Prestigious Wine Region Celebrates 20 Year Anniversary of AVA Status

August 1, 2021 by evebushman

The Sta. Rita Hills AVA, established in 2001, is located on the central coast of California in Santa Barbara County. The Sta. Rita Hills Wine Alliance is preparing to celebrate the 20-year anniversary of the AVA designation with a series of educational events planned for the weekend of August 12^th through the 15^th. The events will pay tribute to the first planted vineyard, Sanford & Benedict, as well as honor the founding pioneers of the Sta. Rita Hills AVA. The annual Wine and Fire celebrations will culminate with a Grand Tasting at the beautiful La Purisima Mission located just outside of Lompoc’s Santa Rita Hills.

Sanford & Benedict Vineyard, 135 acres, was planted in 1971 by Richard Sanford and Michael Benedict. Through research and development, they determined what wine grape varieties were best suited for the area. Earthy soils, containing large deposits of limestone and diatomaceous earth, to sandy loam, coupled with daily ocean winds that tunnel up the transverse valley from Point Conception create the perfect environment to grow Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

Lafond Vineyards and Winery followed suit in 1972 but it was not until the early eighties that additional plantings ensued. Over the next 20 years approximately 1,100 acres were planted, predominantly to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. In 1999 winegrowers began the pursuit of establishing the Santa Rita Hills as a distinctive growing region, and submitted their application in 2000 to the TTB to be recognized as an American Viticultural Area (AVA). Granted recognition in 2001 the rest is history, the region is currently planted to just under 4,000 acres of vineyards.

The 20 year anniversary weekend celebration will kick off Thursday night with a tasting at the first vineyard planted and winery established in the Sta. Rita Hills, Sanford & Benedict. The iconic vineyard offers stunning vistas of Fiddlestix and Sea Smoke vineyards. Ten producers will pour Sanford & Benedict vineyard wines ranging from current to library offerings.

Production of sparkling wine is on the rise in the region and Friday morning’s event will be an opportunity to meet some of those producers and sample the wines. Moderator Adam Lee will lead the discussion followed by a walk around tasting.

Friday evening the celebration continues at the beautiful Alma Rosa Vineyard as the Pioneers of the Sta. Rita Hills are honored La Paulee style. Richard Sanford was inducted into the California Vintner’s Hall of Fame in 2012 and was honored as Vintner of The Year for 2020 by the Sta. Rita Hills Wine Alliance will be one of 6 honorees.

Saturday morning’s event “Time in a Bottle” will delve into the aging potential of Sta. Rita Hills wines. Gregory Brewer, Wine Enthusiast’s Winemaker of the Year, will join 5 other long-time producers for this intimate event that will take place at Spear Vineyards and Winery.

The Saturday evening Grand Tasting at the stunning La Purisima Mission will be the finale of the Alliance events and will showcase 40 wineries, local farmers, caterers, and BBQ chefs for a taste of the Sta. Rita Hills.

Tasting Rooms will be welcoming Passport holders for a weekend of specials and wines.

For more details visit staritahills.com / Wine and Fire 2021.

Seasoned Wine Writer and National Geographic Photographer Collaborate on the Definitive Santa Barbara County Wine Book

April 1, 2021 by evebushman

At over six hundred pages, Vines & Vision: The Winemakers of Santa Barbara County delivers the most in-depth study of Santa Barbara wine country yet

“When I first met Matt Kettmann a few years ago, he was pretty laid back, but very engaged with Santa Barbara County wine. He turned on a new level of commitment to the wine region when he decided to write a book with photographer Macduff Everton, longtime chronicler of the area with candid, off-center, fun, and telling images. This is a great and precise exposition of a great and abundant wine region, Santa Barbara County.”— Jim Clendenen, Au Bon Climat

Santa Barbara, CA – Unlike Northern California regions like Sonoma and Napa, where countless pages in numerous books have waxed on about their people and places, Santa Barbara wine country is decidedly lacking in books about the region, with just a handful published over its entire modern history. That’s changing this year with the publication of Vines & Vision: The Winemakers of Santa Barbara County, an intimate yet sprawling 632-page study of more than 100 wineries and vineyards in the region by writer Matt Kettmann and photographer Macduff Everton.

Photo credit: Santa Barbara Independent

Santa Barbara County winemaking pioneer Richard Sanford (Founder, Sanford Winery, Alma Rosa Winery) who penned the book’s forward, says, “In Vines & Vision, Matt and Macduff have captured that pride with their photographs and profiles of the important people and places in our wine region. They are uniquely qualified to tell this story.”

“This felt like an opportunity to do my part in showing others what makes our region so honestly special, from the unique geography to the colorful characters,” says author Matt Kettmann (editor at The Santa Barbara Independent and Wine Enthusiast), who’s been covering the region as a journalist since 1999 and reviewing more than 150 Central Coast wines every month since 2014. He collaborated on the project with renowned photographer Macduff Everton (National Geographic, Conde Nast), who has photographed the area’s winemakers and vineyards since the early 1990s. After working together on Around the Table, a book about The Lark, a popular Santa Barbara restaurant, the two plotted out plans for a wine book over pints of Guinness in the fall of 2017.

“It’s been a longer than expected haul,” says Kettmann of the process. “We’ve spent almost three years corralling grape growers and winemakers for photo shoots, interviewing so many of them again, and, in some cases, hanging out for the first time.”

The results are riveting reading, with winemakers, farmers, and vineyard workers sharing their stories in ways that are often unexpectedly candid. While exploring the vineyards, Everton made fast friends with the many Spanish-speaking workers, as he’d spent so many years of his career covering the Maya people of Mexico, as detailed in his book The Modern Maya Incidents of Travel and Friendship in Yucatán (Univ. of Texas Press).

“Macduff made an immediate and deep connection with the hundreds of farmworkers who do the hard work in the vineyards every day and began shooting portraits of them as well, toting a portable backdrop along to every visit,” explains Kettmann. Those efforts expanded into a separate chapter called “El Buen Equipo,” or “The Good Team,” which features those farmers as well as people in every other role required to bring a vintage to market, from PR pros and marketing executives to wealthy proprietors.

With over 100 chapters, Vines & Vision: The Winemakers of Santa Barbara County focuses on the people, places, history, geography, and diverse culture in one of America’s leading wine regions. It shines a bright light on both familiar and famous faces from the region, as well as the industry’s often unsung heroes; the laborers, farmers, office workers, and numerous others who are vital to and instrumental in taking each and every vintage to market. Because of its comprehensive nature, Vines & Vision will be the primary reference text for this region for decades to come.

Lane Tanner, whose eponymously named brand was synonymous for years with the Santa Maria Valley appellation, says, “Macduff and Matt’s new book is not only a definitive informational source, it delivers seriously fun facts that I have never seen in print before! Super cool read!”

“In a culture increasingly marked by quick sound bites of information and abridged attention span, we seldom have the privilege to experience thorough investigation and discovery,” says winemaker Greg Brewer (Brewer-Clifton, diatom, Ex Post Facto). “Vines and Vision is one of those rare examples which demonstrates a metered pursuit to portray a multi-faceted representation of Santa Barbara County winegrowing. The diversity of this landscape is only rivaled perhaps by the variety of its people which requires not only patience but also a keen eye to carefully uncover. Through their tireless efforts, Matt Kettmann and Macduff Everton have done just that to produce a stunning work which harnesses the intensity of the topography and intimately captures the passion of those working within. The trust and intimacy that they have forged with everyone in Santa Barbara is shared throughout each and every page of this significant work that will forever hold a vital position in the history of this unique area.”

The book also includes essays on the history of the region (bolstered by Everton’s treasure trove of older photos), an exploration of Santa Barbara’s unique geography, descriptions of each appellation, and coverage of an entire growing season, from pruning to bottling. Featuring intimate portraits of winemakers, the book is very personal in nature, driven by the people and places that make Santa Barbara wine country so special.

“This insightful book captures the essence of Santa Barbara County’s soul,” said sommelier and winemaker Rajat Parr. “Matt Kettmann and Macduff Everton dive deep into the terroir of the region and showcase its trailblazers. A groundbreaking resource for the Santa Barbara wine country.”

To purchase Vines & Vision: The Winemakers of Santa Barbara County, visit https://www.vinesandvisionsb.com/. It is also available at bookstores and wineries throughout Santa Barbara County, which are listed on the website as well.

Sampling Sparkling Barbera, and More News, from Tenuta Montemagno!

December 4, 2020 by evebushman

Barbera sparkling wine, handpicked and harvested early in the “Metodo Classic” from Tenuta Montemagno? I’ll take that. And take it I did. Two bottles from the same winery, that “refines on yeasts for 24 (TM24) and 36 months (TM36)” being their only difference. The full details are here in their press release. Below are my tasting notes, and below that is new news!

Tasting Notes

Tenuta Montemagno 24 (TM24)

The color of rose gold, with teeny tiny energetic bubbles. The aromas included fresh apricot, raspberry, strawberry, biscuit, cheddar, talcum powder and ash. Same strawberry fruit in the flavor as well as crisp Meyer lemon and pink grapefruit. Liked the balance of fruit and mild acidity. This was my favorite of the two.

Tenuta Montemagno 36 (TM36)

A little less color, more like salmon, with the same exuberant bubbles. This one gave off hints of cherry, fruit cocktail, jasmine flowers, cream and a toasted wood on the nose. Tasting it I got that same cream but also a slight tart cherry and limeade. Same great balance with possibly a little more acidity, however it was mild. I shared these two with Prosecco-loving guests. They took photos and will be seeking them out.

