Perlis Picks: Hoyt Family Vineyards

September 1, 2018 by Michael Perlis Leave a Comment

Have you heard of tiny houses? There’ve been a few television shows about them. My wife Karen occasionally watches them and I’ll sometimes lift my head up from wine-related Facebook conversations to see what’s up.

Basically, people downsize to a minimum level of possessions and space requirements in order to live in very small residences, simplifying their lives in the process. Now what that minimum level is varies from family to family depending on their own situation. The whole idea has never really appealed to me; for one thing, what to do with the wine?

But, to stay in a tiny house in a vineyard on the west side of Paso Robles? Heck yes, that is very appealing.

The first episode of DIY Network’s “Cabin Brothers” featured the development and construction of two tiny homes on the vineyard property of Hoyt Family Vineyards. The “brothers” are twins John and Ron Daniels [formerly of the show “Redwood Kings”] and their company Daniels Wood Land is conveniently based in Tin City just south of downtown Paso Robles.

The cabins/homes have all the amenities – two bedrooms [one is a master with a queen size bed and the other is smaller with bunk beds], a shower and full kitchen. Our vineyard view cabin gave us a full frontal view of the beautiful vineyard – just be careful not to give a full frontal view to the vineyard workers; this is a working winery, after all. In case you’re wondering, you also have satellite TV and Wi-Fi.

But all this would mean nothing to me if the wines didn’t measure up.

For a little bit about how that started, we have to begin in…Malibu.

Carol and Stephen Hoyt moved to Malibu and planted their Chardonnay vineyard on their property in 2001. Carol, a self-taught winemaker, made her first wine with purchased Cabernet fruit while waiting for the first Chardonnay grapes to be ready to harvest in 2004. Since that time, Hoyt Family Vineyards became known for producing delicious Chardonnay from Malibu.

But we all know that there is more to wine than Chardonnay, yummy as it is, and in 2011 the Hoyts purchased 86 acres on the west side of Paso Robles in the very highly regarded Willow Creek District, with neighbors like Booker, Tablas Creek and most recently Clos Solene [in other words, a pretty darn good neighborhood], to expand the estate offerings of Hoyt Family Vineyards. After much work [some still ongoing] on the vineyards, which now consist of two adjacent properties totaling 140 acres with 30 acres planted, they now also produce Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Viognier, Grenache and Petit Verdot.

Tastings are available by appointment at the vineyard property, which is especially convenient if you are staying there. But we wanted to check out the new tasting room in downtown Paso Robles. Located just north of the busy park square, the Hoyt Family Vineyards tasting room is a wonderful addition to the downtown tasting room scene. It is now literally possible to spend a day (or more) tasting wine strolling around without ever needing to drive into the surrounding countryside, should you so choose.

We went through the whole lineup of wines, which I am pleased share with you here, including the winery’s notes:

White

Hoyt2Hoyt Sparkling Wine: Our newest addition, a sophisticated Methode Champignon sourced from Sonoma County. Light, crisp and refreshing. Perfect for a celebration or a Sunday morning. Dry, with notes of pear and apple, delicately tickles your fancy.

2015 Chardonnay: Our newest release! We have taken our Malibu estate grown Chardonnay through 100% malolactic and aged it in new and used French Oak. This is the wine that put us on the map! Crisp, with hints of oak and butter this Chardonnay’s acid is well balanced on your palate and could look forward to it aging beautifully, if you can wait, but we don’t think you will want to! It is our classic “Drink it all day Chardonnay”! Case Production 325

Muscat: For those of you who expect this wine to be overly sweet, we have a surprise for you! Made with no residual sugar, this Muscat presents itself as beautifully dry with a fragrant nose of citrus, clean and crisp. This is a onetime wine from our estate with a small production, get it before it’s gone! Case Production 30

Rosé

2017 Pinot Noir Rose: Sophisticated and elegant, best describes our estate Grown Pinot Noir Rose. This Rose, already turning heads and making a splash, claimed 99 points, double gold and best of class from the California State Fair. Notes of strawberry, and citrus make this perfect for the summer or for that matter anytime.

