Vintage Eve Circa 7/2015: Garagiste in the Wiltern!

October 2, 2018 by evebushman Leave a Comment

There is nothing like a wine event held in a new venue to rev my engines/salivary glands, and The Garagiste Festival Urban Exposure held inside the Wiltern theater, with the auditorium seats moved over to the side to accommodate wine tables and guests, made for a grand showcase for so many grand wines!

Michael D Larner sharing his Larner Vineyard & Winery 2010 Reserve Syrah – OMG delicious.

We were offered an early tasting of the “Rare and Reserve” (R&R) wines and took full advantage of it. To the point that after selecting no less than 30 wines to taste, I took a break to abate palate fatigue…and still had difficulty going back to the tables to taste everyone’s full line-up. My conclusion had to be that if I loved their R&R I would most likely dig more!

So this is what I noted for you thirsty readers:

Rare and Reserve (R&R) Note: Wines denoted with the acronym GSM are a Rhone blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre, but Grenache is not automatically predominant though listed first.

Alma Sol Winery: 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley – $60 – 50 cases.

Alta Colina Vineyards: 2011 Block 2 Bio Syrah – $55 – 110 cases.

Archium Cellars: 2012 Haven Grenache – $34 – 74 cases.

Artisan Uprising: Pre-release, 2013 Merlot – $32. (My husband loved their 2012 Malbec and the rest of their line-up.)

Bellissimo Cellars: Barrel sample, 2014 Chardonnay, Mount Eden. (I love winemaker Lora Marie Taylor’s current 2013 Chardonnay as well!)

Bon Niche Cellars: 2010 “Voutes” Bordeaux Blend – $50 – 97 cases.

Caliza Winery: Loved tasting the older 2006 Estate Syrah – $70 – 230 cases.

Cholame Vineyard: 2012 Grenache – $45 – 90 cases.

Cordon Wines: 2011 Highway 1 Blackbird Cuvee of Merlot and Cabernet Franc – $26 – 90 cases.

DENO Wines: 2010 Two Bill’s Zinfandel Grenache blend – $35.

Dilecta Wines: 2011 Tillers Grenache Syrah blend – $46 – 75 cases.

Halcon Vineyards: Loved them all: a Marsanne/Roussane blend, Pinot Noir, Grenache Mourvedre blend, Syrah and a Petite Sirah as well as the R&R 2011 Alturas Syrah – $70 – 180 cases.

Harrison Clarke Vineyards: 2012 Syrah Whole Cluster – $68 – 25 cases.

Imagine Wines: Another lovely older Syrah, the 2007 “Winged” Syrah, Paradise Mountain – $80 – 146 cases.

Incendium Wines: 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa – $32.50.

Kaleidos Winery: The entire line-up (Pinot Gris/Viognier blend, two GSMs and two Syrahs) including the 2012 Preying Mantis (Syrah) R&R – $55 – 24 cases.

Kessler-Haak Vineyards: 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon, Starlane Vineyard – $45 – 47 cases.

Larner Vineyards: 2010 Reserve Syrah – $72 – 106 cases. (I love all of Michael Larner’s wines!)

Mattina Fiore: 2012 Grenache, Murmur Vineyard – $60 – 312 cases.

Overland Wines: 2010 “Kick Ranch” Petite Sirah – $45 – 66 cases. (And I also enjoyed a very golden colored and honeyed 2011 late harvest Sauvignon Blanc.)

Powell Mountain Winery: 2011 Alta Montana blend of Tempranillo, Grenache and Mourvedre – $32 – 61 cases. (Another favorite table of my husband’s.)

Prizm Winery: 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, barrel sample $60 – 175 cases.

Pulchella Winery: 2013 Block 6 Syrah Reserve, La Vista Vineyard, yet to be named. OMG can’t wait for this one!

Ser Winery: A low acid and low alcohol but incredibly tasty 2014 Dry Orange Muscat $16 – 45 cases.

Shai Cellars: 2009 Adome blend of Syrah and Grenache…I’m a long time fan of winemaker Shawn Shai Halahmy.

STANGER Vineyards: 2009 Pinot Noir, Library Reserve – $114 – Club Only. The only Pinot I’ve ever had that doesn’t taste like a Pinot! Deep, dark and spicy. A must try! Hubby loved their 2010 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon.

Tercero Wines: 2009 Les Deux Comtes Rhone blend – $45 – 88 cases.

The Central Coast Group Project (CCGP): 2013 Barrel sample.

Tlo Wines: 2012 Reserve Petite Sirah – $35 – 90 cases.

Vinemark Cellars: 2009 Primitivo – $32 – 1st Vintage.

Vines on the Marycrest: Sangiovese – $36 – 60 cases None available so instead I tasted and LOVED everything else Victor and Jennifer Abascal shared: 2014 Summertime GSM and Zinfandel blend, 2012 Zinfandel, 2010 Syrah and 2012 My Generation blend of Zinfandel, Syrah, Mourvedre and Petite Sirah.

Story in photos: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10206033352380288.1073741922.1455706632&type=1&l=b35921aa8d

Credits

Thanks must go out to the fabulous planning team that includes founders Doug Minnick and Steward McLennan, event director Lisa Dinsmore, great PR from Melanie Webber and a wonderful group of winemakers, wine reps, food vendors and knowledgeable volunteer sommeliers.

If you missed this Garagiste Festival event sign up for their newsletter to keep track of the next one: http://garagistefestival.com

Wine List

Alma Fria Winery, Alma Sol Winery, Alta Colina Vineyards, Archium Cellars, Artisan Uprising, Ascension Cellars, Bellissimo Cellars, Blair Estate, Bon Niche Cellars, Caliza Winery, Carucci Wines, Casa Dumetz, Cholame Vineyard, Cloak & Dagger Wines, Coda Wines, Cordon Wines, Cutruzzola Vineyards, DENO Wines, Diablo Paso, Dilecta Wines, El Lugar, Falcone Family Vineyards, Frequency, Graef Wines, Halcon Vineyards, Harrison Clarke Vineyards, Imagine Wines, Incendium Wines, Kaleidos Winery, Kessler-Haak Vineyards, Larner Vineyards, Last Light Wine Co., Levo Wines, Maidenstoen Wines, Mattina Fiore, MCV Wines, Moonwalker Cellars, C. Nagy Wines, Overland Wines, Pace Family Wines, Powell Mountain Winery, Prizm Winery, Pulchella Winery, Rendarrio Wines, Ryan Cochrane Wines, Ser Winery, Shai Cellars, STANGER Vineyards, Tercero Wines, The Central Coast Group Project, The Farm Winery, Theopolis Vineyards, Tlo Wines, Travieso Winery, Turiya Wines, Two Shepherds Wines, Valley Floor Vineyard, Vinemark Cellars, Vines on the Marycrest and Weatherborne.

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. You can also seek her marketing advice via Eve@EveBushmanConsulting.com

Gridiron Grill-Off Food, Wine & Music Festival Teams Up with Fort Lauderdale Marriott Pompano Beach Resort

September 20, 2018 by evebushman Leave a Comment

Fort Lauderdale, FL – Walgreens Gridiron Grill-Off Food, Wine & Music Festival Presented by UHealth Clinics at Walgreens today announced that it has paired up with its official hotel sponsor, Fort Lauderdale Marriott Pompano Beach Resort and Spa, to offer a new Gridiron Grill-Off Weekend Staycation Package. This special offer is valid on minimum two-night stays November 7 through November 14, 2018 and includes two general admission tickets to the festival, daily buffet breakfast for two, complimentary Wi-Fi and shuttle service between the resort and event location on November 10, 2018. Savings are valued at $135.*

“We’re fired up to have Fort Lauderdale Marriott Pompano Beach Resort and Spa as our official hotel partner again this year as we prepare to take the Gridiron Grill-Off to an entirely new level,” said John Offerdahl, founder of the event and former Miami Dolphins All-Pro Linebacker. “The new staycation package we’re introducing is great for those looking to kick back and relax with fun, sun, food and music, enjoying our event and taking in all that the area has to offer.”

Walgreens Gridiron Grill-Off Food, Wine & Music Festival is a weekend-long celebration that pairs celebrity chefs in South Florida with NFL legends to create signature grilled dishes and raise money for the Broward College Foundation. Making its return to the Pompano Beach Amphitheater beginning Friday, November 9, this year’s event will include new additions, with three nights of live concerts and a family-friendly BBQ Pit Masters competition.

Ideally situated on Pompano Beach, Fort Lauderdale Marriott Pompano Beach Resort & Spa is less than 20 miles from the Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport and close to major attractions, including the Pompano Beach Amphitheater and Isle Casino and Race Track. The 4-star hotel offers beachfront access, a fitness center, two swimming pools, a wide range of water sports, and Funky Fish Ocean Camp (a kids club open daily for children ages 4-17). Guests can dine on fresh seafood in the hotel’s oceanview restaurant, grab an evening cocktail at the stylish bar or enjoy a massage at SiSpa.

Tickets to the BBQ Pit Masters event are $10 for adults and free for kids four and under, which includes (ten) one oz. samples of BBQ for voting (All other food and drinks are available for purchase and does not include access to the Grill-Off). General admission for the Gridiron Grill-Off are $85 per person, including all food and beverages at the Saturday event. VIP tickets, which include a gift bag and access to a private tent on-site with seating, shade, food and beverages, are $125 per person.

*Double occupancy; two-night minimum stay required; based on availability.

For more information and to book the Gridiron Grill-off Weekend Staycation package, visit www.gridirongrilloff.com/sponsors-2018/ or call 800-228-9290, using promotional code WKD.

Follow the event on Facebook at www.facebook.com/gridirongrilloff or Instagram @gridirongrilloff and Twitter @GridironGriller for real-time participant additions and announcements.

About Walgreens Gridiron Grill-Off Food, Wine & Music Festival

Walgreens Gridiron Grill-Off Food, Wine & Music Festival is a weekend-long celebration that pairs celebrity chefs in South Florida with NFL legends to create signature grilled dishes while raising money to positively impact South Florida. Since 2010, the festival has raised money to support foster care and homeless agencies across South Florida and became a subsidiary of the Offerdahl’s Hand-Off Foundation in 2013. The annual event continues to grow each year drawing an average of 3,000 attendees. This year’s ninth annual Gridiron Grill-Off will feature three nights of concerts, a BBQ Pit Masters Competition and unique tailgate experience during the Dolphins versus Packers game on Sunday, November 11. The Live Concert Series powered by the Greater Fort Lauderdale CVB’s partnership with AEG Presents will feature performances by Vince Gill, Barenaked Ladies, and Daughtry. Attendees will enjoy the grilling competition, complemented by several additions including new sponsors, live entertainment, a cornhole tournament, a refreshed silent auction and more. Participating restaurants this year include Beach House Pompano, Oceans 234, Naked Taco and Pelican Landing, among many others.

About Fort Lauderdale Marriott Pompano Beach Resort & Spa

Fort Lauderdale Marriott Pompano Beach Resort & Spa is a boutique-style resort that caters to leisure and business travelers alike with the simple pleasures of Florida beach living. It is set on the oceanfront in Pompano Beach, a city ripe for discovery and recently named one of the top 10 “up-and-coming” U.S. destinations by TripAdvisor. Guests of Fort Lauderdale Marriott Pompano Beach enjoy fresh local fare at the Resort’s on-site restaurant, sea-inspired treatments at SiSpa, poolside relaxation and beach access with water sports. Private balconies with Atlantic views are afforded to all of its generously appointed 194 guest rooms and 25 suites. The resort is managed by Urgo Hotels and Resorts. Learn more at www.pompanomarriott.com.

Upcoming Classes from The Wine House WLA

September 16, 2018 by evebushman Leave a Comment

The Wine House is thrilled to be named one of ten of the “World’s Best Wine Shops” in Food & Wine! In addition to being described as a “wine geek’s dream destination” with modest markups and excellent small-production offerings, we were noted for having “an impressive lineup of classes.” Here are our current offerings!

SUMMARY OF UPCOMING WINE HOUSE CLASSES AND EVENTS

In-Store Tasting of Sicilian Wines from Passopisciaro
Monday, September 17, $20

Planeta Wine Dinner with Alessio Planeta at Upstairs 2
Tuesday, September 18, $115

International Grenache Day In-Store Tasting *NEW*
Friday, September 21, 3 to 7 PM, Only $1 (No reservation required, just stop by TASTE)

Sake Fest
Sunday, September 23, $55

What You Absolutely Need to Know About Wine
Monday, September 24, $58

In-Store Wine Safari
Wednesday, October 3, $40

Scotch: Introduction to Single Malt Whisky
Friday, October 5, $79

Italian Wine Specialist Certificate in Four Parts
October 7, 13, 20 and 27, $675

Italian Sangiovese In-Depth
Monday, October 8, $55

WSET Level 2 Intermediate Award in Wines & Spirits
Begins October 14, $795

The 35th Annual Cabernet Fest
Sunday, October 28, General Admission $75; V.I.P. $99

Paul Wagner Wins 2018 Award of Merit from The American Wine Society

May 13, 2018 by evebushman Leave a Comment

Napa, CA – Paul Wagner, Founder of Balzac Communications & Marketing, noted author, wine radio show cohost (Bottle Talk with Rick & Paul), and Napa Valley College professor has been awarded the prestigious 2018 Award of Merit from the American Wine Society.

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From the Balzac Facebook page

David Falchek, executive director of the American Wine Society (AWS) commented “Paul has been a great friend not only to our organization, but also to the wine industry. Working in the background as a marketing professional and an educator, Paul has influenced the way the public drinks wine and thinks about wine. His passion and work has aligned with the AWS mission to promote wine appreciation through education.”

“It’s really lovely that they have done this,” said Wagner, who will attend the organization’s national conference in November to accept the award.

“I have great respect for John Hames, who recently retired as the executive director of the AWS, and I am delighted that he is being honored with the Member of the Year Award at this same conference. And I have loved the many sessions at that national conferences that I have taught. The members are so appreciative and energized. I think I get more from them than they ever get from me.”

“Paul has been my mentor and has provided me with the insight and wisdom to lead Balzac for the next 25 years,” states Michael Wangbickler, President. “In my 14 years at Balzac, I’ve had the pleasure to learn, grow and mature under Paul’s tutelage and guidance – I couldn’t be more thankful and am so proud to learn of Paul winning this award.”

Wagner, who recently retired from running Balzac, continues to teach about wine – in Barcelona at the WinTour Wine Tourism MBA program in July and October, leading a wine cruise and tour through Bordeaux this spring, and teaching at Napa Valley College.

His schedule this year has included joining the U.S. tour of the Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux, giving the keynote address at the Vancouver International Wine Festival, judging the California State Fair Wine Competition, and giving lectures at Fresno State University and for the Cambridge University Executive MBA program.

Wagner will teach the Wines of Germany class this spring at Napa Valley College, and in the fall, he will return to teach Wine Marketing and Sales and A Cultural Appreciation of Wine.

In addition, Wagner will publish two new books this year: “Artisan Public Relations” from Board and Bench Publishing, and “Wine Sales and Distribution” from Rowman and Littlefield. The latter was written with co-authors John Crotts of the College of Charleston, and Byron Marlowe of Washington State University. And the third edition of Wagner’s “Wine Marketing & Sales” will also be published this year by Board and Bench.

About American Wine Society – www.americanwinesociety.org

The American Wine Society (AWS) is a consumer organization that appreciates, celebrates, and shares knowledge about wine. With a membership base of over 8,000 people, they host local wine tastings in 180 chapters across the United States. This year, the AWS celebrates its 50th Anniversary and is the largest consumer-based wine education organization in North America. Membership is open to anyone aged 21 and over who is interested in learning about wine.

About Balzac Communications & Marketing – www.balzac.com

Founded in 1991, Balzac Communications & Marketing is a marketing communications agency with a no-nonsense approach to combining the strategies and tactics of marketing, public relations, event management, digital marketing, advertising, and creative services to assist the business goals of its clients. The experience, creativity, and determination of the staff distinguish Balzac from their competition. They use these assets to develop and execute cost-effective campaigns which have won international communications awards. The agency is in Napa, California, and provides services to companies and organizations throughout the world. www.balzac.com

Catskills Wine & Food Festival Announces Unique Lineup

May 10, 2018 by evebushman Leave a Comment

BLOOMINGBURG, N.Y. (PRWEB) – Today, Catskills Wine & Food Festival (CWFF) announces its lineup of celebrity chefs and musical acts for its inaugural event in upstate New York this October 6 – 7.

From website.

The event is a one-of-kind experience in which guests will be treated to intimate cooking demonstrations by celebrity chefs as well as live music, private tastings, a smorgasbord of good eats, and an impressive selection of beer, wine, and cider, all carefully curated. For the full experience, guests can rent on-site cabins that sleep up to 18 people and stay overnight on the magnificent event grounds, nestled in the beautiful mountains of upstate New York.

A limited number of presale tickets will go on sale April 18th at 11 AM, and are only available at CatskillsFestival.com. Ticket prices will increase in May. The lineup of celebrity chefs includes:

Jordan Andino (Flip Sigi and TV personality)
Donatella Arpaia (Prova Pizzabar and Iron Chef judge)
Sarah Blair (Culinary Producer)
Josh Capon (Bowery Meat Company, Lure Fishbar, and more)
Michael Chernow (The Meatball Shop and Seamore’s)
Gail Simmons (BRAVO’s Top Chef)
Alex Guarnaschelli (Butter)
Amirah Kassem (Flour Shop)
Bobbie Lloyd (Magnolia Bakery, The Next Great Baker judge)

Musical guests include:

Lord Huron (Sunday’s headliner)
Moon Taxi
Chris Robinson Brotherhood
Drake White and the Big Fire
Ripe
Escort
Dwayne Gretzky
The Dip
Rebecca Perl

Additional chef attendees and musical acts, including Saturday’s headliner, will be announced on an ongoing basis.

Unlike other food, wine, and music festivals, CWFF is an intimate event, allowing guests to get up-close to the action—whether that’s a musical performance or a cooking demonstration. This is a unique opportunity to taste homemade creations cooked “live” by some of the nation’s most acclaimed chefs. Because of this, tickets are limited and will go fast.

General admission two-day passes, available at CatskillsFestival.com, are $285. This package includes food and wine tastings, access to cooking demonstrations and live music, access to activities throughout the campground, access to the Sunday Market–a culinary curation of the Catkills and beyond–and shuttles to and from select hotels in the area.

All-access two-day VIP passes are available for $549. These passes includes all the general admission events, plus access to VIP Village where celebrity chefs will be holding Meet & Greets and VIP guests can enjoy intimate dining experiences curated by CWFF celebrity chefs, a Saturday evening VIP dinner and a Sunday VIP brunch (all-inclusive), various open bar events, and an exclusive swag bag.

CWFF will also host a private launch event on Friday evening (10/5) for festival sponsors and influencers. This invite-only experience will kick off the festival weekend. For more information, email hello@catskillsfestival.com.

This is 21+ event. For more information about the festival or to sign up to receive advanced updates as new musical guests and celebrity chef attendees are confirmed, visit CatskillsFestival.com.

About Catskills Wine & Food Festival:

Catskills Wine & Food Festival is an intimate VIP experience in which guests can watch and learn from some of the nation’s top celebrity chefs. The event features celebrity chefs, cooking demonstrations, private tastings, live music, and a dynamic selection of beer, wine, and cider. For more information, visit CatskillsFestival.com.

Garagiste Wine Festival Comes to the Heart of Sonoma Wine Country in May

April 16, 2018 by evebushman Leave a Comment

PASO ROBLES, Calif. (PRWEB) – Garagiste Events today announced that its internationally renowned Garagiste Wine Festival comes to the heart of Sonoma, California on May 12th for the very first time. The festival will showcase the rich variety of small-production wines currently being crafted by some of the most innovative winemakers in Sonoma, Mendocino, Livermore, Lodi, and Napa, as well as other California regions. The non-profit event will be held at the Sonoma Veterans Building near Sonoma’s historic downtown plaza. Tickets are on sale today at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1st-annual-garagiste-festival-northern-exposure-tickets-43108506704

Like many small production wineries, over ninety percent of participating wineries are without a tasting room where they can meet the public, making the premier Sonoma Garagiste Festival a one-of-a-kind opportunity for consumers to discover, and meet, 40 winemakers while tasting 150+ wines made from over 15 varieties. This is why The Garagiste Festival, which always sells out, has been dubbed ‘wine tasting Nirvana;” ‘a wildly exuberant and fun wine event,’ and “not-to-be missed’ by the LA Times.

“Sonoma-area winemakers and wine lovers have been asking us for quite some time to bring the Garagiste Festival further north,” said Garagiste Festival Co-founder Douglas Minnick. “On May 12th, at last, we are able to offer this fertile and creative winemaking community the opportunity to share their delicious wines in the intimate and unique Garagiste Festival setting. Bringing these winemakers onto the radar of passionate wine fans on the lookout for new wine discoveries is one of the great pleasures of the festival.”

“And, if you think you know the garagiste line-up, think again…” added Festival Co-founder Stewart McLennan. “Over half of these wineries are brand new to the festival, as are many of the Northern California regions represented. In the wake of the Northern California fires, we are glad to spread the word that this part of California not only remains open for business, but is thriving.”

Known for high quality wines, first-time and ‘soon-to-break-out’ discoveries, diverse grape varieties, a ‘no snobs allowed’ policy and a renegade and fun-loving spirit, the non-profit Garagiste Festivals are the only festivals in the US dedicated to micro-production winemakers. Garagiste Festivals have introduced hundreds of outstanding artisan winemakers (who produce under 1500 cases of wine) to thousands of passionate wine consumers, members of the trade and media, raising the profiles of many of the winemakers nationally for the first time, and raising thousands of dollars for the education of future winemakers.

Cris Carter owner and winemaker of Weatherborne Wine Corp, and who owns a vineyard in the Anderson Valley, has showcased his wines at multiple Garagiste Festivals. “The Garagiste Fest is the perfect place for small-production, family-run wine brands to meet their audience. Winery owners meet face-to-face with interested and engaged consumers who often wind up being their most loyal customers and brand advocates,” says Carter. “Attendees get to pick the brains of the people actually making the wine and running the business, learning the wine’s story in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. For the wine trade, it’s a great place to unearth the next wave of exciting California producers; a true opportunity to find hidden gems for your wine list or portfolio.”

The Sonoma Garagiste Festival will kick off at 11:30 am on Saturday, May 12th, with a signature tasting seminar: “The Garagiste Variety Show: Exploring the Diversity of Small-Production Winemaking.” The seminar will focus on the range of wines being produced by Garagiste winemakers, and investigate why garagiste winemakers have stepped away from Cabernet and Chardonnay to work with grapes considered under-the-radar in Northern California. Moderated by McLennan, panelists include: Paul Gordon of Halcon Vineyards and Randy Hester of Lightning Wines. In the afternoon is the main event: the Grand Tasting, which runs from 2:00pm to 5:00pm. Like all Garagiste Festivals (and unlike many larger wine festivals), the Sonoma festival will limit ticket sales to give attendees a comfortable and relaxed tasting experience with personal winemaker interaction.

For the full schedule, more information, go to: http://garagistefestival.com or follow us on Twitter (@GaragisteFest) or Facebook. For breaking festival news and special discounts sign-up for our free newsletter, The Dirt at http://garagistefestival.com/sign-up/.

Winemakers already scheduled to pour include:
Betwixt Wines, Calstar Cellars, Camlow Cellars, Chenoweth Wines, Crux Winery, Enoteca Five, Fallon Place Wine, Fields Family Wines, Gordenker Wines, Gregory James Wines, Halcon Vineyards, Kendrick Vineyards, La Pitchoune Winery, Lightning Wines, Magna Vita Cellars, Mastro Scheidt, Merisi Wines, Montagne Russe, Montemaggiore, Murder Ridge, Nowell-Smith Wines, Parmeson Wines, Piezo Winery, T. Berkley Wines, Trojak-Knier Winery, Von Holt Cellars and Weatherborne Wine Co.

Sponsors include: ETS, Laffort, Glenn Burdette, Digital Dogma, mWEBB Communications, Farm Credit, and G3

For sponsorship info, email info@garagistefestival.com.

About The Garagiste Wine Festivals
The Garagiste Wine Festivals (http://www.garagistefestival.com) are the first and only wine festivals dedicated to the undiscovered and under-recognized American artisan ‘garagiste’ producers who are making some of the best, most exciting, handcrafted small-lot production wines in the world. Founded by fellow garagiste winemakers Stewart McLennan and Douglas Minnick, the Garagiste Festivals are committed to discovering the best and most innovative limited-production winemakers and promoting and showcasing them to a broad audience of discerning wine consumers. In addition to its flagship annual festival in Paso Robles, CA, the Garagiste Festival line-up includes Garagiste Festival: Southern Exposure, featuring Santa Ynez Valley garagistes; the Garagiste Festival: Urban Exposure, in Los Angeles; the Garagiste Festival, Northern Exposure, in the Bay Area; winemaker dinners, a newsletter, garagiste profiles and more.

The festivals were named one of the ‘Top Nine Incredible Epicurean Vacations’ in the world by ABC News,* “one of the premier wine events of the year,” by the LA Times and “Best Festival” by Sunset Magazine’s ‘Best of the West.’ The festivals are produced by Garagiste Events, a non-profit dedicated to furthering the education of future winemakers and those training for employment within the wine industry. Garagiste Festivals Inc. is a 5013c non-profit organization and proceeds from the festivals support the Garagiste Festival Scholarship fund of the California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo Wine and Viticulture Department.

**Garagistes (garage-east) is a term originally used in the Bordeaux region of France to denigrate renegade small-lot wine makers, sometimes working in their “garages” (anything considered not a chateau), who refused to follow the “rules,” and is now a full-fledged movement responsible for making some of the best wine in the world.

FUNGI SEASON IN MENDOCINO COUNTY

October 15, 2017 by evebushman Leave a Comment

IT’S MUSHROOM MADNESS IN MENDOCINO COUNTY AS THE 19^TH ANNUAL MUSHROOM, WINE & BEER FEST SALUTES MR. FUNGI WITH FOREST FORAGES, HUNTS BY HORSEBACK AND PINOT & PORCINIS

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MENDOCINO COUNTY, CALIF. – As the flavors of fall arrive in Northern California’s Mendocino County so does the annual crop of coveted candy cap, chanterelle, porcini and hedgehog mushrooms. Straddling historic Highways 1 and 101 with nearly 2,500 sq. miles of live oak and stately redwood groves, the region is a natural hotspot for some 3,000 mushroom varieties, 500 of which are edible.

The annual haul is nothing short of historic, nurturing nirvana for local chefs, winemakers and fungi foragers. Add to the mix regional mushroom-laced menus, 20 winemaker and brew events, and a host of art and educational seminars and the annual salute to Mr. Fungi is nothing short of fantastic. www.visitmendocino.com/event/mushroom-wine-beer-festival; 866.466.3636.

Visitors can take a walk on the wild side with a litany of mushroom-inspired events including hunts by horseback, fungi foraging and key food and wine gatherings including Yorkville Cellar’s Annual Malbec and Mushroom Feast (Nov. 4-5). Also on tap is the first Homebrew Festival (November 4, 2017) celebrating artisan beer and mushroom-inspired cuisine in Ukiah; www.mendohomebrewfest.com; $30.

To cap the fest, 25 regional hotel properties are offering special packages throughout November.

FUNGI FORAGING

Pack a sense of adventure as mushroom foraging season hits full stride this fall. During the festival, visitors can track and taste Mr. Fungi in a variety of formats. Top excursions include:

Mushroom Foraging at UC Hopland Research and Extension Center — New!

Join local naturalists and fungi experts for an educational stroll through the madrone woodland followed by a selection of canapés. November 4; Hopland; 707.744.1424, www.ucanr.edu; $20.

Mushroom Exploration Tours at Stanford Inn

Join local enthusiast Adrienne Long for a walk and talk among the local forests and meadows. November 3-5; 11-12; Mendocino; 707.937.5615; www.stanfordinn.com; $45 adult/$20 children.

Foray with Mario Abreu “Mushroom Walk for Beginners”

Scout about with local expert Mario Abreu in this informative walk focused on the Fort Bragg coastal headlands. November 5. Fort Bragg; 707.964.2020;free.

Ride with the Hunt – Mushroom Hunt at Ricochet Ridge Ranch

“Mushroom Hunt” horseback rides every day during the festival. Equine, wine & hotel packages also available.

Ricochet Ridge Ranch, Fort Bragg; 707.964.9669; www.horse-vacation.com; prices vary.

Mushrooms at the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens

Join staff mycologist Mario Abreu for a series of mushroom workshops and walks at the Botanical Gardens.

November 6, every Monday November 20 – December 18, 2017; Fort Bragg; 707.964.4352×16; www.gardenbythesea.org; free with garden admission $15.

Mushroom Foray and Cooking Class at Jade Court

Strap on those boots and hit the hills for a foray into the forest followed by a cooking class featuring wild mushroom dishes paired with wine, brews and ciders. November 11. Fort Bragg; 707.961.9687; www.assaggiare.com; $65.

Fungi Finale – A Walk on the Wild Side

Tap into a tasty day with local mycologist and mushroom cookbook author Eric Schramm. Enjoy a guided hike and fungi nibbles at Jughandle Creek Farm. November 12. Caspar; 707.937.3498; www.jughandlecreekfarm.org; $22.

POWER TO THE PORCINI

The bounty of the county comes full circle in November as restaurants, wineries and breweries salute the season with a myriad of special repasts. Key events include MacCallum House Inn & Restaurant and Graziano Wild Mushroom and Winemaker Dinner (Nov. 3), CORO Winemaker Dinner at the Golden Pig (Nov. 3), Afternoon Tea at Glendeven Inn paired with mushroom tea sandwiches (Nov. 4); Mad Fritz Brewing Company at the Bewildered Pig (Nov. 4), Ravens Restaurant Medicinal Mushroom Breakfast (Nov. 5), Pennyroyal Farm Mushroom Brunch (Nov. 5), Blue Collar Winemaker Dinner with Steele Wines at Cucina Verona (Nov. 7), BARRA of Mendocino Winemaker Dinner at Crush (Nov. 8), Wild Fish Winemaker Dinner (Nov. 8), Little River Inn Annual Mushroom and Belgian Beer Dinner (Nov. 10), Maple Creek Winery/Artevino Mushroom Hike & Forage (Nov. 11), Saracina Mushroom foraging and Gourmet Luncheon (Nov. 11), Jaxon Keys Winemaker Dinner (Nov. 11), Yamakiri Winery and Ravens Restaurant Mushroom and Winemaker Dinner (Nov. 11) and Campovida Winemaker Dinner (Nov. 11).

Throughout the county, 35+ wineries and breweries celebrate the harvest with a bevy of tasting room specials including Caps Off! Wine and Mushroom Pairings at Yorkville’s Meyer Family Cellars, weekend tastings slated at Goldeneye Winery, wine and mushroom pairings at Handley Cellars and complimentary fungi bites at Phillips Hill Winery, Seebass Family Wines and Brutocao Cellars, among others.

PERFORMING ARTS, INSTALLATIONS & SIDEKICKS

During the festival, enjoy an evening with acclaimed guitarist Alex de Grassi at UC Hopland Research and Education Center (Nov. 4), discover the aphrodisiac properties of mushrooms at “Bars, Bordellos and Mushrooms,” at the Kelley House in Mendocino (Nov. 5) or dig into an afternoon with a Mycelium in Art & Industry talk at the Mendocino Art Center (Nov. 5) or Live Mushroom Exhibit at Ford House Museum in Mendocino through November. In addition, visitors can tap into the Skunk Train for a ride into the ancient redwoods (pups included), visit Point Arena Lighthouse or step into the wilds via daily tours of endangered African hoof stock at B. Bryan Preserve.

MUSH “ROOM” DEALS

A bevy of 25 local hotel deals round out the seasonal celebration including Albion River Inn’s savings of 30 percent on an ocean view guestroom, Mendocino’s AAA-Four Diamond Brewery Gulch Inn’s 15 percent savings on midweek rates with a two night booking, and a complimentary third night free via Glendeven Inn’s “Mushroom Special. On the coast, Little River Inn’s “Mushroom Mania” ocean-view guestroom package comes in with a cool savings ($165.00/dbl.) or the newly-renovated Sacred Rock Resort in Elk by the sea, which is offering a 15 percent savings on accommodations. Black-out dates and restrictions apply, based on availability. For a complete listing of local deals, visit: www.visitmendocino.com/mushroom-wine-and-beer-festival.

BACKGROUND

Mendocino County welcomes nearly 1.8 million visitors annually who explore its 90 miles of prime Pacific coastline, 90+ wineries and 10 diverse AVAs (earning the highest percentage of organic and biodynamic vineyards in the United States), 24 state/national parklands and 450+ unique accommodations. Straddling scenic Highways 1 and 101, “The Redwood Corridor,” the County delivers an ideal vortex of waves, wines and redwoods laced with historic villages and outback adventures. Located 114 mi./184 km. north of San Francisco, the region’s gateway airports are San Francisco International (SFO), Oakland International (OAK), Sacramento International Airport (SMF), and Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport (STS). Visit Mendocino County is a non-profit destination marketing organization designed to enhance the economic vitality of the community by increasing tourism revenue. For more information, go to www.visitmendocino.com.

John Offerdahl’s Gridiron Grill-Off Food & Wine Festival

September 11, 2017 by evebushman Leave a Comment

Pompano Beach, Florida (PRWEB) – John Offerdahl’s Gridiron Grill-Off Food & Wine Festival presented by the University of Miami Health System, now in its eighth year, is off to an amazing start with the addition of several new restaurants, first-time participating Miami Dolphins legends and event sponsors. Tickets are now on sale for this all-inclusive culinary showcase set for Saturday, November 11, 2017 from 1 – 4 p.m. at the Pompano Beach Amphitheater.

“John Offerdahl’s Gridiron Grill-Off has established itself as one of the most significant food and wine festivals in South Florida,” said John Offerdahl, event founder and former Miami Dolphins All-Pro Linebacker. “Our unique brand succeeds by combining football, food and charity into one all-inclusive event that brings the community together to help those in need.”

The ever-popular festival evolves each year to deliver amazing food and fun and this year will be no different with participating new restaurants such as The Pompano Beach House, The Foundry, Sky Thai Sushi, JWB Prime Steak & Seafood at the Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort, The Rusty Hook Tavern, Atlantic Grill at the Atlantic Hotel & Spa and Naked Crab at the B Ocean Resort Fort Lauderdale.

First-time participating Miami Dolphins legends Woody Bennett, Lorenzo Hampton, Terry Kirby and Twan Russel will mix and mingle with nearly 3,000 event attendees while teaming up with an amazing lineup up of top chefs.

This continuously evolving event welcomes several new sponsors this year, including the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitor’s Bureau, Macy’s, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits and the University of Miami Health System (UHealth) as the 2017 presenting sponsor.

Event attendees will traverse the open-air festival grounds sampling mouthwatering dishes as they go tent to tent meeting and mingling with players and chefs. The delicious culinary creations take center field as each team offers one signature grilled entree paired with premium wines and spirits. The teams will vie for the 2017 Judge’s Choice and Fan Favorite awards. Past award-winning dishes include Crazy Duck Tacos, Coconut Chili Ceviche, Grilled Spanish Octopus, Espresso and Chocolate Crusted Filet Mignon and Bacon & Bleu Rib-eye.

In addition to the free-flowing food and drinks, Grill-Off guests will be immersed in live entertainment, a silent auction, the Tito’s Vodka Tailgate Zone and the cornhole competition in the Toyota Cornhole Stadium and Festival Stage.

“The University of Miami Health System is committed to providing quality healthcare for all and being fully engaged in our community. This event is a perfect tie to our advanced Sports Medicine Institute,” said Thinh Tran, M.D., M.B.A., chief clinical officer and chief operating officer of the University of Miami Health System. “Our team is ready to rally behind this South Florida tradition in support of John and Lynn Offerdahl and all that they do to help “Feed the Needs of Those in Crisis” in our community.”

One hundred percent of event net proceeds will benefit Offerdahl’s Hand-Off Foundation. VIP tickets grant guests early entry, special access to a full-pour open bar from 12 p.m. – 1 p.m. and giveaways while all attendees get to enjoy the unlimited food and beverage samples. To see a complete list of chef and player team pairings and to purchase all-inclusive general admission and VIP admission tickets, visit http://www.gridirongrilloff.com.

Stu and the Kids Announces 2017 Fundraiser at Vibiana on July 30

July 17, 2017 by evebushman Leave a Comment

A Thai flavored Food & Wine Festival hosted by Chef Stuart Skversky and his chef friends who will create dishes for the 4^thannual Stu and the Kids Fundraiser on Sunday, July 30. Proceeds will fund scholarships for Hill Tribe kids in Chaing Mai, Thailand.

Stu and the Kids 2016 – photo credit Erik Fisher

Participating chefs for this year’s event include Hosts Neal and Amy Fraser, Vibiana; Brooke Willamson and Nick Roberts, Playa Provisions; Walter Manzke, République; Eric Klein and Connor Shanahan, Wolfgang Puck Catering; Shirley Chung, Steamer’s Co. Raw Bar & Bowl of Hug; Gilberto Cetina, Chicken Itza; Matt Lee, Restaurant 917; Kris Yenbamroong, Night+Market; Jason Neroni from The Rose Café; Akasha Richmond, AKASHA and AR cucina; Sherry Yard, The Tuck Room; Warren and Rose Schwartz, Magpies Softserve; Jason Fullilove, Barbara Jean’s; Tetsu Yahagi,Spago Beverly Hills; Roxana Jullapat, Friends & Family; Gavin Mills, Miro; Joel Miller, The Wallace; Carlos Enriquez;Bakers Kneaded; Matt Dixon, Division 3; Gilberto Cetina, Chichen Itza; Food Network Celebrity Chef Jet Tila and special guest Rocco Whalen of Fahrenheit who will be flying in from Cleveland, Ohio with his team. Other chefs to be announced.

Other participating restaurants include 71 Above; Bar Alma; Chadaka Thai; and Jitlada (complete list of participating chefs and restaurants below).

Beverages will be plentiful, featuring the Stu and The Kids popular fresh Coconut Bar and Herb + Orchard water infusions. The Bodega Wine Bar will offer Santa Monica Brew Works beer and a great selection of beverages for a summer afternoon. Wines will be provided by Youngs Market, including sparkling wine and cider. Thanks to a generous donation from Tito’s Handmade Vodka, the festival will showcase a Thai-inspired cocktail mixed with Austin’s favorite spirit.

In 2009, Stuart Skversky, a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America and a rising- star chef, made a dramatic life change by giving up a promising chef career in Los Angeles to move to Chiang Mai, becoming a full-time volunteer at the Wat Dan Chan (a local Buddhist temple), teaching local children English, cooking and baking. Recognizing a need to help prepare these high-risk Hill Tribe kids following their graduation, he founded Stu and the Kids to better prepare them for adulthood, helping them get into a university or technical college and giving them the tools for an independent future. Proceeds from this event go directly to the children’s education, school uniforms, supplies, housing, food and tuition for higher education. Now in their ninth year of fundraising throughout the world, Stu and the Kids has raised over $300,000 for the charity, including last year’s astounding record of $110,000 accumulated from the LA festival, fundraising on the east coast and online donations during 2016. Stu and the Kids supervise seventeen kids, including fifteen who have earned four-year scholarships to university and a seven and fourteen-year-old that is supported with rent and food due to family hardship. The charity hopes to increase the awards to twelve four-year university scholarships in the coming year.

During the evening there will be an educational presentation and activities for all ages, including a vivid display of Northern Thai umbrellas and lanterns from the Tourism Authority of Thailand and performances of Thai music and dancing. The silent auction benefiting Stu and the Kids will include photos of locations in Chiang Mai, Thailand, hand-made Hill Tribe bags and silver jewelry, gift certificates, gift baskets, autographed cookbooks and a month of yoga classes.

The incomparable Billy Harris, celebrity charity auctioneer and host of Hanging with Harris will lead the live auction with several spectacular experiences:

An exclusive 4 night, 5 day trip to Thailand to meet the kids and enjoy the beauty and flavors of Chiang Mai.
2 tickets to the two hour finale and live reunion show for Survivor: Heroes v Healers v Hustlers.This also includes an exclusive, fun luncheon with the Survivor players where the winner can meet, chat and take photos. Winner of the auction will also participate in some Survivor challenges that will be set up on the CBS lot. This once in a lifetime afternoon for the diehard Survivor fan is tentatively scheduled for Dec 20th, 2018 at CBS in Los Angeles. Dates might fluctuate slightly.
Dinner for eight guests at The Rogue Experience, Wolfgang Puck’s experimental Test Kitchen at the Pacific Design Center. A one-of-a-kind full dining experience valued at $5000.
Dinner for four at Vespertine by Jordan Kahn, valued at $1000.

Hours are 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tickets are $125 General Admission, $195 for VIP Admission and $25 for children 6-12. To purchase tickets, visit StuandtheKidsTickets
Sunday, July 30, 2017, 4 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. for VIP tickets

General Admission: $125

VIP Admission: $195; early admission at 3:30 p.m. including a meet and greet with Chef Jet Tila, the Culinary Ambassador to Thailand and of the Food Network fame. Includes a personalized autographed copy of Chef Tila’s new cookbook, “101 Asian Dishes You Need To Cook Before You Die.”

Kids tickets: $25 for kids 6-12
Tickets for general admission, VIP admission and kids may be purchased online: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/stu-and-his-friends-a-thai-style-food-festival-to-support-stu-and-the-kids-tickets-33984327037

Vibiana, 214 South Main Street | Los Angeles, California 90012

ABOUT STU AND THE KIDS:

Stu and The Kids is a 501c3, tax-exempt nonprofit organization that provides scholarships for orphaned and underserved Hill Tribe children for continuing their education in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

For further information on Stu and the Kids, visit www.stuandthekids.org

Become a fan on Facebook: www.facebook.com/stuandthekids

Follow Stu and the Kids on Twitter and Instagram at @stuandthekids

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Participating Chefs

Presenting Chef and Culinary Ambassador to Thailand – Chef Jet Tila

Gilberto Cetina

Shirley Chung

Neal and Amy Fraser

Jason Fullilove

Eric Klein and Connor Shanahan

Jason Neroni

Warren and Rose Schwartz

Rocco Whalen

Brooke Willamson and Nick Roberts

Sherry Yard

Tetsu Yahagi

Kris Yenbamroong

Participating Restaurants

71 Above

Akasha

AR cucina

Bar Alma

Barbara Jean

Broken Spanish

Chadaka Thai

Chichen Itza

Division 3

Fahrenheit (Cleveland, Ohio)

Friends & Family

Jitlada

Magpies Softserve

Miro

Night+Market

Pastry Lab

Patina Catering

Playa Provisions

Redbird and Vibiana

République

Restaurant 917 at the Porches Experience

Savore Catering

Sinners & Saints

Spago Beverly Hills

Steamer’s Company, Raw Bar and Bowl of Hug

Tender Greens

The Ensaymada Project

The Olive Pit

The Rose Café

The Tuck Room

The Wallace

Wolfgang Puck Catering

Sponsors

6 Degrees LA

Behind the DJ Booth

Chef Spoons

Chefs to End Hunger

Erik Fisher Photography

LA & SF Specialty

Sustainable Works

The Bouqs.com

Tito’s Handmade Vodka

Tourism Authority of Thailand

Vibiana

Wolfgang Puck Catering

Young’s Market Company

Perlis and Haig Pick: South Bay Beer & Wine Festival

July 1, 2017 by Michael Perlis Leave a Comment

Recently, thanks mainly to the efforts of my sister-in-law Elizabeth (Liz) Haig, we attended the 4^th Annual South Bay Beer & Wine Festival. Our spouses Karen and Brian tagged along.

Since Liz went to all this trouble. I’d like to share her thoughts on the event and introduce you all to the person who has really been like my sister for about half [geez!] of my life.

Here’s Liz…

The South Bay Beer and Wine Festival in Rolling Hills Estates is a fundraiser for the El Segundo, Palos Verdes Peninsula and South Bay Sunrise Rotary clubs who volunteer and contribute to many worthwhile charities in our community.

It was a sold out event with nearly 1,300 guests. There were about 30 breweries and almost 20 wineries scheduled to pour and many local restaurants and other vendors serving up great food. I enjoyed several tastings that I thought I’d comment on a few that I really liked. I couldn’t get to all of them.

Kinship Winery in Paso Robles had a very nice Pinot Noir, it was light and refreshing and not too sweet. The Chardonnay was mild and had a fruity after taste. A portion of their proceeds goes towards helping children in Guatemala.

I tasted a flavored cognac, vodka and fruit juice blend called Mascarade with club soda and a mint leaf. It was very good and reminded me of a Mai Tai. And I really like Mai Tais.

Common Cider Company had several interesting flavors and their drinks were about 8% alcohol. We tried the Hibiscus Saison and Blackberry Sangria. Hibiscus Saison tasted like a mild cranberry drink without the tartness. The Blackberry Sangria was fruity and smooth.

Tito’s Vodka was serving up cool, refreshing cocktails and since it was extremely hot, it helped cool things down.

As for the beers, there were so many to choose from with a wide variety to sample. Absolution, Arts District, Knee Deep, RIPP Beer, Ironfire, Mother Earth Breweries and Scholb Premium Ales had some interesting new beers.

Red Car Brewery, Rock & Brews and Truxton’s had delicious sliders. Wa Dining, Pei Wei Asian, Silvio’s Brazilian BBQ, Tamiza’s Treats and Luna Grill had very tasting offers and it was nice to have a variety of different food choices.

Live music from the band, Detour, who played pop rock classics made us feel like dancing and really added to the atmosphere. I would definitely go again next year!

Thanks Liz.

I have a few more things to add.

On the day of the event [May 21^st] we were experiencing unseasonably warm weather, which made it a perfect day to get out of the Santa Clarita Valley and head down to the South Bay. It was somewhat warm down there too [although not like here] so it was a perfect day to focus on beer, which is what I did.

I had no idea there was such a craft beer movement going on in the South Bay. That area was well represented as well as other parts of LA and beyond.

Here were some of my favorites…

Arts District Brewing Company

Avery Brewing

Brouwerij West

Eagle Rock Brewery

House Beer

Iron Triangle

Phantom Carriage

Smog City Brewing Company

Three Weavers Brewing Company

Iron Triangle’s Dark Ale got my nod a second time [see my Masters of Taste article] for my favorite beer.

Also, Phantom Carriage gave me a good education on the purposeful use of brettanomyces in beer, which is usually a no-no for wine. They are definitely worth a trip to Carson to check out.

All in all, a nice way to spend a warm day out of the SCV.

Michael Perlis has been pursuing his passion for wine for more than 25 years. He has had the good fortune of having numerous mentors to show him the way, as well as a wonderful wife who encourages him and shares his interest. After a couple of decades of learning about wine, attending events, visiting wineries and vineyards, and tasting as much wine as he possibly could, he had the amazing luck to meet Eve Bushman. Now, as Contributing Editor for Eve’s Wine 101, he does his best to bring as much information as possible about wine to Eve’s Wine 101 faithful readers. Michael is also Vice President of Eve Bushman Consulting (fka Eve’s Wine 101 Consulting) http://evebushmanconsulting.com/ and President of MCP Financial. Michael can be contacted at michaelthezinfan@aol.com or michael@evebushmanconsulting.com.