Eve's Wine 101

THESE EIGHT ICONIC WINERY EXPERIENCES AIM TO SPARK WINE WANDERLUST

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From Napa Valley to the Central Coast, these Eight Wineries from Foley Family Wines Offer Exciting Tasting Experiences Throughout California

SANTA ROSA, Calif. -With travel back on the agenda for 2021, wineries are welcoming visitors with open arms and a slew of entertaining and engaging experiences that go beyond the usual swirl-and-sip tasting. These eight California wineries, all part of the Foley Family Wines portfolio, beckon travelers up and down the state with activities ranging from weekend brunch to strolls among horse stables to cave tours and more. Reservations are available online at each winery’s website; all winery information is available at https://foleyfamilywines.com.

Ferrari-Carano, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County – Sycamore Grove Wine & Brunch by @allisonuncorked

Ferrari-Carano, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County – Sycamore Grove Wine & Brunch

Long known for its unparalleled hospitality, Ferrari-Carano Vineyards and Winery recently unveiled new tasting experiences that showcase this Sonoma County winery’s stunning gardens, vineyards and outdoor enclaves. Enhanced appointment-only tastings held in the Sycamore Grove or outdoor Terrace invite guests to sit amongst shady trees and experience the winemaker’s favorite wines paired with Italian-inspired bites prepared by the Estate Chef. On Sundays, visitors can enjoy La Colazione Italiana (Breakfast Italian Style) at the signature Sycamore Grove Wine & Brunch. $30 per person, Il Terrazzo Tasting; $85 per person, Brunch. Reservations available daily from 11 AM to 5 PM; Sunday Brunch, 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM only. Book online at www.ferrari-carano.com. 8761 Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg, CA 95448

Chalk Hill Estate, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County – Vineyard Overlook Experience

Founded in 1972, Chalk Hill Estate Vineyard and Winery is a premier Sonoma County wine estate best known for its iconic Chardonnay, as well as its limited-production, estate-grown wines. The spectacular 1,300-acre estate is home to multiple venues hosting elevated experiences, organic culinary gardens and largely uncultivated wilderness in an effort to preserve the land. Its signature wine tasting, The Vineyard Overlook Experience, offers guests an elegant and immersive guided-tasting experience with picturesque vineyard views of the Russian River Valley alongside an array of estate-grown wines. $40 per person. Reservations available daily from 11 AM to 3 PM at www.chalkhill.com. 10300 Chalk Hill Road, Healdsburg, CA 95448.

Sebastiani Vineyards & Winery, Sonoma – Historic Cherryblock Vineyard Tour and Tasting

Sebastiani’s historic Cherryblock Vineyard Tour and Tasting takes guests on a private 90-minute excursion with a Senior Wine Educator to learn about the winery’s rich history, unique viticulture and the winemaking philosophy behind their world-famous estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Cherryblock. Tasting includes five signature wines, including two vintages of Cherryblock. $110 per person. Reservations available daily from 10:30 AM to 3:30 PM at www.sebastiani.com. 389 4th St E, Sonoma, CA 95476.

Chalone Vineyard, Soledad, Central Coast – Signature Tasting

Monterey County’s oldest winery, Chalone Vineyard, is perched in the ruggedly beautiful terrain of the Gavilan Bench with a storied past as remarkable as its acclaimed wines. Located 1,800 feet above the Salinas Valley and bordering Pinnacles National Park, the estate’s rolling vineyards benefit from a unique combination of limestone and granite soils that create wines with distinctive minerality. Visitors will enjoy an intimate wine tasting of five estate wines while learning about a winery whose Chardonnay brought California wines to the world stage during the landmark Judgment of Paris tasting in 1976. $25 per person. Reservations available Friday through Sunday, 11 AM to 5 PM at www.chalonevineyard.com. 32020 Stonewall Canyon Road, Soledad, CA 93960.

Lincourt Vineyards, Central Coast

Lincourt Vineyards is nestled in Santa Barbara County outside of the Dutch-inspired town of Solvang in the Sta. Rita Hills AVA, one of the most coveted cool-climate AVAs in California. Lincourt’s tasting room is located in an original 1926 Sears Craftsman Kit Home that has served as the farmhouse of what was once a dairy farm. The property has retained the rustic, rural charm and simplicity of an earlier era. Named for Bill and Carol Foley’s daughters, Lindsay and Courtney, Lincourt produces small-lot bottlings of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Guests can enjoy views of the beautiful estate vineyard for their seated tastings on the patio, with the option of an accompanying cheese and charcuterie plate. $30 per person; additional $30 for charcuterie plate. Reservations available daily from 11 AM to 5 PM at www.lincourtwines.com. 1711 Alamo Pintado Rd, Solvang, CA 93463.

Firestone Winery, Santa Ynez Valley, Santa Barbara County – Friday Night Wine Experiences

Firestone is located in a unique cusp region with a “Goldilocks” climate that is neither too hot nor too cold. Visitors can enjoy seating tastings in the tasting room, on the lawn or in the courtyard, with flights including wines ranging from crisp white to intense red blends. Throughout the summer, Firestone offers a coveted Friday Night Summer Concert Series, featuring live music from 6 PM to 9 PM and wines by the bottle. Food is available for purchase from either Filthy Filly’s Steakhouse Food Truck or Tom’s BBQ for tri-tip sandwiches. Friday concerts are free; reservations are required and available at www.firestonewine.com. 5017 Zaca Station Rd, Los Olivos, CA 93441.

Lancaster Estate, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County – Hillside Cave Tour & Tasting

An exceptional cave tour experience, highlighting our unique wine library & our detailed barrel aging process. Based on County restrictions, you may experience limited access during your visit. Join us in our Garden Grove for an intimate tasting of four estate wines in a relaxed outdoor setting, overlooking our premier Bordeaux varietals grown exclusively in Alexander Valley. Allow our wines to reveal the unique character of our hillside estate. $75 per person. Reservations available daily from 10 AM to 4 PM at www.lancaster-estate.com. 15001 Chalk Hill Road, Healdsburg, CA 95448.

Foley Johnson, Rutherford, Napa Valley – Three Wineries in One Stop

Housed in a converted 1920s redwood barn, Foley Johnson’s tasting room offers three iconic Napa Valley winery tastings in one location. Guests can reserve an indoor or patio tasting of wines from Foley Johnson, Kuleto Estate and Merus wineries — three distinctive Napa Valley wineries brought together under one roof by Bill Foley and his wife, Carol Johnson. $85 per person for Luxury Cabernet Vertical; $50-55 per person for Foley Johnson or Kuleto Estate patio tasting. Reservations available daily from 10 AM to 5 PM at www.foleyjohnsonwines.com. 8350 St. Helena Highway, Rutherford, CA 94573.

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About Foley Family Wines

Established by Bill Foley in 1996, Foley Family Wines is a portfolio of highly-acclaimed wines from some of the world’s greatest vineyards. Every brand in the company’s portfolio has a distinct style and legacy. Encompassing more than two dozen wineries across the globe, Foley Family Wines is the proud steward of some of the wine world’s iconic brands and winery experiences. The Foley Food & Wine Society, the world’s leading luxury lifestyle community, provides members with a gateway to an unmatched variety of culinary, travel, and entertainment experiences around the globe, including the US, New Zealand, Italy, France, Argentina, and Chile. 200 Concourse Blvd., Santa Rosa, CA 95403; (707) 542-4565; https://foleyfamilywines.com.

 

Inglenook’s New Cave United with Existing Cave

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RUTHERFORD, California – Francis Ford Coppola, proprietor of Inglenook, is pleased to announce that a significant milestone has been reached in the expansion of Inglenook’s cave network. The past February the tunneling crew broke through the wall that separated the existing labyrinth of caves from the new cave. The remarkable expansion of Inglenook’s caves, which currently house the wines as they age in barrel, started early last year during the celebration of Inglenook’s 140thanniversary. The new cave will accommodate the addition of 120 new insulated stainless steel fermenting tanks, each dedicated to one of Inglenook’s 120 nuanced growing areas within the winery’s organically-farmed vineyards. The project is expected to be completed later this year, in time for the 2020 harvest.

“Along with my family, I am so pleased that we have reached this important milestone in the expansion of Inglenook’s cave,” said Coppola.
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“We take our stewardship of this esteemed winery very seriously. Since it was founded in 1879 by Gustave Niebaum, Inglenook has been renowned for its innovation, leadership, creativity and commitment to quality. We are dedicated to further elevating Inglenook’s stature with this vast cave expansion, led by our director of winemaking, Philippe Bascaules.”

From Gustave Niebaum to John Daniel, Jr. to Francis Ford Coppola, Inglenook’s three principal stewards have shared a strong sense of vision and an unwavering passion to create a wine estate that hearkens back to the European tradition, producing original, distinctly Napa wines that rival the best in Europe.

“Having 120 tanks helps us increase our knowledge of our organically-farmed vineyard and each growing area,” said Bascaules.
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“We’ll have a lot of capacity to vinify and separate the grapes. All of the tanks will be automated, too, which will allow us to experiment with multiple pump-overs. Additionally, we can experiment with extraction and we have infinite possibilities, which will lead to even more complex wines.”

Inglenook has a rich history of leadership in the wine industry. Many of founder Gustave Niebaum’s innovations at Inglenook became industry standards: Inglenook instituted the first sterile bottling process in Napa; it was the first to separate field debris from grapes; Inglenook planted Napa’s first Merlot in 1882; and Inglenook built the first gravity-flow winery in 1887, which was considered one of the greatest winery structures in the Western Hemisphere at the time.

About Inglenook
Founded in 1879 by Gustave Niebaum as Napa’s first estate winery, Inglenook boasts an illustrious heritage, a renowned legacy of innovation and an outstanding portfolio of award-winning wines that have defined and established Napa as a world-class wine region. From Gustave Niebaum to John Daniel, Jr. to Francis Ford Coppola, Inglenook’s three principal stewards have shared a strong sense of vision and an unwavering passion to create a wine estate that hearkens back to the European tradition, producing original, distinctly Napa wines that rival the best in Europe.  It remains the largest contiguous estate on the famed Rutherford Bench, Napa Valley’s finest area for producing spectacular Cabernet Sauvignon.

The iconic Inglenook chateau was first constructed in 1887, and faithfully restored in 1997.  Befitting the grandeur of the Inglenook estate, the chateau welcomes guests for seated tastings and special events. Experiences include tours of the Chateau, the Infinity caves, the vineyards, barrel tastings and culinary offerings under the direction of Winery Chef Alex Lovick who expertly pairs the wines with the seasonal, organic bounty of the expansive organically-farmed estate, culinary garden and orchards.

Vinotemp VinCave Underground Wine Cellar Honored among 30 Most Innovative Products for 2020

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SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIF. (PRWEB) – Vinotemp®, the leading wine storage solutions and appliance provider, today announced the VinCave™ Wine Cellar 200 has been recognized as one of Meredith Corporation’s Beautiful Kitchens & Baths magazine’s 30 Most Innovative Products for 2020. Selected by the editors of the Luxury Home Design Group, the products featured in the coveted list were chosen for their ability to combine clever function, sophisticated style, and cutting-edge technology—the VinCave was selected for its unique, modular design and ability to efficiently cellar up to 200 bottles of wine underground.

“The smartest products are the ones that make the most sense for the way we live, work, and entertain in our homes,” says Samantha Hart, Executive Editor, Luxury Home Design Group. “Our winning products simplify tasks and deliver beauty and functionality where it’s needed most.”

Engineered to utilize the cooler, consistent temperatures found underground to properly cellar over sixteen cases of wine without coolants and without sacrificing floor space, the stainless-steel VinCave Wine Cellar 200 features a walk-over glass covering and a push-button elevation function which raises the wine collection above ground for easy access. This environmentally-friendly, efficiently-engineered design requires the cellar be installed on a flat floor surface at either ground or basement level.

“It’s an honor to be recognized among the 30 Most Innovative Products for 2020 because it highlights Vinotemp’s commitment to offering products that enhance the design aesthetic and functionality of wine storage,” states India Hynes, CEO of Vinotemp. “From cellar capacity to technology and visual aesthetics, we are dedicated to pushing the envelope in wine storage design and the VinCave Wine Cellar 200 is a perfect example of this.”

The 30 Most Innovative Products for 2020 will be featured in the spring issue of Beautiful Kitchens & Baths magazine and in the summer issue of Traditional Home magazine. Visit Vinotemp’s new Henderson, Nevada showroom to experience the VinCave Wine Cellar 200, and visit vinotemp.com to learn more.

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.

About Meredith Corporation
Meredith Corporation has been committed to service journalism for 117 years. Meredith uses multiple distribution platforms—including broadcast television, print, digital, mobile and video—to provide consumers with content they desire and to deliver the messages of its advertising and marketing partners. Meredith’s National Media Group reaches over 180 million unduplicated American consumers every month, including nearly 90 percent of U.S. Millennial women. Meredith is the No. 1 magazine operator in the U.S. and owner of the largest premium content digital network for American consumers. Meredith’s Local Media Group includes 17 television stations, reaching 11 percent of U.S. households.

NorCal’s Oakville Grocery Enhanced with New Features + Expanded Food & Wine Offerings

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OAKVILLE, Calif.  – Oakville Grocery, the general store that has been a gathering place for locals and tourists for nearly 140 years, has been enhanced since joining the Boisset Collection in January. Visitors to both Oakville and Healdsburg will now find an emphasis on local sustainable, organic and Biodynamic food offerings as well as an expanded wine selection that includes exclusive, highly allocated wines by the taste, glass or bottle. These new items, as well as the grocery’s signature favorites, can now be enjoyed on renovated patios during extended summer hours.

Photo credit: Scott Chebegia.

“We are so excited to bring new life into community landmarks in Napa Valley and Sonoma County,” said Jean-Charles Boisset, proprietor of Boisset Collection. “Oakville Grocery is a phenomenal destination where guests can spend a relaxing afternoon trying a selection of amazing wines; fresh, healthy and local cuisine; and fabulous craft beers!”

The historical legacy of the Oakville destination has been made more prominent through extensive signage throughout the property that tell the story of its founding role in Napa Valley.  In addition, the property next door — 1881 Napa Wine History Museum & Tasting Salon — features tastings of wines from 13 sub-appellations of Napa Valley as well as an archive of wine relics open for complimentary visitation and has published its own history of the region.

A unique feature of both Oakville Grocery locations is that guests can taste some of the most sought-after wines from rotating producers that have included Opus One, Screaming Eagle and Kosta Browne by purchasing cards and using them in Napa Technology dispensers.

“Normally wine lovers have to wait on allocation lists for years to purchase these bottles,” said Ed Maass, Oakville Grocery Wine Program Manager. “We are thrilled that we can make these beautiful wines more accessible and offer them by the taste and glass at Oakville Grocery, and through our Oakville Wine Society.”

Throughout each store, the wine selections have been significantly expanded and diversified as well as organized by appellation. In the Oakville location guests can discover wines from nearly 300 Napa Valley vintners and in Healdsburg they can browse through an equally large selection of Sonoma County producers. The flagship location in Napa Valley also has two new spaces dedicated to wine: a “cave” where guests can sample the highest-end wines from the Napa Tech machines as well as a wine vault that guests can enter and make selections from, as if they’re perusing their own wine cellar at home. A wine vault is also planned for the Healdsburg location, which has a revamped and upgraded main floor wine section.

The robust and diverse wine offerings are now available through a unique wine club. The Oakville Grocery Wine Society offers wine enthusiasts the opportunity to continue their journey through the wine country of Napa Valley through quarterly shipments of wines, many of which are small lot and hard to find. Society members receive access to private tasting experiences as well as a 10% discount on reorders and store purchases. The society has four different levels: Embarcadero, with a three-bottle allocation averaging $225; Expedition, with a three-bottle allocation averaging $450; Quicksilver, with a 3- or 6-bottle allocation averaging $1,050 or $2,100; and Savant, which offers the selections of the most exclusive and hard-to-procure wines, and is available exclusively by invitation for the most discerning collectors.

As a community fixture in the hearts of Napa Valley and Healdsburg, Boisset welcomes chefs, friends, neighbors and visitors to come in to shop. Oakville Grocery is also committed to its community and invites artisans and purveyors to bring in their products for consideration for sale. A steadfast practitioner of Biodynamic and organic farming, through the new food selection at the groceries, Boisset is spreading its mission for people to “take a stand for the future of food” and carefully consider what they are putting in their bodies. As part of this ideal Boisset has improved and expanded the line of Oakville Grocery-branded proprietary offerings — such as vinegar, olive oil, preserves, tapenade, mustards, charcuterie and beer — while at the same time ensuring they derived from more local sources.

“Our motto is ‘Eat Local, Drink Local, Picnic Local.’ We want to sell products that are made as close to Oakville Grocery as possible,” said Oakville Grocery General Manager Barry Dinsmore, referencing both the Oakville and Healdsburg locations of the store. He estimated that 70% of products in the stores hail from California, with another 20% from the U.S. and the remaining 10% international.

One of the new food providers Oakville Grocery has partnered with is Ohm Coffee Roasters. The Napa Valley-based company led by former sommelier and wine marketing professional Derek Bromley is the exclusive coffee provider for both the Oakville and Healdsburg locations. The Oakville location now has a coffee machine from La Marzocco, the benchmark Italian brand, as a central feature of the upgraded coffee program.

In addition to new foods and wines, the Oakville location has a renovated patio with new furniture and umbrellas to better enable guests to take in views of some of Napa Valley’s most notable landmarks—the Mayacamas Mountains and the landmark To Kalon vineyard to the west and the valley’s highest point, Mt. St. Helena, to the north. Guests can soak up the atmosphere while enjoying sandwiches and salads from the deli cases inside; delicious pizza, burgers and sandwiches made in the wood-fired outdoor oven; or locally raised roasted chickens from the rotisserie, along with wine selected from the grocery or the new, adjacent 1881 Napa tasting room. The Healdsburg patio, which has 40 seats and is one of the only outdoor eating spaces near the Healdsburg Plaza, will also soon have an updated look.

1881 Napa derives its name from the history of Oakville Grocery, which was founded in 1874 as a general store by P.B. O’Neil and then transitioned into a community hub in 1881 under the auspices of Jim and Jennie McQuaid.

“None of us own 1881 Napa or Oakville Grocery. We are just guests in their history. These places will outlive us,” said Boisset.

More Information
In Oakville, Oakville Grocery is located at 7856 St. Helena Highway. Oakville Grocery is open from 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday and 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday through September. The phone number is 707.944.8802, and the catering team can be contacted by emailing cateringnv@oakvillegrocery.com.

In Healdsburg, Oakville Grocery is located at 124 Matheson Street and is open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday through September. The phone number is 707.433.3200, and the catering team can be contacted by emailing cateringhb@oakvillegrocery.com

About Boisset Collection
Boisset is a family-owned collection of historic and unique wineries and lifestyle destinations led by Jean-Charles Boisset and bound together by a common vision: authentic, terroir-driven wines in harmony with their history, their future and the land and people essential to their existence. With more than 25 historical and prestigious still and sparkling wineries in the world’s preeminent terroirs, including Burgundy, Beaujolais, Jura, the Rhône Valley, the south of France, and California’s Russian River Valley and the Napa Valley. Its California wineries include DeLoach Vineyards, Raymond Vineyards, Buena Vista Winery and JCB by Jean-Charles Boisset; its French properties feature Domaine de la Vougeraie, Jean-Claude Boisset, Bouchard Aîné et Fils, J. Moreau et Fils, Louis Bouillot, Henrie Maire, Fortant and Bonpas. Each house retains its unique history, identity and style, and all are united in the pursuit of fine wines expressive of their terroir. Wine is at the center of Boisset’s mission, and is complemented by spirits, beer, cider, gourmet foods and luxury goods, both of its own design and from partnerships with historic companies such as Baccarat, Lalique, St. Louis, Riedel, Christofle, and Bernardaud. To learn more about the Boisset Collection, please visit www.boissetcollection.com.

Newhall Refinery NEW Reserve Wine List is a Wish List For Everyone

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Several factors should go into play when creating a wine list. As a consumer we may not be aware of all of them. As a wine writer I get to learn some of them. Here’s what I learned and what you can now expect from the new Reserve Wine List at Newhall Refinery.

Simon and Shannon Mee, owners of Newhall Refinery, already had re-vamped their existing Wine List with the help of Guy Lelarge, formerly of Valencia Wine Company. Lelarge introduced several new wines – that have become new favorites – while removing some older wines from the list. But it doesn’t end here for the Mees and Lelarge, as Newhall Refinery is one of the most cutting edge restaurants in the Santa Clarita Valley (many would argue that they are the most cutting edge) they wanted to create a reserve wine list that would encompass classic Napa wineries as well as global favorites, wines with high critic scores, name recognition and pair the best with their ever-changing fare.

One look at the new Reserve Wine List (below) and wine aficionados will notice a Far Niente vertical, 2010, 2011 and 2012 – of their Cave Collection Cabernet Sauvignon. They may also notice that the selections also include global choices – notably France and Italy – to pair with the dinner menu, Chef Dustin’s weekend menus and of course, the upcoming holiday parties and special events in The Cellar at Refinery.

These new reserve wines are now safely tucked away, in a temperature controlled wine fridge in The Cellar, near to the decorative racks of wines that will still be available from the latest wine menu.

There will be three by-the-glass selections, all Napa Cabernet Sauvignons: the 2015 Duckhorn, 2014 Silver Oak and a 2012 Heitz Trailside. How can they possibly open such nice bottles just for a glass? The Mees have purchased a Coravin Model 2, which is a unit that extracts wine from the bottle without removing the cork. Usually winery representatives and distributors use this model. Lucky for us, the Mees know the value of fresh wine as well.

Lastly, there are only a select number of these wines that are currently available, so don’t wait too long to come in and try a new dinner pairing at Newhall Refinery!

My own opinion of this new Reserve Wine List: it’s incredible! And now we both now know – and can appreciate – what should go into the selection process.

 

The Reserve List

PINOT NOIR

Patz & Hall ‘Gap’s Crown’, Sonoma Coast, 2015

Sea Smoke ‘Southing’, Santa Rita Hills, 2014

Sea Smoke ‘Ten’, Santa Rita Hills, 2015

 

CABERNET SAUVIGNON

Bella Union, Napa, 2015

Duckhorn, Napa, 2014

Silver Oak, Alexander Valley, 2014

Heitz ‘Trailside’, Napa, 2012

Nickel & Nickel ‘Rock Cairn’, Oakville, 2015

Caymus ‘Special Selection’, Napa, 2014

Far Niente ‘Cave Collection’, Napa, 2010

Far Niente ‘Cave Collection’, Napa, 2011

Far Niente ‘Cave Collection’, Napa, 2012

Stag’s Leap ‘SLV’, Napa, 2015

 

RED BLENDS

Flora Springs ‘Trilogy’, Napa, 2015

Miner ‘The Oracle’, Napa, 2013

Opus One Meritage, Oakville, 2014

Joseph Phelps ‘Insignia’ Meritage, Napa, 2014

Dominus Meritage, Napa, 2014

 

ITALIAN WINES

Pio Cesare Barolo, Piedmont 2013

Antinori ‘Guado Al Tasso’,

Bolgheri Superiore D.O.C, 2013

 

FRENCH WINES

Joseph Drouhin ‘Vosne-Romanee’, Burgundy, 2016

Chateau Magdelaine, Saint Emilion, Bordeaux 2011 Chateau Lynch Bages, Pauillac, Bordeaux, 2010

 

PORT WINES

Dow’s 30 Year Tawny Port

Grahams Vintage Port, 1983

 

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 16k 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. You can also seek her marketing advice via Eve@EveBushmanConsulting.com

Tasting Through Turtle Rock at Napa Valley Grille

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It isn’t a secret that I love Rhônes, whites and reds alike, so reading the wine list for a recent tasting with Turtle Rock Vineyards already whet my palate. Paired with another multi-course lunch created by Chef Kenny Spost of the Napa Valley Grille in Westwood for the #LAWineWriters group I’m in, the table was proverbially set. But first, we learn about and taste the wines.

From Turtle Rock owner, Claudia Burns, I quickly discovered that her husband Don Burns came from a caliber of winemakers to respect: He was and continues to be the assistant winemaker for Saxum Vineyards – obtaining many of his wine grapes from the same vineyards – and he works on both wines simultaneously in the Saxum caves. If it’s punch down day for Saxum it’s also punch down day for Turtle Rock.

There is no estate fruit in any of the Turtle Rock wines, however, they “control all of the farming” in the “handful of vineyards” they purchase their grapes from according to Claudia. It takes two years from grape to glass. Claudia herself “does everything else” other than winemaking at Turtle Rock, but she did tease us with the idea that she might like to try her hand at winemaking as well. (See more about the vineyards in the From the Winery section below.)

The Burns’ also co-own the Wine Shine distillery I visited a few years back. Both Turtle Rock and Wine Shine have tasting rooms in Tin City, Paso Robles.

(From our very own Contributing Editor Michael Perlis I learned that Don is Justin Smith’s childhood friend. He wrote about them here: evewine101.com/2012/08/04/michael-perlis-discovers-westberg-cellars/ and here: http://evewine101.com/2014/05/24/paso-robles-trip-part-one-paso-underground/ along with mentions in other articles in Eve’s Wine 101.)

If you are salivating already, check out the two photo grids here.

Tasting (Yep, I loved them all)

2016 Willow White

63% Grenache Blanc, 28% Roussanne, 5% Picpoul, 4% Viognier

On the nose I got lemonade, popcorn kernel, unsalted butter and toasted oak. The taste gave way to flavors of lemon, peach, apricot, kiwi, green apple with a mild acidity allowing for a lingering finish.

 

2016 Plum Orchard

68% Grenache, 32% Mourvedre

2015 was their first vintage from Plum Orchard, and the sandy soils allow for a “filtration system, a leaner wine…” they then added “stem tannins (to) accentuate the spice.” Aromas of black cherry, black pepper, plum, dark chocolate, forest floor, leaves and sage. On the mouth I got fresh dark fruit, killer spice notes, pepper, very rich.

 

2015 Willow’s Cuvee

45% Grenache, 34% Syrah, 15% Mourvedre, 5% Carignon

Stewed fruit, plums again, creamy milk chocolate, white pepper and toasted oak on the nose, followed by flavors of ripe berries, spice and cracked black pepper.

 

2016 G2 Syrah

90% Syrah, 6% Grenache, 4% Mourvedre

A wonderfully balanced nose of both fruit and spice. Also felt a velvety quality, blue to black fruit, tri-color pepper, char, sweet chocolate candy, oak and a whiff of cigar wafting through it all. Tasting the wine, knowing from the nose I would love it, I found that it was filled with bold dark fruit, had a dusty quality, lots of spice and again, with a great balance.

 

Surprise Wine: 2016 “Maturin” (The name is an ode to a Stephen King horror series that references a turtle). 50% Syrah, 32% Graciano*, 18% Grenache. Wine Club Only. Aromas of blackberry, rich earth, mint and cream. On the mouth I loved the dry, richly layered qualities that also included lots of pepper and spice, dark fruit and tannin that allowed for no end to the finish. Seriously, the fruit and the spice just went on and on. That’s what I call a welcoming wine.

* Graciano was FKA Mourvedre in many Paso Robles vineyards until very recent. It shook things up a bit. This is just one article about it.

 

NAPA VALLEY GRILLE PAIRING MENU BY EXECUTIVE CHEF KENNY SPOST

For the Willow White: Harvest Salad, roasted butternut squash, green dragon apple, glazed walnuts, baby kale, feta cheese, maple-olive dressing. I couldn’t get enough of this salad. Every bite had so many enticing flavors. The wine was the perfect accompaniment; both had those notes of green apple. One of the other writers commented “good start” and I had to agree.

For the Plum Orchard: Cast iron seared Branzino, toy box summer squash, red plum jam, fennel-arugula salad. Loved the plum in the dish that matched up perfectly with the plum I had found in the nose of the wine.

For the Willow’s Cuvee: Oven roasted Duck Breast, roasted cauliflower, port wine glaze. Again the flavors Chef added – specifically the glaze – was perfect with predominately Grenache driven blend.

For the G2 Syrah: Petit filet, Bing cherry red wine demi glace, truffle mashed potatoes, fat rendered breadcrumbs. Oh boy, saving the biggest wine for the steak was, of course, perfect for my palate.

FROM THE WINERY

2016 Willow White: 
Aged in 20% new French oak to give a touch of creaminess. The remainder was aged in 40/40 stainless and neutral French barrels to preserve the minerality and crispness. The nose gives way to fresh stone fruit, lemongrass and flower petals while the palate is of Granny Smith apple and dried kiwi. Cases produced 106. Drink now to 2022.
Wine Advocate– 93 points
G2 Vineyard, Plum Orchard, Windrock.

2016 Plum Orchard: The Plum Orchard vineyard is in the Templeton Gap District and is made up of sandy soils. It sits near a creek bed which provides minerality, spice, and purity of fruit. We did 50% whole cluster fermentation for added weight and complexity and aged for 22 months in neutral French 400L barrels. It’s a gorgeous wine with a silky texture, bright red fruit and a bit of white pepper and herbaceousness. Cases produced 104. Enjoy now until 2028.
Plum Orchard Vineyard.

2015 Willow’s Cuvee: We added just a touch of Carignon for tannin and structure to our usual blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre. We did 20% whole cluster fermentation on the Syrah and co-fermented the Grenache and Mourvedre in concrete. All was aged for 22 months in 50% new French and 50% neutral French barrels. This wine is soft with notes of blackberry jam and violets that are truly fresh and balanced. Cases produced 183. Enjoy now until 2028.
Wine Advocate– 94 points
James Berry, Kruse Vineyard.

2016 G2 Syrah: This vintage is beautiful and very deep in color. We did 30% whole cluster fermentation and aged for 22 months in new French oak which gives complexity and structure. Black and blue fruit coupled with smoked meats. There are lively herbal notes accented with warm spice. This unfiltered wine has great tannin, intensity, and a long finish. Cases produced 312. Enjoy now until 2032.
G2 Vineyard.

WWW.TURTLEROCKVINEYARDS.COM

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 16k 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. You can also seek her marketing advice via Eve@EveBushmanConsulting.com

Perlis Picks: Elevating Zinfandel

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You may ask…why does Zinfandel need to be “elevated”?

ELEVATING ZINIt wasn’t that long ago that Zinfandel was thought of either as a sweet pink wine made for mass consumption or as a highly alcoholic monster meant to get you where you want to go as quickly as possible.

Neither version was taken very seriously.

But in more recent years, Zinfandel has been produced as a serious wine, producing wines equal to or better than those made from the historically “noble grapes”. With wonderful wines made in a variety of styles, Zinfandel has certainly found its place in the wine world, which makes this “zin fan” very happy.

Still, there is some prejudice, as was evidenced by a seminar I attended several months ago wherein the speaker, discussing the wines coming from a particular region, expressed delight over the reduced reliance on Zinfandel, the clear message, at least to me, was to imply that it was of lesser quality.

The struggle is real.

As I mentioned above, Zinfandel wines can vary quite a bit, due to terroir, winemaker decisions both in the vineyard and the winery, as well as whether the wine is 100% Zinfandel versus including other varieties. My own observation is that Zinfandel vineyards, perhaps more so than those planted with other grapes, tend to be inter-planted with other varietals, especially when looking at the historic vineyards that were planted several decades ago.

This is all a build-up to an annual event that is very near and dear to my heart, WineLA’s annual Elevating Zinfandel tasting, this year held at the Montage in Beverly Hills. Karen and I had the pleasure of attending.

As usual, Ian Blackburn assembled a veritable “who’s who” of many of the great Zinfandel producers, mostly from Northern California:

Rafanelli Winery

Bedrock Wine Co.

Beekeeper Cellars

Bella Vineyards and Wine Caves

Brown Estate Napa Valley

Gamba Vineyards and Winery

Grgich Hills Estate

Hendry Winery

Kreck Wines

Lamborn Family Vineyards

Mauritson Wines

Quivera Vineyards

Rock Wall Wine Company

Seghesio Family Vineyards

T-Vine Winery

Turley Wine Cellars

Williams Selyem

Wonderment Wines

Each winery had a winery representative [winemaker or owner in most cases] pouring multiple wines, including special selections for VIP attendees.

[I’ll say it again – spring for VIP tickets for events when you can. Get in early, taste the special stuff, enjoy the food and beat the crowds.]

No duds in this list at all. Some of the standouts for me were…

Bedrock Wine Co. – This winery is on our must-have list for our personal cellar.

It was fun to taste the 2012 Bedrock Heritage Wine against the 2016 Bedrock Heritage Wine. This is one of those field blends I was referring to above, with the Bedrock vineyard actually planted to 27 varieties, about 50% being Zinfandel.

Beekeeper Cellars – This is WineLA’s own Ian Blackburn’s winery. But, I don’t have to say I liked it if I didn’t. And I did, especially the 2015 Secret Stones from Rockpile. Rockpile is one of my favorite AVAs for Zinfandel, so no big surprise here.

Kreck Wines – A brand new winery based in Healdsburg. Both the 2016 Teldeschi Vineyard (Dry Creek Valley) and the Del Barba Vineyard (Contra Costa County) were excellent. Tiny production, so don’t snooze on this one.

Lamborn Family Vineyards – Napa Valley Zins are getting rare [the money’s in Cabernet] and Howell Mountain Zinfandel are perhaps even rarer. Lamborn does a great job and the 2010 Middle-Aged Vine bottling showed what a little bottle age on a Zin can do – good stuff!

Mauritson Wines – Speaking of Rockpile [see above], Clay Mauritson’s family has been a big part of pioneering the area. The 2015 Black Sheep from Rockpile was a great example.

Robert Biale Vineyards – another rare Napa Zinfandel specialist. Winemaker Tres Goetting continues to shine; the signature Black Chicken did it for me.

Rock Wall Wine Company – it had been a few years since we last saw Shauna Rosenblum and if anything her wines have just gotten better. Hard to pick a favorite here, but if pressed I’d go with the 2016 Alegria Vineyard from the Russian River Valley.

Turley Wine Cellars – Another winery that will always have a place in our cellar, Turley has possibly done more than any other winery to “elevate” Zinfandel. Christina Turley poured four different wines, but I have to give props to the 2016 Dusi Vineyard. Not only was this the only Zin from Paso Robles being poured, but it is typically our favorite of the Turley lineup.

Williams Selyem – Most people think of Pinot Noir when they think of this winery. But winemaker Mark Malpiede also makes great Zinfandel. Especially liked the 2016 Papera Vineyard [Russian River Valley].

As usual, we didn’t taste everything. If we had, we would have had more favorites, I’m sure.

Check out www.winela.com for other great events from WineLA.

Michael Perlis has been pursuing his passion for wine for more than 25 years. He has had the good fortune of having numerous mentors to show him the way, as well as a wonderful wife who encourages him and shares his interest. After a couple of decades of learning about wine, attending events, visiting wineries and vineyards, and tasting as much wine as he possibly could, he had the amazing luck to meet Eve Bushman. Now, as Contributing Editor for Eve’s Wine 101, he does his best to bring as much information as possible about wine to Eve’s Wine 101 faithful readers. Michael is also Vice President of Eve Bushman Consulting (fka Eve’s Wine 101 Consulting) http://evebushmanconsulting.com/ and President of MCP Financial. Michael can be contacted at michaelthezinfan@aol.com or michael@evebushmanconsulting.com.

The Most Advanced Wine Cellar On The Market Released Today

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New York, NY – Over the past 40 years, EuroCave has been devoted to the research and development of best-in-class wine storage solutions. Today, the team released a culmination of those decades of research in the finest wine cabinet on the market to-date – Royale. Using patented technology and incomparable design techniques, this first-of-its kind unit is unequivocally the best wine cabinet in the world. Exclusively available at Wine Enthusiast in the United States, the EuroCave Royale combines a wealth of knowledge, engineering and vision to create a wine storage experience far beyond any other.

royale-headerA selection of Royale’s features includes:

  • Unparalleled Temperature Control: Royale holds a perfect 53.6°F with a maximum fluctuation of +/-.5°F automatically, no temperature settings required.
  • Autonomous Humidity Control: Thanks to the patented Hygrocontrol System, the Royale holds a stable humidity of 70% at all times, controlling the humidity unlike any other unit available today.
  • Controlled Air Quality: A new generation of charcoal filters allows for the highest air quality possible, making the air in the Royale actually cleaner than air in the room in which it’s placed.
  • Limited Vibrations: Every detail of Royale has been designed to reduce vibration including an isolated compressor, absorbent feet and floating shelves.
  • Triple Glazed Door: The triple glazed door with argon gas blocks out more than 99% of UV rays and prevents oxidation.
  • Innovative Design: Each unit is authentic and unique with its own number, independent adjustable LED lighting on each shelf and a selection of decorative panels inspired by the wine stored within it.

“Simply put, Royale represents the absolute best wine storage solution in the world,” stated Co-Founder & Chairman of Wine Enthusiast Catalog Adam Strum. “This newest release from the incredibly talented team of engineers and researchers at EuroCave represents the ultimate manifestation of quality wine aging capabilities. Wine Enthusiast has always been the number one provider of wine storage in the United States and this new addition to our offering will be the crown jewel of our portfolio.”

The Royale wine fridge is available made to order on WineEnthusiast.com or by calling Wine Enthusiast storage consultants at (800) 345-9463. Each unit is priced at $13,995.00 and includes white glove delivery. To join the social conversation surrounding this exciting launch follow @WineEnthusiast on Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook .

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About Wine Enthusiast Catalog
Wine Enthusiast Catalog was founded in 1979 and is still the leading source for wine storage units, custom designed cellars and wine accessories via catalog, website and distribution in major wine shops and department stores across the world. Keeping pace with America´s ever-growing enchantment with wine, the company has become the ultimate source of innovation and information addressing the wholesale, retail and consumer direct markets. Wine Enthusiast Catalog exemplifies not only an unwavering commitment to quality but a truly extraordinary way of life. WineEnthusiast.com

Visit Temecula Valley Announces New Offerings

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Temecula Valley, CA (PRWEB) – 2018 aims to be a banner year for Temecula Valley Southern California Wine Country with growth, expansion, openings, and new beginnings hitting the scene throughout the region. In 2018, visitors to Temecula Valley will have the option to dine at new restaurants, stay at new and newly remodeled hotels, know the secret password to enjoy access to local speakeasies, take new brewery tours, sip exclusive varietals at premier tasting rooms, and enjoy world-class live entertainment.

New for 2018: Hotels and Hotel Renovations

Pechanga Resort and Casino finalizes its $285 million expansion this spring, with an exciting new lobby, additional meeting space, an entire 568 room wing of AAA Four-Diamond rooms and suites, luxury 25,000 square foot spa and additional 4 ½ acre pool complex with lagoon, swim-up bar and waterslides, doubling down on the already award-winning resort.

Embassy Suites by Hilton Temecula Valley Wine Country also recently completed its own multi-million dollar renovation of suites and meeting spaces, while Best Western Plus will finish building its first property location, complete with upgraded amenities in an upscale setting, in Temecula, set to open this year.

New for 2018: Wineries, Brewery Tours and Speakeasies

Temecula Valley’s wine and brewery scene will receive a substantial amount of growth in 2018.

From The Winery Hopper Facebook page.

From The Winery Hopper Facebook page.

On the wine and vineyard front, Akash Winery, featuring a selection of zinfandels, cabernet sauvignons, roses, and petit sirahs, is set to open this year while Wilson Creek Winery recently began its Upper Room Tasting Experience, an exclusive guided tour of reserve wines paired with small bites and appetizers prepared by their Executive Chef. Sweet Oaks Ranch, home to a premier equestrian riding facility, will soon open Sweet Oaks Winery, which will also feature live entertainment. The new Wine Cave Tour by Aall in Limo includes dining at a Temecula Valley restaurant, a Wine Cave tour at Oak Mountain Winery with wine tasting, and transportation is included. The Winery Hopper is also a brand new company that offers drop off and pick up to all the wineries; advance reservations are not required and hop-on, hop-off schedules make wine tasting a breeze. Winery tours are now being offered by air with Air Temecula. Both helicopter and airplane tours can take visitors to wineries in the highest style.

Hip, new speakeasies opened in Old Town this year, including Thompson & Twain, located between Crush & Brew and Espadin in Old and The Apparition Room, located next to Devilicious Eatery in Old Town. But don’t tell anyone we told you.

New brewery tours will be offered in 2018, including a new Brewery Tour at Karl Strauss, offered both weekdays and weekends. The tour takes visitors into the 7 BBL facility, showcases the stages of brewing process, history, and equipment; tours include a tasting flight. Brewery Tours are also now available in Temecula Valley from outside vendors including Aaal in Limo, Temecula Winery Transportation , Little Bus Tours, and Grapeline. Visitors won’t want to miss Craft Beer Month featuring specials, events, and activities at Temecula breweries throughout the month of May.

New for 2018: Restaurants

Temecula will welcome a handful of new restaurants this year to add to their culinary collection. Espadín Mezcal + Cocina, which recently opened its doors in Old Town Temecula, features a menu that highlights several regions in Mexico with authentic ingredients and food always made from scratch.

The Restaurant at Leoness Cellars recently reopened after a multi-million dollar expansion which will add space (both indoor and out) as well as updated amenities for the popular restaurant, rated #1 winery restaurant by USA Today’s 10 Best Reader’s Choice and Best Restaurant in the Inland Empire for four consecutive years. Their seasonal selections, created by Executive Chef Daragh Matheson, are prepared from scratch in the kitchen daily.

New for 2018: Festivals, Events, & Services

The inaugural Temecula Blues Festival will take to the streets of Old Town Temecula this April, showcasing local, regional, and national artists. A Vendor Blues Village will complement the event with food, beer, wine, and merchandise.

2017’s last minute Western Days will be showcased this coming year, back by popular demand. The event will feature a gunfighters shoot-out at high noon, street vendors, and plenty of family activities.

Temecula Lavender Company, a popular artisan gift store in Old Town, will begin hosting Farm Tours this June that allow visitors to explore the Lavender fields before harvest.

For visitors traveling to and from Temecula, Temecula Air Shuttle is a new service that provides transportation from all major airports to Temecula Valley.

The Alpaca Hacienda and Temecula Valley Alpacas both offer unique farm tours for groups and individuals wishing to learn about and even interact with alpacas. Advance reservations are required.

Vail Headquarters, originally founded in 1867, is the site of the newest hip and happening scene to settle in Temecula. With specialty shops, boutique stores, and living history festivals and activities offered weekly, Vail Headquarters is a great spot for family-friendly entertainment and dining.

About Visit Temecula Valley

Visit Temecula Valley is the region’s official tourism marketing organization and an online resource for visitors at VisitTemeculaValley.com. Temecula Valley Visitors Center is located in Old Town Temecula (Third Street and Mercedes). For visitor information and assistance, call (888) 363-2852 or (951) 491-6085.

Masters and Makers @ Meritage – The Ultimate Napa Valley Food and Wine Experience

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The Meritage Resort and Spa Hosts Third Annual Wine and Food Celebration

wine21NAPA, Calif. (January 12, 2016) – The Meritage Resort and Spa will host the third annual Masters and Makers @ Meritage from February 12 -14, 2016. The Napa Valley food and wine experience will showcase Napa Valley and Sonoma County wines along with farm-fresh foods through creative wine tasting experiences, interactive seminars, and a culinary class. The weekend-long event will also feature a winemaker dinner in the Estate Cave featuring HALL Wines, and a grand tasting benefitting Community Resources for Children, a Napa Valley charity.

Masters and Makers @ Meritage is aimed at teaching attendees from novice to aficionado more about the famous wines of Napa Valley. Guests can choose from a variety of interactive, educational, and unique activities led by master winemakers and sommeliers – making it the wine event not to miss.

Friday, February 12 – Amuse Bouche:

4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m., The Masters and The Makers

Learn about tasting wine from a winemaker, master sommelier, and winery proprietor. The panel of experts will lead a tasting session featuring wine from HALL Wines and Trinitas Cellars, and answer questions from attendees. This event is your opportunity to learn from the experts and try a selection of wines from HALL before the winemaker dinner. $60/person

7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m., HALL Wines Winemaker Dinner in the Estate Cave

A master sommelier and representatives from HALL Wines along with The Meritage Resort and Spa’s Executive Chef Ryan Rupp will take you on a wine and culinary journey. The event will feature a multi-course dinner paired with wines from HALL. $175/person

Saturday, February 13 – Á la Carte Saturday:

(Guests are able to choose from several activities)

11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., Opposites Attract – The Most Unlikely Pairings of Food and Wine

Cabernet and Steak, Port and Chocolate – most wine enthusiasts believe they are knowledgeable about wine and food pairings, but sometimes the most unexpected items complement each other. Join Trinitas Cellars as we explore this idea with four unique pairings. After the tasting, enjoy a plated multi-course lunch with wine. $100/person

11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., Cook to This! Cooking Class and Wine Pairing with Skywalker Vineyards

Wine, recipes, ingredients, and education. The Meritage Resort and Spa’s culinary team will lead a cooking class where you create your own lunch from custom recipes paired with Skywalker Vineyards wines. Sip wine as you craft each course, and then dine and enjoy your culinary creation. $100/person

3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., Blind Date – A Taste of Napa Valley Cabernet

In the dating world, blind dates can go really well or be very awkward. Luckily when it comes to wine, not knowing what to expect is a good thing. Taste a selection of Napa Valley Cabernets in varietal specific glassware and see if you can figure out which one is your favorite, then compare it with others. $40/person (optional event, not part of all-access pass)

3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., Shape of the Glass Tasting with RIEDEL: Relationships and Glassware Come in All Shapes and Sizes

Ever wonder why there are so many different shapes and sizes of stemware available? Join RIEDEL as we embark on a unique wine tasting experience focused on learning about the shape of the glass. Learn about how to match your stemware to your wine and enjoy the benefits of improved bouquet, texture, flavors, and finish. The experience will take you through some of the finest Napa Valley wines from Etude, world renown chocolates from Lindt, and explain the winemakers’ secrets behind each wine. This year we will feature four different glasses from RIEDEL while trying two white and two red wines. After the class, you keep the glassware, which is a $140 value. $100/person (optional event, not part of all-access pass)

7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m., Grand Tasting

The Meritage Grand Salon will transform into a majestic tasting room with more than 40 Napa Valley and Sonoma wineries showcasing many of the finest wines produced in the region. These wines and a few brews from local breweries will be featured alongside endless creations from our incredible culinary team and favorite Napa Valley restaurants. Guests have the opportunity to walk around to each winery and pair a variety of exquisite wines with a wonderful selection of seafood, delightfully prepared meats, cheeses, and decadent desserts all while enjoying live music. A portion of the proceeds from the Grand Tasting will benefit Community Resources for Children, a Napa Valley charity. For an exclusive opportunity to taste some of the finest wines in Napa Valley, purchase access into our VIP area where wineries will offer tastings of at least one wine that sells for $75 or more. $125-$175/person (discounts available for Napa County residents)

Sunday, February 14 – Valen-Wines Day:

9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Valentine’s Day Sparkling Brunch

Enjoy a fabulous Valentine’s Day brunch with your special someone as The Meritage Resort and Spa’s culinary team partners with some of the top sparkling wine producers from Napa Valley. In addition we will have spirits available and an expert mixologist to create all of your favorite breakfast cocktails. $69/person

 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m., Meritage Blends, a Vino and Cioccolato Experience

Treat your Valentine to a casual afternoon tasting of Meritage blends from across the Napa Valley and Sonoma regions paired with the best chocolates Northern California has to offer. Did you know that Meritage wines must be a blend of two or more of the eight traditional Bordeaux varietals (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec, Gros Verdot, Carménère, Saint-Macaire)? Taste some of the best blends while enjoying chocolates from our favorite local and regional candy shops. $60/person

“We look forward to highlighting what Napa Valley does best – wine and food— at the third annual Masters and Makers @ Meritage,” said Michael Palmer, general manager of The Meritage Resort and Spa. “From world-class, award-winning wines to fabulous food prepared with fresh ingredients by our resort’s talented chefs, this event is a must for all wine lovers.  After the weekend, attendees will leave with an increased appreciation for the art of winemaking, winetasting, and wine pairing.”

Masters and Makers @ Meritage offers 3-Day All Access Passes for $549 per person that include the following events: The Masters and The Makers; HALL Wines Winemaker Dinner in the Estate Cave; Cook to This! Cooking Class and Wine Pairing OR Opposites Attract … The Most Unlikely Pairings of Food and Wine; Grand Tasting; Valentine’s Day Sparkling Brunch; and Meritage Blends, a Vino and Cioccolato Experience. Does not include: Blind Date … a Taste of Napa Valley Cabernet; Shape of the Glass Tasting with RIEDEL; or Grand Tasting with VIP Tasting (VIP Tasting can be purchased separately or through VIP All-Access Pass, other events can be purchased separately). Discounted room packages are also available, that include a two-night stay with rates starting at $299* per night and two 3-Day All Access Passes ($499 per pass not included in room rate). Use Promo Code ALLACCESS.

A portion of all ticket sales from the Grand Tasting will be donated to Community Resources for Children, a Napa Valley charity.

For tickets and information, visit MeritageResort.com/Masters. All ticket purchases can be made securely through The Meritage Resort website with a room reservation or through EventBrite.

About The Meritage Resort and Spa

The Meritage Resort and Spa is an extraordinary four-diamond Napa Valley luxury resort set against a hillside vineyard. A destination unto itself, it features 322 Tuscan-inspired guestrooms and luxury suites, seasonal farm-to-table cuisine at the Siena Restaurant and wine tasting in the Estate Cave featuring Trinitas Cellars. Regain a healthful balance with curative treatments at Spa Terra—a lavish underground spa with steam grottoes, soaking pools, treatment alcoves and tranquil walls of water. The resort boasts the most comprehensive event and meeting space in the wine country, including the two largest ballrooms in the Napa Valley, the Estate Cave and three covered terraces. Crush Ultra Lounge offers guests a chance to relax with a full bar, sports entertainment and six bowling lanes. Far more than a place for relaxation, our unique property is an Old World escape from the ordinary. The Meritage Resort and Spa experience is the perfect blend of gracious hospitality, unrivaled amenities and peerless personal care. The Meritage Resort and Spa, We are Napa. MeritageResort.com.

 About Meritage Collection

The Meritage Collection is a lifestyle and luxury hotel brand that blends iconic, one-of-a-kind places with locally-inspired experiences designed for the curious traveler. Débuted in 2013, Meritage Collection is comprised of five hotels & resorts throughout California – The Meritage Resort and Spa in Napa Valley, Bacara Resort & Spa in Santa Barbara, Paséa Hotel & Spa in Huntington Beach (Opening May 2016), Balboa Bay Resort in Newport Beach and Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa. Reflective of its California roots, the Meritage Collection offers a laid-back luxury service culture that caters to the modern day traveler. The Collection properties are members of the Global Hotel Alliance and its DISCOVERY Rewards Program. DISCOVERY rewards travelers with local experiences and unique adventures not generally available to the public. For more information, please visit MeritageCollection.com or follow us on Twitter @MeritageHotels or Facebook Facebook.com/Meritage.Collection.Hotels.

*rate does not include taxes and resort fee