Herrera– Pasadena

Sweet Masters: A select group of Los Angeles Top Sweet Masters will showcase an assortment of delectable desserts such as Bertha Mae’s Brownies, handcrafted pudding from Better Together Sweets, Creamy Boys Ice Cream, plain funnel cake from Drizzle, custom cakes and desserts from Butter Cake Shoppe, French macarons and gourmet cookies from Etoile Filante Patisserie, I Like Pie Bakeshop, Läderach Chocolatier Suisse, deliciously scrumptious scratch baked custom cakes and cupcakes from Lark Cake Shop and Nothing Bundt Cakes, Nomad Ice Pops, Pazzo Gelato, Porto’s Bakery & Café, and more.

Some of this year’s participating Beverage Masters include:

Bars & Spirits: Some of L.A.’s top bartenders and cocktail bars will be creating first-rate craft cocktails and top brands showcasing their finest spirits at Masters of Taste will include Amaro Angeleno, Beam Suntory, Dulce Vida Tequila, Empress 1908 Gin, Knox & Dobson, Krafted Spirits, Maker’s Mark, Maple Block Liquor Bar, Mario’s Hard Espresso, Mezcal 33, Mi Piace, Neft Vodka, Nosotros Tequila & Mezcal, Qué Padre, Raicilla La Reina, Smoke Lab Vodka, Tequila Juegos Mexicanos, The Raymond 1886, Xoloitzcuintle Tequila, and  Woodford Reserve.

Brewmasters: Beverage Masters who specialize in barley and hops will be presenting top-notch ales, lagers, pilsners and more for guests to sample, sip and savor all throughout the event, including Southern California favorites 14 Cannons Brewing Co., L.A.’s All Season Brewing, Arrow Lodge Brewing, Arts District Brewing Company, Pasadena’s Cerveceria Del Pueblo, Downtown’s Homebound Brew Haus, Juneshine, Kanazawa Hyakumangoku Beer, LFG Seltzer, MacLeod Ale Brewing Co., Arcadia’s first Microbrewery Mt. Lowe Brewing Co.,Native Son LA, Over Town Brewing Co., San Fernando Brewing Co., andTarantula Hill Brewing Co.

Wineries and Sake: A specially curated collection of Wine and Sake Masters will be showcasing their finest varietals including Akagisan Sake, premium boutique winery Ascension Cellars, Bodegas de Santo Tomas, CRŪ Winery, Golden Star Vineyards, Hitching Post Wines, I Love Wine Collections, Moraga Bel Air Vineyards, Anderson Valley’s Navarro Vineyards, Sake High!, Tercero Wines, Veso Aperitifs, Vincola Casta de Vinos, Warson Wine Company, and more.

Non-Alcoholic Beverages: A variety of premium non-alcoholic Beverage Masters will also be on hand for those who wish to hydrate, caffeinate or regenerate with All Phenoms, Yerba Mate from Erva Brew Co., Humm Kombucha, fresh juices from Summit Juice Co., and boba milk tea from Sunright Tea Studio and Bearology, and more.

100% of the proceeds from Masters of Taste 2023 will directly benefit Union Station Homeless Services, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that is celebrating its 50th anniversary of bringing neighbors home. Committed to providing permanent solutions to end homelessness and rebuild lives, Union Station works with unsheltered and very low-income adults and families across the San Gabriel Valley. Recently expanding  into El Sereno and Eagle Rock, Union Station Homeless Services is the lead County agency for Service Planning Area 3 (SPA 3), coordinating homeless services in 36 communities spanning from Pasadena to Pomona. Union Station Homeless Services’ mission is guided by the belief that everyone deserves a life of dignity and a place to call home. In the last five years Masters of Taste has raised over $2.7 Million in support of Union Station Homeless Services life-saving programs.

Masters of Taste 2023 is a 100% outdoor event. Additionally, all guests will be receiving their very own utensils and hand sanitizer to use throughout the event.

Mark your calendars and see you at the sixth annual Masters of Taste 2023!

Ticket Information: Masters of Taste 2023 will take place on Sunday, April 2nd, 2023, and this is a 21+ event. A VIP Power Hour will be held from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm and General Admission will be from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm. For more information on Masters of Taste 2023, please visit www.MastersofTasteLA.com.

Transportation and Parking: Guests are encouraged to utilize car services – Lyft, Uber, Taxi, etc. – since this event does serve alcoholic beverages and is a 21+ and over event. Complimentary parking is also available at the Rose Bowl.

Follow Masters of Taste for the latest updates:

Facebook:   @MastersofTaste

Instagram:  @mastersoftaste

Perlises Pick – Lodging with the Wilson Artisan Wineries

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When traveling, whether it be to wine country or elsewhere, there are typically a plethora of lodging choices. Where you stay can often “make or break” how much you enjoy the entire trip.

As we started planning for our upcoming trip to the Healdsburg area, we recalled that an old friend had mentioned that he had recently stayed at the Camellia Inn and had raved about it. As this is just one of the several properties under the umbrella of the Wilson Artisan Wineries, we checked out their website:

www.wilsonartisanwines.com/lodging

Besides the Camellia Inn, there are the Grape Leaf Inn, the Calderwood Inn and the Rockhouse Suites, all in Healdsburg, along with the Pinschower Inn just a little north in Cloverdale.

This is all watched over by Tim Polk, Certified Tourism Ambassador for Sonoma County and Reservations Supervisor for Wilson Artisan Wineries. Tim has lived in Sonoma County for over 25 years and loves to “guide folks to fantastic food, wine and touring experiences, based on their likes and desires.” He assists guests with finding the best Wilson housing option, then helps them with more concierge-related things such as: “suggesting local restaurants; guiding folks on how and where to make wine tasting appointments; giving recommendations for local wine tour companies/drivers; etc. I’ve helped folks plan four- and five-day trips that include picnics at Half Moon Bay to a day trip to Mendocino County to everything in between.”

Sometimes, though, you really want that wine country immersive experience of staying on a vineyard property. Who do you go to for that? Well, Tim Polk, of course.

The Wilsons have four vineyard properties from which to choose. The deLorimier Winery in Alexander Valley and Mazzocco Sonoma in the Dry Creek Valley both have three-bedroom cottages. Pezzi King, also in the Dry Creek Valley, has a four-bedroom guest house. Finally, and also in Dry Creek, is the two-bedroom KCV Estate (Kenneth Carl Vineyards Estate) House at what will soon to be the location of another Wilson project: the Kenneth Carl Winery (there is a story here to be told, for sure!).

Tim said “We don’t splash these around much online – we really want to make them most available to the Wilson winery club members…There is no online spot to check availability for the vineyard properties; you do have to reach out to us either via this email (reservations@wilsonartisanwines.com) or by calling us Mon- Fri at 707-395-0929, option 4.”

Still, they are definitely worth checking into – you might get lucky!

We had the good fortune recently to stay at Mazzocco Sonoma’s Briar Cottage and it definitely exceeded all of our expectations. It was a perfect base of operations for us, as we had already planned to spend some quality time with Mazzocco’s winemaker Antoine Favero [more on this to come] and was also conveniently located for us to explore the Dry Creek Valley and surrounding environs.

But you might not want to leave. Luxuriously appointed and with a beautiful patio facing the Briar vineyard, it is a great place to relax and take in the beauty of wine country.  It is a just short drive to Healdsburg with its many wonderful restaurants, or you can just load up on supplies at a convenient market and take advantage of the full kitchen, dining room, and that patio. The only problem with Briar Cottage is it may spoil you for staying anywhere else.

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.

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

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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. 

Wine Spectator Unveils 2022 WINE VALUE OF THE YEAR

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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.

Where it Began: Phifer Pavitt and Del Dotto Hospitality

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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.

HALL CABERNET COOKOFF RETURNS APRIL 22

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(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.

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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.

HITCHING POST 2 HOSTS JIM CLENDENEN TRIBUTE DINNER FOR 110 BENEFITING SANTA BARBARA CHARITIES

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Winemakers, Chefs, Vineyard Owners and Friends Gather to Honor the Legacy of Santa Barbara County Wines First Ambassador Raising $100,000 for Direct Relief and the Community Health Centers of the Central Coast

BUELLTON, California – On February 4, 2023, Jami and Frank Ostini of the Hitching Post 2 in Buellton, California, hosted the Jim Clendenen Tribute Dinner benefiting Direct Relief and the Community Health Centers of the Central Coast. One hundred ten guests came from distances as far away as Boston, Atlanta and Hawaii to honor Jim Clendenen, the founder and “Mind Behind” the highly acclaimed Au Bon Climat Winery located near Santa Maria, California. The event raised $100,000 at the Santa Barbara Wine Auction sponsored by the Santa Barbara Vintners Foundation, with proceeds from the dinner benefiting the two charities.

Jim Clendenen started his winery in 1982, rising in prominence locally and internationally as he aspired to emulate Burgundy’s culture and wine styles by creating unique Santa Barbara wines from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. He became an international ambassador for Santa Barbara Wines while traveling the world and returning to California to mentor the first and second-generation winemakers in Santa Barbara County. Jim befriended the best chefs and winemakers worldwide and built a wine business that sells across America and the globe – England, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Canada, Japan and Korea.  

Jim’s children have taken up the torch. Daughter Isabelle is traveling to represent Au Bon Climat at the Triangle Wine and Food Experience in North Carolina, and Knox is selling wine in Japan. Like father, like daughter, like son. The rest of Jim’s Au Bon Climat team was in the room – long-time winemaker Jim Adelman, first ABC employee cellar master Enrique Rodriguez, assistant winemaker Mark Piro, Michael Meluskey, James Sanders and Randi Chavoya. Surrounded with pictures of Jim’s life, the dinner featured a slideshow of 300 photos. Endless storytelling filled every table as Jim’s spirit lit up the room.

Stories of Jim’s 40-plus year career and how he touched thousands of lives were shared by local grape growers, winemakers and friends, including Bob and Louisa Lindquist, Doug Margarum, Paul Lato, Brian and Lisa Babcock, Chad Melville, Andrew Murray, Katy Grassini, Matt Murphy, Justin Willett, James Ontiveros, Matt Turrentine, Gary and Jeanne Newman, Chuck and Kathleen Carlson, Chris Brown, Pierre LaBarge, Coby Parker-Garcia, Gary and Teresa Burk, Jessica Gasca, Debra Eagle, Drake Whitcraft, Jessica Stolpman and Gray, Charlotte and Weston Hartley.

Other attendees of note came to pay tribute to Jim:  David & Judy Breitstein, David Fink, Bill Shea, Jay Mcinerney, Keith Pitts, Tom Black, Jimmy Davis, Blake Brown, Michael and Kathy Gordon, Bhupi Singh, Gurinder Kaur, Drs. Mark Goodman and Greg Hallert, and Jim and Jody Rea. The traveling contingent was led by Roy Yamaguchi, Chuck Furuya and Warren Shon from Hawaii, Chip Coen from Boston, Scott and Margret Dozier from Atlanta, and many others.

A spectacular five-course feast was prepared and served by the Hitching Post staff of 20 led by George Alvarado, Brad Lettau and Angel Carmona with the help of chef friends. Clark Staub of Full of Life Flatbread Los Alamos had a strikingly colorful Chicory and Citrus Salad; Roy Yamaguchi of Roy’s Restaurants of Hawaii served the pinnacle plate of Sea Bass enhanced with fresh-caught uni from Santa Barbara’s renowned fish-monger Stephanie Mutz.  Budi Kazali, formerly of the Ballard Inn, followed with a wonderfully earthy Smoked Duck Breast with Turnips and Tempura Chanterelles. 

The Hitching Post served their signature Oak-Grilled New York with Black Truffled Mashed Potatoes and finished the evening with an assortment of cheeses and small bites of sweets.

The menu was paired with ten outstanding wines poured from five-liter bottles of Au Bon Climat vintages that spanned four decades – 2020 to 1986. A team of eleven sommeliers meticulously served the wines under the leadership of fellow winemakers Bob Lindquist, Doug Margarum and Paul Lato.

The evening was a wonderful and memorable tribute to a great friend, Jim Clendenen.  And as Jim would have done himself, a generous sum was raised for charity while enjoying fine food and wine.

ABOUT HITCHING POST 2 and HITCHING POST WINES:

The Hitching Post 2 Restaurant and Hitching Post Wines offer a quintessential Santa Barbara Wine Country food and wine experience in the heart of the Santa Ynez Valley. One can enjoy traditionally made Pinot Noirs in a nearly 100-year-old wine-tasting room along with a casual high-quality BBQ lunch out back, set in a glorious outdoor setting with a mountain backdrop. In the evening, you can visit the iconic Hitching Post 2 steak house that has been a Santa Ynez Valley institution since 1986 – a restaurant where you can enjoy Central Coast oak wood BBQ’d steaks and seafood matched with Hitching Post and fine local wines from Santa Barbara County. 

This endeavor is directed by owners Frank and Jami Ostini, whose family has been central Coast oak wood BBQ leaders since 1952 with the original Hitching Post Restaurant in Casmalia. Grilling over an oak wood fire is a Central Coast tradition that goes back over 200 years to the Spanish Rancheros, a practice perfected by parents Frank and Natalie Ostini, which continues to be refined by sons Bill and Frank. Originally a beef-only restaurant, over the years, the Hitching Post cuisine has been expanded to include other proteins like quail, duck, lamb and fresh seafood items, as well as oak-grilled vegetables, including mushrooms and the signature grilled artichokes. The Hitching Post 2 buys from and supports many local farmers and fishermen and secures prime beef sourced from the heart of America’s Midwest.

