Eve's Wine 101

Winemaker Gerard Zanzonico: From Del Dotto Vineyards in Napa to Zanzonico Wines in Ensenada

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A few weeks ago I shared some news in my weekly Dear Wine Friend e-newsletter that I’m still struggling with:

Wine News: I recently learned that longtime Del Dotto winemaker Gerard Zanzonico is moving off to Ensenada, where he has already been making wine, and moving into the role of consulting winemaker for Del Dotto. While Gerard holds a permanent place in my heart as one of the first winemakers I’ve interviewed, and continue to interview every year or so, I do understand that winemakers have to retire like everyone else. He’s invited Eddie and me down to his home to work on his memoirs – we’ve joked about doing this for years – so at least it’s not goodbye just yet. #SadFace

Eve in Del Dotto caves with Gerard. Photo by Ed Bushman Feb., 2012

So, long story short (if possible!) I reached out to Gerard to find out more about his work in Ensenada. I learned that he’s been making wines for MD Vinos, and already has four years under his belt as a Baja California winemaker. What seemed like a shock was already experienced territory for Gerard, he’d obviously had four years to get used to the idea.

“Not retiring but changing directions…I will have my own brand Zanzonico Wines and consult for MD vinos in Ensenada…(making) probably two more wines (for them).”

Loving the sound of Zanzonico Wines I pressed Gerard for more info. He would be making a Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Syrah and Nebbiolo. About 1,000 cases in total so he could “still have fun.”

Gerard and his wife Patricia “bought a nice place looking over the ocean just north of Ensenada (with a) separate Casita” for my husband and me to get “comfortable” in once they are settled, and have a full tasting and tour of the Guadalupe Valley. Gerard said we “would love the experience.” Well this invitation did soften the blow of him leaving Napa!

Over the years I’d learned a lot about Gerard, with him starting his career as a cellar rat at Chateau Montelena during the Judgment of Paris. I remember asking him what it was like, after the tasting brought such fame to the winery and he said – and I’ll never forget – “We were too busy working hard and having fun to notice!” (Here was one of the reasons I love to visit Gerard. He may be at one of the most amazing properties in the Napa Valley, hosting club members with tastings, dinners and bungalow visits – but he was just so down to earth and natural to be with.) It was with that one sentence that I knew Gerard had a story to tell, and we’ve been chatting for years about him doing just that.

Looks like he’s been working on drafts of his story in Ensenada, and “with your help maybe can finish it off.”

As far as what will change at Del Dotto Vineyards, I learned that Robbie Meyer will take over the day-to-day winemaking duties though Gerard will come in every three months for two weeks at a time, for at least three to four more years. I look forward to meeting Meyer and tasting with him at some point in the future.

So, that about covers it. Except that over the past ten years or so we had several tastings, these are the articles I could still find on the Internet, though I know there are more. If you are interested in learning about Gerard I suggest you take a peek:

March 2012 Elite Magazine: The Unique Beauty of Napa

October 2013: This is What We Chose and Why – The Upcoming Napa Trip

December 2013: Tasting with Winemaker Gerard Zanzonico and Winery Owner Dave Del Dotto = Priceless

October 2014: Visiting ZD and Drive By Del Dotto

September 2015: Vintage Eve Circa 9/2015: Old and New Finds at Del Dotto and Regusci

September 2017: Napa 2017 After The Fires: Del Dotto

Lastly, from Gerard, “Thanks for all your support over the years…many fond memories of tasting, sorting and being together. Always loved the photo of us walking into the cellar at Del Dotto…Gerard.”

So, Ensenada anyone?

MD Vinos

Or Napa?

Del Dotto Vineyards

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. You can also seek her marketing advice via Eve@EveBushmanConsulting.com

Perlis Picks: Idlewild

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It is hard to talk about wine in Sonoma County without the name Bilbro coming up.

I’ve written more than once about Jake Bilbro and the outstanding wines that he is making at Limerick Lane.

Did you know that two other Bilbro brothers also make wine? One of them is Scot, who is carrying on the tradition of father Chris at Marietta Cellars [more on him in a future article].

And then there is Sam. Sam actually hadn’t planned on making wine. He essentially grew up at Marietta Cellars but the thought of making what Sonoma County is known for like the Rhones and Zins that Marietta Cellars and Limerick Lane make or the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay which also tend to dominate the region apparently didn’t appeal to him. He had planned to do something else with his life.

Yet, we found ourselves in an industrial center north of Healdsburg in Geyserville, trying to track Sam down and find out what had changed. We circled around the center for a while, seeing other winemakers doing their thing, but couldn’t find Sam. I finally gave in to my natural disinclination to ask for directions and called him. He promptly flagged us down from the very back of the center where he shares space with a few other small wineries.

It was the middle of harvest and the winery was busy with workers as well as incoming grapes. We didn’t want to be in the way or take up too much of Sam’s time [we had actually pulled him away from his lunch] but we did chat for a little while about what he was doing.

The big question, of course, was what made him decide to go into winemaking after having decided that he wasn’t going to?

The answer was Nebbiolo. One day, tasting an authentic version of this wine, Sam’s passion for Italian varietals was triggered, specifically those from Piedmont, and from that day forward he knew he wanted to make them. So Idlewild was born.

Piedmontese grapes such as Arneis and Cortese – for white wines—and Dolcetto, Barbera and Nebbiolo for reds are sourced from Mendocino County and turned into wine at that Geyserville industrial park. Until recently they could only be obtained via the winery’s mailing list or at a few restaurants. That’s changed though as Sam recently opened a tasting room for Idlewild just off the Healdsburg town square.

We knew that Sam needed to get back to work and we wanted to taste the wine and not only those just-picked Barbera grapes, delicious as they were. So we left Sam to his duties and headed down to that new tasting room.

Idlewild makes three “entry level” [for lack of a better term] blends: The Bee (white), The Flower (rose) and The Bird (red), as well as single-varietal bottlings of Arneis, Nebbiolo, Barbera, Cortese and Dolcetto. In the tasting room we got to taste the latest releases of the single-varietals as well as the rose. [Please note that we’ve tasted prior vintages of the white blend as well as we had purchased some as part of Idlewild’s fundraising efforts relating to the 2017 fires – all three Bilbro wineries participated in these efforts.]