Red

“Dylema” Our fun red blend. Originally created for the Malibu Chili cook off, this has become a house favorite. A Cab based blend with a little bit of everything else thrown in. Smooth and easy on the palate, we were hard pressed as what to call it, so we named it after our kids, Dylan and Emma. Enjoy our “Dylema”. GOLD Medal Winner

Grenache: Our first Grenache! And we are delighted with its lovely gardenia and soft smokey pepper and burnt Cherry undertones. Case Production 80

2012 Tempranillo: Fruit forward, well balanced. The velvet feel rolls in your mouth, with magical notes of black currant, blackberries, blueberry, vanilla and cooking spices. Very limited production of this hand picked estate fruit. Case Production 55

2013 Petite Sirah: Our 2013 Petite Sirah is totally amazing. Big bold fruit, beautiful legs, rounded mouth feel, we think it’s like “sex in a bottle”. Very limited production, and we feel it will be winning Gold Medals- we expect nothing less!

2012 Cabernet Sauvignon: Already winning Best of Class by the San Francisco Wine Chronicle, this is our favorite Cab yet. It’s unbelievable round mouth feel, is chewy, fruit forward, leggy and lovely. A sophisticated Cab, very limited production, this wine won’t last! Case Production 96

These are very well made wines. The awards they are getting, such as the one from the Chronicle, are about as legit as they get. The Rose really knocked us out and the Petite Sirah is aptly described as amazing. As you can see, production is tiny on many of these so blink and they might be gone. But whatever they are pouring next will be sure to please.

Thank you to Nancy Hoffman of Hoyt Family Vineyards for hosting us at the property and at the tasting room, as well as giving us a whirlwind vineyard tour and pointing out the best places to enjoy a glass of wine at sunset. She is a joy to work with – don’t believe just me; check out the reviews on Airbnb. https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/23712572

So, am I ready to give it all up and move into a tiny house? Probably not. But I would definitely stay again in a tiny cabin in a beautiful vineyard, especially this vineyard and this winery: Hoyt Family Vineyards. You should too.

Hoyt Family Vineyards

Tasting room:

1322 Park Street, Paso Robles, Ca. 93446

Vineyard:

2015 Township Rd, Paso Robles, Ca. 93446

Cabins:

2110 Township Rd, Paso Robles, Ca. 93446

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.

What and Where is the Wine Road?

August 5, 2018 by evebushman Leave a Comment

Founded 41 years ago, Wine Road is an association of wineries and lodgings in the Alexander, Dry Creek, and Russian River valleys of Northern Sonoma County. From its modest beginning as an organization of nine wineries, it has grown into a spirited constellation of nearly 200 wineries and 54 lodgings. Wine Road is an indispensible resource guiding visitors and locals alike through the scenic bi-ways and backroads of the three valleys, and points the way to the fine wine and exquisite cuisine of the region.

Winding through some of the most picturesque wine country in California, Wine Road takes visitors on an exciting journey of natural beauty, superb tasting experiences, and memorable personal encounters with the state’s most devoted winemakers. Even for travelers already well acquainted with California wine country, Wine Road is likely to be uncharted territory–sure to imbue a fresh sense of discovery. Along the way are some of California’s oldest wineries, run by vintners whose commitment to tending the vines and producing world-class wines, true to the appellation, runs back generations.

Wine Road is also where modern, state-of-the-art wineries co-exist with small, artisanal producers for whom making wine is a way of life intertwined with the responsibilities of home and family. From Italian-style villas and French-style chateaux to boutique wineries, Wine Road provides a colorful glimpse into the world of winemaking. This is what makes traversing Wine Road a uniquely personal experience, and visitors will find their own enthusiasm for great wine reflected in the appreciation of these passionate producers.

This lively and committed organization has created a myriad of programs, events, and services certain to enhance any visitor’s experience of the region. The association hosts three celebrated wine events throughout the year: Winter WINEland in January; Barrel Tasting in March; and Wine and Food Affair in November, all of which bring thousands of visitors to the region.

For additional information, or to request a free map, visit www.wineroad.com, call 800.723.6336 or via e-mail at info@wineroad.com. Keep up with Wine Road on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

PERLIS PICKS THE GARAGISTE FESTIVAL: URBAN EXPOSURE [Part One]

August 4, 2018 by Michael Perlis Leave a Comment

Saturday, July 21^st was a great day that ended on a very sad note.

Karen and I had a wonderful time at the latest incarnation of The Garagiste Festival: Urban Exposure in Santa Monica and followed that with an early dinner at one of our new favorite restaurants, Lunetta, also in Santa Monica.

By the time we got home though, social media was blowing up with the sad news of the passing of Pulitzer Prize winning food critic Jonathan Gold.

Now, this article is not intended to be a tribute to Mr. Gold. Far better writers than I am, many who knew him personally, have penned heartfelt remembrances that you should seek out; his influence on the Los Angeles restaurant scene is incalculable and he will be sorely missed.

