NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA—The New Orleans Wine & Food Experience has announced the winners of the 2021 Culinary Awards. Due to COVID-19 guidelines, a distinguished panel of judges visited each restaurant before the event to chat with the chef, taste his/her dish and shoot a professional photograph of the entry. The votes were compiled, and the winners were revealed during NOWFE’s Grand Tasting events on Friday, June 11 and Saturday, June 12 at The Sugar Mill.
“It was so wonderful to have our chefs and attendees back together at The Sugar Mill this year,” said Aimee Brown, NOWFE Executive Director. “Our chefs presented dishes that proved to be outstanding and a diverse culinary representation of all that our City has to offer.”
This year’s winners are…
BEST OF SHOW
SAVORY – Chef Amarys Koenig Herndon and Chef Jordan Herndon, Palm & Pine
Corner Store Tuna Crudo with Big Shot Pineapple Nuoc Cham and Shrimp Chips
SWEET – Marielle Dupre & Nicole Eiden, Windowsill Pies
Brandied Cherry Pie
SOUPS AND STEWS
GOLD – Chef Matt Farmer, Trenasse
Fowl Gumbo – Chicken, Duck and Turkey, Housemade Andouille with Garlic Rice and Turkey Crackling
MEAT & POULTRY
GOLD (tie) – Chef Jesus Arguelles, Red Lotus at L’Auberge Baton Rouge
Korean Bulgogi with Crawfish Fried Rice and Housemade Kimchi
GOLD (tie) – Chef Tom Wolfe, Rib Room at the Royal Orleans
Crispy Pork Belly, Sultana Risotto, Sweetened Goat Cheese, Rocket and Tamarind Molasses Glaze
SEAFOOD
GOLD – Chef Valeriano Chiella, Domenica
Smoked Scallop Carpione: Bottarga, Calabrian Chili, and Preserved Lemon
SILVER – Chef Jason Caronna, Rizzuto’s Ristorante
Seared Diver Scallop and Pork Belly with Malbec Caramel over a Mascarpone – Creamed Corn Risotto with Crispy Fried Okra
BRONZE – Geordie Brower, Palace Café
Crabmeat Cheesecake
SEAFOOD (Raw)
GOLD – Chef Brett Monteleone, Junior’s on Harrison
Scallop Crudo with Cantaloupe Miso, Togarashi Candied Peanuts, Watermelon Radish and Micro – Cilantro
SILVER – Chef Ciera Fultz, Vyoone’s
Citrus Tuna Tartare with red onion avocado and mango, garnished with microgreens and edible flowers, and served with housemade red potato chips
BRONZE – Poke Loa
Fresh Ahi Tuna Bowl with white rice, spring mix, zucchini noodles seasoned with tamari, sesame oil, and chili paste topped with crab salad, seaweed salad, sesame seeds, baby cucumbers, sweet onion, edamame, furikake, and red tobiko
HONORABLE MENTION – Legacy Kitchen Craft Tavern
Salmon Poke: Salmon Belly with Spicy Ponzu, Sesame on a Fried Wonton with Mango and Micro Cilantro
HONORABLE MENTION – Poke Loa
Salmon Poke Bowl with seaweed salad, crab salad, baby cucumbers, sweet onion, green tobiko, and macadamia nuts
LAGNIAPPE
GOLD – Chef Corey Thomas, Shaya
Vegan Devils on Horseback – dates Medjool, walnut tehwiche, and mushroom “bacon”
SILVER – Chef Ross Dover, Restaurant August
Charred Carrot Agnolotti with Crispy Garlic, Cream Cheese, and Sage
BRONZE (tie) – Chef Prince Lobo, Addis Nola
Bayentu-Misir Wot, Atakilt, Gomen, Keysir with Shiro and Injera
BRONZE (tie) – Chef Brandon Felder, Centerplate
NOLA Carbonara- Housemade Squid Ink Spaghetti, Champagne Cream Sauce, Crispy Pork Belly, Jumbo Lump Crabmeat, Sous Vide Egg, and Golden Pea Shoot Petals
HONORABLE MENTION – Chef Nathaniel Zimet, Boucherie
Jerked Avocado Tamale with Charred Squash Cream and Cured Salmon Belly
HONORABLE MENTION – Chef Peter Isaac, Briquette
Salmon Pate on Toasted Bread Rounds
HONORABLE MENTION – Oceana Grill/Mambo’s
Crab Cake Bites with Crawfish Mushroom Cream Sauce
LAGNIAPPE (Sandwich)
GOLD – Chef Martha Wiggins, Café Reconcile
Fried Chicken Sandwich- Pickle Brined Thigh, Crab Boil Mayo, Bibb Lettuce, and House Made Dill Pickle on a Grilled Sweet Potato Rosemary Bun
SILVER – Chef Tung Nguyen, Em Trai Sandwich Co.
Mexican Shrimp Cocktail Bao with a Crispy Wonton Chip
BRONZE – Chef Casey Levy, Mahony’s
Chilled Shrimp, Avocado & Beer Battered Blue Crab Louie Po-boy
DESSERTS
GOLD – Chef Matt Farmer and Martha Gilreath, Trenasse
Pop Pop Fizz Fizz with blood orange curd, gin compressed peaches, cardamom shortbread, orange blossom, and juniper mousse with pop rocks
Named USA Today’s 10Best for Best General Food Festival and Best Wine Festival, the New Orleans Wine & Food Experience has showcased the culinary excellence in our community for over 29 years alongside national and international wines at wine dinners in many of the city’s finest restaurants; at VINOLA, a premium tasting event; at dozens of culinary Labs and demonstrations; and ultimately at the Grand Tastings. NOWFE is a non-profit organization with proceeds going to causes that support culinary education. It has raised more than $1.5 million for local non-profit organizations. www.nowfe.com.
HALL ANNOUNCES RELEASE OF 2018 KATHRYN HALL CABERNET SAUVIGNON ON AUGUST 28 DURING HARVEST CELEBRATION
ST. HELENA, CALIFORNIA – Napa Valley based HALL Wines, a luxury Cabernet Sauvignon producer, has announced details for its annual Kathryn Hall Harvest Celebration taking place at HALL St. Helena on Saturday, August 28, 2021. The annual event, offering both a VIP Vertical Tasting and a Main Event, coincides with the release of the new vintage of HALL’s flagship wine, Kathryn Hall Cabernet Sauvignon. The theme of the event will be “Celebrate the Year You Missed”.
Los Angeles and San Francisco Advertising Portrait Photographer Marc Olivier Le Blanc, Advertising, Editorial and Lifestyle.
“We are so excited to be able to hold this event in person this year,” says Vintner Kathryn Hall. “Guests travel from all over to taste the new vintage, and what better way to do that than through a celebration of milestones that people missed last year such as birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, and weddings. Wine helps us celebrate those special moments and we look forward to honoring those with the 2018 vintage of Kathryn Hall Cabernet.”
The Kathryn Hall Harvest Celebration marks the public release of the 2018 vintage and will include various celebratory ‘milestone’ stations on The Great Lawn in St. Helena. Food will be included with the ticket price with catering by Tre Posti. Guests will also be able to enjoy live music throughout the event from San Francisco-based band Pop Fiction. Additionally, a VIP Ticket is available for those wanting a deeper dive into the pedigree of the Kathryn Hall Cabernet Sauvignon. The VIP Ticket includes a vertical tasting of the 2006, 2009, 2012, 2014, 2017 and 2018 vintages of Kathryn Hall takes place prior to the Main Event.
HALL’s flagship wine, the Kathryn Hall Cabernet Sauvignon, is defined by its core of dark, succulent Sacrashe Vineyard fruit located just above the Rutherford Appellation at the top eastern ridge of the Vaca Mountain range in Napa Valley. The wine is characterized by an interplay of elegance and concentration and displays voluptuous, dark berry fruit with notes of crushed lavender.
Since the first vintage was produced in 1996, this wine has been one of the highest rated in HALL’s portfolio, earning 95 scores rated 90 points and above from the industry’s top critics including The Wine Advocate, Wine Spectator, Wine Enthusiast, and Vinous. Most notably, the 2008. Additionally, the Kathryn Hall Cabernet Sauvignon earned the #2 spot in Wine Spectator’s “Top 100” list in 2011. The wine is named after Kathryn Hall who is most known globally as the former United States Ambassador to Austria. Ambassador Hall is also a New York Times Bestselling author of “A Perfect Score: The Art, Soul & Business of a 21st Century Winery”.
Kathryn Hall Harvest Celebration
Saturday, August 28, 2021
VIP Vertical Tasting – Peterson’s Loft
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. $225 per person + includes admission to Main Event
Main Event – The Great Lawn
12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
HALL St. Helena
401 St. Helena Hwy S. St. Helena, CA 94574 707-967-2626
$100 per person
Eventbrite
For more information, please visit www.hallwines.com, follow on social @hallwines
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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 Director of Winemaking Megan Gunderson Paredes, sources fruit from some of the most prominent vineyards up and down the West Coast including eleven Estate vineyards– Sacrashe, Bergfeld, Hardester, Beller, T Bar T Ranch, Atlas Peak, Lamoreaux, 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 700 ratings of 90 points or above from the industry’s top critics, including four 100- point scores. Visit www.hallwines.com, www.waltwines.com, www.bacawines.com for more information, or call 707-967-2626.
Circle of Hope Announces In-Person Fundraising Event at The Wünderground Museum, Porsche Santa Clarita
Santa Clarita, Ca – Local non-profit organization Circle of Hope has announced the return of one of Santa Clarita’s favorite in-person annual fundraising events, Vine 2 Wine. The community is invited to attend this exclusive interactive wine and beer tasting fundraiser that will be held at the new Porsche Santa Clarita Wünderground Museum on Saturday, August 21, 2021. Located underground below the Porsche Santa Clarita Dealership, The Wünderground brings together a significant collection of rare and special vehicles from across the United States to help tell the Porsche story in a spectacular display. Guests will immerse themselves in Porsche history and learn how the Porsche family and their team of designers and engineers developed their iconic style from 1948 to today. The star-studded display will feature significant firsts and best from throughout the brand’s history, but also iconic favorites driven by Porsche personalities and celebrities, alongside victorious racing vehicles that prove Porsche’s impressive competition successes. Explore this space, learn about the marque’s irrefutable history, drive one of its glorious machines, and fall in love with the life of a Porsche owner.
Guests attending Vine 2 Wine will enjoy a gourmet sit down dinner, unlimited wine and beer tasting from many of Southern California’s finest and favorite wineries and breweries and have an opportunity to speak with the vintners and brewers to learn about their wines, beers and spirits. The evening also includes a live and silent auction, music and entrance into the Wünderground museum. VIP tickets are available that also include a VIP cocktail hour with full bar, 1 included cocktail, assorted passed hors d’oeuvres and VIP parking. “We are so excited to be able to bring back in such a unique way this signature fundraising experience that has always been a Santa Clarita favorite”, stated Alex Hafizi, Chairman of the Board for Circle of Hope. “This year we have three wonderful chairs for the event, Alison Lindemann, Nola Aronson and Christy Grable who will be bringing in some exciting and unique features to make this year’s event a whole new experience for all to enjoy”.
The WineBrew List (At press time)
Breweries:
Firestone Walker
Brewery Draconum
Wineries:
Entourage Two Papas
Parhelion Cellars
Pagter Brothers Winery
Hoi Polloi Winery
Gagnon Cellars
Mystic Hills
Pulchella Winery
Onx Wines
PRP
Scout & Cellar
Ascension Cellars
Montemar Winery
Tobin James
Summer Somewhere Wines
Reyes Winery
Zaca Mesa
All proceeds from the evening support Circle of Hope a cancer support organization in Santa Clarita that offers emotional, financial, educational and supportive wellness therapies to those in our community affected by cancer. “We are so honored to have Porsche Santa Clarita offer the Wünderground Museum to Circle of Hope as the location of this year’s Vine 2 Wine”, commented Laura Kirchhoff, Executive Director, Circle of Hope. “The Wünderground is a very unique experience here in Santa Clarita and pairing that with a gourmet dinner, wine & beer tasting, and other interactive festivities, will surely make for a fun, one of a kind evening and interactive experience all while supporting a great cause.”
Sponsorship opportunities are available. For additional information on Vine 2 Wine, to purchase tickets, or become a sponsor, please visit www.circleofhopeinc.org .
Circle of Hope is a 501(c)3, nonprofit organization offering financial assistance with cancer medical bills to qualified individuals. Circle of Hope also offers supportive services with wellness therapies designed as cancer support, along with educational resources and a support group for cancer patients, survivors, family and caregivers. All services, classes and programs are offered free of charge. For more information, please visit their website at www.circleofhopeinc.org or call 661 254-5218. The Circle of Hope office and Wellness Center is located at 23033 Lyons Ave., Ste 3, Newhall, Ca. 91321.
SLO Coast Wines’ Roll Out the Barrels Celebration Is Back — Refreshed and Reinvented for 2021
The longtime regional wine experience returns after a Covid hiatus, offering its first-ever auction of rare bottles and a series of new, exclusive experiences at the wineries.
The SLO Coast Wine Collective’s annual Roll Out The Barrels celebration, which has drawn thousands of wine lovers to San Luis Obispo’s wine country since 1990, returns this year with an all-new format: A series of exclusive events held at member wineries throughout the Central Coast, and for the first time, an auction of rare bottles curated by the winemakers. All of the events and the auction will take place June 24 through June 28.
As the region emerges from the 2020 Covid-19 shutdown, the SLO Coast Wine Collective is committed to restarting its popular yearly event, but in a way that is safe and comfortable for participants and winemakers. “Roll Out the Barrels is the perfect opportunity to taste new wines and say hello to our winemakers as Covid restrictions loosen up,” says Stephen Ross Dooley, President of the group’s Board of Directors. “We’re excited about being open again and seeing the people who’ve enjoyed our wines all these years.”
Roll Out the Barrels 2021 will offer unprecedented opportunities for wine lovers throughout the long weekend: Most events will be limited to 10 to 25 participants, allowing plenty of individual interaction with winemakers — and giving winemakers the chance to pour wines made in limited quantities and older bottles pulled from deep in their cellars.
Among the wineries offering tasting flights of older vintages are Laetitia, Baileyana Wines, Edna Valley Vineyard, and Absolution Cellars. Other wineries will extend their hours into twilight, with tastings and tours that immerse you in the beauty of Edna Valley as the sun goes down. Sinor-LaVallee in Avila Beach will be featuring freshly shucked Pacific Gold oysters from Morro Bay Oyster Co, and at Center of Effort Winery, attendees will be guided through every step of the winemaking process — from grape to glass — while sipping current releases in the newly renovated facility.
Because attendance is limited and available by reservation only, we strongly suggest checking out the event list on the SLO Coast Wine Collective website at https://bit.ly/2TaC5Dp to secure reservations as soon as possible.
For the first time in history, Roll Out the Barrels will include an auction of exclusive wine lots curated by our members. And you don’t have to attend an event to bid: Anyone can take home our stellar selections of vintage Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Albariño, Grenache, Zinfandel, and more. Among the lots: large format bottles from Tolosa Winery, Biddle Ranch Winery, and Stephen Ross Wine Cellars; vertical collections from Talley Vineyards and Timbre Winery; mixed assortments from Croma Vera Wines, Absolution Cellars, Autry Cellars, and Saucelito Canyon Vineyard; plus some surprising bottles and limited releases.
To view the lots and place bids, go to https://bit.ly/3hKXhKy. The auction site goes live 9 a.m. June 24 and closes at noon June 28.
Previously Roll Out the Barrels centered on a grand tasting in downtown San Luis Obispo featuring all of the wineries pouring their latest releases. This year, the SLO Collective emphasizes the one-on-one relationship wine lovers have with the wineries. Says Kathleen Naughton, the Executive Director of SLO Coast Wines: “We are ecstatic about the return of the event. We’ve put safety at the top of our list by shifting all of our events to the individual tasting rooms — with the happy result of everyone having a better chance to connect.” This year’s event also arrives as the region is on the verge of a new AVA (American Viticultural Area) designation, a coveted classification awarded by the Federal government that recognizes the distinct character of a region’s wines. It will put wines grown and made on the Central Coast in the company of AVA designates such as Napa Valley, Sonoma Coast, and Sta. Rita Hills.
“The SLO Coast is gaining great momentum as a wine region due in large part to the influence of the many incredible things to offer in San Luis Obispo,” Dooley says. “We’ve missed so much since the start of COVID and we urge all attendees to also explore the restaurants, shops, and galleries in the area when they’re visiting the wineries. We do hope you’ll come, enjoy the wines, stay and explore and fall in love with the SLO Coast.”
About The SLO Coast Wine Collective: SLO Coast Wine Collective is where the coast meets the vines. Our 30 wineries are in San Luis Obispo County on California’s Central Coast, encompassing vineyards and wineries along a 60 mile-long, 15 mile-wide stretch of land between the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Lucia Mountain Range. This is the coolest-climate winegrowing region in California and has long been the source of some of the state’s most respected Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes. It has recently won renown for its production of aromatic grape varieties such as Albariño, Grüner Veltliner, and Grenache. Website: https://slocoastwine.com/
Reviewing the “Swankey” Wine Tote, a “Supersized” PortoVino Wine Purse!
Who likes swanky purses? One that can fit up to FOUR BOTTLES OF WINE, with a liner and a spout! The “Swankey” Wine Purse is the latest from the Porto Vino Wine Purse company and I absolutely adore it! When I did this video the opened pouch on the outside of the purse looked like it was talking at me! I loved all of the different prints to pick from and chose this bright baby as I thought it would look good by my swimming pool, with nice chilled wine in the outside pouch and goodies kept cool on the inside! How does it look to you?
Come to find that the new swanky purse came with an extra-large insulated lining and pour spout, much like my first purse from this company, that is easily “hidden” from unwanted viewing. It’s convenient and a conversation piece – if I choose to share what I’ve got! Love that I can use just like a regular purse as it’s plenty roomy inside for everything I normally carry. But now I can normally carry…wine! Along with that, the insulated interior allows me to store plenty of food and drink inside the bag, while I store wine in the hidden panel outside. I am now picnic, pool and party ready!
The press release with more information is below:
PORTOVINO WINE PURSE ACQUIRES THE SWANKEY BEVERAGE TOTE BAG, THE PERFECT, BIGGER SIZE, ADDITION TO THEIR COLLECTION OF CONVENIENT AND FASHIONABLE WINE PURSES
Phoenix, ARIZONA -The time to expand the PortoVino Wine Purse collection has come. The “fashion meets functionality” company recently made a super-size addition to their already incredible collection of wine bags by acquiring the Swankey Beverage Tote Bag.
Portovino, the Wine Lover’s go-to purse brand, allows you to discreetly store and pour up to 2 bottles of wine, or your favorite drink “on the go”, and the new addition to the collection, now brings even more to the table. The Swankey Tote, or as we like to call it, the Supersized PortoVino, not only allows you to fill up the included beverage pouch with up to 4 bottles of wine or 3L of any beverage hot or cold, but you can also insert and 3L boxed wine pouch in it. This new Swankey is designed with a built-in cooler, so you can fill it up with a 6 pack of cans and all of your picnic items. It is essentially your everyday bag with a stealthy cooler attached all while adding a stylish pop of color to your outfit and making life much easier. You can bring the Swankey Tote bag with you to all kinds of events, filling it up with water for hot days, mixed drinks for festivals, or cold brew for busy moms on the go.
Much like the PortoVino, The Swankey Tote is your everyday bag but unlike your average everyday bag, it has a secret, zippered, and insulated compartment for the wine pouch that is separate from the actual bag. The Swankey’s compartment is designed like its own cooler and is big enough to store the 3-liter capacity beverage pouch that is included with each tote, or you can easily replace it with any of the smaller 750ml or 1.5L beverage pouches that PortoVino offers and have extra room for any snacks you’d like to keep cool. The Swankey can dub as a cooler for anything you would like to keep cold or hot. The value is unbeatable, and just like the rest of the PortoVino Wine purse collections, the Swankey Tote also includes a flap that covers the pouring spouts, as well as interior pockets that can hold your phone, keys, and your mask while you take a quick sip.
Not only will you now be able to choose whether you want a more formal leather purse or a fun and colorful one with an assortment of different patterns to choose from, but you will also be able to choose by capacity. Portovino allows you to choose between 1 bottle or 2 bottle pouches, and now with the amount of space in the Swankey Tote you’ll have enough wine to provide for all of your friends. Whether you decide to utilize the function of taking your wine on the go or using them as your favorite fashion accessory for everyday use, you will always create a buzz, so pick your poison and be ready to be everyone’s official favorite friend.
About PortoVino
The PortoVino purse, which notably stores and pours up to 2 bottles of wine from a secret insulated compartment, is making fast strides in the fashion industry. Since their 2017 launch, their collection has more than tripled with fashion accessories ranging from their classic vegan leather wine bags to their trendy messenger bags, to their insanely popular Double Pour Tuscany totes. There is truly something available for everyone’s personal style esthetic.
PortoVino is also socially conscious, and since 2016 has partnered with Feed My Starving Children (FMSC) organization. FMSC is a Christian based non-profit organization that coordinates the packaging and distribution of food to people in developing nations. Since 1987, it has reached out to more than 70 countries. For every PortoVino purse purchased, one meal is donated to Feed My Starving Children.
Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a “certification in first globally-recognized course” as an American Wine Specialist ® from the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), Level 1 Sake Award from WSET, was the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video (over 16k views), authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru and the Global Wine Awards. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits.
Vinexpo America and Drinks America Plan A Joint Debut In New York, March 9-10, 2022
Where the wine and spirits world meets in America: Vinexpo America and Drinks America plan a joint debut in New York, March 9-10, 2022
PORTLAND, Maine – Diversified Communications and Vinexposium has announced two co-located events—Vinexpo America and Drinks America—that will reunite the beverage alcohol industry in person, under one roof, in 2022. The trade-only expos will be held March 9-10, 2022, in the new Hall 3 at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. Together, they promise to attract top buyers and decision makers from across North America, the largest and fast-growing beverage-alcohol-consuming market in the world.
Vinexpo America is a repositioning of the former Vinexpo New York, which for three years served as the premier international exhibition for wine and spirits professionals in North America before a 2021 pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In its new form, Vinexpo America will focus exclusively on wines, with representation from all of the world’s top-producing regions.
Drinks America is a brand-new expo created in response to a forecasted continuing rise in consumption of spirits and ready-to-drink beverages. It will feature a wide array of spirits, beer and sake from producers across the globe as well as beverage alcohol accessories and services.
Both events will provide U.S. and Canadian buyers access to new and established brands that are looking to expand distribution, network and meet with existing customers in North America. From conferences to master classes, two full days of educational programming will address issues relevant to both the wine and spirits worlds.
For attendees, Vinexpo America | Drinks America offers the advantage of one registration for full access to both shows’ exhibits, programming and events—a great value that also optimizes efficiency as they can meet with producers from around the world in one location over two days.
Exhibitors will benefit from visibility to all buyers, decision makers and influencers from both events, plus unlimited free guest invitations. A new business matchmaking service will facilitate one-to-one meetings during the two-day exhibition.
“We’re excited to renew our partnership with Vinexposium and come back to New York in 2022 with a brand-new, greatly enhanced offering,” said Mary Larkin, president of Diversified Communications USA. “Bringing together Vinexpo America and Drinks America in a single meeting place will enable us to serve the entire U.S. wine and spirits communities—an especially welcome opportunity after the COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of the industry’s major exhibitions in 2021.”
“The launch of our events in the United States in 2022 is designed to coincide with the resumption of trade between Europe and the USA. Under a new name, Vinexpo America aims to embrace the entire North American market, alongside Drinks America. It has become crucial to offer our customers a comprehensive business platform that matches the scale of the American continent and includes spirits, craft drinks and beers alongside wine,” stresses Rodolphe Lameyse, CEO of Vinexposium.
More information regarding the 2022 event will be announced in the coming months.
About Vinexposium
Owned jointly by Comexposium and Vinexpo Holding, Vinexposium is the world’s leading organiser of wine and spirits trade events. Vinexposium offers an enhanced range of high-performance events, tailored to different market segments, with a portfolio of iconic and recognised events: Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris, WOW! Meetings, Vinexpo America & Drinks America, Vinexpo Hong Kong, WBWE Asia, Vinexpo Bordeaux, Vinexpo Shanghai and WBWE Amsterdam, as well as Vinexpo Explorer and World Wine Meetings.
About Diversified Communications
Diversified Communications is a leading international media company with a portfolio of face-to-face exhibitions and conferences, online communities, and digital and print publications. As producers of these market-leading products, Diversified Communications connects, educates, and strengthens business communities in over 15 industries including: renewable energy, healthcare, natural and organic, food and beverage, and technology. Established in 1949 and headquartered in Portland, Maine, USA, with divisions and offices around the world, Diversified Communications remains a privately held, third-generation, family-owned business. For more information, visit www.divcom.com
Wine Paris and Vinexpo Paris postponed to 2022 and digitalized in 2021
The next physical edition of Wine Paris and Vinexpo Paris will take place from 14 to 16 February 2022. The decision to postpone the exhibition, once again imposed by the health situation, was taken in conjunction with the event’s partner wine marketing boards. Stakeholders across-the-board agreed that due to continued uncertainties, the success of the event rescheduled for June could not be guaranteed, neither from an organisational perspective nor for its anticipated benefits for business. However, to continue to maintain the close connection between the Paris event and its exhibitors and visitors from around the globe, Wine Paris and Vinexpo Paris will be providing an extensive programme of international content and tools for the wine industry next June on Vinexposium Connect, the group’s digital platform.
Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris 2022, an ambitious event highly anticipated by the entire industry
Partners, exhibitors and buyers continue to show a high level of involvement and support in the event, which many expect to be at the crux of post-pandemic recovery. Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris will once again draw its strength from the same unity, fuelling a surge in business dynamics at the first major international event of 2022 for the wine and spirits industry.
“We are very much looking forward to taking part in Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris, which genuinely energises business. After more than a year with no major international events, we need to get back to the tastings and gatherings that provide our product catalogues with new listings”, admits Jürgen Schlanke, managing director of the German distributor Weinmarkt Mattheis.
“We are both relieved and disappointed by the decision to postpone the exhibition. Relieved because we prioritise the health and safety of our staff and partners, but disappointed because Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris is an unmissable event for Rhonéa, a time when we meet all our customers to present our innovations and latest vintages for example… The pandemic may well have enabled us to create new ways of engaging with them – particularly through digital technology – but nothing can replace face-to-face contact and the friendliness of chatting about our wines. We look forward to seeing them in February 2022!” comments Pascal Duconget, CEO of Rhonéa.
Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris 2022 will gather all the French wine regions and a large number of international wine regions under one roof. The spirits industry will enjoy its own dedicated Be Spirits area. The event will also offer high-value solutions and content to maximise business opportunities and return on investment for attendees.
“Everything is ready for February 2022 and we are now going to focus on making Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris an even more central event and business hub so that it can be instrumental in fostering economic recovery. The first step will be a digital month in June with key business-centric events on Vinexposium Connect, and a physical gathering in Paris from 14 to 16 February 2022”, stresses Rodolphe Lameyse, CEO of Vinexposium.
Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris goes digital to support business and trade in 2021
Producers and buyers will be able to network from June onwards through B-to-B meetings via the Vinexposium Connect platform. A programme of business-focused digital content will be rolled out throughout June so that industry members can stay connected through highly targeted meetings.
Support from Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris’ partners across the spectrum has been galvanised so that they can share valuable insight with a broad-ranging audience: The IWSR, the International Sommelier Association (ASI), the French Sommelier Association (UDSF) and Wine Tech & Vinocamp.
Three days will focus specifically on regional and international issues for now and the future on 14, 15 and 16 June with the theme of ‘Bouncing Back’ at their core. Each day will address the questions being asked for now and the future, from the perspective of geopolitics, distribution networks and wine and spirits producers.
Men and women from the wine industry will be able to meet up again in Paris from 14 to 16 February 2022. But in the meantime, they can engage with each other on Vinexposium Connect in June, where everything will be designed to offer them maximum business opportunities.
For more information on Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris 2021, visit wineparis-vinexpo.com
About Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris
On the initiative of their founding wine marketing boards and partners, VinoVision and Vinisud were merged to create WINE PARIS (founded by COMEXPOSIUM and run by 13 French wine marketing boards). In 2020, its role was further enhanced when it partnered with VINEXPO, the creator of international events for the wine and spirits industry. Founded in 1981 on the initiative of the Bordeaux-Gironde Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Vinexpo has gained a unique understanding of the market along with an extensive network of influential distributors across the world.
About Vinexposium Connect
The Vinexposium Connect digital platform was created in autumn 2020 to coincide with Vinexpo Shanghai 2020, which was held in a digital format. Since then, it has continued to develop tools and content to provide support for industry members and wine and spirits enthusiasts across the world 24/7.
About Vinexposium
Owned jointly (50/50) by Comexposium and Vinexpo Holding, Vinexposium is the world’s leading organiser of wine and spirits trade events. Vinexposium organises over 10 iconic and recognised events worldwide: Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris, World Wine Meetings and World Bulk Wine Exhibition – Amsterdam and Asia, Vinexpo Bordeaux, Vinexpo Hong Kong, Vinexpo Shanghai, Vinexpo India and Vinexpo New York, as well as Vinexpo Explorer and WOW! Meetings. Through these events, it welcomes over 78,000 visitors annually from 140 countries and 5,900 exhibitors.
Paso Robles Announces Virtual Auction Giving Access to One-of-a-Kind Experiences
Paso Robles, CA – The Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance (PRWCA) has announced the launch of their first-ever Paso Robles Wine Country Virtual Auction. Set to begin on Monday, May 10, and running through Sunday, May 16, this online auction features over 25 lots from more than 50 Paso Robles wine country businesses, including wineries, hotels, restaurants, tour companies, and recreation outfitters. The specially curated auction lots are exclusive packages that are not available as retail experiences where wineries not only offer wine but luxury overnight stays in wine country, winemaker dinners at Paso’s best restaurants, high-touch educational vineyard tours, as well as rare and allocated wines. Funds generated from the Wine Country Virtual Auction benefit the Paso Robles Wine Country Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit organization that gives back to the community primarily through educational scholarships for aspiring young adults headed off to college. Visit https://pasowine.com/events/virtual-auction to begin viewing lots.
The weeklong online auction will run from May 10 to 16, which precedes the traditional time when the annual Paso Robles Wine Festival takes place. Considering event restrictions and limitations on large gatherings, this auction allows the Paso Robles wine region to showcase the wine country lifestyle to fans and bidders from around the country. One-of-a-kind lots like A French Family Affair brings the families of L’Aventure, Clos Solène, and Benom together for a dinner for six with the highest bidder at the high-end, French cuisine restaurant Les Petites Canailles. Another multi-brand experience unique to Paso Robles brings a group of eight to Sixmilebridge where owner Jim Moroney treats guests to the dinner table with winemaker Anthony Yount. Dinner also features the wines of other brands that Anthony makes including Denner Vineyards and Royal Nonesuch Farms.
There are impossible to find lots available to the highest bidder as well, like a complete current release package (12 bottles) of Saxum wines along with two signed 1.5L magnums. Another hard-to-get lot includes an Austin Hope Cabernet Sauvignon vintage line-up, including the vintages of 2015 – 2019, along with two signed large format bottles of the 2017 and 2018 vintages.
Overnight stays offer everything from a three-night getaway in a luxury house stay for six at Turley Wine Cellars to the equally luxurious stay for two at the new Geneseo Inn on Cass Winery’s 145-acre estate. These stays and many more uber-cool experiences are on the auction block ready to be won. Visit https://pasowine.com/events/virtual-auction as new lots will be added daily leading up to the launch on Monday, May 10, 2021.
“We are excited to showcase some incredibly rare offerings unique to Paso Robles wine country that have been pulled from personal cellars and paired with incredible experiences that we’ve never seen offered in our area!” said Molly Scott, Chairperson of the PRWCA Board of Directors, and Director of Grower Relations for JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery. “Equally exciting is the new online auction format which allows Paso Wine fans across the world to partake in helping raise funds that we will channel right back into our local community through our foundation.”
This auction uses the Greater Giving Online Bidding platform, allowing for a paperless bidding system. Bidders use a smartphone, tablet, or desktop to bid on auction items and can easily track lots by “following” their activity without having to continuously return to a table or bid sheet.
The Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance Foundation has been giving back to the local community through high school scholarships for 15 years. These scholarships help college and trade school-bound young adults to have a little extra funding to take some of the pressure off affording tuitions, materials, travel, etc. as they plan their futures. The Paso Robles wine community is proud to help the next generation reach their goals.
The Paso Robles Wine Country Virtual Auction launches on Monday, May 10; however, lots are being populated online now. Visit https://pasowine.com/events/virtual-auction to begin viewing lots and check back daily. The inventory of unique and exceptional experiences grows by the day leading up to the May 10 open bidding. The auction concludes at midnight, on Sunday, May 16, 2021.
ABOUT PASO ROBLES WINE COUNTRY ALLIANCE
The Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance is the official trade organization that represents wineries, growers, and businesses in Paso Robles Wine Country. Centrally located between San Francisco and Los Angeles, along California’s Central Coast, Paso Robles Wine Country is California’s third-largest wine region. It encompasses more than 40,000 vineyard acres and 200 wineries. For more information, visit pasowine.com. Facebook – @PasoRoblesWine, Instagram – @Pasowine, #pasowine.
Vintage Eve 7/2018: What Did I Find at The Latest Garagiste “Urban Exposure” in Santa Monica?
Garagiste festival co-founders Stewart McLennan and Doug Minnick (locals know Doug from his shared wine tasting room in Downtown Newhall, Double Trouble) as well as countless experienced volunteers, succeeded once again to bring nearly 50 small producing wineries under one roof – Santa Monica Bay Women’s Club – to be discovered by wine lovers.
Left to right: Erik Siering, Mark Wasserman, me, Paul Quinn and James Schreiner.
(Photo: My favorite people – and wine – at Vinemark Cellars and TW Ferm Co! — left to right: Erik Siering, Mark Wasserman, me, Paul Quinn and James Schreiner.)
Urban Exposure features artisan winemakers from across California, including Paso Robles, Santa Barbara County, Mendocino, Napa, Sonoma, Los Angeles County and more. The Garagiste Festival is Los Angeles’ only wine festival that exclusively features high quality wines from commercial California ‘garagiste’ winemakers, offering Angelenos a unique opportunity to discover hard-to-find wineries, taste hundreds of their wines, and meet the winemakers…Over 70% of the wineries pouring at the festival do not have tasting rooms, and most are not on “wine country” maps and difficult to find except at the Garagiste Festival.
Pretty sure I’ve covered every Garagiste event that has been produced in Los Angeles for the past five years, as well as a couple in Paso Robles. I look forward to trying the new vintages from wineries we’ve discovered before, and wines from new wineries added to the event. This year I tried to taste as many Rare and Reserve offerings as I could as well, before palate fatigue set in.
Will now share a few of my take-aways (oh how I wish I could’ve taken some of the wine home with me!) from the event. (Too thirsty to read on? Shoot over here to see the event photos.)
Wineries Tastes (I have only noted the wines I enjoyed – keep in mind I did not try every wine that was offered at every winery table.)
Bellante Family Winery: 2016 Viognier, Los Olivos, Camp 4 Vineyard, and 14.9% alcohol.
Betwixt Wines: 2012 Grenache, Boer Vineyard, Sonoma (sold out) and 2010 Syrah.
Byron Blatty: Mark’s brand new Rose of Grenache, LA County, $27 and 2016 Tremor blend of Grenache, Syrah and Merlot, LA County, $58.
Caliza Vineyards: 2013 Estate Grenache, Paso Robles, only 50 cases made, $75
Cutruzzola Vineyards: 2012 Riesling, Riven Rock Vineyard Estate, San Luis Obispo County, 12.5% alcohol, 450 cases, $28 and the 2015 Riesling with 128 cases and $30.
Dusty Nabor: “K” Super Secret Syrah, Ballard Canyon, 27 cases, $45 and 2016 Super Secret Grenache, Ballard Canyon, 27 cases, $45.
Frisco Cellars: 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, Central Coast, Yattes and DiPietro Vineyards, $56.
Gordenker Wines: 2012 Sylvia Drive Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, $68. (Parker gave this wine 93 points.)
Hoi Polloi: Everything: Pinot Noirs and Syrah! Love Minnick and happy to support local business!
Kaleidos Wines: 2014 Praying Mantis, 100% Syrah, Paso Robles, 88 cases, 15.6% alcohol, $65.
Leverage: 2014 Trajectory, GSM, Paso Robles, 85 cases, $60.
Parmeson: 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley, 149 cases, $60.
Pulchella Winery: My all-time favorite local winery was serving up their Rose of Tannat, “Rogue Rose of Tannat”, Bella Colina Vineyards, 120 cases, $35 as well as six 2016 releases.
Record Family Wines: 2013 Reserve Merlot, Paso Robles, 100 cases, $35.
Siela Wines: 2015 Chardonnay Dry Creek Valley. (SF Chronicle Wine Competition gave this a Silver in 2017, I would’ve given it a Gold.)
TW Fermentations: 2014 “Cultivator” Bordeaux Blend of Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Paso Robles, 14.7% alcohol, $68 and a Malbec with 14.9% alcohol.
Vinemark Cellars: All 2014s: Reserve Pinot, $41; Cabernet Sauvignon, $32; “Mezzanotte” Primitivo/Petite Sirah blend, $32.
Volatus Wine: 2015 White Rhone Blend, $25; 2016 Bolter Rose blend of Tannat, Grenache and Viognier, $14; and Reserve Red blend of Syrah and Malbec, Paso Robles, 65 cases, $45.
All Wineries
Alma Sol+, Ann Albert, Ascension Cellars+, Bellante Family Winery+*, Betwixt Wines, Brophy Clark, Byron Blatty+, Caliza Vineyards, Cavelletti Vineyards, Cloak & Dagger+, Cutruzzola Vineyards, Domaine Kreger, El Lugar Wines, Frisco Cellars*, Golden Triangle, Gordenker Wines, Hoi Polloi+, In Vino Musicas+*, Kaleidos Wines, Kitson Wines*, LA Wine Project+, Lavender Oak Ranch+*, Magna Vita Cellars, Malibu Ridge+*, Marin’s Vineyard, Mastro Scheidt, Metrick Wines+, Monochrome Wines, Murder Ridge, On Your Left, Pulchella Winery+, Record Family Wines*, Siela Wines*, Stolo Family Winery, Sweezter Cellars+, Sycamore Ranch+, The Blending Lab+*, Tlo Winery, Torch Wines, TW Fermentations, Vinemark Cellars+, Volatus Wine, Wildwood Oak Winery* (*First time pouring at the festival, +Based in LA County)
Festival Sponsors: ETS, Glenn Burdette,, Farm Credit, Laffort, Digital Dogma, mWEBB Communications, Travel Paso, Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance. For sponsorship info, email info@garagistefestival.com.
Keep track of where the next Garagiste festival will be offered here: http://garagistefestival.com
For special discounts and updates on Urban Exposure, Taste of Garagiste mini-tastings and other Garagiste Festival events and news, sign up for The Dirt at http://garagistefestival.com/sign-up/,
Follow on Twitter (@GaragisteFest) or Facebook (http://on.fb.me/1rgBC80).
Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a “certification in first globally-recognized course” as an American Wine Specialist ® from the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), Level 1 Sake Award from WSET, was the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video (over 15k views), authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru and the Global Wine Awards. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits.
Wine LA Presents: Rhône Warriors 2021 At Home Edition, February 24, 26 & 27
We’ve gathered a compelling mixture of some of the greatest Rhône wine producers for a memorable series of tastings – LIVE with the winemakers! Travel with us via Zoom and have wines delivered to your home to taste and experience a battle for the Rhône throne! Join the winemakers LIVE for one tasting or join all THREE! A silent auction will benefit Children’s Hospital Los Angeles via our 501(c)(3) partner, Unite The United.
Early Bird Tickets are on sale now! Tickets will sell out; prices increase as the event date approaches.
For information and to purchase tickets please visit:
www.RHONEWARS.com
Night 1 – 2/24 Wednesday, 7pm:
Lasseter Family Winery
Melville Winery
Andrew Murray Vineyards
Tablas Creek
LAW Estate
Force Majeure
Night 2 – 2/26 Friday, 7pm:
Ledge
Denner Vineyards
Jada Vineyard & Winery
Nelle Winery
Skinner Vineyards
RD Winery
Night 3 – 2/27 Saturday, 7pm:
McKahn Family Cellars
Dusty Nabor Wines
Bushong Vintage Company
Brecon Estate
Byron Blatty Wines
Troon Vineyard
ABOUT IAN BLACKBURN
Ian graduated from California Polytechnic University in Hospitality Management in 1991 (Distinguished Alumni 2008) and is a live-long crusader for wine and improving the wine lifestyle. In 1995, Ian pioneered the internet’s first website dedicated to wine education and in 2020, he re-launches learnaboutwine.com to allow nationwide access to his passionate wine classes, tasting events and virtual tastings via Zoom. Ian’s career has shifted from floor service, to distributor representative, to state manager for an international wine portfolio, to author, to internet wine pioneer and now Ian is a leader in Zoom-based wine classes and events. In 2009, Ian launched his own wine brand with Clay Mauritson dedicated to the world’s best Zinfandel; Beekeeper Cellars continues to amass top scores (95-97 points) critical acclaim and professional praise. Ian has dedicated his life to fine wine and holds a number of credentials from the Society of Wine Educators, and continues his study with the Masters of Wine in London. Ian’s first book was published in 2002 and he expects to publish a new book in 2021.
Since 2001, Ian has served as an official Educational Ambassador for the Regions of Champagne, France and The Napa Valley. Celebrating 25+ years in Wine Education, this new age of on line education played right into Ian’s creative hands – contact info@learnaboutwine.com to hire Ian for your corporate event or private function. Also visit any of Ian’s websites at:
and more to come!
About Unite The United:
Unite The United Foundation is a public 501(c)(3) non-profit, fundraising organization founded by the producers of the Vans Warped Tour and Rockstar Energy Mayhem Festival. Their mission is to encourage fans, artists and industry leaders from the music, touring and action sports worlds to work toward positive change, by supporting local charities, producing events, and participating in community volunteerism events across the United States.
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