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Clos Pepe Vineyard Leased to WALT Wines

April 12, 2015 by evebushman

Pioneering Santa Barbara-based vintners Stephen and Cathy Pepe have announced that they have entered into a long-term partnership with WALT Wines, a St. Helena-based specialist in vineyard specific Pinot Noir from California and Oregon. The 29-acre winery and vineyard was founded in 1994 on Highway 246, just 8 miles east of Lompoc, CA.

“walt-logo-1.13.2012“My wife Cathy and I have enjoyed our two decades of producing Pinot Noir in the Santa Rita Hills,”” says vintner Stephen Pepe. “”We have decided to scale down our lifestyle after dedicating over 20+ years in crafting Pinot Noir. We are thrilled to be able to work with the talented team at WALT and plan to continue live on the property and sell Clos Pepe wines for years to come.”” Cathy’s son, Wes Hagen, has been actively involved with the operation since day one as the vineyard manager and head winemaker.”

When the Pepe family arrived in Lompoc in 1994, the Santa Rita Hills was just emerging as a premier appellation for Pinot Noir. Steve, Cathy and Wes’’s efforts helped define Pinot Noir from the Santa Rita Hills, and partially due to their success, other prominent vineyards have earned notable vineyard success in the area. During this time, Wes developed a national reputation as a prominent winemaker and wine educator. Wes was also one of the principal draftspersons of the Sta. Rita Hills AVA as well as two other AVAs in Santa Barbara County.

“”We have been producing Pinot Noir from the Clos Pepe Vineyard for the past five vintages,”” says WALT President Mike Reynolds. ““The wines demonstrate a unique combination of elegance and concentration and we are thrilled to have a deeper connection with this vineyard for years to come.””

The Clos Pepe vineyard consists of 29 acres of sustainable Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vines producing some of the finest fruit and wine in the world. Sustainably farmed with low yields and no herbicide or insecticide, the Close Pepe vineyard is exposed to wind and fog and features small vines and clusters. The site includes 25 planted acres of Pinot Noir as well as 4 planted acres of Chardonnay. Relationships with select buyers of Clos Pepe Pinot Noir and Chardonnay will continue.

For more information, please visit www.closepepe.com or www.waltwines.com.

ABOUT CLOS PEPE ESTATE:
Clos Pepe Vineyard was purchased by Steve and Cathy Pepe in 1994 as a horse ranch, and established the 9th vineyard in what would become the Sta. Rita Hills AVA. Specializing in cool-climate, small production, craft-based Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, Clos Pepe is now recognized as a leader in local and national wine culture, wine education and providing fruit to some of the best winemakers in California. The Close Pepe Estate is located at 4777 East Highway 246 in Lompoc, CA 93436. For more information, please visit www.clospepecom, or by calling 805-735-2196.

ABOUT WALT WINES:
WALT specializes in premier, small-lot Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from some of the most coveted vineyards along the Pacific Coast, Central Coast, Sonoma County, and Anderson Valley in California and Willamette Valley, Oregon. WALT’s philosophy of non-interventionist winemaking allows our winemakers to create expressive wines that reflect the signature personality of each growing region. Owned by Kathryn Walt Hall and her husband Craig, the winery was named to honor Kathryn’s parents, Bob and Dolores Walt, who were grape growers in Mendocino County and inspired Kathryn’s passion for vineyards and vine. For the wine to reflect the vineyard’s terroir, WALT winemakers Steve Leveque and Megan Gunderson combine elements of old-world winemaking style with new age technology, letting nature take its course through the winemaking process with as little human intervention as possible. WALT, a sister brand to the acclaimed HALL Wines in Napa Valley, has consistently earned praise by industry critics with over 40 wines being rated 90 points and above. The WALT Tasting Room opened in 2011 and is located at the Sonoma Plaza in Sonoma, CA, and is open to the public. For more information, please visit www.waltwines.com or by calling (707) 933-4440.

Filed Under: Guests Tagged With: ava, California, Chardonnay, climate, lompoc, Napa, Oregon, Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara, Santa Rita Hills, vineyard, vintner, wine education, winemaker

Dolin Estate Wines of Malibu and the Malibu AVA, by Barbara Barrielle

January 29, 2015 by evebushman

Earlier this year, in a vast hall in downtown LA called the Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration, the growers and vintners of the newly-designated Malibu AVA came together to fight for their futures. The County Board of Supervisors was voting to decide whether the Coastal Commission’s ruling that no new vineyards be planted or expanded would stand as law.

Dolin wineEvery vintner had a say in public comment but uninformed environmentalists had power in numbers and the Malibu AVA vineyards found the right to develop their own land senselessly restricted.

This was the first time I met Elliot Dolin who, although his vineyard is in the city of Malibu and unaffected by the County’s ruling, was there in vocal support of the AVA as a whole and continues to fight the good fight for vineyard rights. Soon after, I was invited to a dinner where Elliot and his wife, Lynn, introduced the line of single vineyard Pinot Noirs that join their spectacular estate Chardonnay.

The Dolin estate is that rare piece of property that sits on a gentle slope about 400 feet above sea level and overlooks the Pacific in the distance. The house, which was bought in foreclosure, has been completely restored and the vineyard was a brainstorm after noticing the beauty of the vines on neighboring properties. It also seems to fit Elliott well, who, after a long career in music which brought him to Los Angeles, segued into commercial real estate and financial success…although he maintains a rock ‘n’ roll soul!

The Dolin Malibu Estate Chardonnay has a gorgeous golden hue and a bouquet of pears, apples caramel and vanilla. Burgundian in character, the wine is well structured and balanced with mild acid and understated oak. Excellent flavor and elegant finish. The 2011 rated 90 points by Wine Spectator and was included in a piece about “Outstanding California Chardonnays”. The wine was also awarded a Double Gold at the San Francisco International Wine Competition.

The Dolin family has now added single vineyard Pinot Noirs from the Central Coast and a Santa Rita Hills offering. Most intriguing for me was the Bien Nacido Vineyard Pinot Noir that is the exact block

Elliot Dolin

Elliot Dolin

that the famed Tantara Wines gave up when they had a management rift a couple years ago. Tantara’s loss is clearly Dolin’s gain and the 2012 is full of fruit and bright cherry on the nose which pops on the palate and finishes long, fruity and memorable.
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Although Dolin will lose this Bien Nacido block but will have access to one equally as desirable.

Other single vineyard Dolin wines include Talley’s Rincon Vineyard and Solomon Hills Vineyard, both of which are well-made and express the characteristics of those notable properties as crafted by winemaker Kirby Anderson. A fantastic array of excellent wines and, in my opinion, at very reasonable prices for the quality.

Wines can be found online at http://www.
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dolinestate.com or in the tasting room at Cornell Winery http://www.cornellwinery.com

Filed Under: Guests Tagged With: acid, ava, balance, bouquet, burgundy, California, Chardonnay, estate wine, finish, flavor, fruit, grower, los angeles, malibu, Oak, palate, Pinot Noir, san francisco, Santa Rita Hills, vines, vineyard, vintner, wine spectator

LearnAboutWine celebrates 12th Annual STARS of Santa Barbara

January 20, 2015 by evebushman

 

STARS of Santa Barbara wine tasting at Peninsula Hotel, Beverly Hills

Los Angeles – January 8, 2015 – LearnAboutWine is pleased to announce the 12th Annual STARS of Santa Barbara Wine Tasting at the Peninsula Hotel in Beverly Hills. Long term industry stallworth, LearnAboutWine (now in its 20th year of service) has been introducing Santa Barbara wineries to key Los Angelenos long prior to Sideways.

Stars of Santa Barbara 2013Ian Blackburn says “The wines of Santa Barbara rival the best wines in the world, not just the state” and “the community of small producers is what really makes Santa Barbara fun, fresh and cutting edge.”

LearnAboutWine will bring together over 40 top producers for another SOLD OUT affair on January 21st at the Peninsula Hotel. Jonata winemaker, Matt Dees, will be attending and hosting a VIP tasting of his top tier wines, and the lineup of brands participating is set to represent a huge cross section of the best in the business.

Stars of Santa Barbara also informs the masses about the growing refinements in Santa Barbara and in its sub‐appellations; Santa Maria, Santa Ynez, Sta Rita Hills, Happy Canyon and most recently Ballard Canyon! There is always a great amount of change and evolution in Santa Barbara ‐ and if you think you have your hands around it ‐ check back next year its going to grow and change again!

A silent auction, containing lots of collectable and large format wines, benefits TJ Martell Foundation. The T.J. Martell Foundation is the music industry’s largest foundation that funds innovative medical research focused on finding cures for leukemia, cancer and AIDS. The Foundation sources and supports early‐stage research projects aimed at developing more effective clinical treatments for patients which otherwise might not be funded. Learn more at tjmartell.org.

Tickets on sale now.
For more information about the event and to purchase tickets please visit
StarsofSantaBarbara.com.

Confirmed Wineries so far (over 40 will appear)

Kenneth Volk Vineyards Jonata (VIP)

Brave & Maiden (NEW)

Thorne Wines

Alma Rosa Winery

Santa Barbara Winery

Larner Wine

Cebada Wines

Foxen Vineyards

Kita Wines (New)

Zaca Mesa

Barbieri

Silver

Summerland

Buttonwood Farm & Winery

Coquelicot

Tercero

Shai Cellars

Kaena

Tantara Winery

Bonaccorsi

Jaffurs

Imagine

Dolin

Westerly Wine

LaFond

Clos Pepe

Lindley

Fess Parker

Riverbench

Consilience, Marianello & Tre Anelli

Hilliard Bruce small + tall

La Fenêtre

Rancho Sisquoc

Refugio Ranch

Conarium

About LearnAboutWine and the new winela.com
Ian Blackburn, founder of LearnAboutWine, drinks wine for a living. Since it was established in 1995, he has built LearnAboutWine into the leading source for wine education and events in Southern California and as it turns 20 years old in 2015. To celebrate its 20th Anniversary, LearnAboutWine will get a big facelift and a new brand called wineLA (.com) will take over events and classes in Los Angeles. Ian Blackburn say’s “LearnAboutWine has a higher purpose that we intend to grow nationwide in 2015… an exciting time for us indeed.” Ian continues to innovate and focus on demystifying wine for everyone from the casual drinker to the potential collector and was voted as “One of the Top 5 Places to Taste Wine in Los Angeles” by LAist.com (8/2013). Ian’s passion for wine and entertaining makes him one of the top spokespersons in the United States and currently Ian is studying for his Masters of Wine. Ian’s entertaining ways can heard on You Tube, or on many of Los Angeles radio airwaves; ABC’s “The Bachelor” and on Wealth TV.

About Peninsula Hotel:
The only AAA Five Diamond and Forbes Five Star‐rated hotel in Southern California every year since 1993, The Peninsula Beverly Hills offers 194 guest rooms, including 38 suites and 16 private villas, nestled among lush tropical gardens in the heart of Beverly Hills. The Peninsula is located at the intersection of Wilshire and South Santa Monica Boulevards, within easy walking distance of Century City and Beverly Hills’ legendary Rodeo Drive.

Click HERE for photos of past events.

