Vintage Eve Circa 4/2017: The ‘Cru Bourgeois’ Distinction

March 10, 2020 by evebushman

I attended a wine class organized by the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), of which I am a member, to learn more about ‘Cru Bourgeois’ wines mostly from the Medoc and Haut Medoc region of Bordeaux, France.

Chateau Lestiac, from the Cru Bourgeois official website

Wine appellations in Europe have lots of rules and distinctions. The Cru Bourgeois was different from any other I had learned about before, and the prices – $20 to $50 average – made them accessible to anyone with wine interests.

There were just maybe two dozen of us in the class: sommeliers, wine store owners and wine students. I was surprised to learn that I was one of two people that had been to Bordeaux, but not to the Medoc region.

Some of the reasons why the Bordeaux region is important

All of our winemaking techniques blending, fining, etc. – come from Bordeaux.

One of the longest aging wines in the world, it’s a fact with a proven track record.

Lower alcohol levels than other age-worthy wines.

Bordeaux is divided between the left and right bank of the Gironde river. Left was originally under water before the Dutch drained it, leaving great white gravel pebbles, the “secret to Bordeaux.”

Due to the weather blending became a necessity.

Vintage years are important, and pushed by producers, due to unpredictable weather.

The wines made on the right side of the Gironde river aew Merlot-based. Grows best in colder gravel/soil. Hills and limestone, limestone stays cooler.

Left of the Gironde is Cabernet Sauvignon-based. White pebbles in vineyard increase ripeness.

Haut Medoc and Medoc

Haut Medoc is where the classic Cabernets come from. If you travel the road between Medoc and Haut Medoc, running south to north, the gravel changes from smaller and fine to bigger gravel and more clay. So wines from Haut Medoc are more tannic, potent, powerful and require more aging. As you continue up the wines get bigger. It is widely considered that wines made from grapes closer to the Gironde River are better.

Crus Bourgeois du Medoc

The term, Crus Bourgeois, first became commercial in 19th century. The classification was made official in 1932 with 444 members. By 2003 there were 247 Chateau in the association.

The Crus Bourgeois are considered good wines that weren’t let into Grand Cru classification. This was a way to get national recognition beyond the Grand Crus.

The Crus Bourgeois is a privately controlled certifying organization. At one point one member of the panel was a vintner, it was eventually deemed unfair, and in 2009 a new tasting was held.

The first official selection of Crus Bourgeois was for the 2008 vintage. Every year, two years after harvest, the wines are tasted to see if they will be included as a Crus Bourgeois. The procedure is done annually, to every vintage, and supervised by an outside party, with an audit and a blind tasting. (Grand Crus don’t do this testing)

They have to have a representative random sample, to get an indication of that year’s quality, so they do an annual blind tasting that starts with 80 samples and goes down to 16. This gives a benchmark score of quality and what they are looking for.

More Facts of the Crus Bourgeois

Cru Bourgeois can be identified by QR code on a white label affixed to foil.
3% of Medoc vineyards, 30 million bottles, make the Crus Bourgeois du Medoc.
Average price is $25 a bottle and remain stable.
2013 and 2015 are the highest scanned bottles sold. California, New York and Texas are the states that visit the crus-bourgeois.com website the most.
You can visit 90% of the properties for tours and tastings.
They plan to reintroduce three levels, Crus Bourgeois, Superior Crus Bourgeois and Exceptional Crus Bourgeois categories by 2020.
They also want the review process to be every five years and not for single years.

Presented by NASA

For centuries, BORDEAUX has commanded an almost mythical status in the world of wine, beguiling kings, emperors and dictators alike. While its survival is dependent on the capricious nature of weather, its prosperity has always been tied to the shifting fortunes of global economies. As powerful nations rise and fall, so does the fate of this place.

One of the unique and historical characteristics of this commanding wine region is the quality ‘classification’ of its left bank (Medoc) wineries. Most of us are well aware of the famous 1855 classification that divided the wineries into a ‘Grand Cru’ scale of 1 to 5 and how unreachable the 5 top Chateaux are in price…but how about the wineries that were NOT classified in 1855 ? The ones that were born after, or perhaps never made the cut back then but today make fabulous wines at accessible prices? Welcome the CRU BOURGEOIS. Created in 1962 but with a far longer history, this association of producers stands to protect, classify and promote all the superb wineries that were not classified in 1855 and were in the hands of merchants and not noble families. They represent some of the best and most competitive wines that Bordeaux has to offer. As a result of their selection criteria and positioning in terms of price, the Crus Bourgeois are ideally suited to today’s markets and the requirements of increasingly demanding consumers.

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

Discovering Folded Hills Winery – Plus Winemaker Angela Osborne

February 28, 2020 by evebushman

Once again the #LAWineWriters met up at Napa Valley Grille in Westwood to have a wine paired luncheon. This time organizer and fellow writer Cori Solomon invited us to taste through some new Rhone wines – Grenache predominant – from a winery in the Santa Ynez AVA: Folded Hills Winery Farmstead Ranch.

We were greeted by the owner, Kim Busch, and general manager Tymari Lore on the patio of the restaurant. There were no less than nine wines for us to try, along with a six course meal created by Chef Ben Diaz. (See photos here.)

