Vintage Eve Circa 1/14: High Desert Cellars Tasting with Chavez Cellars

August 22, 2017 by evebushman Leave a Comment

After I tasted wines from the California High Desert AVA with Wine of the Month Club’s president Paul Kalemkiarian via YouTube, I got an email a few weeks later from another winery in the high desert, High Desert Cellars Chavez Vineyards. They wanted me to taste their award winning wines (see “From the Winery” below) and write up some tasting notes for you, our Dear Wine Friends.

Not one to turn down a bottle, err, I mean an opportunity to try a new bottle of wine, I readily agreed to the tasting. (If you want to try them they have a tasting room open to the public Thursday through Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 6 p.m.: 3045 90^th Street West, Rosamond, CA, 93560, 661-256-6203.)

Tasting

2010 Tempranillo, 13.9% alcohol

Stewed mushroom, green bell peppers cooking in fajita seasonings, black pepper, leather, blackberry; lovely dark peppery fruit, juicy blackberry, black pepper again, good tannins. Pair with grilled steak or any meat-based dish in my humble opinion. Drink now.

2010 Zinfandel, 13.9% alcohol

Floral rose petals, plum, dark chocolate, leaves, wet earth and leather; red fruit, tannic, black pepper, smoke, bark. I could steadily sip this wine alone – and I did – or enjoy with food. Drink now or up to 5 years of down time. I liked the alcohol content and didn’t get any of the heat accompanied with high alcohol percentages. With that said, for a Zinfandel, it was fairly easy drinking with only a mild amount of pepper and spice.

2010 California Syrah, 15.6% alcohol

The color of seedless blackberry jam; dark fruit, plum, plump raisins, tobacco, milk chocolate, leather, mint; dried black fruits, juicy yet palate-drying on the finish, smoke, and firm tannins. Very pleasant, may be strong without food for some but not for me. Drink now or up to 5 to 7 years of down time. (Note from my Contributing Editor Michael Perlis: High Desert Cellars’ Syrah is from the same vineyard that was used for Golden Star’s.)

From the Winery

Three of our wines have won medals from the 2014 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition! Our 2010 Syrah won GOLD. Our 2010 Merlot won SILVER. And our Zinfandel won BRONZE. We are thrilled to receive this honor!

The 2014 SFCWC had a record number of 5,825 entries from over 1,500 wineries from 25 states in America – the largest competition of wines in America. The Public Tasting Event will be held at the Fort Mason Center in San Francisco on Saturday, February 15, beginning at 1:30PM, and we are making plans to attend and pour our wonderful wines.

Efren Chavez is the proud owner of High Desert Cellars – Chavez Vineyards and he has been in the grape growing business since 1978, starting in Sonoma County in the Russian River Appellation, Alexander Valley. In 1999 Efren started Chavez Vineyards on 20 acres located in east Palmdale, in the Antelope Valley of the California High Desert. Producing wine from grapes of uncompromised quality, including red varietals of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Syrah, Merlot, Zinfandel, Tempranillo, Malbec, Barbera, Alicante Bouchet, and white varietals of Chardonnay, Semillon, Viognier, Muscato, as well as rose wines of Merlot and Syrah. The first bottles of wine under the Chavez Cellars label were bottled in 2009.

Efren’s ambition of opening a tasting room for his wines became reality in June 2011 – High Desert Cellars Winery and Tasting Room held its grand opening. The beautiful tasting room offers fines wines for tasting, as well as beer, soda, water, snacks and unique gifts. Our wines can also be enjoyed in the outdoor garden area, along with a picnic lunch if desired.

Wine 101ers Get: AUSTRALIA UP CLOSE Part One

June 9, 2017 by evebushman Leave a Comment

With a geographical size similar to the US and distinct climates, soils and terroirs, its no surprise that Australia boasts an array of wine styles, regions and grape varieties for you to experience.

This was an intriguing teaser to a recent Australian wine event I attended. I went in knowing very little about Australian white wines so I signed up for their seminar, and then knew I would enjoy the walk around tasting to get my fill of the wines I was more familiar with: Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignons and many Bordeaux and Rhone blends.

SEMINAR – White Wines: Unique Expressions of Australian Riesling, Semillon and Chardonnay

Australia is blessed with regions and climates that can produce truly world-class wines from the noblest of vines. Discover the many exciting expressions of Riesling, Semillon and Chardonnay being produced across Australia’s diverse wine regions. Presented by special guests and winemakers, and moderated by Wine Australia.

Our Seminar Panelists

Fahara Zamorano – Head Sommelier, Gwen LA; Matt Kaner – Owner, Bar Covell & Augustine; Kyle Meyer – Wine Exchange; Bruce Tyrrell – Tyrrell’s Wines; Jeff Burch – Howard Park Wines; Jeff McWilliam – McWilliam’s Wines; Mark Davidson, Wine Australia (Moderator).

Seminar Wines – Flavors and Aromas separated by ;

Tyrrell’s Vat 1 Hunter Semillon Hunter Valley 2011 – Green apple, pineapple lemon zest, Mandarin orange and white pepper all on the nose; with lemon-lime, bruised apple and a medium acidity on the palate. 90 Eve pts.

Brokenwood ILR Reserve Semillon Hunter Valley 2009 – I smelled apple, pear, fresh lemon, pears in light syrup; then tasted bright and tangy fresh fruit – same as those I found on the nose. 90 Eve pts.

Ashbrook Estate Semillon Margaret River 2015 – Perfumy aroma, then bruised yellow apple, cream and a pale hint of cinnamon; viscous on the mouth, as well as slightly paler fruit and a long finish. 90 Eve pts.

Silkman Estate Semillon Hunter Valley 2015 – Lemon, toast, grapefruit and unsalted butter on the nose; followed by tart apple and limeade on the palate. 90 Eve pts.

Pewsey Vale Contours Riesling Eden Valley 2011 – Fruit cocktail, green grass to yellow hay, floral and bright; that same bright quality came through on the taste as well as lemon, grass, acidity, bone dry. 90 Eve pts.

Grosset Polish Hill Riesling Clare Valley 2016 – Bright aromas of pears and kiwi fruit; followed by lemon, orange and steel on the palate. 90 Eve pts.

Frankland Estate Isolation Ridge Riesling Frankland River 2015 – Green apple, crushed green leaves and a whiff of orange on the nose; the palate was very sharp citrus fruit: lemon and orange, a slight viscosity and a long dry finish. 90 Eve pts.

Pressing Matters R9 Riesling Tasmania 2015 – My favorite of all the white wines I tasted with aromas of sweet orange blossoms, apple pie and a bit of cream; then came a slightly sweet and lingering fresh lemon-lime fruit on the mouth. 91 Eve pts. (All of the Riesling shared the same bone dry quality, except this expression from Tasmania.)

McWilliam’s 842 Chardonnay Tumbarumba 2013 – Fresh oak, honey, barnyard, earth, citrus, butter and white pepper on the nose; then the taste was tart, some oak and apple. 91 Eve pts.

Moorooduc Estate Chardonnay Mornington Peninsula 2012 – Earthy, dried apple, butter, clove and steely; then bruised apple, tart with medium acid. 90 Eve pts.

Howard Park Miamup Chardonnay Margaret River 2015 – Toast, lemon, cream, and a general feeling of being in a sweet floral garden; the flavors were bright, tart and citrusy with a medium acidity and long finish. 89 Eve pts.

Shaw + Smith M3 Chardonnay Adelaide Hills 2014 – Creamery butter, lemon and green fields; then that same lemon on the mouth, but light, and a leaner acidity. 89 Eve pts.

What I Learned From Our Panelists and the White Wine Tasting

One of our panelists stated that if you remotely expect that a Semillon from Australia would taste like one from Bordeaux, France you would be dead wrong. If you thought that a Riesling from Australia would taste like its German counterpart you would be equally wrong. My tasting notes above probably express this.

Australia is considered a New World wine area, however, Meyer would like us to see their wines as truly old world, but with an edge. The vines are very old, the area is larger than Europe and Phylloxera has never hit them.

The 12 elite wineries in “Australia’s First Families of Wine” group have several criteria to meet including their dedication to promote Australian wine to the global market, 100% family owned and have to have at least a 20 year vertical.

Next week I will run part two of the tasting, the reds I got to try, on June 16 here on this blog.

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 9/2011: Old Bridge Cellars Tasting

May 3, 2016 by evebushman Leave a Comment

For a recent wine tasting I was tasked with finding a wine made from the Semillon grape to share with a dozen or more other people, with the same task. I did an Google search to see what was new that I could come up with.

I was interested in trying Stickybeak as another Facebook pal had mentioned it, so I contacted the winemaker, Wayne Donaldson. Wayne and I exchanged a few e-mails and then he forwarded my query to Old Bridge Cellars.

Not a winery, “Old Bridge Cellars is an importer of fine Australian wines, and also produce their own Californian wines under the Stickybeak label, with Australian Wayne Donaldson acting as winemaker.” I e-mailed the company, told them of my quest, and they sent me the two bottles listed below to share. Below are my reviews, I used quotation marks for comments made by others in the group.

2010 Brokenwood

100% Semillon

Hunter Valley, Australia

11.5% alcohol

Appearance – Clear, diamonds, pale amber edge.

Nose – Cologne/perfume, fresh mown grass, slight kiwi, “crisp, clean.”

Palate – One guest called it an “explosion of fruit”, high acidity, “lemon/lime,” “springtime”, ending with a “lemon-flavored Jolly Rancher or Sweet Tart candy.”

Finish – Long length, one guest suggested a “pairing with Sea Bass”.

2009 Stickybeak

2009 Semillon Sauvignon Blanc

Sonoma County

72% Semillon, 28% Sauvignon Blanc

13.5 % alcohol

Appearance – Clear, palest of gold on the edge.

Nose – Grassy, honey, pineapple, “grapefruit”, “pomelo”.

Palate – green grass, “green apple”, “light fig”

Finish – One couple agreed: “Our favorite of the night!”, “Doesn’t need to pair with food!”, “I’d like with Oysters.”

My conclusion: We had nearly a dozen Semillon to try that night. We have found that only sampling one varietal, with a group, allows us to really learn about the wine’s nuances. My thought at the start, and a collective one my the end, was that the Semillons we tried from old and new world wine areas had one thing in common: aromatic noses that didn’t always carry through to the taste. It didn’t make too much a difference on what we liked, it was just an observation to call us the next time we try Semillon.

From the Old Bridge Cellars Website

In this age of ‘big company’ buyouts, increasing consolidation and mass production, Old Bridge Cellars brings you a group of Australian winemakers who retain their belief in artisan winemaking. Respecting the land and with minimal intervention in the winery, their wines remain true to the soils from which they come.

They share a fierce commitment to quality and a determination to preserve their independence and regional heritage. Many are the second, third and even fourth generations of their family to work the vineyards. It’s their intuitive understanding, quiet confidence and desire to produce only the best they can from each vintage that has made them Australian benchmarks, universally acclaimed by wine critics across the globe.

Founded in 1990, Old Bridge Cellars embraces the intense passion of these winemakers and remains one of only a few U.S. importers dedicated solely to the best of regional Australia. Our knowledge of Australian wine runs deep and has been recognized in such publications as The Wine Advocate, Wine Spectator, Wine and Spirits, International Wine Cellar and Wine Enthusiast. Robert Parker of the Wine Advocate has gone so far as to say, “thanks in large part to the work of such talented importers as Old Bridge Cellars et al… American consumers have never had such an enormous selection of Australia’s finest as well as rarest wines.”

We see as our mission the promotion of Australia’s ‘real wines’, championing those winemakers who give everything in their pursuit of truly distinctive, regionally defined styles that sit comfortably with the world’s best. And who believe they can do it even better again next vintage!

It’s an enlightening, exhilarating journey. Welcome aboard.

http://www.oldbridgecellars.com “The Face of Australian Wine”

Wine 101ers Dream Part I: Visiting Bordeaux’s Château Le Grand Verdus and Château Petit Village

July 24, 2015 by evebushman Leave a Comment

If you enjoy Cabernet Sauvignon (or any of the 5 noble grapes of Bordeaux that also include Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot) visiting Bordeaux may be on your bucket list, it certainly was on mine. And, after my first day in Pomerol where Merlot is the predominant grape, I’m sitting in my hotel in Bordeaux city center sipping a glass of wine from one of the five wineries we (my husband Eddie is in many of my photographs) planned to visit on our trip.

Visiting a Château is not something I wanted to rush so visiting only five over two days seemed just fine, and thanks to Planet Bordeaux and the helpful tourism office of Bordeaux, I was set with leisurely tours and tastings.

Note: As I was walking or standing most of the time my notes are brief, but I think you will get the idea!

Château Le Grand Verdus

Winemaker/Export Manager Thomas Le Grix de la Salle showing the winery to Eddie Bushman.

20 km east of Bordeaux. 16th-century Renaissance residence has been in the hands of the same family since 1810 – four generations of the LE GRIX DE LA SALLE family. In 1579, the fortified country residence was built on the site of an old fortified castle. In 1974, Château Le Grand Verdus, one of the architectural jewels of the Bordeaux region, was listed as a historical monument. (Appointment courtesy Planet Bordeaux)

The one thing I asked was to please book us a tour in the oldest Château possible, like the iconic images we see on many Bordeaux wine labels. Château Le Grand Verdus did not disappoint. Three generations of the family currently live at the Château, and our guide said that the “grandfather would end his life here.”

We learned that the property started out as a farm where cows made their home, and now is where vines reside. After World War II they decided it was a nice terroir for vines and the family began cultivating and selling grapes.

Negotiants – thought to be untrustworthy – were soon discarded by the winery, and they chose to sell their wines directly to the consumer. As a point of history they were the first to do this in Bordeaux. The vine production grew from its original of 40 hectares to 120 hectares.

Notes:

Windows of the Château were not installed in an effort to prevent bandits from entering.

The Château belonged to Napoleon’s architect. (Now if that isn’t a slice of history I don’t know what is!)

The makeup of the soil – clay, gravel, limestone, calcareous, shells, etc. – can all be seen on the walls of the Château and make it a “nice parcel for planting.” (See more in this Facebook album link here.)

Grapes include Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Muscadet, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.

The three-level cellar was built in 1970. The stainless steel tanks were originally designed to use for milk before then!

Winemaker/Export Manager Thomas Le Grix de la Salle explained that you can’t make “good wine without clay…Latour, Petrus, all have clay” and both clay and limestone are needed for their sponge effect in holding water.

Thomas studied agriculture in Toulouse, travelled to gain experience at Santa Barbara Winery and then in far off Marlborough, New Zealand; making Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in both locations.

95% of the grapes used in their wines are from their own estate.

Due to global warming, a very real thing to Thomas, he is having great success with Cabernet Franc and is using more in his blends. This may be a trend to watch.

We tasted several whites, a rosé, a red vertical from 2009 to 2012 of their Grand Reserves, and a 2010 and 2011 from their second label “Generation” red blends. (The second label had different color capsules, making them easier to find for a buyer according to Thomas.) Most were predominant Merlot with Cab and/or Cab Franc. All with great balance, fruit, acidity and ageability. Across the board I’d have to give them all high marks, and nothing less than 90 Eve points.

Vertical tasting at Chateau Le Grand Verdus

33670 Sadirac
Tel. +33 (0)5.56.30.50.90
http://www.chateaulegrandverdus.com/en/accueil.html

https://www.facebook.com/ChateauLeGrandVerdus?fref=ts

Château Petit Village, Pomerol

(Appointment courtesy Planet Bordeaux)

Our guide, Julie Bellot, explained that they only make red wines in this very modern looking facility. Most wineries are small and have 4 to 10 hectares. They produce Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Julie said that they were one of the first Pomerol wineries to modernize. Many chocolate colored concrete tanks fill the winery – that was a first for me to see! They are lined with epoxy so no concrete flavor imparts to the wine.

Notes:

Petit Village benefits from both wind and humidity – the wind dries the leaves and the bunches.

The Merlot benefits from the sand, gravel and clay in the soil.

Petrus, their neighboring winery, benefits from blue clay. (Did you know about blue clay before today? I didn’t!)

“Bad pollinates” result in uneven grape size in the bunches.

Birds and small animals like foxes are not a problem.

Cabernet Franc leaves are smaller than the other grape leaves.

The older the vines the smaller the yield.

They only make two labels, first and the second. The second label will not have the word “Château” on the label, is made from the youngest wines and will be a lesser cost.

Wines of Pomerol have to have a majority of Merlot.

We tasted a 2012 Merlot (second label) and the 2009 Merlot that had longer aging before its release. Both were enjoyable now, or you can age. “This is the best place in the world to grow Merlot,” Julie commented, there is “always that velvet sensation in (the) mouth (and there is) great quality of Pomerol wines.” Both of these wines deserved a minimum 90 Eve points.

Château: +33 (0)5 57 51 21 08

www.petit-village.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’s Wine 101: Bordeaux Lessons Continued

December 5, 2014 by evebushman Leave a Comment

Bordeaux Under One Roof, an event sponsored by http://www.bordeaux.com, is a public walk around tasting of white and red wines only from the Bordeaux region of France. This year I was able to attend a short lecture and tasting that I thought wine 101ers could learn from as well.

Our speaker, Shelby Ledgerwood, “teaches about the wines of Bordeaux” at UCLA extension, and she also purchases wine – most in the $15 range. (Many wine 101ers presume that Bordeaux is expensive. And, yes, while many are there are also many imports under $50 that you can try.)

Climate, soil, geographic regions – all of these factors dictate the wine style in Bordeaux, France – and Ledgerwood’s class would cover a lot of this for us.

A new marketing campaign, Discover Bordeaux, is using this new slogan to get wine drinkers’ attention in their description of Bordeaux: Authenticity, Innovation and Diversity.

Some Facts

France is about the same size as Texas.
The Aquitaine Department of the Atlantic Ocean allows for extensive waterways in the Bordeaux region. Bordeaux is at the convergence of two major rivers.
Key grapes in Bordeaux region are named after the place they come from – not the way we do it in the U.S.
The most used red-skin varieties are Merlot (50%) and Cabernet-Sauvignon (30%). Also Cabernet Franc, Carmenère, Malbec and Petit Verdot. The most used varieties in the production of white Bordeaux wine are Sémillon (60%), Sauvignon (20%) and Muscadelle (10%). Three other varieties are also present : Colombard, white Merlot and Ugni blanc. (From: http://www.vignobledebordeaux.com/cepages.php)
Two mountain chains in Bordeaux provide snow that turns into water in the vineyards.
More warmth and water occurs in the fall and time of harvest. This is important for Botrytis Cinera, aka Noble Rot, where water literally is sucked out of certain grapes (The white wine Sauterne from Bordeaux get their sweetness this way) and the skins remains intact.
There are approximately 60 different appellations currently in Bordeaux.
There are 6,800 different growers, compared to 400 in Napa Valley and 3,000 in California. Overall this produces about 60 million cases of Bordeaux wine annually.
About 300 merchants export to 170 countries, with U.S. as the 4th export market in terms of dollars.
The “Carmenet Family” is the traditional term used to encompass all the Bordeaux grapes.
The majority of Bordeaux production is red wine.
Semillon is produced more than Sauvignon Blanc or Muscadelle.
Most producers create a blend as each grape contributes something, which in essence creates a higher quality wine.
Using the word “Chateau” on the label means a winemaking cellar is on the property.
The tropical sea, many eons ago, set a limestone crust in the area. In the right bank it moved up, and in the left bank it moved down. Then came the ice ages, and as the ice melted and receded it left behind water and massive rivers, cutting through that limestone and bringing in different types if soils.
Limestone, in particular, ” works like a sponge.”

Tasting (Aroma and taste separated by ; )

Note: 24 seats were not enough for all of the attendees. An extra 10 chairs were brought in, and with some others standing, there was not enough wine for the room to sample. So I had fun passing my glass behind me for a pal and others to taste and/or just smell as the lesson went on.

But the dude next to me, that complained of my perfume when I fanned myself – I could do without. I don’t wear perfume to tastings. Chalk it up to deodorant (he could have benefited from) or hair spray. I told him I wasn’t wearing perfume, he gave me a look and I stopped fanning out of simple courtesy. And I didn’t complain as he reached over me repeatedly to take photos of the slides with his cell phone. In the words of Nicole Kidman in “Bewitched”, JERK. And, when I thought that was it, he drank my water glass! I’d like to send him my short Wine Etiquette book! I hope to never see HIM again!

Chateau du Seuil 2011

Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc

Green apples, white pepper, Meyer lemon; same aromas carried through on palate.

Chateau Bel-Air Gallier 2009

Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon

Juicy red fruit, leather, nice balance; red fruit, peppery, low tannin, good to drink now.

Chateau Fleur de Lisse 2011

Merlot, Cabernet Franc

Jammy red to black fruit, green peppercorns, milk chocolate, mint; well done, a bit of spice and tannins to pair with the lovely dark fruit, pepper, long finish.

Chateau Moulin de Lavergne 2011

Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon

Mushroom, dark plums, blueberry, bark; Dry, redder berries on the palate, a lightly smoky finish.

Seigneurs d’Aiguilhe 2011

Merlot, Cabernet Franc

Balanced fruit and spice, smooth, blackberry; same lovely balance of fruit, spice and tannin. Well done.

Chateau Laffitte Laujac 2010

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot

Milky chocolate, black fruit bowl, forest floor; light tannins and spice, red to blue fruits.

Chateau Sigalas Rabaud, “Lieutenant de Sigales”

Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc

Lemon drop Martini, pear, wet pebbles; chewy viscosity, a tiny bit of acid, golden peaches and sweet pears.

Wine List (Includes the walk around tasting that I didn’t cover.)

BWine Bordeaux

Constellation Brands

Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits

DM Vineyards & Partners

EuropVin USA

Grands Vins de Gironde

Kalara Import

Langdon Shiverick

Nomadic Distribution

Pasternak Wine Imports

Plume Ridge

Regency Wine

Terlato Wines International

(Wines hosted by Accolade Brands, Inc.)

Wine 101: A Quick Lesson on Bordeaux and Bordeaux Supérieur

November 28, 2014 by evebushman Leave a Comment

Accompanying the two wines recently sent to me for review was this message, “As you may know, Planet Bordeaux wines include 7 AOC’s – Bordeaux Blanc, Bordeaux Supérieur, Bordeaux Supérieur Blanc, Bordeaux Rosé, Bordeaux Clairet, Bordeaux Rouge and Crémant (sparkling) – and represent 52% of the Bordeaux wine region (270 million bottles in 2013). Overall, 13 bottles of Planet Bordeaux are consumed every second worldwide!” That last sentence stuck. Pretty amazing?

What is Bordeaux?

It’s important for wine 101ers to understand that Bordeaux, first, is a place in France. Wine made from that region is called Bordeaux. The predominant grapes are Cabernet Sauvignon (left bank of Bordeaux) and Merlot (right bank of Bordeaux). I love explaining to people that if they like Cab or Merlot to try Bordeaux, and vice versa. The other grapes grown in Bordeaux, or considered a Bordeaux variety grown stateside or in other new world regions are: Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Carmenere and Malbec. White wines from Bordeaux are mostly Sauvignon Blanc or Semillon.

What is Bordeaux Supérieur?

From Wine Searcher, “Bordeaux Superieur wines are, as their name implies, a slightly “superior” form of standard Bordeaux AOC wines. The supérieur appellation is open to both red and white wines from anywhere in the Bordeaux region, which stretches 80 miles…(more)

Tasting

Aromas and flavors separate by ;

2013 Domaine de Chevalier

Rose De La Solitude

Bordeaux Rose

12.5% alcohol

Beautiful blood orange color followed by aromas of lime, white peach, lemon, strawberry, and a hint of orange blossom; crisp green apples, a little cantaloupe, and with enough acidity to carry through into a very long finish. I felt the wine a little too tart for me, I let it sit in my glass for a bit to revisit, and closed up the remainder to try again in a day. An hour later, and the next day, I detected no changes.

2010 Domaine de Courteillac

Bordeaux Supérieur

70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc

14.5% alcohol

Aromas of plums, juicy figs, black cherry, cloves, black olive, walnut and dark chocolate; black fruit, medium toasted oak, dust, dark tannins, earth, mint, with a medium length on the finish. Enjoy the full body of this wine with roasted meats, Bolognese sauce, hard cheeses and dark chocolate.

Planet Bordeaux (From Facebook)

About

Bonjour, Friends! Welcome to Planet Bordeaux – and to a voyage of discovery! http://www.planet-bordeaux.com

Mission

The aim of Planet Bordeaux is to share the wines and art de vivre of Bordeaux, but also to connect and keep in stride with today’s American lifestyle, and budget.

On this page and the new English-language website, www.planet-bordeaux.com, you’ll find information on where to enjoy, learn, and buy Bordeaux and Bordeaux Supérieur wines, and suggestions on how to add a dash of Bordeaux to your life, including food and wine pairing ideas and recipes.

Bordeaux Wines 101 on the website is a primer on Bordeaux varietals, blends and appellations, how to read a label, how to choose a wine, how to pair wine with food, and how to serve Bordeaux wines. The site also contains links to the blog written by Jana Kravitz, a native New Yorker, entitled Jana’s Bordeaux – Wine Country Living Moments.

We look forward to your comments, questions and suggestions – on the vineyards & châteaux, food & wine pairing ideas, as well as your stories of good people, good food & good wine from Planet Bordeaux.

We invite you to become a fan, check out the website, and follow us at @PlanetBordeaux on Twitter.

And please invite others to join!

Planet Bordeaux winemakers and other wine, food & tourism professionals are encouraged to link their fan pages with ours, share their news, châteaux visiting hours & events, and where the wines can be enjoyed.

Company Overview

Every 13 seconds, a bottle from these two appellations of a world-renowned wine region is consumed. And the answer is…What are Bordeaux & Bordeaux Supérieur!

Description

Known collectively as “Planet Bordeaux,” a shorter, more convivial name that represents both the winemakers’ association and all wines produced in Bordeaux’s regional appellations, we’re working to give people fresh new ways of exploring these high-quality, value-for-money — and very often, overlooked wines.

Get to know them, the people who make them and their stories, and experience the insider’s view of Bordeaux Wine Country Living.

http://usa.planet-bordeaux.com

https://www.facebook.com/PlanetBordeaux

Vintage Beacon 11/09: Sunset in the Vineyards: Introduces More Than Burcak

November 18, 2014 by evebushman Leave a Comment

This Sunday, November the 8^th from 3-6pm, (was) the one place to find many, if not all, members of the Santa Clarita Valley Vintners and Growers Association sharing their wines and knowledge with a very thirsty crowd all to benefit our local Assistance League. We’ll be there, will you have your your tickets in time? (661- 254 -4126 Email: alsc@email.com)

Some of our winemakers have, at press time, this to share about what they will be pouring on Sunday

The “winemaker wives” Jennifer Hasper and Megan Lemley

Les Deux Chat, owned by Chris and Patty Connolly, will be pouring a selection of their wines. Tomas & Jenny Lukas will share their 2007 Bobcat Red Syrah, 2008 Bobcat Red Syrah, 2008 Cab Mascari Vineyard and 2008 Luminari Zinfandel. Chris Carpenter will be pouring a 2008 Santa Inez Nebbiolo and 2008 Pinot Noir along with a 2007 “Lost Pruners” Cabernet Sauvignon. DiMaggio Washington will be pouring his Rancho Santiago 2007 Port. Danny Mascari, from his vineyard on Bouquet Canyon Road, Bouquet Vineyard, will be sharing a 2005 Cabernet, 2007 Cabernet, and 2007 Sangiovese.

Susie and Kerry Clark, of Two Hearts Estate, Castaic, will be pouring 08 Lewis Vyd Petite Sirah, Lodi, 08 Two Hearts Estate Primitivo, 07 Two Hearts Estate Primitivo, 07 Two Hearts Estate Scorched Earth Syrah, 08 Two Hearts Estate Syrah, 07 Two Hearts Estate Cabernet, 08 Primitivo/Petite Blend, 08 Paso Cabernet, 08 Paso Cab/Syrah Blend, 08 White Hawk Vyd Cat Canyon S.B. Sangiovese, 08 Triunfo Creek Vyd Malibu Merlot, 07 Malbec, Argentina, South America, 09 Two Hearts Rose, 07 & 08 Gruner-Veltliner, Weingut Huber, Traisental Austria, 08 Oakville Vyd Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc, 09 Swayze Vyd Neenach Sauvignon Blanc, 09 Swayze Vyd Neenach Semillion and 09 Swayze Vyd Neenach Sauvignon Blanc/Semillion Blends.

Pulchella Winery, formerly known as Dragonfly, will be pouring 2007 lot #1 Janes Ranch Vineyard Zinfandel Paso Robles, 2007 lot #2 Janes Ranch Vineyard Zinfandel Paso Robles, 2006 Creston Ranch Farms Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles, 2007 Paso Robles Syrah, 2006 Paso Robles Chardonnay.

Joe & Jill Fariss, of “Soaring Hawk”, will be bringing ’07 Merlot, ’07 Zin, ’08 Viogner. Their beer-master friend, Richard Gayou, will be bringing 2 seasonal beer/ale. And there will also be bits of brats served by the Assistance League ladies to pair it with!

Roman Weiser will pour 2008 Whistling Vineyard Syrah ‘Ben’s Crush’, 2008 Whistling Vineyard Grenache ‘Ben’s Crush’ 2008 Central Coast Pinot Noir ‘Fat Boy’, 2008 Danny’s Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon ‘Screaming People’, 2007 Danny’s Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon ‘Lost Pruners’ 2007 Central Coast ‘Nebiollo’ and 2006 Central Coast Cabernet Sauvignon ‘Raul’s Secret.’

Roman is also preparing something very special, never seen in these parts of the World: “In my country it is called BURCAK. (pronounced something like this – BOURCHAUG or BURCHYAG) It is simply a wine in the middle of fermentation, poured to taste as it ferments in your glass.

Burčák is supposed to offer great health benefits. Burčák is rich in vitamins, particularly Vitamin B, and certain essential minerals. Burcak is believed by many to possess the life-giving energy of sun and soil – the secret of good health. Local superstition has it that one should drink at least as much of Burcak as how much blood flows in ones veins to ensure good luck until the next harvest.”

Derrick McKaughan and Roman Weiser

New this year (and it’s only their second year!)

New additions this year include wine maker Randy Bartlett of “4 Joe’s Wines”, winemaking father-son duo Jeff & Ed Capuano and “World Wine Educator” and COC professor, professional sommelier and vineyard grower/winemaker DiMaggio Washington. Also new this year, good friends of the Santa Clarita Valley Vintners and Growers Association, Corry & Carol deRobertis. They will be offering tastes of their custom made artisan cheeses.

Once again this year a silent auction will include these terrific choices:

A day of sailing out of Marina del Rey aboard Betsy & Kenny Linn’s Benteneau yacht the ‘Alcyone’, includes lunch & wine and delightful hosts.

A fun auction item this year is a dinner served and made by a select group of the winemakers with select wines, as well as some rare bottles from these local winemakers. Their dinners are not to be missed.

Other the gourmet related items to be included: Bottles of 2007 Sea Smoke “Southing” Pinot Noir, a bottle of Pulchella 2007 Paso Robles Syrah, and “The 2005 Wine of the Year”, a 2002 Joseph Phelps “Insignia.”

There will be gourmet raffle items as well. Raffle tickets are 10 for $10 or 25 for $20. Winners will be posted on the blackboard and will be available for pickup when exiting.

From Jeannie Carpenter, President of our Assistance League and co-owner of Compa Vineyards

“I just returned from an Assistance League Conference. I discovered that other chapters are beginning to copy our “Sunset in the Vineyard” event as a fundraiser too. I was told it was an honor!

This event helps fund local programs; one such program is Operation School Bell which allows Assistance League to buy new school clothing for over 1,660 SCV children in need at our “Shopping Event at Kohl’s”. One can imagine that the need will be much greater this year!

As a group, the Santa Clarita Valley Vintners and Growers Association, share their acquired knowledge and periodically lend one another a hand with the tasks of pruning, harvesting, bottling and of course, tasting…”

Perlis Picks: FLAMINGO CONFERENCE RESORT AND SPA

November 1, 2014 by evebushman Leave a Comment

FLAMINGO CONFERENCE RESORT AND SPA

http://www.flamingoresort.com

How do you pick where to stay in wine country? For us, it’s a combination of things, and checking out the reviews of a place definitely factor into the equation. The decision is based a lot on location, since we like to be in the general area of where we will be exploring, but the quality of the lodging is, of course, important as well. And, let’s be realistic, affordability is an issue, as prices can range from “budget” to “super luxury”.

Photo of Flamingo Tower courtesy of Flamingo Conference Resort and Spa

For our latest trip to Sonoma County, we knew we wanted to stay in Santa Rosa, as we planned to spend a lot of time in the Dry Creek and Russian River Valleys, but at the same time wanted easy access to the town of Sonoma and farther east as well.

Researching the area, The Flamingo Conference Resort and Spa seemed to fit the requirements. And the fact that it was modeled after the Flamingo in Las Vegas [and has been named a historical landmark] made it all the more interesting. Nice, well maintained facilities, friendly and helpful staff, good restaurant with an extensive menu selection, as well as entertainment in the lounge many evenings made this a great choice. And, you can add in visits to the Montecito Heights Health Club and Spa next door.

Not surprisingly [this is wine country, after all], the owner of the hotel also owns a winery. The wines from Ehret Family Winery are available for tasting, purchase, and with your meal in the Terrace Grille Restaurant [of course there are many other wines on the restaurant wine list as well].

We sat down with restaurant manager Thomas Kelly to taste through the following wines:

2011 Sauvignon Blanc

2012 Meritage [blend of 72% Semillon and 28% Sauvignon Blanc]

2010 Syrah

2008 Cabernet Sauvignon

2008 Bella’s Blend [75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc and 5% Merlot]

I wasn’t really sure what to expect from wines made by a hotel owner. But, in fact, the owners of the hotel, Pierre and Susan Ehret, before starting their own winery, sold the grapes from their Knights Valley Vineyard to the likes of Beringer and Cakebread. And winemaker Nick Goldschmidt had a long career with wineries such as Simi, Clos du Bois and Atlas Peak before becoming a full-time consulting winemaker. So, not surprisingly, these were all solid, well-made efforts. I especially liked the floral notes and long clean finish of the Sauvignon Blanc, the mellow mouthfeel of the Meritage, and the beautiful fruit of the Syrah.

No complaints from me. I’d definitely stay here again.

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.

Eve Visits: Art and Wine Gala (Beacon Circa 10/09 )

August 26, 2014 by evebushman Leave a Comment

Most guests at the second annual TPC/West Ranch Art & Wine Gala, held this past Saturday night, had never been greeted with mellow jazz, Dampierre champagne and a Sancerre, appetizers and this on the opening page of any evening’s program:

More than 80 years ago, my great uncle, Walt Disney,

realized the need to support and educate the many artists that

were the lifeblood of the Walt Disney Company. Through his

vision and my grandfather Roy O. Disney’s loyal dedication

and dogged determination, Cal Arts was founded in 1970 here

in the heart of the Santa Clarita Valley.

That vision has ﬂourished beyond even their lofty expectations.

As Cal Arts has grown, so has the arts community in the Santa Clarita Valley.

This evening marks yet another gathering of both communities.

Sheri and I are proud and honored to serve as its honorary chair.

This is a special evening in a special place with great food,

great wine and great guests. Enjoy the evening and thank all of you

for your generous support of these worthy arts organizations.

Sincerely,

Sheri and Roy P. Disney

And with that welcome, guests lingered the first hour of the evening, enjoying their appetizers and drinks while bidding on several silent auction items.

I had my eye, and wine 10ers in mind, with three collections Steve and Amy Elzer donated from their private cellar:

A.P. VIN 2005 Pinot Noir , Williams Selyem 2000 Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast), Eric/Kent Wine Cellars 2004 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley, Stiling Vineyard.

Duckhorn Vineyard – 1995 Napa Valley Merlot, 7- 2000 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Pride Mountain – 2003 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, 50% Sonoma County 50% Napa County and The Hess Collection – 1992 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.

Col Solane – 1996 Red Table Wine – Columbia Valley

J. Rochioli – 1993 Russian River Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Del Dotto – 2001 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon – Connoisseurs Series

Scholium Project – Scythia Donati Vineyards – California Red Wine

Downing Family Vineyards – 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon

And this for my husband that had to work that night: Downtown Toon Town (unframed ) – Mike Kungl of Jessica Rabbit in all her slippery svelte-ness. Before I had a chance to beat out other happy bidders, it was time for the dinner to begin.

“Tonight is about enjoying your wine…and more wine…so bid a lot.” Said Roy P. Disney as he greeted guests and then turned the microphone over to the Chair of the event, Dave Bossert.

“I want to thank my co-chairs, Event Producer and Director Michele Golden, my wife Nancy Bossert who designed the gorgeous programs again this year and…Bob…where’s Bob Keller?” Bossert asked the room and a wave went up in acknowledgment.

“I want city councilman Bob Kellar to know that all the printing was done locally here in the Santa Clarita Valley!” Many laughed over that one…

“And Guy Lelarge,” Bossert continued. “This was an idea that we came up with last year and just thought, ‘Let’s do it’. Even with this economic downturn we still grew 20% this year!”

To this Lelarge responded, “Is there anything better than art and wine? Thank you for being here. Tonight we also want to thank Mitch Cosentino for his unbelievable generosity. If it wasn’t for people like Mitch we wouldn’t have such great wine. And, one last person, my wife, Helen Leprairie will be playing tonight after the auction so no leaving early!”

Winemaker Mitch Cosentino also added, “This is what I keep coming to Santa Clarita Valley for each year, to work with Guy. Tonight, to get you started on your dinner I have the Novelist, a ‘Red wine drinker’s white’ that you can drink throughout the dinner or, for a red, we have my Sangiovese.”

Guests then enjoyed a 5-course lineup by Chef Daniel Otto complete with Carparcio of Roasted Beet, Housemade Champagne sorbet, Porcini crusted Diver Scallop atop Lobster and Fine Herb Risotto, Prime Filet medallion drizzled with a cabernet reduction, assorted fine cheeses and desserts.

All matched well with Mitch Cosentino’s wines. The Novelist (a crisp blend white Meritage of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon that is partially fermented is French Oak barrels.) and the Sangiovese that really opened up to rich smoky tones after a few minutes in our glasses. Several guests noticed it and lingeringly enjoyed.

“It rivals any afternoon,” said Mark White of the Novelist. “It’s both floral and delicious.”

A final wine, Couples & Co. “Pure Cos”, would have it’s official release by the time this story hits the Beacon. Not even labeled yet, Mitch signed a few bottles for auction. “There are two wines in my series with pro golfer Fred Couples.”

It was fun to watch the paddles go up during dinner, though no one put there’s up as soon as I did when a lot was announced with wine in it, but no worries. I hadn’t been left unattended in an auction in a long time. The Auctioneer quipped that my hand went up well before he even called the item. (I had a program!)

But at least there was enough art for everyone! Amazing paintings and prints, sculptures and movie premiere tickets. And the fact that many of the artists were in attendance, many bid on their friend’s work. It was lovely to see such support of friends, and the arts.

Then co-sponsor and chick singer Helen Laprairie may have sung “standards” but they weren’t “standard” by any means…the crowd, well all the blonds and two brunettes that shall remain names (D & D you know who you are), danced in a circle and then in circles around the room.

The evening proved to be just as Disney predicted.

Even MORE at The Second Sierra Pelona Wine Fest

May 2, 2014 by evebushman Leave a Comment

There were more food, wine, lifestyle vendors and appreciative guests this year, in only its second time around, at Reyes Winery for the Sierra Pelona Valley Wine Festival last weekend. While VIPs were given early access and other perks, every guest seemed to be feeling the VIP treatment with unlimited access to both commercial and non-commercial home winemakers, international dining options, and new lifestyle members showcasing their wares not seen at dozens of other wine fests. And, a just a week before the event we were to learn this fest was the only fest on the calendar that would be a large scale outdoor event.

I wished I could have visited every tent but, alas, I sampled from most and these are my highlights:

The 2011 Bouquet Vineyards Merlot, made with grapes from Temecula, by winemaker Danny Mascari. What an awesome bouquet!

Got a great photo of a cigar-smoking guest, wearing her wine yoke and trying on a really cool apron at the Agua Dulce Accent booth.

Both non-commercial wine labels, Du Nasi and Bobcat, were very well received at the fest. Two friends making wine, what could be better?

In the Kym’s Kreations tent I found Ron and Kym Cappi and all kinds of goodies: hand painted barrel staves, wine-bottle shaped chalkboards, small custom-made paintings and my favorite: necklaces and key chains fashioned with corks – so I had to buy the Pulchella Winery necklace!

Of course our very own locally owned and operated winery, with a tasting room in downtown Newhall, Pulchella Winery, had a tent so crowded that even I couldn’t get in. No worries, I had just tasted and reviewed all of their wines with winemaker Steve Lemley already!

Coruce Vineyards and Winery 2012 100% Viognier (sweet and nice!) from the Bien Nacido Vineyard near Santa Maria, CA; and their 2012 Semillon (great fruit) with a blend of 90% Semillon, 5% Chardonnay and 5% Viognier.

Portos Bakery, I limited myself to what I think was called the “Dulce de Leche Kiss” and described on their website as “Light and crispy butter tart dough, filled with dulce de leche, topped with powder sugar” and it was OMG good.

I had reviewed a few of the reds from Chavez Cellars this year, so this time I tried and dug their 2012 California Chardonnay for its butter (from the time in oak aging) fruit and balance.

Happy to see that Persia Restaurant served up many of the items from their popular lunch buffet, and this was NOT in the VIP tent.

At Antelope Valley Winery many of the guests, including myself, were loving their 2010 Malbec for its peppery nose and full flavors on the palate.

David Simpson and Antelope Valley ’10 Malbec.

Chef Cindy Schwanke was in VIP tent, standing next to a table of paper cone-wrapped sweets her students had prepared. (The 2014 beneficiary of the fest was College of the Canyons Institute for Culinary Arts.)

The 2012 Harris Ranch Biz Cabernet Franc was another winner. The wine had a high alcohol percentage that was not overwhelming on the palate at all, very balanced.

Also at the Harris Wine Biz table was a very popular, very pink-colored Sangria they wanted people’s opinions on. Made with Chardonnay, Merlot, vodka and tons of fresh cut fruit, it was very popular. I heard later that Reyes Winery had an even more popular Sangria on their table!

BBQ Catering, aka Smokin Bar-B-Quties, had their yummy BBQ beans in the VIP tent. I ate them up, leaving just enough sauce in my bowl to dip some grilled chicken into. I also ran into Chef/Owner Sonja Randall at the event, she and her two adult children were having a grand time working the event.

One of my favorite couples, Susie and Kerry Clark, are the two hearts that make up Two Hearts Estate Vineyard. They don’t surprise me anymore with their two-dozen bottles with grapes (Castaic, Lodi, Paso, etc.) or juice (Australia?) that they turn into extremely expressive wines. This time I especially enjoyed, among others, their 2012 Australian Chardonnay, 2012 Monterey Chardonnay and the 2010 Castaic Syrah.

Isidora Designs makes both wine, and non wine, themed bags from clutches to duffels. I snatched a card so I can shop online later.

Silver and gold awarded wines from the LA International Wine Competition had their own booth. I enjoyed the Stark Raving Malbec made by Rosenbloom. This was not a Malbec that needed food, it was very approachable now.

My Facebook friend David Simpson loved the treats served up from Truffles n’ Toffee…bummed I missed them myself this time!

Of course the Reyes Winery tent was the most sought after wine tent to visit, heck they hosted the event and they have award-winning wines too!

Reyes Winery vines and the welcoming tents photographed by Beth Greenwald.

I got to sample the Tochigan Farms salsa with a Malbec, wanted more!

Golden Star Vineyards made a big impact on people with award-winning wines made in the high dessert AVA. I made sure several people got to try the Perlis Pick 2012 Syrah and my own fave, Purple Haze, a blend of Zinfandel, Merlot and Malbec.

Artist Michael Harder had beautiful wine-themed paintings…there’s one I have my eye on still. His website is called Hard Art.

The Six Foaks wine table was fun. Six pals got together and made a lot of wine, and several of their newer labels feature original art of iconic film stars such as Sophia Loren, Audrey Hepburn and Natalie Wood. I enjoyed several, including the Grenache-Syrah-Mourvedre blend and a Pinot Noir, from this non-commercial winery.

Chef Juan Alonso of Le Chene restaurant was serving up a Salmon (not crab) cake with cole slaw and dressing…it was truly a taste treat!

Though SCV Wine Enthusiast group leader and winemaker Doug Gould couldn’t attend, his red blend wine, “Lil Bastard” was there to be enjoyed by all.

Ooh oh! And Eve’s Wine 101 Consulting LOVES the top-billing we received in the program under “supportive members of the media.” Gotta love alphabetical listings!

Facebook album link: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10202853751092243.1073741867.1455706632&type=1&l=060470474d

Save the Dates

The 5^th Annual Harvest Festival – A WiSHful Evening at the Vineyard will be held on September 6 and will benefit the Wish Education Foundation.

Third Annual Sierra Pelona Valley Wine Festival will take place on April 25, 2015.

All Fest Vendors

Local Winemakers, Spirits and Breweries:
San Antonio Winery, Alonso Family Vineyards, Bobcat, Chavez Vineyards, Du Nasi, Golden Star Vineyards, Donato Family Vineyard, Antelope Valley Winery, Harris Wine Biz, Bouquet Vineyards, High Desert Cellars, Coruce Vineyards, Oasis Vineyards, Stella Rosa Wines, Six Foaks, Magellan Gin, Agua Dulce Winery, Absenthe, High Desert Wine Cellars, Two Hearts Estate Vineyard, Pulchella Winery, Hearthstone Vineyard, Rhum Barbancourt, Reyes Winery, Anhueser-Busch, Wolf Creek Brewery, Agwa, Mi Rancho Tequila, Diosa Tequila, Bobcat, Du Nasi, Six Foaks, and Bouquet Vineyards, Gott Wine, Diosa Tequila, Wine House Vineyard, Wolf Creek Brewery, Mi Rancho Tequila.

Gourmet Bites:
Portos Bakery, Gourmet Blends, California Bakery, Rattlers BBQ, Double D Cupcakes, Vincent Hill Station, Truffles n Toffee, Le Chene French Cuisine, Baracoa Lounge, Wolf Creek Restaurant and Brewery, Mi Dolce Vita Cupcakery, Persia Lounge, George’s BBQ and Smokin’ BBQuties Grill Team, Mickey’s Momma’s BBQ.

Salmon cakes by Chef Juan Alonso from Le Chene.

Art and Design: Kym’s Kreations, Carlos Bacelar & Co., Isidora Designs, Knox Studio, Sandia’s Web and Design, Designs by Sandra Lane, Patina Soul, Michal & Company, Luscious Soul, Three Wild n Crazy Ladies, Loom in the Living Room, Prussmeier Pens, Crazy Kraut Products, M Cigars, Hard Art, Blvd. Cosmetics, Aqua Dulce Accents.

From Reyes Winery

Reyes Winery is “happy to be part of one of California’s most exciting burgeoning wine regions. The Sierra Pelona Valley Vintners Association is an organization that brings together the talents and resources of its members, partners and community to promote the production and appreciation of fine wines grown or produced within the Sierra Pelona Valley AVA and surrounding areas. Nestled in the Sierra Pelona Mountains of Southern California, just 30 miles north of downtown Los Angeles, the Sierra Pelona Valley’s untouched natural beauty provides the perfect environment for burgeoning vineyards, boutique wineries, tasting rooms, and outdoor activities. Visitors can enjoy a day of discovery and relaxation exploring the area’s fine wineries, tasting rooms, events, and hiking trails.”