I really like wines that are delicious and fun to drink [Who doesn’t, right? Duh.] I also really like wines that get your attention and require some contemplation. These wines do both, which doesn’t always happen. All of these wines are very tasty, well made wines with complex attributes. My two favorites were the Cortese and the Barbera. The Cortese is Sam’s version of an Orange wine [i.e. fermented on the skins]. I am a fan of Orange wines but I’ve found that some of them taste like, well, a mistake. Not this wine. It has just enough added complexity from the skin contact to make it an all-around winner. And the Barbera is just a great mouthful of berries and figs.

This is a great winery to check out, especially if you are interested in experiencing some out-of-the-ordinary California wines. Or, if you just like really good ones.

Idlewild Wines
132 Plaza St
Healdsburg, CA 95448

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

The Night Is Bright At The Moon Bar At Lunetta: Santa Monica’s Stellar New Cocktail Bar Offers Evening Oasis For Thirst-Quenching Cocktails & Cool Coastal Ambiance!

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Santa Monica, CA – After a fun day of surf and sun, when the tide begins to rise and the moon makes its nightly arch, The Moon Bar at Lunetta opens its doors and welcomes guests to partake in an evening of progressive, chef-driven elevated New Californian Cuisine and masterfully Handcrafted Cocktails. Presented by Chef Raphael Lunetta and the Lunetta Team, The Moon Bar is coquettishly tucked inside Lunetta Dining, capturing the atmospheric California coast quiescence with the approachability of an evening neighborhood cocktail bar that welcomes guests from all over Greater Los Angeles!

Photo credit - acuna-hansen

Photo credit – acuna-hansen

Helming The Moon Bar beverage program is Beverage Director & Sommelier Kristine Bocchino, who contributes her expertise in food and wine to quarterly publication EdibleLA, Westlake Magazine, and has most recently served as a judge in Italy for the Cocktail & Bartending Competition at the Florence Cocktail Week 2018. Describing her approach to the House Libations, Bocchino says, “The cocktails are heavily influenced by Chef Raphael Lunetta’s menu, particularly his incorporation of produce from the Farmers Market.” Fortuitously, there is no need to vacate the alluring ambience of The Moon Bar once guests begin feeling peckish as the full menu from Lunetta Dining is always available. 

Vodka + Gin employs the use of clear spirits to bring guests three light and revivifying cocktails beginning with the cheekily named Spicy Like a Sleepover, undoubtedly the star cocktail of the menu, and prepared with St. George Green Chili vodka, Becherovka, coconut cream, lemongrass, ginger, and lime; the East Side to the West Side featuring Fords Gin, cucumber, mint, lime, orgeat, and Angostura Bitters, and the Honey Ryder made with London Dry Gin, pamplemousse, lemon and bubbles. Creamy with a hint of spice, the Spirits from South of the Border sizzle things up with Tequila + Mezcal based cocktails such as the Mariposa Calor comprised of Espadin mezcal, Amaro Nonino Aperol, lime, Firewater bitters, or get a little pep in your step with the Tired but Wired featuring blanco tequila, Rhum Agricole, housemade chamomile-turmeric syrup, coconut cream, Blackstrap Bitters, and lime. What restaurant by the beach would be complete without a couple of Rum libations, starting with a creative twist on a beachy classic, the Oaxacan Mai Tai, comprised Plantation Pineapple Rum, mezcal, lime, Dry Curacao, orgeat, and Angostura bitters. Hang ten and bottoms up to the Gnarly Surfer, a mixture of Rhum Agricole, pineapple gomme, lime, Blackstrap Bitters, and vegan egg white. Three liquid amber cocktails await Whiskey enthusiasts, starting with the Salted Butter, featuring Japanese whisky, Cocchi di Torino, Suze, Italicus, and grapefruit bitters, while Bocchino breathes new life into two quintessential mixed drinks, first with the Pimms Cup 2420, with Buffalo Trace, lemon, honey peach bitters, and Pimms, and lastly, make no mistake this is Not Your Nonna’s Negroni, comprised of rye, Mr. Black Cold Brew, Cappelletti, and Cocchi di Torino.

If Wine is your pleasure, there is no better place to enhance your meal than The Moon Bar with eclectic varietals offered by the glass and by the bottle. Offering a tickle of Sparkling effervescence is the French Aubry Brut Rosé, and Hébrart Brut Cuvee de Reserve, or the Italian Ferrari Brut Sparkling. Pert and pink, Rosé includes the 2017 Liquid Farm “Vogelzang” Happy Canyon from Santa Barbara, as well as a Grenache based Rosé straight from the Sierra Foothills of California: the 2017 The Wither’s El Dorado. Essential for California coastal living, the White varietals start with a wine that Bocchino boasts is, “ideally paired with shellfish as it provides superb acid,” the 2015 Picpoul Forlorn Hope Rorock Vineyard, from Calaveras County, followed by a 2015 Viognier Yves Cuilleron from Condrieu, France, and all of the way from Kamptal, Austria the 2016 Gruner Veltliner Weinschlossl. Bold and sumptuous, a Red is sure to compliment the meal, such as the Spanish 2015 Grenache Palacios, Les Terrasses, or a bold and refreshing blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Malbec,  uniting to create the 2015 Alpha Omega II Rutherford from Napa Valley. With the final Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot blend, the 2010 Phélan Ségur Saint Estephe is sure to please every Bordeaux lover. For the true connoisseur, the Cellar Selections provide unique vintages such as the Bordeaux-Style blend from Napa Valley, the 2001 Joseph Phelps Insignia, or a wine born from the Nebbiolo grape in the mountains of the famous Piemonte region of Italy, the 1998 Gaja Costa Russi, also offered from Champagne, France is the 1997 Salon Les Mesnil Blanc de Blancs.

Creating The Moon Bar look and feel of comfortable but lush beach city cocktail bar is De JONG & Co. For the interior, De JONG & Co. employed contrast and drama as the timeless navy blue of the exterior is carried through The Moon Bar. Cached in the richness of the elements, walnut, soapstone and satin brass accents lend a density to the environment that is at the same time sophisticated and cozy, with custom plush green velvet furniture in a sea of green and teal encaustic tile, and custom designed shelving to showcase all that The Moon Bar has to offer. The details on its casework draw the eye up to a wall-to-wall ceiling treatment of ornate foliage, as though the ocean of the walls rise up to the forested sea floor. A skylight centers the room, with a single exposed beam cutting through like a ship’s mast, and tasteful brass lighting serve as portholes in this stately ship’s cabin. Funneling into the adjacent Lunetta Dining, the night sky is revealed in the constellation-inspired tiling laid out by the firm’s principal designer Ruth De Jong. Look closely and you can spy the Big Dipper.

Warm in attitude while relaxing in composition, The Moon Bar at Lunetta is a new sultry getaway in Santa Monica where you can sip a handcrafted cocktail by a fireplace, meet up with friends, or unwind with your own thoughts at the bar!

The Moon Bar at Lunetta is open every Tuesday through Friday from 6:30 pm to 11:00 pm, and every Saturday from 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm. For more information or to make reservations, please visit www.LunettaSM.com please call The Moon Bar at Lunetta directly at 310.581.9888.

Vintage Eve Circa 12/2013: Wine Enthusiast Magazine Best of the Year Issue Reviewed

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I am a loyal Wine Spectator (WS) magazine reader, have been for over 20 years. With that said, I’ve leafed through Wine Enthusiast (WE) magazine many times. I had an opportunity to meet and interview West Coast Editor Steve Heimoff and often find myself in agreement with him on his tasting notes. As I thought our palates were sometimes in sync, when I got the press release below presenting the magazine’s 2013 Top 100 Wines, Top 50 Spirits and Top 25 Beers…I thought I better do more than leaf through the issue.

top row l-r: Tim McDonald, Richard Jennings, Eve, Steve Peck. bottom l-r: Eva and Fred Swan, Steve Heimoff, Gina DeGirolamo

top row l-r: Tim McDonald, Richard Jennings, Eve, Steve Peck. bottom l-r: Eva and Fred Swan, Steve Heimoff, Gina DeGirolamo

Starting with the article, “The Top 10 Wines Stories of 2013”, penned by editor Adam Strum, I learned that both men and women enjoyed more white wine this year, more wine producers are using social media, wine growing regions like Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Paso Robles and Santa Barbara are gaining more attention, as well as wineries producing organic wines.

Then I noticed some other key pages: WE Instagram favorites, suggestions for moving the palate from, say, a Rioja’s Tempranillo fruit to try a Mexican Nebbiolo, where to find great wine lists in the Caribbean, where to eat in Denmark and Bordeaux, several winter cocktail recipes and single malt scotch recommendations.

Lengthier articles included an explanation of the different methods in making a sparkling wine, followed by a few suggestions that were not the standard fare, and ranged in price from $14 to $150; a feature on Portuguese winemakers; cooking classes available in Napa; recipes paired with white wines and their monthly Buying Guide.

Then came their “Must-Have Wines” selected from 16,500 globally tasted wines. A picture of the wine label accompanied most wines featured on the list – and if you’re like me a photo does help you to remember what to buy lest you show up at a store with the entire magazine in tow. (The number one wine was a sparkling: Roederer Estate 2004 L’Ermitage Brut, Anderson Valley at $47 retail and received a 97-point rating.)

Then came their “Top 50 Spirits” which I really looked forward to seeing as this is not something I’ve seen normally covered in a wine magazine. It sounded like they had fun tasting, among other things, “an unusual barrel-aged gin, a field-to-flask whiskey and a citrusy Tequila fermented using wine yeasts…”

Broken down by individual spirit, using photos as well, this time the number one winner was the Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage 2002 Edition, USA, Heaven Hill Distillery, Bardstown, KY, at $26 retail and receiving 97 points.

Then we have the Top 25 Beers to look over that was “culled from our monthly Beer Buying Guide.” This time, the same format again employed, and the number one beer was New Glarus Wild Sour Ale, American Wild Ale, New Glarus Brewing Company, WI, at $10/12 ounce four pack and receiving 98 points. More can be found at www.buyingguide.winemag.com

I thought the magazine would end there, but I was only halfway through. Next came the WE Wine Star Awards that honors “individuals and companies”… “notable for their energy and groundbreaking vision…” The 2013 Wine Person of the Year was named as Barbara Banke, the chairwoman of Jackson Family Wines, and awarded due to the remarkable growth of vineyard holdings she has overseen…and other stellar individuals responsible for the success of our wine landscape follows her. I look forward to reading more in this section and getting to know more about whom we will be watching in the years to come…

# # #

Press Release:

WINE ENTHUSIAST MAGAZINE UNVEILS ITS BEST OF YEAR ISSUE

RANKING THE TOP 2013 IN WINES, BEERS AND SPIRITS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE

The Ultimate Resource and Foremost Authority on Wine Lifestyle Announces its Annual Issue Featuring its Editorial Team’s Top Picks for the Year

Officially hitting newsstands this week, and sure to surpass expectations, the Wine Enthusiast Magazine Annual BEST OF YEAR Issue is finally here! Passionately committed to presenting the nation with its choice picks for the top wines, beers and spirits tasted this year, the Wine Enthusiast Global Tasting Panel and team of Editorial Experts have come up with a one of the most interesting and stellar lists to date, with the best-of-the best for every palate, style and price point imaginable.

This year’s list includes unique, first-rate picks that boast exceptional quality, drinkability, innovation and availability – aiming to represent the outstanding diversity in each category of wine, beer and spirits available in the market today. Conducting over 20,000 tasting’s over the course of the year and across all categories, the tasting panel and experts whittled the list down to include only the most interesting picks for this issue.  Featuring the Top 100 Wines, Top 50 Spirits and Top 25 Beers that were tasted and reviewed throughout 2013, this list is the ultimate guide and resource for exceptional imbibing year-round.

“We are thrilled to present our record-breaking Best of Year Issue with one of the most interesting Top 100 Wines lists in our 25 years of publication,” states Editor & Publisher Adam Strum. “Not only does this list go above and beyond our ongoing promise to search for the best quality-to-price ratio, but we also set a record with a sparkling wine taking the number one spot for the first time in the history of the magazine.”

