Eve's Wine 101

The Grenache Association Welcomes International Grenache Day on Friday, September 15 with LocalWineEvents.com/GrenacheDay

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List your events celebrating Grenache for free at LocalwineEvents.com/GrenacheDay and Find a Celebration Near You 

AVIGNON, France, /PRNewswire/ — The Grenache Association – a not-for-profit coalition of fans of the Grenache grape – welcomes the world to celebrate the 13th International Grenache Day on Friday, September 15, 2023. This annual event, held on the third Friday of every September, has been instrumental in spreading the “gospel of Grenache” through social media initiatives, in-person and virtual wine tastings, and events at wineries, wine shops, wine bars, wine academies, and restaurants.

This year, the Grenache Association welcomes a new partnership with LocalWineEvents.com which created a portal specifically for #GrenacheDay on its website: LocalWineEvents.com/GrenacheDay. Participating venues, industry professionals, and others can post their public events on the site which wine lovers can search for by city or browse all events worldwide.

Local Wine Events is the world’s biggest site for neighborhood wine and food event listings in over 63 countries. Their weekly e-newsletter The Juice reaches over 300,000+ subscribers with an average readership of 500,000 wine and food enthusiasts weekly.

According to LWE founder Eric Orange, “Our mission at Local Wine Events is to make wine events easily accessible wherever you are in the world and to help promote wine shops, restaurants, wineries, and wine! Grenache is one of our favorite varietals and #GrenacheDay is a great opportunity to list fun events to promote it.”

ABOUT GRENACHE: Grenache is planted on six of the seven continents and delivers a “sense of place” or expression of its terroir in every sip. It is enjoyed by wine mavens and newbies who embrace its earthy fruitiness and complexity, long finish, and medium body which translates to a velvety, voluptuous mouthfeel. This versatile varietal is the cornerstone of great wines like Châteauneuf-du-Papes, GSMs, and many rosés.

Laurence Ferraud of Château Pegau loves how Grenache morphs into “1000 variations and nuances,” reflecting the varied soils — pebbles, sand, clay– that give birth to her award-winning wines: “Grenache is our King, no other grape variety matches better the terroir in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. It gives full expressions as it ages, from its deep black fruit to its range of spices. Our Domaine du Pegau wines are 80% Grenache. This grape has been the heart and soul of my family for generations, since the start of Domaine Pegau in 1987 and my own Chateau Pegau since 2012.”

GRENACHE ASSOCIATION: Thanks in part to the Grenache Association’s campaign, Grenache has also been recognized as a major player in the wine world as a standalone single-varietal wine. The late Stephen Spurrier, Michel Bettane, Walter McKinlay of Domaine du Mourchon, and Nicole Sierra-Rolet of Chêne Bleu wines launched #GrenacheDay in 2010 with their grassroots association run by volunteers.

CLIMATE CHANGE WARRIOR: Grenache is considered by many as the most climate-change-friendly grape grown. Its wind and drought-resistant deep root system reaches the water table, making it less dependent on rainwater or irrigation for hydration.

Comments Grenache Association co-founder Nicole Rolet of Chêne Bleu: “More and more superstar winemakers are turning to Grenache to build their blends and even more are embracing it as a single blend wine. The word “Grenache” should be in every wine lover’s lexicon.” 

How to Celebrate #GrenacheDay:

Log an Event: www.localwineevents.com/GrenacheDay

Post #GrenacheDay photos and videos:

Twitter: @grenache_global,

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GrenacheSymposium or Instagram.

Download a #GrenacheDay image:

http://www.grenache-association.com/index.php/grenacheday/ to email to friends, post on your social media, or create an invitation.

Kathryn Hall Harvest Celebration RETURNS SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9

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ST. HELENA, CALIFORNIA –HALL Napa Valley, one of the leading, family-owned Cabernet Sauvignon producers in the country, has announced the date for its annual Kathryn Hall Harvest Celebration. The annual event will be taking place at HALL St. Helena on September 9, 2023. The harvest event, which includes a new, fun theme each year, features the 2020 vintage of HALL’s flagship wine, Kathryn Hall Cabernet Sauvignon.

HALL’S ANNUAL EVENT RETURNS SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9

“Each year, we love celebrating each new Harvest with our flagship wine” says Vintner Kathryn Hall. “With its rich and complex flavors, velvety texture, and elegant structure, this wine represents the culmination of our passion and dedication to producing the finest expressions of Cabernet Sauvignon.”

The Kathryn Hall Harvest Celebration will allow guests to sample the 2020 vintage of Kathryn Hall Cabernet Sauvignon. This year’s theme is Camp Kathryn, where guests will get to experience a favorite summer pastime – summer camp with wine country style. There will be a bevy of camp-inspired activities for guests to take part in, live entertainment and California cuisine stations, including a camp must-have, smores.

The event includes three ticket options for guests to purchase:

  • General Admission Ticket – $150
    12:00pm – 3:00pm
    Guests are invited to celebrate CAMP KATHRYN as HALL releases the 2020 vintage of its flagship Cabernet Sauvignon. This ticket includes admission to all the Camp-inspired fun at the main event.
  • Kathryn Hall Vertical Ticket – $350 (SOLD OUT)
    11:00am – 12:00pm
    The Kathryn Hall Cabernet Sauvignon Vertical Tasting will be hosted by Vintner Kathryn Hall, HALL President, Mike Reynolds and HALL Winemaker, Megan Gunderson. The vertical tasting includes five vintages of Kathryn Hall Cabernet Sauvignon from 2016 – 2020 vintages. This Ticket also includes General Admission access to the main event.

