Eve's Wine 101

THE 13th ANNUAL HALL CABERNET COOKOFF

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ST. HELENA, CALIFORNIA – HALL Napa Valley hosted its thirteenth annual Cabernet Cookoff on Saturday, April 30 at HALL St. Helena Winery, with $105,00 dollars raised to benefit non-profit organizations. The event, hosted by Vintner Kathryn Hall, featured an impressive lineup of renowned culinary teams vying for a chance to win proceeds for a charity of their choice by participating in a food and wine pairing competition.

“It was so exciting to be back in person for the Cabernet Cookoff this year,” said Vintner Kathryn Hall. “This event makes a difference for many lives in our community. The twelve chef teams competing this year really impressed all of us – such colorful, delicious dishes with incredibly artistic presentations. I am absolutely thrilled to be able to bring together some of the best restaurants in the Bay Area and help support non-profit organizations near and dear to them.”

Hundreds of guests packed HALL St. Helena to sip on one of HALL’s most popular Cabernet Sauvignon wines, Jack’s Masterpiece, and celebrate the 2019 vintage. The sold-out event included a panel of celebrity Judges such as Natalie Morales, co-host of the CBS’s The Talk, celebrity Chef Brian Malarkey, NBC Bay Area’s Raj Mathai, and two stars from BRAVO’s Southern Charm, Shep Rose and Austen Kroll.

Each of the four winning chef teams helped hand out $23,000 each to the winning non-profit organizations. Additionally, all twelve non-profit teams participating in the 2022 event were given a $1,000 check from the Craig & Kathryn Hall Foundation as a thank you for being involved.

The four 2022 HALL Cabernet Cookoff Chef team and non-profit winners included:

• Judges Choice: InterContinental Mark Hopkins – Chef: Brian Sepulveda
Dish: Lamb Barbacoa sopes, adobo masala, pickled radish, queso cotija, salsa negra Charity Partner: Firefly Autism

“We will proudly and graciously put the winning funds directly to our programs and services,” says Dr. Amanda Kelly, Executive Director/CEO of Firefly Autism. “Specifically looking to impact our home-based services, this amount will cover one year of part-time in-home services for one of our deserving clients. Thank you, Chef Brian and HALL Wines, for making this possible!”

• Judges Choice Runner-Up: One Market Restaurant – Chef: Mark Dommen Dish: Octopus a la Plancha, braised beef cheek, kalamata olive vinaigrette Charity Partner: Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation

“JDRF is extremely grateful to HALL for hosting this fun and high profile-event. Special thanks to Chef Mark Dommen of One Market Restaurant who won second place and chose our organization to receive a donation of $23,000,” says Kellee Hearn, Executive Director, JDRF Northern California Chapter. “The funding will help propel our mission to accelerate life-changing breakthroughs to cure, treat, and prevent type 1 diabetes (T1D) and its complications. This generous gift will make a difference and improve the lives of millions of people around the world impacted by T1D.”

• People’s Choice: Hotel Nia – Chef: Chad Bayless Dish: Beet tartare, whipped brie, spiced berry Charity Partner: World Central Kitchen

“We are grateful for Chef Chad’s shared belief that food is a universal human right,” said Jason Collis, World Central Kitchen’s VP of Relief. “This support will help WCK continue to provide fresh, nutritious meals to people impacted by crises around the world.”

• People’s Choice Runner Up: Tarla Mediterranean Grill – Chef: Jason Naaman
Dish: Pomegranate-Cabernet braised short ribs, roasted mushroom, white truffle risotto, beef au jus Charity Partner: St. John’s Lutheran School

“St. John’s Lutheran School will be using the $23,000 to update our STEM program with new technology to further our students’ knowledge in coding and robotics,” says Principal of Napa’s St. John Lutheran School, Christy Wood. “Our purpose is to help students grow in their relationship with Christ and develop the knowledge and skills to be confident, academically capable individuals who serve Christ, His church, and His world.”

Sponsors for the 2022 HALL Cabernet Cookoff included Chefs Life by Brian Malarkey who served as title sponsor for the VIP Culinary Stage as well as Evan Healy, Cypress Grove, Corkcicle, Alastin Skincare, Re-Think Ice Cream, Kollar Chocolates, Proforma and Napa Sonoma Magazine. Since inception, the HALL Cabernet Cookoff has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for non-profit organizations. For more information and to get involved as a culinary team, sponsor, or non-profit organization, please visit www.hallwines.com/cabernetcookoff.

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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 Winemaker Megan Gunderson, sources fruit from some of the most prominent vineyards up and down the West Coast and includes twelve Estate vineyard including Sacrashe, Bergfeld, Hardester, Cook, Deller-Freidkin, Walt Ranch, Rainin, Beller, Lamoreaux, 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 industries top critics, including seven 100-point scores from the industry’s most notable wine critics. Visit www.hallwines.com, www.waltwines.com, www.bacawines.com for more information, or call 707-967-2626.

Guide to Santa Barbara Wine Country, Courtesy The Leta Hotel

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Santa Barbara County may be rightly famous for its reliably mild weather and sun-splashed scenery but these enviable assets have also made it a prized destination for wine lovers. Geography tells the story. 

Several million years ago, the mountains that rose along the Pacific Coast of North America mostly ran from north to south. But here in what’s now Santa Barbara County, the nascent peaks decided to veer off course and sprinted the opposite direction: east to west.  

This extraordinary geographic anomaly created a protected south-facing pocket of paradise, tucked between soaring peaks and offshore islands, where visitors and residents revel in a balmy climate amid stunning natural scenery.  

It also gave birth to an exceptionally diverse grape-growing region that lured winemaking pioneers starting in the 1960s. The towering peaks and sloping hillsides funnel cool winds and fog nearly 40 miles from the ocean through river valleys. The result? Myriad microclimates and a superior environment for premium wine grape cultivation.  

Santa Barbara County eventually earned an international reputation for world-class Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Fast-forward to 2021, when Wine Enthusiast lauded Santa Barbara County as the world’s Wine Region of the Year.  

No matter what varietal your palate prefers, you’ll probably find it here. Santa Barbara County vineyards produce more than 70 varietals, primarily Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah, and Cabernet, in seven approved AVAs (American Viticulture Areas). More than 275 wineries speckle the landscape in rural northern Santa Barbara County and line the streets of cities, towns, and villages.  

How to Choose With so many choices, what’s a wine lover to do? Start with a virtual visit to Santa Barbara Vintners, where you’ll find loads of info, including trails, maps, tours, and brief winery descriptions with links to websites.

Regional wineries range from rustic cottages to palatial manors. In recent years, the area has become known for its sustainable farming methods and holds a plethora of biodynamic, organic, and regenerative vineyards.  

Short on time? Head to the Santa Barbara Urban Wine Trail, with more than 30 wine-tasting rooms in six neighborhoods on the South Coast. Many wineries have two tasting locations: downtown Santa Barbara and another close to north county vineyards.

