SUZANNE GOIN AND CAROLINE ANNOUNCE OPENING OF A.O.C. IN BRENTWOOD

May 6, 2021 by evebushman

LOS ANGELES, California – Chef Suzanne Goin and business partner Caroline Styne, owners and operators of The Lucques Group, announce that they will open a Westside location of their award-winning restaurant A.O.C. in the space formerly known as Tavern in early May 2021.

Caroline Styne at The Shrine Auditorium on January 24, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Los Angeles Magazine

Located at 11648 San Vicente Boulevard in Brentwood, the restaurant will feature the small plates format that A.O.C. originated with Suzanne’s regularly changing menu inspired by California’s seasons and sourcing products from regional farmers’ markets which helped her win the coveted Outstanding Chef Award from the James Beard Foundation in 2016. Caroline, who similarly won Outstanding Restaurateur in 2018, will curate the wine program that A.O.C. is known for, a large selection of wines available by the glass and carafe and featuring small-production wines from grapes that are either sustainably, organically or biodynamically grown. The beverage program will feature local beer producers and a seasonal selection of market-driven cocktails.

Overseeing the operation as General Manager is the venerated Matt Duggan, the man who remembers everyone’s name and face and is well recognized for effortlessly running Suzanne and Caroline’s flagship Lucques from 2008 until its closure last March 2020. Hamilton Lyons, former chef de cuisine of Tavern, will lead the A.O.C. culinary team.

The space has been redesigned by the acclaimed LA based design firm Nickey Kehoe who are known for their well-honed aesthetic—a masterful combination of traditional inspiration alongside contemporary elegance, equilibrium, and enchantment. About the project, Nickey Kehoe said, “We took our cues from the charm and warmth of the existing A.O.C. and added those elements to the airy and elegant Brentwood space.” The decor encompasses the addition of cozy booths in the bar room, beautiful fabrics, new color scheme, and a more modern yet intimate vibe. With an eye to the post-Covid future, the space now includes a moody private dining room perfect for gatherings of groups of up to 30 guests. A beautiful new outdoor dining area has been created by local darling Fi Campbell Landscapes who stated, “For A.O.C Brentwood, I imagined a light and airy dining experience, inspired by the colors of our native California chaparral, that would evoke the delightful outdoor cafes of Aix en Provence and Southern Spain.”

“We are incredibly excited about this as we have seen such positive response to A.O.C. at our Third Street location and feel that there is definitely a need for our small plates dining format on the west side “ states Caroline Styne. “After the devastation and tragedy of the past year, we are beyond thrilled to reopen this restaurant with a new concept and vibrant forward-looking energy. We feel so fortunate to have this moment to build on the positivity of the city and country as it comes back to life. And, more than anything, we can’t wait to get our staff back to work!”

A.O.C. in Brentwood will serve dinner nightly from 5:00 p.m. expanding to daily lunch, weekend brunch and breakfast in coming weeks with takeout and delivery options as well.

Opening date and hours to be announced soon.

ABOUT THE LUCQUES GROUP:

With the opening of Lucques, their flagship restaurant, in 1998, James Beard award-winning Chef/Author Suzanne Goin and award-winning Restaurateur Caroline Styne planted the seeds for The Lucques Group, a Los Angeles hospitality company that comprises two fine dining restaurants – A.O.C. in both Los Angeles and Brentwood. Along with these culinary enterprises, the company also operates the Larder Baking Company and comprehensive food services for the Hollywood Bowl. They will operate new restaurants – Caldo Verde and Cara Cara – at the highly anticipated Proper Hotel opening in downtown Los Angeles in 2021. The Lucques Group is dedicated to seasonally influenced cooking and focuses on sourcing local, organic produce from which Goin creates soulful dishes that are bold in flavor, vibrant, layered and complex.

A.O.C.

11648 San Vicente Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90049

310.806.6464

For further information and complete menus for A.O.C.,

visit www.aocwinebar.com

Please visit Suzanne Goin & Caroline Styne’s restaurants on the Web:

www.thelucquesgroup.com

Suzanne Goin and Caroline Styne are Social!

