Several factors should go into play when creating a wine list. As a consumer we may not be aware of all of them. As a wine writer I get to learn some of them. Here’s what I learned and what you can now expect from the new Reserve Wine List at Newhall Refinery.
Simon and Shannon Mee, owners of Newhall Refinery, already had re-vamped their existing Wine List with the help of Guy Lelarge, formerly of Valencia Wine Company. Lelarge introduced several new wines – that have become new favorites – while removing some older wines from the list. But it doesn’t end here for the Mees and Lelarge, as Newhall Refinery is one of the most cutting edge restaurants in the Santa Clarita Valley (many would argue that they are the most cutting edge) they wanted to create a reserve wine list that would encompass classic Napa wineries as well as global favorites, wines with high critic scores, name recognition and pair the best with their ever-changing fare.
One look at the new Reserve Wine List (below) and wine aficionados will notice a Far Niente vertical, 2010, 2011 and 2012 – of their Cave Collection Cabernet Sauvignon. They may also notice that the selections also include global choices – notably France and Italy – to pair with the dinner menu, Chef Dustin’s weekend menus and of course, the upcoming holiday parties and special events in The Cellar at Refinery.
These new reserve wines are now safely tucked away, in a temperature controlled wine fridge in The Cellar, near to the decorative racks of wines that will still be available from the latest wine menu.
There will be three by-the-glass selections, all Napa Cabernet Sauvignons: the 2015 Duckhorn, 2014 Silver Oak and a 2012 Heitz Trailside. How can they possibly open such nice bottles just for a glass? The Mees have purchased a Coravin Model 2, which is a unit that extracts wine from the bottle without removing the cork. Usually winery representatives and distributors use this model. Lucky for us, the Mees know the value of fresh wine as well.
Lastly, there are only a select number of these wines that are currently available, so don’t wait too long to come in and try a new dinner pairing at Newhall Refinery!
My own opinion of this new Reserve Wine List: it’s incredible! And now we both now know – and can appreciate – what should go into the selection process.
The Reserve List
PINOT NOIR
Patz & Hall ‘Gap’s Crown’, Sonoma Coast, 2015
Sea Smoke ‘Southing’, Santa Rita Hills, 2014
Sea Smoke ‘Ten’, Santa Rita Hills, 2015
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Bella Union, Napa, 2015
Duckhorn, Napa, 2014
Silver Oak, Alexander Valley, 2014
Heitz ‘Trailside’, Napa, 2012
Nickel & Nickel ‘Rock Cairn’, Oakville, 2015
Caymus ‘Special Selection’, Napa, 2014
Far Niente ‘Cave Collection’, Napa, 2010
Far Niente ‘Cave Collection’, Napa, 2011
Far Niente ‘Cave Collection’, Napa, 2012
Stag’s Leap ‘SLV’, Napa, 2015
RED BLENDS
Flora Springs ‘Trilogy’, Napa, 2015
Miner ‘The Oracle’, Napa, 2013
Opus One Meritage, Oakville, 2014
Joseph Phelps ‘Insignia’ Meritage, Napa, 2014
Dominus Meritage, Napa, 2014
ITALIAN WINES
Pio Cesare Barolo, Piedmont 2013
Antinori ‘Guado Al Tasso’,
Bolgheri Superiore D.O.C, 2013
FRENCH WINES
Joseph Drouhin ‘Vosne-Romanee’, Burgundy, 2016
Chateau Magdelaine, Saint Emilion, Bordeaux 2011 Chateau Lynch Bages, Pauillac, Bordeaux, 2010
PORT WINES
Dow’s 30 Year Tawny Port
Grahams Vintage Port, 1983
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
Exhausted. Even though as a media sponsor we were given VIP seating and full table service, we felt compelled to leave our shady seats, plate after plate of tantalizing treats and two bottles of wine – and walk the whole entire event from one end to the other.
Newhall Refinery 5th Anniversary Celebration With $5 Specials: 5 Years of Menu Favorites Available Until Sold Out.
Within 15 minutes into the tasting the room, aptly called “The Cellar”, became electrified! As people entered they happily greeted pals they didn’t know would be there (the guest list wasn’t public), started tasting at one of the three tasting stations, took photos for social media, noshed on mushroom toast, cheese and charcuterie and – started sharing notes with each other of which wines not to miss at each table.
Make it to the 
A few months ago, Guy Lelarge, formerly of Valencia Wine Company and with a long tenure as both a wine distributor and buyer, curated a new wine list for Newhall Refinery, replacing nearly every wine and adding a full third more. Wines from the best vineyards from Burgundy to the Rhone Valley in France, and from Sonoma to Napa Valley are standouts on the list, as well as fine representations from Germany, Argentina, Monterey and more.
Airline Chicken Breast: Mary’s organic chicken, crispy gratin potatoes, mushrooms, prunes, truffle purée, jus gras. Suggested wine pairing: Diora 2015 Pinot Noir, Monterey, CA
November 7th is a day to set aside our differences and come together as a community, to show the world that we will not allow a horrendous act to break our compassion towards our fellow neighbors. It is also a reminder to the victims, that they are always in our thoughts and that we are “stronger together”.
Cocktails on the Roof, on August 25th, has us looking forward to a new, fun layout, more lounges (you can even sponsor your own lounge – email 
Recently, Karen and I had the opportunity to visit the Double Trouble Wine Room on Main Street, a joint project of Hoi Polloi Winery and Pagter Brothers Winery. Both wineries make their wines locally at SCV Custom Crush Services, sourcing grapes primarily from vineyards on California’s Central Coast.