Eve's Wine 101

HITCHING POST 2 HOSTS JIM CLENDENEN TRIBUTE DINNER FOR 110 BENEFITING SANTA BARBARA CHARITIES

by

Winemakers, Chefs, Vineyard Owners and Friends Gather to Honor the Legacy of Santa Barbara County Wines First Ambassador Raising $100,000 for Direct Relief and the Community Health Centers of the Central Coast

BUELLTON, California – On February 4, 2023, Jami and Frank Ostini of the Hitching Post 2 in Buellton, California, hosted the Jim Clendenen Tribute Dinner benefiting Direct Relief and the Community Health Centers of the Central Coast. One hundred ten guests came from distances as far away as Boston, Atlanta and Hawaii to honor Jim Clendenen, the founder and “Mind Behind” the highly acclaimed Au Bon Climat Winery located near Santa Maria, California. The event raised $100,000 at the Santa Barbara Wine Auction sponsored by the Santa Barbara Vintners Foundation, with proceeds from the dinner benefiting the two charities.

Jim Clendenen started his winery in 1982, rising in prominence locally and internationally as he aspired to emulate Burgundy’s culture and wine styles by creating unique Santa Barbara wines from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. He became an international ambassador for Santa Barbara Wines while traveling the world and returning to California to mentor the first and second-generation winemakers in Santa Barbara County. Jim befriended the best chefs and winemakers worldwide and built a wine business that sells across America and the globe – England, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Canada, Japan and Korea.  

Jim’s children have taken up the torch. Daughter Isabelle is traveling to represent Au Bon Climat at the Triangle Wine and Food Experience in North Carolina, and Knox is selling wine in Japan. Like father, like daughter, like son. The rest of Jim’s Au Bon Climat team was in the room – long-time winemaker Jim Adelman, first ABC employee cellar master Enrique Rodriguez, assistant winemaker Mark Piro, Michael Meluskey, James Sanders and Randi Chavoya. Surrounded with pictures of Jim’s life, the dinner featured a slideshow of 300 photos. Endless storytelling filled every table as Jim’s spirit lit up the room.

Stories of Jim’s 40-plus year career and how he touched thousands of lives were shared by local grape growers, winemakers and friends, including Bob and Louisa Lindquist, Doug Margarum, Paul Lato, Brian and Lisa Babcock, Chad Melville, Andrew Murray, Katy Grassini, Matt Murphy, Justin Willett, James Ontiveros, Matt Turrentine, Gary and Jeanne Newman, Chuck and Kathleen Carlson, Chris Brown, Pierre LaBarge, Coby Parker-Garcia, Gary and Teresa Burk, Jessica Gasca, Debra Eagle, Drake Whitcraft, Jessica Stolpman and Gray, Charlotte and Weston Hartley.

Other attendees of note came to pay tribute to Jim:  David & Judy Breitstein, David Fink, Bill Shea, Jay Mcinerney, Keith Pitts, Tom Black, Jimmy Davis, Blake Brown, Michael and Kathy Gordon, Bhupi Singh, Gurinder Kaur, Drs. Mark Goodman and Greg Hallert, and Jim and Jody Rea. The traveling contingent was led by Roy Yamaguchi, Chuck Furuya and Warren Shon from Hawaii, Chip Coen from Boston, Scott and Margret Dozier from Atlanta, and many others.

A spectacular five-course feast was prepared and served by the Hitching Post staff of 20 led by George Alvarado, Brad Lettau and Angel Carmona with the help of chef friends. Clark Staub of Full of Life Flatbread Los Alamos had a strikingly colorful Chicory and Citrus Salad; Roy Yamaguchi of Roy’s Restaurants of Hawaii served the pinnacle plate of Sea Bass enhanced with fresh-caught uni from Santa Barbara’s renowned fish-monger Stephanie Mutz.  Budi Kazali, formerly of the Ballard Inn, followed with a wonderfully earthy Smoked Duck Breast with Turnips and Tempura Chanterelles. 

The Hitching Post served their signature Oak-Grilled New York with Black Truffled Mashed Potatoes and finished the evening with an assortment of cheeses and small bites of sweets.

The menu was paired with ten outstanding wines poured from five-liter bottles of Au Bon Climat vintages that spanned four decades – 2020 to 1986. A team of eleven sommeliers meticulously served the wines under the leadership of fellow winemakers Bob Lindquist, Doug Margarum and Paul Lato.

The evening was a wonderful and memorable tribute to a great friend, Jim Clendenen.  And as Jim would have done himself, a generous sum was raised for charity while enjoying fine food and wine.

ABOUT HITCHING POST 2 and HITCHING POST WINES:

The Hitching Post 2 Restaurant and Hitching Post Wines offer a quintessential Santa Barbara Wine Country food and wine experience in the heart of the Santa Ynez Valley. One can enjoy traditionally made Pinot Noirs in a nearly 100-year-old wine-tasting room along with a casual high-quality BBQ lunch out back, set in a glorious outdoor setting with a mountain backdrop. In the evening, you can visit the iconic Hitching Post 2 steak house that has been a Santa Ynez Valley institution since 1986 – a restaurant where you can enjoy Central Coast oak wood BBQ’d steaks and seafood matched with Hitching Post and fine local wines from Santa Barbara County. 

This endeavor is directed by owners Frank and Jami Ostini, whose family has been central Coast oak wood BBQ leaders since 1952 with the original Hitching Post Restaurant in Casmalia. Grilling over an oak wood fire is a Central Coast tradition that goes back over 200 years to the Spanish Rancheros, a practice perfected by parents Frank and Natalie Ostini, which continues to be refined by sons Bill and Frank. Originally a beef-only restaurant, over the years, the Hitching Post cuisine has been expanded to include other proteins like quail, duck, lamb and fresh seafood items, as well as oak-grilled vegetables, including mushrooms and the signature grilled artichokes. The Hitching Post 2 buys from and supports many local farmers and fishermen and secures prime beef sourced from the heart of America’s Midwest.

Frank Ostini is a singular figure in the food and wine business as he leads both the cheffing and winemaking for Hitching Post. For Frank, the food came first, and he subsequently made wines to pair with his food. Starting in 1984, Frank began making Pinot Noir from the Santa Maria Valley and the Sta. Rita Hills to match with Hitching Post cuisine. Winemaking became an obsession and inspiration that continues to this day. Frank mentors the experienced kitchen and dining room staff, many of whom have more than 25 years with the Hitching Post. This long-standing team brings a family atmosphere that is essential to the success of the Hitching Post.

Hitching Post 2 has a long-established reputation, having received high acclaim from the Los Angeles Times, New York Times, Sunset, USA Today, and Forbes and has been showcased with Frank’s appearances on Food Network with celebrity chefs Wolfgang Puck and Bobby Flay. None of this was as consequential as Hitching Post 2 and Hitching Post Wines being featured in the 2004 Academy Award-winning film Sideways. Regardless of this international fame, the Hitching Post continues to provide high-quality, uniquely flavored foods and honest customer service in a casual, friendly atmosphere that is home to so many of its customers.  

Taste Hitching Post wines from some of the region’s best vineyards. Enjoy lunch behind the tasting room on the bank of the Santa Ynez River overlooking the glorious Santa Ynez Mountains. It is casual and easy, with high-quality food and ideal for kids and dogs. Spend the evening dining at the Hitching Post 2 for simply one of the best food and wine experiences in the Santa Ynez Valley. The Hitching Post has something special for everyone.

HITCHING POST 2

406 East Highway 246, Buellton, CA 93427

follow Hitching Post:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/HitchingPost2

Twitter: @HitchingPost2

Instagram: @hitchingpost2

For information on the Hitching Post 2 restaurant, visit:

 www.hitchingpost2.com 

UNLVino Announces Lineup for Five Events with Celebrated Grand Tasting as Finale

by

Las Vegas –  UNLVino returns, in partnership with Southern Glazer’s Wine, Spirits & Beer of Nevada and the William F. Harrah College of Hospitality, with the 49th Annual UNLVino Food and Wine Festival. With an ode to its humble roots, UNLVino continues its unique twist on the beloved event with “UNLVino Presents,” a five-part epicurean experience designed to take your taste buds on a culinary journey. Tickets are now available.

UNLVino Presents expands its Bon Vivant Dining Series to include four immersive dining experiences which feature three local chefs and their restaurants; Chef James Trees of Al Solito Posto, Chef Tal Ronnen of Crossroads and Emeril Lagasse’s Delmonico Steakhouse, as well as a final dinner at UNLV hosted by Chef Hunter Fieri, UNLV Executive Chef Mark Sandoval and hospitality students. The festival concludes with the beloved Grand Tasting. 

The festivities began in November 2022 at Al Solito Posto where Owner Chef James Trees and Executive Chef Adam Rios hosted a four course dinner with wine pairings supplied by Antinori Wine for 40 guests on their gorgeous patio.

On February 19th, the fun moves to Crossroads, the first fully “plant-based” inspired Italian/Mediterranean fine-dining restaurant on the Las Vegas Strip, where Chef Tal Ronnen will prepare a three course dinner with wine pairings from Gérard Bertrand for 50 people. Highlights from the menu include Chestnut Foie Gras, Scallop Linguine, and House Made Italian Sausage.

Chef Emeril Lagasse’s  Delmonico Steakhouse on March 6th will feature wine pairings by Domaine Serene, including their highly renowned Pinot Noir, Evenstad Reserve. This exclusive dinner for 12 will round out the selection of Southern Nevada restaurants that are featured in the 49th UNLVino Bon Vivant Dining Series. 

The Bon Vivant series concludes with a dinner and wine pairing at UNLV on April 20th, hosted by UNLV Alum Hunter Fieri and the University’s Executive Chef, Mark Sandoval. UNLV hospitality students will work alongside Hunter and Chef Sandoval to create a four course meal plated for 40 inside Hospitality Hall featuring wine pairings from Hunter Fieri’s winery, Hunt and Ryde.  

Finally, the Grand Tasting returns on April 29th from 6pm to 9pm with a guest list limited to 500 attendees. The flagship event will continue its elevated, more exclusive experience before ramping up for a historic bash in its 50th year.

Tickets for the dining series can be purchased HERE for $200 per dinner and $500 for the dinner at Delmonico. The Grand Tasting is $200 per person if purchased in advance and $250 at the door. Those who purchase a ticket for a Bon Vivant Dinner will have the opportunity to buy a discounted ticket to the Grand Tasting for $100, and those attending the dinner at Delmonico will get a complimentary ticket to the Grand Tasting. All proceeds benefit UNLV William F. Harrah College of Hospitality scholarship fund.

###

About UNLVino

From its humble beginnings inside the Southern Glazer’s Wine, Spirits warehouse, the annual UNLVino has grown into Las Vegas’ premier wine, spirits and food event, and serves as the year’s largest scholarship fundraiser for the University of Nevada, Las Vegas’ William F. Harrah College of Hospitality students. Founded in 1974 by Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits Senior Managing Director, Larry Ruvo, and former College of Hospitality dean Jerry Vallen, UNLVino began as a small wine tasting, with proceeds going to UNLV’s hospitality college fund. As UNLVino’s popularity grew, so too did its host venues, moving from the warehouse into UNLV’s Thomas and Mack Center, and eventually expanding to numerous Las Vegas resorts as fans and community sponsors took notice. Entering its 49th year, UNLVino has raised millions of dollars in scholarships and has become one of the city’s must-attend events of the year.

About Southern Glazer’s Wine, Spirits & Beer of Nevada

Southern Glazer’s Wine, Spirits & Beer of Nevada is the state’s leading beverage distribution company and a division of Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits. Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits is the world’s preeminent distributor of beverage alcohol, and proud to be a multi-generational, family-owned company. The Company has operations in 44 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and Canada. In 2022, Southern Glazer’s was listed as one of Forbes Best Employers for Diversity. In 2021, Southern Glazer’s was selected as a U.S. Best Managed Company by Deloitte Private and The Wall Street Journal, as well as named by Newsweek as a Top 100 Most Loved Workplace. Southern Glazer’s urges all retail customers and adult consumers to market, sell, serve, and enjoy its products responsibly. For more information visit www.southernglazers.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @sgwinespirits.

About UNLV’s William F. Harrah College of Hospitality

The UNLV Harrah College of Hospitality is consistently ranked as one of the top hospitality programs in the world. Studying just blocks away from the epicenter of the entertainment capital of the world, the Las Vegas Strip. UNLV hospitality students enjoy unparalleled access to hands-on, industry-relevant experience. Each year the college organizes nearly 600 internships, and welcomes more than 100 national hospitality brands to recruitment events, and pairs industry mentors with students.

LE OFF: PARIS CELEBRATES WINE AND COCKTAILS

by

Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris, due to take place from 13 to 15 February 2023, is spilling out into the capital city once again with its 3rd selection of 180 restaurants and cocktail bars for the perfect winning and dining experience. 

A SELECTION OF 180 RESTAURANTS AND COCKTAIL BARS FOR THE 3rd OFF PROGRAMME

The OFF selection for Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris 2023 has just been revealed and features 180 restaurants and cocktail bars spread across every district of the city where particular emphasis is placed on wine service and mixology.

The criteria for the latest selection run the gamut, from friendly, unique and lively venues with an eclectic wine list – featuring at list fifty wines and a great range of French wine regions – to wines by winegrowers with a clean work ethos, quality spirits, good food and the feel-good factor.

The eclectic selection – from the wine merchant serving food to the Michelin-starred restaurant – features 100 new establishments this year. It aims to provide a unique, user-friendly experience for all Epicureans and wine and spirits enthusiasts, and to celebrate Paris’ incredible range of gourmet foods.

The poster for the 3rd edition was signed by the talented illustrator and poster artist Thomas Baas, who is one of the leading names in contemporary illustration.

A VIBRANT PROGRAMME TO ROCK PARIS FROM 13 TO 15 FEBRUARY

To celebrate the incredibly talented chefs, sommeliers and mixologists, OFF restaurants and cocktail bars will be hosting exclusive wine and cocktail-focused events for three entire evenings.

So from 13 to 15 February, Paris will rock to the rhythm of wine and cocktails for enthusiasts and professionals gathered in the capital for Wine Paris et Vinexpo Paris through unique and exclusive experiences.

To whet your appetite, here is a sample of the line-up:

  • At ‘CANON D’ACHILLE’, the spotlight will be turned on women with wines by female winegrowers both by the glass and by the bottle on the wine list;
  • At ‘LA CALE’, a blind tasting with 4 blended wines (two whites, two reds) will be hosted. Whoever finds the right grape varieties will be given a complimentary glass of the wine;
  • At ‘JAJA’, special sparkling evenings will showcase ‘pét-nat’ wines, Champagne and cider;
  • At ‘GRAND CŒUR’, Magnums will be the centrepiece;
  • At ‘BON VIVANT’, there will be a tasting of skin-contact wines;
  • At ‘LE DENICHEUR’, on 13 and 14 February dinner will feature Ardèche winegrower Arnaud Prigent from Domaine Olivier De Serre;
  • At ‘FULGURANCES LA CAVE’, a themed Jura evening will revolve around traditional dishes served with 3 wines by one of the region’s producers.

A dedicated website is available: www.leoff-paris.com.

The full list of restaurants selected for OFF by WINE PARIS & VINEXPO PARIS can be found here.

All the events hosted from 13 to 15 February 2023 can be found here.

About WINE PARIS & VINEXPO PARIS
Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris is the annual event for wine and spirits professionals from around the world. Hosted in February at a key time of the year, it aims to offer a cohesive focal point for industry players centring on a comprehensive, relevant and inclusive range of products that showcases vineyard sites across the globe alongside all the French wine regions.

About VINEXPOSIUM

Vinexposium is the world’s leading organizer of wine and spirits trade events. The group boasts an extensive portfolio of iconic, high-performance events tailored to different market segments: Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris; Vinexpo America, Drinks America; Vinexpo Asia; Symposium; Vinexpo China; WBWE Amsterdam; and Vinexpo India, along with Vinexpo Explorer and Vinexpo Meetings. Vinexposium also continues to enhance its digital portal, Vinexposium Connect, the high-performance business enabler where industry members can connect 365 days a year around the world and enjoy online networking and exclusive content.

Perlises Pick: Historic Vineyard Society 2022 Newsletter

by

We’ve been fans and members of the Historic Vineyard Society for some time and are deeply appreciative of the work they do registering and preserving California’s old vineyards. You can check out their website here: www.historicvineyardsociety.org.

It is our pleasure to share with you their end-of-2022 newsletter.       

Dear friends, 

Thank you so much from all of us at HVS for another wonderful year. 2022 marked the return to a more “normal” year for us since pre-COVID, with the triumphant return of our Vineyard Tour & Dinner events at Ridge – Lytton Springs! The event included a fascinating tour of Lytton Springs and a presentation about the history of Dry Creek Valley by Ridge Vit Intern Ryan Brennan, followed by a delicious dinner by Wood Fire Smoke BBQ paired with an incredible lineup of wines from the historic vineyards of Dry Creek Valley. In case you missed it, please check out the great photos by Larry Piggins taken from the event, linked here: www.historicvineyardsociety.org/events/2022-vineyard-tour-and-dinner.

In July, HVS board members participated in an informative panel tasting with the Vitis group at UC Davis, getting to speak with the next generation of winemakers and viticulturists about the importance of historic vineyards. To close out the year, in November we had the pleasure of putting on an tasting at Compline Wine Shop in downtown Napa featuring wines from five of Napa’s historic vineyards: Haynes, Alfred Frediani, Morisoli, Brandlin Estate, and Library vineyards.   

Our online registry continues to expand, with several vineyards added this year, including Stony Hill’s 1948 Block (St. Helena), Nicolini Ranch (Lodi, planted in the 1930s), Beatty Ranch (Napa Valley, planted in the 1910s), and Cathy Corison’s Kronos Vineyard (St. Helena, planted in 1971).

We’re approaching a very exciting time as many outstanding vineyards are on the cusp of turning 50 in the next few years. As a reminder, if you see a vineyard missing from our website or information that needs to be updated, we invite you to submit the vineyard on our website www.historicvineyardsociety.org/submit-vineyard or email us at info@historicvineyardsociety.org. The registry is very much a community-supported project, and we appreciate all your support sending us vineyards to research or anything that might need to be updated online. 

As the year comes to a close, we’d like to remind you about a few ways to support Historic Vineyard Society. While we operate with as little overhead cost as possible, we do have a few expenses to keep HVS up and running, and your support is crucial in helping us continue our work toward promoting and preserving California’s oldest vineyards.  

Ways to Support HVS: HVS Annual Membership (starting at just $50/year) HVS Ah-So Wine Openers are available on our website here – a great gift for wine collectors! A One-Time Donation to HVS Do you shop on Amazon? If so, be sure to shop on Amazon Smile and choose Historic Vineyard Society to support – and a portion of your orders will be donated to HVS!  We are actively planning our event calendar for 2023 and look forward to being in touch with details as soon as plans are confirmed! As always, if you have any questions about HVS, please don’t hesitate to contact us at info@historicvineyardsociety.org. 

With gratitude,
The HVS Board of Directors

Mike Officer                                         
Bob Biale
Tegan Passalacqua                               
David Gates
Morgan Twain-Peterson                        
Mike Dildine                                   

Must! Charities Raises $2.5 million at Wine Industry Party with a Purpose

by

Paso Robles, California—Wine industry and business leaders from across the country once again came together at Must! Charities’ PURPOSE event with a shared passion to give back—and the results were astounding.

Indeed, in only its second year, PURPOSE doubled down and raised $2.5 million, far eclipsing the remarkable $1.3 million generated at last year’s inaugural event. With this latest success, PURPOSE continues to rise in the ranks of the top 15 grossing wine auctions in the United States.

The 2nd annual PURPOSE event was held at Booker Vineyard on Saturday, August 13, 2022. The overwhelming success of the event stems from how it organically originated from small vintners who harnessed the power of allocation lists. PURPOSE was an ambition of Eric Jensen, farmer-winemaker at Booker Vineyard and a founding member of Must! Charities.

Quickly becoming renowned as “the best damn party in Paso Robles,” PURPOSE is more than fine dining, luxurious auction lots and festive live performances. It is a party with a heart, dedicated to supporting critical needs in the greater San Luis Obispo County region. This year’s theme was “Let’s get uncomfortable,” prompting guests to dig deep on behalf of those in need.

“Our little community of Paso Robles continues to show why it is the hottest and most special place in the wine world,” Jensen said. “The local vintners and those who love their wines are not just in it for themselves. They are putting profits back in and building a stronger, healthier community that strives to leave no one behind.”

“Fund a Need” Nets $1.3 Million

The star of this year’s show was the “Fund a Need” lot benefitting the Vineyard Team’s Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship Fund, which provides academic opportunities to children of vineyard and winery workers. A total of $1.3 million was raised for this lot, with more than $1 million earmarked for the scholarship fund with the remainder being invested in upcoming projects at Must! Charities. Top “Fund a Need” contributors included JUSTIN Vineyard & Winery, Constellation Brands, Eric and Lisa Jensen, Doug and Sabrina Kruse, Law Estate Wines, J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines, Saxum Vineyards and Southern Glazer’s. These top bidders set the tone and energized more than 100 other people to raise their paddles in the spirit of giving.

“The hardest workers, those working amongst the vines and in the soil, are the ones who built the Paso wine region,” said Becky Gray, Executive Director of Must! Charities. “But they aren’t always the ones recognized and glamorized.  It was incredibly emotional to witness the camaraderie of the crowd to come alongside these families and create opportunities in education that they may otherwise not have.”

While Must! Charities has historically been a grassroots effort in the region, PURPOSE extends the organization’s reach by bringing local Paso Roblans and out-of-towners together. The result allows for greater reach and leverage, increasing the impact for those who need it most. The success of PURPOSE ultimately gives Must! Charities increased capacity to move the needle on social issues.

To find out more about the MUST! Charities fundraising charitable campaigns, visit mustcharities.org or call 805.226.5788. Interviews are available upon request.

Chef to the Stars joins Paso winery for an enchanted evening amidst the Vines

by

Paso Robles, California. – What makes ONX Wines, Dine in the Vines winemaker dinner the event not to miss this Summer? A celebrated Italian Chef, boutique wines, a soulful guitarist and an eclectic group of people gathered together for a magical night under the stars.

The sustainable westside winery is thrilled to host their annual Dine in the Vines event with Chef Fabrizio Giorgi this September 17th. Fabrizio hails from Northern Italy and is honored to share his love for large family meals that he learned from his Nonna. “I have had the privilege to cook for celebrities in the past like Barbra Streisand, Eddie Murphy, Randy Newman and more.”

The winery will be setting a long table amidst the vines sparking conversation and camaraderie with Winemaker, Drew Nenow and the ONX team. It will be a true farm-to-fork experience with guitarist Kenny Taylor and courses presented by the winery’s winemaking and farmstead team.

The evening’s focus will highlight local organics. It will begin a refreshing grilled peach and Ricotta bed of greens paired with ONX’s hallmark Grenache blend, Mad Crush. The second course will encompass a wild mushroom risotto with Pecorino truffle fondue and their 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon, Caliber. Rounding out the night will be the Chef’s succulent Petite Filet Mignon with heirloom carrots paired with Noble Intrigue, which received 95 points from Jeb Dunnuck. The finale will begin with a chocolate, coffee and raspberry coulis mousse with sea salt and almond brittle. With the closing course, the wine club exclusive, Black Orchid Petite Syrah will be shared as their special reserve library wine for the evening.

Chef Fabrizio comes from hosting tables of abundance and is at his happiest when he can serve large family meals sourced from local farms. To secure a ticket to this year’s Dine in the Vines please visit onxwines.com.

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

onxwines.com @onxwines

Best High-Altitude Fall/Late Summer Festivals

by

For those looking to elevate their summer/fall festival adventures – go up. High-altitude mountain festivals means iconic views, cooler temperatures and oftentimes less crowds (though you have to watch your alcohol consumption at high elevations!).

We put together a list of our favorite late summer/fall food/beverage and movie festivals that are over 8,000 feet of elevation –

Vail Wine Classic (8,150’, August 11-13): The Vail Wine Classic includes “Vail Uncorked Dinner Series” featuring five-course dinners at Vail’s top restaurants, a Somm-led “Argentine Experiences Hike” that culminates with a three-course paired lunch, a seminar about RIEDEL’s’s varietal-specific glassware, and much more. Vail Wine Classic brings master winemakers and wine enthusiasts together for an immersive three-day tasting event that includes all-inclusive tastings of diverse and distinctive wines from around the world and a-la-carte events.

Breckenridge Wine Classic (9,600’, Sept. 15-17): In addition to the iconic Grand Tasting sessions that feature hundreds of wineries, breweries, distilleries, and epicurean purveyors, the Breckenridge Wine Classic’s innovative lineup includes a “Winemaker for a Day” experience, “Wine & Wildflower Hike,” and exquisite paired dinners with some of the country’s best vintners at five standout Breckenridge restaurants, including one at the ski resort.

Vail Oktoberfest (8,150’, Sept 9-11 + Sept. 16-18): The beloved Vail Oktoberfest is a Bavarian extravaganza of competitions, costume contests, German delicacies, flowing German beer, traditional music and dance, children’s entertainment and more. This free, family-friendly event was named among the 10 greatest Oktoberfest celebrations in the U.S. by USA Today.

Telluride Film Festiva l (8,750’, Sept. 2-5) – Each Labor Day weekend, the tiny mountain village of Telluride, Colorado triples in size. Swells of passionate film enthusiasts flood the town for four days of total cinematic immersion, embarking on a viewing odyssey, blissfully spending entire days in flickering dark rooms.

Breckenridge Wine Classic Announcements

by

GOLDEN, Colo. – The Eighth Annual Breckenridge Wine Classic (September 15-17) has announced details regarding its innovative lineup including a “Winemaker for a Day” experience, “Wine & Wildflower Hike,” and exquisite paired dinners with some of the country’s best vintners at five standout Breckenridge restaurants, including one at the ski resort. Located in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, the Breckenridge Wine Classic is a three-day festival anchored by the two-day Grand Tasting, which features hundreds of wineries, breweries, distilleries, and epicurean purveyors at this ultimate food, wine and sensory destination. Tickets for the seminars and paired dinners are on sale now, while Grand Tasting tickets went on sale in April.

“The Breckenridge Wine Classic is so much more than the Grand Tasting. We develop programming that provides unprecedented access to sommeliers, winemakers, glassware experts and other industry pioneers that will help everyone from a wine novice to someone with decades of wine enthusiasm learn more about the craft,” said Breckenridge Wine Classic Festival Events and Marketing Director Kristen Horpedahl. “Where else can you play winemaker for a day for $85 or explore the Rocky Mountains with a master somm?”

All tickets can be purchased on the Breckenridge Wine Classic Eventbrite page. Experiences at the 2022 Breckenridge Wine Classic include:

Thursday, September 15: The Breckenridge Uncorked Dinner Series (prices vary) will feature five-course paired wine dinners at Breckenridge’s best restaurants including:

  • The Tour of Pinot Noir Dinner at Hearthstone Breckenridge with Copper Cane’s portfolio
  • Single Vineyard Reserve Dinner at Beaver Run Resort’s Spencer’s Lounge with Canard Vineyard
  • Wild West of Wines Dinner at Carboy Winery Breckenridge with Colorado’s own winery
  • Master Sommelier Reserve Dinner at Rootstalk Breckenridge with local Master Sommelier Sean Razee
  • Read All About It Dinner at Modis Breckenridge with Robert Craig Winery

Friday, September 16:

  • Winemaker For A Day Blending Experience ($85): Alexander Valley Vineyards hosts a blending seminar where guests are invited to taste from the barrel samples and create their own craft blend
  • Uncharted Territories Hike ($130): This guided 3-mile hike on the Burro Trail culminates in a three-course paired lunch at Cabin Juice with wines from little known regions of Australia.

Saturday, September 17:

  • Class On Glass Riedel Seminar ($125): Guests will sample wine from Riedel’s varietal-specific glasses to understand how glassware enhances the aromas and taste components.
  • Wine & Wildflower Hike ($130): This 3-mile guided hike throughout the Rocky Mountain’s wildflowers alongside Deanna Benzenberg of Michael David Winery culminates in a three-course paired lunch at Cabin Juice.
  • Giampietro’s Reserve Lunch ($99): Double the somms, double the fun. This double-trouble paired lunch features two Master Sommeliers: Sean Razee and Damon Ornowski at Giampietro Italian restaurant.

Tickets for the seminars and paired dinners start at $85, while Grand Tasting tickets start at $109.

More details regarding the seminars and events will be released closer to the festival. Volunteer applications will open in June.

###

High-resolution renderings available here.

Media interested in attending, please fill out this form.

About Breckenridge Wine Classic

The Breckenridge Wine Classic is a premier destination event where master winemakers, culinary greats, and our distinguished guests gather to play, wine, and dine in beautiful Breckenridge, Colo. Experience more than 100 food artisans, wineries, breweries, distilleries, epicurean purveyors, and locally-made products at this ultimate food and wine experience. Whether you are a full-fledged foodie or an emerging gourmand, you are sure to find more than one event to whet your appetite at the Wine Classic. There is something for everyone – from food and wine tastings, to seminars and luncheons, to outdoor adventures with food & wine influences, there are tastes and temptations at every turn. For more information, visit breckenridgewineclassic.com or follow @breckwineclassic on Instagram and @breckenridewineclassic on Facebook.

About Team Player Productions

Founded more than 25 years ago in Denver, Team Player Productions (TPP) has produced and managed more than 400 events around the country, raising more than $2 million for its various nonprofit partners. TPP has created and continues to produce beloved annual events including Vail Wine Classic, Breckenridge Wine Classic and Vail Craft Beer Classic , and adopted others, such asDenver Burger Battle and the Boulder Creek Festival. The company was also the originator of events including Taste of Fort Collins, Steamboat Wine Festival and Park City Food & Wine Classic. TPP consults and produces events for a portfolio of clients as well, such as Goose Island Beer Co., Blue Point Brewing Co., Great Divide Brewing Company, Odell Brewing Company, Red Bull, City of Centennial, Anheuser-Busch, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and City of Littleton. For more information, visit TPPEvents.com, or follow @TPPEvents on Facebook and @TeamPlayerProductions on Instagram.

La Raia in Gavi, Italy Launches Experiential “Summer Stay” Package

by

Gavi, Italy: La Raia, home to the 12-room boutique hotel “Locanda La Raia,” introduces a new experiential “summer stay” package that showcases the best of the 180-hectare estate, from meals at the in-house fine dining restaurant by Chef Tommasso Arrigoni, to tours of the biodynamic farm, Fondazione La Raia, as well as wine tastings led by the property’s sommelier.

Perfectly situated in the pastoral region of Gavi, located conveniently between Milan and Genoa, La Raia is a labor of love of the Milanese Rossi Cairo family, who transformed the lush and verdant estate and mansion into a “slow hospitality” ecosystem where sustainability, biodiversity, contemporary art, elevated regional cuisine and heartfelt hospitality meet. 

The Rossi Cairo family bought La Raia in 2003 with the aim of recovering and rejuvenating the original ecosystem through an ambitious rehabilitation project inspired by biodynamic principles. The estate includes vineyards, pastures, and chestnut, elderflower and acacia woodlands protecting numerous species of wild animals.

As part of its commitment to the surrounding environment, the biodynamic La Raia Winery produces three kinds of multi-awarded Gavi D.O.C.G. – Gavi, Gavi Riserva Vigna della Madonnina and Gavi Pisé – and two kinds of Piemonte D.O.C. Barbera. 

“The launch of the new experiential summer-stay package is rooted in our committment to offering our guests authentic experiences that get under the skin of Gavi’s local culture”, says Piero Rossi Cairo, owner of La Raia. 

The Experiential Stay Package starts at 395 euros per person, and includes:

________________________________________

Two nights with breakfast at Locanda La Raia (Guests may reserve a room category of their choosing)

Luxurious country boutique hotel with 12 rooms, each unique, furnished with 17th-19th century Piedmont pieces paired with contemporary design furniture.

________________________________________

Two tasting dinner menus at the in-house restaurant (beverages excluded)

Locanda La Raia, Gavi also has a restaurant, curated by chef Tommaso Arrigoni, who created a menu that combines Piedmontese tradition with Ligurian influences, all made with local produce from the estate’s garden, such as wines, honey, garden herbs, and Fassona meat.

________________________________________

A guided tour of the unique artworks in the permanent collection of Fondazione La Raia

For almost a decade, Fondazione La Raia has invited artists of different disciplines to take a critical look at the Gavi landscape. The artworks created on the property are permanently placed in La Raia’s vineyards and fields, examining the relationship between the land, nature, and art. 

________________________________________

Wine Tasting at La Raia winery

La Raia Winery produces three kinds of multi-awarded Gavi D.O.C.G. – Gavi, Gavi Riserva Vigna della Madonnina and Gavi Pisé – and two kinds of Piemonte D.O.C. Barbera. 

________________________________________

Additional additional benefits include afternoon tea and aperitivo, as well as access to the property’s sauna, steam bath, and heated indoor and outdoor swimming pools.

For more information about La Raia, visit www.la-raia.it/en/locanda

About La Raia: La Raia is a Demeter certified biodynamic farm located in the Piedmont region’s Gavi hills. The Rossi Cairo family bought La Raia in 2002 with the intention of restoring and valuing the original ecosystem through a massive biodynamic intervention and project. The farm and winery currently span 180 hectares of vineyards, pastures, and forest, and include a 12-room boutique hotel “Locanda La Raia,” an art foundation, and a winery where sustainability, biodiversity, locavore cuisine, and homey hospitality collide. La Raia now produces three types of multi-awarded Gavi D.O.C.G. – Gavi, Gavi Riserva Vigna della Madonnina, and Gavi Pisé – as well as two types of Piemonte D.O.C. Barbera.  

About Locanda La Raia In 2017, the Rossi Cairo Family transformed a former post station on the estate into a chic countryside retreat for the luxury traveler. The space was reimagined as a 12-room luxury boutique hotel, including ten unique guest rooms, two apartments, an estate-to-table restaurant, an indoor and outdoor pool, a spa, and a tennis court. The ‘green mansion in the Gavi hills’ was restored by the Milanese firm, demicisarchitetti, driven by the vision to create a dialogue between the inside and the outside world.

Was Eve In Lake Garda Studying Wine?

by

Did you miss me? My blogs over the past two weeks were “Vintage Eve” articles as I was in Northern Italy, namely Lake Garda where I was immersed in Garda DOC wine and education for four days. (Eddie and I chose to stay another week to explore Lake Garda.) Today, not-so-fresh from jet lag, I’m sharing with you the invitation and the schedule just to get your mouth-watering for the full story – which will be in an upcoming issue of SCV Elite Magazine. If you can’t stand the wait tune into my Instagram or Facebook for some of the story in photos. And if the teaser below is still driving you nuts, and you must know who I killed off to get this all-inclusive invitation, my email is eve@evewine101.com 

Dear Eve,

I’m reaching out on behalf of Garda Wines to invite you on an exclusive press trip to Northern Italy to discover the fresh, fun and stylish sparkling wines of DOC Garda from June 8-11, 2022.

The immersive four-day trip will take you to the hilly vineyards that cover 10 historic appellations around the southern curve of Lake Garda, the largest body of water in Italy, home to one of the world’s most famous winemaking regions boasting over 10,000 growers and 400 wineries. Through this unique experience, you will get the opportunity to deep-dive into the Garda DOC universe, with educative master class sessions, field trips to the vineyard, and mouth-watering tastings with both new and established winemakers. You will get the opportunity to discover for yourself why Garda DOC embodies the values of Lake Garda: fun, conviviality, and the uniqueness of the Italian spirit.

Please see below the itinerary for consideration. Let me know if you be interested and available. We would be thrilled to have you join the adventure!

Looking forward to hearing from you. 

2022 GARDA WINES PRESS TRIP 

An informative, industry-focused trip consisting of: 

  • A captivating deep dive into Garda’s spectacular wines and terroirs through a technical masterclass, seminar and walk around tasting.
  • Intimate visits to wineries and vineyards to meet with new and established winemakers and experience the conviviality and the uniqueness of the Italian spirit.
  • Mouth-watering tasting sessions that illustrate the uniqueness of Garda wines. 

Itinerary:

  • Tuesday, June 7, 2022: Departure from the US in the late afternoon.
  • Wednesday, June 8, 2022:
    • Arrival at Milano airport. Transfer to Bardolino, a charming village on the shore of Lake Garda in the province of Verona, where art and tradition blend with modernity.
    • Check in at Hotel Caesius Thermae&Spa resort on the lake front. Time off to relax around Lake Garda and enjoy the hot springs of hotel spa.  Welcome cocktail at night.
  • Thursday, June 9, 2022:
    • Event day at Dogana Veneta in Lazise, a famous 14th-century building in a typical Italian village directly overlooking the shores of Lago di Garda.
    • In-depth look at Garda Wines through seminar and guided masterclass focusing on Garda DOC terroirs and varietals and led by Italian Sommelier Costantino Gabardi. Walk around tasting and meeting with local producers and personalities.
    • Exclusive tour around Lake Garda on a sailing ship to get the heart of the “Garda Experience”.
  • Friday, June 10, 2022:
    • Trip to the vineyard surrounding lake Garda. Visit of typical Gardac DOC wineries. Meeting with local winemakers and tasting sessions to experience the conviviality and the uniqueness of the Italian spirit.
    • Visit and institutional Gala Dinner at Rocca Sveva, an ancient medieval borgo famous for its picturesque wine cellar and its experimental vineyard.
  • Saturday, June 11, 2022: Closing day with time to explore further the area and travel back to the US.

More Links

https://www.instagram.com/gardadocvino/

https://www.instagram.com/costantinogabardi/

https://5e10b0d72c.nxcli.net/category/eves-wine-101/

https://www.facebook.com/eve.bushman

https://www.instagram.com/evebushmaneveswine101/

eve@evewine101.com

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 (over 16k views), authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru and the Global Wine Awards. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits.