Eve's Wine 101

Cove Mesa Vineyard Unveils Plans for New Tasting Room

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(CORNVILLE, Ariz.) – Construction is underway on the new home of Cove Mesa Vineyard that will occupy a prominent location in the heart of Cornville. Located at the intersection of Cornville Road and Page Springs Road, the new 3,400 sq. ft. Cove Mesa Vineyard Tasting Room is ideally situated adjacent to the winery’s estate vineyard in the area’s bustling wine scene. Offering an elegant, upscale farmhouse aesthetic that reflects the natural beauty of the Verde Valley, the Cove Mesa Vineyard tasting room is slated to open by Summer 2022. 

The new Tasting Room has a pet-friendly all-season porch and features a beautifully appointed interior room for sit-down tastings, including a welcoming wine bar, comfortable banquette seating throughout, a covered all-season patio and grounds designed to compliment the small-town charm of the area. Adding to its allure, the Tasting Room is close to vineyards, hiking trails, world-class restaurants, charming Cornville B&Bs and is just minutes from desirable accommodations in Sedona, Village of Oak Creek and Cottonwood. Designed by Scottsdale-based architect and design firm Camber + True Collective, the space was designed with the style and personality of the winery’s founders in mind.

“We are thrilled to expand our operations with a larger tasting room that can accommodate our growing fan base,” said Cindy Molin, Co-Owner of  Cove Mesa Vineyard . “Not only is the Verde Valley rapidly becoming a premier wine destination, it is a lovely place for guests to relax and enjoy the idyllic natural environment as they explore our world-class wines.  With four beautiful seasons and unique desert climate, it is the ideal place to experience our Old World style of winemaking, which showcases the unique terroir of Arizona’s high desert vineyards,” she said.

“Throughout the development of the design, we wanted to create something that reflects the hospitality the Molin family is known for. The space is stylish and modern, yet has a bit of a refined rustic vibe that’s comfortable and inviting, making you feel right at home,”  said Deborah Sylva-Henslin, Owner and Principal of Camber + True Collective.  “It was our vision to create a space that was very photogenic, appealing to the next generation of wine lovers and Arizona visitors while remaining a much-loved gathering space for neighborhood locals,” she said.

“Natural materials and hues reflective of the local terroir are contrasted with warm, sensuous, and touchable neutrals define the look and feel of the tasting room. The floors sustainably use the existing concrete slab and the existing structural insulated exterior walls and roof structure are also reused.  The exposed wood trusses with farmhouse style pendant lighting throughout offer a bit of a rustic character to the space. Accents of barrel staves, copper and a color aptly named “Sommelier” round out the interiors,” Sylva said.

The newest winery in the Verde Valley owned by residents Emil and Cynthia Molin, Cove Mesa Vineyard has risen to prominence for its commitment to celebrating Arizona terroir with the production of Old World style wines. Cove Mesa recently won Arizona’s highest wine award for its’ 2018 Merlot including the ‘Governor’s Cup’ Best in Show and the ‘Grower’s Cup’ as Best Red Wine along with an array of other key awards in the 2022 Azcentral.com Arizona Wine Competition.

With its estate vineyards located just adjacent to the new tasting room in Cornville, Cove Mesa Vineyards is located in the heart of Arizona’s Verde Valley American Viticulture Area (AVA). Perched atop a long and winding pebbled dirt road, the Cove Mesa estate overlooks the entire Verde Valley region with soaring views that reach the red rocks of Sedona. With a total of 11,400 vines onsite, Cove Mesa is the embodiment of a family-owned legacy winery with deep roots and expansive plans for the up-and-coming wine growing area. 

Located just 90 minutes from Phoenix, or 20 minutes from Sedona, Cove Mesa Vineyard a must-visit destination for wine connoisseurs seeking to explore the beauty of Arizona wines.  The Cove Mesa Tasting Room is located at 741 Airpark Way Unit 8 & 9, Cottonwood, AZ 86326 and open on weekends only.  For more information about Cove Mesa Vineyard visit www.covemesa.com. Connect with us on social media @CoveMesaVineyard.

The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association Presents Hollywood Bowl Food + Wine for the 100th Anniversary and 2022 Season

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LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association has announced details of the menus for the 2022 Hollywood Bowl Food + Wine season in celebration of the Bowl’s 100th anniversary milestone. Now into the seventh year with award-winning chef Suzanne Goin and restaurateur Caroline Styne, Hollywood Bowl Food + Wine promises exceptional dining for visitors to the iconic venue. Goin and Styne’s culinary history has defined Los Angeles tastes since 1998 when they opened Lucques, their legendary first restaurant. At the Hollywood Bowl, their California-inspired offerings include three restaurants and three marketplaces. Additionally, menus for the Terrace and Garden Boxes, which can be ordered a day in advance, are created by four-time James Beard Foundation award-winner Suzanne Goin. Goin’s vibrant new summer dishes pair beautifully with the exceptional wine and beer programs curated by Caroline Styne, the recipient of the James Beard Foundation’s 2018 Outstanding Restaurateur of the Year award. Overseeing the broad range of dining options serving Hollywood Bowl Food + Wine’s thousands of nightly guests is Executive Chef Jeff Rogers.

Returning for the 2022 season are the fan-favorites Winemaker Wednesdays and Sunday Market Tastings – an eight-week program of complimentary wine tastings at the Plaza Marketplace with guest winemakers, importers, sommeliers, and breweries hand-selected by Caroline Styne. Caroline also introduces a broad selection of vegan and organic wines this year that can be discovered in the marketplaces with other new natural wines on the restaurants’ lists, including Scribe, Broc Cellars and Perichor.

