Eve's Wine 101

ERIC JENSEN NAMED THE 2022 PASO ROBLES WINE INDUSTRY PERSON OF THE YEAR

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(Paso Robles, CA) On Thursday, February 2 the Paso Robles wine community came together to recognize one of their own who has exemplified the spirit of Paso Robles Wine Country with outstanding leadership and vision. Eric Jensen, Farmer-Winemaker at Booker Vineyard, will receive the 2022 Paso Robles Wine Industry Person of the Year award at the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance’s Annual Gala.

Eric Jensen has been a champion for the Paso Robles American Viticultural Area (AVA), its wines, people, and community since 2001 when he first planted his vineyard. In 2005, Eric, and his wife Lisa, launched Booker Vineyard’s first vintage. Jensen began making wine with the help of his mentors, Stephan Asseo of L’Aventure and Justin Smith of Saxum Vineyards, both past Industry Person of the Year awardees. Eric’s wines have since been recognized with the highest of accolades from all publications and industry notables.
 
“What an unbelievable honor to even be nominated for an award that is selected by industry friends whom I’ve respected and worked alongside for more than two decades,” said Eric Jensen. “Lisa and I chose to get married here in 1997 and to move to Paso Robles permanently in 2001. It’s where our hearts were. We wanted to keep the name Booker and with that the responsibility of putting our neighbors and community first. Watching Paso Robles continue to grow and reach new heights has been the greatest journey of our lives. I’m grateful and humbled that we can play even a small part in that. Thanks to my wonderful friends and the entire wine industry.”

Eric is one of the founding supporters of Must! Charities, and the originator-host of the organization’s annual PURPOSE auction event, which raised $2.5 million in its second year this last summer. He is also a founding supporter of the Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship Fund, which provides academic opportunities to children of vineyard and winery workers.
 
“We built our business in Paso Robles, our kids grew up here,” Eric says. “We want to help make sure that we have a community that serves everyone and leaves no one behind.”
 
“Eric Jensen’s commitment to the region is special. His tireless promotion professionally, and his personal support for the community is steadfast, which makes him more than deserving of this award,” said Joel Peterson, Executive Director of the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance.
 
Eric Jensen was nominated and named the 2022 Paso Robles Wine Industry Person by the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance membership which represents 450+ companies including wineries, vineyards, and associated businesses. Eric was recognized by industry colleagues at the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance’s Annual Gala on Thursday, February 2 at Rava Wines. Elected officials and representatives from national, state, and local offices were also on hand to commemorate the honor.

The evening also featured the installation of the Alliance’s 2023 Board of Directors and will recognize the departing board members. The 2023 Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance Board of Directors (in alphabetic order) are as follows:

  • Chloe Asseo – L’Aventure 
  • Josh Beckett – Peachy Canyon Winery
  • Cris Cherry – MAHA Estate / Villa Creek
  • Randy Heinzen, Coakley Vineyard / VPS
  • Carole MacDonal – Il Cortile Ristorante / La Cosecha
  • Noreen Martin – Martin Resorts
  • Molly Scott – JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery
  • Jeff Strekas – ONX Winery
  • Maggie Tillman – Alta Colina Vineyard & Winery

Austin Hope, Hope Family Wines, departs the board with Maggie Tillman set to replace his seat. Austin has served on the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance Board of Directors since 2008.

ABOUT PASO ROBLES WINE COUNTRY ALLIANCE
The Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance is the official trade organization that represents wineries, growers, and businesses in Paso Robles Wine Country. Centrally located between San Francisco and Los Angeles, along California’s Central Coast, Paso Robles Wine Country is California’s third-largest wine region. It encompasses more than 40,000 vineyard acres and 250 wineries. For more information, visit PasoWine.com. Facebook – @PasoRoblesWine, Instagram – @PasoWine, #pasowine.

My Fave Wines + Spirits of 2022

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Every year I reflect back on the best wines I’ve enjoyed the past year, and since I’ve had so many I often Google my name on the Internet to remind myself of it all. Of huge note was our trip to the Lake Garda, Italy DOC, and Chateauneuf du Pape…but there were many, many other wines – and spirits –  I’ve enjoyed. Here they are, pretty much in order from January through December 2022:

Lodi

I only had one day in Lodi to taste wines, and for this section I will focus on just one as it was so remarkable we became club members. Winemaker and owner Susan Tipton of Acquiesce Winery, aka the White Wine Winery, has been making award-winning Rhone wines that many other people have discovered long before we found them. There wasn’t a single wine that we didn’t love, from that first tasting and since with our club shipments.

Napa

As a wine journalist I try very hard to visit new wineries to write about when I visit California wine country. This past year the wineries of note that I loved in Napa include Myriad Cellars (winemaker Mike Smith makes an amazing number of 100-point wines), Hall Wines, Cakebread Cellars, Ladera Vineyard, Stag’s Leap Cellars, Titus Vineyards and Honig Vineyard and Cellars.