What we learned about the winery:

The vineyards are situated further south than any other vineyards in the Santa Ynez AVA and provide for cooler climate wines.
The winemaker, Angela Osborne, is also known for her A Tribute to Grace wines.
Their wine club is called “The Fold” and is very event-centered.
If you like French Rhônes, many of which are lower in alcohol than the American version, know that the Folded Hills wines we tried ranged from low to mid-range at 12.10% alcohol to 14.5%, with most hovering at about 13%.
They launched in April 2017 and you can taste the wines in their Montecito tasting room or at the estate in Gaviota.
This is a small production winery, with 5,500-6,500 case production, and they tend to “sell out fast.” Owner Kim Busch added, “Yes we do sell out of most our wines, all but 2 of which are purposely higher production.”
If you visit the winery you will not only see vineyards but also fruit trees and farm animals.

According to their brochure the wines “have no residual sugar and one gram or less of carbs, no commercial additives, minimal sulfur, only native yeast, are grown organically following the biodynamic calendar, made from grapes that are 95% estate grown, hand harvested using sustainable practices in the vineyard, are vegan, and crafted consciously to be lower in alcohol…” as well as being family owned.

Below are my tasting notes on the wines and food pairings:

ONE

Beet Tartare: Yuzu, hazelnut chimichurri, radish, nasturtium, country bread.

2018 Lilly Rose Grenache: 100% Folded Hills Grenache. Salmon in color, aromas and flavors of pink grapefruit, apple, lemon, graphite. Loved the beets and the Rose cooled down the heat of this dish.

TWO

The Nomad Flatbread: Salmon belly, crème fraiche, escabeche, radish, chervil.

2018 August White: 68% Folded Hills Grenache Blanc, 32% Area 51 Roussanne. White flowers, pears in light syrup, concrete, mild acidity. I loved the salmon – and had seconds – with this white Rhone.

THREE

Apple and Brie Flatbread: Granny Smith, picked red onion, triple crème brie, prosciutto, heirloom tomato velouté.

2018 Estate White Santa Ynez Valley: 50% Grenache Blanc, 25% Marsanne, 25% Clarette Blanche. Apple, peach, butter, toasted oak, crisp and clean mouthfeel, and my favorite white in the tasting. Loved the apple notes in the wine with the apples in the flatbread.

FOUR

Mary’s Free-Range Chicken Wings: Thai passion fruit chili, petite frisee, Heirloom radish, cilantro.

2017 August Red: 67% Grenache, 33% Syrah. Very perfumy aromatics, velvety red fruit, black cherries, big and tannic – especially when compared to the other red wines. My fellow writers oohed and awed over the pairing; it was quite nice with the spices on the chicken.

FIVE

Yellowfin Tuna: bubu arare, porcini crema, truffle ponzu, maitake.

2017 Cluster Grenache: Whole cluster Grenache, 100% Folded Hills. Cherry cola, green peppercorn and a nice easy drinker.

2017 Estate Grenache: 100% Folded Hills Grenache. Cherry liqueur, brambles, minty and dry.

2017 Grant Grenache: 92% Grenache, 8% Syrah. Raspberry, bright, oak and tannic.

All were really nice with the tuna, and as it was served cold it was a perfect picnic as we were outdoors on a cool day with low alcohol wines. These last two Grenache were my favorites of the reds.

SIX

Charred Te Mana Lamb: honey nut squash, baby kale, pine nut relish, au poivre.

Twice Fried Brussels Sprouts: Balsamic, parmigiano reggiano, togarashi, shaved bonito.

2017 Stolpman Syrah Ballard Canyon: 100% Stolpman Syrah. Strawberry, richly oaked, cola, tart.

2016 G.S.M.: 80% Folded Hills Vineyard, 20% Thompson Vineyard. 40% Grenache, 40% Syrah, 20% Mourvedre. Red berries, ash, long finish.

Both wines were very nice with the lamb and Brussels Sprouts, if I could have eaten more I would have!

https://foldedhills.com/

https://www.facebook.com/foldedhills/

https://napavalleygrille.com/

https://www.facebook.com/NapaValleyGrilleWestwood/

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.

Top Rhône Producer Delas Frères Opens New Winery in Tain-l’Hermitage

January 13, 2020 by evebushman

TAIN-I’HERMITAGE, FRANCE (PRWEB) – Delas Frères, one of the northern Rhône Valley’s best producers, is excited to usher in a new chapter in its long history and announce the opening of its new premises in Tain-l’Hermitage. The project has included new facilities and tools essential to the company’s future growth and a new showcase site in which the Delas team will be delighted to relate the history of the company to visitors.

Founded in Tournon-sur-Rhône in 1835, Maison Delas Frères has constantly gone to great efforts to execute a strategy committed to quality and respect for the terroir. Delas Frères has been associated with the Deutz Champagne House since 1977 when it was purchased by the latter. It was given new momentum in 1993, when the Rouzaud family of Maison Louis Roederer, already the owner of several wine estates, acquired the two wine companies and entrusted their management to Fabrice Rosset, CEO since 1996. Under his management, and with the intention of taking the domaine to the next level of excellence, the company embarked on a long-term development program.

Over the last twenty years, nearly 30 million euros have been invested: harvest-handling facilities, vat room, high-tech equipment and new ageing cellars in Saint-Jean-de-Muzols, rebuilding of the drystone support walls on the Hermitage hills, replacement of 7,000 vines, consolidation of the vineyards with the purchase of several plots. In 2006, the acquisition of nearly 20 hectares in the Crozes Hermitage appellation took the total vineyard surface area now worked by Delas Frères to around 30 hectares.

Delas Frères has been historically located in Saint-Jean-de-Muzols, but in 2015, its 180th anniversary year, it acquired a property tucked away in the center of Tain-L’Hermitage. This would be the start of the next phase in the process of elevating the brand.

“Delas Frères needed a high-performing production tool that matched its ambitions and would allow it to deliver the purest expression of its prestigious northern terroirs,” said Fabrice Rosset at the time…. “and, at the same time, be consistent with the elegant efficiency of Deutz and the constellation of magnificent estates under the same umbrella” (Château Pichon Comtesse, Adriano Ramos Pinto, Domaimes Ott, Louis Roederer, Merry Edwards, Roederer Estate, etc.).

The new property, located at the foot of the l’Hermitage hill, now includes an architectural gem that lives up to the outstanding setting. The design and restoration of the facilities were entrusted to architect Carl Fredrik Svenstedt, a graduate of Harvard and the Yale School of Architecture, with a brief to respect the character of the original property and to set off the “terroirs of excellence.” In the prestigious Architecture MasterPrize competition this past October, the new winery was awarded Honorable Mention in Architectural Design and its architects won the Small Firm of the Year Award in Sustainable Architecture.

The spectacular building housing the new winery and cellars, which adjoins the former family residence and the new reception cellars, is impressive for its purity, precision and modernity. Only noble material – stone, glass and steel – has been used in its construction. The wall sculpture, created from 274 blocks of stone, seems to be almost alive with a rhythmic and harmonious undulation that appears to take the shape and mimic the Hermitage hills. In a 6,000 square-meter walled property, the venerable “Maison Delas Frères” now boasts a tailor-made, state of-the-art production facility.

In September 2019, the grapes from the northern crus were brought in to this new red wine winery in Tain-l’Hermitage for an emotional first harvest. The white wines and blends from the southern crus were taken to the Delas Frères site in Saint-Jean-de-Muzols which is still in operation.

The reception cellars, sheltered by noble stones that parallel the design around the winemaking operations, come at the end of the tour. This space is entirely dedicated to wine tastings and a retail area. It offers wine novices and wine lovers a chance to try, as well as purchase, the Delas Frères range of wines representing the finest Rhône Valley terroirs.

The Reception House, which was the former family residence, perfectly illustrates the contemporary nature of the project sought by Delas Frères with an interior design courtesy of renowned designer Julia Rouzaud. Its reception facilities include two lounges and a dining room. Eleven bedrooms for the use of Delas’ guests (partners, customers, VIPs, etc.) complete this space in which the Delas Frères team will be delighted to relate the history of the company.

Fabrice Rosset states, “We are delighted to have been able to make the most of this unique property, now practically an icon thanks to its history and its rebirth within the world of fine Rhône Valley wine. This will be the facility where we will be able to receive devotees of the brand and Rhône Valley wine enthusiasts, in style.”

The new winery and reception cellars are located at 40, Rue Jules Nadi, Tain-l’Hermitage, and is open Monday to Saturday from 9:30am to 12:00pm and from 1:30pm to 6:30pm.

About Delas Frères http://www.delas.com/en/
Delas Frères is a winery of tradition and renewal. Founded in 1835 in the heart of the northern Côtes du Rhône, the winery has thrived with the dynamism of its original founders and their heirs and more recently, the renewed energy of the Lallier-Deutz family, owners of Champagne Deutz. Delas Frères and Champagne Deutz were acquired by Maison Louis Roederer in 1993. André Lallier retired from daily winery duties in 1996, and Fabrice Rosset, a 20-year executive with Roederer, today leads both Delas and Deutz. Delas wines are crafted by a panel of experts headed by winemaker Jacques Grange. Together, the team makes wines that have been heralded for their intensity of flavor and excellent value. The wines are imported exclusively into the U.S. by Maisons Marques & Domaines (MMD USA).

Enologist and Educator Marcus Rafanelli Joins L’Ecole N° 41 as Winemaker

December 28, 2019 by evebushman

WALLA WALLA, Wash. – L’Ecole N° 41, one of the Walla Walla Valley’s early founding family wineries, has announced that experienced enologist and educator Marcus Rafanelli has joined L’Ecole as Winemaker.

Photo: Alamy.com

Rafanelli comes to L’Ecole from Walla Walla Community College’s Institute for Enology & Viticulture, where he has been the Instructional Technician/Cellarmaster, overseeing 65 students and the production of College Cellar’s wines. Prior to that, he worked at wineries spanning the globe, including the esteemed Weingut Dr. Loosen (Mosel, Germany) and Two Hands Winery (Barossa Valley, Australia). At William Church Winery, he was an integral lead in production for more than five years, becoming Winemaker in 2011. Rafanelli also worked harvest at L’Ecole more than a decade ago, in 2007.