Standing out from the rest, the wine list in particular showcases more then ever the magazine’s unwavering dedication to providing its readers with incredible wine discoveries. With its creatively curated wine selection it is no wonder that Wine Enthusiast’s Best of the Year issue is setting new standards everywhere. Highlights from the list include:

  • A number one scoring sparkling wine
  • Some of the world’s best wines for $16 and under
  • Exciting emerging regions such as Canada, Israel and Georgia

As one of the most respected and quoted authorities in the world of wine, beer and spirits, it’s no wonder that Wine Enthusiast Magazine’s Best of Year Issue is the definitive leader and guide for the top alcoholic beverage picks year after year. Consistently featuring only the hottest trends in everything related to wine lifestyle, Wine Enthusiast’s seasoned editors do the work for their readers. The ultimate list for an amazing year, Wine Enthusiast Magazine has the best of the best for 2013.

# # #

About Wine Enthusiast Magazine:

Wine Enthusiast Magazine educates and entertains readers about wine and the wine lifestyle in an accessible and user-friendly way. Published 13 times per year, the magazine’s readership is more than 800,000. The magazine and its Buying Guide with more than 100,000 ratings and reviews are available online. The magazine hosts signature Wine Enthusiast events for both consumer and trade. www.WineMag.com

Vintage Eve: Paso Garagiste Festival 2012, Taste and Tell a Friend

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GARAGISTES – (gar-uh-zhē-stuh) n, Fr. – A term originally used in the Bordeaux region of France to denigrate renegade small-lot wine makers, sometimes working in their garage, who refused to follow the “rules.” Now a full-fledged movement responsible for making some of the best wine in the world. garagiste truck

Paso Robles is Perlis country. He has been our Paso Correspondent, so to speak, for a couple of years now. Low and behold, although he had run some pre-event articles for the upcoming Paso Garagiste festival, he was unable to attend and asked if Eddie and I could take his and Karen’s spots.

Oh, what a tough job we have, right? Well, it’s not exactly easy to make time for a six-hour round trip to attend a two-hour press event, but, I figured that after the event I would have lunch in Paso and visit a couple of wineries before heading home.

Again, it proved not to be so simple. It started like this:

The Windfall Farm property, which my husband said was more like the Ponderosa (TV home of the Cartwrights), is an awe-inspiring location. The former horse stalls, that were now home for two to five tasting tables, were open and inviting.

We started at the back of the building, with the intention of getting to the front within our two-hour window. As we advanced from stall to stall, we checked our watches only to realize that the winemakers were far too interesting and we lingered far too long, and had 20 minutes left on the clock and had only met with half of them.

We quickly zigzagged through the remaining stalls, only stopping where no one else was waiting in a ridiculous attempt to be fair with our time and cover as much as we could. However, we were ushered out with the rest of the press, on time.

(Note: The amount of time given to press is standard. This is not a complaint aimed at the organizers, the winemakers or myself. However, with that said, these small-lot winemakers cannot get their wine tasted by other means as most are sans tasting rooms. My hope is that the public tasting later held that afternoon multiplied how many people were able to learn about the winemakers. I’ll do my job in writing about it and I hope that the public will do theirs by telling all of their friends about the Garagiste movement, and specifically, which wineries they were charmed by.)

Of the wines we were able to try I was most charmed by:

 

Bodega De Edgar

www.bodegadeedgar.com

I loved everything I tasted:
2010 Tempranillo

2010 Toro de Paso (Merlot, Tempranillo, Grenache, Mourvedre)

2010 E-Square (A nickname for Edgar Torres and his wife. Syrah and Grenache)

2010 Mis Pasos (Merlot, Syrah, Tempranillo.)

 

Bon Niche

www.bonniche.com

2009 L’entrée Malbec (Spice rack!)

2010 L’entrée Malbec (Perfumy aroma and meaty taste.)

 

Changala Winery

www.changalawinery.com

2010 Cabernet Sauvignon (Nice balance)

2010 Basque Blend (Stewed cherries, cigar, long finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec.)

 

Cutruzzola Vineyards

www.cutruzzolavineyards.com

2009 Riesling, Riven Rock Vineyard (The Italian winemaker nailed this one with caramel apple, lemon-line and a POP! of sweet cantaloupe melon.)

2010 Riesling, Riven Rock Vineyard (Jasmine, honeysuckle with a mouth-coating viscosity.)

2009 Pinot Noir Gloria (Cherry, mushroom and a hint o’mint.)

 

Filipponi Ranch Cellars

www.filipponicellars.com

Everything they poured:
2010 Edna Valley Chardonnay (Can you say, “Oak, butter and fruit?” I did.)

2010 Paso Robles Syrah

2010 Paso Robles Mourvedre

2010 Lorenzo (A Grenache-Syrah-Mourvedre blend)

 

Giornata Winery

www.giornatawines.com

All of their varietals are Italian, which winemaker Stephanie Terrizzi called “pizza wines.” And again, I liked them all, great food wines.

2010 Vermentino (Butter, jasmine, viscous.)

2010 il Campo Red (A blend)

2010 French Camp Vineyard Aglianco

2009 Luna Matta Vineyard Nebbiolo

 

Ground Effect Wines

www.groundeffectwine.com

2011 Gravity Check White Wine (Yes, the winemaker is a mountain bicyclist. I liked the crispness of this blend of Albarino, Chenin Blanc and Pinot Gris)

 

Henson Wines

www.hensonwines.com

2010 Henson Viognier (Honey, spice and melon)

2008 Henson Syrah, Chalone

 

J Dusi

www.jdusiwines.com

Janell Dusi is a fave of Mike Perlis. I became a fan too:
2010 Zinfandel Dante Dusi Vineyard (Black olives, robust plums and a perfect balance of spice and pepper.)

2010 Syrah Caterinas Vineyard

2009 Fiorento (Blend of Zinfandel, Syrah and Carignane.)

2007 Zinfandel Port (Perfect.)

 

JK Wine Company

www.jkwinecompany.com

Mostly Rhones:

2009 Katin Viognier

2009 Katin Grenache Blanc

2009 Katin Syrah, Glenrose Vineyard

2009 Arada Las Ramblas (Spanish style with Viognier, Chardonnay, Albarino and Grenache Blanca)

 

Liquid Farm

www.liquidfarm.com

2011 White Hill Chardonnay, Sta. Rita Hills (Outstanding)

2010 Golden Slope Chardonnay, Sta. Rita Hills

2011 Mourvedre Rose, Happy Canyon, Vogelzang Vineyard

 

Les Deux Chats

www.lesdeuxchats.com

Paso grapes, winemakers Chris and Patty Connolly live here in Valencia. I’ve reviewed their wines before, and I’m a member of their club.

