Vintage Eve Circa 5/2015: Family Winemakers, is the Hit-Maker Once Again

May 15, 2018 by evebushman Leave a Comment

I almost skipped this year’s Family Winemakers uber-large tasting as it was being held in Pomona at the Fairplex, a two-hour round-trip drive. But then I noticed that the organizers had given the press a four hour window to taste (and recover) from about 100 wineries – each serving up two or more of their latest efforts. So…I made the trek. (If you would like to skip the coverage below you can see the story in photos here.)

Tasting Full Line Ups

Ancient Peaks – Served up some lovely wines, my favorite was the Renegade blend of Syrah, Malbec and Petit Verdot and the Oyster Ridge blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec and Petite Sirah.

Carlisle Winery – Eve Wine 101 VP Michael Perlis is a fan so I have to try and get my hands on these wines whenever I can, usually over our staff lunches (thank you Michael). Today I was loving their Steiner Vineyard Gruner Veltliner, “the only Gruner made in Sonoma.” From there both the 2013 Russian River Valley Zinfandels wowed me: one from the Papera Ranch and the other from Montafi Ranch.

Carol Shelton Wines – From the 2011 Sonoma County Karma Zin, Cucamonga Valley (yes, as in Rancho Cucamonga) 2013 Monga Zin, 2013 Rockpile Sonoma County and through to the 2011 Late Harvest Sonoma County…I was in love with these Zins! They also had some fine wines from their secondary label, Wild Thing, and I especially appreciated the flavor of the Rendezvous Rose.

Clos Pepe Estate – I’m a member of the winery, but since my shipments are usually Pinot Noirs I wanted to try the latest Axis Mundi wines made from grapes outside of the estate; the Rose of Mourvedre and blend (Grenache and Syrah). Glad I didn’t miss either, and I will want them in my next shipment.

Dolin Estate – I had to turn down a wine pairing dinner with Elliott Dolin as it was in Westlake Village on a weeknight – a possible three-hour round-trip trek. I wanted to make it up by tasting them at Family Winemakers. Elliott was happy to take me through his line-up and I was especially smitten with the 2012 Malibu Estate Chardonnay and every Pinot Noir, especially the 2012 Rincon Vineyard out of the Arroyo Grande Valley.

Foxen Vineyard – Starting with lovely fruit from a 2013 Chenin Blanc from the Ernesto Wickenden Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley, I also enjoyed the 2013 Chardonnay, Block UU, Bien Nacido Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley; 2013 Pinot Noir, Santa Maria Valley; 2013 Pinot Noir John Sebastiano Vineyard, Sta. Rita Hills.

Frostwatch Vineyard and Winery – Poured and described by wine friend Michael Fraschilla I found myself totally digging every white I tried: the mostly Semillon 2013 Vice Versa, 2013 Chardonnay and their 2012 Ophira Reserve Chardonnay.

Guarachi Family Wines – I doubted that vintner Alex Guarachi would be at the table but I had to look…and was greeted instead by his latest, and very tasty, Pinot Noir: 2013 Sun Chase Vineyard from the Petaluma Gap, Sonoma Coast.

Miner Family Winery – A lovely 2013 Simpson Vineyard California Viognier tickled my fancy and 2010 The Oracle Napa Valley Bordeaux blend put me over the edge. Tasty stuff.

Pride Mountain Vineyards – A delicious 2013 Napa Valley Chardonnay was followed by a 2012 Merlot and 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, both with grapes from Napa and Sonoma Counties.

Rocca Family – Yes! I was so happy to find a new favorite Napa winery that I visited last October and even happier to discover they had new releases for me to try today! There were two Cabernet Sauvignons that were delish, but a Merlot stole the show. For some reason it make me think that even a non-Merlot fan would like it; it was ready to drink now and had very nice fruit and spice. Best Merlot at the event, IMO.

Round Pond Estate – I had visited Round Pond’s Napa tasting room in April of 2012 and at the time I was fond of the whites, today I was into the Cabernet Sauvignons. The first was a Rutherford estate and the second, a Kith and Kin, which is made from Rutherford and “neighboring appellations.”

Swanson Vineyards – Though I was hoping winemaker Chris Phelps would be there as we dined together years ago, I was equally thrilled to say hello again to his director of national sales, Shelly Eichner. I love their wines, especially the latest Alexis Cabernet Sauvignon.

Tablas Creek Vineyard – Can you ever have too many Rhônes? Never! They wowed me with every white Rhône blend, red Rhône blends and single varietals. Their 2014 Vermentino and 2012 Mourvedre were stellar.

About

Family Winemakers of California is an “organization that reflects the small producer’s point of view.” With nearly 5,300 licensed wineries in California someone needs to consistently speak for small, family wineries in the fight for more access to markets, protecting individual freedom from government over-regulation, and fostering aspirations to make the best wine. Our beginnings are humble. Family Winemakers was founded in 1990 after the wine market order extension was voted down in a true grassroots campaign. Industry growth and public policy on a myriad of issues begged for input from small producers. One man, one vote is the bedrock principle behind Family Winemakers that guides our views on legislation, regulation, litigation and business practices. We’ve spent 24 years and counting working to loosen up the post-Prohibition restrictions in California law and broaden access to domestic markets.

A list of the Pomona Participating Wineries can be downloaded here.

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

3rd Annual Masters of Taste: L.A.’s Top Tastemakers Celebrate the Finer Things On Field of the Iconic Pasadena Rose Bowl – Introducing the 2018 Masters! (Sunday, May 6th, 2018)

April 30, 2018 by evebushman Leave a Comment

Los Angeles, CA – Come celebrate and be part of the 3^rd Annual Masters of Taste, L.A.’s premier outdoor, luxury food and beverage festival that will take place on Sunday, May 6^th, 2018 from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm on the field of the iconic Pasadena Rose Bowl! (Editor’s note:$10 off when you use code EvesWine18! Yes, you can SHARE THE CODE!)

Masters of Taste 2018 will bring over 2,500 food and beverage enthusiasts together from all over Greater Los Angeles for one afternoon to celebrate this exhilarating festival, which will include the finest fare from over 40 Culinary Masters and restaurants, delectable sweets prepared by L.A.’s top Sweet Masters, top Beverage Masters who will be featuring signature handcrafted cocktail tastings from 25 spirit brands and bars, a premier 50 yard-line cocktail bar featuring top Mixologists from four of L.A.’s most distinguished drinking destinations, select wineries, local craft breweries, cold-pressed juices cold brew coffee, live entertainment and much, much more.