L’Ecole’s Owner & Managing Winemaker, Marty Clubb comments on L’Ecole’s hiring of Rafanelli, saying that it “illustrates the winery’s commitment to consistency and quality in every bottle, using traditional old-world style winemaking techniques; Marcus is the perfect person to lead our winemaking team to an even higher level of success.” Furthermore, he insists that Rafanelli’s role at L’Ecole will “position him to become one of Washington’s great winemakers.”

WWCC’s Director of Winemaking, Tim Donahue, comments that Rafanelli joining the L’Ecole team is a “big win for the EV program, having another graduate heading up winemaking for such a prominent brand”. Further, he notes that the program has “over 300 graduates, of which 84% are currently employed in the WA wine industry”.

Speaking about the college’s Enology & Viticulture program, Clubb asserts that he has been “more than pleased with the caliber and quality of their innovative winemaking program”, and that he is “proud of L’Ecole’s support of the program which is ratcheting up WA State’s reputation for wine”. Clubb, himself, has been on the Advisory Board for the program since its inception.

Rafanelli earned a B.S. in Biology at Boise State University and completed the Enology & Viticulture program at WWCC. He is a member of the Washington Wine Technical Group, a professional organization committed to improving Washington wines. As a recipient of the Powers Sabbatical Award, he traveled through France in early 2019, studying the use of oak in quality wine production. He and his wife Heather live in Walla Walla with their family.

Chianti Classico Consortium Announces Results of 2019 Harvest

December 21, 2019 by evebushman

NEW YORK, NY (PRWEB) – The Chianti Classico Consortium (Consorzio Vino Chianti Classico) is pleased to announce the positive results of the recently-completed 2019 harvest, a year which promises to be memorable for the historic Tuscan denomination. Both qualitative and quantitative factors strongly indicate a vintage of classic proportions, and one that will be of great interest to national and international critics, collectors, sommeliers, and wine lovers.

The year’s relatively mild and dry winter was met with an early spring, ensuring a normal budding period for the vines, and late spring rain resulted in water reserves useful for maintaining plant health throughout the summer heat. May and the very beginning of June saw cool, humid conditions slightly delaying the growing cycle of the vines — a turn of events paralleling, in fact, the seasonal shifts that created the great vintages of the 1980’s. Summer was hot and largely typical, with no extreme changes in heat or rainfall, and September was marked by good weather and notable diurnal shifts allowing for both perfect phenolic ripening and an amplification of the grapes’ natural aromatic profile. Sangiovese was largely harvested between September 20th and mid-October, with fruit arriving at wineries showing full health, vitality, and quality.

All signs point to 2019 Chianti Classico developing into a fresh and balanced vintage due to evenness of acid strength and tannins, proper concentration, an intense aromatic profile, and a slightly lower alcohol content than the recent average — factors which together meet the current market trends while also positively auguring future ageability. Further examination of extract values, anthocyanins, and polyphenols also support the outlook that the year’s Chianti Classico will be one of classic varietal typicity with all of Sangiovese’s unique aromatic signatures. An all-around excellent vintage, 2019 is a year able to enhance the innate characteristics of the grape, while also clearly translating the diversity of soil types and microclimates that make the terroir of the Black Rooster one of the world’s finest.

Moreover, the whole Chianti Classico region is increasingly defined by a commitment to ecological balance, organic viticulture, and a reduction of human impact on the environment—all factors contributing to the exceptional quality of the finished product, which, as one of the world’s great fine wines, is inevitably the result of harmony between human intervention and the natural world.

“Chianti Classico is enjoying great success,” says Giovanni Manetti, President of the Chianti Classico Wine Consortium. “Behind that success is a territory that is unique in the world but also requires a lot of work, significant investments, and a deep respect for the land. Two thirds of the territory are covered in woods, with only one tenth of the area dedicated to viticulture, of which 40% has already been converted into organic agriculture. Today, in the Chianti Classico region, wine producers increasingly aim for ecological balance, committing themselves to reduce human impact as much as possible. In fact, wine reflects the image of the territory, and for this reason, it is important to preserve the environmental context, alongside the care of a quality product.”

For more information, please contact Silvia Fiorentini of the Chianti Classico Consortium or Luca Venturelli of Colangelo & Partners.

About the Consorzio Vino Chianti Classico:
The Consorzio Vino Chianti Classico exists to protect, oversee, and valorize the Chianti Classico denomination. Since the Consortium’s founding in 1924, the organization has changed its name and the design of its logo, the Black Rooster, which since 2005 has been the trademark of the whole denomination. As one of the premier institutional organizations in the European Union in the grape-growing and winemaking sector, the Consortium represents 96 percent of the DOCG production. The entire production chain is supervised by a public tracking system, which enables consumers all over the world to check the bottle they’ve purchased via the Consortium’s website. The Consortium also conducts research and development in the agronomic and enological fields, in collaboration with prestigious educational and research institutes. For more information, please visit http://www.chianticlassico.com.