2010 Roussanne

2010 Viognier

2010 Zinfandel

 

Rangeland Wines

www.adelaidasprings.com/rangeland-wines.html

2011 Flora Rose (Had a total of 9 varietals, nice balance of fruit and acidity.)

2010 Mistletoe Blend (Dark fruit, pepper, mushroom. A blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Merlot.)

2010 Cabernet Sauvignon

 

Red Zeppelin

www.redzeppelinwinery.com

Mr. Stillman Brown, brazenly working the room in a pink bubble gum colored suit, matching sunglasses, and bleached blond hair…had a way about him. I felt that even without the eye-catching clothes, this man could garner attention. And his wines definitely did:

2009 Black Zeppelin Central Coast Red Wine (Smoky plums, cracked pepper, cigar.)

2011 Colossus Syrah, Paso Robles (Bright, black cherry, balanced…and fun to drink.)

 

Vin Alegre

www.vinalegre.com

2007 Cabernet Sauvignon

2009 Merlot

2009 Primitivo

2011 Rose (A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Primitivo.)

 

Vines on the Marycrest

www.vinesonthemarycrest.com

The first time I tasted Victor and Jenni Abascal’s wines were at The Wine Classic, years ago, at Cal Arts, and they just keep getting better:

2011 At Last (A blend of Viognier, Roussanne and Grenache Blanc)

2009 Heart of Glass (Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre, my favorite blend.)

2009 My Generation (Zinfandel, Syrah, Mourvedre and Petite Sirah.)

2009 Syrah

 

How did it all end? We drove over to Artisan Paso Robles (http://www.artisanpasorobles.com/) for an outstanding lunch – BLT with shrimp and Bacon Tots – and drove home. We were tired. If we do this again: Spending the night!

 

Participating Wineries

Aaron Wines, Alta Colina Vineyards, Ambyth Estate, Anglim Winery, Argot Wines, Barton Family, Bodega de Edgar, Bodegas M, Bon Niche Cellars, Caliza Winery, Cayucos Cellars, Center of Effort, Changala Winery, Cloak and Dagger Wines, Cutruzzola Vineyards, Edmond August Wines, Filipponi Ranch Cellars, Giornata, Ground Effect Wines, Henson Wines, J Dusi, Jacob Toft, JK Wine Company, Kaleidos Winery, La Filice, Les Deux Chats, Liquid Farm, Luminesce, Nicora, Paix Sur Terre, Paso Port Wines, Per Cazo Cellars, Pipestone Vineyards, Ranchero Cellars, Rangeland Wines, Red Zeppelin Winery, Rendarrio Vineyards, Sinor La Vallee, St. Hilaire, Stage Left Cellars, STANGER Vineyards, Thomas Alexander Wines, Two Shepherds, Vin Alegre, Vines on the Marycrest, Von Holt Wines, Westberg Cellars and Zin Alley.

 

Description

An annual festival celebrating the artisan winemakers of Paso Robles and the Central Coast of California and beyond. Find the best from high-quality, small-lot winemakers at Paso Garagiste.
http://pasogaragiste.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Paso-Garagiste/171568979573300?ref=ts&fref=ts

Vintage Eve Circa Nov. 2012: The Wines from Beni di Batasiolo

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I didn’t know much about the Beni Di Batasiolo family-owned winery “in the heart of Barolo” until I saw a full page ad in Tasting Panel magazine listing six of their wines that have received 90 points or higher in ratings by Tasting Panel, Wine Spectator and Wine Enthusiast magazines. So, suffice it to say, I was enthusiastic about reviewing the three samples I had received. Not to compare myself with the big guns, I left off rating numbers and will give you my tasting notes alone:32

‘11 Cortese Gavi (100%) Hillsides

12.5% alcohol

I was greeted by a color of clear pale hay with a thin band of lemon on the edge. On the nose I got lemon-lime, pear, unsweetened butter, kiwi and ripe green apple. The taste delivered a nice viscosity over my mouth, a crisp acidity that made my taste buds stand up and take notice but didn’t dry my mouth, followed by the fruit-salad flavors of orange, lime, grapefruit and a bit of pineapple lingering in for a long finish.

Would like to try this wine again with a cold seafood salad, hummus and chips or Chinese food.

This elegant, fine white wine is made from Cortese grapes grown in the specific area of the village of Gavi. It stands out for …http://www.batasiolo.com/eng/

‘09 Sovrana Barbera d’Alba (100%)

14% alcohol

A lovely ruby red color that stretched out to a garnet edge was followed by aromas of black cherry, plum, mint, mushroom, earth, green bell pepper and the palest hint of cigar. The taste was bright red fruits, white pepper, pale tannins and a short finish. As I didn’t decant, I gave myself a full pour to try in 20 minutes and found…the fruit opened up and increased the length to a much longer finish.

The area of production of this wine extends over the hills of the Langhe in the Barolo wine-growing area…http://www.batasiolo.com/eng/

‘07 Barolo (100% Nebbiolo)

15% alcohol

Starting with a golden garnet color, this Barolo had nuances of blackberry, blueberry, black pepper, satiny chocolate and black olives on the nose that just coaxed me in to a taste. I got nice tannins, red fruits, pepper, a delicate dryness, stewed mushrooms, blackened game, toasted oak, smoke, tobacco and a medium length on the finish.

This wine is made from Nebbiolo grapes grown on the slopes of the Barolo wine-making area, which is formed by eleven villages all located on the lower spurs of the Langhe…http://www.batasiolo.com/eng/

Editor’s Note – this is a FOND memory: Last Thursday our editor, Michael Perlis, had an idea of a fundraiser for the victims of Hurricane Sunday. By Friday we met with the owner of the restaurant Cheers@All Corked Up for our venue and enlisted the help of the same people that helped us with a fundraiser for Haiti, the owners of All Corked Up wine storage.

