6/24-Michael Horn & Nicole Nielsen talk to Robin Kelley O’Connor and Cate Conniff

Robin Kelley O’Connor - Wine Educator & International Wine Judge                                                                                     

A leading wine educator, international wine judge, wine writer, and sommelier, Robin Kelley O’Connor recently joined Italian Wine Merchants (IWM), where he’ll be adding his thirty years of experience, authority and passion to seminars, dinner events, sales, offerings and wine education. In addition. Mr. O’Connor was previously Lead Specialist & Head of Wine, Americas for Christie’s Auction House. He is a Christie’s trained charity auctioneer. Prior to Christie’s, he was Director of Sales and Education for Manhattan wine and spirits retailer Sherry-Lehmann, winner of Wine Enthusiast Magazine’s 2010 Wine Retailer of the Year Award. Preceding Sherry-Lehmann, he was Trade Liaison and director of trade and consumer education in the Americas for the Bordeaux Wine Bureau (Conseil Interprofessionnel du Vin de Bordeaux) for 20 years. Robin holds Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW) and Certified Wine Educator (CWE) certifications from the Society of Wine Educators and passed the Court of Master Sommeliers’ Certified Sommelier exam. O'Connor served as president of the Society of Wine Educators from 2003-2007, is on the board of directors of the New York Chapter of the American Institute of Wine & Food, and has been a regular panelist at the Food and Wine Magazine Classic in Aspen for 20 years. As a popular wine educator and spokesperson, he has conducted over 2,500 seminars; written for the Trenton Times, Santé Magazine, Wine & Spirit; and served as senior editor for Kevin Zraly’s Complete Wine Course 25th Anniversary Edition. For over a year during 2008-2009 he traveled around the world with Kevin visiting over 20 Countries, 80 wine regions, and 500 appellations and tasted more than 7,000 wines. Among his many professional honors, Mr. O’Connor bears the distinction of induction into the wine world’s most prestigious institutions, including the Commanderie du Bontemps de Médoc- des Graves et de Sauternes-Barsac, the Jurade de Saint-Emilion and Les Hospitaliers de Pomerol.

 Patsy McGaughy- Communications Manager, Napa Valley Vintners

Napa Valley Vintners Launches "An Unexpected Summer Story in Every Bottle"

Promotion includes chance to win a Napa Valley/34th America's Cup getaway

St. Helena, CA--With the official start of summer this Friday, the Napa Valley Vintners (NVV) today announced the start of its "An Unexpected Summer Story in Every Bottle" promotion, showcasing stories that illustrate unexpected facts about Napa Valley and its wines, a photo contest with the chance to win a Napa Valley/34th America's Cup getaway and sustainable seafood recipes highlighting summer wine-friendly cuisine from coast to coast. 

Among Napa Valley's unexpected stories:

Although known primarily for Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay production, a wide range of aromatic white and rosé wines are also crafted in Napa Valley that vary greatly in style, price and flavor profile to match summer fare 95% of Napa Valley wineries are family owned Napa Valley has the most stringent land use and sustainability measures of any wine region Napa Valley is the official wine region of the 34th America's Cup coming to San Francisco this summer

As the NVV depicts these unexpected summer stories from the Napa Valley wine region, the trade association is also asking people from across the country to tell their stories, via a photo and caption contest. The photo that best conveys the spirit of Napa Valley and its quality wines will receive a Napa Valley   34th America's Cup getaway package. Four runner-up photographers will receive Instax Mini 8 cameras. The contest runs from now through July 15. 

"We're eager to share this unexpected side of Napa Valley and its fun, affordable and food-friendly summer wines," commented Linda Reiff, executive director of the NVV. "We believe wine consumers will be excited to explore the crisp whites and refreshing rosés that pair perfectly with trips to the beach, summer barbecues, relaxing by the pool or family picnics--and then tell us about their Napa Valley summer wine experiences."

To celebrate the connection between Napa Valley's leadership on issues of sustainability and healthy waterways, the NVV has also developed sustainable seafood recipes featuring cuisine from coast to coast. Each recipe has a "Best Choice" main ingredient selection from the Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch list from four water-touched regions: the Northeast, Southeast, West Coast and Great Lakes. These recipes were developed by noted cookbook author and Napa Valley restaurateur Cindy Pawlcyn.

To learn more about unexpected Napa Valley and its summer wines, enter the #unexpectednapa photo contest and gather sustainable seafood recipes from Cape Cod to California and from Lake Michigan to the Louisiana bayou, go to www.napavintners.com. 

About the Napa Valley Vintners

The Napa Valley Vintners (NVV) is the non-profit trade association responsible for promoting and protecting the Napa Valley appellation as the premier winegrowing region. From seven founding members in 1944, today the association represents more than 450 Napa Valley wineries and collectively is a leader in the world-wide wine industry. To learn more about our region and its legendary American wines, visit www.napavintners.com 

6/17-Michael Horn & Nicole Nielsen talk to Morgen McLaughlin & Heather Muran

Morgen McLaughlin - Executive Director, Santa Barbara County Vintners

Morgen McLaughlin is the Executive Director of the Santa Barbara County Vintners’ Association a non-profit membership organization representing over one hundred wineries in Santa Barbara County, California.  Previously she was the president and CEO of Finger Lakes Wine Country Tourism Marketing Association, a regional tourism marketing association in the Finger Lakes region of New York State and owned and managed a small vineyard and winery in Connecticut.  Morgen has undergraduate degrees in English and Secondary Education from Boston College and is completing her Wine Business Management Certificate from Sonoma State University.  In her free time Morgen enjoys hiking, cooking, traveling, wine and spending time with her husband and three sons.

Heather Muran - San Luis Obispo Wine Region

For 23 consecutive years, our annual Roll Out The Barrels summer celebration has set the pace for good times, good vibes and good wines in San Luis Obispo County.

The festivities begin with a Thursday evening “Barrels in The Plaza” grand tasting adjacent to the historic Mission in downtown San Luis Obispo. Here, the wines of SLO Wine Country are served with artfully paired treats prepared by local chefs. Then, on Friday evening, our wineries team up with area restaurants to offer a selection of winemaker’s dinners to fit every taste.

Over the weekend, you will enjoy a two-day passport to more than 20 wineries offering wine and food pairings, live entertainment, exclusive specials, barrel and library wine tastings and more. Complete your 2-day adventure with our SLO Wine Country Shuttle Touring Ticket--our flexible touring schedule allows you to experience wine country at your leisure!   It’s never too early to mark your calendars for this signature SLO Wine Country event.

6/10-Michael Horn and Nicole Nielsen visit with David Hunt & Robin Kelley O’Connor

David Hunt - Hunt Cellars

It started over 20 years ago as a fantasy: living on a lush beautiful vineyard, producing your own style of favorite premium varietal wines that are well received and appreciated by those who have discovered the wines and shared them amongst friends.

Now, drive along the scenic Highway 46 West, about three miles west of the 101 Fwy at Oakdale Road, you will find this dream has become reality for David Hunt, Winemaker and owner of Hunt Cellars, a winery committed to producing “Memorable Wines”. We believe that great wines leave indelible impressions when poured with wonderful meals and great friends and scintillating conversations. Hunt Cellars was founded on the philosophy of producing wines that you will look forward to simply sipping by a cozy fireplace or pairing with your favorite meals to enhance that special event or moment in time.

When The Hunt Family decided to pursue their dream they were uncertain where they would choose to build their vineyard. The Hunts spent exhaustive days and weekends traveling to various premium wine regions from Oregon, Washington, and throughout the State of California. They finally narrowed their decision down to the Central coast to San Luis Obispo County. Paso Robles was selected because of its rich diversity in soils, superb growing climate and unique styles of wine making along with the spirit of graciousness and traditional American values.

Eventually after looking at numerous parcels of vineyard potential property, they settled on uniquely beautiful property containing over 550 acres on Highway 41 in Creston. This unique property met their criteria in topography, soil composition and unparralled beauty. Within the 550 acres there are four terrior’s with varying elevations containing soil composites that mirror the great wine regions of the world. They were convinced that they could grow wonderful exciting intense fruit here on this property.

Robin Kelley O’Connor - Wine Educator & International Wine Judge                                                                                     A leading wine educator, international wine judge, wine writer, and sommelier, Robin Kelley O’Connor recently joined Italian Wine Merchants (IWM), where he’ll be adding his thirty years of experience, authority and passion to seminars, dinner events, sales, offerings and wine education. In addition. Mr. O’Connor was previously Lead Specialist & Head of Wine, Americas for Christie’s Auction House. He is a Christie’s trained charity auctioneer. Prior to Christie’s, he was Director of Sales and Education for Manhattan wine and spirits retailer Sherry-Lehmann, winner of Wine Enthusiast Magazine’s 2010 Wine Retailer of the Year Award. Preceding Sherry-Lehmann, he was Trade Liaison and director of trade and consumer education in the Americas for the Bordeaux Wine Bureau (Conseil Interprofessionnel du Vin de Bordeaux) for 20 years. Robin holds Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW) and Certified Wine Educator (CWE) certifications from the Society of Wine Educators and passed the Court of Master Sommeliers’ Certified Sommelier exam. O'Connor served as president of the Society of Wine Educators from 2003-2007, is on the board of directors of the New York Chapter of the American Institute of Wine & Food, and has been a regular panelist at the Food and Wine Magazine Classic in Aspen for 20 years. As a popular wine educator and spokesperson, he has conducted over 2,500 seminars; written for the Trenton Times, Santé Magazine, Wine & Spirit; and served as senior editor for Kevin Zraly’s Complete Wine Course 25th Anniversary Edition. For over a year during 2008-2009 he traveled around the world with Kevin visiting over 20 Countries, 80 wine regions, and 500 appellations and tasted more than 7,000 wines. Among his many professional honors, Mr. O’Connor bears the distinction of induction into the wine world’s most prestigious institutions, including the Commanderie du Bontemps de Médoc- des Graves et de Sauternes-Barsac, the Jurade de Saint-Emilion and Les Hospitaliers de Pomerol.

6/3-Michael Horn and Nicole Nielsen talk to Patsy McGaughy, Beth Costa & Dr Joel Fisher

Patsy McGaughy - Community Director, Napa Valley Vintners

The Napa Valley Vintners’ (NVV) 33rd annual Auction Napa Valley was one for the record books, achieving $16.9 million in overall fundraising for healthcare and youth education nonprofits in Napa County. The American Wine Classic’s record-breaking results exceeded 

the previous record of $10.5 million raised in 2005 by more than 60 percent, reaffirming Auction Napa Valley’s position as the world’s most celebrated charity wine event. 

“Even after 33 years, Auction Napa Valley still has some surprises up its sleeve, commented   Shari Staglin, owner and CEO of Staglin Family Vineyard. “We are grateful to the bidders, the vintners and the 500 community volunteers who, year after year, work together to showcase what makes Napa Valley such a special place – good food, great wine and a community spirit unlike any other. So many lives will be changed by the ‘irrational generosity’ of the wonderful bidders from around the globe. Our family thanks them from the bottom of our hearts.” Shari, husband Garen and children Shannon and 

Brandon served as honorary chairs of this year’s Auction Napa Valley. The four-day celebration of Napa Valley’s extraordinary wines, culinary delights, scenic beauty and 

spirit of generosity brought 1,000 bidders and vintner hosts to Meadowood Napa Valley on Saturday for the Live Auction Celebration and more than 2,000 revelers to Raymond Vineyards for the Napa Valley Barrel Auction on Friday. 

Beth Costa - Executive Director, The Wine Road

Winding through some of the most picturesque wine country in California, Wine Road, Northern Sonoma County, takes visitors on a sensually gratifying journey of natural beauty, sublime tasting experiences and memorable personal encounters with the state’s most devoted and individualistic winemakers. Even for veteran wine travelers already well acquainted with California wine country, Wine Road is likely to be uncharted territory, sure to imbue a fresh sense of discovery. Along the way are some of California’s oldest wineries, run by vintners whose commitment to tending the vines and producing world-class wines, true to the appellation, runs back generations.

Founded more than 30 years ago, Wine Road is an association of wineries and lodgings in the Alexander, Dry Creek, and Russian River Valleys of Northern Sonoma County. From its modest beginning as an organization of nine wineries, it has grown into a spirited constellation of more than 150 wineries and 50 lodgings. It’s not actually a “road” in the sense of a single, continuous stretch of paved highway, but more of a treasure map to the many jewels nestled among the hills and valleys of a region where fresh air, fine wine and exquisite cuisine await those who traverse it.

This lively and committed organization has created a myriad of programs, events and services certain to enhance any visitor’s experience of the region, among them three major events: Winter Wineland, Barrel Tasting and A Wine & Food Affair (schedules and more information can be found at www.wineroad.com). A complimentary Wine Road map is the key to exploring the glories of the area and is also available online at www.wineroad.com. The area is nothing if not rich in history. The Russian River takes its name from the Russian fur trappers who established a trading colony in the early nineteenth century, and following on their heels were French and Italian immigrants who brought their own centuries-old traditions of winemaking to the area. Wine has been made in Sonoma County for over 130 years. Even during the Prohibition years (1920-1933) many wineries continued to make wine for medicinal and sacramental purposes.

The Russian River itself meanders among three AVAs of vineyards that, combined, represent a pastiche of micro-climates and soils that yield a startling diversity of ultra-premium varietals. To be sure, each appellation has its stars: Russian River Valley’s are Pinot Noir and Chardonnay; Dry Creek Valley is known for its Zinfandel and Sauvignon Blanc; and Alexander Valley is known for its Cabernet and Merlot. But literally dozens of other international varietals are grown in all of these regions, including Barbera, Carignane, Dolcetto, Sangiovese, Grenache, Reisling and Gewürztraminer, just to name a few.

Dr Joel Fisher - LA Winefest

2013 LA WineFest – June 8 & 9

Be treated like the VIP you are! Buy a VIP upgrade on Saturday for only $35 and:
* Skip the lines! Enjoy 1-hour early admission.
* Relax in the lovely VIP garden, which will have exclusive tastings & a place to rest.
* Receive a seriously fantastic gift bag stuffed with goodies and amazing discounts.
Also, don’t forget to check out all the cool seminars offered. Stretch your mind & rest your feet for a half hour! See Fest Facts for more info, and Tickets to buy.

Get your LAWineFest TICKETS now before they sell out!

---

The 2013 LA WineFest is around the corner. Limited exhibitor and winery space still available. Contact us to get involved!

Over 500 wines, spirits & brews  •  Lifestyle exhibitors Educational classes in wine, scotch, pairings and more Gourmet food trucks • Live music