Learning About Cosmopolitan’s Wine, the Best Wines “you can afford to drink daily” and the Cab that Stole my Palate – With Guarachi Wine Partners

October 30, 2020 by evebushman

When was the last time you tasted wine with one of your favorite wine influencers? It’s been 8 years since I drove over to Woodland Hills to taste wine with Alex Guarachi, owner of both Guarachi Wine Partners, as well as his own Napa-based Guarachi Family Wines label. Alex’s portfolio of wines have been included in Wine Spectator’s Top 100 of the year, dozens of 90+ scored wines from reputable sources and he’s been named Wine Importer of the Year…

Eve and Alex Guarachi, 10/2020.

That paragraph above was one of my public social media posts ahead of my reconnecting with Guarachi. After that came two more posts, one was a video of all of the bottles we shared and the second was nine photos of our fun. This is the story behind it all now.

Guarachi has been kept pretty busy with his distribution company and his winemaking, he now had many more wines to share from both – it’s been 35 years of growth. In our meeting I learned about one wine brand while tasting three others. I’ll start with the one we didn’t taste: Uncorked by Cosmopolitan. Yes, Cosmopolitan magazine with “the largest young women’s media brand in the world.”

Uncorked by Cosmopolitan

Uncorked by Cosmopolitan

First look: the “Uncorked” wine label is silky smooth on one side, holographic on the other and a shape that is reminiscent of an open magazine…I think! We didn’t get to sample these as they are not yet released, so stay tuned as the magazine will surely be advertising their new babies made by Guarachi! And look for these reasonably priced wines on supermarkets and box stores everywhere. Varietals, with these cute little sayings on each, include 2019 “That’s enough todaying for today” Chardonnay, 2019 “Cheers to pour decisions” Rose, 2019 “Cuz Mercury’s always in retrograde” Pinot Noir and 2018 “This is totally one glass” Cabernet Sauvignon.

Parker Station ($15 range)

Parker Station makes a mighty tasty 2018 Chardonnay that has a mild acidity and benefited from four months in French Oak; a 2018 Pinot Noir that was an easy drinker and I could see why it was a #1 selling wine. Guarachi said the Pinot is the best in the price range. I liked the Pinot with a little chill on it and found it both fresh and fruity. Both wines are made with grapes from Monterey, San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties; they also make a 2017 Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon that had a great nose with a bit lighter flavor than most high alcohol Paso Cabs, and a lovely finish. Guarachi bought the label awhile back “but they’re still married” and he continues to purchase the grapes from the Santa Barbara County and Edna County. All labels proudly state, “The best (Chard, Pinot or Cab name is filled in here) you can afford to drink daily.” I agree.

Tenshen Wines ($20 to $25 range)

I was wowed by both a 2017 Central Coast White wine that was predominantly a white Rhone, with a twist (they added Chardonnay to it) that was aged six to seven months in French oak; and a yummy Cabernet Sauvignon made from Paso’s westside and had spent seven to eight months in French oak. These wines are from a partnership between Guarachi and winemaker Joey Tensley.

Guarachi Family Wines ($75 to $95 range)

Really enjoyed the buttery Guarachi 2018 Sun Chase Estate Vineyard, Petaluma Gap, Chardonnay. The wine is a new release, its grown at the highest elevation in the Sonoma Coast, spent 11 months in new French oak, and no barrel is over two years old; then came the 2018 Sun Chase Estate Vineyard, Petaluma Gap, Pinot Noir – an easy drinker, both rich and tannic.

Finally, the giant 2017 Meadowrock Estate Vineyard, Atlas Peak, Cabernet Sauvignon stole my palate. When we were on the Cab Guarachi commented, “Who doesn’t like it?” and I had to agree. It had spent 20 months in new French oak (65% new) and also benefited from all red volcanic soil. I found it rich, tannic and a length that never gave out. The 14.8% alcohol didn’t translate to heat, it gave the wine tremendous backbone. He had started this endeavor over a decade before, and those years of experience shows. Both the Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon have been richly awarded in wine competitions.

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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.

Tolosa Winery Announces New Futures Program for 2019 Single Vineyard Wines

October 19, 2020 by evebushman

San Luis Obispo, Calif. — Tolosa winery, acclaimed producer of estate and single vineyard Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines from the Edna Valley, announced a look into the future of its much-anticipated 2019 Single Vineyard wines with private tastings of barrel samples.

Private seated tastings, available by appointment, are currently offered on the winery’s expansive outdoor patio, allowing guests the rare opportunity to explore these exclusive small-lot wines prior to release. The 2019 Single Vineyard wines will be released November 1, accompanied by the 2019 Primera, also scheduled to be released on November 1, 2020. Futures of the Primera and the Single Vineyard series wines are now available for purchase. Given the prestige of these limited-production bottlings, with under 250 cases of each produced, many of these wines are expected to sell-out prior to release.

“2019 was a textbook cool climate grape growing vintage. Harvest unfolded nicely, the mild weather letting us call for the perfect picking dates with no need to rush things, which is a nice feeling for once. In their youth, the wines are showing bright fruit (definitively on the red side for the Pinots and on the stone fruit one for the Chardonnays) and great freshness. And I am really excited about this, because it is also a guarantee of the aging potential they have,” said Winemaker Frederick Delivert.

Ideally situated close to the Pacific Ocean in California’s coolest wine region, Tolosa is blessed with a myriad of microclimates and soils that prove ideal for growing delicate Burgundian grapes. As a testament to the winery’s dedication to crafting exemplary Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, Tolosa looks beyond Edna Valley for their Single Vineyard series, selecting the best sites and fruit for these varietals throughout California. The artisanal wines of the Single Vineyard series invite exploration of renowned appellations and acclaimed vineyards — including Tolosa’s own SIP Certified estate vineyard, Edna Ranch — confirming Edna Valley’s place in this distinguished company.

Through November, guests are invited to visit Tolosa to experience barrel samples of the 2019 Single Vineyard Series, each crafted with a similar approach in the cellar in order to capture the true essence of each vineyard and its unique terroir. The following wines are now available to taste:

Bien Nacido Vineyard Chardonnay, Santa Maria Valley 2019

This iconic vineyard in Santa Barbara County’s Santa Maria Valley AVA benefits from one of the longest growing seasons in California. Located 16 miles from the Pacific Ocean, the vineyard was first planted in 1973 and is acclaimed for its world-class Chardonnay. Situated at 600 feet of elevation on the valley floor, the site is punctuated by mild sunny days, an afternoon sea draft, and foggy nights and mornings to moderate the temperature of the vines. These conditions translate into a wine with vibrant acidity, recognized through essences of grapefruit, nectarine and pineapple. Oak aging in 35% new, lightly toasted puncheons adds notes of vanilla and walnuts, while partial Malolactic fermentation reveals fresh green apple flavors on the mineral-driven mid-palate. Tolosa is honored to be one of the few producers to source fruit from this highly sought-after vineyard located just south of us in the Santa Maria Valley.

Poletti – Edna Ranch Chardonnay, Edna Valley 2019

The Poletti portion of Edna Ranch is located on the mountainside slopes of the Edna Valley — home to block 569, featuring own-rooted Tepesquet Chardonnay vines. The slopes offer more sun exposure, while the vineyard sits in the direct path of the coastal sea breeze, offering a cooler temperature to maintain natural acidity and citrusy aromatics. After completing malolactic fermentation, the wine was aged in 30% new, lightly toasted oak puncheons, allowing it to develop a creamy, seamless texture layered with notes of hazelnut, citrus and stone fruit. This elegant Chardonnay encapsulates the Edna Valley, with a refined structure and uplifting acidity that stands out on the finish.

El Coro Vineyard Pinot Noir, Petaluma Gap 2019

El Coro translates to “The Chorus” in Spanish. This site is farmed by the Keller family and is located within the Petaluma Gap AVA, the premier gateway to the Sonoma Coast. Located just 7.5 miles from San Pablo Bay, here maritime wind and fog roar into the region cooling off the vines, while less sun exposure from north-facing slopes contributes to the wine’s bright, complex berry fruit flavors. Adding to its appeal is a silky texture and racy acidity that lingers on the impressively long finish. In reverence to its name, this wine brings harmony to the palate.

Apex Vineyard Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands 2019

Farmed by the Franscioni family, Apex Vineyard is located 28 miles from the cold water of Monterey Bay in the heart of the renowned Santa Lucia Highlands. The vineyard rests high atop a bench receiving morning sun exposure before being influenced ever so slightly by the daily fog and ocean winds. Typical of its region, this wine paints itself darker, lending more robust flavors of juicy fruit, ripened cherry and sweet spice. This is a Pinot Noir for the Cabernet lover.

Solomon Hills Vineyard Pinot Noir, Santa Maria Valley 2019

Solomon Hills Vineyard takes its name from Salomon Pico, a celebrated bandit who travelled frequently along the El Camino Real in the 1850s — and may have inspired the legend of Zorro. This acclaimed Santa Barbara County vineyard is located at the westernmost end of the Santa Maria Valley AVA, where its close proximity just 10 miles to the Pacific Ocean reveals itself through the wines that flourish in its sandy soils. Floral and red fruit aromas carry on through the palate, showcasing notes of pomegranate, raspberry, cherry and rose petals that integrate seamlessly into its fine-grained tannic structure.

Drum Canyon Vineyard Pinot Noir, Sta. Rita Hills 2019

Farmed by the Dierberg family, Drum Canyon Vineyard thrives in the eminent Sta. Rita Hills AVA of Santa Barbara County. Adjacent to the Pacific Ocean, the region is famous for its transverse mountain range, which allows strong coastal breezes to drift through the vines. These cooling influences, coupled with the vineyard’s sandy loam soils, produce a beautifully structured Pinot Noir with velvety tannins and signature notes of dark cherry, cola and raspberry. A more structured Pinot Noir than many others in the line-up, this is a wine with well-developed tannins that will soften beautifully as it ages.

Gunsalus Vineyard Pinot Noir Green Valley of Russian River Valley 2019

The newest single vineyard Pinot Noir in the series balances the collection as an excellent cellar addition for the wine enthusiast. This small vineyard resides 12 miles from the coast at an elevation of 242 feet in the Green Valley region of Sonoma’s Russian River Valley, known for its maritime fog that rolls in and lingers throughout the day. Big and bold in structure, this garnet-colored Pinot Noir leads with aromas of black cherry, strawberry, pine and rose petal. Bright red fruit, fig and tobacco flavors linger on the palate, accented by gentle mouth-coating tannins on the flawless finish.

Hollister – Edna Ranch Pinot Noir, Edna Valley

Located in the core of the Edna Valley, the Hollister section of Tolosa’s home vineyard, Edna Ranch, is the closest to the Pacific Ocean. Located just 5 miles away, it receives a moderating maritime influence to maintain composed acidity in the grapes, while varied soils, including chalky limestone and sand, contribute to the minerality and complexity in this wine. Made from a single block in the vineyard, Block 579, the wine displays aromas of blood orange, wild strawberry, anise and rose petals. Black cherry notes shine on the palate, which is layered with stone fruit and clove to express an exceptional sense of place.

Primera Pinot Noir, Edna Valley 2019

Tolosa’s flagship Primera demonstrates the full potential of the varietal, revealing what makes Pinot Noir one of the most coveted grapes in the world. Primera is a small-lot selection of the best of Tolosa’s estate vineyard, Edna Ranch, located a mere 5 miles from the Pacific Ocean. Here, daily fog and prevailing winds funnel into the transverse valley from Morro Bay, cooling off the vines. The result is a wine of power and length characterized by notes of hibiscus, strawberry and dried herbs, enhanced by a seamless mouthfeel and structure. This is truly a vintage-specific statement Pinot Noir for the oenophile looking to add a marquee wine to their cellar.

Futures of the Single Vineyard 2019 series as well as the Primera 2019 are available to taste by appointment through October 2020, with tastings available to both Club Members and non-members. Purchase of wine futures is available prior to their release, November 2020. Tolosa also invites qualified media to look behind the curtain at the winery with a tasting of the Single Vineyard Series. For media inquiries, please contact: Linda@parkersanpei.com.

About Tolosa

Cowboy dreams of owning a cattle ranch brought Robin Baggett to California’s Edna Valley over 40 years ago. The cold Pacific wind and soils from ancient seabed to limestone made him realize he was on a frontier of a different sort. Tolosa is the expression of his commitment to spare no effort to craft Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines of distinctive character to rival any in the world. Founded in 1998 and guided by the core values of integrity, teamwork and meticulous craftsmanship, Tolosa is committed to creating complex, balanced and nuanced wines that are the purest expressions of Edna Valley. The Tolosa winemaking team combines traditional winemaking techniques and cutting-edge technology to achieve the purest translation of place to taste. Tolosa supports numerous environmental and philanthropic initiatives and is an active member of the Central Coast community, welcoming guests daily to enjoy its trademark gracious hospitality and a variety of luxury tasting experiences surrounded by its Sustainability in Practice (SIP) Certified vineyard, Edna Ranch. Tolosa is open daily at 4910 Edna Road, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401. You can find them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter or visit the website at tolosawinery.com.

Nathan Carlson, Head Winemaker, Center of Effort Wines Reflects on a Decade of Change + The New Influence of The Edna Valley Region

September 14, 2020 by evebushman

After a decade of working with Center of Effort Wine, time seems to have passed quickly. “As I think back, we have accomplished so much in that time. Our wines have found a rhythm, we understand the estate and the land, and we have begun to make adjustments based on deep knowledge of this place,” explains winemaker Nathan Carlson.

Photo from Exploring.wine.com

Carlson joined Center of Effort in late June of 2010, when the winery had been under the new ownership of Bill and Cheryl Swanson. At his previous job, he oversaw winemaking for multiple brands in multiple facilities, and sourced grapes from growers from Lake County to Santa Barbara.

Center of Effort presented an opportunity to get back into the Edna Valley, a place that Nathan knows well. This new opportunity gave me the chance to be involved nearly from the beginning with a new winery, owners who were committed to quality and to connecting with their customers. Most importantly, after years of working broadly with vineyards and growers across the state, this was clearly an opportunity to develop a deep understanding of one single estate location; maximizing quality and efficiency from the existing vines and implementing solutions that made sense in our circumstances.

There were challenges ahead, and new wineries can be filled with uncertainty. “I had experience working with fruit from the established vines on this property. I knew that there was potential for excellence here, if the details were attended to carefully. And in particular I knew that there would be growth and learning for me by working for someone like Bill Swanson,” says Carlson.

Early meetings with Mr. Swanson made it clear that he was direct, fair and that he had vast experience managing tens of thousands of people as the President and CEO of Raytheon. He approached and thought about things on a different scale than most people.

While working with the vineyards and wines, Nathan tried to understand what exists naturally, and draw on that strength rather than imposing any particular style on the fruit. The existing vines were planted in 1997, according to production standards of that time. From that first summer, the company paid close attention to soil, aspect and growth patterns.

In 2012 we implemented a major replanting of 8 acres to very high-density, high quality planting of additional Pinot Noir clonal selections, increasing the diversity of fruit available to our winemaking program.

From 2011, they enrolled in an audited sustainability program (SIP) that has been a useful metric to measure our longer-term goals for the vineyard and the business. They use very safe methods of crop protection, plant cover crops to minimize erosion and to feed the soil, return compost to the vines each winter to build organic matter in the soil, and track water use. Canopy management is a major quality and vine health issue in a cool foggy region, and they retrofitted the vineyard to make shoot management and leaf pulling easier for the crews. It is amazing to watch the soil come back to life; where it was previously a lifeless crust directly under the vines it now holds water and earthworms and smells clean and earthy.

“Our wines have been fortunate to receive acclaim right from the beginning. Our inaugural release of the Estate Pinot Noir was rated 95 points by a major wine publication, and that praise has been a consistent part of our story ever since. We have always made our mailing list customer/members our main focus, and present offers of the wines to them upon release and prior to the winter holidays. When we began to sell the wines in distribution, it was initially through our neighbor Lorraine Alban’s wine company – she and her team have been wonderful stewards of our wines, sharing them with businesses in our region and being mindful of what is best for us in the longer term,” says Nathan.

Over the past decade, CEOE has been constantly building and developing. Wells, water infrastructure, vineyard redevelopment, a solar field to provide all winery power, upgrading facility and winery equipment, additional fermentation and storage tanks, all-new presses, and high-quality grape receiving equipment all happened largely in the background, but boosted the efficiency and quality of their wines and vineyards.

Since 2016, the company undertook a multi-million-dollar wholesale renovation of the winery and grounds.

Prior to launching this renovation, COE didn’t have a comfortable place to host visitors to the winery. “I want COE to have a place that matches the wine quality” Bill Swanson, Owner of COE said many times during meetings.

“We thought about the design of the public spaces from the desire to provide genuine hospitality and ease to our guests, with small semi-private spaces to sit comfortably, large outdoor patios and gardens for events and winery parties, and all of it open to our unmatched views of the Santa Lucia mountains. The open kitchen with Chef’s bar has been a wonderful way to share culinary experiences with small groups of our members. There truly is not another property like this in the region, and it is a special privilege to come to work here every morning,” adds Nathan.

COE is now an authentic ambassador for the Edna Valley. It is a magnificent place on the Pacific coast. Nathan started as the only employee of the business. “We had contractors and outside service providers, but it took time to assemble the right crew of people. And over time, we have had contributions from many amazing human beings who have built their experience with us at COE and eventually transitioned out into the larger world of our industry,” says Carlson.

COE’s close connection with California Polytechnic University and their Wine and Viticulture department has grown and bloomed to become a development ground for amazing talent that is moving into the industry.

“The Edna Valley AVA is a fairly small region; and because of that our voice may not have been as loud as others.

The wines from the Edna Valley tend toward elegance and longevity at their best, not bombast and hedonism, which tends to attract more attention. But members of our industry who have a broad understanding of the world of wine appreciate the quality potential and ascendency of the wines. I am ultimately looking forward to developing Center of Effort’s special strengths and to telling their unique story,” says Nathan.

Chamisal Vineyards is All In for Sustainability

April 27, 2017 by evebushman

Atascadero, Calif., — Chamisal Vineyards in Edna Valley, California has achieved the Sustainability in Practice (SIP) Certified seal for their entire winery. Chamisal Vineyards is the second California winery to be recognized through this third-party sustainability program. SIP Certified has certified vineyards since 2008, and expanded its independent, third-party verification scope to include wineries in 2015.

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To achieve SIP Certified for a winery, the company must undergo an in-depth assessment of their entire facility operations. This includes a rigorous evaluation of a variety of items including (but not limited to) facility establishment and management, energy uses, water efficiency, purchasing, recycling and waste reduction, marketing materials, event needs, and landscape decisions. All elements of social equity and financial sustainability are also taken into account, as with the current vineyard certification program.

“With their vineyards being certified since 2010, Chamisal Vineyards, has been a major proponent of SIP Certified for many years,” says Beth Vukmanic Lopez, SIP Certified Manager. “It continues to be a pleasure to work with their team as they put their sustainability beliefs to practice from the soil to the glass.”

“Deciding to go for the SIP Certified winery achievement, was a natural progression since we are an estate-based vineyard and winery already practicing sustainability in many areas,” notes Fintan Du Fresne, General Manager and Winemaker for Chamisal Vineyards. “This level allowed us to dive into our inner workings and look at our whole business from a holistic approach. Including on-site events to waste management and our solar project to waste water systems.”

By obtaining SIP Certified winery, Chamisal Vineyards will continue to undergo regular inspections to ensure their certifications stay current with all SIP Certified standards. In addition, the winery will be able to share their achievement with their current and potential buyers through their own marketing communications, furthering the education and importance of sustainability.

“By putting our sustainability beliefs into practice (at Chamsial Vineyard), we have the ability to help educate the consumer on why sustainability should be a decision maker in their purchases. notes du Fresne. “SIP Certified makes it easy for us to share this message as they are not only a trusted and credible program, they offer a variety of valuable resources for both the consumers and businesses alike.”

About SIP Certified

Sustainability in Practice (SIP) Certified provides a way for vineyards and wineries statewide to verify their attention to sustainability through a commitment to environmental stewardship, equitable treatment of employees, and economic viability. Developed by the Vineyard Team, a 501(c)3 non-profit dedicated to sustainable winegrowing since 1994, this program represents one extension of the group’s many innovative programs. To learn more about SIP, please visit the website www.sipcertified.org. For more information about the Vineyard Team, please visit www.vineyardteam.org.

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

November 4, 2016 by evebushman

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

About Sextant

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

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

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

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

Perlis Picks: Rhone Rangers at the Skirball – Part 3

September 10, 2016 by evebushman

The seminar was informative and tasty. The lunch was a lot of fun and tasty as well. But now Karen and I were ready for the main event.

Held in Herscher Hall, the size of the room and the layout of the tasting tables made for a very comfortable and enjoyable experience. For a tasting event of this magnitude, it often helps to have a plan, and I try, but ultimately I seek out a few that I am especially interested in and then just bounce in and out where I see openings at tables. At this event in particular, you can’t go wrong as the quality is always extremely high overall. I skipped some wineries on purpose as I had tasted them recently and many I just couldn’t get to due to time constraints and “palate fatigue.” But I did accomplish the twin goals of tasting great wines and having fun.

Of the wines I tasted, here were my favorites…

[Please note that by now I was only tasting red wines.]

Bonny Doon Vineyard – I wrote a lot about this winery at the beginning of this article, but still have a little bit to say. Enjoyed everything I tasted at Randall’s table – 2011 Le Cigare Volant Red Blend, 2011 Le Cigare Volant Reserve Red Blend, 2014 Clos de Gilroy Grenache, 2014 Old Telegram Mourvedre, 2011 Bien Nacido Vineyard “X-Block” Syrah and the 2013 Le Pousseur Syrah. A big thank you to Bonny Doon Director of Sales Keith Shulsky for the taste of the 1990 Old Telegram, which showed how well Mourvedre could age.

Calcareous Vineyard – the Tres Violet [Syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre] and the Moose [Syrah and Petit Verdot] are typically my favorites from this winery. The 2013s were being poured this time – they were both outstanding. I picked the Tres Violet as my fave, barely.

Cass Vineyard & Winery – Ted Plemons was stealing the show as usual, but he couldn’t over shadow the wines he was pouring. Especially liked the 2014 Mourvedre.

Chacewater – I’ve become a fan of this winery fairly recently. The 2013 Syrah, 2012 Petite Sirah and 2010 Astel Petite Sirah were all very tasty. As an added bonus, these wines are extremely well-priced.

Epoch Estate Wines – Full disclosure here – I’ve been buying these wines since their first release. I had no real reason to taste them at this event, except I knew they would be really good so what the heck, right? And I was right…2012 Ingenuity Red Blend and 2013 Estate Blend were both outstanding.

Four Brix Winery – it was nice to see Gary Stewart and taste his wines. Especially enjoyed the 2011 and 2012 Rhondezvous Blends. Both were made from Paso Robles grapes and for some reason evoked in me a fond memory of visiting Paso in a more relaxed time back before the wine industry really took off. Very nice.

Kale Wines – Tasted Kale’s Grenache based wine at the seminar; it was a pleasure to taste the two he was pouring at the Grand Tasting. The 2013 Kale Home Run Cuvee from the Kick Ranch Vineyard was outstanding and the 2013 Kale Broken Axle from the Stage Coach Vineyard was even better – my favorite of the day!

Qupé – Santa Barbara County legend Bob Lindquist was pouring several wines, including two excellent Syrahs – 2012 Sawyer Lindquist Vineyard “Sonnie’s” from their vineyard in Edna Valley and 2011 Bien Nacido Hillside Estate, Santa Maria Valley.

Ridge Vineyards – the Ridge wines are always good, but a real eye opener for me was the 2014 Carignane from the Buchignani Ranch. I had to ask if it was 100% Carignane as I don’t think I’d had one that rich before it – it was.

Rock Wall Wine Company – I haven’t seen winemaker Shauna Rosenblum in some time; I expect her young family is keeping her very busy. While the tasting table might not be as entertaining when she is not there, the wines are just as good as ever, especially the 2012 Le Mur de Roche Petite Sirah.

The Withers Winery – based in Santa Rosa, the grapes for these wines were from El Dorado in the Sierra Foothills. Cooler climate and lighter in style, I recommend the 2013 Ruben Mourvedre Blend and the 2013 Mr. Burgess Syrah Blend.

Two Shepherds – I wasn’t planning to taste at William Allen’s table this time, as I had tasted his wines at Hospice du Rhone in Paso Robles and most recently at the Garagiste Event in Los Angeles. But, when he told me he had an orange wine for me to try, I couldn’t help myself – I’ve become a fan of orange wines of late. If this is a new term for you, let me try to explain at least what my understanding of them is, which may or may not be 100% accurate. Wines generally get their color from the grape skins, not the color of the juice. White wines are typically made from juice with little or no skin contact. Wines made from grapes traditionally used for white wines but made with extended skin contact will have a slightly orange hue to them, hence the term. They also have a level of complexity which I enjoy. In this case, it was the Two Shepherds 2013 Centime, a miniscule 35 case blend of 66% Grenache Blanc, 17% Marsanne and 17% Roussanne, fermented with skins and stems. Excellent wine.

Thanks to the Rhone Rangers and the participating wineries for putting on a great event and for finding an excellent venue in the Skirball. Hopefully, this will be the home of the event for years to come.

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.

Perlis Picks: Urban Exposure 3 – Part One

July 23, 2016 by evebushman

I’ve been writing about the Garagiste Festivals since they started in 2011, so I won’t bore you with too much of the history here. Summary: Focusing on small wineries, many with no tasting rooms, it started with an annual event in Paso Robles, expanded to Solvang, then to Los Angeles and most recently added an event in Oakland.

On July 9^th, the 3^rd iteration of the Los Angeles event, known as Urban Exposure, took place for the 2^nd consecutive year at The Wiltern. This time, besides the VIP benefit of entering an hour early and tasting the Rare and Reserve wines as well as beating the crowds, there was an added option of attending a barrel seminar before the VIP session started.

Let me get this out of the way…

Standing on the stage of the Wiltern as Karen and I waited for the start of the seminar, I successfully [and thankfully] resisted the urge to pretend I was some rockstar and did not yell out “Helllooooo L.A.!!!”

[I think I used up my quota of rock and roll references in last year’s article, so I’ll try to skip those this time.]

Instead I sat back down with the other attendees as the curtain closed on us and we waited for the seminar to begin. Moderated by Garagiste Festival co-founder Stewart McLennan, the seminar “Understanding Oak Varieties – Tasting the Winemaker’s Spice Rack” was divided into two parts for us to learn and taste along with the experts. The first part was led by Michael Larner of Larner Vineyard, as we tasted three versions of his 2014 Syrah – one from wine aged in neutral barrels [the barrels having been used for several years and no longer impacting the smell and taste of the wine], one that had been aged in French Oak and the last in American oak. Similarly, in the second part of the seminar, led by Rendarrio Vineyards owner Ryan Rendar [who also reps French barrel maker Cadus], the wines were his Cabernet Sauvignon presented unoaked along with samples from barrels of medium grain and tight grain. In both cases, the wine were presented in order to show how the type of oak and the tightness of the grain impart oak characteristics to the finished wine, going from least to most. The winemaker then typically takes wine from barrels of these varying characteristics and blends them to result in the final wine for the consumer. This is a year-by-year process, as not only do barrels vary yearly, but grape harvests do too.

My own personal preference is for minimal oak treatment. I’m definitely all about the fruit and like to be able to taste the variances from year to year. But, understandably, the winemaker is not necessarily out to satisfy my tastes, but the tastes of the consumers of his or her wine, so he uses the whole “spice rack” of what he has available to make the best wine he can. And the big producers do everything they can to make their wine consistent from year to year, minimizing those vintage variations that I enjoy.

But no big producers at this event! As the seminar was wrapping up we could hear the activity on the other side of the curtain, so we hurriedly pushed and shoved….I mean carefully walked to the entrance to the main event.

Per the program, these wineries were pouring:

Alma Fria Vineyards [Sonoma]

Alma Sol Winery [Paso Robles]

Alta Colina Vineyards [Paso Robles]

Archium Cellars [Santa Barbara]

Artisan Uprising [Paso Robles]

Ascension Cellars [Paso Robles]

Bellissimo Cellars [Santa Barbara]

Bodega De Edgar [Paso Robles]

Brian Benson Cellars [Paso Robles]

Brophy Clark Cellars [Santa Barbara]

Caldera Cuvee [Paso Robles]

Caliza Winery [Paso Robles]

The Central Coast Group Project [Santa Barbara]

Chene Wines [Edna Valley]

Cholame Vineyard [Central Coast]

Cloak & Dagger Wines [Paso Robles]

Cordon Wines [Central Coast]

Coruce Vineyards [Antelope Valley]

Deno Wines [Paso Robles]

Dreamcote Wine Co. [Santa Barbara]

El Lugar Wines [California]

Golden Triangle [Paso Robles]

Graef Wine [Northern CA]

Hoi Polloi Wines [Central Coast]

JPIII Wines [Paso Robles]

Kaena Wine Co. [Santa Barbara]

Kaleidos Winery [Paso Robles]

Kimmel Vineyards [Mendocino]

Larner Winery [Santa Barbara]

Leverage Wines [Paso Robles]

Marin’s Vineyard [Monterey]

MCV Wines [Paso Robles]

On Your Left Wine Co. [Paso Robles]

Pagter Brothers Winery [Central Coast]

Per Cazo / Paso Port [Paso Robles]

Powell Mountain Cellars [Paso Robles]

Press Gang Cellars [Santa Barbara]

Pulchella Winery [Paso Robles]

Ranchita Canyon Vineyard [Paso Robles]

Rendarrio Wines [Paso Robles]

Rhythm Wines [California]

Ryan Cochrane Wines [Santa Barbara]

Tao Vineyards [Agoura Hills]

The Farm Winery [Paso Robles]

Theopolis Vineyards [Anderson Valley]

Tierra Y Vino [Santa Barbara]

Tlo Wines [San Luis Obispo]

Trail Marker Wine Co. [California]

Turiya Wines [Central Coast]

TW Fermentation Co. [Paso Robles]

Two Shepherds [Northern California]

Vinemark Cellars [Central Coast]

Vines On The Marycrest [Paso Robles]

Weatherborne [Santa Barbara]

West of Temperance [California]

As you can see, there were a lot of wineries pouring. Many from the central coast but some from farther afield as well. Many were Garagiste Festival regulars along with new participants. With so many wineries pouring multiple wines, I obviously couldn’t taste everything – my apologies to the ones I missed.

Next week, I’ll let you know my favorites.

The 2016 International Chardonnay Symposium Announces Medal Winners

July 3, 2016 by evebushman

Awards were handed out in four categories and The SOMM Journal named its top sommelier

Pismo Beach, CA – The International Chardonnay Symposium, (ICS), TheChardonnaySymposium.com, the world’s foremost gathering of premium Chardonnay producers, sommeliers, trade and enthusiasts, announced the official medal winners of the 2016 International Chardonnay Symposium Wine Competition.

The ICS 2016 and The SOMM Journal selected leading sommeliers to judge the extensive double-blind tasting of Chardonnay from around the globe. The medal winners were announced at the Symposium’s Annual La Paulée Dinner and Vintner Awards Ceremony, held this year at Greengate Ranch & Vineyard in the heart of the Edna Valley AVA in mid-May.

The 2016 ICS was held in the seaside resort towns of Pismo Beach, ClassicCalifornia.com; Avila Beach, VisitAvilaBeach.com; and the Edna Valley, an area of the Highway 1 Discovery Route in San Luis Obispo County, Highway1DiscoveryRoute.com.

The 2016 International Chardonnay Symposium Wine Competition “Best” category winners are:

v Best of Show

Alpha Omega 2013 Reserve (Napa Valley)

Platinum medal

v Best Unoaked Chardonnay

Simonnet-Febvre 2014 Chablis Premier Cru “Vaillons” (Chablis)

Double Gold medal

v Best Oaked Chardonnay

Grgich Hills Estate 2013 Miljenko’s Selection (Carneros)

Double Gold medal

v SOMM Journal’s Choice

Arínzano 2010 Gran Vino White (Arínzano, Vino de Pago, Spain)

Gold medal

The Best of Show award was especially meaningful for vintner Robin Baggett, the proprietor of Alpha Omega in Napa Valley and Tolosa Winery in San Luis Obispo. Baggett said, “Having graduated from Cal Poly and raised by family in San Luis Obispo, then starting my wine career in Edna Valley at Tolosa Winery, it’s an honor to return and receive such a prestigious award for our Napa Valley efforts.”

The SOMM Journal and the ICS named Alicia Ajolo of taste wine-beer-kitchen in Long Beach, California, as the Symposium’s 2016 Top Sommelier. Ajolo was one of the judges at the day-long wine competition where she determined the origin of the most of wines during a double-blind tasting.

Platinum Medal Winners

Alpha Omega 2013 Reserve (Napa Valley)

Hearst Ranch Winery 2014 Proprietor’s Reserve (Central Coast)

RUSACK Vineyards 2014 Santa Maria Valley Reserve (Santa Maria Valley)

Double Gold Medal Winners

ADELAIDA 2014 Estate, (Adelaida District)

Bernardus 2013 Sierra Mar (Santa Lucia Highlands)

Clos Pepe 2013 Estate Barrel Fermented (Sta. Rita Hills)

CRU Wine Co. 2014 Montage (Monterey)

El Pistolero 2015 “Cold Steel” (Santa Lucia Highlands)

Grgich Hills Estate 2013 Miljenko’s Selection (Carneros)

Simonnet-Febvre 2014 Chablis Premier Cru “Vaillons” (Chablis)

Wente Vineyards 2014 The Nth Degree (Livermore Valley)

Windemere 2014 MacGregor Vineyard (Central Coast)

Gold Medal Winners

Alpha Omega 2013 Chardonnay (Napa Valley)

Arínzano 2010 Gran Vino White (Arínzano, Vino de Pago, Spain)

Baileyana 2014 Firepeak (Edna Valley)

Chartron et Trébuchet 2012 Meursault (Meursault)

Cotiere 2014 Talley Rincon (Arroyo Grande Valley)

DeLoach Vineyard 2013 Estate (Russian River)

Edna Valley Vineyard 2014 (Central Coast)

Edna Valley Vineyard 2014 Winemaker Series Heritage (Santa Lucia Highlands)

Landmark Vineyards 2014 Overlook (Sonoma County)

Louis Latour 2010 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru (Corton-Charlemagne)

Nottingham Cellars 2014 1846 by Nottingham Cellars (Arroyo Seco)

Sextant Wines 2014 Central Coast (Central Coast)

Sinor-LaVallee 2014 White Label-Bassi Vineyard (Santa Lucia Highlands)

St. Francis Winery 2014 Behler (Sonoma Valley)

Tolosa Winery 2014 569 (Central Coast)

Tolosa Winery 2014 Dijon (Central Coast)

Silver Medal Winners

ADELAIDA 2014 HMR Vineyard (Adelaida District)

Buena Vista Winery 2013 Private Reserve (Sonoma County)

Capensis 2013 (Western Cape, South Africa)

Chartron et Trébuchet 2013 Rully Premier Cru Les Grésigny (Rully)

Clos Pepe 2013 Estate (Sta. Rita Hills)

CRU Wine Co. 2014 Unoaked (Arroyo Seco)

Domaine L’Arjolle 2015 Côtes de Thongue (Côtes de Thongue)

Harmony Cellars 2014 (Central Coast)

Hearst Ranch Winery 2014 Glacier Ridge (Santa Lucia Highlands)

Jean-Charles Boisset 2013 JCB #81 (Sonoma Coast)

Presqu’ile, 2013 Presqu’ile Vineyard (Santa Maria Valley)

Talley Vineyards 2014 Estate (Arroyo Grande Valley)

Trefethen 2014 (Oak Knoll District)

True Myth 2014 Paragon Estate (Edna Valley)

About The International Chardonnay Symposium

The International Chardonnay Symposium attracts winemakers, sommeliers, media, trade, wine enthusiasts and tastemakers from across the globe to enjoy and study the world’s favorite grape. When the discussion ends, there’s plenty of time for exploring nearby Central Coast wineries, as well as the hosting seaside resort towns of Pismo Beach and Avila Beach that offer downtown winetasting rooms, pristine beaches, surfing and kayaking, hiking and biking trails, farm-to-table and seaport-inspired cuisine, boutique shopping, and more. The International Chardonnay Symposium is sponsored by Pismo Beach Conference & Visitors Bureau, Avila Beach Tourism Alliance, California Highway 1 Discovery Route, Visit San Luis Obispo County, The Tasting Panel Magazine, The SOMM Journal, Wine Enthusiast Magazine, 805 Living, Touring & Tasting, Greengate Ranch & Vineyard, Riedel, Farm Credit West, San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport, Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, and Yelp.

About Pismo Beach, Avila Beach, & Highway 1 Discovery Route of SLO County

San Luis Obispo County’s Pismo Beach, Avila Beach and the Highway 1 Discovery Route destination towns are located on California’s famous Central Coast, halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles. With miles of pristine Pacific coastline, enjoy great weather, a plethora of outdoor activities, rich wild life and nature preserves, downtown wine tasting rooms, and the neighboring world class wine producing regions of the Edna Valley, Arroyo Grande Valley, Santa Maria Valley and Paso Robles. For information on the wide variety of lodging choices, accommodating every budget and lifestyle, visit ClassicCalifornia.com, VisitAvilaBeach.com, and Highway1DiscoveryRoute.com.

Claiborne & Churchill Launches Elegant Updates in 2016

May 19, 2016 by evebushman

The Alsace-inspired winery to offer vacationers a room with a view and a place at the bar

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. – Longtime family-owned Edna Valley winery Claiborne & Churchill is thrilled to announce the completion of a beautifully renovated tasting room, along with new, charming wine country guest accommodations. These updates and new offerings make the popular San Luis Obispo winery a must-visit this coming tasting season.

Claiborne & Churchill, still run by original owners Claiborne Thompson and Fredericka Churchill Thompson, has been producing Alsatian-style “alternative whites” in San Luis Obispo since 1983. In 1995, Clay and Fredericka built their pioneering, eco-friendly strawbale-constructed winery and opened their tasting room in the Edna Valley, and over the years they have expanded their picturesque garden area to accommodate more guests and larger parties for tastings and seasonal events, such as their vibrant summer concert series called “Sips & Songs.”

Now, upscale indoor renovations to the winery’s welcoming tasting room (which is, to the delight of visitors, right in the barrel room!) allow the popular producer to accommodate more visitors comfortably. Updates to the interior include a new feature wall and a rolling barn door reclaimed from an old dairy barn on the property, attractive lighting, and a custom stone-topped bar with an expanded serving area and hooks to hang bags. The spacious tasting room is the perfect place to sip Claiborne & Churchill’s aromatic white wines and lush Pinot Noirs, and the recent addition of artisanal, imported cheese pairings from local cheese shop Fromagerie Sophie makes for a truly gourmet tasting experience. Longtime tasting room attendant Hilary Langdon is very pleased with the renovations. “Claiborne & Churchill has always been a beautiful, comfortable environment for guests and employees, but now there is just that added wow factor,” said Langdon. “We were ready for an update, but one that still expresses who we are deep down: an inviting, hospitable, relaxing place to enjoy wine and enjoy others.”

For guests who are interested in holding their own private parties at the winery, Claiborne & Churchill will be taking reservations for small, special events such as birthday, anniversary, and graduation parties.

As an accompaniment to their expanded gardens and interior updates, the Thompsons also spent the fall of 2015 remodeling a lovely, two-bedroom duplex cottage next door to the winery. In the spirit of family and team work, it was a project everyone took part in. The Thompson’s daughter Elizabeth, Claiborne & Churchill’s outside sales manager, could be found many an afternoon working on projects with her parents, sanding down woodwork and painting. “If you are from out of town,” she says, “staying with us will be a perfect way to enjoy the heart of wine country here in San Luis Obispo. We couldn’t be more pleased to be able to offer this to our customers and guests.”

Quaint and charming, but with all the modern amenities, the cottage is perfect for couples hitting the road for a weekend, for parents visiting students at Cal Poly, or for anyone just looking for a relaxing “getaway.” The unit is now available for vacation rental through the VRBO/Homeaway website, or by emailing elizabeth@claibornechurchill.com. Centrally located in SLO Wine Country, Claiborne & Churchill’s vacation property is only a ten minute drive from Pismo Beach, San Luis Obispo, or Arroyo Grande, and a fifteen-minute drive to Cal Poly. Claiborne & Churchill Cellar Club members will be offered a special, discounted price on their stays.

2016 is shaping up to be a great year ahead for one of Edna Valley’s favorite and oldest wineries. As the weather warms up and wine lovers start flocking to the tasting rooms all over the Central Coast, they’ll find themselves right at home at Claiborne & Churchill.

Acclaimed Claiborne & Churchill Wines

2014 Dry Gewurztraminer

Gold Medal: 2015 San Francisco International Wine Competition
Silver Medal: 2016 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
90 Points: Wine Enthusiast (June 2016)
Gold, 91 Points: Critics Challenge International Wine Competition

Dry Gewurztraminer has been a signature wine at Claiborne & Churchill since our first crush in 1983, and the 2014 vintage is one of the best. While extremely dry, it still boasts the classic spice and fruit of this aromatic varietal, with notes of rose petal, jasmine, white peach and grapefruit. The wine is tangy and bright, with a refreshingly long finish. We recommend our Gewurztraminer with such spicy and exotic dishes as Pad Thai, Indian Curry, Jamaican Jerk Chicken, or Jambalaya.

2014 Dry Riesling

Gold Medal: 2016 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
89 Points, Editors’ Choice: Wine Enthusiast (June 2016)
Silver, 89 Points: Critics Challenge International Wine Competition

Riesling has been called “the world’s greatest white wine grape,” and at Claiborne & Churchill this has always meant Dry Riesling. From our very first Dry Riesling in 1983 to the current 2014 we count thirty-two consecutive vintages of this other “signature wine”. With scarcely any residual sugar (0.4%), it still retains the bright floral aromas and lovely fruit that make Riesling so appealing. The 2014 delivers a mouthful of citrus and stone fruit flavors, followed by a dry yet lingering finish. Riesling is a versatile and food-friendly wine, enhancing a wide variety of dishes, from seafood (especially crab and lobster) to poultry to vegetarian entrees.

2014 Pinot Gris

90 Points: Wine Enthusiast (June 2016)

Pinot Gris, like Riesling and Gewurztraminer, is one of the “noble grapes” of the French Alsace region, which inspires us to produce a wine of solid structure and rich texture. To this end we typically barrel-ferment our Pinot Gris, in well-seasoned, neutral French oak. This gives the wine a creamier mouth-feel that complements the backbone of bracing acidity. In the nose there are floral notes and on the palate flavors of melon, lemon, peach and nectarine. We recommend our Pinot Gris with richly-sauced dishes such as chicken fettucini Alfredo, butternut squash ravioli, or lobster mac ‘n’ cheese.

2014 “Classic” Estate Pinot Noir

Double Gold: San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
Silver, 87 Points: 2016 Critics Challenge International Wine Competition
93 Points, Editors’ Choice: Wine Enthusiast (July 2016)

Pinot Noir enjoys a great reputation in our Edna Valley AVA and is the red grape of choice at Claiborne & Churchill. Our “Classic” Pinot Noir comes from our Edna Valley Estate Vineyards, a cool microclimate site only a few miles from the Pacific Ocean. The 2014 vintage of this seductive wine reflects this in its good structure, depth and concentration of fruit. Rich and sumptuous, it offers aromas of roses and spice, followed by flavors of strawberries and tart cherries. There is a kiss of soft oak in the background, and a long, lingering finish. Its good acidity and moderate alcohol will allow this wine to age gracefully over the years to come.

2014 “Twin Creeks” Estate Pinot Noir

Gold Medal: San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
93 Points: Wine Enthusiast (July 2016)

The grapes for this barrel-select Pinot Noir come from our Estate “Twin Creeks” vineyards on the western side of the Edna Valley. Three clones of Pinot Noir (2A, Martini, and 113) are represented in this wine, giving the wine its distinctive flavor profile of dark berries, dried herbs, cinnamon, cola, and forest floor. Ample tannins and sweet oak promise a long life in any wine cellar. We find that our Twin Creeks Pinot continues to develop for six to eight years, and in its youth profits from decanting for an hour or two, to open up and show off its heady aromas.

About Claiborne & Churchill Winery
Founded in 1983 by Claiborne (Clay) Thompson and Fredericka Churchill, Claiborne & Churchill Winery is a small, family-owned winery devoted to producing Alsatian-style wines in California’s pastoral Edna Valley appellation. After successful careers in academia, Clay and Fredericka established C&C with a special focus on the dry, fruity, and food-friendly wines of eastern France’s Alsace region, namely Pinot Noir, Gewürztraminer and Riesling. Sourced from cool-climate vineyards that support these varietals’ naturally high acidity and elegance, C&C wines have won critical and popular acclaim for over 30 years. In 2007 Clay passed his position as Winemaker to Coby Parker-Garcia, who continues to emphasize minimal manipulation of both fruit and wine today. C&C’s straw bale cellar and tasting room – the first of its kind in California – is open to the public every day from 11 A.M. to 5 P.M. at 2649 Carpenter Canyon Road in San Luis Obispo, California. For more information, please visit www.ClaiborneChurchill.com or phone 805.544.4066.

2016 International Chardonnay Symposium Celebrates the World’s Favorite Grape

January 7, 2016 by evebushman

California’s Central Coast hosts a global celebration of Chardonnay

December 9, 2015 (Pismo Beach, CA) –The world’s foremost gathering of Chardonnay producers, The International Chardonnay Symposium (TheChardonnaySymposium.com), will feature a line-up of top global Chardonnay winemakers, sommeliers, media, trade, foodies and wine enthusiasts during this year’s events, May 12-14, 2016. The Symposium will take place in the classic California beach towns of Pismo Beach and Avila Beach with a grand tasting at the picturesque Greengate Ranch & Vineyard (GreengateWeddings.com) in Edna Valley wine country.

A sampling of panel discussions include:

Wente Clone Comparative Tasting
What’s Oak Got to Do With It?
Pairing Chardonnay With Artisanal Cheese
Digging In: An International Look at the Effects of Terroir

Additional events include a Vintners’ Wine Tech Symposium, Sommelier Chardonnay Challenge, Grand Tasting, La Paulée Dinner and Awards Ceremony and new to this year’s event, the Pét-Nat, Sparkling Wine and Oysters Gala. Early-bird tickets to the Saturday Grand Tasting are available and can be purchased by visiting TheChardonnaySymposium.com.

Complimentary tickets for qualified media to the three-day event can be requested by emailing TCS@ParkerSanpei.com.

About The International Chardonnay Symposium

The International Chardonnay Symposium attracts winemakers, sommeliers, media, trade, foodies, wine enthusiasts and tastemakers from across the globe to enjoy and study the world’s favorite grape. When the discussion ends, there’s plenty of time for exploring nearby Central Coast wineries as well as the hosting seaside resort towns of Pismo Beach and Avila Beach that offer downtown winetasting rooms, pristine beaches, surfing and kayaking, hiking and biking trails, farm-to-table and seaport-inspired cuisine, boutique shopping, and more. The International Chardonnay Symposium is sponsored by The Tasting Panel Magazine, The SOMM Journal, Pismo Beach Conference & Visitors Bureau, Avila Beach Tourism Alliance, and the California Highway 1 Discovery Route. For more information, visit TheChardonnaySymposium.com.

About Pismo Beach, Avila Beach, & Highway 1 Discovery Route of SLO County

San Luis Obispo County’s Pismo Beach, Avila Beach and the Highway 1 Discovery Route destination towns are located on California’s famous Central Coast, halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles. With miles of pristine Pacific coastline, enjoy great weather, a plethora of outdoor activities, rich wild life and nature preserves, downtown wine tasting rooms, and the neighboring world class wine producing regions of the Edna Valley, Avila Valley, Arroyo Grande Valley, Santa Maria Valley and Paso Robles. For information on the wide variety of lodging choices, accommodating every budget and lifestyle, visit Classiccalifornia.com, VisitAvilaBeach.com and Highway1DiscoveryRoute.com.