The “Mercenary”…Is That a Wine? (Oh yes!)

July 20, 2018 by evebushman Leave a Comment

Let’s deal with that name first. You already know I’ve been a huge fan of Pulchella Winery since they were known as Dragonfly, heck winemaker Steve Lemley and I just co-hosted a 200-person wine dinner together (with the help of MANY others). And now? The new Paso Zinfandel he and co-winemaker Nate Hasper have created is my favorite of the new releases this year.

Pulchella glasses in winery, photo credit Rick Lott

But yet, there’s this one thing they do that I will fight tooth and nail against (never actually used that phrase, and even now I do it tongue in cheek, lol) and that’s picking these crazy names for their wines. Mercenary. The definition for that word doesn’t make me thing of Zinfandel but apparently it does for these two…for lack of a better description, these two “renegade” winemakers.

In the winemaker’s words:

From conception, she had a mind of her own and a predetermined destiny without the need for intervention. After many heated arguments, she just refused to listen and we stepped down.

Okay, got that silliness off my chest. Now, let’s just give it a taste shall we?

Pulchella Winery 2016 Mercenary

16% alcohol

All Paso Robles fruit, and shown on the bottle’s back:

81% Zinfandel – Mendoza Farms

16% Zinfandel – Bailey Ranch

3% Tannat – Bella Collina Vineyard

Color: Blackberry…and the idea of that single word kind of took over from there.

Aroma: Blackberry again, but first an amazing amount of blueberry jam followed by plums, black pepper and the tiniest whiff of sage.

Flavor: Blackberry a final time, and this time surrounded by other bold dark fruit and pepper, with neither fruit nor pepper overwhelming the other, it was a great balancing act that left no heat on the palate. A little nuance of blackberry liqueur, rich but not sweet, lingered for a nice long finish.

Of special note: Wine Enthusiast’s Contributing Editor Matt Kettmann rated the 2014 Mercenary a 94 – and it was the highest score for a Zinfandel from the entire Central Coast AVA.

Find your own here: http://pulchellawinery.orderport.net/product-details/0085/2016-Mercenary

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 15k 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

Vintage Eve Circa 5/2015: Taste of the Town, aka TOTT, x 27 Years Strong!

June 26, 2018 by evebushman Leave a Comment

“Over 50 restaurants and caterers serve up all the food you can eat, all the wine & beer you can drink, plus top-notch entertainment, silent & live auctions in a beautiful garden setting.” And this year we got another great teaser, check out the great photo by Laura Kirchhoff, Taste of the Town at Sunrise…

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.

We started by checking in with a few of the hardworking people that made this year’s event a success.

Lois Bauccio, President and Executive Director, Child and Family Center Foundation commented, “We are touched and gratified by the incredible outpouring of support from the community for the event this year. It means so much to the kids and families who receive services at Child and Family Center.”

Laina McFerren, Co-Founder, Wolf Creek Restaurant & Brewery and event co-chair along with Ginger Levang, “We are so lucky to live in a community that supports its non-profits in such a big way. Thanks to all of the sponsors, Child and Family Center staff and volunteers who made this day possible. It definitely ‘takes a village’ and the whole village seemed to show up yesterday! We couldn’t have asked for a better day in support of a better cause. Looking forward to 2016!”

Also got this lovely quote from Jennifer Gerard, President and CEO of Whitening Lightning, Gerard Cosmetics Inc., and the “Top Chef” sponsor of the event, “Taste of the Town is always SCV’s greatest event of the year. Attendees can count on great food, music and fun just the way residents of this town can count on our Child and Family Center to be there for us and our families during times of crisis.”

Now with our handy acrylic plates, we braved the heat to keep our plates and glasses filled. Not a problem for any seasoned TOTTers, we enjoyed photographing friends and filling up from:

Participants:

Angel City Brewery – IPA was refreshing.

Anheuser Busch

Bake You Happy – They had a nice selection but I stopped at the Brown Butter Cookies…

Bella Cucina – Looked like you could get your fill of pasta, risotto and rolls!

Bergie’s Steakhouse Bar & Grill – Juicy steak on a toothpick did the trick!

BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse – Yummy artichoke spinach dip!

Castaic Lake Water Agency – Much needed and appreciated cool bottled water!

Clarice’s Cake & Candy – Milk Chocolate and White Chocolate drenched strawberries.

Culinary Wonders – Doing demonstrations while serving Chilled watercress soup, Moroccan spiced beef and Matcha chocolate tarts; all excellent.

Eat Real Café – Gallons of hand squeezed juices cooled the crowd.

Fetzer Vineyards – A sweet Chardonnay and balanced Merlot were waiting at our table for me to open and sample!

Fireman’s Brew

Henry Mayo Café – Who knew that their Café was so good? They served up a cool-looking salad.

Honu Coffee – Perfect day for their Cold Brew.

Institute of Culinary Education at COC – Wowing us again with a stellar presentation of cheese, fruit and breads.

Island Pacific Grill

Lohr Vineyard & Wines – Back for another year to support our Child and Family Center.

Jasmine Thai Noodle & BBQ – Three different dishes but we were too full to sample them!

Jersey Mike’s Subs – Served up ½-size subs!

Jill’s Cake Creations – A white cake with whipped cream and strawberries was terrific.

Kokolita Cakes – Served as usual by 50s costumed ladies, people loved their yummy signature cupcakes and empanadas.

Kona Ice of Santa Clarita

Lucille’s Smokehouse Bar-B-Que – Very good Pulled Pork Slider and full-sized bottles of their BBQ sauce were free in exchange for your email!

Magnavino – A “Beautiful” white wine blend – look for it!

Marston’s

Mystic Hills Vineyard – Serving up their award-winning Unforgiven blend.

