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WALLA WALLA’S NEWEST BUSINESSES SPOTLIGHT THE VALLEY’S BOUNTY (WALLA WALLA, Wash.) – Walla Walla is so nice, they named it twice. Honored for the second consecutive year as America’s Best Wine Region, and boasting a flourishing farm-to-table culinary scene, this rural-chic town in central Washington has earned a reputation for continually building upon its successes as opposed to resting on its laurels. With its sweeping landscape of wheat fields, vineyards, and farmland, not to mention its health and safety-minded Peace of Mind Pledge, Walla Walla continues to delight and entice visitors with no fewer than 11 new businesses opening their doors in recent months.  Yellowhawk Resort, photo from their Facebook page. Among the most notable, a new luxury winery resort, three new restaurants, three new tasting rooms, and four other businesses, including a curated grocery store, an elevated general store, an artisan showroom, and an educational hops tour. “It gives me great joy to see these new businesses opening their doors,” Says Robert Hansen, Executive Director of Visit Walla Walla and Walla Walla Valley Wine. “The common theme running through these new businesses is a unified connection to place and community supporting the local landscape, artisans, and history that makes Walla Walla so genuinely unique.” Following is a list of some of the notable businesses that have opened their doors in Walla Walla in recent months: LODGING DINING & RESTAURANTS The Kitchen at Abeja: Those with a taste for wine country living have yet another reason to visit Abeja, a 38-acre historic Walla Walla farmstead and home to the acclaimed Abeja winery and bucolic Inn at Abeja. The Kitchen at Abeja, which opened July 13, offers a fine dining experience showcasing innovative wine country cuisine and celebrating the Pacific Northwest’s seasonal bounty. Dinner guests choose from a five or seven-course prix fixe menu, as well as an optional wine pairing menu. Executive Chef Elodie Li, who returns to her home state after two years of cooking in Michelin two-star restaurants in Provence, France, collaborates with Abeja winemakers Dan Wampfler and Amy Alvarez-Wampfler on the menus, updated weekly. Surrounded by the winery’s vineyards and gardens, The Kitchen at Abeja is a rich, refined wine country experience. The Kinglet at Whitehouse-Crawford (opening early 2022): Farther on the horizon is The Kinglet at Whitehouse-Crawford, a new bistro eatery in the historic Whitehouse-Crawford Planing Mill building, from acclaimed Seattle Chef Maximillian Petty. A multiple James Beard semifinalist, Petty’s menu will range from exuberantly curated items, which built his reputation at Eden Hill, to a bar and lounge area that will stay open later with a snack-heavy lineup, including a pizza oven and an extensive cocktail program. TASTING ROOMS Kinhaven Winery: This new family-owned small lot winery and vineyard is perched atop a picturesque knoll in the Southside winery district of Walla Walla. The property, with 8 acres of Merlot, Cabernet, Carmenere and Malbec, enjoys unobstructed views of the Blue Mountains and is the perfect setting for family and friends to connect while enjoying their thoughtfully crafted wines. Purchased in 2019 by Terry and Lisa Davenport, who also own the recently renovated Boyer House. From dining in the vines to weddings, the combination of Kinhaven Winery and Boyer House sets up for the perfect family and friend gathering. 5 Dollar Ranch Brewing: Self-proclaimed as “Walla Walla’s best new brewery in 2021,” this newcomer opened in June 2021. Located on the south side of town along the Oregon border on twelve acres of farm property, with sweeping views of the Blue Mountains. An evolving menu of hop offerings is fit to appease the novice to beer connoisseur. The location is both dog and kid-friendly. According to brewer and owner Josh Hulett, while he loves all of his beers, the Hazy’s are not to be missed. Hoquetas Wine Company: Located at the Port of Walla Walla wine incubator facility in the Walla Walla Airport District, Hoquetas Wine Co. opened its doors in September of 2021. Started by musician turned winemaker Robert Gomez and his family, the winery focuses on producing wines that are both expressive and representative of the region’s terroir. Hoquetus, a musical method where vocal parts alternate to create a single melody, speaks to Gomez’s musical approach to winemaking, where the ingredients are carefully composed to create a melodious pour. Runway Market: Located in the airport district of Walla Walla’s wine region, Runway Market is a sparkling wine bar serving up local bubbles. The Market serves an assortment of food options, including picnic boxes, paninis, flatbread pizza, and various other grab-and-go options. All tastings include complimentary gourmet popcorn. Cathy Bay and her husband opened Runway Market in 2021 with the hopes of being a stop for not only bubbles and food, but laughter and celebration. SPECIALTY, ACTIVITIES & OTHER Walla Walla General Store: A new home, kitchen & gift store founded by Jean Bender and Peggy Frasse. The store opened to locals & visitors alike on May 6, 2021. From small delights, such as penny cent candy to homewares from makers such as Simon Pierce, Walter G textiles, Riedel and Staub – there is something for everyone at the Walla Walla General Store. Much more than just a retail space, co-founders Jean & Peggy envision the store as a space for community. Following a successful summer Art Series, resident Allison Palmer will host a continuation of “Make for Joy” there this fall. Weekly Monday-Wednesday classes will begin in September, and continue through December. Walla Walla Brews Cruise: Walla Walla is known for wine, but it’s also home to plentiful craft beer and cider. Alongside thousands of acres of vineyards are century-old wheat fields and orchards stretching across the valley. Generations of wheat farmers have made their home in Walla Walla and now support a growing community of brewers. Walla Walla Brews Cruise tours are knowledge-based tours where you will learn about the process of brewing beers and crafting cider, with a guided discussion of varying styles of alcohol. Foodscape Walla Walla: Foodscape could technically be described as an online grocer, but it’s so much more. It’s a place to acquire food, talk about food, or gather meaning from food. It was started by Hannah MacDonald, a longtime chef, local, and significant influencer on the Walla Walla food scene over the past decade. Foodscape highlights the area’s bounty, from food to all the agriculture offerings: produce, meat, and seafood. They also directly import hundreds of spices from all over the world, as well as other specialty products like olive oil, seafood, and vinegar. Foodscapes give locals and visitors alike the tools that they need to cook any cuisine under the sun. About Walla Walla: |
Walla Walla repeats as ‘America’s Best Wine Region’ in 2021 USA TODAY 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards
(WALLA WALLA, Wash.) — For the second consecutive year, the Walla Walla Valley has been named America’s Best Wine Region in the USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, following a month-long vote of the public. A finalist in the competition each of the last four years, and now a back-to-back winner in the category, the Walla Walla Valley prevailed over 19 other finalists chosen by a panel of experts from among 250 U.S. wine regions.
Walla Walla Valley – Winner – Best Wine Region (2020 and 2021). Credit: Richard Duval
In addition to the Walla Walla Valley’s first place win in Best Wine Region category, Long Shadows Vintners took third place in the Best Wine Tasting Room category, a one spot jump from its fourth place ranking each of the last two years.
“I can think of no better way to honor wines from Washington state in general, and the Walla Walla Valley specifically, than being recognized by a vote of the public as America’s Best Wine Region for two years running,” said Robert Hansen, executive director of Visit Walla Walla and Walla Walla Valley Wine. “It’s a great way to celebrate Washington Wine Month, and is a testament to the outstanding terroir, meticulous craftsmanship, and the individuals who are committed to elevating the Walla Walla Valley from both a wine production and tourism perspective.”
Although wine is certainly a selling point for Walla Walla, the small town of Southeastern Washington is known for more than its world-class grapes and award-winning wineries. From its charming and historic downtown to its neighborly community, creative culinary scene, and abundance of arts, culture, and recreation, Walla Walla stands out as a must-visit destination in 2021.
For more information on the Walla Walla Valley and its wines, visit www.wallawalla.org or www.wallawallawine.com.
About Walla Walla:
As the unofficial capital of Washington wine country, Walla Walla is home to more than 120 wineries, a nationally recognized culinary scene, access to an abundance of outdoor recreation, and an arts & entertainment scene that rivals cities many times its size. This community of just over 30,000 residents is known for many things, including its friendliness and hospitality, the quality of its wine, and of course the famous Walla Walla Sweet Onion. An easy and scenic four-hour drive from Seattle, Portland, or Boise, Walla Walla can also be accessed via Alaska Airlines daily non-stop flights from Seattle. For more information and to begin planning a trip to Walla Walla, visit www.wallawalla.org.
