NEW 8,000 Bottle Cellar in 15th century Florence Noble Home

December 27, 2021 by evebushman

Florence’s Golden View restaurant has emerged from a 14-month Covid-induced shutdown with a completely renovated design and mission as it prepares to celebrate 20 years of “golden views” over the Arno River and famed Ponte Vecchio in January 2022. Owner Tommaso Grasso teamed up with architect Nicola Maggiaioli from Studio Miarca to reimagine the 6,000 sq ft Golden View for the next 20 years, opening up the space to give every diner magical vistas of the river and to put the kitchen on full display for guests to see the artisan craftsmanship that goes into preparing an authentic Italian meal.

Photo: FlawlessLife

Besides the new open kitchen and incredible panoramas, the new Golden View boasts an 8,000 bottle wine cellar, making it the second largest winery in Florence, in the adjacent former 15th century home belonging to the Florentine family of Capponi. Renovated by architect Marta Sansoni the naturally temperature-controlled space is perfect for storage of the vast $1 million collection that includes extensive vintages of mostly Italian wines, with some Bordeaux for balance. Carefully managed by Golden View’s sommelier and “wine hunter” Paolo Miano, vertical selections of the great Super Tuscans like Sassicaia, Ornellaia, Solaia, Tignanello, along with those of “Brunelli” as Biondi Santi, Soldera, Poggio di Sotto abound underlining the love for tradition and territory. The wine cellar is available for private tastings, as well as intimate private dinners for up to 12 people.

“This place is a home to me, a space in which I express my passion linked not only to food, but to wine and the world of art,” noted owner Tommaso Grasso who has worked at every position in the restaurant. “With the renovation, I wanted to offer guests full transparency into the artistry that goes into creating an authentic Italian dining experience by showcasing our talented staff as much as the view.”

The 180-seat restaurant (140 under Covid rules) has been transformed to enhance the “golden” light coming from the banks of the Arno, as well as to shine a bright one on the culinary team led by chef Paolo Secci. The Sardinian-born chef takes pride in combining his love for seafood with the local Tuscan bounty of meat and vegetables. Highlights include: Suckling pig terrine, Salted potatoes and confit artichokes (€16); Aged Carnaroli risotto, saffron, forest mushrooms and 24 months aged Parmigiano (€22); Linguine with clams with Cabras mullet bottarga (€24); Tuscan suckling lamb: seared loin, roasted belly and kidney, with braised artichokes and vanilla onions (€34); Miso marinated white sturgeon with soutè potatoes, turnip greens and fish sauce with fennel flowers (€28).

The Golden View Wine Experience – a wine focused overnight stay

Owner Tommaso Grosso will share his love and passion for Italian wines as he guides guests on an exclusive two-day Golden View Wine Experience. The one-of-a-kind experience will woe even the most discerning oenophiles with two nights in a Golden View Suite complete with original frescoed ceilings, a private wine tasting for two in the 15th century cellar, a Wine Pairing dinner for two at Golden View and a special Vineyard trip to Montalcino with a wine lunch led by owner Tomasso Grasso. The limited Golden View Wine Experience starts at 2500 Euros per couple.

Open Wednesday through Sunday, reservations can be made via the restaurant’s website www.goldenview.it.

The Restaurant at Auberge du Soleil Receives 14th Consecutive Michelin Star Award

November 1, 2021 by evebushman

RUTHERFORD, CALIF. (PRWEB) – Synonymous with wine country cuisine, The Restaurant at Auberge du Soleil today received its 14th consecutive Star award from the MICHELIN Guide California. The globally recognized rating Guide is one of the most universally respected culinary authorities of exceptional dining. The 2021 Guide rates Auberge du Soleil among the top restaurants in California, designated as “an international culinary destination and leader in the industry” by MICHELIN.

Renowned for its commitment to sourcing ingredients from neighboring farms and purveyors, Mediterranean-inspired seasonal dishes, award-winning international wine cellar, and spectacular vista views, The Restaurant has attained a rich legacy as a “must experience” stop along any culinary journey to Napa Valley.

“The Restaurant at Auberge du Soleil is at the heart of our property experience,” said Bradley Reynolds, Managing Director of Auberge du Soleil. “We are extremely grateful to the MICHELIN Guide for recognizing us with a fourteenth consecutive Star. We dedicate this award to our extraordinary team who consistently deliver impeccable food, wine and service that makes for wonderful dining memories for our guests.”

Robert Curry has served as Executive Chef at Auberge du Soleil since 2005. Widely considered a landmark among California wine country restaurants, Auberge du Soleil is dedicated to maintaining the culinary traditions of both Napa Valley and France. Curry’s dishes showcase flavorful peak-of-season ingredients sourced from a range of local and regional purveyors and farmers with whom Curry has developed long-standing relationships.

Executive Pastry Chef Paul Lemieux has led the pastry team at Auberge du Soleil since 2003. His finely crafted work is evident in the exquisite seasonal desserts he creates including delectable housemade chocolate, involving sourcing cacao beans from select international farms and carefully roasting and refining the chocolate in small batches in the hotel’s pastry kitchen.

The Restaurant’s menu items are complemented by pairings from an award-winning wine list. The 15,000 bottle cellar of domestic and international selections is curated by Wine Director, Kris Margerum. The Restaurant’s wine program consistently receives Wine Spectator’s Best of Award of Excellence.

The Restaurant at Auberge du Soleil is open for lunch, Wednesday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. featuring a two-course prix fixe for $60 and three courses for $75. A three-course brunch is offered on Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for $85, and dinner service is available Wednesday through Sunday from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., including three courses for $135, four courses for $155 or a six-course tasting menu for $185. All menus include vegetarian selections available with each course.

The Restaurant, along with the casual Bistro and Bar, is open to the public, and serve as cornerstones for Auberge du Soleil, a Forbes Five Star hotel, flagship for the Auberge Resorts Collection and a long-standing member of Relais & Châteaux, an international association of outstanding boutique properties known for their excellence in hospitality and the culinary arts.

Inspired by the relaxed sophistication of the South of France, and infused with California soul, Auberge du Soleil provides the quintessential Napa Valley adult getaway. The hotel features wine country’s most luxurious accommodations, spectacular valley views, and passionate, intuitive service that sets the standard for gracious wine country hospitality. The property is perennially ranked among the best in the world by influential travel publications.

For more information please visit http://www.aubergedusoleil.com and follow at facebook.com/AubergeduSoleil and on Twitter and Instagram at @AubergeduSoleil. For Restaurant reservations and availability contact the hotel directly at 800.348.5406 or email ads.restaurant@aubergeresorts.com.

About Relais & Châteaux
Created in 1954, Relais & Châteaux is an organization of more than 560 exceptional hotels and restaurants run by independent men and women, all driven by a passion for their profession and dedicated to the authenticity of the relationships they build with their customers. With operations on all five continents, from the vineyards of Napa Valley to Provence and the beaches of the Indian Ocean, Relais & Châteaux members invite all to discover the art of living enshrined in the location’s culture, and share a unique, human story. Relais & Châteaux members have a profound desire to protect and showcase the richness and diversity of the cuisine and inviting cultures of the world. They worked towards this goal, along with the goal to preserve local heritages and the environment, through a UNESCO Manifesto in November 2014. For more information please visit http://www.relaischateaux.com.

About Auberge Resorts Collection
Auberge Resorts Collection is a portfolio of extraordinary hotels, resorts, residences and private clubs. While each property is unique, all share a crafted approach to luxury and bring the soul of the locale to life through captivating design, exceptional cuisine and spas, and gracious yet unobtrusive service. With 19 hotels and resorts across three continents, Auberge invites guests to create unforgettable stories in some of the world’s most desirable destinations. For more information about Auberge Resorts Collection, please visit aubergeresorts.com. Follow Auberge Resorts Collection on Facebook at facebook.com/AubergeResorts and on Twitter and Instagram at @AubergeResorts and #AlwaysAuberge.

About The Friedkin Group
The Friedkin Group is a privately held consortium of automotive, hospitality, entertainment, sports and adventure companies. These organizations include: Gulf States Toyota, GSFSGroup, GSM, US AutoLogistics, Ascent Automotive Group, Auberge Resorts Collection, AS Roma, Imperative Entertainment, 30WEST, NEON, Diamond Creek Golf Club, Congaree and Legendary Expeditions. The Friedkin Group is led by Chairman and CEO Dan Friedkin. For more information, visit http://www.friedkin.com.

WineBid Celebrates its 25th Anniversary as the Largest Global Online Wine Auction Marketplace

October 18, 2021 by evebushman

SEATTLE /PRNewswire/ — WineBid, the world’s very first and largest online wine auction marketplace, proudly celebrates its 25th anniversary this year in the autumn of 2021. With twenty-five years of innovating in the wine re-commerce market, WineBid continues to expand with new team members with experience in both fine wine and ecommerce, and extends its long-standing commitment to authenticity, quality, trust, innovation, and a mission to help everyone, everywhere share great experiences through wine.

Founded in 1996 by Chuck Parsons, a wine and auto racing enthusiast, WineBid began in a garage with two employees and Parson’s 10,000-bottle collection of wine. Fortuitous timing matched the rise of internet commerce that saw Amazon and eBay founded at the same moment, and WineBid immediately attracted a dedicated clientele.

As the company grew, Parsons moved WineBid from his Chicago garage to Napa, California where its growth took off near the turn of the millennia. WineBid recruited experienced auction professionals and expanded to Hong Kong and Sydney, Australia. In 1999, WineBid partnered with the Napa Valley Wine Auction to help raise millions for charity and created the first online wine futures marketplace featuring top Napa Valley wines.

Today, WineBid is among the top wine auction companies in the world, with the broadest ranges of sellers and wines, and the most online bidders of any platform. Its success is built on a commitment to implementing new technologies to make the selling and buying experience both seamless and enjoyable for clients. For private individuals wishing to sell wine, WineBid has created the largest global online audience and buyer base of wine enthusiasts who bid weekly on wines with an individual bottle value of up to and over $10,000.

For these “sellers with cellars,” WineBid also offers the most comprehensive and up to date wine cellar valuation information, the most convenient concierge logistics services, and the fastest time to market and time to cash. For buyers, WineBid has led with authenticity and trust, including the most detailed condition inspection notes and provenance descriptions, and the most high-resolution photos and 360 BottleShots for most wines on the site. WineBid originated the idea of weekly wine auctions and continues to introduce new auction gamification features like Overtime Bidding. Beyond the auction functionality itself, the company has continued to innovate around the end-to-end experience, including highly customizable online cellar valuation tools, as well as some of the most advanced storage and shipping functionality in the wine business.

“Over the past 25 years, WineBid has continually set the standard for online wine auctions, and created processes and technologies for inspection, authentication and pricing now imitated in other luxury re-commerce marketplaces,” notes WineBid CEO Russ Mann. “The next 25 years will be equally eventful and rewarding for wine collectors and enthusiasts globally, as WineBid supports and promotes both an increasing diversity of wines coming to market, an even broader and more diverse base of customers seeking those products, and even more convenient, engaging, and fun buying and winning experiences.”

Now headquartered in Seattle and owned by Third Leaf Partners, a global beverage and luxury hospitality investment company, WineBid continues to pursue its mission with weekly online auctions of 5,000+ wines, a French Direct import program, and a growing team of account managers working with consignors across the country and globe.

Lucky’s Malibu is officially open!

May 12, 2021 by evebushman

Opened in December 2020 (for takeout only due to COVID restriction), and in Spring 2021 for onsite dining, Lucky’s is the 2^nd location of Lucky’s Steakhouse in Montecito, the premier steakhouse in Santa Barbara County known as much for its highly acclaimed USDA Prime steaks and live lobster as its world class, yet warm and inviting service. Classic cocktails, an award-winning wine cellar and a staff that remembers your name round out a dining experience that has become legendary with locals and celebrities alike. Lucky’s, located in Malibu Country Mart, is part of The Montesano Group founded by Gene Montesano, which also includes Lucky’s Steakhouse (Montecito), Tre Lune, Joe’s Café and D’Angelo Bakery.

Lucky’s Malibu is located within Malibu Country Mart at 3835 Cross Creek Road, Unit 18, Malibu, California.

For more information, please visit https://www.luckysmalibu.com/

About The Montesano Group

Founded by Lucky Brand entrepreneur Gene Montesano, The Montesano Group is a collection of restaurants in Santa Barbara – and now in Los Angeles — County including Lucky’s Steakhouse, Tre Lune Restaurant, D’Angelo Bakery and Joe’s Café, along with retail clothing store Civilianaire, located in Montecito.

About Malibu Country Mart

Located in the heart of Malibu, nestled against the majestic mountains and just a stone’s throw from the beach, lies Malibu Country Mart, California’s premier location for shopping, dining, and relaxing. Feeling more like a beachside oasis than a shopping center, the mart is home to countless exclusive and luxury boutiques, health and wellness shops, art galleries, and restaurants, attracting the affluent beach set and neighbored families since its opening more than four decades ago.

Bordeaux En Primeurs Week Canceled but Château Malescasse Maintains Efforts to Achieve High Standards

May 10, 2020 by evebushman

BORDEAUX, FRANCE (PRWEB) – Despite the cumulation of the COVID-19 pandemic and the cancelation of the En Primeurs Week, Château Malescasse is continuing to focus on producing wine that earned the estate a “Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel” classification, propelling the domaine at the forefront of the Médoc’s most highly regarded properties.

The Crus Bourgeois du Médoc appellation announced a new three-tier classification system earlier this year and among 249 châteaux classified Crus Bourgeois, “Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel” has only been awarded to 14 selected properties. The “Exceptionnel ” level of the new classification requires quality standards and sustainable practices and the following of strict guidelines with technical procedures applied to the vineyard, the harvest method, bottling and quality assurance. Furthermore, the promotion of the wines is evaluated; from the presentation of the site and tourism offerings to distribution and international activities.

Over the past seven years, Château Malescasse has undergone a revolution; with changes to processes in the vineyard, winemaking practices as well as marketing efforts which contributed to earning this elite classification.

“We couldn’t be more proud of this distinction, it is the result of many years of dedicated work and a strong team effort. It is an honor to be recognized as one of the top properties in the Médoc,” said Alban Cacaret, Managing Director of Château Malescasse.

The vineyards were restructured in terms of soil, rootstock, clone and planting density, to operate in the same vein as the neighbouring Grands Crus Classés. The sustainable farming practices now center around preserving the existing biodiversity, the overall natural state of the vineyard environment and optimizing energy usage. Yields have been reduced and a rigorous grape selection process has been implemented, with only 50% used in the blend of the premier wine, compared to 80% in previous years.

All of the winemaking practices are focused on preserving the pureness of the fruit and are overseen by wine consultant Stéphane Derenoncourt. A new wine cellar was created with small volume oak barrels and concrete vessels enabling harvests of single vineyard plots.

As part of the continuous efforts to create a better experience for visitors on the estate, Château Malescasse has been fully restored: the winery and the charterhouse have been fully revamped to form a living, welcoming experience, inspired by the history of the estate and the neoclassical style of the finest houses of the Médoc. The property organizes public and private events and has become a dynamic and unmissable spot on the Bordeaux wine trail. It attracts visitors from around the world, looking to experience refinement and the French art of living.

About Château Malescasse: Owned by Vignobles Austruy since 2012, Château Malescasse has been crafting its signature Bordeaux wines in the Haut-Médoc between Margaux and Saint-Julien since the early 19th century. It acquired and maintained the Cru Bourgeois status since 2003 before obtaining the Exceptionnel distinction earlier this year. The château and gardens cover over 1.5 acres surrounded by 100 acres of vineyards.

About the Crus Bourgeois du Médoc:
The Crus Bourgeois du Médoc form the largest family of Bordeaux crus from some of the most prestigious appellations of the Left Bank. This family brings together vineyards with widely differing profiles and terroirs that satisfy a drastic set of requirements. Thanks to its yearly blind selection process, the Crus Bourgeois du Médoc guarantees consumers a standard of quality for every bottle that proudly bears the “Cru Bourgeois” label.

SANTA BARBARA CULINARY EXPERIENCE ANNOUNCES ALL-STAR LINEUP FOR INAUGURAL MARCH 2020 EPICUREAN EVENT

February 17, 2020 by evebushman

The Santa Barbara Culinary Experience (SBCE), in partnership with The Julia Child Foundation for Gastronomy and the Culinary Arts, announces an expansive citywide calendar of events for the three-day weekend on March 13-15, 2020. The SBCE will be an epicurean celebration of both Julia Child and Santa Barbara’s culinary scene involving chefs, mixologists, restaurateurs and the local community, with guest appearances from nationally renowned food and beverage talents. The late cookbook author, chef and TV personality Julia Child was passionate about teaching others about the culinary arts—and was an aficionado of Santa Barbara, as a longtime resident herself. The Santa Barbara Culinary Experience aims to gather the community and visitors to celebrate the bounty of Santa Barbara’s abundant resources found in its local farms, ranches, vineyards and ocean, inspired by the spirit of Julia and her legacy of culinary education.

Event pricing ranges from $15 for a single event to the all access Platinum Pass for $995 per guest. Platinum Passes purchased by February 14, 2020, will be entered into a drawing to win two seats at the intimate and exclusive February 29 dinner featuring James Beard Foundation award-winning chefs Nancy Silverton, Suzanne Goin, and Michael Cimarusti, hosted by Executive Chef Jason Paluska at The Lark.

General event tickets can be purchased HERE. All events can be viewed at SBCE Events with still others to be added.

Highlights include:

· A new, complimentary downloadable Julia Child Map of the beloved chef’s favorite haunts in the Santa Barbara area for self-guided tours, specially created for the launch of the Santa Barbara Culinary Experience

· A Celebration of Santa Barbara Wine: SBCE Welcome Reception

· Border Grill on the Beach: SBCE Signature Luncheon featuring Julia Child Award Recipients Chefs Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger

· Tour of wine cellar and Julia Child-inspired dinner at San Ysidro Ranch

· Documentary screening of Nothing Fancy and dinner from Chef Vartan Abgaryan (El Jardín) at Belmond El Encanto

· Five-course dinner at Bettina with special guest Chef Chris Bianco of Pizzeria Bianco

· An evening with Raj Parr and Chef Kiran Bheemarao at Bibi Ji

· Sunday Brunch at Miramar Rosewood Beach Resort with James Beard Foundation Award-Winning Pastry Chef Sherry Yard

· Alisal Guest Ranch exclusive after-party featuring Chef Ludo Lefebvre

· Savor Santa Barbara: SBCE Neighborhood Tasting, showcasing Santa Barbara’s unique culinary districts at the Santa Barbara Historical Museum

· Paella Class and DIY Gin and Tonic Bar at Loquita

· Jonata Winemaker Dinner at The Lark with Chef Jason Paluska

· 40+ additional unique educational and experiential sessions, including:

o Santa Barbara’s History Through Food (with acorn pasta demo) at Barbareño

o Farmers’ Market Tour & Gourmet Dinner with Executive Chef Greg Murphy at bouchon

o SBCE Wine Academy seminars, including “Santa Barbara Wine 101,” “GSM Wine Blending,” “Pinot Noir Through the Ages,” “California Charcuterie and Cool-Climate Syrah” and more

o Olive Oil Master Class with Theo Stephan from Global Gardens

o Ganna Walska Lotusland Tour and Garden Cocktail Making Class

o Share your own “Julia Moment” at a live taping of the Heritage Radio Network podcast, INSIDE JULIA’S KITCHEN, featuring some of Julia Child’s closest friends, colleagues and family members’ best Julia stories.

Visit www.sbce.events/events for calendar and details

Tickets sold on NightOut.com

Auberge du Soleil Honored with 13th Consecutive Michelin Star Award

January 28, 2019 by evebushman

RUTHERFORD, Calif. (PRWEB) – Synonymous with wine country cuisine, The Restaurant at Auberge du Soleil, Napa Valley’s first fine-dining restaurant, has received its 13th consecutive Star rating from the Michelin Guide San Francisco, Bay Area & Wine Country. The internationally recognized rating Guide is one of the most universally respected culinary authorities of fine dining. In its 13th edition, the 2019 Guide rates Auberge du Soleil among the top restaurants in the San Francisco Bay Area and Northern California Wine Country, one of the leading travel and culinary destinations in America.

Renowned for its commitment to sourcing ingredients from neighboring farms and purveyors, Mediterranean-inspired seasonal dishes, an award-winning international wine cellar, and spectacular vista views, The Restaurant has attained a rich legacy as a “must experience” stop along any culinary journey to Napa Valley. In addition, The Restaurant has received a Star award every year since Michelin began publishing the San Francisco Bay Area and Northern California Wine Country edition.

“At Auberge du Soleil, we have a passion for all things culinary,” said George Goeggel, Managing Partner of Auberge du Soleil. “We want to know what’s in season; where the ingredients came from; and how Chef Curry and his team will interpret them on the plate. This genuine interest provides a natural entrée for connecting with our guests, most of whom also share our food-obsession. We are deeply honored to receive our thirteenth consecutive Star from the Michelin Guide which essentially recognizes our team for doing what they love and sharing it with others.”

Robert Curry has served as Executive Chef at Auberge du Soleil since 2005. Widely considered a landmark among California wine country restaurants, Auberge Du Soleil is dedicated to maintaining the culinary traditions of both Napa Valley and France. Curry’s Mediterranean-inspired dishes showcase peak seasonal ingredients sourced from a range of local and regional purveyors and farmers with whom Curry has developed long-standing relationships.

Executive Pastry Chef Paul Lemieux has led the pastry team at Auberge du Soleil since 2003. His finely crafted work is evident in the exquisite seasonal desserts he creates including delectable house-made chocolate, involving sourcing cacao beans from select international farms and carefully roasting and refining the chocolate in small batches in the hotel’s pastry kitchen.

The Restaurant’s menu items are complemented by pairings from an award-winning wine list. The 15,000 bottle cellar of domestic and international selections is curated by Wine Director, Kris Margerum. The Restaurant’s wine program has consistently received Wine Spectator’s Best of Award of Excellence for the past 20 years.

The Restaurant at Auberge du Soleil is open daily for breakfast (served from 7:00am to 11:00am), lunch (served from 11:30am to 2:15pm) and dinner (from 5:30pm to 9:30pm). Brunch is available on the Saturday and Sunday from 11:30am to 2:15pm. For reservations, please call 800-348-5406 or reserve online.

The Restaurant, along with the casual Bistro and Bar, are open to the public, and serve as cornerstones for Auberge du Soleil, a Forbes Five Star hotel and a long-standing member of Relais & Châteaux, the most prestigious collection of small luxury hotels and restaurants in the world. Inspired by the relaxed sophistication of the South of France, and infused with California soul, Auberge du Soleil provides the quintessential Napa Valley adult getaway. The hotel consistently receives the highest accolades from the hospitality industry, discerning guests and the media, and is perennially ranked among the World’s Best Hotels by Travel + Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler and other influential publications. For more information please visit http://www.aubergedusoleil.com and follow at facebook.com/AubergeduSoleil and on Twitter and Instagram at @AubergeduSoleil.

Inspired by the relaxed sophistication of the South of France and infused with California soul, Auberge du Soleil features wine country’s most luxurious accommodations, spectacular valley views, a 13-time Michelin Star award-winning Restaurant, and the exclusive Auberge du Soleil Spa. Known for passionate, intuitive service that sets the standard for gracious hospitality, the property is a member of Relais & Châteaux, an international association of outstanding boutique properties known for their excellence in hospitality and the culinary arts. The hotel consistently receives the highest accolades from the hospitality industry, discerning guests and the media, and is perennially ranked among the best in the world by influential publications. For more information please visit http://www.aubergedusoleil.com and follow at facebook.com/AubergeduSoleil and on Twitter and Instagram at @AubergeduSoleil. For reservations and availability contact the hotel directly at 800.348.5406 or email ads.reservations@aubergeresorts.com.

About Auberge Resorts Collection
Auberge Resorts Collection is a portfolio of extraordinary hotels, resorts, residences and private clubs. While each Auberge property possesses a unique individuality, all share a crafted approach to luxury that is expressed through captivating design, exceptional cuisine and spas, and gracious yet unobtrusive service. Properties in the Auberge Resorts Collection include: Auberge du Soleil, Calistoga Ranch and Solage, Napa Valley; Esperanza and Chileno Bay, Los Cabos, Mexico; Hotel Jerome, Aspen; Malliouhana, Anguilla; Nanuku, Fiji; Madeline Hotel and Element 52, Telluride, Colorado; Hacienda AltaGracia, Costa Rica; Mukul, Guacalito, Nicaragua; Mayflower Inn & Spa, Washington, Conn.; White Barn Inn, Kennebunk, Maine; Vanderbilt Hotel, Newport, R.I.; Grace Santorini and Mykonos, Greece; Auberge Beach Residences and Spa, Fort Lauderdale; The Lodge at Blue Sky, Park City, Utah (opening Spring 2019); Bishop’s Lodge, Santa Fe, New Mexico (opening Summer 2019); Mauna Lani, Hawaii (opening late 2019); Commodore Perry Estate, Austin; and Susurros del Corazon, Punta de Mita, Mexico (opening 2020), with several others in development. For more information about Auberge Resorts Collection, please visit http://www.aubergeresorts.com. Follow Auberge Resorts Collection on Facebook at facebook.com/AubergeResorts and on Twitter and Instagram at @AubergeResorts.

Vintage Beacon Circa 5/2011: The Gandara Dot Method, AKA a Cellar that Sticks

February 9, 2016 by evebushman

I often run into longtime marrieds, Robert and Darlene Gandara, as they seem to enjoy an occasional end of their workday at Valencia Wine Company over a glass or two of Chardonnay. I got to know them a little better, and appreciate their amazing generosity, when Robert gave his all for our Senior Center in the last Dancing with Our Stars benefit.

And, as with most wine people, once getting together, over wine, the secrets start to tumble out.

“I came home from work one day and found four opened bottles of wine,” Darlene began in her tale of woe. “And not one of them, I know you didn’t expect this, was empty! I asked Robert what had happened. He said he was looking for a Chardonnay and couldn’t find one.
https://www.parkviewortho.com/wp-content/languages/new/singulair.html

I noticed that yes, some of the bottles were white wines, but one was a Pinot Noir!”

(Apparently, in Robert’s defense, he sometimes wears contact lenses for far-sightedness, which cancels out reading and up close viewing.)

Darlene continued to torture Robert and tell me the rest of the story: He couldn’t tell which was the Chardonnay at all. This is when Darlene began to use her “dot” method. Although, Robert wouldn’t agree, she began putting dots on her bottles when a new-to-wine-and-no-clue relative opened a bottle that they shouldn’t have.

So this is how the method works – even if you do or don’t have the problem that the Gandaras have I think it a great system! Arm yourself with colored dot stickers to mark:

Orange – A fruity summer wine that doesn’t have to be aged to be enjoyed.

Yellow – Not an overly expensive wine, you can open it, it’s ready to drink at any time.

Green – Medium priced wine that can be shared with appreciative pals.

Pink – A wine with a long finish, aged in the cellar, and not to be opened unless Darlene is present. She mentioned that a Goldeneye would be in this category.

THREE PINK DOTS – “Don’t even look at this wine as it belongs to Darlene.” She is the only one allowed to open. In this category Darlene, gazing into Robert’s eyes, said, “Think magnums of Sea Smoke, Caymus or Dom Pérignon.

FOR ROBERT’S CHARDONNAY – Must have a dot with a handwritten cross on it so that Robert can find it easily and the marriage can stay intact another 30 years.

And keep a legend! Darlene has hers kept on the back of a wall plaque.

BRIAN MCCLINTIC BRINGS THREE MASTER SOMMELIERS TO SANTA BARBARA FOR NEXT MASTER SOMMELIER COURSES & EXAMINATIONS IN NOVEMBER

October 25, 2014 by evebushman

Brian McClintic, Jay Fletcher, Jason Heller and Reggie Narito Teach Level I and Level II Sommelier Courses to be held at Bacara Resort & Spa in Santa Barbara

WHO:
Brian McClintic, managing partner of Les Marchands Wine Bar & Merchant, the wine bar and retail store which opened in 2013 to rave reviews in Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone. Teaching the courses will be acclaimed Master Sommeliers from around the United States:

Brian McClintic, MS – Les Marchands Wine Bar & Merchant
Jay Fletcher, MS – Southern Wine and Spirits of Colorado
Jason Heller, MS – Dana Estates Winery, Rutherford, California
Reggie Narito, MS – Estates Group Fine Wine, Young’s Market

WHAT:
Award-winning Master Sommelier McClintic, star of SOMM, the acclaimed film that debuted in 2013, will present Level I and Level II Master Sommelier Courses and Examination at the stunning Bacara Resort and Spa in Santa Barbara with three of his Master Sommelier colleagues. This curriculum is highly sought-after and several sessions throughout the United States have sold out. This is the second year that McClintic is co-hosting the Master Sommelier courses and examination in Santa Barbara, the heart of Central Coast winemaking.

Information and registration available via internet:

Level I – November 3rd and 4th, 2014
2014 Introductory Sommelier Course & Exam Application
https://www.mastersommeliers.org/IntroApplication.aspx
Cost $525

Level II – November 2nd, 2014
Certified Sommelier Exam / Mandatory Prerequisite: Introductory Sommelier Course and Exam
https://www.mastersommeliers.org/CertApplication.aspx
Cost $325

WHERE:
Bacara Resort & Spa
www.BacaraResort.com
8301 Hollister Ave., Santa Barbara, California 93117
Phone 805-968-0100
Email tellis@bacararesort.com

Featuring a 12,000-bottle Wine Cellar (awarded Wine Spectator’s Best Of Award of Excellence) and an onsite Foley Wine Tasting Room, Bacara has established itself as the premier Santa Barbara resort destination for wine aficionados. Embodying the essence of the American Riviera lifestyle, Bacara is nestled on the bluff and beaches of the Gaviota coast, just 40 miles from the famed Santa Ynez Wine Country and five miles from the Santa Barbara Airport.

The Bacara Resort (top) and the Foley Wine Tasting Room at Bacara (bottom)

WHEN:
November 2, 2014 Level II Course
November 3-4, 2014 Level I Course

About Brian McClintic:
Brian brings 15 years of hospitality experience with him to Les Marchands Wine Bar & Merchant, a career spanning the major restaurant hubs of Los Angeles, Aspen, San Francisco, and now Santa Barbara. McClintic was one of four subjects featured in the acclaimed documentary SOMM, which chronicled his journey to the elusive Master Sommelier title, becoming the 107th individual in the U.S. to attain this honor. SOMM, distributed by Samuel Goldwyn Films, opened in 2013, receiving rave reviews by the public and film critics. In addition to Les Marchands, Brian, and business partner Eric Railsback, have teamed up on a Santa Barbara Syrah project called Vallin, along with local winemaker Justin Willett and fellow Master Sommelier Dustin Wilson. In its inaugural year, McClintic was named as “The Wine Guy to Hire” by Departures magazine and awarded “40 Under 40 of America’s Tastemakers by Wine Enthusiast in 2014.

About Reggie Narito:
Reggie Narito is one of only 219 people in the world and one of only three Filipino Americans to hold the prestigious title of Master Sommelier. A native of Alameda, California, Reggie began his career in the restaurant industry at the age of 17 and has worked in noted Bay Area restaurants such as Star’s in San Francisco, Le Papillion in San Jose and the Plumed Horse in Saratoga. He has consulted in the design of numerous beverage programs throughout the Bay Area. He is currently employed with the Estates Group, the Fine Wine division for Young’s Market Company, working as the VP of Fine Wine in California. He also appears in the recently released movie SOMM. He resides in San Jose with his wife Kim and their three children.

About Jason Heller:
Jason Heller became involved in wine professionally in late 2005 while living in Hawaii. After moving to Napa Valley in 2008, he first ran the beverage program for Thomas Keller’s Michelin 1 Star Bouchon Bistro in Yountville before moving down the street to become Wine Director at Redd, also a Michelin 1 Star. A move onto the winery side of the business led to a position as Director of Education for Harlan Estate, BOND Estate and Promontory wineries. He was awarded first place at the National Chaine des Rotisseurs Young Sommelier National Finals competition in 2009 and Wine and Spirits magazine named Jason a “Best New Sommelier” in 2009. In 2010 he placed 1st overall in the inaugural national TOP|SOMM competition as “Best New Sommelier”. In 2011 Jason passed the rigorous Master Sommelier exam and is currently the National Sales Manager for DANA Estates winery in Rutherford, California.

About Jay Fletcher:
Jay Fletcher is the Executive Director of Fine Wine for Southern Wine and Spirits of Colorado. Fletcher is an accredited Bordeaux Educator from the L’Ecole du Vin in Bordeaux, as well as being a Commandeur d’Honneur from the Commanderie du Bontemps of the Medoc, Graves, Sauternes and Barsac. Jay is Chairman Emeritus for the board of directors of the Court of Master Sommeliers Americas and serves as a Master Level examiner for the organization. Fletcher has worked his way through all aspects of the restaurant and wine industry over the last forty years. He has solid experiential knowledge of the operation and management systems needed to run successful restaurants, wine programs, and wholesale beverage operations. In 1996 Jay passed the prestigious Master Sommelier Exam in London, England, to become the 30th American to hold the title of Master Sommelier.

Fletcher travels around the country as a guest speaker and educator at hundreds of wine events and is one of the founding members of the Guild of Sommeliers Education Foundation as well as the Cellar Master for their extensive wine collection. During his term as Chairman of the Court of Master Sommeliers, Jay was involved in the production of the cult sommelier movie SOMM and was featured in the film.

About the Master Sommelier Certification
The title of Master Sommelier is reserved for individuals who successfully complete all four levels of the Court of Master Sommeliers’ educational program. The Master Sommelier distinction is the only internationally recognized credential for individuals in the beverage sales and service fields.

About Bacara Resort & Spa
Nestled on the bluff and beaches of the Gaviota coast between the Pacific Ocean and Santa Ynez Mountains, Bacara offers relaxed luxury and incomparable natural beauty. The resort features 360 lavish guestrooms and suites, each with a private balcony overlooking breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean or flower-filled gardens. Additional features include a four-story spa, a state-of-the-art wellness center, three zero-edge saline swimming pools, four restaurants and lounges, a 12,000-bottle Wine Cellar & Tasting Room and direct access to Santa Barbara’s beautiful wine country.

for more information the public can visit or call
Les Marchands Wine Bar & Merchant
www.lesmarchandswine.com
131 Anacapa Street, Santa Barbara, California 93101
at the corner of Yanonali and Anacapa
805-284-0380
join us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/LesMarchandsWine
follow us on Twitter: @LesMarchandsSB

For further information about Bacara Resort & Spa, please visit
www.BacaraResort.com

The Elzer Cellar: Beyond the Myth (Vintage Beacon Circa 6/09)

June 24, 2014 by evebushman