Vintage Eve Circa 2/14: Eve Reviews The New California Wine by Jon Bonné

September 5, 2017 by evebushman

Nearly 300 pages of continuing education, that’s how I saw this book. I took diligent notes through to page 180 (below) of key items that I thought would be of interest to wine 101ers.

Jon Bonne, photo – KCET

The second section of the book, however, was very subjective as Bonné covered many popular California grape varietals, and growing areas, and then made suggestions – The Three-Bottle Tour being the narrowest view and his choice of Top Producers getting a paragraph or two. How can you narrow down the best Cabernets of California to three bottles or 8 wineries? Even with the addition of a “More Notable Wines” section, we only got eleven more Cabs.

So, are you going to stick to 19 wineries for your California Cabs? I think not. This was the theme throughout and all I could imagine were the thousands of hard working winemakers shaking their heads in disgust…and wondering how they will ever get their wine tasted. I, dear reader, plan to do my part and keep tasting. Some of Bonné’s suggestions, some of yours, and some that I happen to come across on my own. I urge you to do the same.

Notes from Bonné for Wine 101ers

Bigger isn’t always better. (I’ve had many high-octane California wines and am happy to see a return to less alcohol with good flavor and tannin structure.)

Terroir does matter. You can’t just plant any grape anywhere. California winemakers are learning by doing.

In the section “Searching for The New California” Bonné gives a respectful nod to winemakers off the beaten path of wineries we normally visit.

Readers will get a wealth of wine history – from prohibition, the Judgment of Paris, growers morphing into winemakers, phylloxera, current winemaking practices, through to Bonné’s list of current cult winemakers.

Find new ways to discover wine with destinations like the Lompoc Wine Ghetto for the Garagiste/Garage winemaker.

Wineries that are making more than one label so that people can enjoy both “table” wines as well as special occasion wines.

Comprehensive sections on each grape growing region, and what’s special about each, makes you feel as if you have seen the terrain yourself.

Color photographs throughout, though having them all captioned may have been more helpful.

Praise for THE NEW CALIFORNIA WINE:

“The New California Wine delivers some of the most insightful wine writing you’ll read anywhere. This is the real skinny on cutting-edge California wine from somebody who’s on the ground, knows his stuff, and could care less about offending the Establishment.”

– Matt Kramer, author and columnist for Wine Spectator

“An impeccably timed, beautifully written book chronicling a profound generational shift in California winemaking. Required reading for any sommelier, retailer, or consumer who’s left California behind for other pastures – it’s time to come home!”

– David Lynch, owner/wine director of St. Vincent Tavern and Wine Merchant and author of Vino Italiano

The New California Wine is the untold story of the California wine industry: the young, innovative producers who are rewriting the rules of contemporary winemaking; their quest to express the uniqueness of California terroir; and the continuing battle to move the state away from the overly-technocratic practices of its recent past. In this comprehensive guide to the new generation of must-know wines and vintners, Jon Bonné writes from the front lines of the California wine revolution, where he has access to the stories, philosophies, and techniques of top producers.

Well-Connected Author: As the wine editor for the San Francisco Chronicle, Jon has won a regional following in the Bay Area as well as national recognition as one of the most important voices in the wine community. He is very active on Twitter and has nearly 14,000 followers.

Winning Book Formula: The New California Wine will do for California what Vino Italiano did for Italian wines: rid the industry of its overly-commercialized image and introduce the public to the avant-garde winemakers who are making compelling–and better–wines. The New California Wine includes evocative, full-color photography, giving it the same visual appeal as the top-selling Secrets of the Sommeliers.

Featuring discussions on more than 600 wines and detailed maps of growing regions and vineyards, The New California Wine is a necessary addition to any wine lover’s bookshelf. Part narrative, part authoritative purchasing reference, it is the story of the winemakers who have changed the very face of California’s wine industry.

Jon Bonné is the wine editor of the San Francisco Chronicle and covers wine and spirits throughout California and around the world. Previously Bonné was lifestyle editor and wine columnist for MSNBC.com and wine columnist for Seattle magazine, and has written for such publications as Decanter, Saveur, and Food & Wine. His work in food and wine journalism has earned awards from the James Beard Foundation and the Association of Food Journalists. Follow him on Twitter @jbonne.

The New California Wine, Jon Bonné. $35.00 paper over board • 304 pages • 50 full-color photographs • 7 7/16 x 9 inches. ISBN 978-1-60774-300-2 • On-Sale Date: November 5, 2013

Vintage Eve Circa 8/2013: Tasting, and Learning, from Louie Lucas of Lucas and Lewellen Vineyards

June 20, 2017 by evebushman

Walking into the Lucas and Lewellen Vineyards tasting room on the popular Copenhagen Drive in Solvang, I was pleased to have my winery appointment set up with Louie Lucas himself. Before we even sat down he started giving us some history of his winery.

Louie Lucas is on the far right, with his hands on his award-winning grapes. Photo from Facebook.

With 400 acres, and four different properties, Lucas and Lewellen grows 25 grape varietals. The tasting room had been open for 10 years – serving up to 25 wines. The planting began in 1970 and Lucas has been in the area for 40 years.

The current winemaker for the last five years is Megan McGrath Gates, who went to UC Davis for her wine credentials.

Wining Awards For Others

Lucas and Lewellen Vineyards has a long history of selling grapes to Napa wineries as well as more local winemakers. So, his grapes “win awards for others”. And he also makes wines for others, like actress Jane Seymour. Amongst his list is Chardonnay to Kendall Jackson, more goes to Jed Steele of Steele wines, Muscat to Napa’s Castello di Amorosa, Gewurztraminer to V. Sattui and Syrah to winemaking legend Heidi Barrett.

I asked Lucas if I could mention this in my article, he hesitated for two seconds and then agreed, saying, “Its too late for them to get me!”

Lucas’ father and grandfather were grape growers, and what they produced had to be perfect and blemish free, even the stems had to be cured. “You grow good grapes,” Lucas said. “And you get good wine.”

“Today we buy from catalogs when shopping for root stocks,” Lucas said in regards to how things have changed in 40 years. “So many more variations then we had before, and all are supposed to be resistant to disease, we shall see.”

Lucas and Lewellen has 1200 French oak barrels, and buys both new and used. They added 300 new barrels last year and are experimenting with hybrid barrels that are made from half American and half French oak.

Tasting

2011 Blanc de Noirs Brut Sparkling wine, 80% Pinot Noir, 20% Chardonnay

Juicy fruit strawberry and peach on the nose, nice toast and jam on the palate. They don’t make the wine, instead they use a sparkling wine facility to make it, and only use their handpicked grapes. Outstanding.

Viognier 2012

A touch of stainless steel, followed by peach, kiwi, candied ginger and pear on the nose. Very balanced on the taste. Perfect.

2009 Chenin Blanc

White peaches, lime, green grapes, green grass. Great viscosity, mouth coating, not acidic.

Gewurztraminer 2011

Lemons, earth, peppermint on nose. Same gentle mouthfeel and low acid.

2011 Old Vine Moscato

2% residual sugar. Candied orange, wet wood, cloves.

2012 Pinot Noir Rose (100% Pinot)

Cherry, stems, rose petals…again, that nice balance and viscosity.

2009 Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir, Estate

New clones since the “movie” (a nod to “Sideways”), and now making outstanding Pinot Noir wines from 10 different clones.

Good dark cherries, dry, green peppercorns.

2010 High Nine Pinot 667 clone, Santa Maria.

Smokey, charred, bright red fruit, long finish.

Malbec 2010

Blue and red fruit, dry, medium length. A favorite.

2007 Petit Verdot

Inky black color, blue fruit, blueberry jam rolled up in a pancake on the nose. Mature and tannic on the palate. Another fave.

2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Cote del Sol (means “The Sun side”)

Balanced red and blue fruit and tannins, very good, long finish.

2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Valley View

83 cab percent and all other Bordeaux grapes

Balanced, dusty, plums bell pepper.

2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Clone 6

Dark purple, jammy, dry toast, plums.

http://www.llwine.com

Tasting Room: 1645 Copenhagen Dr., Solvang, CA 93463

Perlis Picks: Elevating Zinfandel 2017

May 27, 2017 by Michael Perlis

A few days prior to attending Ian Blackburn’s wineLA Elevating Zinfandel event with my wife Karen, I happened across a video that had been posted on Facebook by ZAP [Zinfandel Advocates and Producers – the organization “dedicated to advancing public knowledge of and appreciation for American Zinfandel and its unique place in our culture and history”] featuring Joel Peterson, founder of Ravenswood winery and often called “the Godfather of Zinfandel.” Joel really gave a great explanation of why Zinfandel is considered America’s Heritage grape, given that it truly found its greatness here in California versus, for example, Cabernet Sauvignon in Bordeaux and Pinot Noir in Burgundy.

This greatness was evident at Elevating Zinfandel, where more than a dozen of California’s best producers of Zinfandel showed up to La Brea Bakery to pour their wines for a group of very appreciative tasters.

VIP attendees got to start their tasting an hour early as well as getting an opportunity to taste some special wines reserved just for them. [Obligatory note – when a VIP option is available, always go for it!]

The wineries pouring:

Beekeeper Vineyards

Bedrock Wine Co

Bella Vineyards

Robert Biale Vineyards

Brown Estate

Carol Shelton Wines

Gamba Vineyards and Winery

J Dusi Wines

Mauritson Wines

Ottimino

Peter Franus Wine Co

Quivera Vineyards

Seghesio Family Vineyards

St. Francis Winery & Vineyards

There were absolutely no losers here. Every winery on this list was pouring some outstanding Zinfandels. I could easily end this article here by just saying you should go buy wines from any of these producers and you will be happy. But, that would make for a pretty short article. So, let me expand on some wines that really stood out for me.

When people in Southern California think about Zin, especially those of us in Northern LA County, Paso Robles may come to mind more than any other region. At this tasting, Paso was represented by J Dusi. I knew that Janell Dusi would be up to this task, having made wine from her family’s Dante Dusi vineyard for about 10 years now. The Dusi Vineyard is one of my favorites anywhere for Zinfandel [not just Paso], so I was happy when Janell started making a small amount of wine from the family property, later expanding into other varietals as well. The 2014 Dante Dusi Vineyard Zinfandel and the 2014 Escandalosa blend of Zinfandel, Syrah and Mourvedre were two of my favorite wines of the evening.

The rest of the wineries were based farther North – in Napa Valley and Sonoma County. Since people tend to think of Napa Cabernet Sauvignon and Sonoma Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, I thought it was great that the Zinfandels from these areas were being highlighted. Here are few of our favorites…

Bedrock Wine Co. & Under The Wire – winemaker Morgan Twain-Peterson [son of the aforementioned Joel Peterson], along with partner Chris Cottrell, has been making wine since he was 5-years old [although he started out with Pinot just to piss off his dad]. The 2013 Under The Wire Bedrock Vineyard Sparkling Old Vine Zinfandel was stellar, and the two 2015 Heritage [historic vineyards – field blends] wines being poured – the Evangelho [Contra Costa County] and Pagani [Sonoma Valley] were great examples of what I think Morgan does best.

Ian Blackburn’s Beekeeper Cellars has been getting well deserved rave reviews. Based in Dry Creek Valley, my favorite was the 2014 Secret Stones, Madrone Spring Vineyard, Rockpile, Sonoma County. Not surprising – Rockpile is a favorite AVA of ours; more wines from there will appear later in this article.

Another Dry Creek Valley winery, Bella Vineyards, impressed us with their Westphall, Rockpile, Sonoma County 2013.

We first tasted Brown Estate Vineyards Zinfandel several years ago at a restaurant in Las Vegas called Rosemary’s. We ended up ordering a second bottle, it was so good. Sadly, Rosemary’s is gone but Brown Estate is still making great wine in Napa Valley, especially for us the Napa Valley, Chiles Valley District 2015.

Not sure where to begin with Carol Shelton Wines. We were just really impressed with her whole lineup. Based in Santa Rosa, she sources from various places. Nice of her to share a 2014 Carignane [loved that she snuck that one in] along with her Zins. And a big shout out for making a Zin from Southern California’s Cucamonga Valley.

When I first tasted the Zins from Gamba Vineyard and Winery many years ago, they seemed too big, even for me. I’m happy to report that they are doing it right. Luscious lip-smacking wines across the board from this Windsor based winery.

You can’t really talk about Dry Creek Valley, especially Rockpile, without mentioning Mauritson Wines. Clay Mauritson was pouring a few wines – favorite by a nose was the Rockpile Ridge Vineyard.

Ottimino is a new winery to me. Really cool to taste a 2001 Zin from them as well as their current releases. Based in Sebastopol in Sonoma County, the 2014 Ottimino Estate Russian River Valley Zin was great.

Robert Biale Vineyards – an old favorite of ours. I did not make it back to their table after the VIP portion of the event, but the 2009 Black Chicken Zinfandel that winemaker Tres Goetting had poured me at that time was excellent.

Turley Wine Cellars – while many people associate Turley with Paso, and rightfully so, the winery is actually headquartered in Napa Valley. Christina Turley was on hand to pour a few of the winery’s delicious Zins. I’ve made no secret of how much I like this winery. This time, the 2015 Duarte Contra Costa County earned top marks for me.

I apologize for the wineries I missed mentioning. As I said, all of the wineries represented are worthy of your attention.

Big thank you to La Brea Bakery for hosting the event and serving some delicious food.

Thanks to Ian Blackburn and his great staff at wineLA for putting on another great wine tasting. Check out his website and sign up so you don’t miss anything.

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.

Vintage Eve May 2013: The Wines of Calabria, Vino California 2013

May 23, 2017 by evebushman

Below are my notes from Vino California’s Seminar One: “CALL TO CALABRIA, Discovering the Wines from the “Toe” of Italy’s Peninsula”, that I recently attended at the Skirball Cultural Center. I am sharing what I learned with readers as it fits the Wine 101 mantra: Learn by tasting, and if possible, have experts to lead you. Next week I will share the notes from a second seminar, “FROM LAGREIN TO NEGROAMARO, Exploring the Rare Varietals of Italy.”

Event Description

Led by Anthony Dias Blue, Editor-In-Chief of the Tasting Panel magazine, this seminar delves into the extraordinary wines hailing from the southern region of Calabria. Celebrating traditional Calabrian varietals such as Greco, Magliocco and Gaglioppo, this seminar will outline the unique features that make Calabria one of the premier wine regions of Italy.

Piero Selvaggio, owner of Valentino restaurant and Jonathan Mitchell, General Manager of Locanda del Lago restaurant, joined Blue on the panel.

Introduction

Blue began by saying that the people of Calabria normally drank all of their native Italian varieties and didn’t export their wine until recently. The area is on the tip of the boot in Italy and one of its first settlements.

The Greco grape, according to Blue, was one of the first brought into Italy by the Greeks. The Mediterranean diet also started in Calabria. The Calabrian wines match with Calabrian food – which is mostly seafood as three sides of the area is surrounded by water. It’s not an opulent Italian area, and they have been “eating nose to tail since the second century.”

One final note, Blue said all of the wines were inexpensive; the most expensive is maybe $35, most about $20.

Selvaggio said that these are wines for today, with medium bodies, a fresher style, and, in general, no further aging is needed. The mountain and sea region of the area produces simpler foods like goat and mutton, with seafood being “the blessing of the area.” A poor region, people often left it for other countries. There are no Calabrian restaurants in the U.S., according to Selvaggio, but they do influence the menus in our Italian restaurants. Of note, he said technically, the wines of Calabria will improve.

Tasting

Azienda Agricola Ceraudo Roberto Graysusi et. Arg. IGT val di Nieto 2011

Rich rose petals, Luxardo cherries, white pepper – a really rich nose. Acidic, cherry fruit and stems, palate drying, tingly finish. Mitchell suggested pairing with smoky meats. A favorite.

Statti Mantonico IGT 2010

A honey nose, ripe cantaloupe, deep color, mouth coating viscosity, pear/fruit salad. Selvaggio suggested this wine to pair with a light seafood pasta.

Azienda Agricola Biologica Santa Venere White Ciro DOC 2012

A steely, mineral, fresh cut grapefruit nose. Acidic and fruit forward with burst of yellow peach and lime. Selvaggio said this was indicative of the food and wine pairing found in the region, and it lends itself to a seafood Carpaccio, maybe with the addition of olives and capers. I was pleased with this one.

Le Moire SRL Mute DOC Savuto 2011

Obscure grapes were used in this wine per Blue. Dusty dark blue fruit on the nose. Astringent, dry, green pepper, dry/dark plums, palate drying finish. I wanted more fruit on the palate. Selvaggio thought it could stand up to pork or pasta with a good ragu sauce, due to tannins. Mitchell noted that the grape had a thick skin but the wine was not aggressively tannic. Blue thought it was charming. Everyone wanted cheese to pair it with.

Casa Vincola Crisera SRL Nerone di Calabria IGT 2008

Nice fruit-forward nose, plum, blackberry, somewhat candied. On the mouth it was tart, dark chocolate, cigar. Selvaggio thought that other than a robust fish, this would go well with Calabrian boiled meats – called bollito. Blue liked that the length goes on an on. Mitchell thought it would pair well with items from his restaurant menu.

Vintripodi Scilla IGT 2010

This wine is a three-grape blend. Brown edge, stewed mushrooms, mint, and plums on the nose. Dark cherry skins, astringent, blackish tannins. (There are 100 plus grape varietals in Calabria per Selvaggio.)

Cantine Viola Moscato Passito IGT Calabria 2010

Sugared apricots, nut fruit, honeysuckle, French toast and syrup. Honey coating, pears and peach in vanilla bean ice cream. (This was a rare wine per Blue.)

Dry Creek Valley Launches Exclusive “Winemakers in Conversation” Event Series

May 14, 2017 by evebushman

Healdsburg, Calif. (PRWEB) – Winegrowers of Dry Creek Valley will follow up their 28th annual Passport event with the launch of a new event series called “Winemakers in Conversation.” The series is comprised of three different immersive experiences, “Zealous about Zinfandel,” “Cult Cabernets” and “Zintopia.” Each experience, which is designed for just 50 attendees, will feature four Dry Creek Valley winemakers, one winegrower, and will be moderated by a wine industry icon. All tickets are $125.

The Winemakers in Conversation events begin with a seated, classroom-style tasting in which the four winemakers will each share and discuss a cellar selection wine, contextualizing it within the characteristic qualities unique to Dry Creek Valley. After the panel, the event breaks into a social, open tasting format with eight food pairings and passed hors d’oeuvres.

The schedule is as follows:

Saturday, July 15, 2017 – 10:00a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Zealous About Zinfandel at Quivira Vineyards and Winery

The first tasting in the series is moderated by San Francisco Chronicle Wine Editor Esther Mobley. Guests will take a deep dive into the world of Dry Creek Valley’s most historic grape, with Ridge Vineyards Winemaker John Olney, Pedroncelli Winemaker Montse Reese, Seghesio Vineyards Winemaker Ted Seghesio and Quivira Vineyards’ Hugh Chappelle.

Saturday, July 22, 2017 – 10:00a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Cult Cabernets at Passalacqua Winery

The second tasting in the series is moderated by Virginie Boone of Wine Enthusiast. Guests will explore Dry Creek Valley Cabernet Sauvignon with winemakers Jennifer Higgins of Lambert Bridge Winery, Tim Bell of Dry Creek Vineyard, Ed Sbragia of Sbragia Vineyards and Jessica Boone of Passalacqua. Also joining the discussion is grower Ryan Petersen from Petersen Management.

Sunday, July 30, 2017 – 10:00a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Zintopia at Preston Vineyards

The final tasting in the series is moderated by the Chef and Author John Ash, the father of wine country cuisine. Guests will savor fine examples of Dry Creek Valley zinfandel from winemakers/owners Erik Miller of Kokomo Winery, Clay Mauritson of Mauritson Wines, Joe Healy of Bella Vineyards and Wine Cave and Lou Preston of Preston Farm and Winery. Chef Ash will be crafting pairings for this event, utilizing ingredients from Preston Farm.

Getting here:
Dry Creek Valley is located in the heart of Sonoma County, just 15 minutes from Sonoma County Airport (STS) and 70 miles north of San Francisco and Bay Area international airports SFO and OAK. Direct flights into STS are available on Alaska Airlines from Los Angeles, San Diego, Seattle and Portland; visitors on these flights can check a case of wine for free on their flight home. American Airlines flies from Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX) to STS. A complete list of lodging options can be found at http://www.drycreekvalley.org.

Tickets can be found at: drycreekvalley.org/events/winemakers-in-conversation

About Winegrowers of Dry Creek Valley:

Dry Creek Valley is a premium winegrowing region in northern Sonoma County, California, anchored by the charming town of Healdsburg. Winegrowers of Dry Creek Valley® (WDCV) is a 501c6 non-profit trade association of over 60 wineries and 150 winegrape growers. Formed in 1989, the association represents a multi-generational family community of vintners and growers committed to growing high-quality fruit, producing world-class wines, and welcoming visitors to experience Wine Paired with Life®. Being good stewards of the land means that we are preserving the quality of our wines and the unparalleled beauty of Dry Creek Valley for future generations to discover. For more information, visit http://www.drycreekvalley.org.

Yountville Chamber of Commerce Announces Taste of Yountville

March 2, 2017 by evebushman

Yountville, Calif. – New for 2017, Yountville Chamber of Commerce has retained the creatives behind the wildly successful Yountville Live (and Live in the Vineyard) to produce its highly anticipated annual wine and food festival – Taste of Yountville. This annual walkabout tasting festival features renowned food and wines that make Yountville a world-class destination for all things refined and gastronomic in pleasure.

Taste of Yountville, March 17-18, has now commingled with the Yountville Live weekend happening March 16-19. The coalescence of these events will provide attendees with several ticket options to experience a music, food and wine sensory experience over four jam-packed days.

Yountville Live Schedule, March 16-19:
Here is a look at what will be happening throughout the weekend (schedule subject to change):

Thursday, March 16:

VIP Welcome Reception, 3-5 p.m. at Brix Restaurant
A beautiful, Yountville welcome in the Brix Restaurant gardens, featuring French inspired California cuisine, 10 Yountville appellation wineries, and an intimate performance by multi-Platinum and GRAMMY Award nominated singer-songwriter Five For Fighting.

Welcome Gala, 6-9 p.m.
A four-course wine dinner prepared by world renowned chefs and winemakers featuring Graham Elliot and Thomas Keller Group’s – Team USA.

Thursday Night Concert, 9-10 p.m.
An exclusive, up-close-and-personal performance by internationally acclaimed Mexican acoustic rock guitar duo Rodrigo y Gabriela.

Late Night VIP Events, 10 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Late night bites, artisan cocktails, beers and wines located at Ottimo! In the heart of Yountville.

Friday, March 17:

Friday Taste of Yountville, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Ticketholders will enjoy customized programs and activations from event partners at the V Market Pavilion, some of Yountville and Napa Valley’s most revered wineries at the Taste of Yountville Pavilion, an exclusive beer garden and live chef demonstrations at the Culinary Pavilion, and live musical performances at the North Yountville Pavilion (NOYO), making this the must see center of attention during Yountville Live. A grand crew tasting room featuring cult and highest end wine.

Master Classes, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Exclusive epicurean experiences hosted by world-renowned chefs, winemakers and artisans, offering insight into the creative genesis that makes them the masters of their craft.

Music, Food & Wine Dinner, 8-11 p.m.
Intimate food & wine dinners featuring local chefs, winemakers, and private performances by up-and-coming artists.

Late Night VIP Events, 11 p.m. – 1 a.m.
Late night bites, artisan cocktails, beers and wines located at Hurley’s featuring The Rua

Saturday, March 18:

Saturday Taste of Yountville, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Ticketholders will enjoy customized programs and activations from event partners at the V Market Pavilion, some of Napa Valley’s most revered wineries at the Wine Pavilion, an exclusive beer garden and live chef demonstrations at the Culinary Pavilion, and live musical performances at the North Yountville Pavilion, making this the must see center of attention during Yountville Live.

Master Classes, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Exclusive epicurean experiences hosted by local chefs, winemakers, and artisans offering insight into the creative genesis that makes them the masters of their craft.

Music, Food & Wine Dinners, 8-11 p.m.
Intimate food & wine dinners featuring renowned chefs, winemakers, and private performances by up-and-coming artists.

Late Night VIP Events, 10 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Late night bites and craft cocktail competition located at Bottega Restaurant featuring a special performance with Spencer Ludwig and DJ set by Mayer Hawthorne

Sunday, March 19:

Bubble Brunch, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Wind down the weekend with a southern inspired, open-fire brunch featuring chef Morgan Robinson from SMOKE, a sparkling wine and mimosa bar and an intimate performance by American folk, soul, pop music duo JOHNNYSWIM.

Tickets for all Yountville Live Events can be purchased at https://yountvillelive.com/tickets.

Tickets for Taste of Yountville at Yountville Live:
Single day or weekend long admission tickets are available for the Taste of Yountville attraction at Yountville Live. Tickets range from $125 per person for a single day admission or $225 per person for both Friday and Saturday. Tickets include one tasting with each vendor and unlimited access to all four event tasting pavilions: V Market Pavilion – food, wine and more, Wine Pavilion – wine tastings, Culinary Pavilion – cooking demos, tastings and a beer garden, and the North Yountville Pavilion – live music, food and wine.

ABOUT YOUNTVILLE LIVE

The third annual Yountville Live, the ultimate, luxury getaway event, featuring exquisite cuisines from world-class restaurants and Award-winning rock star chefs, exclusive intimate performances from some of today’s hottest recording artists and a unique variety of some of Napa Valley’s most celebrated wineries and finest beers and spirits available, is set to take place in Yountville, California from March 16th to the 19th. Tickets are on sale now for the four day event in the culinary capital of Napa Valley that will feature performances by multi-Platinum selling Five for Fighting, internationally acclaimed Mexican acoustic rock guitar duo Rodrigo y Gabriela, duo JOHNNYSWIM, well-known singer-songwriter Emerson Hart, up and coming trumpet sensation Spencer Ludwig, a DJ set by the talented Mayer Hawthorne, rising sibling trios JOSEPH and The Rua, singer-songwriters LOLO, Jillette Johnson, Brendan James, Jon McLaughlin, Zach Heckendorf, Paul Loren, Keaton Simons and more.

World renowned and celebrated chefs set to take part in Yountville Live are Graham Elliot, Gale Gand, Victor Scargle, Thomas Keller Group – Team USA, Michael Chiarello, Art Cohtino, Bob Hurley, Carey Delbridge, Nate Lindsay, Chris Cosentino, Chris Kollar, Chris Patrick, Claudia Sansone, David Roberts, Dean James Max, Ernesto Martinez and more. There will be pourings by some of the most revered vintners including Aaron Pott, Benoit Touquette, and Julien Fayard and high end wineries including Jessup Cellars, Trinchero, Robert Mondavi Winery, Franciscan Estate Winery, Campana Ranch Winery, Azur, Miner Family Winery, Nickel & Nickel Winery, Silver Trident Winery, Priest Ranch Winery and more. Yountville marries a breath-taking setting and small-town ambiance with a sophisticated Wine Country lifestyle.

Yountville Live is the next generation of food and wine events with a vast array of events for attendees to choose between from Master Classes that are a true epicurean experience hosted by world-renowned chefs, winemakers and artisans, offering insight into the creative genesis that makes them the masters of their craft to intimate dinners, performances and of course the “Taste of Yountville” experience. Yountville Live has something for everyone that will not only compliment and highlight all the best that Yountville and the Napa Valley have to offer in the culinary and winemaking world with truly incredible music infused, but also the best across the country has to offer in all three. This four day event is an up close and personal experience while being on a larger scale.

For further information about Yountville Live, journalists are asked to contact Denise Carberry, dcarberry(at)pfamedia(dot)net, or visit the event website at yountvillelive.com. Follow the event on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

ABOUT LIVE IN THE VINEYARD

Live in the Vineyard is a private music-food-wine festival that marries peoples’ access to recording artists, top tier wine makers, and world- renowned chefs amongst the lush scenery of the legendary Napa Valley. Tickets for LITV, taking place again in November 2017, are only available through special radio station promotions featured on http://www.liveinthevineyard.com that include Sirius/XM The Pulse, On-Air with Ryan Seacrest, On with Mario Lopez, and Premium Choice Hot AC. Tickets are also available through exclusive sweepstakes and offerings from LITV’s partnerships with Aloft Hotels, National Car Rental Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Sutter Home, Southwest Airlines, Stella Artois, UPS, Sacramento International Airport and a few others. Live In The Vineyard assures that attendees have total immersion in music, wine and food. LITV was created by Bobbii Jacobs and Claire Parr, who together share over 40 years of experience in the music industry, and has since grown into a well-known and sought-after ticket. Jacobs and Parr are the producers of Yountville Live.

ABOUT YOUNTVILLE, TASTE LIFE HERE

Considered the culinary heart of Napa Valley, Yountville is the ultimate luxury get-away. With its world-class restaurants and accommodations, and many of the Valley’s most celebrated wineries, Yountville marries a breath-taking setting and small-town ambiance with a sophisticated Wine Country lifestyle.

The small town of Yountville was the site of Napa Valley’s first planted grapevines. The walkable village amid the vines with gorgeous mountain views offers luxe lodging from cozy to indulgent, the only hot air ballooning launch in Napa Valley, five sites on the National Register of Historic Places, unique shopping, golf, art galleries and performing arts, plus a constellation of Michelin stars and renowned restaurants. An ideal base for wine lovers, Yountville’s microclimate pedigree has its own American Viticultural Area (AVA) and offers unparalleled wineries and producers.

For further information about Yountville, visit http://www.yountville.com.

Vinitaly International Academy attracts top-tier Wine Experts for the next VIA Certification Course

November 26, 2016 by evebushman

Verona, Italy – The VIA Certification Course, conducted by Ian D’Agata, Scientific Director of VIA, represents a one and only opportunity for wine professionals to gain extensive knowledge on the vast subject of Italian grape varieties and wines. Currently, no International certification program offers this kind of comprehensive study of Italian wines. Understandably so, as the wines made from native grapes remain largely obscure, often within the growing region itself. Even for the Master of Wine or the Master Sommelier, Italy, despite ranking as the world’s largest wine producing country, remains somewhat of an enigma and an untapped resource for the discovery of intriguing new wines.

banner_via_sito Candidate, Natasha Hughes MW, from the UK, explains, “Italy remains a gap in my knowledge and I relish the opportunity to understand the diversity of wines made in this country, both in terms of theory and tasting.” In a market that is rapidly shifting toward millennial wine consumers, current international knowledge of Italian wines is, in fact, largely relegated to the most prestigious and largest wine growing areas, giving an unbalanced view of Italian wines today. In a recent 2014 Wine Market Council High Frequency Wine Drinker Survey, American millennials show interest in novelty, delve into the wine stories, and look for authenticity in the glass. They are more inclined to drink imported wines and enjoy experimenting with wines served by the glass.

An affirmation of the strategic interest in Italian wines can be seen in the calibre of candidates selected for the 2017 edition, and the influential roles they occupy in international markets: Natasha Hughes MW (UK), Levi Dalton (USA), Deborah Parker Wong DWSET (USA), Robin Kick MW (Switzerland), Nicholas Paris MW (USA), Laura DePasquale MS (USA), Kathy Morgan MS (USA). See full bios at http://www.vinitalyinternational.com/vinitaly-international-academy/candidates

Vinitaly International Academy (VIA) is an educational initiative aimed at simplifying the vast diversity of Italian grape varietals by explaining, divulging and broadcasting the characteristics of Italian wine around the world. VIA was first launched back in February 2014 by Stevie Kim (Managing Director of Vinitaly International) and Doctor Ian D’Agata (Scientific Director of VIA). Today, VIA already counts on the support of 4 Italian Wine Experts and 55 Italian Wine Ambassadors from around the world and is looking to further expand its community.

Until the December 16th deadline, Vinitaly International Academy will continue to recruit and select the 50 candidates who will have the opportunity to become the next VIA Italian Wine Ambassadors and Experts during the third edition of the VIA Certification Course to be held in Verona from the 3rd to the 7th of April 2017. The dates allow students to also attend the 6th edition of OperaWine (8th of April 2017) and the 51st edition of Vinitaly (9th–12th April 2017).

For more information and to apply to the course you can visit http://www.vinitalyinternational.com/vinitaly-international-academy

Perlis Picks: Urban Exposure 3 – Part Two

July 30, 2016 by evebushman

Last week I gave you information about the seminar at the latest Garagiste Festival as well as the list of wineries pouring. I couldn’t taste everything, but of the wines I tasted, these were the standouts for me:

Alta Colina Vineyards – Rhones from this Paso producer continue to impress. Especially liked the 2012 Grenache and the 2013 Ann’s Block Petite Sirah.

Artisan Uprising – Brothers William and David Vondrasek source some great fruit, primarily from Paso’s east side. Enjoyed everything they were pouring, especially the Malbec.

Ascension Cellars – already three from Paso Robles, and I’m only in the “A”s. The 2015 Silver Blanc blend was my favorite, although I did not get back to try everything on the table.

Bellissimo Cellars – winemaker Lora Marie Taylor gets some great grapes from Santa Barbara. The 2014 Pinot Noir from the La Encantada Vineyard was delicious.

Brian Benson Cellars – I promised not to use rock and roll references, but I have to make an exception here. Brian Benson is truly a rockstar winemaker and was pouring an amazing array of primarily Rhone influenced wines. All were tasty, but the big standout to me was the 2013 Syrah/Mourvedre from the James Berry Vineyard. [Note that this vineyard is owned by Justin Smith of Saxum, so the pedigree is pretty awesome.]

Caldera Cuvee – winemaker Samuel Papert is one of the few to gain access to juice from Paso Robles icon Carmody McKnight. The 2010 is a classic Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc.

The Central Coast Group Project – winemaker Scott Sampler named his winery to honor all those involved in wine growing, making and consuming. It was fun to taste his 3-bottle 2012 Variations on a Clone, three different clones of Syrah from three separate blocks of the White Hawk Vineyard.

Hoi Polloi Wines – Garagiste Festival co-founder Doug Minnick is one of the owner/winemakers Hoi Polloi, showing off its first vintage, so I just had to try these wines. The single vineyard 2014 Syrahs from Sebastiano in Sta. Rita Hills and Alta Colima in Paso Robles were tasty, but the star for me was the blend of the two, the 2014 Double Exposure. [Watch for a tasting room in the Santa Clarita Valley, with co-tenant Pagter Brothers Winery.]

JP3 Wines – or is it JPIII Wines? I dunno for sure, but either way JP French, formerly of Stanger, is making great wines under his own new label. Loved both the 2014 Tempranillo and the 2014 Mingle [blend of Cab/Syrah/Tempranillo and Tannat].

Larner Winery – there are certain vineyards that I find to be iconic with the wines from them being pure expressions of their fruit. The Larner Vineyard is one of those. The wines Michael Larner poured were all excellent, but the 2011 Estate Reserve Syrah was my wine of the day with such an amazing finish.

MCV Wines – I’ve been a fan of Matt Villard’s wines since I tasted them a few years back, and nothing has changed except the wines are even better. The 2013 1105 Blend and the 2013 Black Petite Sirah Blend were my faves at his table this day. Go visit him at his Morro Bay tasting room if you want to escape the heat of Paso Robles.

Pagter Brothers Winery – I’ve known winemaker Scott Page Pagter for some time now and have seen a steady progression of quality. I’ve always been a fan of his Grenache; this time the Tempranillo made the biggest impression on me.

Pulchella Winery – what can I say about Santa Claritans Nate Hasper and Steve Lemley that hasn’t already been said? Very good wines, great people. The 2013 Tannat did it for me today.

Rhythm Wines – I think this was my most exciting find of the day. This urban winery sourcing grapes from Lodi, Santa Cruz and other locales really seems to embody the true Garagiste spirit. I really liked the 2015 Tannat from the Alonso Family Vineyard; SCV locals will recognize the name as the vineyard owned by Le Chene’s Juan Alonso. Also enjoyed the 2015 Enz Vineyard Mourvedre. Definitely a winery to watch.

Tlo Wines – I didn’t get a chance to taste here, but Karen said the 2015 Grenache Rose was her favorite of the day.

Two Shepherds – last on my list but never least, winemaker William Allen is passionate about his Rhones, focusing on lower alcohol, higher acidity, well balanced wines showcasing the vineyard and the grape. I had recently tasted much of his lineup at Hospice du Rhone, but I was glad for a chance to taste his 2014 Cinsault from the legendary Bechthold Vineyard in Lodi.

Kudos to the organizers for putting together another great Garagiste Festival. If you missed this one, I urge you to attend the original Paso Robles festival on November 12^th. Sign up for their mailing list here: http://californiagaragistes.com/sign-up/

Perlis Picks: Hospice du Rhone, PART I

May 21, 2016 by evebushman

I’ve been waiting a long time for this.

Hospice du Rhone, an event focusing on producers of Rhone varietals from all over the world, had been a fixture in Paso Robles for 15 years before moving to Tennessee in 2012.

My recollection [vague as it may be] is that the event had its origins in the 1990s with the Viognier Guild, which had been started by Mat Garretson of Garretson Wine Company [remember the great wines with the Gaelic names?] The legacy of the Viognier Guild lives on with the Hospice du Rhone which celebrates all Rhone Varietals.

The Rhone varietals, so called because of their origins in France’s Rhone Valley, come from 22 different grapes. Some of the best known ones are Syrah, Mourvedre and Grenache [for the reds] and Viognier, Roussanne and Grenache Blanc [for the whites] but there are many others that are not so well known.

[For the record, my understanding is that Petite Sirah is not technically a Rhone varietal but gets to be included because it is a hybrid of Syrah and Peloursin, is used heavily in California by Rhone wine producers and is so darn tasty. And the correct spelling is Petite Sirah, not Petite Syrah, unless you are Turley because, you know…Turley.]

I had never made it to HdR when it was in Paso and I knew I had missed out on something special.

Then, last year, the announcement was made that HdR was coming back to Paso Robles in 2016. My wife Karen and I had the extreme pleasure of attending the event, which went from dinner Thursday April 14th through the Saturday evening barbecue.

Passes could be purchased for the entire event [some meals not included] or al a carte for individual seminars and tastings.

Wait…seminars? Yes. One of the great things about HdR is the appeal to all levels of wine lovers. For those who just wanted to taste wines, the Friday afternoon Opening Tasting and the Saturday afternoon Closing Tasting provided the opportunity to taste at 145 tasting tables! And, for those who wanted to really expand their Rhone knowledge, there were four seminars in which to do just that.

Unfortunately, our schedules did not permit us to attend the two events on Friday, which were:

The Intricacies of Chateauneuf du Pape, led by Jeb Dunnuck of The Wine Advocate.

Washington Rhones – State of Address, presented by Todd Alexander of Force Majeure, Greg Harrington of Gramercy Cellars, Sean Boyd of Rotie Cellars and Bob Bertheau of Tenet Wines, moderated by Patrick Cominsky of Wine & Spirits.

We did make it in time for the Opening Tasting on Friday afternoon, but more on that later when I write about the tastings. Although I will touch on our post-tasting evening…

One of the benefits to being in town for a wine event, or just being in wine country in general, is you never know who you will run into. Friday evening, while there were some organized dinners going on, we opted to get a little away from downtown Paso Robles and go to the other side of the 101 freeway to Mistura, a great Peruvian restaurant [get the grilled beef heart!]. The people next to us were clearly wine people, but I didn’t want to interrupt them. That problem was solved when they asked about the Carlisle Zinfandel I had brought. They turned out to be Greg Brewer of Brewer Clifton and Chris Hammell of Hammell Wine Alliance along with their spouses. Wonderful people and a real treat to meet them.

Next, the seminars…

Vintage Eve Circa 9/2011: Old Bridge Cellars Tasting

May 3, 2016 by evebushman

For a recent wine tasting I was tasked with finding a wine made from the Semillon grape to share with a dozen or more other people, with the same task. I did an Google search to see what was new that I could come up with.

I was interested in trying Stickybeak as another Facebook pal had mentioned it, so I contacted the winemaker, Wayne Donaldson. Wayne and I exchanged a few e-mails and then he forwarded my query to Old Bridge Cellars.

Not a winery, “Old Bridge Cellars is an importer of fine Australian wines, and also produce their own Californian wines under the Stickybeak label, with Australian Wayne Donaldson acting as winemaker.” I e-mailed the company, told them of my quest, and they sent me the two bottles listed below to share. Below are my reviews, I used quotation marks for comments made by others in the group.

2010 Brokenwood

100% Semillon

Hunter Valley, Australia

11.5% alcohol

Appearance – Clear, diamonds, pale amber edge.

Nose – Cologne/perfume, fresh mown grass, slight kiwi, “crisp, clean.”

Palate – One guest called it an “explosion of fruit”, high acidity, “lemon/lime,” “springtime”, ending with a “lemon-flavored Jolly Rancher or Sweet Tart candy.”

Finish – Long length, one guest suggested a “pairing with Sea Bass”.

2009 Stickybeak

2009 Semillon Sauvignon Blanc

Sonoma County

72% Semillon, 28% Sauvignon Blanc

13.5 % alcohol

Appearance – Clear, palest of gold on the edge.

Nose – Grassy, honey, pineapple, “grapefruit”, “pomelo”.

Palate – green grass, “green apple”, “light fig”

Finish – One couple agreed: “Our favorite of the night!”, “Doesn’t need to pair with food!”, “I’d like with Oysters.”

My conclusion: We had nearly a dozen Semillon to try that night. We have found that only sampling one varietal, with a group, allows us to really learn about the wine’s nuances. My thought at the start, and a collective one my the end, was that the Semillons we tried from old and new world wine areas had one thing in common: aromatic noses that didn’t always carry through to the taste. It didn’t make too much a difference on what we liked, it was just an observation to call us the next time we try Semillon.

From the Old Bridge Cellars Website

In this age of ‘big company’ buyouts, increasing consolidation and mass production, Old Bridge Cellars brings you a group of Australian winemakers who retain their belief in artisan winemaking. Respecting the land and with minimal intervention in the winery, their wines remain true to the soils from which they come.

They share a fierce commitment to quality and a determination to preserve their independence and regional heritage. Many are the second, third and even fourth generations of their family to work the vineyards. It’s their intuitive understanding, quiet confidence and desire to produce only the best they can from each vintage that has made them Australian benchmarks, universally acclaimed by wine critics across the globe.

Founded in 1990, Old Bridge Cellars embraces the intense passion of these winemakers and remains one of only a few U.S. importers dedicated solely to the best of regional Australia. Our knowledge of Australian wine runs deep and has been recognized in such publications as The Wine Advocate, Wine Spectator, Wine and Spirits, International Wine Cellar and Wine Enthusiast. Robert Parker of the Wine Advocate has gone so far as to say, “thanks in large part to the work of such talented importers as Old Bridge Cellars et al… American consumers have never had such an enormous selection of Australia’s finest as well as rarest wines.”

We see as our mission the promotion of Australia’s ‘real wines’, championing those winemakers who give everything in their pursuit of truly distinctive, regionally defined styles that sit comfortably with the world’s best. And who believe they can do it even better again next vintage!

It’s an enlightening, exhilarating journey. Welcome aboard.

http://www.oldbridgecellars.com “The Face of Australian Wine”