Brad Paisley to Launch ‘American Highway’ Bourbon

December 2, 2021 by evebushman

BARDSTOWN, Ky., /PRNewswire/ — Global country music superstar Brad Paisley will launch “American Highway” Bourbon this month, a whiskey aged in barrels stored in a 53-foot semi-trailer that followed his 2019 nation-wide tour for 7,314 miles across 25 states, from coast to coast.

Global country music superstar Brad Paisley launches “American Highway” Bourbon

“Bourbon is like songwriting, it’s a blend of things coming together to make something incredible,” said Paisley. “These are really special barrels that saw more of the United States than most people I know.”

The fluctuating climate of the barrels’ journey expanded and contracted their staves, imparting oak and char that cultivate the characteristics flavors of America’s native spirit. This well-traveled batch was then blended with three-year, 13-year and 15-year-old Kentucky bourbons to create the final product. The next batch, to be released in 2022, was aged on the Rolling Rickhouse during Paisley’s 2021 tour.

Paisley sums up the creative process that derived his bourbon: “It’s so similar to what goes into a great guitar. The right woods, the right craftsmanship, the right alchemy that makes this intangible, magical thing, and that’s what makes this so great to me.”

“American Highway’s” literal path-to-market wasn’t the only unique aspect of its creation: Rather than just sourcing whiskey and lending a celebrity name to it, Paisley worked closely with award-winning bourbon distiller Bardstown Bourbon Company to create the final blend. Located in Bardstown, Kentucky the “Bourbon Capitol of the World,” this modern bourbon distiller creates custom whiskey, bourbon and rye for more than 30 different brand-owners worldwide and has won critical acclaim for its releases.

Paisley collaborated with a team of experts at Bardstown, including VP of New Product Development Dan Callaway. “You don’t get to see many celebrities that have such a technical palate,” shared Callaway. “It was a super collaboration that resulted in a travelled bourbon in an exemplary expression.”

Callaway describes the bourbon as “A blend of four rye-forward bourbons ranging in age from 3 to 15 years. The flavor profile is incredibly unique. Subtle, complex, spicy, well-traveled. As we like to say, it was, ‘born in Kentucky, aged across America’.”

With just 30,000 bottles of the initial release produced, the 96-proof blend has a suggested retail price of $99.99. The bourbon will be available in AL, CA, CO, DC, DE, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, MD, MI, MS, NC, NV, NY, OH, TN, TX, WI and WV, and exclusively online through www.seelbachs.com.

The stats:
Proof: 96 / ABV 48%
Mashbill: 28% 3YO 71/21/0/9; 25% 3YO 60/36/0/4; 24% 13YO 74/18/0/8; 23% 15YO 78.5/13/0/8.5
Suggested Retail Price: $99.99 per 750ml bottle

For more information on American Highway Reserve Bourbon, or to find out where you can purchase locally, visit: www.AmericanHighwayReserve.com.

About Brad Paisley:
Brad Paisley has earned his place in country music history as one of the genre’s most talented and decorated male solo artists. Over the past 21 years, his songwriting and unmatched showmanship have won him numerous awards, including three GRAMMYs, two American Music Awards, 14 Country Music Association Awards and 15 Academy of Country Music Awards, among many others. A member of the Grand Ole Opry since 2001, Paisley has written 21 of his 24 No. 1 hits, and in 2008 became the first artist to achieve 10 consecutive Billboard Country Airplay No. 1 singles. The 2010 CMA Entertainer of the Year’s past works have amassed over 4.6 billion worldwide career streams. Paisley continues to collaborate with Peyton Manning in a multi-year ad campaign with Nationwide insurance. In 2015, the global superstar partnered with Boot Barn® to develop Moonshine Spirit by Brad Paisley, an exclusive line of jeans, hats, T-shirts, jewelry, belts and woven shirts. A prolific entertainer, Paisley’s first prime-time special, Brad Paisley Thinks He’s Special, aired on ABC in December 2019 and has garnered over 18.1 million viewers to date. Paisley and his wife, Kimberly Williams-Paisley, are co-founders of nonprofit organization The Store, a free-referral based grocery store, which aims to empower low-income individuals and families in the Nashville area. For more information, visit www.thestore.org.

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About Bardstown Bourbon Company:

Founded in 2014 by Peter Loftin in the heart of Bourbon Country on 100 acres of active farmland, Bardstown Bourbon Company, 1500 Parkway Drive, Bardstown, Ky., is one of the country’s most modern and technically advanced whiskey distilleries. Celebrating the art of making high-quality, authentic bourbons, the innovative distillery produces custom rye, whiskey and bourbon for prominent brands including High West, Belle Meade, Hirsch and many others through its one-of-a-kind collaborative distilling program. Bardstown Bourbon Company honors tradition and drives innovation with their exceptional destination experience for visitors, offering the only full-service restaurant located within a distillery on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, The Kitchen and Bar at Bardstown Bourbon Company.