Filed Under: Guests Tagged With: Ballard Canyon, Learn About Wine, LearnAboutWine, los angeles, Santa Barbara, santa maria Valley, Santa Rita Hills, Santa Ynez, wine auction, wine education, Wine tasting

Pinot Days (Vintage Beacon Circa 1/10)

October 28, 2014 by evebushman

“Pinot Days is coming to Southern California this weekend! (Remember readers, this is Pinot Days #1 from 2010!)  After six big events in San Francisco and three in Chicago, the winemakers are loading up and heading over the Grapevine, so to speak.  93 pinot producers (and counting) will show up and pour over 400 acclaimed pinots to their fan base.  And, drum roll, Eve’s readers can get tickets at a 10% discount by entering the code EVEPINOTSC10.”   – Lisa Rigisich, Producer, Pinot Days.

Pinot-DaysI’ve never been to this particular tasting event.  At press time I have competed in their “Why are you so into Pinot?” contest for a chance to attend their first Annual Pinot Days Southern California Grand Festival on January 17. They were awarding 10 pairs of tickets to those who best articulated their love for the noble grape. “If you love pinot we know you are passionate­ show us what you¹ve got!”  If I don’t win it’s because…I should have had a Pinot before writing:

“It is my duty as the only wine writer in Santa Clarita (http://evewine101.com, SCV Elite magazine, and the awesome SCV Beacon) to cover all things Pinot.  Before Pinot Days we are having our own little local Pinot Noir tasting, readying our palates for yours! Oh, won’t you say yes, to a putting your Pinot on my palate? I promise to share!”

My own Pinot Noir Experiences

Our cellar, when first filled over 20 years ago, had more Pinot Noir than any other varietals, well before the film Sideway’s Miles publicized our finds in his beloved Santa Ynez valley.  Pinot Noirs I recall having in 2009 were: Cambria Winery’s Julia’s Vineyard Pinot Noir, Montes Alfa Pinot Noir, Robert Summerland Pinot Noir Nugent 2005 and Santa Rita 2006, Ken Brown Pinot 2005, Hinton Pinot Noir 2004, different vintage years of Williams Selyem, Cosentino Pinot Noir Sonoma 2006, Kenwood, Handley, Cuvaison 2001…

Maybe I should have sent the above list to the judges of the contest…

What Friends Say about Pinot Days

Denise: I’m going!

Susie: I’m interested, where do I get more info Eve?

Kristin: I’m thinking of going too.

Citysipper Everywhere: Looking forward to PINOT DAYS.

Beverly: After reading several articles on Pinot and lots of tastings I found I like Pinot better then other reds and the main ingredient that is good for you is called resveratrol. While this may not affect the aspects of sensory enjoyment, it may draw the attention of health-conscious consumers. Lastly, I enjoy pairing it with steak, & pork chops.

From Pinot Days

The First Annual Pinot Days Southern California engages all the senses with its offering of gourmet food and 400 incredible pinot noirs. More than 75 pinot producers will pour their wines at Pinot Days, including the newly-released 2007 vintage, which critics are calling pinot’s best vintage in decades, and maybe ever. The three-day Los Angeles food and wine event includes two intimate winemaker dinners and the Grand Festival, a wine tasting event which gives wine lovers the opportunity to experience and enjoy some of the world’s best pinot noir and interact directly with the gifted and passionate winemakers who produce them. Pinot Days Southern California begins January 15 and culminates on January 17 with the Grand Festival at Barker Hanger in Santa Monica, CA. Event tickets can be purchased at www.pinotdays.com.

Pinot Days is an event that connects wine enthusiasts directly with winemakers creating a unique opportunity for new and seasoned wine lovers to experience, enjoy and deepen their knowledge of pinot noir. Produced by the Bay Area Wine Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion of pinot noir, Pinot Days was created by Steven and Lisa Rigisich out of their love for the “the noble grape.” The Bay Area Wine Project holds annual events in San Francisco, Chicago and Southern California. Pinotdays.com provides information about and access to wine-related events, wine education opportunities and wine trivia– including articles about outstanding wine personalities, winery profiles, reviews of wine events, restaurant wine lists, formal tastings and more. For more information visit www.pinotdays.com.

Filed Under: Eve Bushman Tagged With: California, Pinot Days, Pinot Noir, san francisco, Santa Rita Hills, Santa Ynez

We have partnered with the Pinot Days to offer you a special discount of 33%, enter promo code EVESF14 when purchasing!

June 18, 2014 by evebushman

Click HERE to visit the Pinot Days website and order tickets or go directly to the Order Form by clicking HERE. We hope to see you there!

10TH ANNUAL PINOT DAYS SAN FRANCISCO GRAND FESTIVAL TASTING
Saturday, June 21st, 2014 2-5pm
City View at Metreon, San Francisco- 135 Fourth Street
Price: $75

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Participating Exhibitors- Alma Rosa Winery & Vineyards, Ancient Oak Cellars, Artesa Winery, Attune Wines, August West, Belden Barns, Benovia Winery, Benziger Family Winery, Blair Estate, Bouchaine Vineyards, Brassfield Estate Winery, Bridge Brands Chocolate, Bucher Vineyard Wines, Buena Vista Winery, Calstar Cellars, Cornerstone Cellars Oregon, Davis Bynum Wines, Davis Family Vineyards, Del Dotto, DeLoach Vineyards, Derby Wine Estates, Don Sebastiani & Sons, Dutton-Goldfield Winery, EIEIO & Company, El Porteno Empanadas, Ellero (NZ), Failla, Farm Fresh To You, FEL Wines, Ferrari-Carano Vineyards and Winery, Fess Parker Winery & Vineyard, Food Should Taste Good, Furthermore Pinot Noir, Gary Farrell Winery, Gloria Ferrer Caves & Vineyards, Goldeneye, Hahn Estate, Handley Cellars, Inman Family Wines, J Vineyards & Winery, J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines , Kanzler Vineyards, Kendric Vineyards, Kobler Estate Winery, Kokomo Wines, Krave Jerky, Ladd Cellars, Landmark Vineyards, MacMurray Ranch, MacPhail Family Wines, MacRostie Winery, Mahoney Vineyards, Mansfield-Dunne Wines, Martinelli Winery, McEvoy Of Marin, Meiomi , Merriman Wines, Monterey Chocolate Company, Morgan Winery, New Zealand Winegrowers, Nunes Vineyard / St. Rose Winery, Omero Cellars, Pali Wine Company, Pangloss Cellars, Panthea Wine, Papapietro Perry Winery, Philo Ridge Vineyards, Ritual, Riverbench Vineyard & Winery, Rob Murray Vineyards, Robert John Russo Gallery, Rusack Vineyards, Russian River Vineyards, Saintsbury, Sanford Winery, Scherrer Winery, Schug Carneros Estate Winery, Siduri Wines, Small Vines Wines, Sojourn Cellars, Sokol Blosser Winery, Spell Estate, Stemmler Winery, Stomping Girl Wines, Tantara Wines, Teac Mor, The Winery SF, Thomas Fogarty Winery, Thorne Wine, Thralls Family Cellars, Three Sticks Wines, TR Elliott , Trombetta Family Wines, Wait Cellars, Wayfarer, Westwood Winery, Willowbrook Cellars, Windy Oaks Estate, wine country photography, Wrath, ZD Wines, Z’IVO Wines

Click HERE to visit the Pinot Days website and order tickets or go directly to the Order Form by clicking HERE. We hope to see you there!

Saturday’s Grand Tasting will showcase over 80 phenomenal producers of pinot noir. Consumers will be able to sample hundreds of pinots from every important pinot noir region, from the Russian River Valley to the Santa Rita Hills, Oregon to the Anderson Valley to the Sonoma Coast. Come to taste these highly acclaimed wines, meet the gifted and charming winemakers who create them, and experience the passion and romance that the pinot noir industry continues to embody. Discover and celebrate pinot noir in its many diverse styles, ranging from modern to earthy to elegant. Explore new producers, find wines you love, and become a pinot devotee if you are not one already. We call it Serious Fun. Come see for yourself.

Filed Under: Guests Tagged With: cave, cellar, estate wine, Oregon, Pinot Days, Russian River Valley, san francisco, Santa Rita Hills, Sonoma, vineyard, wine event, winery

LES MARCHANDS ANNOUNCES 2nd ANNUAL SANTA BARBARA COUNTY WINE FUTURES TASTING

March 24, 2014 by evebushman

First Tasting of Cuvees before Public Release to be Held on April 19, 2014 in The Funk Zone 

Master Sommelier Brian McClintic and Sommelier Eric Railsback, partners of Les Marchands Wine Bar & Merchant,  the award-winning wine bar and retail shop in Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone, announce the 2nd Annual 2014 Santa Barbara County Wine Futures Tasting. On Saturday, April 19, 2014, more than 50 of the hottest local wineries will gather for an exclusive tasting next door to Les Marchands at 131 Anacapa Street, which will be transformed into an indoor tasting room. Attendees have the rare opportunity to be among the first to taste and purchase special cuvees available prior to release at a 20% discount off standard retail price. The Santa Barbara County Wine Futures Tasting will shine a light on the emerging local wine area and allow consumers and trade to secure allocations of the most dynamic and relevant producers of the region. Notable producers Au Bon Climat, Qupe, The Ojai Vineyard, as well as recent standout projects Sandhi and Tyler Winery participated in the inaugural 2013 tasting. Tickets for the 2014 Les Marchands Wine Bar & Merchant’s Santa Barbara County Wine Futures Tasting are $70 for advance purchase on the Les Marchands website or $80 at the door. The event will take place from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. next door to Les Marchands at 131 Anacapa Street in Santa Barbara. Parking is available on the street or adjacent parking lots.

LesMarchands_2-3The Santa Barbara County Wine Futures Tasting exists to raise awareness of the pedigree and diversity of our local terroir.  Santa Barbara County is quickly gaining a reputation as one of the most exciting regions in the country to make wine. Prominent figures in the industry from around the world are recognizing the tremendous potential of the inlying appellations: Santa Rita Hills, Santa Maria Valley, Santa Ynez Valley and Happy Canyon.  The unique soil and climatic conditions of this coastal hamlet are inspiring ambitious new wine projects. Les Marchands intends to spotlight the small, hidden gem producers while paying homage to the pioneering wineries that paved the way.

In years past, the Wine Cask made the Santa Barbara County Wine Futures Tasting one of the premiere tasting events in the country.  Les Marchands Wine Bar & Merchant aims to build upon the foundation that Doug Margerum and his team laid down and continue to grow the event in scope and importance.

About Les Marchands Wine Bar & Merchant

Recently awarded the “Wine Bar of the Year” by Imbibe, Les Marchands Wine Bar & Merchant is a labor of love between two sommeliers whose wine trips to Paris and Burgundy have inspired a fresh and dynamic vision for retail, dining, and education.   Translated as ‘the merchants’ or ‘the shopkeepers,’ McClintic and Railsback create an environment where intimate product knowledge meets personalized service.  This philosophy is lived out nightly in the wine bar but is integral to every phase of their business from private cellar consultation to custom education classes to the launching of Les Marchand’s wine clubs.  The great wine merchants Eric and Brian have admired over the years distinguish themselves by seeking out quality-conscious producers.  Their import selections are Eurocentric, representing the most relevant producers in France, Italy, Austria, Germany, and beyond.  On the domestic side, the focus relies heavily on local producers who are shaping and redefining the region. 

Les Marchand’s commitment to sourcing out the finest products starts in the cellar and spills over into the kitchen where quality meets execution and the simplest dishes on their menu aspire to greatness. Share some mainstays from their cheese and charcuterie program, such as Camembert with Straus Dairy butter and freshly sliced Jamon Serrano. Guests can drop in and enjoy seasonal offerings prepared by Chef Weston Richards including local Hope Ranch smoked mussels, pork rillettes, and local farmers market pickled vegetables.  Stay up to date on special events and offerings by joining their mailing list, including weekly rituals, such as Ramen Noodles every Friday night and the renown Monday Night Special Menu and Flight of  Wine.

About Brian McClintic

Brian brings 15 years of hospitality experience with him to Les Marchands Wine Bar & Merchant, a career spanning the major restaurant hubs of Los Angeles, Aspen, San Francisco, and now Santa Barbara. McClintic was one of four subjects featured in the acclaimed documentary SOMM, which chronicled his journey to the elusive Master Sommelier title, becoming the 107th individual in the U.S. to attain this honor. SOMM, distributed by Samuel Goldwyn Films, opened in 2013, receiving rave reviews by the public and film critics.  In addition to Les Marchands, Brian, and business partner Eric Railsback, have teamed up on a Santa Barbara Syrah project called Vallin, along with local winemaker Justin Willett and fellow Master Sommelier Dustin Wilson.

About Eric Railsback

Eric’s emergence in the wine industry began taking shape in Santa Barbara nearly a decade ago.  After stints at the Wine Cask and the Hungry Cat, Railsback furthered his exposure to different regions and producers at Osteria Mozza and running the wine program at Gordon Ramsey in Los Angeles.  Eric has a strong connection to the wines of Burgundy.  Fluent in French and working harvests all over Europe, Eric brought his talents to Michael Mina’s RN74 – a premiere Burgundy-inspired restaurant in San Francisco.  There, he led a team of sommeliers for over three years before bringing it back full circle to Santa Barbara with the opening of Les Marchands Wine Bar & Merchant.

 BrianMcClintic_EricRailsback_photoEmilyRailsback

l-r /Brian McClintic and Eric Railsback | photo Emily Railsback

for more information the public can visit

Les Marchands Wine Bar & Merchant

www.lesmarchandswine.com

131 Anacapa Street, Santa Barbara, California 93101

at the corner of Yanonali and Anacapa

join us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/LesMarchandsWine

follow us on Twitter: @LesMarchandsSB

Filed Under: Guests Tagged With: burgundy, cellar, chef, France, Germany, Italy, los angeles, ojai, restaurant, san francisco, Santa Barbara, Santa Rita Hills, Santa Ynez, sommelier, terroir, wine bar, wine event, Wine tasting, winery

Vintage Beacon Circa 2008: Post-Holiday Kosher Wines

January 7, 2014 by evebushman

I’m challenging myself this week to learn more about Kosher wines, recommend a few non-kosher wines and basically soak your holidays up through New Years, whether you’re lighting Menorah candles or Christmas trees. 

scvbeacon logo squareI’ve had the Kosher Manischewitz wine at a couple of Bris ceremonies: Fruit juice that a newborn boy could happily suckle off of a soft cloth for anesthetic purposes.  I only tolerated it as that was all they were serving and the Mohel let me get up close to watch.  But, what if you want to give a nice Kosher wine as a Hanukkah present or serve for any Jewish holiday? 

So, for you Beaconeers that want to know, here is a more comprehensive report:

The internet site for the Kosher Wine Guy has recommendations, Head to Head taste tests and a list of wines that recently won awards at Vinitaly.

The Wine Spectator magazine’s website had these few highly rated offerings:

Golan Heights Gewürztraminer Galilee Yarden Heights Wine 2005, released just this past October, was rated 90 points and only priced at $23.  Thick and rich, showing luscious flavors of glazed apricot, pineapple, baked apple and spice, with a very long and honeyed finish. Kosher. Drink now through 2015.

(But you might have trouble finding it at only 967 cases made.  Yarden of Israel also makes the same varietal; but with even less availability.)

Château Smith-Haut-Lafitte Pessac-Léognan Kosher 2000 & 2002 (A little pricy for $175 but sounds interesting.) Aromas of spice, earth and meat with just a hint of tobacco. Fruity. Full-bodied, with spicy, tar and earthy character. Very intense, almost funky. Long, velvety finish.

Château de Valandraud St.-Emilion Kosher 2001 – 2003: Subtle and multilayered on the nose with Indian spices, berries and raspberries. Full, silky and refined with lovely fruit and a medium finish. Very pretty. This has developed nicely. Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec.  (Both I found available for purchase at bottleshop.com.)

Then I got an email from Martin Davidson, a wine distributor for Royal Wines, and hit the jackpot!  With Kosher wines hailing from 10 different countries, and a local tasting room in nearby Oxnard, this may warrant a part 2 (Comments from readers will let me know if there is enough interest for me to travel to Oxnard)…but here’s what I have so far from Martin:

Our Californian wines are under the Herzog and Baron Herzog labels; Covenant has been made there too. On the East coast we do the local Kedem and import from France (Bordeaux and Burgundy) Italy, Spain, Portugal, Australia, NZ, South Africa, Chile, Argentina, Hungary and of course Israel.

Once you have visited the winery you will see and taste the quality level we have ascended to (hopefully) and according to leading critics.

Wine selections (for the holidays or any time) from my wine guru at Valencia Wine Company, Guy Lelarge:

Bonaccorsi Pinot Noir from the Santa Rita Hills is a fantastic holiday wine.  A complex medley of ripe plum, black cherry and wildberry fruit that turns elegant and spicy, ending with a long, full, focused finish.  A blend of mostly Pommard and 20% 777 Clones, this beautiful wine has been fermented on native yeast and aged for 18 months in 50% new French oak.

Heidsieck & Co. Monopole, the official champagne of the Titanic.  Legend has it that this Blue Top non-vintage bubbly was the official champagne aboard the ill-fated Titanic. When they brought the salvage from the wreckage a few years back some bottles of Heidsieck Monopole were also recovered and they still tasted delicious.  Full, rich and nutty, this champagne goes well with just about anything!

Also, remember that only France’s Champagne region can produce Champagne.  You don’t want to get caught offering a California Sparkling wine when you told your guests they are getting champagne.  They may not taste a difference but you won’t like being corrected.  I know…

Filed Under: Eve Bushman Tagged With: argentina, aroma, Australia, Bordeaux, burgundy, Cabernet Franc, champagne, Chile, France, fruit, Italy, kosher, Malbec, Merlot, New Zealand, Oak, Pinot Noir, portugal, Santa Rita Hills, south Africa, spain, wine spectator, Wine tasting, winery

WINE AND FIRE – OUTSTANDING, by Carl Kanowsky

October 28, 2013 by evebushman

Wine and Fire – probably one of the best wine tasting events.

Terry and I went with four of our friends, Jim and Pat Hansen and Diane and Allen Eggers, to Lompoc for the Grand Tasting at Wine and Fire in August.  (Here’s some of us there.)

Hansens, Eggers and Kanowskys

Hansens, Eggers and Kanowskys

I’ve never been to Wine and Fire before, so I anticipated the same as at most such events, steadily increasing crowds elbowing their way to the tables of the more “popular” wineries.  Inevitably, they would run out just as I got up to get to my sample.  Or, some self-appointed expert would harangue the winemaker so that no one else could talk to him/her.

On top of that, the days are sometimes blazing, with no shade for relief.  I remember one Paso Robles wine festival about five years ago where it was over 100°.  As the day wore on, the wine got hot.  By about 2:00 in the afternoon with the combination of heat and too much alcohol, several people were passed out or throwing up.  Kinda adversely impacts the wine’s bouquet.
https://www.parkviewortho.com/wp-content/languages/new/aciphex.html

Finally, too often the festival advertises about appetizers and food available.  But when you get there, you find it’s a few grapes, some tired cheese, and all the good stuff is gone.

But I’ve come to assume that that’s something you have to pay to the wine gods to be able to sample thousands of dollars worth of great juice.

Wine and Fire went against the grain.  The Grand Tasting is set in a heavily shaded area of La Purisima Mission.  It starts at 5:00, so it’s gotten a chance to cool a little.  The organizers set up the tables so you can walk around them and get up close and personal with each winery without depriving other visitors from tasting.

And the food was great and plentiful.  Pulled pork sandwiches, spareribs, tri-tip, lemon and chocolate desserts – a real treat.  The pulled pork sandwiches from Succulent Café in Solvang rivaled what I make at home (which, humbly speaking, are delectable).  The Hitching Post had some macaroni and cheese that you won’t find from Kraft Foods – delicious.

Oh, right, the wine.  Featured were the winemakers interpretations of fruit from the Santa Rita Hills, heavily represented by Pinot Noir.

Some luminaries were there, such as Sea Smoke, Clos Pepe, and Brewer-Clifton.  Their samples were all delicious.  Brian Loring also poured, as did Adam Lee of Siduri (my personal favorite).

Julia Cargasacchi

Julia Cargasacchi

An unexpected highlight was talking with Julia Cargasacchi of, you guessed it, Cargasacchi.  She blushed when I asked her, “So, are you Mrs. Cargasacchi?”  She responded, haltingly, “Well, I used to be.”  Fools rush in where angels fear to tread.  She was perky and delightful and an excellent representative of her ex’s wine making efforts.

For all of these reasons I will definitely return to Wine and Fire.

Filed Under: Guests Tagged With: alcohol, cheese, food pairing, lompoc, Paso Robles, Pinot Noir, Santa Rita Hills, solvang, wine events, wine festival, Wine tasting, winemaker, winery

Taste of Sta. Rita Hills with Antonio Moretti

September 6, 2013 by evebushman

During a recent trip to the Lompoc Ghetto (see story in the Oct/Nov issue of Elite magazine) the first ghetto room owner that I interviewed, with 30 years of experience in the wine business, was Antonio Moretti.

Moretti said that he “moved here for the wine that is produced here,” with a special nod to the western side as it’s more European in style.   The “unique flavors that remind me of Europe, a little Burgundy.  Each vineyard has its own flavor. It’s not the winemaker, it’s the grapes that are unique in flavor.”

Sign at Taste of Sta Rita HillsThen I watched and listened as Moretti described each wine, winery, winemaker, appellation…etc., of every wine he poured.  The attention to detail, and his obvious passion to the task, were forefront.  I could not help but comment that I had not experienced such devotion – to other winemakers – from the people that have poured for me in other winery collective tasting rooms.

As I took diligent notes as Moretti spoke, my own tasting notes were lacking.   If Moretti hadn’t been so interesting the case may have been opposite.  But I believe you will gain more from his knowledge than my own meager one in comparison.  But, as I couldn’t resist, I pulled out one descriptor for every wine I tasted that grabbed me – like an inkblot test and I wrote down the first thing that came to mind.

Tasting Sta. Rita Hills

Moretti Bianchetto, 2011: This is what Moretti drinks at home.  He said it was light, dry, crisp and focused; and good with food.  The grapes are picked earlier, which allows for the 12 percent alcohol.  Moretti likes lower alcohol for two reasons: he can drink it throughout a meal and the wines have brighter acidity because the fruit was not overripe when picked.  The bright acidity “keeps the palate clean.”  All house wines are low alcohol in Europe, Moretti said, but as Americans want a glass of wine to stand alone there is traditionally more alcohol and less acidity in our wines here.  My one descriptor: Lychee.

El Rey Pinot Noir 2011: Susan and Derek McLeish own the winery.  It is a small production farm in a micro climate area about a mile from the Sta. Rita Hills AVA border.  They only give their Garagiste wines to the tasting room to sell, according to Moretti, whatever they haven’t consumed themselves.  They have full bodied fruit from their vineyards, and the cooler nights creates a thicker skinned grape and darker colored wine.  My one descriptor: Cinnamon.

Seagrape Pinot Noir, Jump Up Vineyard, 2010: The winery has nothing to do with Buttonwood but Karen Steinwachs, the winemaker at Buttonwood, is the owner and sole winemaker at Seagrape.  She used two to three year old barrels and blended grapes from two different vineyards in the Sta. Rita Hills.  Moretti said the wine was both drinkable and age-able, and a typical example of a Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir.  He said that the east AVA area makes a unique Pinot Noir that stands alone, while the western AVA needs food.  He added that this Pinot was a good pairing wine; and with duck or boar, the wine blooms.  My one descriptor: Cherry.

Ken Brown Pinot Noir, Sta. Rita Hills Cuvee 2010: Moretti said that this wine was good with food and could also stand alone as it was balanced, and grown from the warmer side of Sta. Rita Hills.  Brown used 50% Rio Vista fruit (which gives the fruit-forward impact because it is warmer there), and the balance comes from two cooler weather spots – Rancho La Vina and Rita’s Crown.  With 2012 Ken will be bottling a single vineyard Pinot Noir from Rita’s Crown,- and Moretti suggests we try that.   My one descriptor: Cherry.

Kessler-Haak Syrah, Lafond Vineyard 2010: Moretti said that they purchased the fruit from Lafond.  As this one had higher acidity Moretti sent his assistant out to bring us back some Italian salami to try with it.  The salami “reduces acid and the flavor pops” Moretti said.  It would be good with BBQ or steak.  A north Rhone style grape grown in cooler weather, again producing thicker skin and more pigmentation.  My one descriptor: Red fruit.

Cebada, Forbidden Fruit Libation: Cebada is a farm (Forbidden Fruit Orchards) in a unique micro-climate, and grows berries, bananas, guava, kiwi, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.  Moretti finds owner Sandra Newman’s port-style blueberry wine interesting winemaking – as it tastes like port.  She aged the berries in French barrels, adds sugar and brandy (making it fortified) but no grapes.  I thought this one required a longer one descriptor: needs-a-pancake.

Gypsy Canyon, Ancient Vine Angelica, Marcelina’s Vineyard, Sta. Rita Hills: This is a fortified dessert wine, and according to Moretti it’s between a Madeira and a Sauterne.  He suggested that we pair it with cheese.  The Franciscans in the San Gabriel Mission began making this wine in 1771.  My one descriptor: Intense.

Moretti at Taste of Sta Rita HillsAbout The Tasting Room(s)

Taste of Sta. Rita Hills* is a wine tasting room and retail store located in the Lompoc Wine Ghetto owned by Antonio Moretti and dedicated to representing local producers who do not have tasting rooms regularly open to the public: The current list of wineries they represent are: Clos Pepe, Seasmoke, Brewer-Clifton, Gypsy Canyon, El Rey, Thorne, Ken Brown, Walt, Seagrape, Ryan Cochrane, Cebada Forbidden Fruit, Dolina, Kessler-Haak, Rarus, Kita’ and Moretti.

And when you are there, make a point of visiting with Moretti’s wife, Jeni, at the Moretti Wines’ tasting room a ghetto-block away.  “At Moretti, we are dedicated to producing well-balanced, food-friendly wines in a European tradition.”

(*Editor’s note: The abbreviation of Santa Rita Hills into Sta. Rita Hills is the accepted title of the AVA.)

Filed Under: Eve Bushman Tagged With: alcohol, ava, Barrel, blending, burgundy, europe, food pairing, fruit, garagiste, lompoc, lompoc wine ghetto, madeira, Pinot Noir, Santa Rita Hills, sauterne, sta. rita hills, Syrah, vineyard, white wine, wine education, Wine tasting, winemaker, winery

Eve Gives Lompoc a Shout Out

July 26, 2013 by evebushman

Sneaking off to Lompoc and Santa Ynez soon…and since many of you have sent your suggestions I wanted to check in and fill you in on what we have planned.  Feel free to email me if you have any other wine-filled ideas: eve@evewine101.com

We will spend Saturday in the Lompoc Ghetto with appointments set for us at Taste of Sta. Rita Hills, Jalama Wines, Fiddlehead Cellars, Palmina Wines and Zotovich Cellars.  (I’ve never visited the Sta. Rita Hills tasting room or any of the others, so I used the LompocTrail.com website to plan my schedule.)

I didn’t want to miss Jalama as I know as they are supporting Circle of Hope by pouring at the Vine 2 Wine Classic on August 17 (join us: http://circleofhopeinc.org/events/vine2wineclassic), Fiddlehead supported our WiSH Education Foundation tasting in the library this year with wine donations, I enjoyed Palmina at a LearnAboutWine event and Zotovich had the best Pinot Noir that I tasted at a Henry Wine Group event.  It was prime time that I visited all of these!

Free breakfast at O'Cairns

Free breakfast at O’Cairns

Knowing it was going to be a full day of tasting I wanted to stay at a nearby hotel in Lompoc where we could rest up before heading out to dinner.  We chose O’Cairns Inn and Suites, this is what their website promised:

…an unsurpassed complimentary cooked-to-order hot breakfast each morning…complimentary drinks during our Happy Hour…Our rooms are home-like, and include large flat screen TV’s, pillow top mattresses and some even have leather recliners…premium ice cream available 24-hours in the Lobby…toiletries, DVD rentals (over 1000 DVD Library, including up-to-date new releases), complimentary laundry service (including detergents), daily passes to Walnut Pier Health Club and copies of USA Today.

sy kitchen

SY kitchen

I was relaxed just thinking about the hotel but, I had to make dinner reservations.  I tried the uber-popular Succulent and was told that they were booked, two months in advance, for the time I wanted.  A pal suggested the new SY Kitchen in Santa Ynez that was created by the same people behind Bar Toscana.  The website promised Italian fare served in a three-room (one is a porch) farmhouse.  And the Facebook page had photos of the chef torching artichokes and plating chicken dishes…that did make my mouth water.

For Sunday wine-tasting plans I contacted Cheryl Stauffer, the director of the Santa Ynez Valley Wine Country Association, for a new itinerary.  She set us up to start at Lucas & Lewellen in Solvang where owner Louie Lucas was planning to meet up with us.  “In addition to his own winery operation,” Stauffer said, “Louie has a wealth of information on the Santa Ynez Valley AVA, the terroir and farming.”  (I was looking forward to meeting Louie as a pal of mine had secured a generous donation of his wine for our Pour Into Sandy tasting event.)

From there we were to have tastings at Lincourt Vineyards, Rideau Vineyard and Buttonwood Farm Winery.   Of these threes I hadn’t had Lincourt since a 2003 tasting via Valencia Wine Company and Rideau would be totally new to me!  I had met and lunched with Buttonwood winemaker Karen Steinwachs via another LearnAboutWine event and looked forward to seeing her again – or at least her wines!

So, in a very big nutshell, these are our plans.  Once I take the trip I will report back via Twitter, Yelp, Trip Advisor, LinkedIn, Tumblr, Facebook, a website or print magazine and my Dear Wine Friend Newsletter because, what’s the point in tasting something great if you don’t shout about it???

About the Santa Ynez Valley Wine Country Association

We are an association of select boutique wineries located in the heard of the Santa Ynez, California.  Each winery has a unique story , tasting room and selection of award winning wines for you to sample.

Wine tasting in the Santa Ynez Valley offers an outstanding opportunity to try a variety of premium wines including (but not limited to!) Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Syrah and Merlot. While visiting, discover the charm of the village of Los Olivos, rustic Santa Ynez and the quaint Danish village of Solvang. You can use our printable map to plan your next outing or just pick up a picnic lunch and head out to our wineries.

Relax amidst the vines while taking in the ancient oaks stretching out over gently rolling hills. With a moderate climate, beautiful scenery and peaceful country living, the Santa Ynez Valley has become a wine tasting destination unlike any other.

We hope you enjoy your visit and make sure to add Santa Ynez Valley Wine Country to your permanent list of delightful getaways.

About the Lompoc Trail Tasting Rooms

Come explore the bountiful wine region along the Lompoc Wine Trail.  Lompoc is the gateway to the Sta. Rita Hills AVA, which is renowned for exceptional Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.  Many of the wine producers in Lompoc have their vineyards, or source grapes from this region.

Scattered along the loop of Highway 246 and Santa Rosa Road from Lompoc to Buellton there are a number of wineries which also include some larger, estate wineries.

The Wine List for Lompoc Wine Trail

Lompoc

  • Brewer-Clifton
  • Pali Wine Company
  • Scott Cellars
  • Transcendence

 Wine Ghetto

  • Ampelos Cellars
  • Arcadian Winery
  • Bratcher Winery
  • De Su Propia Cosecha
  • Fiddlehead Cellars
  • Jalama Wines
  • Joseph Blair Wines
  • La Vie Vineyards
  • Longoria Wines
  • Loring Wine Company
  • Moretti Wines
  • Palmina Wines
  • Piedrasassi
  • Samsara Wines
  • Stolpman Vineyards
  • Taste of Sta. Rita Hills
  • Tyler Winery
  • Zotovich Cellars

Sta. Rita Hills

  • Alma Rosa Winery
  • Avant Wines
  • Babcock Winery
  • Foley Estates Winery
  • Huber Cellars
  • LaFond Winery
  • Melville Vineyards
  • Mosby Winery
  • Sanford Winery

The Wine List for the Santa Ynez Valley Wine Country Association

Our Association members are located throughout the Santa Ynez Valley. In Los Olivos: Alexander & Wayne, Arthur Earl, Cimarone & 3CV Wines, Daniel Gehrs Wines and Toretti Family Vineyards. In Solvang: Buttonwood Farm Winery, Casa Cassara, Lincourt Vineyards, Lucas & Lewellen, Rideau Vineyard and Toccata. In Santa Ynez: Imagine Wine and in Buellton: Standing Sun Wines.

More Links

http://www.lompocghetto.com  (The link now goes to lompoctrail.com)

 
http://tasteofstaritahills.com/

https://www.jalamawines.com/

http://www.fiddleheadcellars.com/

http://www.palminawines.com/

http://zotovichcellars.com/cm/Home.html

 

http://circleofhopeinc.org/events/vine2wineclassic

 

http://www.learnaboutwine.com/

http://www.ocairnsinnandsuites.com/

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g32645-d77552-Reviews-O_Cairns_Inn_Suites-Lompoc_California.html#REVIEWS

 

http://sykitchen.com/index.htm

https://www.facebook.com/SYKitchen/photos_stream

 

http://santaynezwinecountry.com/

 

http://www.llwine.com/

http://www.lincourtwines.com/

http://www.rideauvineyard.com/

http://www.buttonwoodwinery.com/

 

http://www.valenciawine.com/

Filed Under: Eve Bushman Tagged With: ava, cellar, dear wine friend newsletter, Facebook, farming, Happy Hour, LearnAboutWine, lompoc, lompoc wine ghetto, Pinot Noir, Santa Rita Hills, Santa Ynez, solvang, terroir, Twitter, Vine 2 Wine Classic, vineyard, Wine tasting, winery

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Eve Bushman

Eve Bushman, owner Eve’s Wine 101 and Eve Bushman Consulting.

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