The Garda DOC

Lake Garda is the biggest lake in Italy, not as famous as Lake Como – I’m told that’s only because George Clooney made Como more popular when he set up residence there – and a large winemaking AVA. Prosecco is king, but I also enjoyed many red wine varieties while there. It’s also a beautiful lake dotted with amazing coastal towns that each offer something interesting for travelers and wine lovers. Read more about it in my article in Elite Magazine.

Chateauneuf du Pape

Eddie and I jumped at the chance to visit this amazing wine area – and this is how our adventure was titled for the online magazine Daily Ovation: A Wine Lover’s Bucket List: Eve Bushman Spends a Week Touring and Tasting in Chateauneuf du Pape. (Bite-sized articles on the area can also be found on this blog.) Besides all of the amazing Rhone wines we got to taste in several wineries, and sharing the experience with seasoned writers, my most vivid memory was seeing the amazing large quartz stones, that went two meters down before hitting any earth, that many of the vineyards were covered in. I’d heard it described many times, “rocky soil”, but seeing it was believing it. Wineries we visited included Domaine Du Pegau, Domaine Roger Sabon, Domaine de la Mordoree, Domaine Andre Brunel, le Clos du Caillou, Domaine la Barroche, Chateau Mont-Redon, Domaine du Grand Tinel, Domaine Saint Prefert et Domaine Isabel Ferrando and Vieux Telegraphe.

Single Bottle Posts and Events

When I have a remarkable bottle I do single-bottle blog posts on them in this blog. My thinking is that a winemaker has spent so much time creating that one wine, let me try and do it justice by devoting an article to it. I also receive bottles for review, dedicating the same space on the blog for them as well, and attended some remarkable events. In 2022 I truly loved a 2008 Robert Mondavi To Kalon Cabernet Sauvignon from our cellar, Vinos Zanzonico 2020 Reserva Chardonnay and 2019 Reserva Syrah, Middle West Pumpernickel Rye whiskey, Corvezzo wines from Italy, the 2022 Bar and Restaurant Expo, 2021 Alavida Kosher Malbec, wines from Portugal’s Herdade do Esporao, Masters of Taste 2022, PureCru Brut Rose Sparkling wine, 2019 Chateau du Moulin-a-vent Beaujolais, many discoveries at the Universal Whisky Experience, Greek wines, 2019 Catena Malbec from Argentina, Knox and Dobson ready-to-drink cocktails, Valdobbiadene Prosecco and others. (If any of these interest you feel free to email me for the hyperlinks, or search this blog for more details.)

Now I can only ask, what exciting wines and spirits will 2023 have for us?

Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a “certification in the 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 Proof Awards, Cellarmasters, LA Wine Competition, Long Beach Grand Cru and the Global Wine Awards. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits.

Garagiste Wine Festival Returns to Santa Ynez Valley: February 10th and 11th

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PASO ROBLES, CALIF. (PRWEB) – America’s Best Wine Festival, The Garagiste Wine Festival, returns to Solvang in Santa Ynez Valley on February 10th – 11th, offering rare access to over 30 of the most exciting small-production winemakers from the Santa Barbara County area. Tickets are now on sale here. Following on the heels of another sold-out year of events, the festival also announced its line-up for 2023, which includes Sonoma, Los Angeles and Paso Robles.

Hosted in Solvang, one of America’s 10 Best Small Historic Towns, for the ninth time, ‘Southern Exposure’ will be held at the landmark Mission-style Veterans’ Memorial Hall on Solvang’s Mission Street, which was named one of the US’ Top Ten Best Looking Main Streets.

“This charming town has a special place in our hearts, not least because it is at the center of some of the best winemaking in the world, but also because it is a beautiful and walkable place to spend a weekend –all while tasting over 150 ultra-premium, handcrafted small-lot production wines, and meeting their winemakers, under one roof,” said Doug Minnick, Garagiste Festival Co-founder.

2023 ‘Southern Exposure’ includes Garagiste’s Friday night signature “Rare & Reserve” tasting with a traditional Santa Maria-style BBQ dinner buffet on February 10th and the Grand Tasting on Saturday February 11th, which includes a Silent Auction filled with first-rate wine packages that benefit The Garagiste Festival Scholarship Fund at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Weekend Pass holders have entry into both events, along with lunch and a special Valentine’s Day treat. Sunday, February 12th is the popular Garagiste Passport Day, during which several participating wineries – including some “Garagiste Graduate” wineries who have poured with Garagiste in past, but have grown larger in over the years – will be offering special treats and discounts for Garagiste Festival attendees.

“We love our Solvang event,” continued Minnick. “The Vet’s Hall is right in the heart of the village and makes for a fantastic casual weekend of walking the town, seeing the sights, and enjoying the many restaurants, shops, and all that Solvang has to offer. It’s a great way to get a jump on celebrating with your Valentine. And Sunday’s Passport Day is a perfect excuse to take an extra day and night in town. Call in sick if you have to – we always do!”

Southern Exposure starts the 2023 Garagiste Festival season which will bring hundreds of new wine discoveries from across California to wine lovers in Solvang, Paso Robles, Sonoma and Los Angeles. Of the nearly 200 wineries showcased by the festival in 2022, 45 were new to the festival. The 2023 line-up, in addition to Solvang, includes: Garagiste ‘Northern Exposure’ in Sonoma (April 29), Garagiste ‘Urban Exposure’ in Los Angeles (June 17) and the ‘OG’ Festival in Paso Robles (November 10-11).

The Garagiste Festival premiered in Paso Robles in 2011 and is the only wine festival that exclusively features high quality wines from commercial California ‘garagiste’ winemakers. Unlike other festivals, the wines are poured by the winemakers/owners themselves, offering a rare opportunity to interact with the creative forces behind the wines, while making brand new wine discoveries. The festival expanded to the Santa Ynez Valley in 2013 to highlight the wines of Santa Barbara County and surrounding AVAs, as well as small production wineries from across California.

The 30+ winemakers scheduled to pour at the Garagiste Festival Southern Exposure include: 
Camin’s 2 Dream, Costa Vinedo*, Cypher Winery, Diablo Paso, Dusty Nabor Wines, Entourage Wines, Fuil Wines*, Greyscale Wiines, Hayseed and Housdon, Herrmann York Wine*, Imagine Wines, Kendric Vineyards, Kimsey Vineyard, Lepiane Wines, LePoidevin Cellars, Lions Peak Winery, MCV Wines, Montagne Russe, Montemar Winery, Pine Moutain Vineyards, RF Fine Wines, Seven Oxen Estate, Silver Wines, Steinbeck Vineyards, Sycamore Ranch, Tercero Wines, Tomi Cellars, Trixon Wine Company.*

*New Wineries

For more information and full Garagiste Festival: Southern Exposure schedule details, go to: http://www.garagistefestival.com/

Tickets are limited for Garagiste Festival Southern Exposure. Garagiste Festivals always sell out in advance. To buy tickets, go to: https://www.my805tix.com/e/garagiste-solvang

For breaking Garagiste Festival news and special discounts, sign-up for our free newsletter, The Dirt, at https://www.garagistefestival.com/garagiste-blog or follow us on Twitter (@GaragisteFest) or Facebook.

Sponsors include: 
Bank of Marin, Digital Dogma, ETS Laboratories, Farm Credit West, Fortis Solutions Group, G3, Glenn Burdette, Laffort, mWEBB Communications, Santa Ynez Valley, Solvang, TricorBraun winepak, Vinland Hotel & Lounge, WIVI.

About The Garagiste Wine Festival 
The Garagiste (pronounced garage-east)Wine Festival (http://www.garagistefestival.com), named “Best of the Fests” for 2019 by Fest Forums and the ‘Best Wine Festival in the US in 2018 in USA Today’s 10Best Readers Choice Awards, is the first and only wine festival dedicated to the undiscovered and under-recognized American artisan ‘garagiste’ micro-wineries who are making some of the best, most exciting, handcrafted small-lot production wines in the world. Founded by fellow garagistes Stewart McLennan and Douglas Minnick, the Garagiste Festivals are committed to discovering the best and most innovative limited-production winemakers and promoting and showcasing them to a broad audience of discerning wine consumers. In addition to its flagship annual festival in Paso Robles, CA, the Garagiste Festival line-up includes Garagiste Festival: Southern Exposure, featuring Santa Ynez Valley garagistes; the Garagiste Festival: Urban Exposure, in Los Angeles; the Garagiste Festival, Northern Exposure, in Sonoma; winemaker dinners, a newsletter, garagiste profiles and more.

In addition to being named the US’ Best Wine Festival, the Garagiste Festival was named one of the ‘Top Nine Incredible Epicurean Vacations’ in the world by ABC News, “one of the premier wine events of the year,” by the LA Times and “Best Festival” by Sunset Magazine’s ‘Best of the West.’ The festivals are produced by Garagiste Events, a non-profit dedicated to furthering the education of future winemakers and those training for employment within the wine industry. Proceeds from the festivals support the Garagiste Festival Scholarship fund of the California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo Wine and Viticulture Department.

Garagiste (garage-east) is a term originally used in the Bordeaux region of France to denigrate renegade small-lot wine makers, sometimes working in their “garages” (anything considered not a chateau), who refused to follow the “rules,” and is now a full-fledged movement responsible for making some of the best wine in the world. The Garagiste Festivals were the first to shine a light on the American garagiste winemaker in 2011.

The 2023 Rhone Rangers Experience

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(Paso Robles) – The national Rhone Rangers will host the 15th “Rhone Rangers Experience” on Sunday, February 19, 2023, in Paso Robles, CA. A full day is planned during the annual Presidents’ Weekend event, including a “Rhone Essentials” seminar, Vintners’ Luncheon, Grand Tasting of 200+ wines, and a Silent Auction benefitting the Rhone Rangers Scholarship Fund. Rhone Rangers from throughout the organization will be represented, including wineries from Paso Robles, Santa Barbara County, Monterey County, Napa, Sonoma, Lodi, the Sierra Foothills, Oregon, and Texas.