Balcones Distilling Announces Collaboration with the Legendary ZZ Top

November 30, 2021 by evebushman

WACO, TEXAS (PRWEB) – Rock & Roll Hall of Famers, ZZ Top, and Balcones Distilling announced today their collaboration on a one-of-a-kind whisky. Integrating a strong mutual Texas heritage and love of whisky, the partnership focuses on a grain-to-glass approach to create a new whisky named Tres Hombres, the title of the band’s first top 10 chart album that was released in 1973. In tribute to the band’s enduring legacy, Tres Hombres is made using three distinct grains: roasted blue corn, barley and rye.

Founded in Houston in 1969, ZZ Top have been synonymous with all that is Texas for more than five decades of recording and relentless touring. Renowned for their signature blues-rock sound, ZZ Top reached new heights of success in the 1980s with massively attended performances and some of the highest-grossing international concert tours of all time, making them one of the most prominent groups of the decade. In the 50+ years since the band’s founding, ZZ Top has created 15 studio albums and sold an estimated 50 million albums worldwide. Along the way, they’ve been named Official Heroes of the State of Texas and have won three MTV Video Music Awards.

Commenting on the band’s association with Balcones and the launch of Tres Hombres, Carl Stubner, ZZ Top’s manager, remarked, “ZZ Top’s love of Texas runs deep and we can’t think of a better way to celebrate that than by creating something together with Balcones – The Original Texas Whisky. Tres Hombres exemplifies what can be achieved when brands care deeply about their respective products and legacy.”

Jared Himstedt, head distiller at Balcones Distilling, added, “It was incredible to collaborate with the ZZ Top team to develop an exclusive whisky that celebrates ZZ Top’s and Balcones’ shared Texas roots. To actually get to taste through the blending process with ZZ Top and make a whisky that synthesizes our joint vision for Tres Hombres was an honor. ZZ are Texas and Rock legends, and we can’t wait to share Tres Hombres with folks.”

Tres Hombres will be available nationally for pre-order at balconesdistilling.com/treshombres and at Keg N Bottle. The product will roll out to liquor stores across Texas and select other states in mid-November. To learn more about Balcones Distilling, please visit BalconesDistilling.com. To learn more about ZZ Top, please visit ZZTop.com.

About Balcones Distilling

Balcones is The Original Texas Whisky. Driven by a passion to create something original and authentic, Balcones Distilling marries centuries of distilling tradition with the bold flavors of Texas. Balcones is synonymous with quality and innovation in the whisky industry, known for emphasizing high-quality ingredients and drawing influences from all over Texas. To date, the distillery has earned over 550 national and international tasting awards and accolades for their whiskies and spirits. Balcones will be available in 48 states by the end of 2021 and is one of the fastest-growing whisky brands in the country.

Balcones distills all of its beloved spirits inside the historic Texas Fireproof Storage Company building in downtown Waco, Texas. At the heart of the distillery are four copper pot stills built by Forsyths, considered some of the best artisans in Scotland. Guests can now visit and tour the facility, with tastings and events held regularly, and see why Balcones is always Distilled to Appreciate. Visit BalconesDistilling.com for more information.

818 Tequila Partners With S.A.C.R.E.D. to Support Agave-Producing Communities in Mexico

November 4, 2021 by evebushman

Fast-Growing Tequila Brand Also Transitions to State-of-the-Art Distillery to Further Sustainability Efforts

LOS ANGELES, /PRNewswire/ — 818 Tequila, the award-winning, sustainable tequila brand founded by Kendall Jenner, announced its partnership with S .A.C .R.E.D. — a nonprofit that supports Mexican communities where heritage agave spirits are made. The rapidly-growing spirits maker has also moved their production to Grupo Solave‘s state-of-the-art distillery in Jalisco, Mexico. 818’s new distillery partner is notable for combining traditional tequila-making methods with environmental-impact innovation. This move allows 818 to continue to scale without sacrificing attention to tradition and sustainability as they roll out across the U.S.

Founded by Lou Bank, S.A.C.R.E.D. (Saving Agave for Culture, Recreation, Education and Development) hosts educational tastings and fundraises to underwrite programs that help replant agave, build libraries, ensure water security and repair damage done by earthquakes. In conjunction with S.A.C.R.E.D., 818 Tequila created the 818 Bricks Program which uses raw, post-production agave fibers, water waste and adobe soil to create bricks that can be used for building local community infrastructure like tasting rooms and schools. S.A.C.R.E.D. helps with brick production, as well as identifies the infrastructure projects for donation that serve as a value-add to local communities.

“I’m honored to work alongside 818 Tequila, especially on making adobe bricks out of agave waste and using those bricks to support Mexican communities,” said Lou Bank, Founder and Executive Director of S.A.C.R.E.D. “It’s our mission to support the people who make agave spirits, in hopes of sustaining the multigenerational wisdom and practices they inherited from their progenitors who made tequila, mezcal, and other heritage spirits. Our goal is to support the communities that are integral to agave production by working with them directly and asking them what they need.”

“As we continue our mission to find actionable ways to support Amatitán and the broader Mexican community where our tequila is produced, we’re honored to work with S.A.C.R.E.D., who has established tremendous relationships with the people producing heritage spirits in the region for generations,” said Mike Novy, 818 Tequila president and COO. “At 818 Tequila, we want to create a new standard for sustainability while also giving back to those who are so integral to our tequila-making process. Establishing a long-term partnership with Lou and his team at S.A.C.R.E.D. to expand upon the incredible work they’ve already done in Mexico really drives our mission.”

Furthering its sustainability initiative with S.A.C.R.E.D., 818 has also transitioned to work with Mexican family-owned Grupo Solave at its state-of-the-art distillery based in Amatitán, Jalisco that will allow the brand to better meet the incredible demand for its spirit. Grupo Solave sets an impressive standard for earth-first tequila production, while maintaining a commitment to traditional methods. The production process at the distillery is powered by waste using biomass boilers, which both extends the life cycle of the agave and reduces CO2 emissions.

Crafted from 100% Blue Weber Agave in Jalisco, Mexico, 818 Tequila comes in three varieties – Blanco, Reposado and Añejo and is available in select markets across the U.S. For more information and to find a local retailer or restaurant partner, visit www.drink818.com.

About 818 Tequila
Founded by Kendall Jenner, 818 Tequila is an award-winning, hand-crafted tequila brand committed to uplifting the women and men who make it. Produced using traditional methods in Amatitán, Jalisco, Mexico at a family-owned-and-operated distillery, the brand has won 16 awards across six major industry competitions, including Best Reposado Tequila from the World Tequila Awards; Platinum Award from the SIP Awards; Chairman’s Trophy from the Ultimate Spirits Challenge; Triple Gold from the MicroLiquor Spirit Awards; Top 100 Spirits from the Ultimate Spirits Challenge; Double Gold from the SIP Awards; Gold Medal from the MicroLiquor Spirit Awards; and an Innovation Award from the SIP Awards. Sustainably produced from tequilana weber blue agaves, 818 Tequila features three variations – a Blanco, Reposado and Añejo. For more information follow @drink818 on Instagram or visit www.drink818.com.

About S.A.C.R.E.D.
S.A.C.R.E.D. is a U.S.-based, 501c3 not-for-profit that improves quality of life in the rural Mexican communities where heritage agave spirits are made. Since their founding in 2017, they’ve gifted more than 35,000 agave seedlings to families in Oaxaca who are struggling to access the plants they need because of the explosion in global interest in mezcal. To learn more about this and their other programs, visit sacred.mx

The Restaurant at Auberge du Soleil Receives 14th Consecutive Michelin Star Award

November 1, 2021 by evebushman

RUTHERFORD, CALIF. (PRWEB) – Synonymous with wine country cuisine, The Restaurant at Auberge du Soleil today received its 14th consecutive Star award from the MICHELIN Guide California. The globally recognized rating Guide is one of the most universally respected culinary authorities of exceptional dining. The 2021 Guide rates Auberge du Soleil among the top restaurants in California, designated as “an international culinary destination and leader in the industry” by MICHELIN.

Renowned for its commitment to sourcing ingredients from neighboring farms and purveyors, Mediterranean-inspired seasonal dishes, award-winning international wine cellar, and spectacular vista views, The Restaurant has attained a rich legacy as a “must experience” stop along any culinary journey to Napa Valley.

“The Restaurant at Auberge du Soleil is at the heart of our property experience,” said Bradley Reynolds, Managing Director of Auberge du Soleil. “We are extremely grateful to the MICHELIN Guide for recognizing us with a fourteenth consecutive Star. We dedicate this award to our extraordinary team who consistently deliver impeccable food, wine and service that makes for wonderful dining memories for our guests.”

Robert Curry has served as Executive Chef at Auberge du Soleil since 2005. Widely considered a landmark among California wine country restaurants, Auberge du Soleil is dedicated to maintaining the culinary traditions of both Napa Valley and France. Curry’s dishes showcase flavorful peak-of-season ingredients sourced from a range of local and regional purveyors and farmers with whom Curry has developed long-standing relationships.

Executive Pastry Chef Paul Lemieux has led the pastry team at Auberge du Soleil since 2003. His finely crafted work is evident in the exquisite seasonal desserts he creates including delectable housemade chocolate, involving sourcing cacao beans from select international farms and carefully roasting and refining the chocolate in small batches in the hotel’s pastry kitchen.

The Restaurant’s menu items are complemented by pairings from an award-winning wine list. The 15,000 bottle cellar of domestic and international selections is curated by Wine Director, Kris Margerum. The Restaurant’s wine program consistently receives Wine Spectator’s Best of Award of Excellence.

The Restaurant at Auberge du Soleil is open for lunch, Wednesday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. featuring a two-course prix fixe for $60 and three courses for $75. A three-course brunch is offered on Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for $85, and dinner service is available Wednesday through Sunday from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., including three courses for $135, four courses for $155 or a six-course tasting menu for $185. All menus include vegetarian selections available with each course.

The Restaurant, along with the casual Bistro and Bar, is open to the public, and serve as cornerstones for Auberge du Soleil, a Forbes Five Star hotel, flagship for the Auberge Resorts Collection and a long-standing member of Relais & Châteaux, an international association of outstanding boutique properties known for their excellence in hospitality and the culinary arts.

Inspired by the relaxed sophistication of the South of France, and infused with California soul, Auberge du Soleil provides the quintessential Napa Valley adult getaway. The hotel features wine country’s most luxurious accommodations, spectacular valley views, and passionate, intuitive service that sets the standard for gracious wine country hospitality. The property is perennially ranked among the best in the world by influential travel publications.

For more information please visit http://www.aubergedusoleil.com and follow at facebook.com/AubergeduSoleil and on Twitter and Instagram at @AubergeduSoleil. For Restaurant reservations and availability contact the hotel directly at 800.348.5406 or email ads.restaurant@aubergeresorts.com.

About Relais & Châteaux
Created in 1954, Relais & Châteaux is an organization of more than 560 exceptional hotels and restaurants run by independent men and women, all driven by a passion for their profession and dedicated to the authenticity of the relationships they build with their customers. With operations on all five continents, from the vineyards of Napa Valley to Provence and the beaches of the Indian Ocean, Relais & Châteaux members invite all to discover the art of living enshrined in the location’s culture, and share a unique, human story. Relais & Châteaux members have a profound desire to protect and showcase the richness and diversity of the cuisine and inviting cultures of the world. They worked towards this goal, along with the goal to preserve local heritages and the environment, through a UNESCO Manifesto in November 2014. For more information please visit http://www.relaischateaux.com.

About Auberge Resorts Collection
Auberge Resorts Collection is a portfolio of extraordinary hotels, resorts, residences and private clubs. While each property is unique, all share a crafted approach to luxury and bring the soul of the locale to life through captivating design, exceptional cuisine and spas, and gracious yet unobtrusive service. With 19 hotels and resorts across three continents, Auberge invites guests to create unforgettable stories in some of the world’s most desirable destinations. For more information about Auberge Resorts Collection, please visit aubergeresorts.com. Follow Auberge Resorts Collection on Facebook at facebook.com/AubergeResorts and on Twitter and Instagram at @AubergeResorts and #AlwaysAuberge.

About The Friedkin Group
The Friedkin Group is a privately held consortium of automotive, hospitality, entertainment, sports and adventure companies. These organizations include: Gulf States Toyota, GSFSGroup, GSM, US AutoLogistics, Ascent Automotive Group, Auberge Resorts Collection, AS Roma, Imperative Entertainment, 30WEST, NEON, Diamond Creek Golf Club, Congaree and Legendary Expeditions. The Friedkin Group is led by Chairman and CEO Dan Friedkin. For more information, visit http://www.friedkin.com.

2019’s Craft Producer of the Year Kentucky Peerless Unveils Double Oak Bourbon

October 16, 2021 by evebushman

LOUISVILLE, KY. (PRWEB) – Kentucky Peerless Distilling Company announces the release of their newest whiskey, Peerless Double Oak Bourbon. This expression was born out of necessity, not marketing tactics. Peerless Double Oak Bourbon will be available in Kentucky, California, Illinois, Florida and New York.

Kentucky Peerless started crafting Double Oak whiskies with the original intention of rescuing whiskey from a leaky barrel, losing too much quantity to Angel’s share. When a barrel has a leak that cannot be repaired, the whiskey is transferred into a new charred oak barrel to continue its journey. By exposing the whiskey to a second barrel, the whiskey develops unparalleled complexity as well as a heavy mouthfeel.

The Single Barrel Double Oak whiskies offered in the past at Kentucky Peerless have received overwhelmingly positive feedback, which has led to this release. Master Distiller Caleb Kilburn said: “With the amazing response to our very limited Double Oak program to date, we have decided to improve the quality and accessibility of the product. Where in the past we would leave things up to chance, we are now intentionally curating barrels to become Double Oak.”

Kilburn shares that the tasting notes reflect the characteristics of both barrels, and the dedicated tasting team is looking for prominent grain, fruit and herbaceous characteristics. Kilburn writes the tasting notes, including spicy oak, cinnamon, honey and leather as the more pronounced elements.

Find out more at kentuckypeerless.com or visit the distillery at 120 N. 10th Street in downtown Louisville. The distillery is open for tours and tastings by reservation Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

About Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co.
The Peerless family’s very first bourbon went into a barrel in 1889. They have since revived the craft in their own state-of-the-art distillery in the Bourbon District, where they use the finest ingredients. The Peerless family believes that patience builds character and fine Bourbon and Rye can never be rushed. All under one roof, the select Kentucky Peerless grains are milled, cooked, fermented, double-distilled and barreled as Bourbon and Rye.

2017 Awards
Tricor Braun’s Spirits Division Package of the Year
Small Batch Rye named Top 20 Most Exciting Whiskies of the Year by Whisky Advocate Magazine

2018 Awards
Small Batch Rye named Top 5 Best American Whiskey in Forbes magazine

2019 Awards
“Craft Producer of the Year” for the Americas by Whisky Magazine
“Global Craft Producer of the Year” by Whisky Magazine

2020 Awards
Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon named “Best Kentucky Bourbon” by World Whiskies Awards
Peerless Small Batch Kentucky Straight Rye awarded Category Gold for Rye 12 Years and
Under by Whisky Magazine
Master Distiller Caleb Kilburn was a finalist for best distiller by Whisky Magazine
Peerless was among the 12 final nominees for best distillery tour by Whisky Magazine

2021 Awards
Small Batch Bourbon received 92 points from Wine Enthusiast magazine
Small Batch Rye received 93 points from Wine Enthusiast magazine

For more information, visit kentuckypeerless.com
Contact: Kentucky Peerless Distilling Company
120 North 10th Street, Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 566-4999
Contact@KentuckyPeerless.com
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Blue Run Spirits Unveils Award-Winning Fall Release

September 23, 2021 by evebushman

GEORGETOWN, KY. (PRWEB) – Blue Run Spirits’ first Rye Whiskey – already a Gold Medal winner at the 2021 San Francisco World Spirits Competition – is now available at select retailers in the U.S. and will be sold online at BlueRunSpirits.com beginning Monday, September 6 at 3 pm Eastern. Blue Run Kentucky Straight Golden Rye Whiskey is the fourth whiskey release since Blue Run launched in October of last year, having unveiled three award-winning, sold-out Bourbons in that time.

Blue Run Kentucky Straight Golden Rye Whiskey is a small-batch whiskey coming from just 91 select barrels, bottled at a very approachable 95 proof. Each bottle, adorned with an oxidized version of the Blue Run’s signature viceroy butterfly emblem, can be individually identified through a green neck strip with gold accents indicating the bottle number and the date it was bottled. The Golden Rye name is derived from both the distinct color of the choice grains that were used in the creation process and the resulting golden-hued whiskey.

“As any bartender or whiskey maker will tell you, Rye Whiskey can be a tough horse to train,” said Mike Montgomery, CEO and Co-Founder of Blue Run Spirits. “Our goal with our Golden Rye was to make it just as approachable as our Bourbons, but still maintain spicy elements that are the hallmark of Ryes. I think we were able to achieve the drinkability of Bourbon with the pronounced personality of Rye.”

This inaugural Rye Whiskey from Blue Run features a honey baked graham cracker aroma surrounded by sweet grains and wood sugar. The easygoing finish rests with honey and a dash of pear syrup, highlighted by touches of ginger that add just the right tingle.

Blue Run Kentucky Straight Golden Rye Whiskey follows Blue Run’s summer release, Blue Run 14-Year-Old Small Batch Bourbon, which was awarded top honors at the prestigious 2021 San Francisco World Spirits Competition winning Best Small Batch Bourbon – 11 Years & Older, along with a Double Gold Medal. The company’s spring release, Blue Run 13.5-Year-Old Single Barrel Bourbon, was awarded Best Single Barrel Bourbon – 11 Years & Older, as well as a Double Gold Medal. Both bottlings sold out in minutes online.

Blue Run Kentucky Straight Golden Rye Whiskey is available for $99.99 SRP. It will be followed by a high-rye Bourbon in October. Additionally, Blue Run is contract distilling at Bardstown Bourbon Company this year, as they did at Castle & Key Distillery in 2020.

Blue Run Spirits can be purchased in Kentucky (RNDC); Georgia (Savannah); South Carolina and Tennessee (Advintage); Washington, D.C., Maryland and Delaware (Prestige-Ledroit); Illinois and Colorado (Breakthru); California and Florida (Park Street); and Canada (Evergreen) and online on http://www.bluerunspirits.com/shop.

Find Blue Run Spirits online at http://www.bluerunspirits.com, and on social media: Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

ABOUT BLUE RUN SPIRITS
Blue Run Spirits is a new kind of spirits company, creating a unique luxury proposition by tapping into the deep heritage and craft that makes a truly great whiskey, then elevating it through a modern design and marketing lens to reach a younger, broader and more diverse whiskey drinker. The company’s founders include a Nike designer, the first director-level employee at Facebook, a hospitality executive, a political advisor, and a philanthropist – all huge whiskey fans and individuals who acutely understand how to build demand and buzz for a contemporary consumer product. They are backed by a team of advisors including Nike marketing experts; the Campari communications veteran behind the U.S. launch of Espolòn Tequila and the Aperol Spritz; a former spirits distributor; and others with deep industry experience. The Blue Run name is a nod to one of our founder’s upbringing in Georgetown, KY, where Bourbon began in the Bluegrass State.

South Coast Winery Garners Awards at Wine Competition

September 19, 2021 by evebushman

TEMECULA, Calif. – South Coast Winery, owned by the Carter family, received three prestigious awards at the 2021 Toast of the Coast Wine Competition produced by the San Diego County Fair. Eighteen wine industry experts – sommeliers, wine journalists, consultants and wine business managers – participated in the judging, which took place late May at the festival held at the Del Mar Fairgrounds in Del Mar, Calif. The competition celebrates wineries from around the world producing the finest quality wines.

“This year as we celebrate our 20^th anniversary, we are once again proud to have winning wines designated by The Toast of the Coast Competition adding to our impressive collection of over 3,000 wine accolades garnered throughout the years,” said Jeff Carter, president of Carter Hospitality, which owns South Coast Winery. “Our mission has always been to use expert knowledge and craft to produce the very best wines, retaining a sense of each varietal’s personality and terroir of origin.”

The 2017 South Coast Winery Meritage won the highest-level Double Gold reserved for the finest wines as agreed on unanimously by an assigned three judge panel and scoring 94 points or higher on a 100-point scale. Dark purple red in color, the aromas of blackberry and currants are the first thing noticed, while subtle herbal notes and warm, toasty oak aromas bring depth and structure to this complex wine. It is a classic quintet of Bordeaux varietals – cabernet sauvignon, merlot, petit verdot, malbec and carménère – blended to create a wine that is finely textured and nuanced from start to finish.

Silver award winner, South Coast Winery Grenache Noir Rosé, is light in body, crisp in acidity and very dry, delivering an elegant rosé and the perfect wine for any cuisine and festivity. It is nuanced with a hint of rosy color carrying delicate strawberry, raspberry and cotton candy aromas, married with refined citrus and floral notes. The winery’s NV South Coast Winery Sparkling Pinot Grigio also won a Silver award. Light and refreshing, this sparkler has notes of fresh Meyer lemon and key lime, crisp green apple and white nectarines. It is slightly effervescent and great for everyday celebrations.

A list of all winners and additional information is available at thetoastofthecoast.com.

About South Coast Winery Resort & Spa

The only winery among the state’s top wineries to claim the title of California Winery of the Year four times at the California State Fair Wine Competition, South Coast Winery Resort & Spa sets the gold standard for excellence amongst California wineries, earning more than 3,000 awards since its inception in 2003. Situated on 63 lush acres, the resort offers a breathtaking retreat for wine tours, romantic getaways and group events with 132 rooms and villas, a working winery and tasting room, gift shop, full-service spa and restaurant.

South Coast Winery offers a broad portfolio of 45 wine labels, the majority of which are available for sampling in its main tasting room – from robust reds such as Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Petit Syrah, Merlot and Pinot Noir to whites including Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay and Riesling. Also available are sparkling wines, dessert wines and other specialty offerings. The winery employs a staff of skilled winemakers, including master winemaker Jon McPherson and winemaker Javier Flores, both with decades of experience in the wine industry.

For more information, visit www.southcoastwinery.com.

About Carter Hospitality Group

Established in 2011, Carter Hospitality Group, LLC. is a family-owned hospitality company with four hotels and resorts as well as three wineries across the United States. Based in Orange County, California, the company manages and owns a portfolio of luxury properties including South Coast Winery Resort & Spa, Temecula, California; Carter Estate Winery and Resort, Temecula California; and Carter Creek Winery Resort & Spa, Texas Hill Country. Carter Hospitality Group additionally serves as the owner-franchisee for Red Lion Hotel Orlando Lake Buena Vista South, Orlando Florida. For more information, visit www.carterhospitality.com.

Espanita Artisanal Tequila wins prestigious “Tequila of the Year” Award

September 13, 2021 by evebushman

NEW YORK (PRWEB) – Espanita Tequila Company is pleased to announce that Espanita® Añejo Artisanal Tequila has won a prestigious “Tequila of the Year” award and received a Gold Medal from the 2021 Bartender Spirits Awards, which took place in San Francisco this May and saw more than 850 submissions from 45 countries. Espanita’s Gold Medal is the ultimate seal of approval in the global spirits on-premise industry, with a panel of judges comprised of high-profile directors and beverage directors.

Bartender Spirits Awards is a leading industry competition that recognizes that bartenders are the true influencers – their passions and tastes provide direction for the consumer, especially via their guidance with wine, beer, or spirit recommendations. “We really wanted a way to recognize those spirits that would be a great addition to any bar and that are completely on-trend in terms of packaging and price,” said Sid Patel, Founder, and CEO of Beverage Trade Network. “Whether bartenders are looking to plug a very specific gap in their existing spirits inventory, or construct an entirely new cocktail menu from scratch, what better advice could they get than from fellow bartenders?”

Medals were awarded to those spirits that met very specific judging criteria, with a goal of identifying spirits that should become additions to bar inventories. Each brand of distilled spirits was evaluated on Mixability, Balance and Versatility, Taste, Mouthfeel and Finish, Package and Price.

“We are very proud and happy for Espanita Tequila Anejo to be recognized as Tequila of the Year; this is a true testament to the skills and passion of Mexican artisans committed to handcrafting Espanita to the highest standards of quality. Espanita Tequila has been designed by keeping the needs of hospitality community in mind, starting from its complex, agave-forward taste that results in a truly versatile spirit that enhances and elevates any tequila-based cocktail, and to its luxury packaging optimized to perform well in a high-paced on-premise environment,” says Marina Wilson, president and founder of Espanita Tequila Company. “Gold Medal from the Bartender Spirits Awards and Tequila of the Year award validate our efforts to date and provide us with inspiration to continue our work of innovating the brand and experimenting with non-traditional maturation approaches to provide hospitality professionals with truly unique, outstanding spirit,” adds Wilson.

Pitbull and Espanita Tequila. Photo: Forbes.com

Espanita Tequila’s Global Brand Ambassador and creative advisor to the Company, Armando Christian Perez, widely known to his fans as Pitbull, has been very excited to learn about new award. “It’s great to see that Espanita Tequila has performed so well at Bartender Spirits Awards. This is another Gold Medal in our growing achievements as a brand,” says the global superstar, whose impressive career in music history includes countless awards, dozens of international number ones, hundreds of gold and platinum certifications, single sales of over 80 million, and cumulative views in excess of 15 billion. “Goes to show hard work pays off. I am looking forward to our continuous work together in making Espanita Tequila a household name,” added Mr. Perez.

About Espanita® Tequila

Espanita Tequila is recognized as one of the most remarkable handcrafted tequilas on the market today, with numerous medals and distinctions awarded for its uncompromised quality, creativity of packaging and exceptional value. Espanita is created by using traditional production methods developed in Mexico over hundreds of years from 100% Agave, grown at high elevations of Jalisco’s Highlands. The brand’s commitment to heritage, authenticity, and quality results in a sophisticated and velvety smooth spirit, which accentuates characteristics that are exclusive to tequila alone: the distinctive aromas and delectable flavors of traditionally slow-cooked Blue Agave.

To learn more about Espanita tequila, or for more information, visit http://www.espanita-tequila.com and the brand’s social channels: Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/espanita_tequila/) and Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/EspanitaTequila).

About the Bartender Spirits Awards

The Bartender Spirits Awards looks to identify spirits that should become additions to bar inventories. The aim of the spirits competition is to provide independent and honest reviews for brands looking to enter the U.S. on-premise industry. The organizers of the event are Beverage Trade Network, a leading online platform dedicated to connecting the global beverage industry.

Walla Walla repeats as ‘America’s Best Wine Region’ in 2021 USA TODAY 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards

September 12, 2021 by evebushman

(WALLA WALLA, Wash.) — For the second consecutive year, the Walla Walla Valley has been named America’s Best Wine Region in the USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, following a month-long vote of the public. A finalist in the competition each of the last four years, and now a back-to-back winner in the category, the Walla Walla Valley prevailed over 19 other finalists chosen by a panel of experts from among 250 U.S. wine regions.

Walla Walla Valley – Winner – Best Wine Region (2020 and 2021). Credit: Richard Duval

In addition to the Walla Walla Valley’s first place win in Best Wine Region category, Long Shadows Vintners took third place in the Best Wine Tasting Room category, a one spot jump from its fourth place ranking each of the last two years.

“I can think of no better way to honor wines from Washington state in general, and the Walla Walla Valley specifically, than being recognized by a vote of the public as America’s Best Wine Region for two years running,” said Robert Hansen, executive director of Visit Walla Walla and Walla Walla Valley Wine. “It’s a great way to celebrate Washington Wine Month, and is a testament to the outstanding terroir, meticulous craftsmanship, and the individuals who are committed to elevating the Walla Walla Valley from both a wine production and tourism perspective.”

Although wine is certainly a selling point for Walla Walla, the small town of Southeastern Washington is known for more than its world-class grapes and award-winning wineries. From its charming and historic downtown to its neighborly community, creative culinary scene, and abundance of arts, culture, and recreation, Walla Walla stands out as a must-visit destination in 2021.

For more information on the Walla Walla Valley and its wines, visit www.wallawalla.org or www.wallawallawine.com.

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.

About Walla Walla Valley Wine:

Walla Walla Valley Wine is a nonprofit wine industry membership organization whose primary mission is to build an internationally acclaimed Walla Walla Valley wine brand among consumers, media, and trade by providing marketing programs on behalf of member wineries, vineyards, and partners. Walla Walla Valley Wine functions as the leading informational resource for consumers, media, and trade interested in learning more about the Valley’s wine industry. For more information visit www.wallawallawine.com.

South Coast Winery Celebrates 20th Anniversary

September 11, 2021 by evebushman

20^th Anniversary Happenings: New Sustainable Red Wine Blend, Rhythm on the Vine® Country Series, Grape Stomps, Winemaker Dinners and Anniversary Package

TEMECULA, Calif. – Pioneering Temecula winery and resort South Coast Winery Resort & Spa has much to celebrate on its 20^th anniversary. Commemorative events include a special anniversary red blend, live country music series, grape stomps, special dinners and a luxury anniversary resort package. Since its inception in 2001, the Carter family-owned winery put Temecula Valley on the map as a premier wine destination and also set the bar for the Southern California wine industry by breaking records in both domestic and international competitions – all while accumulating over 3,000 accolades. South Coast offers approximately 45 wine labels and proudly introduces its most recent addition – a special 20^th Anniversary Blend. In many ways this blend has been “20 years in the making” proving what can be created in the Temecula region – certified sustainable production of 49% Syrah, 22% Mourvèdre, 19% Grenache and 10% Petite Sirah – delivering a rich, complex Rhône-style that highlights the best of the Temecula Valley.

Rhythm on the Vine® Country Series

South Coast Winery’s Rhythm on the Vine® Country Series kicks off the 20^th anniversary festivities on September 2 with Coffey Anderson performing with Kanan Road as opener. This concert will benefit the American Cancer Society with $10 from each ticket sold donated. On September 22 country hit singer Dylan Scott performs, and the series ends with a September 23 performance by award-winning Cassadee Pope with opening set by Leaving Austin. Concerts held outdoors in the Courtyard; doors open at 5 p.m. and concerts begin at 7 p.m.

Tickets and more information available at www.southcoastwinery.com/concerts.

Grape Stomps

South Coast Winery Grape Stomps are composed of two-person teams. The winner of each of these friendly competitions receives a bottle of the special 20^th Anniversary Blend.

The competition Grape Stomps schedule:

Friday, September 10; 2 and 4:30 p.m.
Sunday, September 12; 12 and 3 p.m.
Friday, September 17; 2 and 4:30 p.m.
Sunday, September 19; 12 and 3 p.m.
Friday, September 24; 2 and 4:30 p.m.
Sunday, September 26; 12 and 3 p.m.

Tickets start at $168 and include a wine flight for each person that matches his/her preferences (choice of three flights) and a case of wine per two participants as part of the ticket price. Cases can be mixed and matched. Guests reserve their spot by purchasing a timeslot on the online store. The non-refundable deposit is $50 and counts for a team of two people.

Tickets are available at www.southcoastwinery.com/stomp.

Wine Dinners

To celebrate 20 years of thousands of prestigious wine industry recognitions, South Coast Winery is throwing three exquisite wine dinners at the lovely The Vineyard Rose Restaurant. Executive Chef José Esparza teams up with Master Winemaker Jon McPherson to put together the perfectly paired dining experience. Each dinner will feature the winery’s special 20th Anniversary Blend. These exceptional dinners will be held on Thursday, October 14; Thursday, November 18; and Thursday, December 9. Seating is limited to ensure a very intimate dining experience.

For reservations, please call (877) 662-5062.

Luxury in the Vines Anniversary Package

Available through December 15

South Coast Winery Resort & Spa invites guests to celebrate and fully experience all this unique Temecula property has to offer during the special occasion of its 20^th Anniversary by presenting its Luxury in the Vines anniversary package, including accommodations and memorable perks and amenities:

Two-night Stay in Suite or Private Villa
Welcome Wine Amenity
Mixed Case of South Coast’s Award-Winning Wines
Sunrise Balloon Ride for Two
Couples Massage at GrapeSeed Spa
$100 Dining Credit to The Vineyard Rose Restaurant
Option of Early Check-in (2:20 p.m.) or Late Check-out (2:20 p.m.)

Package starts at $1,498. Reservations by phone: (866) 504-6007

South Coast Winery Resort & Spa

34843 Rancho California Road

Temecula, California 92591

844.428.6292