About Walla Walla Valley Wine:
Walla Walla Valley Wine is a nonprofit wine industry membership organization whose primary mission is to build an internationally acclaimed Walla Walla Valley wine brand among consumers, media, and trade by providing marketing programs on behalf of member wineries, vineyards, and partners. Walla Walla Valley Wine functions as the leading informational resource for consumers, media, and trade interested in learning more about the Valley’s wine industry. For more information visit www.wallawallawine.com.
Mikkeller Bar San Francisco Opening
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
The Hilt Estate Opens Highly Anticipated Tasting Room: The Barn at The Hilt Estate
Lompoc, Calif.—The Hilt Estate, one of Santa Barbara County’s premier wine estates and producer of JONATA and The Hilt wines, has opened its highly anticipated tasting room, The Barn at The Hilt Estate. Designed by renowned architect Howard J. Backen and Silvia Nobili of the firm Backen & Gillam Architects with interiors by Amber Lewis of Amber Interiors Design Studio, the venue will offer one of region’s most diverse lineups of wine in a space that overflows with sophisticated yet unassuming California farmhouse elegance.
Designed to highlight the agricultural foundation of The Hilt’s dramatic 3600-acre property and the wines grown and made from the unique estate, guests are encouraged to travel to The Barn along the scenic Highway 1, an open and undeveloped coastal stretch that echoes California’s unmatched natural beauty. The Hilt Estate is located just miles from the Pacific Ocean in the far south-west corner of the Sta. Rita Hills AVA winegrowing region and is comprised of three vineyards, Bentrock, Radian and Puerta del Mar. The property consists of a large tree-lined hill and vineyard extending outward. Using the natural geography of the property as a guide, the winemaking and hospitality buildings on The Hilt Estate are intentionally separated to define their uses. The winemaking production follows along the base of the hill and the hospitality barn comes out and sits among the vineyard. The new, state-of-the-art 50,000 square-foot gravity fed winemaking facility is where form and function in winemaking truly connect for long-time winemaker Matt Dees and his team, and where they will now produce the distinct wines of JONATA and The Hilt.
The reclaimed historic barn is home to the hospitality and tasting spaces and was updated using reclaimed woods and metals from the original structure. The interior speaks to the rustic beauty of the environment, with vintage textiles and leather. With wines available from two renowned estates—JONATA and The Hilt—numerous spots are available for curated tasting experiences, including a communal living room, and two themed rooms inspired by the individual wine estates. All the materials and finishes used in the hospitality barn are a direct tribute to the people of the area who have made their living off the land. The Hilt room features cool-toned artwork from Jack McConville, representative of the windy and unpredictable nature of the rugged estate. The JONATA room features warm-toned artwork from Gwen O’Neil to reflect JONATA’s warmer climate and sandy soils. The venue also features a professional kitchen, as well as numerous outdoor spaces to accommodate special events.
Several tasting flights are available, offering experiences for wine loving novices and collectors alike. Selections range from the vibrant chardonnay and pinot noir wines of The Hilt in the Sta. Rita Hills AVA to JONATA in the Ballard Canyon AVA’s portfolio of structured estate-grown blends from varieties such as cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc and syrah. Exclusive to The Barn, guests may also taste each of the estate’s limited, experimental and library bottlings. Those looking to experience something truly unique will have the opportunity to discover some of the The Hilt’s more avant-garde wines, ranging from Pét-Nat to Botrytis chardonnay. The wines are estate-grown via cutting edge farming and winemaking practices, and authentically express Santa Barbara County’s vines, climate and unique soils.
The Barn at The Hilt Estate will initially offer four tasting options, which are fully tailored to the guests’ preferences. Tasting fees begin at $50 per person and average $85. Upon making a reservation guests will be contacted by a knowledgeable wine expert to determine their interests and facilitate a unique and memorable wine experience.
Tastings:
- La Tierra “The Earth” ($50): Crafted as the perfect introduction to wines of both JONATA and The Hilt, this flight presents a selection of six of the most popular wines from both estates.
- The Point ($50): Drawing inspiration from nearby Point Conception, The Point features six wines from The Hilt that pay tribute to the profound impact of the Pacific Ocean on The Hilt’s wind-whipped estate.
- Jalama ($85): Derived from a Chumash word meaning “bundle,” the Jalama flight captures an elevated collection of seven wines from both The Hilt and the JONATA estates.
- Seven Crossings ($85): An in-depth exploration of the southwest corner of the Sta. Rita Hills, featuring seven pinot noir and chardonnay wines from The Hilt Estate.
Reservations must be booked in advance, either online or by calling (805) 564-8581. Tastings may be scheduled during one of two time slots, 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM, Monday through Friday.
About The Hilt Estate
In 2014, The Hilt acquired the historic 3,600-acre Rancho Salsipuedes, setting the stage for the ultimate home of The Hilt Estate. Located in the Sta. Rita Hills AVA in northwestern Santa Barbara County, California, the property is home to three distinct vineyards: Radian and Bentrock, on the original Rancho Salsipuedes, once known as Rancho Cañada de Salsipuedes, and Puerta del Mar, which surrounds the winery. To best appreciate the wines made by The Hilt Estate, ideally one would visit these dramatic and even extreme vineyards where the grapes are farmed. Just as all great wines tell the story of their place of origin, The Hilt’s pinot noirs and chardonnays are the bold expressions of the unique estate. By employing innovative viticultural practices, selecting clones strategically, and making the most of the coastal influence, winds, and soils, Winemaker Matt Dees is pushing the vineyards to the hilt of their potential and creating wines that are lively, fresh, and well structured.
For more information on The Hilt Estate, please visit www.thehiltestate.com
Follow on Social Media:
Hashtag: #TheHILT #TheHILTEstate
Instagram: @thehiltestate
About JONATA Estate
Born in 1998 out of a desire to explore and expand world-class winegrowing in Santa Barbara County, JONATA is an estate like no other. Set amongst the rolling hills in the moderate climate of the Ballard Canyon appellation in Santa Ynez Valley, the 600-acre site is home to 84 acres of vines and over 12 grape varieties planted in Careaga sand. More than just a vineyard, most of the property is comprised of ancient oak trees, gardens, fruit orchards and diverse variety of animal life. Through years of farming the estate at the highest standards, the winery team, led by long-time winemaker Matt Dees, has tirelessly forged its own path. JONATA has gained recognition from collectors and critics alike for making captivating wines which authentically express the estate’s vines, climate and unique soils.
For more information on JONATA Estate, please visit www.jonata.com
Follow on Social Media:
Hashtag: #JONATA #JONATAEstate
Instagram: @jonataestate
Yellow Rose Distilling Unveils Harris County Whiskey
Houston, PR Web – Yellow Rose Distilling, an award-winning distillery located in Houston, Texas, widely known as Houston’s first legal whiskey distillery, is pleased to announce the launch of Yellow Rose Harris County, a High Rye Bourbon. Named for the county in which the distillery is located, Harris County fits the characteristics of a high rye bourbon with 25% of the recipe coming from Texas-grown rye and uses all Texas grown corn and malted barley.
Making its debut across Texas, California, Illinois, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Florida this month, via distribution partnership with Southern Glazer’s Wines & Spirits, Harris County will retail for $44.99 per 750ml bottle.
Since launching its first whiskey in 2012, Yellow Rose Distillery has established itself as one of the premier Texas whiskey companies, with its portfolio comprised of three original whiskey offerings, Premium American, Rye and the flagship Outlaw Bourbon, alongside several limited batches. Yellow Rose Distilling has been focused on finding new, innovative expressions and processes, ultimately bringing consumers the finest Texas whiskey in the world. Since 2012, Yellow Rose Distillery has garnered some of the spirit industry’s highest accolades including ‘Best in Class’ for Yellow Rose Outlaw Bourbon at the American Distilling Institute and was recently awarded a Double Gold Medal at the 2021 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. In addition, Yellow Rose Rye collected a series of awards from the Ultimate Spirits Challenge 2020, with a 96 Point rating and named Top 100 Spirits of 2020.
“Harris County Bourbon represents an evolutionary step forward and an important milestone for Yellow Rose Distillery. While in the past we had our gaze set as a single distiller toiled to create whiskey as quickly as possible, today we think in terms of how a talented core group of distillers will work together as we endeavor to create the ideal whiskey. The blueprints of Harris County Bourbon reflect this as we set out to create the best possible High Rye Bourbon from our little Houston Texas Distillery,” says Michael Langan General Manager of Yellow Rose Distillery. “We selected Texas grown grains, settled on double pot distilling and a low entry proof to barrel. This allows us to highlight our region as well as the expertise of our team, while paying homage to pre-prohibition techniques that we feel allow us to balance the maturation of this whiskey within our dynamic local climate. Despite its low entry proof, we choose to bottle at 92 proof to maintain density of flavor and mouthfeel that was hard earned in our slow double pot distillation and 30 months in the Texas heat and humidity.”
“The addition of Harris County rounds out the Yellow Rose portfolio perfectly. While most high rye bourbons are typically described as having a spicy character, we wanted more than spice alone, it needed to have an underlying sweetness with the typical vanilla, caramel, coconut notes. We are using all Texas grown and malted grains. We have the power of the Southeast Texas climate during maturation, and, in that regard, Harris County is not an imitation, nor can it be imitated,” says Houston Farris, Head Distiller at Yellow Rose Distillery.
In addition to Harris County making its debut, and due to increasing sales and increased brand awareness of all the Yellow Rose Marques, the distillery has been expanded. As a result of the expansion, the Yellow Rose Distillery has undergone a major refurbishment of its visitor and experience center. Features include a brand-new bar, lounge, presentation and tasting rooms well as a new 1,200 sq ft. outdoor deck.
On the nose of Harris County, you’ll find notes of brown sugar, cherry, fruit-wood smoke, toasted pecan, and tobacco. Upon tasting, brown sugar and cinnamon engulfs, followed by warm pecan pie, balancing the spice profile, paired with toasted coconut, black tea, and peanuts. Finishing with sweetness throughout, combined with a pop of cinnamon candy.
Yellow Rose Harris County is available in 750ml, bottled at 92 proof (46% Alc/Vol), with a suggested retail price of $44.99 per bottle. Like all Yellow Rose offerings, Harris County will be sold at a variety of premium liquor stores, bars, and restaurants across the United States.
About Yellow Rose Distillery
We’re proud to bring you the finest whiskey from the first legal distillery in the City of Houston since Prohibition. This isn’t one of those distilleries with rolling hill and fields – we craft our whiskey in the heart of the city, where the art of making fine whiskey is married with the spirit of the city it’s born in. The idea for Yellow Rose Whiskey was born one night among friends more than 10 years ago. In the years since, Yellow Rose Distillery has challenged traditions, won awards, and put the city of Houston, Texas, on the global whiskey map. Fittingly, our name Yellow Rose pays homage to a legendary character, Emily West, The Yellow Rose of Texas, known for her bravery and independent nature. Yellow Rose Distilling’s core portfolio currently includes Premium American, Rye, Harris County, Outlaw Bourbon and several limited-edition offerings. For additional information please visit https://yellowrosedistilling.com/
American Airlines Chooses Six New Wines To Serve on New Flights from NY, Miami & Dallas to Tel Aviv, Israel – and Two are Kosher
(Bayonne, NJ) – For those heading to and from Israel, it’s the best news since the kosher meal option: American Airlines is now serving fine kosher wines in all cabins on all of its new flights between New York’s JFK International Airport and Tel Aviv.
Photo: MamaLikesToCook.com
And starting on June 4, All Miami and Dallas passengers will be able to order from American’s kosher wine list as well.
The panel tasted many different wines (hey, it’s a tough job, but someone’s got to do it!) and narrowed the new selections down to six wines – only two of which are kosher certified – and both kosher varieties come from the esteemed House of Herzog.
Nathan Herzog, President of Royal Wine Corp. – which is owned and operated in the United States by the Herzog family – was not surprised to see the prestigious Herzog name on American’s kosher wine list. “After all, the Herzog family’s winemaking roots go back nine generations. They produce world-class wines that just happen to be kosher.”
Herzog said, “Royal and Herzog Wine Cellars are excited to partner with American Airlines. Their decision to offer high-end kosher wines shows how committed they are to this new route.”
Travelers on American can order the Baron Herzog Chardonnay, a full-bodied white featuring fragrant notes of apple blossom and honeysuckle and flavors of ripe peach, tangerine, and a hint of caramel.
Those who prefer red wine will savor the soft, rich Herzog Lineage Cabernet Sauvignon with its aroma of black cherry, boysenberry, and tobacco. Both wines are perfect companions to foods of all kinds and will definitely set the mood for an Israeli sojourn.
About Royal Wine/Kedem
Founded in 1848, Royal Wine Corp. has been owned and operated in the United States by the Herzog family, whose winemaking origins go back more than 200 years in Czechoslovakia.
Today, Royal 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.
Taste of Santa Rita Hills: Top Scoring Wines
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We have been asked in the past, why not discuss a wine that has a stellar score? We could, but we want our customers to trust our palates and their own. If you like a wine, it doesn’t matter whether the wine received a 80 or 100 points. In addition, there are many wines that do not get sent out for review so will never receive a score.
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Obsidian Wine Co. and Outdoor Adventures
Obsidian Wine Co, and founders, Arpad Molnar, Peter Molnar, and Michael Terrien, want to change the climate of wine and bring the experience of wine back to nature. They’re passionate about bringing wine back to its origins as a drink of the people and out of the tasting room, so to speak.
Photo courtesy Obsidian Wine.
In an effort to do just that, these avid outdoorsmen have just launched an Outdoor Adventure series. These excursions into nature will highlight the connection between the land and growing, crafting, and of course, drinking wine.
On their site you will find a handful of bookable adventures beginning in March 2021 and descriptions that you can check out here.
Upcoming Outdoor Adventures (and locations) include:
Oyster Harvest:
On March 17th, join the team out at the “Farm” in Marshall, CA at the edge of Tomales Bay where you’ll take a deep dive into their shared work together with Hog Island Oyster Company to understand shellfish and wine in their ecological context. $125 per person.
Hiking a Volcano:
On May 22nd, pack your hiking shoes and a thirst for adventure as you join the team and explore the volcanic land (surrounding Obsidian Ridge) as a professional geologist guides you through the largest flow of obsidian that you may ever witness! $125 per person.
Saffron Harvest:
On July 10th, join the team as they head over to Peace & Plenty Farm in Kelseyville, CA to witness a saffron harvest, some paella, and of course, plenty of Obsidian wine. $100 per person.
Schooner Sail the Bay:
On July 31st, mark your calendar to sail the San Francisco Bay! Beginning in Sausalito, this 80ft schooner will take you all around the bay where you’ll experience plenty of sea life and learn why keeping the water clean is vital for the wine-growing work Obsidian does. Of course, you’ll be sipping down their Rosé for the Bay (whose proceeds benefit San Francisco BayKeeper) and more! $100 per person.
Seaplane Wine Flight:
Wine, sailing, and flying- what more could you ask for? Mark your calendar for this July as you’ll have the chance to depart from Sausalito, CA on a de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver and fly over the treasured Golden Gate Bridge and breathtaking Mayacamas Mountain Range. You’ll take in the sights of Napa and Sonoma Valley and Obsidian Ridge itself- you definitely don’t want to miss this! $675 per person (minimum group size of 4).
Second Pick:
On October 16th, pack your boots and join the team in walking Poseidon Vineyard in Napa Carneros and extracting their second crop of Pinot Noir. You’ll end the day with a delicious meal and wine along Carneros Creek. If you’re lucky, you’ll be tasting the fruit of your labor in a bottle of wine about 2 years from now! $125 per person.
**PLEASE NOTE that the dates are listed are just the first dates these are offered- there will be additional dates to follow.**
Sokol Blosser Winery Marks 50 Years as a Family-Owned Willamette Valley Original – with a flash sale + more!
DUNDEE HILLS, Ore. /PRNewswire/ — Sokol Blosser Winery, founded in 1971 by Bill and Susan Sokol Blosser and now under second-generation leadership, will mark 50 years of growing and making signature Willamette Valley wines in 2021 with a year-long celebration.
As part of the celebration, Sokol Blosser will revisit its first vintage with a 1970s Flash Sale on Tue., Feb. 2. For one day only, its 2018 Redland Estate Cuvée Pinot Noir will be available on its website for $6.75 per 750 ml bottle – the very same price of the winery’s first vintage of Pinot Noir in 1977. (Limit of 12 bottles per person, while supplies last).
“This is a major milestone for us,” said Alison Sokol Blosser, CEO of Sokol Blosser Winery. “We are one of the few founding wineries in the Willamette Valley that has not only remained family-owned and operated, but has continued to grow. My brother Alex and I learned the business from working alongside our parents, and we’re so grateful for the strength and wisdom that’s enabled us to not just survive but thrive for 50 years. We’re excited to celebrate all year long with our customers, trade and industry partners!”
On top of its 1970s Flash Sale, Sokol Blosser will mark the occasion with a series of special bottlings, tasting room activities (when it’s safe) and wine club offerings including:
- Exclusive anniversary bottling of 2018 Old Vineyard Block Dundee Hills Pinot Noir with a retro label that evokes the brand’s original 1970’s label design and shape (SRP $60; available direct from the winery only).
- A special Instagram and Facebook Live tasting with wine expert Leslie Sbrocco on Feb. 10 featuring Susan Sokol Blosser and Alison Sokol Blosser.
- Fireside chats and online tastings (via Zoom) with Bill and Susan Sokol Blosser for media, trade and consumers.
- When the tasting room reopens, guests will step back to the 70s with 50th
Anniversary flights featuring family favorites and library wines, a 1970s Spotify playlist (free to download!) with a groovy soundtrack, and special surprises for guests who arrive in ’70s cars or are celebrating 50th milestones of their own.
“It’s a privilege to farm these vineyards and create wines that reflect the exact hillsides where our parents started 50 years ago,” said head winemaker Alex Sokol Blosser. “Our wines have improved year after year, and it’s a testament to our parents’ original belief that the Dundee Hills and Willamette Valley would indeed be a fine place to grow grapes and make wine.”
A Half Century of Accomplishments
In December 1970, Bill and Susan Sokol Blosser purchased five acres of land in the Dundee Hills (a former prune orchard), and soon thereafter planted it to Pinot Noir and other varietals. By 1980, the Sokol Blossers had expanded their holdings to 72 acres and today the winery farms 105 acres of estate vineyards under vine. Over its 50 years, Sokol Blosser has made history with a number of accomplishments:
- Sokol Blosser opened the first purpose-built winery tasting room in Oregon in 1978.
- Sokol Blosser was first recognized for its environmental stewardship in 1983 by the U.S. Soil & Water Conservation District.
- Evolution Lucky No. 9 White Blend was introduced in 1998, paving the way for a whole new category of white blends in the marketplace.
- Sokol Blosser was the first winery in the world to have a LEED-certified winery building in 2002 for its underground barrel cellar.
- Sokol Blosser’s Estate Vineyard received full USDA organic certification in 2005.
- The second generation took the reins in 2008 as co-presidents. Today, Alison Sokol Blosser is CEO and Alex Sokol Blosser is Winemaker.
- In 2013, Sokol Blosser opened a stunning new tasting room designed by Brad Cloepfil from Allied Works Architecture which raised the bar for hospitality and wine country experiences in the Willamette Valley.
- In 2015, the winery received coveted B Corp Certification for its high standards of social and environmental performance and accountability.
- Sokol Blosser introduced Oregon’s only nationally distributed box wines in 2020, with Evolution Pinot Noir and Lucky No. 9 White now available in 1.5- liter boxes.
About Sokol Blosser Winery As one of the pioneering wineries of the region, Sokol Blosser has played a key role in developing and shaping the now-prominent Oregon wine industry. The winery remains family owned and operated, with the second generation now at the helm: siblings Alison and Alex Sokol Blosser. Achieving B Corp certification in 2015, the winery creates wines of world-class quality, produced in a sustainable manner, reflecting the distinctive flavors of the grapes, soil and climate. The winery produces Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, sparkling wines, Riesling and small quantities of single block Pinot Noir under its Sokol Blosser brand, and a white wine, red blend, Pinot Noir, sparkling wine, Riesling, and Chardonnay and Oregon’s first nationally distributed box wines under Evolution label. Visit http://www.sokolblosser.com/ and follow @sokolblosser and @evolutionwines on Instagram and Facebook.
One Bottle Post: 2012 Regusci Patriarch Proprietary Red
My first tasting of Regusci wine was when a good pal shared a bottle with me years ago. It was probably a Zinfandel as that is one of my favorite varietals though these days a wee bit harder to come by. My second tasting was in 2015, and prompted by my memory of that first taste, we visited the winery tasting room in Napa. This may have been the first time I tried Patriarch and these were my notes:
But hold on, we then were given a sample of the 2011 “Patriarch” Bordeaux blend. This wine had it all: velvety dark rose petals, a bowl of dark fruit and dark chocolate on the nose was followed by a very dry, firm and balanced flavor profile. 99 Eve pts.
I was certainly overdue for a visit, so when I spied a bottle of 2012 Patriarch on my cellar list, probably purchased during the 2015 visit, I was anxious to try it. This is the social media post I shared:
Do you like Napa red Bordeaux blends or do you tend to stick to Napa Cabs? Pulled a 2012 Regusci Patriarch Proprietary Red from the cellar to try recently. It’s a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Googled it to see its current worth ($134, we paid approximately $55) and ratings. Cellar Tracker gave it 93 points and I couldn’t find much more about it. It was a wee bit tight when I first opened it so I let it rest in my glass while I started making these preliminary notes. Now, on aroma: dark berries, dried leaves, figs, toasted oak and a bit o’ mint. Some of the same aromas in the flavors with the addition of dark chocolate. Then I waited another few minutes to try again, and again with my dinner of cheese and charcuterie. How did it fare? See EveWine101 on January 22 to see!
Now it’s Jan 22 so here you go, the rest of my tasting notes are below:
Later on the nose: richer, more velvet, fruit opened up more, dark chocolate, sweet char, dust. Taste: developed with more spicy attributes but super balanced, long finish that doesn’t quit. (Words I highlighted in bold are because they were the same attributes I found in the 2011 vintage, and if you read through you will also see one of the words the winery used as well: velvet.)
Liked it a lot more with a meal, it benefitted from comingling with great charcuterie – like some wines do. This is a wine that could’ve gone longer in my cellar, so the time it spent in glass did the trick. 94 Eve points.
Notes on this vintage from winery:
This Regusci Patriarch 2012 is of the Proprietary Red varietal and was produced by the Regusci Winery in the Napa, North Coast, California region of USA…the elegant and concentrated 2012 Patriarch is our blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. It is a wine that showcases the complexity and depth that the best sites on our Estate have to offer. On the nose you will find dark cherries, raspberries, spice rub and pencil shavings. The palate rewards with a purity of fruit that is supported with loads of cigar box, vanilla and spice. The texture on this wine can only be described as pure velvet, it will age gracefully for the next 10-15 years. Regusci Winery A multi-generational family winery, home to one of the only ghost wineries in California. Regusci Winery is known for growing premium Cabernet Sauvignon from their family ranch in Napa Valley’s acclaimed Stags Leap District. A visit to this rustic property will showcase the Regusci family’s passion for farming and a glimpse of a Napa Valley that once was.
https://www.instagram.com/regusciwinery
https://www.facebook.com/regusciwinery/
Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a “certification in first globally-recognized course” as an American Wine Specialist ® from the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), Level 1 Sake Award from WSET, was the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video (over 16k views), authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru and the Global Wine Awards. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits.
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