Eve's Wine 101

CUTWATER SPIRITS SURPASSES 2,000 AWARDS ACROSS PORTFOLIO

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SAN DIEGO /PRNewswire/ — Today, nationally-renowned distillery and RTD cocktail category leader, Cutwater Spirits announces an exciting milestone, surpassing over 2,000 awards across its portfolio of canned cocktails, non-alcoholic mixers and bottled spirits. Established in 2017, Cutwater has earned prestige as the most awarded canned cocktail brand in the U.S. Noteworthy wins in 2022 include top brass from prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Competition and Denver International Spirits Competition. The 40 medals recently garnered at the Ascot Awards upped the brand’s overall awards total to 2,067.

Awards for Cutwater at the 2022 ASCOT Awards include Best of in the following categories: Mezcal (Mezcal Joven), American Agave Spirit (Mezcal Reposado) and RTD Cocktail (Tiki Rum Punch) as well as Double Platinum for Cutwater Mezcal Joven, Mezcal Reposado, American Rye Whiskey, Bourbon Whiskey as well as for the following RTD cocktails: Lime Margarita, Mango Margarita, Strawberry Margarita, Tiki Rum Punch and White Russian. The ASCOT Awards are led by noted spirits authority Fred Minnick and an esteemed panel of industry judges.

“We are honored to have the breadth of our portfolio consistently acknowledged by the most prestigious awards organizations in the world,” says Co-Founder and Master Distiller, Yuseff Cherney. “While we are extremely proud of each individual medal we bring home, it is very exciting for our team to celebrate crossing the 2,000-award milestone as a testament to our hard work, attention to quality, and breakthrough innovation.”

This year, Cutwater’s agave-based bottled spirits – Mezcals and Tequilas – have taken the awards circuit by storm, bringing in 42 total medals since January 2022. Following are some of the most notable honors:

  • San Francisco World Spirits Competition: Cutwater Tequila Blanco & Tequila Reposado (Gold)
  • International Wine & Spirits Challenge: Cutwater Mezcal Joven & Mezcal Reposado (Gold Outstanding)
  • TAG Spirit Awards: Cutwater Tequila Reposado & Tequila Anejo (Double Gold)
  • ADI International Spirits Competition: Cutwater Tequila Reposado (Best of Category)
  • Denver International Spirits Competition: Cutwater Bali Hai Tiki Dark Rum (Best of Show) Cutwater Tequila Blanco & Tequila Reposado (Gold)

Agave spirits are a true passion for Cherney, and Cutwater Mezcals are the most recent addition to spirit category added to the brand’s portfolio. Made from 100% wild Cenizo Agave, Cutwater released Mezcal Joven in April 2021 and debuted its Mezcal Reposado earlier this year. Cutwater debuted Tequila Blanco in October 2019 followed by Reposado and Añejo in 2020. To create its tequilas, Cherney forged a unique partnership with the Orendain family-owned and operated distillery in Jalisco, MX. Cherney oversees every step of the tequila production process and Cutwater has its own dedicated distillery space and copper still within the distillery (NOM 1110). While developing Cutwater’s tequilas, Cherney was inspired to explore other agave-based spirits and developed Cutwater Mezcal Joven in Durango, working closely with distillery owner Gaston Martinez and his Master Mezcalero (CRM: D614G).

In 2022, Cutwater’s diverse portfolio of over 25 RTD cocktails featuring distilled spirits across nearly every spirit base earned 124 awards. Following are some of the most notable honors:

  • ADI International Spirits Competition: Cutwater Lime Margarita, Cutwater Mild Bloody Mary, Cutwater Orange Vodka Smash, Cutwater Tequila Paloma, Cutwater Whiskey Mule (Gold)
  • LA Spirits Invitational: Cutwater Lime Margarita, Cutwater Orange Vodka Smash, Cutwater Strawberry Margarita, Cutwater Vodka Mule, Cutwater White Russian (Double Gold)
  • Denver International Spirits Competition: Cutwater Bali Hai Pina Colada, Cutwater Orange Vodka Smash, Cutwater Prickly Pear Ranch Water, Cutwater Spicy Bloody Mary, Cutwater Tequila Paloma, Cutwater Whiskey Mule (Gold)

To date, Cutwater Spirits has earned 2,067 awards across its portfolio, reinforcing its position as an industry leader. Cutwater continues to innovate and release new, bar-quality canned cocktails and bottled spirits. Follow Cutwater Spirits on Instagram to stay up to date on the latest.

About Cutwater Spirits: Cutwater Spirits, the most awarded canned cocktail brand in the U.S., is a San Diego-based distillery known for its award-winning lineup of over 25 canned cocktail classics made from its portfolio of over 20 bottled spirits that span nearly every spirit category including tequilas, vodkas, rums, gins, whiskeys, mezcals and liqueurs. Co-Founder and Master Distiller Yuseff Cherney began distilling as a side project under Ballast Point Brewing. He started canning cocktails because he wanted to make drinks he could enjoy while doing the things he likes to do (mostly fishing and hiking). In 2017, Cutwater Spirits was established as a separate entity from the brewery and now operates from a 50,000 square foot distillery and production facility, which includes a world-class tasting room and restaurant. To date, Cutwater has earned over 2,000 awards across its portfolio of products and is distributed in 50 states. Learn more at www.CutwaterSpirits.com or follow @cutwatersprits on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

San Diego Spirits Festival Returns with move to La Jolla

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SAN DIEGO –  The San Diego Spirits Festival, a world-class cocktail and cultural event, is shaking things up for its 13th year with a move to the newly-renovated Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego in La Jolla (MCASD). San Diego’s annual spirits extravaganza will take place on Saturday, Sept. 24 and Sunday, Sept. 25, featuring unlimited cocktails from over 60 brands, live music and entertainment, access to MCASD’s galleries and more. Tickets are now available for purchase here.

“This event has grown exponentially through a community of craft cocktail and premium spirits lovers, and this year, we look forward to taking the San Diego Spirits Festival upmarket to La Jolla in this world-class museum,” said Liz Edwards, owner and founder of the San Diego Spirits Festival. “We’re creating an experience-driven event completely unique to the community, where guests can be inspired by exceptional cocktails and spirits, exquisite art and spectacular views.”

This incredible new setting will take So Cal’s favorite spirits festival to new heights, where art, bespoke spirits brands and cocktails will come together for a stellar two-day experience. San Diego Spirits Festival’s move from downtown San Diego to La Jolla will build on the event’s loyal following while attracting a new audience within La Jolla and adding new layers to the world-class event.


The San Diego Spirits Festival offers an upscale event that appeals to everyone from novice cocktail lovers and fashionistas to experienced mixology professionals and restaurateurs. Spirits and art enthusiasts will explore the world of whiskey, bourbon, tequila, rum, gin, vodka and other fine spirits, plus ready-to-drink beverages including seltzers, canned cocktails and more.

Recently opened after a two-year, $200 million renovation, MCASD is comprised of both indoor and outdoor spaces, offering panoramic views of the La Jolla coast throughout. The festival will take place on multiple levels of the museum, with the full exhibition from its galleries on display.

Festival hours will be from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 24 and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 25. Tickets start at $85 for a general pass and can be purchased online through Eventbrite here.

More information about the festival can be found on the website at www.sandiegospiritsfestival.com.

About The San Diego Spirits Festival
The San Diego Spirits Festival is an annual world-class event where cocktails, culture and art come together for a stellar two-day experience fueled by top spirits, bespoke cocktail brands in an exceptional venue. San Diego Spirits Festival distills the essence of the luxury craft cocktail and liquor market into a signature event; the creativity and design of the event space invites guests to be amongst world renowned brands and boutique distillers. The festival is shaking things up for its 13th year in 2022 with a move to the newly-renovated Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego in La Jolla (MCASD). San Diego’s annual spirits extravaganza will take place on Saturday, Sept. 24 and Sunday, Sept. 25. Tickets start at $65 are now available for purchase via Eventbrite here. More information is available on the website at www.SanDiegoSpiritsFestival.com, on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

California Wine Country And National, State Parks Make Perfect Summer Pairing

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SAN FRANCISCO — California wine lovers don’t have to choose between visiting the Golden State’s majestic parks and touring its diverse wine regions. That’s because many of California’s national and state parks are located within or near some of the world’s most famous winegrowing areas. What could be better after a morning hike in the woods than a relaxing afternoon among the vineyards with a delicious glass of California wine?

To help with summer travel planning, Wine Institute has curated pairings of California wine regions with nearby national and state parks. With 143 AVAs (American Viticultural Areas) across the state, travelers won’t have to go out of their way to find incredible wine tasting opportunities close to their park-touring adventures. Along with inviting visitors to recharge while sipping the latest vintages, many wineries offer activities like vineyard hikes and cycling. In California wine country, it’s all about a balanced lifestyle.

To find California wineries near a park destination, and get information on summer events at wineries, visit DiscoverCaliforniaWine.com. 

Travelers can get information about visiting California’s parks, including current COVID-19 guidelines, at the National Park Service and California Department of Parks and Recreation websites. Some of the most popular parks require visitors to book ahead for day passes and/or camping during the busy summer season. Multi-day events such as the inaugural California State Parks Week June 14 to 18 offers a variety of events from which to choose.


NORTH COAST
Sonoma County & Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve
Ancient Coast Redwoods — the world’s tallest trees — are the main attraction at this 800-acre park and natural preserve. Located just a few miles north of the town of Guerneville, Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve lies within the Russian River Valley AVA in Sonoma County. After hiking and picnicking among the preserve’s towering trees, take time to explore the local wineries. Home to more than 90 producers, the region is famous for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The charmingly rustic town of Guerneville, with its riverfront cabins and lodges, is the perfect place to spend the night and enjoy river activities like canoeing and swimming. On June 25, the Taste of Sonoma is a showcase for Sonoma County wine and food. 


Napa Valley/Lake County & Robert Louis Stevenson State Park
This 5,000-acre park offers stunning views of Napa, Sonoma and Lake counties from the summit of Mount St. Helena, California wine country’s highest peak. Robert Louis Stevenson State Park’s location near Calistoga, at the northern end of the Napa Valley, also provides the perfect opportunity to visit the region’s wineries — world-renowned for their impressive and affordable Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. The town of Calistoga, with its famous mud baths, boutique hotels and restaurants, is an ideal home base for a visit to the park and local wineries. On July 26, Napa Valley hosts Taste of Napa, a celebration of the region’s wine, food and music. On Sept. 17, travelers can taste and bid on Lake County wines at the Lake County Wine Auction. 


SIERRA FOOTHILLS/CENTRAL CALIFORNIA
Sierra Foothills & Calaveras Big Trees State Park
Calaveras Big Trees State Park in Gold Country presents a host of natural wonders, from groves of giant sequoias to ancient volcanic formations to the Stanislaus River. The park is just north of Arnold, in the scenic Calaveras County wine region — a haven for Spanish, Italian and French varieties. Also within the larger Sierra Foothills AVA are Zinfandel specialists Amador County and El Dorado County, which produce everything from Bordeaux varieties to wines made from Rhône, German, Italian and Spanish grape varieties. Camping is popular at Big Trees, so summer reservations book up quickly. Not to worry, though; the park is less than an hour from the old mining town of Murphys, which features hotels, inns, restaurants and more than 25 winery tasting rooms along Main Street. 


Madera Wine Country & Yosemite National Park
Rock-climbing Mecca Yosemite National Park is world renowned for its soaring granite walls and cascading waterfalls. Just south of the park is Madera County, one of California’s oldest appellations. The region is known for its dessert wines and port-style wines, and there is plenty to sample along the Madera Wine Trail. Summer camping reservations at Yosemite are quickly selling out and visitors should also book ahead for day passes, but there are a variety of alternative accommodations in nearby Mariposa, from bed and breakfasts to campgrounds to cabin rentals. 


CENTRAL COAST 
Monterey Wine Country & Pinnacles National Park
Pinnacles National Park in Soledad wows thousands of visitors each year with its unique volcanic landscape of monoliths, canyons, oak woodlands and towering rock spires frequented by golden eagles and California condors. Within an hour’s drive is the Cienega Valley Loop in San Benito County, as well as the River Road Wine Trail, which winds its way through the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA in Monterey County, celebrated for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Because summer temperatures at Pinnacles tend to run high — ideal for early morning hikes — the park is most popular during the cooler months. That means reservations for the Pinnacles campground are fairly easy to find for summer visits. There are also lots of lodging and tasting room options in Monterey wine country, in the quaint, storybook town of Carmel-by-the-Sea.  


Ventura/Santa Barbara Wine Country & Channel Islands National Park
The Channel Islands chain is known as “North America’s Galapagos” due to its natural beauty and wealth of rare plant and animal species. Boats to Channel Islands National Park depart from Ventura and Oxnard. From there, it’s an easy drive to the Ventura County Wine Trail, which features about a dozen wineries in a relaxed, coastal setting. In Santa Barbara wine country, the nearby Sta. Rita Hills AVA is known for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, while wineries of the Santa Ynez Valley Wine Trail excel at Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. If short on time, many of these wineries offer tasting rooms in Santa Barbara’s urban Funk Zone. The National Park Service operates primitive-yet-stunning campgrounds on each of the five Channel Islands, but if that’s too much camping, book a stay in Ventura or Santa Barbara. 


SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA 
San Diego Wine Country & Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve
Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is home to the country’s rarest pine tree, the Torrey pine, along with one of the last salt marshes and waterfowl refuges in Southern California. After exploring the reserve’s 1,500 acres of maritime chaparral and miles of beautiful beaches, pay a visit to the wineries of San Diego County. The region boasts more than 100 wineries, best known for Merlot and Chardonnay, and grows 60 different grape varieties. Torrey Pines is located within the San Diego city limits, so lodging, restaurant and other travel amenities abound.

South Coast and Carter Estate Wineries Earn More Wine Medals

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TEMECULA, Calif. – South Coast Winery and Carter Estate Winery, owned by the Carter family, are the proud recipients of a total of 16 esteemed winning medals at the renowned Toast of the Coast Wine Competition produced by the San Diego County Fair, which takes place annually at the Del Mar Fairgrounds in Del Mar, Calif. The competition celebrates wineries from around the world producing the finest quality wines. Judging by 18 wine-credentialed judges, including winemakers, wine journalists, consultants, educators, hospitality proprietors, sommeliers and wine directors, took place on March 26 and 27, and close to 500 winners were posted on April 8.

“The Toast of the Coast Competition is always a most worthwhile wine judging arena for the fruitful labors of our Temucula-based master winemakers Jon McPherson, Javier Flores and their dedicated team,” said Jeff Carter, president of Carter Hospitality. “South Coast Winery’s Double Gold placements for Meritage 2017 and Grenache Blanc 2020 and Carter Estate Winery’s Double Gold for its Daybreak with bottling in 2022 are accomplishments we are especially proud of achieving.”

South Coast Winery Toast of the Coast 2022 Winners:

Ø  Meritage 2017, Double Gold, 94 points

Ø  Grenache Blanc 2020, Double Gold, 94 points

Ø  Verdelho 2020, Gold, 92 points

Ø  Maverick, 2017, Gold, 91 points

Ø  Sauvignon Blanc 2019, Gold, 91 points

Ø  Sangiovese 2017, Gold, 90 points

Ø  Late Harvest Gewurztraminer 2020, Gold, 90 points

Ø  20th Anniversary 2018, Silver

Ø  Chardonnay Sans Chene 2020, Silver

Ø  Pinot Blanc 2020, Silver

Ø  Pinot Grigio, 2020, Silver

Ø  Big Red Table 6th Edition NV, Silver

Carter Estate Winery Toast of the Coast 2022 Winners:

Ø  Daybreak (2022 bottling) NV, Double Gold, 95 points

Ø  Brut 2015, Silver

Ø  Blanc de Blanc 2015, Silver

Ø  Blanc de Noir 2015, Silver

A list of all winners and additional information is available at thetoastofthecoast.com.

About South Coast Winery Resort & Spa

The only winery among the state’s top wineries to claim the title of California Winery of the Year four times at the California State Fair Wine Competition, South Coast Winery Resort & Spa sets the gold standard for excellence amongst California wineries, earning more than 3,000 awards since its inception in 2003. Situated on 63 lush acres, the resort offers a breathtaking retreat for wine tours, romantic getaways and group events with 132 rooms and villas, a working winery and tasting room, gift shop, full-service spa and restaurant.

South Coast Winery offers a broad portfolio of 45 wine labels, the majority of which are available for sampling in its main tasting room – from robust reds such as Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Petit Syrah, Merlot and Pinot Noir to whites including Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay and Riesling. Also available are sparkling wines, dessert wines and other specialty offerings. The winery employs a staff of skilled winemakers, including master winemaker Jon McPherson and winemaker Javier Flores, both with decades of experience in the wine industry.

For more information, visit www.southcoastwinery.com.

About Carter Hospitality Group

Established in 2011, Carter Hospitality Group, LLC. is a family-owned hospitality company with four hotels and resorts as well as three wineries across the United States. Based in Orange County, California, the company manages and owns a portfolio of luxury properties including South Coast Winery Resort & Spa, Temecula, California; Carter Estate Winery and Resort, Temecula California; and Carter Creek Winery Resort & Spa, Texas Hill Country. Carter Hospitality Group additionally serves as the owner-franchisee for Red Lion Hotel Orlando Lake Buena Vista South, Orlando Florida. For more information, visit www.carterhospitality.com.

San Diego Spirits Festival Returns Sept. 24 and 25

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SAN DIEGO –– The San Diego Spirits Festival, a world-class cocktail and cultural event, is shaking things up for its 13th year with a move to the newly-renovated Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego in La Jolla (MCASD). San Diego’s annual spirits extravaganza will take place on Saturday, Sept. 24 and Sunday, Sept. 25, featuring unlimited cocktails from over 60 brands, live music and entertainment, access to MCASD’s galleries and more. Tickets are now available for purchase here.

“This event has grown exponentially through a community of craft cocktail and premium spirits lovers, and this year, we look forward to taking the San Diego Spirits Festival upmarket to La Jolla in this world-class museum,” said Liz Edwards, owner and founder of the San Diego Spirits Festival. “We’re creating an experience-driven event completely unique to the community, where guests can be inspired by exceptional cocktails and spirits, exquisite art and spectacular views.”

This incredible new setting will take So Cal’s favorite spirits festival to new heights, where art, bespoke spirits brands and cocktails will come together for a stellar two-day experience. San Diego Spirits Festival’s move from downtown San Diego to La Jolla will build on the event’s loyal following while attracting a new audience within La Jolla and adding new layers to the world-class event.

The San Diego Spirits Festival offers an upscale event that appeals to everyone from novice cocktail lovers and fashionistas to experienced mixology professionals and restaurateurs. Spirits and art enthusiasts will explore the world of whiskey, bourbon, tequila, rum, gin, vodka and other fine spirits, plus ready-to-drink beverages including seltzers, canned cocktails and more.

Recently opened after a two-year, $200 million renovation, MCASD is comprised of both indoor and outdoor spaces, offering panoramic views of the La Jolla coast throughout. The festival will take place on multiple levels of the museum, with the full exhibition from its galleries on display.

Festival hours will be from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 24 and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 25. Advance tickets start at $65 until April 30, for a general pass and can be purchased online through Eventbrite here.

After the advance ticket sale, tickets will start at $85. More information about the festival can be found on the website at www.sandiegospiritsfestival.com.

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About The San Diego Spirits Festival

The San Diego Spirits Festival is an annual world-class event where cocktails, culture and art come together for a stellar two-day experience fueled by top spirits, bespoke cocktail brands in an exceptional venue. San Diego Spirits Festival distills the essence of the luxury craft cocktail and liquor market into a signature event; the creativity and design of the event space invites guests to be amongst world renowned brands and boutique distillers. The festival is shaking things up for its 13th year in 2022 with a move to the newly-renovated Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego in La Jolla(MCASD). San Diego’s annual spirits extravaganza will take place on Saturday, Sept. 24 and Sunday, Sept. 25. Tickets start at $65 are now available for purchase via Eventbrite here. More information is available on the website at www.SanDiegoSpiritsFestival.com, on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

CUTWATER SPIRITS SCORES TOP HONORS AT SAN FRANCISCO WORLD SPIRITS COMPETITION 2022

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SAN DIEGO/PRNewswire/ — San Diego-based distillery, Cutwater Spirits, is proud to announce exciting new wins from the prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC).  Cutwater brought home top honors for five of its bottled spirits including a Double Gold for Cutwater Mezcal Joven and Gold medals for Cutwater Tequila Blanco, Cutwater Tequila Reposado, Bali Hai Tiki Gold Rum, and Devils Share American Whiskey. SFWSC is the oldest, largest and one of the most respected competitions of its kind, and this year, Cutwater earned 36 total awards across the brand’s portfolio of bottled spirits and canned cocktails.

 

The Competition judging panels consist of some of the industry’s most esteemed and renowned industry experts, including Anthony Dias Blue (Tasting Panel) and Jeffrey Morgenthaler (Clyde Common). The 2022 competition was the largest ever with 5,000 spirits from more than 40 countries entered.

To date, Cutwater Spirits has earned over 1950 awards across its portfolio, reflecting Co-Founder and Master Distiller Yuseff Cherney’s passion and unwavering commitment to quality and innovation.

“It is a truly important honor to be recognized by this esteemed competition,” comments Cherney. “These awards speak to the entire team’s dedication to making world-class spirits and canned cocktails.”

Cutwater will continue to release new, bar-quality canned cocktails and spirits. Follow Cutwater Spirits on Instagram to stay up to date on the latest.

About Cutwater Spirits: Cutwater Spirits, the most awarded canned cocktail brand in the U.S., is a San Diego-based distillery known for its award-winning lineup of over 20 canned cocktail classics made from its portfolio of bottled spirits that span nearly every spirit category including tequila, vodka, rum, gin, whiskey and liqueur. Co-Founder and Master Distiller Yuseff Cherney began distilling as a side project under Ballast Point Brewing. He started canning cocktails because he wanted to make drinks he could enjoy while doing the things he likes to do (mostly fishing and hiking). In 2017, Cutwater Spirits was established as a separate entity from the brewery and now operates from a 50,000 square foot distillery and production facility, which includes a world-class tasting room and restaurant. To date, Cutwater has earned over 195o awards across its portfolio of products and is distributed in 50 states. Learn more at www.CutwaterSpirits.com or follow @cutwatersprits on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

APCOR Partners with San Diego Bay Wine + Food Festival® to Promote Environmental Benefits of Cork

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SAN DIEGO (PRWEB) – The Portuguese Cork Association (APCOR) and the San Diego Bay Wine + Food Festival, one of California’s largest wine and food events, are proud to announce an environmentally-focused partnership to promote the sustainability of cork closures at the 17th annual festival and culinary celebration on November 11-14.

Born out of the shared goal of raising awareness of the biggest ecological issues facing the U.S. wine industry, APCOR and the San Diego Bay Wine + Food Festival will be implementing a groundbreaking cork recycling initiative throughout the event, a first for the festival. Utilizing the services of ReCork, North America’s largest recycler of corks, the festival will provide festival-wide recycling bins to consumers, and participating wineries across all events. Following the completion of the festival, ReCork will grind down all of the corks collected and provide the San Diego Bay Wine + Food Festival with a carbon sequestration total to showcase the positive impact that cork recycling had on the environment.

“We are excited to be partnering with APCOR for this groundbreaking cork recycling initiative,” said Michelle Metter, Producer of the San Diego Bay Wine + Food Festival. “We think it is important to do our part in raising awareness of the environmental impact of corks. By focusing on the education of cork recycling, the festival’s attendees will leave with insight they can pass on to others about cork recycling and sustainability.”

The San Diego Bay Wine + Food Festival is an international showcase of the world’s premier wine and spirits producers, San Diego and Baja’s celebrated chefs and culinary personalities, brand experiences and live entertainment. The festival is a 4-day celebration of citywide events, including the Grand Tasting on Saturday, November 13.

APCOR will support the San Diego Bay Wine + Food Festival’s sustainability efforts with on-site education to help wine lovers learn about the incredible carbon sequestration properties of cork forests, cork closures, and cork as a material in general. Cork is a perfect balance between environmental preservation and sustainable development. It’s harvested without damaging or cutting down cork oak trees, which live for over 200 years. The cork oak forest is one of the 36 biodiversity hotspots, and can retain 14,000,000 tons of CO2 per year. It is estimated that for every ton of cork produced, cork oak forests capture up to 73 tons of CO2. As a renewable and natural product, cork can be recycled to produce a variety of everyday products, and is integral to the continued retention of CO2.

“We are delighted to be working with the San Diego Bay Wine + Food Festival to launch this first of its kind cork recycling initiative across the culinary celebration, and to support the festival’s goal of raising environmental awareness in its community,” said Joao Rui Ferreira, President of APCOR. “By partnering with one of the country’s premier wine and food festivals, we can educate food and wine lovers about natural cork’s positive environmental impacts, showcasing the intrinsic value of cork as a sustainable and renewable product.”

For nearly two decades, APCOR has been at the forefront of promotional efforts advocating on behalf of natural cork. In 2021, APCOR launched a new integrated communications campaign to promote the environmental benefits of cork, which continues to be the market leader for the premium wine market in the U.S. Natural cork closures have a negative carbon footprint when used to seal wines bottled in glass containers according to recent studies conducted by three of the world’s largest auditing companies. A single stopper has a balance of up to – 309 grams of CO2; numbers for sparkling wine stoppers go even higher at up to – 589 grams.

Working with ReCork, APCOR will be able to help wine lovers around the country learn about the full life cycle of cork closures once they are pulled from a bottle, and highlight the small, but highly impactful ways that wine drinkers can become climate activists through the simple act of recycling cork, starting with this recycling initiative at the San Diego Bay Wine + Food Festival in November.

About APCOR
Associação Portuguesa da Cortiça (APCOR) exists to represent and promote the Portuguese cork industry and its products. APCOR is the employers’ association of national scope, created in 1956 and is based in Santa Maria de Lamas, at the heart of the cork industry around 30 kilometers from Porto, Portugal’s second largest city. Membership of the association is open to all companies operating in the fields of production, marketing or export of cork products. The organization advocates on behalf of the Portuguese cork industry worldwide and is the driving force of an industry based on tradition, innovation and sustainability.

SAN DIEGO BAY WINE + FOOD FESTIVAL®
Travel to San Diego and Arrive at Awesome. The 17th Annual San Diego Bay Wine + Food Festival is an international showcase of the world’s premier wine and spirits producers, chefs and culinary personalities, and gourmet foods. Held November 11-14, 2021 the festival raises funds for culinary, oenology or hospitality scholarships or grants and has awarded over $450,000 to individuals or nonprofits through previous events. Hundreds of wineries, breweries, and spirit companies and San Diego’s top restaurants participated in the 2019 Festival and the SDBWFF is looking forward to showcasing even more talent in 2021. For more information visit http://www.sandiegowineclassic.com. Produced by World of Wine Events and Fast Forward.

About ReCORK
ReCORK™ creates high-performance, carbon-negative composite materials and components using natural recycled cork. ReCORK™ was launched as a natural wine cork recycling program in 2008 by Canadian footwear company SOLE™. It has since become the largest program of its kind in North America, with an R&D team dedicated to innovation around the cork recycling process. ReCORK’s proprietary material, ReCORK™ Recycled Cork, redefines what’s possible using cork, offering a natural, sustainable, versatile alternative to foams and plastics derived from fossil fuels. ReCORK’s mission is to make petroleum-based foams and plastics obsolete. Learn more at recork.com.

Mikkeller Bar San Francisco Opening

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SAN FRANCISCO /PRNewswire/ — After a tough year in the US and a long lockdown, Mikkeller San Francisco can now finally look forward to opening its doors again at the start of the new year.

“Mikkeller Bar San Francisco was the second Mikkeller Bar we opened and the start of our entire operation globally, so that place means something very special to us. It is a bar that has done really well right from the beginning in 2013, and we are of course very happy and grateful that very soon we’ll be able to invite the old regulars and other beer lovers back into the bar again,” says Mikkel Bjergsø, founder and Creative Director of Mikkeller.

Mikkeller Bar San Francisco is now one of three Mikkeller locations in California.

In addition to San Francisco, Mikkeller owns a combined brewery, tasting room and bottle shop in Miramar, San Diego, plus a bar in the Little Italy area of San Diego.

In connection with the reopening, the bar has been remodeled, which Mikkeller’s Danish designer Camilla Monsrud is responsible for. The bar has been modernized changes and that bring some color details into play, to form a soft contrast to bricks and iron beams and at the same time create a common thread to Mikkeller’s other locations, which are characterized by their Scandinavian and minimalist lines.

As something new, the premises at 34 Mason Street will also house a bottle shop, so guests will have the opportunity to buy beer and merchandise to take home from the bar. The food concept continues largely as before, with head chef Antonio García serving solid high-end bar food. In connection with the opening, Mikkeller’s brewery Baghaven, which is internationally recognized for its unique spontaneously fermented beers, will have its debut in the US at Mikkeller Bar SF.

Mikkeller Bar SF reopened in April but will have its grand opening celebration the week of July 26th.  This reopening will feature beers, food, and special events the entire week to celebrate the opening.  For a list of detailed events please visit our Social Media channels below:

https://www.facebook.com/MikkellerBarSanFrancisco
https://www.instagram.com/mikkellerbarsf/
https://mikkeller.com/locations/mikkeller-bar-san-francisco

Pandemic Trends Promote Small Producers of Premium Spirits

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MIAMI/PRNewswire/ — Small spirits producers, such as independent bottler The Perfect Fifth, are set to benefit by taking their produce to the key Californian cities of Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego, as pandemic-driven trends indicate consumers are reaching for the top shelf when selecting lockdown indulgences.

With the pandemic forcing the closure of bars and restaurants across the globe, consumer behaviour has adjusted accordingly in the last year, and this trend looks set to continue. According to research group IWSR Drinks Market Analysis, “premium-and-above spirits are forecasted to increase their global volume market share to 13% by 2024 as consumers continue to favor quality over quantity.” As locked-down consumers seek out more premium products, this may have an unexpected positive impact on smaller producers, who had previously competed with major brands for space on the bar.

One such example is family-run bottler of premium single malt and single grain Scotch whisky The Perfect Fifth, who are taking advantage of the trend to target discerning drinkers in key international markets, including select US cities. In contrast with the larger producers who dominated liquor sales pre-pandemic, releasing their spirits in batches of thousands of bottles, The Perfect Fifth is an independent bottler of single casks of well-matured Scotch whisky. A single cask of whisky typically holds no more than a few hundred bottles, depending on the size of the cask, making every release from this new company an extremely small batch. The company has so far released four limited edition, single cask expressions of premium whisky (price range $850 – $3,000) from top distilleries across Scotland.

“Given the limited nature of our releases, we are releasing our next batch of spirits to select markets, to ensure we can meet anticipated demand,” said COO and Founder Karl Schoen. “San Francisco is widely regarded as a real paradise for lovers of good food and wine, with a plethora of diverse, Michelin-starred restaurants, and Napa Valley and Sonoma County on the doorstep. San Diego is a little-known secret among those who know where to look, as the city harbours some hidden gems of bars and retailers, and we’re thrilled to have our Scotches sitting on their shelves.”

The bottles from The Perfect Fifth’s first release of premium Scotch whiskies are currently stocked in retailers across California: In Los Angeles, stocks include Wally’s, K&L Wines, Cypress Craft Beer & Liquor, Wine Expo Santa Monica, Old Oaks Thousand Oaks, BL#2 Palmdale, Remedy Glendale, Hawaii Supermarket San Gabriel, Wing Hop Phung Arcadia/Monterey Park; stocks in San Francisco include Cask on 3rd, Ledgers Liquors, The SF Wine Co, The Whisky Shop; stock lists in San Diego include The Bottle House, Keg N Bottle, Sin Lee Food Whole Sale.

theperfectfifth.com
@perfectfifthspirits

South Coast Winery Wins Big at 2020 Toast of the Coast

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TEMECULA, Calif. – South Coast Winery, owned by the Carter family, proudly accepted multiple awards at the 2020 Toast of the Coast Wine Competition produced by the San Diego County Fair. The winery won Best Pinot Grigio in the competition as well as a Double Gold medal for its South Coast Winery 2019 Pinot Grigio, along with four Gold Medals and two Silver. Additionally, sister property and member of the Carter Hospitality family, Carter Estate Winery won a Gold Medal in the event.

The Toast of the Coast Wine Competition, which recognizes and promotes wineries producing the finest quality wines, took place February 29 to March 1 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds in Del Mar, Calif. A total of 633 wines were judged by 15 prominent wine industry professionals – a group that included winemakers, sommeliers, wine journalists and wine business managers.

“We are honored to continue adding prestigious recognition and top awards to our over 3,000 wine accolades accumulated since our inception in 2003,” said Jeff Carter, president of Carter Hospitality, which owns South Coast Winery and Carter Estate Winery. “The Toast of the Coast citings reinforce our mission to use expert knowledge and craft to produce the very best wines, always retaining a sense of each varietal’s personality and terroir of origin.”

South Coast Winery’s results for this competition: 2019 Pinot Grigio won Double Gold and “Best Pinot Grigio” award; 2017 Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir won Gold; 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon awarded a Gold designation; Gold for 2018 Chardonnay Sans Chêne and NV Berenda Road Zinfandel; and 2015 Merlot and 2018 Sauvignon Blanc were Silver winners.

In addition, Carter Estate Winery 2015 Blanc de Noir won a Gold medal.

The Toast of the Coast Wine Competition traditionally culminates with showcasing winning wines at the Toast of the Coast Wine Festival at the annual San Diego County Fair. The festival, originally scheduled for June 13, 2020, has been postponed until June 12, 2021, due to COVID-19.

A list of all winners and additional information is available at thetoastofthecoast.com.

About South Coast Winery Resort & Spa

The only winery among the state’s top wineries to claim the title of California Winery of the Year four times at the California State Fair Wine Competition, South Coast Winery Resort & Spa sets the gold standard for excellence amongst California wineries, earning more than 3,000 awards since its inception in 2003. Situated on 63 lush acres, the resort offers a breathtaking retreat for wine tours, romantic getaways and group events with 132 rooms and villas, a working winery and tasting room, gift shop, full-service spa and restaurant.

South Coast Winery offers a broad portfolio of 45 wine labels, the majority of which are available for sampling in its main tasting room – from robust reds such as Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Petit Syrah, Merlot and Pinot Noir to whites including Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay and Riesling. Also available are sparkling wines, dessert wines and other specialty offerings. The winery employs a staff of skilled winemakers, including master winemaker Jon McPherson and winemaker Javier Flores, both with decades of experience in the wine industry.

For more information, visit www.southcoastwinery.com.