Remember “Pour into Haiti”? Now we are asking your help at “Pour into Sandy” on 11/14. 100 per cent of the ticket sales, $25 at the door (reserve yours: 661-259-2000) and wine auction go directly to the American Red Cross. If you cannot attend, but would like to donate wine email me: eve@evewine101.com

The Hungry Cat Welcomes Steve Clifton and Palmina Wines for Winemaker Dinner on September 29

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Chef David Lentz and Chef de Cuisine Kris Longley Showcase Palmina’s Italian Styled Wines with a Menu Inspired by the California Central Coast

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WHO: Chef/Owner David Lentz, Chef de Cuisine Kris Longley, The Hungry Cat Santa Monica and Winemaker Steve Clifton of Palmina Wines 

WHAT: David Lentz’s seaside restaurant, The Hungry Cat in Santa Monica Canyon, welcomes Winemaker Steve Clifton and Palmina Wines for an exclusive Winemaker Dinner on Tuesday, September, 29, 2015.

Steve Clifton, winemaker and owner, produced the first Palmina wines in the basement of his home in 1995. Steve’s appreciation for Italian wines began while working in Italian restaurants. His career in the wine industry began in 1991 when he left his previous incarnations as a musician and nightclub entrepreneur behind and decided to beg his way into a tasting room position at Rancho Sisquoc winery. In 1995, Steve met Greg Brewer and formed the partnership that has become Brewer-Clifton, a winery solely devoted to vineyard-designated Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from the Sta. Rita Hills appellation in western Santa Barbara County.

The evening with Palmina Wines begins with a Swordfish Crudo with Crushed Pistachios, Mint, Lemon, Extra Virgin Olive Oil served with the winery’s Malvasia Larner Vineyard 2013. Next courses include Baked Scallop with Sunchoke Velouté, Charred Broccoli, Pine Nuts, Bread Crumbs and House Made Rigatoni with Braised Rabbit Ragout, Chanterelle Mushrooms, Hazelnuts with two Italian style wines – a Tocai Friulano from Honea Vineyard and a rich Dolcetto from Santa Ynez Valley. The culmination is The Hungry Cat’s Wood-Grilled Rib Eye with Romano Beans, Smoked Tomatoes, Gorgonzola served with Palmina’s Nebbiolo from Santa Barbara County. Ending the feast is a Cardamom Panna Cotta with Persimmons, Toasted Walnuts served with a late harvest Tocai from Honea Vineyard.

Cocktails begin at 6 p.m. followed by a seated dinner at 7 p.m. Pricing is $150 per guest for menu and wines. To reserve for this event, call (310) 459-3337 or email infosantamonica@thehungrycat.com.

An Evening with Winemaker Steve Clifton and Palmina Wine

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

 

COURSE I

SWORDFISH CRUDO

crushed pistachios, mint, lemon, extra virgin olive oil

MALVASIA larner vineyard 2013

 

COURSE II

BAKED SCALLOP

sunchoke velouté, charred broccoli, pine nuts, bread crumbs

TOCAI FRIULANO honea vineyard 2013

 

COURSE III

HOUSE MADE RIGATONI

braised rabbit ragout, chanterelle mushrooms, hazelnuts

DOLCETTO santa ynez valley 2013

 

COURSE IV

GRILLED RIB EYE

romano beans, smoked tomatoes, gorgonzola

NEBBIOLO santa barbara county 2009

 

DESSERT

CARDAMOM PANNA COTTA

persimmons, toasted walnuts

TOCAI (LATE HARVEST) honea vineyard

 

$150/person

 

Winemaker Steve Clifton

WHEN:

One night only, Tuesday, September 29, 2015

6 p.m. cocktails, 7 p.m. dinner

$150 per guest, excluding other beverages, taxes and gratuities

Limited seating for this event

Call (310) 459-3337 or email infosantamonica@thehungrycat.com

 

WHERE: The Hungry Cat Santa Monica

100 W Channel Rd, Santa Monica, CA 90402
(310) 459-3337

WHY: Chef /Owner David Lentz creates a new American Seafood sensibility inspired by his Maryland roots, incorporating sustainable, seasonal fish, shellfish and produce into his weekly changing menus. Consistently named among the LA Weekly’s 99 Essential Restaurants, critic Besha Rodell states, ”The Hungry Cat has…not has only stood the test of time, in fact, is far better than much of what now qualifies as the new hotness. Lentz delivers menu of beautiful seafood dishes that aren’t built on nostalgia but rather a foundation of creativity and old-school technique.” This Santa Monica outpost brings it all together with its seaside setting, complete with signature raw bar, perfectly mixed craft wines and camaraderie at the bar and tables.

ABOUT PALMINA WINES: Palmina crafts wines can be enjoyed every day, complementing a wide range of food styles. Palmina produces wines from Italian varietals grown in Santa Barbara County, California.  The climate and soil types are similar to those in Northern Italy.  Each – Piemonte, Friuli and Santa Barbara share particular microclimates that feature cold air pushing warm air to create growing conditions that provide enough sunlight to help fully develop fruit flavors. These regions also enjoy cool night temperatures that maintain the grape’s natural acidity levels, allowing winemakers to create “food wines” with a balance of fruit, tannin and acid. Read more about Palmina Wines at www.palminawines.com

Il Cortile Ristorante Wins 2015 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence

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Paso Robles restaurant honored for the second year in a row

Paso Robles, CA – Downtown Paso Robles’ favorite Italian restaurant, Il Cortile Ristorante, is being honored for the second year in a row with a prestigious Wine Spectator Award of Excellence. The announcement was made in advance of Wine Spectator Magazine’s August 31 issue, which will feature all winners and will focus on cuisine.

Spectator magWine Spectator Awards of Excellence inform thousands of wine lovers and gourmands how to travel and dine across the country. According to their website, the awards “recognize restaurants whose wine lists offer interesting selections, are appropriate to their cuisine and appeal to a wide range of wine lovers.” Additionally, winning wine lists typically include 90 or more wines.

The wine list at Il Cortile is selected by Carole MacDonal, co-proprietor with Chef Santos MacDonal. Designed specifically to complement Chef Santos’ cuisine, Carole’s wine list has grown over several years to include wines by the glass, by the bottle and limited-release wines across a wide spectrum of prices. Of these selections, about one-third are Italian in origin with the remainder hailing from California’s Central Coast.

“Our wine list allows our guests the opportunity to explore the difference in the same varietals grown in Italy and here locally, like Nebbiolo, Sangiovese, and Vermentino. It’s a treat for both us and our guests to experience the nuances of each,” said Carole.