GOfermentor® wins innovation award for the Wine Industry

December 18, 2019 by evebushman

FAR HILLS, N.J. /PRNewswire/ — The GOfermentor is an example of an industry outsider bringing a new perspective and expertise to winemaking and challenging how things are being done. Vijay Singh is a biotech engineer, who revolutionized the way pharmaceutical fermentations are done by introducing a single use sterile bag to replace stainless steel. Now he’s bringing the same concept to winemaking and is harvesting medals for his winery as well as significant production advantages.

“The wine industry can be slow to change, so it is invigorating to have experts like Vijay Singh come into the industry and bring their fresh approach and knowledge from another industry to winemaking. It is not often that you see new solutions that are at once cost saving and quality enhancing. The GOfermentor has the potential to cause a paradigm shift for small lot winemaking.” – George Christie, President Wine Industry Network

When grapes are crushed, they are placed into a one ton GOfermentor single use bag and the unit is programmed to automatically perform punchdowns at regular intervals. The automation reduces labor, and the frequent mixing action also eliminates temperature gradients within the fermentation, with the result that sulfides from yeast retooling are not observed. The plastic bag protects the wine from unwanted exposures from yeast, oxygen, smoke, and bacteria from the outside environment.

At the end of fermentation, the GOfermentor presses the grapes, leaving behind the pomace in the biodegradable plastic bag for easy disposal. The disposal of the bag means savings on labor and time spend cleaning as well as a 90% reduction in water usage. The GOfermentor is a paradigm shift in winemaking that many winemakers will likely be hesitant to accept, but the low cost and barebones infrastructure required to use the GOfermentor makes it easy to try with a very low investment.

“Traditional wineries are 90% janitorial and 10% winemaking. With the GOfermentor and SmartBarrel racking system, we changed that to 90% winemaking and 10% cleaning.” – Dr Vijay Singh, Inventor

About GOfermentor

The GOfermentor is an advanced winemaking system for artisanal and small batch (< 1 ton) production. Many units are in use worldwide. Automated punch and built-in press reduces cost and labor. Single-use technology minimizes water usage. US patents 9260682, 9611452, 9802805, France 14 61410, Australia 2014268161. Others pending.

For more information, visit www.gofermentor.com

Sequoia Grove Celebrates 40th Harvest with Sustainability Certification

November 28, 2019 by evebushman

NAPA VALLEY, Calif., /PRNewswire/ — Sequoia Grove Winery, a Napa Valley producer of Cabernet Sauvignon since 1979, is celebrating its 40^th harvest in a new winemaking facility in Rutherford, California. This family-owned winery continues to make significant investments in winemaking, vineyards and sustainability to craft distinctive, varietally-correct wines that are unmistakably Napa Valley.

Sequoia Grove Winery is dedicated to sustainable agriculture and has recently become certified in Napa Green Land and Fish-Friendly Farming for their estate vineyards. These latest certifications, combined with the winery’s recent re-certification as a Napa Green Winery, demonstrate an estate that is deeply committed to environmentally-responsible practices throughout its entire operation.

Sequoia Grove Winery is taking its environmental message beyond the winery by joining 1% for the Planet®. As a 1% for the Planet® member, Sequoia Grove Winery has committed to donating 1% of sales from its Vineyard Series wines to the nonprofit Save the Redwoods League.

“For us, the coastal redwood tree is more than just our brand icon; it’s a symbol of persistence, fortitude and interconnectedness,” explains Steve Bowden, Vice President of Sales & Marketing. “These magnificent trees represent a true sense of place along a narrow strip of the California coast, just like our Vineyard Series wines. We are proud to partner with these great organizations to protect and preserve habitat for endangered old and new-growth sequoia groves.”

From the very beginning, Sequoia Grove Winery was recognized as an innovator with a focus on quality. Early accolades included “Best American Cabernet Sauvignon” in the American Wine Competition for both 1985 and 1987. Fast-forward to today – the winery is still family-owned and continues to push the envelope in quality. Countless 90+ point scores have been bestowed upon Sequoia Grove’s Napa Valley and Vineyard-designate Cabernet Sauvignons and the 2015 Napa Valley Cabernet was a Wine Spectator “Top 100 Wines” award winner.

“We are extremely excited to be celebrating our 40^th harvest,” explains Rick Bonitati, President of Sequoia Grove Winery. “Over the last few years, the winery has focused efforts on improvements across all facets of the operation including precision farming techniques, viticulture, sustainability and the replanting of the estate vineyards. Now with the new winemaking and educational facilities, our dedicated team is even further inspired to continue our mission to produce wines of distinction and provide an exceptional Napa Valley experience for our guests. We’ve only just begun to see the results of this undertaking; the future looks very promising.”

The property improvements continue with a completely re-imagined educational facility and accompanying guest experience. Under the direction of Executive Chef Britny Maureze, the Sequoia Grove educational program provides guests with comprehensive wine and food pairing discussions, focusing on the versatility of Cabernet Sauvignon as a pairing varietal. With a diverse selection of educational experiences being offered, from the recently-added and highly-acclaimed “Terroir Tasting” featuring vineyard-designate Cabernet Sauvignon paired with cuisine, to the compelling “Cabernet Culinary Challenge” and classic offering of “A Taste for Cabernet,” visitors may choose from a variety of interactive educational sessions which pair Sequoia Grove wines with warm hospitality.