The celebration allows guests to learn more about HALL’s flagship wine, the Kathryn Hall Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine 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.

Since the first vintage was produced in 1996, the Kathryn Hall Cabernet Sauvignon wine has been one of the highest rated in HALL’s portfolio, earning over 100 scores rated 90 points and above from the industry’s top critics including The Wine Advocate, Wine Spectator, Wine Enthusiast, Jeb Dunnuck and Vinous. Additionally, Kathryn Hall Cabernet Sauvignon earned the #2 spot in Wine Spectator’s “Top 100” list in 2011.

WHAT: Kathryn Hall “Camp Kathryn” Harvest Celebration

WHEN: Saturday, September 9, 2023

WHERE: HALL St. Helena
401 St. Helena Hwy S.

St. Helena, CA 94574
TICKETS: Tickets can be purchased HERE.

For more information, please visit Kathryn Hall Harvest Celebration, follow on social @hallwines, or by calling 707-967-2626. # # #

HALL produces award-winning Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon at two properties in Napa Valley in St. Helena and Rutherford. Owned by Craig and Kathryn Hall, the winery crafts 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 the winemaking process. Led by Vice President of Winemaking, Megan Gunderson, HALL focuses on producing distinctive Cabernet

ABOUT HALL Wines:

Sauvignon bottlings highlighting the finest vineyards and sub-appellations of the Napa Valley. 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, making HALL a leader in green efficiencies. For more information about HALL, please visit www.hallwines.com or by calling 707.967.2626. @hallwines #artofcabernet.

BIG NEWS: EVE HAS BEEN INVITED TO TEACH WINE ETIQUETTE (FOR FUN + EDUCATION) AT DOUBLE HELIX WINE AND WHISKEY BAR – IN LAS VEGAS – ON AUGUST 30!

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This is an excerpt from Double Helix Wine and Whiskey Lounge Instagram post: Calling all our #wine lovers in Vegas! We’ve been so excited and waiting to share a little something new we created. 

Presenting: Wine Etiquette 101 With a Twist. Please join us for an casual evening tasting and learning about wine with a very special host, Eve Bushman, @evebushmaneveswine101 
An expert in her field, with a great sense of humor, she’ll have you laughing and learning at the same time.

This is not your average wine class, this is something new! We wanted locals to have the opportunity to have some fun, bring friends, make new friends, and laugh while learning the basic ins and outs of Wine Education.

No need to feel shy or embarrassed about your level of wine knowledge here, our goal is to help you feel comfortable in any situation that involves Wine! 

📍Purchase your 🎟 on our website at www.doublehelixwine.com.

Perlises Pick: Thacher Winery dinner at Tam O’Shanter

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We recently wrote about a wine dinner at Tam O’Shanter restaurant featuring Carol Shelton Wines that we were unfortunately unable to attend. At the time, we had resolved to do our best to make it to the next wine dinner at The Tam, and that opportunity came sooner than expected when Tam O’Shanter paired up with Thacher Winery of Paso Robles.

Michelle and Sherman Thacher discovered the Kentucky Ranch in what is now the Adelaida AVA of Paso Robles in 2003 when they attended a wedding there. They ended up buying the property soon thereafter and Thacher Winery officially opened in 2008, in time for their fourth harvest. The focus is primarily on Rhone varietals and Zinfandel from a combination of estate and purchased fruit. We’ve tasted and enjoyed the Thacher wines at events but have not yet visited the winery.

It is always an eye-opening and palate-gratifying reminder what a talented executive chef such as The Tam’s JC Salazar can do when using his expertise to create dishes to pair with selected wines. An added bonus was having Tony Quealy, Thacher Winery’s General Manager, available to discuss the wines and the winery.

Here is the menu with our comments in italics:

Lemon Hamachi Crudo – fennel, cucumber, apple-pear, watermelon radish, aguachile, smoked salt paired with 2021 Own Rooted Chenin Blanc – Shell Creek Vineyard, Highlands District, Paso Robles AVA.

First of all, kudos for using Chenin Blanc, a much overlooked grape these days. Even more kudos for using grapes from a vineyard planted in 1972. With a lemon and apricot nose, it was crisp and clean with grapefruit notes. Moderate acidity and body and very well balanced with a medium to long finish. The wine was a perfect accompaniment to the refreshing and complex crudo and was perfectly timed to the hot-day segueing into a pleasantly cool evening.    

Lamb, Lavender & Plums – New Zealand Lamb Rack, Romanesco succotash, plum chutney, lavender honey paired with 2019 Constant Variable – Central Coast.

Is there a better pairing with lamb than Rhone varietals? We think not. In this case, the wine was a blend of 37% Grenache, 35% Syrah, 12% Mourvedre, 7% Cinsaut, 7% Counoise and 2% Viognier. Tony referred to this as Thacher’s flagship wine. The deep burgundy/maroon wine presented with dark, ripe stone fruit and a hint of white pepper on the nose. There were spicy notes from the Counoise along with a hint of baking spices. Extremely well balanced in body and acidity with added freshness from the Cinsaut. The mouthfeel was full and the finish was long. All the varietals were barreled separately except for the co-fermented Syrah and Viognier. The richness of the lamb with the chutney and honey proved to be both sweet and savory and this wine helped to bring out these aspects.

