Eve's Wine 101

Perlises Pick: Jeff Cohn Cellars

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We’ve tasted wines from Jeff Cohn Cellars many times, but always at events, where the wines were poured by Jeff or his wife, Alexandra. We had never had an opportunity to sit down and taste through the lineup with Jeff and hear the full story.

We finally were able meet with Jeff at their recently opened tasting room in Healdsburg. You can read all about Jeff Cohn Cellars on the website here www.jeffcohncellars.com/about-our-story but ultimately, it turns out that their story is a multi-faceted love story.

First and foremost, the love story of Jeff Cohn Cellars is about Alexandra and Jeff and their family. They met while they were both working at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City in Virginia – Jeff was F&B Cost Controller and Alexandra was an accounting trainee. Coincidentally, they had both also attended Florida International University. Alexandra’s career path took her back to Florida and Jeff joined her there, working on cruise ships for two years. But being in the hospitality industry often means being bitten by the wine bug and eventually, they moved to California. Jeff had already worked as an intern at Boordy Vineyards in Maryland but during the process of obtaining his Master’s in Agricultural Chemistry at Cal State Fresno, he discovered French techniques as well as the wines of the Northern and Southern Rhone plus Zinfandel. The rest was history.

It is also apparent the love that Jeff has for his colleagues and mentors, both former and current, most notably the late Kent Rosenblum. Jeff went to work for Kent at Rosenblum Cellars after graduating from CSUF, moving up the line to eventually become winemaker and then vice president of winemaking and production. He left in 2006 to focus on Jeff Cohn Cellars [then called JC Cellars] which he had founded in 1996, but not before making his permanent mark on the wine world by having Rosenblum’s 2003 Rockpile Road Zinfandel hit #3 on the Wine Spectator Top 100 list.

Finally, and certainly not least, is Jeff’s love of wine grapes, particularly, as mentioned above, Rhones and Zins.

So yes, we are finally getting to what we tasted –

2017 Iris Sparkling Brut Rose – named after Jeff’s beloved mother, this delicious bubbly is a blend of 60% Grenache (Rossi Ranch), 20% Syrah (Rockpile) and 20% Mourvedre (Rossi Ranch). Modeled after the wines from the France’s Tavel region, Karen picked up notes of Persimmon.

2018 Rossi Ranch GSM – a classic blend of 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 20% Mourvedre, this wine had a long finish, with sausage spices notes.

2018 Maggie’s Vineyard – 100% Zinfandel from vines that are over 120 years old         . Many textures and layers on this wine that Jeff dedicated to his friend Kent [see above].

2017 Sweetwater Springs – 100% Petite Sirah. Dark, ruby red, purple in color, big and balanced.

2017 Domain Des Chirats -100% Rockpile Syrah – A joint project with Yves Cuilleron, Northern Rhone winemaker from Chavanay, France (half of this wine’s production is exported to France). Big luscious berry notes; one of the finest Syrahs we’ve tasted.

2016 Stagecoach Marsanne – 85% Marsanne, 15% Roussanne. The last wine we tasted was a white. We asked Jeff why other wineries pour their whites first and he said “because they are doing it wrong.” Seriously though, white wines poured at the beginning of a tasting are often forgotten by the end. We wouldn’t have forgotten this one though no matter where in the tasting it was poured. A wonderful palate brightener with delicious tropical fruits to wake up the taste buds. Crisp citrus notes and a big mouth feel. This Napa Valley vineyard was bought by Gallo a few years ago so we are not sure what the future holds for these varietals there.

Jeff Cohn makes more wines in addition to the ones we tasted.  He has many more Rhones and single vineyard Zins sourced from Sonoma, Napa and the central coast. They are definitely worth a stop when you are in Healdsburg or in the Santa Rosa area or interested in making an online purchase.

We expect you’ll love them as much as we did.

Jeff Cohn Cellars

34 North St, Healdsburg, CA 95448

www.jeffcohncellars.com

Michael and Karen Perlis have been pursuing their passion for wine for more than 30 years. They have had the good fortune of having numerous mentors to show them the way and after a couple of decades of learning about wine, attending events, visiting wineries and vineyards, and tasting as much wine as they possibly could, they had the amazing luck to meet Eve Bushman. Michael and Karen do their best to bring as much information as possible about wine to Eve’s Wine 101 faithful readers.

Arizona’s Female Winemakers

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Did you know that many of Arizona’s wineries are female owned and/or operated? The state’s governor recently recognized the flourishing wine region as an important sector in agribusiness, employment, and tourism by designating this past March 2022 as Arizona’s first official Wine Month. Here is a list of some of the women helping create Arizona’s award winning wines:

Julia Dixon, Winemaker, 1764 Vineyards

 Julia Dixon’s passion for winemaking didn’t begin until her 24th wedding anniversary in October 2012 during a visit to the Verde Valley. Two years later she moved from Phoenix to Cottonwood and began her studies in viticulture and enology at Yavapai College. After her graduation in 2016, Julia and her husband purchased their own land in Pearce,  founded 1764 Vineyards, and she began interning at Four Tails Vineyard. Today, Julia is the head winemaker at their 30-acre property working with Petit Verdot, Picpoul Blanc, and Vermentino varieties.  