Follow Suzanne on Instagram at @SuzanneGoin

Follow Caroline on Instagram at @carolinestyne

5StarWines and Wine Without Walls 2021: the blind tasting that will embrace sustainable wines

May 3, 2021 by evebushman

VERONA, ITALY (PRWEB) – Pedro Ballesteros Torres MW, Robert Joseph, Bernard Burtschy, Daniele Cernilli and Gabriele Gorelli MW will all be part of the General Chairmen Panel, they will be making their way to Verona alongside over 80 other judges; The work of tasting samples will take place at a safety-built tasting station (safety protocols implemented by Veronafiere). This set-up this year will differ slightly from last year’s tasting activities. The 2020 edition of 5StarWines (coined the “Agile” edition) was mainly done online, via video conference and WebApp. International judges tasted and scored wines from their very own home. This year, 5StarWines and Wine Without Walls will be, for the most part, held in Verona, in person.

In 2020, the Wine Without Walls’ section was dedicated to only certified organic or biodynamic wineries. This year the category will expand to include “sustainable” wineries; while there no official regulation, they stand out for their virtuous efforts and conduct in the vineyard and in the cellar. At the time of registration each participating winery will have to provide their issued certification/documentation, issued by the control body and also select the section (organic, biodynamic, sustainable) in which they wish to compete and be judged.

The sustainable category as with the other two, will have an assigned tasting panel, and wines obtaining a score equal or higher than 90/100 will then be included in the special Wine Without Walls section of the 5StarWines – the Book. This annual Guide is an important acknowledgment to the wineries themselves as well as providing informative details on a meaningful segment within the wine sector. The Guide is also an effective promotional and commercial tool, distributed to an international audience of trade operators and wine professionals. The coveted awards distributed to Wine Without Walls top scoring wines are as follows: “Best Winery – Wine Without Walls” and “Best Wine – Wine Without Walls”. Additional dedicated wine tastings and podcast interviews will be reserved to Trophy Winners.

The anticipated event will take place in Verona on June 16th-18th, we remind participants that registrations are now open. All wineries that choose to register before April 2nd can take advantage of a 15% discount. For more information visit https://www.5starwines.it/apply-now/?lang=en.

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About: 5StarWines – the Book is the annual wine selection organized by Veronafiere, held in the lead-up to the biggest Italian wine fair in the world. The event is now in its fifth edition. 5StarWines – the Book is a blind tasting aimed at shedding light on wineries investing in the improvement of their products. During the event, a highly qualified panel of wine professionals will taste and score — using a 100-point scale — participating wines. In the 2020 edition, over 2,000 bottles took part in the competition and 847 were selected for inclusion in 5StarWines – the Book. The Guide is a useful tool both on the promotional and commercial side. It introduces international buyers and wine lovers to new wine products of great value. It guarantees wine quality, and it maintains and certifies their value at an international level.

Andalusia Whiskey Co. Releases their First Texas Brandy!

April 25, 2021 by evebushman

BLANCO, TEXAS (PRWEB) – Andalusia Whiskey Co will release their first Texas Brandy on Saturday March 27th. The distillery is not the first but one of the few to release a brandy in Texas.

“I feel most people overlook brandy,” said Co-Founder Ty Phelps. “Which is why we are excited to show what a brandy from Texas can taste like,” he continued.

The Andalusia Whiskey Co. Texas brandy uses 2018 Orange Muscat grapes grown by Lost Draw Cellars and then pressed by William Chris Vineyards. These grapes were too sweet to make wine but great for distilling into brandy. Aged 2.5 years in used American oak charred barrels. “We love how aromatic and flavorful the spirit turned out,” said Ty Phelps. The tasting notes include citrus, vanilla, honey, floral, anise, and cloves.

“People have a desire for local products, so we jumped at the chance to make a local Texas Brandy from regional wineries,” said Co-Founder Tommy Erwin.

Our Texas Brandy will be available in 375 ml bottles for $40. You can purchase them at the distillery or online. Online sales must be picked up at the distillery located at 6462 N US Hwy 281, Blanco, Texas 78606. Whiskey or brandy cannot be shipped. You are allowed to pick up two bottles (750 ml) per person per 30 days.

Follow Andalusia Whiskey Co. on Facebook for updates on tours, tasting room hours, and special releases. You can find Andalusia’s award-winning single malts Stryker, Revenant Oak, and their Triple Distilled whiskey at liquor stores throughout Texas.