Certified Angus NY Strip – potato fondant, glazed Globe carrots, asparagus ribbons, shiitake demi paired with 2018 Original Copy – Adelaida District, Paso Robles AVA.

As lamb pairs with Rhone varietals, beef pairs with Bordeaux varietals. In this case, a blend of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Petit Verdot and 14% Cabernet Franc combine to make a wine that is deep, dark, rich burgundy in color with aromas of ripe plum. Nicely structured and medium-bodied, with earthy and smoky nuances and a medium to long finish. The bold flavors of the perfectly cooked steak dipped in the demi went hand in hand with the Bordeaux blend.

Olive Oil Cake – macerated cherries, almond brittle, Fosselman’s vanilla ice cream paired with 2020 Working Holiday, Cass Vineyard Red, Paso Robles Geneseo District, Paso Robles AVA.

The dessert was not overly sweet and was delightful with this fruit forward wine from the renowned Cass vineyard on the east side of Paso Robles. A combination of 54% Syrah, 37% Grenache and 9% Mourvedre, this Rhone blend and lively, ripe raspberry on the nose and followed through with the same on the palate. A perfect way to end a perfect dinner, leaving you satisfied and looking forward to the next time.

In addition to greatly enjoying our dinner, we learned a few things about Thacher Winery from GM Tony Quealy. Production is about 5,000 cases, of which about 65% is Estate. Estate growth is being expanded, including plantings of Mencia, a red grape grown in Spain and Portugal, as well as a mixed white field blend. The logo for Thacher Winery is a grasshopper, based on the Thacher family crest going back to Sherman’s English heritage. And shortly after we attended the dinner, we learned that Brenna Hill had been promoted from Cellar Lead to Assistant Winemaker at Thacher.

We want to thank Tam O’Shanter management and staff for an excellent dinner, both in food and service. We have never felt better taken care of. We are looking forward to the next wine dinner to see what imaginative dishes Executive Chef JC will come up with, although we will definitely be revisiting Tam O’Shanter before then. And the Thacher Winery and Vineyard will be on our agenda the next time we are in Paso Robles, one of our absolute favorite stomping grounds.

Thacher Winery & Vineyard

www.thacherwinery.com

8355 Vineyard Dr, Paso Robles, CA 93446

The Tam O’Shanter Restaurant

www.lawrysonline.com/tam-o-shanter

2980 Los Feliz Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90039Michael and Karen Perlis have been pursuing their passion for wine for more than 30 years. They have had the good fortune of having numerous mentors to show them the way and after a couple of decades of learning about wine, attending events, visiting wineries and vineyards, and tasting as much wine as they possibly could, they had the amazing luck to meet Eve Bushman. Michael and Karen do their best to bring as much information as possible about wine to Eve’s Wine 101 faithful readers.

L.A. Loves Alex’s Lemonade Culinary Cookout Returns

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LOS ANGELES, CA — After a three year hiatus, L.A. Loves Alex’s Lemonade, hosted by James Beard Foundation award-winners Chef Suzanne Goin and partner Caroline Styne (The Lucques Group) along with Chef David Lentz, returns on Saturday, September 23, 2023, from 12:30 – 4:30 pm on UCLA’s Royce Quad. Goin, Styne and Lentz have again enlisted the support and generosity of their culinary-superstar friends around the country who will donate their time and services to raise funds and awareness for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) and its mission to find better treatments and cures for all kids with cancer. The Presenting Sponsors for the cookout are Northwestern Mutual and Volvo Cars of North America. 

Featuring fabulous food, wine and cocktails prepared by the nation’s best chefs, winemakers and mixologists, L.A. Loves Alex’s Lemonade is an afternoon of fantastic fare, cocktails for a cause, children’s activities, extravagant silent and exhilarating live auctions, and much more. The 2023 event is guaranteed to surpass the aspirations of previous years with returning chefs Michael Cimarusti, Chris Bianco, Adam Perry Lang, Donald Link, Nancy Oakes, Nancy Silverton, Suzanne Tracht, Jon Shook, Vinny Dotolo, Rocco Whalen and Marc Vetri coming together to cook for childhood cancer cures (for a current list, see page 3). First time participants Akasha Richmond, (LA) — AKASHA;  Dana Slatkin & Brittany Cassidy (L.A.) — Violet; Drew Deckman (Baja California, Mexico) — Deckman’s; Gavin Fine (Jackson Hole, WY) — Fine Dining Restaurant Group; Tiffany Dela Pena, Tim Cardenas and Irene Widjaya (L.A.) —  Caldo Verde and Cara Cara; Jeremy Tummel (Santa Barbara)— La Paloma Café; Mason Hereford (New Orleans) — Turkey and The Wolf; Roxana Julipat (L.A.) — Friends & FamilySarin Sing (L.A.) — Jitlada; Sergei Simonov (Santa Barbara) — Loquita; and Vivian Ku(L.A.) — Pine and Crane.

More chefs will continue to be announced, as well as leading vintners and mixologists from across the country.

Pricing for General Admission tickets is $195 until August 1, when the price increases to $255. L.A. Loves Alex’s Lemonade also offers a $1,500 premier ticket level that includes early access to the event, VIP seating and an exclusive invite to the private and intimate Welcome Dinner the evening before, on Friday, September 22. The culinary cookout is family-friendly; children under the age of 12 are free with accompanying adult and do not need to register for the event.

For complete listings of participants and to purchase tickets for this year’s event visit the ALSF website. All proceeds will benefit the Foundation. 

L.A. supporters enthusiastically responded with huge turnouts in the first ten years, sampling signature dishes of world-renowned chefs and reaching over $8 million in sponsorship, ticket and auction sales to date. In addition to the generous backing of the community, prominent personalities from the entertainment industry – long time attendees Jimmy Kimmel, Laura Dern, Joe Mantegna, Timothy Olyphant, Kirsten Vangsness and others – have become champions of the cause. 

  • More than 2,500 people, including more than 100 chefs, mixologists and vintners, attended the last cookout in 2019, which raised over 1.3 million. Those in attendance heard an inspiring speech by Jay & Liz Scott, Alex’s parents, and co-executive directors of Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation.  Three-time childhood cancer survivor and UCLA graduate, Alexandra Keir, also spoke, telling guests about her experience with cancer and how supporters can join her and ALSF in the fight against childhood cancer. 

“I’m unbelievably happy that we are finally bringing L.A. Loves Alex’s Lemonade back. Suzanne, David and I have missed being able to support this amazing Foundation and bring all of our food and wine friends together again,” said co-founder Caroline Styne. “I always say this, but this is literally my favorite day of the year.

“‘We’re so excited to be back and we’re in awe of the commitment and generosity of Suzanne, Caroline and David, all the participating chefs, vintners, mixologists and guests of L.A. Loves Alex’s Lemonade,” said Liz Scott, Alex’s mom and Co-Executive Director of the Foundation. “It is so special to celebrate an entire decade of L.A. Loves Alex’s Lemonade! Every year we move closer to achieving Alex’s vision of finding a cure for all kids with cancer!” 

For information on how to become a sponsor, contact Sara Moyer at Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, (610) 649-3034 or S.Moyer@AlexsLemonade.org 

A selection of photos from 2019 can be downloaded HERE; PHOTO CREDIT ABImages 2019

Become a fan of L.A. Loves Alex’s Lemonade on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ALSFCulinaryEvents

Follow on Twitter and Instagram: @LALovesAlexs

Suzanne Goin, David Lentz and Caroline Styne photo credit Carolina Korman 2019

About Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation
Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) emerged from the front yard lemonade stand of 4-year-old Alexandra “Alex” Scott, who was fighting cancer and wanted to raise money to find cures for all children with cancer. Her spirit and determination inspired others to support her cause, and when she passed away at the age of 8, she had raised $1 million. Since then, the Foundation bearing her name has evolved into a national fundraising movement. Today, ALSF is one of the leading funders of pediatric cancer research in the U.S. and Canada raising more than $175 million so far, funding nearly 1,000 research projects and providing programs to families affected by childhood cancer. For more information, visit AlexsLemonade.org.

Partial List of Participating Chefs
Adam Perry Lang (Hollywood, CA) — APL BBQAkasha Richmond (L.A.) —  AKASHA
Bob Oswaks (Los Alamos, CA) — Bob’s Well Bread Bakery
Boe Delashmutt (Tilghman, MD) — Marker 5
Bricia Lopez (L.A.) — Guelaguetza
Chris Bianco (L.A. / Phoenix, AZ) — Pizzeria BiancoDana Slatkin & Brittany Cassidy (L.A.) — Violet Los Angeles
Donald Link (New Orleans, LA) — Link Restaurant Group
Drew Deckman (Baja California, Mexico) — Deckman’s
Frank Castronovo & Frank Falcinelli (Brooklyn, NY) — Frankies Spuntino
Gavin Fine (Jackson Hole, WY) — Fine Dining Restaurant Group
Giada De Laurentiis (Las Vegas, NV) — GIADA
Irene Widjaya (L.A.) — LA Proper Hotel
Jason Winters (L.A.) — Speak Cheezy
Jason Paluska (Santa Barbara, CA) — The Lark Santa Barbara
Jeremy Fox (Santa Monica, CA) — Birdie G’s, Rustic Canyon
Jeremy Tummel (Santa Barbara, CA) — La Paloma Cafe
Jon Shook & Vinny Dotolo (L.A.) — Jon & Vinny’s
Jonathan Sundstrom (Seattle, WA) — Lark Seattle
Jonathan Waxman (New York, NY) — Barbuto
Josiah Citrin (Santa Monica, CA) — Mélisse Restaurant
Kevin Meehan (L.A.) — Kali Restaurant
Kris & Sarah Yenbamroong (Venice, CA) — Night + Market SahmLaurel Almerinda (L.A.) — Huckleberry
Ludo Lefebvre (L.A.) — Petit Trois
Marc Vetri (Philadelphia, PA) — Vetri Cucina
Mason Hereford (New Orleans, LA) — Turkey and The Wolf
Matt Molina (L.A.) — Hippo
Michael Palmer (Santa Barbara, CA) — McConnell’s Fine Ice Cream
Michael Cimarusti (L.A.) — Providence
Michael Fiorelli (West Hollywood, CA) — Olivetta
Michael Schwartz (Miami, FL) — The Genuine Hospitality Group
Nancy Silverton (L.A.) — Mozza Restaurant Group
Nancy Oakes (San Francisco, CA) — Boulevard
Neal Fraser (L.A.) — Redbird
Ori Menashe (L.A.) — Bestia
Paul Kahan (Chicago, IL) — The Publican
Richard, Gloria and Beverly Pink (L.A.) — Pink’s Hot Dogs
Rocco Whalen (Cleveland, OH / Charlotte, NC) — Fahrenheit
Roxana Julipat (L.A.) — Friends & Family
Sara Kramer & Sarah Hymanson (L.A.) – Kismet
Sarin Sing (L.A.) — Jitlada
Sergei Simonov (Santa Barbara, CA) — Loquita
Sherry Yard  
Stephanie Mutz & David Lentz (L.A.) — Sea Stephanie Fish
Steve Samson (L.A.) — Rossoblu, Superfine Playa
Susan Feniger & Mary Sue Milliken (L.A.) — Border Grill
Suzanne Goin (L.A.) — AOC
Suzanne Tracht (L.A.) — JarSweet Rose Creamery (L.A)
Valerie Gordon (L.A.) — Valerie Confections
Vivian Ku (L.A.) — Pine and Crane
Walter Manzke & Margarita Manzke (L.A.) — Republique
Zachary Pollack (L.A.) — Alimento, Cosa Buona

***All chefs and vintners have graciously donated their time, food and talent to the cause for this event***

Annual Wine in the Pines 2023 In Pine Mountain Village Center – Join us!

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Dear Wine Friends,

Please join other avid wine lovers, as tasting guests or as esteemed wineries, at Wine in the Pines in Pine Mountain on July 8th. We have promoted and covered this event for years and are so happy to see its return! “Leave your troubles behind and travel to an oasis – only an hour or so north from Los Angeles. Pine Mountain Village, at the crest of the 5-freeway, has a unique venue that wine, beer, food and music lovers have enjoyed attending for more than a decade: Wine in the Pines.”

See a snapshot from a past event here.

Wineries sign up here at the bottom right side of the page under “Contact Us”.

Guests find tickets and info here on the middle left side of the page.

Yours, in Wine and Out

The Crew at Eve’s Wine 101

The Details

Calling all wine lovers, mark your calendars for Saturday, July 8th, for the 17th annual Pine Mountain Club Wine in the Pines, festival in the Pine Mountain Village Center. From 1pm to 4pm (noon to 4pm with a VIP ticket), you’ll be able to taste exciting wines from the world’s top wine-growing regions, with dozens of premiere wineries to choose from. If you need a break from too much fine wine, then enjoy some cold craft beer from several wonderful breweries. And then there’s the food, many favorite restaurants will be on hand serving everything from classic gourmet finger food to good-ole western barbeque. Great live music and artisan vendors will complete this wonderful heavenly mountain setting.

You must be 21 or older to attend and purchase tickets. IDs will be checked at the front gate. General Admission tickets are $60 in advance and $70 at the door. VIP tickets allow for an intimate early noon entry and are only $80 (must be purchased in advance as they are not sold on the day of the event). This event usually sells out, so buy your tickets early. Admission includes wine & beer tasting from noon to 4pm, a logo glass, and fabulous food.

Tickets for Wine in the Pines can be purchased online at the event website,  www.wineinthepines.com. This annual fundraising event is hosted by the Pine Mountain Club Commercial Property Owners and its volunteers. The PMCCPOA is a non-profit, whose mission is not only to help to improve our local community, but also to help local non-profits flourish in their missions. Our proceeds will continue to go toward community projects and various non-profits.

The Village is located between the Coastal Communities, Bakersfield, Santa Clarita and the San Fernando Valley. Pine Mountain Club is an easy and scenic 90-minute drive from Ventura, off Interstate 5. From I-5, exit at Frazier Mountain Park Road and follow the signs to Pine Mountain Club. No matter which direction you come from, it’s a beautiful mountainous drive. There’s truly nothing like the pine-scented air and the shade of tall pines to compliment the taste of good wine, food and live music. For a map and directions, hotel & cabin rental links and other details about the event, go to www.wineinthepines.com , or find us on Facebook.

Winery List At Press Time

Ampelos Cellars

Arndt Cellars

Ascension Cellars

Autry Cellars

Barrett Cellars

Cass Winery

Cottonwood Canyon

Entourage by Two Papas

Flying Goat Cellars Winery

Midnight Cellars

Navarro Vineyards & Winery

Quady Winery

Sculpterra Winery

Stephen Hemmert Wines

St. Eva Hill Vineyard

Tobin James Cellars

Trois Le Fou

Turiya Wines

Volatus Wines

The Highly Anticipated 3rd Edition of the Volcanic Wine Conference, to be Held June 21st in New York City, Attracts Wide Range of Wineries from Around the World

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NEW YORK (PRWEB) – Excitement for the 3rd edition of the Volcanic Wine Conference in New York City is growing. Volcanic Wines International has announced that the event will take place June 21st from 10:30 am to 4.00 pm at City Winery on the Hudson River. The conference was created in 2018 by John Szabo, Master Sommelier and award-winning author, in partnership with Colangelo & Partners, the leading wine and spirits-focused PR agency in the US. This year’s conference will feature a walk-around tasting with an opening session hosted by John Szabo and special guest Dr. Kevin Franks, Associate Professor of Neurobiology at Duke University, who will present on the neuroscience of olfaction: “how the brain identifies, remembers and attributes meaning to odors.” Additionally, there will be three masterclass seminars sponsored by: Lake County Wine Grape Commission and presented by a specialist from the United States Geological Survey, the wines of Santorini with volcanologist Dr. Christos Kanellopoulos, and Volcanic White Wines From Sicily to Soave to Santorini, hosted by Winebow Imports with Yiannis Paraskevopoulos of Gai’a Winery and Ron Edwards MS.

The combination of wineries and regions represented, along with the educational focus highlighted by the masterclass seminars make the Volcanic Wine Conference a truly unique event. Volcanic Wines International seeks to bring more attention to a diverse collection of regions and winemakers not yet on the radar of many consumers and industry professionals. As in the previous editions in 2018 and 2019, the Conference has partnered with Wine & Spirits Magazine as the exclusive media partner.

Participating wineries represent a wide range of regions and volcanic soils, including Lake County, Etna, Vulkanland Steiermark, the Aeolian Islands, Santorini, Pitigliano, Lazio, Mount Vulture, Northern Greece, Azores, Campania, Soave, and Cyprus.

“Volcanic wines represent a worthy collection of highly distinctive, individual expressions – stubborn holdouts in a world of merging flavors,” states John Szabo. “With this project I hope, by shining a spotlight, to help protect worthy regions and native grapes in danger of disappearing due to a combination of the difficulty of farming and the lack of consumer awareness (and thus low prices). It’s my way of championing diversity and preserving vital world viticultural patrimony.”

Adds Gino Colangelo, president of Colangelo & Partners, “we are seeing a definite increase in interest and appreciation for the diversity offered by wines from volcanic soils. In a market filled with choices, wine lovers, industry members and press are looking for wines that stand out and are unique.” The wines and regions represented in this year’s conference have been featured in outlets such as the Guardian, Decanter, Wine & Spirits Magazine, The Drinks Business, Gault Millau and JancisRobinson.com among others, while sommeliers have embraced their distinctive characteristics.

Exhibiting wineries this year include: Pietradolce, The Lake County Wine Grape Commission, Alberelli di Giodo, Weingut Krispel, Firriato Winery, Passopisciaro, Inama, Estate Argyros, Gai’a Winery, Domaine Sigalas, Tenuta di Castellaro, Massimo Lentsch, Tasca d’Almerita, Tenuta Tascante, Obsidian Wine, Sassontondo, Tenimenti Leone, Tenuta Costantino, Duca di Salaparuta, Donnafugata, Planeta, Cantine del Notaio, Azores Wine Company, Bosco De’ Medici, La Guardiense, Cottanera, Pra, Suavia, Nicosia, Anatolikos Vineyards, Artemis Karamolegos, Tsiakka, Vinea Ardua.

For more information and the latest conference updates, visit http://www.volcanicwinesinternational.com, and follow the VWI’s Facebook (Volcanic Wines International) and Instagram (@volcanicwines_intl) pages.

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About John Szabo
Master Sommelier John Szabo was the first Canadian to add the “MS” after his name in 2004. He holds the international Wine & Spirits Education Trust Diploma with honors, as well as the Canadian Sommelier Guild diploma. He’s principal critic for WineAlign.com, Canada’s premiere wine resource, and co-host and producer of the podcast Wine Thieves with a global following in the trade. He contributes to many international trade and consumer publications and is currently co-writing a book on wine chemistry. He is a regular guest speaker at events worldwide and has traveled to virtually every wine producing country on earth, (volcanic and otherwise!) in pursuit of fine wine and to keep on top of this fascinating industry. In his spare time, he tends to his new vineyard in Prince Edward County, Ontario.

About Volcanic Wines International (VWI)
The mission of Volcanic Wines International is to take the leading role in defining and establishing a Volcanic Wine Movement, and to provide educational and promotional opportunities for volcanic wine producers internationally. Volcanic Wines International also plans to establish the volcanic wine brand as a premium category of high quality wines with a true sense of place.

About Colangelo & Partners
Colangelo & Partners specializes in premium food, wine and spirits brands, and has long-established relationships with the key press that drive these business categories and help determine the industry leaders. Agency principals have years of experience in retail and distribution as well as communications, a rare combination that gives Colangelo & Partners invaluable insights into consumer purchasing behavior. The agency focuses on “closing the loop” between creative communications programs, distribution, promotion, publicity and the consumer in order to maximize the efficiency of its communications programs and deliver measurable results. http://www.colangelopr.com/

Global Wine And Food Event Returns to Wine Country

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The Healdsburg Wine & Food Experience, May 18-21, 2023

HEALDSBURG, Calif. /PRNewswire/ — Located in the heart of California wine country, the Healdsburg Wine & Food Experience (HWFE) will be a weekend-long celebration featuring the best of Sonoma County and world-renowned food and wines. The festival will showcase the region’s makers – farmers, growers, winemakers, and chefs – alongside globally recognized wines from the greatest wine regions of the world, as it seeks to highlight the vibrant culinary diversity, sustainable farming practices and deep connection to agriculture that Sonoma County offers.

The weekend-long event will include special wine tastings and seminar discussions, barbecues, exceptional lunches, dinners, celebrity chef demonstrations, cocktail experiences, and an expansive Grand Tasting. There will also be a live outdoor concert featuring Maddie & Tae at Rodney Strong on Saturday, May 20.

New highlights from this year’s event will feature a Farm-To-Glass cocktail seminar hosted by the award-winning team of the Little Red Door from Paris; culinary demos from chefs including Joe Sasto, and Viet Pham; a special dinner experience at Michelin starred and recently reopened Cyrus; and a new Zinfandel tasting and pairing event hosted by Leslie Sbrocco called Zinfandel Live, with a unique live music component at Villa Chanticleer on Sunday.

“We couldn’t be more excited to be returning for our 2nd annual Healdsburg Wine & Food Experience,” said Steve Dveris, founder, and CEO of the festival. “Our goal has always been to highlight the vibrant culinary diversity, amazing wines and sustainable farming practices of Sonoma County as it relates to the rest of the world.”

Chefs who are participating in the event include local chef Dustin Valette, chef/owner of The Matheson and Douglas Keane from award winning Cyrus; Food & Wine’s Best New Chef Matt Horn; Food Network star Maneet Chauhan; “Top Chef” winner Stephanie Izard; Food Network’s “Chopped” star and “Top Chef” finalist Joe Sasto; Food & Wine’s Best New Chef and Iron Chef America winner Viet Pham. The local participating beloved chefs include Thomas Bellec, Domenica Catelli, Duskie Estes, Matt Horn, Crista Leudtke, Tracey Shepos, Leah Scurto, Casey Thompson, and Ari Weiswasser.

Events will be held around Healdsburg, including at The Matheson, Montage Healdsburg, and the Madrona, along with wineries including Aperture Cellars, Bacchus Landing, Bricoleur Vineyards, Ferrari-Carano Winery, Jordan Winery Estate, Kendall-Jackson Estate and Gardens, and Rodney Strong Vineyards, and more.

The event also strives to give back to the local community. The outdoor concert at Rodney Strong Vineyards on Saturday evening with the band Maddie & Tae benefits the Sonoma County Grape Growers Foundation. The organization’s mission is to raise funds that support the Leadership Academy, workforce development and other resources that elevate local vineyard workers, farmer workers and their families. This year’s event will also feature a community brunch at Chalkboard Restaurant to benefit Healdsburg Future Farmers of America (FFA). Sponsored by Foley Family Wines, a significant donation will go towards the HWFE Future Farmers Scholarship, created by HWFE for students from the local Healdsburg High School FFA chapter. We will also contribute to Farm to Pantry, whose goal is to bring together our communities to end food injustice and reverse global warming by rescuing and sharing locally grown food with those who have been marginalized.

“As co-founders and partners in this event, we believe in the dual mission to showcase Sonoma County wine, ag and sustainability on this global stage while raising funds to elevate and celebrate the local vineyard workforce. The mission is exemplified in the events and messaging throughout the entire weekend. Have fun while doing good, what is better than that?” comments Karissa Kruse, CEO & president of Sonoma County Winegrowers and Executive Director of the Sonoma County Grape Growers Foundation.

Partners of the Healdsburg Wine & Food Experience include Kendall-Jackson Wines, Rodney Strong Vineyards, Stonestreet Estate Vineyards, Foley Food & Wine Society, Food & Wine, Travel + Leisure, along with event co-founders the Sonoma County Winegrowers. For more information: healdsburgwineandfood.com, follow @healdsburgwineandfood on Instagram, or subscribe to the Healdsburg Wine & Food Experience Youtube channel. A la carte tickets, VIP Ticket packages as well as Ultra VIP packages are available.

PALM BEACH FOOD AND WINE FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH WINE SPECTATOR

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Festival Co-Founders, David Sabin & Lindsay Autry, Tap Wine Spectator

for New Joint Venture Partnership to Expand Festival Programming

Event Slated for December 7-10, 2023

Els for Autism Foundation Named as Designated Charity

PALM BEACH, Fla. — Fresh off the heels of a successful 15th year, Palm Beach Food & Wine Festival (PBFWF) co-founders, David Sabin and celebrated chef Lindsay Autry, announce a new joint venture partnership with Wine Spectator.

Wine Spectator is partnering with the iconic South Florida festival, which is best known for packing upwards of 20 exciting dining events throughout Palm Beach County in early December each year. The event will return for its 16th year with an enhanced lineup of fine wines and spirits.

“Marvin R. Shanken, editor and publisher of Wine Spectator, is not just a long-time friend of the festival, but also a personal friend to me and Lindsay. Our relationship grew organically; I’d bounce ideas off him, and always valued his feedback because it was clear that we shared the same passion for food, beverage and community.” says Sabin. “This has been 10+ years in the making, not because we necessarily ‘wanted’ a partner, but because we knew Marvin was the partner we needed.”

“We are proud to partner with Palm Beach Food & Wine Festival, bringing our knowledge, expertise and industry relationships to this extraordinary, upscale event, featuring a variety of fine dining experiences,” said Shanken. “I fully expect both our readers and wine industry partners to become actively involved.”

The partnership also announced that the Els for Autism Foundation will be the designated charity for this event with a portion of ticket sales going to the organization. Co-founded by Marvin R. Shanken, Ernie Els and Liezl Els in 2009, the foundation is headquartered in Jupiter, Florida, home to The Els Center of Excellence, a world-class, 26-acre campus and learning center.

For over 40 years, Wine Spectator has hosted the signature New York Wine Experience, where thousands of attendees taste an exciting variety of wines from the world’s best vintners, including top scoring bottles and rare older vintages. In addition, the magazine’s annual Grand Tour takes the tastings on the road to multiple cities across America each year.

Tickets will go on sale end of August and can be purchased at PBFoodWineFest.com. Follow along on Instagram at @pbfoodwinefest for ticket release date.

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About Palm Beach Food & Wine Festival

After 15 successful years, the Palm Beach Food & Wine Festival (PBFWF) returns to the balmy island of Palm Beach and beyond for its 16th year on December 7-10, 2023. Held at a time when South Florida experiences its best weather of the year, PBFWF celebrates incredible foods and top-rated wines and spirits by some of the world’s most renowned chefs, winemakers and distillers enjoyed in a variety of idyllic settings—an allure that keeps even the most discerning gourmands coming back each year to experience this palatable festival.

About Wine Spectator

Wine Spectator is the world’s leading authority on wine. Anchored by Wine Spectator magazine, a print publication that reaches around 3 million readers worldwide, the brand also encompasses the Web’s most comprehensive wine site (WineSpectator.com), mobile platforms and a series of signature events. Wine Spectator examines the world of wine from the vineyard to the table, exploring wine’s role in contemporary culture and delivering expert reviews. Parent company M. Shanken Communications, Inc., also publishes Cigar Aficionado, Whisky Advocate, Market Watch, Shanken News Daily and Shanken’s Impact Newsletter.

Cheers to the High Country: Vail Wine Classic Returns on August 10-12

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GOLDEN, Colo.- The Vail Wine Classic, the high country’s premier food and wine festival that brings wine and adventure enthusiasts together at the foot of Vail Mountain, returns August 10-12. Presented by Team Player Productions, this three-day wine event of the year includes mountainside tastings of hundreds of high-end wine, spirits, and tasty bites amid Vail’s fresh air and rugged beauty. Tickets for the Grand Tastings are on sale now via Eventbrite; Best of Fest tickets will go on sale in May. A portion of proceeds of all ticket sales will go to Vail Valley Mountain Trails Alliance (VVMTA) and its mission to build trails and conserve the natural environment of Eagle County and public lands.

“With multiple wine tastings in the heart of the Rockies and add-on experiences such as scenic hikes, paired lunches and wine dinners, the Vail Wine Classic is the ultimate food and wine destination,” says Vail Wine Classic Event Director Kristen Slater. “Set against scenic mountain views in Vail Valley, this multi-day event is an elevated wine experience without pretension.”

Best of Fest (Friday, August 11)

Time and location to be announced. Tickets will go on sale in May

Only 90+ point ratings, reserve bottles, and higher priced wines make the cut for this idyllic sunset tasting that features meticulously curated wines from the most exclusive portfolios. This all-inclusive tasting ($215 plus fees) features culinary-inspired small plates with suggested wine pairings, and incredible views of Vail Valley.

The Grand Tasting (Friday and Saturday, August 11 and 12)

Vail Athletic Field (646 Vail Valley Drive, Vail, CO 81657)

The Grand Tasting is the crown jewel of the Vail Wine Classic, featuring a diverse and distinctive showcase of wines from 100+ wineries around the world. Immerse yourself in the extravagant mountainside tasting while exploring everything from fruit-forward sauvignon blancs and pinots, to rich cabernets and zinfandels. In addition to an impressive selection of domestic and international wines, the Grand Tasting has hand crafted cocktails and local beer. Your all-inclusive ticket includes a full-sized wine glass for you to take home, small bites and live music at the event.

The Grand Tasting sessions and ticket types include:

  • Premier Access ($179 plus fees) from 2-5:30 p.m. Enjoy the first sips of wine and an extra hour at the Classic. Premier Access tickets allow you to be the first to enter the event and imbibe with a limited number of other wine lovers. 
  • Early Access ($149 plus fees) from 2:30-5:30 p.m. Select the perfect table by the band with this limited capacity ticket. Early Access tickets allow you to get a head start on the tasting and enter the Classic before the crowd. 
  • General Admission ($119 plus fees) from 3-5:30 p.m. This all-inclusive ticket allows you to imbibe in two and half hours of mountainside wine sampling during the Grand Tasting event. 

“This year we’re working with incredible restaurant partners such as Root & Flower, Slope Room at Gravity Haus, and Ludwigs at Sonnenalp, to up the ante for our add-on experiences at the Classic,” says Slater. “Make sure to mark your calendars for the Vail Wine Classic and stay tuned for more information!”

Paired wine lunches and dinners, hikes, and other add-on experiences will be announced in May. Sign up for the Vail Wine Classic newsletter to be kept in the loop!

For more information about the Vail Wine Classic, visit VailWineClassic.com

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About Vail Wine Classic

Vail Wine Classic brings wine and adventure enthusiasts together for an unparalleled weekend of outdoor wine tasting and live music. The event showcases wine from around the world during the Grand Tastings, educational seminars, wine dinners led by master sommeliers, and unique lifestyle wine events, such as scenic hikes followed by a paired lunch at Vail’s finest restaurants, and much more! Vail Wine Classic is produced by Team Player Productions, the architects of Breckenridge Wine Classic, Vail Craft Beer Classic and Denver Burger Battle, among others. For more information, including a full schedule of events, visit www.vailwineclassic.com, or follow @vailwineclassic on Instagram and Facebook.

About Town of Vail

Vail, Colorado, is a small town at the base of Vail Mountain, home of the massive Vail Ski Resort. Set within White River National Forest, the town is a gateway for winter sports such as skiing and snowboarding. It’s also a summertime destination for golfing, hiking and cultural festivals. Gore Creek, popular for fly fishing, runs directly through the town center. To learn more about the Town of Vail, visit their website or follow them on Instagram and Facebook.