04/25 NICOLE NIELSEN & ROBIN KELLEY O’CONNOR, THE CIA SOMMELIER SUMMIT IN NAPA VALLEY, TOM SILBERKLEIT FROM THE WINE HOUSE PRESS, THE 27TH ANNUAL CULINARY EVENING WITH THE CALIFORNIA WINEMASTERS

NICOLE NIELSEN & ROBIN KELLEY O’CONNOR – LIVE FROM THE CIA SOMMELIER SUMMIT IN NAPA VALLEY

CIA SOMMELIER SUMMIT
April 24–26, 2016!

The second annual CIA Sommelier Summit! Building upon the momentum of last year’s inaugural summit, this three-day conference once again brings together the most dynamic group of wine professionals in one place. Don’t miss this great chance to network with peers and industry leaders all while deeply expanding your knowledge of the fast-paced and ever-changing beverage industry.

About the CIA Sommelier Summit - The Culinary Institute of America (CIA) at Greystone presents its inaugural CIA Sommelier Summit this spring in Napa Valley. The CIA Sommelier Summit is the most dynamic group of wine professionals gather in one place in the country. It is the best resource for sommeliers looking to advance their careers and gain important connections. Throughout the Summit, attendees will hear from the best minds and palates in the country telling them what they need to know to move ahead in this fast paced industry.

About CIA Wine and Beverage Education - For more than a decade, the Rudd Center for Professional Wine Studies at The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone has been a training ground for the wine industry—from beginners to those still developing their careers to established experts in the beverage business. The Rudd Center’s programs further the mission of the CIA, which is to promote and develop excellence in wine, food, and hospitality.


The Best Wine and Beverage Minds and Palates - Throughout the summit, you will hear from an incredible collection of renowned sommeliers, restaurateurs, vintners, Master Sommeliers, Masters of Wine, entrepreneurs and more.

TOM SILBERKLEIT FROM THE WINE HOUSE PRESS - THE 27TH ANNUAL CULINARY EVENING WITH THE CALIFORNIA WINEMASTERS

TOM SILBERKLEIT is the award-winning editor and publisher for Wine House Press in Sonoma, California. His books have been featured in USA Today, People, and on Good Morning America.

Tom Silberkleit of Wine House Press in Sonoma is the Publisher of The California Director of Fine Wineries which recently released the 4th edition focusing on destination wineries in Napa, Sonoma, and Mendocino and the brand new Central Coast edition devoted to Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Paso Robles. With each edition update, Silberkleit aims to present wineries that standout due to their architecture, gardens, museum-quality art exhibits, gourmet experiences, wine tours and tastings, combined with exemplary wines. Find thoughtful ideas for holiday destinations and contact information for each wineries cited.

ABOUT THE 27TH ANNUAL CULINARY EVENING WITH THE CALIFORNIA WINEMASTERS

Saturday, May 14th, 2016 6PM
at Warner Bros., “Midwest Street”

A wine tasting extraordinaire and spectacular hors d’oeuvres dinner benefiting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. One of WINE SPECTATOR’S “TOP TEN U.S. CHARITY WINE AUCTIONS” will be held on the “Midwest Street” backlot at Warner Bros.

The California Winemasters is a perennial Wine Spectator Top 10 Charity Wine Auction set for May 14, 2016 at Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank.  This extraordinary event showcases 50 international chefs and 75 of California’s Finest Wineries.  “Winemasters” has raised nearly $29 million in support of the mission of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The CF Foundation is a nonprofit donor-supported organization dedicated to attacking cystic fibrosis from every angle.  It’s focus is to support the development of new drugs to fight the disease, improve the quality of life for those with CF and ultimately, to find a cure. The Foundation’s drug development success has been recognized by Harvard Business School and by publications such as Forbes, Discover Magazine and The Wall Street Journal. Make your reservations NOW for this wine tasting extraordinaire and spectacular hors d’oeuves dinner!

WWW.CALIFORNIAWINEMASTERS.ORG  
CALIFORNIAFINEWINERIES.COM

4/18 NEIL COLLINS, LONE MADRONE & BRISTOLS CIDER, CENTRAL COAST CIDER FESTIVAL ATASCADERO, DAVID HUNT, HUNT CELLARS

NEIL COLLINS – OWNER & WINEMAKER, LONE MADRONE & BRISTOLS CIDER – CENTRAL COAST CIDER FESTIVAL ATASCADERO 

ABOUT LONE MADRONE:
A lone Madrone stands atop a hill between the mountain and the sea in west Paso Robles, presiding over the rugged vineyard that started it all for brother and sister duo, Neil Collins and Jackie Meisinger.

The Lone Madrone wine label was founded in 1996 with the premier goal of producing distinctive wines exclusively from vineyards in the rugged limestone hills of west side Paso Robles. Growing slowly yet steadily since, the focus has become largely on vineyards that are dry farmed and head trained, which winemaker Neil Collins believes to be “the purest expression of the unparalleled terroir of west Paso Robles.” Neil also feels that when you begin with grapes from vineyards of this quality, in these outrageous soils, it only makes sense to “let them sing for themselves without being masked by our hands.” To this end, all the wines are fermented with native yeasts and native malolactic bacteria then aged in predominantly neutral oak barrels.

Lone Madrone wines are unique not only because of where the grapes were grown, but due to the influence of Neil’s winemaking style. The winery produces some rare single varietal wines, however the majority of Lone Madrone wines are extraordinary blends where you distinguish Neil’s unique winemaking slant formed over years of tasting and blending west side Paso Robles wines. The wines of Lone Madrone are distinctive and characteristically balanced with structure and finesse.

Lone Madrone wines are available to purchase at the tasting room, on line, at Brisotls Cider House in Atascadero and at many restaurants and stores on the central coast.

WWW.LONEMADRONE.COM

ABOUT THE WINEMAKER:
Neil strongly believes that in order to produce wines of the highest caliber you must first start with grapes of exceptional quality. Neil’s technique of marrying old world growing methods and winemaking preferences with new exciting blends of Rhône, Bordeaux and Italian varieties is a result of carefully honing his craft over many harvests. Neil has been working in the wine industry for 21 years, spending time at Wild Horse Winery and then Adelaida where he became winemaker alongside the notorious Mr. Munch. In 1997 he moved his family to the vineyards of Chateauneuf-du-pape in southern France where he spent a year learning the cellars and vineyards of the famed Chateau de Beaucastel, one of the oldest and most highly regarded estates in France. Neil returned to Paso Robles to take up the new role of winemaker and vineyard manager at Tablas Creek Vineyards, the California property of Château de Beaucastel. Since that time, great success has been achieved by Tablas Creek, success in which Neil’s hand has been significant. Neil’s experience in French winemaking complemented his earlier training as a French chef in hometown of Bristol, England.

ABOUT BRISTOLS CIDER:
Bristols cider is a part of the Lone Madrone winery, owned and operated by brother and sister Neil and Jackie and Neil's wife Marci. Jackie and Neil grew up in the West Country of England which is very much cider country. We are not talking murky apple juice here but the fermented version.

When Neil moved to California he was disappointed to find none of the traditional beverage of his home, of which he had been known to partake on occasion. So in 1994 Neil began making small batches of cider from local apples under the Bristols name. Since that time it has evolved into a small line up of ciders. These ciders are all from select varieties of local apples, primarily from See Canyon and Paso Robles, although we have played with fruit from Oregon. All ciders are 100% apple juice and fermented on the native yeasts of the fruit. We ferment different ciders in different casks, some in retired Bourbon casks some in retired white wine barrels but most in stainless steel.

Bristols can be found on draft at a number of the central coast's finest watering holes and select restaurants. The more obscure and quirky bottlings are to be found when available at BRISTOLS CIDER HOUSE only. If you have the passion it will be worth the trip!!

WWW.BRISTOLSCIDER.COM

CENTRAL COAST CIDER FESTIVAL ATASCADERO (MAY 7TH 5-8:30PM):

The First Ever Cider Festival is happening on the Central Coast May 7 at the Atascadero Pavilion on the Lake. Tickets will sell out, do not miss your chance to taste over 20 local craft cider producers, boogie to great jams and savor a traditional English pig roast dinner - all  included in your ticket.
Tickets Now on Sale
INCLUDES TASTINGS + DINNER + BAND
Full Price $60 (until sold out)
SATURDAY, MAY 7

WWW.CENTRALCOASTCIDERFESTIVAL.COM


DAVID HUNT – OWNER & WINEMAKER, HUNT CELLARS

Our Story
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.

How It Began
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.

Destiny Hunt
The Hunt Family decided to name their vineyard, “Destiny Vineyards,” in honor of their new baby girl they named Destiny who was born in 1996. Just ask Destiny who has the best wines today and she will certainly tell you.

Destiny Vineyard’s first planting consisted of: Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Syrah, Petite Syrah, Cab Franc, Viognier and Zinfandel. The Hunts decided to build a tasting room for their premium wines, which opened in October of 1999.

In 1997 they began producing their first releases of memorable wines… Experience has taught Hunts that in order to make great wines you must simply have the best fruit. At Hunt Cellars, we believe passion, hard work and never giving up until we have put together all the components and structure that will give our wine the varietal character, flavor and velvet finish that will become a trademark of our wines.

View of Destiny Vineyards
As you enter The Hunt Cellars Tasting room, the fun wine experience begins, as you are greeted with either live music or our white grand player piano, which can play any song. Stroll up to our Cabernet Bar, where our warm and friendly staff are eager to lead you through a light hearted and fun sampling of our wines. You may also choose to sip your wines on our spacious 1200 foot veranda, smoke your favorite cigar under our pavilion or simply stroll through our lush inviting landscaped lawns. We want you and your guest to simply have a wonderful time at Hunt Cellars and bring your friends and family back on your next visit to the Paso Robles Wine Country.

How Hunt Cellars Wines Differ from Others
There are many different wineries in the Paso Robles area; few compare to the quality of Hunt Cellars. Hunt uses only the best and rarest mountain grown fruit to produce the best harvest of grapes. Their vineyard’s location has been specifically chosen for its composition and diversity – every step of the production process is designed so Hunt Cellars produces the highest caliber of wine for you to enjoy.

HUNTCELLARS.COM

04/11 GRAY HARTLEY, HITCHING POST, A CULINARY EVENING WITH THE CALIFORNIA WINEMASTERS, JEAN ARNOLD SESSIONS, SONOMA COUNTY VINTNERS, SONOMA COUNTY BARREL AUCTION

GRAY HARTLEY FROM HITCHING POST - A CULINARY EVENING WITH THE CALIFORNIA WINEMASTERS 

Hartley Ostini Hitching Post wines are available by the taste, glass or bottle at the Hitching Post II restaurant where they are sold to take home. They can be found at several retail outlets and, of course, from our website order form.  When the winery is sold out of these wines, some may still be available elsewhere, we are leaving the descriptions here to assist you with your choice. Winery prices are listed on this site's order form.

Hartley Ostini Hitching Post Wines are the creation of Gray Hartley and Frank Ostini, two friends that began making Santa Barbara, California wines in 1979. Long before Hollywood discovered the winemaking landmark and its great wines,  Gray Hartley, a former Alaskan salmon fisherman and Frank Ostini, the Chef and owner of the famed Hitching Post Restaurant in nearby Buellton, were brought together through their love of wine and winemaking. Over the years their backyard hobby has turned into a highly acclaimed winemaking enterprise.

“It started in 1979 as a lark,” said Gray Hartley. “Frank called me and said ‘why don’t we make some wine? I’d like to bring some wine into the restaurant’. We had an old whiskey barrel and away we went – and here we are, nearly thirty years later. Started out having fun and we still have as much fun now as we had then!”

In 1981 they discovered the wonder of Pinot Noir grapes; since then Pinot has been their primary focus. A great example of these wines is the Hartley Ostini Hitching Post HIGHLINER. “Highliner” is one of the best fishermen in the fleet, and this name honors the great men of the Alaskan Salmon Fishery alongside whom Gray Hartley worked for 28 years. A special wine, HIGHLINER is meant to be the “best of their fleet” of Pinot Noirs. Along with ten selections of Pinot Noir, Ostini and Hartley produce a Dry Rose called Pinks, a Syrah, a Merlot, and a Merlot-Cabernet Franc blend named Gen Red. Gen Red started as just a house wine for the Hitching Post. “As a chef, I like to make blends by combining flavors and textures to make a whole complete and satisfying taste.  I do it with food, and I like to do it with wine” says Frank  “The base of Gen Red is from two very good vineyards that when blended, always gives me what I’m looking for. The Alisos Vineyard in the hills of Los Alamos has 25 year old Cabernet Franc that lends dramatic aromatics; Westerly Vineyard in Happy Canyon (the warm eastern end of Santa Ynez Valley) yields well-farmed serious Merlot that makes intense red wine with ample tannins and a full mouth feel.  We always add a touch of Syrah to round out and sweeten the palate with ripe fruit flavors, resulting in a great bottle of wine.”

Then came Sideways, the Academy Award® winning film set in Santa Barbara wine country, prominently featuring The Hitching Post and Hitching Post Wines.“Sideways gave us the opportunity to make more wines,” says Frank. “We could always make wine; the difficult thing was selling it. It was always popular in California, but beyond that it was a harder sell. We didn’t have the marketing surge to do it. Sideways gave us the chance to sell our wine because it became known.” From the exposure in the film, Hitching Post wines have gained in popularity. Currently, the winery has 800 barrels and produces about 14,000 cases a year.

Hartley and Ostini strive to create handcrafted flavorful wines that possess poise and balance, successfully complementing the red oak grilled foods of Ostini’s restaurant, The Hitching Post II.  Hitching Post Wines are enjoyed by an audience that reaches around the globe who admire Santa Barbara wines for their fresh fruit, complexities of spice and earth, and refreshing acidity.

Gray Hartley and Frank Ostini are two gentlemen from the country – Santa Barbara Wine Country.  Their mission is to put a slice of Santa Barbara in every glass and a piece of their soul in each bottle of Hitching Post Wine.

ABOUT THE 27TH ANNUAL CULINARY EVENING WITH THE CALIFORNIA WINEMASTERS
Saturday, May 14th, 2016 6PM
at Warner Bros., “Midwest Street”

A wine tasting extraordinaire and spectacular hors d’oeuvres dinner benefiting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. One of WINE SPECTATOR’S “TOP TEN U.S. CHARITY WINE AUCTIONS” will be held on the “Midwest Street” backlot at Warner Bros.

The California Winemasters is a perennial Wine Spectator Top 10 Charity Wine Auction set for May 14, 2016 at Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank.  This extraordinary event showcases 50 international chefs and 75 of California’s Finest Wineries.  “Winemasters” has raised nearly $29 million in support of the mission of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The CF Foundation is a nonprofit donor-supported organization dedicated to attacking cystic fibrosis from every angle.  It’s focus is to support the development of new drugs to fight the disease, improve the quality of life for those with CF and ultimately, to find a cure. The Foundation’s drug development success has been recognized by Harvard Business School and by publications such as Forbes, Discover Magazine and The Wall Street Journal. Make your reservations NOW for this wine tasting extraordinaire and spectacular hors d’oeuves dinner!

HITCHINGPOST2.COM


JEAN ARNOLD SESSIONS - EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR , SONOMA COUNTY VINTNERS - SONOMA COUNTY BARREL AUCTION UNVEILS LIMITED PRODUCTION WINE AUCTION LOTS

SONOMA COUNTY BARREL AUCTION UNVEILS LIMITED PRODUCTION WINE AUCTION LOTS 

2016 Event Featuring 75 Lots Representing 16 Sonoma County Appellations

The Sonoma County Vintners invites members of the licensed wine trade to preview the never before, never again limited production wines that will be available for purchase at the 2nd annual Sonoma County Barrel Auction on April 29th. Seventy-five unique wine lots representing 16 Sonoma County appellations and cultivated in Sonoma County’s most highly acclaimed vineyards will be sold to the highest bidder at the one-day-only auction. Descriptions of a selection of wine lots can be viewed at www.sonomawine.com/barrelauction/wines. A full list of all lots will be available on the site in the next week. Qualified members of the licensed wine trade who would like to place absentee bids or register for the event should visit www.sonomawine.com/barrelauction/.  Space is limited.

These specially chosen wines were evaluated in blind tastings held in February and March by seven panelists comprised of Master Sommeliers and Masters of Wine. Sonoma County Barrel Auction lots range in size from five to 20 cases and include unique single vineyard bottlings, specific clonal selections, blends, wines aged using special barrel regimes and joint lot wines made by collaborating wineries.

Examples include: Bacigalupi Vineyards, Dutcher Crossing Winery, Flanagan Wines, Gary Farrell Winery &

MacRostie Winery & Vineyards
“Judgment of Paris 40th Anniversary Barrel” 2015 Chardonnay, Bacigalupi Vineyards, Russian River Valley (20 cases)—The 1976 Judgment of Paris sent shockwaves through the wine community, and forever cemented California’s place among the world’s most revered wine regions. The original Wente Clone on St. George Rootstock that contributed to California’s unexpected victory still thrives today at Bacigalupi Vineyards. Bacigalupi Vineyards, Dutcher Crossing, Flanagan Wines, Gary Farrell Vineyards & Winery MacRostie Winery & Vineyards and these legendary vines have combined forces to create this historic 40th Anniversary Barrel of Chardonnay. This extraordinary wine captures the spirit of that winning wine, with layers of voluptuous texture, floral notes and a mineral finish.

Laurel Glen Vineyard
“Block 4 Old Vines”, 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, Laurel Glen Vineyard, Sonoma Mountain (5 cases)—When Patrick Campbell bought Laurel Glen Vineyard in 1977, the vineyard was three acres of 10 year-old Cabernet Sauvignon. Patrick took cuttings from the existing Cabernet vines to develop an additional 12 acres of vineyard. UC Davis subsequently identified the clone as unique. The Laurel Glen clone of Cabernet Sauvignon remains the only clone Laurel Glen uses. Block 4 was developed in 1978 and has never been replanted. They typically harvest one ton per acre from vines that are now 37 years old and planted on St. George rootstock. Winemaker Randall Watkins chose a selection from Block 4 that best expresses the elegance and age-ability of the historic Laurel Glen Vineyard.

Martinelli Winery
“Bondi Ranch: One Barrel, One Block, One Clone, One Time,”  2015 Pinot Noir, Bondi Home Ranch, Green Valley (5 cases)—TheBondi legacy began in the Green Valley of Russian River Valley more than 130 years ago when Italian immigrant Paulo Bondi arrived with a dream of farming these cool hillsides. In 1997, the Bondi Home Ranch vineyard was planted by Paulo's grandson, Lee Martinelli Sr., securing the Martinelli family’s place in the history of Sonoma County viticulture. This Bondi Pinot Noir is from the Martinelli family’s favorite barrel, from their favorite block and from their favorite clone on this cherished family land. This block is the soul of Bondi Home Ranch Pinot Noir every year—it is typically blended with other blocks and other clones from this vineyard to create a final single-vineyard wine. Exclusively for the Barrel Auction, the Martinelli Family chose to do a single-barrel offering of just this block, just this one clone, just one time only.

Rodney Strong Vineyards
“Asymmetry,” 2015 Merlot Blend, Alexander Valley, Knights Valley & Northern Sonoma (10 cases)—Rodney Strong was one of the pioneers of Sonoma County’s modern wine industry, a visionary who understood the potential that Sonoma County’s soil and climate held for producing world-class wines. Now under the care of Proprietor Tom Klein and Winemaker Rick Sayre, Rodney Strong Vineyards carries this legacy forward by continuing to craft wines that achieve critical acclaim and a loyal consumer following. As a testament to its well-known Left Bank Bordeaux-style blend, Symmetry, the winemakers have created a Right Bank Bordeaux-style blend, called Asymmetry. This one-of-a-kind Merlot based blend from five different prized vineyards in Sonoma County delivers layers of complex red and black fruits, with a refined tannin structure that is extremely food friendly.

Seghesio Family Vineyards & A. Rafanelli Winery
“Pioneer Producers from Dry Creek Valley,” 2015Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley (5 cases)—This story begins in the early 1900s when Italian families began immigrating to Dry Creek Valley to grow grapes and make wine. Families worked together to build and farm the vineyards of Dry Creek Valley, using methods most suitable for growing Zinfandel. Two such families, the Seghesios and the Rafanellis, are still thriving after five and four generations of winemaking, respectively, producing some of the best quality wine in one of the most highly recognized AVAs for Zinfandel: Dry Creek Valley. To celebrate their shared history, Seghesio Family Vineyards and A. Rafanelli have partnered to create a unique Dry Creek Zinfandel that integrates wine from both properties to deliver a powerful and delicious representation of the appellation.

ABOUT JEAN:
Jean Arnold Sessions, former president of Hanzell Vineyards and a noted wine industry leader in Sonoma County, has been named the interim Executive Director of Sonoma County Vintners (SCV). She steps into the role following the resignation of Carolyn Stark, who stepped down as executive director for personal reasons earlier this year. Sessions takes her position effective February 22.

“I am truly honored to have the opportunity to lead Sonoma County Vintners as interim Executive Director,” said Jean Arnold Sessions. “I have dedicated my career to Sonoma County winemaking and had the privilege of working with many SCV members, as well as serving as a previous board member. Sonoma County is a world-class destination with world-class wines and I couldn’t be more proud to serve as an ambassador alongside the SCV team and our allies everywhere.”

“Jean brings the rare combination of industry expertise, deep regional roots and the respect and admiration of her peers across the county and around the nation,” said Caroline Shaw, President of SCV’s board of directors. “Her leadership, relationships and passion for Sonoma County will continue to deepen the impact of SCV and its advocacy and marketing efforts.”

Previous to her interim role with SCV, Sessions was president of Hanzell Vineyards from 2002 through 2013.   She is founder of the Jean Arnold Group, a strategic consulting firm, and creator of Women in the Business of Wine, a platform for mentoring women in wine, food, and hospitality. Sessions also serves on the board of director of the Sonoma Valley Hospital Foundation and has been named a woman of the year in wine by North Bay Business Journal.   She also served on the board of directors for the SCV from 2003 to 2009.

ABOUT SONOMA COUNTY VINTNERS
Sonoma County Vintners (SCV) is the leading voice of Sonoma County wine, dedicated to raising awareness and building understanding of Sonoma County as one of the world’s premier wine regions, noted for its heritage of artisan winemaking, distinct growing regions, and extraordinary quality. Founded in 1944, SCV represents more than 250 wineries and affiliates of all sizes throughout the county. Learn more about SCV at www.SonomaWine.com.  

WWW.SONOMAWINE.COM

04/04 LEON GRICE, NEW ZEALAND CONSUL-GENERAL, LEE HODO, BACIGALUPI VINEYARDS

LEON GRICE - NEW ZEALAND CONSUL-GENERAL, LOS ANGELES - TALKING NEW ZEALAND WINES

ABOUT NZ WINE: 
New Zealand is a land like no other. New Zealand Wine is an experience like no other. Our special combination of soil, climate and water, our innovative pioneering spirit and our commitment to quality all come together to deliver pure, intense and diverse experiences. In every glass of New Zealand Wine is a world of pure discovery. Welcome to our world.

Regions
New Zealand extends 1,600km (1000 miles) from sub-tropical Northland (36° S) to the world’s most southerly grape growing region Central Otago (46° S). Vineyards benefit from the moderating effect of the maritime climate (no vineyard is more than 120km, or 80 miles, from the ocean) with long sunshine hours and nights cooled by sea breezes.

New Zealand wine is distinctive for its purity, vibrancy and intensity. The long ripening period - a result of cool temperatures - allows flavour development whilst retaining fresh acidity, a balance for which New Zealand wines are renowned. There are a number of distinct major winegrowing regions spread throughout New Zealand, with the majority on the East coast of the Islands in the rain shadow of the mountains. Within these diverse regions, sub-regional characteristics are beginning to show through and wines are now being distinguished as being not just from a wine region, but from a sub-region and a place. We hope you enjoy discovering our regions and producers.

Wine Styles
New Zealand produces less than 1% of the world’s wine, yet offers an impressive array of varieties and styles. Central to our success is New Zealand’s temperate, maritime climate, the unswerving passion of our wine producers and the highly distinctive nature of our wine styles.

It was Sauvignon Blanc that put New Zealand on the wine map, however the diversity and sophistication of our portfolio of wine styles has ensured the love affair with New Zealand wine lives on around the world.

New Zealand's expansive coastline enables us to succeed with a range of diverse varieties and styles; from the warmer climate wines, such as Bordeaux-style blends and Syrah, grown in Hawke's Bay and further north, through to much cooler climate wines, such as Pinot Noir and Riesling grown in the southerly regions.

Whatever your preferences for wine styles, chances are we have a New Zealand Wine to suit your palate.

WWW.MFAT.GOVT.NZ 
WWW.NZEMBASSY.COM  


LEE HODO - BACIGALUPI VINEYARDS - 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE JUDGMENT OF PARIS—IN SONOMA COUNTY! 

BACIGALUPI – RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY

40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE JUDGMENT OF PARIS—IN SONOMA COUNTY! 

Bacigalupi Vineyards highlights Sonoma County’s role in giving California wines their cachet

This spring and summer, Bacigalupi Vineyards, located in the Russian River Valley in Sonoma County, California, focuses on the region’s role in the Judgment of Paris in 1976, a historic blind comparative wine tasting.

A seminal event in bringing California wines to international consciousness, the Paris tasting pitted California wines against French offerings. Napa Valley wineries took the top prizes in both white wine (a 1973 Chateau Montelena chardonnay) and red wine (a 1973 Stags Leap Wine Cellars cabernet).

In 1976 wine lovers rarely discussed grape growing when considering wine; winery names were what mattered. This was no doubt why few knew that 20 tons (nearly half) of the chardonnay fruit for the Chateau Montelena chardonnay came from Sonoma County vineyards. Bacigalupi Vineyards provided 14 tons.  

Forty years later, Bacigalupi Vineyards and its Wente clone vines are farmed by the Bacigalupi second and third generations, while 90-year-old matriarch Helen Bacigalupi weighs in. The name Bacigalupi Vineyards is designated on labels from Gary Farrell, Rudd Oakville Estate, and Williams Selyem. Since 2011, the Bacigalupi family has also produced wine under its own label.

Building on awareness of Sonoma County farming and the Bacigalupi family’s part in the Paris tasting, several events are planned for this spring and summer:

• Sonoma County Icon, Class of 2016: Kicking off three days of Barrel Auction celebrations produced by the Sonoma County Vintners, Helen Bacigalupi will be officially recognized as one of four Sonoma County Icons for her part in shaping the heritage of Sonoma County winemaking. An invitation-only reception is planned at Martinelli Winery on April 28, 2016.  
• Bacigalupi Vineyards and four Sonoma County vintners present The Judgment of Paris, 40th Anniversary Barrel during the Sonoma County Vintner’s Annual Barrel Auction. This never before/never again barrel is comprised of lots of chardonnay from the original Wente clone on St. George rootstock contributed by Bacigalupi, Dutcher Crossing, Gary Farrell, Flannagan, and Macrostie wineries. 
• The Return to Paris Tasting, held Saturday, April 30, at Bacigalupi Vineyards, is a tasting of current vintage French burgundies and California wines that emulate the wines tasted in 1976. A forum of guest speakers will discuss the influence Sonoma County farming had on the winning chardonnay and the Judgment of Paris’ impact on the California wine industry through the decades. This event coincides with the 60th anniversary of the Bacigalupi historic vineyard. Space is extremely limited—contact 707-473-0115.
• During Sonoma County Vintners’ September Wine Country Weekend, the Bacigalupi family will present a retrospective of their long history as Sonoma County wine grape growers. The seminar, during the Taste of Sonoma event, will include wine, images through the generations, and conversation. 

HISTORY AND VINEYARDS
In 1956 my grandparents—Charles and Helen Bacigalupi—purchased 121 acres on Westside Road, a few miles south of the town of Healdsburg. In a simple beginning, Grandpa began to care for the 16 acres of existing vineyards. Envisioning the demand for premium wine grapes, Paul Heck (of Korbel winery) encouraged my grandpa to plant Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

In 1964, Grandpa began his plantings with six acres of each varietal. Eventually he obtained Pinot Noir bud wood from Karl Wente, the first well documented plantings of Pinot Noir in the Russian River Valley. He remembers Wente telling him the stock had come from France via the family’s old vineyard in Livermore.

Our family name (Bacigalupi) gained recognition during the 1976 Paris tasting when the 1973 Napa Valley Chardonnay from Château Montelena (made with 40% of our fruit) triumphed over many acclaimed French wines. This event was the turning point in America’s global wine image.

Our vineyards now consist of 125 acres of premium grapes, which have been planted and managed for the past 30 years by my father John Bacigalupi and our family. The Bacigalupi wine label is a dream come true for our family who has roots in the wine industry stretching over four generations. Looking towards the future, we hope to continue our legacy of premium grape growing and wine making for many years to come.

WWW.BACIGALUPIVINEYARDS.COM