Explore the Stags Leap District and its World-Class Wines at Vineyard to Vintner Weekend, April 22-24, 2022

October 17, 2021 by evebushman

NAPA, CALIF. (PRWEB) – The premier event for the Stags Leap District Winegrowers, Vineyard to Vintner, returns in 2022, bringing enthusiasts together with vintners, winemakers and principals for a memorable weekend of esteemed wines, enchanting dining and in-depth education. A celebration of the people and wines of the venerated AVA (American Viticultural Area), Vineyard to Vintner weekend will be held Friday through Sunday, April 22 to 24, 2022, offering an immersive Cabernet Sauvignon experience.

“This is the ultimate way to fully experience the Stags Leap District. Our guests will enjoy world-class dining and tastings, and there’s so much more – Vineyard to Vintner is the chance to meet one-on-one with all the personalities behind the wines, get into the vineyards, explore behind the scenes, and engage and learn directly from winemakers and proprietors,” said Nancy Bialek, Executive Director of Stags Leap District Winegrowers. “We are so excited to welcome cabernet lovers for an unforgettable weekend of extraordinary wines and curated experiences.”

Renowned for producing critically acclaimed wines with power and grace, lush fruit and complex layers of flavor, the Stags Leap District is the Napa Valley’s smallest sub-appellation by planted acreage, a sliver of land bounded by the Stags Leap Palisades to the east and the Napa River to the west. A valley within a valley at just a mile wide and three miles long, the region is defined by the distinctiveness of its soils. The climate, too, is unique. Warmed by the afternoon sun reflecting from the west facing towering rock facades, the vineyards are cooled in the evenings by breezes and marine air from the San Pablo Bay. This diurnal shift results in a long growing season – ideal for late-maturing varietals like Cabernet Sauvignon to develop phenolic complexity and deep intensity.

Guests at Vineyard to Vintner weekend will have the chance to fully explore the region while tasting wines and meeting with vintners from 16 famed properties, including Baldacci Family Vineyards, Chimney Rock Winery, Cliff Lede Vineyards, Clos Du Val, Ilsley Vineyards, Lindstrom Wines, Malk Family Vineyards, Pine Ridge Vineyards, Quixote Winery, Regusci Winery, Shafer Vineyards, Silverado Vineyards, Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, Stags’ Leap Winery, Steltzner Vineyards, and Taylor Family Vineyards.

Vineyard to Vintner Weekend Activities:
Library Wine Dinners: Friday, April 22 // 6:30PM – 10:00PM
Featuring rare library wines and exquisite menus crafted by some of the Bay Area’s most accomplished chefs, each exquisite vintner-hosted dinner offers guests the opportunity to experience Stags Leap District hospitality at its best, all while dining with the winemakers and principals from each winery. Hosts for the intimate dinners include Chimney Rock Winery (with cohosts Shafer Vineyards and Quixote Winery); Regusci Winery (with cohosts Lindstrom Wines and Stags’ Leap Winery); Silverado Vineyards (with cohosts Cliff Lede Vineyards and Ilsley Vineyards); Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars (with cohosts Pine Ridge Vineyards, Malk Family Vineyards and Baldacci Family Vineyards); and Taylor Family Vineyards (with cohosts Clos Du Val and Steltzner Vineyards). Each dinner is limited to only 40 guests.

Digging Deeper: Vineyard Walks, Talks and Tastings: Saturday, April 23 // 10: 30AM – 12:15PM
Master classes in Stags Leap District viticulture and history, each of the four Digging Deeper seminars provide an engaging mix of hospitality and thorough education. A unique perspective will be offered at four venues along with a selection of storied wines. Each class is limited to only 50 guests. Programs include, Digging WAY Deeper at Baldacci Family Vineyards; Stags Leap District Then and Now: A Look Back at how Viticulture Practices have Developed in the Last 50 years at Clos du Val; The Clones that Shaped the Stags Leap District at Ilsley Vineyards; and Digging Deeper in the Vineyards at Pine Ridge Vineyards.

Vintner-Hosted Gala Luncheon and Appellation Collection Preview: Saturday, April 23 // 12:30PM – 3:00PM
Rarely in one place, winemakers, owners and principals of 16 District wineries will gather for a tempting luncheon and walk-around tasting. It’s also the first chance to sample the 2019 Appellation Collection, to be released in October 2022. Hosted at the historic Stags’ Leap Winery with more than 100 acres of breathtaking gardens and views of the towering Palisades for guests to enjoy.

Savor SLD: Winery Experiences: Sunday, April 24 // 10:30AM – 4:15PM
On Sunday, guests can create their own personal itinerary, selecting from among 13 wineries offering curated private experiences, including options to visit several properties not open to the public. Participating wineries include Baldacci Family Vineyards, Chimney Rock Winery, Cliff Lede Vineyards, Clos du Val, Ilsley Vineyards, Lindstrom Wines, Malk Family Vineyards, Pine Ridge Vineyards, Quixote Winery, Regusci Winery, Silverado Vineyards, Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars and Steltzner Vineyards.

Tickets and Additional Information
Tickets are now available at http://www.stagsleapdistrict.com/V2V. The Friday through Saturday experience (April 22-24, 2022) is $1,200 per person, which includes the entire weekend’s offerings. Visit http://www.stagsleapdistrict.com/V2V for complete details.

About Stags Leap District Winegrowers
The Stags Leap District Winegrowers is a non-profit association of vintners and growers united by the mission of enhancing the reputation of the appellation and its wines and sharing its quality with the wine-loving world. The SLDWA is comprised of 16 wineries and 9 grower members. Wineries include: Baldacci Family Vineyards, Chimney Rock Winery, Cliff Lede Vineyards, Clos Du Val, Ilsley Vineyards, Lindstrom Wines, Malk Family Vineyards, Pine Ridge Vineyards, Quixote Winery, Regusci Winery, Shafer Vineyards, Silverado Vineyards, Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, Stags’ Leap Winery, Steltzner Vineyards, and Taylor Family Vineyards. To learn more about the Stags Leap District, please visit stagsleapdistrict.com or find the Association on Facebook.com/StagsLeapDistrict, Instagram.com/StagsLeapAVA and Twitter @StagsLeapAVA.

Vinitaly International Academy USA announces three new Italian Wine Ambassadors in the USA

October 13, 2021 by evebushman

VERONA, ITALY (PRWEB) – On September 15th VIA certified three (3) new Italian Wine Ambassadors. Those newly appointed to join this passionate community are Limor Fikel, Michael Wyant and Enoch Ling. To date, there are now 90 certified Italian Wine Ambassadors and 3 Italian Wine Experts based in USA.

Limor Finkel, a Northern California Sales Manager based in Mill Valley commented, “I’m honored to be a part of the VIA community alongside a group of people so deeply committed to Italian wine, history, and culture. The VIA course was incredibly rigorous and I can’t wait to keep learning from my fellow Italian Wine Ambassadors—hopefully in person soon and on the ground in Italy, too!”

Based in Arlington, Michael Wyant is a Sommelier and Wine Educator with almost 10 years of experience in the wine industry. He also shares his comment, “I’m very excited to be a part of the VinItaly International Academy. The program itself was a deep dive into the world of Italian wine, history and culture with some impressive teachers. The fun part was getting to try hundreds of benchmark Italian wines made from native grape varieties, meeting the winemakers themselves and hearing their stories, and of course meeting fellow students and ambassadors from all over Europe, Asia and the Americas who share a passion for Italian wine.”

Enoch Ling is an Investment Analyst based in Hong Kong and a member of the Knights of Alba, which exposed him to the world of wine on the side of his main profession. He added, “The VIA program provides me with opportunities and resources to explore some hidden gems of Italian wines that can be rarely found in my market. I’m proud to be part of this professional and passionate community as IWA!”

Despite the increasing pandemic condition in the country, Vinitaly International Academy made it possible to hold its 20th edition on September 13th. The Certified Italian Wine Ambassador course was held in three different venues across the United States to join Faculty member Henry Davar IWE as he led the tasting sessions that would act as recap of the theory and preparation for the upcoming exam. Whilst Davar led these sessions live in Boston, he was connected with other participants in Houston and Seattle via Zoom, and of course with the VIA team in Verona. More than 40 wines were sourced by the tasting centres to give students a broad tasting experience, a solid basis for their exam and of course to showcase as many Italian varieties, denominations and producers as possible in two days.

Due to the spread of students, venues in Boston (hosted by Gianluca Quieroli IWA), Houston (Giorgio Caflish IWA) and Seattle (Hayley Black IWE) were selected, and the coordination of materials, wines and session timings began. One of the biggest challenges was building wine lists with as many of the same wines being shown in each venue. As Davar commented, “It’s always worth reminding people that there is a large supporting cast back in Verona that make the Vinitaly International Academy go! Our team is composed of Italian wine lovers, many of whom are VIA certified Italian Wine Ambassadors as well. They truly understand Italian wine and they know how to source truly representative samples for our course. The wines we tasted this past week were especially notable and I think the students and staff at the three tasting centers all remarked about this.”

Fortunately, working with Ambassadors and Experts who are not only familiar with Italian wines, but also the VIA Program, allowed for more than 40 wines to be shown, and suitable wines selected for the blind tasting portion of the examination.

As this 20th Edition has demonstrated, building a strong community not only supports those within it, but also pays dividends in challenging times when it pulls together to aid the cause of Italian wine education. It is an asset not only to those joining the programme, but everyone involved, and VIA will continue to build editions that grow and support this community globally.

5starWines – the Book: The exclusive wine Guide now available

October 10, 2021 by evebushman

VERONA, ITALY (PRWEB) – 5StarWines – the Book is the result of this year’s edition – the 5th – of the blind wine tasting 5StarWines & Wine Without Walls, which took place on June 16-18. The printed version of the Guide, not for sale, will be distributed among leading industry experts and international buyers from all over the world. However, anyone can have access to the online version, which is now available for consultation on the event website. The Guide includes technical characteristics, tasting notes, and information about the selected wines.

In this edition, more than 600 wineries from all over the world participated, and almost half of them got selected to be part of the 5StarWines & Wine Without Walls 2022 Guide. Approximately 60 wines were tasted each day by an international jury composed of Masters of Wine, Masters of Sommelier, WSET graduates, Vinitaly International Academy Experts and Ambassadors, oenologists, and journalists. More than 2000 wines were tasted by the jury, which was divided into two categories (one for 5StarWines, and the other for Wine Without Walls which focused on certified organic, biodynamic wines and wines produced by sustainable wineries). The wines awarded a score of at least 90/100 by the jury are now featured in the official Guide 5StarWines – the Book 2022. This year 510 wines were selected: 391 for 5StarWines’ category and 119 for Wine Without Walls.

The main scope of the guide is to facilitate wineries in better promotion and education of the acclimated wines. Veronafiere is committed to promoting all awardees through all of their resources, including the distribution of the guide 5StarWines – the Book during the main wine trade fairs, B2B meetings, tastings, and masterclasses throughout the year. Moreover, the digital version of the Guide allows a widespread distribution, reaching not only wine experts, but also wine lovers across the world. The Guide is an important marketing tool for the selected wines and wineries, and guarantees them visibility through constant promotional support on a national and international scale. The wines included in 5StarWines – the Book appear also on the Wine-Searcher website, the world’s most popular wine search engine, exposing them to a broad new client base.

The Digital format of the guide is available online on the official website of the event: https://www.5starwines.it/la-guida/?lang=en. The paper version of the guide is set to be published by the end of September 2021.

About: 5StarWines – the Book is the annual wine selection organized by Veronafiere, normally held in the lead-up to the biggest Italian wine fair in the world. 5StarWines – the Book & Wine Without Walls is a blind tasting aimed at shedding light on wineries investing in the improvement of their products. During the event, a highly qualified panel of wine professionals taste and score — using a 100-point scale — participating wines. In the 2021 edition – the fifth – over 2000 bottles took part in the competition and 510 were selected for inclusion in 5StarWines – the Book. The Guide is a useful tool both on the promotional and commercial side. It introduces international buyers and wine lovers to new wine products of great value. It guarantees wine quality, and it maintains and certifies their value at an international level.

2021-2022: An eventful season ahead for Vinexposium

October 7, 2021 by evebushman

Vinexposium is boosting the recovery of the wine and spirits trade in the global arena by hosting seven in-person events over the next nine months. Economic activity is promising to resume and Vinexposium is readying to orchestrate a raft of pivotal business gatherings. The group will be travelling to today’s and tomorrow’s key markets to maximise interactions between wine and spirits producers from around the globe and qualified buyers. Drawing on its digital development and its long-standing support of the industry, Vinexposium is ready to help drive export sales for industry members through a complete roster of dedicated events.

Autumn

The group’s next event, the World Bulk Wine Exhibition (WBWE), which now embraces all wine and spirits categories, is due to take place in Amsterdam on November 22 and 23. It brings together all strands of the bulk wine industry, a segment which now covers 34% of wine exports across the globe (source: OIV 2021). Vinexpo Shanghai, scheduled from 20 to 22 October, will not be running due to health restrictions in China which do not allow Vinexposium to guarantee a high-performance return on investment for its clients. The end of the year will be marked by the launch of Vinexpo India from 9 to 11 December in New Delhi, which will be held concurrently with SIAL India. Vinexpo India’s mission is to provide the spark for producers from around the world to establish relations with distributors and retailers in a high-potential growth market.

Winter

Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris will be the first major international event of 2022 for the global wine and spirits industry. Highly anticipated for its ability to generate business meetings, it will take place from 14 to 16 February at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles and will bring together all of France’s wine regions along with an extensive variety of international wine regions. The event is set to mark the return of in-person events within the industry. The following month, the destination is North America with Vinexpo America and Drinks America slated for 9 and 10 March in New York. The two co-located events will bring together the entire beverage alcohol industry. Vinexpo America will be exclusively aimed at wines, whilst Drinks America, a new addition to the Vinexposium calendar, will focus on spirits and all beverage alcohol.

Spring

Vinexpo Hong Kong, the strategic platform for business in South-East Asia, will be held from 24 to 26 May at the HKCEC for a three-day event where meetings, discoveries and engagement with importers, distributors, sommeliers and international producers will set the tempo. Vinexpo Bordeaux rounds off the season in June, once again flying the international flag across the city in a renewed format combining off-beat encounters, trade meetings and industry-consumer prospective insight.

“We are delighted to be rolling out for the first time under the Vinexposium banner, an events calendar packed with marketing opportunities! Through our seven forthcoming events, our clients will finally be able to get back to the in-person events that are absolutely essential for tasting and conviviality. 2022 will most certainly be a celebration, honouring business and the world of wine and spirits”, comments Rodolphe Lameyse, CEO of Vinexposium.

“With its events set to resume, Vinexposium is fully prepared to provide producers and buyers with support through its range of international business experiences. There is no doubt in my mind that going forward, the group will more than ever before offer a crucial source of business for the wine and spirits industry”, adds Christophe Navarre, chairman of the Vinexposium board.

An events calendar catering to each continent

22-23 November 2021: World Bulk Wine Exhibition (WBWE) in Amsterdam
9-11 December 2021: Vinexpo India in New Delhi
14-16 February 2022: Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris
9-10 March 2022: Vinexpo America and Drinks America in New York
26-28 May 2022: Vinexpo Hong Kong
June 2022: Vinexpo Bordeaux

The group is also preparing to ramp up its digital portal Vinexposium Connect to maximise the scope of its events and provide an even greater service to the industry 365 days a year, across the entire globe.

For more information, visit Vinexposium.com

About Vinexposium

Owned jointly (50/50) by global events organiser Comexposium and Vinexpo Holding (owned by the Bordeaux-Gironde Chamber of Commerce and Industry, CCIBG), Vinexposium is the world’s leading organiser of wine and spirits trade events. Vinexposium brings together an extensive range of high-performance events catering to different market segments through its portfolio of iconic, recognised events: Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris, Vinexpo America, Drinks America, Vinexpo Hong Kong, Vinexpo Bordeaux, Vinexpo Shanghai, WBWE Amsterdam, as well as Vinexpo Explorer and World Wine Meetings.

Garagiste Wine Festival Returns with 50+ Winemakers: Celebrates Tenth Anniversary in Paso Robles, November 12th – 14th

September 27, 2021 by evebushman

PASO ROBLES, CALIF. (PRWEB) – The Garagiste Wine Festival, which launched in November 2011, returns to its birthplace of Paso Robles to celebrate its 10th anniversary with three days of events, including the tasting of wines from over 50 small production wineries from California; an exclusive seminar with Tablas Creek Vineyard’s Jason Haas on the past and future of Paso Robles wines, the popular Keep It Rockin’ After Party, and a special event at Atascadero’s Pavilion on the Lake that recognizes 10 of the Paso OGs (Original Garagistes), along with ‘Rare and Reserve’ pourings from 2021 festival winemakers. Tickets are on sale now at https://www.my805tix.com/e/10th-annual-paso-garagiste-wine-festival.

“We are excited to return to Paso Robles and Atascadero with what we believe will be our best festival ever,” said Doug Minnick, Garagiste Festival Co-founder. “We will celebrate the evolution of the Garagiste Festival – and how it has amplified garagiste winemakers and the garagiste movement – as well as the evolution of our birthplace and touchstone, Paso Robles, through a special seminar with Jason Haas of Paso’s Tablas Creek, the iconic winery that almost singlehandedly popularized Rhone varieties in America. But, most of all, we will celebrate reconnecting with our fantastic Garagiste Festival attendees as we introduce them to another exciting group of innovative, micro-production winemakers.”

The Garagiste Festival is the nation’s first and only festival to showcase the wines of micro-production commercial ‘garagiste*’ winemakers. Dubbed “tasting nirvana,” “strange and wondrous,” and “one not to miss” by the LA Times, the Garagiste Festival is renowned for its renegade spirit, passionate winemakers, handcrafted wines, rules-breaking, ‘no snobs allowed’ ethos and ‘just have fun’ approach. The Garagiste Festival features the wines of commercial garagiste winemakers across California, who make under 1500 cases annually. Since inception, the festivals, which include Solvang, Sonoma, Los Angeles and Paso Robles, have showcased over 450 different wineries and over 4,000 wines to over 12,000 wine lovers.

“There’s no doubting the last 18 months have been challenging for all of us. What has always been at the core of the Paso Robles wine region, and by virtue garagiste winemakers, is the ability to adapt and innovate,” said Stewart McLennan, Garagiste Festival Co-founder. “It’s going to be truly special to have the opportunity to celebrate and enjoy Paso and its garagistes once again.”

“At this year’s festival, we will explore what is next for Paso wine, pay tribute to our OGs, who are proof that renegade winemaking dreams can turn into big success – all while showcasing over 50+ winemakers whose wines demonstrate that not even a pandemic can keep garagistes from producing some of the best and most innovative wines our industry has to offer,” concluded McLennan.

The Garagiste Festival 2021 Line-Up

The Paso Robles Garagiste Festival gathers together undiscovered artisan ‘garagiste’ winemakers who are making some of the best, most exciting, handcrafted small-lot wines in the world – all in one location. You’ll never find their wines in supermarkets – and you’ll never find them all in one place like this. Discover the biggest “small” thing happening in the world of wine through three days of exciting events:

Rare and Reserve plus 10 OGs! Friday November 12th – 6:30-9:30pm

Tenth Anniversary festivities kick off Friday evening with “Rare and Reserve – No Repeats’ at the charming Pavilion on the Lake, in Atascadero. The tasting features over 30 of the rarest wines and barrel samples the 2021 Paso Garagistes have to offer (wines that will not be poured at the Grand Tasting) – – along with a Spanish-themed buffet from Trumpet Vine Catering. The event will also feature a tribute to 10 of the festival’s Original Garagistes – wineries who poured at the early years of the Festivals who have gone on to even larger success – including special tastings of their signature wines.

Tasting Seminar – The Past and Future of Paso Robles: In Depth with Jason Haas* November 13th – 11:00am-12:30pm — Paso Robles Event Center

Saturday begins with an exclusive tasting seminar with Jason Haas, second generation proprietor of pioneering Tablas Creek Vineyard, which was founded in 1989 by the Perrin and Haas families in what would become the Paso Robles Adelaida District. In addition to their delicious wines, Tablas Creek is renowned for importing 19 different grape varieties into the United States and making them available to the broader community through their grapevine nursery. In this seminar, Jason will take attendees through Tablas Creek’s journey from an idea between friends to the search for the perfect spot to create its famous grapevine nursery, vineyard, and winery. He will also share his insights into what the future of the Paso Robles wine region holds. The seminar will include tastings of some of Tablas Creek’s rarest varietal bottlings, as well as the new vintage of the Esprit de Tablas.
*Only available with VIP Ticket or Weekend Pass

The Main Event – The Grand Tasting – Saturday November 13th – 2:00pm – 5:00pm, Paso Robles Event Center

Discover your favorite (and new favorite!) small production wineries from among the over 50 winemakers who will be pouring over 200 different wines. The day includes unlimited tastes, complimentary cheese and charcuterie, artisan food samples and a souvenir Stolzle crystal wine glass.

Keep it Rockin’ After Party |- November 13th, 5:30-8:30pm – Paso Robles Event Center

Mingle with the winemakers, grab a cold brew and rock out with live music.

Covid Update: The Garagiste Festival has adapted its protocols to foster a safe environment that will not detract from the festival’s signature attendee camaraderie and one-on-one interaction with the winemakers (winemakers, not tasting room personnel, always pour at The Garagiste Festival). This includes using more outdoor space and greater table distancing, as well as adherence to the current county mandates. For more information and updates on festival Covid protocols, click here.

Participating Wineries include:
Alma Sol Winery, Arianna Wines*, Ascension Cellars, Bolt To Wines, Bushong Wine Company, Caliza Winery, Copia Vineyards, Demeter Family Cellars*, DeWitt Vineyard, Dilecta Wines, Dusty Nabor Wines, Etnyre Wines, Familia Hicks Wines*, Ferguson Family Wines, Gary Kramer Guitar Cellars, Greyscale Wines, Hayseed & Housdon Wines, Hoyt Family Winery, Kaleidos Wines, Kimsey Vineyard, Marin’s Vineyard, Mastro Scheidt Wines, MCV Wines, Ondule Wines, Powell Mountain Cellars, Quench + Temper, RF Wines, Seagrape Winery, Seven Oxen Wines, Torch Cellars, Two Moons Cellars and Volatus Winery.
*New to Paso Festival

Tickets: To preserve an intimate experience and one-on-one interaction with winemakers, tickets are very limited for the Garagiste Festivals and always sell out. Tickets are available at http://garagistefestival.com. For special discounts and updates on The Garagiste Festival in Paso Robles, Taste of Garagiste mini-tastings and other Garagiste Festival events and news, sign up for The Dirt at http://garagistefestival.com/sign-up/, or follow us on Twitter (@GaragisteFest) or Facebook (http://on.fb.me/1rgBC80).

Festival Sponsors include:
Travel Paso, Visit Atascadero, G3, ETS, Glenn Burdette, mWEBB Communications

Sponsor Hotels: For “Garagiste” weekend deals.
Adelaide Inn, La Quinta Inn & Suites, Paso Oaks Hotel

For sponsorship info, email info@garagistefestival.com.

About The Garagiste Wine Festival
The Garagiste Wine Festival (http://www.garagistefestival.com), named “Best of the Fests” for 2019 by Fest Forums and the ‘Best Wine Festival in the US in 2018 in USA Today’s 10Best Readers Choice Awards, is the first and only wine festival dedicated to the undiscovered and under-recognized American artisan ‘garagiste’ micro-wineries who are making some of the best, most exciting, handcrafted small-lot production wines in the world. Founded by fellow garagistes Stewart McLennan and Douglas Minnick, the Garagiste Festivals are committed to discovering the best and most innovative limited-production winemakers and promoting and showcasing them to a broad audience of discerning wine consumers. In addition to its flagship annual festival in Paso Robles, CA, the Garagiste Festival line-up includes Garagiste Festival: Southern Exposure, featuring Santa Ynez Valley garagistes; the Garagiste Festival: Urban Exposure, in Los Angeles; the Garagiste Festival, Northern Exposure, in Sonoma; winemaker dinners, a newsletter, garagiste profiles and more.

In addition to being named the US’ Best Wine Festival, the Garagiste Festival was named one of the ‘Top Nine Incredible Epicurean Vacations’ in the world by ABC News, “one of the premier wine events of the year,” by the LA Times and “Best Festival” by Sunset Magazine’s ‘Best of the West.’ The festivals are produced by Garagiste Events, a non-profit dedicated to furthering the education of future winemakers and those training for employment within the wine industry. Proceeds from the festivals support the Garagiste Festival Scholarship fund of the California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo Wine and Viticulture Department.

*Garagiste (garage-east) is a term originally used in the Bordeaux region of France to denigrate renegade small-lot wine makers, sometimes working in their “garages” (anything considered not a chateau), who refused to follow the “rules,” and is now a full-fledged movement responsible for making some of the best wine in the world. The Garagiste Festivals were the first to shine a light on the American garagiste winemaker in 2011.

HALL Wines in Napa Valley Heads to Guana Island (BVI) for Unique Food & Wine Program in January 2022

September 7, 2021 by evebushman

Celebrated California Wine Brand Owned by Craig & Kathryn Hall to Collaborate on Gastronomic Program in the British Virgin Islands

from January 12 – 14, 2022

(British Virgin Islands) –Guana Island, the award-winning resort in the British Virgin Islands, is collaborating with renowned California wine brand, HALL Wines, to offer a three-day Wine Program from January 12 – 14, 2022. The program will bring some of HALL’s most celebrated vintages as well as its Director of Winemaking, Megan Gunderson, to Guana for a dynamic program for travelers and food- and wine-lovers alike.

The HALL team will work closely with Guana’s Executive Chef to prepare a program celebrating the flavors of the California wines alongside the island’s natural bounty. Director of Winemaking for HALL Wines, Megan Gunderson, will work with the culinary team to create special menu pairings inspired by the flavors of Guana. She will also personally pour wines from across the HALL Family Wine brands portfolio including HALL, WALT and BACA Wines, and be available to chat with guests about the brand’s extensive West Coast vineyards, and the winemaking process.

The Guana culinary team will be creating new menus for the program, pulling as many ingredients as possible from the island’s orchard, including fresh herbs, fruits, vegetables and microgreens. The four-acre orchard has been recently expanded to include three new greenhouses and is home to tropical fruits such as breadfruit, soursop, and papaya as well as more exotic items such as lemongrass and pomegranate. Guana guests also enjoy fresh fish from the surrounding waters, including grouper, yellowfin tuna and mahi-mahi.

The three-day program will kick off with a Beach BBQ pairing Caribbean-inspired flavors with WALT Wines, known for single vineyard Pinot Noirs, complemented by live music from a local band. The following day, Gunderson and Guana General Manager Jason du Plessis will host a formal al fresco dinner, offering tastes of some of the most celebrated bottles from the HALL wine collection, including the bold Cabernets for which they are known. Gunderson will be on-hand to personally discuss each vintage, guiding guests through an educational and flavorful evening. The program will conclude the following day, with a guided tour of the orchard and an invitation to try some lesser-known vintages, matching HALL Wines with just-picked produce and tropical fruits that are only found in the Caribbean.

HALL and WALT Wines offered during the immersive experience will be available to order throughout the program. As with all visits to Guana, meals and activities prepared as part of the wine program will be included in the cost of a room. Rates at Guana start at $890 per night.

For reservations or more information on the events, call (800) 544-8262.

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ABOUT GUANA ISLAND

One of the few private islands in its part of the world, Guana remains the most unspoiled jewel of the British Virgin Islands. Our 850 acres, seven beaches, mountains, gardens, organic orchard, dozens of hiking trails, and even our flock of flamingos are the exclusive domain of a handful of guests for the duration of their stay. In this setting, where the sparkling Caribbean meets the vast Atlantic, you’ll find first-class dining, accommodations, and service in a tradition of low-key luxury perfected through nearly a century of family stewardship. For more information or reservations, visit www.guana.com or call (800) 544-8262.

ABOUT HALL FAMILY WINES

HALL Family Wines produces high quality Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Zinfandel under the HALL, WALT and BACA brand monikers. Owned by Craig and Kathryn Hall, the family-owned winery produces artisan wines that express the unique and diverse character of the wine country’s soils and climates through meticulous attention to detail in the vineyards and throughout the winemaking process. The family’s luxury wine portfolio, led by Winemaker Megan Gunderson sources fruit from some of the most prominent vineyards up and down the West Coast and includes eleven Estate vineyards– Sacrashe, Bergfeld, Hardester, T Bar T Ranch, Atlas Peak, Rainin, Dellar-Freidkin, Cook, Bob’s Ranch, Clos Pepe and The Corners. The HALL St. Helena winery was the first LEED® Gold Certified Winery in the State of California in 2009 and earned another LEED® Gold certification for its high-tech production facility and Tasting Room in 2014. Since the inception of HALL in 1995, the three luxury wine brands have earned over 600 ratings of 90 points or above from the industries top critics, including five 100-point scores from the industry’s most notable wine critics. Visit www.hallwines.com, www.waltwines.com, www.bacawines.com for more information, or call 707-967-2626.

New Wines for the Jewish New Year

September 2, 2021 by evebushman

Bayonne, NJ – There’s little time to catch your breath between summer and the High Holiday season this year. With Labor Day and Rosh Hashana sharing the same date on the calendar, it’s not too soon to start thinking about festive meals, gatherings with loved ones, and other traditions that go hand-in-hand with the fall Jewish holidays.

Fortunately, we’ve had another exceptional year for kosher wine production. That means there’s an excellent selection of exciting releases to choose from – and one less thing to worry about. They’re ready to serve now, so whether you’re planning to host a crowd or be a guest, you’re sure to find something deliciously suitable for the holiday table.

Wine expert Gabriel Geller, Director of PR and Manager of Wine Education for Kedem/Royal Wine, has recommendations for wines that offer quality and value across all price points.

Herzog Wine Cellars celebrates the new Jewish year with its first release of the Herzog Limited Edition Chalk Hill Chardonnay 2020 (MSRP: $60). This rich and complex white wine is the result of careful harvest planning and skillful winemaking, led by Head Winemaker Joe Hurliman. The 2020 harvest in California was marked by some of the worst wildfires the Golden State has ever known. However, thanks to Divine Providence the harvest for the Chalk Hill Chardonnay took place before the fires, and yielded fruit of the highest quality.

Geller is also enthusiastic about Herzog Special Reserve Méthode Champenoise Russian River NV (MSRP $60), Herzog’s first-ever high-end Champagne method sparkling wine, is made from 100% Chardonnay grapes grown in Sonoma’s Russian River area.

He also points to Château Malartic Lagravière Blanc 2019 (MSRP $100), the first kosher cuvée release by the Bordeaux estate. Malartic received elite Grand Cru Classé status for both its red and white wines in the 1959 Classification of Vins de Graves. Now owned by the Bonnie family, Malartic has produced several kosher cuvées of its red Grand Vin in collaboration with Royal Wine since 2003. Its sister property, Château Gazin Rocquencourt, started making kosher runs in 2015.

Another exciting release is Razi’el Syrah-Carignan 2018 (MSRP $65), says Geller. Razi’el wines scored 97 points by acclaimed wine critic James Suckling – the highest rating ever for Israeli wines. Meanwhile, Europe’s first fully kosher winery, Terra di Seta in Italy, received an unprecedented 97 points and a platinum medal from Decanter magazine for the Terra di Seta Chianti Classico Riserva 2016 (MSRP $35).

While many of this year’s newcomers are produced by classic, old-world methods, some intriguing surprises are in the mix. They include Nana Estate wines (MSRP $30-$50), grown and produced in Israel’s scorching, nutrient-poor Negev Desert. Nana earned widespread buzz even before their wines were available in the U.S.; with their innovative viticulture techniques, they’ve not only beaten the odds, but they’ve crafted a collection of distinctive and popular kosher wines.

Baron Herzog, the entry-level line of value wines from Herzog Wine Cellars retailing between $10-13, are now available with fresh, new labels. Baron Herzog wines were first launched in 1986, following the winery’s establishment in California in 1985. The elegant and classy packaging further emphasizes the care and attention the Herzog family crafts each and every wine they produce from top to bottom. The Baron Herzog line includes an award-winning Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, a Rosé, White Zinfandel, Pinot Grigio, Old Vines Zinfandel, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and a red blend called Aleph. Several of the wines are grown in the Herzog’s estate Prince Vineyard in Clarksburg CA, as well as from Paso Robles AVA.

Then there’s Bartenura Froscato cocktail pops (MSRP $25 per package of 12). Bartenura is no stranger to bending the rules. After introducing the wildly popular Moscato in blue cans last year, the Italian kosher producer has now released refreshing Moscato frozen wine cocktail pops. Perfect for the warmer high holiday season.

About Royal Wine/Kedem

Founded in 1848, Royal Wine Corp. is owned and operated in the United States by the Herzog family, whose winemaking roots go back eight generations to its origin in Czechoslovakia.

Today, Royal Wine’s portfolio of domestic and international wines range from traditional wine producing regions of France, Italy and Spain, as well as Israel, New Zealand and Argentina.

Additionally, Royal Wine Corp.’s spirit and liqueur portfolio offers some of the most sought-after scotches, bourbons, tequilas and vodkas as well as hard to find specialty items such as flavored brandies and liqueurs.

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

First Annual Wine Collector’s Dinner at Westchester’s Wine and Food Week

August 22, 2021 by evebushman

WESTCHESTER COUNTY, N.Y. – In honor of its 10th anniversary, Westchester Magazine’s Wine & Food Festival is launching a new inaugural event, the Wine Collectors’ Dinner. Guests are invited to play a key role by attending — participating — and sharing — their best wine with other wine aficionados as they enjoy a unique one-of-a-kind dinner.

The Wine Collectors’ Dinner is a unique opportunity for guests to share and taste rare vintages with each other — for the ultimate “immersion” experience! The night begins with a champagne reception as guests meet and mingle with others, followed by a sumptuous four-course dinner prepared by renowned Chef Peter X. Kelly. Throughout the dinner guests will share one bottle person or one magnum per couple from their personal wine collection with other guests. The event is a tribute to the late Ralph Martinelli, founder of the Wine & Food Festival and former publisher of Westchester Magazine, and is sponsored by Carl Petrillo, Chairman of Yonkers Contracting Company and Desires by Mikolay. A special live Wine Auction will be held, with proceeds to go to Yonkers Partners in Education. For some friendly competition, the event will also include “Wine Awards” for the Most Expensive, Oldest, Rarest, Most Interesting, and more!

Kevin Zraly, renowned author and wine educator stated: “We are so excited to bring this event to the Wine & Food Festival. Putting together great wine with a fabulous menu that Chef Peter Kelly created is sure to attract a fun crowd.”

The event will take place on Friday, September 24from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at X2O Xaviars on the Hudson, 71 Water Grant Street, Yonkers, NY. Tickets are $185 per person (includes tax & gratuity.) Guests will also bring one bottle of wine per person OR one magnum per couple, to share with other attendees.

Chef Peter X. Kelly stated: “The Wine Collectors’ Dinner, in addition to being a tribute to Ralph Martinelli, will be an opportunity to share some beautiful wines with some beautiful friends while enjoying some beautiful foods”.

For additional information or to purchase tickets visit westchestermagazine.com/winefood

It’s the Tropicana Wine Mixer! Sip, Pair, and Toast at Iconic Las Vegas Strip Resort September 24-26

August 17, 2021 by evebushman

Sip, Pair, and Toast at Iconic Las Vegas Strip Resort
Tropicana Las Vegas to host wine mixer weekend September 24-26

LAS VEGAS – Las Vegas is back and ready to party. Mark your calendars and make your plans as It’s the Tropicana Wine Mixer and it’s certain to go down in history as one of the best weekends of the year. Tickets are on sale now as Tropicana Las Vegas welcomes locals and tourists to its inaugural wine event, Sept. 24-26.

Guests can expect to immerse themselves in a choose-your-own-adventure style weekend full of wine, food, learning, and fun at the iconic Tropicana Las Vegas. Join in the festivities celebrating the world of winemaking, tasting, and pairing with three days of world-class wine selections, classes, an opening Friday welcome party, a Saturday lunch and dinner party, and as the perfect end to a fabulous Vegas weekend, a fitting Sunday hangover brunch.

The fun kicks off Friday night, Sept. 24, with a welcome party of wine and hors d’oeuvres from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday offers a day packed with six unique and special classes.

Prosecco To Start The Day featuring La Marca Prosecco presented by E&J Gallo Winery. La Marca Prosecco— made from the expressive Glera grape—is found in the hillside vineyards of Italy’s Prosecco capital, Treviso, creating a clean, refreshing taste with a delicate, floral palate and bright acidity.

How To Taste Wine, presented by Trinchero, explores the importance of identifying aromas when evaluating wines and how tongues only recognize five flavors. Guests will broaden their library scents and flavor descriptions.

Wine and Cheese Pairing presented by Rodney Strong, with roots going back over 100 years, and Trinchero, a family legacy of great wines since 1948. Rodney Strong will be giving you an in-depth tutorial on flavor pairing with cheese based off of the knowledge learned in the class prior to this one.

Following the three morning classes, guests are welcomed to a lunch that includes tasting flagship wines with paired hors d’oeuvres and offers guests a chance to mix and mingle. Classes continue after lunch.

Types & Flavors of Red Wines showcases Pinot Noir from around the world presented by Chateau Ste Michelle, Washington state’s oldest and acclaimed winery featuring award-winning wines. Learn the history of these wines and taste the difference a terroir makes!

Interested in learning how to make wine? Join the class on Wine Making with Jackson Family Wine. Guests will be utilizing their own personal Kendall-Jackson VR Chardonnay blending kit to create their own personal flavor profile.

Types & Flavors of White Wines presented by Rodney Strong. Taste through white varietals that comprise their signature UpShot white blend.

Recap your learnings and celebrate your new wine knowledge with a festive Saturday Happy Hour while sampling all the flavors of the day with vendor booths, meat and cheese pairings, a silent auction, and live music. Saturday evening ends with dinner paired with a choice of red or white wine while a Sommelier teaches about wine pairings.

After such an eventful Saturday, the Hangover Brunch on Sunday, Sept. 26, will be a sweet ending to the weekend with rosé wine, mimosas, and breakfast!

Tickets can be purchased for individual events and classes starting at $40, or guests can purchase an all-access weekend pass for the entire weekend for $200 plus tax and fees. For more information, a schedule of events and classes, and to purchase tickets, visit www.troplv.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

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ABOUT TROPICANA LAS VEGAS®
Set on the famed Four Corners with commanding views of the Las Vegas Strip, Tropicana Las Vegas – a DoubleTree by Hilton is a Penn National Gaming destination and boasts stylish rooms, suites and luxury villas, complete with acclaimed restaurants, premier entertainment options and a 50,000-square-foot casino. The resort redefines the expectations of today’s global travelers by providing a casually elegant experience on The Strip, all with a South Beach rhythm and vibe. The property also features Glow® a Mandara Spa and fitness center, Laugh Factory Comedy Club, and restaurants such as Oakville Tuscan Grill, Red Lotus and Robert Irvine’s Public House, plus on-the-go options Trop and Go as well as Starbucks. For more information, visit www.troplv.com.

Welcome to the Slow Wine Coalition

August 11, 2021 by evebushman

A new global network unites people from across the world of wine with the aim of bringing about a revolution driven by environmental sustainability, landscape protection and social and cultural growth in the countryside

The Slow Wine Coalition’s first major meeting will be in Bologna, Italy, between February 26 and March 1, 2022. Sana Slow Wine will present the Slow Wine Fair, an international gathering of vignerons, professionals and enthusiasts, with debates, Taste Workshops and walkaround tastings.

The aim is nothing less than to set out the path for a new revolution in the world of wine, uniting stakeholders along the wine production and distribution chain around an awareness that the role of wine can no longer be purely hedonistic, linked to the pleasure of tasting, but must be based on an authentic environmental sustainability, the protection of the landscape and cultural and social growth in rural wine regions. This is the Slow Wine Coalition, Slow Food’s new global network, which has grown out of the experience and principles that have evolved around the Slow Wine guide, long produced by Slow Food in Italy. The English version covers wine in the United States, with almost 300 wineries from the country’s main wine-producing states reviewed.

The Slow Food Manifesto for Good, Clean and Fair Wine

The Slow Wine Coalition wants to unite everyone involved in the wine industry—whether producers, importers, distributors, wine bar owners, restaurateurs, sommeliers, communicators, journalists or simply enthusiasts—who is inspired by the idea of good, clean and fair wine for all. The coalition’s values are encapsulated in the Slow Food Manifesto for Good, Clean and Fair Wine, a guide that sets out not just a series of principles for winegrowing, agronomy and enology, but also looks to biodiversity, the value of the land and the relationship with those who work in the vineyard and the winery.

Slow Wine Coalition coordinator Giancarlo Gariglio explains further: “The manifesto, previewed in Bologna on October 11, 2020 during SANA Restart, is the result of a long journey that crosses all of Slow Food’s history. Inspired by the experiences of the hundreds of vignerons who gathered in Montecatini and Florence in 2009 for the second edition of Vignerons d’Europe, it is not intended to be a closed document, but a starting point for debate and discussion. The roots of our association were sunk deep amidst the vines back in the early 1980s. Over 40 years the association has grown and expanded its horizons, but the link with wine has always been maintained, thanks to Slow Wine. Despite that project’s success—uniting many enthusiasts under the banner of good, clean and fair wine—the guide, the website, the events and the large group of collaborators have not been enough to create a community. In this historic phase we realized that no challenge can be overcome on one’s own. This is why it is essential to create a community united around recognized, shared values.”

The three pillars of the Slow Wine Coalition: environmental sustainability, protection of the landscape and cultural and social growth in the countryside

Pollution, the loss of biodiversity caused by the use of weedkillers and desiccants, the imposition of monocultures in the most successful wine regions, the exploitation of workers… These are just some of the black marks that still stain the world of wine, the legacy of an outdated farming culture that many producers are now rejecting in favor of a real revolution that is slowly reshaping the industry. The road ahead is long, and particularly at the start will require a collective effort, guided by those who have already taken the first steps.

Many wineries have begun experimenting with sustainable cultivation systems, practicing organic and biodynamic agriculture. In the future, particularly in light of the fight against the climate crisis, this sector will have to accelerate and offer a virtuous example to other types of cultivation, which are often less fortunate when it comes to economic margins.

What’s more, the best vineyards are often located in the hills and mountains, on steep slopes, where grapes are the only way to create value and maintain human oversight of the environment. This is where a modern winery can take on a central role in defending the landscape, protecting its beauty and integrity, and encouraging the development of a tourism system attentive towards ecology and gastronomy.

Lastly, wineries are places of integration for many migrant workers who provide important labor while also settling in the hills and villages in wine-producing areas. Relationships with these workers should be aimed at valuing their existing skills and if possible giving them new ones.

Alliances as a response to the crisis in our time

Alliances, thematic networks and coalitions are the model Slow Food has identified since the first editions of Terra Madre to respond to the crisis we are living through: cross-cutting, collaborative networks that unite all the actors in a specific industry around shared values, abandoning the model of society based on competitivity. One of the most recent is the Slow Food Coffee Coalition, which brings together stakeholders along the coffee chain, from producers to roasters, distributors to connoisseurs, united by their shared passion for the beverage.

Looking forward with the Slow Wine Coalition

The Slow Wine Coalition has a packed calendar for the coming months. Already in July, Slow Food will be helping to organize meetings between the first coalition participants in Italy and abroad who will be signing the Manifesto for Good, Clean and Fair Wine and talking about the principles that inspire them.

The most important dates for all vignerons, wine-industry professionals and enthusiasts who identify with the manifesto’s principles will be February 26 to March 1, 2022. This is when the Slow Wine Fair will be held in Bologna, presented by Sana Slow Wine, an international event dedicated to good, clean and fair wine, The event, organized by BolognaFiere under Slow Food’s creative direction, will be hosting the first international gathering of the Slow Wine Coalition. This opportunity for debate and discussion among all the participants in the network has been modeled on the almost 20-year experience of Terra Madre. During the four days of the Slow Wine Fair, hundreds of producers will come together for conferences, debates and tastings and to exhibit thousands of wines from all over the world. This showcase will be enriched by a collaboration with the Società Excellence, which represents the 18 leading wine distributors in Italy. Enthusiasts will be welcome on Sunday, while Monday and Tuesday will be dedicated to professionals.

The Slow Wine Coalition is an international alliance based on the desire to explore themes that are vital to the future of our planet, a desire that will find fertile ground in which to take root in Bologna and Emilia-Romagna, thanks to the willingness of all the participants involved in this initiative. The Slow Wine Fair has developed out of the partnership between Slow Food and BolognaFiere that was launched between the 2020 editions of Sana Restart and Terra Madre Salone del Gusto. Despite the challenges of pandemic times, both events have still managed to construct a fruitful cooperation based on shared values.

The Slow Wine Fair will also see the participation of FederBio, a long-standing partner of BolognaFiere with Sana and an active collaborator with Slow Food.

Slow Food is a worldwide network of local communities founded in 1989 in order to counteract the disappearance of local food traditions and the spread of fast food culture. Since then, Slow Food has grown to become a global movement that involves millions of people in more than 160 countries and works so that we can all have access to good, clean and fair food.