Eve's Wine 101

New Frontier Wine Company Launches Boundary-Pushing Tasting Lounge in Downtown Napa

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NAPA, Calif. (PRWEB) – New Frontier Wine Company, a collection of international wine brands made by renowned winemakers Philippe Melka, Michel Rolland, Alberto Antonini, Mayaan Koschitzky and Matt Sands, has opened the doors to its luxury tasting lounge in downtown Napa. The living-room style space and outdoor patio upend tasting room norms, eschewing a tasting bar for customized alcoves designed to inspire conversation, discovery, and connection over exceptional wines. 

A global collection of 44 brands, New Frontier Wine Co. believes in bringing together the best vineyards and winemakers to craft wines of uncommon complexity. Featuring a range of Napa Valley Cabernets, including several top-scoring wines from Beckstoffer Heritage Vineyards, each New Frontier Wine Co. bottling showcases its origins through a distinctive lens. At the tasting lounge, a wide range of international wines complement New Frontier Wine Co.’s domestic offerings, presenting options for every drinker and embodying modern hospitality.

Opened in June of 2022, the New Frontier Wine Co. tasting lounge experience layers traditional tasting flights with by-the-glass pours and distinctive side-by-side comparative tastings that highlight both esteemed and up-and-coming terroirs. Guests are welcomed to enjoy wines from well-known Napa brands including Lithology, Waypoint, Justice, and Pursuit plus exquisite Southern Hemisphere wines from Otronia and Devoción. In addition, rotating offerings highlight esteemed vineyards from traditional and up-and-coming terroirs including Patagonia Extrema, Barossa, the Russian River Valley, and Bordeaux. 

“We are a collection of real wine innovators that are serious about making wines with a sense of place,” explains Consumer Sales Manager Chris Cardoso. “We feel grateful to have a wide range of wines to satisfy almost any palate, and the ability to share new and different wines anytime our guests come in.” 

With tastings available by appointment and on a walk-in basis, the New Frontier Wine Co. tasting lounge offers modern and warm hospitality in the heart of downtown Napa. Easily accessible from many of Napa’s hottest hotels and eateries, New Frontier Wine Co.’s curated menu of wines is a natural extension of downtown Napa and offers a fresh and original tasting experience for locals and visitors alike.

The name “New Frontier” was inspired by then-candidate John F. Kennedy’s 1960 democratic nomination acceptance speech. This historic address described the dual challenges and opportunities confronting the nation and the opportunities that could be realized by confronting them. The New Frontier Wine Co. team, led by managing director and California wine industry veteran Jim Silver, draws a parallel between these ideas and the challenges – and opportunities – confronting the wine industry today. New Frontier Wine Co. approaches these challenges – such as climate change, sustainability, and new generations’ evolving attitudes toward wine – with the same optimistic ethos as Kennedy. New Frontier Wine Co. believes in utilizing technology and team work to approach the novel challenges facing the wine industry today. By combining the expertise of world-renowned winemakers and farming experts, New Frontier Wine Co. believes it can overcome these challenges and push winemaking forward to proverbial new frontiers.

“There is always challenge on the road to opportunity, and the wine business isn’t immune to that,” says New Frontier Wine Company Managing Director Jim Silver. “And we’ve arrived at a place where we can offer incredible opportunity to visitors in a single place in Napa. The diversity of our selections is remarkable. There are 40 wines by the glass, 40 wines to taste, and 40 wines to purchase by the bottle. And the experience is enhanced by the quality of the wine.”

In addition to sharing values of sustainability, collaboration, and a relentless pursuit of quality, the brands within the New Frontier Wine Co. collection share centralized ownership under global vintner and humanitarian Alejandro Bulgerhoni. This connection allows the wineries to pool their collective resources and expertise across continents, leading to the creation of exceptional wines that always over-deliver.

About Colangelo & Partners 
Colangelo & Partners specializes in premium food, wine, and spirits brands, and has long-established relationships with the key press that drive these business categories and help determine the industry leaders. Agency principals have years of experience in retail and distribution as well as communications, a rare combination that gives Colangelo & Partners invaluable insights into consumer purchasing behavior. The agency focuses on ‘closing the loop’ between creative communications programs, distribution, promotion, publicity, and the consumer in order to maximize the efficiency of its communications programs and deliver measurable results. http://www.colangelopr.com.

About New Frontier Wine Co. 
New Frontier Wine Company is a collection of 44 premier wine brands from around the world, linked by a commitment to excellence in farming and winemaking. Named for the “new frontiers” referenced by Democratic candidate John F. Kennedy in his 1965 presidential nomination speech, New Frontier Wine Co. strives to use technology and collaboration to explore both the literal and figurative frontiers in the modern wine industry. Based in the heart of downtown Napa, New Frontier Wine Co.’s flagship tasting lounge showcases some of California’s most prestigious vineyard sites to visitors daily. The collective is owned by global vintner and humanitarian Alejandro Bulgerhoni. 

NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN FOR THE 2023 INDUSTRY EXCELLENCE AWARDS PRESENTED BY BAR AND RESTAURANT EXPO

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LAS VEGAS – Nominations are now open for the second annual Industry Excellence Awards, presented by Bar & Restaurant Expo, which celebrate and support the individuals who make the independent bar and restaurant industry great. These awards honor leaders and teams for their talent, integrity and commitment to equality, sustainability, community, and culture across the industry.

Nominations will be open through Jan. 27, 2023, and winners will be announced at the 2023 Bar & Restaurant Expo on March 29, 2023. Nominations can be made at breawards.awardsplatform.com. 

2023 Nomination Categories Include:

Individual Award Nominations:

Bartender of the Year: This award is given to a bartender of exemplary performance, skill and dedication—both behind the bar and beyond it. This person has worked tirelessly to improve their bar program, bar culture, guest experience and the industry at large, serving as a positive example for other beverage professionals.

Chef of the Year: This individual sets high personal and professional standards for chefs across the industry. Chef of the Year will be awarded to someone who has dedicated themselves to culinary excellence, as well as sustainable, ethical practices and inclusive culture.

Community Leadership Award: This award is open to anyone in F&B who has demonstrated outstanding contributions and dedication to bettering their local community.

Venue Award Nominations:

Bar of the Year: Bar of the Year, awarded to a venue whose primary offering is beverage, has a unique identity and has established itself as a leader within the category. This award is given to an establishment that consistently demonstrates exceptional hospitality, creativity, training, culture and service.

Restaurant of the Year: The Restaurant of the Year has established itself as a leader in the community and has made a significant impact within the industry. This venue boasts a unique atmosphere, thoughtful F&B offerings, and a training program.

LGBTQIA+ Venue of The Year: This bar, whose primary offering is beverage, consistently delivers exceptional hospitality, creativity, and service, while championing the LGBTQIA+ community. The LGBTQIA+ Bar of the Year has a demonstrated history of supporting the queer community.

Best Hospitality Training Program: This award is given to a restaurant or bar that has prioritized hospitality and guest experience by investing in a robust onboarding and continuing education program that yields results and consistently demonstrates exceptional hospitality, creativity, culture, and service.

Bar & Restaurant has compiled separate judging panels of experts for each category, who will evaluate each submission based on several criteria to determine finalists, and ultimately the winner in each award category.

Each finalist will be awarded two Expo + Party Passes to the 2023 Bar & Restaurant Expo, as well as recognition on the Bar & Restaurant website, social media, and newsletter before and during the expo. In addition, the winners in each category will receive a beautiful custom award, one VIP ticket to the 2024 Bar & Restaurant Expo and additional media recognition on the website, social media, newsletters and more.

For more information on the 2023 Bar & Restaurant Expo, visit barandrestaurantexpo.com.

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About Bar & Restaurant Expo

Bar & Restaurant Expo, formerly known as Nightclub & Bar Show, has continued to evolve to mirror the fast-paced, trend-setting nature of the hospitality industry. The event has been providing the specific tools that bar and restaurant owners, operators, and managers need to grow their businesses, compete, and succeed in this hyper-competitive and dynamic industry. The Bar & Restaurant Group is a division of the Questex Hospitality Group which also produces Vibe Conference, World Tea Conference & Expo, and daily content on barandrestaurant.com.

About Questex
Questex helps people live better and longer. Questex brings people together in the markets that help people live better: travel, hospitality and wellness; the industries that help people live longer: life science and healthcare; and the technologies that enable and fuel these new experiences. We live in the experience economy – connecting our ecosystem through live events, surrounded by data insights and digital communities. We deliver experience and real results. It happens here.

Top 100 for the Central Coasts ONX Wines!

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Paso Robles, California – ONX Wines has scored big with Wine Enthusiast and earned a much- coveted top 100 spot! Their 2019 Noble Intrigue was added to this year’s Top 100 Cellar Selections of 2022. Each year Wine Enthusiast Magazine chooses the most age-worthy and collectable wines to grace their top 100 list. “

The 2019 Noble Intrigue is a Syrah with fruit sourced from the famed Bien Nacido Vineyard located in the Santa Maria Valley. The fruit was picked the last week of October and allowed to hang on the vine late in the season and develop rich flavors. The wine has vivid expressions of fruit and a general openess which usually takes places years before cellaring before seeing. Winemaker, Drew Nenow “To have a wine recognized to be one of the best in the world is nothing short of remarkable.”

As the winter months set in, the deep and rich flavors of Noble Intrigue spark a renewed interest in food and wine duets. ONX has partnered with Chef Rachel Ponce to style tempting pairings to entice the palate. For the 19 Noble Intrigue, she has created a Halibut Vierge recipe that is the perfect accompaniment to the wine’s approachability. To view more of Chef Rachels food and wine pairings please visit onxwines.com

The winery’s Noble Intrigue can be purchased online as well as through their ONX Collective Club. Other notable picks are their Zinfandel blend, Brash at 96 points and their Tempranillo blend, Praetorian at 94 points.

ONX Wines is a Paso Robles winery & certified sustainable farmstead with a 130-acre vineyard located in the dynamic Templeton Gap AVA. It is planted with 18 distinct varieties & numerous clones. Their wines are expressive yet balanced blends that reflect the vineyard estate and its complex alluvium soils.page1image29574160

To be considered for this honor, the wines must have been among the top-rated of those identified already as ageable Cellar Selections by our team of reviewers during the blind tastings they conducted throughout the past 12 months.” Wine Enthusiast.

onxwines.com @onxwines

Abruzzo, Italy Awarded “Wine Region of the Year” 2022 by Wine Enthusiast

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ORTONA, ITALY (PRWEB) – Ortona, Nov 11, 2022. Every year, Wine Enthusiast magazine rewards the most influential players in the Wine and Spirits industry with the Wine Star Awards throughout various categories. For “Wine Region of the Year 2022″, Abruzzo won over Marlborough, New Zealand, Southern Oregon / Rogue Valley, Oregon, Uco Valley, Argentina and SLO Coast, California, thanks mainly to their “rich tradition steeped in innovation.”

“The most recent established wineries, often started by young people who invested in the land or inherited the family business, provide a different vision, one which focuses on sustainability and a much more dynamic entrepreneurial capacity ”, stated the President of the Abruzzo wine consortium Alessandro Nicodemi, “A new generation of winemakers has also emerged in the most historical cellars changing the style and philosophy of production; for the Consortium it is an important result for the accreditation process of Abruzzo among the great Italian wine territories.”

The prestigious award has been granted for the many surprises that this territory offers, as explained by the organizers of the competition who define Abruzzo as “a hidden gem” for the most passionate oenophiles; from its unspoiled villages to its breathtaking natural landscapes, filled with waterfalls, rivers, and historic castles. The famed wine region is also quickly becoming an ambitious destination for sustainable travel, underlining a very strong link with the local culture, people, gastronomy, and music.

“We are very proud of this recognition,” continued Nicodemi, “which places our territory at the top of such a prestigious ranking. This is certainly also the result of the Abruzzo promotional work in such an important market as the US, conducted in recent years by the consortium with perseverance and determination through a dense public relations activity, incoming and promotion of the territory.”

The popularity of Abruzzo wines has grown steadily in the US market thanks to their homage to their territory: the famous and powerful red wines made with the Montepulciano d’Abruzzo grape; the great white wines made with Trebbiano Abruzzese; and, of course, the rosé Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo are increasingly gaining the attention of US consumers.

The Wine Star Awards will be presented and celebrated on January 30, 2023, in San Francisco.

About Consorzio Tutela Vini d’Abruzzo:
The Consorzio Tutela Vini d’Abruzzo (Consortium for the Protection of Wines of Abruzzo) is a non-profit association, made up of all the entities forming part of the control DOC and IGT system, which aims to protect, enhance and take care of the interests relating to the controlled designations of origin of the regional territory, activities that the Consortium carries out, day after day, with the utmost determination. That same determination which its 210 members – grape growers, winemakers and bottlers, always closely focused on quality – put into their work: from the care of the vineyard to the scrupulousness in the transformation of the grapes, diligence in aging to attention to customer requirements.


There is no region in Europe like Abruzzo where more than 30% of the territory is protected by four parks (three national and one regional) and a dozen nature reserves and protected areas. It is therefore no coincidence that the Consortium, which has been protecting one of the most authentic resources of the territory for years, has chosen the eagle as its symbol: an animal with a strong protective instinct, as tenacious as the people of Abruzzo.
For more information, visit https://www.vinidabruzzo.it/en/il-consorzio/

Abadía Retuerta, ranked number 29 in the Top 50 destinations for wine tourism

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Sardón de Duero – Abadía Retuerta is a 5-star hotel and winery, and a leading destination of experiences at the heart of the Duero Valley, near Sardón de Duero (Valladolid). The resort has recently been ranked within the top thirty destinations for wine tourism, according to the World’s Best Vineyards 2022. In this new edition, Abadía Retuerta now features at number 29, three places higher than last year, on this prestigious list: it is ranked the third-highest winery in Spain, from a total of five Spanish destinations to feature in the Top 50.

The World’s Best Vineyards is an organisation comprising over 600 wine and travel experts from all over the world, who seek to identify the very best wine tourism experiences on leading vineyards. Each year they reveal their Top 50 viticultural experiences, i.e. the best destinations for enjoying wine, learning how vines are grown and seeing how the wine is produced. They also take into account various complementary factors, such as the guided tours of the estate, the quality of the available accommodation and the excellence of the gastronomy. This year, once again, they have voted Abadía Retuerta onto their list: it is now classed within the top 30 wine tourism destinations in the whole world.

For Enrique Valero, CEO of Abadía Retuerta: “Our mission is to spark moments of joy in our guests and visitors, by showcasing the natural and historic heritage that has been passed down to us. That’s why we are truly honoured to be ranked within the Top 50 vineyards in the world: it spurs us on to improve even further, and keep flying the flag for Spanish excellence on the international stage.”

2022 has been a particularly special year for Abadía Retuerta, because this May the estate received its own Protected Designation of Origin for its wines. This seal of quality, granted by the European Union, endorses their wine as a product of guaranteed origin, quality and tradition. Furthermore, it certifies the estate’s outstanding soils: Abadía Retuerta’s wine is an authentic expression of the terroir, i.e. the area’s specific climatic and geographical traits that give rise to vines and grapes with truly unique qualities, and wine full of local personality. “Yet again, our tenacity, determination and strength has been rewarded: we have successfully revived a historic winery, following a work philosophy based on ecological viticulture and a careful study of the climate”, adds Valero.

A unique haven of experiences

Abadía Retuerta is a leading 5-star hotel and winery in the Duero Valley, less than two hours from Madrid. It is located within the stunning estate of a 12th-century monastery, originally founded by the Premonstratensian Orden in Spain.

The project’s origins are in wine, but it has now become so much more, driven by an ongoing passion to create unique and memorable experiences. The estate spans 700 hectares of land (185 of which are vineyards), with over 8,000 m2 that include spaces full of history and thirty luxurious hotel rooms (27 double rooms and three suites), with full butler service available. It offers a wide range of experiences linked to wine, gastronomy — its flagship restaurant, Refectorio, holds a Michelin Star, a Michelin Green Star and two Repsol Suns — nature, art and wellbeing, the latter of which is focused around Santuario Wellness & Spa. All of this, and much more, is why Abadía Retuerta is now considered a leading resort for luxury experiences, and one of the most sustainable hotel destinations in the world, as proven by its Green Globe certification. Furthermore, the estate’s winery, one of the most innovative in Europe, has won various prestigious international accolades; for example Wine Spectator magazine has included Abadía Retuerta within its Top 100 Wines. Also, the estate has recently been granted its own Protected Designation of Origin status.

At Abadía Retuerta, time stands still and feelings run high. The estate brings together history, gastronomy, wine, wellbeing, art and sustainability, amid truly breathtaking surroundings.

Perlises Pick – J Dusi Winery’s Positive Signs for the Future

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We all know the future is uncertain. But as wine writers, our job is primarily to not focus on the world issues of the day but to write about wine, wineries, vineyards, etc. for the devoted readers of Eve’s Wine 101.

Sometimes, though, a bit of news comes across our desks that will impact the future, maybe only in a small way, that causes us to smile.

Any regular readers of the Perlises’ articles are sure to know that we are big fans of the wines of J Dusi Winery in Paso Robles, ever since we met Janell Dusi and tasted that first vintage from her family’s historic vineyard. So we were very pleased to receive an email that read, in part:

“Historically, certain practices for wine packaging were thought to be necessary, including the use of wax or capsules on the neck of a wine bottle.

In reality, capsules and wax enclosures are purely packaging.  Although we have used these in the past to create a polished and complete package, it serves no purpose beyond the way the bottle looks. 

As we take a step forward in sustainability, starting with the 2020 Vintages we have eliminated both wax and capsules. You’ll find the vintage printed on the end of each cork. Easy to locate the vintage you want, and no more foil to cut or messy wax to deal with!”

Janell clarified that the change applies to their Paper Street label for the 2020 vintage and will impact the J Dusi label starting with the 2021 vintage. She added that “this is our first step in creating a more sustainable package for our customers, but the same quality wine inside!”

This made us very happy. Wineries that are doing their part to reduce their carbon footprint and impact on the environment should be commended and rewarded with our purchases, especially quality wineries such as J Dusi.

The other news from J Dusi was included with their Fall 2022 Club shipment. In addition to the wine, there was a nice profile of Janell’s nephew, which Janell said we could share:

“In 2002, a boy was born, beginning the 5th generation of the Dusi Family. His parents named him Dante, in honor of his great grandfather Dante Sylvester Dusi.

Dante Michael Dusi grew up in the middle of our grape growing family, deeply rooted in the wine industry. He was surrounded by vineyards, big trucks, heavy equipment, and the family businesses.

From infancy, it was grapes and trucks that Dante loved. He spent many days riding in a car seat beside his dad, Michael, in a Peterbilt truck, transporting grapes up and down the state of California. As soon as Dante’s feet could touch the pedals, he was moving semi-trucks and driving tractors.

He understood the complex logistics of the truck yard: dispatching trucks, keeping them clean, and helping the drivers park their trucks perfectly, at the end of the work day.

Throughout Dante’s childhood, he had an eye on every aspect of vineyard work. At two years old, he was already participating in harvest, picking leaves out of the freshly picked grapes. When his Auntie Nell began making wine under her own label, J Dusi, Dante helped Janell pick those grapes.

Today, Dante is nineteen years old. He has acquired skills beyond his years by working beside his grandfather, Mike. He is learning about the soil, plants, rootstock, grape varietals, as well as the care of our vines. Dante is taking classes, studying innovative techniques, hoping to drive the family farming practice forward.

Dante is a hard working young man who is proud to carry on the legacy of the Dusi family. He proudly shares his great-grandfather’s name, Dante Dusi.”

It sounds like the future of the Dusi family vineyards is in great hands. We look forward to meeting Dante Michael Dusi one day.Michael and Karen Perlis have been pursuing their passion for wine for more than 30 years. They have had the good fortune of having numerous mentors to show them the way and after a couple of decades of learning about wine, attending events, visiting wineries and vineyards, and tasting as much wine as they possibly could, they had the amazing luck to meet Eve Bushman. Michael and Karen do their best to bring as much information as possible about wine to Eve’s Wine 101 faithful readers

100 Percent Cork Launches Salon Series To Raise Awareness Of The Importance Of Sustainability

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NEW YORK (PRWEB) – 100% Cork and the Portuguese Cork Association (APCOR) launched a series of virtual educational seminars to address sustainability in the wine industry with the goal of better understanding what it means, what the challenges are, and how the industry can improve. The seminars feature leading voices from all sides of the industry, including wine producers, Masters of Wine, retailers and environmental certifications, alongside forestry and packaging experts. Discussion topics focus on the ways that sustainable practices and messaging are being implemented in the industry today, the future of sustainable forestry, the role of packaging in reducing the carbon impact of wine producers, and corporate responsibility to local communities.

“I’m excited to be working with prominent figures in wine to address some of the most pressing topics in the industry today,” noted wine writer and educator Liza Zimmerman, who is moderating the seminars. “With the launch of the salon series we will be exploring and sharing sustainable practices and innovative concepts with the entire wine community as we look to the future of wine and winemaking in the U.S. and abroad.”    

For its first seminar, 100% Cork focused on the core question – why can’t more entry-level wines be sustainable? The discussion covered consumer trends and challenges and emphasized how the industry can help support sustainability at the retail level, while also highlighting how certifications and environmentally friendly packaging choices can be presented to consumers to help them participate in sustainably focused buying choices. The four-person panel of industry experts included Dr. Stephanie Bolton of the wine certification Lodi Rules, Benjamin Neyman of Shannon Family of Wines, Sandra Taylor of Sustainable Business International and Ryan Woodhouse of K&L Wine Merchants.

The seminar can be viewed in its entirety here at the 100% Cork YouTube page.

Dr. Bolton began the discussion by speaking about Lodi Rules and its sustainable certification program, which includes more than 70 registered wineries and 64,000 acres of vineyards across California, Washington and Israel. She defined sustainability as farming in a way that is environmentally and socially responsible while also being profitable or economically viable. Dr. Bolton said that many wineries are recognizing the value in vineyard certification and are paying farmers higher prices for their grapes.

“The world is changing rapidly and we need to figure out ways to preserve our agriculture and our business,” said Benjamin Neyman, the production and procurement manager at Shannon Family in Lake County, which is certified sustainable and will become certified organic this year. He noted that sustainability is different for wineries since they have to take energy use, packaging and CO2 emissions into account. Shannon Family is taking steps to lower its carbon footprint such as reducing the weight of its glass bottles, using regenerative and recyclable materials such as cork for closures, plus operating its own fleet of trucks to have control over the end-to-end wine production process.    

According to Taylor, younger consumers are increasingly concerned about sustainability and are willing to forgo convenience to purchase products that are sustainable. Taylor, who is the president and CEO of Sustainable Business International noted that there are actually numerous sustainable wines available for less than $20 even featuring cork as a stopper. While she believes that certification seals are beneficial, she said that “there is still a lot of confusion in the marketplace about what sustainability means and what wines are indeed sustainable.”

Woodhouse, the domestic wine buyer for K&L in California, believes that one of the biggest challenges for sustainable wine is connecting practices such as renewable energy, environmentally friendly packaging materials like cork and water management to wine quality. While he thinks that work still needs to be done, he noted that certified sustainability is a huge opportunity for inexpensive wines and emerging brands.

Future 100% Cork salons will feature discussions on the importance of forests – particularly when it comes to the wine and spirits industry, why wine certifications matter in the age of climate change, and the essential role that recycling plays in sustainable wine and spirits packaging.

As sustainability becomes an increasingly important topic for the wine industry, one way it can address its carbon footprint is through the use of traditional materials such as cork. As an organic material, cork is 100% renewable and recyclable making it a small but vital piece of the sustainability equation as the industry seeks to become more environmentally friendly.    

About 100% Cork
100% Cork is an educational communications campaign about wine cork stoppers. The mission of the campaign is to provide the wine industry and consumers with the latest information and research on the benefits of natural cork. The campaign was established by the Portuguese Cork Association (APCOR) with support from the Cork Quality Council to increase awareness of the unique qualities and sustainability of natural cork.

About APCOR
Associação Portuguesa da Cortiça (APCOR) represents and promotes the Portuguese cork industry and its products. APCOR is the employers’ association of national scope, created in 1956 and is based in Santa Maria de Lamas, at the heart of the cork industry around 30 kilometers from Porto, Portugal’s second largest city. Membership of the association is open to all companies operating in the fields of production, marketing or export of cork products. The organization advocates on behalf of the Portuguese cork industry worldwide and is the driving force of an industry based on tradition, innovation and sustainability.

Grand Gold Medal says California Winery can make Italian approved Vermentino

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LODI, Calif. /PRNewswire/ — This year, family owned and operated, Peltier Winery & Vineyards in Acampo, California, sent their 2021 Vermentino ($18) to the motherland for judgment against producers of this lesser known varietal from around the world. They brought home a Grand Gold Medal, 95 points and a top 5 ranking from the competition that would make their Nonna & Nonno proud. The second Vermentino International Wine Concourse was held in Cagliari, capital of the Italian island of Sardinia, where about half of the world’s Vermentino is grown. The competition celebrates wineries working to uphold and improve high quality standards along with the best expressions of the varietal around the globe.

Two years after Peltier Winery was established in 2001, their first vintage of Vermentino was harvested from the winery location in the heart of California’s Lodi Appellation. After many years of learning the vineyard personality and experimentation in winemaking, Peltier has gained a reputation for their Vermentino both on the bulk market and in the bottle under their own Peltier brand. The varietal is known for its vibrant aromatics and refreshing, light body. The Lodi winery picks their Vermentino early and based on aromas to achieve those bright citrus notes and low sugar  for a smooth, easy drinking style that they (and their consumers) enjoy.

“Focusing on quality in the vineyard is what allows the natural characteristics of a varietal and the vineyard personality to show. It also means there’s no need for manipulation throughout the winemaking process” says proprietor and 3rd generation Lodi grower, Rodney Schatz. “It was also intriguing to take a chance on a lesser known varietal and see what we could do. We’re always trying to innovate and differentiate ourselves. The thing about taking a risk, is that whether the outcome is what you want or not, you learn something. We knew our Vermentino was good, this award tells the rest of the world!”

Rod has always been a thought leader in the industry and advocate for California growers having served as Chairman of the California Association of Winegrape Growers and President of the Lodi Winegrape Commission. When it comes to his own winery and vineyards, that same forward thinking mentality applies. Peltier was one of the first in the area to certify 100% of their vineyards sustainable by the Lodi Rules program and one of the first in the state to install a worm farm to treat the winery’s process water.

Rod’s Italian roots and the climate of the region where he and his family farm over 1,200 acres of vineyard contribute to the winery’s preference for Italian varietals including the Reserve Teroldego ($60), a bold red originally from the Alto Adige region, and the 2020 Teresa Marengo Pinot Grigio ($20) named after Rod’s Nonna, a woman who loved to feed her loved ones. However, it’s not all Italian wines at Peltier. They’re about producing high quality grapes from their estate vineyards, over-delivering on quality wine for the price point and continuously improving the process from grape to glass. Other must try wines that Peltier has gained a following for include their crisp Sauvignon Blanc ($18), a delicate, full of berry notes, barrel aged Pinot Noir ($30) and a Brut Rosé Sparkling Wine ($45) made in the Méthode Champenoise.

Medlock Ames Celebrates 20 Years of Bell Mountain Wines

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HEALDSBURG, CALIF. (PRWEB) – This year, Medlock Ames Winery is proud to celebrate the 20th anniversary of its first commercial wine from its Bell Mountain Vineyard in the Alexander Valley. To signify and commemorate two decades of trial, error, learning, and success, the winery will release the inaugural vintages of The Flag Cabernet Sauvignon and Sparkling wine while hosting a variety of events throughout the year.

Since its inception, Medlock Ames has been on a journey to make the best wine possible from Bell Mountain Vineyard on its ranch of the same name. In 1998, Medlock Ames co-founder Ames Morison discovered this special property located at the southernmost tip of the Alexander Valley, which crosses into the Russian River Valley. “The vineyard was crumbling, but all we saw was opportunity,” says Ames. “We knew this unique spot had the ability to deliver outstanding wines if we could nurse the land back to health and care for the people and animals on the land.”

Driven by a passion and clarity of vision around the great potential of Bell Mountain, Ames – a novice in the wine industry at the time – brought in world-renowned consultants to lend their expertise and collaborate on the redevelopment of the property. Ames and his team planted nine varieties on 55 acres, leaving the remaining 300 acres in their natural state in order to foster a rich ecological community. Through more than 20 years of unforeseen challenges and hard-learned lessons, Medlock Ames has grown and evolved under Ames’ leadership and commitment to the land. “Over time, I’ve learned to trust my instincts and have found that being at Bell Mountain every day is the best education,” notes Ames. “Through years of trial and error, we have gained an intimate understanding of the land and vines and now know how to coax the best from our soil and grapes.”

To commemorate over 20 years of discovering, developing and preserving Bell Mountain, Medlock Ames will release two new wines in 2022. First released as a preview in April 2022, the 2019 The Flag Cabernet Sauvignon represents the pinnacle of Bell Mountain Vineyard fruit and the promise that Ames saw in this estate over 20 years ago. Ames and winemaker Abby Watt crafted this limited production wine together from the best barrels from Medlock Ames’ Cabernet blocks. The Flag refers to the Russian River Flag, a newspaper owned and published in Healdsburg in the 1860s by Ames’ great great grandfather. At $200 a bottle, this bottling represents one of the best wines produced in Sonoma County. Also releasing in 2022 is Medlock Ames’ first sparkling wine, which incorporates fruit from the one acre of Pinot Noir that the winery grows on the cooler, Russian River Valley side of Bell Mountain Vineyard, adjacent to the block of Chardonnay that is included in the traditional champagne method style sparkler.

In addition to crafting high-quality wines, the last two decades have put Medlock Ames on a dedicated path toward sustaining and preserving Bell Mountain for the next 20 years and beyond. “Reflecting back on 20 years only makes me think about what’s ahead for the next 20,” says Ames. “In order to be a sustainable business in the future and craft outstanding wines from this site, we need to continue to pioneer more sustainable ways of farming, protect the land, nurture our people, and support our community.”

In 2021, Ames and his team began crafting and adopting a five-year strategy based on six pillars of sustainability and Medlock Ames joined the International Wineries for Climate Action. Notable sustainability initiatives at the winery include planting 1,000 feet of native hedgerows by 2023 and restoring woodland destroyed in the Kincade Fire by planting 1,000 trees by 2026.

For more information about Medlock Ames’ wines, history, new releases and upcoming celebratory events, please visit http://www.medlockames.com and follow Medlock Ames on Instagram and Facebook at @medlockames.

About Medlock Ames: Medlock Ames Winery was formed in 1998 by college best friends, Ames Morison and Chris Medlock James, whose passion for wine inspired them to leave their New York City apartment and move across the country to produce award-winning wines from Sonoma’s Bell Mountain Ranch, which straddles the Alexander Valley and Russian River Valley. The winery holds a deep commitment to preserving Bell Mountain Vineyard and its surrounding areas; co-founder Ames Morison is a vocal supporter of organic, light-touch agricultural practices and gentle winemaking techniques that reflect the purest representations of the terroir. Today, Medlock Ames specializes in Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon, which balances the old and new world in both style and technique.

France’s Rhône Valley Vineyards Shine in Sustainability Efforts Leading Up to the 2022 Harvest

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NEW YORK (PRWEB) – Inter Rhône, the organization that represents the Rhône Valley Vineyards AOCs, is pleased to share news about a new sustainability vision, as well as a set of pledges with assessment tools being put into place by the Côtes du Rhône and Côtes du Rhône Villages AOCs, as the region is looking toward the upcoming 2022 harvest season.

In view of the challenges it currently faces (climatic, environmental, societal), the Côtes du Rhône and Côtes du Rhône Villages AOCs are unveiling a series of four pledges for the future to ensure the sustainability of this dynamic and responsible wine region that is already 2,000 years old.

The four pledges address the macro challenges ahead and are officially codifying practices implemented by numerous winegrowers of the appellation over the past several years. These will ensure that the appellation can communicate on the work that is being done in the vineyards and in the wineries, both to the industry and to all Inter Rhône’s winegrowers, in order to encourage their propagation across the entire region. The vision of new sustainability pledges will include the following thematic pillars:

1. Ensuring the Transparency of Practices
The Côtes du Rhône AOC is governed by a set of specifications established by the decree of November 19, 1937. The appellation was one of the first AOCs created in France, and guaranteeing the quality and provenance of its wines is of great importance to both wineries, domaines and negociants selling around the world.

For the purposes of transparency, the Côtes du Rhône AOC will see the introduction of a guarantee stamp which is intended to ensure the traceability of the wine from the grape to the bottle. It will guarantee the quality of the product, combat counterfeiting and the usurpation of identity and origin. Each stamp will be unique and authenticates each bottle. Featuring technology that is tear-proof and forgery-proof, the new guarantee stamp will provide consumers with the confidence to select Côtes du Rhône wines anywhere new vintages can be purchased.

2. Protecting Biodiversity
Côtes du Rhône vineyards are among the world’s leaders in biodiversity, and it is Inter Rhône’s mission to ensure the natural well-being of the region for future generations. The pledge is based on the widely deployed Côtes du Rhône’s “Environmental Landscape Charter”, which was launched in the Côtes du Rhône AOC re­gion in 2014 and describes a set of best practices based on the wine producers’ voluntary commitment to improving the way they work their vineyards by using sustainable growing practices. It is part of a comprehensive approach aimed at further building the natural and built heritage of the appellation.

Another foundational guide for the winegrowers is the Côtes du Rhône AOC Strategic Environmental Action Plan, which enacted agreements with the French Observa­tory of Apidology, Regional League for the Protection of Birds, Gard Ornithological Centre, “Naturoptere” in Sarrians, and numerous wine producers, chambers of agriculture, viticultural experts, Defence and Management organizations to preserve biodiversity.

3. Respecting Terroirs and Preserving Resources
The Côtes du Rhône AOC domaines, wineries and negociants are taking the environmental issues being faced today very seriously, particularly concerning their vine-growing practices and waste reduction efforts.

With the growing number of environmental certifications becoming accessible to many small to medium winegrowers and producers, the Côtes du Rhône AOC is currently working on a guide of environmental recommendations. Currently being drafted, this guide will contain a set of recommendations intended to promote organic growing and to encourage and support changes in growing practices.

To date, at least one-third of the Côtes du Rhône AOC vineyard surface area can boast at least one or more certifications that are organic or environmentally-driven, such as: HVE (High Environmental Value), Terra Vitis and Vignerons Engagés. There is also a strong increase in the proportion of organic vineyards across the Côtes du Rhône AOC: In 2021, 12% of the harvest was certified organic, representing 13% of vineyards (8,600 hectares). The current trend is a strong increase in the number of companies converting to organic viticulture (+65% over 4 years), but also expectation of a sharp increase in the certified vineyard area for the next 2 to 3 years (the area currently ‘in conversion’ represents 50% of the area that is already certified). The significant increase in the number of Côtes du Rhône wineries and domaines converting to organic growing and the high proliferation of HVE certification attest to this long-term commitment of preservation.

4. Passing on a Legacy
Inter Rhône and its Côtes du Rhône AOCs are determined to protect the appellations’ vineyards for future generations and to communicate and transmit the richness of their heritage to the wi­dest possible audience. Utilizing the Côtes du Rhône “Environmental Lands­cape Charter” as a form of quality archi­tecture for the preser­vation of the 16 Côtes du Rhône landscape entities, vineyards and its local heritage, the mission pledges to preserve and promote the terroirs, local traditions and know-how of its people, as well as the products derived from them.

The lnstitut Rhodanien, where all of the Rhône Valley’s Research & Development takes place, has developed a new roadmap which also seeks to encourage producers to ensure the sustainability of the Côtes du Rhône vineyards and, more generally, the Rhône Valley vineyards. Its purpose is to build the future of the Rhône AOCs based on technical founda­tions.

According to Philippe Pellaton, the lnstitut Rhodanien’s President, “Societal expectations with regards to environmental issues in the vineyards, the necessary emphasis on low-residue wines, the work on the continuous adaptation of our red wines to mar­ket requirements and the clear definition of the profiles of the white and rosé wines are all areas that need to be urgently addressed and in which we need to support our producers.”

In addition to the four new sustainability pledges, Inter Rhône is also working on a number of strategic goals in 2022, including starting the process towards becoming certified sustainable (following the guidelines of ISO 26000 international standard). The organization is strongly committed to its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), with a labeling process and certification step being currently implemented. With a certified quality policy in place since 2018, Inter Rhône began steps to obtain the CSR label in January, 2021 with the mission to sustain the Rhône Valley AOCs, both environmentally and socially, focused on three concrete, measured actions covering the following pillars: 1) people are at the heart of the governance, 2) increasing the value of and promoting the AOCs in France and for export and 3) an organization that matters.

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About Inter Rhône – https://www.vins-rhone.com/en
Inter Rhône is a dynamic, deeply committed professional association representing all members of the Côtes du Rhône and Rhône Valley AOC wine industry. Founded in 1955, it coordinates the marketing and communications, business and technical activities of the following AOCs: Côtes du Rhône (Regional, Villages and Crus), Clairette de Bellegarde, Clairette de Die, Châtillon en Diois, Costières de Nîmes, Côtes du Vivarais, Coteaux de Die, Crémant de Die, Duché d’Uzès, Grignan les Adhémar, Luberon, Ventoux, Muscat de Beaumes de Venise and Rasteau sweet fortified wines, Eaux de Vie de Vin des Côtes du Rhône (or Fine des Côtes du Rhône) and Eaux de Vie de Marc des Côtes du Rhône (or Marc des Côtes du Rhône). Its activity is based on three key principles: fair representation for all professional groupings; parity between producers and négociants; and unanimity for all major decisions. Inter Rhône is both creative and accountable, standing alongside its members, supporting them and helping them in their quest to win greater recognition for Rhône Valley Vineyards wines in France and abroad.