Newhall Press Room is here with groceries to “Help People Out”

April 4, 2020 by evebushman

We recently ordered some amazing groceries from our local wine bar, the Newhall Press Room, not only because we needed them but because many of the foods offered we often ordered and enjoyed at the wine bar.

This was the caption for the photo, from my social media post:

What’s on your plate? It’s another day to #SupportLocal #StayHome #OrderIn and this time it was…groceries from Newhall Press Room – one of the owners delivered all of our favorites including Spanish Chorizo, Jambon de Paris, Aged Cheddar, Brie, their new 2017 Leviathan red blend wine as well as extra large eggs, chicken breasts and hamburger. If you need fresh or frozen fruits, dairy, meats, vegetables, breads or other staples check them out! We already made egg salad on the Ciabatta, next will be having a lovely cheese and charcuterie board! If you are in need, email is @ info@newhallpressroom.com for the entire pricing sheet.

This is from Dan Zebrowski, one of the three owners of Newhall Press Room, in answer to why they are providing this service:

“I am not sure why other restaurants did this, but for us it was mostly to help people out. We have a very small, scratch kitchen. Because we are small, we order daily and only enough for service. When all of this happened, we didn’t have a lot of stock at the restaurant.

We originally sent our first grocery list, exclusively, to our Press Club loyalty members (re-printed and posted below). We made the decision early on that we were going to keep our prices as low as we can. While it causes constant monitoring of our vendors and editing of our price sheet, it has kept our prices affordable and accessible. Honestly, we did not expect a lot of people to take advantage of this service. We just hoped that people who really needed it, would reach out to Press Room.

Our hopes were realized when 2 of the first 3 email responses we received were people who were “at risk” and/or worked in the medical field and couldn’t get to the grocery store before it had gotten picked clean. At that point, we decided that we were going to offer this service to our loyalty program members.

However, before we knew it, other people found out about what we were doing for our loyalty program members and wanted to take advantage of our service. After a little internal discussion, we decided to make our grocery list available to anybody who needed it. Now, we have some folks who just like the convenience, some people who just want to avoid the grocery store, and some people who truly need the help. It is for that latter group of people that we continue to offer groceries.

If you know of someone in need, please have them reach out to us directly at info@newhallpressroom.com.”

The Lodge at Torrey Pines to Debut Beyond the Cellar: A Spring Collectors Tasting

April 2, 2020 by evebushman

LA JOLLA, CALIF. (PRWEB) – Winemakers and owners from some of the most exclusive California wineries will travel down the coast to The Lodge at Torrey Pines for its inaugural Beyond the Cellar: A Spring Collectors Tasting. The AAA Five Diamond La Jolla resort will host the wine tasting and purchasing event Friday, May 8, 2020 from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. There are a limited number of tickets available for this exclusive event. Tickets are priced at $150 per person and can be purchased online at lodgetorreypines.com/beyond-the-cellar.

Riding off the success and model of The Lodge’s annual culinary festival, Celebrate the Craft, Beyond the Cellar is an event geared toward wine aficionados and collectors. Winemakers and winery owners will have the opportunity to showcase some of their rare and high-end vintages that are not readily available to the general public. Wholesale pricing of featured wines will range from $100 to over $1,000 per bottle and attendees will have the opportunity to purchase wine through the attending wineries, at retail value. The majority of the bottles available for purchase cannot be found in stores or ordered online.

Curated by The Lodge’s Advanced Sommelier Paul Krikorian, Beyond the Cellar will feature highly coveted wines and experts from Napa Valley wineries including Nickel & Nickel and Far Niente, Continuum Estate, Pulido-Walker, Spottswoode, Ramey Wine Cellars, Paul Hobbs, Flora Springs, Ovid, Lewis Cellars, Morlet Family Vineyards, Staglin Family Vineyard, Hundred Acre, Mirror, and Abacus by ZD Wines. Each featured wine will be poured by either the winemaker, owner or spokesperson, providing guests with an exclusive one-on-one guided tasting. Krikorian, along with other sommeliers, will be available throughout the event to provide expert insight and advice to attendees.

Wine tastings will be accompanied by artisanal cheeses, charcuterie, handcrafted chocolates, passed hors d’oeuvres, live entertainment by a jazz guitarist and a champagne greeting. Along with bottles and barrels from the wineries, guests will also have the chance to purchase fine glassware from Riedel, the premier wineglass and decanter manufacturer. Additionally, Riedel will provide guests with a surprise takeaway gift.

Guests interested in extending their Beyond the Cellar experience can also reserve a room package starting at $719 per night, which includes two tickets to the event.