Hollywood Bowl Food + Wine’s many dining options include three sit-down restaurants, street-food kiosks, pre-ordered picnic boxes, and a full-service dinner delivered to your box seat. For private events, Hollywood Bowl Food + Wine provides catering at several locations for groups both large and small.

New additions for the 2022 Hollywood Bowl Food + Wine portfolio are highlighted below:

Supper in Your Seats – Available by pre-order online until 4PM the day before a performance, Supper in Your Seats offers curated three-course dinners or customized meals from à la carte selections delivered right to your box seats.

Menu Highlight: The 101 – red and green little gems with cucumbers, meyer lemon, cherry tomatoes and basil buttermilk; choice of torchio pasta with heirloom tomatoes, pancetta, parmigiano reggiano and garlic breadcrumbs (vegan option) or chicken under a brick with chickpeas, piperade, black olive and saffron; and basque cheesecake with blueberries and candied lemon.

Newly available Supper in Your Seats items for 2022 include:

·         smashed carrots and marinated beets with tahini yogurt, dandelion and toasted seeds

·         seared albacore with weiser potatoes, braised leeks, salsa verde and dijon

·         sea bass with white beans, rapini, coriander crushed almonds and piri piri

·         veal osso buco with saffron risotto, asparagus, pea shoots and meyer lemon salsa

Ann’s Wine Bar by A.O.C – Showcasing a wine list personally curated by Caroline Styne, Los Angeles’ favorite wine bar comes to life at the Hollywood Bowl with a wine-friendly menu of artisanal cheese and charcuterie, farmer’s plates, grilled flatbreads, market-fresh salads and A.O.C.-style fish and meats. There are also craft brews and farmers’ market-driven cocktails made with soju and other wine-based liquors.

Newly available Ann’s Wine Bar by A.O.C. items for 2022 include:

·         grilled flatbreadwith asparagus, wilted leeks, taleggio, mint and pistachios

·         prawns with yellow tomato confit, sofrito and parsley aioli

·         halibut with green rice, rajas, crème fraiche, and squash blossoms

the backyard – The al fresco dining area, adjacent to the amphitheater, is flanked by two large wood-burning grills and offers an updated seasonal market-driven menu of summer salads, an extensive raw bar, and side dishes in addition to the wood-grilled selection of fresh fish, seafood, organic chicken, chops and steaks.

Newly available items for the backyard in 2022 include:

·         hungry cat’s kampachi with plums, herbs and chermoula

·         pan con tomate with heirloom tomatoes, alorena olives, salsa verde and monte enebro

·         white trumpet mushrooms with summer vegetables méchoui, harissa and pine nuts

·         scottish salmon with grilled nectarines, pickled fresnos, crème fraîche and pistachio

·         za’atar lamb chops with smoked eggplant, cucumber and preserved lemon labneh

Picnic Boxes – All five of Suzanne Goin’s complete picnic boxes can be pre-ordered a day before a concert and picked up at the Plaza Marketplace or delivered to your box seats.

Menu Highlight: The Westside Story – grilled chicken breast with almond sofrito; fregola with chickpeas, carrots and spinach; marinated beets with horseradish and parsley; baguette with tapenade; and Larder Baking Company chocolate chip cookie.

Kitchen 22 – Made-to-order beef and veggie burgers, Suzanne’s spanish fried chicken, grilled comté cheese on larder sourdough and savory sandwiches anchor the Hollywood Bowl’s tribute to American classic fare.

Menu Highlight: classic double-bacon cheeseburgers

Marketplaces – Three Marketplace locations – Plaza, East, and West – specialize in “grab-and-go” salads, sandwiches, and farmers’ market-driven main courses, as well as charcuterie, cheese plates, desserts, and Magpies Softserve ice cream. The west-side Marketplace includes a sushi bar where chefs prepare premium sushi, available for pre-order or to purchase on-site.

Showcasing the best of Goin and Styne’s casual Larder café-marketplace, these Hollywood Bowl venues also feature a large selection of hand-picked wines, craft beers, sodas, and waters, as well as salty and sweet snacks including cookies and brownies, candy, nuts and crackers.

Menu Highlight: Endless Love for Two – salmon & avocado roll – 4 pieces; spicy shrimp roll – 4 pieces; spicy tuna roll – 4 pieces; and tuna roll – 4 pieces

Lucques at the Circle – This is a full-service dining experience for Pool Circle subscribers, showcasing a seasonal made-to-order menu and exceptional wine list styled from the award-winning cuisine of Lucques.

Menu Highlights: lobster risotto carbonara with pancetta, pea shoots and wild mushrooms; wild striped bass with papa pomodoro, purple tomatoes and smoked paprika butter; and cornmeal shortcake with peaches, strawberries and poured ice cream.

Street Food and Snacks – Authentic street foods can be found throughout the grounds of the Hollywood Bowl, including tacos, artisanal pizzas, pulled pork BBQ sandwich, assorted sandwiches and beverages. The Sweet Shop offers signature desserts, cookies and brownies as well as coffee and ice cream. New this year, visitors will find local favorites Magpies Softserve’s ice cream pies as well as their mix-in ice creams, which include non-dairy and vegan options.

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Please visit Hollywood Bowl Food + Wine for more information about the food and wine experiences available at the Hollywood Bowl. High-res photos can be downloaded HERE. Photo credit Rob Stark.