Brooke Lowry Ide, Winemaker, Vino Stache Winery

Brooke’s winemaking journey began in 2014 when she enrolled at Yavapai College studying viticulture and enology. She has interned at Four Eight Wineworks, Caduceus Cellars, Merkin Vineyards, and Callaghan Vineyards. In 2019, she began her one-woman operation at her own winery, Vino Stache Winery. She has delayed planting on her 54-acre property, but is building her brand with fruit sourced from several Arizona growers. Her first wines were bottled in 2021. 

Megan Stranik, Co-Owner, AZ Hops & Vines

Megan was introduced to the world of winemaking at Sonoita Vineyard where she spent a year as a volunteer, helping tend the farm. For many years after, she worked at various wineries learning the process of winemaking, but owning her own winery was always her goal. Today, she co-owns AZ Hops & Vines with her sister, Shannon, where you can almost always find her tending to the vineyards.

Shannon Austin Zouzoulas, Co-Owner, AZ Hops & Vines

Shannon grew up in Southern California and attended the University of Maryland. After returning to California, she began volunteering at wineries and festivals and began conspiring with her sister on how to get into the industry themselves. While her sister handles viticulture and oenology, Shannon was inspired in the marketing, hospitality and agro-tourism side of the business. She spends her days creating fun events, meeting great people, trying new wines, and marketing their winery.

Monica Preston, Owner, Birds & Barrels Vineyards

Monica Preston founded Birds & Barrels Vineyards on 50-acres of land with her husband Chad in 2015 with the goal of crafting ultra-premium Arizona wines. Though she does not have a background in viticulture, her passion and drive to learn has been helpful on this adventure. Monica handles water management, herbicide and pesticide management, fertilizer regiments in the vineyard, vine assessments, petiole, and fruit sampling prior to harvest. She also handles the wine club and Founders program planning and coordination. Though they have been called crazy many times along this journey, they remain ambitious and plan to expand while planting in 2023.

Gayle Glomski, Bree Nation, Lauren Maldonado, Page Springs Cellars 

Gayle, Bree, and Lauren all work at Page Springs Cellars in Cornville, Arizona where most of the workers are women. The three came together and collaborated on Vin de Filles (Girls’ wine in French), a wine produced by women to highlight feminine strength within the world of wine. The women care for specific rows of vines for their entire growing cycle, then bring their harvest to the cellar to ferment, press, and bottle their wine. The majority of profits from the sales of these wines benefit The Verde Valley Sanctuary, a local nonprofit that supports women who are victims of domestic abuse, assault, and human trafficking. This project not only empowers women in wine, but also in the community.

Valerie Wood, Heart Wood Cellars 

Valerie Wood moved to Arizona with her husband Daniel in 2009 for a new lifestyle and plans to contribute and participate in the growing sector of the Arizona wine industry. In 2013, she began studying viticulture and enology at Yavapai College in the Verde Valley while working part time at the Yavapai College Southwest Wine Center planting the college’s new vineyard. In 2015 she graduated with honors and her degree and was invited to join the Four Eight Wineworks-Caduceus Cellars winery family. In 2016 Heart Wood Cellars released its first vintage following the guidelines of their business model – to craft wines they love and want to share with others. 

Desiree Gerth, Owner and Winemaker, Strive Vineyards 

Desiree Gerth moved to Arizona with her husband shortly after graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. While on a weekend vacation to Arizona wine country, they decided to try to make their own wine with a home winemaking kit purchased from a local brew shop. Though the first batch was undrinkable, they persisted, first creating an in-home winery and then looking for their own land in Willcox. She and her husband with the help of family and friends have built everything themselves from the ground up – fencing, gates, irrigation systems, trellis systems, utility shed and more. They are completely off-grid utilizing solar power for their well pump and green, sustainable farming practices. In 2018 she began her professional winery career at Golden Rule Vineyards, and today oversees administration and operations for Strive Vineyards and works in all areas of wine production, winery management, and operations at Cochise Wine Co.

