Eve's Wine 101

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

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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…

WOTROur 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 15th, 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?

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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

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

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

Eve Co-Teaches Wine Tasting and Lesson: Fundraiser for the Unitarian Universalists of SCV Held at Santa Clarita Valley Winery Crush Pad

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The SCV Custom Crush Services, where grapes from Paso Robles are turned into wine for Pulchella Winery, and now with three 90+ award-winning wines from Wine Enthusiast Magazine, will play wine tasting host and wine educator for a fundraiser on Sunday, July 17 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. A large portion of the event’s proceeds will benefit the work of the Unitarian Universalists of Santa Clarita. Just like in the UUofSCV church, all are welcome to attend.

Pulchella glasses in winery, photo credit Rick Lott

Pulchella glasses in winery, photo credit Rick Lott

For a $25 fee guests will be able to tour Valencia’s first licensed and bonded winemaking facility, learn about winemaking and taste through all of the wines currently available for purchase, and some still in the oak barrels, from our local Pulchella Winery. Small bites such as cheese and crackers, prepared by church members, will also be included in the ticket price.

Winemakers Nate Hasper and Steve Lemley will lead the event. Lemley said, “This year, on the heels of gaining awards from Wine Enthusiast Magazine for our 2013 Mercenary Reserve Zinfandel (94 points, and the highest rated Zinfandel in the entire California Central Coast), 2013 Red, White and Blue Zinfandel Field Blend (91 points, and featured in an article in the November issue) and 2013 Henchman Tannat (91 points, and the highest rated Tannat in the Adelaida sub district), we are very excited to share our latest wines with the church.” Assisting the winemakers will be local wine writer and wine educator Eve Bushman.

Reserve your tickets by visiting http://www.uuofscv.org/eventspage, which will route you to our PayPal link. A maximum of 70 guests can attend, so reserve your spot quickly. For more information on SCV Custom Crush Services see: http://www.scvwinery.com/

Wine Enthusiast Award Winning Winemakers Present Wine Blending Class

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Valencia’s Only Bonded Winery, Pulchella Winery, Leads Hands-On Take-A-Magnum-Home Winemaker-For-A-Day Class

The SCV Custom Crush Services, owned by Pulchella Winery winemakers Nate Hasper and Steve Lemley, has dozens of clients making wine at their state-of-the-art facility – who may have started on their journey after attending winemaking classes like Winemaker for a Day. Winemakers and wine fans alike may also have come to SCV Custom Crush Services after reading about their recent awards in Wine Enthusiast magazine.

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Now you have the same opportunity to learn why Merlot is the best blending grape and why Petite Sirah is sometimes added for color alone, when Hasper and Lemley lead vinophiles in an exclusive wine blending class for 50 students only on Sunday May 22, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

“When have you ever had the chance to relax in a winery barrel room and learn first hand, from winemakers, the secret of blending wines?” Lemley asked with a grin. “On top of that, take home a magnum-sized bottle of your very own custom blended creation drawn straight out of the barrel. Just think what your friends will say when you open your magnum and tell everyone that you actually blended the bottle yourself.

Our ‘Winemaker for a Day’ begins when you arrive and are greeted with a glass, beaker and small cheese and cracker plate as we settle down for ‘class.’ The fun will then continue with the secrets of blending – where Nate and I will share our tricks of the trade. With beaker and wine samples at your table, you will then work to create your very own custom blend, and end by placing the cork in your magnum to take home!”

Reserve your spot now (tickets are non-refundable, however there will be a repeat event in December) for $125 via this link: https://www.wineweb.com/scripts/secure/eventReservation.cfm?w=44010&seq=336

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Recent Wine Enthusiast Contributing Editor Matt Kettmann recently awarded Pulchella Winery these ratings (At press time all of these wines are sold out)

 

2013 Mercenary reserve Zinfandel:

94 points-  highest rated Zinfandel in the entire California central coast.

 

2013: Red White & Blue Zinfandel Field Blend:

91 points and featured article in November issue.

 

2013: Henchman Tannat:

91 points-  highest rated Tannat in Adelaida sub district.

 

customerservice@pulchellawinery.com

http://www.scvwinery.com

http://www.pulchellawinery.com

 

Rockin’ and Rollin’ with the Garagistes at the Wiltern

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The first time Doug Minnick, co-founder with Stewart McLennan of the Garagiste Festivals, told me the Wiltern was going to host the latest version of the event, I was a little concerned. Were they just going to use the stage? If not, what about all the seats? Well, it turned out the seats are removable and the entire venue became “the stage” for the wineries to showcase their latest releases – and more!

When you think about it, the Wiltern does make sense from a poetic point of view. Not only did Doug have a long career in music production, but the Wiltern has had many legendary acts perform on its stage and now presents many “indie” rockers on a regular basis. And the Garagistes, with their small production and hands-on / no rules style of winemaking, are certainly the indie rockers of the wine world.

As with many wine festivals, there were two levels of ticket pricing. And also as usual, the VIP level was well worth the additional cost. Not only did you get in early, but there was an added bonus as most of the wineries also poured for the VIP attendees their “Rare & Reserve” selections – a combination of older vintages as well as unleased barrel samples.

Eve has already reported on the Rare & Reserve wines (West Ranch Beacon 7/24/15)  so I focused on tasting as many full winery lineups as I could do justice to. And while I visited barely a third of the winery tables, these are the wines that made the biggest impression on me – note that the wines listed are the ones I liked the most at the tables I managed to visit.

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Alta Colina Vineyards

Paso Robles

The tables were set up alphabetically, but I wasn’t sorry to see Maggie Tillman of Alta Colina. Been a fan of her family’s wines since Doug Minnick introduced me to them a few years ago. The Block 2 Bio Syrah was my wine of the day.

2014 Grenache Blanc

2011 GSM

2011 Old 900 Syrah

2011 Block 2 Bio Syrah

 

Artisan Uprising

Paso Robles

I’ve been hearing a lot of good things about the wines being made by brothers David and William Vondrasek. Glad I finally got to taste them.

2014 Rose of Merlot

2012 Malbec

2012 Petite Sirah

 

Bellissimo Cellars

Santa Barbara

I’ve already tasted winemaker Lora Marie Taylor’s Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. I was excited to taste the new vintage Chardonnay barrel sample but even more impressed by her early, non-commercial Sangiovese. I can’t wait until she releases a Bellissimo Cellars Sangio.

2012 Sangiovese, White Hawk Vineyard

2011 Sangiovese, Montecucco Vineyard

2014 Chardonnay, Duvarita Vineyard, Mount Eden – Barrel Sample

 

Mattina Fiore

Central Coast

Owners Scott and Andrea Williams’ wines were delicious and elegant when I tasted them at Family Winemakers a few months back. I didn’t taste everything at their table this time, but I did enjoy their latest Rose, finally got to taste their dessert wine and was impressed how the GSM was showing with a little more time in the bottle.

2014 Saignee Rose

2013 Late Harvest Viognier

2012 Buona Derrata GSM

 

MCV Wines

Paso Robles

I first reported on Matt Villard’s wines in early 2014, so it was nice to catch up a little. Matt has since moved from the cooperative tasting room he was at in the southern end of Paso and now has his own tasting room in Morro Bay. Pretty sweet digs for a pretty great winemaker. I’m a fan of his red blends, while my wife Karen loved the perfume of the Viognier.

2014 Pink

2014 Viognier

2013 1105 Blend

2011 1105 Blend

 

Overland Wines

Sonoma

I’ve been familiar with the Kick Ranch vineyard due to my fondness for Morgan Twain-Peterson’s Bedrock wines, as he has used this vineyard, among many others. I was sad to hear that Morgan won’t be using Kick Ranch fruit anymore, but glad to have a new source for wine from this property – the owners themselves. Especially love the dark brooding 2010 Petite Sirah.

2013 “Kick Ranch” Sauvignon Blanc

2013 “Kick Ranch” Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc

2013 “Kick Ranch” Petite Sirah

2010 “Kick Ranch” Petite Sirah

 

Pulchella Winery

Paso Robles

SCV residents Nate Hasper and Steve Lemley continue to source great Paso Robles fruit for their wines. I love that they are bringing attention to lesser known grapes like Tannat.

2013 “Watchdog” Tempranillo

2013 “Awakening” Tannat / Syrah

2013 “Henchman” Tannat

 

Shai Cellars

Santa Barbara

I was first introduced to Shai Cellars by Goddess of Wine Denise Lowe, and there she was pouring alongside Shawn Shai Halahmy. Really did a great job with that Grenache, an absolute steal at $24 per bottle.

2009 Adome [Syrah / Cabernet]

2009 Grenache

 

 

Stanger Vineyards

Paso Robles

Winemaker JP French was his usual charming self. The Stanger wines always have a little extra age on them, and it really shows in how well the blends integrate.

2008 Syrah

2009 Bench [Syrah, Cabernet, Tempranillo]

2010 Master [Cabernet, Syrah, Tempranillo]

 

TLO Wines

San Luis Obispo

The friend helping the owner of Overland Wines suggested we be sure to visit his daughter-in-law at TLO. We were planning to anyway, but this was just a little more incentive. His daughter –in-law Avery is director of marketing for TLO and daughter of founder/winemaker Andy Zaninovich.

2012 GSM

2011 Tempranillo

 

Two Shepherds

Sonoma

To me, William Allen epitomizes the garagiste movement. He makes the wines he wants in the style he wants, primarily Rhones. I was most impressed with his whites, especially the Grenache Gris and Trousseau Gris, varietals I had not had before.

2014 Grenache Rose, Ceja Farms, Sonoma Coast

2013 Grenache Blanc, Saarloos Vineyard, Santa Ynez

2013 Grenache Gris, Gibson Ranch, Mendocino

2013 Trousseau Gris, Russian River, Fanucchi Vineyard

 

Vinemark Cellars

Paso Robles

I’ve been following winemaker Mark Wasserman since I first tasted his wines a couple years ago. Especially liked the Mezzanotte, a blend of Petite Sirah and Primitivo.

2013 Primitivo

2013 Cabernet Franc

2013 Petite Sirah

2012 Mezzanotte Blend

 

Vines on the Marycrest

Paso Robles

Always nice to see Jennifer and Victor Abascal. First tasted their wines at an event several years ago on the Queen Mary, which I just found out was the first event they had poured at. Still great people turning out stylish wines. And I love that the last wine I am listing has a rock and roll theme.

2014 Summertime Rose

2012 My Generation Red Blend

 

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

Announcing Bellissimo Cellars: The Next Commercial Winery in Santa Clarita Valley To Come From Valencia’s Only Bonded, Licensed and Local Winery

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Bellissimo Cellars Follows SCV Winery Owners, Pulchella Winery, as Second Commercial SCV Winery

SANTA CLARITA, CA – Specializing in small case wine production of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Sangiovese from only organic farms in the Central Coast of California, Bellissimo Cellars is proud to announce that they are the first locally-owned commercial winery to come from our only winemaking facility in Valencia, SCV Custom Crush Services.

Steve Lemley, co-owner with Nate Hasper of SCV Custom Crush Services and Pulchella Winery, commented, “Nate and I are very excited for Bellissimo cellars. Lora pours her heart and soul into these wines and they truly showcase her ability to produce complex artisanal wines. We raise our glasses to her efforts and hope that Santa Clarita wine lovers will do the same.”

Bellissimo red bull“Between the support and hands-on care I received while making my very first wines at SCV Custom Crush Services I feel confident that the organic farming principles I found in my fields carried forth in the principled winemaking I’ve accomplished,” Lora Marie Taylor, Bellissimo Cellars owner and Stevenson Ranch resident said. “I’m looking forward to pouring the fruits of our labors at Wine in the Pines on June 13…and maybe soon in Steve and Nate’s tasting room.”

Learn more about Taylor’s wines via her Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/BellissimoCellars, soon to be unveiled in a new updated website: http://www.bellissimocellars.com and or contact owner/winemaker Lora Marie Taylor: lora@bellissimocellars.com

About Bellissimo Cellars

At Bellissimo Cellars we believe that nature itself produces a product that is close to perfect. That’s why we don’t believe in manipulating our wines. We let the fermentation process occur naturally. We feel this type of natural production leads to more interesting and unique wines and gives the wine enthusiast the opportunity to discover something truly exceptional. Our less-is-more philosophy carries over to the type of vineyards we work with, choosing to source our grapes only from organically-farmed vineyards.

A Bellissimo Cellars wine is never mass produced. Instead, we take an artisan-approach, making less than 1000 cases each vintage of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Sangiovese. By staying boutique, we’re able to create extraordinary varietals in limited production.

We hope you’re able to taste the love we put into each of our wines in each sip you take.