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WineSense: Sonoma State University Wine Club

January 29, 2014 – 11:09 am
C Donatiello Winery's extensive gardens in Sonoma

C. Donatiello Winery’s extensive gardens in Sonoma

Back in 2000 a group of Sonoma State University students formed the WineSense Club. The WineSense Club seeks to provide interested students with wine appreciation and knowledge while providing events for students showcasing the industry. Keeping members aware of job opportunities is also one of WineSense’s goals.

The Sonoma State University Wine Club seems to offer much needed wine education and  experience for participating Sonoma students. Currently the fee is $5 per event or  $25 per semester. To attend these events ID is required.

The next events for this semester include:

  • February 19  JAQK Cellars
  • March 12  Twomey (Merlot Vertical)
  • March 18  C. Donatello
  • April 2  Wine Career Night (6:00-9:00pm)
  • April 23  Matanzas Creek
  • May 7  Chateau St. Jean (Dynamics of food and wine tasting)

What are the colleges and universities in your wine region doing to create a responsible wine culture?

Cheers!
Kathy

By Kathy | Posted in Wine News/Commentary | Tagged , , | Comments (0)

Walla Walla Wines in Seattle and Portland

January 28, 2014 – 9:42 am
Vineyards in Walla Walla, Washington

Vineyards in Walla Walla, Washington

We’ve only been to Walla Walla one time. What I remember of the trip is not so much the wines but the trip to get there and the views of the landscape. We flew into Portland (PDX) airport, rented a car and drove to Walla Walla. The weather was hot and after traversing the country and renting the car, it seemed like a very long trip.

Other things I remember are the numerous signs for Walla Walla onions. If only we did not have to return home via air, we would have stopped to buy onions. Oh, that’s right we were on a mission to explore the renowned wineries of Walla Walla.

Previous to this visit we had been to the Seattle suburban wineries located in Woodinville. The wineries/tasting rooms were nice and the location so close to Seattle was great. The residents of Seattle have a wonderful opportunity to visit tasting rooms right on their doorstep. However, this area is not conducive for growing grapes. So while they have many tasting rooms, the vineyards are lacking.

Not so in Walla Walla where wine enthusiasts can visit many wineries, tasting rooms and view acres upon acres of vineyards. Unfortunately Walla Walla is not particularly easy and quick to reach from Seattle or Portland. It’s about a four hour drive from either city’s airport.

So some Walla Walla wineries are promoting their wines by locating tasting rooms closer to Seattle and hosting events off-site. In February you may want to discover Walla Walla wines in Seattle or Portland.

February 10, 2014
Event: Walla Walla Wine @ McCaw Hall
Location: Seattle
Tickets

February 24, 2014
Event: Walla Walla Wine @ Pure Space
Location: Portland, Oregon
Tickets

For more information visit the Walla Walla Valley Wine Alliance website.

Cheers! Kathy

By Kathy | Posted in Wine News/Commentary | Tagged , , , , , | Comments (0)

15th Annual International Wine & Food Festival in D.C.

January 26, 2014 – 12:08 pm

Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching. If you are in the Washington, D.C. area you may want to attend the International Wine & Food Festival taking place over the course of three days including February 14th.

The 15th Annual Washington D.C. International Wine & Food Festival, presented by The Washington Post, takes place February 13 to February 15. The location is the Ronald Reagan Building & International Trade Center at 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20004.

Attendees can enjoy tastings, wine education and food pairings.

Look for the Festival Marketplace on Thursday and Friday from 12pm to 8pm. The Festival Marketplace will offer complimentary beverages. Admission to the Marketplace is free. Forty plus vendors will be available.

Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings enjoy food, wine, beer, cocktails and entertainment. The Atrium Lounge will be the location of international food and beverages. A deejay will provide the music.

During the festival a live band will also be available as well as a beer garden for beer connoisseurs. The Wine Club will present 100 plus wines to taste. Enjoy the tasting and also learn about the wine and terroir. Hors d’oeuvres, cheese and crackers will be available.

Master Class Tastings available include:

  • The Craft of the Cocktail
  • 2013-Vintage of a Lifetime | New Zealand
  • The Nineties are Always in Style with McPhail Pinot Noirs
  • The Barossa Valley
  • A Walk in Highland Park

Tickets for the main events and Master Class Tastings are available online.

Cheers! Kathy

By Kathy | Posted in Wine News/Commentary | Tagged , , , , , | Comments (0)

Ponte Family Estate Winery in Southern California Hosting a Canned Food Drive

January 24, 2014 – 2:05 pm

 

Vineyard view at Ponte Family Estate Winery, Temecula

Vineyard view at Ponte Family Estate Winery, Temecula

Ponte Family Estate Winery is a large winery in Temecula Valley, California. During January they are continuing the spirit of giving. Visitors to the Ponte tasting room are asked to bring canned goods.

Ponte Winery is donating the canned goods collected to the local food bank. The food bank in turn will donate the food to those families without enough food.

Those who bring five or more items to donate will receive five percent off the purchase of wine, gift items and gourmet foods.

Ponte Family Estate Winery supports several charities including:

  • The Oak Grove Center (residential and education center for children)
  • Rancho Damacitas (long term care for children)
  • CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate)
  • Angel Flight (arranges free air transportation for legitimate, charitable, medically related needs)
  • The My Stuff Bags Foundation (offers comfort to children going into foster care)
  • The Temecula Murrieta Community Pantry (outreach program offering material and spiritual materials for those in need)

We had the opportunity to visit Ponte Family Estate Winery a few years ago. Our article with photos is available online. The winery has much to offer visitors including a restaurant, views of vineyards, wines and special events.  If you will be visiting the Temecula region, check out Ponte Winery.

Cheers! Kathy

By Kathy | Posted in Wine News/Commentary | Tagged , , | Comments (0)

Buttonwood Grove Winery in New York’s Finger Lakes Region for Sale

January 22, 2014 – 4:45 pm
Cabins at Buttonwood Grove Winery

Cabins at Buttonwood Grove Winery

Anyone looking for an opportunity to purchase a winery may want to consider Buttonwood Grove Winery in New York State. The winery is located on an elevation above Cayuga Lake.

Owning and operating a successful winery takes a good sum of money, a lot hard work, and knowledge. If you have those assets than you may want to consider Buttonwood Grove. The asking price is $1.25 million.

A few years ago while visiting wineries in the Finger Lakes region of New York, we stopped by Buttonwood Grove Winery in Romulus, NY.  Today I remember the spacious tasting room and recall the items were displayed on tables/carts with large wheels, making them easy to move when scheduling events in the room. We had a delightful time including talking with one of the owners.

In addition to the winery buildings, the sale includes 65 acres of land and four cabins. The acreage includes 12½ acres of vineyards.

Buttonwood Grove Winery: website

The article  with photos we wrote about our visit is available online. The article was written a few years ago but you will find some interesting information including the reason for the Buttonwood Grove name.

Details about the sale are available online.

By Kathy | Posted in Wine News/Commentary | Tagged , , , | Comments (0)

2014 Wine Events in Croatia

January 21, 2014 – 1:22 pm
Vineyards at Kozlovi Winery in Croatia

Vineyards at Kozlovi Winery in Croatia

Croatia was the location of  the International Wine Tourism Conference in 2013.  When we visited Zagreb and Istria we discovered a country with a wonderful  history and culture. Anyone thinking of traveling to Croatia in 2014 will want to keep in mind the upcoming 2014 Croatian wine events. Be sure to check with the organization’s website before making final plans.

Location: Medimurje, Zrinski County
Event: Urbanovo –  Wine Days in the Zrinski County
Date: May 16 to May 30

The “Wine Days in Zrinski County” began in 2000  with an emphasis on the Medimurje  wine road. According to one source, “Open wine cellars on Medimurje wine road are a real attraction for virtually whole Croatia. That is because the whole country  [squeezes] into Medimurje’s hills those days. “

Region: Istria
Event: World Wine Day
Date: May 25, 2014

Celebrate World Wine Day in Croatia on the last Sunday of May. World Wine Day began in Italy  in 1993 as a way to provide access to Italy’s wine cellars by tourists. Numerous countries have followed and in 1999 wineries of Croatia began to participate.

Town: Vrbnik
Event: Island Krk Wine Days
Date: August 29 – August 30

Krk is one of the largest islands on the Adriatic Sea. The Wine Days event includes presentations, wine tastings and lectures. Visitors have the opportunity to purchase bottles of wine and local produce.

Town: Jastrebarsko
Event: Jaska Wine Festival
Date: September 1 – 30, 2014

The Jaska Wine Festival has been an annual event for the past 16 years. The wineries and wines of the region are promoted during this event. The Festival begins with a parade to the tents where fireworks start the celebrations. The day continues with wine tasting and culinary delights with entertainment in the evening. Events are also held on the Plešivicka wine road. Other aspects of the festival include wine themed exhibitions, horse and bicycle marathons, a tennis tournament, wine trek and more.

Discover more about the special country of Croatia at http://croatia.hr/en-GB/Homepage.

For more information about wineries in Croatia, visit the Wine Trail Traveler winery reviews.

By Kathy | Posted in Winery Events | Tagged , , , , , | Comments (0)

Writer of Vino Veritas Talks about his Wine Journey

January 16, 2014 – 6:40 am
Vino Veritas Poster Courtesy of Jo Films.jpg

Vino Veritas Poster Courtesy of Jo Films.jpg

As authors of A Wine Journey, Kathy and I enjoy listening to how people began their wine journeys and where those travels have taken them. We had an opportunity to conduct an email interview with David MacGregor, writer of the movie, Vino Veritas, available now at the iTunes store and VOD.

Wine Trail Traveler: When did you first become interested in wine? Describe the event, reason, tipping point, etc.

David MacGregor: I first became interested in wine after my wife and I had our first child.  I became the stay-at-home dad, writing and teaching at night, and to expand my interests beyond the interests of a small child, I subscribed to magazines like Gourmet, Bon Apetit, and Food and Wine.  The more I read about fine food and wine, the more interested I became in both, and reading about exquisite food and beverages somehow made my lunches of peanut butter sandwiches and Fritos taste better.

Wine Trail Traveler: How has your personal wine journey evolved since you first became interested in wine?

David MacGregor: I have a much greater appreciation for how particular wines can complement certain foods.  I had something of an epiphany in this regard when I became friends with a chef by the name of Brian Polcyn, who at the time owned and ran a restaurant called Five Lakes Grill in Milford, Michigan.  He invited a friend and I to visit his restaurant to dine, but he refused to let us order anything.  Instead, he cooked what he wanted to cook, and every course was accompanied by the wine he and his sommelier felt would best complement the dish.  I remember sitting at the table and just laughing because everything was so ridiculously delicious.  It was just a revelation.  From that point on, my appreciation for the kind of alchemy that exists between food and wine has continued to grow.

Wine Trail Traveler: Do you have favorite wines and wine regions to visit?

David MacGregor: My favorite types of wines are pinot noirs from the Russian River Valley, Malbecs from Argentina, and I’m extremely fond of the cabernets produced by Beaulieu Vineyards.  I’m also a fan of Beaujolais Nouveau.  In terms of wine regions, I have toured the vineyards of western Michigan (my favorite winery there is Tabor Hill, which also has a restaurant on the premises) and also Napa Valley, but the most fun tour was in the Niagara Wine Region and being introduced to their ice wines.

If you want to see the movie that David wrote, head to the iTunes store and search for Vino Veritas.

Cheers,
Terry

By Terry | Posted in Wine News/Commentary | Tagged , | Comments (0)

Vino Veritas – the Movie

January 15, 2014 – 7:18 am
Vino Veritas Poster Courtesy of Jo Films.jpg

Vino Veritas Poster Courtesy of Jo Films.jpg

Vino Veritas is a new movie available on January 15, 2014 at the iTunes store and VOD. The simple translation of “Vino Veritas” is “Wine Truth.” This is not a movie about wine, though, although many references to wine are made throughout the movie. It seems that wine is the glue that holds the film together. Rather Vino Veritas is a movie about being truthful to oneself, spouse and neighbors.

The movie, directed by Sarah Knight, takes place on Halloween evening. Phil, played by Brian Hutchison, and his wife Lauren, played by Heather Raffo, are having a shouting match lamenting the lost adventures of their youth. Calm ensues when neighbors Ridley, played by Bernard White, and his wife Claire, played by Carrie Preston, come over dressed in costumes for hors d’oeuvres prior to going to a Halloween party. Claire is dressed as Queen Elizabeth I. She spent months working on the costume and hopes to win the best costume award for yet another year. Ridley is a doctor and dressed as a doctor; he is on call and decided to make life easier. Phil escapes and returns dressed as a cowboy. A few minutes later Lauren returns dressed as a witch bearing a potion for the group to drink.

The light blue colored wine is a ceremonial wine from Peru made from the skin of a blue dart tree frog. Technically it is not a wine. It is reported that those who drink the alcoholic beverage can only speak the truth. Phil, Lauren and Claire gulp down their blue liquid. Ridley examines his glass of elixir and attempts to follow the steps of a structured tasting and is quickly criticized. Ridley does not drink his wine, he only dips his finger into it and tastes it. The blue colored wine has an aroma and taste of … a blue dart tree frog.

Carrie Preston as Claire, Bernard White as Ridley and Heather Raffo as Lauren in Vino Veritas Courtesy of Jo Films.jpg

Carrie Preston as Claire, Bernard White as Ridley and Heather Raffo as Lauren in Vino Veritas Courtesy of Jo Films.jpg

It soon becomes apparent that the myth about the wine becomes reality.  Questions start off simple enough, such as, “What is your favorite movie?” The questions proceed to more philosophical such as, “How would you like to die?” Truths are revealed that neighbors and spouses did not know about each other. There is a range of topics discussed including sexual satisfaction, the loss of youth and adventure from decades pass, the mundane predictable life-style of today and relationships with your children.

Perhaps the most prolific comment from viewers is, “I can relate to that.” Although Vino Veritas has only four actors, it sucks the audience in as participants. You find yourself sharing in the conversation with your spouse.

Light a couple candles, open a bottle of wine and watch Vino Veritas. After a couple glasses of wine, see if you begin to participate in the conversation exploring the truth about yourself,  your spouse and your neighbors.

Vino Veritas website

Vino Veritas trailer

Cheers,
Terry

By Terry | Posted in Wine News/Commentary | Tagged , | Comments (0)

15th Annual Crab, Wine & Beer Festival in Mendocino County

January 14, 2014 – 7:28 pm

 

Babydoll sheep at Navarro Vineyards in Mendocino Country

Babydoll sheep at Navarro Vineyards in Mendocino Country

No matter whether you like wine, beer, crabs or all three the Annual Crab, Wine & Beer Festival in Mendocino County festival is the place to be this week  from January  17 to January 26.  In addition to many events planned, the festival organizers are offering a Passport program. Details are available as a pdf .

The festival takes place in different areas of the county, so you will want to plan accordingly.

Types of Events

The festival includes many different events taking place during these 10 days. Some of the events to take place include:

  • Barrel Tasting 101
  • Mendocino Knights of Columbus “Crabs, Crabs, Crabs”
  • Cippino Dinner – A benefit for Mendocino Coast Clinics
  • Crab Cake Cook-off & Wine Tasting Competition – A Benefit for Mendocino Coast Clinics
  • Silica to Sparkle – The Art of Glass
  • The Anatomy of Music Workshop
  • Crab Fishing
  • Sports including a Mountain Bike Ride and Kayaking
  • Crab and Wine Pairing
  • Winemaker Dinners

More details are available on the  Visit Mendocino County website.

Articles about many Mendocino wineries are available on the Wine Trail Traveler website at http://winetrailtraveler.com/california/mendocinoregion.php. We enjoyed our visit to Mendocino County and it is one of several wine regions we hope to return to one day.

Cheers, Kathy

By Kathy | Posted in Wine News/Commentary | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments (0)

Georgia One of the Top Ten Countries to Visit in 2014

January 12, 2014 – 8:01 am

Rough Guides has released their top ten countries of the world to visit in 2014. Georgia was fifth on the list. The description includes hiking in the Caucasus Mountains, the taverns of Tbilisi and the resort city of Batumi on the Black Sea. The guide also mentioned that Georgia is not spoiled from mass tourism. So 2014 is a great year to visit this welcoming country.

Qvevri filled with Rkatsiteli grapes at Twins Wine Cellar of Napareuli, Kakheti, Georgia

Qvevri filled with Rkatsiteli grapes at Twins Wine Cellar of Napareuli, Kakheti, Georgia

What wasn’t mentioned in the paragraph description of Georgia are the monasteries, vineyards and wineries. Also the ancient art of making wine in qvevri should be noted. Qvevri winemaking in Georgia has been added to UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

On March 29th and 30th, the International Wine Tourism Conference will take place in Tbilisi. This conference will bring presenters from Europe, North America and South America. It will also bring together those in the wine tourism industry including food industry and lodging industry. The attendees will have opportunities to taste wines produced in qvevri, sample Georgia foods and learn about this beautiful country and their traditions.

As winemakers and winery owners learn more about qvevri winemaking, some are taking the challenge to make a wine in qvevri. Many qvevri-made wines are natural wines made without adding yeast, nutrients or other winemaking supplies. If you would like to learn more about this ancient wine-making technology, register for the conference.

Cheers,
Terry

By Terry | Posted in Wine News/Commentary | Tagged , , , | Comments (0)

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