“No matter what we’re trying to achieve, the renovations and upgrades have provided our team with tools for us to succeed—be it winemaking, viticulture, sustainability or the visitor experience,” says Sequoia Grove Winemaker, Molly Hill. “To me, that speaks volumes about what Sequoia Grove Winery stands for.”

About Sequoia Grove Winery:
Established in 1979, Sequoia Grove Winery is obsessed with the details that go into crafting our Napa Valley wines and single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon. Our commitment to quality starts in the vineyard; we grow the very best grapes in the finest terroir to form the foundation of our wines. Quality is intrinsic to everything we do, from winemaking to our gracious hospitality; it’s ingrained in our culture and the vanguard of our philosophy. At Sequoia Grove, we’ve been carving our own path for decades while never losing sight of who we are: rooted in history, guided by integrity, resolute in our values, and committed to the future. Learn more at www.sequoiagrove.com.

Find us on Instagram @SequoiaGrove

About 1% for the Planet®
1% for the Planet is a global organization that connects dollars and doers to accelerate smart environmental giving. It recognizes that the current level of environmental giving—only 3% of total philanthropy—is not enough to solve the most pressing issues facing the planet. Through its business and individual membership programs, 1% for the Planet inspires people to support environmental organizations through everyday actions and annual commitments. Their team advises on giving strategies, certifies donations, and amplifies the impact of the network. Learn more at onepercentfortheplanet.org.

About Save the Redwoods League
Save the Redwoods League is one of the nation’s oldest conservation organizations. Save the Redwoods League has been protecting and restoring redwood forests since 1918, connecting generations of visitors with the beauty and serenity of the redwood forest. Our 24,000 supporters have enabled the League to protect more than 216,000 acres of irreplaceable forest in 66 state, national and local parks and reserves. For more information, go to savetheredwoods.org.

Vintage Eve Circa 11/2016: Sunset in the Vineyard is the only event that…

October 22, 2019 by evebushman

…I know about 99% of the vendors and almost the same percentage of the guests as it’s a local event put on by one of my favorite non-profits: Assistance League Santa Clarita. There are two members that live on my street, and many more members and supporters in my neighborhood!

Shannon Mee, Eve, Simon Mee.

This was what I was quoted for saying about the event in a recent Magazine of Santa Clarita Magazine article:

Sunset in the Vineyard is the only event that represents the SCV Vintners and Growers Association. These are winemakers and grape growers that are based in the Santa Clarita Valley; often friends, assisting each other in harvest every year and tasting each other’s efforts along the way – from vine to bottle.

What also makes the event unique, besides being the first of its kind in our valley held in a private two-home winery estate, it is an opportunity for fledgling winemakers to learn more about the craft. Not all wine events have the winemaker available to attend – in this event I can only think of a couple of tables that may send an educated wine representative if the winemaker is unavailable. The point is, whoever is pouring you a sample has had a hand-on experience with that wine.

For me personally, it was a fine day many years ago when I discovered the vineyard at the Carpenters’ home. I learned that there were many home winemakers in our valley, working together, and thought how cool it would be to get some kind of way to visit them all in one day. I envisioned a tour bus. The Carpenters and their winemaking friends, dreamed of something much more long lasting. And, not to forget, to the benefit of the children of the Santa Clarita Valley served by the Assistance League.

If that’s not enough only Sunset in the Vineyard guests get a chance to taste the same grapes from the same vineyard – Bouquet Vineyard tended to by local winemaker Danny Mascari – but the only difference will be which artisan winemaker crafted the wine.

See the action, and some of my favorite wines of the day, in just two minutes here in this YouTube slide show.

The Vino and Brewsky

Compa Vineyards, Pulchella Winery, Alonso Family Vineyards, Bobcat Red and Due Nasi, Bouquet Vineyard, Capuano Winery, Copperhill Brewery, CPB Winery, Gagnon Cellars, Golden Star Vineyards, Hoi Polloi Winery, Hundred Vines, Mystic Hills Vineyard, Nuggucciet Cellars, Pagter Brothers, Pulchella Winery, Reyes Winery, Stephen Hemmert Wines, VNTBC Nanno Brewery and Whistling Vineyard.

The Artisan Foods

This year some of the delectable food was prepared by The Culinary Arts students and Instructors at College of the Canyon’s Institute for Culinary Education: grilled veggies, flatbread pizza, stuffed grape leaves, and more. Returning was local favorite DeRobertis Family Artisan Cheeses, wowing the crowd with their latest flavorful cow and goat cheeses, and the Speakeasy Bakery with several freshly baked breads and tapenade dipping sauce. New to the scene, and parked in the front driveway, was the vintage Sweet Beams Ice Cream truck. And the cookies…something the Assistance League is known for, several sweet volunteers worked the crowd armed with baskets full of delectable cookies.

Seen Amongst the Artisans

Joel and Judy Cox, Howard Pointer, Marjanne Priest, Chris and Jeannie Carpenter, Steve and Elizabeth Hopp, Don and Cheryl Dellepiane, Roman Weiser and Tina, Judy Penman, Lee Williams, Alesia Humphies, Steve Dole, Steve Frye, Scott Pagter, Doug Minnick, Simon and Shannon Mee, Nina and Danny Mascari, DeRobertis, Andrew Kevin Friend and Jessica Javier, Arnold Bryant and Alexander Hafizi, Margo Berg, Robert and Annie Schwartz, Susan Hayward, Cheryl Phillips, Marlee Lauffer, Steve and Rose Chegwin, Colleen and Matt Carpenter, Stephen Hemmert and Nicole Nelms St Julien, Rae and Gil Gagnon, Dave and Chris Tanner, Josh Premako, Chef Michelle Razzano Bustillos, Chef Cindy Schwanke, Lilia Denson Murillo, Rob and Ann Piscitello, Betty Rabin Fung, Amy Daniels, Gail Pinsker, John and Debra Heys, Jeff Hacker, Randy and Gail Winter, Julie and Steve Sturgeon, Bruce Fortine, Betty and Lucas Herme, Melanie Dubing Meyer and Jeff Meyer, Jim and Monica McClafferty, Pam Ingram, Sandi Naba, Robb and Rebecca Bacon, Leila Rosenberger, Janice Murray, Scott Ervin, Todd Wilson, Ken and Patrice Rifkind, Elizabeth Teagle, Bobbi Welton, Nate Hasper, Megan and Steve Lemley, Russ and Nancy Briley, Juan Alonso, Doris Zimmer, Doron and Joyce Carson, Steve and Elizabeth Hopp, Maureen and Derrick McKaughan, Larry McClements, Lori Rivas, Danise Davis, Carole Lenoir, Cheryl Wilson Daniel, Jennifer Haberer and Larry Mazzeo and -Dole Humphries kept this crowd happy with live music.

About Assistance League (AKA what your ticket price does for our community)

Assistance League Santa Clarita organized in 1989 by local women, was chartered in 1993 and has grown to 174 members and 51 Assisteens®. A chapter of National Assistance League, it is a nonprofit, nonpolitical, nonsectarian and IRS 501(c)(3) service organization. It is also a 100 percent volunteer-driven organization. All funds raised from Sunset in the Vineyard benefit Assistance League programs exclusively in the Santa Clarita Valley such as Operation School Bell®, which clothed more than 2,500 children in the SCV this year.

Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust, a “certification in first globally-recognized course” as an American Wine Specialist ® from the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), 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.

This September Visit Temecula Valley Celebrates Autumnfest

September 5, 2019 by evebushman

TEMECULA, Calif. (PRWEB) – Plan a visit to Temecula Valley Southern California Wine Country for food, wine, festivals, and unique harvest-themed activities during the changing colors on the vines. The season comes alive this harvest with a variety of must-see events including Temecula Valley Wine Month throughout September, as well as three entertaining festivals that round out the unique opportunities. Visitors to the region who book a 3-5-night, Sun-Thurs, stay will enjoy the season’s best with the bonus of smaller crowds and more intimate experiences. Temecula Valley is conveniently located in the center of Southern California, just 60 minutes from San Diego, Orange County and Palm Springs, and 90 minutes south of Los Angeles.

Wine Month & Wine Events
Throughout the month of September, visitors can enjoy live entertainment, wine tasting with the SIP Passport, tours through wine country, food and drink pairings at winery restaurants, and the annual CRUSH Wine & Culinary Showcase. CRUSH is a one-day event on September 28, 2019 featuring 30-plus wineries, live entertainment, and artisan food bites from local restaurants.

Sip Sip Stay is a great way to enjoy wine month. The promotion includes one complimentary SIP Passport with a two-night stay, or two complimentary SIP Passports with a three-night stay.

Entertainment in Temecula Valley Wine Country includes Symphony in the Vines and Lauren Alaina Country Concert at Wilson Creek Winery, Warrant Concert at Wiens Family Cellars, popular cover bands at several wineries, Shakespeare in the Vines at Baily Winery, and Movies in the Vines at Lorimar Winery and Vitagliano Winery.

Harvest Festivals & Events
Visitors young and old are invited to find their way through the largest corn maze in southern California at Big Horse Harvest Festival. The festival also includes hayrides, a corn cannon, pumpkin patch ripe for picking, kiddie rides, food vendors, a pie-eating contests, and so much more. Peltzer Farms invites families to their farm experience that includes a pumpkin patch, kiddie train ride, gem mining, pig races, tractor garden, games and more.

Ralph Love Plein Air Festival, named in honor of historical local artist Ralph Love, celebrates the artistic heritage of Temecula Valley with an outdoor painting and art competition. Visitors can stroll the streets of Old Town during the weeklong event held September 26 through October 4. Artists create their masterpieces “en plein air” (in open air) on the scenic streets of Old Town Temecula.

Gunfighter’s Show at The Hotel Temecula in Old Town is held every Saturday. Be ready for an Old West shoot out at high noon and 2:00 pm.

Headless Horseman Haunted Hayride is at the historic site of Vail Headquarters. The wagon is pulled by draft horses through a scenic path while riders hear the narrated legend of Vail Hallow. It’s appropriate for all ages but it gets scarier as the night gets later.