News: The Indigenous varieties of Tenuta Montemagno: Grignolino d’Asti doc – Ruber

Ruber is the Grignolino d’Asti of Tenuta Montemagno. It is another great witness of the valorization of Monferrato indigenous varieties that is one of the beliefs of TM philosophy.

When we talk about this grape, the connection to our farmer and wine growers’ roofs is immediate. Grignolino is a rare and difficult grape to cultivate and to vinify. This wine is renowned since the Middle Ages with the name of Barbesino – from Latin Barbexinus and its existence attested by the XIII century citations, reported in the archives of Casale Monferrato. The current name’s etymology could find its origin from the Asti dialectical noun gragnola or grignole, meaning the numerous seeds in the grape, which is definitely one of its traits.

The challenge of Tiziano Barea and the Oenologue of Tenuta Montemagno was, at first, to transform the Grignolino, this ancient and “farmer” wine, into a contemporary one, preserving the original identity and organoleptic structure.

The vineyard reserved for the Grignolino cultivation has South-Southwest exposure and the characteristic soil’s composition, made of calcareous clay with slightly silty marls are the environment where it grows up, on vines of 30 years old, Guyot trained.

The grapes are worked by hand as well as by hand are harvested. The vinification process has been studied to valorize the “plus” of the Grignolino and to balance them with the innate astringency. The first step is to eliminate 2 of the 4 seed of the bounce then, the long maturing with skin contact brings out the full aroma of dried roses and the aromatic complexities of wild strawberry, wild berries and, in particular, raspberries.

Ruber is the name that identifies the Grignolino d’Asti of Tenuta Montemagno. Ruber – from Latin, it is the color, ruby red, transparent and eyes catching.

Ruber is the successful and contemporary Grignolino d’Asti of Tenuta Montemagno: the taste profile reveals the personality of a wine that is uninhibited and versatile in terms of food pairing, fairly mouth-filling, with tannins that are present but not aggressive, a suitably crisp, dry finish, and a good follow-through with the fruity notes that appear in the bouquet.

Ruber is the expression of Tenuta Montemagno wine making style, solid and convincing, that looks at the tradition with a modern eye but without useless stretches and with concrete and constant high quality.

In every glass of Grignolino, we find the important oenological story of Piedmont. Ruber is a red wine of friendly character, able to let us enjoy the aperitif – when served lightly chilled, the fish based dishes and the classical recipes of the Piedmont’s cuisine, as the medium seasoned cheese, the Muletta – typical salame of Monferrato, and the Agnolotti – stuffed pasta.

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.

SeekOut Real Hard Seltzer Nationally Releases “Clementine + Grapefruit”

April 30, 2020 by evebushman

Corvallis, OR. — SeekOut Real Hard Seltzer invites all adventurers looking for an authentic seltzer made with fresh-pressed fruits and zero added sugar to experience premium craft hard seltzer at its finest. Made by Oregon’s largest craft cider producer 2 Towns Ciderhouse, SeekOut Seltzer is the result of the same philosophy that 2 Towns has built its brand on over the past decade. Pacific Northwest ingredients are the heart of SeekOut Seltzer with each of four seltzers consisting of only whole fruit and water. At 5% ABV and 100 calories per can, SeekOut Seltzer’s all natural seltzers are an exceptional option consumers can feel good about drinking.

SeekOut Seltzer embarks on another breakout year of success following its production of nearly 230,000 gallons of seltzer sold from March – December 2019 (100,000 cases). For 2020, SeekOut Seltzer introduces a brand new seltzer, Clementine + Grapefruit. Tangy and bright, SeekOut Seltzer uses fresh-pressed clementine and grapefruit to craft this zesty hard seltzer. Clementine + Grapefruit is available in 6-packs as well as a 12-can variety pack along with other styles, including Pineapple + Passion Fruit, Cucumber + Juniper, Key Lime + Mint, and Raspberry + Meyer Lemon.

With the rapid-fire growth of the hard seltzer category, macro brands position themselves as a better alternative to soda while producing products with the same levels of processed sugar and high caloric contents. SeekOut Seltzer delivers on its health promise by utilizing real ingredients sourced from longstanding relationships with local farmers. SeekOut Seltzer believes craft beverages should be simple, so they simply use the whole fruit that nature provides, and nothing else. The result is a hard seltzer filled with character that tastes better than the rest.

“Most hard seltzers on retail shelves are made with sugar and artificial ingredients. We saw an opening in the market to produce something delicious, and healthier for our consumers. Every seltzer we offer uses whole fruits, an apple wine base, a splash of pure essence, and carbonated water. With real ingredients, you can let the flavor speak for itself. For our brand new Clementine + Grapefruit, the fresh-pressed clementine adds such an incredible lightness to the seltzer. It’s super refreshing,” says Dave Takush (Head Cider Maker, 2 Towns Ciderhouse).

“Today’s consumer is most interested in discovering products that are healthy and wholesome. We’ve developed recipes that we can stand behind and be proud of knowing that the fruit comes from farmers we work with closely. SeekOut Seltzers are made with no malts, added sugars, concentrates, artificial flavors, corn syrup or cane sugar. And for that, we are excited to be a major producer of Oregon-made seltzer,” says Nels Jewell-Larsen (Director of Business Development, 2 Towns Ciderhouse).

Clementine + Grapefruit marks the latest addition to the SeekOut Seltzer lineup. With its bright citrus flavor profile, Clementine + Grapefruit is destined to evoke what’s truly meaningful for the modern drink. Whether spending time outdoors with friends and family, or seeking a solo journey, SeekOut Seltzer is the perfect beverage for being in the moment, living your best life.

SeekOut Seltzer is now available in nine states throughout the West Coast and Midwest.

About SeekOut Seltzer
SeekOut Seltzer aspires to inspire creativity, adventure, and thirst for life through support of authentic experiences and the use of only real ingredients. SeekOut Seltzer is made by the folks at 2 Towns Ciderhouse. Our passion has always been crafting delicious beverages from real, natural ingredients including the highest quality fresh-pressed juice we can find. We applied that same no-shortcuts approach we have with cidermaking to hard seltzer, and the result is a real hard seltzer that not only tastes better, but that you can feel good about too!

For more information, please visit:
seekoutseltzer.com
seekoutseltzer.com/seltzer/clementine-grapefruit

E’Ian West Signs Content Deal With Food Network Star Nancy Fuller

March 4, 2020 by evebushman

LOS ANGELES (PRWEB) – “Nancy is a great personality and has proven that for years at the Food Network. After many discussions, I have a clear understanding of her passion on and off the farm. I’ve created original concepts for her that are sure to increase her visibility. It’s amazing to realize Nancy started her television career later in life but is a veteran in every sense of the word.” – E’Ian West, Montage Media Production Company.

“My thanks to E’Ian West of Montage Media Production for his gracious manner and professional knowledge in this myriad of media industry. E’Ian has embraced the qualities afforded to age, wisdom, and affability that 70 years provide. In an era of technology and a whirlwind lifestyle; we have lost the domestic quality of a previous time. Discipline. Manners. Cooking. Meals eaten together with family. An easy recipe using a seasonal ingredient. Wholesomeness. E’Ian has recognized these qualities and hopes to bring a new flourish to tradition. I look forward to the adventure!” – Nancy Fuller

Nancy Fuller is the host of Farmhouse Rules, and a judge on Holiday Baking Championship and Spring Baking Championship. Her philosophy is to feed others with delicious, simple meals from the heart.

Montage Media Production Company is a Los Angeles-based production company founded by E’Ian West, that partners with a dynamic mix of entertainment professionals. It is the collective belief among the Montage Media Production Company that top-shelf talent and innovative ideas deserve the highest-quality production. We join our finely tuned forces to deliver digital and broadcast content across premium multi-media platforms.

Presqu’ile Recruits Julie Simon As New Executive Chef

October 28, 2019 by evebushman

Santa Maria, California – Presqu’ile, the estate winery poised high in the hills of Santa Maria with stunning ocean and vineyard views, announces the addition of Julie Simon as their new executive chef. Simon will be creating the tasting room wine and food pairings, as well as developing special event menus and overseeing wine dinners, including those with guest chefs.

Julie recently headlined at one of the winery’s sell-out Guest Chef Dinners which brought her to the attention of the Murphys and invited her to come aboard. In her new position, she plans to rework the wine and food pairings to reflect both her style and to complement the library of wines at Presqu’ile. She is also designing an organic garden on the property.

Tim Wanner, Director of Hospitality and Sales for the winery welcomes Simon to the Presqu’ile family, stating, “We are very excited to have Julie join the team. Her commitment to local sourcing, organic farming, and clean, ingredient-focused cooking truly aligns with Presqu’ile’s philosophy, and will make for a very great partnership showcasing our wines in their best light.”

Julie Simon is enthusiastic about joining Presqu’ile, remarking, “I am thrilled to be joining such a strong and dedicated team, where I can be a part of propelling the Presqu’ile hospitality experience forward. And the addition of a permaculture garden not only shows our commitment to great food, it also nurtures the ‘sense of place’, mirroring our winemaking philosophy.”

ABOUT CHEF JULIE SIMON

Julie Simon is a San Luis Obispo based chef and farmer. Ten years ago, Simon was enrolled in university in her native France, ready to follow that path to a law career. Her restlessness and uncanny ability in the kitchen compelled her to move to Paso Robles where her aunt and uncle farmed an olive grove and pressed olive oil. Soon after, Simon landed kitchen jobs in some of the Central Coast’s finest restaurants and eventually became executive chef at the renowned Thomas Hill Organics Bistro when she was 23 years old. Julie served as opening chef at Foremost restaurant in San Luis Obispo. Her history in farming and pop-up dinners bring a worthy contribution to Presqu’ile’s vast array of services, further enriching the most sought after wine destination in the area.