About Andalusia Whiskey Co.
Andalusia Whiskey Co. produces hand-crafted, grain to glass malt whiskies deep in the heart of the Texas Hill Country. The distillery offers tours, tastings, and cocktails in their beautiful tasting room. Visitors to the Texas Hill Country are encouraged to sign up for a distillery tour and come by for a visit. For more information, visit their website http://www.andalusiawhiskey.com. For interviews, contact Jake Clements at media@txwhiskeyfest.com.

Absinthia’s Bottled Spirits Releases Absinthia Verte

April 22, 2021 by evebushman

OAKLAND, Calif., /PRNewswire/ — Absinthia’s Bottled Spirits (@Absinthia_Absinthe), a woman-owned artisan spirits company, has released Absinthia Verte, the follow-up to its inaugural and Gold Medal-winning Absinthia Blanche.

“As an unregulated category, there are a lot of ‘crapsinthes’ on the market that use artificial ingredients and dyes to achieve the end product. Absinthia absinthes are carefully crafted according to a vintage Swiss recipe using all-natural ingredients and no sugar,” said J. Absinthia Vermut, founder and creator of Absinthia’s Bottled Spirits. “We start with a neutral spirit made from biodynamic grapes from California, and distilled that with organic herbs – fresh wormwood (artemesia absinthium), star anise, fennel seed, and coriander seed – from an organic farm in Oregon. The result is an aromatic, brilliantly clear and modern take on absinthe, launched in 2018 as Absinthia Blanche.”

To create the beautiful peridot green of the Verte, Absinthia distills the Blanche with organic artemisia pontica, anise hyssop, and lemon balm. The Verte has a natural sweetness and earthier flavor than the Blanche. It is delicious neat, on the rocks, with a splash of cold water, or in a cocktail.

“I started with the release of the Blanche because out of the still, it was delicious,” said Vermut. “Also, we knew if we released a blanche and a verte at the same time, most absinthe drinkers would gravitate to the better known verte. The blanche is so delicious that we wanted to make sure our customers tried it first – and they did.”

Absinthia Blanche has received several awards, including a Gold Medal from the prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2018.

Absinthia Facts:

Farm to glass authentic absinthe from a vintage Swiss recipe
Twice distilled in California in a copper pot from biodynamic grapes and fresh herbs
110 proof (55% ABV)
Blanche SRP $44.99 (375ml)
Verte SRP $44.99 (375ml)

About Absinthia’s Bottled Spirits:
Absinthia’s Bottled Spirits is a WBENC-certified woman-owned artisan craft beverage business based in Oakland, California. The passion of founder J. Absinthia Vermut, the company began hand crafting absinthe according to an authentic Swiss recipe in 2017. Distilled in a copper pot from biodynamic grapes, grown in California, and fresh organic herbs – wormwood, anise, fennel, and coriander – from Oregon, Absinthia Blanche was awarded a Gold Medal in 2018 at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Absinthe Verte was launched in 2021. Absinthia’s absinthes are distributed in key markets and available online. For more information, visit www.absinthia.com.

Follow Absinthia’s Bottled Spirits on Social Media: @Absinthia_Absinthe #Absinthia #GreenFairy

Auberge du Soleil Receives Top Honors From Forbes Travel Guide, Travel + Leisure and U.S. News and World Report

April 17, 2021 by evebushman

RUTHERFORD, CALIF. (PRWEB) – Auberge du Soleil, announced it has been honored with multiple awards for 2021 by esteemed global travel authorities Forbes Travel Guide, Travel + Leisure, and U.S. News & World Report. Forbes Travel Guide recognized Napa Valley’s quintessential adult getaway with a Five Star Award, its highest rating, for the eighth consecutive year. Simultaneously, the hotel was recognized as one of the top hotels in the world on the Travel + Leisure 500 List for its exceptional service and luxurious accommodations. In addition, Auberge du Soleil has been named the No. 1 Hotel in Napa Valley, and among the best hotels in California and the USA in U.S. News & World Report’s 2021 Best Hotels rankings report.

“We are deeply honored to be recognized by these distinguished publications as one of the very best resorts in the world,” said Bradley Reynolds, Managing Director, Auberge du Soleil. “These coveted awards are incredibly meaningful and are a true credit to our team who continuously rededicate themselves to delivering exceptional service to ensure our guests consider Auberge du Soleil their home-away-from-home in Napa Valley.”