She adds, “Our cuisine is true to Italian tradition, but our ingredients are extremely local – I look at the wines the same way. It’s just as exciting to pair Santos’ dishes with Old World Italian wines as it is to pair them with New World interpretations of those wines.

For more information on Wine Spectator Awards of Excellence or Il Cortile Ristorante, please visit www.IlCortileRistorante.com/wine.

ABOUT IL CORTILE RISTORANTE

Il Cortile is located in downtown Paso Robles at 608 12th Street, and is downtown Paso Robles’ fine dining Italian restaurant. Chef Santos MacDonal crafts seasonal menus with the freshest ingredients sourced from the surrounding local and regional landscapes and provides a vast array of exceptional homemade pastas, fresh seafood, top quality meats and antipasti. A major destination for exquisite wines, picturesque landscapes and beautiful weather, Paso Robles provides the perfect pairing for Il Cortile’s authentic Italian fine dining. www.IlCortileRistorante.com.

Vintage Beacon 11/09: Sunset in the Vineyards: Introduces More Than Burcak

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This Sunday, November the 8th from 3-6pm, (was) the one place to find many, if not all, members of the Santa Clarita Valley Vintners and Growers Association sharing their wines and knowledge with a very thirsty crowd all to benefit our local Assistance League. We’ll be there, will you have your your tickets in time? (661- 254 -4126 Email: alsc@email.com)

Some of our winemakers have, at press time, this to share about what they will be pouring on Sunday

The "winemaker wives" Jennifer Hasper and Megan Lemley

The “winemaker wives” Jennifer Hasper and Megan Lemley

Les Deux Chat, owned by Chris and Patty Connolly, will be pouring a selection of their wines. Tomas & Jenny Lukas will share their 2007 Bobcat Red Syrah, 2008 Bobcat Red Syrah, 2008 Cab Mascari Vineyard and 2008 Luminari Zinfandel. Chris Carpenter will be pouring a 2008 Santa Inez Nebbiolo and 2008 Pinot Noir along with a 2007 “Lost Pruners” Cabernet Sauvignon. DiMaggio Washington will be pouring his Rancho Santiago 2007 Port. Danny Mascari, from his vineyard on Bouquet Canyon Road, Bouquet Vineyard, will be sharing a 2005 Cabernet, 2007 Cabernet, and 2007 Sangiovese.

Susie and Kerry Clark, of Two Hearts Estate, Castaic, will be pouring 08 Lewis Vyd Petite Sirah, Lodi, 08 Two Hearts Estate Primitivo, 07 Two Hearts Estate Primitivo, 07 Two Hearts Estate Scorched Earth Syrah, 08 Two Hearts Estate Syrah, 07 Two Hearts Estate Cabernet, 08 Primitivo/Petite Blend, 08 Paso Cabernet, 08 Paso Cab/Syrah Blend, 08 White Hawk Vyd Cat Canyon S.B. Sangiovese, 08 Triunfo Creek Vyd  Malibu Merlot, 07 Malbec, Argentina, South America, 09 Two Hearts Rose, 07 & 08 Gruner-Veltliner, Weingut Huber, Traisental Austria, 08 Oakville Vyd Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc, 09 Swayze Vyd Neenach Sauvignon Blanc, 09 Swayze Vyd Neenach Semillion and 09 Swayze Vyd Neenach Sauvignon Blanc/Semillion Blends.

Pulchella Winery, formerly known as Dragonfly, will be pouring 2007 lot #1 Janes Ranch Vineyard Zinfandel Paso Robles, 2007 lot #2 Janes Ranch Vineyard Zinfandel Paso Robles, 2006 Creston Ranch Farms Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles, 2007 Paso Robles Syrah, 2006 Paso Robles Chardonnay.

Joe & Jill Fariss, of “Soaring Hawk”, will be bringing ’07 Merlot, ’07 Zin, ’08 Viogner.  Their beer-master friend, Richard Gayou, will be bringing 2 seasonal beer/ale.  And there will also be bits of brats served by the Assistance League ladies to pair it with!

Roman Weiser will pour 2008 Whistling Vineyard Syrah ‘Ben’s Crush’, 2008 Whistling Vineyard Grenache ‘Ben’s Crush’ 2008 Central Coast Pinot Noir ‘Fat Boy’, 2008 Danny’s Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon ‘Screaming People’, 2007 Danny’s Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon ‘Lost Pruners’ 2007 Central Coast ‘Nebiollo’ and 2006 Central Coast Cabernet Sauvignon ‘Raul’s Secret.’

Roman is also preparing something very special, never seen in these parts of the World: “In my country it is called BURCAK. (pronounced something like this – BOURCHAUG or BURCHYAG) It is simply a wine in the middle of fermentation, poured to taste as it ferments in your glass.

Burčák is supposed to offer great health benefits. Burčák is rich in vitamins, particularly Vitamin B, and certain essential minerals. Burcak is believed by many to possess the life-giving energy of sun and soil – the secret of good health. Local superstition has it that one should drink at least as much of Burcak as how much blood flows in ones veins to ensure good luck until the next harvest.”

Derrick McKaughan and Roman Weiser

Derrick McKaughan and Roman Weiser

New this year (and it’s only their second year!)

New additions this year include wine maker Randy Bartlett of “4 Joe’s Wines”, winemaking father-son duo Jeff & Ed Capuano and “World Wine Educator” and COC professor, professional sommelier and vineyard grower/winemaker DiMaggio Washington. Also new this year, good friends of the Santa Clarita Valley Vintners and Growers Association, Corry & Carol deRobertis. They will be offering tastes of their custom made artisan cheeses.

Once again this year a silent auction will include these terrific choices:

A day of sailing out of Marina del Rey aboard Betsy & Kenny Linn’s Benteneau yacht the ‘Alcyone’, includes lunch & wine and delightful hosts.

A fun auction item this year is a dinner served and made by a select group of the winemakers with select wines, as well as some rare bottles from these local winemakers. Their dinners are not to be missed.

Other the gourmet related items to be included: Bottles of 2007 Sea Smoke “Southing” Pinot Noir, a bottle of Pulchella 2007 Paso Robles Syrah, and “The 2005 Wine of the Year”, a 2002 Joseph Phelps “Insignia.”

There will be gourmet raffle items as well. Raffle tickets are 10 for $10 or 25 for $20. Winners will be posted on the blackboard and will be available for pickup when exiting.

From Jeannie Carpenter, President of our Assistance League and co-owner of Compa Vineyards

“I just returned from an Assistance League Conference.  I discovered that other chapters are beginning to copy our “Sunset in the Vineyard” event as a fundraiser too.  I was told it was an honor!

This event helps fund local programs; one such program is Operation School Bell which allows Assistance League to buy new school clothing for over 1,660 SCV children in need at our “Shopping Event at Kohl’s”. One can imagine that the need will be much greater this year!

As a group, the Santa Clarita Valley Vintners and Growers Association, share their acquired knowledge and periodically lend one another a hand with the tasks of pruning, harvesting, bottling and of course, tasting…”

August 2008 Vintage Eve: Meeting Local Winemakers

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My husband Eddie and I spending a day wine tasting in Santa Clarita (SCV) is not news. But wine tasting at two different vineyards within ten minutes of our house in SCV is.

Event planner Jeannie Carpenter with guests Betty and Luke Herme

Event planner Jeannie Carpenter with guests Betty and Luke Herme

Chris and Jeannie Carpenter of Newhall have a cellar I have long coveted. Free standing and temperature controlled, with an attached sitting room, it is normally filled with exceptional wine. But on this day it was also filled with oak barrels to sample from and a “wine thief” (think classy turkey baster) to sample with.

“We have what you call a collective co-op,” Chris began. “Three couples and a single winemaker. We had 500 pounds of Cabernet that we made into 30 gallons. Two 26 gallon half barrels – they’re easier to move and hold plenty of wine anyway -makes about 35 bottles per couple.”

“The grapes are all from a local grower in Bouquet Canyon. During the crush the grapes are ‘popped’, cleaned, covered, slosh around in a truck getting here and then we ferment it for a month with the skins on.”

“Our ‘Lost Pruners’ vintage was the last one we made. We will age the new one in American oak for about 4-5 more months. The wood softens the wine, but we have the remaining juice in glass containers. If it happens to be too ‘oaky’, we’ll blend them to taste. We are also making a Barolo style from 100% Nebbiolo grapes from Santa Ynez. It will be a little drier and needs one more year before taking home.”

At this point Chris checks his composition book to tell us that his “Cabernet Tempranillo was first bottled in July of 07.”

We asked how in the heck he learned how to do this and he said, “Reading a lot and learning by mistakes. I also tried to do everything my favorite winemaker from Saxum did; right down to picking his brain and planting the same grapes. The 200 vines we’re growing are Syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre that we’ll use to make a Southern Rhone-style blend. I’ve learned a lot from collaborating with my friend, Roman Weiser (another Newhall grower) on the crafting of these wines.”

We reluctantly head away from the cellar and out to take a look at the vines. Jeannie took charge of our tour then. “I plan on having Assistance League fundraisers here,” Jeannie said. “To support our community.”

She then introduced us to her brother-in-law, Tim Carpenter, who had named the “Compa Vineyards” in memory of his dog, who was lovingly seen as a true “compadre”.

“You can come back for the grape stomp,” Chris added. “We may do that next time. Until then we let the grapes drop, to give structure to our 2009 harvest.” We’re there.

Then, back in the car, we drove ten minutes to Two Hearts Vineyard, this time into the hills above Hasley Canyon and to the beautiful home of Kerry and Susie (not Suzie Q.) Clark. And, even though they were in the midst of preparing for a wedding, it didn’t prevent them from being gracious hosts to an impromptu wine tasting.

Kerry and Susie Clark and 1/3 of the different varietals they had to share!

Kerry and Susie Clark and 1/3 of the different varietals they had to share!

With a 4 year old all organic vineyard they have just a bit over 200 vines. Growing Rhone reds, Primitivo, Cabernet and Barbera; whites include Colombard, Viognier, Grenache Blanc, Marsanne and White Malvasia.

“We are strictly amateur winemakers for now so we either drink our wine or give it away,” Susie reported. “We also buy grapes (Paso, Santa Barbara, and Lodi), and juice (Napa, Washington, Australia and Austria) and even use wine kits. We have won quite a few awards for our wine in the past few years. Last month we received 5 medals at the 2008 Wine Maker International Amateur Wine Competition.”

“There were over 4,300 entries from 6 different countries making it the largest wine competition of any kind – commercial or amateur – in North America. Our 2006 Cat Canyon Santa Barbara County Sangiovese won a gold medal and the 06 Sangio-Cab blend took a silver. The 2006 and 2007 Gruner-Veltliner both took gold medals and the 07 Viognier got a silver. Our wines have won awards at other competitions including the California State Fair and the L.A. Cellarmasters U.S. Winemaking Competition”.

“We enjoy the competitions as professional judges give us feedback on our wines”.

It was a hell of a tasting. I had a hard time pouring out any of the wines Kerry had us taste. But the warm weather, excellent learning experience along with the subtle cheeses, fruits and meats, all increased our pairing experience.

“It all happened by accident,” Kerry explained.

“We were invited to go to Napa and all I thought was that I didn’t need any auto parts.” There was a jokester in this winemaker. “Now we have a hard time taking a vacation at all because we can’t predict when the grapes are going to be ready for pick up, tasting and testing.”

“I enjoy writing the labels,” Kerry said. “I think every wine has a story to tell. My labels help tell the story of what’s in the bottle. Wine should be fun!” My husband read one of his quips, “Be a mellow fellow – drink Bordello Verdello” on the 2006 Mullaro Creek and “GRU-V” the 2006 Gruner Veltliner.

“Making wine isn’t hard,” Kerry continues, “But making good wine is. We started making small batches of beer before we lived in this house. And it was actually more complex with grinding grains and adding caramel. We had names like Brain Dead Red and Liver Killer Lager. Beer should be fun too!”

“We are also very green conscious: This is not a Rombauer Chardonnay, it’s my French Colombard, and we just reused the bottle.” Other wine making tips include oak cubes and stays and a cold fermentation process that “keeps the whites delicate.”  Kerry added, “In blending my own wines I can make my own decisions and make them consistent, I’m a slave to nature. But we don’t try to strong arm our grapes to taste a certain way, we go where the grapes take us.”

So do I.