Guillotine Vodka’s Heritage Edition Included in “The Best Vodka Brands To Buy Right Now”

October 8, 2020 by evebushman

MARINA DEL REY, CALIF. (PRWEB) – Guillotine Vodka had a pretty successful summer season. Throughout the summer the brand had heavily promoted and highlighted their Originale, an ultra-premium vodka made from the finest Champagne-region grapes. This vodka has a light and clean finish, offering notes of citrus with hints of almond and toffee. However, the star of this past summer season was the Heritage barrel-aged vodka. To no one’s surprise, this amber-colored vodka continues to steal the show, receiving validation from global news outlets.

Guillotine Heritage barrel-aged vodka has been listed as #3 by the acclaimed New York-based magazine, Rolling Stone in their “The Best Vodka Brands To Buy Right Now” article. Recognized for their opinions on popular culture, Rolling Stone emphasized the demand for Guillotine Heritage and reinforced the brand’s credibility by noting the uniqueness and sophistication the Heritage possesses, comparing it to a fine cognac.

The article goes on to highlight the brand’s success, stating: “Guillotine is ideal for anyone who’s already developed a palate for vodka and is looking to try something new. It’s been lauded by experts and the public alike, earning a Double Gold Medal at the consumer-judged SIP Awards in 2019.” The Rolling Stone article was then re-published by Yahoo!, more than doubling its exposure to an audience that may be familiar with vodka, but not necessarily aware of this new French vodka that claims to be A Cut Above Le Reste.

Guillotine Heritage Barrel-Aged Vodka is a unique aged vodka that is matured in Cognac and Armagnac barrels made from very special Limousin oak, adding notes of cinnamon and toffee with hints of mandarin orange and licorice. Made in a 100-year-old distillery using a mix of ancient methods and modern savoir-faire, Guillotine Heritage Vodka is an ultra-premium spirit unparalleled in quality, taste, and joie de vivre.

Guillotine Heritage Barrel-Aged Vodka is the only French vodka from Champagne-region vineyards that is aged in oak barrels, instilling Guillotine Heritage with its unique aromas, increased roundness, and golden amber hue. Smooth and clean, with subtle woody notes complemented by hints of spice, vanilla and cinnamon, this exceptional vodka has just the right amount of umami.

Guillotine Heritage Barrel-Aged Vodka is crafted with care using artisanal techniques steeped in France’s rich history of fine wines and spirits. The process starts by handpicking and de-seeding world-renowned grapes, slowly pressing them, patiently distilling them, and expertly preserving their essence. The taste and finish of Guillotine are the results of mingling white and black grapes such as Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Chardonnay.

About Guillotine Vodka

Guillotine is a revolutionary French vodka created exclusively from the Aÿ-Champagne region’s finest pinot and chardonnay grapes. Founded by Paul Berkmann in 2016, the brand’s mission is to introduce the world to the finest artisanal spirits, starting with ultra-premium vodkas that are unparalleled in quality, taste, and joie de vivre. Guillotine is 100% natural, vegan-friendly and gluten-free, containing no coloring or flavoring additives, no glycerol, and no citric acid.

Gary’s Wine and Marketplace Officially Opens In St. Helena

October 21, 2019 by evebushman

ST. HELENA, CALIF. (PRWEB) – Leading New Jersey-based alcohol beverage and gourmet food retailer, Gary’s Wine & Marketplace (http://www.garyswine.com), officially opened its first west coast store in St. Helena, California on Thursday, October 3rd, 2019. The very first winery that founder and CEO, Gary Fisch visited when he began his career in wine over forty years ago was Louis M. Martini. Returning to where it all began, Gary opens his new store across the street from the iconic winery.

The team at Gary’s Napa Valley consists of an array of local talent including Jonathan Ruppert as General Manager and a Wine Team of Susan Meyer, Austin Burns, Eric Abraham, Ashley Taranto, and Ilse Chun. Gary’s Culinary Director is Adam Pechal with Paola Segura as Catering Manager and Sharon Arnold as the Cheesemonger. The official coffee partner of Gary’s Napa Valley will be Petaluma-based Acre Coffee.

The new Gary’s Napa Valley location will feature over 380 Napa wines, 40 sparkling wines, and 280 international wines, which is the largest and most diverse selection of hand-selected imports in the area. Gary’s will also carry over 250 spirits and beer products and well over 200 cheeses and other specialty food items (local and imported) as well as coffee and breakfast items, salads, sandwiches, charcuterie, olive oil and fresh-baked bread. Beyond the shelves, Gary’s Napa Valley will provide catering services as well as concierge service to guests, a new element for Gary’s Wine & Marketplace stores.

“We are excited to let our Napa Valley customers know that we are open for business. Gary’s Napa concierge service will serve as the gateway for our customers in NJ and across the country as they plan their trips to the valley,” says owner and CEO Gary Fisch. “Our team will facilitate winery visits, restaurant reservations, hotel booking, and more to ensure that our guests enjoy the best of what Napa Valley has to offer.”

Fisch’s unique perspective as a brick-and-mortar retail expert for the past 32 years has provided him with the ability to forecast future trends and respond to them with continued innovation. “We compete in an increasingly digital day and age by providing in-store experiences that cannot be purchased online. Customers enjoy coming into our stores, tasting our products, and speaking with our team of wine and cheese experts,” explains Fisch. “However, we want to continue to use technology to enhance our ability to provide convenience and value to our customers.” To this end, Gary’s recently rolled out a new mobile app that offers 1-hour delivery to all NJ customers.

About Gary’s Wine & Marketplace:
Gary’s Wine & Marketplace (http://www.garyswine.com) began as a small wine shop in Madison, New Jersey in 1987 and has since grown to be one of the largest fine wine businesses in the New York metropolitan area, with four stores in Northern New Jersey and a thriving e-commerce business. Commitment to friendly, attentive service by knowledgeable employees and a myriad of wine and food events for the public set Gary’s apart from other wine stores.

New Jersey’s Liberty Hall Museum Opens First Exhibit Of Its Kind Exploring American History Through Wine And Spirits

August 5, 2019 by evebushman

UNION, N.J. (PRWEB) – The Liberty Hall Museum at Kean University and The Portuguese Cork Association (APCOR) are proud to announce the opening of “History in a Bottle,” a permanent exhibit that showcases American history through an unparalleled collection of wines and spirits that date as far back as 1796. The wine and spirits on display and in the Liberty Hall cellar have been preserved by natural cork, allowing for museum visitors to experience a living history of the United States through the centuries. In honor of Independence Day, the exhibit opened to the public on July 4, 2019.

This comprehensive collection includes ancient Madeira from the early days of the American Republic, Civil War-era Bourbon, fine wine imports, Prohibition-era spirits, and early American wines from California, making this exhibit the first of its kind in the United States. The exhibit also offers visitors a glimpse into the science and history of natural cork and its modern applications.

As part of the exhibit opening, the museum and APCOR hosted private previews for media, who had the exclusive opportunity to taste a rare Old Verdelho Madeira from the mid-19th century and a Bourbon from 1887 that were rediscovered during restorations at the museum in 2015.

“Our mission is to offer all museum visitors a journey through time as we recreate American history through the experiences of our iconic family. This exhibition goes back hundreds of years and alcohol evidently played an important role in the beginning of our country,” says Mr. John Kean Sr., President of Liberty Hall Museum. “This is a different way to look at the history of the United States of America. We typically rely on paper documents, artifacts, letters, but liquor is just as important.”

The wines and spirits in this exhibition were collected by the Livingston and Kean families over the course of nearly two centuries. Approximately 40 demijohns, large, bulbous bottles that hold 5 gallons, and six cases of Madeira dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries were found along with over 300 bottles of fine wines and spirits during a refurbishment project. Several bottles of Madeira included in the collection were imported in 1796 and were possibly purchased to celebrate the election of President John Adams. They were ordered by Robert Lenox, Esq., a banker and financier who was known to import Madeira in barrels and demijohns, and then bottle and label the Madeira with handwritten tags.

Other highlights on display at the museum include 1837 Jamaican Rum, 1884 Martinez Vintage Port, 1884 Old Crow Bourbon, 1905 Château Mouton Rothschild, 1922 Château d’Yquem, 1926 Krug Champagne, 1926 Pavillon Blanc du Château Margaux, c.1934 Laphroaig 14 Years Old Scotch, 1935 Old Overholt Rye Whiskey, 1936 Wente Bros Sweet Semillon, c. 1940 Bacardi Rum, and 1943 Marc Brédif Vouvray.

After their discovery, several bottles in this collection were opened and tasted, and found to be in perfect condition, preserved from the time of the early American republic until today in glass bottles with natural cork stoppers. In December 2018, a portion of the collection was auctioned by Christie’s in New York City. The highest price realized was for a demijohn of 1846 Madeira that sold for $39,000. For additional background on the discovery and Christie’s sale, visit the online feature Discovered: One of the largest collections of early Madeira in the United States.

“We are honored to be part of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to celebrate the historical intersection of Portuguese and American cultures. The wines and spirits that are exhibited in the museum are not just relics – inside is living history,” says João Rui Ferreira, President of APCOR. “The fact that we can taste today what our forebearers tasted over 200 years ago is amazing, and we are proud that natural cork has played such an important role in preserving wine and making this miracle possible.”

The exhibit was curated through a joint effort between Liberty Hall Museum and Colangelo & Partners, the premier wine and spirits communications agency in the United States. The “History in a Bottle” logo was developed by students at Kean University.

Liberty Hall Museum is open to visitors Tuesday through Friday, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, and Saturdays from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Tours leave every hour; the last tour leaves the hour prior to closing. For more information, please visit http://www.kean.edu/libertyhall/ or call the museum office at 908.527.0400.

For more information about natural cork, please visit http://www.apcor.pt/en/ and 100percentcork.org and follow us on Facebook (100PercentCork), Instagram (100PercentCork), and Twitter (100PercentCork).

About APCOR – http://www.apcor.pt/en/
The Portuguese Cork Association (APCOR) exist to promote natural cork and its products. APCOR is the employers’ association of the cork sector that represents, promotes and carries out research in the Portuguese cork industry. It was created in 1956 and is based in Santa Maria de Lamas, in the council of Santa Maria da Feira, at the heart of the cork industry around 30 kilometers from Porto, Portugal’s second largest city. Membership of the association is open to all companies operating in the fields of production, marketing or export of cork products. The organization advocates on behalf of the Portuguese cork industry worldwide and is the driving force of an industry based on tradition, innovation and sustainability.

About Liberty Hall Museum – http://www.kean.edu/libertyhall/
Liberty Hall Museum, originally constructed in 1760, was built as a country getaway by the then prominent New York lawyer, William Livingston. Livingston would go on to serve in the First and Second Continental Congresses, become New Jersey’s first elected governor and sign the United States Constitution. The Kean family was the second generation to live at Liberty Hall, taking over the original estate in 1811. Multiple generations of the Keans continued to live at the estate until 1995, and the home was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1973. The Kean family has worked to preserve and enhance the estate’s invaluable character.

It Starts With Wine, A Wine Enthusiast Media Original Production, Premiers on Amazon Prime Video January 4th

January 2, 2019 by evebushman

VALHALLA, N.Y., PRNewswire — Wine Enthusiast Media is pleased to announce the launch of It Starts With Wine, an original series premiering on Amazon Prime Video January 4th, 2019. The episodic series travels the globe and follows the world’s best winemakers, growers, producers and personalities, along with prominent chefs and celebrities, to offer viewers an inside look at the people, locations, cuisines and cultures that surround the wine lifestyle and the world’s finest wines and spirits.

The first episode in the groundbreaking cinematic series features famed chef and restaurateur Francis Mallmann, with acclaimed “flying winemaker” Alberto Antonini, set against the beautiful backdrop of Uruguay and one of the country’s premier wineries, Bodega Garzon.

“We felt that the best way to convey these stories was in episodic fashion,” says Jay Spaleta, Executive Producer and Wine Enthusiast SVP. “Wine Enthusiast has long been an innovator in wine information, reviews and content, this is the next bold step in that content leadership.”

“It Starts With Wine is a docuseries that tells a personal story and shares deep insights in a way that is very approachable, engaging and revealing,” continues Spaleta.

Wine Enthusiast Media will be simultaneously releasing episodes I, II and III for viewers binge-watching pleasure. The series will be available on Amazon Prime Video in North America and Vimeo’s On Demand premium video service globally.

Episode II of It Starts With Wine follows doctor / vintner Laura Catena and musician / chef Deborah De Corral on a visit to Bodega Catena Zapata, the renowned Argentine Winery. Founded in 1902, Catena is known for bringing traditional European winemaking methods to South America.

Episode III travels to California to look at biodynamic viticulture with Joseph Brinkley, vineyard director at Bonterra Organic Vineyards and explores the simplicity of elemental food with chef Garrett Sathre.

About Wine Enthusiast:

Wine Enthusiast Media creates innovative long and short-format content in the wine, spirits, travel and lifestyle categories. Wine Enthusiast Media is the production division of Wine Enthusiast Companies founded in 1979, and publisher of Wine Enthusiast magazine.

For more info visit: https://itstartswithwine.com

Finger Lakes Named Top Wine Region by USA Today

September 29, 2018 by evebushman

GENEVA, N.Y.– The Finger Lakes Wine Alliance (FLWA) is proud to announce that the Finger Lakes wine region has been named the “Best Wine Region” by voters in the USA Today 10 Best Readers’ Choice 2018 Contest. Regions were selected by a panel of wine industry experts with the Finger Lakes topping a list of 20 regions including the Willamette Valley, Santa Barbara County, and Walla, Walla Valley.

“We were thrilled to be nominated and would like to thank everyone who voted for the Finger Lakes region in the contest” stated Tracey Dello Stritto, Executive Director of the Finger Lakes Wine Alliance. “To top this list of excellent wine regions is an honor. We would also like to recognize the local wineries, restaurants and hotels who received nominations in many other categories. These nominations show the depth of our region. Our committed growers, talented winemakers and passionate hospitality personnel have shared their excitement for the region for decades so receiving the ‘best wine region’ accolade is very rewarding.”

With its glacier-sculpted landscapes, ideal microclimates and gifted winegrowers, the Finger Lakes region is home to over 130 wineries that produce exceptional cool-climate wines and world class Rieslings.

About Finger Lakes Wine Alliance

Founded in 2004, Finger Lakes Wine Alliance is a not-for-profit corporation whose mission is to increase the visibility and reputation of the Finger Lakes region, its wines and wineries. The alliance is comprised of 38 members and 15 affiliated businesses and vendors, and it is guided by a board of directors comprised of principals representing all four wine trails and non-wine trail wineries of the Finger Lakes. With its glacier-sculpted landscapes, ideal microclimates and gifted winegrowers, the Finger Lakes region is home to over 100 wineries that produce exceptional cool-climate wines and world-class Rieslings. For more information, visit www.fingerlakeswinealliance.com, call 315.791.2359 or connect on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

Now Open: The Underground, The Mob Museum’s Prohibition History Exhibition

May 20, 2018 by evebushman

LAS VEGAS (PRWEB) – The Mob Museum, The National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement, today announces the opening of The Underground, its new Prohibition history exhibition featuring a working distillery and speakeasy. Zappos.com serves as The Underground’s signature sponsor.

The Mob Museum is located in downtown Las Vegas, Nevada.

Entirely re-envisioning the typical museum exhibition experience, The Underground takes visitors on an uncommonly vivid journey back in time: Situated discreetly in the basement of the Museum, The Underground encompasses 2,814 square feet appointed with luxurious, Art Deco design motifs. Guests of The Underground are encouraged to ponder the time when consuming alcohol was not only a criminal act, but also bred secret watering holes–some of which became the most glamorous places to be.

“We are extremely proud of this addition to the Museum, which was developed to tell the story of this pivotal period of American history in the most dynamic way possible,” said Jonathan Ullman, president and chief executive officer, The Mob Museum. “To our many supporters whose contributions made The Underground possible, we extend enormous gratitude.”

The Museum’s project team for The Underground included LG Architects, design firm Gallagher and Associates, historic consultant Robert Chattel of Chattel, Inc., custom fabricator CREO Industrial Arts, the City of Las Vegas and Core Construction.

Numerous exhibits and artifacts found in the distillery and speakeasy add depth and context to the experience. Exhibits and artifacts on display bring to life the essence of a time that saw organized crime syndicates grow richer and more powerful than ever before, while giving rise to great cultural and societal change.

Artifacts on display include:

Five-gallon whiskey still, an example of one of the smaller home stills used to make alcohol during Prohibition.
Valise with hidden flasks produced by Abercrombie & Fitch, with a brass stud on its base that, when swiveled, reveals a tiny keyhole. Once unlocked, the false bottom opens to reveal three silver flasks.
One-gallon “alky cooker” like those used by impoverished families employed by Chicago’s Genna brothers to make small batches of liquor in their homes.
Grape brick sign, which advertised the blocks of grape concentrate sold in grocery stores. These blocks could be combined with water to make grape juice. Of course, yeast could be added, the mixture poured into a bottle, the bottle corked and, three weeks later—voila!—home-made wine.
Budweiser frozen eggs, which along with more than 25 other non-alcoholic products, carried Anheuser Busch’s most popular brand name during Prohibition. Other products included soft drinks, malt extract, corn syrup and truck bodies. The frozen eggs were sold in 30-pound canisters and stabilized with sugar and salt.
Beaded chiffon dress, circa 1926, which provides an example of the new and bolder fashions that became popular during the Prohibition era due to the rise of flapper culture.

A unique aquarium exhibit, produced in conjunction with The Animal Planet series “Tanked,” tells the story of the 1922 sinking of the Lizzie D, a tug boat believed to have moonlighted as a rum runner, off the coast of Fire Island, New York. The 440-gallon tank memorializes the discovery of the sunken vessel in 1977, which was indeed found to be carrying crates containing hundreds of bottles of Kentucky bourbon, Scotch whisky and Canadian rye whisky.

Master Distiller in Residence George Racz, oversees the initial production of corn-mash moonshine in The Underground’s 60-gallon, custom-made copper-pot still. Capable of producing 250 750 ml jars of moonshine per week, the gleaming still forms the focal point of the distillery.

In the speakeasy, The Underground’s moonshine provides the centerpiece of the cocktail collection, while a full bar is also available. The speakeasy cocktail menu includes typical Prohibition cocktails such as Bee’s Knees, Underground Old Fashioned, Ginger Jake and Giggle Water. A variety of coffee cocktails, draft beer, bottled beer, wines by the glass and non-alcoholic cocktails are also available.

Finally, for private groups and intimate events, a VIP hideaway called “The Fitting Room,” concealed by a secret entrance off the speakeasy, can accommodate up to 12 guests.

Entrance to The Underground at The Mob Museum is free with general Museum admission until 5 p.m.; guests who wish to visit just The Underground after 5 p.m. may enter via its exterior side entrance free of charge until closing. The new hours of the Museum, including The Underground, are 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday through Wednesday, and 9 a.m. until midnight, Thursday through Saturday.

For even more information about Prohibition, visit the Museum’s online exhibit at prohibitionhistory.org. Photos are available for download here.

ABOUT THE MOB MUSEUM
The Mob Museum, the National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, provides a world-class, interactive journey through true stories—from the birth of the Mob to today’s headlines. The Mob Museum offers a provocative, contemporary look at these topics through hundreds of artifacts and immersive storylines. Whether you like it or not, this is American history. It debuted a major renovation in 2018, including a Crime Lab, Use of Force Training Experience, and Organized Crime Today exhibit as well as The Underground, a basement-level Prohibition history exhibition featuring a working speakeasy and distillery and sponsored by Zappos. Since opening in 2012, The Mob Museum has accumulated numerous accolades, including being named one of TripAdvisor’s “Top 25 U.S. Museums,” one of Las Vegas Weekly’s “Twenty Greatest Attractions in Las Vegas History,” one of Hotel.com’s Top 7 “Travel Brag Landmarks,” one of USA Today’s “12 Can’t Miss U.S. Museum Exhibits,” “A Must for Travelers” by The New York Times, one of “20 Places Every American Should See” by Fox News and Budget Travel magazine, “Best Museum” by Nevada Magazine and is a multi-year winner of the Las Vegas Review-Journal’s “Best of Las Vegas” rankings. The Mob Museum has been awarded accreditation by the American Alliance of Museums, the highest national recognition afforded U.S. museums. General admission is $26.95 for adults ages 18 and over with special pricing for online purchase, children, seniors, military, law enforcement, Nevada residents, and teachers. The Museum is open daily; visit the website for up-to-date operating hours. For more information, call (702) 229-2734 or visit https://themobmuseum.org. Connect on Facebook at facebook.com/themobmuseum or Twitter @themobmuseum.

Blatty Wines…Take Me Away

May 4, 2018 by evebushman

I first met Mark Blatty of Byron Blatty Wines (same person but I understand he prefers to go by Mark) at Assistance League’s wildly successful Sunset in the Vineyard 10^th Anniversary event last November. His tasting table was adjacent to the Pulchella Winery table and I quickly learned that Mark had joined other local winemakers at the Pulchella crush pad.

Then I tasted his wine and noted, I had to have more. In January I did a round up on what happens in our wineries in January and February for Elite magazine and Mark wrote, “In February Byron Blatty will be bottling at least two brand new wines for their spring release. A Rosé of Grenache that’s 100% LA County fruit as well as at least one new red blend that is Grenache, Syrah and Merlot (also LA County). It’s their unorthodox take on a GSM.” The “their” included winemakers Steve Lemley, Nate Hasper and assistant winemaker Joey Perry. (See below under “website” to learn more about the winemaking team.)

Those wines Mark referenced would prove to be the two wines I would be tasting for this article, and readers would also have a chance to maybe try them too at Wine On The Roof set for May 17.

Tasting

2017 Rosé, Los Angeles County

100% Grenache

14% alcohol

With an inviting color of rose gold I was drawn in to find aromas of ripe raspberry, lemon and lime zest, yellow peach and tropical fruit – made me think of Hawaii…and a beach…and a much needed vacation. Okay, back to the wine, I dove in (not to the ocean) for a taste. Luscious mouth coating viscosity and a hell of a lot of fruit, same as on the nose, lightly crisp and with medium acidity. As the length just went on and on, I thought how nice this would be in between bites of…just about anything that sounds good with a Rosé wine. 90 Eve pts.

2016 Tremor, Los Angeles County

65% Grenache, 30% Merlot and 5% Syrah

15.5% alcohol

Aged 18 months in French oak barrels

Dark garnet in color, with a honeyed edge that may be indicative of the time spent in oak, was my first observation. Then the spices on the nose hit me like a ton of bricks, well maybe not a ton of bricks, but the full spice rack! Along with dark plums, chocolate, red berry, blueberry – and then the two, the spices and the fruit, just melded perfectly together. Itching for a taste, you guessed it, I dove in again. A very full mouthfeel of pleasantly blended fruit, spice, a mild but welcome heat from the alcohol, toasted oak, length and a style that I wasn’t really familiar with. Maybe it was the blending Rhône with Bordeaux grapes that got my attention but I don’t care what it was, this renegade of a wine was delicious! Betting even better with a little aging or decanting. 92 Eve pts.

From The Website

Mark & Jenny Blatty, Proprietors – Mark and Jenny founded Byron Blatty Wines in 2014, after a visit to Napa Valley. Inspired by the story of Napa’s original vintners, who challenged the French with their determination to create world-class wines in a previously unproven region, the Blattys had only one rule that would guide them on their endeavor to start a commercial winery: The wines had to be from their hometown of Los Angeles. Initially they intended to plant a small vineyard on their hillside property, but soon realized that the space was not large enough, nor was it right for the varietals they had in mind. Undeterred, they began to search for vineyards in LA County from which to source their grapes. Despite the area’s rich wine history, established vineyards in LA are few and far between, and it took the couple nearly a year to discover just the right sites, tucked away in the far corners of the county.

In addition to being vintners, the Blattys also have careers in television. Mark is a Los Angeles native, and Jenny relocated from Chicago in 2001. Their first child, Oliver Byron Blatty, was born in January 2017.

Steve Lemley and Nate Hasper, Winemakers – Steve Lemley and Nate Hasper are the winemakers for Byron Blatty Wines. With more than thirty-five years of combined winemaking experience, as well as formal training at UC Davis, the pair melds a deep knowledge of modern techniques with the finesse and feel one only acquires through firsthand experience with multiple vintages. With an almost fanatical approach, they work hand in hand with our growers and in the winery to push the fruit to the absolute limits for maximum flavor and color extraction, while retaining each varietal’s nuances and subtleties. The result is bold, powerfully styled wines that stand out from the crowd.

Joey Perry, Assistant Winemaker –Joey Perry became Byron Blatty’s assistant winemaker for the 2015 vintage—his third overall—and he manages all winery operations for Lemley and Hasper. The SoCal native got his MBA from the University of Laverne and had his sights set on a career on Wall Street before a wine course at College of the Canyons in Valencia altered his path. Perry decided the trading life was not going to be for him and instead immersed himself in wine, going to work full time for Lemley and Hasper after graduation. He married his wife, Kristine, in 2015 and lives in Santa Clarita with her and their two dogs.

Website: http://www.byronblatty.com

Email: info@byronblatty.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/byronblattywines/

Instagram: @byronblattywines

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

Vineyard to Vintner 2017, A Weekend of Exclusive Tastings, Food Pairings and Backstage Access

March 8, 2017 by evebushman

Each year, member wineries of the Stags Leap District Winegrowers open their doors for this one weekend, giving visitors exclusive access to the wines, vineyards and people behind this iconic wine region. Visitors receive personal, backstage access to vintner homes and historic wineries alike, with private tours, barrel tastings and food pairings, all set amongst the glorious vineyards and towering Palisades of the Stags Leap District.

“Vineyard to Vintner offers visitors a wine experience like no other,” said Nancy Bialek, Executive Director of Stags Leap District Winegrowers. “It’s a full weekend with library wine dinners, open houses and a vintner-hosted lunch. Guests have unparalleled vintner and winemaker access and can taste the world-renowned Cabernets of this region, in the most relaxed of settings. Cabernet fans look forward to this weekend, year after year.”

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

The Vineyard to Vintner weekend includes:

Exclusive Vintner-Hosted Library Wine Dinners: Friday, April 28, 2017 // 6:30 PM – 10:00 PM

Vineyard to Vintner begins Friday night with four distinct dinners. Each 45-person dinner is co-hosted by several vintners and is prepared by a famed Napa Valley chef. The 2017 Friday dinner venues include Cliff Lede Vineyards, Clos Du Val, Silverado Vineyards, and Stags’ Leap Winery. Each co-hosting vintner digs deep into their cellars to share their most cherished library wines for this food and wine experience.

Back-Stage Open Houses: Saturday, April 29, 2017 // 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

On Saturday, individual Winery Open Houses provide back-stage access to the Association’s member wineries. Guests spend the day with vintners and winemakers at their private homes and historic wineries and enjoy special access to wines and food not available to the general public.

Vintner-Hosted Lunch and Appellation Collection Tasting: Sunday, April 30, 2017 // 11:30 AM – 2:00 PM

The Vineyard to Vintner weekend concludes Sunday with a vintner-hosted farm-to-table buffet lunch. Set among the sprawling vineyards at Regusci Winery V2V guests also get the first “sneak peak” of the 2014 Stags Leap District Appellation Collection.

Tickets and Additional Information
Tickets go on sale, February 14, 2017. You can find more information and purchase tickets, at http://www.stagsleapdistrict.com/V2V. Prices range from $690 for a three-day pass, to $545 for a two-day pass (Friday/Saturday), $340 for a two-day pass (Saturday/Sunday), and $195 for a Saturday single-day pass. ‘Signature Wine Weekends for Two’ packages are available for $3,399 and include two passes for all three days of the event, the limited 2014 Appellation Collection of 17 handcrafted 2014 SLD designated Cabernet Sauvignons each signed exclusively by the vintners, and one Solle two-bottle jacquard and leather embossed wine tote. More information can be found at http://www.stagsleapdistrict.com/V2V.

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