Inspired by the south of France and infused with California soul, Auberge du Soleil is nestled within a terraced, sun-kissed hillside amid 33-acres of heritage olive and oak trees in the heart of Napa Valley. The hotel’s 50 contemporary residential-style guestrooms and suites effortlessly blend relaxed sophistication with understated elegance, earning a long-standing reputation as wine country’s most iconic luxury property. Renowned for its culinary roots the property features a Michelin Star restaurant and bistro, where guests enjoy fine-dining and casual French-inspired fare while taking in spectacular panoramic vineyard and valley views from the outdoor terrace. The exclusive Auberge du Soleil Spa, offers a tranquil retreat for reflecting, relaxing and restoring in a picturesque setting within the resort’s Parc du Soleil, where guests may stroll along meandering nature paths, linger over food and wine amid the shady private picnic groves and discover nearly 100 works by 60 California artists in the sculpture garden.

Forbes Travel Guide is the world-renowned guide to genuine Five-Star service. The prestigious annual Star Rating list comprises “outstanding, often iconic properties with virtually flawless service and amazing facilities.” Properties were inspected prior to the pandemic and when regional restrictions allowed for the safe return of guests. In addition to the hotel’s Five-Star rating, The Restaurant and the Auberge du Soleil Spa both retained Forbes Four-Star ratings in the 2021 Guide. View Auberge du Soleil’s awards at forbestravelguide.com.

Drawing on the publication’s 2020 World’s Best Awards results, in which readers’ shared their thoughts on top-performing destinations, city hotels and resorts, Travel + Leisure has recognized the best hotels around the globe by naming them to this year’s T+L 500 list. Auberge du Soleil is showcased in the March 2021 print issue of Travel + Leisure and available online at travelandleisure.com.

The 11th annual U.S. News & World Report Best Hotels rankings evaluated more than 30,000 luxury properties across destinations in the U.S., Europe, Bermuda, Mexico, Canada and the Caribbean. Determined by valued travelers and reviews under the publication’s licensed partner, TripAdvisor, the rankings took into consideration the aggregate opinion of experts and guests for exceptional quality. The rankings will showcase Auberge du Soleil and other honorees on usnews.com and tripadvisor.com throughout the year.

For more information, please visit aubergeresorts.com/aubergedusoleil.

About Auberge du Soleil
Inspired by the relaxed sophistication of the South of France and infused with California soul, Auberge du Soleil features wine country’s most luxurious accommodations, spectacular valley views, a Michelin Star Restaurant, and the exclusive Auberge du Soleil Spa. Nestled within a 33-acre hillside olive grove, the “Inn of the Sun” is celebrated for delivering passionate, intuitive service that embodies gracious Napa Valley hospitality. The 50 residential-style rooms, suites and private maisons, recently renovated by AD 100 interior designer Suzanne Tucker, principle of Tucker & Marks, San Francisco, set the stage for romance in the seclusion of the adults-only environment. The property is a long-standing member of Relais & Châteaux, an international association of outstanding boutique properties known for their excellence in hospitality and the culinary arts, and the flagship hotel in the Auberge Resorts Collection. Follow Auberge du Soleil on Facebook and Instagram @AubergeduSoleil.

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 toward this goal, along with the goal to preserve local heritages and the environment, through the 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 http://www.aubergeresorts.com. Follow Auberge Resorts Collection on Facebook at facebook.com/AubergeResorts and on Twitter and Instagram at @AubergeResorts and #AlwaysAuberge.

Tuscan Extra Virgin Olive Oil Piro. Conquers Palates Around The World and Wins First Prize at the Prestigious “Flos Olei”

April 11, 2021 by evebushman

MIAMI (PRWEB) – Extra Virgin Olive Oil Piro. was recently awarded the highest distinction in the prestigious international extra virgin olive oil guide Flos Olei (http://www.flosolei.com) considered the most respected authority in premium extra-virgin olive oils around the globe. The 2021 edition of Flos Olei, which covers 500 best extra-virgin olive oils from 54 countries on the ﬁve continents, listed the high antioxidant extra virgin olive oil Piro. as “Best of” the category blended, medium-fruity, extra virgin olive oil.