The Rhone Rangers, who are dedicated to the education and the promotion of American Rhone varietal wines, will present a top example of each of the principal categories of Rhone wines during the seminar. The morning session will be moderated by Jess Lander, wine reporter for the San Francisco Chronicle and author, with a panel of winemakers and principals who have chosen the Rhone Ranger route. Rhone Rangers representing the nine essential categories include: Viognier –Eberle Winery-Paso Robles, Obscure White-Rhone Varietal (Picpoul) – Bonny Doon Vineyard,-Central Coast, White-Rhone Blend – Acquiesce-Lodi, Dry Rosé – Margerum Wine Company-Santa Barbara County, Grenache – Starfield Vineyards-El Dorado, Mourvèdre – J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines-Paso Robles, Syrah – Cline Family Cellars- Los Carneros, Sonoma County, Obscure Red Varietal (Counoise) – Adelaida Vineyards & Winery-Paso Robles, and Red-Rhone Blend – Stolpman- Ballard Canyon, Santa Barbara County.  Following the seminar, participants will enjoy an al fresco luncheon prepared by Chef Jeffery Scott.

The afternoon segment of the Rhone Rangers Experience will include a Grand Tasting of 200+ wines from Rhone Rangers members, including top single Rhone varietals and the best in Rhone blends. Throughout the tasting, guests are invited to bid on auction lots donated by Rhone Ranger member wineries, with proceeds benefitting the Rhone Rangers educational and scholarship fund.

An “All-Access” package is available, including the Welcoming Coffee Bar/Auction Preview, Seminar, Luncheon, and early-entry into the Grand Tasting and Silent Auction ($165 per person + tax/fees), or guests may select the Grand Tasting/Silent Auction afternoon segment ($75 per person + tax/fees). Trade and media inquiries may be sent to kim@rhonerangers.org. For additional information and to reserve tickets, visit the Rhone Rangers website, www.rhonerangers.org.  

About the Rhone Rangers

Founded in 1998, the Rhone Rangers are a group of 100+ wineries throughout the United States dedicated to making wines from the 22 grape varieties originally made famous in France’s Rhône Valley.  With a mission to educate and promote American Rhone varietal wines, the organization holds special events and fundraisers throughout the year to raise funds for the Rhone Rangers Scholarship Fund, which benefits students studying viticulture, enology and wine business.

Top 100 for the Central Coasts ONX Wines!

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Paso Robles, California – ONX Wines has scored big with Wine Enthusiast and earned a much- coveted top 100 spot! Their 2019 Noble Intrigue was added to this year’s Top 100 Cellar Selections of 2022. Each year Wine Enthusiast Magazine chooses the most age-worthy and collectable wines to grace their top 100 list. “

The 2019 Noble Intrigue is a Syrah with fruit sourced from the famed Bien Nacido Vineyard located in the Santa Maria Valley. The fruit was picked the last week of October and allowed to hang on the vine late in the season and develop rich flavors. The wine has vivid expressions of fruit and a general openess which usually takes places years before cellaring before seeing. Winemaker, Drew Nenow “To have a wine recognized to be one of the best in the world is nothing short of remarkable.”

As the winter months set in, the deep and rich flavors of Noble Intrigue spark a renewed interest in food and wine duets. ONX has partnered with Chef Rachel Ponce to style tempting pairings to entice the palate. For the 19 Noble Intrigue, she has created a Halibut Vierge recipe that is the perfect accompaniment to the wine’s approachability. To view more of Chef Rachels food and wine pairings please visit onxwines.com

The winery’s Noble Intrigue can be purchased online as well as through their ONX Collective Club. Other notable picks are their Zinfandel blend, Brash at 96 points and their Tempranillo blend, Praetorian at 94 points.

ONX Wines is a Paso Robles winery & certified sustainable farmstead with a 130-acre vineyard located in the dynamic Templeton Gap AVA. It is planted with 18 distinct varieties & numerous clones. Their wines are expressive yet balanced blends that reflect the vineyard estate and its complex alluvium soils.page1image29574160

To be considered for this honor, the wines must have been among the top-rated of those identified already as ageable Cellar Selections by our team of reviewers during the blind tastings they conducted throughout the past 12 months.” Wine Enthusiast.

onxwines.com @onxwines

Paso Robles CAB Collective awarded grant for sustainability project

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Paso Robles, Calif.) – After submitting a Sustainable Agriculture Action Plan and application, the Paso Robles CAB Collective (PRCC) has been awarded a grant in the amount of $14,988 from Western Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (SARE) and its host institution, Montana State University. The announcement of the award on October 5, 2022 included a declaration of confidence in the PRCC based on experience, past efforts, and creativity of its proposal to SARE’s expert panel.


Grant funds will allow the PRCC the opportunity to identify specific and urgent needs for research and education through the Sustainable Agriculture Action Plan to maintain their unique wine industry and the community at large, according to PRCC Executive Director Linda Sanpei.


“This project seeks to identify research and education needs specific to the Paso Robles cabernet sauvignon and red Bordeaux wine grape growing industry,” Sanpei said. “We want to ensure those in our industry can adapt to the challenges of climate change, sustain the industry’s economic benefit to the local community, and continue to produce world-class quality wines.”


The Paso Robles CAB Collective (PRCC) is a 501(c)6 nonprofit agricultural producer group with 24 independent producer-members and over 50 wine industry sponsors. For the past decade, the PRCC has dedicated its work to promoting and marketing wines made from the cabernet sauvignon and red Bordeaux (CAB) wine grapes grown by its members and ancillary wine grape growers in the region. With the effects of climate change threatening the growing conditions of these grapes, the PRCC has been looking at ways to help support the sustainability of its wine-producing members.

“Wine is among the most sensitive and nuanced agricultural products and is highly sensitive to climate change,” Sanpei explained. “Variations in temperature, water for irrigation, frost, pests, and other climate implications pose a significant threat to the grapes and wine industry of Paso Robles.”
Letters of support and encouragement for undertaking this project have been received from PRCC members, the local community, and regional and state bodies. With its proven track record of experience, knowledge, and expertise, PRCC has the organizational capacity to develop a plan which identifies the urgent needs of sustaining both an industry and a region by making necessary adaptations to changing climatic conditions. 


During the project timeframe, from late 2022 through the first quarter of 2023, PRCC will explore these needs and use this valuable report to look for further grant opportunities and partnerships to conduct research, regulatory changes, infrastructure, education, and training. PRCC members and stakeholders will be asked to participate in an online survey to identify high-priority needs for the Paso Robles area as well as sustainability issues related to growing cabernet and red Bordeaux grapes, with a focus on climate change challenges. 


“From the information gained through this survey, a workshop agenda will be formed, with members and stakeholders invited to attend this workshop in early February,” Sanpei said.


The workshop will be facilitated by Sanpei, Francine Errico, and PRCC Board member and Robert Hall Winery Managing Director Caine Thompson. Further exploration into how research, regulatory changes, area infrastructure, education, and training are required to increase the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices will also be presented.


Follow-up consultation and input will be obtained from experts at the Cal Poly department of Wine and Viticulture, The Wine Institute, California Wine Grape Growers Association, and Paso Robles City Council. In addition, PRCC will conduct a review of the State of the Wine Industry Report produced by Silicon Valley Bank for industry-wide and specific area statistics and market information.


“The PRCC will use the findings of this report to apply for future climate change related grants through the USDA and CDFA, and build research partnerships,” Sanpei said. The PRCC is a grassroots non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the full potential of the Paso Robles AVA in producing superior-quality Cabernet Sauvignon and red Bordeaux varietal wines. The distinguished members of the Paso Robles CAB Collective are: Allegretto Vineyards & Wines, Ancient Peaks Winery, Brecon Estate, Calcareous Vineyard, Cass Vineyard & Winery, Castoro Cellars, Chateau Margene, DAOU Vineyards & Winery, Eberle Winery, Glunz Family Winery & Cellars, Hearst Ranch Winery,High Camp Wines,Hope Family Wines, J. Lohr Vineyard & Wines,JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery, LXV Wine, Niner Wine Estates, Opolo Vineyards, Pomar Junction Vineyard & Winery, Riboli Family Wines, Robert Hall Winery, SixMileBridge, The Farm Winery, and Vina Robles Vineyards & Winery. 

The sponsors of the Paso Robles CAB Collective are: Title Sponsor Hood Container, Grapevine Capital, Filipponi & Thompson Drilling, Somm Foundation, and The Somm Journal and The Tasting Panel Magazine; Agrovin, Allegretto Vineyard Resort, Bank of Sierra, Boneso Brothers Construction, Borjon Auto Center, The Bottle Meister, Cork Supply, Enartis, Farm Credit West, Fiji Water, Glenn Burdette, Paso Robles CA, Saver Glass, Saxco International, TriCorBraun, World Cooperage; Demptos Napa Cooperage, ETS Laboratories, Encore Glass, H&A Barrel Management, Martinez Farming, Patricia Diane Vineyards, Sanitary Stainless Welding, Seguin Moreau, Tonnellerie Sylvain, Tastry, Tonnellerie Ô, Umpqua Bank, Vintrace, Vinventions, Wine Direct, Wine Shipping; Amcor, AMORIM Cork, Cal Coast Irrigation, G3, IGGPRA, JB Dewar, Lafitte Cork & Capsule, Longcrier & Associates, MASilvaUSA, Miller Family, Moss Adams, PRT, Peltier Glassworks, Vineyard Professional Services, and Wonderful Nurseries.

ABOUT THE PASO ROBLES CAB COLLECTIVE: Formed in 2012, the Paso Robles CAB (Cabernet and Bordeaux) Collective (PRCC) is an independent collaborative effort of leading Paso Robles growers and producers of Cabernet and red Bordeaux varietals specific to the Paso Robles AVA in California. The PRCC strives to promote to trade, media and consumers the full potential of the Paso Robles region in producing superior quality, classic and age-worthy Cabernet and red Bordeaux varietals that compete on a global stage. For more information, please visit pasoroblescab.com.

Nature Nights: Outdoor Holiday Light and Art Exhibit in San Luis Obispo

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(San Luis Obispo, CA) – The San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden, (SLOBG), presents Nature Nights, an immersive outdoor holiday light and art exhibit. Nature Nights, produced by SLOBG Director of Communication & Events, Tracy Strann, renowned for producing Bruce Munro: Field of Light at Sensorio in Paso Robles, CA., assures another memorable immersive event for the entire family.

The event will feature large format light projections by Bryn Forbes, illuminated sculptures by Michael Reddell, and artistic lighting of garden areas by Kody Cava throughout the eight-acre portion of the 150-acre Garden. Additionally, there will be a variety of culinary delights, regional wine, and beer available for enjoyment. Nature Nights will open to the public from November 11, 2022 through January 8, 2023, at the SLO Botanical Garden, 3450 Dairy Creek Rd, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405. For more information, the public may visit www.slobg.org or call (805) 541-1400. Tickets are available at My805Tix.com.

The exhibition will feature enthralling moving digital imagery captured by artist Bryn Forbes, projected upon the garden’s hillsides and the surrounding buildings and artifacts, creating an experience like no other. Michael Reddell’s illuminated wire sculptures will add to the festivities by capturing the essence of humanity. Artistic lighting of the garden areas will be strategically crafted by celebrated artist Kody Cava.

SLO Botanical Garden Executive Director, Chenda Lor, explains, “Nature Nights was inspired by Phoenix’s Desert Botanical Garden event, Luminaria. Nature Nights fills a need in San Luis Obispo County for off-season family attractions. Through a connection to nature, visitors will enjoy the mental and physical health benefits inherent to the garden experience.”

Bryn Forbes has been shooting photographs and experimenting with digital art since middle school. Forbes has been exploring the essence of motion in his still photographs, and is now moving towards explicit motion that captures the essence of a moment with his digital video work. His digital art, projected around the garden, will surely captivate viewers’ minds, encouraging them to find beauty within the abstract.

California’s Central Coast artist, Michael Reddell, has been a pivotal contributor to the region’s art community since 2002. Michael was the driving force behind the Phantom Project, a loose coalition of artists who came together to launch pop-up gallery shows in vacant retail spaces around San Luis Obispo County. He has also participated in a selection of public art in the county, was the president of the Central Coast Sculptors’ Group at the SLO Museum of Art, has juried for the Paso Robles Art Association, and has dedicated his time to exposing the community to art whenever possible. Eight of his large-format wire sculptures, depicting species in nature, will be illuminated around the garden for viewing.

Celebrated lighting designer, Kody Cava, is well recognized for his work with the Cambria Christmas Market. In 2019, Cava was honored with a national award from the Kennedy Center for Outstanding Lighting Design for his work on Cuesta College’s production of Ghost Ship.

The San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden is located midway between San Francisco and Los Angeles. Direct flights to the region, railway, and Hwys 101 & 1, coupled with ample accommodations make access to Nature Nights easy and an exceptional reason for a holiday getaway to the Central Coast.

The SLO Botanical Garden emphasizes education, horticulture, research, art, resource conservation, environmental stewardship, and community engagement. Nature Nights is the event that exemplifies all that they stand for. The highly creative and experienced team assure a not to be missed experience.

For further details, please visit www.slobg.org or call (805) 541-1400.

DATES:

Friday, November 11, 2022 – Sunday, January 8, 2023 Thursday – Sunday Evenings (4 nights per week / 9 weeks) 5:00PM – 8:00PM

TICKETS:

(3) timed ticket options: 5PM, 6PM & 7PM
ADULTS: $19.75 + fees , CHILDREN (12 & under): $14.75 + fees, TODDLERS (2 & under): FREE *Members receive $2.00 discount per ticket

About San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden

The San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden is a non-profit organization that showcases plants from Mediterranean climates throughout the world. Through its programs and facilities, the Garden fosters an appreciation and understanding of the relationship between people and nature and encourages a sense of stewardship for the natural environment. The Garden is located at 3450 Dairy Creek Rd., within El Chorro Regional Park off Highway 1 between Morro Bay and San Luis Obispo. Admission is $10 per person and free for both children 12 and under and Garden Members. To learn more visit slobg.org.

Local Winemakers Star In A New Film Premiere

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San Luis Obispo, Calif. – November 2022: Local San Luis Obispo County winemakers incorporating ancient winemaking techniques are featured in a new film, “The Amphora Project – Past Forward” by The Wine History Project of San Luis Obispo County. The community is invited to the film’s exclusive, one-night-only premiere on December 1 from 5:30 – 7:30 PM at the Park Cinemas in downtown Paso Robles. After the show, attendees can meet the winemakers and taste their wine. Tickets are $30; proceeds go to support the preservation of local history at the Paso Robles History Museum.

One of the top wine professionals in the United States, wine educator, and author of the acclaimed THE WINE BIBLE, Karen MacNeil, hosts the film “The Amphora Project – Past Forward.” It stars the following local winemakers: John Alban, Daniel Callan, Vailia From, Gelert Hart, Sherman Thacher, Brian Terrizzi, and Stephanie Terrizzi. Dr. Patrick McGovern and Manu Fiorentini are also featured. Production was thanks to Partners 2 Media and The Wine History Project of San Luis Obispo County.

Libbie Agran, Director of The Wine History Project of San Luis Obispo County, shares more on why she’s looking forward to the film’s premiere. “Our organization has been researching the use of amphorae in local winemaking for years. We’ve interviewed a lot of local winemakers to understand why they’ve taken to incorporating such an ancient winemaking practice into their modern wine operations. Their stories are intriguing and marvelous! Our team can’t wait to share these passionate tales with our community on the big screen.”

Tickets are expected to sell out for this exclusive one-night-only premiere paired with complimentary wine tasting. The community is encouraged to purchase tickets early at winehistoryproject.org/film-premier. For more information or questions, email Libbie@WineHistoryProject.org or call (805) 439-4647.

### About Us

The Wine History Project of San Luis Obispo County preserves and presents two centuries of viticulture through research, interviews, exhibitions, films, and publications and work with local vintners and growers to bring to life the wine history of San Luis Obispo County. By working together with our community, we can preserve the story of Central Coast winemaking.

Perlises Pick – J Dusi Winery’s Positive Signs for the Future

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We all know the future is uncertain. But as wine writers, our job is primarily to not focus on the world issues of the day but to write about wine, wineries, vineyards, etc. for the devoted readers of Eve’s Wine 101.

Sometimes, though, a bit of news comes across our desks that will impact the future, maybe only in a small way, that causes us to smile.

Any regular readers of the Perlises’ articles are sure to know that we are big fans of the wines of J Dusi Winery in Paso Robles, ever since we met Janell Dusi and tasted that first vintage from her family’s historic vineyard. So we were very pleased to receive an email that read, in part:

“Historically, certain practices for wine packaging were thought to be necessary, including the use of wax or capsules on the neck of a wine bottle.

In reality, capsules and wax enclosures are purely packaging.  Although we have used these in the past to create a polished and complete package, it serves no purpose beyond the way the bottle looks. 

As we take a step forward in sustainability, starting with the 2020 Vintages we have eliminated both wax and capsules. You’ll find the vintage printed on the end of each cork. Easy to locate the vintage you want, and no more foil to cut or messy wax to deal with!”

Janell clarified that the change applies to their Paper Street label for the 2020 vintage and will impact the J Dusi label starting with the 2021 vintage. She added that “this is our first step in creating a more sustainable package for our customers, but the same quality wine inside!”

This made us very happy. Wineries that are doing their part to reduce their carbon footprint and impact on the environment should be commended and rewarded with our purchases, especially quality wineries such as J Dusi.

The other news from J Dusi was included with their Fall 2022 Club shipment. In addition to the wine, there was a nice profile of Janell’s nephew, which Janell said we could share:

“In 2002, a boy was born, beginning the 5th generation of the Dusi Family. His parents named him Dante, in honor of his great grandfather Dante Sylvester Dusi.

Dante Michael Dusi grew up in the middle of our grape growing family, deeply rooted in the wine industry. He was surrounded by vineyards, big trucks, heavy equipment, and the family businesses.

From infancy, it was grapes and trucks that Dante loved. He spent many days riding in a car seat beside his dad, Michael, in a Peterbilt truck, transporting grapes up and down the state of California. As soon as Dante’s feet could touch the pedals, he was moving semi-trucks and driving tractors.

He understood the complex logistics of the truck yard: dispatching trucks, keeping them clean, and helping the drivers park their trucks perfectly, at the end of the work day.

Throughout Dante’s childhood, he had an eye on every aspect of vineyard work. At two years old, he was already participating in harvest, picking leaves out of the freshly picked grapes. When his Auntie Nell began making wine under her own label, J Dusi, Dante helped Janell pick those grapes.

Today, Dante is nineteen years old. He has acquired skills beyond his years by working beside his grandfather, Mike. He is learning about the soil, plants, rootstock, grape varietals, as well as the care of our vines. Dante is taking classes, studying innovative techniques, hoping to drive the family farming practice forward.

Dante is a hard working young man who is proud to carry on the legacy of the Dusi family. He proudly shares his great-grandfather’s name, Dante Dusi.”