New Moon Valencia

Newhall Refinery – Food looked great (Octopus Ceviche and Chicken Liver Toast) but it was the Moscow Mules from their new craft cocktail menu I was drooling for.

Nothing Bundt Cakes – An awesome array of their frosted Bundt-lets!

Nuggucciet Cellars – Get your hands on the 2013 Pinot Noir – and don’t let go!

Parashars’ Indian Kitchen – I had always wanted to try them, and their spicy sauces over chicken didn’t disappoint.

Persia Restaurant

Pinot’s Palette

Pocock Brewing Company

Rattlers Bar-B Que

Regal Wine Company

Rita’s Italian Ice – Flavors this year included Mango, Strawberry Colada and…Marshmallow Peanut Butter!

Robinson Ranch – Serving up healthy pours of Stag’s Leap Chardonnay, paired with Ahi Poke and Caesar Salad.

Rubio’s

Salt Creek Grille Catering – Hot Dog Slider with Spicy Cucumber Relish and Creamy House Mustard. Heirloom Tomato Sandwich with Smoke Corn Aioli! Paired with a Jalapeno Meyer Lemon Drop!!

Signal Wine Club

Sisley Italian Kitchen

solita Tacos & Margaritas – Serving up their popular signature roasted corn, tacos and Margaritas!

StoneFire Grill

Stone Oven – Moist and meaty Panini triangles.

The Paseo Club – Pork and Mango tacos.

The Shrimp Haus

Valencia Country Club

Valencia Cigars & News

Vines Restaurant & Bar – Seafood Cocktail, very popular!

Whole Foods Market Valencia – GIGANTIC fresh oysters and Ahi Poke. Did you know that they have $1 Oysters on Fridays???

Wolf Creek Restaurant & Brewing Co.

Wood Ranch BBQ & Grill

Wine Pavilion featuring  select wines from local wineries. (Sponsored by: Signal Wine Club)

Note: If we missed a table it wasn’t due to lack of interest or crowds, we were just getting to full! Next year we will start in the back of the event…maybe!

Story in a bazillion photos here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10205486763675912.1073741915.1455706632&type=1&l=83890ed442

LIVE AUCTION ITEMS

* Private Party for 20 at Piccola Trattoria

* DC Comics Super Hero Birthday Party for 6 at Six Flags Magic Mountain

* Custom Made Dress by Barbara Moore of Dream Dress

* One week at beachfront home in Mission Beach

* 3-night stay for up to 8 in a 2,536 square foot luxury villa in La Costa plus $500 gift card

* 6 nights retreat at a cabin in Arrowhead

* 7 nights in Maui at a 4,000 square foot home on the beach

* 3 nights for two in New York at the New York Hilton, with dinner at Tribeca & Broadway Show including airfare

* Wine pairing dinner for 8 prepared and served to your guests in your home

* One week in Vail Colorado (November 14-21) at Marriott’s Streamside Resort

* Four night stay at Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, includes airfare, golf for two & daily breakfast

PLUS 130 FANTASTIC SILENT AUCTION ITEMS

http://www.childfamilycenter.org

Eve Bushman has been reading, writing, taking coursework and tasting wine for over 20 years. She has obtained a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust, has been the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video, authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and recently served as a guest judge for the L.A. International Wine Competition. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits that may be answered in a future column. You can also seek her marketing advice via Eve@EveBushmanConsulting.com

What Did Everyone Think of Wine on the Roof?

June 8, 2018 by evebushman Leave a Comment

Guests that had been to Cocktails on the Roof knew where to park, knew where to check in, knew their hosts and the non-profit – WiSH Education Foundation – but after that everything else we dreamed up for them was completely different. Cut to the chase to see just some of my photos here. We (see the # of volunteers below that contributed) had surprised our guests with several innovative ideas:

A small select group of winemakers and vintners from the SCV Custom Crush Services, owned by winemakers Steve Lemley and Nate Hasper, were chosen for the collaboration. Steve Lemley would also serve his first time as a co-host for our non-profit event. The winemakers, five of them, were seated among the guests ready to answer questions during dinner.

Rows of tables, almost all joined, were topped with floral centerpieces, waxed topped wine bottles that held the table numbers and bamboo flatware wrapped in cloth napkins. Many selfies were taken with the bottles and keepsake wine glasses!

Bare bulbs were strewn across our roof that were only outshone by a lingering sunset and then, one guest noted, a crescent moon and Venus.

There were about a dozen volunteers from Pinups for American Heroes decked out in 1950’s styles and adorned with cigarette trays filled with bread from The Speakeasy Bakery. Another volunteer followed them…seemingly to be holding a bourbon bottle that instead was filled with herb infused dipping oils.

A few of our chefs were on the roof for their first Santa Clarita Valley event and are noted below as DEBUTING AT EVENT.

DEBUTING AT EVENT: The Newhall Press Room offered up a half dozen of their popular “Valley Boards” that are about 3 feet long. As lines began to form winemakers worked the crowd sharing their own wines.

The menu was not public. Each bamboo plate was delivered with its own menu card describing the dish with the name of the restaurant, chef, wine pairing, winemakers and wineries. Guests were prompted to take home the cards to make sure they would frequent their favorites.

There were three desserts! As guests started to pack up after the first dessert luckily Assemblyman Scott Wilk was on hand and announced that there were more desserts coming out.

Music was provided all evening long by local “everyone loves” Lance Allyn.

For me, the day after (I had too much adrenaline to sleep) I finally got out of bed and was greeted by over 100 notifications on Facebook. I’m thinking…we did pretty well! So, when I recovered I looked at what those 100 notifications said. Amazing success! These are just a few:

Some of the Quotes

“Those two opening salads from Hundred Miles and Old Town Junction were the best courses of the night – along with the bread and the short rib! It was a fantastic night.” Steve E.

“Who knew that the best restaurant in Santa Clarita Valley is on the top of Macy’s parking garage?” Jeff J.

“HUGE shout out and THANK YOU to Brittany M Sanders and the ladies of PinUps For American Heroes. They truly deserve “Claritan” Medals of Honor for sticking around after our bread service was finished to help out serving. Above and beyond the call of duty.” Scott E.

“Thank you for having us! All of us from Pinups for American Heroes had a great time!” Brittany S.

“Highlights from me for the evening were, without a doubt, the bread… but the opening salad from Chef Otto at Old Town Junction was out of this world! Perfectly composed, perfect blend of flavors. Every bite was incredible! Also the two desserts from Wolf Creek and Salt Creek were amazing!” Todd W.

“I had the best evening under the stars enjoying amazing wine, delicious food and friends! What a unique collaboration that will become THE annual event for SCV. I am really looking forward to Cocktails on the Roof in September again!” Lynne S.

“Congrats to fellow foodie Eve Hammond Bushman for pulling off a wonderful charity dinner/wine event atop the mall parking garage last night. Fabulous wines overseen and poured by Steve Lemley from Pulchella Winery and Tasting Room. Bread overseen by Scott Ervin and Todd R. Wilson of The Speakeasy Bakery.” Larry M.

“Great event Eve! Beautiful setting, perfect weather and very well executed!” Steve C.

“Congratulations to everyone involved, it was a very fun evening, food was outstanding!” Debra H.

“That was a RAGING SUCCESS! Thanks for putting on such a WONDERFUL event!” Bill M.

“Wine on the Roof…Thank you Eve Hammond Bushman and Amy Sieger Daniels for an amazing event, and evening!” Sandi P.

“I am so proud of the Wine on the Roof team. They have put on an amazing event tonight. Please remember that all that fun is to raise money for our public school kids. And give.” Amy D.

For me: It was seeing the collaboration really at work. Chefs helping other chefs in the prep tent, servers from different restaurants bringing individual menu cards and dishes to guests from other restaurants, iCue students working among tenured seasoned professionals, loyal long-time volunteers from Cocktails on the Roof working with all of the lovely ladies from Pinups for American Heroes. We envisioned how that would work; they did the work and made it come true.

We Thank:

Collaborating Chefs and Restaurants

Before the restaurants we were lucky to add in Jennifer Chadwick, of Salt Creek Grille, to be our Lead Coordinator in the prep tent. She worked with all of the various chefs and staffs to create a seamless presentation from: The Speakeasy Bakery, Bakers Scott Ervin and Todd Wilson, assisted by volunteers and DEBUTING AT EVENT: Pinups For American Heroes; DEBUTING AT EVENT: Newhall Press Room, Chef Trevor; DEBUTING AT EVENT: The Old Town Junction, Chef Daniel Otto; DEBUTING AT EVENT: Hundred Miles, Chef Louis Pechan; Olive Terrace Bar and Grill, Chef Lucio Teraza and Chef Alfonso Canuto; Bonefish Grill, Culinary Team; Sweet Beams Ice Cream Truck, Karin and Chris Beam; Nothing Bundt Cakes, Jennifer and Zachary Zeidler; Wolf Creek Restaurant, Pastry Chef Meghan Launier, 8. Salt Creek Grille, Pastry Chef Kristina Waggoner and Honu Coffee, Brew master James.

Wineries for all Pairings

DEBUTING AT EVENT: Byron Blatty Wines, winemakers Steve Lemley and Nate Hasper; Pulchella Winery, winemakers Steve Lemley and Nate Hasper; Hoi Polloi Winery, winemakers Ted Behlendorf, Doug Minnick, Dan Erland Andersen; Pagter Brothers, Scott Page-Pagter winemaker; DEBUTING AT EVENT: Parhelion Cellars, winemaker Adam Hasper.

Volunteers and Sponsors

From WiSH Board members Richard Cohn and Lynne Secrest, co-chairs Eve Bushman, Steve Lemley, Amy Daniels and Marlee Lauffer and additional committee members Alex Hafizi, Dawn Begley, Ed Masterson, Mitch Russell, Lisa Holt and Judy Penman we were also assisted by Nicole Stinson who was asked very late in the game to manage all volunteers that included: Kat Kombrinck, Carolyn Lodes, Lee Lodes, Vicki White, Nicole Feast-Williams, Jen Duke, Leslie Navarro, Andrea Pivaral, Grace Gopeng, Johann Nepomuceno, Renee Schluter, Grace Marquez, Mikki Anthony Toya, Steve Portraro, Jennifer Goins, Melissa Velasquez, Mia Slotve, Damien White, Ciria Cordero, Jason Gibbs, Chelsea Martinez, Brittany Sanders, Allison Mazhari, April Thompson, Haylee Boersch, Ashley Borow, Donna Carrion, Mary Bird, Karina Garcia, Elnaz Mazhari, Scott Ervin, Todd Wilson, Wendy Wolfe, Carol Rock, Sean Griffin, Blaze Patricio, David Graham, David Perloff, Kevin Hobart, Michell Peranich, Timbrel Pechan, Sam Dadnino, Kelsey Schneider, Bailey Lu, Michael Liscoumb, Haley Zwack, Sheri Staulbaum and Beth Wageman.

Sponsors included the Magazine of Santa Clarita, Elite Magazine, VIA Promotionals, Lundgren Management, California Credit Union, Brightview Tree Company, Peterson Printing, 24/7 Events, Andy Gump, SOS Entertainment, KHTS Radio, SCVTV, The Signal and Fagen, Friedman and Fulfrost.

Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a “certification in first globally-recognized course” as an American Wine Specialist ® from the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), Level 1 Sake Award from WSET, was the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video, authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits. You can also seek her marketing advice via Eve@EveBushmanConsulting.com

Newhall Refinery is Event-Full!

May 11, 2018 by evebushman Leave a Comment

Yes, your favorite dining destination not only has a new wine list, Mother’s Day, the Chef’s Tasting Menus Friday, Saturday and Sundays, then comes Taco Tuesday, Late Night Fried Chicken until sold out on Thursdays after 7, Sunday Brunch, Tap Takeovers and new beers daily – whew – they’ve also got two extra special events for you coming up only on 5/23 (ticketless but will be a sell out for sure) and 6/10 (this one requires a ticket and at press time over half were sold) so plan ahead if you want to attend:

May

Newhall Refinery 5^th Anniversary Celebration With $5 Specials: 5 Years of Menu Favorites Available Until Sold Out.

Only from opening to closing on Wednesday May 23:

Lunch selections include the Refiner’s Fries, Hummus, Drunk Mac, Fish ‘N Chips, Mini Coffee ‘N Donuts for your $5 dessert as well as Beer and Cocktail Specials.

Dinner will have their House bread – a Country white with house made cultured butter finished with sea salt; from their Brunch – Refinery hash with poached/fried egg; From Taco Tuesday – they will offer a Calamari taco avocado radish; Water flower Wednesday will be the Papardelle Pesto Lobster; as well as Refiner’s Fries, Drunk Mac, Blueberry Bread Pudding and Coffee ‘N Donuts – again all until they run out!

Facebook event page link for updates: https://www.facebook.com/events/194438508003423/

June

Summer Wine Pop-Up at Newhall Refinery on the afternoon of June 10 is one I’m really looking forward to as they have all of the wineries – and one surprise winery – from the tasting rooms in downtown Newhall: Hoi Polloi, Pagter Brothers, Pulchella and Parhelion. The event will also feature some of the new wines for the new wine list at Newhall Refinery too! So it’s a true “shop local” event and a wine tasting! These are the teasers, I’m mystified by what will be in the “bubbles and dessert” area as well as where the location may be:

Undisclosed location just walking distance from Newhall Refinery…

Guests will receive a wristband and a map to the event…

Local wines, accompanied by delicious Summer Wine Selections by Newhall Refinery, to give guests…the perfect mix of adventure and imbibing!

Find our “bubbles and dessert” area…

Delicious bites from Newhall Refinery…

A trio playing live music…

Only 200 tickets available…

Ticket includes entry, a commemorative etched wines glass, food and wine!

Get tickets –> http://newhallrefinery.com/product/summer-wine-tasting-pop-up-event/

Facebook event page link for updates: https://www.facebook.com/events/1016900871793483/

More

September’s Wine Around the World Dinner takes you to…your own backyard – California! This is the fourth in this year’s series. Tickets here: http://newhallrefinery.com/product/wine-around-the-world-dinner-california/

Their Special Events Menu created by Chef Dustin Boole offers several options for a private affair in The Cellar for you and up to 49 of your pals.

There is always more, so stay tuned to these pages to see what’s next: http://newhallrefinery.com/events/

https://www.facebook.com/newhallrefinery/

Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a “certification in first globally-recognized course” as an American Wine Specialist ® from the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), Level 1 Sake Award from WSET, was the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video, authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits. You can also seek her marketing advice via Eve@EveBushmanConsulting.com

Blatty Wines…Take Me Away

May 4, 2018 by evebushman Leave a Comment

I first met Mark Blatty of Byron Blatty Wines (same person but I understand he prefers to go by Mark) at Assistance League’s wildly successful Sunset in the Vineyard 10^th Anniversary event last November. His tasting table was adjacent to the Pulchella Winery table and I quickly learned that Mark had joined other local winemakers at the Pulchella crush pad.

Then I tasted his wine and noted, I had to have more. In January I did a round up on what happens in our wineries in January and February for Elite magazine and Mark wrote, “In February Byron Blatty will be bottling at least two brand new wines for their spring release. A Rosé of Grenache that’s 100% LA County fruit as well as at least one new red blend that is Grenache, Syrah and Merlot (also LA County). It’s their unorthodox take on a GSM.” The “their” included winemakers Steve Lemley, Nate Hasper and assistant winemaker Joey Perry. (See below under “website” to learn more about the winemaking team.)

Those wines Mark referenced would prove to be the two wines I would be tasting for this article, and readers would also have a chance to maybe try them too at Wine On The Roof set for May 17.

Tasting

2017 Rosé, Los Angeles County

100% Grenache

14% alcohol

With an inviting color of rose gold I was drawn in to find aromas of ripe raspberry, lemon and lime zest, yellow peach and tropical fruit – made me think of Hawaii…and a beach…and a much needed vacation. Okay, back to the wine, I dove in (not to the ocean) for a taste. Luscious mouth coating viscosity and a hell of a lot of fruit, same as on the nose, lightly crisp and with medium acidity. As the length just went on and on, I thought how nice this would be in between bites of…just about anything that sounds good with a Rosé wine. 90 Eve pts.

2016 Tremor, Los Angeles County

65% Grenache, 30% Merlot and 5% Syrah

15.5% alcohol

Aged 18 months in French oak barrels

Dark garnet in color, with a honeyed edge that may be indicative of the time spent in oak, was my first observation. Then the spices on the nose hit me like a ton of bricks, well maybe not a ton of bricks, but the full spice rack! Along with dark plums, chocolate, red berry, blueberry – and then the two, the spices and the fruit, just melded perfectly together. Itching for a taste, you guessed it, I dove in again. A very full mouthfeel of pleasantly blended fruit, spice, a mild but welcome heat from the alcohol, toasted oak, length and a style that I wasn’t really familiar with. Maybe it was the blending Rhône with Bordeaux grapes that got my attention but I don’t care what it was, this renegade of a wine was delicious! Betting even better with a little aging or decanting. 92 Eve pts.