About the Hollywood Bowl

One of the largest natural amphitheaters in the world, with a seating capacity of nearly 18,000, the Hollywood Bowl has been the summer home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic since its official opening in 1922 and plays host to the finest artists from all genres of music, offering something for everyone. It remains one of the best deals anywhere in Los Angeles; to this day, $1 buys a seat at the top of the Bowl for many classical and jazz performances. In June 2021, the Hollywood Bowl was awarded Amphitheater of the Decade at the 32nd Annual Pollstar Awards. It was also awarded the Outdoor Concert Venue of the Year award at the 31st Annual Pollstar Awards, an honor bestowed 14 previous times, as well as Top Amphitheater prize at the 2017 and 2018 Billboard Touring Awards. For millions of music lovers across Southern California, the Hollywood Bowl is synonymous with summer. Hollywood Bowl Food + Wine is presented by the Los Angeles Philharmonic in partnership with The Lucques Group and Sodexo Live!

Ten Year Challenge…With Wine and Spirits

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My husband Eddie has painstakingly categorized our photos by year on our cell phones, so I recently looked at photos from ten years ago to see if any were worth posting alongside a photo taken recently, for the latest #10YearChallenge on social media. As you can guess, most of my photos back then were of wine, so I thought I would take a look back at what I was drinking then.

(I also searched my name, 2011 and photos on Facebook to add to my wine blast from the past.) This is what I wanted to share:

Contributing Editor Michael Perlis, Eve and then contributor Rusty Sly at All Corked Up in 2011.

From Napa

Meeting with winemaker Gerard Zanzonico in the stunning caves at Del Dotto for maybe the first time, wine tasting at 10 am in the private room for club members at Mondavi, having a seated tasting on an expansive patio with incredible views at Joseph Phelps, an underground tour and tasting in the caves at Schramsberg, meeting with the most gracious host/owner Suzanne Phifer Pavitt at Phifer Pavitt, an evening tasting at the downtown Napa PureCru tasting bar with winemaker Mitch Consentino.

From Paso

Blending wine at TH Estate with winemaker and owner Terry Hoage, visiting Cass for the first time, a mind-blowing multi-course Earth Day dinner at Justin, visiting with the now shuttered Edward Sellers, winery tour and tasting with Lawrence Lohr of J Lohr, discovering that Whalebone really does have whale bones around the property and Calcareous has calcareous rock in their vineyards, time spent with the one and only Gary Eberle, tasting wines, spirits and having dinner at Opolo, seeing Sculpterra for the first time, the dry farming at Minassian Young, Niner when it first opened, the first concrete eggs were at Villa Creek, meeting and tasting incredible wines with Janell Dusi at J Dusi, tasting Nuggucciet Cellars made by a local newspaper man and Mystic Hills Vineyard lovingly owned by local friends.

Jamaica

Though not known for wine we were well taken care of on a trip to Jamaica ten years ago with French Champagne, Appleton rum blended drinks and icy cold Red Stripe Beer.

Events
The annual Union des Grand Crus de Bordeaux tasting is always not only huge but amazing, and since I love Rhone wines the Rhone Rangers can’t be missed, local have Vine 2 Wine with lots of local support, Garagiste Festival offered drinkers events in LA as well as Paso, Pinot Days up in the Skirball Center, Paso’s Earth Day Food and Wine fest was new, and long-time favorite LA Wine Fest with Yoshi Murakami doing sake classes and Chris Uhde teaching about scotch.

Special Dining

Fontanafredda Barolo at Spago Beverly Hills with fellow wine writers, Martinis at Blue Mermaid Chowder House and Bar in San Francisco on vacation, wine and cheese at Wine 661 for locals, A Taste of Monterey Wine Tasting when I visited Eddie there for Naval Postgraduate School, Iron Horse sparkling that came complements of Bourbon Steak in San Francisco for our wedding anniversary dinner.

Places that no longer exist today

Wine bar/restaurant/wine storage facility – and even live music – at All Corked Up as loved by many, the two brothers that opened Artisan Paso Robles that was a favorite for locals and visitors alike, Chef Daniel Otto was first discovered at the Oaks Grille at TPC, Chef Jason Park at Maru Sushi when it was local on Town Center Drive and many times over drinking wine at Valencia Wine Company with owner Guy Lelarge and also attending all of the wine dinners and events he organized at local restaurants.

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.

The Region’s Best Kept Secrets: Bourgogne Wines With Bourgogne Wine Ambassador James King

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Well color me happy, was invited to my first press event in Las Vegas – and it was organized by the Bourgogne Wine Board. For my wine 101ers Bourgogne is the correct word to use for the region of Burgundy, France. And for my wine 101ers that drink U.S. made Pinot Noir and not Burgundy: it’s the same grape but Bourgogne is where the varietal was born (among others). So the French terroir – winemaking, soil, history, and climate – is hundreds of years older than ours in the USA. Doesn’t mean better, just different, and as the French say, “Viva La Difference!”

This event was led by Bourgogne Wine Ambassador James King, which meant I was destined to learn much more about Bourgogne wines. And if that wasn’t enough it was over a luncheon at Ada’s Wine Bar, reputed to be one of the best wine bars in Las Vegas.

From the Invitation

Bourgogne is renowned worldwide for producing some of the finest wines with its unique terroir and savoir-faire, which are translated to each of our 84 appellations. Some of them have reached the status of icon and some are still to be brought to the light. Join us to (re) discover Bourgogne through a selection of appellations.

Tasting and Learning

Our lecturer King is a WSET teacher and right off the bat wanted us to learn that the word Bourgogne, pronounced Boar-Gown to me, was to be used instead of the generally accepted term Burgundy for this wine-growing region of France.

The wine tasting would be with food as that is the most traditional, King said. We would look for “balance, integration, whether the wines were too heavy, over-oaked” and we would learn that “not all Bourgogne wines are expensive.” A Bourgogne drinker could easily, “work their way up” from inexpensive Bourgogne wines and still enjoy them very much.

We had nine wines, six whites and three reds, that we tasted blind. Not my favorite way to taste but by the end of the tasting I had an idea as to why King led us this way: We all have preconceived notions of the value of a wine based on where it’s from and the price. King removed that bias from our minds. And with that we all very much enjoyed wines retail priced between $11 and $34 and some from areas the average consumer – and some of us – were not as familiar with.

We were given plenty of maps of all of the different wine-growing regions in Bourgogne – and there are a lot – and I don’t think any of the professionals in the room could correctly guess where each wine was from.

My wine notes consisted of fresh fruits from citrus to berry to tropical, different florals, little oak, balance and tannins…the usual suspects. The food we had after sampling each wine – see photos here of the food, some bottle shots, menu and wine list – were well paired bringing out savory qualities in both.

When the price points for each wine was revealed, and some of the guests wanted to purchase, we learned that none had yet to be released in the U.S. This class, this exercise I should say, was an excellent lesson on how well the wines of Burgundy Bourgogne do with the most experienced palates. And I for one will keep that in mind the next time I recognize – or don’t recognize – a label from Bourgogne.

Now I just want to try more! And more to the point, if you are not a big Pinot Noir fan or even if you are: Give Bourgogne a try. Not all wines are made the same way – especially if made in different parts of the globe.

Bourgogne Wine Board

The Bourgogne Wine Board (BIVB) is a non-profit association under the 1901 law. Built on the principle of each member having an equal voice, it defends and promotes the unique skills of the professions of winemaking, the négoce trade and vine growing, the heritage of a shared passion.

https://www.bourgogne-wines.com/

Ada’s Wine Bar

Chef driven small plates and more. Now pouring in Tivoli Village, Las Vegas. Intriguing wines by the glass or bottle. Adding to a number of local accolades, in 2020, Chef Trees was named a Finalist for the James Beard Award: Best Chef Southwest.

https://www.adaslv.com/

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

2021 MICHELIN Guide to California Recognizes 114 Bay Area Restaurants

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SAN FRANCISCO (PRWEB) – The San Francisco Bay Area retained its distinction as the top destination in the U.S. for fine dining following the long-awaited unveiling of the 2021 MICHELIN Guide to California this month. The Bay Area enjoys the greatest concentration of Michelin three-star restaurants in the U.S. and the most Michelin-starred restaurants in California.

Six Bay Area restaurants received the coveted three Michelin stars in the 2021 MICHELIN Guide: Atelier Crenn, Benu, Quince, The French Laundry, SingleThread and Manresa. Eight restaurants were awarded two Michelin stars, including Birdsong, which added a second star.

Altogether, 50 Bay Area restaurants were awarded one or more Michelin stars in 2021, accounting for 56% of California’s 90 Michelin-starred restaurants.

Sublime Doesn’t Always Mean Expensive

While the Bay Area’s fine dining options stand out, visitors can experience plenty of mouthwatering cuisine at easily digestible price points. Michelin bestowed 64 Bay Area restaurants with its Bib Gourmand designation. This category celebrates restaurants offering “great food and value,” where a three-course meal can be enjoyed for around $40 or less, excluding tax and gratuity.

Out of the 147 restaurants in California receiving a Bib Gourmand, nearly 44% are in the San Francisco Bay Area, including 18 newcomers to the list such as Routier, Um.Ma and Dumpling Home.

The World’s 50 Best Restaurants

Only six U.S. restaurants landed on “The World’s 50 Best Restaurants” list in 2021 and three of them are in the San Francisco Bay Area. Benu and Atelier Crenn in San Francisco and SingleThread in Healdsburg ranked 28th, 48th and 37th, respectively.

San Francisco-based chef Dominique Crenn, owner of Atelier Crenn, Petit Crenn and Bar Crenn, also received this year’s Icon Award as “a true culinary leader giving a voice to the under-represented.”

New and Notable in San Francisco

The City by the Bay is a leader in culinary creativity, with chefs such as Dominique Crenn, Corey Lee, Brandon Jew, Ho Chee Boon, Stuart Brioza and Nicole Krasinski leading the way. San Francisco’s innovative and diverse food scene is why the city is hailed as the “best foodie city” in the country by U.S. News & World Report. And even with the challenges of the pandemic, the city’s seen a slew of exciting restaurant openings in the last 18 months and many more are debuting soon.

A selection of restaurants that have opened or will launch soon include:

  • Mamahuhu, the casual eatery by chef Brandon Jew, opened in the Richmond in January 2020. His upscale Mister Jiu’s in Chinatown was San Francisco’s first Chinese restaurant to earn a Michelin star. Mamahuhu takes a modern spin on Chinese-American classics like kung pao chicken, mapo tofu and egg rolls, all with responsibly sourced ingredients.
  • The Anchovy Bar from Stuart Brioza and Nicole Krasinski, the James Beard award-winning chef/owners of State Bird Provision, debuted in October 2020. Located in the Fillmore, the wine and seafood bar specializes in West Coast oysters, small fish and sustainably raised shellfish.
  • Showcasing the vibrant spirit of Peru, Jaranita in the Marina highlights popular Nikkei, Chifa, and Creole dishes. The Peruvian restaurant opened in January 2021.
  • Ernest, a new restaurant from chef Brandon Rice, opened in March 2021 in San Francisco’s Mission District. The market-driven menu features intense global flavors that reflect the way the chef loves to eat — fun and approachable yet refined “with elegant layers of familiar flavors done in a new way.”
  • The Tailor’s Son opened in March 2021. Located in the Fillmore, the cozy venue serves a savory menu of Northern Italian classics like risotto, fresh pastas, crostini, antipasti, and verdure and an extensive wine list highlighting the best biodynamic and organic wines from Italy.
  • Empress by Boon, the first solo project for Michelin-star chef Ho Chee Boon, the former international executive chef of Hakkasan, opened in Chinatown in June 2021. Housed in a former storied Chinese banquet hall that’s been exquisitely revamped, the restaurant features modern Cantonese dishes focusing on California ingredients.
  • Estiatorio Ornos, a Michael Mina Restaurant, opened in September in Mina’s former California Street flagship location in the Financial District. The restaurant brings to life the celebratory spirit of the Greek Isles, with flavorful Greek seafood dishes and relaxed Mediterranean-style hospitality.
  • Chef Tyler Florence’s first new restaurant in San Francisco in 11 years, Miller & Lux, opened in late September. Part of Thrive City, the development surrounding the Chase Center in Mission Bay, the 7,000-square-foot waterfront steakhouse was designed by global stylemaker Ken Fulk.
  • Boulevard, the 28-year-old San Francisco classic, reopened in September in the Embarcadero/Financial District with a new menu experience and a new look care of designer Ken Fulk. Serving quintessentially California cuisine, it now offers two dining experiences: an adaptable set price menu and an a la carte menu available at both the chef’s counter and the recently expanded bar and lounge.
  • Chef Corey Lee’s first Korean restaurant, San Ho Won, is slated to open in October in the Mission. Lee’s Benu was the first restaurant in San Francisco to receive three Michelin stars.
  • The Flour + Water Hospitality Group is targeting an October 2021 opening for its newest restaurant in the Mission, Penny Roma. The rustic Italian restaurant will feature an indoor-outdoor, open-kitchen space.
  • Friends Only from chef Ray Lee is slated to open in November 2021 in Lower Nob Hill. “Part R+D kitchen and part sushi speakeasy,” the 10-seat omakase bar will spotlight high-quality and highly seasonal ingredients on an ever-changing tasting menu.
  • Chef Erik Sun’s Pursuit, a 15-seat ramen bar, is scheduled to open this fall in SoMa. Diners will be able to nosh on noodles late into the night. There will also be a 45-seat section with a dedicated yakiniku menu featuring rarer cuts and dishes like kimchi fried rice with beef tongue.

The Most European of American Cities Embraces Al Fresco Dining

San Francisco’s outdoor dining scene blossomed with the creation of “parklets” over the last 18 months. Over 2,100 permits for in-street dining, sidewalk tables and other outdoor setups have been issued since early 2020 as part of a larger Pavement to Parks Program, which repurposes underutilized street space into neighborhood amenities. A vibrant success, the parklets will now become permanent fixtures. Given the city’s year-round temperate climate, it’s a boon for diners.

Eat Drink SF and SF Restaurant Week Run Concurrently This October

The Golden Gate Restaurant Association announced 2021 Eat Drink SF (EDSF) and SF Restaurant Week. Running from Oct.15 through Oct. 24, the concurrent programs will explore San Francisco through both indoor and outdoor dining and imbibing featuring prix fixe menus, chef collaborations, cocktail events and ticketed experiences. More than 150 restaurants are participating in SF Restaurant Week. Prix fixe menus range from $10 to $25 for lunch and from $25 to $65 for dinner. Find an updated list of participating restaurants at https://www.sfrestaurantweek.com/restaurants/. A full list of EDSF events is available at https://eatdrink-sf.com/2021-dining-events/.

About San Francisco Travel

The San Francisco Travel Association is the official destination marketing organization for the City and County of San Francisco. Tourism is San Francisco’s largest industry. More than 25.8 million people visited the destination in 2019, spending in excess of $10 billion. More than 82,500 jobs are supported by tourism in San Francisco.

San Francisco is one of the metropolitan areas in the U.S. that has consistently kept Covid-19 largely under control. The COVID-19 Prevention & Enhanced Cleaning Guidelines put forth by the Hotel Council of San Francisco ensure that our hospitality businesses are adhering to the most elaborate cleaning and safety protocols. San Francisco Travel invites all visitors who are planning to come in 2021 to contribute their part to a safe and enjoyable experience by taking our Safe Travel Pledge at https://www.sftravel.com/article/take-san-francisco-safe-travel-pledge.

For information on reservations, activities and more, visit https://www.sftravel.com.

For more about San Francisco, follow https://www.facebook.com/onlyinSF/, https://www.instagram.com/onlyinsf/ and https://twitter.com/onlyinsf. Please use hashtags #sftravel and #AlwaysSF.

About San Francisco International Airport

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) wants you to Travel Well. SFO works with local, state and federal health officials to protect against COVID-19. Measures include enhanced cleaning protocols, hundreds of hand sanitizer stations, physical barriers, face coverings for everyone and physical distancing. To learn more visit https://www.flysfo.com/travel-well.

SFO offers nonstop service to Asia, South Pacific, Europe, Canada, Mexico and across the United States. For up-to-the-minute departure and arrival information, airport maps and details on shopping, dining, cultural exhibitions, ground transportation and more, visit https://www.flysfo.com. Follow us on https://www.twitter.com/flysfo and https://www.facebook.com/flysfo.

United Airlines is the preferred airline of the San Francisco Travel Association.

Walla Walla’s Newest Businesses – And A Luxury Wine Resort – Spotlight the Valley’s Bounty

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WALLA WALLA’S NEWEST BUSINESSES SPOTLIGHT THE VALLEY’S BOUNTY
From a luxury winery resort to a refurbished 1930’s Showroom, Walla Walla’s new businesses further the valley’s connection to character and place. 

(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
Yellowhawk Resort (formerly Basel Cellars): Yellowhawk Resort is an 84-acre hillside retreat on Walla Walla’s south side. The resort features a sparkling winery and tasting room with farm-to-table dining, a swimming pool and cabanas, lodging, and event space for weddings, reunions, and corporate retreats. As you enter the gate and wind up the hill to the estate house, the elevated setting provides a sweeping outlook on the fields of wheat, lush vineyards below, and the Blue Mountains in the distance. The property was purchased in December 2020 by Pacific Northwest hospitality leaders Dan Thiessen, Chad Mackay, Scott Clark, Philip Christofides, and Paul Mackay, and is part of the Revelers Club loyalty program. Winemaker George-Anne Robertson leads Yellowhawk’s sparkling wine program.

DINING & RESTAURANTS
AK’s Mercado: One of Walla Walla’s top eateries, Andrae’s Kitchen, which Food and Wine magazine’s Ray Isle once described as “hands down the best restaurant inside a working gas station in America,” recently relocated to its own space on Main St. in the heart of downtown Walla Walla. Focusing on tacos, smoked meats, and other street food, Mercado is inspired by Chef Andrae Bopp’s love for the cuisines of Oaxaca and New Orleans, among other places, with a craft cocktail program curated by local mixology legend Jim German. The venue also features various popups from Secret Squirrel wine, Daylight Plant Co, Walla Walla Cheese Co. and others.

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
Moonbase Cellars: The Blue Mountains and rolling wheat fields of Walla Walla enticed Laine and Drew Pauk to call the valley their home. That, and their desire to make wine with a straightforward approach amidst an ideal viticulture climate. Moonbase Cellars’ philosophy is to find fantastic vineyards suited for a specific grape variety, sourcing excellent fruit from premier vineyard sites in the Walla Walla Valley, including multiple locations within the coveted The Rocks District of Milton-Freewater AVA. As for the name, Drew has always been fascinated with space. Though his dream of becoming an astronaut didn’t work out, he managed to combine his love for wine and space with Moonbase Cellars.

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
Showroom at Colville: The Showroom on Colville was built in the 1930s as a showroom for auto sales in the center of downtown Walla Walla. In October of 2019, the Showroom on Colville underwent extensive renovations which unveiled the beautiful bones of the structure, and from there the story began to blossom. A corner of downtown Walla Walla honors local history to gather and celebrate the community with local-centric artisans and purveyors. Shops include TMACS, The Market by Andy’s, Wildlings Co. kids boutique, and many more.

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:
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.

Vintage Eve Circa 9/2018: What Wines Would You Stock if You Owned a Wine Bar?

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Recently a pal that used to live in Santa Clarita had called me as he was opening a wine bar where he lives now in Texas. He didn’t want advice on anything other than what wine I would want if I were to visit his bar.

Since he had moved to Texas a few years ago he had been working in real estate, spent some time working in a large wine store, met more ex-pats (people that had come from California too) and ran a large wine tasting group. I didn’t offer any advice on how to open his bar as he had it covered. But I took to Facebook to ask my local pals what they would want stocked in the shelves if they owned a wine bar. They had some really great ideas! These are some of their comments:

THE WINE LIST

This is a compilation of just some of the wines my pals would stock their wine bar with:

Jonata, Potek, Scar of the Sea, True Believer, Andremily, Mail Road, Stolpman, Kimsey, Roark, The Paring, The Hilt, Spear (all Santa Barbara).

So many – Crémant, Melon d’ Bourgogne, Cru Beaujolais, Cahors, Brunello, Valtellina, Vin Santo, Madeira to name a few.

There is never enough Syrah anywhere. Still gets short shrift in the marketplace, which is a shame.

I am a sucker for Roussanne and other Rhone varietals. I love Grenache and Viognier too. Zaca Mesa and Stolpman make fabulous Roussanne.

I would like to see some Gruet Brut Rose or some blends that you can’t buy at a grocery store.

Belle Glos and Domaine Carneros Pinots, plus some Australian, Spanish and Chilean cabs.

Quintarelli, Casanova, Pine Ridge, Ridge, Tolo, Foxen…

On a wine list I look for value since they have to mark it up so much. Burgundy and Barolo would be nice but I’d go to the off the beaten path wines – Cru Beaujolais (France), Ripasso, Valpolicella, Sicilian wines. For those who like big jammy wines – Shiraz! Whites – I like to see Rose from France, New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc and Sancerre (France). If there is a Somm I give them a price range and let them know what I like. Never have been disappointed.

Bernardus Sauvignon Blanc, Frogs Leap Cab, Rombi Cabernet, Bookenoogen Pinot and Heller Merlot.

Under $100: Cade Cabernet Sauvignon, Campesino Syrahs and Pinot Noirs, Shafer One Point Five, Grgich Hills, Turley Zins, Prisoner, Orin Swift, Patz & Hall pinots, Flowers, Mantanzas Creek Chards, Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc, Tablas Creek and Justin.

Willamette Valley Vineyards Pinot Noir is hands down one of the best Pinots out there.

Lone Star Wine Cellars and Landon Winery are two wineries in McKinney Texas. I haven’t been there in a few years. But, remember the wines were pretty good. They have tasting rooms in historic downtown McKinney TX.

Also would love to have more orange wines on menus. I’m glad it’s becoming a trend.

Would love to see more wines from Paso Robles and the Santa Ynez area. Roblar in Los Olivos is one of my favorite wineries and reasonably priced in my opinion. There are so many smaller vineyards in both of these areas to explore. Tired of seeing Kendall Jackson and the like in many of the restaurants/wine bars. Pretty much I would love to taste wines that I would not be able to find at Bev Mo, not that they have bad wines, but just not interesting ones…

Le Vigne Vineyards has some wonderful wines, Justin cabs of course, Clos Solene, L’Aventure and RN Estate are some of my favorites. All from Paso.

Justin makes a great Malbec I have been enjoying! I’m typically a Cab girl myself.

For whites: Dry Rieslings (German or Alsatian), Sancerre, South African Sauvignon Blanc, and Austrian Gruner Veltliner (as opposed to Hungarian). For reds: I love the less stereotypical Italian reds such as Nero D’Avola and pretty much any red from the Piedmont region.

I’m always excited to see Barbera and GSM’s when I visit a place that I am planning to drink wine at. I also enjoy having a good port or cream sherry available if I am visiting the wine bar after dinner and I want to end the night with a dessert-like treat.

Where wines started … Italy!

I have a rather long list, but most are red wines from the Paso Robles region, Lompoc and Santa Ynez regions as well: Longoria Wines, Tercero Wines, Eberle Winery, J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines, Amalie Vineyards in Oregon, Ascension, Bass Note Sangria, Sanford, Sculpterra, Castlerock, Cutruzzola Vineyards, Joel Gott, Cass, Hoi Polloi Winery, San Antonio Winery (official), Michael David…I love all reds, depending on winery, but my go tos are usually Pinot Noir, Sangiovese, Cab, Beaujolais, and red blends. I love our California wines!

Something interesting and different. Also some local TX wines.

From me: This is ONE of my own picks, because I voted for it as our Best of Show at the Global Wine Awards, from Martellotto Winery: https://martellotto.com/products/martellotto-riserva-il-capoccia-happy-canyon-of-santa-barbara

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.

Celebrated Winery L’Ecole No 41 Announces “Heritage by L’Ecole” Wine Bar Opening in Walla Walla This Spring

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WALLA WALLA, Wash. – L’Ecole No 41, one of Walla Walla’s early founding wineries, has announced their plans to open a new Wine Bar in downtown Walla Walla at the historic Marcus Whitman Hotel.

Photo from AbbeycoSeattle.blog

The space is being redesigned and redefined to welcome guests in downtown Walla Walla, in a setting which denotes the winery’s sense of place and pays homage to the Heritage of the region. Focused on unique flights, the Wine Bar will provide access to small production and library lots, along with current release favorites.

“We’re so enthusiastic about the possibility to welcome Walla Walla locals and visitors to our valley, in a new and unique setting,” said L’Ecole’s owner and managing winemaker Marty Clubb. “Heritage by L’Ecole illustrates our family’s commitment to the Walla Walla experience for all wine lovers. The opportunity to ask our talented daughter, Rebecca Clubb-Olson, to design the space for us was exciting and rewarding, and she has done a beautiful job – striking a perfect balance, incorporating elements of our historic Schoolhouse and of our deep, enduring roots in our home Valley.”

Heritage by L’Ecole’s opening to the public is planned for Spring Kick Off Weekend, in April, and local Wine Club Members, industry members, and press will be invited to experience the space upon opening. With outdoor seating planned for the spring and summer, the space is being designed to eventually accommodate up to 19 seated guests indoors, with self-guided flight options.

The Marcus Whitman Hotel, a property replete with history, eagerly welcomes L’Ecole No 41’s opening in their ground floor corner location, adding to the tasting room selection for their guests and for other downtown patrons. “L’Ecole’s decision to open their unique Heritage Wine Bar is particularly meaningful for us, as the hotel was originally developed in the 1920s by a group of local business and community members, including W.W. Baker, the grandfather of L’Ecole Winery’s founder, Baker Ferguson. Heritage is a very fitting name, and we’re excited that the partnership has come full circle”, commented Kyle Mussman, owner of the Marcus Whitman Hotel.

Housed in the historic 1915 Frenchtown schoolhouse depicted on its label, L’Ecole has earned international acclaim for producing expressive, distinctive wines. L’Ecole No 41 has been recognized 15 times as a Top 100 Winery of the Year by Wine & Spirits Magazine, and in 2014, London’s Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) named L’Ecole’s Ferguson the Best Bordeaux Blend in the World over £15. In addition to Clubb, his wife Megan Clubb and their children Riley Clubb and Rebecca Clubb-Olson serve on L’Ecole’s board of directors.

Look What’s New At Newhall Press Room: Seasoned Le Cordon Bleu Chef Larry Bethea Joins The Team

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SANTA CLARITA VALLEY – The Newhall Press Room is looking forward to re-opening and serving the community with more amazing food and wine. To carry forward with their Wine Spectator award-winning history, they will explore new dishes, monthly specials and weekly wine events. In addition, they are thrilled to announce their newest team member, Larry Bethea, a Le Cordon Bleu trained Chef.

Larry Bethea, a Le Cordon Bleu trained Chef

Native of Southern California, Chef Larry chose to pursue a career in culinary arts in 2011. Graduate of the Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts program, he dove into the world of food and hospitality. Fascinated by multiple facets of food service, he pursued many opportunities in the culinary field.
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Rounding out his experience consisted of volunteering while in school, special events (food and wine festivals, weddings and concerts), sous chef at The Getty Center, and chef manager for food service company Sodexo.

Having established family roots from Belize to the East coast, food was a central melting pot of cultures and ingredients for Chef Larry. This provided him a foundation for a love of comfort food, Caribbean flavors and classical French cooking techniques. Chef Larry has carved out a style all of his own fusing various flavors and techniques to create one of a kind dishes.

Co-owner Charles “Chaz” Potter commented, “Chef Larry is a joy to meet and the staff loves his enthusiasm and cooking style. We are thrilled to have him on board and bring more wine and food pairings to the community.
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“As you know, wine is made across the globe, in many different styles and varietals, which blends well with Chef Larry’s style of cooking and our vision for the Newhall Press Room,” Potter continued. “We hope you will join us soon on both of our outdoor patios. We appreciate our community and the City of Santa Clarita for being so supportive of our employees and the overall restaurant business community. Over the next few weeks, we should be back to pre-shutdown outdoor capacity.”

Newhall Press Room is located in Old Town Newhall at 24257 Main Street. Presently their hours are Wednesday and Thursday from 3 pm until 8 pm, Friday and Saturday 3 pm until 9 pm and Sundays from 12 noon until 6 pm. newhallpressroom.com

Vintage Eve 3/2018: Valencia Wine Company Through the Years

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When Valencia Wine Company opened some 14 or so years ago many people told owner Guy Lelarge that they had the same idea: open the first wine bar in the Santa Clarita Valley for tastings, purchases, advice, classes and private parties. I was one of the first visitors, and a regular for at least the first ten years. In that time I tasted a lot and learned a lot. My article footer below didn’t even exist, and one of the first wine articles I did for the Signal newspaper (now not even available in their archives) was on Valencia Wine Company.

l-r: Guy Lelarge, Jason Park and Edward Sellers. Wine Dinner at Maru Sushi in 2012.

We had done several videos over the year, talking about upcoming dinners, 10 year anniversary and classes, but we had the most fun with a brief series of “Shi- Wine People Say” videos. This is #1 that has nearly 1k views, #2 has wine educator Denise Lowe trying to educate an old friend of mine,  #3 with winemaker Shawn Halahmy and Denise Lowe joking about tasting Pinot Noir and #4 jokingly tackled what people say before they spit.

From Eve’s Wine 101

A search of our Eve’s Wine 101 website showed that there are no less than EIGHTY NINE mentions of Lelarge in our articles. I looked them over – and this took some time and a few tissues. These are just a few from my trip down memory lane if you’d like to join me:

As the owner of the longest running wine bar and retail shop in town, Guy Lelarge continues to take it up a notch.  He recently announced that he has selected Amazon to run their international wine club…(more)

Guy Lelarge, and your friends at Valencia Wine Company, are welcoming spring in a whole new way: they’ve just announced their first-ever mid-year over-the-top wine tasting event for…(more)

Guy, Thank you again for including me, and Signal readers through me, into your elite event last night. Meeting winemaker Mitch Cosentino and tasting his wines along Chef Otto’s fine cuisine was no less than stellar! Yours, in wine and out, Eve…(more)

In the first of an exciting new “pairing”, SAKE Bistro has teamed with Valencia Wine Company for their first Wine Dinner on June 21.  The “Meet the Winemaker” format will feature only the wines from Paso Robles’ Grey Wolf and their winemaker, Joe Barton….(more)

Valencia Wine Company’s Annual Holiday Tasting was the wine affair of the season, as promised. Delayed a week by fire and freeway closures there wasn’t a lack of interest or attendance. People needed a holiday now and it served to get them ready for the real ones to come….(more)

What does the owner of the classiest wine bar in town do on his birthday? What do you give him as a gift? And how can you surprise a Wine Guru? These questions, and many more, can be found…
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gee let’s see…(more)

From Eve Bushman Consulting

On a testimonial on our Eve Bushman Consulting website Guy wrote, “I met Eve Bushman when she knew next to nothing about wine, and everything about marketing! I shared my wine knowledge with her (she calls me Guru Guy) and she, in turn, has shared countless marketing ideas with me. Whether I’m planning a winemaker dinner, a large tasting event, or co-chairing a fundraiser with Eve, I’ve always felt that she has brought as much to the proverbial table – with me – that she takes from it. I value our friendship, and always look forward our meetings – tasting wine and brainstorming new ideas, a perfect pairing!”

Supporting Santa Clarita

Over the years Valencia Wine Company supported the Soroptimists of Greater Santa Clarita Valley every year for their Sip, Stroll and Savor the Sounds event. He also contributed his wine expertise to the Art and Wine Gala that benefitted our local art’s community.

Guy also allowed me to work for charity in the bar at least twice. The first time I was still using a screw pull corkscrew over a waiter’s corkscrew!

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As this door closes for Guy others have opened. He recently redid the wine lists for both Newhall Refinery and The Social. His expertise as a wine buyer began well before Valencia Wine Company opened its doors, and I know he will find a secure footing again, most likely here in the Santa Clarita Valley. 2020 update: Find Guy at Remedy Liquor in Glendale, heading up the huge second story wine department.

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, authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits.