05/22 LARRY HYDE, HYDE VINEYARDS, WHISKEY EXPERT DEBBIE SHOCAIR AKA ‘THE WHISKEY MISTRESS’

LARRY HYDE - HYDE VINEYARDS

Before Hyde Vineyards, Larry studied law at UC Berkeley and then chemistry at UC Davis before finding his passion in wine. Gaining work experience at great vineyards like Gallo, Ridge Vineyards, Cuvaison, Stag’s Leap, Robert Mondavi Winery and Joseph Phelps Vineyards, Larry went on to purchase Hyde Vineyards with the help of his father, Richard Sr. and brought along with him his extensive knowledge of wine making and viticulture to Hyde Vineyards at a time when the wine industry in California was transcending into the world-class wine region it is today.

In 1980, one year after Larry purchased Hyde Vineyards, Larry met his wife, Beta, in Burgundy, where they had been working harvest in Aubert and Pamela DeVillaine’s estate vineyards. Beta, originally from Poland, came to California a few years later. Larry and Beta have two sons, Peter and Christopher who grew up in the vineyard, which was their playground and home, experimenting with homemade wine and working in the fields, which they continue to do to this day.

In 2000, Larry Hyde co-founded HdV Winery, a partnership with Aubert de Villaine. Aubert, who married Larry’s cousin, Pamela F. de Villaine, and on who’s vineyard Larry met Beta, is one of Burgundy’s most recognized individuals who was born and raised in the traditions of France’s greatest winemaking techniques. HdV Winery resides in the northern part of Napa, just minutes away from Hyde Vineyards.

In 2009, Larry and his sons founded Larry Hyde and Sons winery, which currently produces Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, but in the near future will add Merlot and Zinfandel to the portfolio along with a home on Hyde Vineyards with a brand new winery that is currently in construction.

Today, Hyde Vineyards has grown to nearly 200 acres and works with over 30 wineries in the valley. Larry still manages the vineyards with the help of his two sons, and serves as a director on the Napa Valley Grape growers, Issues Committee and GWISS committee.

HYDEVINEYARDS.COM


WHISKEY EXPERT DEBBIE SHOCAIR AKA ‘THE WHISKEY MISTRESS’

Known as The Whiskey Mistress...Whiskey expert DEBBIE SHOCAIR gives lectures on whiskey and leads tastings. She also does professional whiskey sessions and events, private parties, and writes articles and international reviews.

05/15 ALAN VIADER, VIADER VINEYARDS & WINERY, HEATHER MURAN, SAN LUIS OBISPO WINE COUNTRY ASSOCIATION, BARRELS IN THE PLAZA

ALAN VIADER - DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS/WINEMAKER, VIADER VINEYARDS & WINERY

VIADER is a leading first growth Napa Valley winery and vineyard estate locatedjust northeast of St. Helena on the steep rocky slopes of Howell Mountain at an elevation of 1300 feet. VIADER is recognized around the world for consistently producing award winning, very limited production red wines and Bordeaux-style blends.

Founding winemaker Delia Viader, PhD. applies a unique approach to grapegrowing and winemaking, challenging new world conventions while honoring old world traditions; resulting in a highly sought after and coveted cult wine – their flagship VIADER “Liquid Cashmere” Proprietary Red Blend. Delia forged the vision for this hillside estate vineyard and exceptional wine blend in 1986.

Today, Alan and Janet Viader join their mother Delia in the continuation of the VIADER estate. Through their direct involvement in daily operations, this multigenerational family business manifests a commitment to world-class winemaking and vineyard management, while offering an elevated yet welcoming level of hospitality.

VIADER.COM


HEATHER MURAN - EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, SAN LUIS OBISPO WINE COUNTRY ASSOCIATION – NEWS/UPDATES AND UPCOMING EVENTS 

ABOUT SLO WINE COUNTRY:
The wineries of SLO Wine Country boast an average distance of just five miles from the Pacific Ocean, resulting in prevailing marine conditions that are among the most pronounced of any wine region in California.

SLO Wine Country includes two small adjoining American Viticultural Areas—the Edna Valley and Arroyo Grande Valley—and other nearby winegrowing areas.  Each of these areas shares a unifying proximity to the ocean, as well as to each other. Collectively, these growing conditions forge a unifying wine quality that is native to SLO Wine Country:

Cool
The reliable cooling effect of the nearby Pacific Ocean ensures a long growing season, enabling the grapes to achieve physiological ripeness and natural balance. Cool-climate varietals such as Chardonnay and Pinot Noir excel in the heart of SLO Wine Country, and even the warmest areas benefit from considerable marine influence.

Consistent
The ocean proximity also exerts a moderating effect on the climate, minimizing temperature swings so that growing conditions are rarely hot or cold. The result is an extraordinarily steady growing season that fosters balanced ripening and consistent quality from vintage to vintage.

Complex
The imprint of the ocean is also evident in SLO Wine Country's uncommonly complex soils, which are frequently riddled with ancient sea fossils. Soil variation enables the winegrower to mix and match varietals to specific soil profiles, or to add more "colors" to the palette of a single varietal, heightening overall quality and complexity.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

BARRELS IN THE PLAZA
Thursday, June 22nd • 4:30-7:30pm
Mission Plaza, Downtown San Luis Obispo
$60 Ticket / $30 Designated Driver
Tickets include a commemorative wine glass and complimentary wine & food pairings throughout the event.

Break out the Barrels! We'll be featuring over 50 wineries and restaurants dishing out world class wines and tantalizing treats for Thursday evening's “Barrels in the Plaza” grand tasting in the heart of downtown San Luis Obispo City, adjacent to the historic Mission de Tolosa. Your ticket includes winetasting, edibles from local chefs throughout SLO County and live music by Bear Market Riot. This is one street party you won't want to miss!

4X2 PASSPORT TO SLO WINE COUNTRY
Friday & Saturday, June 23rd & 24th
4 Tastings x 2 Days = 8 Great Wine Experiences
$75 Passport / $20 Designated Driver
Includes 4 locations per day for a total of 8 visits.

Walk the vineyards, barrel sample the new vintage, and enjoy open houses, wine tastings and festivities all day Friday & Saturday! Just pick up your wristband, wineglass and passport booklet at the first winery you head to and bring them along to enjoy the festivities!

SLOWINE.COM

05/08 JAMES DAVIDIAN, CAPRICE VINEYARDS, JEAN-CHARLES BOISSET, RAYMOND VINEYARDS, RED VELVET LABELED RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON

JAMES DAVIDIAN - OWNER, CAPRICE VINEYARDS

We are located at 970 Old Stage Road in Central Point, Oregon. Just 1 mile North of downtown historic Jacksonville, Oregon (towards Central Point).

There’s something for everyone at Caprice Vineyards: wine tasting, shopping for unique hand-spun items in our shop, visiting with the Alpacas, enjoying a snack plate or simply taking in the beautiful scenery. All ages are welcome.

Our vineyard, at more than 30 years old, is one of the oldest vineyards in Southern Oregon, with seven acres of mostly Cabernet Sauvignon vines. They are self-rooted and deeply invested in the rich clay loam of the western Rogue Valley.

The hot summer days with cool nights are very similar to the Bordeaux region of France, so the types of grapes that thrive there, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, also grow very well in this region. These vines produce rich, ripe grapes with exceptional sugar, color, and flavor. From such grapes the great vintage wines of the world are made.

WWW.CAPRICEVINEYARDS.COM


PROPRIETOR JEAN-CHARLES BOISSET, RAYMOND VINEYARDS  -  RAYMOND VINEYARDS RELEASES RED VELVET LABELED  RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON FOR 40TH ANNIVERSARY

ABOUT RAYMOND VINEYARDS 
Raymond Vineyards, founded in 1970, comprises over 325 acres in Rutherford, St. Helena and Jameson Canyon. Five generations of the Raymond family created a Napa icon, with an enduring reputation for elegant wines with a beautiful balance of finesse, power and complexity. Today, guided by the vision of Proprietor Jean-Charles Boisset, Raymond Vineyards is one of the wine world’s most dynamic winery destinations. Highly-ranked wines are crafted by Winemaker Stephanie Putnam and Consulting Winemaker Phillipe Melka from Raymond’s certified organic and Biodynamic® estate vineyards and select long-term vineyard partners. The winery’s guest experiences unite education, passion and entertainment, offering diverse opportunities to explore wine. The solar-powered winery is certified by CCOF, Demeter Biodynamic, Napa Green, Fish Friendly Farming and California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance. The winery’s unique attributes led it to be named Sunset’s “Best Tasting Room – Experience Beyond Tasting” in 2011, the 2012 American Winery of the Year and the 2016 Wine and Culture Wine Star by Wine Enthusiast, and one of Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines of 2013. To learn more, please visit: www.raymondvineyards.com.

ABOUT BOISSET COLLECTION
Boisset is a family-owned collection of historic and unique wineries bound together by a common cause: authentic, terroir-driven wines in harmony with their history, their future and the land and people essential to their existence. With more than twenty historical and prestigious wineries in the world’s preeminent terroirs, including the Côte d’Or, Beaujolais, Rhône Valley, California’s Russian River Valley and the Napa Valley, each house retains its unique history, identity, and style, and all are united in the pursuit of fine wines expressive of their terroir. To learn more about the Boisset Collection, please visit www.boissetcollection.com.

WWW.BOISSETCOLLECTION.COM
WWW.RAYMONDVINEYARDS.COM

05/01 FRANK OSTINI FROM HITCHING POST WINERY, 28TH ANNIVERSARY OF A CULINARY EVENING WITH THE CALIFORNIA WINEMASTERS, DAVID HUNT, HUNT CELLARS

FRANK OSTINI FROM HITCHING POST WINERY - 28TH ANNIVERSARY OF A CULINARY EVENING WITH THE CALIFORNIA WINEMASTERS

The California Winemasters is a perennial Wine Spectator Top 10 Charity Wine Auction set for May 20, 2017 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.  Its 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’oeuvres dinner!

CALIFORNIAWINEMASTERS.ORG 
HITCHINGPOSTWINES.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.

HUNTCELLARS.COM