About The Lodge at Torrey Pines:
The Lodge at Torrey Pines is an AAA Five Diamond award-winning property offering views of the world renowned Torrey Pines Golf Course and the Pacific Ocean. Guests of The Lodge can take advantage of the near perfect weather while hiking the Torrey Pines State Reserve, golfing on Torrey Pines Golf Course or relaxing at the spa. The Lodge pays tribute to the California Craftsman Movement and is modeled after Greene and Greene’s famed Gamble and Blacker houses in Pasadena, California, two of the finest examples of early 1900s Craftsman-style architecture. The Lodge features 170 spacious guest rooms and suites, a 9,500 square-foot full-service spa and two restaurants serving contemporary California cuisine. The Lodge is owned and operated by Evans Hotels and is in proximity to the San Diego International Airport, downtown San Diego and downtown La Jolla. The Lodge is located 11480 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037. For reservations, call (858) 453-4420 or visit http://www.lodgetorreypines.com.

Alessia Antinori to Headline South Walton Beaches Wine and Food Festival, April 23 – 26, 2020

March 23, 2020 by evebushman

MIRAMAR BEACH, FLA. (PRWEB) – Alessia Antinori of Marchesi Antinori, the most famously iconic winemaking family in history, will pour her family’s highly prized Italian wines at the South Walton Beaches Wine and Food Festival, taking place April 23 – April 26, 2020, in Grand Boulevard at Sandestin (not to be confused with the Sandestin resort or Sandestin wine festival). With more than 600 quality wines and dozens of spirits to taste over four days, this annual award-winning charity event delivers an unparalleled wine experience.

Antinori’s wines will be featured in Culinary Village and will be paired with an exclusive menu of authentic Italian dishes by Festival Culinary Director, Scott Plumley.

“At the beginning in the renaissance period we were more merchants and then after a few generations we started to produce wine in the Chianti Classico. The last generation has been very important because we focused on buying land to plant vineyards to assure that we could guarantee the high quality of the product. The last period we started to focus on the quality of the product and on the vineyards which we owned to try to get the best from them,” said Antinori, whose family has been making wine for 26 generations.

Attendees will be able to engage with Antinori and learn how her family’s wineries have evolved over six centuries since being established in 1385.

“We are talking about a business which is human and nature related and for this reason we believe the way to succeed is to transmit values like passion, quality and integrity from generation to generation and for this reason we want to maintain it in the family,” said Antinori.

Antinori will also present one of the weekends popular tasting seminars where her family wines will be paired exclusively with award-winning cheeses and charcuterie presented by world-renowned cheese expert and educator Michael Landis of the Intitut du Fromage.

Alessia Antinori said the tasting attendees can expect “that they will understand our family, our passion, our lifestyle and that they can appreciate our wines through our values and tasting a good glass of wine!”

Another festival highlight will be the Jackson Family Wine World pavilion which will feature their Chardonnays, Pinot Noir, Syrah and Viogniers from California and “big reds” including Cabernet Sauvignons, French Bordeaux, Italian Super Tuscans, Australian Shiraz and more.

South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival will present some of the most acclaimed winemakers and master distillers in the world, including Mariano Buglioni, the owner of the eponymous estate in San Pietro in Cariano, located in Valpolicella Classico; Greg Brewer winemaker and owner of Brewer-Clifton; Daniel DAOU, winemaker and proprietor, DAOU Family Estates; Jill DelaRiva Russell, winemaker of Cambria Winery; Jesse Lange, owner and principle, Lange Winery; Jared Himstedt, head distiller of Balcones Distilling; and Jessica Koga, Associate Winemaker, Davies Vineyards and Schramsberg Vineyards.

The festival kicks off Thursday at 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. with Winemakers & Shakers, held at Wine World in Destin. The VIP Wine Tasting is part of a 3-Day Package and takes place Friday, 4 p.m. – 6 p.m., followed by the Friday Craft Beer & Spirits Jam, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. The Grand Tastings are Saturday and Sunday, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. The VIP Tasting can only be attended by purchasing the VIP Wine Festival 3-Day Package that includes most festival events as well.

Tickets can be purchased at SoWalWine.com.

The South Walton Beaches Wine and Food Festival is truly a celebration of wine, food and music that everyone can feel good about. This event is a major fundraiser for the Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation with proceeds benefiting more than a dozen children’s charities in Northwest Florida.

Presented by Grand Boulevard at Sandestin and Visit South Walton, the festival offers the ideal backdrop for wine, charity and fun along the South Walton beaches, named among the best beaches in the country.

South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival is made possible by the generous support of the following Founding Partners: Visit South Walton Tourist Development Council, Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association, Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa, Wine World of Northwest Florida and Grand Boulevard at Sandestin®. Resortquest by Wyndham Vacation Rentals is the Official Lodging Partner.

About South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival
South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival is an annual charity event held the last weekend in April. The festival features a stunning showcase of some of the best wines in the world. Celebrity wine producers and chefs present fine wine and food pairings from the world’s most famous appellations. The Culinary Village offers a sumptuous array of foods to taste, wines to pair, as well as wine and food tasting seminars. The event is a major fundraiser for Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation, which benefits children in need in Northwest Florida. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit SoWalWine.com.

Single Bottle Post: Knights Bridge 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon

December 27, 2019 by evebushman

In my recent trip to Napa Valley, while visiting Calistoga and one winery in particular, Knights Bridge, we were gifted a bottle of Cab at the end of our visit. I tucked it into our suitcase, with a few others, and felt that since it was a gift I should do one of my one-bottle posts in return. Below are my tasting notes, and below that is the blurb I wrote about their tasting room, the only tasting room housed in a former bank with the only bank vault turned wine vault.

Knights Bridge 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, Knights Valley, Sonoma County

320 cases

14.3% alcohol

Color: Opaque, the blackest of black cherries.

Aroma: Sweet plum, black cherry, mellowed balance of spice and tannin, milk chocolate, cigar and oak.

Flavor: Balanced and lingering flavors of ripe blue and black fruit, spice rack, with a slightly sweet finish.

Note on the bottle: I’m a sucker for a weighted bottle with a deep punt. It makes it nicer to pour from, and to me, it heightens awareness to the quality of the wine.

Conclusion: At about $100 a bottle, which is the standard rate for a Napa Valley Cab, I’d definitely pay for it to have it again. The balance and length, along with the dark fruit and spice, were exceptional.

From my article in SCV Elite Magazine:

Knights Bridge Vault

Also a winery I had learned about from WineLA.com, Knights Bridge was one I wanted to visit. Happy to find them in Calistoga, in the historic Calistoga National Bank building, where we enjoyed conversing with Kerry Andrews all about Calistoga and all they have to offer in a small-town feel. We viewed the only wine vault (former bank vault) in Napa, enjoyed cheese and charcuterie while tasting through their exceptional wines: 2018 Knights Bridge Sauvignon Blanc, Fairview; 2015 Pont de Chevalier Chardonnay, Estate Vineyard; 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate Vineyard; 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon, Dr. Crane Vineyard and 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, To Kalon Vineyard. We enjoyed them all, especially the Cabs.

Book online: https://www.knightsbridgewinery.com/Visit-Us-Events/Private-Tastings-in-The-Vault

About (Excerpted From Facebook)

Knights Bridge was founded by a close circle of friends who celebrate a shared passion for wine and food, a love of farming and respect for nature.

The wines of Knights Bridge offer an opportunity to taste not only our unique estate wines, but also wines from some of California’s most prestigious vineyards. Knights Bridge searches California for exceptional sources of fruit from properties with a strong sense of place and the potential for producing extraordinary wines. Many of these celebrated properties have a long history of incredible vintages to their credit.

Founding Date: 2006

Estate Wines: Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc
Vineyard Designate Wines: Beckstoffer To Kalon Cabernet Sauvignon (Oakville), Dr. Crane Cabernet Sauvignon (St. Helena), Berisini Vineyards Chardonnay (Carneros), Alder Springs Chardonnay (Mendocino)

https://www.instagram.com/knightsbridgewinery/

https://www.knightsbridgewinery.com/

Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a “certification in first globally-recognized course” as an American Wine Specialist ® from the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), Level 1 Sake Award from WSET, was the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video (over 16k views), authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru and the Global Wine Awards. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits.

ZD Wines Introduces New Guest Experiences and Renovated Hospitality Destination

May 18, 2019 by evebushman

NAPA, Calif. (PRWEB) – Today the deLeuze family and ZD Wines unveiled the final stages of their renovated hospitality center, welcoming guests to a contemporary reception area, private tasting lounge, and custom kitchen. Sleek lines and refined natural elements come together in a modern aesthetic that puts ZD’s acclaimed wines at center stage.

The focal point of the new reception area is a large picture window showcasing the beautiful barrel room, allowing guests to peek into the working winery. Nearby, custom 13-foot tall sliding glass doors designed in Portugal enclose an inviting private lounge, complete with a fireplace and access to a patio garden. An extensive wine library showcases selections from their 50 years of winemaking before guests reach their new, modern kitchen.

Upstairs, tall glass doors blur the lines between indoors and out in the Vineyard View Tasting Room and Deck, where unobstructed vineyard views stretch from the east side of Rutherford all the way across the valley floor to the Mayacamas Mountains. A timeline told through historic bottlings and family photos provides an introduction to the winery’s rich history, which dates back to 1969.

“Decades ago, we offered tastings at a small bar tucked into the corner of our winery. Now, we can provide the opportunity to enjoy ZD Wines in a gracious, luxurious space that reflects our dedication to excellence,” said Brett deLeuze, President of ZD Wines. “We’re looking forward to the next 50 years of world-class wines.”

The winery has also introduced new hospitality experiences. Available now, the elevated offerings include:

Vineyard View Tasting—This seated tasting in the well-appointed Vineyard View Room & Deck allows guests to enjoy a selection of current release award-winning wines while taking in the valley floor views of Rutherford. Hospitality professionals lead guests through ZD’s 50-year history, winemaking, and eco practices. Cost: $40 per person.
The ZD Experience—During this unforgettable private cellar tour, guests explore ZD’s 50-year history, vineyards, and stewardship practices. After sampling wine maturing in barrel, guests are seated in the Vineyard View Room to a choice of current release Reserve wines or Library selections, along with artisanal cheese and charcuterie pairing. Cost: $125 per person.
The Abacus Experience—The ultimate way to experience all that ZD has to offer, including its pinnacle wine, Abacus. This innovative solera-style wine is a blend of every vintage of ZD Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon dating back to 1992 (26 vintages). Guests will have a rare opportunity to taste the Abacus “solera” from barrel during their private cellar tour, along with other maturing wines. Afterwards, relax in the private lounge with a curated tasting of Reserve wines, including pours of a library and current Bottling of Abacus, paired with artisanal cheeses and charcuterie. Cost: $1000 for up to 6 guests.

Known for three core varietals, including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon, ZD Wines also crafts two small production whimsical wines, named “Rosa Lee’s Whim,” and a 50th Anniversary Sparkling Cuvée. ZD also recently released their 20th Bottling of Abacus, ZD’s solera-style Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon.

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

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

Vintage Eve Circa 3/2016: Tasting the New 2012 (And One 14 Rosé) Mystic Hills Vineyard Releases

April 2, 2019 by evebushman

It was a thrill to taste the newly released 2012 wines (and one 2014!) from Mystic Hills Vineyard because…every wine from their first release has received awards from various competitions! (Read more here) And this, just their second release, is poised for the same level of achievements.

I invited a few wine lovers over to share these first tastes, and to also chime in on the aromas and flavors they found. And, if you’re not interested in tasting notes know this: the tasting was a resounding success with all six guests agreeing that the wines were superb.

2014 H.E.A.R.T.S Rosé

Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Merlot and Petit Verdot

With vibrant aromas of fresh strawberry, ripe raspberry, wet stones and a hint of Meyer lemon it was followed up in the mouth with the same luscious red fruit flavors with the addition of apricot, red ruby grapefruit and a welcoming mild acidic finish.

We paired this Rosé with a BBQ Shrimp recipe that actually has no BBQ sauce or required barbequing; it was just all garlic, unsalted butter, Worchestershire sauce, lemon, pepper and Cajun seasoning. The Rosé was the perfect refresher between bites. 90 Eve pts.

Cabernet Sauvignon

100% Cabernet Sauvignon

Sweet plum, cherry, black fruit, toasted marshmallow, wet bark and red rose wafted up in the nose of this Cab. The taste was all cherry, raspberry, earth and a bit of oak with mouth drying tannins. This one was voted “easy to drink” by the group.

Gran Trio

Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot.

Blueberry, black currant, blackberry, incense and earth – all on the nose. Then with the taste we got beautiful red to blue fruit, spice, firm tannins and a nice long finish. As we let this open up in our glasses we noted more fruit developing. 90 Eve pts.

Unforgiven

Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Merlot and Malbec.

Aromas of dried blue fruit, cloves, mushroom and black pepper filled our noses. Once tasted we found robust jammy qualities with red fruit, spice and cracked pepper all in great balance.

My husband had guests wait to finish this stellar blend with a chocolate caramel Crème Brûlée he had made. As he torched the sugar and fresh mint into a crust, we waited expectantly. It was magical. 92 Eve pts. With the pairing, 93 Eve pts.

All three reds were paired with our cheese and charcuterie appetizer. Some also enjoyed the reds with the BBQ shrimp, and due to the pepper and spice in the dish, I agreed that it worked well.

http://www.mystichillsvineyard.com/

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

Perlis Picks: Epic Times at Epoch Estate Wines

June 2, 2018 by Michael Perlis

In my last article, I mentioned that I’d next be writing about who went into the old Clos Solene spot at Tin City. Well, some technical difficulties have delayed that report, so this week you get…

Photo from Epoch Facebook page.

One of the benefits of living in Southern California, as do most of our Eve Wine 101 readers, is proximity to various wine regions. Santa Barbara wine country is just a couple of hours away, Paso Robles a little farther and a few more hours gets you to Napa, Sonoma and beyond.

Inevitably, once you do start visiting wineries, you’ll be presented with opportunities to join winery clubs. With so many wineries offering great wines, it is easy to get overwhelmed. How do you decide which clubs to join? For us, it is often, in addition to the wine quality, it is the feeling that we have a personal relationship with the people involved.

Epoch Estate Wines in Paso Robles is a great case in point. Karen and I first tasted the Epoch wines in 2010 when they were still being made at Denner. We had the good fortune to meet Kristen Darnell (née Carrillo), now Epoch’s Vice President of Sales and Personnel as well as newly hired winemaker Jordan Fiorentini. The wines were great, Kristen and Jordan were too, and the fact that the owners had purchased the old York Mountain Winery site to develop their winery [a place we had first visited in the 1980s] was icing on the cake. We were hooked.

A perk of being in a wine club is that members often get invited to special events. Recently, Epoch members were invited to the beautiful state of the art winery on York Mountain to attend not one but two events.

The first event, reserved for the top tier of Epoch members, started with a reception that included passed appetizers along with Epoch’s newly released white blend [Viognier, Grenache Blanc and Roussanne] and Rose [Mourvedre, Grenache and Syrah] wines. Both were excellent but the Rose is really something special. Just ask my wife Karen.

Then, we were treated to an elegant sit-down dinner in the winery, paired with the great Epoch wines.

The 2015 Sensibility [Grenache and Syrah] was paired with Manchego & Prosciutto. The 2015 Zinfandel [with a touch of Grenache] was matched with Grilled Quail and the 2015 Veracity [Grenache, Mourvedre and Syrah] with Wild Mushroom Risotto. Finally, the 2015 Estate Blend of Syrah, Mourvedre, Grenache, Tempranillo and Zinfandel was served with barbecued New York Strip with bone marrow butter and Roquefort whipped potatoes. The dessert table filled with petit fours and brownies topped off the evening, along with more wine to accompany them.

The next evening, open to all Epoch members, was a more casual affair with serving stations set up in the winery. The white blend and the Rose were available at the entry to the event along with various appetizers. The reds were paired as follows…

2015 Sensibility with two flatbreads – one wild mushroom and the other prosciutto and arugula.

2015 Zinfandel with bacon wrapped blue cheese stuffed dates.

2015 Veracity with Capicola and blue cheese skewers.

2015 Estate Blend with lamb sliders.

There was also Seafood and Chorizo Paella, which Karen really enjoyed with the Rose.

Although the events were markedly different from each other, they both really emphasized one thing to me. While the wines are delicious on their own, they really shine when they are paired expertly with the right dishes.

The other thing that always has struck me about Epoch is the amazingly nice people that work for them. Owners Bill and Liz Armstrong told me that this is the first requirement in their hiring process as almost anything else can be taught. Kudos on a job well done.

Michael Perlis has been pursuing his passion for wine for more than 25 years. He has had the good fortune of having numerous mentors to show him the way, as well as a wonderful wife who encourages him and shares his interest. After a couple of decades of learning about wine, attending events, visiting wineries and vineyards, and tasting as much wine as he possibly could, he had the amazing luck to meet Eve Bushman. Now, as Contributing Editor for Eve’s Wine 101, he does his best to bring as much information as possible about wine to Eve’s Wine 101 faithful readers. Michael is also Vice President of Eve Bushman Consulting (fka Eve’s Wine 101 Consulting) http://evebushmanconsulting.com/ and President of MCP Financial. Michael can be contacted at michaelthezinfan@aol.com or michael@evebushmanconsulting.com.

The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay Unveils a Refreshed Look for the Iconic Resort’s Oceanfront Restaurant, The Conservatory

March 28, 2018 by evebushman

HALF MOON BAY, Calif. (PRWEB) – Perched atop a rugged ocean bluff overlooking sweeping views of pristine California coastline, The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay is thrilled to announce the debut of the resort’s newly renovated and re-concepted oceanfront restaurant — The Conservatory. Boasting a modern beach house aesthetic and a new vibrant menu curated by Executive Chef Xavier Salomon, the newly transformed restaurant combines fresh, homegrown cuisine and carefully crafted cocktails for an elevated, yet relaxed dining experience.

Greeting guests with dramatic floor-to-ceiling ocean views the moment they enter the lobby, The Conservatory invites guests to embark on a unique culinary journey inspired by fresh flavors of land and sea combined with Northern California’s rich local bounty. The new menu – served daily from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. – features handmade pasta dishes, the finest seafood and premium cuts, and decadent desserts that reflect distinct coastal flavors with a touch of Mediterranean flair.

Menu highlights include the photo-worthy ‘Towers’– offered in varying displays of seafood, cheeses, charcuterie, and vegetables – along with ‘Garden & Harvest’ items such as Chickpea and Avocado Tartine with wild arugula and grilled ACME sourdough; Lacinato Kale Salad with Point Reyes bleu cheese, satsuma, walnuts, and citrus vinaigrette; and Grilled Carrots with cherry tomatoes and roasted garlic caper vinaigrette.

Larger plates include Quinoa Pilaf with pine nuts, Meyer lemon, mushrooms, and arugula pesto; HMB Cioppino with Dungeness crab, cod, mussels, manila clams, and spicy tomato broth; and Heritage Pork Chop with lentils, eggplant, dates, pickled shallots, and Greek yogurt. Sweet treats, such as Baked Apple Crostata with honey kataifi and vanilla ice cream and Crème Catalan Mousse with honey roasted pear and amaretti cookie, round out the menu.

To complement the dishes, The Conservatory also offers a full slate of hand-crafted beverages inspired by the elements of the coast, including cocktails on draft. Innovative favorites such as The Redlands – combining Meyer lemon-infused tequila, orange liqueur, and egg white – as well as non-alcoholic creations such as the Juniper Tree – featuring Fever-Tree elderflower tonic, juniper berry syrup, and lime – offer guests a variety of flavor combinations to explore. In addition, the re-opened Conservatory bar features rare collectible bourbons, allowing guests to discover the range of this complex spirit – from rich and rounded to full-bodied and smoky.

Mirroring the resort’s elegant coastal décor, The Conservatory brings the beauty of Half Moon Bay’s pristine beaches and golden sunsets indoors with light earthy tones and hues of gray that combine modernity and high-design with the familiar comforts of home. Thoughtfully curated design touches are found throughout the bright and inviting space, including woven rattan, custom designed area rugs on warm hardwoods, and burnished bronze finishes. Ocean blue accents and sleek, neutral furniture complete the modern beach house look.

The Conservatory is open daily from 11:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. Reservations are currently being accepted and can be made by calling (650) 712-7000. More information and full menu details can be found at ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/california/half-moon-bay/dining/the-conservatory.

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About The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay
Set atop a rugged bluff overlooking 50 miles of pristine California coastline, The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay is a 261-room spa and golf resort offering a relaxing and romantic setting. The timeless estate provides guests with a relaxed yet refined experience for a romantic getaway. For more information, please contact The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay at 650-712-7000. For room reservations, contact your travel professional, visit ritzcarlton.com/HMB or call Ritz-Carlton worldwide reservations at 800-241-3333. Visit ExperienceHalfMoonBay.com to learn more about the destination.

LES MARCHANDS ANNOUNCES THE NEW OUTLIERS WINE CLUB

October 4, 2017 by evebushman

Retail Manager Jeremy Bohrer and Private Cellar Manager Ned Creed Curate the Outliers Wine Club, Daily Drinkers Club, Santa Barbara County Club, Les Marchands Club, and the Grand Cru Club

As Santa Barbara’s premier wine merchant, Les Marchands offers a complete wine experience that includes wine pairing knowledge, dining, extensive retail selections for fulfilling personal and business gift lists, sommelier-selected wines for entertaining, exceptional wine education classes, special events and now – an expanded level of wine club membership options. This fall, Jeremy Bohrer and Ned Creed curate five Les Marchands Wine Clubs: Outliers Wine Club; Daily Drinkers Club; Santa Barbara County (SBC) Club; Les Marchands Club; and Grand Cru Club. Each club is meticulously created to introduce novel wine experiences to clients, designed to enhance personal enjoyment, education, entertaining, holiday gift-giving and beyond.

As a bonus thank-you to club members, Les Marchands kicks off their monthly allocations with a Wine Pick-Up Party. Wine club members can opt to have their allotments shipped or can stop by Les Marchands each month to share a complimentary tasting with the team. Les Marchands Wine Pick-Up Parties are scheduled towards the end of the month.

OUTLIERS WINE CLUB:

The new Outliers Club is an unusual and amazingly tasty selection. Les Marchands’ Retail Wine Manager, Jeremy Bohrer, is known for crafting a wine list featuring boundary-pushing wines from “new” Old World regions like Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia, Lebanon and Georgia. This limited membership allows for an eclectic, interesting, funky wine experience such as a Georgian red that spent eight years in a clay pot (qvevri) buried in the ground, or a Slovenian white that spent six months on its skins. The Outliers Club explores all 72 of the world’s wine producing countries, not just the handful of countries that most often get top billing. The Outliers Club is for those who want to push themselves and their taste buds beyond the norm.

Membership is Limited. Pricing is $39-$59 per month (Includes 2 bottles of red, white, rosé, orange, or sparkling – no substitutions). Shipments and billing will continue monthly until subscriber cancellation.

DAILY DRINKERS CLUB:

This is the club for those who drink wine daily without a sacrifice to quality. Les Marchands has the knowledge to provide club members with qualified producers making top caliber wines representing a range of regions, varieties, and vintages – all with value in mind. Wine selections are sourced from local Santa Barbara producers, across the pond or the southern hemisphere. This club exercises blatant and intentional discrimination based on quality and drinkability.

Pricing is $49 per month (Includes 2 – 3 bottles of red, white, rosé or sparkling – no substitutions). Shipments and billing will continue monthly until subscriber cancellation.

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY (SBC) CLUB:

Santa Barbara County has the raw potential to sit right alongside the top winegrowing regions in the world. SBC Club highlights these producers who make that potential a reality. Santa Barbara County’s cool coastal influences to the west and warmer plots with expansive diurnal temperature variations in the east provide an extensive canvas for numerous varieties, resulting in wine experts claims of Santa Barbara County as the wine region that will gain the most global prominence over the next ten years. The SBC Wine Club is a mix of hard-to-find gems, recognizable names, and highly discoverable young producers. The same consideration is given to a multitude of grapes, regardless of color, thickness of skin, or regional claim within Santa Barbara County.

Pricing is $79 per month (Includes 2 – 3 bottles of red, white or rosé – no substitutions). Shipments and billing will continue monthly until subscriber cancellation.

LES MARCHANDS CLUB:

Les Marchands Club is a personal club of favorites curated by our staff. They select three wines of the season from around the globe that show a traditional representation of the varietal from the region. Expect a French-focused fetish to help learn a great deal about the classic regions. Also showcased are established producers and under-the-radar vintners from Italy, Austria, Germany, Spain and Santa Barbara County, in addition to wines from discerning producers in more obscure locations. The Les Marchands Wine Club is aimed towards classic and/or traditional vignerons, long-standing family histories, a mindset of natural production and hands-off winemaking practices.

Pricing is $99 per month (Includes 3 bottles of red, white, rosé or sparkling – no substitutions). Shipments and billing will continue monthly until subscriber cancellation.

GRAND CRU CLUB:

Les Marchands takes the guesswork out of Burgundy. For those bitten by the Burgundy bug, the team explores this blessed rabbit hole, and as those who have gone before can attest, few descents are more thrilling. The Les Marchands network of importers eliminate the challenge of finding producers with history and exceptional pedigree.

Pricing is $249 per month (Includes 2 – 3 bottles of Chardonnay and/or Pinot Noir – no substitutions). Shipments and billing will continue monthly until subscriber cancellation.

ABOUT ALL CLUBS:

Each delivery includes wine descriptions, tasting notes, food pairing suggestions and producer highlights.
Club payment is applied monthly; applicable tax and shipping charges apply.
Shipments commence on or around the 3rd Monday of each month or schedule pick-up at Les Marchands.

Membership also includes a monthly Wine Pick-Up Party.

For further information, contact Les Marchands at 805.284.0380 or email info@lesmarchandswine.com

Wine Club Memberships are available now; requests must be secured by emailing info@lesmarchandswine.com or calling Les Marchands at 805.284.0380.

Pick-Up Parties are scheduled towards the end of every month; wine club orders are also available for monthly shipment.

WHERE:

Les Marchands Wine Bar & Merchant

131 Anacapa Street, Ste. B, Santa Barbara, California 93101

At the Corner of Yanonali and Anacapa

For further information and to make reservations contact: 805.284.0380 or email inquiries@lesmarchandswine.com

About Les Marchands Wine Bar & Merchant

Awarded the “Wine Bar of the Year” by Imbibe, and one of the 21 Best Wine Bars in the country by Thrillist, Les Marchands Wine Bar & Merchant is led by a world-class team of certified sommeliers and wine professionals with more than 100 combined years of experience in the wine and hospitality industries. Hailing from some of the most prestigious restaurants and wine retailers from around the country, the Les Marchands team enthusiastically brings their love for and deep knowledge of wine to confidently guide each guest through an outstanding wine experience matching every palate and budget with wines to enjoy in the wine bar or to take home. Product knowledge and personalized service is lived out daily at Les Marchands and is incorporated into every phase of the business from private cellar consultation to custom tasting events to the wildly popular Les Marchands Wine Club. The wines curated by the sommeliers represent quality-conscious producers – imports are Eurocentric, from the most relevant producers in France, Italy, Austria, Germany, and beyond. On the domestic side, the focus relies heavily on local Santa Barbara County producers who are shaping and redefining the region. A full bar of handcrafted artisan spirits complements Les Marchands’ extensive wine program with classic stirred cocktails made in the old-school traditional way. These include such favorites as The Vesper, Hanky Panky or the Bijou just to name a few. Chef Weston’s bistro menu showcases seasonally inspired food for supper nightly from 5 pm, weekend brunch from 11am-3 pm and an extensive selection of cheese and charcuterie every afternoon from 3 pm-5 pm.

About Jeremy Bohrer

Jeremy Bohrer is a veteran wine and spirits professional with over seventeen years working the vast wine world, including wholesale, retail, restaurant and production endeavors. His early experience as a wine rep for Constantine Wines led him to California in 2000. He worked as a manager at Bacchus, a small family owned wine shop in Manhattan Beach and was a manager at Trader Joe’s where Bohrer was in charge of overseeing the wine sections of multiple locations and developed “Wine 101,” a course that was used to train company employees throughout California. His other roles include eight years with K&L Wine Merchants as the Burgundy Department liaison. By 2014, Bohrer opened own small business, Still, – a retail space devoted to the art of cocktail craftsmanship. Still sold all things cocktail related, from mixers and bitters to shakers and vintage barware. The following year Bohrer also opened his own wine bar, Five & ¼ which focused solely on Old World wines from France, Spain, Italy and more unfamiliar regions like Croatia, Slovenia, Georgia and Hungary. As Retail Wine Manager for Les Marchands, Jeremy Bohrer brings his wealth of knowledge and passion for all things wine to the operation.

About Ned Creed

A Marin County native, Ned grew up a stone’s throw from wine country, providing him exposure to numerous producers at an early age. He embarked on a professional career with Benchmark Wine Group in 2005, focusing on import logistics, sourcing wines throughout Europe, private collection appraisals and acquisitions. Over the course of eight years, Benchmark grew from five employees to a global operation, handling cellars for a preferred core of rare wine collectors. Ned’s business travels include the United Kingdom, France, Switzerland, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan and numerous cities throughout the United States. Moving to Les Marchands in January 2013 brought Ned a welcome shift – reconnecting with producers in the most prominent wine regions and providing personal attention to individuals as they manage their private collections.

For further information on Les Marchands Wine Bar & Merchant visit:

www.lesmarchandswine.com

Become a fan of Les Marchands on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LesMarchandssb/

Follow Les Marchands on Twitter: @lesmarchandssb

Eve visits: Hidden Chateau and Gardens for a French wine tasting (circa Sept 2009)

September 1, 2017 by evebushman

If you know me you know I don’t leave my own little valley too often, except, for wine. Later this month I will brave the LA County Fair to experience two wine classes. I’m pressing my husband Eddie for an October Paso trip. And my friend Nick Morello is ready for me to descend on Terravant Wine Company in Buellton.

But drive? Myself? On a weeknight? It would have to be something pretty cool. And my new best friend, Katie Mahanes, had just the right invite to get me off Facebook and into…a former stable?

So this was the deal: Katie invited me to a French wine pairing dinner at the Hidden Chateau & Gardens in West Hills. (http://www.hiddenchateau.com) I’d never heard of the chef, the wines, the venue…I started to realize that I would never put down my wine 101 glass for the proper one if I didn’t check this out:

Constructed in 1934 – 1936 by silent movie actor, Francis Lederer and his wife, Marion, it was originally built as a horse stable housing Mrs. Lederer’s horse, Gypsy. In 1967, Mrs. Lederer along with Mary and Obdulio Galeana opened the Canoga Mission Gallery, featuring folk art and artifacts from Mexico. The building was named a Historical Cultural Monument #135 on December 4, 1974 by the Los Angeles Cultural Heritage Commission. The stone and adobe building replicates the style of the original California missions. With 1.5 acres of exquisite shaded grounds and gently meandering stone paths, the monument has a Spanish-style roof and was built of stone quarried on their ranch located across the street.

Now occupied by The Hidden Chateau & Gardens, it is a popular site for parties, weddings, teas, and corporate events. While brick and stone architecture lend a rustic appeal, a colonnade of graceful archways lead into an elegant garden with a gazebo.

Wine List:
Macon-fuisse Bourgogne 2004: Chardonnay
Robert Karcher Vin D’Alsace 2004: Sylvaner
Cotes du Rhone Saint Esprit 2007: Syrah/Grenache
Chateau des Matards Cotes de Blaye 2005: Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot

Menu:
Appetizer
Warm French Baguette with Red Pepper and tomatoes salad, Tapenade and Pesto.

Cena Signature Salad of Candied pecans, sliced red onions, cranberries and Gorgonzola cheese tossed with homemade Dijon vinaigrette dressing.

Assiette de Charcuterie – Terrine de Campagne, Salami, and Prosciutto

Grilled Shrimp with ginger and garlic sauce

Chicken Basquaise – Pan Seared Chicken Breast, Grilled red pepper, zucchini, eggplant and tomato sauce

So there I am, almost out of my element as I really could have seen myself as alone…had it not been for Katie. She expertly turned her latest Facebook friend -into a fan.

The pairing by Chef Charlie didn’t lack for anything. His elegant and delicate fare was paired not only with elegantly styled wines but was framed by waterfalls & fountains, music and lush foliage.

The appetizer trio that I enjoyed included both an olive tapenade and a pesto tickling my tongue, was accompanied by an Alsace wine by Rober Karcher that Chef Charlie said was 50% Pinot Gris and 50% Pinot Blanc. “This is the only way the winemaker does it – as it makes the wine less sweet and palatable with salads and appetizers.” The salad, a Gargonzola and candied pecan salad garnished with cranberry jelly, lemon, extra virgin olive oil and Dijon mustard, was delightful with the wine.

“Being in Fallbrook mall, Ceno, my restaurant and wine store, competed with Trader Joe’s on one end and Woodland Hills Wine Co. on the other. At first I stuck to about 95% French, Spanish and Italian wines that I know so well. But my customers broadened my awareness of Napa and Paso and now I love the Grenache, Pinot Noirs and Zinfandel wines too.”

The homemade charcuterie that came next had my mouth watering moments before fork met palate. Chef Charlie talked of the hours each required to reach their required flavor while I simmered on the Cote du Rhone now being poured. With 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah this Chateuneuf du Pape styled wine accompanied not only the charcuterie but excellently paired with the grilled shrimp.

What appeared next to be a simple chicken dish was, in truth, described by Chef Charlie as a pretty remarkable feat: each vegetable had been grilled separately then added together only at the end with garlic and olive oil. Paired with our final wine of the evening, a Bordeaux with 75% Cab and 25% Merlot, that was the bottle I knew I would drive back for.

When the trio of desserts arrived, I could name without any help but was stunned by just the same. (Crème brûlée, Lemon tart, Crème fraîche) I wished it as appropriate for a wine blogger to get a doggie bag, a bottle, and still make it home in time to Facebook about my evening. I always make abrupt exits. It’s my signature. Like Cinderella leaving the ball before the prince finds out…she ate or drank too much.

Kissing Katie goodbye was hard. But nowhere near as hard, sorry Katie, as leaving the Hidden Chateau and Gardens.