WineBid Celebrates its 25th Anniversary as the Largest Global Online Wine Auction Marketplace

October 18, 2021 by evebushman

SEATTLE /PRNewswire/ — WineBid, the world’s very first and largest online wine auction marketplace, proudly celebrates its 25th anniversary this year in the autumn of 2021. With twenty-five years of innovating in the wine re-commerce market, WineBid continues to expand with new team members with experience in both fine wine and ecommerce, and extends its long-standing commitment to authenticity, quality, trust, innovation, and a mission to help everyone, everywhere share great experiences through wine.

Founded in 1996 by Chuck Parsons, a wine and auto racing enthusiast, WineBid began in a garage with two employees and Parson’s 10,000-bottle collection of wine. Fortuitous timing matched the rise of internet commerce that saw Amazon and eBay founded at the same moment, and WineBid immediately attracted a dedicated clientele.

As the company grew, Parsons moved WineBid from his Chicago garage to Napa, California where its growth took off near the turn of the millennia. WineBid recruited experienced auction professionals and expanded to Hong Kong and Sydney, Australia. In 1999, WineBid partnered with the Napa Valley Wine Auction to help raise millions for charity and created the first online wine futures marketplace featuring top Napa Valley wines.

Today, WineBid is among the top wine auction companies in the world, with the broadest ranges of sellers and wines, and the most online bidders of any platform. Its success is built on a commitment to implementing new technologies to make the selling and buying experience both seamless and enjoyable for clients. For private individuals wishing to sell wine, WineBid has created the largest global online audience and buyer base of wine enthusiasts who bid weekly on wines with an individual bottle value of up to and over $10,000.

For these “sellers with cellars,” WineBid also offers the most comprehensive and up to date wine cellar valuation information, the most convenient concierge logistics services, and the fastest time to market and time to cash. For buyers, WineBid has led with authenticity and trust, including the most detailed condition inspection notes and provenance descriptions, and the most high-resolution photos and 360 BottleShots for most wines on the site. WineBid originated the idea of weekly wine auctions and continues to introduce new auction gamification features like Overtime Bidding. Beyond the auction functionality itself, the company has continued to innovate around the end-to-end experience, including highly customizable online cellar valuation tools, as well as some of the most advanced storage and shipping functionality in the wine business.

“Over the past 25 years, WineBid has continually set the standard for online wine auctions, and created processes and technologies for inspection, authentication and pricing now imitated in other luxury re-commerce marketplaces,” notes WineBid CEO Russ Mann. “The next 25 years will be equally eventful and rewarding for wine collectors and enthusiasts globally, as WineBid supports and promotes both an increasing diversity of wines coming to market, an even broader and more diverse base of customers seeking those products, and even more convenient, engaging, and fun buying and winning experiences.”

Now headquartered in Seattle and owned by Third Leaf Partners, a global beverage and luxury hospitality investment company, WineBid continues to pursue its mission with weekly online auctions of 5,000+ wines, a French Direct import program, and a growing team of account managers working with consignors across the country and globe.

HALL, WALT & BACA WINES ANNOUNCE 2021 ‘MY WINE MOMENT’ PHOTO GIVEAWAY

October 14, 2021 by evebushman

(ST. HELENA, CALIFORNIA) – HALL, WALT and BACA Wines, a set of family-owned wineries based in both Napa and Sonoma counties, has launched its first ever My Wine Moment Giveaway, ahead of the much anticipated holiday season. The Photo Giveaway, which is open for entry October 1 through November 24, 2021, will award one participant with the ultimate Napa Valley retreat package.

Prospective entrants are invited to share an image enjoying wine as part of a special moment. The lucky winner and a guest will receive a four-day, three-night accommodations package in Napa Valley, roundtrip airfare, and private ground transportation. Additionally, the winner and a guest will visit all five HALL, WALT and BACA luxury Tasting Room locations for a series of private food and wine experiences, with private transportation being provided to and from each. The winners will also receive a $500 Visa Gift Card for a selection of HALL, WALT and BACA wines. Additionally, multiple ‘Honorable Mention’ special wine moments photographs will be selected.

“Wine has been a part of so many special moments throughout the course of my life –birthdays, graduations, countless holiday gatherings, as well as simple moments like an evening stroll through the vineyard with Craig” says Vintner Kathryn Hall. “We know others have these moments too and we love hearing about them. I hope this Giveaway will encourage you to share the joy of your own special wine moments.”

The My Wine Moment Giveaway is free to enter, and entries are being accepted October 1 through November 24. There are two ways to enter. Participants may submit a photo and comment on the HALL, WALT, or BACA websites at My Wine Moment or by posting a picture on Instagram using the hashtag #MyWineMoment and one of the brand hashtags; #HALLWines, #WALTWines or #BACAWines. The winner will be selected Monday, November 29. To review the official giveaway rules, please visit Terms & Conditions. Entrants must be 21 and over to be eligible.

For more information on the prize packages and to enter, please visit My Wine Moment Giveaway Submission page. For more information on HALL, WALT and BACA Wines, please visit HALL + @hallwines, WALT + @waltwines and BACA + @bacawines.

ABOUT HALL FAMILY WINES:

HALL Family Wines produces high quality Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Zinfandel under the HALL, WALT and BACA brand monikers. HALL Family Wines collectively owns five wine country tasting rooms including HALL St. Helena, HALL Rutherford, WALT Sonoma, WALT Oxbow, and WALT | BACA Healdsburg. Owned by Craig and Kathryn Hall, the family-owned winery produces artisan wines that express the unique and diverse character of the wine country’s soils and climates through meticulous attention to detail in the vineyards and throughout the winemaking process. The family’s luxury wine portfolio, led by Vice President of Winemaking Megan Gunderson Paredes, sources fruit from some of the most prominent vineyards up and down the West Coast including twelve Estate vineyards– Sacrashe, Bergfeld, Hardester, Beller, Atlas Peak, Lamoreaux, Rainin, Dellar-Freidkin, Cook, Bob’s Ranch, Clos Pepe and The Corners. The HALL St. Helena winery was the first LEED® Gold Certified Winery in the State of California in 2009 and earned another LEED® Gold certification for its high–tech production facility and Tasting Room in 2014. Since the inception of HALL in 1995, the three luxury wine brands have earned over 700 ratings of 90 points or above from the industry’s top critics, including four 100-point scores. Visit www.hallwines.com, www.waltwines.com, www.bacawines.com for more information, or call 707-967-2626.

THESE EIGHT ICONIC WINERY EXPERIENCES AIM TO SPARK WINE WANDERLUST

September 6, 2021 by evebushman

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Chalone Vineyard, Soledad, Central Coast – Signature Tasting

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

Lincourt Vineyards, Central Coast

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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About Foley Family Wines

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

De Négoce Named “Wine Company of the Year,” Receives 53 Medals

August 23, 2021 by evebushman

NAPA VALLEY, Calif., /PRNewswire/ — De Négoce has been named “Wine Company of the Year” in the 18th Annual Critics Challenge International Wine & Spirits Competition. The company also received an unprecedented 53 medals, 35 of which were platinum and gold with 90 to 94-point scores for wines priced from $12 to $29.

“New company de Négoce, the brainchild of well-known negociant Cameron Hughes, is deserving of major kudos for delivering amazing value in bottlings from up and down the American West Coast and featuring famed appellations like Atlas Peak, Diamond Mountain District, Carneros and others,” said Rich Cook, director of Critics Challenge.

The platinum award winners were the OG N.41 2018 St. Helena Cabernet Sauvignon ($29), OG N.89 2018 Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon ($18), and OG N.132 2018 Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon ($25). Each received 94 points. Additionally, the winner of Best Cabernet Franc was de Négoce’s 2018 OG N.85 Cabernet Franc from Walla Walla Valley, while Best Petite Sirah went to their 2018 OG N.58 Petite Sirah from McDowell Valley. Both wines received gold medals and 91-point scores and are sold for $16 and $14, respectively.

Founded by wine critic Robert Whitley in 2003, Critics Challenge is one of the most important and respected wine and spirits competitions in the world. Entries are judged blind by noted wine and spirits journalists, bloggers and critics. With an unprecedented level of transparency, Critics Challenge publishes the comments and scores from the individual judges on the competition results page for all award-winning entries.

“We are thrilled to have received such accolades and high scores from this prestigious competition,” says Cameron Hughes, founder of de Négoce. “We want people to know that we are not selling discount wine. We are offering amazing value and access to high-end, award-winning luxury wines that would normally sell for 4 to 8 times the price. There is a big difference!”

Since launching last spring, de Négoce has shipped over 200 unique wines and well over 100,000 cases. More than 80 new wines have shipped in 2021 alone, with 80+ in the pipeline for the remainder of the year. For more information or to join the de Négoce mailing list, please visit deNegoce.com.

About de Négoce
Founded by Cameron Hughes, de Négoce offers the opportunity to pre-purchase ultra-premium wines from around the globe before they are bottled. Known in the trade as En Primeur or “futures,” buying wine prior to bottling allows for pricing at 60 to 80 percent less what you would pay under its original label. The platform also has an online bottle shop where customers can mix and match their own selections of ready-to-drink wines. For more information, please visit deNegoce.com.

What Number Gin Is In? The 209th!

August 6, 2021 by evebushman

In just reading the front of the bottle I learned that NO 209 Gin is distilled in San Francisco, “5 X D” (five times distilled) with a 46% ABC and 91 proof. From the back I read that since 1882 they made their gin in the Napa Valley and are the 209^th registered distillery that had opened in the United States. It’s a grain neutral spirit made from natural botanicals. And as I’m a gin lover, and the botanicals are what makes different gins of interest to me, I went to their website for more details.

And…the recipe is a secret. But I did learn that, “The delicious complexity of No. 209’s citrus spice flavor profile is primarily a result of bergamot orange, lemon peel, cardamom pods, cassia bark, angelica root and coriander seeds….”

My Tasting Notes

After opening and pouring a sample I noticed the juniper aromas, from about three or four inches away, but it wasn’t overpowering in any way. That just got me excited! Starting with a mild creamy component the citrus notes that were mentioned in the recipe – orange and lemon – were very apparent. Then thinking about my spice rack here at home, as well as other botanicals and minerals, there were other aromas that reminded me of wet pebbles in a brook, vanilla bean, white pepper, dried pineapple, white chocolate and maybe even a squeeze of a red berry like raspberry or strawberry.

Tasting No 209 called up memories of a creamy 50/50 orange and vanilla ice cream Creamsicle bar – if said ice cream had booze in it! Also, one of those milk chocolate orange balls, a slice, as both flavors present. Ooh, this was different. There was a super long and satisfying finish to go with it too.

Thinking this would make a fine Gin and Tonic, as well as a sipper just over ice, and of course, an excellent Martini with either a cap of Dolin’s vermouth or Lillet Blanc. Ended up making a Martini on the rocks with a splash of La Quintinye Blanc Royal vermouth. Sipped on that for over an hour…

I did check the cocktail recipe section of their website and saw nearly three hundred recipes – who knew there were that many – under their “Ginthusiast Guide.” The White Manhattan, Coin Flip, and a few others sounded tempting, and this one I thought I’d share:

Pineapple Gin Fizz

1 1/2 Oz. No. 209 Gin
1 Oz. Pineapple Juice
3/4 Oz. Simple Syrup
3/4 Oz. Lime Juice
1/2 Oz. Egg White
2 Oz. Tonic

Combine all ingredients except tonic and dry shake. Shake again with ice. Pour over ice, and top with Tonic Water. Garnish with pineapple fronds.

https://www.distillery209.com/cocktails

More To Taste

I went back to the website one last time and saw that they also have a Sauvignon Blanc barrel reserve gin, a Chardonnay barrel reserve gin, Cabernet Sauvignon barrel reserve gin and a Kosher gin for Passover too. Which do you want to try?

https://www.distillery209.com/

https://www.instagram.com/distillery209/

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.

HALL ANNOUNCES RELEASE OF 2018 KATHRYN HALL CABERNET SAUVIGNON ON AUGUST 28 DURING HARVEST CELEBRATION

July 17, 2021 by evebushman

ST. HELENA, CALIFORNIA – Napa Valley based HALL Wines, a luxury Cabernet Sauvignon producer, has announced details for its annual Kathryn Hall Harvest Celebration taking place at HALL St. Helena on Saturday, August 28, 2021. The annual event, offering both a VIP Vertical Tasting and a Main Event, coincides with the release of the new vintage of HALL’s flagship wine, Kathryn Hall Cabernet Sauvignon. The theme of the event will be “Celebrate the Year You Missed”.

Los Angeles and San Francisco Advertising Portrait Photographer Marc Olivier Le Blanc, Advertising, Editorial and Lifestyle.