“In three years we have received 17 international awards”- explain Piro.’s producers Daniele Lepori and Romain Piro. “In 2020, our premium brand Olio Piro. has won gold medals at the New York, Tokyo, London and Dubai competitions. These awards have made us understand that our products are much loved abroad”.

Piro. is produced in South West Tuscany, on the volcanic soil of Monte Amiata, in the uncontaminated region of Maremma. Created in 2018, the premium blend Piro has received numerous international awards, conquering the palates of the most famous judges and olive oil sommeliers around the world. “In this complicated and difficult year, adds Daniele winning this award at Flos Olei fills us with joy. We are passionate about quality, and this award crowns a lot of efforts.”

Extra Virgin Olive Oil Piro, Harvest 2020 Taster’s Notes:
Piro.’s aroma is redolent of fresh herbs followed by the scent of green almond. On the palate, notes of grass and tomato leaf with hints of black pepper. “This year, our very talented producers crafted a magnificent, robust oil, both complex and balanced”- Marie-Charlotte Piro, Piro.’s distributor.

Due to its exceptional phenolic content, Piro. is perfectly adapted for cooking at medium and medium/high temperatures, and for poaching and roasting, as recently featured and chosen by the Wall Street Journal as the best cooking olive oil. Piro. also is widely appreciated as a finishing oil on soups and stews, grilled vegetables, meats and fish, and crudités Piro. is imported fresh from Tuscany; each bottle is best before 18 months after harvest date, which is always handwritten on each bottle.

About Piro.
http://www.olio-piro.com
Produced by Romain Piro and Daniele Lepori at the award winning oil mill Anteata Frantoio of Montegiovi, in the municipality of Castel del Piano, Piro. is a premium 100% Italian blend coming from the 2,000 Olivastra Seggianese trees of Podere Anteata and from other local tree varieties including Leccino, Moraiolo and Frantoiano.

The Busker “Triple Cask Triple Smooth” Beats Established Competitors in Blind Tasting; Rated Best Irish Whiskey Blend

April 10, 2021 by evebushman

NEW YORK (PRWEB) – The Busker, a “new-to-world” Irish Whiskey, is proud to announce that it was named the top Irish Whiskey Blend in a blind, independent tasting of industry experts. The Busker “Triple Cask Triple Smooth” was blind-tasted against four leading Irish whiskeys in similar price points, including Proper Twelve, Jameson, Bushmills and Tullamore D.E.W. The panel consisted of five renowned industry experts, including Andy Seymour, Julie Reiner, Anu Apte, Sean Kenyon and Jackie Summers. The panel judged each spirit on appearance, nose, aroma and finish. Awarded the highest aggregate score, The Busker “Triple Cask Triple Smooth” was recognized as a standout among the judges for its distinctive taste in a world of similar-tasting Irish whiskeys.

“The Busker is unique, unlike any other of the whiskies we tasted,” said Andy Seymour, owner of Liquid Productions and partner in BAR. “All the others were going in the same direction, and this stood out right away. The Busker has a bolder and richer taste that we all immediately picked up on.”

“The Busker is an apple among oranges,” said New York-based Julie Reiner, known for her award-winning beverage programs at Clover Club and Leyenda. “This is a whiskey that bartenders will embrace because it will perform excellently in craft cocktails.” The panel noted that the bold flavors of The Busker make it suitable for sipping as well as for cocktails that might overwhelm less distinctive Irish whiskeys.

The Busker “Triple Cask Triple Smooth” combines the Busker Single Grain with a high percentage of The Busker’s Single Malt and Single Pot whiskeys. Matured and finished in three different casks (Bourbon, Sherry, Marsala), this whiskey brings a new definition of richness and smoothness to the Irish whiskey landscape. The flavor profile of The Busker “Triple Cask Triple Smooth” blend is ideal for multiple consumption occasions, from sipping neat or on the rocks to classic cocktails that don’t typically use Irish whiskey, like Manhattans, Sours, tiki drinks, Old-Fashioneds or even the Vieux-Carre. These are cocktails that craft bartenders embrace and cocktails that are trending at-home with consumers.

“Our team at The Royal Oak Distillery set out to make an Irish whiskey that would appeal not only to Irish whiskey drinkers, but also to bourbon lovers,” said Ignacio Llaneza, Vice President of Brand & Trade Marketing for Disaronno International in the U.S. “We’re able to achieve a fuller, rounder whiskey with a higher malt content in the recipe, and triple cask finishing in Bourbon, Sherry and Marsala casks. Ultimately, we want to provide a journey into Irish whiskey at an affordable price point. Based on the tremendous feedback from our esteemed judging panel, quite frankly we believe The Busker has the potential to become the preferred Irish whiskey in the United States.”

Jackie Summers, creator of Sorel Liqueur and named Drinks International’s “100 Most Influential Bar Industry Figures” (2020) and Imbibe 75 (2021), noted that “The Busker was the outlier, and the only bottle I would drink and buy again.” Denver-based Sean Kenyon, the person behind award-winning bars Williams & Graham, Occidental and American Bonded and recognized as Tales of the Cocktail’s American Bartender of the Year (2014), agreed, calling The Busker blend “a real stand out, something interesting in the Irish whiskey world where the others go in the same direction.” Anu Apte, behind a number of award-winning Seattle bars including Rob Roy, No Anchor, Navy Strength, Vinnie’s Wine Shop and The Bar Bazaar enjoyed The Busker’s round, soft and integrated notes. “The Busker brings an exciting and very different new distillate to market,” she said.

The blind tasting recognition follows The Busker “Triple Cask Triple Smooth” receiving a “Best Buy” rating and 94 points in the April 2021 issue of Wine Enthusiast. This impressive ranking outclassed the other major whiskey brands, and was the highest-rated Irish whiskey when measured against similar priced competitors.

About The Busker
The Busker is a “new to world” Irish Whiskey that is born out of a modern Ireland, where the contemporary and bold meet at the crossroads of tradition. The Busker is produced at the Royal Oak Distillery, in County Carlow, Ireland, located on an 18th century estate in Ireland’s Ancient East region. It is the only distillery in Ireland which offers all three classic Irish styles of whiskey – Single Grain, Single Malt, & Single Pot Still, which make The Busker Single Collection. The Busker portfolio also includes The Busker Blend which is a beautiful blend of The Single Collection. The Busker uses different casks during the maturation process of their whiskeys including Bourbon casks, Sherry casks and Marsala casks. Most recently, The Busker took home multiple top accolades at the 2020 LA Spirits Awards: The Busker Single Malt was awarded the 2020 Platinum Medal and Best Irish Whiskey, while the Single Pot Still and Blend were awarded the Gold Medal.

For more information, visit http://www.thebusker.com and join the conversation at @thebusker_official

Vinotemp 41-Bottle Single-Zone Wine Cooler Recognized With 2020 Good Design Award

February 21, 2021 by evebushman

HENDERSON, NEV. (PRWEB) – Visually stunning 41 bottle capacity award-winning cooler combines styles and functionality

Vinotemp®, the leading wine storage solutions and appliance provider, has announced that its 41-Bottle Single-Zone Wine Cooler has been recognized with a 2020 GOOD DESIGN® Award – the most prestigious, and oldest design awards program organized annually by The Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design.

“If it’s backlit, it’s a Vinotemp! We’ve had a great response to our unique backlit interior lighting and label-forward wine rack features.” said India Hynes, CEO, Vinotemp. “The 41-Bottle Single Zone Wine Cooler boasts technological advancements, commercial-grade wine storage capabilities, and a number of industry-first features – all of which enhance the wine cooler’s performance as well as its visual appeal. With this product we wanted to deliver these popular features in a consumer-focused option and the 41-Bottle Single-Zone Wine Cooler does just that while making functional wine storage colorful.”

As the only wine cooler recognized in the 2020 GOOD DESIGN Awards “Retail Fittings” category, the Vinotemp 41-Bottle Single-Zone Wine Cooler is the most colorful solution for properly storing up to 41 bottles of wine. The wine cooler is available in three finishes – white, black and stainless steel – and features unique form and function details that make it worthy of award recognition such as:

Patented Backlit interior lighting

The cooler is equipped with three visually stunning LED options – Heliotrope, Amber and Vinotemp BioBlu™ – which can be custom selected at any given time, and the BioBlu option helps prevent mold growth.

Patent pending wine racking

Six pull-out, label-forward VinBo™ Wine Racks (along with a bulk storage area at the bottom of the cooler) make it simple to stylishly store up to 41 bottles of wine.

Customizable Temperature Control

An adjustable 26-degree temperature range (39-65°F) allows users to select a proper, customized storage climate and serving temperature for light or dark wines.

Easy Installation

Front vented and designed for built-in or freestanding installation, the cooler makes it simple for wine connoisseurs to add proper undercounter wine storage anywhere in the home.

Winning products for the 2020 GOOD DESIGN Awards can be viewed at good-designawards.com or visit vinotemp.com to learn more about the 41-Bottle Single-Zone Wine Cooler.

About Vinotemp®
Since 1985 close attention to market demand and non-standard ideas have made Vinotemp® the leading provider of diversified wine storage solutions utilized worldwide residentially and by renowned resorts, restaurants, hotels, and the yachting industry. In 2019 Vinotemp expanded its product offering to include residential kitchen appliances. Find more information about Vinotemp by calling 800-777-VINO (8466) or visiting vinotemp.com. Find Vinotemp on Facebook.com/Vinotemp, Instagram @Vinotemp, and Twitter @Vinotemp.

Red Root and Co Wins the Elixir Category at the 2021 Good Food Awards

February 20, 2021 by evebushman

HARRISONBURG, VA. (PRWEB) – Red Root & Co, a modern herbalism food brand, has achieved national accolades with their recent win in the 2021 Good Food Awards. Their Hops & Citrus Bitters was selected as a winner among 25 other products in the Elixirs category.

Photo credit: Friendly City Food Co-op

“We are beyond excited to be honored with a Good Food Award amongst such an impressive group of food crafters! Being selected as a winner validates our craft of herbalism and ethos in a truly meaningful way,” says Corey MacDonald, owner and founder of Red Root & Co, a small-batch producer of plant-based oxymels, shrubs, tonics, syrups, and bitters.

The Good Food Awards are just one part of the mission of the Good Food Foundation, which is “to celebrate, connect, empower and leverage the passionate and engaged, yet often overlooked, players in the food system who are driving towards tasty, authentic, and responsible food in order to humanize and reform our American food culture.” Over 2,000 entries from all 50 states are submitted each year. 2021 marks the 11th year the Good Food Awards have taken place.

By winning the Elixir category, Red Root & Co has proven they can make a great-tasting product while maintaining their position as a responsible food brand. The Good Food Foundation has stringent standards for entry, and winning a category puts the winner among a very select group of ethical food brands, along with national recognition. The Good Food Awards are unique, in that they are not just focused on responsible sourcing and business ethics, they are also looking for an unrivaled taste in each category. Winning first place in a category in the Good Food Awards can give a brand the boost it needs to become a household name.

Generally used in fine cocktails, craft beverages–or just mixed with soda–bitters also have a delicious place as aperitifs and digestifs. Red Root & Co inspires their customers to consume creatively with their bright and citrusy Hops & Citrus bitters, made with care using high-quality and organic ingredients. The Hops & Citrus Bitters are made with infusions of natural botanicals, including the tart notes of hops & citrus balanced by softer edges of berries and tulsi.

Red Root & Co uses the power of plants to elevate bitters and other herbal preparations as an integral part of a modern, health-conscious lifestyle. . When creating her products, herbalist Corey MacDonald takes all characteristics of each plant into careful consideration.

“Bitters are a great place to start introducing the vitalizing power of plants to a modern diet. Taken just as a supplement, bitters are a helpful aid before and after eating a meal, or just to calm a rumbling stomach,” says Corey MacDonald. “But we also love the role they play for the home bartender. Herbalists are people, too! And our bitters are part of some delightful cocktails and mocktails, and using our blends is a way to bring more of the plant world into your favorite indulgence.”

In years past, the Good Food Awards were a part of a weekend-long bash celebrating excellence in American food crafters with the public. This year, the festivities were held online, kicking off with a live stream of the Awards Ceremony and culminating in a virtual pop-up shop where you can shop all the winning products, starting on 1/25 and running through. Learn more about Red Root & Co’s Hops & Citrus bitters and shop online to try them for yourself here.

About Red Root & Co:

Founded by a certified herbalist, Red Root & Co was established on the premise that plants change lives. Each Red Root & Co recipe is crafted in the herbalist tradition using quality ingredients responsibly sourced – farmer-direct, organic or fair trade. The company’s herbal creations support healthy lifestyles with products for health & wellness, beverage, and culinary use.

About the Good Food Awards
The Good Food Awards celebrate the kind of food we all want to eat: tasty, authentic, and responsible. Now in its eighth year, awards will be given to winners in 17 categories: beer, charcuterie, cheese, chocolate, cider, coffee, confections, elixirs, fish, grains, honey, oils, pantry, pickles, preserves, snacks, and spirits. The Good Food Awards Seal, found on winning products, assures consumers they have found something exceptionally delicious that also supports sustainability and social good.

About the Good Food Foundation
The Good Food Awards is organized by the Good Food Foundation 501 (c) 3, formerly known as Seedling Projects, in collaboration with a broad community of food crafters, grocers, chefs, food writers, activists, and passionate food-lovers. The Good Food Foundation is also the organizing force behind the Good Food Guild, Good Food Mercantile, and Good Food Merchants Collaborative.

Vintage Eve Circa 8/2018: What Did We Love the Most at Live and Dine LA?

February 16, 2021 by evebushman

Angeleno‘s annual Live & Dine LA event honors the city’s most distinguished chefs and restaurateurs that continue to shape and evolve L.A.’s culinary scene. Guests will be treated to exclusive culinary demonstrations prepared by award-winning chefs, which will be paired with delicious wines and artisanal cocktails. This evening of culinary indulgences and refreshing libations is sure to make for a memorable date night, with its luxury lounges and unique tasting experiences under the stars and the Fairmont’s iconic (and romantic) fig tree.

Count me in! The last time I covered an event at the Fairmont Miramar – on Wilshire Blvd. just a block from the beach – was a Union des Grands Crus (UGC) Bordeaux Tasting in one of the large convention rooms. This time, as promised, we were outdoors under their enormous fig tree. Being outdoors was fine with me, as long as it was away from the street that, if you’ve been reading the news, is littered with abandoned electric scooters, the latest “craze” that may be dismantled by the time this article runs.

But lets move on, sorry about that, my attention had definitely been happily taken over by all of the restaurants, wineries and spirit companies – no scooters needed. (Read on or skip to the photos here.)

The crowd of smart couples and singles meandered from one welcoming table to another. My favorites of the tables (I couldn’t do it all!) started with

Menhir Salento Winery represented by Gaetano Marangelli, where I tasted Italian wines from Puglia. Between the Pass-O white blend to the Primitivo – I was enchanted. I hope to go through a tasting of their complete line up soon!

From there I inhaled: the Crab Guacamole with shaved Truffle from The Nixon in Whittier, Garlic Crostini from HomeCooked, the incredible Burrata cheese from di Stefana, a refreshing Lillet-based (a white Bordeaux wine made with quinine and citrus) cocktail made simply with tonic, Chick Souvlaki from Cleo, Roasted Peppers from FIG, Provence’s Domaine de Cala Rose wine, Ocean Prime Watermelon Salad, looooved the Mongibello blood orange juice with Tito’s vodka, and Deviled Green Eggs and Ham from Boa Steakhouse stole the show until I had a Deviled Egg from Yardbird that was equally yum-worthy.

Moving to the other side of the fig tree my taste buds were further delighted with wheat-based Carbonadi Vodka from Italy, AN Catering Garlic Noodles, a carved tri-tip sandwich from Grand Food and Beverage, really tasty cocktails from Gratitude, and Viva Tequila 32 Reposado in my favorite cocktail of the day made with Grapefruit and lime juices, agave, orange bitters and Aperol!

Still not done I munched on a heavenly slice of Grilled Cheese with Summer Truffle from Salt in Marina Del Rey (well worth a short wait in line), killer Reposado cocktails from Gracias Madre in West Hollywood and more lovely Burrata from Mozza. Of final note guests really appreciated the two open lounge spaces that served delicious Brugal Rum from the Dominican Republic and chilly gin cocktails from Sipsmith.

Restaurants and Beverage Companies

Sponsors

Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows, Hornburg Jaguar Land Rover Santa Monica, CBS 2, KCAL 9, Italy-America Chamber of Commerce West, and nonprofit partner City of Hope.

Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a “certification in first globally-recognized course” as an American Wine Specialist ® from the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), Level 1 Sake Award from WSET, was the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video (over 15k views), authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru and the Global Wine Awards. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits.