Eve's Wine 101

Behind the Wine by Dawn Abasta-Poulsen: Jamie Slone Wines

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When you talk to Jamie about wine, his passion for wine and his community shine through!  He loves the Santa Barbara region and the wine community there. Jamie, like many wine makers did not start out his adult life as a winemaker. He was an entrepreneur. Up until the early 2000s he ran five radio stations in the Tucson area of Arizona, then once he sold those stations he fulfilled his lifelong dream and became a racecar driver from 2005-2013. To say he is driven to succeed at everything he touches is an understatement. After having conquered the race world by coming in second at almost every one of his championship races.  Jamie decided he wanted to fulfill another dream of his, owning a winery. So thus began Jamie Slone Wines. He chose Santa Barbara, because in his and many others opinion, it is the best wine region to grow wine grapes. 

Santa Barbara is rich with a variety of soil types and this gives winemakers like Jamie the tools to really be creative with their wines and create one of a kind distinctive blend. In 2014 he released his first wines.  First his red blend called BoRific, which is Jamie’s nickname for his wife Kym. BoRific is a Bordeaux blend of Merlot, Cabernet, Malbec and Petit Verdot. It’s rich and delicious! He also released a Pinot Noir, a Sauvignon Blanc and a Chardonnay. 

Most of his wine is sourced from vineyards in Santa Rita Hills and Happy Canyon; these offer him the best of both worlds, one is lusher and cooler at night and the other is dryer and hotter.  He spends a lot of time analyzing and choosing the best possible process for that season’s harvest.  To quote Jamie “Each year is a fresh new painting, I use fruit to sculpt that year’s wine.” 

When asked what the inspiration behind his wine was, Jamie said he wanted flexibility and a creative outlet. Something he could be proud of.  In his words he wanted to create a “fabulous experience.”  

We then talked about his favorite over the years.  He said consistently his Super Tuscan, but every year there is a special one he likes most.  Right now, he says his 2019 Grenache is outstanding!

I then told him a firsthand story about his Super Tuscan. It was September 2017 and my wine group and I were on our summer excursion. My friend Jeff had told me I needed to go and check out Jamie Slone, so we made it one of our stops that day. It was late afternoon and we were just about done with our tasting. All of us had loved everything we tasted and three of us joined the winery club that very afternoon. Then when we were about to leave it started to rain pretty hard outside. So, we decided why walk around in the rain when we could just chill there and ride out the storm. We ordered a bottle of the Super Tuscan and road out the brief storm in the comfort of his beautiful tasting room. It was the highlight of that trip! Jamie shows passion in every wine he serves and he works hard to personally craft his wine so that every one of them gives his customers a truly “fabulous experience.” You can check out his winery at 23 E De La Guerra St in Santa Barbara CA 93101

Third Generation Family-Owned Sangiacomo Vineyards Celebrates 95 Years of Farming in Sonoma County

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SONOMA, Calif.,/PRNewswire/ — The pioneering Sangiacomo family, leaders in sustainable grape growing in Sonoma County, are honored to celebrate 95 years of farming and stewardship in Sonoma.

The Sangiacomo family’s roots in Sonoma County began on August 30, 1927, when founder Vittorio Sangiacomo signed the deed to the 55-acre Eden Dale ranch, at the southern end of the Sonoma Valley in what is now the Carneros appellation. The historic agricultural property, dating back to the mid-1800s, was at the time an award-winning fruit tree farm, planted to apples, pears, peaches, prunes and cherries. Though Vittorio and family first found success focusing on the cultivation of pear trees, the Sangiacomos shifted their agricultural focus when they planted their first Sonoma vineyard, Green Acres, in 1969. For the past 53 years, the family has continued their farming heritage by growing premium cool-climate wine grapes from their 1,600 acres of certified sustainable estate vineyards in Carneros, the Petaluma Gap, and Sonoma Coast. Along with launching their namesake wine brand in 2016, they are proud to continue to work with over 70 wineries, many with long-lasting relationships spanning decades.

The original Eden Dale property, now known as the Sangiacomo family “Home Ranch,” is the heart and soul of the family business. It’s where the second and third generations of the family learned the value of stewardship and sustainability, and where, 95 years later, they continue their long-standing tradition in farming. The 110-acre Home Ranch is also home to the Sangiacomo Family Wines tasting room, where visitors can taste small-lot Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon wines from the family’s historic vineyards, while gaining insight into the history of the family and the land they’ve farmed for nearly a century.

“When my brother Mike, sister Mia and I reflect on 95 years of farming, commitment, passion, and family heritage come to mind,” says Steve Sangiacomo, third-generation partner. “From the progression of growing pears to wine grapes, three generations have worked side-by-side and have shared the vision to seek opportunity, take risks, and evolve our family business. We would not be where we are today without the knowledge and values we learned from our grandparents, parents, uncles, and aunt. It’s an honor to continue our family’s agricultural journey, planting the seeds to enable future generations to build upon this legacy.”

To celebrate this near-century milestone, the Sangiacomos are releasing the remaining amounts of their Home Ranch Chardonnay from their library, including the inaugural 2016 vintage, along with many of their other exclusive estate bottlings. All are available at the Sangiacomo Home Ranch tasting room, located two miles south of the Sonoma Plaza.

About Sangiacomo Vineyards

As multigenerational Sonoma farmers with roots tracing back to 1927, the Sangiacomo family have continued their farming heritage by growing premium cool-climate grapes from their 1,600 acres of certified sustainable estate vineyards. Widely recognized as leading growers in California, the Sangiacomos also make estate wines for their own label, Sangiacomo Family Wines. A true family business with over 50 years of grape growing experience, they bring unparalleled knowledge and expertise, and lead with a commitment to quality and authenticity in all areas of operations. Working with acclaimed winemaker James MacPhail, the family produces limited quantities of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon wines that express the character of the land they’ve farmed for 95 years, and hope to call home, for generations. For more information, visit www.sangiacomowines.com.

Grand Gold Medal says California Winery can make Italian approved Vermentino

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LODI, Calif. /PRNewswire/ — This year, family owned and operated, Peltier Winery & Vineyards in Acampo, California, sent their 2021 Vermentino ($18) to the motherland for judgment against producers of this lesser known varietal from around the world. They brought home a Grand Gold Medal, 95 points and a top 5 ranking from the competition that would make their Nonna & Nonno proud. The second Vermentino International Wine Concourse was held in Cagliari, capital of the Italian island of Sardinia, where about half of the world’s Vermentino is grown. The competition celebrates wineries working to uphold and improve high quality standards along with the best expressions of the varietal around the globe.

Two years after Peltier Winery was established in 2001, their first vintage of Vermentino was harvested from the winery location in the heart of California’s Lodi Appellation. After many years of learning the vineyard personality and experimentation in winemaking, Peltier has gained a reputation for their Vermentino both on the bulk market and in the bottle under their own Peltier brand. The varietal is known for its vibrant aromatics and refreshing, light body. The Lodi winery picks their Vermentino early and based on aromas to achieve those bright citrus notes and low sugar  for a smooth, easy drinking style that they (and their consumers) enjoy.

“Focusing on quality in the vineyard is what allows the natural characteristics of a varietal and the vineyard personality to show. It also means there’s no need for manipulation throughout the winemaking process” says proprietor and 3rd generation Lodi grower, Rodney Schatz. “It was also intriguing to take a chance on a lesser known varietal and see what we could do. We’re always trying to innovate and differentiate ourselves. The thing about taking a risk, is that whether the outcome is what you want or not, you learn something. We knew our Vermentino was good, this award tells the rest of the world!”

Rod has always been a thought leader in the industry and advocate for California growers having served as Chairman of the California Association of Winegrape Growers and President of the Lodi Winegrape Commission. When it comes to his own winery and vineyards, that same forward thinking mentality applies. Peltier was one of the first in the area to certify 100% of their vineyards sustainable by the Lodi Rules program and one of the first in the state to install a worm farm to treat the winery’s process water.

Rod’s Italian roots and the climate of the region where he and his family farm over 1,200 acres of vineyard contribute to the winery’s preference for Italian varietals including the Reserve Teroldego ($60), a bold red originally from the Alto Adige region, and the 2020 Teresa Marengo Pinot Grigio ($20) named after Rod’s Nonna, a woman who loved to feed her loved ones. However, it’s not all Italian wines at Peltier. They’re about producing high quality grapes from their estate vineyards, over-delivering on quality wine for the price point and continuously improving the process from grape to glass. Other must try wines that Peltier has gained a following for include their crisp Sauvignon Blanc ($18), a delicate, full of berry notes, barrel aged Pinot Noir ($30) and a Brut Rosé Sparkling Wine ($45) made in the Méthode Champenoise.

Medlock Ames Celebrates 20 Years of Bell Mountain Wines

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HEALDSBURG, CALIF. (PRWEB) – This year, Medlock Ames Winery is proud to celebrate the 20th anniversary of its first commercial wine from its Bell Mountain Vineyard in the Alexander Valley. To signify and commemorate two decades of trial, error, learning, and success, the winery will release the inaugural vintages of The Flag Cabernet Sauvignon and Sparkling wine while hosting a variety of events throughout the year.

Since its inception, Medlock Ames has been on a journey to make the best wine possible from Bell Mountain Vineyard on its ranch of the same name. In 1998, Medlock Ames co-founder Ames Morison discovered this special property located at the southernmost tip of the Alexander Valley, which crosses into the Russian River Valley. “The vineyard was crumbling, but all we saw was opportunity,” says Ames. “We knew this unique spot had the ability to deliver outstanding wines if we could nurse the land back to health and care for the people and animals on the land.”

Driven by a passion and clarity of vision around the great potential of Bell Mountain, Ames – a novice in the wine industry at the time – brought in world-renowned consultants to lend their expertise and collaborate on the redevelopment of the property. Ames and his team planted nine varieties on 55 acres, leaving the remaining 300 acres in their natural state in order to foster a rich ecological community. Through more than 20 years of unforeseen challenges and hard-learned lessons, Medlock Ames has grown and evolved under Ames’ leadership and commitment to the land. “Over time, I’ve learned to trust my instincts and have found that being at Bell Mountain every day is the best education,” notes Ames. “Through years of trial and error, we have gained an intimate understanding of the land and vines and now know how to coax the best from our soil and grapes.”

To commemorate over 20 years of discovering, developing and preserving Bell Mountain, Medlock Ames will release two new wines in 2022. First released as a preview in April 2022, the 2019 The Flag Cabernet Sauvignon represents the pinnacle of Bell Mountain Vineyard fruit and the promise that Ames saw in this estate over 20 years ago. Ames and winemaker Abby Watt crafted this limited production wine together from the best barrels from Medlock Ames’ Cabernet blocks. The Flag refers to the Russian River Flag, a newspaper owned and published in Healdsburg in the 1860s by Ames’ great great grandfather. At $200 a bottle, this bottling represents one of the best wines produced in Sonoma County. Also releasing in 2022 is Medlock Ames’ first sparkling wine, which incorporates fruit from the one acre of Pinot Noir that the winery grows on the cooler, Russian River Valley side of Bell Mountain Vineyard, adjacent to the block of Chardonnay that is included in the traditional champagne method style sparkler.

In addition to crafting high-quality wines, the last two decades have put Medlock Ames on a dedicated path toward sustaining and preserving Bell Mountain for the next 20 years and beyond. “Reflecting back on 20 years only makes me think about what’s ahead for the next 20,” says Ames. “In order to be a sustainable business in the future and craft outstanding wines from this site, we need to continue to pioneer more sustainable ways of farming, protect the land, nurture our people, and support our community.”

In 2021, Ames and his team began crafting and adopting a five-year strategy based on six pillars of sustainability and Medlock Ames joined the International Wineries for Climate Action. Notable sustainability initiatives at the winery include planting 1,000 feet of native hedgerows by 2023 and restoring woodland destroyed in the Kincade Fire by planting 1,000 trees by 2026.

For more information about Medlock Ames’ wines, history, new releases and upcoming celebratory events, please visit http://www.medlockames.com and follow Medlock Ames on Instagram and Facebook at @medlockames.

About Medlock Ames: Medlock Ames Winery was formed in 1998 by college best friends, Ames Morison and Chris Medlock James, whose passion for wine inspired them to leave their New York City apartment and move across the country to produce award-winning wines from Sonoma’s Bell Mountain Ranch, which straddles the Alexander Valley and Russian River Valley. The winery holds a deep commitment to preserving Bell Mountain Vineyard and its surrounding areas; co-founder Ames Morison is a vocal supporter of organic, light-touch agricultural practices and gentle winemaking techniques that reflect the purest representations of the terroir. Today, Medlock Ames specializes in Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon, which balances the old and new world in both style and technique.

Embrace California’s Newest Beverage Frontier With “Space For Savoring” Lompoc’s Wine Country

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Lompoc, CA – As the wine harvest approaches next month, what better time than now to escape to Lompoc, home to some of the industry’s most creative beverage makers. From estate wineries to regional brews, this Central California city in Santa Barbara County is bursting with refreshing wine and beer choices. Below are top picks to experience the destination’s wine bar scene and new and existing craft breweries.

https://explorelompoc.com/lompoc-wine-tasting/

https://explorelompoc.com/wine-bars-breweries-pubs/

Lompoc is located in a valley, which provides a consistent, ideal climate for grapes. As a result, several wineries and vineyards have popped up in and around the region. There are four main must experience wine-tasting areas: 

1. Lompoc Wine Ghetto

Lompoc possesses a hip industrial park area that transformed into a wine-lovers paradise, affectionately called the Lompoc Wine Ghetto. Inside, are 11 small, boutique wineries and tasting rooms that locals and visitors adore.

While visiting “the ghetto,” try: 

2. Midtown Wineries

Just a few blocks from Midtown Lompoc, visitors find a handful of wineries that are worth a stop. Brewer-Clifton, Longoria Wines, Turiya Wines and Camins 2 Dreams make up the Midtown Wineries. Here’s a list on these top spots: 

  • Brewer-Clifton
    Owner Greg Brewer was recently named Winemaker of the Year at this well-known winery, and is the man behind the flavorful wines on tap. Tastings are served by appointment only at this location, and when visitors set up a time to visit, they can try the 2015 Acin Pinot Noir.
  • Longoria Wines
    Established in 1982, Longoria is a small family-owned winery producing acclaimed artisanal wines. Travelers cannot miss this location, as it resembles a red barn. During a visit, taste the 2016 Chardonnay Cuvee Diana. The winery is open daily
  • Turiya Wines
    It is at this boutique winery that one can sample entirely hand-crafted red blends and Bordeaux-style wines. The tasting room is open on Friday and Saturday. If you swing by, try the 2016 Chardonnay Cuvee Diana.
  • Camins 2 Dreams
    Camins 2 Dreams makes their wine with grapes sourced from Sta. Rita Hills vineyards. The boutique winery looks forward to sharing their love of wine with each guest.

3. Sta. Rita Hills Wineries

A short drive outside of town takes visitors to the rolling landscape of Sta. Rita Hills. Here one will discover large estate vineyards and wineries, most of which are open daily. Here are a few suggestions for a countryside wine tour: 

  • Babcock Winery and Vineyards
    This winery has a hangar-sized tasting room with a retro rock-and-rock theme. It’s a great spot for a group of friends to visit. The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon “Block 15” is a must-try.
  • Dierberg Starlane
    With 40+ years of winemaking experience, the owners of Dierberg Starlane know what it takes to make good wine. Wine enthusiasts can stop in and enjoy a flight of five wines
  • for $25.
  • Sanford Winery & Vineyards
    The Sanford family was among the first to start vineyards in the Sta. Rita Hills regions and specialize in Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc. For a truly distinctive experience, consider taking an ATV tour of the vineyard and follow it up with a tasting. 
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  • Sta. Rita Hills Wine Center
  • At the Sta. Rita Hills Wine Center, grape lovers can experience three award-winning tasting rooms. Book a private tour or enjoy a tasting on the delightful patio area.

Lompoc’s craft brewery and wine bar scene

The region is known for its wines, but a number of bars serve handcrafted beers from the area too. For those in the mood for a draft or wish to relax at a wine bar, try these locations:

·         PCH Street Wine Lounge
Stop by the PCH Street Wine Lounge in historic old town Lompoc for a fun time and delicious wine. This Wine Lounge has a great selection of beer and wine on tap or by the bottle. Check their calendar for trivia and karaoke nights.

·         Cold Coast Brewing Company
Opened by four Lompoc locals, Cold Coast, which debuted this year, features great beers on tap like their Tropical IPA or the Happy Blonde.

·         Solvang Brewing Co. Hoptions Taproom & Eatery
Hoptions offers visitors a wide selection of craft beers at their on-site taproom. Enjoy a cold beer and delicious food.

·         Tap & Cork
Located in Old Town, the Tap & Cork is a local pub with a dozen local and regional beers on tap. Pool tables, karaoke, and poker nights add to the fun.

·         Jasper’s
The locals love Jasper’s and you will too. It has 20+ beers on tap and a pool table that’s ready for action. 

Travelers can spend an entire weekend enjoying the crafted drinks throughout the Lompoc area. Prior to a visit, book a hotel room, and use the recon above to plan their tasting itinerary.

ABOUT LOMPOC                                                                                                                                                                             Lompoc’s New Cold Coast Brewing Company

Located on scenic Pacific Coast Highway 1, just 155 miles northwest from Los Angeles with close proximity to Santa Barbara and Solvang, Lompoc takes on a world of its own. Its valley setting, surrounded

by spectacular rolling hills and vineyards, creates an invitation for visitors to detour off the main road, and explore what’s around the bend. Lompoc is a destination for wine tasting, golf, cycling, hiking, skydiving, birding, and surfing at nearby Jalama Beach. It is home to La Purisima Mission State Historic Park, the most fully restored and furnished of the 21 California missions, and adjacent to Vandenberg Air Force Base, where rockets are launched throughout the year by such entities as NASA, SpaceX, and ULA, to name a few.Lompoc has 12 hotels to welcome visitors. To discover more about the Lompoc Valley, and the range of things to see and do, visit: www.explorelompoc.com.   

Madera Wines Are Winners!

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MADERA, CA  — Each summer season the California wine world is abuzz with news from the prestigious Sunset International Wine Competition. More than 2,900 vintages vie for the annual accolades, and this year, two of Madera County’s most beloved wineries took home Double Gold!

To earn a Double Gold medal, the judges must award a score higher than 95 points. This is no easy feat amongst the distinguished applicants in this year’s field. Excitingly, San Joaquin Winery’s 2021 Toschi Vineyards Red Moscato did exactly that, earning the winery its highest award to date. In addition, Westbrook Wine Farm, located in the Sierra foothill hamlet of O’Neals, also took home Double Gold and Best of Class for the Westbrook Wine Farm NV Malmsey Dearest.

“To have a wine receive a medal here is no small achievement,” stated Debra DelFiorentino, CEO / Executive Director of the Sunset International Wine Competition. “Our competition is one of the most respected, recognized for consistently identifying the best wines produced internationally. This contest again drew top-level wines, and our hand-picked, top-quality judges determined which wines stood out as worthy of accolades.”

In addition to their first Double Gold Medal, San Joaquin Winery also earned silver medals for their Moody Press Cellars Brut Blanc de Blanc and Toschi Vineyards Family Blend at the 2022 Sunset International Wine Competition. Furthermore, the winery earned silver medals and 91 points each for the 2021 Toschi Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc, 2020 Moody Press Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, and 2019 Toschi Vineyards Pinot Noir at the California State Fair.

“We are very proud and excited to receive our latest medals, especially the Double Gold for our Toschi Vineyards Red Moscato. The Moscato grapes come from our locally farmed vineyard, which we carefully evaluate for quality from bud break to harvest,” San Joaquin Winery, Winemaker Miguel Sanchez, shared. “The hours spent monitoring this vineyard have definitely paid off! We hope you will stop by our tasting room, open seven days a week, and try these latest award-winning wines.”

Westbrook Wine Farm winemaker Ray Krause, gives thanks to his clientele (the ultimate judges) for their continued support. Westbrook Wine Farm is open for wine tasting by appointment only. Cheers!
 

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About Visit Yosemite | Madera County

Formed in 1985, Visit Yosemite | Madera County’s mission is to draw the millions of Yosemite National Park visitors to its gateway’s many businesses and attractions. We invite visitors to take a journey from the Fossil Discovery Center to the Madera Wine Trail and onward into the High Sierra. Discover incredible dining, talented tradespersons, four seasons of water sports at Bass Lake, the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad, and mighty adventures right up to the massive Giant Sequoia trees. Madera County is the gateway to so much more.

New AVA Mount Pisgah, Polk County, Oregon becomes the 11th nested AVA in the Willamette Valley

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PORTLAND, ORE. (PRWEB) – Mount Pisgah, Polk County, Oregon, the newest appellation in Oregon and nested American Viticultural Area (AVA) in the Willamette Valley, has received federal recognition as an official AVA. Drawn to reflect distinct soil, topography and climate attributes, Mount Pisgah, Polk County, Oregon AVA becomes the 23rd federally recognized winegrowing region in Oregon and the 11th nested AVA within the Willamette Valley. The new nested AVA was granted approval by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) on June 3, 2022 and took effect on July 5, 2022.

Located in Polk County, the Mount Pisgah, Polk County, Oregon AVA is characterized by the warmth of the nearby Willamette River, the mild influence of the Van Duzer winds, and the rain shadow of Laurel Mountain to the west. It is the Valley’s second smallest AVA at 584 planted acres but one of its most densely planted. Mount Pisgah was formed 65 million years ago as a sea floor volcano, and has since been covered by marine sediment which pushed up out of the ocean. This unique geology allows the grapes to develop a deep complexity in the region’s shallow soils.

Five years ago, Brad Ford of Illahe Vineyards petitioned the TTB for the addition of the AVA to the wine country map. Ten vineyards and three wineries join the new Mount Pisgah, Polk County, Oregon AVA. A full list of wineries and vineyards can be found below.

“Thanks to an excellent group of growers who helped identify the most important aspects of our little mountain, I have no doubt we will continue to work together to build a beautiful destination for people willing to go the extra mile,” said Ford.

The most common grape varieties in the AVA are Pinot noir, Pinot gris, Pinot blanc, Chardonnay and Tempranillo. Mount Pisgah, Polk County, Oregon AVA is located 15 miles west of Salem, Oregon, and is the second most southern nested AVA within the Willamette Valley AVA, next to Lower Long Tom, which was newly established in November 2021.

“Recognition of Mount Pisgah, Polk County, shows again how we continue to learn about, and appreciate, new areas of viticultural distinction in Oregon. Each one adds its own chapter to Oregon’s story of unique soils, unmatched geology, topography and globally recognized wine quality” said Oregon Wine Board President Tom Danowski. “These federal AVA designations take years to achieve as the standards are rigorous for establishing a region as clearly differentiated.”

“We’re so excited to see Mount Pisgah, Polk County, Oregon AVA recognized in the larger story of the Willamette Valley,” said Morgen McLaughlin, executive director of the Willamette Valley Wineries Association. “The region’s kingpin varietal, Pinot noir, is such an expressive grape: it insists on telling you where it’s from. 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 Mount Pisgah, Polk County, Oregon.”

To differentiate from another “Mount Pisgah” in Oregon’s Lane County, it was necessary for the AVA to be named Mount Pisgah, Polk County, Oregon––now the second longest named AVA in Oregon after The Rocks District of Milton-Freewater AVA, approved in 2015 and nested in the Walla Walla Valley AVA. Oregon is home to 995 wineries and 1,370 vineyards planted, generating an annual economic impact of $7.2 billion for the state.

Images of the new AVA can be found in the folder here

Mount Pisgah, Polk County, Oregon AVA:
Details
Official date of recognition: June 3, 2022
Final rule is effective: July 5, 2022
Total acreage: 5,530
Planted acreage: 584
Number of wineries: 3
Number of vineyards: 10
Varieties: Pinot noir, Chardonnay, Pinot gris, Tempranillo and Pinot blanc
Soil: Marine Sedimentary

Wineries
Illahe Vineyards
Open Claim Vineyards
Amelie Robert Estate

Vineyards*
Illahe Vineyards
Ash Creek Vineyards
Open Claim Vineyards
Erratic Oaks Vineyard
Freedom Hill Vineyard
Croft Vineyards
Fern Creek
Amelie Robert Estate
Mistletoe Vineyards
Cooper Hollow

*The wineries above are located on an estate vineyard.

About the Oregon Wine Board
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

About the Willamette Valley Wineries Association
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 http://www.willamettewines.com for more info.

Today: Grand Opening of Maria Concetto Winery Tasting Room in Calistoga

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MARIA CONCETTO WINERY OPENS NEW TASTING ROOM IN DOWNTOWN CALISTOGA

Grand Opening Celebrations – Wine, Food and Live Music by Ke Marie on Saturday, August 6th, 2022

NAPA VALLEY, California – The new Maria Concetto Winery has opened a tasting room in beautiful downtown Calistoga in the Napa Valley and is officially welcoming guests. Located at 1367 Lincoln Avenue, the Maria Concetto Winery tasting room is ideally situated between Napa Valley and Sonoma County, less than an hour’s drive from San Francisco and Oakland. The winery offers an elegant, upscale chic aesthetic that reflects the style and vibrancy of the wines being produced by Maria Reznikova, owner and wine entrepreneur. The tasting room is open to the public by-appointment, with seated tastings available between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. daily. Walk-ins are always welcome. 

“We are excited to be putting down roots in this sensational community,” says Reznikova. “Not only is Calistoga one of the premier wine destinations, but it is also a lovely place for guests to relax and enjoy the charming environment as they explore our world-class wines. With our portfolio of wines focusing on Napa, Sonoma and Mendocino counties, we offer a variety of wines for most every level of wine consumer. I love Cabernet Sauvignon, it’s one of our flagship wines; however, Moscato has become fashionable and is in high demand at our new tasting room too. I believe Calistoga is the ideal place to experience our vibrant style of winemaking, which emphasizes lush fruit, bright acidity and impeccably balanced oak.” 

The new tasting room features beautifully appointed interiors for sit-down tastings, including a VIP area and a welcoming wine bar, as well as an all-season patio for outdoor tastings. Adding to its allure, the tasting room is close to vineyards, public bike and hiking trails, and is a short distance from desirable accommodations, restaurants and other acclaimed tasting rooms. In addition to the unveiling of Maria Concetto Winery’s new home, there are other noteworthy destinations nearby, including the highly anticipated Four Seasons Resort and Residences and Solage, part of the Auberge Resorts Collection.
Maria Concetto Winery is dedicated to producing wines of integrity from Napa Valley, Sonoma County and Mendocino County.

It was founded in 2020 with a focus on sourcing and producing the region’s best expression of Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Bordeaux style reds, Zinfandel, Chardonnay, Rosé of Pinot Noir and Moscato from Northern California’s top appellations. The portfolio will soon add Sauvignon Blanc and Blanc de Blanc Sparkling Wine.

The Maria Concetto Winery tasting room is open to guests who are 21 or over. Reservations are recommended but not required. www.mariaconcettowinery.com
PHONE:(707) 860-5774 | EMAIL: maria@mariaconcettowinery.com | ADDRESS: 1367 Lincoln Avenue, Calistoga CA 94515 | Walk-ins Welcome.

Kosher Food and Wine Experience Makes Triumphant Return to London and Israel

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London/Tel Aviv– The world’s largest public kosher food and wine extravaganza came back with a triumphant “L’chaim!’ this spring following a 2-year coronavirus break. The annual Kosher Food & Wine Experience (KFWE) is still the hottest ticket in the kosher culinary world, attracting thousands of restaurateurs, chefs, caterers, and foodies hungry for the latest and greatest in fine kosher wines and cuisine.

Royal Wine Corp. through its Israeli and British distributors, respectively Zur Agencies and Kedem Europe, spearheaded the long-awaited return of these two events – May 30 in Tel Aviv, Israel, and on June 21 in London. More than 240 wines from Israel, France, Italy, Spain, and the U.K. were sipped and savored, and guests had a unique chance to meet the winemakers and learn the stories behind each bottle.

Both shows featured rare premium wines along with accessible everyday wines, sparkling wines, whiskey, French and Italian liqueurs and more.

The Sheraton Grand London Park Lane was the scene where more than 800 KFWE guests enjoyed an exceptional selection of kosher wines and spirits. More than a dozen Israeli wineries were present with their latest vintages, including boutique wineries such as Domaine Du Castel, Yatir Winery, Flam Winery, Jezreel, Matar by Pelter, and Psagot.

At KFWE London, Royal Wine and Kedem Europe introduced a new line of kosher wines from Burgundy produced by Domaine du Château Philippe le Hardi. The line includes three wines from the 2020 vintage: a Gevrey-Chambertin Villages, a Chambolle-Musigny Villages, and a Beaune 1er Cru. Royal Wine did not offer high-end quality red Burgundy wines since 2004.  

“As the kosher market has evolved and matured over the past 18 years, we believe that many fine kosher wine connoisseurs will particularly appreciate these refined and complex Pinot Noir wines,” says Gabe Geller, Royal Wine’s director of PR. “They will retail between $100-130. Royal also introduced in London the Laufer’s Select Tokaji Late Harvest and Tokaji Ice, both high-quality dessert wines from the famed Tokaji region in Hungary. Both wines will be SRP $45,” he added.

Cooloo alcoholic ice-pops were the perfect refresher, as it was the first time the KFWE was held over the summer months. Also featured was a cocktail bar with deliciously tasty concoctions created by top mixologists using Walders and Bicerin liqueurs.

Along with the unlimited wine tastings and whisky masterclasses, the London event featured legendary buffet by caterer Arieh Wagner. He and his team served up hot and cold dishes including Turmeric-Infused Cauliflower with tahini, hummus, and pomegranate seeds; Baba Ganoush with cashew nuts; Beef Carpaccio with truffle oil and fresh truffle; Poke Salmon and Tuna; Pulled Beef Arancini; a salt beef carvery; and dairy-free desserts such as tiramisu, Eton mess, and crème brûlée. 

The Trask at the Port of Tel Aviv set the scene for KFWE 2022 in the Holy Land with tastings of more than 300 wines and an extensive rooftop buffet. Guests enjoyed wines and beverages from the various wine regions of France (Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, Provence and Alsace, including super-premium wines from world-renowned wineries – Château Lascombes, Château Giscours, Château Léoville Poyferré, Champagne Drappier, Château Clarke-Rothschild and more), Spain , Priorat, Galicia and more), Italy (Chianti, Montepulciano and Northern Italy), New Zealand, California (Sonoma, Napa and more), Argentina (Mendoza), South Africa and of course Israel (Shiloh, Jezreel and Psagot).

KFWE 2022 showcased hundreds of different wines and spirits produced in renowned wine regions, available at every price point.  Geller summed up both events, “It was wonderful to see friends learning about wine together, discovering new vintages from around the world, and finding the perfect bottles—most of which are kosher for Passover—to enjoy at home or at their next celebration.”

About Royal Wine/Kedem

Since 1948, Royal Wine Corp., also known as Kedem, has been owned and operated in the United States by the Herzog family, whose winemaking roots date back eight generations to 19th century Czechoslovakia.

TodayRoyal Wine’s portfolio of domestic and international wines range from traditional wine producing regions of France, Italy, and Spain, as well as Israel, New Zealand, and Argentina. Additionally, Royal Wine Corp.’s spirit and liqueur portfolio offer some of the most sought-after scotches, bourbons, tequilas, and vodkas as well as hard to find specialty items such as flavored brandies and liqueurs.

The company owns and operates the Kedem Winery in upstate New York, as well as Herzog Wine Cellars in Oxnard, California, a state-of-the-art-facility featuring guided wine tours, a fully staffed modern tasting room, gift shop and catering facilities. Additionally, the winery houses the award-winning restaurant Tierra Sur, serving the finest Mediterranean inspired contemporary Californian Cuisine. Follow Royal Wine on Face Book.com/RoyalWineCorp/, and instagram.com/royalwinecorp/, and twitter.com/royalwinecorp

Perlises Pick: Visiting Santa Rosa and Healdsburg

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If you are reading Eve’s Wine 101, the main reason for you to visit the Santa Rosa/Healdsburg area in Sonoma County is presumably for the wine. While we are not going to pick an absolutely favorite wine region, we’d be hard-pressed to select an area that we enjoy more.

We will name a favorite place to stay though. Vintners Resort in Santa Rosa tops our list. We’ve watched it grow from its originally named Vintners Inn under the watchful eyes of owner Rhonda Carano and GM Percy Brandon. Sadly for us, Percy has just moved on to become General Manager of the Allison Inn & Spa in Newburg, Oregon. We were fortunate enough to see him one last time to say our goodbyes. Who knows, maybe it is time for us to report on Oregon wine country? In the meantime, as Eve Wine 101 has already reported, Brian Sommer has been named General Manager and we look forward to meeting with him on our next visit.

Fortunately, our favorite restaurant in Santa Rosa is on the Vintners Resort property. John Ash and Company opened in 1980[!] and was the first Sonoma County restaurant to introduce the concept of cooking with seasonal, locally sourced foods and produce – AKA wine country cuisine. The original chef was, of course, John Ash and the current chef Tom Schmidt is continuing the concept.

The atmosphere is of an elegant country inn, with views of the vineyards on the resort property. Choose from indoor or al fresco dining on the open-air terrace with available heaters if needed.  The staff is very knowledgeable and attentive, yet unobtrusive. From our appetizers of Tuna Poke and Beef Carpaccio to our entrees of Bone-In Pork Chop [which Karen said was the best she ever had] and Duck Breast, everything flowed seamlessly. As did our wine, starting with glasses of Roederer Estate Brut and then our BYOB 2013 Bedrock Winery Zinfandel from the Carlisle Vineyard. We were too full for dessert, but not too full for the complimentary dark chocolate truffles.

A little further north in Healdsburg is a wonderful restaurant that somehow we had not managed to visit on previous trips to the area, even though it opened back in 2015: Valette, which is only a block away from the Healdsburg Square. Brothers Dustin Valette and Aaron Garzini grew up in Geyserville and envisioned working together using local Sonoma products. Dustin got his culinary training at the CIA in New York and then worked at Bouchon in Napa and Dry Creek Kitchen in Healdsburg, among others. Aaron worked as sommelier and front of the house at John Ash [see above!] and at Rustic Restaurant, Francis Ford Coppola’s restaurant at his Geyserville winery. General Manager Harry Bryan recently returned to Valette from a stint at Timber Cove Resort, bringing with him over two decades of industry experience.

From top-tier professionals on down through the entire team, Valette is in a very select group of restaurants where it is clear that everybody wants to be there and enjoys what they do.

With our appetizers of Ahi Poke and Fruit Compote Special with Foie Gras, we enjoyed glasses of the 2020 Valette Rose of Pinot Noir. Yes, they do have their own wine label to complement the selections on their amazing wine list – this rose is made by Bob Cabral [formerly with Williams Selyem, among others] and was delicious. We brought a bottle of 2013 Bedrock Winery Zinfandel from the Bedrock Vineyard to accompany our entrees of Crispy Skinned Steelhead Trout for Karen and Pan Seared Alaskan Halibut for Michael. All the dishes were wonderful, both visually and gustatorily. And this time, we did save room for the peanut and chocolate dessert, “It’s Not A ‘Snickers Bar’, which topped off the evening.

We highly recommended Valette for a special occasion or just to make any occasions special.

Finally, if you find yourself out and about on a Sunday, Monday or Wednesday morning before the wineries open, pay a visit to the Luther Burbank Home & Gardens in downtown Santa Rosa. We really enjoyed strolling the grounds of the home and gardens of this world-renowned pioneering horticulturist who experimented with plants for more than 50 years. We took the easy, self-guided tour of gardens ranging from crops, fruits, herbs, flowers, wildlife habit and cactus with informative displays, pictures and mini quiz boxes.  Check out the pic of the spineless cactus as big as a small house!

Vintners Resort and John Ash & Company

www.vintnersresort.com

4350 Barnes Road

Santa Rosa, CA 95403

Valette

www.valettehealdsburg.com

344 Center Street

Healdsburg, CA 95448

Luther Burbank Home & Gardens

www.lutherburbank.org

204 Santa Rosa Ave

Santa Rosa, CA 95404

Michael and Karen Perlis have been pursuing their passion for wine for more than 30 years. They have had the good fortune of having numerous mentors to show them the way and after a couple of decades of learning about wine, attending events, visiting wineries and vineyards, and tasting as much wine as they possibly could, they had the amazing luck to meet Eve Bushman. Michael and Karen do their best to bring as much information as possible about wine to Eve’s Wine 101 faithful readers.