Ride in at the Ranch features more than 100 classic and custom motorcycles, a classic MX display, and classic cars. There will be bands, food, brews, vendors, live street art, and more.

Old Town Temecula Outdoor Quilt Show this October will feature quilters, exhibits, demonstrations, a quilt walk, and quilt auctions. Hundreds of quilts will be on display in shops and hanging from eaves, balconies, and porches.

Greek Festival of Temecula Valley invites visitors to “Experience the Treasures of Greece” with authentic food vendors and delicious Greek pastries, a Mediterranean marketplace, children’s game area, live Greek music and folk dancing, as well as a Greek Wine, Beer, and Liquor area.

Temecula Valley Bocce Ball Tournament is a day-long competition between wineries with a finale at Wilson Creek Winery where the winning team will compete against celebrity Mario Lopez and his team.

Battle of the Burgers has local restaurants competing for the Best Burger award at Pechanga Resort Casino. Culinary students also compete for the best loaded fries. There are more burgers and fries than attendees can consume.

Live entertainment at Pechanga through Autumnfest includes concerts with headliners like Deep Purple, Steely Dan, Air Supply, Steve Miller Band, and Peter Frampton. Also, ventriloquist Terry Fator will perform in November.

Thanksgiving Feasts at restaurants in Temecula Valley Wine Country and Old Town Temecula. Whether you’re celebrating Friendsgiving or Thanksgiving with friends and family, Temecula Valley makes for a stress-free holiday getaway.

For more information about all these Autumnfest events and more, see the events calendar at VisitTemeculaValley.com.

About Visit Temecula Valley
Laid back, picturesque Temecula Valley Southern California Wine Country welcomes more than three million visitors each year. It is a year-round vacation destination, located 60 minutes from San Diego, Orange County, and Palm Springs; 90 minutes from Los Angeles.

Temecula Valley Wine Country is widely recognized for its scenic vineyards, award-winning wines, and experiential wineries. The popular boutique destination includes the Temecula Valley A.V.A. (American Viticulture Area) as well as historic Old Town Temecula, and Pechanga Resort Casino. It also was named as a 2019 Wine Enthusiast 10 Best Wine Travel Destination.

Visit Temecula Valley is the region’s official tourism marketing organization and resource for visitors. The Visitors Center is located in Old Town Temecula. For visitor information and assistance, please call (888) 363-2852 or go to VisitTemeculaValley.com.

Harvest 2019 Begins in Napa Valley

August 25, 2019 by evebushman

Napa, CA — The Napa Valley Grapegrowers (NVG) is pleased to announce that harvest has begun in Napa Valley. As is traditionally the case, harvest typically begins with the sparkling wine producers and Rodgers Vineyard has begun picking Pinot Noir for Mumm Napa Valley. Throughout Napa Valley most white varieties will be harvested through the end of August, while the Cabernet Sauvignon harvest will likely begin mid-September.

Photo credit: Sarah Anne Risk.

“We have had favorable ripening conditions in Napa Valley over the past 30 days,” said NVG President Paul Goldberg, who is also president of Bettinelli Vineyards. “The very mild, early-season temperatures have led to an incredible growing season.”

Heavy rains in March and April cultivated robust cover crops, which organically enriched the soil with an abundance of nutrients. The heavy rain also delayed pruning and bud break by a few weeks in some parts of Napa Valley, but that hasn’t had any effect on the overall crop. The rain in April created a bit of shatter in Chardonnay clusters during bloom but didn’t significantly reduce crop size. Growers compare it to the same amount of reduction that occurs normally during crop thinning and they call the April rains “nature’s way of thinning.” Fruit set was right on course during the spring for Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Malbec. Napa Valley received more rain in May, followed by a heat spike in June, which sparked canopy growth. Since that initial short heat wave, the weather throughout the summer has been moderate and veraison has been “beautiful and even” according to Goldberg. Veraison is an exciting time in the ripening cycle when white grapes transition from green to gold and red grapes transition from green to red, a sign that harvest is just around the corner.

“With the late-season rains, vine growth took off, so crews were still leafing and hedging the vineyards when – boom – it was time for harvest,” added Kendall Hoxsey-Onysko, a Napa Valley Grapegrowers board member and the business manager for Yount Mill Vineyards. Yount Mill Vineyards grows five varieties for Mumm Napa Valley: Pinot Meunier; Pinot Noir; Pinot Blanc; Pinot Grigio; and Chardonnay and will harvest their first fruit for Mumm this Saturday, August 17th.

Each year, the Napa Valley Grapegrowers hosts the definitive summary on the valley’s harvest and streams it live for thousands of viewers world-wide. This year’s Harvest Press Conference will be aired on Facebook October 15th. A media alert will be circulated with timing and other details.

About Napa Valley Grapegrowers
NVG is a non-profit trade organization that has played a vital role in strengthening Napa Valley’s reputation as a world-class viticultural region for over 43 years. Its mission is to preserve and promote Napa Valley’s world-class vineyards. NVG represents 725 Napa County grapegrowers and associated businesses.

For more information, visit www.napagrowers.org

Follow Napa Valley Grapegrowers on Facebook and Instagram