Want someone else to do the driving? Check out these wine tour companies.  

You can also maximize your time by focusing on tasting-room hubs. More than 40 tasting rooms line several walkable blocks in historic Los Olivos, a throw-back pioneer town about a 40-minute drive from The Leta Hotel.

Standouts include Coqueliquot, Larner, Future Perfect, Holus Bolus, and Blair Fox Cellars. Wineries also cluster in Lompoc, about a 50-minute drive from Goleta in wine country’s far western edge in the Santa Rita Hills.

Those in downtown Santa Barbara, just a 12-minute drive from The Leta Hotel, are a quick and popular option to try new regional wines, such as Melville, Santa Barbara Winery, Riverbench, and The Valley Project. 

Select vintners will offer tastings on Friday evenings at The Leta Hotel from May through the summer. Past wineries have included Grassini, Fess Parker, SAMsARA, Carr, and Santa Barbara Winery. In addition, The Leta Restaurant serves several Santa Barbara County wines, including J. Wilkes Pinot Blanc, Jackson Estate Chardonnay, Point & Line Sauvignon Blanc, Carr Pinot Gris, Nielson by Byron Pinot Noir, Zaca Mesa ‘Z’ cuvée, Margerum M5 Rhône blend, and Refugio Ranch Barbareño. The VIP amenity wine is a Pinot Noir that comes from the oldest winery in the region, Santa Barbara Winery.  

Wineries to Visit Here are a few top picks to inspire your adventures and give you a small taste of the amazing depth and breadth of Santa Barbara County wine country. Be sure to check hours and whether reservations are required or recommended. 

Alma Rosa In 2005 pioneering winemaker Richard Sanford and his wife Thekla severed ties with their namesake winery and launched a new venture at their El Jabali vineyard estate in the Sta. Rita Hills appellation: eco-friendly Alma Rosa Winery & Vineyard. The Sanfords no longer own the winery and vineyard, but still play important roles as consultants and hosts. Winemaker Samra Morris, who hails from Bosnia, crafts small lots of single-vineyard Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Rhône varietals, and sparkling wines. Sample them in a stunning new tasting room with indoor/outdoor seating in downtown Solvang, a 40-minute drive from Goleta. Try to book a private tasting at the historic ranch house on the 628-acre estate, where the Sanfords planted the region’s first certified organic grapes in 1983. You can also sign up for vineyard hike-and-taste experiences.  

Babcock Bryan Babcock has made wines since the early 1980s and helped establish the Sta. Rita Hills AVA. He’s also widely considered one of the best winemakers in the county and has won numerous awards for estate Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and other wines. The family-run enterprise sits on Highway 246 near Lompoc on the western edge of wine country. This is a don’t-miss experience, not only because you’ll taste top-notch wines, but also amble around the hip and quirky tasting complex, which includes a huge, repurposed warehouse filled with an eclectic array of vintage furnishings, clothing, décor, and collectibles. Babcock continues to pioneer new techniques, most recently in regenerative farming. 

Folded Hills Descendants of the famous Anheuser-Busch empire founders run this small winery, ranch, and farmstead in a magical country setting right off Highway 101, 30 minutes from The Leta Hotel. Wine grapes grow alongside 18 acres of organic row crops, fruit orchards, and a collection of animals that range from Budweiser Clydesdales, sheep, and goats to a camel and a zebra. The winery specializes in Rhône varietals and pours tastes in a contemporary space amid oaks and redwoods at the ranch, and in an upscale tasting room in Montecito, close to downtown Santa Barbara. 

Gainey Vineyard The fourth generation of the Gainey family currently runs the vast Gainey Ranch, which encompasses nearly 2,000 acres of farmland and vineyard estates. The Home Ranch in Santa Ynez Valley produces Bordeaux varietals, while a property in the cooler Santa Rita Hills vineyard focuses on Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Syrah. Try the various vintages at the Spanish-style hacienda or outdoors on the expansive lawn or arbor-shaded veranda — a fantastic spot for a picnic.  

Buttonwood Winery & Vineyard Sip wine and picnic amid orchards, gardens, and groves of native buttonwood trees (aka sycamores) at this 106-acre working farm-turned-winery on Alamo Pintado Road, a five-mile country road that connects Solvang and Los Olivos. Buttonwood grows sustainably farmed Bordeaux and Rhône-style grapes in its 39-acre vineyard, and longtime winemaker Karen Steinwachs has transformed them into quality wines since 2007. Buttonwood’s flagship wines are Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernets.  

Zaca Mesa The Foxen Canyon Wine Trail, which begins in Los Olivos, wends its way for 20 miles through some of California’s most scenic countryside. Chance Corbin, The Leta Hotel’s food and beverage general manager, says “Foxen Canyon is really the main trail in wine country. I always recommend it as it’s really popular with guests.” Zaca Mesa — a star along the trail — is a 1,752-acre property on a wild and rugged site the native Chumash called zaca, or “restful place.” The family-owned and -operated winery, established in 1973, specializes in handcrafted, single-vineyard Rhône-style estate-grown wines. In 1978 Zaca Mesa planted the first Syrah in Santa Barbara County; this vineyard block still produces low-yield grapes with intense flavor for the winery’s coveted Black Bear Syrah.

Fess Parker Winery Unveils Newly Renovated Tasting Room

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LOS OLIVOS, Calif., /PRNewswire/ — The Fess Parker family is pleased to announce the debut of their renovated tasting room, which reopened to the public on April 2, revealing a more modern design that pays homage to the family’s roots and supports the winery’s more elevated tasting experiences.

 

Established by the late Fess Parker in the 1980s, the multigenerational family owned and operated Fess Parker Winery has built a reputation for crafting exceptional Rhône and Burgundian wines from Santa Barbara County. Since opening its expansive tasting room and winery in the early 1990s, Fess Parker Winery has remained a top destination in the region, welcoming guests to enjoy high-quality wines from its picturesque location along the Foxen Canyon Wine Trail.

Looking to create a more contemporary experience for guests while incorporating the family’s unique history, the Parker family embarked on a tasting room refresh that would become the next evolution of the presentation of the brand. To bring their vision to life, the family hired Oliva Villaluz of Oliva Villaluz Design, who worked closely with siblings Eli Parker and Ashley Parker-Snider to conceive and execute the new look, which included updates of both interior and exterior spaces.

“After 30+ years, it was definitely time for a refresh,” explains Parker-Snider. “We knew we wanted to create an environment that would feel a little bit grand, yet still welcoming and comfortable – all while giving visitors a sense of place and meeting the needs of our elevated hospitality experiences.”