It sounds like the future of the Dusi family vineyards is in great hands. We look forward to meeting Dante Michael Dusi one day.Michael and Karen Perlis have been pursuing their passion for wine for more than 30 years. They have had the good fortune of having numerous mentors to show them the way and after a couple of decades of learning about wine, attending events, visiting wineries and vineyards, and tasting as much wine as they possibly could, they had the amazing luck to meet Eve Bushman. Michael and Karen do their best to bring as much information as possible about wine to Eve’s Wine 101 faithful readers

Perlises Pick From Summer 2022 Wines

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With the hot summer of 2022 at an end, we thought we’d share with our readers some of our favorite wines from the last few months.

2021 Clos Solene La Rose – a blend of 56% Grenache, 26% Mourvedre, 17% Cinsault and 10% Syrah, all from the Adelaida district of Paso Robles and all farmed specifically for rosé. Light and very refreshing with fragrant citrus notes and a medium to long finish. A vegetarian pizza topped with fresh bitter arugula made a great match on a hot summer night. The note on the label from winemaker Guillaume Fabre adds to the mood: “As if he was presenting her with a rose, my father would give my mother a glass of wine of his Rosé.  He liked to look at her examining the color and smell.  At each of the sips, his mind would start thinking, I love you a little, a lot, passionately…” www.clossolene.com

2021 Benom L’essor – another rosé made by Guillaume Fabre, this time at the Paso Robles winery he owns with his brother Arnaud. This unusual blend of 78% Grenache and 22% Cabernet Sauvignon is very light and fresh with Meyer Lemon notes and an impression of a slight sweetness on its long finish.  A light dinner of a salad of arugula/tangerine/Boursin cheese with San Pasqual dressing (Italian balsamic vinaigrette champagne-style dressing made by Valencia’s Marston’s Restaurant) and chicken salad/celery/nuts/raisin spread on crostini was a very enjoyable combination.

www.benomwines.com

2021 Idlewild Flora and Fauna Rosé – Sam Bilbro is the youngest of the Bilbro Brothers making wine in Sonoma County [the other two are Scot at Marietta Cellars and Jake at Limerick Lane] and he has chosen to focus on Italian varietals. This blend of 41% Nebbiolo, 30% Dolcetto, and 29% Barbera along with just a touch of Grignolino, primarily from Fox Hill Vineyard in Mendocino County, has plum notes and a slightly sweet and well-rounded finish. This paired perfectly with freshly made Tagliatelle Bolognese pasta with a slow braised pork ragu, basil and grated 18-month aged parmesan cheese.

www.idlewildwines.com

2021 Bedrock Ode to Lulu Rosé – Bedrock’s annual homage to the late Lulu Peyraud of Bandol, this blend of Mataro/Mourvèdre from the historic Pato and Evangelho Vineyards in Contra Costa County along with Cinsault and Grenache from Sonoma County’s Dry Creek Valley may be Bedrock’s best rosé yet. With notes of peach and persimmon and a long, dry finish, this was a great pairing with chicken siu mai, pork potstickers, and baby bok toy with garlic.

2019 Bedrock Sauvignon Blanc Judge Family Vineyard – this might be our favorite SB we’ve had so far from Bedrock. Big, bright, ripe melon notes with a full mouth feel on the finish and a dinner of chicken thighs marinated in pureed eggplant/bell pepper/tomato sauce with haricot verts was delicious. www.bedrockwineco.com

2021 Keplinger Rosé – while superstar winemaker Helen Keplinger may be better known for her delicious reds, this 35% Grenache, 35% Mourvedre, 30% Syrah blend from the famed Shake Ridge Vineyard in Amador County is an outstanding rosé with tangerine notes, a medium finish and a big rounded mouth feel. A simple meal of a small Caesar salad, shrimp cocktail, followed by mangoes dipped in chocolate hummus was all we needed.www.keplingerwines.com

2021 Bodega Garzón Albariño Reserva – yes, we do drink wines from outside California, sometimes far outside. Uruguay’s Bodega Garzón has garnered so many accolades from respected critics and publications that it is impossible to count, including being named the 2018 New World Winery of the Year by Wine Enthusiast. From their website: “Located between Brazil and Argentina, Uruguay stands as one of the most prominent countries in the Latin American winegrowing world. Its location – on the same latitude as Argentina, Chile, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, and its temperate climate favor growing grapevines throughout its territory.” We appreciated this wine’s Meyer lemon notes, full and intense mouthfeel and gentle, long finish and enjoyed it with roasted branzino with a panko and parsley crust and roasted brussel sprouts. www.bodegagarzon.com/en/

2013 Carlisle Syrah – finally, lest you think we have forsaken red wines entirely, we loved this 100% Syrah from Rosella’s Vineyard in the Santa Lucia Highlands of Monterey County. From an area known more for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, Carlisle sources these grapes to make a delicious wine with plum and raisin notes with a long, luscious finish.   It married well with a rare hanger steak and zucchini latkes. www.carlislewinery.com

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