Frank Ostini is a singular figure in the food and wine business as he leads both the cheffing and winemaking for Hitching Post. For Frank, the food came first, and he subsequently made wines to pair with his food. Starting in 1984, Frank began making Pinot Noir from the Santa Maria Valley and the Sta. Rita Hills to match with Hitching Post cuisine. Winemaking became an obsession and inspiration that continues to this day. Frank mentors the experienced kitchen and dining room staff, many of whom have more than 25 years with the Hitching Post. This long-standing team brings a family atmosphere that is essential to the success of the Hitching Post.

Hitching Post 2 has a long-established reputation, having received high acclaim from the Los Angeles Times, New York Times, Sunset, USA Today, and Forbes and has been showcased with Frank’s appearances on Food Network with celebrity chefs Wolfgang Puck and Bobby Flay. None of this was as consequential as Hitching Post 2 and Hitching Post Wines being featured in the 2004 Academy Award-winning film Sideways. Regardless of this international fame, the Hitching Post continues to provide high-quality, uniquely flavored foods and honest customer service in a casual, friendly atmosphere that is home to so many of its customers.  

Taste Hitching Post wines from some of the region’s best vineyards. Enjoy lunch behind the tasting room on the bank of the Santa Ynez River overlooking the glorious Santa Ynez Mountains. It is casual and easy, with high-quality food and ideal for kids and dogs. Spend the evening dining at the Hitching Post 2 for simply one of the best food and wine experiences in the Santa Ynez Valley. The Hitching Post has something special for everyone.

HITCHING POST 2

406 East Highway 246, Buellton, CA 93427

follow Hitching Post:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/HitchingPost2

Twitter: @HitchingPost2

Instagram: @hitchingpost2

For information on the Hitching Post 2 restaurant, visit:

 www.hitchingpost2.com 

Best Wine Destinations and Events in the Pacific Coast

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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.

Reviewing the New Smith-Madrone 2018 Riesling

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Before tasting the latest Riesling from Smith-Madrone I was reminded of a time years ago when I attended a Riesling class and food pairing. The wines were from one winery in the Mosel region of Germany (grown on steep hillsides similar to Smith-Madrone) and I remember that only the last couple of wines we sampled could be described as sweet. It was eye-opening for me at the time as I had assumed all Rieslings to be sweet, prior to taking my first wine certification classes, and was pleasantly surprised to learn that I was wrong.

I was equally – and very pleasantly – surprised when I had my first Riesling wine from Smith-Madrone. The 2017 Smith-Madrone Riesling review of mine is here and here is the fact sheet for the 2018 that I’m tasting with you today. Below are my tasting notes and below that is information from the winery.


2018 Smith–Madrone Riesling Tasting Notes

13.3% alcohol, Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley

The wine is the color of pale gold, and sparkly, making it very appealing. On the nose, which I detected from about three inches away, I was reminded of sweet Meyer lemons, ripe grapefruit, wet pebbles in a stream, a touch of pineapple, talcum powder and Golden Delicious apples. I was anxious to taste the wine and immediately noted its rich mouth-coating viscosity, a lot of that Golden Delicious apple I found on the nose, as well as more pineapple, less lemon, with a mild to medium acidity that held on for a nice long finish. It wasn’t bone dry or sweet; instead it had a nice sweet spot that I thought would pair well with a cheese board, pasta in a cream sauce, fried chicken or all by itself!

From The Winery

The wine is all estate Spring Mountain District fruit, 100% Riesling, grown at an elevation of 1,300-1,900 feet, with slopes angling up to 34%. The vineyard is partially dry-farmed and most of the Riesling was planted on its own rootstock…the same hands cleared, planted, tend and make the wine…for the last fifty years.

Only 1,611 cases made. SRP is $36.00.

Winemaker Charlie Smith describes the wine: The 2018 Riesling opens with abundant floral notes buttressed by underpinnings of lime, lemon and exotic oranges. This delicate, fetching aroma leads one to expect a wine on the lighter, more delicate side and, when tasted, this expectation is confirmed. On the palate the wine is stylish and elegant, demonstrating a brilliant acidity that is at once fine and lively, tasty and fun and not the least off putting. The acid feels just right; it’s very much like biting into a delicious, crunchy Riesling flavored apple. For a wine of this delicate construction, it still manages to retain a solid core of vibrant fruit. It’s svelte and elegant, it’s drinking beautifully now and shows great promise for the future.

Smith-Madrone was founded partly on the premise of making great Riesling (i.e., not to dis the Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay!), given its mountain site and steep slopes. Stu Smith describes the effort to market Riesling as Sisyphean…and to that point beginning with the 1983 Riesling vintage Smith-Madrone went where no other American winery would go for the next 17 years – changing the label from Johannisberg Riesling to “just” Riesling, and essentially outlasting the BATF and prevailing with that name.

Smith-Madrone’s Riesling is one of perhaps less than ten Rieslings grown/made in the Napa Valley.

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, 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.