But it got me thinking that some of the traits that Jonathan praised in the restaurants he wrote about are also ones Karen and I look for in wineries: authenticity, creativity, risk-taking, passion. And nobody exemplifies these attributes better than the Garagistes.

The Garagiste Festival started in 2011 with its first event in Paso Robles, focusing entirely on the little guys – “the ultra- premium, hard to find, micro-wineries”. Since then, it has expanded to annual events in Solvang, Los Angeles and most recently, just prior to the latest L.A. event, an inaugural event in Sonoma County.

These wineries make less than 1500 cases per year, many much less. This means that in most cases, you won’t find them pouring in a tasting room. But where you can find them is at the Garagiste Festivals, where you will find the winemakers and winery owners pouring their own wines and telling their own stories. You’ll be able to sign up for their mailing lists and even order their wines at the events. Keep in mind that the productions are small and usually not available retail.

Each winery and winemaker has its own journey; some started as consumers, some as grape-growers, some are second generation in the wine business now doing their own thing. What they all share is that passion to make wine the best way they know how.

You should definitely sign up on The Garagiste Festival website for updates as well as follow our reporting.

Which brings us back to the most recent event held in L.A., specifically at the Santa Monica Bay Woman’s Club, with almost 50 California wineries pouring:

Alma Sol

Ann Albert

Ascension Cellars

Bellante Family Winery

Betwixt Wines

Brophy Clark

Byron Blatty

Caliza Vineyards

Cavelletti Vineyards

Cloak & Dagger

Cutruzzola Vineyards

Domaine Kreger

El Lugar Wines

Frisco Cellars

Golden Triangle

Gordenker Wines

Hoi Polloi

In Vino Musicas

Kaleidos Wines

Kitson Wines

LA Wine Project

Lavender Oak Ranch

Magna Vita Cellars

Malibu Ridge

Marin’s Vineyard

Mastro Scheidt

Metrick Wines

Monochrome Wines

Murder Ridge

On Your Left

Pulchella Winery

Record Family Wines

Siela Wines

Stolo Family Winery

Sweezter Cellars

Sycamore Ranch

The Blending Lab

Tlo Winery

Torch Wines

TW Fermentations

Vinemark Cellars

Volatus Wine

Wildwood Oak Winery

Next week’s article will report on the wines we enjoyed most this time around.

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.

Perlis Picks: Family Winemakers of California [Part Two]

April 21, 2018 by Michael Perlis Leave a Comment

This year’s Family Winemakers event, held at the Pasadena Convention Center, had about 70 wineries presenting their finest bottlings to an appreciative crowd of trade, media and consumer attendees. Yes, I said 70. Obviously, I couldn’t taste everything, but I think I made a pretty good dent. Here are some of my favorites…

Ascension Cellars – specializing in Rhone and Bordeaux varietals, this was one of several wineries at the event representing Paso Robles. Enjoyed the Rose, the Soul Shaker Cab/Syrah blend as well as the dessert Primitivo.

Bokisch Vineyards – a Lodi winery focused on Spanish varietals, I was excited to see they also produced a Zinfandel from the Kirschenmann Vineyard. This vineyard is owned by Tegan Passalacqua of Turley Wine Cellars. Turley, of course, makes a zin from this vineyard as do a few other wineries. This version was about as pure an expression of the vineyard as I’ve had.

Brecon Estate – I’ve been wanting to try this Paso Robles winery since they were named winery of the year in Doug Wilder’s Purely Domestic Wine Report. Both the Forty-Two red Rhone blend and the Petite Sirah were excellent.

Cass Winery – what can be said about this Paso Robles winery that hasn’t been said? Great white and red Rhones with Ted Plemons providing the entertainment.

DRNK – the name of this Russian River Valley winery is made up of the initials of family members. The “K” is for winemaker Ryan Kunde – yes, that Kunde family so you know the winemaking pedigree is there. Great Pinot Noir and Malbec.

Frog’s Tooth – this winery serves as a great reminder that well-priced high quality wines can be found when you expand your wine search into the Sierra Foothills. Especially liked the Sauvignon Blanc and the Petite Sirah.

Pech Merle – based in Geyserville, this tiny winery is producing some really good juice. I really liked their Zinfandel.

Petrified Forest Vineyards – Ken and Susan Piters are making excellent Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon from their vineyard in Sonoma County’s Knight’s Valley.

Pride Mountain Vineyards – speaking of Cabernet, just a big “wow” for the one from this winery that overlaps the north end of Napa and Sonoma counties.

Sobon Estate / Shenandoah Vineyards – consistently one of my favorite Amador County wineries, the reserve Zin was my pick at this table.

Sol Rouge Vineyard & Winery – pouring a wide range of mostly Rhone inspired wines, there was a lot to enjoy at this table. Favorites for me were the Cinsaut and the Cabernet Franc.

Treasure Island Wines / Kohler & Frohling Wines – I had planned on visiting this table anyway and I was especially intrigued when I got an email reminding me of an article that hit The Daily Beast early in 2017. Kohler & Frohling was originally founded in the 1850s in Los Angeles and has now been recreated by the great-great grandson of the founder Charles Kohler. The wines are made by the same winemaker as San Francisco’s Treasure Island Wines, Jim Mirowski. I really enjoyed the Rose wines at this table, my favorite being the K&F Rose of Pinot Noir, which struck me as a pretty serious version of a Rose.

Eve’s article already listed all the wineries that poured at this event, so I won’t bother listing them again. But, I highly recommend you watch our site for more events in the future, both from Family Winemakers and other great organizations.

VINTNER KATHRYN HALL ELECTED TO CALIFORNIA SUSTAINABLE WINEGROWING ALLIANCE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

January 13, 2018 by evebushman Leave a Comment

(ST. HELENA, CALIFORNIA ) – The California Wine Institute unanimously elected Vintner Kathryn Hall to the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance (CSWA) Board of Directors effective December 2017. The CSWA Board of Directors is made up of winegrowers representing both vineyards and wineries. CSWA is a nonprofit organization incorporated in 2003 by The Wine Institute and the California Association of Winegrape Growers to develop and promote sustainable practices, tools for education and outreach, partnerships with key stakeholders, and prioritizing research.

Kathyrn Hall

“Electing Mrs. Hall to the Board of Directors brings even more talent, expertise and energy to our Board of Directors” says Allison Jordan, Executive Director of CSWA. “With over 2,000 California winegrape growers and winemakers participating in the CSWA program, California has one of the most widely adopted sustainable winegrowing programs in the world in terms of wine acreage and case production. Mrs. Hall and her HALL & WALT wineries are part of this vibrant movement, including being Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing.”

HALL and WALT luxury wine brands, owned by Kathryn Hall and husband Craig Hall, include 500 planted acres in Napa County, Sonoma County, Santa Barbara County and Mendocino County. The Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir producers have earned numerous certifications and accolades – 11 HALL vineyards are certified Sustainable by the CSWA, and five of the HALL estate vineyards are certified organic by the California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF). Additionally, each of WALT’s three estate vineyards are certified sustainable by the CSWA. The CSWA and CCOF certifications have rigorous requirements and standards related to irrigation to eco-friendly farming techniques.

“I am thrilled to be elected to the CSWA Board of Directors and to participate in ways to support sustainable farming practices for our industry,” says Vintner Kathryn Hall. “These practices are a central focus for us at HALL and WALT as well as a personal commitment for me. They are also key to the long term viability of our industry. I admire the leadership of the CSWA in the area of sustainable farming and look forward to being a member of the board.”

Hall has been coined as a model for community action by pioneering green decisions and most recently was a featured speaker at Vinexpo Bordeaux to discuss achievements in sustainability. The panel of esteemed experts and global influencers who discussed critical issues facing the wine industry, specifically climate change. Hall served as the United States Ambassador to Austria from 1997-2001.

“We are delighted to have Mrs. Hall join our CSWA Board of Directors” says Steve Lohr, Board Chairman of the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance, and CEO of J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines. “Kathryn and her team have shown their commitment to sustainability by becoming a certified participant in the CSWA program with all of their estate vineyards, and by building California’s first LEED Gold certified winery. We look forward to bringing Kathryn and her enthusiasm for sustainability to a Board that is passionate about sharing best sustainable business practices with vineyards and wineries throughout California.”

For more information, please visit www.hallwines.com and www.waltwines.com.

ABOUT CSWA: California Sustainable Winegrowing SWA is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization incorporated in 2003 by Wine Institute and the California Association of Winegrape Growers to develop and promote sustainable practices, tools for education and outreach, partnerships with key stakeholders, and prioritizing research. Wineries and vineyards throughout the state have to apply to earn Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing status verified by a third-party auditor through CSWA. Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing and other statewide and regional programs such as Bay Area Green Business Program, Fish Friendly Farming, Lodi Rules, Napa Green and Sustainability in Practice (SIP) play vital roles in the California wine community’s successful efforts to produce high quality wine that is environmentally sound, economically feasible and socially responsible. More than 2,000 wineries and vineyards in the state participate in the CSWA program.

ABOUT HALL: HALL produces critically acclaimed artisan Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, available to taste and buy at two properties in Napa Valley as well as at hallwines.com. Owned by Craig and Kathryn Hall, its vineyard collection features seven estate vineyards, of which five are California Certified Organic (CCOF). Each vintage, Vice President of Winemaking Steve Leveque crafts distinct Cabernet Sauvignon wines which demonstrate the unique characteristics and diversity of Napa Valley terroir. HALL’s wine portfolio includes three 100 point scores given by critic Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate, for its 2013 Rainin Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, its 2013 Exzellenz Red Wine and its 2010 Exzellenz Red Wine. HALL also earned the #2 spot in Wine Spectator’s “Top 100” for its 2008 Kathryn Hall Cabernet Sauvignon. Since the first vintage in 2002, over 75 HALL wines have earned 95 point scores and above, and over 250 wines have earned 90 point scores and above from the industries top critics. The HALL St. Helena winery was the first LEED® Gold Certified Winery in the State of California in 2009 and earned another LEED® Gold certification for its high tech production facility and Tasting Room in 2014, making HALL a leader in green efficiencies. For more information about HALL, please visit www.hallwines.com, @hallwines, or by calling 707.967.2626.

ABOUT WALT: WALT specializes in premier, vineyard designate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the most coveted vineyards along the Pacific Coast, spanning 1,000 miles from as far north as the Willamette Valley to the Sta. Rita Hills in Santa Barbara County. WALT represents wines of a place – these special sites where thoughtful viticulture enables winemakers to create expressive wines that reflect the signature personality of each site. WALT farms three estate vineyards and partners with meticulous growers who aspire to share standards of quality. Owned by Kathryn Walt Hall and her husband Craig, the winery honors Kathryn’s parents, Bob and Dolores Walt, who were grape growers in Mendocino County since 1972 and nurtured Kathryn’s passion for vineyards and wine. The WALT Sonoma Square Tasting Room opened in 2012 and is located in Sonoma, CA and is open to the public. For more information, please visit www.waltwines.com or by calling (707) 933-4440.

Dryver Partners with Korbel California Champagne to Provide 2,018 Free Designated Drivers

December 21, 2017 by evebushman Leave a Comment

LOS ANGELES (PRWEB) – Dryver, the nation’s largest personal driver service for both individuals and businesses, today announced its partnership with Korbel California Champagne to help everyone have a safe holiday season by offering 2,018 free designated drivers during the month of December.

As roads begin to fill with people shopping, visiting relatives, and celebrating the season, Dryver and Korbel are encouraging legal drinking age consumers to plan ahead and secure a safe ride home using a unique redemption code valid December 1-30, 2017. The promotion will be available across 77 cities nationwide.

“Since Dryver was founded in 2010, it’s been part of our company mission to help promote safe rides by making it easier than ever for people to find designated drivers when they need,” says Arthur Simanovsky, Dryver CEO and President. “We’re excited to be partnering with Korbel to really make an impact this December.”

Dryver, a personal driving service where professional drivers take you wherever you need to go in the comfort of your own vehicle, serves as a convenient alternative to black cars and limousines, taxis or ride-sharing services. Fully-screened and fully-insured drivers with at least 10 years of driving experience arrive in professional attire to act as your chauffeur for however long you need one.

“The holidays are a meaningful time for us at Korbel, as we know our sparklers take part in many special celebrations with friends and loved ones across the country during December,” said Gary Heck, Korbel owner and president. “But we want to make sure that friends of Korbel make their holiday a safe one, and take advantage of a free designated driver through our partners at Dryver.”

To take advantage of the promotion, customers can go to http://www.dryver.com/free-dd to register and request their own unique promo code. The code will be valid December 1-30, 2017 and offer two hours of Dryver’s personal driver service. You must be 21+ and a new member of Dryver to be eligible for this offer. This offer is subject to availability and the terms and conditions of Dryver: https://www.dryver.com/.

About Dryver

Dryver is the nation’s largest personal driver service, currently operating in 77 cities across 32 states. This convenient, safe, reliable and affordable alternative transportation service provides a chauffeur at a discounted rate by driving the customer’s automobile. Professional, experienced drivers are fully background-screened, interviewed and insured by Dryver and wear formal business attire. Services include designated drivers, personal drivers, non-emergency medical transportation, senior/elderly assistance, and corporate outsourcing and staffing. The company has national partnerships with leading liquor and wine companies to promote social responsibility, including Total Wine & More and Brown-Forman. To schedule a professional driver, go to Dryver.com, call +1 (877) 823-6933, or download the mobile app.

About Korbel

Established in 1882 in Sonoma County’s Russian River Valley, Korbel Champagne Cellars produces the United States’ most popular méthode champenoise champagne. But the true measure of Korbel’s success during its 135 years can be seen in the impact it’s had on American consumers and its presence at various celebrations throughout the years. Owned and managed by the Heck family since 1954, Korbel currently makes eleven California champagnes and a limited amount of still wine. In a separate facility Korbel also produces one of the country’s most respected brandies.

Perlis Picks: Along The California Wine Trail

December 2, 2017 by Michael Perlis Leave a Comment

I am not one to ever pass up an opportunity to bemoan the fact that my wife Karen fractured her leg on our last wine trip and we had to cut our trip short. … so nope, this is not an article about our travels.

Rather, Along The California Wine Trail is a book, although it is definitely more than that. Written by Jerry Stroud, the book showcases California’s major American Viticultural Areas [AVAs]. Presented along with the “retro realistic” artwork of Kerne Erickson, Jerry does not present a technical tome [there are plenty of those] but rather shares his own personal stories of visits to California’s varied wine regions.

Karen and I had the opportunity to attend the artist’s reception and book launch of Along The California Wine Trail: Exploring California’s American Viticultural Areas on November 4th at George Stern Fine Arts in West Hollywood, CA.

Both Stroud and Erickson were present to discuss their work and to sign books for a roomful of eager attendees. In addition, Erickson’s original artwork of all the paintings included in the book adorned the walls of the gallery. Karen enjoyed viewing the actual paintings and reminiscing about our own travels. She also pointed out a couple of AVAs that we haven’t visited as of yet and that we need to.

Free flowing wine and tasty appetizers contributed to the atmosphere of actually being in wine country. More than one person commented to me that Erickson’s artwork was inspiring them to want to plan a visit to wine country, especially to one of the AVAs that they might have had less familiarity with.

One of the wines available for sampling was the delicious 2016 Chardonnay from Bacigalupi Vineyards in the Russian River Valley. The family purchased the vineyard property in 1956 but only started making Chardonnay under the Bacigalupi name in 2011. Author Jerry Stroud points out in the book that fruit from this Sonoma County vineyard made up a significant portion [40% per the winery’s website] of the 1973 Napa Valley Chardonnay from Chateau Montelena. Perhaps you’ve heard of this wine – it won the Judgement of Paris in 1976.

It is stories like this in the book, where Stroud shares his personal experiences and champions the causes of the families who built the wine regions, that make the book extremely compelling. Divided into five chapters representing the main AVAs in California [Sierra Foothills, North Coast, Central Valley, Central Coast and South Coast], Stroud tells personal tales of his experiences in the various sub-AVAs that we know and love, all interspersed with Erickson’s masterful artwork. I certainly felt that I had found a kindred spirit in Jerry Stroud.

The book and prints are for sale on the Along The California Wine trail website. I’m also told the book should be available in certain winery tasting rooms. There are plans for a second extended printing that I am really looking forward to, but in the meantime this will do just fine.

Perlis Picks: Helping NorCal Wine Country

November 4, 2017 by Michael Perlis Leave a Comment

My most recent two-part article was devoted to whining about our trip to NorCal that had to be cut short when my wife Karen fractured her knee on the second day. As the first of that two part article hit our site, we were at the end of the week of devastating fires in Napa and Sonoma Counties that made my complaints seem petty.

Truly, my heart has been broken over this. The loss of life is the worst part of course, but the loss of property and impact on the community is devastating as well. It was especially difficult for us was to learn of the damage to Santa Rosa, our adopted home-away-from-home.

Over that week, my Facebook feed was inundated with images and stories of the damage and destruction being wreaked by Mother Nature’s fury. I’m sure your social media accounts were as well. And as a wine lover, I expect that you have friends and/or family up in NorCal wine country, or perhaps even live there yourself. You too probably know personally people who were evacuated [or like one of my friends – evacuated twice, or like another of our friends whose parents lost their home and all of their family heirlooms]. Even the hospital ER where Karen had to go with her broken leg in September was evacuated.

After what seemed like forever of hearing the words “no containment”, we were all extremely ecstatic when, due to the efforts of the heroic first responders, the fires were finally brought under control.

What happens next? The long rebuilding process begins.

I think there is this myth of wealthy winery landowners. I’m not denying there are a few. But the vast majority of California wineries are small operations that can’t afford devastation that comes from the fires as well as the hit to the local economy which is fueled by wine tourism. Not to mention all the winery workers that are also impacted. Please bear in mind that not only wineries and their workers were impacted. The entire community needs help.

There are many organizations to donate to. Eve published a link to a list recently…

https://www.fastcompany.com/40479325/how-to-help-napa-fire-victims-8-things-you-can-do-for-californias-wine-country-right-now

Are you having a hard time deciding who to pick?

Clay Mauritson of Mauritson Wines suggested http://www.sonomacf.org/sonoma-county-resilience-fund/

In addition to donating, the consensus of how to help is to buy wine. Buy wine from the wineries in the affected areas and buy direct if you can.

If you get a chance, watch this video from Martin Cody of Cellar Angels:

https://www.facebook.com/martin.a.cody/videos/10214525161868448/?hc_ref=ARQG7Aw7y56Vht2eVdIxsNsoBnoc3M1K0MyWXENttOaORoKqba2vSaRkD6coOiiI8GU

I definitely support his ideas. If you’re looking for who to buy from, I’d suggest researching wineries who suffered losses and also wineries who are helping in the relief efforts. Look for wineries that are donating significant proceeds such as:

Limerick Lane is donating 100% of the proceeds of the sale of their 2014 Syrah/Grenache blend.

Idlewild is donating 100% of the sales proceeds of their full or ½ case of Northern California fire relief wines.

[I have to give props to the Bilbro family, Jake and Sam respectively, for the above. Even brother Scot of Marietta Cellars, which can’t typically sell to the public, put together a flash sale with Vivino to donate sales dollars to wildfire relief.]

There are other wineries that are donating as well, along with a host of fundraising events. We’ll do our best to keep you informed of them on this site and on our Eve’s Wine 101 Facebook group page. I’m not sure how long these offers and events will last, but even when they are gone, Northern California Wine Country will still need a steady influx of wine sales and tourist dollars to facilitate the rebuilding process, which is going to take a long time. So, buy early and often.

Purple Wine + Spirits Launches Redwood Empire American Whiskey

October 19, 2017 by evebushman Leave a Comment

Sonoma County, CA (PRWEB) – Purple Wine + Spirits, parent company to Sonoma County’s Graton Distilling Company (GDC), has announced the inaugural release of its Redwood Empire American Whiskey. Distinguishing itself from other whiskeys on the market today, Redwood Empire’s proprietary blend of house-distilled and port barrel-rested rye whiskeys includes mature stocks of four, five and eleven-year-old bourbon aged in classic, high-toast American oak casks. Rye-forward and 90-proof, its full body is complimented by subtle, spicy notes and an indulgent vanilla-caramel finish.

“With Redwood Empire, we set out to create a whiskey that was a true reflection of the spirit and landscape of our Northern California home – rugged, pioneering and adventurous but also aesthetically beautiful,” says GDC Distiller, Jeff Duckhorn. “Our ability to source and distill exceptional ryes and bourbons – and age them in a way that marries tradition with innovation – makes our proprietary blend a one-of-a-kind sipping and cocktailing experience unlike any other whiskey on the market today.”

Redwood Empire Whiskey began to hit store shelves in major metropolitan markets this past September for a suggested retail price of $45. It is the second craft spirit launched by GDC, whose D. George Benham’s Sonoma Dry Gin, launched nationally earlier this year to much critical acclaim. The stand-alone distillery, located on the site of a former apple processing plant, features a custom-built, micro-column still and is dedicated to producing carefully crafted spirits inspired by the artistry, local flavor and rugged beauty of Northern California.

ABOUT PURPLE WINE + SPIRITS

Founded by Derek Benham in 2001, Purple Wine + Spirits is dedicated to creating extraordinary wine and distilled spirits experiences including nationally branded, custom and private label wines for major U.S. and International retailers and restaurateurs. In 2015, Benham added a distillery to Purple Wine + Spirits main production facility based in the west Sonoma County town of Graton, and Graton Distilling Company was born. For more information about Purple Wine + Spirits, Graton Distilling Company or Redwood Empire American Whiskey, please visit our websites: purplewinespirits.com, gratondistilling.com, and redwoodempirewhiskey.com

33rd Annual Winesong Event on Mendocino Coast Raises $700,000 for Mendocino Coast Hospital Foundation

October 16, 2017 by evebushman Leave a Comment

FORT BRAGG, CA – After a spectacular weekend of award-winning wine, fabulous food, fine art, music, merriment, and charitable giving, this year’s 33^rd annual Winesong was declared a resounding success, with increased auction sales and more guests than ever participating in the auctions. Held on the Mendocino Coast on September 8^th and 9^th, highlights included A Pinot Noir Celebration, the Grand Tasting event and a Live and Silent auction. Winesong is the main fundraising event benefiting the Mendocino Coast District Hospital. Produced by the Mendocino Coast Hospital Foundation, all proceeds go towards supporting the local Hospital that serves the entire Mendocino Coast, plus rural inland areas covering nearly half the distance to Highway 101.

Winesong 2017 kicked off on Friday, September 8th with a sold-out insider’s view of spectacular Pinot Noirs at ‘A Pinot Noir Celebration’ hosted by the Little River Inn. Guests enjoyed Pinot Noir tastings and delicious passed hors d’oeuvres, along with a chance to “talk shop” with the winemakers from Mendocino County, Napa and Sonoma Counties. On Saturday, September 9^th, attendees to the Grand Tasting strolled the enchanting Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens while enjoying vintages poured by world-class wineries from Mendocino, Napa, Sonoma and beyond, and bites from nearly 50 fine food purveyors. The celebration continued in the Auction Tents with the always-entertaining main attraction, the Live and Silent Auctions, where nearly 150 lots were on offer – including spectacular wines from a selection of prestigious wine producers, rare and hard-to-find vintages, special vertical and horizontal collections, original paintings and art from highly acclaimed artists, and domestic and international vacation packages.

Bidders at the Live Auction under the big tent helped raise significant funds, with a projected gross of more than $700,000 coming in from the two-day event. After covering production expenses, the Winesong net return will be used to assist the Mendocino Coast District Hospital purchase needed equipment. Some of the most coveted items were the big international trips and spectacular wine auction lots. Leading the way for bidding was a 10-day trip to South Africa, which was doubled at $21,000 per trip! Trips to Italy and Amsterdam each garnered $18,000. An unparalleled 20-bottle collection of Chateau Gruaud Larose Grand Cru went for $16,000 and a rare wine lot featuring companion vineyards from Chateau Pichon Longueville went for $17,000. Another highlight was the “Fund-A-Need” to help provide comfort and care to patients by way of upgraded beds and patient room improvements. The goal was $200,000, which was surpassed by a combination of day of bidders and pre-event gifts to raise $205,000, with 100% of these donations going directly to the Hospital.

“This year’s Winesong had a different layout than in the past, and one of the main purposes was to encourage general admission ticketholders to register for bidder paddles and join the fun,” says Jamie Peters, Event Director for Winesong. “And I’m happy to say that it worked! We had more new bidders than ever and are encouraged ourselves to continue to make it easy and convenient for all guests to participate in the auctions as well as the beautiful tasting.”

Other highlights from the live and silent auction include:

Lot 12: Artist of the Year art piece – “Barn Song” – a 30” x 30” Bas Relief – $14,000
Lot 16A: A surprise lot courtesy of Ann & Dick Grace that includes dinner for 4 at The French Laundry and large format wines from Grace Family Vineyards – $12,000
Lot 22: “Sweethearts in Paradise” – a trip for two couples to Barbados – $13,000
Lot 24: 45” x 60” giclee on canvas by the late Lowell Herrero – $15,000

“We were thrilled with the results of Winesong 2017,” states Michelle Roberts, Executive Director of the Mendocino Coast Hospital Foundation. “The live auction tent was filled with energy as generous donors responded to the call to action to help us fund vital equipment at Mendocino Coast District Hospital. We thank everyone who helped make the day a success. The generosity around this event is truly awe-inspiring.”

About Winesong & the Mendocino Coast Hospital Foundation

Winesong is produced by the Mendocino Coast Hospital Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to raising funds for the Mendocino Coast District Hospital. Its mission is to help the small rural Hospital provide the best possible medical care to residents as well as the many visitors to the Mendocino Coast. Winesong proceeds have enabled the Hospital to purchase chemotherapy equipment, portable ultrasound machines for the Emergency Room as well as a state-of-the-art Diagnostic Imaging Center, Cardiology Equipment, a Bedside Medicine Verification System and a Patient Bedside Monitoring & Alert system.

For further information, please visit http://winesong.org or call (707) 961-4688.