The floor-to-ceiling fireplace remains the centerpiece of the tasting room interior, which is now surrounded by comfortable chairs and a communal table to give the room a lounge-like setting. Beside the Fireplace Room are two semi-private tasting areas catering to more intimate wine experiences, including those showcasing the family’s robust library collection of wines, going back over two decades.

Additional decorative touches in the tasting room include a mural of the Fess Parker Home Ranch, showcasing the 714-acre property founder Fess Parker purchased in 1988, as well as a stunning Kodiak Greenwood photograph of Mr. Parker’s favorite spot on the ranch, which is printed on metal and hung as a tryptic above the fireplace. Memorabilia from Mr. Parker’s acting days – including the guitar he auditioned for the role of Davy Crockett with and an original copy of the lyrics from “The Ballad of Davy Crockett” with edits in the margin – are also included in the space, as a nod to the late patriarch’s roots.

Outside, tasting areas are reconfigured to further accommodate the winery’s shift towards more elevated, private tasting experiences while taking advantage of the area’s picture-perfect weather. New outdoor tasting bars were added to maximize usage of the spacious grounds, while new shade sails, outdoor furniture, and plants create a comfortable, appealing environment in which to enjoy the wines year-round.

Finally, the existing prep kitchen was updated with state-of-the-art appliances, allowing the winery to enhance their hospitality programming and accommodate a variety of special events.

“With the redesign, our goal was to create a warm space that invites guests to make lasting memories, but one that also allows them to connect to the people behind the wines and place,” says Parker-Snider. “We feel like the end result will stand the test of time. It’s something our folks would be proud and excited about, and something we hope the next generations will be excited about for years to come.”

About The Fess Parker Family Portfolio

Since the late 1980s, Fess Parker and his family have cultivated a world-class hospitality portfolio around the beauty and bounty of Santa Barbara County. The Fess Parker Winery is focused on the grape varieties best suited to the region’s unique growing conditions – Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Rhone wines – with its vintages consistently earning 90+ point ratings from top critics around the world. In addition to a waterfront hotel in Santa Barbara, the family honors their late patriarch’s legacy by hosting guests at the Fess Parker Wine Country Inn in Los Olivos, the heart of Santa Barbara wine country. For more information, please visit www.fessparker.com.

ADOBE ROAD WINERY WINS LA INVITATIONAL WINE AND SPIRITS CHALLENGE

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(Petaluma, Calif.)— Renowned family-owned producer, Adobe Road Winery is pleased to announce its 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon, Beckstoffer Vineyards-Georges III was honored with multiple awards at the inaugural 2022 LA Invitational Wine & Spirits Challenge. The judges bestowed Adobe Road Winery with its prestigious Overall Winner “Best of the Best” along with “Best of Class” in the Cabernet Sauvignon category and “Best of Show” in the red wine category. The competition also awarded the wine 100 points making it the most talked-about wine of the entire competition. The winery secured additional awards during this year’s voting process including “Double Gold” for its 2018 Blue Dog Cabernet Sauvignon and “Gold” for its 2019 Sangiacomo Pinot Noir.

“It’s great when the team gets recognized for their hard work. We have an amazing group of people that are very good at what they do,” says Owner, Kevin Buckler. “There’s no secret sauce, it’s just passion and drive to make the best wines we possibly can.”

The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon This 2017 Beckstoffer Georges III sports intense aromatics of licorice, shaved dark chocolate, ripe red fruits, and pencil lead. Since debuting, it has become one of Adobe Road Winery’s most desired red wines, known for a palate explosion of crushed blackberries and toffee mixed with forest floor and graphite. Super fine dusty tannins add focus and length to the extended finish.  The wine was barrel-aged for 30 months in 90% New French Oak and 10% Neutral French Oak. It comes charging off the line with an opaque black color in the glass. (SRP: $195)

“Making wine from a famous and historical vineyard such as Beckstoffer Vineyards Georges III is always a joy. The grapes are perfectly suited to their site there in Rutherford, expressing everything that is good from the soil, sunshine, and careful attention that the vineyard managers give. The resulting wines always speak eloquently of their place and time,” says Winemaker Garrett Martin. “2017 in Napa started unusually cool and wet. The season progressed into an intense summer with a few heat waves that accelerated ripening. Making the best wines in 2017 meant working extremely closely with our vineyard partners to make quick and thoughtful decisions to harvest incredible grapes.

About Adobe Road Winery

Kevin and Debra Buckler established Adobe Road Winery in 2002 with a commitment to making the very best small-lot wines by sourcing premier fruit from some of the most historic and finest family-owned vineyards in Sonoma and Napa Counties. To learn more visit adoberoadwines.com

About TRG and “The Racing Series”

Kevin and Debra founded TRG (The Racers Group) 30 years ago and have grown the company into one of the most successful sports car teams in history. Kevin was the lead driver and achieved international success with wins at the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 24 hours of LeMans. Authenticity is in their DNA and as Kevin likes to say…“ I like to win”. Adobe Road launched “The Racing Series” in 2019 using the same philosophy that drives their success on the racetrack. “The Racing Series” is all about pushing the envelope and challenging existing norms. The wines represent the highest expression of what a premium red blend can be when pushed to the limit. The racing parallels don’t end with just the wine. All “Racing Series” wines incorporate physical aspects of auto racing into the packaging. For more information on The Racers Group visit theracersgroup.com.

CA Wins at NY International Wine Competition

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NYIWC Winners from CA in 2021

  • Aimee (Morgan Hill, CA)
    • Gold medal: Petite Sirah- Region lll 2017
    • Silver medal: Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
    • Silver medal: Bollicine 2019
    • Bronze medal: Petite Sirah- Region V 2017
    • Individual award: Napa Petite Sirah Winery of the Year
  • Benson Marketing Group (Napa Valley, CA)
    • Gold medal: Vermouth di Torino
  • Blair Estate (Carmel By The Sea, CA)
    • Silver medal: Blair Estate Pinot Noir Morgantini Vineyard 2016
    • Silver medal: Blair Estate Rose of Pinot Noir 2019
    • Individual award: Arroyo Seco Rose of Pinot Noir Winery of the Year
  • Cameron Hughes Wine (San Francisco, CA)
    • Gold medal: Lot 746 Arroyo Seco Chardonnay 2019
    • Silver medal: Lot 765 Sierra Foothills Zinfandel 2018
    • Individual award: Arroyo Seco Chardonnay Wine of the Year
  • Clos de la Tech (Woodside, CA)
    • Double Gold medal: Domaine Lois Louise “Cote Sud”  2015
    • Silver medal: Domaine Valeta “Sunny Slope” 2015
    • Bronze medal: Santa Cruz Mountain Estates 2015
    • Individual award: Santa Cruz Mountains Winery of the year
  • DoublePlus Wines (St Helena, CA)
    • Gold medal: Rose 2020
    • Gold medal: Sauvignon Blanc 2020
    • Individual award: Napa Sauvignon Blanc Winery of the Year
  • E&J Gallo Winery (Modesto, CA)
    • Barefoot Hard Seltzer
      • Gold medal: Peach
      • Silver medal: Pineapple
      • Bronze medal: Cherry
    • J Vineyards
      • Gold medal: Chardonnay 2019
      • Gold medal: Pinot Noir 2018
      • Silver medal: Brut Rosé
    • La Marca
      • Gold medal: Prosecco
    • Louis M. Martini
      • Gold medal: Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
      • Silver medal: Cabernet Sauvignon
      • Individual award: Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Wine of the Year
    • Alamos
      • Silver medal: Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
    • Barefoot
      • Silver medal: Sangria
      • Silver medal: Pink Pinot Grigio
      • Silver medal: Merlot
      • Silver medal: Zinfandel
      • Bronze medal: Sauvignon Blanc
      • Bronze medal: Chardonnay
      • Bronze medal: White Zinfandel
      • Bronze medal: Moscato
      • Bronze medal: Pinot Grigio
      • Bronze medal: Moscato
    • Barefoot Bubbly
      • Silver medal: Brut Cuvee
      • Bronze medal: Brut Rosé
      • Bronze medal: Prosecco
    • Barefoot Fruitscato
      • Silver medal: Strawberry
      • Silver medal: Mango
      • Bronze medal: Watermelon
      • Bronze medal: Peach
      • Bronze medal: Blueberry
      • Individual award: Wines with Fruit Flavor of the Year
    • Barefoot Spritzer
      • Silver medal: Moscato Spritzer
      • Bronze medal: Summer Red
    • Black Box
      • Silver medal: Chardonnay 2019
      • Silver medal: Malbec 2018
      • Silver medal: Pinot Grigio 2019
      • Silver medal: Shiraz 2018
      • Bronze medal: Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
      • Bronze medal: Sauvignon Blanc 2020
      • Individual award: Boxed Wine of the Year
    • Edna Valley
      • Silver medal: Chardonnay 2019
      • Bronze medal: Rosé 2020
    • MacMurray Estate Vineyards
      • Silver medal: Pinot Noir 2018
    • Prophecy
      • Silver medal: Pinot Noir 2018
      • Bronze medal: Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
    • Starborough
      • Silver medal: Sauvignon Blanc 2020
    • Talbott
      • Silver medal: Kali Hart Chardonnay 2019
    • William Hill Estate Winery
      • Bronze medal: Chardonnay 2019
      • Bronze medal: Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
      • Bronze medal: Chardonnay 2019
  • Fazeli Cellars (Temecula, CA)
    • Gold medal: Merlot 2017
    • Silver medal: Shiraz 2017
    • Bronze medal: Petite Sirah 2017
    • Individual award: Temecula Winery of the Year
  • Frey Vineyards (Redwood Valley, CA)
    • Frey Organic
      • Double Gold medal: Sauvignon Blanc 2019
      • Gold medal: Viognier 2018
      • Silver medal: Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
      • Silver medal: Sun & Rain Chardonnay 2019
      • Silver medal: Pinot Grigio 2019
      • Bronze medal: Zinfandel 2019
      • Bronze medal: Chardonnay 2019
      • Individual award: California Organic Winery of the Year
    • Frey Biodynamic
      • Gold medal: Merlot 2019
      • Silver medal: Chardonnay 2019
  • Garemani Wines (Santa Barbara, CA)
    • Gold medal: Chardonnay 2019
    • Gold medal: Pinot Noir 2019
    • Silver medal: Merlot 2019
    • Bronze medal: Sauvignon Blanc 2019
    • Bronze medal: Tannat 2019
    • Individual award: Central Coast Pinot Noir Winery of the Year
  • Halleck Vineyard (Sebastopol, CA)
    • Double Gold medal: Pinot Noir; Three Sons Cuvee 2017
    • Gold medal: Calandrelli Vineyard 2019
    • Gold medal: Hillside Cuvee 2017
    • Silver medal: Little Sister Sauvignon Blanc 2019
    • Silver medal: The Farm Vineyards 2017
    • Silver medal: Clone 828 2018
    • Bronze medal: Pinot Noir; Haas Vineyard 2017
    • Individual award: California Gewurztraminer Winery of the Year
    • Individual award: Russian River Pinot Noir Winery of the Year
  • Hartlam Winery (San Gabriel, CA)
    • Gold medal: Grenache 2020
    • Silver medal: Syrah Rosé wine 2020
    • Bronze medal: Sauvignon blanc 2020
    • Individual award: California Grenache Winery of the Year
  • Herzog Wine Cellars (Oxnard, CA)
    • Double Gold medal: American Oak Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
    • Gold medal: Choreograph 2020
    • Gold medal: Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
    • Gold medal: Rosé 2020
    • Silver medal: French Oak Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
    • Silver medal: Four Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
    • Bronze medal: Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
    • Bronze medal: Pinot Grigio 2020
    • Bronze medal: Momentus
    • Bronze medal: Sauvignon Blanc 2020
    • Individual award: Kosher Winery of the Year
  • Kenwood Vineyards (Kenwood, CA)
    • Double Gold medal: Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
    • Gold medal: Six Ridges Chardonnay 2018
    • Silver medal: Sauvignon Blanc 2019
    • Silver medal: Jack London Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
    • Bronze medal: Six Ridges Sauvignon Blanc 2019
    • Bronze medal: Six Ridges Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
    • Bronze medal: Chardonnay 2018
    • Bronze medal: Pinot Noir 2018
    • Individual award: Sonoma County Chardonnay Winery of the Year
  • Libelle Wines (St Helena, CA)
    • Gold medal: Grüner Veltliner 2019
    • Individual award: Gruner Veltliner Winery of the Year
  • Maker Wine Company (San Francisco, CA)
    • Gold medal: Chenin Blanc 2020
    • Silver medal: Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
    • Silver medal: Sparkling Rose
    • Silver medal: Merlot 2018
    • Bronze medal: Sparkling Sauvignon Blanc 2020
    • Bronze medal: Rose of Grenache 2020
    • Individual award: Chenin Blanc Winery of the Year
  • Mystic Hills Vineyard (San Miguel, CA)
    • Gold medal: Unforgiven 2015
    • Bronze medal: Gran Trio 2015
    • Individual award: San Luis Obispo County Winery of the Year
  • New Clairvaux Vineyard (Vina, CA)
    • Gold medal: Moschofilero 2020
    • Silver medal: Barbera Rose 2020
    • Silver medal: Petite Sirah 2018
    • Bronze medal: Assyrtiko 2020
    • Individual award: Tehama County Winery of the Year
  • Nichelini Family Winery (St Helena, CA)
    • Gold medal: Remeber
    • Silver medal: Sauvignon Blanc 2020
    • Silver medal: Engine 318
    • Individual award: Napa Rose Winery of the Year
  • Oak Farm Vineyards (Lodi, CA)
    • Gold medal: Sauvignon Blanc 2020
    • Silver medal: Zinfandel 2018
    • Silver medal: Rosé 2020
    • Bronze medal: Chardonnay 2020
    • Individual award: Lodi Winery of the Year
  • Penrose Hill (Napa, CA)
    • Double Gold medal: Musa Noctuaria Rosé of Garnacha 2020
    • Double Gold medal: Trailstone Chardonnay 2019
    • Gold medal: Tintoretto Pinot Grigio 2019
    • Gold medal: Watchful Maker Bold Red Wine 2018
    • Silver medal: Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
    • Silver medal: Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
    • Bronze medal: Iron Arrow White Blend 2019
    • Bronze medal: Luxana Sauvignon Blanc 2020
    • Bronze medal: Penrose Hill Rosé of Pinot Noir 2019
    • Bronze medal: Tintoretto Sangiovese 2019
    • Individual award: Spain Rose of the Year
    • Individual award: Italy Pinot Grigio Winery of the Year
    • Individual award: Columbia Valley Winery of the Year
  • Perchance Estates (Rutherford, CA)
    • Double Gold medal: Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard 2018
    • Individual award: Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon Wine of the Year
  • PR Farms, Inc. (Clovis, CA)
    • Gold medal: My Italian Cousin Eugenio 2018
    • Silver medal: My Italian Cousin Eugenio 2016
  • Rodney Strong Wine Estates (Healdsburg, CA)
    • Double Gold medal: Russian River Valley; Estate Rose of Pinot Noir 2020
    • Gold medal: California Chardonnay 2019
    • Silver medal: Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2017
    • Silver medal: River West Single Vineyard Chardonnay 2017
    • Silver medal: Red Blend 2018
    • Silver medal: Knotty Vines Pinot Noir 2018
    • Silver medal: Russian River Valley Estate Pinot Noir 2017
    • Bronze medal: Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
    • Bronze medal: Sonoma County Merlot 2017
    • Individual award: Russian River Winery of the Year
  • Vinesse (Westlake Village, CA)
    • Double Gold medal: Sangiovese 2019
    • Gold medal: Garnacha 2019
    • Gold medal: Merlot 2019
    • Gold medal: Chardonnay 2019
    • Silver medal: Merlot 2019
    • Silver medal: Chenin Blanc 2019
    • Silver medal: Bordeaux Superieur Red Wine 2018
    • Silver medal: Montepulciano 2019
    • Bronze medal: Syrah 2019
    • Bronze medal: Shiraz 2019
    • Bronze medal: Sauvignon Blanc 2019
    • Bronze medal: Aglianico 2019
    • Individual award: Wahluke Slope Winery of the Year
    • Individual award: International Wine Club of the Year
  • Vintage Wine Estates (Santa Rosa, CA)
    • Gold medal: Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
    • Gold medal: Chardonnay 2020
    • Gold medal: Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
    • Gold medal: Malbec 2020
    • Gold medal: Zinfandel 2019
    • Silver medal: Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
    • Silver medal: Sauvignon Blanc 2020
    • Silver medal: White Zinfandel 2020
    • Silver medal: Moscato 2020
    • Bronze medal: Sangiovese 2020
    • Bronze medal: Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
  • VJB Cellars (Kenwood, CA)
    • Gold medal: Barbera 2018
    • Silver medal: Primitivo 2017
    • Silver medal: Nebbiolo 2017
    • Silver medal: Wellington Cellars Merlot 2017
    • Bronze medal: Wellington Cellars 1882 Zinfandel
    • Individual award: Sonoma Winery of the Year
  • WineShop At Home
    • Gold medal: Sauvignon Blanc 2020
    • Gold medal: Alcedo 2019
    • Silver medal: Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
    • Silver medal: Hero’s Blend 2017
    • Bronze medal: Black Muscat 2020
    • Individual award: Chile Sauvignon Blanc of the Year

About the New York International Wine Competition:

The NYIWC is part of the International Beverage Competition (IBC) series, a unique group of wine, beer, and spirits competitions taking place in New York City, Berlin, Melbourne, and Hong Kong annually. The judging panels at all IBC competitions consist entirely of active trade buyers, including sommeliers, cicerones, retail store buyers, distributors, importers, restaurant beverage directors, and more. The organizers of the competition feel that these judges, whose livelihood rely upon their skill set, truly know what the consumer wants, as they receive on a daily basis the feedback from the consumer of what is good and what will sell. The carefully selected judges taste the products in a blind tasting format, judging the products by both category and price.

From Founder Adam Levy:

“We’re the only international beverage competitions where all the judges are real trade buyers who are judging by category and actual price. These judges are buyers from the top New York Area liquor stores, restaurants, hotels and more. The submissions in 2021 were exceptionally good, and the judges were excited to be able to sample such a wide range of well-executed traditional styles of alcohol, as well as some more inventive products from all over the USA and internationally. Many of our judges discovered new products that they will be incorporating into their inventories in the coming year.”

View the full list of 2021 winners, learn more about the judging panel, and find information about submitting products for next year’s competition at https://nyiwinecompetition.com. In addition to the annual competition series, the IBC also publishes The Alcohol Professor – an online “homeroom” for the beverage trade and the enlightened consumer to learn about all things bibulous. Visit https://www.alcoholprofessor.com/ for thoughtful, in-depth articles about wine, beer, spirits, and more.

California’s Russian River Valley Winegrowers Announces Presenting Sponsorship of Pinot Forum, July 10-12, 2022

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FULTON, CALIF. (PRWEB) – An unrivaled opportunity for wine trade to explore the wines of one of California’s most lauded regions, Pinot Forum will return in Summer 2022. Presented for the first time by Russian River Valley Winegrowers (RRVW), the immersive three-day series of tastings, seminars, and vineyard tours affords attendees an in-depth knowledge of the distinctive Pinot Noirs of Sonoma County’s Russian River Valley. The event brings winemakers, proprietors, and growers together to offer a deep dive into the history and terroir of the region, demonstrate winemaking techniques and showcase the area’s incredible wines. Pinot Forum Presented by Russian River Valley Winegrowers will be held in-person from July 10-12, 2022.

For nearly twenty years, fine wine buyers from across the country have come to Pinot Forum for a hands-on education of Pinot Noirs and winemakers of this esteemed California growing region. This year, the partnership with Russian River Valley Winegrowers has allowed the event to enhance its programming and expand its roster of participating wineries. The addition of the Marketplace Grand Tasting, which will emphasize small wineries new to wholesale alongside artisan local food purveyors, provides even more context for the richness of the region’s food and wine traditions. Up and coming wineries will also pour, giving attendees a first taste at undiscovered brands.

“There’s no better way to experience this mix of highly regarded, well-known wineries along with new players. Between the comprehensive education and connections with winemakers, attendees will come away as experts in Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, one of the most prevalent grape varieties in our northern California area,” said Jesslyn Jackson, executive director, Russian River Valley Winegrowers. “We’re proud to leverage our membership and community base to enrich the seminars, panels and events, and support the ongoing education programs. Pinot Noirs from our region are among the finest in the world, and we can’t wait to welcome our trade partners this summer.”

Other Pinot Forum Presented by Russian River Valley Winegrowers event highlights include master classes, vineyard walks complete with soil pits to highlight soil profiles from around the American Viticultural Area (AVA), farming discussions and winery production tours. The gala Grand Dinner and festive closing Bacchanalia also provide lots of quality time to connect with winemakers and like-minded wine professionals from around the country.

“I am excited to host Pinot Forum Presented by Russian River Valley Winegrowers in-person for 2022. We have even more wineries, wines, and winemakers eager to share what makes our home uniquely special. We are a collaborative group of friends, family, and coworkers who work and play together every day,” said Mari Jones, president, Emeritus Vineyards and chair of Pinot Forum 2022. “Our attendees become part of the history and fabric of the Russian River Valley every year. That’s what makes Pinot Forum different from other educational opportunities.”

Participating Wineries
Ancient Oak, Balletto Vineyards, Bob Cabral Wines, Cartograph Wines, Davis Bynum, Deutsch Family Wine, Domaine Della, Domaine de la Rivière, DNA Vineyards, DuMOL Winery, Emeritus Vineyards, Gary Farrell Winery, Hartford Family Winery, Joseph Jewell Wines, Joseph Swan Winery, Kanzler Family Vineyards, Kosta Browne, La Crema, Lando Wines, Marimar Estate, Martinelli Winery, Merry Edwards Winery, Patz & Hall Winery, Pellegrini Olivet Lane, Ramey Wine Cellars, Ron Rubin Winery, Scherrer Winery, Senses Wines, Siduri Wines, Three Sticks Wines, and Trione Vineyards and Winery. More program participants to be announced.

Application Details
The event is trade focused, and geared toward sommeliers, wine buyers, beverage managers, and fine wine retailers from across the country. Apply now through April 3, 2022, at http://www.pinotforum.com/apply. There is space for only 60 attendees; a lottery of qualified applications will be held, and selected applicants will be confirmed in mid-April. Acceptance into Pinot Forum includes lodging, meals, and all seminars, tastings and events.

COVID Protocols
The health and safety of all participants is a top priority. Pinot Forum will abide by all local and state ordinances in place at the time of the program.

About the Russian River Valley Winegrowers
The Russian River Valley Winegrowers (RRVW) is a community of winemakers and farmers dedicated to producing exceptional wines that showcase the nuance and diversity of California’s Russian River Valley neighborhoods. Members are committed to being good stewards of the land and honoring the area’s rich farming heritage. Founded in 1994, the nonprofit organization is dedicated to driving awareness for its 200 members with marketing, sales and event initiatives that showcase the acclaimed Russian River Valley growing region and its outstanding cool-climate wines. For more information on the Russian River Valley, please email info@rrvw.org or visit http://www.russianrivervalley.org or follow on facebook.com/russianrivervalleywinegrowers, instagram.com/rrvwinegrowers and @RRVWinegrowers.

About Pinot Forum
Russian River Valley Pinot Forum began in 2003, with a mission to educate fine wine buyers about the distinctive characteristics of Pinot Noirs and winemakers of California’s Russian River Valley. Open only to members of the trade, the Forum consists of three days of seminars, tasting and on-site tours to select wineries and vineyards, with cutting-edge winemakers addressing the history of the area, terminology and terroir of the region. Participants are afforded an in-depth view of how and why the Pinot Noirs of the Russian River Valley are distinctive. Visit http://www.pinotforum.com to learn more.

Arizona Wines Score Big in San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition

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San Francisco, CA. – The San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition (SFCWC) is one of the world’s most highly publicized and well-respected wine competitions of both local and large-scale wineries. A testament to the quality of wines being grown in the state, several of Arizona’s wineries have been chosen as winners in this year’s SFCWC competition.

Photo from Phoenix.org

Arizona has three wine growing regions (Verde Valley, Willcox and Sonoita/Elgin), all of which are designated American Viticultural Areas. In total, there are more than 120 wineries and tasting rooms, many of which grow varietals native to Italy and Southern France. The following wineries placed in the categories below:

  • Callaghan Vineyards:
    • Red Blend: Grenache leading blend – Up to – $29.99
    • Port – Up to – $32.99
    • White Blends – $28.00 and over
    • Cabernet Franc – $30.00 – $39.99
    • Red Blend: Grenache leading blend – $30.00 and over
    • Red Blend: Petite Sirah leading blend.
  • Copper Horse Vineyard:
    • Cabernet Sauvignon – $35.00 – $38.99
  • Four Tails Vineyard:
    • Cabernet Sauvignon – $35.00 – $38.99
    • Petite Sirah – $28.00 – $34.99
    • Viognier – Up to – $26.99
    • Petit Verdot – Up to – $39.99
    • Tempranillo – Up to – $34.99
    • Dry Rosé/Blush Blend – RS 0
  • Golden Rule Vineyards:
    • Red Blend: Sangiovese leading blend
    • Red Blend: Petite Sirah leading blend
    • Aglianico
    • Mourvedre
  • Heart Wood Cellars:
    • Cabernet Sauvignon – $39.00 – $41.99
    • Red Blend: Syrah leading blend – $36.00 and over
    • Tannat
    • All Other Red Varietals
    • Port – $33.00 and over
    • Red Blend: Petite Sirah leading blend
    • Sangiovese – $35.00 and over
    • Tempranillo – $35 and over
    • Dry Rosé/Blush – RS .1 – .299
    • Mourvedre
    • Petite Sirah – $46.00 and over
    • Pinot Noir – $44.00 – $47.99.
  • High Lonesome Vineyard:
    • Malbec – $37.00 and over
    • Tannat
    • All Other Red Varietals
    • Other White Varietals
  • Javelina Leap Vineyard & Winery:
    • Rosé Sparkling
    • Merlot – $27.00-$30.99
    • Petite Sirah – $35.00-$39.99
    • Petite Sirah – $40.00-$45.99
    • Red Blend: Zinfandel leading blend – $25.00 and over
    • Riesling – Dry <.99 RS
    • Sangiovese – Up to $34.99
    • Sauvignon Blanc/Fume – $20.00-$25.99
    • Syrah/Shiraz – $31.00-$34.99
    • Tempranillo – $35 and over
    • Zinfandel – $42.00-$47.99
    • Barbera – Up to $34.99
    • Cabernet Sauvignon – $35.00 – $38.99
    • Dry Rosé/Blush Blend – RS 0
    • Red Blend: Merlot leading blend – $30.00 and over
    • Zinfandel – $32.00-$34.99
  • Jerome Winery:
    • All Other Red Varietals
  • LDV Winery:
    • Petite Sirah – $46.00 and over
    • Petite Sirah – $40.00-$45.99
  • Mogollon Vineyards:
    • Chardonnay – $23.00 – $25.99
    • Red Blend: Syrah leading blend – Up to – $35.99
    • White Blends – $28.00 and over
    • Grenache – Up to – $34.99.
  • Pillsbury Wine Company:
    • Petite Sirah – $46.00 and over
    • Syrah/Shiraz – $44.00 and over
    • Dry/Sweet Rosé/Blush – RS 1.00 and over
    • Grenache – $35.00 and over
    • Malvasia Bianca
    • Red Blend: Mourvedre leading blend
    • White Blends – $22.00 – $27.99
    • Mourvedre
    • Red Blend: Grenache leading blend – $30.00 and over
    • Red Blend: Syrah leading blend – $36.00 and over
    • White Blends – $28.00 and over
    • White Blends – Up to – $21.99
  • Strive Vineyards:
    • Aglianico
    • Cabernet Franc – $30.00-$39.99
    • Dry Rosé/Blush – RS 0
    • Petite Verdot – Up to $39.99
    • Port – $33.00 and over
  • Sultry Cellars:
    • All Other Red Blends: $35.00 and over
  • Tantrum Wines:
    • Chardonnay – $20.00-$22.99
    • Dry/Sweet Rosé/Blush – RS 1.00 and over
    • Red Blend: Petite Sirah leading blend
    • Pinot Noir – $32.00-$35.99
  • Winery 1912:
    • Grenache – Up to – $34.99
    • Albariño
    • Red Blend: Grenache leading blend – $30.00 and over
    • Verdelho
  • Zarpara:
    • All Other Red Varietals
    • Red Blend: Syrah leading blend – Up to – $35.99.

Congratulations to all the winners of this year’s competition! Find out more about Arizona Wines with Arizona’s Wine Trail Passport.

Really Good Boxed Wine Announces Master Sommelier Endorsement With Its National Launch

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HEALDSBURG, CALIF. (PRWEB) – Really Good Boxed Wine, the new direct-to-consumer wine brand whose mission is to elevate the quality of boxed wines, announces the release of its 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon from a Certified Sustainable in Practice (SIP) vineyard in Paso Robles.

“Andy Myers, the first Master Sommelier to become affiliated with a boxed wine.”

This is the brand’s first broadly available release after two limited releases of a 2020 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, each time selling out in a few days. Really Good Boxed Wine is available as either a one-time purchase or as a monthly subscription.

The launch of the latest varietal comes with an endorsement from Andy Myers, the first Master Sommelier to become affiliated with a boxed wine. He found his love of wine while working at the three Michelin Star Inn at Little Washington and never looked back, later spending almost a decade as the beverage director for Chef José Andrés ThinkFoodGroup.

The Master Sommelier diploma is the highest distinction a professional can attain in fine wine and beverage service. There are only 269 Master Sommeliers worldwide, including 172 in the United States, with many sommeliers dedicating their lives to achieve this elusive designation.

“Boxed wine has gotten a bad rap from wine drinkers who perceive it as being inferior,” said Myers. “But since most of today’s wines don’t need to be aged in a bottle, it makes sense to take high-end wines like those offered by Really Good Boxed Wine and create better and more sustainable packaging, without inhibiting the drinking experience. I was thoroughly impressed with all of the wines Really Good Boxed Wine is releasing, and am excited to be part of their journey.”

Really Good Boxed Wine’s founder Jake Whitman concurs with Myers’ mission to revamp the image of boxed wine while helping to address the wine industry’s carbon emissions due to bottle manufacturing.

“Really Good Boxed Wine’s goal is to create the best boxed wine in the United States, and we’re beyond thrilled that Andy loved our wine enough to endorse it after trying it,” said Whitman. “Far from mass-produced, commercially farmed grapes, our wine is directly sourced from respected vineyards and award-winning winemakers. I believe boxed wines are one of the clearest ways to help reduce the carbon impact of packaging in our industry, and our hope is Andy’s incredible palate and Master Sommelier credentials will help educate consumers on the quality of our wine.”

Whitman followed, “Our team of sommeliers and industry experts tasted more than 50 options to find the perfect wine for our January release, ultimately landing on our new 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon from Paso Robles. We can’t wait to share it with the world.”

Each 3 Liter box of Really Good Boxed Wine, the equivalent of four bottles of wine, sells for $65, or $16.25 per bottle. Wines of this caliber typically retail for a minimum of to per bottle.

Consumers enjoy up to a 60% savings versus comparable premium wine bottles, since packaging costs and shipping are significantly lower.

Really Good Boxed Wine’s next varietals include a 2021 Pinot Noir Rosé from the Russian River Valley in February, followed by a 2021 Sauvignon Blanc from Sonoma County in March. For more information, visit https://www.reallygoodboxedwine.com.

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About Really Good Boxed Wine:
Really Good Boxed Wine combats the misconception that high-quality wine can’t be put in a box. They partner with world-class vineyards and award-winning winemakers to make ultra-premium wine, put it in the boxed wine format, and sell it direct-to-consumer through http://www.reallygoodboxedwine.com. It’s boxed wine you actually want to drink.

Italian PDO’s and PGI’s Embrace Pink Wines To Conquer New Palates

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NEW YORK (PRWEB) – While many think Rosé is largely a French invention that started in Provence, Italian “Vini Rosa” (Pink Wines) have a long tradition behind them. They are among the most diverse rosé wines in the world in terms of color and grape varieties. One can find wines with a pale pink onion skin color, going through to salmon color, and then onto the darker tones of rosé.

The wines come from a host of indigenous or native grapes and can be made using a few different methods. Some are done only using direct press, others with what is known as the saignee method – the bleeding off of the juice after a shorter maceration than used in red winemaking.

While there is a lot of variation, what they tend to have in common is that these are food friendly wines, like most other Italian wines. They almost always have pronounced acidity and freshness. They are usually paired with local fare but can be enjoyed on their own, and they are perfect year long.

Some areas in Italy that have always been known for their “Vini Rosa” include Puglia and Calabria, where the rosé is called Rosato; Veneto and Lombardy, where the name for the rosé is Chiaretto; and Abruzzo, where Cerasuolo is produced. In Northern Italy, in the Lake Garda Region, the Chiaretto tradition dates back to Roman times, while Rosatos from Southern Italy have ancient Greek traditions. Trentino-Alto Adige and Tuscany also have Rosato traditions on a smaller scale.

In March 2019, Rosautoctono – the Italian Institute for the Indigenous Vini Rosa – was created and it includes: Consorzio di tutela del Chiaretto e del Bardolino, Consorzio di Tutela Vini DOC Castel del Monte, Consorzio di Tutela Vini d’Abruzzo, Consorzio di Tutela vini DOC Salice Salentino, Consorzio Vini Cirò e Melissa, and Consorzio Valtènesi. Castel del Monte today has the only Italian DOCG dedicated solely to a Rosato, Castel del Monte Bombino Nero DOCG. All the rosé wines of these Italian Consortia and appellations are made with indigeonous grape varietes: Corvina Veronese and Rondinella for Chiaretto di Bardolino DOC, Groppello for Valtènesi Chiaretto DOC, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo for Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo DOC, Bombino Nero for the Castel del Monte DOC and DOCG rosé wines, Negroamaro for Salice Salentino DOC and Gaglioppo for Cirò Rosato DOC.

No discussion would be complete without mentioning the world of bubbles in Italy and the new Prosecco DOC Rose style that entered the market last year. What’s old is new because Pinot Noir has grown on the hills of the province of Treviso for decades. Sparkling rosé can also be found in Franciacorta DOCGs, Oltrepò Pavese DOCG, and Trento DOC, three areas renowned for their sparkling wines.

Delightful wines made from indigenous grapes throughout Italy are ready for discovery.

The program: European quality wines: taste the difference is a project financed by the European Union and managed by Unione Italiana Vini and PRODECA for the promotion of PDO and PGI European wines abroad in China and US. In order to achieve this objective, the TTD.EU program will organize wine seminars, workshops and b2b meetings both in these countries and in Spain and Italy, inviting wine professionals to join study trips to Europe.

The program, realized in the span of three years (2021-2023) aims at creating awareness about European quality wines, in particular Italian and Spanish, which share a long tradition and a high standard of quality.

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

Oregon Welcomes its 22nd American Viticultural Area (AVA): Lower Long Tom

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PORTLAND, ORE. (PRWEB) – Lower Long Tom, the newest appellation in Oregon and the southernmost in the Willamette Valley, has received federal recognition as an American Viticultural Area (AVA). Drawn to reflect distinct soil, topography, and climate attributes, Lower Long Tom becomes the 22nd federally recognized winegrowing region in Oregon, the tenth nested AVA within the Willamette Valley, and the first in the Southern Willamette Valley. The new AVA was granted approval by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) on November 10 and took effect on December 10, 2021.

Located in Lane and Benton counties, Lower Long Tom is characterized by a chain of rolling hills separated by east-to-west valleys, cut by the tributaries of the region’s namesake, the Long Tom River. The AVA sits within the Lower Long Tom watershed and the Long Tom River, a tributary of the Willamette River, serves as the AVA’s eastern boundary.

Vineyards in the appellation are located on stream-cut ridge lines, with Bellpine as the predominate soil type. These shallow, clay-loam soils are formed from up-lifted ancient marine sediments, primarily sandstone.

To the west, the region is flanked by a stretch of significant peaks within the Coast Range, which serve as a weather shield. The rain shadow contributes to consistent grape maturity in the region.

Long Tom is a regional name associated with the Kalapuyan people who have lived in the area for more than 10,000 years. The name is used in recognition of the ongoing contributions of the Kalapuyan people in the local community and across Oregon.

Four years ago, Dieter Boehm of High Pass Winery petitioned the TTB for the addition of the AVA to the wine country map. 12 wineries and 24 vineyards join the new Lower Long Tom AVA. A full list of wineries and vineyards can be found below.

“This neighborhood is warm, genuine, authentic, and down-to-earth, with passionate owners and farmers connected to the land,” said Matt Shown, second-generation winemaker at Brigadoon Wine Co. “That love for this place goes beyond wine and permeates our daily lives.”

“Oregon’s newest viticultural area acknowledges the increasing appreciation our grape growers and winemakers are developing for site-specific growing conditions and flavor complexity,” said Oregon Wine Board Executive Director Tom Danowski. “In the shadow of Prairie Mountain and the Coast Range, Lower Long Tom will add a unique dimension to the Willamette Valley’s esteemed reputation for extraordinarily elegant and expressive fruit.”

Both the industry and consumers who look to Oregon for its one-of-a-kind appellations and the sense of place in Oregon’s wines can celebrate the addition of Lower Long Tom as a nested AVA of the Willamette Valley. Pinot Noir is the predominant grape of the region, with wines leaning toward blue and black fruits and plush tannins for graceful aging. Around a dozen white grape varieties are grown as well, most notably Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot gris, and Sauvignon blanc.

“Pinot noir is still the kingpin variety in the Willamette Valley,” said Morgen McLaughlin, executive director of the Willamette Valley Wineries Association. “Winemakers love Pinot noir because it’s such an expressive grape: it insists on telling you where it’s from. We’re so excited to see Pinot noir and other wines from Lower Long Tom AVA recognized in the larger story of the Willamette Valley.”

Lower Long Tom AVA:

Details:
Official date of recognition: December 10, 2021
Total acreage: 25,000
Planted acreage: 575
Number of wineries: 12
Number of vineyards: 24
Varieties: Pinot noir, Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot gris, and Sauvignon blanc
Soil: Bellpine

Wineries:
Antiquum Farm
Bennett Vineyards and Wine Company
Bradshaw Vineyard
Brigadoon Wine Co.
Benton Lane Winery
Five Fourteen Vineyard
High Pass Winery
Pfeiffer Vineyards and Winery
Poco Collina
Rainsong Winery
Territorial Vineyards and Wine Company
Walnut Ridge Vineyard

Vineyards*:
Bellpine Vineyard
Chardonnay Way
Davis Reid Vineyard
Evans Vineyard
Fitzpatrick Vineyard
Gelardi Vineyard
Grace Hill Vineyard
Hildebrand Ranch
Kliewers Weinberg
Kokkeler Vineyard
Moriah Vineyard
Priddy Vineyard
Stroda Vineyard
Sunny Mountain
Union School
*Many of the wineries above are located on an estate vineyard.

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ABOUT THE OREGON WINE BOARD
Oregon is home to 995 wineries and 1,370 vineyards planted, generating annual economic impact of $7.2 billion for the state. The Oregon Wine Board is a semi-independent Oregon state agency managing marketing, research, communications, and education initiatives that support and advance the Oregon wine and wine grape industry. The Board works on behalf of all Oregon wineries and independent growers throughout the state’s diverse winegrowing regions. Visit oregonwine.org for more info.

ABOUT THE WVWA
The WVWA is a nonprofit industry association dedicated to achieving recognition for Oregon’s acclaimed Willamette Valley as a premium Pinot noir-producing region. The WVWA has more than 230 members representing wineries, tasting rooms and vineyards throughout the Willamette Valley. The organization also hosts Willamette: The Pinot Noir Auction, Oregon Pinot Camp, Pinot in the City, May in Wine Country, The Giving Season and the Cellar Season. Visit willamettewines.com for more info.