Lodi Winegrape Commission Celebrates 30 Years

November 29, 2021 by evebushman

LODI, Calif.– The year 2021 marks the 30th anniversary of the Lodi Winegrape Commission – the grower-centric organization which represents 750 winegrowers farming more than 100,000 acres of winegrapes in the Lodi American Viticultural Area (AVA) spanning California’s northern San Joaquin and Sacramento counties.

Over the past 30 years, the Lodi Winegrape Commission has elevated Lodi’s reputation as a premium winegrowing region amongst core buyers, consumers, trade, and media, while providing support for the region through marketing, education, research, and sustainable winegrowing programs.

Proof of the organization’s decades-long work is reflected in the region itself. Since 1991, Lodi’s acreage under vine has more than doubled, progressing from 39,000 acres to over 100,000 acres. Crop values increased from $80 million to more than $500 million, and the number of wineries expanded from six to 85. Wine-related tourism continues to generate billions of dollars in annual economic impact for the community. The recognized Lodi Appellation has become an indicator of quality on labeled wines, growing from a handful in the 1990s to thousands today.

“The success of the Lodi Winegrape Commission hinges on the support of its winegrowers and wine community,” states Aaron Shinn, Lodi Winegrape Commission board chair. “Collectively, we have excelled at our original objectives to move Lodi forward and we’re incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished thus far. In continuing to work together, we have an exciting future ahead of us. The best is yet to come.”

The Commission continues to spur innovation in technology, viticultural practices, and modern thinking while serving as a winegrowing industry thought leader. Its programs and achievements since 1991 are just the beginning of the Commission’s success and contributions to the larger wine industry.

In honor of the accomplishments of its dedicated winegrowers and wine community, the Lodi Winegrape Commission hosted an invitation-only celebration featuring a presentation from California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross on November 17, 2021.

Notable achievements of the Commission over the past 30 years include:

In 2005, creation of the LODI RULES for Sustainable Winegrowing program, now widely regarded as the most comprehensive and rigorous sustainable vineyard certification in the world. What began as a handful of certified vineyards in 2005 has increased to nearly 1,300 certified vineyards and 55,380 certified acres across 16 California Crush Districts, Washington, and Israel. The program was awarded the Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award (GEELA) in 2006 and again in 2014.
In 2015, Lodi was honored as Wine Enthusiast Magazine’s Wine Region of the Year because of the Lodi Winegrape Commission’s highly visible and successful consumer-facing branding and national marketing campaign.
In 2000, the Lodi Winegrape Commission established the Lodi Wine Visitor Center – one of the industry’s original regional wine education and tasting centers.
In 2006, the Lodi Winegrape Commission was instrumental in establishing seven unique areas or nested AVAs within the greater Lodi AVA: Alta Mesa, Borden Ranch, Clements Hills, Cosumnes River, Jahant, Mokelumne River, and Sloughhouse.
In August 2020, the Lodi Winegrape Commission released “Mealybug Biocontrol in California Vineyards” – a video detailing a one-year project with Dr. Kent Daane and a team of Lodi growers who later leveraged the original Western SARE grant into a $1 million BIFS (Biologically Integrated Farming Systems) grant for the study of mealybug biocontrol in Lodi and the Central Coast.
In October 2020, the Commission launched Save the Old Vines – a marketing campaign aimed specifically at the preservation of heritage vineyards. In March 2021, the Commission was one of a handful of leaders asked to speak at the world’s first Old Vine Conference – a movement dedicated to ensuring heritage vineyards a valued and enduring place within the commercial realities of the global wine industry.

About the Lodi Winegrape Commission

Established in 1991, the Lodi Winegrape Commission represents the common interests of Lodi winegrowers with programs in marketing, education, research, and sustainable viticulture. The Commission collectively and effectively promotes Lodi’s vibrant, multi-generational farming community and California’s most dynamic wine region. Comprised of nine commissioners and nine alternates, the board of directors provides direction and input on behalf of the region’s 750 winegrowers. For more information about the Lodi Winegrape Commission, visit lodigrowers.com.

About the Lodi American Viticultural Area (AVA)

A historic winegrowing region since the 1850s, Lodi is perfectly situated 40 miles south of Sacramento and 90 miles east of San Francisco. Lodi’s Mediterranean climate and distinct soils allow its growers to cultivate 125 winegrape varieties, making Lodi the most diverse winegrowing region in the United States. The region also serves as home to 85 boutique wineries specializing in small-lot, handmade wines that have garnered major awards at domestic and international wine competitions.

Lodi is naturally a leader in sustainable viticulture. Created by California farmers and accredited by world-renowned scientists, LODI RULES is America’s original sustainable winegrowing program. Held to a high standard of scientific rigor and excellence, the program emphasizes environmentally and socially responsible practices, while keeping economic feasibility in mind for long-term business success. Today, there are more than 55,000 acres certified throughout California, in Washington, and Israel. For more information about the Lodi AVA or LODI RULES, visit lodiwine.com and lodirules.org.

Lodi, California: Home to a World of Winegrape Varieties

November 8, 2021 by evebushman

Home to 125 varieties in production, the Lodi AVA is the most diverse winegrowing region in the United States. While it is the leading producer of many top California varieties including Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, what makes the region truly distinctive are the myriad of unusual grape varieties planted here. From Alicante Bouschet to Zweigelt, Lodi is a dazzling melting pot of global varieties. Take a peek to learn how Lodi came to grow the largest collection of German varieties outside Deutschland.

Dusky sky over Harney Lane vineyard, Sept. 2013-Credit Randy Caparoso

Lodi’s ideal Mediterranean-like climate is integral to the ability of different winegrapes to flourish within the region. Varying micro-climates across Lodi’s sub-appellations and sandy loam soils rich in granitic-based minerals create an ideal environment for diverse wine production. During the growing season, warm, sunny days allow for optimal ripening of winegrapes, while cool winds off the Pacific Ocean which travel inland over a network of waterways act as a natural air conditioner, helping grapes maintain racy acidity.

In addition to near-perfect terroir, Lodi’s success in winegrape diversification can be attributed to multi-generational winegrowing families who are dedicated to innovative and sustainable viticultural practices. Find out how the region’s LODI RULES for sustainable winegrowing program is ensuring fruitful longevity for years to come.

Five Prestigious Napa Valley Mountain AVAs, One Extraordinary 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon

October 26, 2021 by evebushman

What happens when the highest quality fruit from Napa Valley’s 5 prestigious mountain AVAs are blended together? You get 1 extra special and unique Cabernet Sauvignon! “The Five Peaks of Napa Valley” 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon from The Vice Wines is finally ready to make its debut. 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, “The Five Peaks of Napa Valley” – ($150.00 / 2 x 750ml bottle set)

Napa Valley produces 4% of California’s wine, and only 5% percent of Napa’s wine production comes from mountain fruit harvested from 5 prestigious AVAs: Atlas Peak, Mount Veeder, Diamond Mountain District, Howell Mountain, and Spring Mountain District.

In 2018, an outstanding vintage, The Vice founder/winemaker Malek Amrani harvested grapes from each of these 5 uniquely different mountain AVAs and set out to craft an extraordinary Cabernet Sauvignon. Each small batch was aged in select New French Oak barrels for 22 months, blended and barrel rested for a further 2 months and aged in the bottle for 12 months.

A powerful young Cab. Dark, ripe, intense and deeply concentrated. Even with an additional year of bottle aging in our cellar, this one is years from peaking. Leather, game meat, hickory and licorice are currently wrestling one another, backed with waves of blackberry, fig, boysenberry and black currant. The massively tannic mid-palate shows the strength to age. The back half kicks in with apple wood, dark cacao and cedar that linger into a lengthy finish. – Malek Amrani, The Vice Founder/Winemaker

Open and decant it to enjoy now, age it for years to come, or wrap it up for the holidays—the silk-printed gold bottle alone makes it gift-worthy.

The ABV is 15.00%. 384 cases were produced. All wines by The Vice are low in sulfites, made with sustainable farming and winemaking practices and are certified vegan.

About The Vice Wine

The Vice is a Napa Valley luxury wine brand made in small batches. Each batch is crafted from single grape varietals sourced from hand selected vineyards that best express the grape varietal and the region that it comes from. The Vice is a result of passionate labor, sustainable farming, a long expertise of the wine industry and a current understanding of the consumer’s wine trend. The Vice is about as personal of a brand as it gets. Everything is done by the founders. We drive the truck to get our fruit, we crush, bottle, label; we do everything by hand when possible. We design the labels, work the market, and sell the wine. We believe that the best wines in the world aren’t the most expensive ones. We thrive at providing the best quality wine at the best value. For more information visit thevice.com and follow on @thevicewine.

Explore the Stags Leap District and its World-Class Wines at Vineyard to Vintner Weekend, April 22-24, 2022

October 17, 2021 by evebushman

NAPA, CALIF. (PRWEB) – The premier event for the Stags Leap District Winegrowers, Vineyard to Vintner, returns in 2022, bringing enthusiasts together with vintners, winemakers and principals for a memorable weekend of esteemed wines, enchanting dining and in-depth education. A celebration of the people and wines of the venerated AVA (American Viticultural Area), Vineyard to Vintner weekend will be held Friday through Sunday, April 22 to 24, 2022, offering an immersive Cabernet Sauvignon experience.

“This is the ultimate way to fully experience the Stags Leap District. Our guests will enjoy world-class dining and tastings, and there’s so much more – Vineyard to Vintner is the chance to meet one-on-one with all the personalities behind the wines, get into the vineyards, explore behind the scenes, and engage and learn directly from winemakers and proprietors,” said Nancy Bialek, Executive Director of Stags Leap District Winegrowers. “We are so excited to welcome cabernet lovers for an unforgettable weekend of extraordinary wines and curated experiences.”

Renowned for producing critically acclaimed wines with power and grace, lush fruit and complex layers of flavor, the Stags Leap District is the Napa Valley’s smallest sub-appellation by planted acreage, a sliver of land bounded by the Stags Leap Palisades to the east and the Napa River to the west. A valley within a valley at just a mile wide and three miles long, the region is defined by the distinctiveness of its soils. The climate, too, is unique. Warmed by the afternoon sun reflecting from the west facing towering rock facades, the vineyards are cooled in the evenings by breezes and marine air from the San Pablo Bay. This diurnal shift results in a long growing season – ideal for late-maturing varietals like Cabernet Sauvignon to develop phenolic complexity and deep intensity.

Guests at Vineyard to Vintner weekend will have the chance to fully explore the region while tasting wines and meeting with vintners from 16 famed properties, including Baldacci Family Vineyards, Chimney Rock Winery, Cliff Lede Vineyards, Clos Du Val, Ilsley Vineyards, Lindstrom Wines, Malk Family Vineyards, 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.

Vineyard to Vintner Weekend Activities:
Library Wine Dinners: Friday, April 22 // 6:30PM – 10:00PM
Featuring rare library wines and exquisite menus crafted by some of the Bay Area’s most accomplished chefs, each exquisite vintner-hosted dinner offers guests the opportunity to experience Stags Leap District hospitality at its best, all while dining with the winemakers and principals from each winery. Hosts for the intimate dinners include Chimney Rock Winery (with cohosts Shafer Vineyards and Quixote Winery); Regusci Winery (with cohosts Lindstrom Wines and Stags’ Leap Winery); Silverado Vineyards (with cohosts Cliff Lede Vineyards and Ilsley Vineyards); Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars (with cohosts Pine Ridge Vineyards, Malk Family Vineyards and Baldacci Family Vineyards); and Taylor Family Vineyards (with cohosts Clos Du Val and Steltzner Vineyards). Each dinner is limited to only 40 guests.

Digging Deeper: Vineyard Walks, Talks and Tastings: Saturday, April 23 // 10: 30AM – 12:15PM
Master classes in Stags Leap District viticulture and history, each of the four Digging Deeper seminars provide an engaging mix of hospitality and thorough education. A unique perspective will be offered at four venues along with a selection of storied wines. Each class is limited to only 50 guests. Programs include, Digging WAY Deeper at Baldacci Family Vineyards; Stags Leap District Then and Now: A Look Back at how Viticulture Practices have Developed in the Last 50 years at Clos du Val; The Clones that Shaped the Stags Leap District at Ilsley Vineyards; and Digging Deeper in the Vineyards at Pine Ridge Vineyards.

Vintner-Hosted Gala Luncheon and Appellation Collection Preview: Saturday, April 23 // 12:30PM – 3:00PM
Rarely in one place, winemakers, owners and principals of 16 District wineries will gather for a tempting luncheon and walk-around tasting. It’s also the first chance to sample the 2019 Appellation Collection, to be released in October 2022. Hosted at the historic Stags’ Leap Winery with more than 100 acres of breathtaking gardens and views of the towering Palisades for guests to enjoy.

Savor SLD: Winery Experiences: Sunday, April 24 // 10:30AM – 4:15PM
On Sunday, guests can create their own personal itinerary, selecting from among 13 wineries offering curated private experiences, including options to visit several properties not open to the public. Participating wineries include Baldacci Family Vineyards, Chimney Rock Winery, Cliff Lede Vineyards, Clos du Val, Ilsley Vineyards, Lindstrom Wines, Malk Family Vineyards, Pine Ridge Vineyards, Quixote Winery, Regusci Winery, Silverado Vineyards, Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars and Steltzner Vineyards.

Tickets and Additional Information
Tickets are now available at http://www.stagsleapdistrict.com/V2V. The Friday through Saturday experience (April 22-24, 2022) is $1,200 per person, which includes the entire weekend’s offerings. Visit http://www.stagsleapdistrict.com/V2V for complete details.

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 16 wineries and 9 grower members. Wineries include: Baldacci Family Vineyards, Chimney Rock Winery, Cliff Lede Vineyards, Clos Du Val, Ilsley Vineyards, Lindstrom Wines, Malk Family Vineyards, Pine Ridge Vineyards, Quixote Winery, Regusci Winery, Shafer Vineyards, Silverado Vineyards, Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, Stags’ Leap Winery, Steltzner Vineyards, and Taylor Family Vineyards. To learn more about the Stags Leap District, please visit stagsleapdistrict.com or find the Association on Facebook.com/StagsLeapDistrict, Instagram.com/StagsLeapAVA and Twitter @StagsLeapAVA.

Walla Walla’s Newest Businesses – And A Luxury Wine Resort – Spotlight the Valley’s Bounty

October 9, 2021 by evebushman

WALLA WALLA’S NEWEST BUSINESSES SPOTLIGHT THE VALLEY’S BOUNTY
From a luxury winery resort to a refurbished 1930’s Showroom, Walla Walla’s new businesses further the valley’s connection to character and place.

(WALLA WALLA, Wash.) – Walla Walla is so nice, they named it twice. Honored for the second consecutive year as America’s Best Wine Region, and boasting a flourishing farm-to-table culinary scene, this rural-chic town in central Washington has earned a reputation for continually building upon its successes as opposed to resting on its laurels. With its sweeping landscape of wheat fields, vineyards, and farmland, not to mention its health and safety-minded Peace of Mind Pledge, Walla Walla continues to delight and entice visitors with no fewer than 11 new businesses opening their doors in recent months.

Yellowhawk Resort, photo from their Facebook page.

Among the most notable, a new luxury winery resort, three new restaurants, three new tasting rooms, and four other businesses, including a curated grocery store, an elevated general store, an artisan showroom, and an educational hops tour.

“It gives me great joy to see these new businesses opening their doors,” Says Robert Hansen, Executive Director of Visit Walla Walla and Walla Walla Valley Wine. “The common theme running through these new businesses is a unified connection to place and community supporting the local landscape, artisans, and history that makes Walla Walla so genuinely unique.”

Following is a list of some of the notable businesses that have opened their doors in Walla Walla in recent months:

LODGING
Yellowhawk Resort (formerly Basel Cellars): Yellowhawk Resort is an 84-acre hillside retreat on Walla Walla’s south side. The resort features a sparkling winery and tasting room with farm-to-table dining, a swimming pool and cabanas, lodging, and event space for weddings, reunions, and corporate retreats. As you enter the gate and wind up the hill to the estate house, the elevated setting provides a sweeping outlook on the fields of wheat, lush vineyards below, and the Blue Mountains in the distance. The property was purchased in December 2020 by Pacific Northwest hospitality leaders Dan Thiessen, Chad Mackay, Scott Clark, Philip Christofides, and Paul Mackay, and is part of the Revelers Club loyalty program. Winemaker George-Anne Robertson leads Yellowhawk’s sparkling wine program.

DINING & RESTAURANTS
AK’s Mercado: One of Walla Walla’s top eateries, Andrae’s Kitchen, which Food and Wine magazine’s Ray Isle once described as “hands down the best restaurant inside a working gas station in America,” recently relocated to its own space on Main St. in the heart of downtown Walla Walla. Focusing on tacos, smoked meats, and other street food, Mercado is inspired by Chef Andrae Bopp’s love for the cuisines of Oaxaca and New Orleans, among other places, with a craft cocktail program curated by local mixology legend Jim German. The venue also features various popups from Secret Squirrel wine, Daylight Plant Co, Walla Walla Cheese Co. and others.

The Kitchen at Abeja: Those with a taste for wine country living have yet another reason to visit Abeja, a 38-acre historic Walla Walla farmstead and home to the acclaimed Abeja winery and bucolic Inn at Abeja. The Kitchen at Abeja, which opened July 13, offers a fine dining experience showcasing innovative wine country cuisine and celebrating the Pacific Northwest’s seasonal bounty. Dinner guests choose from a five or seven-course prix fixe menu, as well as an optional wine pairing menu. Executive Chef Elodie Li, who returns to her home state after two years of cooking in Michelin two-star restaurants in Provence, France, collaborates with Abeja winemakers Dan Wampfler and Amy Alvarez-Wampfler on the menus, updated weekly. Surrounded by the winery’s vineyards and gardens, The Kitchen at Abeja is a rich, refined wine country experience.

The Kinglet at Whitehouse-Crawford (opening early 2022): Farther on the horizon is The Kinglet at Whitehouse-Crawford, a new bistro eatery in the historic Whitehouse-Crawford Planing Mill building, from acclaimed Seattle Chef Maximillian Petty. A multiple James Beard semifinalist, Petty’s menu will range from exuberantly curated items, which built his reputation at Eden Hill, to a bar and lounge area that will stay open later with a snack-heavy lineup, including a pizza oven and an extensive cocktail program.

TASTING ROOMS
Moonbase Cellars: The Blue Mountains and rolling wheat fields of Walla Walla enticed Laine and Drew Pauk to call the valley their home. That, and their desire to make wine with a straightforward approach amidst an ideal viticulture climate. Moonbase Cellars’ philosophy is to find fantastic vineyards suited for a specific grape variety, sourcing excellent fruit from premier vineyard sites in the Walla Walla Valley, including multiple locations within the coveted The Rocks District of Milton-Freewater AVA. As for the name, Drew has always been fascinated with space. Though his dream of becoming an astronaut didn’t work out, he managed to combine his love for wine and space with Moonbase Cellars.

Kinhaven Winery : This new family-owned small lot winery and vineyard is perched atop a picturesque knoll in the Southside winery district of Walla Walla. The property, with 8 acres of Merlot, Cabernet, Carmenere and Malbec, enjoys unobstructed views of the Blue Mountains and is the perfect setting for family and friends to connect while enjoying their thoughtfully crafted wines. Purchased in 2019 by Terry and Lisa Davenport, who also own the recently renovated Boyer House. From dining in the vines to weddings, the combination of Kinhaven Winery and Boyer House sets up for the perfect family and friend gathering.

5 Dollar Ranch Brewing : Self-proclaimed as “Walla Walla’s best new brewery in 2021,” this newcomer opened in June 2021. Located on the south side of town along the Oregon border on twelve acres of farm property, with sweeping views of the Blue Mountains. An evolving menu of hop offerings is fit to appease the novice to beer connoisseur. The location is both dog and kid-friendly. According to brewer and owner Josh Hulett, while he loves all of his beers, the Hazy’s are not to be missed.

Hoquetas Wine Company: Located at the Port of Walla Walla wine incubator facility in the Walla Walla Airport District, Hoquetas Wine Co. opened its doors in September of 2021. Started by musician turned winemaker Robert Gomez and his family, the winery focuses on producing wines that are both expressive and representative of the region’s terroir. Hoquetus, a musical method where vocal parts alternate to create a single melody, speaks to Gomez’s musical approach to winemaking, where the ingredients are carefully composed to create a melodious pour.

Runway Market : Located in the airport district of Walla Walla’s wine region, Runway Market is a sparkling wine bar serving up local bubbles. The Market serves an assortment of food options, including picnic boxes, paninis, flatbread pizza, and various other grab-and-go options. All tastings include complimentary gourmet popcorn. Cathy Bay and her husband opened Runway Market in 2021 with the hopes of being a stop for not only bubbles and food, but laughter and celebration.

SPECIALTY, ACTIVITIES & OTHER
Showroom at Colville: The Showroom on Colville was built in the 1930s as a showroom for auto sales in the center of downtown Walla Walla. In October of 2019, the Showroom on Colville underwent extensive renovations which unveiled the beautiful bones of the structure, and from there the story began to blossom. A corner of downtown Walla Walla honors local history to gather and celebrate the community with local-centric artisans and purveyors. Shops include TMACS, The Market by Andy’s, Wildlings Co. kids boutique, and many more.

Walla Walla General Store: A new home, kitchen & gift store founded by Jean Bender and Peggy Frasse. The store opened to locals & visitors alike on May 6, 2021. From small delights, such as penny cent candy to homewares from makers such as Simon Pierce, Walter G textiles, Riedel and Staub – there is something for everyone at the Walla Walla General Store. Much more than just a retail space, co-founders Jean & Peggy envision the store as a space for community. Following a successful summer Art Series, resident Allison Palmer will host a continuation of “Make for Joy” there this fall. Weekly Monday-Wednesday classes will begin in September, and continue through December.

Walla Walla Brews Cruise : Walla Walla is known for wine, but it’s also home to plentiful craft beer and cider. Alongside thousands of acres of vineyards are century-old wheat fields and orchards stretching across the valley. Generations of wheat farmers have made their home in Walla Walla and now support a growing community of brewers. Walla Walla Brews Cruise tours are knowledge-based tours where you will learn about the process of brewing beers and crafting cider, with a guided discussion of varying styles of alcohol.

Foodscape Walla Walla : Foodscape could technically be described as an online grocer, but it’s so much more. It’s a place to acquire food, talk about food, or gather meaning from food. It was started by Hannah MacDonald, a longtime chef, local, and significant influencer on the Walla Walla food scene over the past decade. Foodscape highlights the area’s bounty, from food to all the agriculture offerings: produce, meat, and seafood. They also directly import hundreds of spices from all over the world, as well as other specialty products like olive oil, seafood, and vinegar. Foodscapes give locals and visitors alike the tools that they need to cook any cuisine under the sun.

About Walla Walla:
As the unofficial capital of Washington wine country, Walla Walla is home to more than 120 wineries, a nationally recognized culinary scene, access to an abundance of outdoor recreation, and an arts & entertainment scene that rivals cities many times its size. This community of just over 30,000 residents is known for many things, including its friendliness and hospitality, the quality of its wine, and of course the famous Walla Walla Sweet Onion. An easy and scenic four-hour drive from Seattle, Portland, or Boise, Walla Walla can also be accessed via Alaska Airlines’ daily non-stop flights from Seattle. For more information and to begin planning a trip to Walla Walla, visit www.wallawalla.org.

The Hilt Estate Opens Highly Anticipated Tasting Room: The Barn at The Hilt Estate

August 30, 2021 by evebushman

Lompoc, Calif.—The Hilt Estate, one of Santa Barbara County’s premier wine estates and producer of JONATA and The Hilt wines, has opened its highly anticipated tasting room, The Barn at The Hilt Estate. Designed by renowned architect Howard J. Backen and Silvia Nobili of the firm Backen & Gillam Architects with interiors by Amber Lewis of Amber Interiors Design Studio, the venue will offer one of region’s most diverse lineups of wine in a space that overflows with sophisticated yet unassuming California farmhouse elegance.

Designed to highlight the agricultural foundation of The Hilt’s dramatic 3600-acre property and the wines grown and made from the unique estate, guests are encouraged to travel to The Barn along the scenic Highway 1, an open and undeveloped coastal stretch that echoes California’s unmatched natural beauty. The Hilt Estate is located just miles from the Pacific Ocean in the far south-west corner of the Sta. Rita Hills AVA winegrowing region and is comprised of three vineyards, Bentrock, Radian and Puerta del Mar. The property consists of a large tree-lined hill and vineyard extending outward. Using the natural geography of the property as a guide, the winemaking and hospitality buildings on The Hilt Estate are intentionally separated to define their uses. The winemaking production follows along the base of the hill and the hospitality barn comes out and sits among the vineyard. The new, state-of-the-art 50,000 square-foot gravity fed winemaking facility is where form and function in winemaking truly connect for long-time winemaker Matt Dees and his team, and where they will now produce the distinct wines of JONATA and The Hilt.

The reclaimed historic barn is home to the hospitality and tasting spaces and was updated using reclaimed woods and metals from the original structure. The interior speaks to the rustic beauty of the environment, with vintage textiles and leather. With wines available from two renowned estates—JONATA and The Hilt—numerous spots are available for curated tasting experiences, including a communal living room, and two themed rooms inspired by the individual wine estates. All the materials and finishes used in the hospitality barn are a direct tribute to the people of the area who have made their living off the land. The Hilt room features cool-toned artwork from Jack McConville, representative of the windy and unpredictable nature of the rugged estate. The JONATA room features warm-toned artwork from Gwen O’Neil to reflect JONATA’s warmer climate and sandy soils. The venue also features a professional kitchen, as well as numerous outdoor spaces to accommodate special events.

Several tasting flights are available, offering experiences for wine loving novices and collectors alike. Selections range from the vibrant chardonnay and pinot noir wines of The Hilt in the Sta. Rita Hills AVA to JONATA in the Ballard Canyon AVA’s portfolio of structured estate-grown blends from varieties such as cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc and syrah. Exclusive to The Barn, guests may also taste each of the estate’s limited, experimental and library bottlings. Those looking to experience something truly unique will have the opportunity to discover some of the The Hilt’s more avant-garde wines, ranging from Pét-Nat to Botrytis chardonnay. The wines are estate-grown via cutting edge farming and winemaking practices, and authentically express Santa Barbara County’s vines, climate and unique soils.

The Barn at The Hilt Estate will initially offer four tasting options, which are fully tailored to the guests’ preferences. Tasting fees begin at $50 per person and average $85. Upon making a reservation guests will be contacted by a knowledgeable wine expert to determine their interests and facilitate a unique and memorable wine experience.

Tastings:

La Tierra “The Earth” ($50): Crafted as the perfect introduction to wines of both JONATA and The Hilt, this flight presents a selection of six of the most popular wines from both estates.
The Point ($50): Drawing inspiration from nearby Point Conception, The Point features six wines from The Hilt that pay tribute to the profound impact of the Pacific Ocean on The Hilt’s wind-whipped estate.
Jalama ($85): Derived from a Chumash word meaning “bundle,” the Jalama flight captures an elevated collection of seven wines from both The Hilt and the JONATA estates.
Seven Crossings ($85): An in-depth exploration of the southwest corner of the Sta. Rita Hills, featuring seven pinot noir and chardonnay wines from The Hilt Estate.

Reservations must be booked in advance, either online or by calling (805) 564-8581. Tastings may be scheduled during one of two time slots, 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM, Monday through Friday.

About The Hilt Estate
In 2014, The Hilt acquired the historic 3,600-acre Rancho Salsipuedes, setting the stage for the ultimate home of The Hilt Estate. Located in the Sta. Rita Hills AVA in northwestern Santa Barbara County, California, the property is home to three distinct vineyards: Radian and Bentrock, on the original Rancho Salsipuedes, once known as Rancho Cañada de Salsipuedes, and Puerta del Mar, which surrounds the winery. To best appreciate the wines made by The Hilt Estate, ideally one would visit these dramatic and even extreme vineyards where the grapes are farmed. Just as all great wines tell the story of their place of origin, The Hilt’s pinot noirs and chardonnays are the bold expressions of the unique estate. By employing innovative viticultural practices, selecting clones strategically, and making the most of the coastal influence, winds, and soils, Winemaker Matt Dees is pushing the vineyards to the hilt of their potential and creating wines that are lively, fresh, and well structured.

For more information on The Hilt Estate, please visit www.thehiltestate.com

Follow on Social Media:
Hashtag: #TheHILT #TheHILTEstate
Instagram: @thehiltestate

About JONATA Estate
Born in 1998 out of a desire to explore and expand world-class winegrowing in Santa Barbara County, JONATA is an estate like no other. Set amongst the rolling hills in the moderate climate of the Ballard Canyon appellation in Santa Ynez Valley, the 600-acre site is home to 84 acres of vines and over 12 grape varieties planted in Careaga sand. More than just a vineyard, most of the property is comprised of ancient oak trees, gardens, fruit orchards and diverse variety of animal life. Through years of farming the estate at the highest standards, the winery team, led by long-time winemaker Matt Dees, has tirelessly forged its own path. JONATA has gained recognition from collectors and critics alike for making captivating wines which authentically express the estate’s vines, climate and unique soils.

For more information on JONATA Estate, please visit www.jonata.com

Follow on Social Media:
Hashtag: #JONATA #JONATAEstate
Instagram: @jonataestate

A Chard and a Brut Cuvee Met…In My Kitchen

August 13, 2021 by evebushman

It’s summertime and the living is easy, that’s how the saying goes and it’s a good time to discover some white wines I haven’t had before. The two we are looking at today come from different California AVAs and are also different varieties. We have a Chard from Santa Barbara County and a sparkling from the Arroyo Grande Valley.

2019 Qupe Chardonnay, Santa Barbara County, “Y” Block

Aromas: Freshly sliced lemons, pineapple, mown grass, cheddar cheese, milk, wet concrete. Flavors: Lively fresh citrus and stone fruits, lemon zest, limeade, toasted oak, mild acidity, long finish. Classic chardonnay in style, structure and flavor. Paired with Shrimp Scampi and it served well as a palate cleanser between bites indeed.

An excerpt from the website:

HONORING THE CHUMASH

The name “qupé” was chosen to honor the Chumash, the indigenous people of the Golden State’s Central Coast and Channel Islands.

In Chumash, “qupé” refers to the poppy, a flowering plant traditionally used for food and medicine. In 1903 the California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) was officially designated the state flower, and every spring masses of the bright orange blossoms still blanket local hills and back country.

Prestigious Wine Region Celebrates 20 Year Anniversary of AVA Status

August 1, 2021 by evebushman

The Sta. Rita Hills AVA, established in 2001, is located on the central coast of California in Santa Barbara County. The Sta. Rita Hills Wine Alliance is preparing to celebrate the 20-year anniversary of the AVA designation with a series of educational events planned for the weekend of August 12^th through the 15^th. The events will pay tribute to the first planted vineyard, Sanford & Benedict, as well as honor the founding pioneers of the Sta. Rita Hills AVA. The annual Wine and Fire celebrations will culminate with a Grand Tasting at the beautiful La Purisima Mission located just outside of Lompoc’s Santa Rita Hills.

Sanford & Benedict Vineyard, 135 acres, was planted in 1971 by Richard Sanford and Michael Benedict. Through research and development, they determined what wine grape varieties were best suited for the area. Earthy soils, containing large deposits of limestone and diatomaceous earth, to sandy loam, coupled with daily ocean winds that tunnel up the transverse valley from Point Conception create the perfect environment to grow Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

Lafond Vineyards and Winery followed suit in 1972 but it was not until the early eighties that additional plantings ensued. Over the next 20 years approximately 1,100 acres were planted, predominantly to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. In 1999 winegrowers began the pursuit of establishing the Santa Rita Hills as a distinctive growing region, and submitted their application in 2000 to the TTB to be recognized as an American Viticultural Area (AVA). Granted recognition in 2001 the rest is history, the region is currently planted to just under 4,000 acres of vineyards.

The 20 year anniversary weekend celebration will kick off Thursday night with a tasting at the first vineyard planted and winery established in the Sta. Rita Hills, Sanford & Benedict. The iconic vineyard offers stunning vistas of Fiddlestix and Sea Smoke vineyards. Ten producers will pour Sanford & Benedict vineyard wines ranging from current to library offerings.

Production of sparkling wine is on the rise in the region and Friday morning’s event will be an opportunity to meet some of those producers and sample the wines. Moderator Adam Lee will lead the discussion followed by a walk around tasting.

Friday evening the celebration continues at the beautiful Alma Rosa Vineyard as the Pioneers of the Sta. Rita Hills are honored La Paulee style. Richard Sanford was inducted into the California Vintner’s Hall of Fame in 2012 and was honored as Vintner of The Year for 2020 by the Sta. Rita Hills Wine Alliance will be one of 6 honorees.

Saturday morning’s event “Time in a Bottle” will delve into the aging potential of Sta. Rita Hills wines. Gregory Brewer, Wine Enthusiast’s Winemaker of the Year, will join 5 other long-time producers for this intimate event that will take place at Spear Vineyards and Winery.

The Saturday evening Grand Tasting at the stunning La Purisima Mission will be the finale of the Alliance events and will showcase 40 wineries, local farmers, caterers, and BBQ chefs for a taste of the Sta. Rita Hills.

Tasting Rooms will be welcoming Passport holders for a weekend of specials and wines.

For more details visit staritahills.com / Wine and Fire 2021.

SLO Coast Wines’ Roll Out the Barrels Celebration Is Back — Refreshed and Reinvented for 2021

June 15, 2021 by evebushman

The longtime regional wine experience returns after a Covid hiatus, offering its first-ever auction of rare bottles and a series of new, exclusive experiences at the wineries.

The SLO Coast Wine Collective’s annual Roll Out The Barrels celebration, which has drawn thousands of wine lovers to San Luis Obispo’s wine country since 1990, returns this year with an all-new format: A series of exclusive events held at member wineries throughout the Central Coast, and for the first time, an auction of rare bottles curated by the winemakers.

All of the events and the auction will take place June 24 through June 28.

As the region emerges from the 2020 Covid-19 shutdown, the SLO Coast Wine Collective is committed to restarting its popular yearly event, but in a way that is safe and comfortable for participants and winemakers. “Roll Out the Barrels is the perfect opportunity to taste new wines and say hello to our winemakers as Covid restrictions loosen up,” says Stephen Ross Dooley, President of the group’s Board of Directors. “We’re excited about being open again and seeing the people who’ve enjoyed our wines all these years.”

Roll Out the Barrels 2021 will offer unprecedented opportunities for wine lovers throughout the long weekend: Most events will be limited to 10 to 25 participants, allowing plenty of individual interaction with winemakers — and giving winemakers the chance to pour wines made in limited quantities and older bottles pulled from deep in their cellars.

Among the wineries offering tasting flights of older vintages are Laetitia, Baileyana Wines, Edna Valley Vineyard, and Absolution Cellars. Other wineries will extend their hours into twilight, with tastings and tours that immerse you in the beauty of Edna Valley as the sun goes down. Sinor-LaVallee in Avila Beach will be featuring freshly shucked Pacific Gold oysters from Morro Bay Oyster Co, and at Center of Effort Winery, attendees will be guided through every step of the winemaking process — from grape to glass — while sipping current releases in the newly renovated facility.

Because attendance is limited and available by reservation only, we strongly suggest checking out the event list on the SLO Coast Wine Collective website at https://bit.ly/2TaC5Dp to secure reservations as soon as possible.

For the first time in history, Roll Out the Barrels will include an auction of exclusive wine lots curated by our members. And you don’t have to attend an event to bid: Anyone can take home our stellar selections of vintage Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Albariño, Grenache, Zinfandel, and more. Among the lots: large format bottles from Tolosa Winery, Biddle Ranch Winery, and Stephen Ross Wine Cellars; vertical collections from Talley Vineyards and Timbre Winery; mixed assortments from Croma Vera Wines, Absolution Cellars, Autry Cellars, and Saucelito Canyon Vineyard; plus some surprising bottles and limited releases.

To view the lots and place bids, go to https://bit.ly/3hKXhKy. The auction site goes live 9 a.m. June 24 and closes at noon June 28.

Previously Roll Out the Barrels centered on a grand tasting in downtown San Luis Obispo featuring all of the wineries pouring their latest releases. This year, the SLO Collective emphasizes the one-on-one relationship wine lovers have with the wineries. Says Kathleen Naughton, the Executive Director of SLO Coast Wines: “We are ecstatic about the return of the event. We’ve put safety at the top of our list by shifting all of our events to the individual tasting rooms — with the happy result of everyone having a better chance to connect.” This year’s event also arrives as the region is on the verge of a new AVA (American Viticultural Area) designation, a coveted classification awarded by the Federal government that recognizes the distinct character of a region’s wines. It will put wines grown and made on the Central Coast in the company of AVA designates such as Napa Valley, Sonoma Coast, and Sta. Rita Hills.

“The SLO Coast is gaining great momentum as a wine region due in large part to the influence of the many incredible things to offer in San Luis Obispo,” Dooley says. “We’ve missed so much since the start of COVID and we urge all attendees to also explore the restaurants, shops, and galleries in the area when they’re visiting the wineries. We do hope you’ll come, enjoy the wines, stay and explore and fall in love with the SLO Coast.”

About The SLO Coast Wine Collective: SLO Coast Wine Collective is where the coast meets the vines. Our 30 wineries are in San Luis Obispo County on California’s Central Coast, encompassing vineyards and wineries along a 60 mile-long, 15 mile-wide stretch of land between the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Lucia Mountain Range. This is the coolest-climate winegrowing region in California and has long been the source of some of the state’s most respected Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes. It has recently won renown for its production of aromatic grape varieties such as Albariño, Grüner Veltliner, and Grenache. Website: https://slocoastwine.com/

Miller Family Wine Company Collaborates With Joey Tensley to Launch optik Wines

June 7, 2021 by evebushman

SANTA MARIA, Calif./PRNewswire/ — Miller Family Wine Company, a division of the industry-leading Thornhill Companies, is excited to announce the launch of optik, a new brand featuring a collection of vineyard designated wines from Bien Nacido Vineyard, crafted by acclaimed Santa Barbara winemaker Joey Tensley.

Bien Nacido Vineyard, planted in 1973 by brothers Bob and Steve Miller, is widely recognized as one of California’s most iconic vineyard sites, long revered for producing exceptional wines that epitomize the distinct characteristics of the Santa Maria Valley AVA. Looking to honor this heritage while revealing the vineyard’s special qualities through a new and unique lens, the Miller family teamed up with Tensley to create optik, a brand designed to showcase a fresh take on Bien Nacido Vineyard.

Throughout his career, esteemed winemaker Tensley has established a reputation for preserving the best characteristics of vineyards by minimizing winemaker manipulation and oak treatment – a signature style that has earned him over 200 90+ ratings from the wine industry’s most esteemed publications, including six wines on Wine Spectator‘s prestigious Top 100 lists. By intersecting Tensley’s masterful approach with the elegant strength of Bien Nacido fruit, optik aims to open eyes to the new possibilities of this long-established vineyard.

“For nearly 50 years, our family has continued Bien Nacido’s legacy as one of the most well-respected vineyards in California, and we are incredibly proud to be stewards of this land,” says Nicholas Miller, Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “That said, we are always looking for ways to showcase the diversity and complexity of Bien Nacido, and introduce it to new consumers in new ways. By collaborating with Joey – a talented winemaker whom we’ve always held in very high regard – we knew we could present a different slice of Bien Nacido in an unexpected way.”

“I’ve always felt the most important part of my role as the winemaker is to let the vineyard and the unique qualities of the fruit shine through in the wine,” says Tensley. “In order to emphasize the special characteristics of Bien Nacido, a special place that produces exceptional fruit, I make sure to use a gentler approach in the cellar, trying to let the terroir be the star. And working with individual blocks across the vineyard allows me to showcase diversity of site, which translates into wines with a true sense of identity.”

The optik portfolio includes vineyard designated wines sourced from single blocks on the estate, featuring six small-lot wines across three varietals: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah – priced between $35 – $45. Representing the power of new perspectives, optik’s unique and contemporary packaging symbolizes the empowerment of the winemaker’s hand to convey what his eye sees. “Our label is designed to bring the optik concept to life, visually representing a new interpretation of Bien Nacido Vineyard through the lens of an incredibly accomplished outsider looking in,” says Tommy Gaeta, Director of Marketing. “It offers a deeper level of storytelling perhaps not expected of the wines typically produced from Bien Nacido, while the price points make these wines accessible to a broad audience of both aspiring and established wine enthusiasts.”

optik wines will be available at select fine wine retailers and restaurants in cities across the country and online at www.optikwines.com.

Miller Family Wine Company
Miller Family Wine Company is a division of the Thornhill Companies – the industry-leading umbrella brand of one of California’s premier winegrowing families, the Miller Family, who have been farming California’s Central Coast for five generations. The Thornhill Companies includes the prestigious Bien Nacido Estates and Miller Family Wine Company, which itself includes the management of acclaimed national branded wine labels, including Butternut, optik, J. Wilkes, Ballard Lane, Smashberry, Barrel Burner, and Volunteer wines, control label brands for prominent retailers across the U.S. and the French Camp vineyard in Paso Robles. For more information on Miller Family Wine Company, please visit www.millerfamilywinecompany.com.