I’ll be adding things here as I think of them, or as they come up, so be sure to bookmark me and check back regularly. How is it June! Well, as shocked as I am, June is the month for wine. And birthdays. And vacations. So many things, so little time!
Open House
S
an Francisco Wine Enthusiasts Meet the WinemakersI really enjoy these meet the winemakers sessions, because it gives us a chance to get to know some very small producers that you might not otherwise get to know.
This month, it might be our final episode because we have had a hard time attracting crowds. Please take a moment, find a friend, and come on down to see and try:
Sterling Albert Winery
Concord’s only winery and winemaker, will be pouring wines sourced from grapes grown on Mt. Diablo where many of the state’s more respected vineyards grew before Prohibition. You’ll also enjoy his Lake County Cab Franc from 35 year old vines that will produce no more, having recently been pulled out to make way for progress.
Pietra Santa Winery
Pietra Santa, located next door to Josh Jensen’s Calera winery, will be sampling estate wines from Cienega Valley including their Super Tuscan Blend Sassolino as well as their SangioveseDolcetto. and
Vin Nostro
The winemaker of Vin Nostro, Dario Zucconi, whose family owns Tomasso’s pizzaria, will join us to pour his double gold medal winners, the 2004 Alexander Valley Cab and ’05 Syrah from the Red Hills AVA (Lake County) and his ’05 Dry Creek Valley Zin.
Harvest Moon Winery
Among its wines, Harvest Moon Estate & Winery will be showcasing several Zins from the Russian River appellation.http://wine.meetup.com/321/calendar/8055401/
Ottimista Enoteca Pinot Pairings
$25 reservations required.
Six pinot producers will pour their finest to those interested in tasting and celebrating pinot noir, as paired with pinot-centric foods. Ottimista Enotecca-Cafe is known for its pairings; this is a tasting you do not want to miss.
- Churchill Cellars
- Handley Cellars
- Olson Ogden Wines
- Philo Ridge Vineyards
- Hirsch Vineyard and Winery
- Kanzler Vineyards
Table Hop Dinners
- Isa
- Jack Fallstaff
Saturday June 28
Focus Tasting Series
This year we are offering three Focus Tastings, each with a regional focus. Each of these tastings will feature 16 of the best producers efforts within the theme. We will drink the wines blind and reveal them after each flight. While you are tasting the wines, the winemakers wi
ll field questions, discuss their own wines and the uniqueness of the region they are representing, and share their colorful stories about making some of the most exciting pinots available. All of this will happen while you are sitting and tasting some of the finest pinots on the market.
- Santa Lucia Highlands, Santa Rita Hills and Central Coast – 6/28/2008 1-3pm Cost: $ 80 SOLD OUT
- Best of Sonoma Coast and Anderson Valley 6/28/2008 4-6pm Cost: $ 80
- Best of Russian River Valley and Santa Maria Valley 6/28/2008 7-9pm Cost: $ 80
Sunday June 29
Seminar Series
Our Sunday Seminar Series offer specific opportunities to appreciate wines of particular styles, or from particular regions or vineyards. Each Series consists of three unique, topical tastings: Appellation, Vineyard and Misto. The “Appellation Tasting” is a tasting of pinots from a specific appellation or region. The “Vineyard Tasting” is a tasting of pinots from a specific vineyard. The “Misto Tasting” is mix of pinot-related topics, ranging from an alcohol level study to a clonal study to a study of the effects of the various barrel types – you choose. A ticket to the Sunday Seminar Series includes the Grand Festival. Sunday Seminar Series ticket holders may enter the Grand Festival at 11AM with members of the Trade, and taste for one hour before heading to your particular seminar series. Seminars are two hours in length, so you may re-enter the Grand Festival at 2PM to enjoy three more hours of tasting pinot and meeting winemakers.
Grand Tasting
