Eve's Wine 101

My “Favorite” Wine and Cocktail

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One of the questions I get every year, like clockwork as the saying goes, is “What’s your favorite wine?” And though I’ve definitely been lucky to have been exposed to more wine tastings than the average wine lover, there has never been – or will there ever be – a clear-cut answer to that question. Same thing is true for spirits and cocktails. Let me cite some of the broad reasons as to why no one should have a clear cut answer to that question.

I’ll Have What She’s Having

More common than I like it a person I’m dining with will order whatever I’m ordering, from wine to cocktails. I like that they appreciate my palate and taste, but that in no way transfers to what their palate or taste may like.

Instead it would be a little wiser to ask me why I selected a certain wine or cocktail, what the flavor profile is, and if that still sounds good to you, go for it.

Looking at the Wine or Cocktail List Before Ordering

I always look the wine list or cocktail menu before ordering what I want to drink with dinner. If I find something that sounds really good, then I will look at the dinner menu that should have something meant to pair it with. Then I order. You can certainly do it the other way around but this way I can get my “favorite” drink for that particular time.

Depends On What I’m Eating

Yes, you should be thinking about what you are eating when you select a wine. Your current favorite may be a nice oaky Chardonnay but that isn’t going to break down the fat in a steak like a red wine with lots of tannins. (so if you are going to order the same drink as me, you should be ordering the same food!) Which brings me to:

Think About What Goes Into Your Mouth

A few years back I was teaching a wine lesson to two local television hosts. When one commented that she just wants to drink and not think about it, I admonished her and said something like, “You should really think about what goes in your mouth”, to which she replied by spitting out the wine she had in her mouth as she was laughing so hard. (This was all on camera so it turned out to be a really fun show!) I bet from that moment on she spent a little more time reflecting about what she eats and drinks. I’ve also been quoted to say something like, “Those that spend the time thinking about the aromas and flavors in wine, and the work the winemaker put into it, are also more likely to notice their surroundings in general, and appreciate them as well.”

The Season

Yes, wine and cocktails can be seasonal. Whites and pinks in the hot months and reds in the cold months. I’ve been known to slightly chill light reds in the summer months too. Some people even enjoy clear spirit cocktails in the summer and brown spirit cocktails in the winter, that hasn’t mattered that much to me.

Price

I’ve learned that while bottles of wine can be triple the cost in a restaurant, and totally respect mark-up, I may lean toward a cocktail for a better price. I also think twice about spending hundreds of dollars on wine that is meant to age for a while.

At my age I don’t want to plan on waiting 10 or 20 years to enjoy a bottle of wine.

Following a Winemaker

Two winemakers come to mind when I mention this, but they shall remain nameless to protect the winery they have left behind. I’ve followed them both to their new wineries as their work is impeccable, no matter where it takes them. They are always favorites of mine. I hope that in your wine journey you find a few winemakers to follow too.

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

Wine Times DTLA Presents Eve Bushman – Wine 101, By Tyler Davidson (Reprinted with permission)

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The wine industry is one often shrouded in mystery and sophistication; sommeliers swish the liquid around in their mouths, speaking of notes and taste lengths as if they were alchemists, so it makes a certain amount of sense that the field can be intimidating. Luckily for DTLA, Santa Clarita Valley’s Eve Bushman has come to town with a series of wine catch-alls for the beginner.

“There’s no way I can know everything,” says Bushman, who even after over a decade in the industry still maintains that she’s what she calls a “101-er,” just like any newcomer.
https://www.parkviewortho.com/wp-content/languages/new/cialis.html

“There’s people out there that have their Master Sommelier degrees that don’t know everything, because there’s always something new coming out.”

Eve’s Wine 101 is a sort of catch-all for wine enthusiasts, sharing press releases, reviews, and various other wine-related content and soon Eve will be sharing her knowledge with Downtown Weekly readers far and wide.

So how did someone like Bushman, who seemingly never harbored any deep-seated dreams of joining the Chevaliers du Tastevin, stumble into this business, let alone spend a decade-plus there?

“My wine interests began when I was probably 22 years old, I had boxed wine in my refrigerator that I put in a glass with ice in it like everybody else,” says Bushman, who would eventually become a connoisseur, traveling with her husband to places like Paso Robles and Napa Valley in California, Bordeaux, France and Ribero del Duero, Spain. But she would only “go pro” when her role as a journalist called for it. “About 10 years ago, maybe 15 years ago, I was writing for my local newspapers […] and I said, ‘I can do book reviews, and I can do wine reviews.”

Writing pieces on wine soon begat invitations to wine dinners, random deliveries of bottles of wine, and the like, something that a person could get used to very quickly.

“I thought to myself, ‘Well, nobody’s sending me any free books and that’s not so exciting anyway.’ And it just became like this fun hobby.”

As for how her “fun hobby” became a long-running website and business venture, Eve Bushman is at once blunt and unapologetic.

“I would bet for most people that do this, their answer would be, you know, the appreciation of wine and getting to like and understand wine, but I’m a full on attention whore,” she says with a laugh. “It’s a lot of fun. I mean, I have people that just say, ‘Can I be your Mini-me? Can I be your wingman at an event?’”

It’s a testament to Bushman’s talent and work ethic that, despite being so straightforward about some of her motivations, she still runs an incredibly efficient business — well, businesses.

In addition to running Eve’s Wine 101, Bushman also provided private in-home wine classes in the pre-COVID era, as well as consulting work. But even with all of her experience and accolades, Eve Bushman still strives to maintain an honest connection with even the most novice of her audience.
“That was one question I had [been asked in] an interview before, ‘Don’t you think that now that you’ve got your certifications, that you’re going to be talking above your reader?’”, says Bushman, who insists that there is no elusive “right” pairing when it comes to wine and food, that it simply comes down to whatever wine one might happen to enjoy, no more, no less.

“I said, ‘Well, if I’m doing that, then I’m doing a disservice to them, no matter how much more education I have.”

For more visit www.evewine101.com

#CovidCrazy + #DrinkingBuddies = A New Shirt for Proud Married Couples!

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A week or so ago, while fiddling around on social media, one post caught my eye. It was simple enough, a black T-Shirt that read, “Husband and Wife, Drinking Buddies For Life.” With our present circumstances and spending more time at home than ever before due to Covid-19, the shirt called to me.

This is what happened next.

To order your shirts contact Aaron Johnson via email: Support@ShopDGG.com

A friend that has access to a designer and quality T shirts, offered to make them. There were well over a dozen ladies that asked for them so I said sure, make one up, add in my logo – where the shirt would tuck in so it’s subtle – and he did.

Now, for the results. I requested a tank for the ladies and a simple T for the men. I asked about the cost for shipping and learned that this locally owned and operated business offered free touch-less pickups in the Santa Clarita Valley.

(Note: I did reach out to the company that had done the original post only to learn that they didn’t make or sell the shirt. So we were clear for the runway and liftoff with our own!)

I wanted to let my friends that liked the shirt know that we had it now ready to go, and didn’t ask for a cut of the take at all so the small profit margin could stay with the company.

But I thought I’d write about it here. How the first Eve Wine 101 supported T happened. And of course, share the heck out of it on social media so people might share and/or buy it.

Bottom line: though this shirt spoke to me because we are drinking at home more than ever, with our spouses, I’ve been drinking with my spouse for a couple of decades and am proud to show it. Are you?

And yes I’m talking to you ladies, specifically: Margie, Marie, Veronica, Debbie Maynard, Jennifer, Sue, Amber, Judi, Heidi, Terri, Lillia, Harriett, Candice, D, Julie, Kim and the other 50+ ladies that liked this on Instagram and over 60 on Facebook.

When this Covid-19 decides to be done we are going to get together, with our husbands, and drink! And once you have your shirt please wear it, photograph yourself and tag me on social media. #CovidCrazy #DrinkingBuddies #EveWine101

The Details

Price 27.50 for ladies’ tank and 32.49 for the unisex T. Colors choices include black, coral, berry, mauve, royal and lilac. You can request fitted or loose fit. It’s a tri-blend of polyester, cotton and rayon so it shouldn’t shrink. Contact Aaron Johnson here: Support@ShopDGG.com Shirt will take 10 to 14 days to arrive in Santa Clarita, pick up or they can ship to you on the same day.

Why I Go Both Ways: Enjoying Wine and Spirits

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When I first started drinking wine and decided to spend the time and money for further education and certification, I didn’t think about studying spirits as well. However, the course I wanted offered by WSET at the time, included both. (WSET stand for Wine and Spirits Education Trust. In the last few years they have split the two certifications, though they still go by the WSET name.)

L to R: Claudia Sheridan, Denise Lowe and Eve Bushman shortly after receiving out WSET pins in 2010.

It was in those classes that I got to spend time learning about a wide array of wines as well as spirits. It might have been where the bug for spirits bit me. If you were to talk to my husband he would say that his interest in single malt scotch was what swayed me. (He may be right as we cover more than one whisky event a year. That category alone includes his beloved single malt scotch as well as rye, bourbon and blended scotch whisky.)

Fast forward a few years and I found myself offered not only wine tasting opportunities but spirit tasting as well. There is one event that offers both wine and spirits, and in those my Contributing Editor Michael Perlis usually covers the wine while I do the spirits. It’s a bit different than wine tasting – the offered taste is smaller, you still sniff and taste, but spit all out as the alcohol levels are so much higher. With that said, I usually only make it halfway through a spirit tasting until my lips grow numb and I have to take a break.

From spirit tastings I moved into a little bit of mixology classes and started experimenting with making cocktails at home. We hit on a few favorites and have stuck with them over the years.

My husband, also a lover of both wine and spirits, started buying me gifts that the home bartender would need, and I returned the favor and found him some unique items as well.

We now have travel kits, three or four shakers, different measures of “shot” glasses, bar spoons, single “rock” makers, simple syrup, brown sugar, sweet and dry vermouth, Amaro, Compari and other mixers, as well as a nice array of bitters, cherries, oranges, limes and lemons at any given time.

One friend, a fellow wine writer, asked me how I could like both wine and spirits. I found the question in and of itself to be peculiar, but answered anyway, I felt – and still do feel – that there are just as many discoveries in  aromas and flavors in both. If you can detect things like fruit, nuts, botanicals, earth and wood in your wine you will be pleased to learn that some of the same aromas and flavors are in your spirits.

On hot days we often enjoy chilled Viognier, Chardonnay, Picpoul de Pinet, Sauvignon Blanc, sparkling…basically any white wine that we own. But, on some hot days we also have been known to enjoy a gin Martini, Moscow Mule, Aperol Spritz, Sazerac, Negroni, Margarita, Rob Roy, Old Fashioned or a Manhattan. Usually how it works is that we have a cocktail before (aperitif) or after (digestif) dinner, and a nice bottle of white wine with warm weather dishes such as salads, seafood, chicken and cheese plates. During the cooler days of fall and winter we often enjoy Rhônes and Bordeaux varietals with dinner, but still enjoy a cocktail before or after.

After our best meals, which usually means a beautiful sous vide filet and a red wine from our cellar, we often finish our evening not with a cocktail but with a nosing glass (aka a Glencairn) of one of our favorite single malt scotch whiskies. Then we linger over those flavors as well.

Now, how do you imbibe? Maybe it’s time to widen your taste profile a bit.

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.

Did Eve Get an Education and Tasting from the Simply Italian Great Wines Tour 2019?

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Once again I sat in traffic, this time to and from the Melrose area from Santa Clarita, for the sake of wine education and tasting. Why do I do this? I usually enjoy it and want to share information with you lovely readers. (Starting to re-think all of these events due to the driving. Asking now: would you prefer I just wax poetic with commentary and wine reviews? Email me with your opinion: Eve@EveWine101.com)

Italian Sparkling class

Now, to get back to the current task at hand, the Simply Italian event had no less than five classes offered every hour starting at 10 am. I missed the first and last, missed the walk around tasting completely but attended three educational seminars that included tastings: the sparkling wines from Friuli, wines from Franciacorta and then one on Asti, Asti Secco and Moscato d’Asti wines.

Sparkling Wines from Friuli

The Friuli Grave DOC is in the northeastern area of Italy, founded in 1972, with approximately 5,000 acres of pebbly stone soil terroir. It is the largest DOC in the region, 90% of the vineyards are on plains, 70% of the vines are white grape varietals and they have low yields. We tasted: La Delizia Spumante Cuvee Brut, “Jader”, Tenuta Bosco Albano Spumante Ribolla Gialla Brut Nature, Piera 1899 Spumante Ribolla Gialla Brut “Onedis”, Antonutti Spumante Rose Extra Dry, Albino Armani Pinot Grigio 2018 DOC Friuli Grave, I Magredi Pinot Grigio 2018 DOC Friuli Grave, Vistorta – Conte Brandolini Pinot Grigio 2018 DOC Friuli Grave, Tenute Tomasella Friulano 2013 “Le Bastie” DOC Friuli Grave and Fossa Mata Sauvignon 2018 DOC Friuli Grave. All had lovely fresh fruit to bruised fruit aromas, apple to apple cider, some spice, cream, minerality and/or balance. My favorites that I would definitely purchase if I found on a wine list or in a shop would be the Spumante Rose Extra Dry from Antonutti, Pinot Grigio 2018 DOC Friuli Grave from Albino Armani and the Friulano 2013 DOC Friuli Grave from Tenute Tomasella.

Wines of Franciacorta

Managing Director/Sales Director Riccardo Ricci Curbastro lectured on the Federdoc – which is the National Confederation of Voluntary Consortia for the Protection of the Designations of the Italian Wines that was established in 1979. We saw the former and new pyramid of Italian wines, labels, numbers and Designation of Origin (DOC) areas.

If this information is of interest to you read more here. Of the wines, I was very pleased to enjoy them all and look forward to having them again: NV DOCG Brut, NV DOCG Rose Brut, 2013 Curtefranca DOC Rosso Vigna Santella del Grom (a blend of Cabernet Franc, Carmenere, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Barbera), 2011 Sebino IGT Pinot Nero (100% Pinot Noir – the grapes arrived in 1967 – that had intense black fruit and spice with an earthy long finish) and 2016 Rontana – Sangiovese Colli di Faenza DOC.

Asti, Moscato D’Asti and Moscato

Never been a sweet wine fan other than the honey-ed sauternes from Bordeaux, and, betting like other winos, turned up my nose to Moscato. After this lesson and tasting, I’ve had second thoughts. We learned about the Enjoy European Quality (EEQ) which was founded in 1932 and their project to promote Italian wines, salami and cheese. Their catchy motto is Pour it, Slice it, Cut it.

(If you want to learn more check out their website.) Now if they had brought the cheese and salami to my table somehow I would’ve loved it, suffice it to say, I enjoyed the Pour It on this day. We were told that the wines all had a lower alcohol content – which is great for food pairing – with floral, lime and rarer sage notes. We tasted through: 2017 “Bric Prima Bella” Asti DOCG Extra Dry, 2014 Asti DOCG Dolce Millesimato, 2018 Valamasca Moscato D’Asti DOCG, 2018 Moscato D’Asti DOCG and 2018 Abbazia Moscato D’Asti DOCG.

www.ieemusa.com 

Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a “certification in first globally-recognized course” as an American Wine Specialist ® from the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), Level 1 Sake Award from WSET, was the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video (over 16k views), authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru and the Global Wine Awards. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits.

New News for Wine On The Roof, Set For May 16

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Presented by the WiSH Education Foundation, Wine on the Roof is being held on May 16, 2019 on top of the Macy’s parking structure at Westfield Valencia Town Center. The event, starting at 6:30 pm, will feature at least six food courses prepared by local chefs paired with many wines from our handpicked winemakers. In addition, this year we are adding wines for the appetizer hour donated by private wine enthusiasts.

Local favorite Lance Allyn will provide live music. Up to twelve winemakers and vintners will be seated among our guests to answer questions about the wines. Only 200 tickets will be sold.

“This was so popular for our first year that we had to bring it back again this year,” says Amy Daniels, Executive Director of the WiSH Education Foundation. “It’s a great way for our community to really enjoy and spoil themselves and support our local students.”

Created by Eve Bushman of Eve Bushman Consulting, the event is also hosted by Marlee Lauffer of Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital Foundation and Steve Lemley of Pulchella Winery. Tickets are $125 and available now at www.WiSHscv.org.

Lemley added, “This is a wonderful opportunity for us as winemakers to share our wines as paired with food that presents them well. To be able to sit among the diners is yet another great occasion to share our knowledge and toast to a wonderful spring evening.” Adds Bushman, “We try to bring something new to these events every year and I think we’ve succeeded in doing that. The response has been incredibly positive and we look forward to another successful event for everyone involved.”

Currently, participants include Salt Creek Grille, Old Town Junction, Nealie’s Skillet, Olive Terrace, Honu Coffee, Greater Pacific, Newhall Press Room, Marston’s, Wolf Creek Restaurant and Brewing Company and Smokin Bar-B-Quties. Wineries include Pulchella Winery, Dusty Nabor Wines, The Blending Lab, Pagter Brothers, Triassic Vineyards, Ascension Cellars, Byron Blatty Wines, Hoi Polloi Winery, Parhelion Cellars, Two Papas Wines, Mystic Hills Vineyard and Golden Star Vineyards.

Each course is presented with a wine – paired by Lemley and Bushman – and single menu card that lists the dish, chef, restaurant, winery, wine and winemaker.

As the dishes are served our chefs and winemakers are invited to introduce the course and the wine respectively.

We want to promote our generous wineries and restaurants as much as we can and ask that our guests take the menu cards home with them so they can reach out to the restaurants and wineries that they enjoyed.

We ask that our guests be responsible; this is a 21 and over event. Westfield is allowing cars to be parked overnight in the garage and Hyatt Regency Valencia, only steps away from our roof, is offering a special rate of $109 for our guests. Simply call the Hyatt at 661-799-1234 and ask for the “Rooftop” rate.

We appreciate our sponsors Westfield Valencia Town Center, Eve Bushman Consulting, Santa Clarita Magazine, SOS Entertainment, and Jennifer Ramos Social Conduit. Our restaurant prep tent coordinator will again be the amazing Jennifer Chadwick of Salt Creek Grille.

For more information on ticketing and sponsorships, please contact Executive Director Amy Daniels at WiSH@hartdistrict.org or go to www.wishscv.org.

2019 Dates – and Some Surprises – for Wine on the Roof and Cocktails on the Roof

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SCV’s Only Roof Top Events Offer Unique Atmosphere For Both Wine and Spirit Lovers to Dine with Wine and Dance with Cocktails! 

SANTA CLARITA VALLEY – The WiSH Education Foundation is once again pleased to announce the dates for their wildly popular rooftop events held on the top of Macy’s parking structure at Westfield Valencia to benefit over 23,000 students in the Hart District: Wine on the Roof…Dine on the Roof will be held on May 16 and the 5th annual Cocktails on the Roof on September 6. Tickets, sponsorship information, “raves”, past and current vendors can all be seen on the Cocktails on the Roof dedicated website: http://cocktailsontheroofscv.org/

What to Expect: In our inaugural 2018 event Wine on the Roof guests were treated to several courses paired with wines in a seated dinner. The venue was not made public prior to the event, and each dish came out with its own menu and pairing card. Chefs and winemakers took to the microphone during the evening to share their inspiration for their own creations. All restaurants brought staff members to the roof, all working seamlessly together. The models from Pinups for American Heroes, a local nonprofit, also served guests at the event in the spirit of the 1940s USO. Local favorite Lance Allyn provided live music.

Wine on the Roof participants, several in their debut, included: The Speakeasy Bakery, Bakers Scott Ervin and Todd Wilson, Newhall Press Room, Chef Trevor; The Old Town Junction, Chef Daniel Otto; Hundred Miles, Chef Louis Pechan; Olive Terrace Bar and Grill, Chef Lucio Teraza and Chef Alfonso Canuto; Bonefish Grill, Culinary Team; Sweet Beams Ice Cream Truck, Karin and Chris Beam; Nothing Bundt Cakes, Jennifer and Zachary Zeidler; Wolf Creek Restaurant, Pastry Chef Meghan Launier, 8. Salt Creek Grille, Pastry Chef Kristina Waggoner and Honu Coffee, Brew master James. Wineries: Byron Blatty Wines, winemakers Steve Lemley and Nate Hasper; Pulchella Winery, winemakers Steve Lemley and Nate Hasper; Hoi Polloi Winery, winemakers Ted Behlendorf, Doug Minnick, Dan Erland Andersen; Pagter Brothers, Scott Page-Pagter winemaker; Parhelion Cellars, winemaker Adam Hasper.

What to Expect: In our 5th Cocktails on the Roof, Eve Bushman and a committee of amazing volunteers and WiSH board members promise to have a surprise or two up their collective sleeves. Our first year was brand new: DJ MAV from SOS Entertainment, guests voting for their favorite cocktails and a Flash Mob of prepared dancers doing “Thriller” for guests. In subsequent years, guests could sponsor private lounges with private service; finally last year we added in a table just for Pulchella Winery as a special nod to their invaluable work in Wine on the Roof. (Cocktails on the Roof focuses on highlighting the cocktail programs from our local restaurants, and several unique single spirit vendors.)

2018 participants included: JFC Int’l, Nealie’s Skillet, Marston’s Restaurant, Honu Coffee, Mammoth Mountain Coffee, Willow Creek Distillery, Indian Affair, Wolf Creek Brewery, Wolf Creek Restaurant, Salt Creek Grille, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Pomp & Whimsy Gin Liqueur, Sweet Beams Ice Cream, Mule 2.0, Lazy Dog Restaurant, SCV Custom Crush Services (Pulchella Winery), Newhall Press Room, LA Scotch Club, Alchemy, Dulce Vida Tequila, Hyatt Regency Valencia, Lucille’s Smokehouse BBQ, Sweet T’s Treats, Impex Beverages, The Local Pub, Smokehouse on Main, Claim Jumper, solita, Figenza Mediterranean Fig Vodka and the Joy Squad Photo Experience.

Eve Bushman of Eve’s Wine 101 and Eve Bushman Consulting created these two events and co-hosts along with Amy Daniels, Executive Director of the Wish Education Foundation; Marlee Lauffer, the President of the Henry Newhall Memorial Hospital Foundation; and Alexander Hafizi; of Elite Magazine and the Santa Clarita Magazine. Steve Lemley, the co-owner of Pulchella Winery and SCV Custom Crush Services, is the co-host for Wine on the Roof, curating all of the wineries, working with the winemakers and pairing the menus with Bushman. Last but not least, Jennifer Chadwick, Director of Marketing for Salt Creek Grille; serves as the Wine on the Roof Lead Coordinator in the restaurant Prep Tent. Our tireless committee members also include: Judy Penman, Ed Masterson, Richard Cohn, Jennifer Ramos, Dawn Begley and Mitch Russell.

If you are interested in sponsorship opportunities for either or both of these exciting events, please reach out to Amy Daniels: Wish@HartDistrict.org

Past and Present Sponsors include: Westfield Valencia Town Center, The Magazine of Santa Clarita, Elite Magazine, Littler, California Credit Union, Oasis Associates, Brightview Tree Company, Andy Gump, Burrtec, 24/7 Events, SOS Entertainment, Peterson Printing, Jennifer Ramos Social Conduit, Eve Bushman Consulting, Image 2000, Craig and Lisa Eichman, Team House Real Estate and PinUps for Heroes.

Wine and Spirit Goals for 2019, NOT Just About Drinking

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Thinking that in my ten years of writing about wine and spirits, I must’ve set some goals, written them down and shared them in past articles. Did a quick Google search and found yea, sounds familiar as I did it once, just last year, in the column titled: Why Not Have…Drinking Goals for 2018? And No, it’s not too late to set them!

So I gave my 2018 article a gander, to see how many of my goals were met, to see if I should even attempt goals for 2019. The first goal, to learn about Mezcal, wasn’t a complete failure as I got to taste at least one in 2018. So that goal has a continuance for this year. I also went to more wine bars this year…or maybe I should say visited one wine bar more: Newhall Press Room. So that goal was partially met.

I made it to the Japanese Food and Restaurant Expo again, co-hosted our first Wine on the Roof and fourth Cocktails on the Roof for the WiSH Education Foundation, visited Salt Creek Grille and had wine, attended another Peatin’ Meetin’ organized by the LA Scotch Club and didn’t die…

But I still need my WSET Level 2 in spirits to be offered hands on as online classes are still the only type being offered. So I may have to give in on that goal, bite the bullet and try the online course this year.

Didn’t make it back to Utah or Denver for more spirits, but I did make it to SCOTLAND for plenty of Whisky!

Attended the tastings and classes at the Universal Whisky Experience in Las Vegas – which we plan to attend again this year in April.

So what’s up for 2019:

As the West Ranch Beacon* website shut down earlier this year, removing me from one weekly column commitment after about a decade, I thought I should look around for something new.

I can add more Eve Bushman Consulting Clients – so if you own a bar, restaurant, winery or wine bar and need some marketing ideas email me at Eve@EveBushmanConsulting.com. My business partner Michael Perlis and I have been successfully consulting and marketing for our clients for many years now.

Also thinking about trying something new…starting out as a small Brand Ambassador might be a good fit, though I’d need some training as that part of the industry is very new to me. I have plenty of experience with wine and spirits via the numerous events we’ve created and hosted, as well as the many we’ve marketed, and have enough wine and spirit education under my belt to be able to easily learn about a brand that is looking for representation in Santa Clarita Valley, San Fernando Valley and Los Angeles. If you hear of anything email me at Eve@EveWine101.com

So, those these new goals aren’t drinking goals, they all still involve the industry I’ve been involved with for over 10 years. I’m not going anywhere! Regardless of what I may add to my workload to make up for the closure of the West Ranch Beacon, know that Eve Wine 101 and Eve Bushman Consulting will continue as they have for many more years to come.

*If you hadn’t finished reading a particular article of mine on the Beacon, or are looking for my archived articles, please email me: Eve@EveWine101.com. I have all of my articles saved. Those over three years old were shared again, under the title “Vintage Eve” on Tuesdays on https://www.EveWine101.com. Newer articles, including the last three I did in the Scotland series, I can email out as word docs to whoever wants them. These will also be re-purposed on EveWine101 on Tuesdays within the next three years.

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. 

How Was the 4th Cocktails on the Roof?

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Cocktails on the Roof News: Thanks to everyone that bought a ticket, volunteered, signed up as a vendor and participated in the 4th Cocktails on the Roof event held September 7.

The Day After

We are rocking that roof! Photo credit: The Signal newspaper.

Waking up to 71 notifications on Facebook = must have been a great night! Once I cleared those there were 76 new ones! Egads! It only got worse when I uploaded my photos here and here. “We raised nearly $40,000 in three hours and will be focusing on STEAM programs this year” stated Amy Daniels, Executive Director for the WiSH Education Foundation, “With an emphasis on the ARTS.”

Now, to announce the cocktail winners, share some of the raves and thank everyone that helped make our event a success.

Cocktail Winners

First Claim Jumper, Second Place Salt Creek Grille and Third Place went to Solita Tacos.

Raves

Judy: Another fabulous event, thank you for your vision so long ago.

Michelle: We had such a nice time tonight. Thank you Eve for putting together such a fun event. Looking forward to next time.

Eric: Third year in a row for us, and two new attendees we convinced to attend. They said they would be there next year.

Michael: 2muchfun w/someofthebest! Thx WiSH! Epic Evening! Always a great time w/ WiSH

Jason: An incredible event!!

Dawn: Cocktails on the Roof! So much fun seeing lots of friends and enjoying our VIP lounge – thank you Image-2000 and Joe Blatchford!

Tamar: Another fantastic event!!! Thanks Eve and Amy!

Jennifer: Great to see you all! Can’t wait til 2019!

Dana: VIP… oh yeah, the best way to do #cocktailsontheroof! See y’all next year!

Heidi: Our first time at Cocktails on the Roof!! What a fun event!! Met a lot of people I haven’t seen in a long time! Dancing, drinking a lot of cocktails…. thank God for Uber!!!

Jeannie: Fun being with you all!

Cheryl: Congratulations on an amazing event to support our community!

Sue: Excellent! Thanks for all you do for Hart District!

Amanda: Great job last night. The vendors were fabulous!  Such a variety. It was also good to see you and share a moment.

Richard: What a great night.

Josh: Thanks for including us!! We had a blast.

Michael: Great event, as always Eve. You and your team should be very proud!

Alex: Love u eve!! Another amazing event!!

Steve: First off, last night was fantastic and you are to be congratulated, yet again. Truly Eve, that is an amazing civic event and I hope you get a special sense of accomplishment for what you created because it is really something worthwhile, fun and tasty too.

Patti: Great event!!! Good job everyone!!

Maureen: What a great night seeing so many friends for a great cause!

Alex: Another amazing event!

Judy: fabulous event thank you to all the volunteers who took time to help us last night! Lots of fun, drink and fun!!!

Michael: Awesome event. Another great job. So nice to see old friends and sample all the delicious food and drink.

Steve: Great event Amy, Eve, and all!

Stacey: So fun! What a great night with good friends.

Stephanie: It was really fun with great friends and an old boyfriend!

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My goal in sharing the “lists” below is that you will go to the restaurants you enjoyed on our roof and frequent the businesses that chose to sponsor our event:

Pinups for American Heroes

Samantha Wade, Donna Carrion, Mary Bird, Kori Hawk, Kat Soto, Ashley Caldwell and Brittany Sanders.

Sponsors

The Magazine of Santa Clarita, Elite Magazine, Westfield Valencia, Littler, BrightView, California Credit Union, Oasis Associates, Andy Gump, SOS Entertainment, The Signal, SCVTV, Burrtec, Brightview Tree Company, Team House Real Estate, Eve Bushman Consulting, Image 2000, 24/7 Events and SCV Tax. 

Vendors

Salt Creek Grille, Wolf Creek Restaurant and Brewery, Dulce Vida Tequila, Mammoth Coffee Roasting (Espresso Martini), JFC International (sake-based cocktails), Alchemy Valencia, Marston’s Valencia, An Indian Affaire, LA Scotch Club (the only event the club participates in), Lazy Dog Restaurant and Bar, Pomp & Whimsy Gin Liqueur, Vines Restaurant and Bar, Willow Creek Distillery (formerly the Distillery at Opolo), The Newhall Press Room, (Moscow) Mule 2.0, Nealie’s Skillet, Lucille’s Smokehouse BBQ, Honu Coffee, The Local Pub and Grill, Smokehouse on Main, Impex Beverages (spirit brands), Claim Jumper Restaurant and Saloon, Figenza Fig Vodka, Sweet Beams Ice Cream Truck, Sweet T’s Treats and Nothing Bundt Cakes.

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Committee

From the WiSH Education Foundation board: Amy Daniels, Richard Cohn, Lynne Secrest, Ed Masterson and Judy Penman. From WiSH Advisory Board: Eve Bushman and Marlee Lauffer. From our community: Dawn Begley, Mitch Russell and Jennifer Ramos. (Of special note: Ramos was recruited just weeks before our event and signed up no less than SEVEN restaurants in less than two weeks, warranting a special shout out from me!)

Volunteers

Amy Daniels, Noah Daniels, Josh Daniels, Christi Kessler, Mia Slotsve, Koren Young, Recyl Chapman, Mallany Carver, Whitney Wollin, Dennis Ward, Kathleen McGraw, Kathleen and Allen Marquart, Burt Ceroni, Diane Curtis, John Rogers, Holly Bellamy, Robin Wimsatt, Ellen Hawthorne, Carmel Farnsworth, Eileen Gunning, Judy Penman, Cheryl Gray, Carolyn Lodes, Jen Phelps, Nicole Stinson, Steve Portaro, Danise Davis, Mary Bradway, Taj Ambar, Damien White, Brittany Murrietta, Cindy Kirk, Larry and Christy Grable, Maggie-Mae Laufman, Rochelle and Terry Gallimore, Michael Farnsworth, Jennifer Primero, Talia Stern, Raymond and Cathie Baker, Joelyn and Robert Caprine, Steve Dole, Nicole Feast, Scott Fushi and Rich Daniels.

About WiSH Education Foundation

The WiSH Education Foundation supports the 23,000 students in grades 7-12 of the William S. Hart Union High School District.  We fund programs and initiatives not paid for by tax dollars alone and our goal is to benefit as many students with our dollars as possible, directly in the classroom, where it’s needed most.

WiSH is important to everyone who lives in the Santa Clarita Valley, whether you have a student in our schools or not – great schools help keep our home values strong and educating our young people is vital to our community!

http://wisheducationfoundation.org/

Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a “certification in first globally-recognized course” as an American Wine Specialist ® from the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), Level 1 Sake Award from WSET, was the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video (over 16k views), authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru and the Global Wine Awards. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits. You can also seek her marketing advice via Eve@EveBushmanConsulting.com

Will You Be Left Off the Roof?

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The fourth Cocktails on the Roof is headed our way fast: September 7! We have new vendors joining our existing vendors and a new out-of-the-box idea – a Wine on the Roof table – added to what you have told us you love: DJ MAV from SOS Entertainment and a HUGE dance floor, both cozy private lounges and large public lounges, single spirit vendors and your favorite SCV restaurants sharing cocktail and food pairings, trees to create that “Manhattan” roof top feel and lights to…light it all up just for you!

COTR18 CardHosted by the WiSH Education Foundation, Eve Bushman of Eve’s Wine 101 and Eve Bushman Consulting and Marlee Lauffer, president, Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital Foundation. A committee of worker bees and many volunteers make the event possible – and remarkable. Also, know that Cocktails on the Roof is a non-profit event that raises money to support over 23k Hart District students in grades 7-12 in the Santa Clarita Valley.

Participants at press time include Salt Creek Grille, Wolf Creek Restaurant and Brewery, Dulce Vida Tequila, Mammoth Coffee Roasting (Espresso Martini), JFC International (sake-based cocktails), Alchemy Valencia, Marston’s Valencia, An Indian Affaire, LA Scotch Club (the only event the club participates in), Lazy Dog Restaurant and Bar, Pomp & Whimsy Gin Liqueur, Vines Restaurant and Bar, Willow Creek Distillery (formerly the Distillery at Opolo), The Newhall Press Room, (Moscow) Mule 2.0, Nealie’s Skillet, Lucille’s Smokehouse BBQ, Honu Coffee, The Local Pub and Grill, Smokehouse on Main, Impex Beverages (spirit brands), La Cocina Bar and Grill, Claim Jumper Restaurant and Saloon, Figenza Fig Vodka, Sweet Beams Ice Cream Truck, Sweet T’s Treats and Nothing Bundt Cakes.

This year, for the first time and due to high demand, we will be adding a Wine on the Roof table to our Cocktails on the Roof layout. It’s our latest out-of-the-box idea from Eve Bushman! Our generous co-host from Wine on the Roof, local winemaker and winery owner Steve Lemley, will be talking about all of the exciting wines being produced in his facility and showcasing a few of the potential wines that will be part of the Spring 2019 event.

“This WiSH signature event is a perfect opportunity for our community to come together to party with a purpose!” said Amy Daniels, Executive Director, Wish Education Foundation. “This year our focus is STEAM, with an emphasis on the ARTS. Please help us make a difference right in the classroom by buying a ticket to the event, and consider getting your friends together for your very own private lounge!”

We welcome The Magazine of Santa Clarita, Elite Magazine, Littler, Oasis Associates, Andy Gump, SOS Entertainment, The Signal, SCVTV, Burrtec, Brightview Tree Company as current sponsors. Contact Amy Daniels at wish@hartdistrict.org for more sponsorship or lounge rental information.

“As WiSH’s flagship fundraiser, ‘Cocktails’ brings together a unique outdoors rooftop vibe with the chance to sample signature beverages and tastings for a unique local experience” began Richard Cohn, Chair, WiSH Education Foundation. “Coming together as a community for a memorable night out while supporting our schools is a win-win.”

Everyone is a VIP, with tickets only $85 for all you can eat and drink, or come as a Designated Driver and enjoy mocktails and food for $65. All tickets at the door are $95. Either way, let us know about your excitement with #COTR18 on all your social media posts. Tickets –> www.cocktailsontheroofscv.org. Follow the Discussion tab on our Facebook event page for teasers à https://www.facebook.com/events/451575408569251/?active_tab=discussion

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