PRESQU’ILE WINERY

5391 Presqu’ile Drive

Santa Maria, CA 93455

Phone 805.937.8110

www.presquilewine.com

ABOUT PRESQU’ILE WINERY:

Located in the heart of Santa Barbara County’s Santa Maria Valley, Presqu’ile (pronounced press-KEEL) is a small, family-run winery dedicated to making exceptional cool-climate Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. Presqu’ile is a multigenerational collaboration between Madison and Suzanne Murphy, their three adult children, Matt, Anna and Jonathan, and their daughters-in-law, Amanda and Lindsey. No strangers to agriculture, four generations of the wine-loving Murphy family have been farming land in Louisiana for almost a century. Led by eldest son Matt Murphy, the family founded Presqu’ile—the Creole word for “almost an island”—both as a tribute to a beloved Gulf Coast family gathering place that was lost in Hurricane Katrina, and because they envisioned Presqu’ile as an island-like haven amid the vines. Also on the team is rising star winemaker Dieter Cronje.

The Santa Maria Valley is one of the most distinctive winegrowing appellations in the world. With one of the longest growing seasons in all of California. The Santa Maria Valley is a true cool-climate winegrowing region, yielding wines of extraordinary elegance and purity—qualities that define the world’s best Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays. To preserve the complexity of these grapes, the Murphys worked with acclaimed San Francisco-based Taylor Lombardo Architects to create a gravity-flow winery designed to Matt and Dieter’s specifications. And to ensure that each wine reflects its vineyard, Dieter practices a naturally minimalist approach to winemaking, with a focus on whole clusters, native yeasts and modest new oak. As a result, Presqu’ile’s wines are pure and purposeful, conveying the authentic charm, complexity and signature Santa Maria spice that have made the wines of the Santa Maria Valley famous among enthusiasts of elegant and balanced wines.

For further information on Presqu’ile Winery visit

www.presquilewine.com

Become a fan of Presqu’ile Winery:

on Facebook: www.facebook.com/presquilewine

on Twitter: @PresquileWine

on Instagram: @presquilewine

Artisan Cheese & Craft Beer in Vermont’s Lake Champlain Region This August

July 8, 2019 by evebushman

NEW YORK (PRWEB) – Curd nerds and growler geeks can now find fulfillment as they travel with Cheese Journeys on its inaugural adventure to northwestern Vermont, August 8-13, 2019, to some of America’s favorite creameries and breweries, including award-winning Jasper Hill Farms & Cellars and the “Best Brewery in the World,” Hill Farmstead Brewery. The journey will aptly include an exclusive experience at the 11th annual Vermont Cheesemakers Festival at historic Shelburne Farms on August 11, 2019.

Officially kicking off the tour in the city of Burlington, food trippers will enjoy a convivial signature cocktail featuring a local spirit and brew, followed by a short introduction to food photography before heading to a leisurely dinner at one of the city’s best restaurants.

The next day travelers head to Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom to visit renowned Jasper Hill Farm, one of America’s most innovative and successful artisan cheese businesses. An exclusive visit to the creamery with founders and brothers, Andy and Mateo Kehler, will not only include tasting some of the most prized cheeses in the US and abroad, but will also provide an opportunity to learn about their philosophy of cheesemaking, affinage, and sustainability. A stop at Jasper Hill’s Randi Albert Calderwood Cropping Center, the Farm’s state-of-the-art hay drying facility which allows the company to produce much of their herd’s own feed, contributing to the true taste of Jasper Hill’s products, underscores the meaning of “terroir.”

A behind-the-scenes tour of the Burlington Farmers Market will offer an overview of many of Vermont’s best artisan producers of cheese, meats, cider, and even veggie fermenters. Mad River Distillers and Lake Champlain Chocolates are just two of the several specialty food makers that will be visited. During an exclusive Vermont Cheesemakers Dinner, including cheesemakers (naturally) and the director of the Vermont Cheese Council, Tom Bivens, guests will learn about the Vermont cheese scene in more depth.

At the 11th annual Vermont Cheesemakers Festival, idyllically located on the shores of Lake Champlain, travelers will enjoy VIP admittance as they meet up with nearly fifty cheesmakers as well as local wine, craft beer, and numerous other food and beverage purveyors in attendance. Presentations about farmstead and artisan cheesemaking, cooking demos, workshops, and educational seminars are all awaiting at the festival.

A return to Shelburne Farms with a cheese-tasting and tour of the grounds, as well as a stop at Shelburne Vineyards to enjoy their award-wining wines will add to the appreciation of this region’s agricultural heritage and diversification.

Finally, no cheese venture to Vermont would be complete without a stop at Vermont Creamery, one of the country’s best-known goat dairies. Company president, Adeline Druart, will reveal how co-founders, Allison Hooper and Bob Reese, developed their highly-acclaimed fresh and aged goat cheeses, cultured butter, and other European-style dairy products 35 years ago.

Cheese Journeys founder, Anna Juhl, will lead this adventure throught the back country of Vermont, accompanied by two co-hosts: Tenaya Darlington, author and academian who goes by ‘Madame Fromage,’ and Jeff Roberts, author and one of Vermont’s food-scene experts. Believing in the importance of cheese education, Curds & Co (Brookline, MA), The Cheese Shop (Concord, MA), and Fairfield Cheese Company (Fairfield, CT) are collaborating with Cheese Journeys on this trip. FREE travel to and from Burlington, VT is available at each of these three locations.

37th Annual Santa Barbara Vintners Festival Returns to Santa Maria Valley

April 14, 2019 by evebushman

SANTA BARBARA, CA – 2019 – The Santa Barbara Vintners Festival, now in its 37th year, stands out in a world awash in wine festivals. Not only is it one of the largest wine festivals in Southern California, but it is often the actual winemaker or winery owner who is pouring for the public. Slated for May 4, 2019 at Rancho Sisquoc Winery, this festival sets itself apart as the wine festival put on by winemakers for wine lovers.

Novice and experienced oenophiles alike get the opportunity to ask their wine related questions during the weekend’s signature Festival Grand Tasting. Held the afternoon of May 4th, at majestic Rancho Sisquoc, the Festival Grand Tasting features over 70 wineries, many pouring newly released wines. Local food purveyors, live music, culinary and wine demonstrations, and a silent auction are a perfect pairing with the wine.

The Santa Barbara Vintners Festival allows wine lovers to taste over 70 varietals grown locally. No other wine festival in the world offers the opportunity to experience more local grapes. Santa Barbara is blessed with such great diversity because of its unique geography which includes a transverse valley. This east-west valley creates a quilt of micro-climates in the area, allowing for the wide range of grapes that thrive.

Drawing on the wealth of wine knowledge represented at the Festival, guests will get a behind-the-scenes look at how wine is made. There will be museum-like displays providing insight into the winemaking world, from watching a cooper make barrels, to seeing how wine actually gets in the bottle, to barrel-tasting at the winery itself.

During the weekend of the Festival, the Vintners Visa is also available. This $50 Wine Country Tasting Pass allows guests to pick tastings at 12 wineries in the county with over 40 wineries to choose from during the May 2-6, 2019 window. This pass is the most robust tasting ticket offered all year.

Several ticket options are available for the Santa Barbara Vintners Festival. Early Entry VIP access ($100), which allows holders access to the Festival Grand Tasting an hour before it opens to the public, General Admission ($75), Locals Only ($60) and Designated Drivers and Under 21 ($25).

This year the Festival returns to Santa Maria’s Rancho Sisquoc Winery, the beloved site of past Festivals. The winery is part of a 37,000 acre cattle ranch and farm purchased in 1952 by Mr. and Mrs. James Flood, who still own the property today. The ranch is part of an 1852 Mexican land grant and the Chumash Indians called this area “Sisquoc,” which meant “gathering place.” Today, Rancho Sisquoc remains a gathering place, this time for wine lovers.

The northern region of the Santa Barbara County, Santa Maria Valley, is renowned for world-class Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah. The area boasts 34 tasting rooms, six unique AVAs, 13 beaches, and a growing selection of local breweries, all within a beautiful 30-minute drive. If you are looking for sand dunes, hiking trails, horseback riding, cycling, and authentic Santa Maria Style barbecue, you’ll find all in Santa Maria Valley. Santa Maria Valley is the perfect home base to eat, drink and do more for less. Guests who are staying at any Santa Maria Valley hotel receive a special pass that include tastings at Santa Maria Valley area tasting rooms.

Tickets for the festival are available online now, visit www.sbvintnersweekend.com for more information.

SANTA BARBARA VINTNERS

The Santa Barbara Vintners (Santa Barbara County Vintners Association) is a non- profit 501 (c) 6 organization founded in 1983 to support and promote Santa Barbara County as a world-class, authentic wine producing and wine grape growing region. The Association includes winery members whose annual production is at least 75% Santa Barbara County (or sub-AVA) labeled, winery associates, vineyards, vineyard management companies, hospitality, and industry associate members. The Association produces festivals and wine country weekends; educational seminars and tastings; provides information to consumers, trade, and media; and advocates for the Santa Barbara County wine and grape industry. www.sbcountywines.com

Vintage Eve 2/2016: Moms Best…and Worst Cooking, A Roundup Part 1

March 5, 2019 by evebushman

After reading and reviewing Tender at the Bone by Ruth Reichl, a memoir that spelled out how Reichl, editor of Gourmet magazine, food critic and author of many food-related books, got hooked on the food industry after surviving some…well…failures that her mom made in the kitchen.

From my kitchen: Rhubarb pie, Mankato cookbook, Grandma Ellen recipe

A comment I received, about another mother’s daring attempts in the kitchen, made me want to do this roundup from readers. I asked that they comment what was their most memorable dining experience in a meal cooked by their mom. And to share both the best and the worst:

I’ll start: my mom was somewhat of an off and on vegetarian so her flavorless attempts – Barley Casserole and Carrot Casserole – nearly killed me. However, she made up for it with her homemade Bracioles (pronounced Bar-joe-lees)!

Scott E. – One Mother’s Day I got her a set of storage containers that had clock face like dials to mark the day and month they were saved. Only the very brave ventured into her freezer. Lol.

Mike B. – Best: Chicken Fried Steak. (We’re from Texas.) Runner Up: Pasta La Gusta (she never told us what was in it) Worst: Nothing. She was an amazing cook. I’m gaining weight just thinking about all of her awesome meals. I regret never learning how to cook from her, but she definitely taught me how to eat.

Michael G. – I’ll start with best, my Nana used to cook the most amazing Italian dinners. During the week she would bake bread and make a small loaf just for me. She’d pull it from the oven and pour out some good olive oil and black pepper and we’d have an after school feast of bread. Such fond memories. Worse food, as good as my family was with Italian food, meat was always served beyond well done. It wasn’t until my first job as a server that I discovered lamb chops were not supposed to be little pieces of burnt meat on burnt bones. A guest ordered them medium rare and I thought they were insane. LOL.

Kevin K. – I found out my mom used mustard as a spice in her spaghetti. I hate mustard. On the positive side I still make her homemade macaroni and cheese recipe.

Susan W. – Everything was straight out of the Betty Crocker cookbook: meatloaf, tuna noodle casserole, liver and onions (us kids really didn’t like that one!) I remember once in a while it got exotic and we would have cheese enchiladas!

Danika S. – My mom was not a great cook, although I didn’t learn that until I had Lule kebobs at the Farmers Market in L.A. You mean they’re NOT supposed to be dry and tasteless?

Vicki H. – My mom was a great cook. But now that is a lost art to her. I disliked Curry for many years because she over did it once. But I am eating a lot of it now in our South Beach Diet. Her Sho Pao was to die for. Along with her Pan Sit. Miss her cooking.

Lori R. – My mom was on a health kick, and substituted carob for all candies on Easter, convincing us that carob tastes the same.

Yeah. I kept eating that carob, thinking it would magically taste like chocolate.

Another time, we had a huge box of cantaloupes and dozens of eggs (all left over from an encampment — we lived at a Girl Scout camp).

Living on a mountain, far from a market, and on a very tight budget, my parents announced that we would eat 2 eggs and half a cantaloupe every morning. My mom even convinced my brother and I that lemon pepper would taste good on the cantaloupe.

I couldn’t eat eggs or cantaloupe again until I was in my 30’s.

Good food: my grandma has always made the best marinara sauce. As a new bride, she lived next door to an Italian grandma immigrant, who taught my grandma that Old World style. So delicious.

Eve Bushman has been reading, writing, taking coursework and tasting wine for over 20 years. She has obtained a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust, has been the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video, authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and recently served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits that may be answered in a future column. You can also seek her marketing advice via Eve@EveBushmanConsulting.com

Auberge du Soleil Honored with 13th Consecutive Michelin Star Award

January 28, 2019 by evebushman

RUTHERFORD, Calif. (PRWEB) – Synonymous with wine country cuisine, The Restaurant at Auberge du Soleil, Napa Valley’s first fine-dining restaurant, has received its 13th consecutive Star rating from the Michelin Guide San Francisco, Bay Area & Wine Country. The internationally recognized rating Guide is one of the most universally respected culinary authorities of fine dining. In its 13th edition, the 2019 Guide rates Auberge du Soleil among the top restaurants in the San Francisco Bay Area and Northern California Wine Country, one of the leading travel and culinary destinations in America.

Renowned for its commitment to sourcing ingredients from neighboring farms and purveyors, Mediterranean-inspired seasonal dishes, an award-winning international wine cellar, and spectacular vista views, The Restaurant has attained a rich legacy as a “must experience” stop along any culinary journey to Napa Valley. In addition, The Restaurant has received a Star award every year since Michelin began publishing the San Francisco Bay Area and Northern California Wine Country edition.

“At Auberge du Soleil, we have a passion for all things culinary,” said George Goeggel, Managing Partner of Auberge du Soleil. “We want to know what’s in season; where the ingredients came from; and how Chef Curry and his team will interpret them on the plate. This genuine interest provides a natural entrée for connecting with our guests, most of whom also share our food-obsession. We are deeply honored to receive our thirteenth consecutive Star from the Michelin Guide which essentially recognizes our team for doing what they love and sharing it with others.”

Robert Curry has served as Executive Chef at Auberge du Soleil since 2005. Widely considered a landmark among California wine country restaurants, Auberge Du Soleil is dedicated to maintaining the culinary traditions of both Napa Valley and France. Curry’s Mediterranean-inspired dishes showcase peak seasonal ingredients sourced from a range of local and regional purveyors and farmers with whom Curry has developed long-standing relationships.

Executive Pastry Chef Paul Lemieux has led the pastry team at Auberge du Soleil since 2003. His finely crafted work is evident in the exquisite seasonal desserts he creates including delectable house-made chocolate, involving sourcing cacao beans from select international farms and carefully roasting and refining the chocolate in small batches in the hotel’s pastry kitchen.

The Restaurant’s menu items are complemented by pairings from an award-winning wine list. The 15,000 bottle cellar of domestic and international selections is curated by Wine Director, Kris Margerum. The Restaurant’s wine program has consistently received Wine Spectator’s Best of Award of Excellence for the past 20 years.

The Restaurant at Auberge du Soleil is open daily for breakfast (served from 7:00am to 11:00am), lunch (served from 11:30am to 2:15pm) and dinner (from 5:30pm to 9:30pm). Brunch is available on the Saturday and Sunday from 11:30am to 2:15pm. For reservations, please call 800-348-5406 or reserve online.

The Restaurant, along with the casual Bistro and Bar, are open to the public, and serve as cornerstones for Auberge du Soleil, a Forbes Five Star hotel and a long-standing member of Relais & Châteaux, the most prestigious collection of small luxury hotels and restaurants in the world. Inspired by the relaxed sophistication of the South of France, and infused with California soul, Auberge du Soleil provides the quintessential Napa Valley adult getaway. The hotel consistently receives the highest accolades from the hospitality industry, discerning guests and the media, and is perennially ranked among the World’s Best Hotels by Travel + Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler and other influential publications. For more information please visit http://www.aubergedusoleil.com and follow at facebook.com/AubergeduSoleil and on Twitter and Instagram at @AubergeduSoleil.

Inspired by the relaxed sophistication of the South of France and infused with California soul, Auberge du Soleil features wine country’s most luxurious accommodations, spectacular valley views, a 13-time Michelin Star award-winning Restaurant, and the exclusive Auberge du Soleil Spa. Known for passionate, intuitive service that sets the standard for gracious hospitality, the property is a member of Relais & Châteaux, an international association of outstanding boutique properties known for their excellence in hospitality and the culinary arts. The hotel consistently receives the highest accolades from the hospitality industry, discerning guests and the media, and is perennially ranked among the best in the world by influential publications. For more information please visit http://www.aubergedusoleil.com and follow at facebook.com/AubergeduSoleil and on Twitter and Instagram at @AubergeduSoleil. For reservations and availability contact the hotel directly at 800.348.5406 or email ads.reservations@aubergeresorts.com.

About Relais & Châteaux
Created in 1954, Relais & Châteaux is an organization of more than 560 exceptional hotels and restaurants run by independent men and women, all driven by a passion for their profession and dedicated to the authenticity of the relationships they build with their customers. With operations on all five continents, from the vineyards of Napa Valley to Provence and the beaches of the Indian Ocean, Relais & Châteaux members invite all to discover the art of living enshrined in the location’s culture, and share a unique, human story. Relais & Châteaux members have a profound desire to protect and showcase the richness and diversity of the cuisine and inviting cultures of the world. They worked towards this goal, along with the goal to preserve local heritages and the environment, through a UNESCO Manifesto in November 2014.
http://www.relaischateaux.com.

About Auberge Resorts Collection
Auberge Resorts Collection is a portfolio of extraordinary hotels, resorts, residences and private clubs. While each Auberge property possesses a unique individuality, all share a crafted approach to luxury that is expressed through captivating design, exceptional cuisine and spas, and gracious yet unobtrusive service. Properties in the Auberge Resorts Collection include: Auberge du Soleil, Calistoga Ranch and Solage, Napa Valley; Esperanza and Chileno Bay, Los Cabos, Mexico; Hotel Jerome, Aspen; Malliouhana, Anguilla; Nanuku, Fiji; Madeline Hotel and Element 52, Telluride, Colorado; Hacienda AltaGracia, Costa Rica; Mukul, Guacalito, Nicaragua; Mayflower Inn & Spa, Washington, Conn.; White Barn Inn, Kennebunk, Maine; Vanderbilt Hotel, Newport, R.I.; Grace Santorini and Mykonos, Greece; Auberge Beach Residences and Spa, Fort Lauderdale; The Lodge at Blue Sky, Park City, Utah (opening Spring 2019); Bishop’s Lodge, Santa Fe, New Mexico (opening Summer 2019); Mauna Lani, Hawaii (opening late 2019); Commodore Perry Estate, Austin; and Susurros del Corazon, Punta de Mita, Mexico (opening 2020), with several others in development. For more information about Auberge Resorts Collection, please visit http://www.aubergeresorts.com. Follow Auberge Resorts Collection on Facebook at facebook.com/AubergeResorts and on Twitter and Instagram at @AubergeResorts.