“We are so excited to be able to hold this event in person this year,” says Vintner Kathryn Hall. “Guests travel from all over to taste the new vintage, and what better way to do that than through a celebration of milestones that people missed last year such as birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, and weddings. Wine helps us celebrate those special moments and we look forward to honoring those with the 2018 vintage of Kathryn Hall Cabernet.”

The Kathryn Hall Harvest Celebration marks the public release of the 2018 vintage and will include various celebratory ‘milestone’ stations on The Great Lawn in St. Helena. Food will be included with the ticket price with catering by Tre Posti. Guests will also be able to enjoy live music throughout the event from San Francisco-based band Pop Fiction. Additionally, a VIP Ticket is available for those wanting a deeper dive into the pedigree of the Kathryn Hall Cabernet Sauvignon. The VIP Ticket includes a vertical tasting of the 2006, 2009, 2012, 2014, 2017 and 2018 vintages of Kathryn Hall takes place prior to the Main Event.

HALL’s flagship wine, the Kathryn Hall Cabernet Sauvignon, is defined by its core of dark, succulent Sacrashe Vineyard fruit located just above the Rutherford Appellation at the top eastern ridge of the Vaca Mountain range in Napa Valley. The wine is characterized by an interplay of elegance and concentration and displays voluptuous, dark berry fruit with notes of crushed lavender.

Since the first vintage was produced in 1996, this wine has been one of the highest rated in HALL’s portfolio, earning 95 scores rated 90 points and above from the industry’s top critics including The Wine Advocate, Wine Spectator, Wine Enthusiast, and Vinous. Most notably, the 2008. Additionally, the Kathryn Hall Cabernet Sauvignon earned the #2 spot in Wine Spectator’s “Top 100” list in 2011. The wine is named after Kathryn Hall who is most known globally as the former United States Ambassador to Austria. Ambassador Hall is also a New York Times Bestselling author of “A Perfect Score: The Art, Soul & Business of a 21st Century Winery”.

Kathryn Hall Harvest Celebration

Saturday, August 28, 2021

VIP Vertical Tasting – Peterson’s Loft
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. $225 per person + includes admission to Main Event

Main Event – The Great Lawn

12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

HALL St. Helena
401 St. Helena Hwy S. St. Helena, CA 94574 707-967-2626

$100 per person

Eventbrite
For more information, please visit www.hallwines.com, follow on social @hallwines

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HALL Family Wines produces high quality Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Zinfandel under the HALL, WALT and BACA brand monikers. Owned by Craig and Kathryn Hall, the family-owned winery produces artisan wines that express the unique and diverse character of the wine country’s soils and climates through meticulous attention to detail in the vineyards and throughout the winemaking process. The family’s luxury wine portfolio, led by Director of Winemaking Megan Gunderson Paredes, sources fruit from some of the most prominent vineyards up and down the West Coast including eleven Estate vineyards– Sacrashe, Bergfeld, Hardester, Beller, T Bar T Ranch, Atlas Peak, Lamoreaux, Rainin, Dellar-Freidkin, Cook, Bob’s Ranch, Clos Pepe and The Corners. The HALL St. Helena winery was the first LEED® Gold Certified Winery in the State of California in 2009 and earned another LEED® Gold certification for its high-tech production facility and Tasting Room in 2014. Since the inception of HALL in 1995, the three luxury wine brands have earned over 700 ratings of 90 points or above from the industry’s top critics, including four 100- point scores. Visit www.hallwines.com, www.waltwines.com, www.bacawines.com for more information, or call 707-967-2626.

Orange is the New Napa from The Vice Wine

July 2, 2021 by evebushman

Years ago I attended an orange wine seminar led by old-world Italian winemakers. Interesting stuff. Orange may now be the new pink here in the states as the mecca of all U.S. winemaking areas, the Napa Valley, has theirs. The one to try: The Vine Wine orange wine made from Semillon grapes, named Brooklynites. See below for information on the wine, how the name originated and some tasting notes I collected.

The Vice Wine Releases Rare Orange Wine From Napa

Orange is the New Napa with The Orange of Semillon, “Brooklynites”, 2020

The fervor for old world style orange wines, once known as the ‘sommelier’s favorite’ because of their distinct color, story and ability to pair with many foods. The Vice Wine, an all Napa Valley wine producer has released one of the few orange wines to come out of the appellation.

Orange of Semillon, “Brooklynites”, 2020 is the name given to this gorgeous Orange of Semillon produced from a small vineyard in Napa and picked in 2020 right before the fires and ensuing smoke.

Sometimes known as ‘skin-contact white wines,’ orange wines are made by macerating white grapes with their skins, thereby lending the wine an orange hue. With the skin contact, the wine becomes more nuanced and layered thanks to the tannins and phenols released from the skins. The Vice Wine’s Orange of Semillon was made by leaving the juice and skins in contact for 21 days in two concrete eggs, before removing the skins for the rest of the eight-month fermentation using wild yeasts, much the way old-world orange wines were made for hundreds of years.

Everything The Vice Wine does is by hand and the team members themselves are integral in every step of the winemaking process. Work hard and passionately enough, like The Vice Wine team members and Brooklyn-natives Carly and Kenny, who support founders Malek Amrani and Torie Greenberg Amrani every step of the way, and there may just be a special wine named after your hometown.

Orange of Semillon, “Brooklynites”, 2020 – Napa Valley ($28.00/750ml)

The Orange of Semillon has structure and bright acidity as well as a full-bodied mouthfeel. Tropical on the nose with papaya, banana, kumquat and ginger, the wine gives way to citrus and dried apricot in the mouth. Unfiltered, unfined, this wine is a pure example of Napa Valley’s unique terroir.

The perfect wine to accompany dishes from charcuterie boards to Asian cuisine. The wine is made from 100% Semillon grapes, with an ABV of 13.7%. 249 cases were produced.

Eve, and Friends, Tasting Notes

Tasted first with one winemaker and a sommelier that found: Malolactic creaminess, rich mouthfeel and incredible viscosity, crisp with a playful acidity, oily slightly weighted texture and a tannin level that played nicely for this style of wine. A complex flavor of tropical fruit and wet stone. Balanced and ready to enjoy. I tasted the wine with family, poolside, and we found it lighter than expected, with extremely low acid compared to some other white wines like a Sauvignon Blanc, lovely fruit that reminded me of chilled fruit cocktail in a light syrup, apricot and fleshy peach. Perfect for a pool or picnic day!

About The Vice Wine

The Vice Wine is a Napa Valley luxury wine brand made in small batches. Each batch is crafted from single grape varietals sourced from hand-selected vineyards that best express the grape varietal and the region that it comes from. The Vice wines is a result of passionate labor, sustainable farming, a long expertise of the wine industry and a current understanding of the consumer’s wine trend. The Vice Wine is about as personal of a brand as it gets. Everything is done by the founders. We drive the truck to get our fruit, we crush, bottle, label; we do everything by hand when possible. We design the labels, work the market, and sell the wine. We believe that the best wines in the world aren’t the most expensive ones. We thrive at providing the best quality wine at the best value. For more information visit thevicewine.com and follow on @thevicewine.

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.

Perlises Pick: What Wines We Are Drinking At Home – Part 4

May 8, 2021 by Michael Perlis

It is finally time to move our focus to Northern California, so now we can write about the Big Three.

Ahhh, the Big Three. These are the three winemakers that have had the biggest influence on our wine drinking over the last 2+ decades. Not only do they make great Zinfandel [kind of a requirement for this Zinfan] along with other wonderful reds that are in our wheelhouse [think Syrah, Petite Sirah, etc.] but they also make wonderful lighter style wines.

In addition, they are all founding members of the Historic Vineyard Society [insert website], an organization dedicated to preserving California’s old vineyards.

Photo provided by Mike Officer of Carlisle

The Big Three are:

Mike Officer of Carlisle Winery and Vineyards

Tegan Passalacqua of Turley Wine Cellars and Sandlands

Morgan Twain-Peterson of Bedrock

Mike and Kendall Officer’s first vintage from their Carlisle Winery www.carlislewinery.com was 1998. They both kept their day jobs for the next few years, but given the immediate accolades they received out of the starting gate for their wines produced from old-vine vineyards, focusing on Zinfandels and Rhones, demand for them to increase production was high. They eventually were able to devote themselves full-time to the winery and their family – both of their children now work at the winery. While we immediately became huge fans of their red wines, they also make three whites that are definitely on our go-to list:

Sonoma Mountain “Steiner Vineyard” Grüner Veltliner: Not too many wineries use this varietal in California.