From The Website

Mark & Jenny Blatty, Proprietors – Mark and Jenny founded Byron Blatty Wines in 2014, after a visit to Napa Valley. Inspired by the story of Napa’s original vintners, who challenged the French with their determination to create world-class wines in a previously unproven region, the Blattys had only one rule that would guide them on their endeavor to start a commercial winery: The wines had to be from their hometown of Los Angeles. Initially they intended to plant a small vineyard on their hillside property, but soon realized that the space was not large enough, nor was it right for the varietals they had in mind. Undeterred, they began to search for vineyards in LA County from which to source their grapes. Despite the area’s rich wine history, established vineyards in LA are few and far between, and it took the couple nearly a year to discover just the right sites, tucked away in the far corners of the county.

In addition to being vintners, the Blattys also have careers in television. Mark is a Los Angeles native, and Jenny relocated from Chicago in 2001. Their first child, Oliver Byron Blatty, was born in January 2017.

Steve Lemley and Nate Hasper, Winemakers – Steve Lemley and Nate Hasper are the winemakers for Byron Blatty Wines. With more than thirty-five years of combined winemaking experience, as well as formal training at UC Davis, the pair melds a deep knowledge of modern techniques with the finesse and feel one only acquires through firsthand experience with multiple vintages. With an almost fanatical approach, they work hand in hand with our growers and in the winery to push the fruit to the absolute limits for maximum flavor and color extraction, while retaining each varietal’s nuances and subtleties. The result is bold, powerfully styled wines that stand out from the crowd.

Joey Perry, Assistant Winemaker –Joey Perry became Byron Blatty’s assistant winemaker for the 2015 vintage—his third overall—and he manages all winery operations for Lemley and Hasper. The SoCal native got his MBA from the University of Laverne and had his sights set on a career on Wall Street before a wine course at College of the Canyons in Valencia altered his path. Perry decided the trading life was not going to be for him and instead immersed himself in wine, going to work full time for Lemley and Hasper after graduation. He married his wife, Kristine, in 2015 and lives in Santa Clarita with her and their two dogs.

Website: http://www.byronblatty.com

Email: info@byronblatty.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/byronblattywines/

Instagram: @byronblattywines

Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a “certification in first globally-recognized course” as an American Wine Specialist ® from the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), Level 1 Sake Award from WSET, was the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video, authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits. You can also seek her marketing advice via Eve@EveBushmanConsulting.com

Get Ready For: Wine on the Roof…Dine on the Roof, a Collaborative Experience (Early Bird Ticket Sales End 4/15)

April 6, 2018 by evebushman Leave a Comment

Apparently you Santa Claritans and wonderful supporters of local charity have demanded, yes demanded, more than one rooftop event from the people (see below) that have brought you Cocktails on the Roof. Your loud cries for us to keep your glass filled have been heard. We have now added Wine on the Roof to your calendar May 17!

Read on, as it’s definitely not the same kind of rooftop event we’ve ever had in Santa Clarita…

Our Event: The Details From WiSH Executive Director Amy Daniels

The community came out in force for our signature event, Cocktails on the Roof, three sold out years in a row. With encouragement to do a second event during the year, this one with wine as the focus, we teamed up once again with Eve Bushman of Eve’s Wine 101 and Marlee Lauffer, President of the Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital Foundation, for Wine on the Roof. This gathering promises to be like nothing else offered in our region.

With beautiful lighting, music, photo opportunities and more, we will welcome our guests to a remarkable, one of a kind special evening that people will not soon forget. This evening promises to be like nothing else offered in our region.

Eve has teamed up with Steve Lemley as our co-host for this unique event. Lemley is a well-respected SCV winemaker that co-owns the SCV Custom Crush Services. Lemley will curate our wines from his local facility that houses over twenty different wineries – most, if not all, will be making their debut that evening – and we will have winemakers seated throughout the venue to allow for interesting and knowledgeable discourse.

Wine on the Roof has a distinctive layout to allow for camaraderie and conversation and you will be treated to a multi-course dinner. Because this is seated dining, a limited number of tickets are available. The event is open from 6-10pm and ticket pricing is set at $125pp or 2/$200. Please note that after April 15^th, ticket pricing will be $150 or 2/$275. More information is available and tickets can be purchased at www.WiSHscv.org.

Collaborators: Winemakers, Chefs, and Restaurants

As we are just putting together our puzzle pieces of which chefs wants to provide which course, Steve and I will be tasting wines with them – if they like – in an effort to help with the food pairing. So far we will have Chef Daniel Otto’s debut from his soon to open restaurant, Chef Lucio Teraza of Olive Terrace Bar and Grill, Chef Ignacio “Nacho” Munoz and Pastry Chef Kristina Waggoner of Salt Creek Grille, Chef Louis Pechan of Hundred Miles LA, the Culinary Team at Bonefish Grill, Chef Trevor of the Newhall Press Room, Pastry Chef Meghan Launier of Wolf Creek Restaurant and Brewing Company, the baristas of Honu Coffee, the sweet makers from Nothing Bundt Cakes and the Beams of Sweat Beams Ice Cream.

We will definitely be starting our evening with appetizers, then bread from the one and only infamous Speakeasy Bakery, mains, dessert – all with wines from winemakers exclusive to Pulchella Winery. Santa Clarita winemakers at press time include Steve Lemley, Nate Hasper, Mark Blatty, Scott Page-Pagter, Doug Minnick, Ted Behlendorf and Dan Erland Andersen.

