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What I’ve Learned About the Las Vegas Wine, Spirits and Dining Nightlife

February 25, 2022 by evebushman

There are so many places to eat and drink in Las Vegas that I can safely say that in the first year we’ve lived here we have barely scratched the surface of what is out here. We have been welcomed by new neighbors in Spanish Trail community for wining and dining, from people I only knew on social media that now include us for blind wine tastings in their home or favorite restaurants, and been invited as guests in the Spanish Trail country club for wine dinners and more casual wine flight nights.

A month after moving into our Vegas home we had our first wine tasting!

The Las Vegas area, of course, is known for its impeccable service to an international community. So I believe that the people living here are an extension of that: welcoming, giving, and truly interested in entertaining guests in style. We have been made to feel so comfortable the first six months that the last six have been a whirlwind of invitations both given and received, and I can safely say that we are socializing much more in Vegas than we expected.

As I had retired the consulting arm of Eve’s Wine 101 with the move, which means all of my big event planning, because of the “open arms” we’ve enjoyed in Vegas I haven’t missed the planning and marketing work I would normally be doing.

Why Is Vegas Different

Besides the feelings I touched on above there are probably more sommeliers working in Las Vegas than any other city the average person is likely to visit. So when I get to go to a blind tasting in a friend’s home there are no less than three or four working sommeliers in attendance.

Their wealth of knowledge and experience makes me so happy, reminds me of the times I’ve judged wines as well as the certification classes I’ve attended.

The wine groups here, at least the ones I’ve attended, started out as groups via the Meet Up website, then they splintered off into smaller groups of people. When the gathering is in a private home usually everyone brings a bottle and a dish to share, and of course you can’t go wrong doing that! I end up sampling almost everything, and then committing to a glass of whatever I liked the best!

At the restaurants and bars there seems to be an earnest desire to make the experience personal. I’ve had restaurant wait staff learn our favorite cocktails and offer them as soon as we sit down, sharing items not on the menu, have incredibly prepared chef menus for the night, introduce their family if they work there too, check on our table more than once and even been a part of inside jokes! It’s like being at home and having an expert family member cook, serve and clean up! We couldn’t be made to feel more comfortable.

Our whisky interests have been more fulfilled than before. We had come to Vegas annually for the Universal Whisky Experience – the epitome of classy whisky tasting and learning events. After moving here I was invited to a local meeting of the Las Vegas chapter of the Drammers Club, and we’ve since attended a few meetings at Vegas resorts led by founder Charlie Prince who never fails to bring us bottles we have never tried before. At one meeting we met a fellow scotch whisky lover that is also the bar manager at Oak and Ivy in downtown Las Vegas – a bar that is well known for its brown spirit cocktails. And though not whisky, we’ve found a favorite bar for fun Tiki drinks and live entertainment too: The Golden Tiki.

Have you noticed that I haven’t mentioned any resorts? Of course there is amazing dining and the same solicitous service on the strip. It’s just that as a local you learn to avoid the crowds and traffic by staying away from the strip. There are many restaurants we’ve enjoyed between our home in Spring Valley, Las Vegas, that is ten minutes from the strip. And if we do crave some strip time we still go down there, but never on a weekend or a weekend night.

As far as all of the restaurants and bars we’ve enjoyed so far I’m not going to even attempt to list them all here. (Though I will give a shout out to D’Agostino’s Trattoria as we’re there most frequently.) If you want to know go to the new Las Vegas Highlights page on Eve’s Wine 101 and scroll away to your heart’s content! And if you like that page, and Vegas, check there often to see #EveBushmanWhatsInYourGlass and #EveBushmahWhatsOnYourPlate Thanks for reading!

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.

Filed Under: Eve Bushman Tagged With: bar, blind tasting, chef, cocktail, dining, Drammers, drinks, eve bushman consulting, eve's wine 101, flight, las vegas, las vegas highlights, menu, restaurants, single malt whisky, sommelier, spanish trail, tiki drinks, universal Whisky Experience, whisky, whisky event, wine dinner, wine education, wine judge, Wine tasting

Perlises Pick: LAW ESTATE WINES

January 15, 2022 by Michael Perlis

The curving drive through the woods on Peachy Canyon Drive only heightens the anticipation of arriving at the gates that provide entry to Law Estate Wines and the experience it and the winery staff provide.

But it wasn’t always this way.

Our first taste of Law Estate was when they were pouring their first vintage at the Ojai Wine Festival in 2013. At that time, Michael wrote: “…speaking of Law Estate (www.lawestatewines.com), their wines really stole the show for me at this event, especially their GSM blend. A new player in Paso Robles, they haven’t even released their wines to the public yet. This is one you might want to get on board with early.”

To give credit where credit is due, it was Karen who had told Michael to be sure to taste the Law wines, especially that GSM blend named Sagacious.

Our next visit to Law was while the winery was still under construction. Sitting with General Manager Oliver Esparham, who we had met at the Ojai festival, we continued to be awed at the quality of the wines produced by such a young winery. Of course, Law’s geologist owners did their homework with site selection for their vineyards [all Law’s wines are Estate designated], a state of the art winery, as well as one of the best winemakers around – Scott Hawley of Torrin.

But those are old stories and visiting Law now is about tasting outstanding wines in a beautiful luxurious setting, whether on the outdoor patio with the gorgeous views or the spacious indoor tasting lounge. Though, all would be for naught were the hosts of your tasting not the best you might encounter anywhere, which they are at Law. Their hospitality is what elevates the tasting into the perfect experience that it is.

During our tasting, we had the great pleasure of meeting with Marketing Manager Jessica Locklin and were also joined by GM Oliver. Scott Hawley has moved on to focus 100% on his own label and former Assistant Winemaker Phillipp Pfunder now has full control of the winemaking process. The wines, if anything, are more delicious than ever.

We started with the 2019 Soph, a white blend of 47% Roussanne, 28% Clairette Blanche and 25% Marsanne with a really bright floral nose. Named after the Laws’ granddaughter [Oliver’s daughter], this is always one of our favorite white wines of the year. We were delighted that there was still some available to purchase as we had just run out at home.

Moving on to the red blends of mostly Rhone varietals, these are as usual stunning and virtually impossible to pick a favorite. Karen has always been especially partial to the one called Sagacious, as mentioned above [Oliver somehow still remembers this].

We tasted through the following reds:

2018 Beguiling – 85% Grenache, 15% Syrah

2018 Sagacious – 35% Grenache, 34% Syrah, 31% Mourvedre

2018 Audacious – 31% Grenache, 26% Carignan, 24% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Syrah

2018 Aspire – 84% Syrah, 16% Grenache

One of the several great things about the Law tasting experience is that the taster is presented with the entire flight at once, with ample opportunity to go back and forth between wines to compare the various flavors. And Jessica, like everyone else at Law, was ever-present to graciously answer questions and provide additional information.

As we were tasting back and forth through the flight, Jessica asked if we had any preferences. Michael’s “I dunno, they’re all so good” was followed by Karen’s “You haven’t tried the Aspire yet.

” Even though Karen loved the nice long finish and big mouthfeel of her usual favorite Sagacious and the dark ripe blackberry notes of the Audacious, she was spot on with the Aspire’s fruit forwardness and violet bouquet. Upon tasting it, Michael immediately agreed with an insightful “damn”.

Much as it is difficult to pick a favorite amongst Law’s wine selection, it is also hard to pick a favorite winery in Paso Robles. There are too many wineries in the area that we love for us to be able to say that there is a #1. But, you would be hard-pressed to find a better winery experience, wines, and people than Law Estate Wines. And now the addition of a guest cottage makes an extended stay possible. Plans are also in the works for an education center.

With all that, you may never want to leave the property on your next visit.

LAW ESTATE WINES

www.lawestatewines.com

3885 Peachy Canyon Road, Paso Robles, CA 93446

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

Filed Under: Michael Perlis Tagged With: blend, bouquet, cabernet sauvignon, carignane, finish, flight, floral, fruit, Grenache, gsm, hospice du rhone, marsanne, Mourvedre, mouthfeel, nose, ojai, Paso Robles, red blend, Roussanne, Syrah, varietal, wine festival, Wine tasting, winemaker, winery

12th Annual Santa Ynez Valley Restaurant Weeks returns Jan. 17-31, 2022

January 12, 2022 by evebushman

(SANTA YNEZ VALLEY, Calif.) — Santa Ynez Valley Restaurant Weeks returns for its 12th consecutive year, Jan. 17-31, bringing with it a variety of special prix fixe price points that showcase the region’s culinary bounty — and the perfect Santa Ynez Valley wines to pair with it.

As with years past, participating Santa Ynez Valley Restaurant Weeks restaurants will feature curated, chef-driven three-course prix fixe menus at price points of $30, $40, or $50, plus tax & gratuity. Many area wineries and tasting rooms will also participate at various levels and price points, including offering two-for-one tastings, special tasting flights, and discounts on bottle purchases.

“After the events of the last two years we’re all looking for meaningful ways to reunite or reconnect with family, friends, and loved ones,” says Shelby Sim, president and CEO of Visit the Santa Ynez Valley. “Food and wine make the perfect centerpiece around which to celebrate, and Santa Ynez Valley Restaurant Weeks features the best of both in a wonderful setting that numerous media outlets have recently hailed as a must-visit in 2022.”

As Julia Child, who was no stranger to the Santa Ynez Valley, once said, “To be a good cook you have to have a love of the good, a love of hard work, and a love of creating.” These qualities and more will be on full display from participating Santa Ynez Valley Restaurant Weeks restaurants, chefs, wineries, and winemakers including:

RESTAURANTS

Buellton

Hitching Post II Restaurant, 406 E Hwy 246, Buellton, 805-688-0676

Santa Ynez Valley Marriott, 555 McMurray Rd., Buellton, 805-688-1000

The Tavern at Zaca Creek, 1297 Jonata Park Rd., Buellton, 805-688-2412

 

Los Alamos

Bell’s, 406 Bell St., Los Alamos

Full of Life Foods, 225 Bell St., Los Alamos, 805-344-4400

The Maker’s Son, 346 Bell St., Los Alamos, 805-344-1926

Norman at the Skyview Los Alamos, 9150 US-101, Los Alamos, 805-344-0080

Pico, 458 Bell St., Los Alamos, 805-344-1122

Plenty on Bell, 508 Bell St., Los Alamos, 805-344-3020

 

Los Olivos

Bar Le Côte, 2375 Alamo Pintado Ave., Los Olivos

Petros Winery & Restaurant, 3360 Foxen Canyon Rd., Los Olivos, 805-680-5417

Los Olivos Wine Merchant & Café, 2879 Grand Ave., Los Olivos, 805-688-7265

Nella Kitchen & Bar, 2860 Grand Ave., Los Olivos, 805-686-1359

 

Santa Ynez

Ellie’s Tap & Vine, 3640 Sagunto St., Santa Ynez, 916-390-3595

The Lucky Hen Larder, 1095 Meadowvale Rd., Santa Ynez, 805-691-9448

S.Y. Kitchen, 1110 Faraday St., Santa Ynez, 805-691-9794

Trattoria Grappolo, 3687 Sagunto St., Santa Ynez, 805-688-6899

 

Solvang

Cecco Ristorante, 475 1st St. #9, Solvang, 805-688-8880

First & Oak at the Mirabelle Inn, 409 1st St., Solvang, 805-688-1703

Leonardo’s Ristorante & Pizzeria, 632 Alamo Pintado Rd., Solvang, 805-686-0846

Mad & Vin at The Landsby, 1576 Mission Dr., Solvang, 805-688-3121

Ramen Kotori, 1618 Copenhagen Dr., Solvang, 805-691-9672

River Grill at The Alisal, 150 Alisal Road, Solvang, 805-688-7784

Sear Steakhouse, 478 4th Pl, Solvang, 805-245-9564

Succulent Café, 1557 Mission Dr., Solvang, 805-691-9444

 

WINERIES

Buellton

Brick Barn Wine Estate, 795 W Hwy 246, Buellton, 805-686-1208

Hitching Post Wines, 420 CA-246, Buellton, 805-688-0676

 

Los Olivos

Bien Nacido & Solomon Hills Estates, 2963 Grand Ave., Los Olivos, 805-318-6640

Refugio Ranch Vineyards, 2990 Grand Ave., Los Olivos, 805-697-5289

 

Santa Ynez

Gainey Vineyard, 3950 CA-246, Santa Ynez, 805-688-0558

Kalyra Winery, 343 N. Refugio Rd., #9302, Santa Ynez, 805-693-8864

Roblar, 3010 Roblar Ave., Santa Ynez, 805-686-2603

 

Solvang

Alma Rosa Winery, 1623 Mission Dr., Solvang, 805-691-9395

Buttonwood Farm Winery, 1500 Alamo Pintado Rd., Solvang, 805-688-3032

Crawford Family Wines, 1661 Mission Dr., Solvang, 805-698-3889

Dana V. Wines, 1588 Mission Dr., Suite B, Solvang, 805-688-3488

Luna Hart Wines, Ballard Canyon, Solvang, 610-880-6412

Piazza Family Wines, Ballard Canyon, Solvang
Royal Oaks Winery, 1687 Mission Dr., Solvang, 805-693-1740

 

Other

Ampelos Cellars, 312 N. 9th St., Lompoc, 805-736-9957

Foxen Vineyard & Winery, 7600 Foxen Canyon Rd., Santa Maria, 805-937-4251

 

For the latest updates on Santa Ynez Valley Restaurant Weeks, including participating restaurants and menus, visit www.DineSYV.com or follow Visit the Santa Ynez Valley on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

About the Santa Ynez Valley:

Barely two hours from Los Angeles and a scenic four-hour drive from San Francisco, the Santa Ynez Valley is home to six distinct towns each with their own culture, vibe, and menu of experiences. Blanketed with fruitful farms and vineyards, the California Central Coast wine region’s temperate weather allows for year-round activities of all sorts, spread throughout the historical communities of Ballard, Buellton, Los Alamos, Los Olivos, Santa Ynez, and Solvang. Destination dining and world-class wines await, accompanied by lodging at every level, all painted into atmospheric backdrops which colorfully mesh Old World and Old West. Visit more than 100 wineries, feast on chef-driven cuisine, and enjoy festive events and design details from Victorian-era to mid-century to modern Danish. For more information, including a listing of wedding venues, restaurants, wineries, tasting rooms, and events, go to VisitSYV.com.

Filed Under: Guests Tagged With: buellton, chefs, cook, culinary, flight, food pairing, lompoc, lompoc wine ghetto, los olivos, menu, restaurants, santa maria Valley, Santa Ynez, solvang, tasting, tasting room, variety, wine pairing, winemakers, wineries

The Hilt Estate Opens Highly Anticipated Tasting Room: The Barn at The Hilt Estate

August 30, 2021 by evebushman

Lompoc, Calif.—The Hilt Estate, one of Santa Barbara County’s premier wine estates and producer of JONATA and The Hilt wines, has opened its highly anticipated tasting room, The Barn at The Hilt Estate. Designed by renowned architect Howard J. Backen and Silvia Nobili of the firm Backen & Gillam Architects with interiors by Amber Lewis of Amber Interiors Design Studio, the venue will offer one of region’s most diverse lineups of wine in a space that overflows with sophisticated yet unassuming California farmhouse elegance.

Designed to highlight the agricultural foundation of The Hilt’s dramatic 3600-acre property and the wines grown and made from the unique estate, guests are encouraged to travel to The Barn along the scenic Highway 1, an open and undeveloped coastal stretch that echoes California’s unmatched natural beauty. The Hilt Estate is located just miles from the Pacific Ocean in the far south-west corner of the Sta. Rita Hills AVA winegrowing region and is comprised of three vineyards, Bentrock, Radian and Puerta del Mar. The property consists of a large tree-lined hill and vineyard extending outward. Using the natural geography of the property as a guide, the winemaking and hospitality buildings on The Hilt Estate are intentionally separated to define their uses. The winemaking production follows along the base of the hill and the hospitality barn comes out and sits among the vineyard. The new, state-of-the-art 50,000 square-foot gravity fed winemaking facility is where form and function in winemaking truly connect for long-time winemaker Matt Dees and his team, and where they will now produce the distinct wines of JONATA and The Hilt.

The reclaimed historic barn is home to the hospitality and tasting spaces and was updated using reclaimed woods and metals from the original structure. The interior speaks to the rustic beauty of the environment, with vintage textiles and leather. With wines available from two renowned estates—JONATA and The Hilt—numerous spots are available for curated tasting experiences, including a communal living room, and two themed rooms inspired by the individual wine estates. All the materials and finishes used in the hospitality barn are a direct tribute to the people of the area who have made their living off the land. The Hilt room features cool-toned artwork from Jack McConville, representative of the windy and unpredictable nature of the rugged estate. The JONATA room features warm-toned artwork from Gwen O’Neil to reflect JONATA’s warmer climate and sandy soils. The venue also features a professional kitchen, as well as numerous outdoor spaces to accommodate special events.

Several tasting flights are available, offering experiences for wine loving novices and collectors alike. Selections range from the vibrant chardonnay and pinot noir wines of The Hilt in the Sta. Rita Hills AVA to JONATA in the Ballard Canyon AVA’s portfolio of structured estate-grown blends from varieties such as cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc and syrah. Exclusive to The Barn, guests may also taste each of the estate’s limited, experimental and library bottlings. Those looking to experience something truly unique will have the opportunity to discover some of the The Hilt’s more avant-garde wines, ranging from Pét-Nat to Botrytis chardonnay. The wines are estate-grown via cutting edge farming and winemaking practices, and authentically express Santa Barbara County’s vines, climate and unique soils.

The Barn at The Hilt Estate will initially offer four tasting options, which are fully tailored to the guests’ preferences. Tasting fees begin at $50 per person and average $85. Upon making a reservation guests will be contacted by a knowledgeable wine expert to determine their interests and facilitate a unique and memorable wine experience.

Tastings:

  • La Tierra “The Earth” ($50): Crafted as the perfect introduction to wines of both JONATA and The Hilt, this flight presents a selection of six of the most popular wines from both estates.
  • The Point ($50): Drawing inspiration from nearby Point Conception, The Point features six wines from The Hilt that pay tribute to the profound impact of the Pacific Ocean on The Hilt’s wind-whipped estate.
  • Jalama ($85): Derived from a Chumash word meaning “bundle,” the Jalama flight captures an elevated collection of seven wines from both The Hilt and the JONATA estates.
  • ​Seven Crossings ($85): An in-depth exploration of the southwest corner of the Sta. Rita Hills, featuring seven pinot noir and chardonnay wines from The Hilt Estate.

Reservations must be booked in advance, either online or by calling (805) 564-8581. Tastings may be scheduled during one of two time slots, 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM, Monday through Friday.

About The Hilt Estate
In 2014, The Hilt acquired the historic 3,600-acre Rancho Salsipuedes, setting the stage for the ultimate home of The Hilt Estate. Located in the Sta. Rita Hills AVA in northwestern Santa Barbara County, California, the property is home to three distinct vineyards: Radian and Bentrock, on the original Rancho Salsipuedes, once known as Rancho Cañada de Salsipuedes, and Puerta del Mar, which surrounds the winery. To best appreciate the wines made by The Hilt Estate, ideally one would visit these dramatic and even extreme vineyards where the grapes are farmed. Just as all great wines tell the story of their place of origin, The Hilt’s pinot noirs and chardonnays are the bold expressions of the unique estate. By employing innovative viticultural practices, selecting clones strategically, and making the most of the coastal influence, winds, and soils, Winemaker Matt Dees is pushing the vineyards to the hilt of their potential and creating wines that are lively, fresh, and well structured.

For more information on The Hilt Estate, please visit www.thehiltestate.com

Follow on Social Media:
Hashtag: #TheHILT #TheHILTEstate
Instagram: @thehiltestate

About JONATA Estate
Born in 1998 out of a desire to explore and expand world-class winegrowing in Santa Barbara County, JONATA is an estate like no other. Set amongst the rolling hills in the moderate climate of the Ballard Canyon appellation in Santa Ynez Valley, the 600-acre site is home to 84 acres of vines and over 12 grape varieties planted in Careaga sand. More than just a vineyard, most of the property is comprised of ancient oak trees, gardens, fruit orchards and diverse variety of animal life. Through years of farming the estate at the highest standards, the winery team, led by long-time winemaker Matt Dees, has tirelessly forged its own path. JONATA has gained recognition from collectors and critics alike for making captivating wines which authentically express the estate’s vines, climate and unique soils.

For more information on JONATA Estate, please visit www.jonata.com

Follow on Social Media:
Hashtag: #JONATA #JONATAEstate
Instagram: @jonataestate

Filed Under: Guests Tagged With: ava, Ballard Canyon, California, Chardonnay, climate, estate, flight, library wines, lompoc, Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara, soil, sta. rita hills, tasting room, vineyards, wine events, winegrower, winemaking

Celebrated Winery L’Ecole No 41 Announces “Heritage by L’Ecole” Wine Bar Opening in Walla Walla This Spring

February 13, 2021 by evebushman

WALLA WALLA, Wash. – L’Ecole No 41, one of Walla Walla’s early founding wineries, has announced their plans to open a new Wine Bar in downtown Walla Walla at the historic Marcus Whitman Hotel.

Photo from AbbeycoSeattle.blog

The space is being redesigned and redefined to welcome guests in downtown Walla Walla, in a setting which denotes the winery’s sense of place and pays homage to the Heritage of the region. Focused on unique flights, the Wine Bar will provide access to small production and library lots, along with current release favorites.

“We’re so enthusiastic about the possibility to welcome Walla Walla locals and visitors to our valley, in a new and unique setting,” said L’Ecole’s owner and managing winemaker Marty Clubb. “Heritage by L’Ecole illustrates our family’s commitment to the Walla Walla experience for all wine lovers. The opportunity to ask our talented daughter, Rebecca Clubb-Olson, to design the space for us was exciting and rewarding, and she has done a beautiful job – striking a perfect balance, incorporating elements of our historic Schoolhouse and of our deep, enduring roots in our home Valley.”

Heritage by L’Ecole’s opening to the public is planned for Spring Kick Off Weekend, in April, and local Wine Club Members, industry members, and press will be invited to experience the space upon opening. With outdoor seating planned for the spring and summer, the space is being designed to eventually accommodate up to 19 seated guests indoors, with self-guided flight options.

The Marcus Whitman Hotel, a property replete with history, eagerly welcomes L’Ecole No 41’s opening in their ground floor corner location, adding to the tasting room selection for their guests and for other downtown patrons. “L’Ecole’s decision to open their unique Heritage Wine Bar is particularly meaningful for us, as the hotel was originally developed in the 1920s by a group of local business and community members, including W.W. Baker, the grandfather of L’Ecole Winery’s founder, Baker Ferguson. Heritage is a very fitting name, and we’re excited that the partnership has come full circle”, commented Kyle Mussman, owner of the Marcus Whitman Hotel.

Housed in the historic 1915 Frenchtown schoolhouse depicted on its label, L’Ecole has earned international acclaim for producing expressive, distinctive wines. L’Ecole No 41 has been recognized 15 times as a Top 100 Winery of the Year by Wine & Spirits Magazine, and in 2014, London’s Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) named L’Ecole’s Ferguson the Best Bordeaux Blend in the World over £15. In addition to Clubb, his wife Megan Clubb and their children Riley Clubb and Rebecca Clubb-Olson serve on L’Ecole’s board of directors.

Filed Under: Guests Tagged With: flight, walla walla, washington, wine bar, Wine tasting, winemaker

Vintage Eve Circa 2/2018: Not Your Basic Wine and Cheese Pairing

November 10, 2020 by evebushman

Clearly, I’ve had plenty of opportunities to have wine and cheese, like most of you. But I can’t recall the last time I had a guided pairing that would explain how, when you’re paying attention, the tasting of each is heightened – a word used by Alex of Vagabond Cheese Company – by the other.

Double Trouble Patio.

The Invite

Join us for a Saturday afternoon of Wine & Cheese pairings with Vagabond Cheese Company, Hoi Polloi Winery and Pagter Brothers Winery at the Double Trouble Wine Room in Downtown Newhall. Each of these world-class wineries creates their wines by carefully sourcing grapes from the central coast of California. Pagter Brothers focuses on big, bold, red wines, while Hoi Polloi indulges their love of dynamic California Rhones, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon. 

We will be tasting through a flight of three wines from each winery, carefully paired with our artisan and farmstead cheeses. We hope you’ll join us for our first guided pairing together.

Better in a Pairing

The event began with Scott of Pagter Brothers and Doug of Hoi Polloi wetting our whistles with some of their wines, as Alex prepared our plates.

Scott and Doug, have paired well together since they met at one of Doug’s early Garagiste Festivals, and they share their tasting room as well as their wine club which includes bounty from both as well as 20% off, free tastings and parties. The tasting room is the only place you can purchase their wine. There is often live music, food trucks and now a comfy enclosed rear patio. They each make about 400 to 500 cases.

When it was Alex’s turn to introduce the cheeses he explained that “the goal is not just to have wine and cheese…the goal is to (find) that each heightens the other.” Both, according to Alex are made “better” in a pairing. The cheeses he was to serve were all completely eatable, including the rinds, as the cheesemonger prepared them that way.

We learned that not all Manchego cheese is the same. Trader Joe’s makes theirs completely by machine. Alex explained that the “terroir” in cheese comes from the cows, what they were fed and the aging. And storage should be loose, even Tupperware containers are good, and the cheese should last two to three weeks. Cut on opposite ends each time to maintain freshness.

These were my favorites: The Estero Gold wasn’t salty and I agreed; it had an interesting sesame note to it. Mennonites expertly made the Prairie Breeze. Loved the Pecorino Ginepro that had been rubbed with balsamic vinegar and then aged in oak barrels that had been previously filled with juniper berries. And of the wine – all were very nice in the tasting – I purchased bottles of the Hoi Polloi Grenache and the Pagter Brothers Syrah.

I decided, in the long run, that I needed more education on the pairings. I didn’t get a lot of the notes that were mentioned on the tasting sheet, though I enjoyed the wines and cheeses immensely!

About Vagabond Cheese Company

Vagabond Cheese Company is a nomadic cheese counter, based in Los Angeles, CA. We promote the best of artisanal cheeses and support those who create them by showcasing cheese through pairings. Everything is fair game, but our specialty is craft beer. The more unusual and eccentric the partnership, the better.

We search for hard-to-find and rare cheese, always keeping seasonality in mind, in order to offer you a new experience every time we cross paths. We want to break away from pretentious tendencies, and instead invite you to have fun with your food and try something new.

About Double Trouble Wine Room

Taste high-scoring premium artisan wines from Paso Robles, Santa Ynez and Sonoma from TWO local wineries – Hoi Polloi Winery and Pagter Brothers Winery – in Old Town Newhall. Enjoy our new patio. Bring your own food or order in. No snobs allowed.

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.

Filed Under: Eve Bushman Tagged With: artisan, cabernet sauvignon, California, Central Coast, cheese, flight, food pairing, garagiste, los angeles, newhall, Paso Robles, Pinot Noir, Rhone, Santa Ynez, Sonoma, tasting room, terroir, wine pairing, Wine tasting, winery

The 12th Annual STARS of Cabernet 2020 At Home Edition: November 18th, 20th, and 21st

November 9, 2020 by evebushman

For 11 years – we gathered winemakers from all over the world for one special night in Beverly Hills and celebrated amazing Cabernet. This year, we take the event to ZOOM and bring the event to you wherever you are! We have wine flights or full bottle kits delivered to you – a Cabernet lover’s showcase delivered to your home! Join the winemakers LIVE and taste; join in one tasting or join them all! A silent auction will benefit 501(c)(3) Unite The United for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.   

Single night tickets are $50 with a tasting kit – and that includes delivery in California!

Join all THREE events with tasting kits for $100 – and that includes delivery in California!
www.STARSofCabernet.com
for details, wine list, and option to have your tasting kit picked up at TESSE RESTAURANT with a special STARS dinner menu!  

THE STARS OF CABERNET 2020 | Wednesday 11/18 at 7pm 

Mauritson

PEJU

Crown Point Vineyards

S. R. Tonella Cellars

Reynolds Family Winery

Dusty Nabor Wines 

THE STARS OF CABERNET 2020 | Friday 11/20 at 7pm 

Blagden Wines

Robert Young Estate 

Rocca Family Vineyards

Mullan Road Cellars

Dana Estates

Sullivan Rutherford Estate

THE STARS OF CABERNET 2020 | Saturday 11/21 at 7pm 

Hertelendy Vineyards

Carte Blanche

Alejandro Bulgheroni Estate

AXR Napa Valley

Tierra Roja Vineyard

Frank Family Vineyards 

Tickets will sell out and prices do increase as the event date approaches – buy your tickets now!     

For information and ticket purchasing, please visit STARSofcabernet.com

About Unite The United:  

Unite The United Foundation is a public 501(c)(3) non-profit, fundraising organization founded by the producers of the Vans Warped Tour and Rockstar Energy Mayhem Festival. Their mission is to encourage fans, artists and industry leaders from the music, touring and action sports worlds to work toward positive change, by supporting local charities, producing events, and participating in community volunteerism events across the United States.

About Ian Blackburn – Founder of wineLA.com and LearnAboutWine.com 

Since 1995, Ian Blackburn has focused on improving Los Angeles wine culture through ongoing educational tastings, classes and experiences. Educating and edu-taining with precision, we invite and welcome the best of the wine world to partake. LearnAboutWine was the first of its kind and continues to innovate, fortifying a quality wine audience one class, one tasting, one experience at a time. We are a part of the Los Angeles lifestyle, the wine lifestyle, and celebrate the people and the place with passion. The pandemic only made us better, stronger, and now we’re going nationwide!!!
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For more information visit www.wineLA.com or call  310-451-7600.

Filed Under: Guests Tagged With: cabernet sauvignon, California, cellar, charity, estate, flight, Learn About Wine, los angeles, restaurant, vineyard, wine auction, wine event, Wine tasting, winela, winemaker, zoom

Rocky Pond Estate Winery Is Opening a New Tasting Room in Woodinville

October 7, 2020 by evebushman

WOODINVILLE, Wash./PRNewswire/ — Rocky Pond Estate Winery, the Washington producer crafting wines from their breathtaking sustainably farmed riverside vineyards in the Columbia River Valley, has opened a new tasting room in the heart of downtown Woodinville at the Woodin Creek project. The Rocky Pond team will be raising the bar by adding new and exciting culinary and wine experiences.

Double D Vineyard at Rock Pond Estate Winery, Washington.

“The new Rocky Pond Tasting Room in Woodinville will take our King County offering to the next level,” stated Owners and Founders David and Michelle Dufenhorst. “Our experienced team is focused on elevating the current offerings in the region by creating exclusive wine and food pairing experiences and intimate wine dinners in a sophisticated, yet casual, setting like no other.”

The Dufenhorsts have been actively compiling quite the all-star team of wine and service professionals at Rocky Pond and have again added regional super stars to create an unparalleled wine and hospitality experience in Woodinville.

To lead the culinary program, Rocky Pond has hand-selected a veteran of the industry in Chef Douglas Setniker to be the new Director of Culinary Experiences. Chef Doug has been involved in the high-touch catering industry for nearly thirty years. Doug graduated first in his class from the American Culinary Institute in Hyde Park, NY. From there, his career included eight years as the Director of Catering at Microsoft and fourteen years at Guckenheimer as the Executive Chef for the Pacific Northwest.

Chef Doug will be creating a locally sourced menu to accentuate and elevate each Rocky Pond wine. Guests can expect a menu of rotating small bites, weekly chef specials, and regularly scheduled multi-course wine dinners.

Holly La Porta-Jones, no stranger to the world of fine wine, recently joined the team as the Tasting Room Manager and will be creating a welcoming, world-class hospitality experience. Holly is a graduate of the University of Hawaii and worked as a Restaurant Manager at the Four Seasons Hualalai before joining Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits as a Fine Wine Specialist. Holly holds her Level 2 Certified Sommelier Certification from the Court of Master Sommeliers as well as her WSET Level 2 Certification from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust.

The new tasting room was thoughtfully designed with comfort and elegance in mind. The Dufenhorsts took cues from their popular downtown Chelan Tasting Room and have combined upscale touches with a beautiful mix of leather, metals, and stone textures throughout. Boasting a variety of comfortable seating options for private and members-only wine flights, the main room is anchored by a gorgeous custom-built bar that is perfect for walk-up tastings, bottle service, and wines by the glass. Two large outdoor patios are located on either side of the main room and offer a variety of relaxing options for wine enthusiasts looking for an intimate al fresco experience.

A large private room – perfect for small to medium sized private events – was created to host corporate functions, birthdays, wedding showers and more. This beautifully designed private space will be available for rent throughout the year with catering options.

Reserve a table today at: www.rockypondwinery.com.

Filed Under: Guests Tagged With: chef, culinary, flight, food, food pairing, menu, restaurant, sommelier, tasting room, vineyards, washington, Wine and spirits education trust, wine enthusiast, wine pairing, WSET

One January Night wine event set for Jan 29 at Salt Creek Grille, Featuring Epoch Estate Wines and Benefits Boys and Girls Club of SCV

January 6, 2020 by evebushman

For this special event Jordan Fiorentini of Paso Roble’s EPOCH Estate Wines will be pouring select wines from the winery’s collection while Salt Creek’s Chef, Tamra Levine, serves food to pair with each pour for a limited number of guests on January 29.  Ticket link https://www.scvbgc.org/wine-event/

Founded in 2004 by geologists, Bill and Liz Armstrong, Epoch Estate Wines has quickly developed a big reputation for handcrafted, small- production wines with abundant personalities from Paso Robles, CA. Located on the storied York Mountain, Epoch is an ultra-premium producer of wines from Rhone, Zinfandel, and Tempranillo varieties grown on their west Paso Robles vineyards – Paderewski, Catapult, and York Mountain. As the steward of both the historic York Mountain Winery property and the Paderewski Vineyard, Epoch is committed to the land it cherishes, the quality wines crafted, and the rich legacies now shared with the next generation of Epoch drinkers.

Wine Spectator raves, “Winemaker Jordan Fiorentini makes beautiful Rhône-style wines.”

Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate exclaims, “Epoch’s wines succeed in capturing all the power of which western Paso Robles is capable, but for all their structure, extract and ripe fruit, they’re beautifully balanced and texturally refined, with new oak very much taking a back seat to the grapes and the vineyards. Fiorentini is clearly passionate and a perfectionist, and I’m sure Epoch is only going to go from strength to strength in coming vintages.”

The event will also feature exclusive auction items available only that evening.

Hosted by: Carl & Terry Kanowsky. Hors d’oeuvres provided by: Salt Creek Grille 

A Special Auction Package Offered by Epoch Estate Wines

Founded in 2004 by geologists, Bill and Liz Armstrong, Epoch Estate Wines has quickly developed a big reputation for handcrafted, small- production wines with abundant personalities from Paso Robles, CA. Located on the storied York Mountain, Epoch is an ultra-premium producer of wines from Rhone, Zinfandel, and Tempranillo varieties grown on their west Paso Robles vineyards – Paderewski, Catapult, and York Mountain. As the steward of both the historic York Mountain Winery property and the Paderewski Vineyard, Epoch is committed to the land it cherishes, the quality wines crafted, and the rich legacies now shared with the next generation of Epoch drinkers.

Experience theEpoch winemaking journey firsthand with this weekend package. Your stay can accommodate two couples for a weekend (three days and two nights) in Epoch’s Vineyard Suites, a two-bedroom abode on the York Mountain property that the Armstrongs now cherish as personal guest quarters. Both suites are beautifully restored, each boasting a queen bed, a full bathroom, and the most breath-taking views of the California Central Coast off their back patios. The Vineyard Suites come stocked with amenities including a mini- fridge, Keurig Coffee Maker, toaster, and microwave as well as breakfast items and snacks.

During your stay, you are invited to visit Epoch’s new Tasting Room, located down the road from the Vineyard Suites to enjoy a complimentary flight tasting for four people. Here you will learn more about Epoch and the history Bill and Liz are preserving on the historic York Mountain property, home to the first bonded winery on the Central Coast. This unique and coveted experience also includes a private tour of their York Mountain Vineyard and a barrel tasting at Epoch’s state-of-the-art winery. The Epoch team will be happy to assist in recommending other great wineries and restaurants in the Paso area for you to enjoy during your visit. Finally, to put the winners in the mood for their trip to Paso, you will walk away from the Santa Clarita Valley Boys and Girls Club Wine Tasting event with a signed magnum of Epoch wine!

This package accommodates up to four people for two nights and does not include airfare, transportation, or meals. Dates must be mutually agreed upon by all parties.

Awarded to the highest bidder. Value: Priceless. Donated by Epoch Estate Wines

Filed Under: Guests Tagged With: auction, charity, chef, flight, Paso Robles, Rhone, Salt Creek Grille, Tempranillo, vineyard, wine event, wine spectator, Wine tasting, winemaker, winery, Zinfandel

Loquita Announces New Beverage Program and Wine Club

November 1, 2018 by evebushman

Loquita, an ode to the roots of Santa Barbara’s culture and a favorite among local food lovers and travelers who herald the restaurant’s inspired Spanish cuisine flavored by the Central Coast’s rich ingredients, celebrates the wines of Spain with a new bar and wine program that is timed for holiday gatherings and celebrations.

Loquita Sherry Tasting Flight / Photo by Kate Winter

Loquita’s Bar Manager David Media introduces three expertly curated beverage programs to enjoy at the restaurant or for home entertaining – Porron Hour, Spanish Sherry Flight and the Loquita Wine Club. Medina wants to expose guests to the discovery of these selections, stating, “Our Porron Hour is designed to share the traditional Spanish method for enjoying wine while also offering an approachable price on some of our most popular wines by the glass. Sampling these selections from our hand-blown wine carafes create a singular experience where our guests can pour directly into their mouths from an outstretched arm. Sounds a bit crazy, but that’s Loquita!” Medina is also enthusiastic about the Spanish Sherry Flight and the Loquita Wine Club, continuing, “This offers our guests an introduction to different styles of Spanish Sherry found only in southwest Spain and they pair so well with our menu. Spanish wines are quite special and we wanted our guests to share the experience outside Loquita’s doors so we decided to offer a wine club that highlights our favorite Spanish producers.”

Porron Hour is offered weekdays from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. and guests can discover and challenge their palates with varieties of exceptional and lesser-known Spanish wines. A Porron is a traditional Spanish wine pitcher that holds .75 litres and is used predominately in the North-Western part of Spain – Catalonia, Aragon and Valencia. Porron hour features four distinguished varietals, 2017 Avinyo “Petillant” Cava; 2017 Columna Albariño; 2017 Menguante Garnacha; and 2015 Finca Torremilanos “Los Cantos” Tempranillo, priced at $20 per Porron. 

Loquita’s Spanish Sherry Flight presents this unique Spanish wine made from white grapes grown near the city of Jerez de la Frontera in Andalusia, Spain. It’s produced in a variety of styles made primarily from the Palomino grape, and ranges from light white table wines to darker and heavier versions such as Amontillado and Oloroso. The flights are available nightly at the bar or table and are the perfect complement to Chef Peter Lee’s Spanish cuisine. The Spanish Sherry Flight includes four 1-ounce glasses of some classics –  Osborne Manzanilla, Sanlucar Barrameda; Lustau “Almacenista Obregón” Amontillado, El Puerto; Faustino Gonzalez “Cruz Vieja”, Oloroso en Rama, Jerez de la Frontera; and Barbadillo, Cream, Jerez De La Frontera,  priced at $16 per flight.

And just in time for the holidays and beyond, Loquita launches the Loquita Wine Club. Each quarter, Medina selects wines from renowned regions of Spain, including world-class producers from Rioja, Priorat, Ribeira Sacra, Bierzo, and the Canary Islands. Selections will showcase diverse climates, winemaking techniques, both modern and traditional, and include information about each producer and the terroir represented. Loquita Wine Club membership includes quarterly shipments of three bottles. Pricing is $75 – $95 per shipment plus tax and shipping charges. For more information call the restaurant at 805.880.3380 or email info@loquitasb.com.

LOQUITA’S BAR AND WINE PROGRAM  

Porron Hour

weekdays, 5-6pm 

–––––––––––––––––––––––

2017 Avinyo “Petillant” Cava – $20

2017 Columna Albariño – $20

2017 Menguante Garnacha – $20

2015 Finca Torremilanos “Los Cantos” Tempranillo – $20

***

Sherry Tasting Flight

nightly at the bar or table

–––––––––––––––––––––––

Four 1oz. pours – $16

Osborne Manzanilla, Sanlucar Barrameda

Manzanilla is a variety of Fino Sherry and similar to our Valdespino.  Produced in this seaside town right on the coast makes it similar to making Sherry in Santa Barbara. The influence of the ocean changes the way this Sherry tastes and one perceives more salinity – it tastes like the ocean and pairs perfectly with the seafood at Loquita.

Lustau “Almacenista Obregón” Amontillado, El Puerto

Amontillado Sherry is slightly richer and nuttier. It spends an average of four years under the protection of flor yeast which keeps it safe from oxygen. Halfway through its aging, the yeast is deliberately killed to allow the wine to oxidize briefly. This oxidative aging brings out nutty flavors and changes the fruit characteristics to a darker, baked pear note.

This one is the perfect pairing for Loquita’s Bellota and Jamon flight.

Faustino Gonzalez “Cruz Vieja,” Oloroso en Rama, Jerez de la Frontera

Oloroso Sherry takes oxidative aging one step further. Oloroso Sherry is made in such a way that flor never grows on the wine. The wine spends its entire life (about 15 years) breathing with the barrel. This gives the wine an intense sumptuousness. The aroma becomes very nutty, and fruit notes begin to seem dried, like raisins or figs. The wine still has bright acidity and a bit of spice which makes it incredible with fuller-flavored, fattier dishes like Loquita’s Vieras and Secreto.

Barbadillo, Cream, Jerez De La Frontera

Barbadillo is currently the biggest producer of Manzanilla and one of the biggest

Producers of Sherry. This dessert Sherry is a blend of 70% oloroso

Sherry and 30% Pedro Ximenez. It rivals the decadence of Pedro Ximenez Sherry but is much more elegant with notes of candied hazelnuts and fig jam.

*** 

Loquita Wine Club – Unase al Club (Join the Club)!

–––––––––––––––––––––––

Each quarter, Loquita selects wines from renowned regions of Spain, including world-class producers from Rioja, Priorat, Ribeira Sacra, Bierzo, and the Canary Islands. Selections reflect diverse climates, winemaking techniques, both modern & traditional, and include information about each producer and the terroir represented.

Wine Club membership includes

quarterly shipments of 3 bottles – $75-$95 + shipping & tax

For more information call the restaurant at 805.880.3380 or email info@loquitasb.com

Loquita Sherry Tasting Flight / Photo by Kate Winter

Bar Manager David Medina / Photo by Kate Winter

 

LOQUITA BAR & WINE PROGRAM

Available now, continues indefinitely

PORRON HOUR – Weekdays from 5-6pm

SHERRY TASTING FLIGHT – Daily at the Bar or Table

LOQUITA WINE CLUB – Beginning mid-November 2018 and Continuing Quarterly

À la carte dinner available from 5:00 p.m.

ABOUT LOQUITA:

Loquita, an endearing Spanish colloquial term for a wild, fun loving young girl, is Acme Hospitality’s playful love letter to the Spanish history of Santa Barbara. Leading the culinary team is Executive Chef Peter Lee, with an impressive resume including award-winning Jöel Robuchon in Las Vegas, Gusto and Osteria Mozza in Los Angeles. The wine list is comprised almost entirely of Spanish wines and several exceptional local wines that pair well with the cuisine. Loquita’s cocktail list showcases selections of Spanish vermouths, farmers’ market Sangria, hand-crafted cocktails and the de rigueur offerings of gin-and-tonics, Spain’s king cocktail. The Mediterranean climate and terroir of Santa Barbara County mirror that of Spain, making the translation of locally sourced produce, meats and seafood an ideal match. Down the hallway is Poquita, a standing-room-only pintxos bar, with displays of Spanish Jamon Serrano, Manchego cheese, Manzanilla olives, tapas and pintxos (small bites). Loquita’s recognition includes features in Eater, Coastal Living; C;  Westways; Wine Enthusiast; AFAR; Travel & Leisure; Tasting Table; Restaurant Hospitality; Zagat; The Infatuation; Santa Barbara; 805 Living; Santa Barbara Life & Style; LA Weekly; Oakland; Darling; and awards for America’s Best New Restaurant, 3rd place, USA Today; and the Spain in Santa Barbara Foodie Award, Santa Barbara Independent 2017.

Loquita

202 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101

805.880.3380

For further information the public can visit:

www.loquitasb.com

follow Loquita:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/LoquitaSB

Twitter and Instagram: @loquitasb

For more information on Acme Hospitality visit www.acmehospitality.com

Filed Under: Guests Tagged With: Albarino, bar, bar menu, Central Coast, flight, food pairing, garnacha, restaurant, Santa Barbara, sherry, spain, Tempranillo, wine club, wine pairing

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

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