Sonoma Valley “Compagni Portis” White Wine: a field blend of primarily Gewurztraminer, Trousseau Gris and Riesling from the Compagni Portis Vineyard. Sonoma County “The Derivative” White Wine: The 2018 is a blend of Semillon, Muscadelle, Columbard and Palomino.

While many people consider Turley Wine Cellars www.turleywinecellars.com to be a Paso Robles winery since they purchased the old Pesenti winery in 2000, they also have a facility in Amador County, having acquired the Karly property in 2012. More to the Northern California point, Turley’s headquarters is in St. Helena in the Napa Valley. Under the auspices of Director of Winemaking Tegan Passalacqua, Turley produces an amazing number of delicious Zinfandels from some of California’s best vineyards, along with some Petite Syrahs, Cinsaults and even some Cabernet Sauvignon. If you are looking for lighter wines, they make some great ones as well. For whites, the Sauvignon Blanc is a favorite of ours and The White Coat blend is always outstanding. And yes, Turley also makes a White Zinfandel; but please don’t expect it to be that silly sweet stuff.

Tegan and his wife Olivia also own Sandlands www.sandlandsvineyards.com , where they focus mainly on “forgotten classic California varieties, primarily grown in decomposed granite (sand), from regions and vineyards that have been farmed for many generations but have remained the outliers of California viticulture.” Sure, they do make some outstanding Chardonnay, but don’t miss their Lodi Chenin Blanc or Cinsault, Mataro and Carigane from Contra Costa County, even a Mission from Amador County, among others. The wines have an old-fashioned flair to them, including lower alcohol by modern California standards and are lip-smackingly delicious. Prices are really reasonable too, but you need to try to get on the mailing list!

Last but not least, Morgan Twain-Peterson founded Bedrock www.bedrockwineco.com

in 2007, but winemaking would seem to have always been in his blood. As the son of Joel Peterson who created Ravenswood and now owns Once And Future Wine, Morgan made his first wine when he was 5 years old – I think he made Pinot Noir just to annoy his Zinfandel-loving father. We were first drawn to the Bedrock Syrahs, Zinfandels and Heritage field blends, but we have found the whites to be equally as compelling. Morgan and his now partner-in-wine Chris Cottrell are doing amazing things with Sauvignon Blanc. And if you or anyone you know thinks that Rieslings are not for them, please give Bedrock’s a try; you will change your mind. Finally, the Ode to Lulu is one of our favorite pink wines every year.

Be aware that all of the Big Three reserve the bulk of their production for their mailing lists, so I highly recommend you sign up – or get on their waitlists.

As the weather starts heating up and Karen and I get to being fully vaccinated, we are looking forward to traveling to our favorite wine regions and tasting new varietals and vintages and reporting back. But in the meantime, you’ll probably see another article or two in this series.

Michael Perlis has been pursuing his passion for wine for more than 30 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 President of MCP Financial, which provides outsourced controller services. Michael can be contacted at michaelthezinfan@aol.com or mcpfinancial@aol.com.

Auberge du Soleil Announces The Reopening Of Its Iconic Michelin Star Restaurant And The Return Of Fine Dining On The Terrace

April 29, 2021 by evebushman

RUTHERFORD, CALIF. (PRWEB) – Auberge du Soleil, Napa Valley’s quintessential adult getaway, has announced the reopening of The Restaurant, the property’s culinary landmark, featuring a new two- or three-course prix fixe lunch menu ; a three- or four-course prix fixe or six-course tasting menu for dinner service; and a three-course brunch menu available on Saturdays and Sundays. The Restaurant, one of Napa Valley’s first fine dining establishments and recipient of 13 consecutive Michelin Stars, is synonymous with Wine Country cuisine and widely considered a “must experience” culinary destination among discerning travelers and locals alike.

Photo: @verticalluxurytravel

Simultaneously, the hotel’s Bistro and Bar will welcome guests with its original menu concept featuring a range of casual dishes meant to be enjoyed with refreshing cocktails, craft brews and a vast selection of more than 40 wines by the glass that offer a balanced selection of California and French/Old World wines.

