Eve's Wine 101

Stags Leap District Winegrowers Announces Esteemed Culinary Partners for Vineyard to Vintner, April 22-24, 2022

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NAPA, CALIF. (PRWEB) – Offering even more reasons to attend its signature gathering, Stags Leap District Winegrowers today announced the roster of elite chefs and culinary partners for the 2022 Vineyard to Vintner weekend. The annual celebration brings Cabernet Sauvignon enthusiasts together with vintners, winemakers and principals for exclusive tastings, in-depth education and exquisite meals. This year’s event will be held Friday through Sunday, April 22 to 24, 2022.

“While renowned wines and rare library offerings take the spotlight throughout the weekend, guests will also be treated to an array of opulent menus designed to beautifully complement the power and grace of Stags Leap District varietals,” said Nancy Bialek, Executive Director of Stags Leap District Winegrowers. “We’re thrilled to welcome some of the region’s most exciting chefs to Vineyard to Vintner this year.”

Culinary partners include Michelin-starred and Wine Spectator Award-winning chef Ken Frank of La Toque; chef Daniel Gomez, who has more than 15 years of experience at Michelin-starred restaurants including The French Laundry and Cyrus; cookbook author and acclaimed Napa Valley chef Peter Hall; Top Chef finalist and fan favorite Casey Thompson of the newly opened Folk Table restaurant; chef, restaurateur and author Tanya Holland of Brown Sugar Kitchen fame; executive winery chef Travis Westrope of Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, along with Elaine Bell Catering; and Tracy and John Anderson, proprietors of Woodhouse Chocolates in St. Helena.

Featured Vineyard to Vintner Culinary Highlights:
Library Wine Dinners: Friday, April 22 // 6:30PM – 10:00PM

  • An Illuminating Wine and Food Experience with Chef, Author and Restaurateur Tanya Holland, hosted at Chimney Rock Winery with Shafer Vineyards and Quixote Winery
  • Homegrown: An Exploration of Fine Wines and Farm-to-Table Dining in Stags Leap District with Chef Casey Thompson, hosted at Regusci Winery with Lindstrom Wines and Stags’ Leap Winery
  • NOLA in Napa with Chef and Author Peter Hall, hosted at Silverado Vineyards with Cliff Lede Vineyards and Ilsley Vineyards
  • A Feast of Legendary Wine and Food with Chef Travis Westrope and Elaine Bell Catering, hosted at Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars with Pine Ridge Vineyards, Malk Family Vineyards and Baldacci Family Vineyards
  • An Evening Under the Stars with SLD’s Pioneering Families with Chef Daniel Gomez, hosted at Taylor Family Vineyards with Clos Du Val and Steltzner Vineyards

Vintner-Hosted Gala Luncheon and Appellation Collection Preview: Saturday, April 23 // 12:30PM – 3:00PM at Stags’ Leap Winery.

Guests, vintners and winemakers will join in a celebratory champagne welcome followed by a strolling lunch prepared by Michelin-starred and Wine Spectator Award-winning chef Ken Frank of famed Napa Valley restaurant La Toque, along with specialties from Tracy and John Anderson of Woodhouse Chocolates of St. Helena. Vintners will showcase critically acclaimed wines as well as a sneak preview of the Stags Leap District 2019 Appellation Collection Cabernet Sauvignons, scheduled for release in October 2022.

The full Vineyard to Vintner weekend also comprises “Digging Deeper: Vineyard Walks, Talks and Tastings,” on Saturday, April 23, and “Savor SLD,” exclusive winery tasting experiences, on Sunday April 24. Guests 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.

Tickets, Schedule and Additional Information
A limited number of tickets remain available and can be purchased 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 the full schedule and other 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.

Sanctuary Camelback Mountain, A Gurney’s Resort and Spa, elevates two rising stars to the head of its culinary team

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Landon Post and Samantha Sanz step into the spotlight

as former executive chef Beau MacMillan transitions to an advisory role

Scottsdale, Ariz. –Sanctuary Camelback Mountain, A Gurney’s Resort and Spa has entered the new year with new leadership in its critically acclaimed kitchen. Stepping into the executive chef role is former catering chef Landon Post, a fixture in the Sanctuary dining experience since 2014, while chef de cuisine Samantha Sanz has become the new face of the resort’s signature restaurant, elements. After 23 years as executive chef, Beau MacMillan has transitioned his role at the resort to culinary advisor. He will continue to spearhead culinary events for Sanctuary, including the upcoming Robert Irvine Dinner and the Nirvana Food and Wine Festival.

Post has taken on responsibility for the resort’s day-to-day culinary operations in his new role as executive chef.

Over his eight years as catering chef, he succeeded in elevating Sanctuary’s catering dining experience to equal that of elements—one of the top-rated restaurants in Scottsdale.

Sanz continues to serve as chef de cuisine, a position she has held for more than a year, while taking on a more public profile at elements with MacMillan’s departure. The two-time James Beard award nominee launched her career as one of elements’ first female cooks, then continued to develop her talent as chef de cuisine at Virtu Honest Craft and Talavera before returning to elements in October 2020.

About Gurney’s Resorts

Gurney’s Resorts are luxury, full-service resorts found in premier U.S. travel destinations. The all-encompassing havens provide luxury lodging in Montauk, New York, Newport, Rhode Island and Scottsdale, Arizona. All properties feature well-appointed accommodations, elevated dining, sumptuous spas, sparkling pools, expansive grounds and thousands of square feet of indoor and outdoor space for weddings and events. Gurney’s Memberships offer exclusive access to world class amenities, concierge services and North America’s only Seawater Spa at Gurney’s Montauk while The Residences at Gurney’s deliver the most unique ownership opportunity in the Hamptons. Under ownership led by George Filopoulos (Metrovest Equities, Inc) and Lloyd Goldman (BLDG Management Co, Inc.), the brand has defined itself as both market leaders and year-round destinations.

Le Cordon Bleu to open an institute in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

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NEW YORK (PRWEB)  – Le Cordon Bleu in Riyadh is to become an iconic flagship institution for gastronomy, located in state of the arts facilities, with prime equipment and technology, and teaching programmes of the highest standards from technical courses in the culinary arts, such as Cuisine and Patisserie Diplomas, to higher education degrees in Hospitality management. Students will benefit from a faculty of Le Cordon Bleu Master Chefs, industry experts and professors that have trained in the finest establishments worldwide and share years of experience. Students may also choose to participate in international exchanges benefiting from the many study destinations that Le Cordon Bleu can offer.

Among the curriculum, Le Cordon Bleu will also propose a programme dedicated to Saudi Arabian Cuisine, to highlight the local ingredients, flavours and gastronomy. Present in the biggest gastronomic capitals, Le Cordon Bleu aims to support the Cuisines of the World and has developed many diplomas and certificates to celebrate Peruvian, Brazilian, Mexican, Spanish, Japanese, Thai cuisines. Among these courses, some are accredited by the local education ministry, guaranteeing authenticity and respect for the principles taught.

Le Cordon Bleu is committed to innovation and honours its commitments through an expanding international network of teaching, learning and research.
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Taking into account innovation and new technologies, Le Cordon Bleu continually adapts its academic programmes to the future needs of the industry. Responding to the keen interest in nutrition, well-being, vegetarian cuisine, food sciences, social and environmental responsibility, and the online demand.

Le Cordon Bleu will propose a startup incubator to support and guide graduates who wish to create their own business within the restaurant and hospitality industry. Around the world, Le Cordon Bleu is proud to see its alumni thrive in a variety of different careers, such as Chefs, culinary stylist, caterers, entrepreneurs, app creator, journalists, writers, food critics, award winners and Michelin stars.

Le Cordon Bleu is recognized worldwide for its excellence in education providing students with an international passport for a career in the food and hospitality industry, which can be seen by the numerous success stories of its Alumni from Julia Child to Giada de Laurentiis, from Dame Mary Berry to Gaston Acurio, and from Yotaam Ottolenghi to Vicky Lau. Le Cordon Bleu students from Riyadh will be part of the exclusive network of alumni, counting over 20,000 graduates every year worldwide.

Prestigious Wine Region Celebrates 20 Year Anniversary of AVA Status

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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 12th through the 15th . 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. 

HALL ANNOUNCES RELEASE OF 2018 KATHRYN HALL CABERNET SAUVIGNON ON AUGUST 28 DURING HARVEST CELEBRATION

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ST. HELENA, CALIFORNIA – Napa Valley based HALL Wines, a luxury Cabernet Sauvignon producer, has announced details for its annual Kathryn Hall Harvest Celebration taking place at HALL St. Helena on Saturday, August 28, 2021. The annual event, offering both a VIP Vertical Tasting and a Main Event, coincides with the release of the new vintage of HALL’s flagship wine, Kathryn Hall Cabernet Sauvignon. The theme of the event will be “Celebrate the Year You Missed”.

Los Angeles and San Francisco Advertising Portrait Photographer Marc Olivier Le Blanc, Advertising, Editorial and Lifestyle.

“We are so excited to be able to hold this event in person this year,” says Vintner Kathryn Hall. “Guests travel from all over to taste the new vintage, and what better way to do that than through a celebration of milestones that people missed last year such as birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, and weddings. Wine helps us celebrate those special moments and we look forward to honoring those with the 2018 vintage of Kathryn Hall Cabernet.”

The Kathryn Hall Harvest Celebration marks the public release of the 2018 vintage and will include various celebratory ‘milestone’ stations on The Great Lawn in St. Helena. Food will be included with the ticket price with catering by Tre Posti. Guests will also be able to enjoy live music throughout the event from San Francisco-based band Pop Fiction. Additionally, a VIP Ticket is available for those wanting a deeper dive into the pedigree of the Kathryn Hall Cabernet Sauvignon. The VIP Ticket includes a vertical tasting of the 2006, 2009, 2012, 2014, 2017 and 2018 vintages of Kathryn Hall takes place prior to the Main Event.

HALL’s flagship wine, the Kathryn Hall Cabernet Sauvignon, is defined by its core of dark, succulent Sacrashe Vineyard fruit located just above the Rutherford Appellation at the top eastern ridge of the Vaca Mountain range in Napa Valley. The wine is characterized by an interplay of elegance and concentration and displays voluptuous, dark berry fruit with notes of crushed lavender.

Since the first vintage was produced in 1996, this wine has been one of the highest rated in HALL’s portfolio, earning 95 scores rated 90 points and above from the industry’s top critics including The Wine Advocate, Wine Spectator, Wine Enthusiast, and Vinous. Most notably, the 2008. Additionally, the Kathryn Hall Cabernet Sauvignon earned the #2 spot in Wine Spectator’s “Top 100” list in 2011. The wine is named after Kathryn Hall who is most known globally as the former United States Ambassador to Austria. Ambassador Hall is also a New York Times Bestselling author of “A Perfect Score: The Art, Soul & Business of a 21st Century Winery”.

 

Kathryn Hall Harvest Celebration

Saturday, August 28, 2021

VIP Vertical Tasting – Peterson’s Loft
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. $225 per person + includes admission to Main Event

Main Event – The Great Lawn

12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

HALL St. Helena
401 St. Helena Hwy S. St. Helena, CA 94574 707-967-2626

$100 per person

Eventbrite
For more information, please visit www.hallwines.com, follow on social @hallwines

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HALL Family Wines produces high quality Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Zinfandel under the HALL, WALT and BACA brand monikers. Owned by Craig and Kathryn Hall, the family-owned winery produces artisan wines that express the unique and diverse character of the wine country’s soils and climates through meticulous attention to detail in the vineyards and throughout the winemaking process. The family’s luxury wine portfolio, led by Director of Winemaking Megan Gunderson Paredes, sources fruit from some of the most prominent vineyards up and down the West Coast including eleven Estate vineyards– Sacrashe, Bergfeld, Hardester, Beller, T Bar T Ranch, Atlas Peak, Lamoreaux, Rainin, Dellar-Freidkin, Cook, Bob’s Ranch, Clos Pepe and The Corners. The HALL St. Helena winery was the first LEED® Gold Certified Winery in the State of California in 2009 and earned another LEED® Gold certification for its high-tech production facility and Tasting Room in 2014. Since the inception of HALL in 1995, the three luxury wine brands have earned over 700 ratings of 90 points or above from the industry’s top critics, including four 100- point scores. Visit www.hallwines.com, www.waltwines.com, www.bacawines.com for more information, or call 707-967-2626.

15th Annual Kosher Food and Wine Experience 2021 Goes Virtual- LiveCast Sunday, FEB 21

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New York, NY – With sold-to-capacity crowds, the annual Kosher Food and Wine Experience (KFWE) is undisputedly among the hottest tickets in the kosher culinary world. These massive events in New York, California, Israel, Miami, and London attract thousands of restaurateurs, chefs, caterers, and foodies who wait all year to sample the latest and greatest in fine kosher wines and creative cuisine.

Fans of the expo will be thrilled to know that social distancing won’t spoil the party this year. In fact, those coveted tickets won’t be needed when the 15th annual Kosher Food and Wine Experience goes virtual on Sunday, February 21 at 5:30 p.m. Eastern time.

All are welcome to sip and savor with the pros during this free livecast, presented by Royal Wine Corp. Program highlights include guided wine tastings with Jay Buchsbaum, VP of Marketing and Wine Education for Royal Wine; Erik Segelbaum, Food & Wine Magazine’s 2019 Sommelier of the Year; wine blogger Gabriel Geller, Royal Wine’s director of PR; and others.

“We spent quite a bit of time behind the scenes trying to figure out how to safely bring this experience to people while still capturing the essence of the show,” noted Buchsbaum. “Yes, things will be a little different this year, but the virtual format creates new opportunities. For instance, the more intimate setting means we can do a deeper dive into the wines, wineries, and winemaking process.”

Another innovative twist is the Official KFWE Tasting Kit, which will allow home viewers to sample wines with the experts. Each kit includes 100mL samples of 25 featured wines – each enough for 2-3 pours – from some of the world’s most prestigious wineries. Kits also include a tasting guide, recipe cards, and shopping lists so guests can cook along too. Available for $250 (plus processing and shipping fees), tasting kits can be ordered through www.TheKFWE.com. Order by February 12 to ensure delivery in time for the event. Must be at least 21 years old to purchase.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a KFWE without the food. Celebrity chef, restauranteur, and James Beard Award winner Michael Solomonov will be on hand along with Chef Gabe Garcia of Tierra Sur and personalities from Kosher.com, the leading website for all things kosher. Viewers can watch their demonstrations and cook along in real-time. Detailed recipe cards with shopping lists and prep instructions will be available for download ahead of time.

“Just as Erik Segelbaum and Michael Solomonov are respected and admired in the global mainstream wine and culinary world,” noted Royal Wine’s Gabe Geller, “kosher and Israeli wines deserve the same indiscriminating quality and appreciation. KFWE was created to spread that message far and wide. So even though we are presenting on a smaller physical scale this year, KFWE 2021 will drive that message home to more people than ever.”

This year’s event focuses on the following releases – all of which are kosher for Passover:

Carmel Signature Mediterranean 2017

Barkan Special Reserve Winemaker’s Choice Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

Shiloh Secret Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

Jezreel Valley Argaman 2017

Binyamina The Chosen Diamond 2017

Gush Etzion Winery Blessed Valley Chardonnay 2019

Tulip Black Tulip 2017

Netofa Dor 2017

Flam Noble 2017

Tabor Malkiya Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

Psagot Peak 2017

Teperberg Essence Malbec 2016

Hagafen Estate Bottled Coombsville Napa Valley Dry White Riesling 2018

Covenant Red C 2017

Herzog Variations Be-leaf Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

Herzog Generation IX Stags Leap District Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

Chateau Leoville Poyferre Saint-Julien 2017

Chateau de Santenay Les Bois de l’Alier Mercurey 2019

Château Guiraud 1er Cru Sauternes 2019

Chateau Giscours Margaux 2017

Chateau Montviel Pomerol 2018

Capcanes Flor de Primavera Peraj Ha’abib Montsant 2017

Elvi Wines Herenza Rioja Reserva 2014

Terra di Seta Chianti Classico Riserva 2016

Sforno Gran Reserva Red Blend Mendoza 2020

For more information on KFWE 2021, to register, or to purchase the Official KFWE 2021 Wine Tasting Kit, visit www.TheKFWE.com. Participants will receive a viewing link for the livecast along with recipes, shopping lists, and a sneak peek at featured wines.

About Royal Wine/Kedem

Since 1948, Royal Wine Corp., also known as Kedem, has been owned and operated in the United States by the Herzog family, whose winemaking roots date back eight generations to 19th century Czechoslovakia.

Today Royal Wine’s portfolio of domestic and international wines range from traditional wine producing regions of France, Italy, and Spain, as well as Israel, New Zealand, and Argentina. Additionally, Royal Wine Corp.’s spirit and liqueur portfolio offer some of the most sought after scotches, bourbons, tequilas and vodkas as well as hard to find specialty items such as flavored brandies and liqueurs.

The company owns and operates the Kedem Winery in upstate New York, as well as Herzog Wine Cellars in Oxnard, California, a state-of-the-art-facility featuring guided wine tours, a fully staffed modern tasting room, gift shop and catering facilities. Additionally, the winery houses the award-winning restaurant Tierra Sur, serving the finest Mediterranean inspired contemporary Californian Cuisine. Follow Royal Wine on Face Book.com/RoyalWineCorp/, and instagram.com/royalwinecorp/, and twitter.com/royalwinecorp

Salt Creek Grille Valencia: BRINGING BACK COCKTAILS AND DINNER PARTIES

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When ‘Sheltering-at-Home” becomes “Small Gatherings” at your home, backyard or office… Salt Creek Grille Catering is ready!
Treat guests to the same decadent meals and event details you have come to expect – featuring customized menus with Themes, Ethnic Options & Fresh-Local Ingredients!
Catering Services include:
  • Full-service event catering with On-site Covid-19 Safe Staffing available.
  • Meals options that are individually packaged or in disposable tins.
  • Hand sanitizers at every food & beverage stations and when appropriate, modifying buffets to reduce communal access, and transitioning to individual servings where possible.
  • In addition to our daily cleaning procedures in our facilities, we’ve dedicated resources to make our routines even more rigorous, and we’ve added hand sanitizers and sanitizing wipes to all communal areas and workstations.
We proudly offer convenient delivery and pick-up options so you can enjoy our cuisine in the comfort and safety of your home and/or office.

22nd Annual Anderson Valley Pinot Noir Festival Announced for May 17-19

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Anderson Valley, CA – The Anderson Valley Winegrowers Association is pleased to announce that the 22nd annual Anderson Valley Pinot Noir Festival will take place May 17, 18 and 19, 2019. Wine lovers are invited to sip, sample and savor Anderson Valley Pinot Noir (plus rose and sparkling wines) from more than 50 producers, enjoy mouth-watering food pairings by the region’s best chefs and local caterers, and listen to live music while bidding on exquisite auction lots for local charity.

The much-anticipated weekend’s events range from educational seminars to a live music BBQ, grand tasting, winemaker dinners and free winery open houses – all hosted amidst the spectacular beauty of Anderson Valley’s vineyards and towering redwood trees. Music lovers will be happy to learn about an added bonus – this year Camp Navarro will host a concert on Saturday evening. The events have achieved a loyal following for being distinctively uncrowded and unpretentious, with an array of Pinot Noir styles that serve as the ideal introduction (or refresher course!
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) to the Anderson Valley.

“We could not be more thrilled to celebrate the 22nd annual Pinot Noir Festival,” says Kristy Charles, President of the Anderson Valley Winegrowers Association and Owner of Foursight Wines. “Our aim is that revelers will leave the festival with a deeper connection to our vineyards and an appreciation for the caliber of wines coming out of Anderson Valley.”

A full list of events can be found below, as well as at avwines.com/pinot-noir-festival.
Tickets are available for individual events as well as for weekend packages. Discounted ticket packages are available when booked together, and limited.  Winemaker dinners will be announced on Friday, March 15 at noon and often sell-out quickly. Sign up for the AVWA mailing list to be informed of event updates. Tent and cabin accommodations at Camp Navarro are available Thursday through Sunday on their website: campnavarropresents.com/anderson-valley-pinot-festival.

 Event tickets are limited and will sell out, so early purchase is strongly recommended. For more information, please call 707.895.9463 or visit avwines.com/pinot-noir-festival.

About Anderson Valley
Anderson Valley, located less than 100 miles north of San Francisco, is an area blessed with a temperate cool coastal climate. Classified in viticultural terms as a Region 1 growing area, this designates it as the coolest climate in which grapes may be commercially grown with any success. Cutting laterally through the coastal range rather than lying between ridges, the west or “deep end” of the Anderson Valley is only a few miles from the cold Pacific Ocean, while the town of Boonville is some 20 miles to the east. The combination of warm sunny days and cool foggy nights and mornings allow the grapes from this region to mature slowly and to develop to the height of their varietal character.
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The planted acreage in the Anderson Valley consists primarily of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, and Riesling. There are also small acreages of other varietals such as Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, and Merlot.

In addition to producing superb Pinot Noirs and Alsace varietal wines, the valley is home to three methode champenoise sparkling houses.

About the About the Anderson Valley Winegrowers Association
The Anderson Valley Winegrowers Association (AVWA) is a not-for-profit trade group created in 1983 to promote the grapes and wines of the Anderson Valley winegrowing appellation. The AVWA is supported through the dues paid by its membership, generous sponsorships, and proceeds from the festivals and events the association produces each year.

Along with promoting the Anderson Valley as a viticultural region, AVWA also works to build its community. To date over $400,000 has been donated to local community groups such as the Anderson Valley Health Center, Anderson Valley Housing Association, Anderson Valley Ambulance, the Anderson Valley Fire Department, as well as the Community Foundation of Mendocino County Disaster Fund for the most recent fire relief and recovery efforts. For more information on the AVWA, please visit www.avwines.com.

Paso 2016: Sextant’s 7th Annual Lobster Boil and MORE

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The culmination of my recent one-day turnaround trip to Paso was a hands-on Lobster dinner – as in my hands are still feeling a little rough while I type this out – at Sextant winery.

img_8104But let me start at the beginning. Wasn’t entirely prepared to crash the 7th Annual Lobster Boil at Sextant Wines along with dedicated winery club members, though I thought I was.

After taking the winding drive up to the tasting room (thank you Uber for managing that) we were greeted at the doors, checked off a list, handed our wine glasses and proceeded to taste the 2015 Grenache Blanc and 2013 Windemere MacGregor Pinot Noir – both excellent examples of these varietals.

From there we wandered into a salon filled with happy sipping guests. We snagged seats in front of the fireplace while enjoying tray passed hors d’Oeuvres of Pulled Pork Tartlets, Butternut Squash Shooters and Grilled Cheese Bites – all while being poured more tastes of the Grenache Blanc and Pinot Noir.

After the 30-minute pre-event we were asked to descend a twinkle lit staircase down to where we were to have our meal created by Chef Nick Nolan from Society Cuisine. The view: giant pots of boiling water, heat lamps, tables set with red and white gingham napkins, bibs, and black personalized aprons to wear for the hands-on eating.

The meal also included wild Mexican prawns, corn on the cob, fresh cut Ocean Mist artichokes and fresh dug mini fingerling potatoes – and accompaniments such as homemade lemon aioli, cocktails sauce and drawn butter.

What fun! Shellfish flew everywhere as guests cracked into their lobsters. I had two men helping me: one that did my claws while the other instructed me on how to get that lovely lobster meat freed from its shell.

The fun was accompanied by the 2014 Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay, 2013 “Holystone” Zinfandel (my personal favorite) and the 2014 “Kamal” Cabernet Sauvignon (this was the wine that give them a good reason to join Paso’s growing Cab Collective) that was presented to members as a pre-release offering. Rules about fish and red wine be damned at this point, people drank what they liked and the shellfish was the better for it.

While we happily ate and drank we heard some news from winery owner Craig Stoller: Though the crush pad was full, room had to be made for this special dinner. The new winemaker Michael Fay – with a pedigree that included time at Cambria Winery and Duckhorn’s Goldeneye – new expansions, three estate vineyards and a tasting room in Edna Valley as well, were cause for celebration.

And though there was no room for dessert we couldn’t possibly call for our Uber without diving into a Granny Smith apple bread pudding with cinnamon anglaise and the 2013 “Passage” GSM – another pre-release shared. Over-sated, we reluctantly said our adieus.

About Sextant

The true essence of Sextant Wines is found in its roots.

With premier growing grounds along the California Central Coast, proprietors Nancy and Craig Stoller take great pride in planting clean certified Sunridge Nurseries ENTAV/INRA nursery stock.  Allowing the rich terroir of the land to nurture the vines ensuring richness and unsurpassed quality which is honored by producing wines that reflect an uncompromised quality.

You can schedule a visit at their Edna Valley or Paso Robles locations here: http://www.sextantwines.com/Contact-Us/Tours–Tasting

Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust, a “certification in first globally-recognized course” as an American Wine Specialist ® from the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), was the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video, authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits. You can also seek her marketing advice via Eve@EveBushmanConsulting.com