100% of the proceeds from Masters of Taste 2018 will directly benefit Union Station Homeless Services, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to helping homeless men, women and children rebuild their lives. Union Station is part of a premier group of human services agencies in Los Angeles County that are leading the way to end homelessness in our community. The nonprofit agency offers an array of services including street outreach, meals, shelter, housing, case management and career development. In the last two years Masters of Taste has raised nearly $1 Million in support of Union Station’s life-saving programs.

Some of this year’s Masters of Taste 2018 participating Culinary Masters and Restaurants include:

Ardour Hospitality Chef Michael Hung (Los Angeles)
Alexander’s Steakhouse Chef Travis Flood (Pasadena)
Ayara Lūk Chef Vanda Asapahu (Westchester)
Bacchus Kitchen & Eatery and Claude & Co. Chef Claud Beltran (Pasadena)
Bistro Mon Cheri Chef Kimmy Tang (Pasadena)
Bone Kettle and Komodo Chef Erwin Tjahyadi (Pasadena and Los Angeles)
Bourbon Steak Chef Kyle Johnson (Glendale)
Celestino Ristorante Chef Calogero Drago (Pasadena)
CHAYA Chef Joji Inoue (Downtown Los Angeles and Venice)
Church & State and Spring Chef Tony Esnault (Downtown Los Angeles)
Dérive Chef Shane Alvord (Pasadena)
Eat @ Rollin’ Joe’s Chef Mark Salazar (Los Angeles)
Fahrenheit LA Chef John McLellan (Los Aneles)
Garlic & Chives Chef Kristin Nguyen (Garden Grove)
Grill Em All Chef Ryan Harkins (Alhambra)
Gus’s Barbecue Chef Mike Stern (South Pasadena)
Jaffa Chef Anne Conness (Los Angeles)
Kato Chef Jonathan Yao (Los Angeles)
Li Orient Asian Bar & Restaurant and Triple 8 China Bar & Grill (Los Angeles)
Loquita Chef Peter Lee (Santa Barbara)
Lunasia Dim Sum House Chef Lee Hau Fu (Pasadena and Alhambra)
M Café Chef Atsushi Kenjo (Melrose and Beverly Hills)
Maestro Chef Elena Vega (Pasadena)
Maple at Descanso Gardens Chef Philip Mack (La Cañada Flintridge)
Mercado Chef Jose Acevedo (Hollywood, Los Angeles, Pasadena, Santa Monica)
Momed Chef Alex Sarkissian (Beverly Hills and Atwater Village)
Montrésor and The FLATS Chef Paul Shoemaker (Studio City and Beverly Hills)
Nerano Chef Michele Lisi (Beverly Hills)
Pez Cantina Chef Bret Thompson (Downtown, Los Angeles)
Poppy and Rose Chef Michael Reed (Los Angeles)
Prince of Venice Chef Alberto Bertoncin (Los Angeles)
Ramen Tatsunoya (Pasadena)
Redbird Chef Neal Fraser (Downtown Los Angeles)
Sweet Greek Chef Christina Xenos (Los Angeles)
The Bellwether Chef Ted Hopson (Studio City)
The Raymond 1886 Chef Tim Guiltinan (Pasadena)
True Food Kitchen Chef Sebastian Pfleging (Pasadena)
Wax Paper Chef Peter Lemos (Frogtown)
Wolfgang Puck Catering (Los Angeles)
World Empanadas Chef Matthew Hirtz (Burbank)

Sweet Masters: A select group of Los Angeles Top Sweet Masters will showcase an assortment of delectable desserts such as the deliciously scrumptious scratch baked custom cakes from Butter Cake Shoppe, Chocolate Stars USA, Crème Caramel, traditional and wildly creative gelato flavors from Fatamorgana Gelato, homemade premium sorbets from Helados Pops, Chocolatier to the stars Mignon Chocolate, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Porto’s Bakery, Sidecar Doughnuts, The Dolly Llama, Zooies Cookies and more.

Some of this year’s participating Beverage Masters include:

Brewmasters: Beverage Masters who specialize in barley and hops will be presenting top-notch ales, lagers, pilsners and more for guests to sample, sip and savor all throughout the event, including Southern California favorites Angel City Brewery, Brewyard Beer Company, Indie Brewing Company, Iron triangle Brewing, Lincoln Beer Company, MacLeod Ale Brewing Co., Arcadia’s first Microbrewery Mt. Lowe Brewing Co., San Fernando Brewing Co. and State Brewing Co..

Wineries: A specially curated collection of Wine Masters will be showcasing their finest varietals including premium boutique winery Ascension Cellars, Cosentino Winery, Foris Winery & Vineyards, Golden Star Vineyards & Winery, Hitching Post Winery,Y3 by Jax Vineyards, Kieu Hoang Winery, Lorimar Vineyards and Winery, Anderson Valley’s Navarro Vineyards, Roboli Family, Rutherford Ranch Winery, and Wrath Wines.

Bars & Spirits: Some of L.A.’s top bartenders and cocktail bars will be creating first-rate craft cocktails, including Ann-Marie Verdi of The Bellwether, Cameron Masden of 1886, Dan Garvin of Magnolia House, Devon Espinosa of Sunset & Vinyl, Feisser Stone of CHAYA Izakaya and world-class Barman Payman Bahmani. Top brands showcasing their finest spirits will also include American Born Moonshine, Buzzbox, Dulce Vida Tequila, SelvaRey Rum, Smirnoff Spiked Sparking Seltzer, Woodford Reserve and ZYR Russian Vodka and many more.

Non-Alcoholic Beverages: A variety of premium non-alcoholic Beverage Masters will also be on hand for those who wish to hydrate, caffeinate or regenerate, such as Bai, Boxed Water, Califia Farms Juices and Cold Brew Coffees, Dry Sparkling, Groundwork Coffee, Honeydrop Beverages, Humm Kombucha, Immordl energy elixirs, cold-pressed juices from Nekter Juice Bar and Zico Coconut Water and more.

Sponsors: Masters of Taste 2018 is made possible through the generous support of our Sponsors, which include HomeStreet Bank, Judith L Chiara Foundation, Western Asset Management, Woodford Reserve, Kaiser Permanente, US Bank, Capitol Group, Universal Studios Hollywood, Kauffman Wealth Management, Westport Construction, Bank of America, MUFG Union Bank, HKG LLP, Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP, Douglas Elliman Real Estate, Pasadena Tournament of Roses and California Linens.

Ticket Information: Masters of Taste 2018 will take place on Sunday, May 6^th, 2018. A VIP Power Hour will be held from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm and General Admission will be from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Tickets to this event are only available for guests 21+ and over. For more information on Masters of Taste 2018 or to book your tickets directly, please visit www.MastersofTasteLA.com/Tickets.

Location: Pasadena Rose Bowl – 1001 Rose Bowl Drive, Pasadena, CA 91103.

Transportation and Parking: Guests are encouraged to utilize car services – Masters of Taste 2018 Community Partner Lyft is offering (20% off rides to and from the event with this special code MOT2018), Uber, Taxi, etc. – since this event does serve alcoholic beverages. Complimentary parking is also available

2018 WINESONG ANNOUNCES DAN DUCKHORN AS HONORED VINTNER & TOM RODRIGUES AS ARTIST OF THE YEAR

April 19, 2018 by evebushman Leave a Comment

FORT BRAGG, CA – The 34^th Annual Winesong — a spectacular weekend of award winning wine, fabulous food, fine art & music, and charitable giving produced by Mendocino Coast Hospital Foundation – will take place on the Mendocino Coast on Friday, September 7 and Saturday, September 8, 2018. Winesong has just announced key honorees at this year’s event: Wine pioneer Dan Duckhorn, Founder and Board Member of Duckhorn Wine Company, has been named the 2018 Honored Vintner, and local artist, winemaker, and baseball enthusiast Tom Rodrigues has been named the 2018 Artist of the Year.

Winesong is thrilled and honored to feature two staunch supporters of its annual event. Dan Duckhorn has been supporting Winesong for over two decades in both the Grand Tasting and Live & Silent Auctions with his brands Duckhorn, Goldeneye, Migration, Paraduxx and Decoy. Tom Rodrigues has also supported Winesong for decades with his art and his wines, and this year as he celebrates 50 years as a glass artist, he was the clear choice as Artist of the Year. Both Dan and Tom have generously given of their time and talent over the years, and each has a storied career.

About Dan Duckhorn

Accomplished doesn’t begin to cover Dan Duckhorn and his illustrious career. Over the course of four decades, Dan Duckhorn has been a leader in the Napa Valley wine community. A native of northern California, Dan earned his master’s degree in business administration in 1962 from the University of California at Berkeley. Through the course of his early career, Dan held managerial positions at major companies before becoming president of Vineyard Consulting Corporation (VCC) in 1971, in what would provide a turning point in his life. After learning much about terroir and grape growing, and taking a life altering trip to France, Dan and his then wife Margaret, along with a small group of friends co-founded Duckhorn Vineyards in 1976. Dan chose Napa Valley as the ideal area for producing quality wines with depth and character. He made the pioneering decision to focus his passion and resources on the production of a world-class Napa Valley Merlot – a premium stand-alone Napa Valley Merlot.

The first Duckhorn Vineyards harvest in 1978 consisted of 1,600 cases in two bottlings. Proving Dan’s belief that great wines begin in the vineyard, 1978 turned out to be an excellent first vintage partly due to a wonderful growing season. Under Dan’s leadership the winery spent over 35 years proving that Duckhorn’s commitment to quality and excellence is real. In 1988, Dan began leading Duckhorn through a period of careful growth and worked to create an estate program bearing a continuous supply of the finest fruit. Dan also diversified Duckhorn Vineyards’ parent company, Duckhorn Wine Company, to include Paraduxx, Goldeneye, Migration and an expanded Decoy line.

Dubbed “Mr. Merlot” by Frank Prial of The New York Times, Dan is a highly respected leader in the wine industry. As to his involvement in Winesong, Dan says, “Winesong is one of the most elegant wine events of the year. It’s the marriage of some of the California’s best wines with one of the state’s most beautiful locations in support of a very worthy cause.”

About Tom Rodrigues

Tom Rodrigues is a passionate guy with a wide range of interests. While most people know Tom as the vintner at Maple Creek/ARTEVINO, Tom’s first love was art, and this year marks his 50^th year as a glass artist. He began at age fourteen as an apprentice at a stained-glass studio in his hometown of Los Gatos, California. Before graduating high school, he started his first business, Sunrise Stained Glass Studio, creating a full spectrum of commissioned glass pieces from Art Nouveau lampshades to full installations in churches and residential panels. He relocated to Marin County, opening his own studio. In 1980, he was recruited as the designer and production manager for the stained-glass studio for Skywalker Ranch, Lucas’s film complex. Perhaps his most famous painting series shows another love for America’s greatest pastime —baseball. A trunk full of baseball memorabilia from Hall of Famer Smokey Joe Wood’s son inspired a series of 30 paintings of the game’s best players. This collection was first exhibited in a first-of-its-kind performance and conceptual art show on the field of Candlestick Park in 1993, “Legends at the Stick”. This series was also featured in Sports Illustrated.

With his roots in Art Nouveau stained glass designs, designing commercial art and wine label design for wineries in the Napa Valley became the next evolution of his passion. Tom’s signature style and utilizing gold inlay in the printing process became the iconic look for the Far Niente family of wineries, including Dolce, Nickel and Nickel, EnRoute, and Bella Union. “Being named Artist of the Year was such an honor and an amazing way to celebrate 50 years of being in the business. I decided to make my commission piece – titled “The Wave” – for Winesong in stained glass, because for me that’s where it all started.”

Here’s a quick overview of highlights you can expect during Winesong Weekend –

A Pinot Noir Celebration: Meet the Winemakers

Friday, September 7, 2018 | 1 to 4 p.m.

Presented by Winesong and hosted by Little River Inn, this memorable event features Pinot Noir from renowned Anderson Valley, as well as from other wineries in Mendocino County and award-winning pinot regions. Little River Inn pairs delectable hors d’oeuvres on passed trays during this fun pinot tasting.

Wine & Food Grand Tasting in the Gardens

Saturday, September 8, 2018 | 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Wander through the lovely Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens while enjoying samplings from world-class wineries from Mendocino, Sonoma, Napa, and beyond as well as beer, spirits, and ciders; plus food bites from nearly 50 local and regional artisanal food purveyors. The tasting is accented by numerous musical groups performing a variety of styles including jazz, classical, blues, calypso and folk rock.

Silent & Live Auctions

Saturday, September 8, 2018 | SILENT: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; LIVE: 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The cornerstone of Winesong weekend is the Charity Auction, featuring both a silent and live auction. Nearly 200 lots will be on offer, featuring spectacular wines from the world’s most prestigious wine producers, rare vintages, large format bottles and special vertical and horizontal collections (including a Pahlmeyer vertical), as well as original art from acclaimed California artists and highly coveted international and domestic vacation packages, including another spectacular 10-day trip to South Africa.

Deemed America’s Best Charity Wine Event by Enobytes.com, Winesong is a must-attend event for lifestyle lovers, wine enthusiasts, and wine collectors of all levels. It’s a feel-good weekend of fun and philanthropy, and it’s on the breathtaking Mendocino Coast!

Please visit www.winesong.org for details and tickets.

Stags Leap District Winegrowers’ 20th Annual Vineyard to Vintner

April 12, 2018 by evebushman Leave a Comment

Vineyard to Vintner takes place April 27-29, 2018 in the Napa Valley

Tickets are limited and can be purchased here. Each year, member wineries of the Stags Leap District Winegrowers open their doors for this one weekend, giving visitors exclusive access to the wines, vineyards and people behind this iconic wine region. Visitors enjoy unparalleled personal, backstage access to private homes and historic wineries alike. The weekend includes exclusive dinners, private tours, barrel tastings, food pairings, music, and experiences–all set amongst the glorious vineyards and towering Palisades of the Stags Leap District.

To further support relief efforts from the recent fires, 5% of the proceeds from this year’s Saturday Open House tickets will be donated to the Napa Valley Community Foundation. Additionally, for the first time and to kick-off the Saturday festivities, there will be a Vineyard ‘Walk and Talk’ with vintner Jim Regusci to hear a firsthand account of the harrowing tales about the Napa Valley October fires and discuss vineyard management and landscape recovery.

“Vineyard to Vintner is a rare opportunity for wine enthusiasts to have VIP access to the owners, and winemakers in our iconic appellation,” said Nancy Bialek, Executive Director of Stags Leap District Winegrowers. “It’s truly an extraordinary weekend with library wine dinners, open houses, a vintner-hosted lunch, and the first taste of the critically acclaimed 2015 Cabernet Sauvignons from Stags Leap District. If you are a Cabernet fan you simply can’t miss this event.”

This year’s Vineyard to Vintner hosting wineries include Baldacci Family Vineyards, Chimney Rock Winery, Cliff Lede Vineyards, Clos Du Val, Ilsley Vineyards, Lindstrom Wines, Malk Family Vineyards, Odette Estate, Pine Ridge Vineyards, Quixote Winery, Regusci Winery, Shafer Vineyards, Silverado Vineyards, Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, Stags’ Leap Winery, Steltzner Vineyards, and Taylor Family Vineyards.

The Vineyard to Vintner weekend includes:
Exclusive Vintner-Hosted Library Wine Dinners: Friday, April 27, 2018 // 6:30PM – 10:00PM
On Friday evening, the winery owners and vintners of the Stags Leap District dig deep into their cellars to share their most cherished library wines for an intimate dining opportunity. Guests choose from among dinners at Baldacci Family Vineyards (co-hosted with Shafer Vineyards, Steltzner Vineyards, and Taylor Family Vineyards), Chimney Rock Winery (co-hosted with Ilsley Vineyards, Odette Estate and Regusci Winery), Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars (co-hosted with Clos Du Val, Lindstrom Wines, Quixote Winery and Silverado Vineyards), and Stags’ Leap Winery (co-hosted with Cliff Lede Vineyards, Malk Family Vineyards and Pine Ridge Vineyards) as four celebrated chefs create cabernet inspired menus. Each dinner is open to just 45 guests and provides an unforgettable night of world-class wines and hospitality.

The Vineyard to Vintner weekend includes:
Vineyard “Walk and Talk” with Jim Regusci: Saturday, April 28, 2018 // 9:00AM – 10:00AM
Offered for the first time, guests can join a Vineyard ‘Walk and Talk’ with vintner Jim Regusci. Hear a first-hand account of the harrowing tales about the Napa Valley October fires and see the landscape recovery as Jim gives a personal tour of his property.

Open Houses: Saturday, April 28, 2018 // 10:00AM – 4:00PM
On Saturday, individual Winery Open Houses provide back-stage access to the Association’s member wineries. Guests spend the day with vintners and winemakers at their private homes and historic wineries and enjoy special access to wines and food not available to the general public.

Vintner-Hosted Lunch and Appellation Collection Tasting: Saturday, April 29, 2018 // 11:30AM – 2:00PM
The Vineyard to Vintner weekend concludes Sunday with a vintner-hosted farm-to-table buffet lunch. Set among the sprawling ranch at Regusci Winery V2V guests also get a first “sneak peek” of the 2015 Stags Leap District Appellation Collection released in the fall.

Tickets and Additional Information
Tickets go on sale, February 14, 2018. You can find more information and purchase tickets, at http://www.stagsleapdistrict.com/V2V. Prices range from $690 for a three-day pass, to $545 for a two-day pass (Friday/Saturday), $340 for a two-day pass (Saturday/Sunday), and $195 for a Saturday single-day pass. ‘Signature Wine Weekends for Two’ packages are available for $3,399 and include two passes for all three days of the event, the limited 2015 Appellation Collection of 17 handcrafted 2015 SLD designated Cabernet Sauvignons each signed exclusively by the vintners, and one Solle two-bottle jacquard and leather embossed wine tote. More information can be found at http://www.stagsleapdistrict.com/V2V.

About Stags Leap District Winegrowers:
The Stags Leap District Winegrowers is a non-profit association of vintners and growers united by the mission of enhancing the reputation of the appellation and its wines, and sharing its quality with the wine-loving world. The SLDWA is comprised of 17 wineries and 10 grower members. Wineries include: Baldacci Family Vineyards, Chimney Rock Winery, Cliff Lede Vineyards, Clos Du Val, Ilsley Vineyards, Lindstrom Wines, Malk Family Vineyards, Odette Estate Winery, Pine Ridge Vineyards, Quixote Winery, Regusci Winery, Shafer Vineyards, Silverado Vineyards, Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, Stags’ Leap Winery, Steltzner Vineyards, and Taylor Family Vineyards. To learn more about the Stags Leap District, please visit stagsleapdistrict.com or find the Association on Facebook.com/StagsLeapDistrict, Instagram.com/StagsLeapAVA Twitter @StagsLeapAVA. #SLDV2V

Vintage Eve Circa 1/2015: What’s Happening in Our Local Bonded Winery?

March 27, 2018 by evebushman Leave a Comment

If you live anywhere in the Santa Clarita Valley, and you are into wine, you probably already know that we have a wine tasting room in downtown Newhall. You might even know that we have a licensed and bonded winery in the Valencia industrial center. But did you know that our only winery has become a home for many commercial and non-commercial wineries…many of which use our local winemakers as consultants? Maybe even up to 15 wineries?

The “unbreakable” Pulchella glasses, photo credit: Rick Lott

Yes, this is the growth that local winemakers Steve Lemley and Nate Hasper have seen since opening their TWO doors. You can taste Paso Robles wine at Pulchella Winery Thursday through Saturday evenings, and make an appointment to see the SCV Winery facility if you would like to make your own wine.

And to help you get started I asked Steve Lemley to give readers an update:

EB: Steve, please tell us a little (because I know you do a lot) about what you do at the winemaking facility.

SL: Nate and I fuel our passion and produce all of Pulchella Winery’s allocations here along with working with 15 other wineries as their consulting winemaker to produce their wine labels as well. Producing wines in small lots from fruit sourced primarily from the central coast. We are super excited to have invested in state of the art equipment, expanded the operation and opened it up to a select group of other wineries and vineyard owners who share our stylistic approach to winemaking.

EB: And do we get to taste the fruits of your effort in your Newhall tasting room? Tell us about your current releases and if club memberships are available.

SL: Absolutely! Pulchella Winery’s current releases are poured in our tasting room Thursday through Saturday from 5pm to 10pm without any appointment needed. We are currently pouring 8 wines. In spring, we will release the next allocation, which we are by far the proudest of as we have had time to focus the brand and make some really solid wines. Our wine club has recently re-opened to new members, which offers just two allocations a year, 20% off all purchases, free tastings and more. For a full list of current and upcoming wine releases, visit our website.

EB: How about a story of something funny that has happened during your years of winemaking…something wannabe winemakers might be interested in.

SL: We get asked a lot how the Westside Paso Robles, Cerro Prieto vineyard Pinot Noir named “Deadbeat”, fell into our program. In spring 2013 we took on a project with a new client and were asked to source some of the best quality Pinot Noir from the Paso Robles Willow Creek area. Making an extensive amount of Pinot Noir for clients in the past, we took the challenge and poured our hearts, souls and wallets into the project just to have the client inform us a few months later that he could not continue and would not be able to pay for any of the fruit and barrels. Given that we sourced and paid for the fruit, produced the wine and designed the barrel program for it, it only seemed right to release it under Pulchella Winery’s label and see what everyone thought. The now past client got the wine named after him and it was loved by everyone so much that it has now become a staple in our portfolio of wines.

EB: Can you give us an update on the vines you and Nate helped plant at College of the Canyons?

SL: For the last two years Nate and I have also expanded our operation to include full scale vineyard management for many of our clients. Donating our time as full time vineyard consultants for College Of The Canyons is a dream come true for us. The college shares a vision with us and the fruits of everyone’s labor is starting to take shape.

After the 50 year old zinfandel transplant project was completed, we have planted another zinfandel block and have completed the architectural design and installation of yet another Syrah block. We have had a 100% success rate with the vineyard and are very proud to have been given the freedom to establish an infrastructure that will offer a very complex curriculum of viticulture and enology in the future for COC students. We will continue to manage the project until COC has a program in place to take it over.

EB: What do you and Nate see for the future?

SL: It’s easy to increase production but we want to honor the support we have and will not increase our production so that we can offer the same quality wines year after year to everyone who supports us. We will continue to focus our brand and dedicate every waking moment to increasing the quality of our wines and the wines we produce for our clients.

Santa Clarita will soon have other very high quality brands to enjoy and we are humbled to be involved with the vision and production of them. Visit our website or come visit us in the tasting room and see what’s down our dirt road of passion.

The winery tasting room is located at: 24261 Main Street in the Old town Newhall historical district. (91321). For current tasting room hours, please call our tasting room at 661-799-wine. Closed most major holidays.

http://www.pulchellawinery.com

Customerservice@PulchellaWinery.com

Caliza Winery Celebrates 10 Years with a Look to the Future

March 8, 2018 by evebushman Leave a Comment

Paso Robles, Calif. – Celebrating 10-years of crafting estate-grown, sustainably-farmed Rhone wines, and already looking to the next 10-years is Caliza Winery. Situated in the heart of Paso Robles wine country, the small, family-owned and operated winery has big dreams for what the future holds. Including new vineyard plantings, hospitality space and a winery on their estate property just off Highway 46 West.

Nestled into the rolling hills of the Paso Robles’ AVA Willow Creek District, Caliza has become known for crafting wine with a purpose and control from vine to glass. Hands on from day one, husband and wife team, Carl and Pam Bowker don’t plan to change that aspect one bit. In fact, they look forward to bringing on new staff who, alongside the Bowkers, will welcome guests to share the wines, history and vision of Caliza Winery.

“Learning about the viticulture and winemaking process had become a passion of mine through the years and it became extra serious after a trip to Europe,” said Carl Bowker, co-owner/winemaker of Caliza Winery. “When we discovered the diverse soils, vast microclimates, and most of all the welcoming community of Paso Robles, we knew this was the place where we would start our next adventure and ultimately Caliza.”

Pam and Carl Bowker happened upon Paso Robles in 2002 as they traveled down Highway 101 towards San Diego. After a night’s rest followed by breakfast at the charming circular counter of the Paso Inn the couple was hooked. After much research, many more trips to Paso Robles, the Bowker’s purchased their first property in December of 2003. Followed by a 2004 purchase of land that is now home to the current 20-acre vineyard and tasting room site. Then, in 2006 things started to become very real as they planted their vineyard. Two years later, in late November of 2008, the doors to the Caliza tasting room opened.

Looking to the next 10 years, one main goal and vision the Bowkers have is to build. The process has begun with drafted plans that include building a new hospitality space for enhanced wine tasting and guest experiences along with construction of a winery adjacent to the current and future tasting room. Additionally, the plans include a chef’s kitchen that will allow the Bowkers to host wine dinners, provide food and wine pairing opportunities and a space to host a variety of wine club gatherings.

“We feel that being able to show guests the whole process, from vine to glass, allows them to truly understand the passion we have for crafting wines here in Paso Robles,” notes Pam Bowker, co-owner of Caliza Winery. “It has been our dream to have both of these buildings on our estate-property from day one, and we truly see this vision coming to life in the near future.”

Crafting wine in a new on-site building is only one goal the Bowkers plan to achieve within the next 10 years. The duo is also anticipating the expansion of their current 20-acre vineyard planting and possibly even add new acreage down the line. The new plantings will allow Caliza to grow their current wine production in order to meet a growing demand for current and future customers. Plus, when they plant, the Bowkers plan to add different wine grape varieties and clones (other than what is already planted) that will allow Carl to make new wines and unique blends to compliment the current Caliza portfolio.

“We are blessed with the ability to have our own property to experiment with new plantings, clones and trellising designs,” says Carl Bowker, co-owner/winemaker of Caliza Winery. “Plus, that is sort of what this whole winemaking thing is about; experimenting, taking a risk and enjoying the process along the way.”

In celebration of Caliza’s 10-year milestone, the Paso Robles winery will host a variety of events at the tasting room, the winery and even on the road throughout California. For a complete list of exciting events and celebrations head to calizawinery.com.

To get to know the small family-owned winery team and wines, visit Caliza Winery at their Tasting Room located off Anderson Road within the Willow Creek District of Paso Robles wine country Friday through Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Guests looking for a private tasting or a focused wine experience may do so by booking in advance.

“To hit this milestone and to say we are thrilled is an understatement,” mentioned Carl Bowker, co-owner/winemaker of Caliza Winery. “We are filled with much gratitude for the support from the Paso Robles community, our loyal wine club members and anyone who buys Caliza wines.”

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About Caliza Winery

Sharing a love for both wine and the Paso Robles wine region, husband and wife team, Pam and Carl Bowker, invite you to visit Caliza to taste a true dedication to estate-grown, sustainably-farmed Rhone wines and unique blends. Celebrating 10 years in 2018, Caliza’s 20-acre estate vineyard lies within the rolling hills of the Paso Robles AVA Willow Creek District. The Bowkers oversee all aspects of viticulture allowing them to meticulously control the winemaking process from vine to glass. Their small-lot wines are beautiful representations of the Paso Robles AVA – bold, expressive, elegant. Open Friday – Sunday, Caliza also offers focused tastings and appointments with advance reservations. To learn more visit calizawinery.com

Visit the Tasting Room

2570 Anderson Road

Paso Robles, CA 93446

Tasting Room Hours

Friday – Sunday: 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Monday – Thursday: by appointment

Get Social With Caliza

facebook.com/calizawinery

instagram.com/calizawinery

10-Year Hashtag: #CALIZA10

HALL WINES CABERNET COOKOFF RETURNS FOR NINTH YEAR

March 3, 2018 by evebushman 2 Comments

ST. HELENA, CALIFORNIA – HALL Napa Valley, one of the world’s most notable Cabernet Sauvignon producers, has announced plans for its ninth annual Cabernet Cookoff to return on Saturday, April 28 at HALL St. Helena. Hosted by Vintner Kathryn Hall, the annual event will feature an impressive lineup of renowned Bay Area Chef teams vying for a chance to win proceeds for a charity of their choice by participating in a food and wine pairing competition. 100% of ticket proceeds benefit Napa Valley non-profit organizations. The event includes a VIP Preview at 11 a.m. prior to the Main Event which begins at 12 p.m.

Kathyrn Hall

“This event makes a difference to so many lives,” says Vintner Kathryn Hall. “Guests come together to celebrate passion for food and wine, and in the end, local non-profits garner awareness and contributions. Everyone participating comes out a winner – it is a fun and rewarding day for all involved.”

Fifteen Chef teams are tasked to craft a seasonal small bite that they feel pairs best with HALL Coeur Cabernet Sauvignon. Guests in attendance will sample all pairings to vote on the People’s Choice Awards, and a star-studded panel of Celebrity Judges will taste to vote for the Judge’s Choice Awards. Participating teams include The Grill at Meadowood, One Market Restaurant, Charlie Palmer Steak, Goose & Gander, Paula LeDuc Catering, C Casa, Galpau Gaucho Brazilian Steakhouse, Amiee D’Maris Events, El Dorado Kitchen, Bounty Hunter Wine Bar & Smokin’ BBQ, Brix, Napa Valley Bistro, Sift and Intercontinental Mark Hopkins.

Natalie Morales, TODAY West Coast Anchor and Host of Access, has been announced as the official Emcee for the event. Morales will help wrangle in the crowd with event happenings day-of as well as help announce the winners alongside Kathryn Hall. Natalie’s new lifestyle book, At Home with Natalie: Simple Recipes for Healthy Living from My Family’s Kitchen to Yours will be released this April and will be given away to all VIP Ticket holders.

The 2018 Judging panel includes Actress Beth Behrs from the hit CBS show, 2 Broke Girls; Celebrity Chef Duff Goldman from Food Network; Bay Area Sports Hall of Famer and Former San Francisco 49ers Executive, Carmen Policy; Michelin-rated Chef, Ken Frank, La Toque, and Wine Critic Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast Magazine.

Event sponsors include Microsoft, Nixon-Peabody, My Office Products, Bright Rentals, Certified Parking Attendants, ROBB Report, Cypress Grove Cheese Company, ZICO Coconut Water, Signum Architecture, Snap Fiesta, Harvest Sanitation, Private Spring Water, Mark T. Palmer Window Services, Lux Productions, Riedel Glassware, Barbier Security and ALKAR.

Both VIP and General Admission tickets are available. VIP ticket holders will experience a Preview offering from 11a.m. to 12p.m. prior to the main event featuring the Celebrity Judges and Host Kathryn Hall sharing their philosophies on what makes a good food and wine pairing. Additionally, there will be a Silent Auction during the event where guests can bid on locally sourced items with all proceeds benefitting Napa Valley non-profits.

Saturday, April 28, 2018
VIP Preview: 11a.m. – 12p.m. $200pp

Main Event: 12p.m. – 3p.m. $125pp

HALL St. Helena

401 St. Helena Hwy. S

St. Helena, CA 94574 (707) 967-2626

TICKETS: www.hallwines.com/cabernetcookoff

The 2017 HALL Cabernet Cookoff drew more than 850 attendees for a sold-out crowd and raised $80,000 for local charities. Since inception in 2011, the HALL Cabernet Cookoff has raised $500,000 for Napa Valley charities. For more information, please visit www.hallwines.com/cabernetcookoff or via social channels using #cabernetcookoff.

HALL: The Art of Cabernet

HALL produces award-winning 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). Led by Winemaker Steve Leveque, HALL’s wine portfolio includes 19 distinctive Cabernet Sauvignon bottlings highlighting the finest vineyards and sub-appellations of the Napa Valley. 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. HALL’s 2008 ‘Kathryn Hall’ Cab earned the #2 spot in Wine Spectator’s “Top 100”. Two other bottlings, the ‘Exzellenz’ and ‘Rainin Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignons have garnered multiple 100 point ratings in recent years. For more information about HALL, please visit www.hallwines.com or by calling 707.967.2626. @hallwines #artofcabernet

SANTA LUCIA HIGHLANDS WINE ARTISANS CELEBRATE 12th ANNUAL GALA MAY 19

February 25, 2018 by evebushman Leave a Comment

MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif.—Tickets are now on sale for the Santa Lucia Highlands Wine Artisans 12^th annual Sun, Wind & Wine Gala Saturday, May 19 at Mer Soleil Winery in Monterey wine country.

The Gala celebration is a strolling wine tasting through the barrel cellar of Mer Soleil, a venue not normally open to the public. Guests enjoy limited release Santa Lucia Highland poured by the vintners themselves. Participating wineries include: August West, Belle Glos, Bernardus, Boekenoogen, Bruliam, Caraccioli Cellars, Cima Collina, Estancia, Hahn Family Wines, Hope & Grace, J. Lohr, J. McFarland, Joyce, Kosta Browne, La Rochelle, Luli, Mansfield-Dunne, Manzoni, McIntyre, Mer Soleil, Miner Family, Miura, Mooney, Morgan, Odonata, Pessagno, Pisoni Vineyards, Lucia Vineyards, Poppy, Prim Family, Puma Road, Roar, Sarah’s Vineyard, Scheid, Siduri, Smith Family, Talbott, Tantara, Testarossa, Tondre, Tudor, Twomey, Windstream, and Wrath.

Local chefs and food purveyors bring Monterey Peninsula flavor with gourmet bites from the region’s best restaurants and chefs, including Chef Matthew Bolton from The C Restaurant at the Intercontinental Monterey, Chef Soerke Peters from Basil Carmel, Chef Cal Stamenov from Bernardus Lodge, Chef Tim Wood from Carmel Valley Ranch, Emanuele Bartolini from La Balena, Tarpy’s Road House, Monterey Plaza Hotel, Jeninni Kitchen and Wine Bar and many more. Artisan food producers including Bar Cart, Chefs Palette Spice Rubs, Marich Chocolate, Schoch Dairy, Zio Brand Sausage and more. A rare, “big bottle” silent auction with exclusive winery experiences benefits a local charity, live music by SoulFoot, and other surprises will round out the day.

Mer Soleil Winery, the northernmost vineyard estate in the Highlands, is owned by the Wagner family, producers of Mer Soleil Chardonnay, Caymus and Conundrum. Mer Soleil is located at 1290 River Road, Salinas, California.

SLH Gala General Admission tickets are $120 per person available online at: https://slhgala.eventbrite.com. A limited number of Early Admission tickets are $150 per person that allow entrance at 11 a.m. to a special advance tasting and auction featuring guaranteed access to rare wines, library releases and new gems from the vintners and growers of the Santa Lucia Highlands.

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About the Santa Lucia Highlands…

The Santa Lucia Highlands is one of the crown jewels of California viticulture, growing and producing some of the state’s best cool climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The narrow 18-mile appellation encompasses 6,400 acres of prime vineyards, planted on the elevated terraces of the Santa Lucia mountain range in close proximity to nearby Monterey Bay. The region’s unique winegrowing character was recognized with official A.V.A. status in 1991. Formed in 2005, the Santa Lucia Highlands Wine Artisans is a not-for-profit association of vineyards and wineries that grow grapes in the SLH. or use the appellation’s fruit to craft their vintage releases. The group’s online home is SantaLuciaHighlands.com

Georgos Nu-Greek Wines Paired at Cafe Del Rey

February 23, 2018 by evebushman Leave a Comment

During a wonderfully paired four-course luncheon at Cafe Del Rey in Marina Del Rey, with wines from Georgos Nu-Greek Wines, we sampled the wines listed below. But before we got started we (the “we” being the #LaWineWriters group run by fellow writer Cori Solomon) reviewed the tech sheets in front of us.

About Georgos Nu-Greek Wines

Georgós (Zanganas) believes that the wines represent not only super-premium quality and flavor profiles at a value, but also a healthful choice in wine, which he calls “nu.”… wines are blended, finished and bottled at Deerfield Ranch Winery in Kenwood, Sonoma Valley…And for Georgós, the “nu” extends across the winemaking process. He explains: “We hand-pick and triple hand-sort all of our grapes to remove anything foreign—bad grapes, stems, foreign objects—’everything but the grapes.’ In the end, we only have the best quality grapes…

Robert Rex, the winemaker for Deerfield in Sonoma, is in partnership with Georgos to make the wines in Sonoma, some with 100% juice from Greece, and some blended with Sonoma grown varietals.

I had figured that it would be nearly impossible to graft the Greek varietals to our vines successfully as our terroir is completely different, for one in Greece the vineyards are completely dry farmed. I have had plenty of wines made from imported juice as well, and most if not all have been very good, so with that said, I was looking forward to the tasting.

The Wines and Menu (my tasting notes, starting with EB, follow theirs)

The wines combine “unforgettable names of the Greek island with mythology.”

Santorini, “Sophia’s Smile”: a 2016 Assyrtiko similar to a dry, crisp Sauvignon Blanc that has citrus aromas with a rich, earthy mineral character, and the acidity to stand up to meat and seafood with notes of lemon and apple. Unoaked. EB: Pale gold to hay in color, aromas of lemon-lime, pear, white peach and wet stones. On the mouth there was that lemon again, pear, mild acidity and a nice light finish. This was served with a Caesar Flat Bread that refreshed the palate and did something amazing to the wine.

Ios, “Aphrodite’s Kiss”: a 2016 Dry Rosé of Agiorgitiko (until recently the most commonly cultivated grape in Greece) that has all of the flavor of a Pinot Noir with the crispness of a Sauvignon Blanc. Fermented with skins on for 16 hours, it contains hints of apple and peach. Unoaked. EB: The color of a dark peach with aromas of rose petal and earth, followed by flavors of pink grapefruit, tart peaches, lemon and ash. This was our aperitif wine! Worked well!

Mykonos, “Wine of Hercules”: a 2013 vintage Agiorgitiko in the Pinot Noir style that is both light and delicate yet flavor-forward in a Burgundy tradition, with a nose of strawberry patch, a touch of allspice, pepper and sandalwood. Earthy flavors include maitake with a pleasant and multi-layered finish offering faint notes of licorice. EB: Very dark red with a brown edge, indicative of a heavier style wine other than a Pinot, and/or an aged wine. This means nothing compared to aroma and flavor, just an observation. But, then again, maybe it did matter as I got aromas of ripe black cherry, dark chocolate, dust and earth. But what fun I had when I tasted it and got that tart red cherry, raisin and a very dry finish. So the aromas spelled something else to me, but the taste was more Pinot Noir-like. We had this with an amazing dish of Seared Scallop, with tomato aguadulce, and butternut squash!

Ithaka, “Penelope’s Spell”: a 2014 blend of California Cabernet and Old World grapes that is dry and big, yet gentle for a Cabernet. It’s perfectly balanced and delicious. The nose is a true Cabernet, offering bits of leather, currants, and blackberries. EB: The label reads Cab and nothing else so that tells me it’s at least 75% Cab. The color was a deep red, aromas of crushed blueberry, stems, chocolate covered cherries and a bit of mushroom. On the palate I noted big red to black fruit, firm tannins and a long finish. This was served alongside lovely NZ Lamb Lollies with polenta, Brussels sprouts and coffee currant sauce.

Corfu, “Siren’s Lure”: Georgós third vintage, 2014 Cabernet blend aged a year in the barrel, where Cabernet Sauvignon forms the base, Cabernet Franc gives lift, Malbec adds allure, and Merlot adds enchantment. EB: This would prove to be my favorite wine of the tasting. The label didn’t give the percentage of Greek juice in this wine. A deep purple in color, and a nose of a Bordeaux blend with notes of blueberry, blackberry, violets and bark. It had a nice mouth coating viscosity, with that same blue and black fruit, medium acid and extremely well balanced. The prices for these wines were $18 to $35 I guessed this one to be the $35 bottle, if not, it should be. With the pairing, mouthwatering Kobe Bolognese with tomato, onion and penne, a sweetness to the wine came forward.

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

The International Rhône Wine Community will Unite In Paso Robles Wine Country this April

February 22, 2018 by evebushman Leave a Comment

Hospice du Rhône’s bi-annual conference creates the largest gathering of Rhône wines on the planet

San Luis Obispo, Calif. USA— Hospice du Rhône®, an international wine organization based in San Luis Obispo, California, will host their bi-annual Paso Robles conference April 26 -28, 2018 at the Paso Robles Event Center. Uniting the world-wide Rhône wine community, the three-day wine event will gather attendees for a weekend complete with in-depth educational seminars, tastings exploring global Rhône wines, carefully curated meals and so much more.

Through the years, Hospice du Rhône has played host to a diverse set of international Rhône personalities, tasted attendees on Rhône wines found only at the Paso Robles conference and has been the launching platform for many Rhône focused wineries. The 2018 event will continue this tradition by uniting an international group of winemakers, importers, enthusiasts, sommeliers and media who all share a passion for the twenty-two Rhône varieties.

The 2018 Seminar Series will once again gather Rhône winemakers and winegrowers alike to take the stage to discuss all things Rhône wine. Starting off the series will be a lively look, and taste, into the South African Cinsault renaissance. Presenting a collection of wines that will deliciously illustrate this Cinsault phenomenon will be Ryan Mostert of Silwervis, Andrea Mullineux of Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines, Tremayne Smith of The Blacksmith and Danie Steytler of Kaapzicht Wine Estate. Moderated by Lauren Buzzeo of Wine Enthusiast Magazine.

Digging deep into the historic soils of the Hoffmann Vineyard, planted in the 1880s, within the Barossa Valley in Australia will be four dynamic winemakers and one sixth generation farmer. Examining cultural history and how winemakers interpret fruit from the same vines will be Adrian Hoffmann of Hoffman Vineyard, Paul Heinecke of Soul Growers, Russell Johnstone of RBJ Vintners, Chris Ringland of North Barossa Vintners Collaboration and Michael Twelftree of Two Hands Winery & Twelftree, along with moderator Chuck Hayward of Vinroads.

Adding to the docket will be an in-depth look into the fascinating history of California Rhône vineyards dating back to the 1880s. Sharing Rhône wines from a variety of historic California vineyards, insight and stories of the past will be presenters Morgan Twain-Peterson, MW of Bedrock Wine Company and Tegan Passalacqua of Sandlands and Turley Wine Cellars. Moderating this look at the past will be John Alban, Founder of Hospice du Rhône and Alban Vineyards.

Making the trip from the Rhône Valley to close out the 2018 Paso Robles Seminar Series will be the ever-gracious and talented Philippe Guigal of E. Guigal. Guests will experience the magic of Philippe, his wines and his family’s history as they taste through wines from one of the greatest wine estates in the world.

The journey continues with over 130 global Rhône wine producers sharing their wines at both the Opening and the Closing tastings. The Opening Tasting will focus on Rhône wines from the 2012 vintage and older where the Closing Tasting will feature Rhône variety wines from the 2012 vintage and newer. This tasting format allows guests a two-day opportunity to taste how gracefully the producers’ wines age and what to expect in the future. A list of all attending Rhône wine producers and importers may be found on the organizations website.

This Rhônely installment would not be complete without exquisite culinary comrades taking to the stove. Guests will delight in cuisine from Chef John Toulze of the girl & the fig of Sonoma at an invite-only welcome reception, the refreshing fare of Chef Nick Nolan of Society Cuisine of Paso Robles for the Rosé Lunch, and the talented Chef Spencer Johnston of Danior Kitchen Catering from San Luis Obispo at the Saturday Farewell Dinner.

This bi-annual conference could not be made possible without the generosity of sponsors. Supporting the 2018 Paso Robles gathering is Cadus Tonnellerie France, Clever Concepts, Farm Credit West, FedEx, Fiji Water, J&L Wines, Pack n’ Ship Direct, Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance, Poor Richard’s Press, Riedel, The SOMM Journal, Scott Laboratories, Sunridge Nurseries, Taylor Rental Party Plus, the girl & the fig, The Tasting Panel, Travel Paso Robles, Umpqua Bank, Wine & Spirits Magazine and Wine Country this Month.

Attendees should gear up for a weekend of serious Rhône wine fun brimming with all things Rhône. From weekend passes to individual tickets, guests can purchase the option that best fits their schedule. Passes for the Paso Robles conference April 26 – 28, 2018 at the Paso Robles Event Center begin at $100 and are now on sale. To purchase passes and to learn more visit www.hospicedurhone.org.

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About Hospice du Rhône®

Hospice du Rhône® (HdR), located in San Luis Obispo, California, operates as a non-profit business league with the specific purpose of improving the business conditions of grape growers and wine producers of Rhône variety wines and grapes throughout the world. An international vintners’ association, they provide promotional and educational opportunities to the wine industry, trade and Rhône enthusiasts. Hospice du Rhône is not affiliated with any other charitable organizations and is a non-profit 501 (c) (6) Business League.

Get Social with Hospice du Rhône

Facebook.com/HospiceduRhoneIntl

Instagram.com/HospiceduRhone

Official Event Hashtag: #hdrpaso