Enhancements to the hotel’s beverage program include a range of palate pleasing Aperitifs, French-Inspired Cocktails, and elevated “Classics” featuring the most indulgent versions of time-honored standards such as the Martini, Manhattan, Old Fashioned and Negroni, along with an array of Speciality Cocktails and a new selection of Digestifs.

“Reopening The Restaurant is something we’ve all been looking forward to these many months as it’s the cornerstone for the full sensory experience of the property. Dining on the Terrace can transport you to the south of France while seated in the heart of Napa Valley,” said Bradley Reynolds, Managing Director of Auberge du Soleil. “We’ve missed the special birthdays, anniversaries and celebrations that our guests share with us and we can’t wait to begin creating life-long memories together once again.”

Auberge du Soleil offers spectacular panoramic views of vineyards and mountain vistas from the expansive outdoor terrace, where guests may sip, savor and linger over the dining experience of their choice: The Restaurant, with an elevated fine-dining approach that showcases seasonal, locally-grown ingredients prepared with French techniques; or the Bistro and Bar, which provides the ideal mid-valley respite for an informal lunch between wine tastings or a casual dinner to relax over at the end of the day.

Robert Curry has served as Executive Chef at Auberge du Soleil since 2005, overseeing the culinary program at The Restaurant, Bistro and Bar and hotel’s Private Dining exclusively for Weddings and Events. Curry began his culinary career in his native Los Angeles and received his degree from the Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park. After graduation, he was recruited by Michael Richard and Alain Giraud for Citrus Restaurant in New York. In the late ‘90’s he travelled to France working with Alain Ducasse at his three-star Louis XV in the Hotel de Paris, Joseph Thuet at the Moët & Chandon Résidence de Trianon in Epernay, and in Paris at the two-star Michel Rostang. He later served as Executive Chef at the Wine Spectator Greystone Restaurant at the CIA in St Helena, California, eight years at Domaine Chandon in Yountville, as Executive Sous Chef under Philippe Jeanty and ultimately succeeding him as Executive Chef.

Reservations are now being accepted for The Restaurant by contacting Auberge du Soleil at 707.967.1211 or online via OpenTable. The Restaurant will be open for Lunch, Wednesday-Friday from 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, followed by Dinner service from 5:30 PM – 10:00 PM. Brunch will be offered on Saturdays and Sundays from 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM. The Restaurant will open seven days a week starting May 1.

The Lunch menu will offer a two course prix fixe for $60 and three-courses for $75. Dinner service will feature three courses for $135, four courses for $155 or a six-course tasting menu for $185. All menus include vegetarian selections available with each course.

The Bistro and Bar offers continuous service seven days a week from 11:30 AM to 11:00 PM. Reservations are suggested via 707.967.1211 or online at OpenTable.

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 exclusive Auberge du Soleil Spa. Known for passionate, intuitive service that sets the standard for gracious hospitality, the property is a long-standing member of Relais & Châteaux, an international association of outstanding boutique properties known for their excellence in hospitality and the culinary arts.

Auberge du Soleil consistently receives the highest accolades from the hospitality industry, discerning guests and the media, and is perennially ranked among the best and most romantic hotels 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. For more information please visit http://www.relaischateaux.com.

About Auberge Resorts Collection
Auberge Resorts Collection is a portfolio of extraordinary hotels, resorts, residences and private clubs. While each property is unique, all share a crafted approach to luxury and bring the soul of the locale to life through captivating design, exceptional cuisine and spas, and gracious yet unobtrusive service. With 19 hotels and resorts across three continents, Auberge invites guests to create unforgettable stories in some of the world’s most desirable destinations. For more information about Auberge Resorts Collection, please visit aubergeresorts.com. Follow Auberge Resorts Collection on Facebook at facebook.com/AubergeResorts and on Twitter and Instagram at @AubergeResorts and #AlwaysAuberge.

Auberge du Soleil Receives Top Honors From Forbes Travel Guide, Travel + Leisure and U.S. News and World Report

April 17, 2021 by evebushman

RUTHERFORD, CALIF. (PRWEB) – Auberge du Soleil, announced it has been honored with multiple awards for 2021 by esteemed global travel authorities Forbes Travel Guide, Travel + Leisure, and U.S. News & World Report. Forbes Travel Guide recognized Napa Valley’s quintessential adult getaway with a Five Star Award, its highest rating, for the eighth consecutive year. Simultaneously, the hotel was recognized as one of the top hotels in the world on the Travel + Leisure 500 List for its exceptional service and luxurious accommodations. In addition, Auberge du Soleil has been named the No. 1 Hotel in Napa Valley, and among the best hotels in California and the USA in U.S. News & World Report’s 2021 Best Hotels rankings report.

“We are deeply honored to be recognized by these distinguished publications as one of the very best resorts in the world,” said Bradley Reynolds, Managing Director, Auberge du Soleil. “These coveted awards are incredibly meaningful and are a true credit to our team who continuously rededicate themselves to delivering exceptional service to ensure our guests consider Auberge du Soleil their home-away-from-home in Napa Valley.”

Inspired by the south of France and infused with California soul, Auberge du Soleil is nestled within a terraced, sun-kissed hillside amid 33-acres of heritage olive and oak trees in the heart of Napa Valley. The hotel’s 50 contemporary residential-style guestrooms and suites effortlessly blend relaxed sophistication with understated elegance, earning a long-standing reputation as wine country’s most iconic luxury property. Renowned for its culinary roots the property features a Michelin Star restaurant and bistro, where guests enjoy fine-dining and casual French-inspired fare while taking in spectacular panoramic vineyard and valley views from the outdoor terrace. The exclusive Auberge du Soleil Spa, offers a tranquil retreat for reflecting, relaxing and restoring in a picturesque setting within the resort’s Parc du Soleil, where guests may stroll along meandering nature paths, linger over food and wine amid the shady private picnic groves and discover nearly 100 works by 60 California artists in the sculpture garden.

Forbes Travel Guide is the world-renowned guide to genuine Five-Star service. The prestigious annual Star Rating list comprises “outstanding, often iconic properties with virtually flawless service and amazing facilities.” Properties were inspected prior to the pandemic and when regional restrictions allowed for the safe return of guests. In addition to the hotel’s Five-Star rating, The Restaurant and the Auberge du Soleil Spa both retained Forbes Four-Star ratings in the 2021 Guide. View Auberge du Soleil’s awards at forbestravelguide.com.

Drawing on the publication’s 2020 World’s Best Awards results, in which readers’ shared their thoughts on top-performing destinations, city hotels and resorts, Travel + Leisure has recognized the best hotels around the globe by naming them to this year’s T+L 500 list. Auberge du Soleil is showcased in the March 2021 print issue of Travel + Leisure and available online at travelandleisure.com.

The 11th annual U.S. News & World Report Best Hotels rankings evaluated more than 30,000 luxury properties across destinations in the U.S., Europe, Bermuda, Mexico, Canada and the Caribbean. Determined by valued travelers and reviews under the publication’s licensed partner, TripAdvisor, the rankings took into consideration the aggregate opinion of experts and guests for exceptional quality. The rankings will showcase Auberge du Soleil and other honorees on usnews.com and tripadvisor.com throughout the year.

For more information, please visit aubergeresorts.com/aubergedusoleil.

About Auberge du Soleil
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 Michelin Star Restaurant, and the exclusive Auberge du Soleil Spa. Nestled within a 33-acre hillside olive grove, the “Inn of the Sun” is celebrated for delivering passionate, intuitive service that embodies gracious Napa Valley hospitality. The 50 residential-style rooms, suites and private maisons, recently renovated by AD 100 interior designer Suzanne Tucker, principle of Tucker & Marks, San Francisco, set the stage for romance in the seclusion of the adults-only environment. The property is a long-standing member of Relais & Châteaux, an international association of outstanding boutique properties known for their excellence in hospitality and the culinary arts, and the flagship hotel in the Auberge Resorts Collection. Follow Auberge du Soleil on Facebook and Instagram @AubergeduSoleil.

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 toward this goal, along with the goal to preserve local heritages and the environment, through the UNESCO Manifesto in November 2014. For more information please visit http://www.relaischateaux.com.

About Auberge Resorts Collection
Auberge Resorts Collection is a portfolio of extraordinary hotels, resorts, residences and private clubs. While each property is unique, all share a crafted approach to luxury and bring the soul of the locale to life through captivating design, exceptional cuisine and spas, and gracious yet unobtrusive service. With 19 hotels and resorts across three continents, Auberge invites guests to create unforgettable stories in some of the world’s most desirable destinations. 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 and #AlwaysAuberge.