How Was Cocktails on the Roof 2017?

September 15, 2017 by evebushman Leave a Comment

Whew! What a freaking blast we had this time around. I’m still exhausted, overwhelmed and yet can’t wait for the fourth event in 2018. Cutting to the chase, I’m talking about Cocktails on the Roof that benefits the WiSH Education Foundation, which, in turn, benefits all of the students in the Hart District.

Eve Bushman Consulting created the out-of-the-box event to showcase the bar programs of our local restaurants and bring in single spirit vendors. We added a rooftop venue, a DJ with a large dance area, private and public lounges, tons of food and mini martini glasses for sampling. NO ONE has tried to duplicate this event. We own it! And special thanks go to my co-hosts Exec. Dir. Amy Daniels – for ALL of the legwork – and Marlee Lauffer for spreading the word. Committee members that continue this out-of-the-box thinking every year include WiSH Board President Richard Cohn, WiSH VP Lynne Secrest along with Judy Penman, Ed Masterson, Dawn Begley, Mitch Russell and Rochelle Gallimore.

WiSH Education Foundation’s Exec. Dir. Amy Daniels and Me on the ROOF

One more thing we do, in case that’s not enough, we ask our guests to vote on their favorite cocktails of the night. We settle on the top three and this year’s winners are #1. Olive Terrace Bar and Grill. #2 Marstons Valencia and #3 Deep Eddy Vodka.

This year, besides having a larger event space, almost doubling our footprint, we had some new vendors joining our existing usual suspects. (No time to read? Watch the fun in this 3-minute slideshow.)

NEWS FROM THE WISH EDUCATION FOUNDATION: In a letter to our vendors Wish Exec. Dire. Amy Daniels wrote, “On behalf of Eve Bushman, Marlee Lauffer and the Board of Directors of the WiSH Education Foundation, I want to thank you for your generosity with your time and product to help make this year’s Cocktails on the Roof the best one yet! The response was incredible on social media and we do hope you had an amazing time on THE ROOF!

Because of you, WiSH raised over $45,000 in just three hours, allowing us to make a significant difference for school programs this year. For this academic year, our funding focus is STEAM with an emphasis on the ARTS, and we appreciate your involvement in helping us reach for higher goals. In fact, we raised over $11,000 more this year than last – and we hope to do the same again next year, with your help.”

Our Vendors

Deep Eddy Vodka, LA Scotch Club, JFC International soju-based cocktails, Speakeasy Bakery, Honu Coffee with Jameson Irish Whisky Coffee, solita Tacos and Margaritas, Sisley Italian Kitchen, Newhall Refinery, NEW: Bonefish Grill, NEW: An Indian Affair, Wolf Creek Restaurant and Brewery, Persia Restaurant and Lounge, Salt Creek Grille, Oaks Grill at TPC, NEW: Mammoth Coffee Roasting Company with a Coffee Martini, NEW: Vines Restaurant and Bar, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Olive Terrace Bar and Grill, NEW: Pomp and Whimsy Gin Liqueur, Lazy Dog, Sweet Beams Ice Cream, Marston’s, The Distillery at Opolo, Vina Sympatica sparkling wine and NEW: Scoob’s Original Frozen premium cookies.

Just Some of the 2017 Raves

Michael – Such a great evening for a wonderful cause, made better by meeting up with old friends!

Leslie – Had a blast last night at Cocktails on the Roof benefiting the Wish Education Foundation with my guy and gals.

Nicole – Amy Daniels, Successful, fun event! Congrats!

Karen – Eve Hammond Bushman! You have done it again! Better than ever.

Lisa – Had a blast at Cocktails on the Roof with all (my) fabulous friends! #cotr17

Steve – After a lousy day, good food and fine spirits help a lot…especially when it is for a great cause. Thank you Eve Bushman.

Dana – Best time at Cocktails on the Roof in Santa Clarita fundraiser for the Wish Foundation.

Patti – Tons of fun at Cocktails on the Roof 2017! Great job Amy Daniels and Eve Bushman! A job well done!

Vicki – Having a blast for a wonderful organization.

Heather – Date nights are great nights…eat, drink, and dance for a great cause! Fun event Eve!

Pam –Had a great time at Cocktails on the Roof! Congrats Amy Daniels, Eve Bushman and Marlee Lauffer for another outstanding event benefiting the Wish Education Foundation!

Karen – This year’s event was my first event. The event was fantastic!

Cheryl – There were so many wonderful people there…

Lauren – A fun evening indeed!

Tiffany – Had so much fun. Was great seeing everyone.

Nick – We had an amazing time at Cocktails on the Roof 2017 last night benefiting WISH Education Foundation!

Robin – It was really fun, and the food was amazing!

Terry (We had) a blast with the Mirror Booth…!

Hilary – Next year I’m SOOOOOOO going.

Steve S. – Another Cocktails on the Roof in the bag! So much fun and generous people!

Sponsors

Patrice Rifkind with Audiology Associates, Nick Rose Insurance Agency, Inc., Littler Mendelson, Julie M. Sturgeon CPA, Peterson Printing, Chiquita Canyon, Steven B. Chegwin CPA, the Magazine of Santa Clarita, SCV elite Magazine, Randy Plaice and Associates, Jeff and Melanie Meyer with Thrivent Financial, Westfield Valencia, EveBushmanConsulting.com, Eve’s Wine 101, Lundgren Mgt., Enchanted Kids, Oasis Associates, Craig and Lisa Eichman, Sol Print Solutions, Mitchpickswine/Mitch and Leslie Russell, SOS Entertainment, 24/7 Events, Andy Gump, Burrtec, California Credit Company, Brightview Tree Company, The Signal, All Business Matters, The Watters Group, KHTS and SCVTV. Special thanks to Genesis Moss, Print & Web Design (www.genesismoss.com), for creating our brand new dedicated website, www.cocktailsontheroofscv.org.

Volunteers to Thank

Noah Daniels, Amy Daniels, Doug Penman, Carolyn Lodes, Diane McGrory, Mary Bradway, Leonard Leto, Robin Wimsatt, Ellen Hawthorne, Lee Lodes, Vicki White, Barbara Meyer, Adele MacPherson, Vicki Tungate, Cheryl Gray, Judy Penman, Nicole Stinson, Sue Hayward, Danise Davis, Terry Gallimore, JoAnn Manzo, Al Hayward, Verna Velasquez, Marissa Velasquez, Jennifer Goins, Sue Cacic, Debbie Walker, Dave Cacic, Justin Neely + two, Pat Willett, Niki Feast Williams, John Rogers and Holly Bellamy.

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, authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits. You can also seek her marketing advice via Eve@EveBushmanConsulting.com

Wine 101: Immersing Yourself in Wine

August 11, 2017 by evebushman Leave a Comment

People often ask how I got started on this wine journey, both as a writer and as a marketing consultant. Let me start with the wine, of course!

The Wine Journey

Drinking wine came well before tasting it – sounds crazy but it’s true – But I was perfectly satisfied with a box of Franzia wine for a glass of something cold and pink in my early twenties. I met my future husband, and soon after his sister took us wine tasting – a vertical at Concannon.

From there we were hooked. Classes at the Wine House in West Los Angeles, local wine tasting trips and a subscription to the Wine Spectator wine magazine.

Within ten years of my study I was also a columnist for the Signal newspaper. I wrote a snarky weekly column called “Eve of Destruction”. After 9/11 I had a change of heart and grew a heart – married to a fire chief does that to you – and I retitled my columns “Another Face of Eve”.

Then John Boston, long-time Signal columnist and author, took over the then titled “Escape” weekly entertainment section. He asked what else I could write about for him. I said book reviews and wine reviews. I had been in a book club for a long time, not as long as I had been drinking wine, but both seemed to be a good fit. Boston agreed.

But then…I quickly noticed that there were rewards for wine writers that wanted to hone their craft. Invites to dinners, tastings, events and classes were being extended. No one was sending me free books to review, so I tossed my books in a heap – except the wine books I was now reviewing for review – and immersed myself in wine. That was 10 years ago.

During the past decade I’ve spent time as an “armchair writer” while my daughter was young and, later, time visiting and interviewing winemakers from my own home in the Santa Clarita Valley to Lompoc, Los Olivos, Monterey, Carmel, Napa Valley, Sonoma and finally, the mother lode: Bordeaux. I definitely have more to see.

The Consulting Journey

Before I “immersed myself in wine” I had worked as a manager in both retail establishments and in the medical field. Within ten years I had taken several continuing education courses on how to make these different businesses more profitable, had found a few mentors, started a group of brainstorming managers…and you guessed it: I started consulting. It was difficult working in an office and consulting at the same time, fast forward a few years and I left management behind when I got further into consulting and, at the same time, further into wine studies.

While I never dreamed that these two interests would ever intersect along came Michael Perlis. Michael knew of me from my years at the Signal, and once I made his acquaintance we were both convinced that we had to work together! I have never been so happy in my career! Michael offered to edit all of my articles (in every publication which by now included books and magazines) and offered to write a weekly column in my fledgling website: Eve’s Wine 101.

Michael and I were covering a lot of events pretty quickly. And, due to my friendship with another wine friend, Roman Weiser, we started working together – with a ton of local winemakers – for our Pour Into events: Pour into Haiti and Pour into Sandy. Fast forward some more, and suddenly we were being asked to help almost every non-profit in the Santa Clarita Valley marketing their wine events.

Then, a for-profit business asked us for help. Michael urged me to start Eve’s Wine 101 Consulting, which, due to my former contacts, became Eve Bushman Consulting.

And the rest, like our upcoming Cocktails on the Roof, is history.

What’s new on THE ROOF?

July 14, 2017 by evebushman Leave a Comment

Well, we can certainly tell from the social media BUZZ around town that you are VERY excited about the upcoming Cocktails on the Roof on August 25, 2017. Come join your hosts Eve Bushman of Eve Bushman Consulting, Marlee Lauffer, President of Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital Foundation and Amy Daniels, Executive Director of the WiSH Education Foundation at our NEW Pre-Party on August 17^th from 5-9pm at The Oaks Grill in TPC. Gear up for #COTR17 with NO COVER, happy hour pricing all evening long, bartender lessons and our #COTR17 DJ MAV and dancing. With the best sunset viewing from their amazing patio, the Oaks Grill is also donating 15% of their proceeds back to the WiSH Education Foundation.

On THE ROOF, what you will recognize from previous years is the amazing venue atop the Macy’s parking garage at Westfield Valencia Town Center and the wonderful all-you-can-partake-in signature cocktails and food, DJ MAV for the third year and dancing and cool, modern lounges and lighting.

What will be new this year is that everyone’s a VIP! Rather than have two levels of tickets, we invite everyone up on THE ROOF from 8-11pm, while our sponsors will be greeted at 7:30pm. General Admission tickets are only $85 and Designated Driver tickets are $65 (by bracelet). Tickets at the door, if still available, are $95.

NEW: WiSH you could be a sponsor and get first dibs??? This year you CAN – we are offering a limited number of private 10’X10’ lounges that seat up to 8-10, allowing you and your friends – or your company – a spot to gather on your own for the party! The cost of the lounge, which includes all marketing, private entry and signage, is only $1,000! Get yours before they run out by contacting Executive Director Amy Daniels at WiSH@hartdistrict.org.

NEW: SoCalMagicMirror.com is joining us, “An Entertainment company specializing in providing the latest in entertainment venues for parties, weddings, business openings and more! More than just a standard ‘photo booth’, SoCal Magic Mirror provides a full length mirror to take your picture at the event, allowing a head-to-ankle capture instead of the standard waist-up shot. You can also write on the screen, choose from hundred of emojis, and personalize your pictures in ways other booths only dream of.”

In addition, our layout will be slightly larger to allow for the fun to reach all corners of the event so no matter where you are, the fun will follow. Don’t forget to have that picture taken at our Step and Repeat as you enter, sponsored by The Magazine of Santa Clarita and Elite Magazine. Tickets are live AND limited – don’t be left off THE ROOF – get yours right now at www.WiSHscv.org.

As of July 12, participants on THE ROOF this year include Deep Eddy Vodka, LA Scotch Club, JFC International sake-based cocktails, Speakeasy Bakery (check social media for hints to get the good stuff here), Honu Coffee, solita Tacos and Margaritas, Sisley Italian Kitchen, Newhall Refinery, NEW: Bonefish Grill, NEW: An Indian Affair, Wolf Creek Restaurant and Brewery, Persia Restaurant and Lounge, Salt Creek Grille, Oaks Grill at TPC, NEW: Mammoth Coffee Roasting Company with a Coffee Martini, NEW: Vines Restaurant and Bar, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Olive Terrace Bar and Grill, NEW: Pomp and Whimsy Gin Liqueur, Lazy Dog, Sweet Beams Ice Cream, Marston’s, NEW: CPB Winery with a wine-based cocktail, The Distillery at Opolo and Vina Sympatica sparkling wine.

Our wonderful and generous sponsors are lining up to again be a part of the fun while giving back to our local students. WiSH greatly appreciates Westfield Valencia Town Center, The Magazine of Santa Clarita and Elite Magazine, The Signal, Brightview Tree Company, Nick Rose Insurance, Lundgren Management, California Credit Union, Andy Gump, Oasis Associates, SolPrint Solutions, Craig and Lisa Eichman, Jeff and Melanie Meyer, Eve’s Wine 101, Peterson Printing and Graphics, Littler Mendelson, Randy Plaice and Associates and the Watters Group. We would also like to thank SOS Entertainment, 24/7 Events, Burrtec, MitchPicksWine.com, Enchanted Kids, KHTS, SCVTV. Want to join us as a sponsor of COTR17? Email us at WiSH@hartdistrict.org.

Finally, keep up to date by checking out the WiSH Education Foundation, Pre-party and COTR FB event pages, WiSH site www.WiSHscv.org, and – thanks to web designer Genesis Moss – our brand new dedicated COTR website, http://cocktailsontheroofscv.org/

Perlis Picks/Recruits: Wine in the Pines 2016

February 13, 2016 by evebushman Leave a Comment

It is hard to believe that it will soon be wine festival season. And, as we did last year, Eve’s Wine 101 is pleased to be helping Wine in the Pines (see our letter to wineries below – if you are a winery owner and are interested please check it out) to be held Saturday, June 11^th in Pine Mountain Club, just an hour or so north of the Santa Clarita Valley.

Held annually at one of the most picturesque sites you will ever find for a wine festival, Wine in the Pines combines this beautiful venue with great wine, delicious food and fun entertainment. Check out my coverage of this event last year here http://evewine101.com/2015/07/11/perlis-picked-wine-in-the-pines-2015/ and we hope to see you there this time. Last year we several Wine 101ers, so if you make it to this festival, please be sure to stop us and say Hi.

To Our Dear Favorite Wineries:

Just a note from Eve Bushman and Michael Perlis of Eve’s Wine 101 and Eve Bushman Consulting. We are assisting in the marketing and promotion of this year’s Wine in The Pines set for the afternoon of 6/11/16 and wanted to ask if you would like to join us as we go Into the Woods?

Besides introducing your wine to about 1,000 people from Santa Clarita and Los Angeles, you are encouraged to seek wine club memberships, take wine orders, have your wine sold in their Wine Room Gallery wine bar and receive complimentary tickets.

There is no table fee for you to participate! You will be provided with: table, chairs, canopy, ice, water, wine glasses, etc. – everything except the wine!

From us you will be included in press releases before the event, an article in Eve’s Wine 101 after the event, and tons of social networking in between! Let us know what you’re serving, send us photos, etc., and we will use that information in our promotion of the event – and your winery!

You can fill out the entrance form here and/or contact Debbie Guseman or Mark Bailey by email for more information: thewineroomgallery@yahoo.com(Feel free to cc us too.)

From the organizers:

Wineries will not need to fill out a contract, they can simply go online to submit the entrance form to attend WITP. The link is on our home page www.wineinthepines.com (it’s below the grapes and bottle of wine).

The only difference in our festival this is year is that we will be having a VIP hour from 12-1, all other attendees will be in from 1-4pm.

Yours in wine and out,

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

Michael Perlis, Editor. Eve’s Wine 101; VP Eve Bushman Consulting

Eve Bushman Consulting, Voted Ultimate Female Consultant 2015

January 16, 2016 by evebushman 2 Comments

From Elite Magazine:

Eve Bushman

President of Eve Bushman Consulting

Ultimate Female Consultant

Eve Bushman has been consulting for well over two decades, currently as president of Eve Bushman Consulting “EBC,” formerly known as Eve’s Wine 101 Consulting, which she founded in 2012. EBC provides business and marketing advice for both wine and non-wine related businesses, specializing in creating and implementing out-of-the box marketing ideas, management/networking tools, social network training, press releases, event assistance, newsletters, advertorials and website content. Eve Bushman can help you “bring them in and bring them back,” so you can keep those customers you get. Let Eve help you “unlock your
business potential.”
www.evebushmanconsulting.com

Congratulations to Santa Clarita Valley’s most savvy and successful businesswomen! Thanks to these 21 women, élite Magazine’s inaugural Ultimate Ladies in Business Awards has been our biggest award yet, bringing in more than 10,000 votes from the community. And each vote is a testament to the power and influence of our beloved female business professionals. Ladies, thank you for pouring your time and passion into this community. We can’t wait to see what you do next! (read more via this link)

Eve is in the back row, third from the left.

Updated Vendors and Q and A For #CocktailsOnTheRoof Co-Hosted by Eve!

September 11, 2015 by evebushman Leave a Comment

Santa Clarita is absolutely ABUZZ about the upcoming all-inclusive “Cocktails on the Roof” event scheduled for September 18, 2015! Put on your dancing shoes and join us from 8-11 pm. With an open-air venue way up on top of the Macy’s parking garage (adjacent to the Macy’s bridge), unique lounges, lighting and a DJ, this is certainly the most talked about event to hit the valley! With a focus on signature cocktails, get your tastebuds ready for a variety of spirit offerings paired with food from your favorite restaurants!

Presented by Westfield Valencia Town Center and co-hosted by Newhall Land Vice President Marlee Lauffer and Eve Bushman of “Eve’s Wine 101,” the event will benefit the 23,000 students of the Wm. S. Hart School District. E-Tickets ($75 General Admission and $55 Designated Driver by bracelet) are available now at www.wishscv.org. 21 and over admitted only, please. With ticket sales already nearing 50% capacity, NOW is the time to get YOURS! Inventive “mock”tails will be on hand as well so all are welcome to join us for this most distinctive event! $95, all admissions, at the door.

Participants include Salt Creek Grille, Newhall Refinery, solita, Wolf Creek Restaurant and Brewery, Persia Hookah Lounge, Marstons, Whole Foods Market, 1921 Tequila, Kokolita’s, Oaks Grille TPC, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Lazy Dog, LA Scotch Club, and Cutler’s Artisan Spirits! Recently joining us are Deep Eddy Vodka, JJ’s Bar and Grill, Ventura Limoncello, Bowen’s Whiskey, Chilled Magazine, 12 Bottle Bar, The Speakeasy Bakery, Bake You Happy, Culinary Wonders, Parashars’ Indian Kitchen, Smokin Bar-Be-Quties, Opolo Vineyards’ Spirits, Sisley Italian Kitchen, Vina Sympatica, Honu Coffee, The Social, Lima Limon, Chocolate Dove Discoveries, Boutique Sake and Olive Terrace Bar and Grill. Sponsors include Santa Clarita Magazine, Whole Foods Market, California Credit Union, Balfour Beatty Construction, Littler Mendelson, 24/7 Events, Steve Chegwin, CPA, SCVTV, SOS, the Signal, Valley Crest Tree Company, Burrtec and KHTS. Our modern, interesting lounges are available for sponsorship and include signage and marketing. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor of this most unique event, go to www.wishscv.org to download the sponsorship forms. Space is limited.

For more information about “Cocktails on the Roof” sponsorships , please visit: www.WiSHscv.org, email: WiSH@hartdistrict.org or call 661.799.WiSH (9474).

Q and A for Cocktails on the Roof

We’ve been getting a few questions about our Cocktails on the Roof event, so, to keep our positive buzz going we’d thought we’d attack them head on. (And watch our spot on SCVTV here.)

1. Will there be enough food for this to be dinner? With over a dozen restaurants, and about a half dozen specialty food vendors, we should be able to keep both your plate and glass full. (This event is all-inclusive!)

2. What should we wear? As this is a premier cocktail event, cocktail attire of course! But please dress comfortably because we want you, our guests, to be comfortable! (For volunteers and vendors: We want you to be comfortable too, just keep in mind that this is a school district fundraiser and dress appropriately.)

3. Can we keep going past 11pm? Sure, if you want to help clean up! Honestly, we think three hours of drinking, eating, dancing and visiting is plenty. But if you want to continue having fun please visit any participating vendors that will be open past 11pm!

4. Where do we park? You can park in all of the levels of the Macy parking garage and take the elevator up to the party. Note: You can also leave a car overnight at the Macy’s lot and retrieve after 9am the next morning.

5. Can you get tickets at the door with cash, check or credit card? Yes, but the price raises to $95 per person. If we are sold out prior to the event we will make an announcement on social media. We would suggest that you get your tickets online now.

6. Should I download Uber before I come? Yes! We also have contacted Designated Drivers of SCV (they drive you and your car home: 661-313-8336) to be on alert. Not to mention the Hyatt is just a block away. And there is plenty of non-alocholic beverages, food, dancing for your designated driver to attend for $55.

7. How big is the mini martini glass we will be given for tasting? Three – refillable – ounces so hold onto your personal keepsake glass!

#8: Tell us about the WiSH organization, the beneficiary of the money raised? The WiSH Education Foundation exists to support the 23,000 students in the Wm. S. Hart School District. WiSH benefits students in Science, Technology, the arts and other areas that enhance academic and career success. WiSH is RAISING THE BAR FOR OUR KIDS!

9. Will I get enough to drink? With bartenders from a dozen restaurants and about 10 spirit vendors, there will be more than enough. Please drink responsibly by pouring out drinks you don’t care for. Also be mindful if you are not used to drinking different kinds of liquor. We also will have lounge seating, plenty of water and a coffee vendor.

10. It looks like your vendor spots are all filled, nearly ten more than we had planned at the last event, are there sponsorship possibilities for those businesses that want to be included in the buzz? Okay, we made up that last question but it’s a good one. Our event is made possible by ticket sales, but is majorly assisted by our generous sponsors. Our entry level sponsor, at only a $1,000 contribution, still gets advertising, social networking, signage and tickets!

Still have questions? Email: WiSH@hartdistrict.org

Eve’s Wine 101: Wine Service at Your Home, an Event, Bar, Winery or Restaurant

October 31, 2014 by evebushman Leave a Comment

In our years of writing about wine we have also had many occasions to serve wine in both public and private tasting events. Couple that with the countless events, bars, wineries and restaurants we’ve reviewed and I came up with a quick training guide for our consulting clients that I’d like to share with our wine 101ers.

This week’s column is an adaptation of my guide titled, “How To: Lead a Wine Tasting.” Normally this is a handout accompanied with an approximate 90-minute presentation. I also often use it as a check off list when I’m hired to lead a home tasting. For our purposes I used italics for items I felt needed a little further explanation. (So, to answer that question in your head, no, this is not a 90-minute lesson, just a synopsis. Email me if you need anything more: Eve@EveBushmanConsulting.com)

Prep

Tell guests to avoid wearing perfume as it conflicts with detecting wine aromas.

Minty gum, mints, cigarettes should be avoided prior to tasting.

Prepare the menu, with or without food pairing.

Select a theme.

Ingredients

Anecdotes. (For home: Just like a comic warming up a crowd, you will also get revved up by telling one of your wine stories. It could have been your first wine experience, your last, anything that is short and funny. Think about it, you’ve probably told a few stories about wine over wine already, pick a couple. As your party progresses you may need a couple more, to keep the evening moving. For all others: You still need a good story, preferably about the winemaker/winery/liquor you are highlighting.)

2-ounce pourer. (For public and private events to control pours and inebriation.)

Napkin for use as a wine bottle drape.

White tablecloth, napkin, or menu – to discern wine color. (Prompt your guest to hold their wine over a white object to focus on color.)

Pour out buckets/spittoons.

Pens and menu for note taking.

WSET Flavor and Aroma chart. (See photo on the left. This is very handy for the server and for the guest to help discern descriptors.)

Information sheet about the winery if applicable.

Ice buckets. (If serving white, sparkling, or any red you need to chill down fast place bottle into bucket first, add in several cups of ice around your bottle, fill with water for the “ice bath.” Will chill your wine in 20 minutes that way. Be mindful of over-chilling as the cold will “shut down” a wine’s aromas. If the room temperature is mild, go ahead and remove after the 20, you can always pop back in if needed.)

Stemware. (Your choice. Most people think bigger is better, however, then your two-ounce pour looks smaller. Choose clear, large-bowled glasses without a design whenever possible. Crystal glassware, such as Reidel, are widely respected. Glass tumblers lower the chances of spillage.)

Wine identifiers. (If you are serving 6 or more people this is a nice touch.)

Decanters. (Always have one handy in case it’s needed to help a young red wine age a little more gracefully before served.)

Directions

Sample each wine to check for TCA before pouring samples to the guests. (TCA is an acronym for a much longer term referring to cork taint. You are looking for a bad taste, sometimes noted as cardboard, or anything you find off-putting in the wine’s flavor. Wine can be damaged by many things, heat and movement included, so though TCA is a commonly used term it may not be the term that applies to any particular wine that happens to have been damaged. And if the smell is funky taste anyway; often a freshly opened bottle smells differently than one that has been opened for a few minutes or more.)

If you can, greet your guests with a small taste, sparkling always gets the mood started.

Do not rush anyone. However, if a guest is very late, begin the tasting without them.

Tell guests about each wine before or as they are tasting.

Share your thoughts on aroma, and then ask for theirs.

Repeat for thoughts on flavor.

If a food pairing, ask for comments on if/how the wine changes with the food.

Have a general conclusion about the wine, liked/disliked, before moving on.

Prompt guests to use spittoon/pour out bucket to avoid inebriation.

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 guest judge for the L.A. International Wine Competition. 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

Eve’s Wine 101 Consulting Has Become Eve Bushman Consulting

September 11, 2014 by evebushman 1 Comment

SANTA CLARITA, SOUTHERN CA – Business associates Eve Bushman and Michael Perlis have always given each other that necessary second set of eyes and ears to make sure their business plans for Eve’s Wine 101 Consulting adhered to their basic tenet: don’t take on clients that just want them to bring customers in. No, these two want to make sure that whatever business they bring people to, they fix what may be wrong first.

However, the demand for their services quickly extended beyond wine-based businesses. They have now worked with business owners in other fields, including dentists, orthodontists and audiologists. Hence, the morphing of their business name to Eve Bushman Consulting.

Business owners ask yourself this: In a Google search what comes up? A negative Yelp review? An inactive Facebook or Twitter account? Your website…at the bottom of page one? Or nothing at all? If customers can’t find you, or worse yet, came once and never returned, why keep doing the same thing? Bushman and Perlis are here to help re-build your business, thereby unlocking your real potential. This way when a new customer comes in, or an old one comes back, they are more likely to return again and again. (Of course Eve Bushman Consulting can help brand new businesses as well, and have done so.)

The motto of Eve’s Wine 101 Consulting, and now Eve Bushman Consulting, remains: “Bring them in and bring them back.” Why else spend the money on a consultant? It is to Bushman’s and Perlis’ benefit that your business is profitable. They come to you, check things out, make suggestions for change, help you implement the changes, and then – bring them in and bring them back.

“We believe that every business has great potential,” Bushman and Perlis said. “And we’re here to find the key to unlock yours and increase your profitability.”

Due to their 10+ collective years of experience Eve Bushman Consulting has extensive networks and is well respected in the community. Bushman and Perlis know the market today, and study what people will be looking for tomorrow. And they guarantee one thing: They will help you to unlock your business potential and show you how to keep it unlocked.

Follow Eve Bushman Consulting on Twitter: https://twitter.com/BushmanConsult

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/pub/eve-bushman/15/2b0/16

And on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EveBushmanConsulting

Contact: Eve@EveBushmanConsulting.com or Michael@EveWine101Consulting.com