Your Rooftop Team: Dreamers and Worker Bees

Besides the names of our co-hosts listed above this event is orchestrated by countless volunteers (thank you) and an energetic committee that sometimes takes up two dining room tables at my house: Ed Masterson, Richard Cohn, Alex Hafizi, Lynne Secrest, Judy Penman, Lisa Holt, Mitch Russell and Dawn Begley.

Sponsorships: Many Ways to Support the WiSH Education Foundation

ROSE – Exclusive (1) $15,000: SIX tickets and first mention in all press releases and social media marketing; we will promote you prominently as the PRESENTER of the event on event signage; listing on website as Presenter; mention in print advertising.

VIOGNIER $10,000: FOUR tickets and mention in all press releases and social media marketing; we will promote you on event signage; listing on website; listed on print advertising. Email marketing included to approximately 35,000 emails.

CABERNET $5,000: FOUR tickets and mention in all press releases and social media marketing; we will promote you on event signage; listing on website. Email marketing included to approximately 35,000 emails.

ZINFANDEL $2,500: TWO event tickets and mention in all press releases and social media marketing; we will promote you on event signage; listing on website. Email marketing included to approximately 35,000 emails.

PINOT NOIR $1,500: TWO event tickets and mention in all press releases and social media marketing; listing on website. Email marketing included to approximately 35,000 emails.

Please contact Exec. Dir. Amy Daniels: wish@hartdistrict.org for current sponsorship opportunities.

Details: Early Bird Tickets and Sponsorships Now Available

Tickets go up in price after April 15th so get them now – only 200 will be sold!

Information and tickets: http://wisheducationfoundation.org/wine-under-the-stars/

Facebook event page has updated info and has a very interactive “discussion” tab: https://www.facebook.com/events/533629337011873/

Save the date: Cocktails on the Roof 9/7.

About: The WiSH Education Foundation

“WiSH was founded in 2011 by parents and partners of the community to directly support the students and staff of the William S. Hart school district and are a designated 501c(3) non-profit foundation.

WiSH raises critically needed funds to directly support students and educators in our District…money for much-needed technology, special education and technical programs, materials, books, software, musical instruments & calculators, just to name some recent initiatives. We’re not funded by any local, state or federal agencies and rely on contributions, grants and sponsorships to bridge the ever-widening gap of student’s needs directly in classrooms…” read more here.

Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a “certification in first globally-recognized course” as an American Wine Specialist ® from the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), Level 1 Sake Award from WSET, was the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video, authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits. You can also seek her marketing advice via Eve@EveBushmanConsulting.com

Vintage Eve Circa 1/2015: What’s Happening in Our Local Bonded Winery?

March 27, 2018 by evebushman Leave a Comment

If you live anywhere in the Santa Clarita Valley, and you are into wine, you probably already know that we have a wine tasting room in downtown Newhall. You might even know that we have a licensed and bonded winery in the Valencia industrial center. But did you know that our only winery has become a home for many commercial and non-commercial wineries…many of which use our local winemakers as consultants? Maybe even up to 15 wineries?

The “unbreakable” Pulchella glasses, photo credit: Rick Lott

Yes, this is the growth that local winemakers Steve Lemley and Nate Hasper have seen since opening their TWO doors. You can taste Paso Robles wine at Pulchella Winery Thursday through Saturday evenings, and make an appointment to see the SCV Winery facility if you would like to make your own wine.

And to help you get started I asked Steve Lemley to give readers an update:

EB: Steve, please tell us a little (because I know you do a lot) about what you do at the winemaking facility.

SL: Nate and I fuel our passion and produce all of Pulchella Winery’s allocations here along with working with 15 other wineries as their consulting winemaker to produce their wine labels as well. Producing wines in small lots from fruit sourced primarily from the central coast. We are super excited to have invested in state of the art equipment, expanded the operation and opened it up to a select group of other wineries and vineyard owners who share our stylistic approach to winemaking.

EB: And do we get to taste the fruits of your effort in your Newhall tasting room? Tell us about your current releases and if club memberships are available.

SL: Absolutely! Pulchella Winery’s current releases are poured in our tasting room Thursday through Saturday from 5pm to 10pm without any appointment needed. We are currently pouring 8 wines. In spring, we will release the next allocation, which we are by far the proudest of as we have had time to focus the brand and make some really solid wines. Our wine club has recently re-opened to new members, which offers just two allocations a year, 20% off all purchases, free tastings and more. For a full list of current and upcoming wine releases, visit our website.

EB: How about a story of something funny that has happened during your years of winemaking…something wannabe winemakers might be interested in.

SL: We get asked a lot how the Westside Paso Robles, Cerro Prieto vineyard Pinot Noir named “Deadbeat”, fell into our program. In spring 2013 we took on a project with a new client and were asked to source some of the best quality Pinot Noir from the Paso Robles Willow Creek area. Making an extensive amount of Pinot Noir for clients in the past, we took the challenge and poured our hearts, souls and wallets into the project just to have the client inform us a few months later that he could not continue and would not be able to pay for any of the fruit and barrels. Given that we sourced and paid for the fruit, produced the wine and designed the barrel program for it, it only seemed right to release it under Pulchella Winery’s label and see what everyone thought. The now past client got the wine named after him and it was loved by everyone so much that it has now become a staple in our portfolio of wines.

EB: Can you give us an update on the vines you and Nate helped plant at College of the Canyons?

SL: For the last two years Nate and I have also expanded our operation to include full scale vineyard management for many of our clients. Donating our time as full time vineyard consultants for College Of The Canyons is a dream come true for us. The college shares a vision with us and the fruits of everyone’s labor is starting to take shape.

After the 50 year old zinfandel transplant project was completed, we have planted another zinfandel block and have completed the architectural design and installation of yet another Syrah block. We have had a 100% success rate with the vineyard and are very proud to have been given the freedom to establish an infrastructure that will offer a very complex curriculum of viticulture and enology in the future for COC students. We will continue to manage the project until COC has a program in place to take it over.

EB: What do you and Nate see for the future?

SL: It’s easy to increase production but we want to honor the support we have and will not increase our production so that we can offer the same quality wines year after year to everyone who supports us. We will continue to focus our brand and dedicate every waking moment to increasing the quality of our wines and the wines we produce for our clients.

Santa Clarita will soon have other very high quality brands to enjoy and we are humbled to be involved with the vision and production of them. Visit our website or come visit us in the tasting room and see what’s down our dirt road of passion.

The winery tasting room is located at: 24261 Main Street in the Old town Newhall historical district. (91321). For current tasting room hours, please call our tasting room at 661-799-wine. Closed most major holidays.

http://www.pulchellawinery.com

Customerservice@PulchellaWinery.com

Drinking Epiphanies

March 23, 2018 by evebushman Leave a Comment

I just wanted to know what your drinking epiphanies were in 2014! After learning what our Eve Wine 101 Facebook pals experienced, I’d have to say I have some new boozy goals for 2015.

The statement above was from a Facebook roundup I did in January of 2015. Thought, heck, it’s been a few years, I wonder if anyone has some new discoveries since then to share. So I asked.

Anonymous: …in Vegas at an unnamed hotel I convinced people I was the owner’s son and got drinks for free and comps for days.

Caren: Tasting Jonathan Cross’s “When Figs Fly” signature cocktail at Cocktails On the Roof. (Cross is the bar manager at Olive Terrace Bar and Grill.)

Vicki: Although it was not last year my first taste of Sojourn Cellars Pinot Noir with a great friend.

Michael: Graham’s 1970 Vintage Port with Rupert Symington, and 1975 BV Georges de LaTour. I’ll toss in a 40 YO Ukrainian brandy as well.

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Mas Martinet DOQ Priorat Facebook page

Scott: Tasting wine at Mas Martinet in the mountaintop vineyard where the grapes are grown. Priorat Spain. Priorat is a must see. It is one if only 2 DOQ’s in Spain. The other is Rioja. To me Priorat seems more inventive, and willing to take chances, than stodgy old Rioja.

Kathy: My visit to Gibbston Valley Winery in New Zealand was one of my most favorite wine experiences last year! The 2013 Noble changed my life! I believe they ship to US for very reasonable prices!

Danny: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Rum Barrel aged Gin…it’s completely different (from Genever) the botanicals are complimented nicely rum adds spice, chard adds richness and pinot adds floral(s), amazeballs. #brokenheartgin #reidandreidgin #sacredspringgin (#’s are brands to try)

Lee: Just enjoying it with good food, great friends and plenty of laughter.

Jenny: Great question! #1 was the private wine tasting from Leoness that I set up for a bachelorette. We did it by the pool at the house we were renting. Amazing….except that I was pregnant… So #2 was the first glass of wine I had after having my baby. Pulchella and it was heavenly!

From me: …for me in wines it was tasting Hourglass Wine for the first time, in their caves. Then tasting Armand De Brignac and Dom Perignon, well out of my price range. For spirits it had to be two whisky events: the Universal Whisky Experience and the Peatin’ Meetin’.

Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a “certification in first globally-recognized course” as an American Wine Specialist ® from the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), Level 1 Sake Award from WSET, was the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video, authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits. You can also seek her marketing advice via Eve@EveBushmanConsulting.com

Why Not Have…Drinking Goals for 2018? And No, it’s not too late to set them!

January 26, 2018 by evebushman Leave a Comment

I’m not a person that makes new year resolutions often. It’s such a joke to set some very far-off sounding goal only to not even achieve it – as that’s become the norm. You can try and fool the system by setting goals that are simple to attain like…planning ahead for the next year’s resolutions you won’t be achieving! Egads, we’ve really become slackers.

So, in between not making resolutions at all or making resolutions that are too easy to achieve I challenge you to set some drinking resolutions. And feel free to be as lax as you want in reaching them – as it won’t matter to anyone whether you do or not! LOL.

These are my Drinking Goals for 2018, none of which requires over-imbibing but if you do please Uber:

Go to a tequila and/or Mezcal tasting as neither are in my comfort zone.

Go to more wine tastings of areas I’m unfamiliar with: Portugal (and not for the Port alone), Republic of Georgia, Finger Lakes…where else? Check out this CNN article on some lesser known wine areas.

Take advantage of more courses, maybe even a new certification, offered via my NASA (North American Sommelier Association) membership.

Frequent our local wine bars (Valencia Wine Company, Wine 661, Lee’s Wine Bistro, Newhall Press Room), winery tasting rooms (Pulchella, Double Trouble) and restaurants with fine wine lists (Le Chene, Newhall Refinery, Larsen’s, Greg’s List at Salt Creek Grille) more often.

Make it to the Japanese Food and Restaurant Expo put on by Mutual Trading again to further my education on Soju, Sake, beer and Japanese wine…all while sampling some delectable foods.

Continue to work with the WiSH Education Foundation to bring a new event to Old Town Newhall. Look for Wine Under the Stars early May where we will have wines culled from the latest winemakers making wine at the SCV Custom Crush Services paired with dishes from several different local restaurants. We will be the first to host an event on the rooftop of our new Laemmle theater.

Continue to work with our WiSH committee to bring in new spirit vendors to Cocktails on the Roof. This year marks our fourth year! (Save the date 9/7!) Last year our new vendor was Pomp and Whimsy Gin Liqueur and they said it was the best event they had ever poured at! (If you rep a spirit vendor and want your product seen in the first and only premier cocktail event Santa Clarita Valley email me: eve@evewine101.com)

Continue looking for the Spirits One Level now offered globally from WSET (Wine and Spirits Education Trust) since my Level Two in both isn’t transferable to take a Level 2 or 3 in Spirits alone. Haven’t found one offered remotely near me yet!

Get back to Denver to visit Stranahan’s again, see if I can get a taste of their annually made limited edition bourbon whiskey.

Get back to Park City to go to High West Distillery again as some of their spirits aren’t sold in here in California.

Continue my education on peated single malt whisky by attending LA Scotch Club’s annual Peatin’ Meetin’ again.

Take more classes at the Nth Show aka Universal Whisky Experience in Vegas early April…even though my husband may ditch me just to taste.

Make it to at least one meeting, aka tasting, of the no-longer-new LA Chapter of Women Who Whisky Club!

I hope to receive a comment or an email (eve@evewine101.com) with what your drinking resolutions are, I had so much fun making up mine!

Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a “certification in first globally-recognized course” as an American Wine Specialist ® from the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), Level 1 Sake Award from WSET, was the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video, authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits. You can also seek her marketing advice via Eve@EveBushmanConsulting.com

Perlis Picks: Double Trouble Wine Room

July 29, 2017 by Michael Perlis 2 Comments

Downtown Newhall is fast becoming an all-in-one destination for the Santa Clarita Valley.

With a state of the art public library standing guard at the north end of Main Street and Newhall Refinery restaurant and Pulchella Winery tasting room near the southern end, along with everything else going on nearby and in-between, it is easy to see why this area’s popularity is only going to increase.

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.

PAGTER BROTHERS WINERY

For some years, I’ve enjoyed the wines made by Scott Pagter of Pagter Brothers Winery. I can’t remember all the details of when he shared the wine [under his previous wine label] with me at the much missed All Corked Up wine bar, but I do remember it being a pretty killer Grenache. [I also have very fond memories of Scott’s band Stupid Pony from those days. Fronted by excellent lead singer Sidney Iverson, I always looked forward to this band’s rare appearances.]

Scott and his brother Gib formed Pagter Brothers Winery in 2013 specializing in “big, bold reds.” That being said, the first wine we tried was the 2014 Chardonnay which was excellent, a fairly light wine but with a touch of oak on the finish to give it some body.

After that, though, we did move on to those big bold reds, tasting through a selection of wines from the 2014 vintage, mostly Rhone varietals with Syrah sourced from the White Hawk Vineyard in Santa Ynez and the Grenache from the Hoyt Vineyard in Paso Robles…

Notorious – blend of 75% Grenache and 25% Syrah, named after Gib’s day job as an attorney.

Melodious – a reverse of the Notorious, 75% Syrah and 25% Grenache, a tribute to Scott’s music/entertainment background.

Syrah – 100% from the White Hawk Vineyard. This was delicious, but we also got a sneak peek of the 2015 vintage which if anything was even better.

In addition, Pagter Brothers makes a Tempranillo. I think Tempranillo does very well in Paso and this 2014 was no exception.

Finally, another sneak peek – the 2015 Tannat. From Paso’s Adelaida district, this wine belied Tannat’s reputation as being monolithic and unapproachable. Definitely the opposite of that, drinking very well right after bottling and will only get better. My fave of the Pagter Brothers tasting.

Scott told me that their motto is to “make wine they like to drink…so if no one buys it they can drink it.” With these wines, they’re not going to be able to keep much for themselves.

HOI POLLOI WINERY

My relationship with Doug Minnick, one of the three owner/winemakers of Hoi Polloi Winery, goes back several years as well. Doug is also one of the co-founders of the Garagiste Festivals and he and I first met when I interviewed him for our Eve’s Wine 101 website about the inaugural event that was coming up.

So, it was a natural progression to want to make wine. The special focus is on Syrah and Doug says they will soon be able to do side-by-side single vineyard Syrah tastings from all four of their Syrah sources – Sebastiano Vineyard [Sta. Rita Hills], Alta Colina Vineyard [Paso Robles], Hoppe Kelly Vineyard [Russian River Valley] as well as the iconic Larner Vineyard in Ballard Canyon. If you know Syrah, you know that Doug et al have connected with some pretty outstanding vineyards. I feel that Syrah is one of the best varieties for showing off differences in terroir, so this is pretty exciting stuff.

But they do make other wines besides Syrah. We started our tasting with the newly released 2016 Grenache Rosé from Colburn Vineyards in Paso Robles – one of the best Rosés that I’ve had.

We then moved to the reds by first tasting the 2015 “Illicit” Pinot Noir from Santa Maria and the 2014 “Touch of Evil” Cabernet Sauvignon from the Cass Vineyard in Paso Robles. Both solid wines.

Now, time for the red Rhones!

We eased into them, starting with the 2015 Syrah / Grenache Blend called Tryst, so called because while the 34% Grenache is entirely from Paso Robles, the 66% Syrah is a combination of Paso and cool-climate Sonoma. Makes for a very tasty wine.

Not messing around now, we tasted the Sebastiano Vineyard Sta. from Rita Hills and the Alta Colina Vineyard from Paso Robles, both from the 2014 vintage. I had already tasted these wines from last year’s Garagiste Festival in LA and knew what to expect. I was not disappointed. [Not tasted this time but tasted at that same festival was the 2014 “Double Exposure” blend from both of these vineyards, which was actually one of my favorites that day.]

We got a sneak peek here as well – the 2015 Petite Sirah from the Loma Seca Vineyard in Paso Robles. Delicious now, this wine is going to be fun to watch develop.

The Double Trouble Wine Room is definitely worth your time. Gorgeous facility, now with a patio, along with great wines poured by nice people. I expect this is a place you may want to become a “regular” at before it becomes too popular.

DOUBLE TROUBLE WINE ROOM

24338 Main St.
Newhall, CA 91321