Peggy Fiandaca, Owner/Brand Manager, LDV Winery

After an incredibly successful career in Urban Planning, Peggy and her husband set out on their “second act” – wine. Wine was always a passion they shared; they traveled the world drinking, collecting, and absorbing everything they could about wine. They are often asked if owning a winery was their lifelong dream, but it was purely serendipitous (or a mid-life crisis). LDV winery sits on a 40-acre property, grows Rhone grape varieties, and produces about 2,500-3,000 cases per year. On a day to day basis, Peggy is responsible for strategic planning and analytics, wine marketing, public relations, sales, tasting room operations, contracts, regulations, trademarks, website, social media and all staffing. Peggy has served on the Arizona Wine Growers Association board as Secretary and President for two terms. She is a member of Les Dames d’Escoffier International and Women at the Top, a female business owner networking group.

Carla Milić, Wineworker, Los Milics Vineyard

Carla was born and raised in Chile, but the bulk of her training has been in Sonoita with local winemakers. She took a few courses at the University of California, Davis and also assisted during a harvest in Chile. Los Milics Vineyard is located in Elgin; it sits on 20 acres with 12.5 acres being under vine. Since the winery opened for tastings, Carla is responsible for greeting guests and guiding them through their tasting and providing tours of the construction site where the new tasting room and casitas will be located. Once harvest peaks, Carla will be receiving fruit, processing, cleaning, and monitoring fermentations. Her favorite part of the job is nurturing vines from infancy through their entire growth cycle. Carla continues to be inspired by other independent and hardworking women in the wine industry.

Ann Roncone, Owner/Winemaker, Lightning Ridge Cellars

Ann was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay area. She worked an office job and winemaking was her hobby. For about five years, she read books on winemaking and viticulture, planted vines at home, took courses at the University of California, Davis, and worked harvests at local wineries. When she and her husband decided to pursue a career in wine, they couldn’t afford land in California, and decided to visit the Arizona viticulture area as her husband had gone to college in Tucson. In 2003, they purchased land in the Sonoita/Elgin AVA and in 2004 they began the process of starting a vineyard and winery from scratch. Lightning Ridge Cellars is located in Elgin and specializes in Italian varietals. It is hard to say what she enjoys most about winemaking, but the amount of time she spends outside is definitely among the top things.  

Kim Reed, Assistant Manager/Wine Club Coordinator, Javelina Leap Vineyard, Winery & Bistro

Kim came into the wine industry somewhat by accident after working in a community care and hospital as a Registered Dietitian for 10 years. Her in-laws, Rod and Cynthia Snapp own Javelina Leap, and when her husband Lucas took over as GM and head winemaker, it was quickly apparent that he was going to need help. In March 2020, Kim joined the family business, initially as the Wine Club and Event Coordinator. Since then, her role has grown to include helping the tasting room manager, serving as office manager, booking bands, shipping wine, answering emails and filling in the gaps wherever needed. Most of her wine knowledge comes from being around the business and family the last seven years, however she will be pursuing a Level 1 Sommelier certification in the future.  

Lori Dutt Reynolds, Winemaker, Sonoita Vineyards 

Lori is a third generation winemaker in Arizona with a Certificate in Enology and Viticulture from the University of California, Davis. She was inspired to join the wine industry by her grandfather, Dr. Gordon Dutt – the founder of the Arizona Wine Industry. Lori loves the art and science behind creating wine and her favorite parts of the job are blending wine and working in the vineyards with her family. It is important to her to have her children involved in Sonoita Vineyards to work and learn the wine industry first hand like she did.

New Napa wine documentary “A Perfect Vintage”

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Winner: Seattle Wine and Film Festival (Best Feature Documentary) | Winner: iHollywood Film Fest (Best Artistry Film) | Winner: New York International Film Awards (Best Cinematography, Best Director) | Winner: Los Angeles Film Awards (Best Director) | Winner: Film Invasion Los Angeles (Audience Award)

Vision Films Inc. (“Vision”) announces the VOD release of the oenological documentary A Perfect Vintage on March 22, 2022 followed by DVD in April. The film was directed and produced by Troy Christian through his production company RuffHouse Entertainment and co-produced by Tom Graves and Timothy Milos. With unprecedented access behind the scenes, some of the most renowned California winemakers share how they embrace the rhythms of Mother Nature and captured an epic year of prime winemaking conditions.

In 2013 the viticultural conditions in the Napa Valley were absolutely perfect. Join some of the world’s finest winemakers, including Timothy Milos (Impassable Mountain), Angelina Mondavi (Aloft, Dark Matter Wines), Bertus van Zyl (Tank Garage, James Cole, T-Vine), Elizabeth Vianna (Chimney Rock), and Ian Todd Blackburn (Beekeeper Cellars), as they share what it takes – the land, the weather, the people, and ultimately, the fruit – to create every bottle of wine. The stunning beauty of one of the world’s top wine growing regions, and the most romantic aspect of “terroir” – the complete natural environment – are showcased. Conversations with vintners, critics, and sommeliers share the passion and techniques that bring the perfect bottle of wine to the table. Wine is one of the few crafted products that’s origin can be traced back to where it’s from and to the people who made it. From pruning to pouring, tasting to the point system, discover why 2013 was truly “A Perfect Vintage.”

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFZRMLNmyjI

Lise Romanoff, CEO and Managing Director of Vision Films says, “A Perfect Vintage is a stunningly beautiful, entertaining, and very informative documentary. Whether the viewer is a wine aficionado, a wine enthusiast, or just plain curious, they will be captivated by the passion that some of the most recognizable winemakers in the world have for their craft and the tender loving care they put into every bottle.”

Filmmaker Troy Christian shares, “Like a crafted fine wine, this documentary film was a long and detailed process. One that took a village made up of close family and friends – including Tom Graves who joined the project bringing his shared passion for filmmaking, wine and his drone skills. And, as wine is at its best when shared with people you love, I hope that sharing this film with audiences everywhere brings similar joy. Cheers!”

Key cast: Winemakers Timothy Milos (Immortal Estate – formerly Hidden Ridge Vineyard, Korbin Kameron, Viluko Vineyards, Haber Family Vineyards, Howell at the Moon, Stewart Cellars, RD Winery), Angelina Mondavi (Aloft, Dark Matter Wines), Bertus van Zyl (Tank Garage, James Cole, Belong Wines), Elizabeth Vianna (Chimney Rock Winery), Ian Todd Blackburn (Beekeeper Cellars), Sam Kaplan (Arkenstone), Michael Trujillo (Trujillo Wines), Christy Harper (Assistant Winemaker – Vino di Milos), sommelier Christopher Sawyer, and vintners Ron Haber (Haber Family Vineyards), Peter and the late George Rubissow (Rubissow Wines).

 A Perfect Vintage will be available on major VOD streaming platforms and across hundreds of cable providers in the US and Canada on Tuesday, March 22, 2022. The DVD will be available in April.

About Vision Films

Vision Films is a leading independent sales and VOD aggregator specializing in the licensing, marketing, and distribution of over 800 feature films, documentaries, and series from some of the most prolific independent film producers in the world. Led by Lise Romanoff, Managing Director/CEO Worldwide Distribution, Vision Films releases 2-4 films a month across Theatrical, VOD, DVD, and television.

iTunes – https://itunes.apple.com/us/movie/a-perfect-vintage/id1606037939

Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/Perfect-Vintage-Timothy-Milos/dp/B09QGS5HPH/

Vimeo – https://vimeo.com/ondemand/aperfectvintage

Google Play – https://play.google.com/store/movies/details/A_Perfect_Vintage?id=9ZwT47iEPnQ.P&hl=en_US&gl=US

Vudu – https://www.vudu.com/content/movies/details/A-Perfect-Vintage/2000643

YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYEJfKpmUcw

Young Italian Winemakers Champion Sustainability and Innovation

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NEW YORK (PRWEB) – Five days before the ministers of agriculture representing the world’s largest economies met in Florence, Italy, for a G20 summit, a group of young Italian wine professionals held a symposium of their own. AGIVI, the Association of Young Italian Wine Entrepreneurs, hosted the convention on Sept. 12, 2021, at the same city’s Palazzo Vecchio, to discuss some of the most pressing questions about the future of Italian wine. How would wine fit into the global drive toward sustainability, also a G20 focus? And, more broadly, how could the up-and-coming generation in the industry reach young wine lovers in an increasingly competitive global marketplace?

“Young people think, plan and work in a green mindset”, said Violante Gardini Cinelli Colombini, president of AGIVI, which is a branch of the national UIV (Unione Italiana Vini) and export sales manager of Casato Prime Donne winery in Montalcino. “From the vineyard to the cellar, ranging from the choice of packaging to that of transport to the services offered in the company, the initiatives of the new generations are increasingly developed from a sustainable perspective, with specific actions aimed at achieving objectives that are as respectful of the environment as possible.”

According to a survey made on the AGIVI members, 94% believe sustainability provides a decisive competitive edge, with nearly 70% choosing suppliers based in part on the sustainability of their proposals. Another survey presented at the convention found that 70% of millennial wine tourists would be more likely to visit wineries with ethical labor practices, and 70% favored companies that helped disadvantaged communities. Canned wines, carbon emissions and pesticide alternatives have also been hot topics in AGIVI’s ongoing dialogue about sustainability.

While AGIVI has been exploring environmental and social initiatives, its members have also been navigating new technologies in viticulture and sales, along with new platforms, customers and tastes—while preserving the heritage that has long made Italian wine unique. In 2021, AGIVI members gathered to exchange knowledge in regions like Umbria and Trentino; they contributed to social media webinars, and panels and tastings at Vinitaly and in New York. Along the way, they discussed creative enotourism, labeling and transparency tools like QR codes, and distribution platforms like e-commerce.

“Our job is very challenging, we never stop learning and the wine industry is in continuous development,” explained Emanuele Rocca, export sales manager of Rocca Vini, which includes estates in Piedmont and Puglia. Rocca cited the cultivation of new and “forgotten” varieties, waste reduction in production and packaging, the embrace of e-commerce and social media, an enhanced cellar door experience, and expansion into lesser-known regions like Salento (the “heel” of Italy’s boot) as new ways the company is carrying on the family tradition of innovation. “Our grandpa didn’t teach us to ride a bike but taught us interesting wine secrets,” said Rocca. Among younger drinkers, Rocca notices a movement toward lower-alcohol wines and, most encouraging, an increased interest in wine education.

“I’m optimistic,” said Rocca, “because I see the young generations focus on the quality of the product.”
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The program: European quality wines: taste the difference is a project financed by the European Union and managed by Unione Italiana Vini and PRODECA for the promotion of PDO and PGI European wines abroad in China and US. In order to achieve this objective, the TTD.EU program will organize wine seminars, workshops and b2b meetings both in these countries and in Spain and Italy, inviting wine professionals to join study trips to Europe. The program, realized in the span of three years (2021-2023) aims at creating awareness about European quality wines, in particular Italian and Spanish, which share a long tradition and a high standard of quality.

The beneficiaries: Unione Italiana Vini is the oldest and most commissioned Association of the Italian wine market. It represents cooperative, private and agricultural wine-companies, bottlers, consortia, associations and wine-making machines or wine cellars / laboratory manufacturers, located throughout the Italian territory. Promotora de Exportaciones Catalanas (PRODECA) is a public company established in 1986 and part of the “Ministry of Climate Action, Food and Rural Agenda of the Government of Catalonia”. It supports the agri-food sector and its companies with the knowledge, tools and experience to increase their products in Catalunya and worldwide.

Wine Cab: the wine route by English taxi to discover the Bordeaux vineyards differently

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Each year in France, 10 million wine tourists come to discover some 10,000 cellars open to visits throughout the country.

But this success has a drawback: the circuits offered are all alike. Wine lovers have to do with soulless luxury sedans and signposted tours, without much originality.

It is because he had this experience when he moved to Bordeaux 12 years ago that Antoine Beucher decided to break the codes of the market. He invented a unique, deliciously atypical concept: Wine Cab, the wine route by English taxi.

Climbing aboard the mythical London “cab” means boarding in a car with a vintage look and a strong personality. Fitted out as a real tasting room, the famous Fairway FX4 seduces with its inimitable style and elegant line.

On Bordeaux lands, this English taxi allows you to live a unique experience, at the same time simple, convivial and authentic, to meet passionate winegrowers.

A slow life mindset to reinvent the iconic wine route

Wine Cab embodies a philosophy like the English taxi: the friendly driver offers tailor-made tours or in classic format, with beautiful addresses usually known to only “happy few” in the region.

Tastings in the car, innovative in Bordeaux, mark the spirits by their originality and their quality.

And so to make each lap unforgettable, each participant leaves with a souvenir road book with Polaroid pictures… so chic but without fuss !

The little Wine Cab plus : a welcoming guide in each area, who shares “house” secrets and offers tastings directly from the barrel or the vat.

         “Our Wine Tour concept is simply unique in the world!”

The Wine Cab assets

  • Health security: the English taxi is the only private transport vehicle with protective glass;
  • Private tours: tours take place with friends, couples or families up to 4 people
  • The possibility of creating your own wine (cellar master workshop)
  • Tastings in the taxi while driving;
  • A souvenir road book with Polaroid pictures

Unforgettable tours to satisfy all wine and authenticity lovers.

Wine Cab offers everyone the opportunity to live an exceptional and authentic experience around the best wines.

Zoom on a selection of 2 circuits not to be missed:

Organic wines: “happiness is in organic”

More and more winegrowers have made organic a philosophy and even an art of better living.

Wine Cab therefore offers an initiatory circuit to discover more structured, more aromatic wines, with more fruity and spicy notes, in short, naturally good (organic) wines!

On the program: 4 hours of discovery of the best wines produced by passionate and educationalists winegrowers driven by the desire to introduce this type of culture.

The circuit includes pick-up and drop-off at a hotel in Bordeaux, 2 visits with tasting in 2 “Organic” certified châteaux, 1 “countryside” tasting in the vineyards (or in the Cab in case of rain) and transport in an English cab by an English speaking driver.

As an option, it is also possible to provide accompaniment by an expert oenologist (+280€).

Price: from €132/person

The Wine of Women Winegrowers

Women often have a different outlook than men : they are more open to innovations, organic viticulture and biodynamics.

In Bordeaux, a few women are even pioneers in this field and their wines are very successful.

Wine Cab invites you to meet these passionate and fascinating women who give themselves up through their testimonies and their stories.

About Antoine Beucher, the founder

After studying at a journalism school (Institut Français de Presse) and obtaining a degree in Economics, Antoine Beucher worked as a host in a local channel in Toulouse and then worked for 30 years as the manager of an event agency.

Today, Wine Cab aims to publicize the Wine Tours organized in Bordeaux and to establish itself as the reference for vintage vehicle tours in the region. Moreover, beyond 10 people, the tours can also be organized in Combi, 2 CV, Cadillac…

Subsequently, Wine Cab will duplicate its concept in other wine regions.

To know more

French website: https://www.wine-cab.fr/

English website: https://www.wine-cab.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/winecab/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/winecab33/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antoine-beucher-46910921/

Decanter Partners with Wine Access for the Launch of the Decanter Wine Club

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NAPA, CALIF. (PRWEB) –Wine Access, the premier online destination for expertly curated wines, has partnered with Europe’s most respected wine media brand, Decanter, to create the Decanter Wine Club. Launched on February 17, 2022, the Decanter Wine Club has been carefully crafted by Wine Access and Decanter’s globally renowned team, and will feature top-scoring wines from Decanter’s latest issues.

The Decanter Wine Club will bring consumers a selection of highly sought-after and hard-to-source wines that are suitable for all occasions. The exclusive, Decanter-awarded wines will be delivered to consumers’ doors each quarter, along with insights and tasting tips from the highly credentialed Decanter and Wine Access experts, following a thorough tasting and selection process.

“The Decanter Wine Club gives wine-lovers the opportunity to get their hands on some of Decanter’s Wines of the Year and critic favorites, many of them hard-to-source,” says Vanessa Conlin, Master of Wine and Chief Wine Officer at Wine Access. “We’re excited and honored to be working closely with Decanter to bring their readers and our customers a selection of tasting panel all-star wines.”

Decanter Editor-in-Chief Chris Maillard says, “We at Decanter are delighted to join Wine Access in a partnership to bring our highly awarded and high-scoring wines to a discerning audience. We go to great lengths to taste many of the world’s greatest wines in a rigorous, fair and expert way so to be able to give more people the chance to taste the very best is something we’re very happy about.”

The Decanter Wine Club offers two subscription options, each including six bottles of wine which will be delivered four times a year:

  • Everyday Excellence: Top-scoring wines that turn any occasion into an elegant affair without breaking the bank, delivering Decanter’s best any night of the week. Pricing is between $180-$220 per shipment (shipping included).
  • Rare Luxuries: The prestigious bottles and impossible-to-find treasures that will define your cellar and turn every head at the party and impress even the most discerning collector. Pricing is between $475-$525 per shipment (shipping included).

Subscriptions are strictly limited and provide club members with 10% off all additional Wine Access purchases. For more information, please sign up for the Decanter Wine Club newsletter to register for updates: https://www.decanter.com/wine-club/.

About Wine Access
Founded in 1996, Wine Access is the leading online direct-to-consumer wine platform offering the world’s most coveted wines. As one of the earliest adopters of ecommerce and DTC offerings in the digital wine space, Wine Access curates high quality wines from every wine region around the globe, creating more accessible ways to enjoy wine that extend beyond the bottle. Wine Access’ Master of Wine, Master Sommelier, and team of industry experts taste over 20,000 wines a year, offering only those that exceed the expectations defined by their prices. Through Wine Access’ network of family-owned, legendary winemakers, and coveted marquees, customers have access to an inspiring curation of unique and often unattainable wines.

To build a deeper understanding and connection to each bottle, every shipment includes original tasting notes, flavor profiles, pairing recommendations, and compelling original stories that capture the authentic personality, passion, and philosophy of the producer. Wine Access also offers a Wine Club membership that unlocks access to rare and highly coveted wine selections from every major wine-growing region around the globe four times a year. In 2021, Wine Access was named the official wine provider of the MICHELIN Guide. To find out more, visit https://www.wineaccess.com/.

About Decanter
Decanter is the world’s leading wine media brand with a total monthly reach in excess of 2.2 million via its print magazine, websites and social media channels. Engaging with wine lovers in more than 100 countries around the globe, Decanter provides authoritative content, independent advice and inspirational events and awards.
http://www.decanter.com

Walla Walla’s L’Ecole N° 41 Winery Announces Woodinville Location

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WALLA WALLA, Wash. – L’Ecole N° 41, one of Walla Walla’s early founding family wineries, has announced their plan to open a new Woodinville Location in Wine Walk Row at MainStreet Property Group’s ‘The Schoolhouse District.’

Nearly forty years after their founding, the new location will be the winery’s first Western Washington location. The design of the new space will take inspiration from L’Ecole’s Historic Frenchtown Schoolhouse tasting room located in the Walla Walla Valley. Closer to the vital Puget Sound market, it will afford the winery the opportunity to welcome visitors to gather and enjoy their many internationally recognized bottlings, including winery-exclusive releases.

“We’ve long-considered expanding our flagship Walla Walla Valley location into the Seattle area, and particularly the Woodinville area. The new Schoolhouse District incorporates modern architecture built around a renovated historic schoolhouse building – soon to be occupied by a second location of Walla Walla Steak Co. The whole prospect felt serendipitous,” said Marty Clubb, L’Ecole’s Owner & Managing Winemaker. “We are looking forward to providing a L’Ecole experience in a totally new space, yet with a familiar feel. To design the space, we are working with Boxwood Architects and my daughter, Rebecca Clubb-Olson, as our design consultant.” He continued, “with the quality team behind The Schoolhouse District, including Angela Oliveri of First Western Properties, MainStreet Property Group, and R|Miller construction – we are confident that we will deliver on the promise of a truly unique visitor experience.”

Anticipated to open in June 2022, L’Ecole will kick off its opening with a month of new vintage releases and select library offerings pulled from their Schoolhouse cellar in the Walla Walla Valley. L’Ecole’s Vins de L’Ecole Wine Club members will also be invited to join a special grand opening event. Details may be found on L’Ecole’s website.

Housed in the historic Frenchtown schoolhouse depicted on its label, L’Ecole has earned international acclaim for producing expressive, distinctive wines that reflect the unmistakable typicity of Washington State and the unique terroir of their Walla Walla Valley vineyards. L’Ecole N° 41 has been recognized as Winery of the Year by Wine and Spirits Magazine 15 times.

“A Taste of the Back Roads” Grand Tasting

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The Back Roads Wineries of Paso Robles, a group of over 30 family-owned boutique wineries located south of Hwy 46 and east of Hwy 101, will be holding a Grand Tasting event showcasing their unique and diversified wines. Many of the wineries will be pouring their Spring Releases, in conjunction with Spring Release Weekend.

Dinner is provided for all attendees and will consist of Fried Chicken with Cole Slaw, Chili & Corn Bread and Peach Cobbler with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream for Dessert.

The Main event will feature live music by The Mother Corn Shuckers, as well as Country & Line Dancing.

The event will be held in the Barrel Room Event Center at Cass Winery on Saturday, March 19th from 7-9pm, with tasting provided by 20 participating wineries.

The Reserve VIP Tasting includes paired appetizers from each of the participating wineries, access to their Reserve or Library selections, as well as dinner. Early entry at 6pm.

VIP Entry 6PM                 General Admission 7-9pm

General Admission – $95.00 (includes dinner & wristband for tasting)

Reserve VIP – $125 (includes early entry at 6PM, access to Reserve & Library tastings, paired appetizers & dinner)

Designated Driver – $40 (Includes dinner, does NOT include wristband for tasting)

PARTICIPATING WINERIES:

Ascension Cellars

Barr Estate Winery

Bella Luna Estate Winery

Bovino Vineyards

Cass Winery

Defiance Vineyard

Demeter Family Cellars

Dresser Winery by Gelfand

Ellas Vineyard

Glunz Family Winery & Cellars

Mitchella Vineyard & Winery

Pear Valley Vineyards

Penman Springs Vineyard

Rasmussen Vineyards & Winery

Rava Wines

RF Fine Wines

Sculpterra Winery

Seven Angels Cellars

STANGER Vineyards

Steinbeck Vineyards & Winery

Still Waters Vineyards

Non-Profit Partners:

#pasowineBRW
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Why Empordà should be on your European quality wine list

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NEW YORK (PRWEB) – It’s high time Empordà wines gained the recognition they deserve, The last wine journalist to have acknowledged their quality has been critic Jancis Robinson who has praised Empordà wines in the Financial Times. “Cool Catalans” reads the title of her article where she reports about her most recent visit to the Spanish region and how it has become an example of serious wine production.

From: With Husband in Tow.

Wine culture reached Catalonia around the 6th century BC. The area was then the most important Greek colony in Spain, and Emporiae was the Greek city that later gave its name to the Empordà region. In the Middle Ages, when vines were grown near abbeys and monasteries, the terraced vineyards cultivated by the Monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes covered the slopes of the Rodes Mountain range. It is here that the winemaking monk Ramon Pere de Noves learned to master the winemaking art and wrote a treatise on the subject.

The region’s growers have chosen to forget international varieties, and are now focusing on native varieties. The most important are the red grapes Garnacha and Carignan, which more and more wineries vinify in single-vineyard expressions, thus offering interpretations of terroir subtleties. Juicy and vibrant, these red wines show the long-forgotten potential of the region. Most recently, Empordà producers have been increasingly investing time and energy white varieties, especially native ones, such as Lledoner Blanc (Grenache Blanc), Lledoner Roig (Grenache Gris) and Carinyena Blanc (Carignan Blanc). Grenache Gris in particular has been at the core of a Renaissance movement, casting new light on this aromatic variety that gives life to crispy whites. Both family wineries and coops have embraced a quality approach and the results are visible and are starting to be appreciated outside the region as much as within. “Empordà is very definitely on the move” wraps up Jancis Robinson.

About TASTE THE DIFFERENCE PROGRAM
The program: European quality wines: taste the difference is a project financed by the European Union and managed by Unione Italiana Vini and PRODECA for the promotion of PDO and PGI European wines abroad in China and US. In order to achieve this objective, the TTD.EU program will organize wine seminars, workshops and b2b meetings both in these countries and in Spain and Italy, inviting wine professionals to join study trips to Europe. The program, realized in the span of three years (2021-2023) aims at creating awareness about European quality wines, in particular Italian and Spanish, which share a long tradition and a high standard of quality.

The beneficiaries: Unione Italiana Vini is the oldest and most commissioned Association of the Italian wine market. It represents cooperative, private and agricultural wine-companies, bottlers, consortia, associations and wine-making machines or wine cellars / laboratory manufacturers, located throughout the Italian territory.

Promotora de Exportaciones Catalanas (PRODECA) is a public company established in 1986 and part of the “Ministry of Climate Action, Food and Rural Agenda of the Government of Catalonia”. It supports the agri-food sector and its companies with the knowledge, tools and experience to increase their products in Catalunya and worldwide.

NEW 8,000 Bottle Cellar in 15th century Florence Noble Home

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Florence’s Golden View restaurant has emerged from a 14-month Covid-induced shutdown with a completely renovated design and mission as it prepares to celebrate 20 years of “golden views” over the Arno River and famed Ponte Vecchio in January 2022. Owner Tommaso Grasso teamed up with architect Nicola Maggiaioli from Studio Miarca to reimagine the 6,000 sq ft Golden View for the next 20 years, opening up the space to give every diner magical vistas of the river and to put the kitchen on full display for guests to see the artisan craftsmanship that goes into preparing an authentic Italian meal. 
 

Photo: FlawlessLife

Besides the new open kitchen and incredible panoramas, the new Golden View boasts an 8,000 bottle wine cellar, making it the second largest winery in Florence, in the adjacent former 15th century home belonging to the Florentine family of Capponi. Renovated by architect Marta Sansoni the naturally temperature-controlled space is perfect for storage of the vast $1 million collection that includes extensive vintages of mostly Italian wines, with some Bordeaux for balance.  Carefully managed by Golden View’s sommelier and “wine hunter” Paolo Miano, vertical selections of the great Super Tuscans like Sassicaia, Ornellaia, Solaia, Tignanello, along with those of “Brunelli” as Biondi Santi, Soldera, Poggio di Sotto abound underlining the love for tradition and territory. The wine cellar is available for private tastings, as well as intimate private dinners for up to 12 people.

“This place is a home to me, a space in which I express my passion linked not only to food, but to wine and the world of art,” noted owner Tommaso Grasso who has worked at every position in the restaurant.  “With the renovation, I wanted to offer guests full transparency into the artistry that goes into creating an authentic Italian dining experience by showcasing our talented staff as much as the view.”
 
The 180-seat restaurant (140 under Covid rules) has been transformed to enhance the “golden” light coming from the banks of the Arno, as well as to shine a bright one on the culinary team led by chef Paolo Secci.  The Sardinian-born chef takes pride in combining his love for seafood with the local Tuscan bounty of meat and vegetables.  Highlights include: Suckling pig terrine, Salted potatoes and confit artichokes (€16);  Aged Carnaroli risotto, saffron, forest mushrooms and 24 months aged Parmigiano (€22); Linguine with clams with Cabras mullet bottarga (€24); Tuscan suckling lamb: seared loin, roasted belly and kidney, with braised artichokes and vanilla onions (€34); Miso marinated white sturgeon with soutè potatoes, turnip greens and fish sauce with fennel flowers (€28).
 
The Golden View Wine Experience – a wine focused overnight stay
Owner Tommaso Grosso will share his love and passion for Italian wines as he guides guests on an exclusive two-day Golden View Wine Experience.  The one-of-a-kind experience will woe even the most discerning oenophiles with two nights in a Golden View Suite complete with original frescoed ceilings, a private wine tasting for two in the 15th century cellar, a Wine Pairing dinner for two at Golden View and a special Vineyard trip to Montalcino with a wine lunch led by owner Tomasso Grasso. The limited Golden View Wine Experience starts at 2500 Euros per couple.
Open Wednesday through Sunday, reservations can be made via the restaurant’s website www.goldenview.it.