WTSO Discusses the Coronavirus Pandemic and Status of the Wine Industry

May 18, 2020 by evebushman

PENNSAUKEN, N.J. (PRWEB) – The COVID-19 pandemic has posed many uncertainties in a variety of industries around the world, including the wine community. The creation, sourcing, and distribution processes that go behind every bottle of wine are now compromised due to delays and limitations in the best interest of global safety.

WTSO, a leading online wine shop, has remained open during this time not only to sustain and uphold the business, but to give customers access to wine that it may not be safe for them to get otherwise. In the interest of transparency, WTSO and COO Justin Kite want to communicate with customers about how they are handling the issue and how the Coronavirus is affecting the world of wine.

When asked how the wine industry is changing amid the virus, Kite noted, “Wineries that rely on direct sales through their tasting room or restaurant sales as a major source of revenue have been severely negatively impacted. I’m sure they are now trying to increase their revenue channels of direct-to-consumer shipping and distribution to retailers if possible.”

Ultimately, the United States is in somewhat of a waiting game when it comes to wine. The industry heavily relies on events; and with wineries closing and events being cancelled, it is more difficult to uphold the community. However, wine sales themselves will most likely not be struggling — many retailers are switching to online platforms and delivery, making it easier for enthusiasts to still enjoy different wines from home.

As an exclusively-online wine store, WTSO has been shipping wine to customers for almost 14 years. During this uncertain time, they are taking precautions to ensure cleanliness and health. “We developed and launched our current plan of action on March 15. All office employees were sent home to work remotely. Strict guidelines were put in place for all logistics and fulfillment employees that were still reporting for work,” Kite said, when asked about how WTSO is handling the situation. “We utilized a secondary facility normally used for storage to run parallel with our main facility. This allowed us to split the work staff in half in each location to allow for better distancing. All employees are given protective masks and gloves and everyone in each facility is required to wear them at all times. All work areas and machinery are disinfected multiple times throughout the day, and a cleaning crew is brought in each night for a thorough cleaning.”

Due to the high volume of online orders, shipping may be delayed during this time. However, WTSO is still prioritizing quick delivery and free shipping options to support customers and friends who are looking to buy wine online.

Ultimately, Kite adds, “The health and safety of our employees is our greatest concern…Thus far we have been extremely fortunate that no one has been ill in either location. If that was to happen, the entire facility would be shut down and any worker there would be subject to quarantine for the requisite amount of time.”

While the future of the industry is not clear, WTSO is making the efforts to keep momentum going this trying time and provide online customers with the affordable bottles they’re looking for.

For more information about WTSO and their offerings, please visit wtso.com or call the Customer Service team at 866-957-2795.

Support Local Restaurants and Wineries – That Have Supported the Local Community

May 8, 2020 by evebushman

People that know me for the events I’ve worked on know that I have a couple of pet peeves that I make pretty clear to organizers before I’ll consider getting involved. The first is the pay-to-play event where the restaurant or winery is not only asked to donate food/wine and their personnel, they are also asked to pay for the privilege. Really? I don’t work on those.

Shannon Mee, Eve, Simon Mee. The Mees own Egg Plantation and Newhall Refinery.

The second pet peeve are the non-profit events where the organizers (and/or volunteers working for them) recruit wineries and restaurants and yet don’t “return the favor” by buying wine from the wineries, or dining in said restaurants.

I think both practices are pretty shameful. Today I’ll tackle how to rectify the latter issue, and how we can support our local community by dining out and buying wine now.

In this time of the Coronavirus I’ve made lists of all of the restaurants that have remained open that have donated to any of the events I’ve worked on or promoted. It was always appropriate to pay them back before, and to me, even more so now. So below you will find several lists of Santa Clarita businesses that have given their food or wine away to our non-profits for free.

At press time, this is a list of the restaurants on the FeedSCV website offering Drive-Thru/take Out. From this list I’ve selected the ones (and some I’ve added) that have supported the SCV by way of an event or other means (food for students) and if my memory serves me correctly they include:

Double Trouble Wine Room, Egg Plantation, Newhall Refinery, Gyu-Kaku, Honu Coffee, Jill’s Cake Creations, Lazy Dog Restaurant and Bar, Lucille’s Smokehouse Bar-B-Que, Marston’s Restaurant, Nealie’s Skillet, Newhall Press Room, Old Town Junction, Olive Terrace Bar and Grill, Route 66 Classic Grill, Salt Creek Grille, The Local Pub and Grill, The Social, Wolf Creek Brewery, Wolf Creek Restaurant, Alchemy, Solita Tacos and Margaritas.

Other restaurants that I’m not sure (again at press time) if they are open, but we may be able to buy gift cards from to support them now, and/or dine in them once the re-open. These include Greater Pacific in the Hyatt, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Smokehouse on Main, Claim Jumper, Red Lobster, Brewery Draconum, DeRobertis Family Artisan Cheeses (offers classes), Clarice’s Cake and Candy Supplies and Jersey Mike’s.

Local wineries (again some may be open for curbside service so check with them first) that have participated in non-profit events include Pulchella Winery, Parhelion Cellars, Entourage by Two Papas, Due Nasi, Pagter Brothers, Hoi Polloi Winery (Pagter and Hoi Polloi share the Double Trouble Wine Room on Main Street in downtown Newhall), Golden Star Vineyards, Alonso Family Vineyards (at Le Chene), Stephen Hemmert Wines, Reyes Winery and Agua Dulce Winery.

For me, to date, I’ve purchased from Newhall Press Room (dinner and groceries), Salt Creek Grille (dinner and wine), Egg Plantation (lunch and groceries), Route 66 Classic Grill (dinner and cocktails to go), The Social (dinner and cocktails to go), Olive Terrace Bar and Grill (dinner and wine to go), Wolf Creek Restaurant (dinner and wine to go), Parhelion Cellars (free no-touch delivery and discounted wine) and Pulchella Winery (club wine delivered). I have many more to go. (Note: When I’ve shared photos on social media there is usually one or more comments regarding other restaurants people want me to visit. Nothing against those, we all have our reasons to support different local businesses, but I have my way and you may have yours. Doesn’t make either wrong! Support local is good any way that you do it, just do it.)

The events that come to mind when I made these lists are food and wine centric. These include my own Cocktails on the Roof and Wine on the Roof as well as other big non-profit events like our Taste of the Town, Vine 2 Wine, The Wine Affair, Sunset in the Vineyard and the SCV Charity Chili Cook Off – and I’m sure there are others I haven’t thought of.

So if you have attended a food or wine event in this town, please take a moment to think of the wines and dishes you’ve enjoyed, and make your own list. Those in the service industry need our support now more than ever. And if you happen to be reading this in another community, I challenge you to seek out and patronize the restaurants and wineries that have supported your town as well. And then keep up the habit!

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.

Downtown Newhall’s Latest Wine Bar, Newhall Press Room, Achieves Prestigious Wine Award

August 12, 2019 by evebushman

Newhall Press Room Receives The Wine Spectator Award Of Excellence – The Only Santa Clarita Valley Restaurant Awarded With This Distinction

SANTA CLARITA VALLEY – Downtown Newhall’s brightest new star, the Newhall Press Room wine bar and restaurant, was recently presented with a very enviable honor: Wine Spectator magazine’s Award of Excellence. The Press Room is the only restaurant in the entire Santa Clarita Valley that has been given this award for 2019.

According to the Wine Spectator magazine, “The Award of Excellence recognizes restaurants whose wine lists feature a well-chosen assortment of quality producers along with a thematic match to the menu in both price and style. Ranging in size from 90 selections to several hundred, these lists are well-focused and tend to emphasize discovery.”

The latest wine bar to open in downtown Newhall, The Press Room is known for its wine list – with over 100 wines on the menu and an inventory that currently has over 1,100 bottles. Wine lovers and aficionados alike appreciate the selection, a living and breathing entity as wine itself is often described, and current California wines on the list include varietals from Nickel & Nickel, Caymus, Leonetti, Oberon, Switchback Ridge, Sojourn, Opolo, Sextant and many more wines from around the globe including the new 2016 Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia, a Tuscan wine recently awarded 100 points.

One cannot live on wine alone and the Press Room rounds out their menu with popular small and large plates including building your own cheese and charcuterie boards, steaks and house-made pasta. Wine education, live music, special events, weekend brunch, Happy Hour and $7 wines by the glass every Sunday keep guests coming back.

Read more about the award and Newhall Press Room online or in the current issue of Wine Spectator. The Press Room is located in Downtown Newhall at 24257 Main Street and can be reached at 661-753-3454.

https://www.newhallpressroom.com/

https://restaurants.winespectator.com/restaurant/5282/newhall-press-room

May is Michigan Wine Month

March 19, 2018 by evebushman

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (PRWEB) – In celebration of Michigan Wine Month, vino lovers are invited to enjoy Traverse City Uncorked throughout the entire month of May. The festivities include complimentary wine tastings, discounted lodging packages, winery events and sipping souvenirs for participants.

Traverse City Uncorked is a month-long promotion of the premier grape-growing region in Northwest Michigan. The region’s two peninsulas, Leelanau and Old Mission, are both designated as American Viticultural Areas (AVA) with diverse microclimates uniquely suited for a variety of wine grapes. Together, the 35 wineries throughout the peninsulas make up Traverse Wine Coast. Among their internationally acclaimed varietals are Riesling, Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc.

Traverse City Tourism, the region’s official Destination Marketing Organization, partners with Traverse Wine Coast for 31 days of celebration. Trevor Tkach, President and CEO of Traverse City Tourism, says the wineries are key in making Traverse City a pretty great place. “We have a fantastic wine region that stands out among other regions across the country, not only for the high-quality wines we are producing here, but also for everything else that goes with it – a beautiful region, one of the top foodie towns and our outdoor recreation.”

Participants of Traverse City Uncorked will also enjoy the regional marks of spring, namely the millions of cherry blossoms that make Traverse City the Cherry Capital of the World (you can celebrate the 2018 National Cherry Festival June 30 – July 7). Culinary enthusiasts and foragers will enjoy May’s wild morels and leeks, plus the downtown restaurants that daily harvest and transform their seasonal finds.

Special events throughout Traverse City Uncorked include Spring Sip & Savor on Leelanau Peninsula (May 5-6) as well as Blossom Day on Old Mission Peninsula (May 19), both offering food and wine tastings at the wineries. Small Plates, a progressive dinner with Leelanau winemakers, takes place along the Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail (May 31), while Sips n’ Giggles offers a live comedy show pairing (May 19). For a complete list of Traverse City Uncorked events and lodging packages, pour a glass and visit traversecityuncorked.com. Clink!

The All-Events Column

February 9, 2018 by evebushman

I used to do a round up of upcoming events, ones that I’ve been to and some that were new to me, nearly every year. Not sure why I stopped but, honestly, my wine world has grown so much – with more events than even I can ever go to – I think I just got busy! Let’s rectify that today. These are events coming up that you may just want your own “taste” of:

better horizonal view newhall refinery valentine

“The Cellar” is transformed into this romantic setting for Newhall Refinery’s Valentine’s Day Dinner.

Valentine’s Day Dinner at Newhall Refinery 2/14: Once again Chef Dustin Boole is creating a 4 Course dinner, accompanied by a Beer or Wine Flight, Candlelight, Live Music, and Complimentary Valet. $195 Per Couple. Menu and wines can be seen here in the discussion portion of the event page on Facebook. This is their third year I believe and our favorite.

Lodi in Los Angeles in Marina Del Rey 2/21: wineLA has teamed up with LoCA – The Wines of Lodi, California to showcase some of the best wines, wineries, and winegrowers of Wine Enthusiast Magazine’s 2015 Wine Region of the Year. Held at the Marina City Club in Marina del Rey, this event will feature a wide variety of wines to taste, and a large assortment of foods to pair with! See many more events and classes on their website here: http://www.winela.com/

World of Pinot Noir in Santa Barbara March 2-3: The annual World of Pinot Noir event gathers the planet’s foremost Pinot Noir wineries and winemakers, renowned chefs, sommeliers and leading wine scholars in a weekend-long seaside celebration of this delicious and storied wine.

Family Winemakers in Pasadena March 17: The Saturday tasting is a one day event of award-winning small, family-owned wineries that create wines from many of the state’s fabled wine growing regions. Imagine the opportunity to taste over 500 wines offered by over 125 wineries. You’ll find upwards of 40 different varietals or blends from 60 of California’s famed appellations. If you can’t get to the wine country let them come to you! Whether you’re adding to your wine list, retail shelves or your private cellar, this is an opportunity to Taste California!

Vintage Paso March 16-18: Once a year Paso Robles toasts our heritage variety, Zinfandel. The 3-day celebration features events at more than 100 wineries, a Zin seminar, and the Z After Party, pairing Zin with dessert and live jazz. For more events in Paso Robles check out: https://pasowine.com/events/

Santa Ynez Winter Pass ends 3/31/18: With the pass, you’ll receive one tasting flight at each of our 15 Association winery tasting rooms for just $45. Your pass will expire when all 15 tastings have been used, or on March 31, 2018, whichever occurs first. Reservations are not required and passes are valid every day except February 16-19, 2018. (This pass has been extended, as the 101 is now open + more events in Santa Ynez area wineries can be found here)

Universal Whisky Experience April 4-7 at Wynn Las Vegas: The Nth 2018 will be a spectacular whisky master event, showcasing the best whiskies and brands in the world. This affair is a singular opportunity for serious whisky aficionados to come together to taste, savour, discuss and learn more about fine rare whiskies in the lavish, opulent atmosphere of the Encore at Wynn Las Vegas. During this 4-day destination event in exciting and entertaining Las Vegas, you’ll indulge in exceptional whisky tasting opportunities, mingle with master distillers and blenders, and take pleasure in epicurean delights.

The Wine Affair Sip, Stroll and Savor the Sounds April 15 at Westfield Valencia Mall: This event benefits the work from our local Soroptimists of Greater Santa Clarita Valley, aka SIGSCV. Stay tuned to their website for updates.

Hospice Du Rhone in Paso Robles 4/26-28: Three days in the late spring have been reserved for an exclusive weekend surrounding all things Rhône. A palate provoking weekend embracing the enchantment, history and tastes of the twenty-two Rhône varieties. Throughout the weekend, tip your glass with international Rhône wine producers, journey through the largest collection of Rhône variety wines on the planet and savor exceptional Rhône cuisine all while taking in the inspiring and spirited Rhône community.

Wine Under the Stars is slated for 5/17 and brought to you once again by Yours Truly and the Wish Education Foundation: Welcome to “Wine on the Roof,” which will be held atop the new Laemmle Theatre parking garage now under construction at the corner of Lyons Avenue and Main Street in Old Town Newhall. The city has guaranteed that we will be the first group to host an event in what will be a very popular space…Read on for more of our latest out of the box idea:

Eve has secured Steve Lemley as our co-host for this unique never-before-seen event. Lemley is a well-respected SCV winemaker that co-owns the SCV Custom Crush Services. Lemley will curate our wines from his local facility that houses over twenty different wineries – most if not all will be making their debut that evening – and we will have a winemaker at each table to allow for interesting and knowledgeable discourse. Local restaurants are providing the incredible, multi course meal that will be paired exclusively for you.

Wine in the Pines in Pine Mountain 6/9: The Village of Pine Mountain Club has hosted wine festivals in June of each year beginning in 2003, and this year is no exception. Mark your calendars for the second Saturday of June each year for Wine in the Pines in Pine Mountain Village. From 1pm to 4 pm (with VIP entry starting at noon), you’ll be able to taste exciting wines from throughout California’s top wine-growing regions, with dozens of premier wineries to choose from. If you need a break from fine wines, there will be many craft breweries to choose from. And then there’s the food: some of Kern County’s, Santa Clarita Valley’s, and our own local (Pine Mountain) favorite restaurants will be on hand to serve you everything from classic European finger food and gourmet pizza to good-ole western barbeque. There’s nothing like pine-scented air and the shade of tall pines to complement the taste of good wine and equally good food, unless it’s live music—loud enough to set the mood, but smooth enough not to ruin it. Wine-themed art will also be on display to round out the afternoon.

Wines Around the World wine tasting dinners at Newhall Refinery is ongoing.

Quick links from the Dear Wine Friend e-newsletter: World of Pinot Noir 3/2-3, Family Winemakers 3/17, Vintage Paso 3/16-18, Santa Ynez Winter Pass ends 3/31/18 (Pass has been extended, 101 now open + more events in Santa Ynez area wineries can be found here), the Universal Whisky Experience 4/4-7, The Wine Affair 4/15, Hospice Du Rhone 4/26-28. Ongoing: Bev Mo on the Old Road Friday 4-7pm tastings, Events locally at Reyes Winery, Wine House events in WLA, LA Wine Tasting, Monopole Wine events in Pasadena and Eve does Wine Themed Parties.

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

Wine 101: Immersing Yourself in Wine

August 11, 2017 by evebushman

People often ask how I got started on this wine journey, both as a writer and as a marketing consultant. Let me start with the wine, of course!

The Wine Journey

Drinking wine came well before tasting it – sounds crazy but it’s true – But I was perfectly satisfied with a box of Franzia wine for a glass of something cold and pink in my early twenties. I met my future husband, and soon after his sister took us wine tasting – a vertical at Concannon.

From there we were hooked. Classes at the Wine House in West Los Angeles, local wine tasting trips and a subscription to the Wine Spectator wine magazine.

Within ten years of my study I was also a columnist for the Signal newspaper. I wrote a snarky weekly column called “Eve of Destruction”. After 9/11 I had a change of heart and grew a heart – married to a fire chief does that to you – and I retitled my columns “Another Face of Eve”.

Then John Boston, long-time Signal columnist and author, took over the then titled “Escape” weekly entertainment section. He asked what else I could write about for him. I said book reviews and wine reviews. I had been in a book club for a long time, not as long as I had been drinking wine, but both seemed to be a good fit. Boston agreed.

But then…I quickly noticed that there were rewards for wine writers that wanted to hone their craft. Invites to dinners, tastings, events and classes were being extended. No one was sending me free books to review, so I tossed my books in a heap – except the wine books I was now reviewing for review – and immersed myself in wine. That was 10 years ago.

During the past decade I’ve spent time as an “armchair writer” while my daughter was young and, later, time visiting and interviewing winemakers from my own home in the Santa Clarita Valley to Lompoc, Los Olivos, Monterey, Carmel, Napa Valley, Sonoma and finally, the mother lode: Bordeaux. I definitely have more to see.

The Consulting Journey

Before I “immersed myself in wine” I had worked as a manager in both retail establishments and in the medical field. Within ten years I had taken several continuing education courses on how to make these different businesses more profitable, had found a few mentors, started a group of brainstorming managers…and you guessed it: I started consulting. It was difficult working in an office and consulting at the same time, fast forward a few years and I left management behind when I got further into consulting and, at the same time, further into wine studies.

While I never dreamed that these two interests would ever intersect along came Michael Perlis. Michael knew of me from my years at the Signal, and once I made his acquaintance we were both convinced that we had to work together! I have never been so happy in my career! Michael offered to edit all of my articles (in every publication which by now included books and magazines) and offered to write a weekly column in my fledgling website: Eve’s Wine 101.

Michael and I were covering a lot of events pretty quickly. And, due to my friendship with another wine friend, Roman Weiser, we started working together – with a ton of local winemakers – for our Pour Into events: Pour into Haiti and Pour into Sandy. Fast forward some more, and suddenly we were being asked to help almost every non-profit in the Santa Clarita Valley marketing their wine events.

Then, a for-profit business asked us for help. Michael urged me to start Eve’s Wine 101 Consulting, which, due to my former contacts, became Eve Bushman Consulting.

And the rest, like our upcoming Cocktails on the Roof, is history.

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

Round Up: Favorite Wine or Cocktail Events

March 17, 2017 by evebushman

It’s no secret that Eve’s Wine 101 co-hosts Cocktails on the Roof (save the date: 8/25/17!) and is currently recruiting wineries – and guests – to Wine in the Pines. (That date is set for 6/10/17).

This got me to thinking…what are the best wine or cocktail events our readers/followers have enjoyed and would recommend? So I got some answers from Facebook friends, hyperlinked the event websites for you and added my own notes in italics if it’s an event I’ve attended before:

Robin B: The ones we used to have in SCV which were lots of fun. (The Santa Clarita Wine Fest is the one that Robin B is referring to. The same people that run the LA Wine Fest run it, and I’ve been talking with them as they might bring it back for 2018! So stay tuned! It was/is our only large wine festival held in the Santa Clarita Valley.)

Kathie W: Cocktail event – obviously Cocktails on the Roof. (Clearly, a winner to me! If you Google our event you will see lots of pre and post event coverage for our 2015 and 2016 events. All of the money goes straight to the WiSH Education Foundation that serves all of the students in the Hart District = our middle schools and high schools.)

Jeannie C: The Assistance League Santa Clarita 10th Annual Sunset in the Vineyard is scheduled for the 1st Sunday in November at Compa Vineyard, November 5, 2017. Our inaugural was 2008! From 7 vintners, food made by the ladies from AL, music from an iPod (the event has now has grown) to 20 vintners, 2 craft breweries, the Culinary iCUE chefs and students, Dole/Humphries and friends, Valet parking, not to forget amazing community partners, a live and silent auction – and all the proceeds benefit Operation School Bell and those in need in the SCV! We’ve come a long way baby! (We’ve supported this event since the start. Don’t have much to add to Jeannie’s words, except to say that this is the singular SCV event that showcases local winemakers, some commercial and some not, so it would be tough to find some of these wines anywhere else! Or the opportunity to talk to home winemakers about their craft.)

Terri S: Any of the Rhone Rangers events…the walk around Grand Tastings are superb. (We have been covering the RR events for years. Best way to learn about domestic red and white Rhone grapes being grown here, and the awesome Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre blend, aka the GSM, that is a favorite to many. Rhone Rangers LA is 3/25.)

Russ B: Passport to Dry Creek Valley. They have a theme at each winery such as circus, beach, pirate, the movie Caddyshack, the Kentucky Derby and a Masquerade. They also have food at every winery. Great event. (4/29-30.)

Marleen R: Gosh so many. I loved Pinot Days (6/3), Celebration of Harvest Santa Barbara (10/6-9), and Ventura Winter Wine Walk (12/2). California Wine Festival (held this past Jan 2017) and of course Wine in the Pines are good one too. I look at the participating wineries and what they have to offer, besides location and value price. (The only event here that I still attend is Wine in the Pines. Look for upcoming press on that one, but I will share that this is my ultimate favorite outdoor venue for wine tasting. Why? It is wide open, you are surrounded by nature and PINE TREES.)

Lisa D: This year is SITV 10th Anniversary. Great local event.

Scott K: The Park City Food and Wine Classic is a mind-blower. (For those that want to travel, this event in Utah will be July 6-9.)

Lauren G: Inexpensive but tasty! (Lauren has volunteered for us in our Pour Into events. We raised money for the victims of the earthquake in Haiti and the Hurricane Sandy. Our minimum donation was $25 for the tasting event, with local cellar owners and winemakers donating all the wines. The venue, All Corked Up, is sadly no longer available but we would love another local venue to step up the next time we feel the urge to help others via a wine event.)

Me: Masters of Taste is a richly designed event held on the field of the Rose Bowl with wine, spirits, cocktails and food samples from the best restaurants in LA will be held on 5/7, Lucky Rice LA on 7/28 works with Bombay Sapphire Gin and serves up both Asian inspired cuisine and more, and LA Weekly’s The Essentials held on 3/26 is another event with a heck of a lot of food to sample, wine and spirits, and exceptionally large!

Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust, a “certification in first globally-recognized course” as an American Wine Specialist ® from the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), 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

March Signals the End of Winter with Fabulous Wine Events, by Barbara Barrielle

February 25, 2017 by evebushman

The first weekend of March seems to be the traditional kick off to the wine country spring reemergence. After all of this rain and wild weather, don’t we need a little Pinot Noir and a taste of future vintages to give us hope that spring and summer are on their way?

World of Pinot Noir returns to the elegant seaside Bacara Resort and Spa in Goleta in a two day festivity of Pinot Noir tastings, lunches, seminars and dinners. There is also a silent auction that benefits local charities and the winemaking program at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo.

Hands down this is the best event and most spectacular venue at which to try an amazing range of Pinot Noirs and other wines like Rosé of Pinot Noirs (rosés are the super trend of 2016-2017) and Pinot Gris. Not only do winemakers flock here from across California and Oregon but Pinot Noir producers around the country make the WOPN pilgrimage.

And Pinot Noir tasting opportunities do not stop at our borders. Meet and try Pinot Noir producers from Burgundy and other parts of France, Germany, Austria, Australia, New Zealand and all regions that produce Pinot around the world.

Tickets to the Focus Grand Tasting on Friday, March 3^rd and the Grand Tasting on Saturday, March 4^th are still available. The lunches and dinners featured throughout the weekend are not only spectacular (Kosta Browne, Hirsch, Anderson Valley, Edna Valley, Burgundy and more) but they are exceptionally well-priced for the quality of the wines and food, much of it prepared by Bacara’s Angel Oak Restaurant and guest chefs like Dustin Valette of Valette’s in Healdsburg.

Go quickly to www.worldofpinotnoir.com and join the celebration. WOPN is a well-oiled event and participants spend the day at one of the most stunning resorts in California enjoying an array of Pinot Noirs found nowhere else.

The same weekend farther north on The Wine Road that encompasses the wine valleys of Dry Creek, Alexander and Russian River centering around the towns of Healdsburg and Sebastopol the 40^th Annual Barrel Tasting Weekend kicks off the first of two weekends in March celebrating recent vintages available to taste only by barrel samples. March 3-5 and March 10-12, 2017, are the weekend dates this year.

Even with the expansion to two weekends it remains hard to do this region justice. The wide variety of wineries and the high caliber of wines make Barrel Tasting Weekend in these three wine valleys the best way to judge what many call a spectacular 2016 vintage and be able to buy futures at a discount before they are bottles. In addition, older vintages that are still in barrel will be available to taste as well as current releases. Given the demand for the wines in these areas, buying futures guarantees you can obtain wines that many times sell out upon release.

Be an insider and be educated on what is coming down the pike among the excellent wineries of Dry Creek Valley (known for Zinfandel), Alexander Valley (known for Cabernet Sauvignon) and Russian River Valley (known for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay) and purchase futures to come back and pick up later. While there, don’t forget to pick up wines to drink now.

Vintage Eve Circa Jan 2013: Eve’s Wine 101 on TV!

February 21, 2017 by evebushman

What the plan was: As written below. The way it turned out: Watch for yourself – link. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-jEoXlDHa8)

Tami or Dave: Would going to a wine fest be a good idea for a first date?

Eve: Absolutely! Things to consider: If you invite a woman to a wine event, because she appreciates wine, let her know exactly what the extent of your own knowledge is. I can’t believe how little I knew at my first event, and how I’ll never learn it all. So, don’t fake your knowledge, she will spot that. And, don’t over drink, as you are driving your date home.

Tami or Dave: What about couple time?

Eve: There is no better way to get into a romantic mood with your partner than over wine. As you progress from tasting table to tasting table, take a moment to talk about the aromas and flavors you are getting. The time spent savoring wine easily translates for a couple that enjoys savoring life together. Don’t rush it!

Tami or Dave: Okay that leaves friends, is going to a wine tasting with friends a good idea?
Eve: Again, yes. For me, unless someone declares themselves a designated driver in advance (the key is it needs to be in advance) rent a nice limousine. The drive from Santa Clarita to the Sierra Pelona wine event is beautiful! Rolling hills and valleys, seeing it from a limo is probably the best way to go, with friends, a first date or with your spouse!

Tami or Dave: Okay, now, tell us, as you call yourself the SCV Wine Conduit, how does one behave at a wine fest? I mean, are there rules?

Eve: If you want to ensure a good time, yes, I have a few pointers. Winery representatives or winemakers will pour most wines. Each should be versed at answering questions about their wines and are interested in what you think.

With that said, don’t be in a hurry. If the line at one table is long, go to another, and swing back to the one you missed later. When you receive your 1 to 2 ounce taste be aware if others are waiting, if they are, back up a bit to let them in. If there isn’t a wait, take some time, swirl your glass to open up the aromas, and comment on what you find. Swirl again before tasting, and let your taste linger over your tongue and mouth before swallowing, again to detect taste and overall mouth feel. Share your thoughts with the server. Discard what is left in your glass, whether you like it or not, expectorating is also encouraged. The goal at an event isn’t to get drunk, the goal is to keep your palate fresh enough that you can appreciate your first pour as much as your 40^th.

Tami or Dave: Are you going to the Sierra Pelona Wine Fest? Why do you think locals will enjoy it?

Eve: Anytime an inaugural wine fest is planned, wine people and regular people are curious. This brilliant idea of Robert’s not only serves the community’s Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital but also introduces the greater area to one of the newest wine growing areas. And Robert, joined by dozens of others, will be showcasing wines that haven’t been already poured at dozens of other festivals.

Tami or Dave: So, where else can we go for wine in Santa Clarita – and not be intimidated?

Eve: Every place that serves wine serves the wine community best by not making it intimidating. Your local wine bars like Wine 661, Roman Holiday Wine Lounge, Lee’s Wine Bistro and Valencia Wine Company, as well as Pulchella Wine Tasting Room and our wine-serving restaurants all have the same goal: to get you in and to make you want to come back. They do this by talking to you about what you like, and then making suggestions based on that.

Of course, reading my blog, or following me on Facebook helps too…a little wine 101 knowledge can help you feel less intimidated.

Tami or Dave: How much is there, really, to learn about wine?

Eve: The education never ends. But like with any entrepreneurial effort, if your heart is in the work, you just don’t care. I read trade magazines, fiction and non-fiction, the internet and take classes. I’m never bored, and always “thirsty” for more. I would bet this conversation has given you two a craving?

Tell people any more tricks of the trade – especially for the Sierra Pelona event.

Eve: Well…if you are very nice to a winery representative, they often have something “under the table” that they share with other reps or especially nice guests. Sometimes…you might even leave with a bottle! (But don’t be pushy and ask for one.) And, talk to other guests. By the end of a tasting a camaraderie begins to develop. Tell people what you liked and find out what their favorites were. You can even revisit a favorite of your own, to see if it fares just as well with your palate.

Santa Clarita Valley’s Own Vanessa Braxton and Her Line of Black Momma Vodkas

December 30, 2016 by evebushman

I think I first met Vanessa Braxton at one of the two Santa Clarita Valley Wine Fests, undoubtedly one of the big players organizer Joel Fisher recruited from his uber popular LA Wine Fest.

At the time Vanessa had a uniquely named vodka, Black Momma, and only one. Fast forward just a few years and come to find she just finished building her own distillery and tea facility in Long Island, has a warehouse in Rancho Dominguez, CA, just gained a contract with Carnival Cruises, has a line of organic mixers, and is selling these new flavors – along with the original – locally and nationwide:

Pomegranate Tea

Peach Tea

Chai Tea

Green Tea

Sour Sop Tea

Each is distilled five times and filtered five times as “superior handcrafted” vodkas. They are distilled from corn, bottled (for the time being) in Bend, Oregon by Bend Spirits and are 40% alcohol with an 80% proof.

Vanessa recently dropped off a bottle for me to review, with a promise of sending out samples of all the flavors soon. The woman is so busy growing I’m not holding my breath. But for now, I will share my tongue:

Black Momma Straight Vodka (Eve’s Tasting Notes)

Vodka is a neutral spirit. Which means aromas and flavors can be neutral as well, and balance (burn in this case) might be the only recognizable factor. In my experience tasting other neutral spirits/vodkas at the same time, the differences can be detected. I pulled up that memory/knowledge when I tasted the Black Momma Straight Vodka.

Aroma: vanilla bean, mineral water and a very mild burn.

Flavor: Some of the vanilla bean carried through, which was very cool, and a bit of the burn. Over ice (like adding water to single malt) I got less burn and more balance, easily lending itself to a cocktail, or an easy sipper with just ice and a wedge of lemon.

About Vanessa Braxton

Vanessa Braxton is the first African-American woman owner and operator of a Nationally Distributed Vodka in the United States as known in the Trade. Black Momma Vodka was in 32 States by 2015.

Black Momma Awards

90 point rating from Tasting Panel Magazine, Ultimate Beverage Challenge 84 point rating out of 100 points, rated good and recommended by Industry Experts: F. Paul Pacult, Sean Ludford, Christy Canterbur, John McClement and more! Listed among the 10 U.S. Vodkas.

https://www.facebook.com/BlackMommaVodka/

http://www.blackmommavodka.com/

Eve’s Wine 101 Event Picks: NY in Napa 12/29-1/1, Paso’s Blendfest 1/13-15, Sonoma Winter Wineland 25th Anniversary 1/14-15, STARS of Santa Barbara 1/18, Palate Builder 1/21, What You Need to Know About Wine 1/23, Cambria Art/Wine Fest 1/27-29, Rhone Tasting 1/28, Wine, Cheese and Chocolate 2/11, 2/12 and 2/14, Lodi in LA 2/15. Ongoing: Events locally at Reyes Winery, Wine House events in WLA, LA Wine Tasting, Monopole Wine events in Pasadena and Eve does Wine Themed Parties.