09/05 TASTE OF SONOMA, MACMURRAY ESTATE VINEYARDS, KATE MACMURRAY, MACMURRAY ESTATE VINEYARDS, GINA GALLO, GALLO FAMILY VINEYARDS, RACHEL VOORHEES, CHEF MATT LOWE, KENDALL JACKSON, KARISSA KRUSE, SONOMA COUNTY WINEGRAPE COMMISSION

LARRY AND NICOLE ARE BROADCASTING LIVE FROM TASTE OF SONOMA AT THE BEAUTIFUL MACMURRAY ESTATE VINEYARDS, HEALDSBURG

Immerse yourself in the food and wine culture of Sonoma County at Taste of Sonoma at MacMurray Estate Vineyards. Kate MacMurray invites you to enjoy an afternoon of strolling through the historic MacMurray Estate Vineyards property while sipping and savoring the very best of Sonoma County’s rich wines and delectable cuisine. With more than 200 wineries pouring thousands of wines, and over 60 local chefs whipping up divine pairings, Taste of Sonoma at MacMurray Estate Vineyards delivers a once-in-a-lifetime experience for oenophiles and foodies alike. Informative and entertaining wine seminars, lively cooking demonstrations and so much more make for an enchanting afternoon enjoying the best of Sonoma County living. Named one of the “10 Best Wine and Food Events in the United States” by Celebrated Living magazine, Taste of Sonoma is a coveted ticket — Get yours before they sell out!

SONOMAWINECOUNTRYWEEKEND.COM


KATE MACMURRAY - MACMURRAY ESTATE VINEYARDS

RUSSIAN RIVER HERITAGE
MacMurray Estate Vineyards is deeply rooted in Sonoma County. Our namesake vineyard, MacMurray Ranch, has been a farmstead since the 1850s, farmed by the Porter family until actor Fred MacMurray bought the ranch in 1941. Fred embraced the rancher’s lifestyle, raising prize-winning cattle and farming crops here for decades, while his children rode horses through the hills. Fred’s daughter—the actress, screenwriter and activist Kate MacMurray—retains an indelible tie to the estate, helping us share the heritage of our namesake vineyard, historic property and celebrated wine.

CALIFORNIA PINOT NOIR & ESTATE WINEGROWING
Transformed into a world-class vineyard in 1996, MacMurray Ranch quickly became one of the Russian River Valley’s most acclaimed Pinot Noir vineyards.  Today, MacMurray Estate Vineyards has grown to encompass estate vineyards throughout the Russian River Valley and the Central Coast, but we continue to honor our roots and the history of the MacMurray Ranch. The original buildings have been faithfully restored, and the 1,500-acre property is home to old-growth oaks, Redwood trees and indigenous wildlife. Winemaker Boyd Morrison and his team craft our collection of Pinot Noir wines, beginning with our home vineyard and extending to several estate vineyard sites throughout the Russian River Valley and the Central Coast.

WWW.MACMURRAYESTATEVINEYARDS.COM


GINA GALLO - SONOMA, GALLO FAMILY VINEYARDS

OUR FAMILY
Since brothers Ernest and Julio Gallo began to turn their dream into reality over 80 years ago, the roots of the Gallo family tree have extended deep into the Winery. Today their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren work in the Winery, carrying on the family tradition and values – a strong work ethic, a drive for perfection and a focus on quality.

The Gallo family still believes family ownership is the most effective way for the Winery to continue as a world leader in the wine industry.

Today, E. & J. Gallo Winery is the world's largest family-owned winery and the largest exporter of California wine.

PASSION FOR QUALITY
Since its inception, the hallmark of E. & J. Gallo Winery’s founders has been their unwavering commitment to quality. By taking the utmost care in each and every step of the grape growing and winemaking process, E. & J. Gallo Winery has consistently delivered outstanding wines for every occasion and price. The Winery continues to be at the forefront of the winemaking industry by researching and determining the very best regions to grow grapes, using the most effective techniques for grape growing, and lastly, employing the best ways to craft world-class wines.

BIO
Gina Gallo followed the footsteps of her grandfather Julio Gallo to find her calling as winemaker for Gallo Family Vineyards Sonoma Reserve. Today she creates award-winning wines from grapes grown by her brother Matt Gallo.

For Gina, a career in winemaking was inevitable. During high school she worked summers at E. & J. Gallo Winery, and after college she joined the company full time in the sales department.
She was drawn to the creative process of making wine, and years later she began studying at the acclaimed Viticulture and Enology program at the University of California, Davis. At the Winery, she apprenticed under 30-year veteran Marcello Monticelli.

Gina is immediate past president of the International Wine & Spirit competition.

GALLO.COM


RACHEL VOORHEES OF RODNEY STRONG – TALKING ABOUT THE SOMMELIER PROGRAM

Our story begins more than 50 years ago, when a celebrated American dancer named Rod Strong settled in Sonoma County to pursue a second lifelong creative passion: winemaking. Rodney Strong Vineyards was the 13th winery bonded in the newly discovered Sonoma County wine industry. A trio of winemaking paths crossed when Rick Sayre joined the team as Winemaker in 1979, and again when the Klein Family, 4th generation California farmers, purchased the winery in 1989 and initiated a renewed commitment of modern artisan winemaking. Through the years, Rodney Strong Vineyards has earned the reputation for critically acclaimed Single Vineyard and Reserve wines, stand out Estate releases and best-in-class Sonoma County varietal wines.

BIO
Rachel Voorhees is a Certified Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers, where she graduated at the top of her class. Raised in the San Francisco Bay Area by Old World wine collectors, Rachel found a passion for wine and food early in life and credits her father for her palate and her mother for her culinary skills. Rachel studied at the International Culinary Center in 2012 where she continued to hone her wine pairing skills and wine knowledge. She was the food & wine writer for BevMo! and Wine.com before coming to Rodney Strong in December 2013. Rachel’s focus is to educate people about wine, Sonoma County and Rodney Strong Vineyards. She travels throughout the country entertaining key members of the trade, conducting classes and seminars and sharing the wonders of wine and food.

After receiving her B.A. in Communications and Psychology from Vanderbilt University, she continued her education at Notre Dame de Namur where she received her Masters of Education. She is currently studying for her Certified Wine Educator and Advanced Sommelier credentials. In her free time, Rachel loves spending time with her two children, creating unique food and wine pairings and gardening.

WWW.RODNEYSTRONG.COM


CHEF MATT LOWE FROM KENDALL JACKSON CULINARY TEAM TALK ABOUT PAIRING 

A FAMILY LEGACY
Being a family-owned winery absolutely affects our winemaking. It affords us the luxury to take the long view. We can take risks and grow our grapes in mountain and hillside vineyards- even though it is more difficult for both the farmer and the vine. But grapes grown on mountains have more character and more flavor—and that’s why we grow them there.

As a family-run business, we can put the long-term interests of future generations above short-term financial gains. Our success will be measured by generations of family, rather than by numbers on quarterly reports. We can't just be thinking about today, or tomorrow, or this quarter, or this year. We have to take the long view—100, 200 years—and think of future generations and the environment in which they'll live.

There are some special places where you just want to be, to live. And among those places are the coastal maritime, cool hills and mountains of the California coast. I’m at peace and spiritually satisfied when I'm in the mountains and hills and benches of California—the very places where the best grapes thrive. The land gives us what we need. It gives us our shelter, our food, our clean air—all of the things we need, except for one: family.

Taste is everything here at Kendall-Jackson. And we don't just mean the wines. The Kendall-Jackson Wine Center is a culinary destination for foodies and wine lovers from all over the country, and the creative force behind the Wine Center is our team of culinary adventurers: our chefs.

BIO
Matt has been a member of Kendall-Jackson’s culinary team for many years.  A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America Matthew has worked in the kitchen, gardens and cellars of Kendall-Jackson Wine Estates for nearly a decade. He brings to the table a wide variety of cooking experience from restaurants, healthcare, catering and corporate dining. Matthew specializes in vegetable dishes and the Kendall-Jackson culinary gardens offer an endless palette of seasonal produce and herbs to draw from.

WWW.KJ.COM


KARISSA KRUSE – PRESIDENT, SONOMA COUNTY WINEGRAPE COMMISSION - TALKING ABOUT SONOMA AND SUSTAINABILITY

The Sonoma County Winegrape Commission, also known as Sonoma County Winegrowers (SCW), was established in 2006 as a marketing and educational organization dedicated to the promotion and preservation of Sonoma County as one of the world’s premier grape growing regions. SCW has oversight by California Department of Food and Agriculture which supports producer regions.
With more than 1,800 growers, SCW’s goal is to increase awareness and recognition of the quality and diversity of Sonoma County’s grapes and wines through dynamic marketing and educational programs targeted to wine consumers around the world.

In January 2014, SCW committed to becoming the nation’s first 100% sustainable winegrowing region by 2019.

BIO
Karissa Kruse is President of the Sonoma County Winegrowers, a marketing and educational organization dedicated to the promotion and preservation of Sonoma County as one of the world’s premier grape growing regions. Karissa joined Sonoma County Winegrowers as Director of Marketing in September 2012 and was named President for the organization on May 1, 2013. Karissa earned a BS in Economics and an MBA in Marketing from Wharton School of Business at University of Pennsylvania. She has over 17 years of experience in various aspects of marketing, brand management, strategic planning and business development. Karissa has worked for companies such as General Mills, Universal Studios, Mattel and Dairy Management, where Karissa worked for seven years on behalf of dairy farmers nationally. She is a partner in a small winery, Argot Wines, and the owner of a 25 acre parcel in Bennett Valley, with five acres planted to grapes. Karissa is on the Advisory Committee for Wharton’s Initiative on Environmental Leadership and on the boards of the Sonoma County Tourism, Sonoma County Harvest Fair, Sonoma County Grape Growers Foundation, Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce, Santa Rosa Junior College Shone Farm Foundation, Ag Trust Committee and Viticulture Advisory Committee and a member of Leadership Santa Rosa Class 29.  Kruse was selected as a NBBJ Women in Business 2014 Honoree and 40 under Forty Award recipient in 2012.    

08/31 WES HAGEN, CLOS PEPE, J. WILKES, ROBIN KELLEY O'CONNOR

WES HAGEN - THE NEW BRAND AMBASSADOR FOR J. WILKES

ABOUT J. WILKES:
Jeff was committed to promoting the Santa Maria Valley; a place he considered home and cared about deeply. By offering a Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc under the J. Wilkes imprimatur of quality, we hope to introduce a new generation of wine drinkers to wines of typicity from a venerated appellation.

We hope these wines serve not only as ambassadors of an iconic growing region, but also as an introduction to three varietals that merit much pursuit and discovery.

The J. Wilkes brand was established in 2001 by Jefferson Wilkes, a widely respected wine industry veteran who loved the community of Santa Maria and sailing the Pacific Coast.  Since Jeff’s passing, the J. Wilkes brand has carried forth with a simple mission: to deliver wines of varietal character, at affordable prices, that highlight the virtues of the Santa Maria Valley appellation.

WWW.JWILKES.COM


ROBIN KELLEY O'CONNOR - WINE EDUCATOR, INTERNATIONAL WINE JUDGE, WINE WRITER, AND SOMMELIER

A leading wine educator, international wine judge, wine writer, and sommelier, Robin Kelley O’Connor joined Italian Wine Merchants (IWM), and its dynamic team where he has been adding his thirty years of experience, authority and passion to seminars, dinner events, sales, offerings and wine education. IWM is the leading purveyor of fine Italian wines in the country, as well as a specialist in providing great, rare and collectable wines of Burgundy, Bordeaux, Champagne, California and Rioja In his role at IWM, he has the occasion to offer an unparalleled spectrum of wine and collector services such as cellar management, IWM’s proprietary online wine cellar tracking tool, wine appraisal and consignment assistance--and more.

He was Head of Wine & Lead Specialist, Americas, for Christie’s Auction House. In his role at Christie’s, Robin was responsible for wine auctions and private sales of fine and rare wines for the Americas, and had the role as the department's lead business-getter in securing consignments for sale.  Mr. O’Connor 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. As a Bordeaux International Educator he remains very active in teaching Bordeaux.

A native of Maryland, Mr. O’Connor began studying wine while still a student at the University of Maryland. He started his wine career in London as sommelier at Le Chateaubriand Restaurant in the prestigious May Fair Hotel and went on to earn a diploma from the Wine & Spirits Education Trust (DWS). He 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. As a popular wine educator and spokesperson, he has conducted over 2500 seminars around the world on a variety of topics within the world of wine. He has written for the Trenton Times, Santé Magazine, Wine & Spirit Magazine and was senior editor for Kevin Zraly’s Windows on the World 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.

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. He has put his palate to test as an International Wine Judge in Australia, Chile, France, and Italy. For many years he judged at the prestigious Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition; San Francisco International Wine Competition and The Dallas Morning News Competition among countless others. For the past 16 years he has been a frequent lecturer on Crystal Cruises sharing his passion about wine and food. For the last four years he has been coaching DeVinimus-Columbia University Law School Wine Club competition team for international contests. In addition he is a regular lecturer at the International Culinary Center (formerly known as the French Culinary Institute). Among his many professional honors, Mr. O’Connor bears the distinction of having been inducted 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.

WWW.RKOVINE.COM   
WWW.ITALIANWINEMERCHANTS.COM

08/24 GARY PISONI, PISONI VINEYARDS, RICHARD PHOENIX, CULTIVAR WINES. LA FOOD AND WINE FESTIVAL

GARY PISONI – PISONI VINEYARDS                                                  

A special place, Pisoni Vineyards expresses the land and climate of the Santa Lucia Highlands and the spirit of the Pisoni Family. The site is a source of exceptional Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah.

First planted by Gary Pisoni in 1982, Pisoni Vineyards consists of small vineyard blocks arranged on and around the ridges of the mountainous landscape. Ranging in size from one-half to seventeen acres, the vineyard blocks perch at an altitude of 1,300 feet in the granite-laced mountains of the coastal Santa Lucia Range.

Inspired by the Burgundy tradition of having several wineries source fruit from the same vineyard, Gary Pisoni has formed relationships with some of the most prestigious Pinot Noir producers in California. With agreements based on handshake alone, these wineries are guaranteed specific rows and blocks each year. They purchase grapes at a per-acre price rather than a per-ton price, which maintains the focus on quality and not yields.

In addition to supplying fruit to artisan producers of vineyard-designated wines, the Pisoni Family retains a portion of the vineyard for the production of Pisoni Estate wine.

THE PRACTICE
Vineyard management is meticulous. Under Mark Pisoni's leadership, a long-time permanent crew of 18 skilled individuals perform all the work by hand. Every decision implements sustainable farming practices and long-term considerations. This commitment, combined with the rocky soils and cold Monterey Bay weather, produce serious and compelling wines.

THE FAMILY
In 1952 Jane and Eddie Pisoni began farming vegetables in the fertile Salinas Valley. A celery-crop profit in 1979 provided the down payment for the Santa Lucia Highlands property that became Pisoni Vineyards. Their love for the land provided the place where their son Gary could realize his dreams. Gary developed a love of wine while attending college. He started collecting fine French and German wines, and he made his first wine in his garage in 1978 at the age of twenty-five. In 1982, Gary broke ground and planted the first vines at Pisoni Vineyards. He was up against many obstacles, including not having a water source at the time.

Mark Pisoni, the vineyard manager, completed a B.S. in Agricultural Economics at the University of California, Davis, and an M.S. in Farm Business Management at Cornell University. He oversees the meticulous care of both Pisoni Vineyards and Pisoni Farms.  Jeff Pisoni is the winemaker. He earned a B.S. in Enology at California State University, Fresno, and got hands-on experience at premium wineries before becoming the Pisoni Estate and Lucia winemaker in 2002.

THE WINE
The Pisoni Family produces one wine each year under the label bearing its name: Pisoni Estate Pinot Noir. Although actual quantities vary with fruit yields, typical production is a mere 500 cases annually. Often noted for their deep color and intensity, wines from Pisoni Vineyards offer complex flavors and layers of undulating texture. The rocky mountain soil and the long, cool growing season provide the fundamental character of the wine, and the tannin and acid structure contribute to the age-worthiness.

LUCIA
Lucia vineyard designated Santa Lucia Highlands AVA wines. Lucia is the sister label of the Pisoni Estate wines. Whereas Pisoni Estate is committed to a single expression of the Pisoni Vineyards, Lucia represents the collection of vineyards that the Pisoni Family farms: Pisoni Vineyards, Soberanes Vineyard and Garys' Vineyard (the latter two farmed in partnership with Gary Franscioni).

The wines of Lucia are vineyard designated Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah from these vineyards and eponymous Santa Lucia Highlands AVA cuvées with varying percentages of each vineyard blended together. Lucia wines are made alongside the Pisoni Estate wines using the same exacting standards for quality. They are sold via mailing list and high-end restaurants and retailers. If you are on the mailing list for Pisoni Estate wines, you will automatically have the opportunity to purchase the Lucia offerings.

WWW.PISONIVINEYARDS.COM


RICHARD PHOENIX FROM CULTIVAR WINES GIVES US ALL THE DETAILS ON THIS YEARS LA FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL

"A variety (or Cultivar) is a set of cultivated plants with clearly distinguishable and distinctive characteristics."

Distinguished Vineyards, Quality Wines with Distinctive Characteristics.  Cultivar Appellation Wines showcase the true characteristics of Napa Valley’s distinct microclimates and terrains by choosing from only the best vineyards throughout the Napa Valley.  Take a tour of the Cultivar Appellations with our small batch, appellation specific wines that highlight the distinctive characteristics of the terroir in our Cultivar Wine Club.

Napa Valley as an Appellation of California
One Cultivar, many appellations.  Napa Valley wines are a blend of several appellations within Napa of which we choose certain characteristics to add more complexity to the flavor and texture of a wine.  The Napa Valley wines are bright, elegant, and expressive and show the pretty fruit while maintaining that balance with structure and elegance.

The Napa Valley is defined by 2 mountain ranges and a proximity to the Pacific Ocean, the Napa Valley enjoys a temperate climate with a long growing season of sunny, warm days followed by cool evenings. Within the Napa Valley AVA, there are 14 other AVAs with distinct micro-climates and terrains formed by a varied topographical configuration of hills, exposures and elevations. The Napa Valley AVA is also part of the North Coast AVA.

Napa Valley's 16 Sub-Appellations
One Cultivar, one appellation.  Cultivar’s appellation wines of the Napa Valley are selected for specific Cultivar characteristics of the specific appellations.

Within the Napa Valley appellation exist 16 appellations, including: Atlas Peak, Calistoga, Chiles Valley District, Coombsville, Diamond Mountain District, Howell Mountain, Los Carneros, Mt. Veeder, Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley, Oakville, Rutherford, St. Helena, Spring Mountain District, Stags Leap District, Yountville and Wild Horse Valley.  From valley floor to hillsides to the mountains they are all are uniquely different because of the climate and the soil types.

The different conditions of Napa’s 16 appellations produce very different wines.  We pick vineyards that are good representations of the appellation it is from and then produce the wines in similar conditions (similar oak, aging and wine making).  There wines are always produced in limited quantities (100 to 300 cases) to express the true characteristics of the appellation.  Try a bottle of each of our sub-appellations for you next at home tour of the Napa Valley.

Vineyard Designated Cultivar Wine
One Cultivar, one appellation, one vineyard.  Cultivar’s Vineyard Designation wines are from specific vineyard within an appellation within Napa.  These Cultivar Vineyards express very specific characteristics.  These vineyard designated wines are produced exclusively from a single vineyard with that vineyard's name appearing on the wine label.

WWW.CULTIVARWINE.COM
WWW.LAFW.COM

08/17 MATT YOUNG, JEAN-CHARLES BOISSET, JCB, THE RITZ-CARLTON

JEAN-CHARLES BOISSET - PRESIDENT OF BOISSET - COMING SOON: JCB TASTING LOUNGE AT THE RITZ-CARLTON

Famous for his flamboyant personality and his fantastical style, the Burgundy born Boisset brought his signature French flair to the Napa Valley with the purchases of De Loach, Raymond Vineyards and Buena Vista Winery, the oldest premium winery in California. As proprietor of Boisset Family Estates, he has incorporated innovative winemaking techniques and sustainable practices across the estate’s 22 wineries in France and California. He is married to Gina Gallo of E&J Gallo, the largest wine producer in the world.

FIRST LOOK: THE HAUTE JCB TASTING LOUNGE INSIDE THE RITZ-CARLTON SF

The San Francisco Bay Area isn’t only on the cutting edge of technology—there’s also hotels and wine. That’s apparent in the case of Jean-Charles Boisset, who is about to open a novel and posh JCB Tasting Lounge inside the swank Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco that is so haute that we think it will start a hospitality trend. Haute Living recently enjoyed a sneak peek at this intimate and stylish space that will make you feel like you’ve fallen down a jeweled rabbit hole in wine country. The flamboyant Frenchman who heads up Boisset Family Estates, which has seven California labels, including Raymond Vineyards, De Loach Vineyards, Buena Vista Winery and JCB by Jean-Charles Boisset, and 11 labels in France, has simply outdone himself with his latest chic offering. You’ll soon be able to sip the highest quality wines—from the Russian River to Burgundy—from his JCB and Boisset Collection portfolio in this exquisite room just to the right of the hotel entrance.

“My idea was to create a jewelry box in the city where people want to come and have a good time,” Boisset said.

Part tasting lounge, part boutique—yes, you can buy his trademark red socks as well luxe products from partners such as Baccarat, Christofle, Lalique and Goyard and a new line of jewelry designed by the man himself—the exclusive JCB Lounge is an extension of what he already offers in Napa and Sonoma. However, if you’re in the city, there’s no longer a reason to battle traffic to partake in the inimitable JCB experience. Simply head to 600 Stockton Street.

Oenophiles can select from three tasting options—the Bubble Collection for $50, the Chardonnay & Pinot Collection for $75 or the Ultimate JCB for $100—all of which include a scrumptious food flight by chef Michael Rotondo of Parallel 37, Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco’s acclaimed restaurant. Or, you can tailor-make your own wine tasting menu. Whichever you choose, rest assured that you’ll sip from Baccarat glasses in luxurious surroundings highlighted by lounge music.

A membership will also be offered that allows you to secure your access to the most allocated and prized wines of the JCB Collection, including No. 1 and No. 10 Cabernet Sauvignon, No. 17 Cabernet Franc, No. 3 Pinot Noir and The Surrealist by JCB, through an automatic, recurring futures reservation. You’ll shell out $500 for the one-time membership fee, but the price includes a bottle of the $350 The Surrealist by JCB. Plus, you’ll have complimentary tastings and experiences for four Raymond, DeLoach, Buena Vista and all JCB locations, plus a few other snazzy perks.

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, Sonoma Valley, and the Napa Valley. To learn more about the Boisset Collection, please visit www.boissetcollection.com.

WWW.BOISSETCOLLECTION.COM
WWW.JCBWINES.COM

08/10 IAN BLACKBURN, LEARNABOUTWINES.COM, STARS OF PINOT, TOM C. DAVIES, V. SATTUI WINERY, HARVEST STOMP

IAN BLACKBURN – FOUNDER, LEARNABOUTWINES.COM – STARS OF PINOT AUGUST 19TH

ABOUT IAN BLACKBURN:
Master of Wine Student and innovative wine industry spokesperson, Ian Blackburn drinks wine for a living. Since it was established in 1995, Ian Blackburn has worked on building Learn About Wineinto the leading source for wine education and events in Southern California.

LearnAboutWine was the first business of its kind: a wine education and event website dedicated to the education, service, and enjoyment of wine.

Today LearnAboutWine has developed into Southern California’s premier company for wine education and events. Ian continues to innovate and focus on demystifying wine for everyone from the casual drinker to the potential collector. LearnAboutWine events include the wildly successful, monthly “TASTE” Series, a large-scale wine social; “PALATE BUILDER” Sensory evaluation class, VINTAGE – High end collectables tastings and LAW SCHOOL – the four week credential program that concludes with the BAR exam (Beverage Aptitude Review). Over 30,000 students in Southern California have participated in LearnAboutWine’s core class “Wine Camp,” an introduction into wine, and it is considered one of the top introduction courses in the region.

With a database of over 18,000 subscribers, Ian’s following and notoriety has grown with the popularity of wine. He has taught classes at Cordon Bleu, Cal Poly Pomona, UCLA, The Learning Annex, and other prestigious universities. LearnAboutWine maintains an active calendar of classes and events offered to the public, but thrive as a source of private and corporate events. Ian’s clients range from small social clubs and church organizations, to Fortune Five Hundred companies like Amgen, Pfizer, Disney, Nestle, Deloitte, Latham Watkins, Ernest and Young, Bank of America/US Trust/Countrywide, Paul Hastings, Quinn Emanuel and KPMG.

Ian’s passion for wine and entertaining makes him one of the top spokespersons in the United States; he was trained as an educational Ambassador for the Napa Valley Vintners and the Region of Champagne, France. Ian’s expertise and entertaining ways can be heard regularly on Los Angeles radio airwaves likeKCRW, KLOS, KROQ, INDIE 103.1, 98.7 and Ian even appeared as an expert on ABC’s “The Bachelor.” Creating wine lifestyle events in order to get more people involved in the enjoyment and appreciation of wine is Ian’s forte. Commissioned by Wiley Publications to write The Pleasure of Wine in 2004, Ian is currently studying for his Masters of Wine and working on his second book at his home office in Downtown Los Angeles.

LEARN ABOUT WINE’S PHILOSOPHY
To demystify wine for everyone from the casual drinker to the potential collector. Whether it is an intimate sensory class, corporate team building exercise or a large-scale wine social, Learn About Wine is the one stop resource for education, service and enjoyment of wine.

STARS of PINOT: 
August 19th
Sofitel
2-5pm Trade tasting
6pm VIP Panel Tasting with MW AMY CHRISTINE
7pm-9:30pm Consumer Charity Tasting

Taste over 200 varieties of Pinot Noir by 450 of the worlds top producers. The STARS of Pinot will be a showcase of both well-known high tier producers and exciting new top quality brands. We invite relevant press and trade accounts to attend an effective trade tasting, and market and promote a successful consumer event with a charity benefactor (not a charity tasting – but a wine marketing event that benefits a charity).   The events will benefit T.J. Martell Foundation - Leukemia, Cancer and AIDS Research

WWW.LEARNABOUTWINE.COM
WWW.STARSOFPINOT.COM


TOM C. DAVIES – PRESIDENT OF V. SATTUI WINERY AND CO-CHAIR OF THE 8TH ANNUAL HARVEST STOMP AUGUST 22ND

ABOUT STOMP - THE BEST HARVEST PARTY OF THE YEAR!
Over the past seven years, Harvest STOMP has sold out with over 550 guests in attendance including the industry’s most renowned grapegrowers, vineyard owners, and top-tier consumers from throughout the United States and beyond – with over 150 Napa Valley wineries pouring the best wines Napa Valley has to offer.

Proceeds from Harvest STOMP support the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation and our mission to preserve and promote Napa Valley’s World-Class Vineyards!

V. SATTUI’S HISTORIC HENRY RANCH WILL HOST THIS YEARS EVENT
V. Sattui Winery is proud to host this year’s STOMP at its historic, 525-acre Henry Ranch, part of an original Spanish land grant that lies in southwestern corner of the Napa Valley.

A long country road leads to the ranch that was once home to Spanish and Mexican immigrants—and finally the Henry family, who pioneered the area in 1850. When you arrive at the Henry Ranch you will be in the midst of a place few have ever seen.  It is rich with remnants of the county’s agricultural past and magnificent beauty of a narrow valley and rolling hills framed by low mountain ranges that offer views as far south as San Francisco.

As their winery members can attest, Dario and Tom know how to throw a party!  Their commitment to memorable experiences and excellence in hospitality will guarantee STOMP 2015 to be a great celebration!

2015 HARVEST STOMP CHAIRS
Owner Dario Sattui, the visionary entrepreneur behind both V. Sattui Winery and Castello di Amorosa, purchased the land from Herb Henry in 1993. Herb, now 92 years of age and a legend in the area, lived his entire life on the ranch without electrical power or modern equipment. To date, 120 acres of sustainably-farmed vineyards have been planted and virtually all of the 525 acres of land has been protected by any further development through conservation easements and the Land Trust of Napa County, ensuring the unspoiled beauty of this ranch for future generations.

Co-Chair, Tom Davies began his career with V. Sattui as one of the first 7 employees in 1980 and became Dario’s partner in the late 80s and later President in 1993.  Together, Dario and Tom have devoted most of their adult lives to building V. Sattui Winery to be the ultimate warm and welcoming Napa Valley experience.

ABOUT TOM DAVIES:
A native of Palm Springs, California, Tom Davies graduated from Chico State University in 1979 with a degree in Business Management. He was so committed to getting into the wine business, he slept in a tent at the State Park in the Napa Valley to save money while searching for work.  Impressed with his attitude and enthusiasm, Dario Sattui hired him in the summer of 1980 at $5 an hour to work in V. Sattui Winery’s tasting room and cellar.  Tom was among the first 10 employees hired at V. Sattui.  His great business sense and knowledge of the wine industry propelled him to the top at V. Sattui.  Tom is President and Part-Owner of V. Sattui Winery.

During Tom’s 30-year tenure at V. Sattui, the winery pioneered the direct-to-consumer wine business model.  V. Sattui started the second wine club in the Napa Valley and was one of the first wineries in the nation to ship wine directly to consumer’s homes and to host wine club events, dinners and weddings.  Through the years, V. Sattui wines earn the highest recognition in both national & international competitions. In 2012 the winery was twice named "Winery of the Year" at the 2012 Winemaker's Challenge and the 2012 Monterey Wine Competition, and then voted "Best Winery" for the second year in a row by the San Francisco Bay Guardian Readers Poll. Most recently V. Sattui Winery was again name the 2013 “Winery of the Year” at the prestigious Winemaker’s Challenge making the 11th time in 8 years the winery garnered this recognition.

Tom has been married to his wife, Cara for the past 31 years. They have a daughter Michaela who is a sophomore at the University of San Diego. Tom and Cara have traveled extensively in Europe, and have made Italy their favorite home away from the Napa Valley, spending time there every summer since the early eighties.

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