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Drouhin vs. Drouhin Winery Spotlight Tasting Event

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May Winery Spotlight
Oregon vs. France

Drouhin vs. Drouhin Tasting Event
>> RSVP at your local WineStyles <<

Join us for a Winery Spotlight tasting event, featuring wines from Domaine Drouhin in Oregon and Joseph Drouhin wines from France.

Our WineStyles team had the privilege of touring and tasting at Domaine Drouhin, just outside of Portland Oregon.  We hope you’ll enjoy this unique winery spotlight tasting, featuring Drouhin wines from Oregon and France…..and bring home a few extra bottles to continue enjoying at home, as we did 🙂 

ABOUT MAISON JOSEPH DROUHIN, FRANCE

For the last 130 years, Maison Joseph Drouhin has been in the hands of the Drouhin family. With close to 90 different appellations, Joseph Drouhin offers a fascinating array of Burgundy terroirs in all their authenticity and subtle variations.

With its 73 hectares (182.5 acres), the Joseph Drouhin Domaine is one of the largest estates in the region. It owns vineyards in all of Burgundy: Chablis (95 acres), Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune, (80 acres), Côte Chalonnaise (7.5 acres). It is comprised of a majority of Premier and Grand Crus, planted with the two Burgundian grape varietals, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

The Domaine was put together through the years, thanks to judicious purchases and agreements between families. Some vineyards are among the most famous in Burgundy, such as Clos des Mouches, Montrachet Marquis de Laguiche, Musigny, Clos de Vougeot, Corton-Charlemagne, etc.   For some village or regional appellations, Joseph Drouhin complements its supplies by purchasing grapes from other vineyard owners who have been long time partners and share the same quest of excellence.    Starting with the vintage 2008, the name “Vaudon” was associated with Joseph Drouhin for all its Chablis wines as a sign of the firm’s allegiance to this historical terroir.

A FAMILY HERITAGE
Today, the House of Joseph Drouhin is run by Joseph’s four grand children, born between 1961 and 1968. They practically grew up in the vineyards and cellars. They acquired their knowledge from their father Robert Drouhin, while at their side. Each of the grandchild have a role to play within the business and each shares the same passion for vine and wine. From vintage to vintage, they perpetuate the tradition and do not shy away from innovation in their search for elegance and perfection, the hallmark of Maison Joseph Drouhin.

 ABOUT DOMAINE DROUHIN, OREGON

The Drouhin Family’s winemaking roots run deep, having taken hold in Burgundy’s best vineyards more than a century ago. Through the years, there has been a very clear link, a continuum, that inhabits Maison Joseph Drouhin, and now Domaine Drouhin Oregon.

The estate winery in the Dundee Hills creates elegant, fine Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines forged from their family’s tradition of fine winemaking in France. For more than 25 years, the Drouhin Family has brought a wealth of hard-earned experience to their vineyards in the Willamette Valley, just southwest of Portland, Oregon.

The Drouhin Oregon estate was established in the late 1980s, but their winemaking roots were planted in Burgundy a century earlier, when Joseph Drouhin moved from Chablis to Beaune, and in 1880 founded Maison Joseph Drouhin.  He was succeeded by his son, the brilliant Maurice Drouhin, who dedicated his life to making fine wine.  In 1957, Robert Drouhin became the third generation to run the business. He first “discovered” Oregon on a 1961 visit, and then again during the 1979 and ’80 blind tastings in Paris and Burgundy (the latter of which Robert organized) that put Oregon wines on the world map. Robert recognized that it was Oregon, more so than California, whose soils and climate could unlock the complexities and potential of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in the United States.

Drouhin Winery Spotlight Tasting*
Oregon vs. France

 

Vaudon Chablis

Pouilly Vinzelles

Chassagne Montrachet

DDO Arthur

Roserock Chardonnay

Meursault

Cote de Nuits Villages

Cote de Beaune

Chambolle Musigny

DDO PN

Roserock PN

Gevrey Chambertin

Limited Seating Available – Reserve your seat ASAP!

Contact your local WineStyles to RSVP!

*See your local store for the specific wines to be tasted, may vary by location or region.

Leeuwin Estate Winery Spotlight Event

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winery-spotlight-logoMarch Winery Spotlight
Tasting Event
>> RSVP at your local WineStyles <<

 Join us for a Winery Spotlight tasting event, featuring Leeuwin Estate wines from Australia.

ABOUT LEEUWIN ESTATE

horgan-familyFamily owned, Leeuwin Estate, one of the five founding wineries of the now famous Margaret River district of Western Australia, is under the direction of two generations who work with a team of highly skilled winemakers to consistently produce wines ranking alongside the world’s finest. In 1972, legendary Napa Valley winemaker, Robert Mondavi, identified the future site of the Leeuwin vineyard as being ideal for the production of premium wine and provided early mentorship to Denis and Tricia Horgan in the transformation of their cattle farm into Leeuwin Estate.

Enjoying its first commercial vintage in 1979, Leeuwin was thrust into the international spotlight when Decanter Magazine gave its highest recommendation to the 1980 “Art Series” Chardonnay. The international accolades have continued and Leeuwin now exports to 30 markets. Celebrating the combination of fine wine, food, art and music, Leeuwin features an award-winning restaurant, Cellar Door and art gallery. The Estate is renowned for staging spectacular events and welcoming visitors from around the world.

leeuwin-logo
Winery Spotlight Tasting
Australia

leeuwin-wines

  • Art Series Riesling
  • Prelude Chardonnay
  • Siblings Shiraz
  • Prelude Cabernet Merlot
  • Art Series Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Art Series Shiraz

 Limited Seating Available – Reserve your seat ASAP!

Contact your local WineStyles to RSVP!

Charles Krug Winery Spotlight Tasting Event

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winery-spotlight-logoJanuary Winery Spotlight
Tasting Event
>> RSVP at your local WineStyles <<

 Join us for a Winery Spotlight tasting event, featuring Charles Krug Winery of Napa Valley, California.

Founded in 1861 by Charles Krug, it is the oldest winery in Napa Valley. In 1943, the winery was purchased by Cesare and Rosa Mondavi and ran by their sons Peter and Robert. Four generations later, the Mondavi family continues their legacy that started more than 70 years ago.  Please join us as we Taste, Learn and Enjoy® these historic and delicious wines from Charles Krug winery.

ABOUT CHARLES KRUG WINERY and MONDAVI FAMILY

Charles Krug

Charles Krug

The winery was founded in 1861 by a then 36-year-old Charles Krug. Just nine years after coming to America, he built what would become the cornerstone of Napa Valley.  Charles Krug introduced the cider press for winemaking, the first of which is still on display at the winery. He carefully selected rootstocks, varietals, vine spacing and vineyard sites — a novel concept in late 19th century America.

In 1943, Cesare and Rosa Mondavi purchased the Charles Krug Winery for their sons Peter and Robert to run. They undertook an extensive program to develop quality vineyards, enhance winemaking techniques and increase marketing efforts.

In 1963, Peter Mondavi, Sr. introduced French oak barrels to age wines, citing their superior quality to the American oak popular at that time. He also introduced the use of glass-lined tanks to gain more control over the winemaking process. The winery was among the first California producers to label wines by varietal.  In February 2016, Peter Mondavi Sr. passed away at the age of 101. His sons Marc and Peter Jr. continue his legacy by leading the way at Charles Krug Winery.

Mondavi Family

Mondavi Family

Today, Charles Krug Winery is under the direction of brothers Marc and Peter Mondavi, Jr., who steward the family business passed to them by their father, legendary Napa Valley wine icon Peter Mondavi, Sr. The family is now proudly welcoming members of the fourth generation to the business, continuing a legacy started more than 70 years ago, and setting a foundation for generations to come.

CHARLES KRUG
Winery Spotlight Tasting
Napa Valley, California

mondavi-wines

  • Charles Krug Sauvignon Blanc
  • Charles Krug Chardonnay
  • Charles Krug Carneros Pinot Noir
  • Charles Krug Napa Valley Merlot
  • Charles Krug Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Charles Krug Generations

 Limited Seating Available – Reserve your seat ASAP!

Contact your local WineStyles to RSVP!

Long Shadows, Winery Spotlight Tasting Event

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Long Shadows Winery Washington StateNovember Winery Spotlight
Tasting Event
>> RSVP at your local WineStyles <<

Join us for a Winery Spotlight tasting event, featuring Long Shadows wines from Washington State.

Just a few months ago, our WineStyles team had the privilege of touring and tasting at Long Shadows in Washington State. We’re excited to share the winery experience with you at our next Winery Spotlight event.

Long Shadows brings seven highly acclaimed vintners from the major wine regions of the world to Washington State, each to a unique winery dedicated to producing Columbia Valley wines that showcase the best of this growing region.

Please join us as we Taste, Learn and Enjoy® these delicious 90+ point wines from Washington State.  Cheers!

LONG SHADOWS WINERY

allen-shoup-long-shadows

Allen Shoup, widely recognized as the founding father of the Washington wine industry.

Founded in 2003, Long Shadows is the brainchild of Washington wine luminary Allen Shoup. As president and CEO of Chateau Ste. Michelle and its affiliated wineries, Allen spent 20 years building the reputation of the growing region, in part by forging winemaking partnerships that brought Italy’s Piero Antinori and Germany’s Dr. Ernst Loosen to the Columbia Valley.

After leaving Ste. Michelle in 2000, Allen’s commitment to advancing the Columbia Valley remained undaunted. He spent the next three years developing Long Shadows, a proposition that was as simple as it was complex: recruit a cadre of the finest winemakers in the world; give each vintner access to Washington State’s best grapes; and outfit a winery to accommodate a diverse group of winemakers’ exacting cellar specifications.

With the vision in place, Allen began by introducing a dream team of celebrated vintners to the vines and wines of the growing region. The idea quickly sold itself; and from the beginning, the wines have enjoyed critical acclaim that has continued to grow, vintage after vintage. In addition to the wines, Long Shadows collectively has won numerous awards, including recognition as Food & Wine magazine’s “Winery of the Year.”

long-shadows-logoLONG SHADOW WINEMAKERS:

Randy Dunn –  Michel Rolland – John Duval – Philippe Melka – Agustin Huneeus, SR. – Ambrogio & Giovanni Folonari – Armin Diel – Gilles Nicault

Long Shadows Winery

Long Shadows Winery

longshadows-pedestal_merlotLONG SHADOWS
Winery Spotlight Tasting
Washington State

Please join us as we Taste, Learn and Enjoy®
these delicious 90+ point wines from Washington State:

  • Poet’s Leap
  • Saggi Red Wine
  • Feather Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Chester Kidder Red Wine
  • Pirouette Red Wine
  • Sequel Syrah
  • Pedestal Merlot

 Limited Seating Available – Reserve your seat ASAP!

Contact your local WineStyles to RSVP!

Hall Winery Spotlight Tasting Event

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hall_walt-tastingOctober Winery Spotlight
Tasting Event
>> RSVP at your local WineStyles <<

HALL Wines represents critically acclaimed artisan Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon from two Napa Valley  winery locations in both St. Helena and Rutherford. Owned by Craig & Kathryn Hall, its vineyard collection features five Certified Organic estates producing classic Bordeaux varietals. HALL’s highly rated wines include the Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, selected as Wine Spectator’s #18 of the ‘Top 100’ in 2010. Collectively, over 140 HALL Wines have been rated 90 points and above.

WALT Wines are dedicated to Kathryn Hall’s parents, Bob and Delores Walt, who were dedicated wine growers and their love of the vineyards inspired Kathryn to carry on the tradition.   Let’s Taste, Learn and Enjoy!®

hall-napa-valley-cabernet-sauvignon-bottle-imageABOUT HALL WINERY

Kathryn Walt Hall is the proprietor of HALL Wines and WALT Wines, and has been involved in the California wine industry since her family first purchased a vineyard in the 1970’s. She has had a distinguished career as a successful businesswoman, attorney, community activist, and as the United States Ambassador to Austria.

HALL Wines are passionate about environmental responsibility and sustainable stewardship of their land.  Their vineyards have been certified organic by the California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF). Farming organically involves committing to two principles:  ecological production and maintaining organic integrity.     Hall values the land and also value its creation, which is why they continue the tradition of hand picking all of the grapes throughout their estate vineyards.  Once the grapes are brought to the winemaking facility, the grapes are processed with innovative techniques to ensure the highest standard and quality of wine.

hall-vineyard
“Since launching HALL Wines, we have been dedicated to the preservation of the environment and bringing innovation to Napa Valley.  HALL Wines is always looking for new ways to provide support and dedication to the sustainable-living movement. We continue to reinforce our commitment to the health of the land, as well as that of the greater Napa Valley ecosystem”, notes Ambassador Kathryn Hall, HALL Wines owner and vintner.

walt-la-brisa-chard-pinotWALT Wines, owned by Vintners Kathryn Walt Hall and Craig Hall,  is dedicated to the production of premier Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the Pacific Coast’s most distinctive vineyard sites, spanning nearly 1000 miles and including Sta. Rita Hills, Sonoma County, Anderson Valley, Napa Valley and the Willamette Valley.  With their philosophy of precision, non-interventionist winemaking, it allows the wines to naturally and honestly express the character of the site where the wines are grown.

The team at Walt Wines believes in hand sorting every berry; pressing Chardonnay as whole clusters; allowing native yeast fermentation; encouraging a long malolactic fermentation with weekly batonnage and topping off; barrel aging on lees to create more texture, richness, and complexity; and never fining or filtering.  Holding true to these methods means there is no room for error or shortcuts, but the reward is a complex, expressive, complete wine.

HALL WINES
Winery Spotlight Tasting
Napa Valley, California

hall-walt-wines

  • Hall Sauvignon Blanc
  • Walt La Brisa Chardonnay
  • Walt Blue Jay Pinot Noir
  • Walt Clos Pepe Pinot Noir
  • Hall Merlot
  • Hall Cabernet Sauvignon

 Limited Seating Available – Reserve your seat at your local WineStyles Tasting Station.

Ehlers Estate Winery Spotlight Tasting Event

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ehler_tasting_header

September Winery Spotlight
Tasting Event
>> RSVP at your local WineStyles <<

Join us for a Winery Spotlight tasting event, featuring Ehlers Winery of St. Helena, California.

The story of Ehlers Estate is one of passion, patience, and hard work. It was the lure of winemaking that tempted Bernard Ehlers to buy a small, dying vineyard in the late 1800s and create the winery that continues to bear his name. A century later, another husband and wife team discovered the lure of this idyllic spot in the heart of the Napa Valley.  French entrepreneurs and philanthropists Jean and Sylviane Leducq continue to produce wines with the power, balance and structure of the finest Bordeaux bottling they knew and loved.

ABOUT EHLERS ESTATE

ehler_wineryThe story of Ehlers Estate is one of passion, patience, and hard work, intertwined like the tendrils of robust vines that have been part of the landscape here since the mid-1800s.

It was the lure of winemaking that tempted Bernard Ehlers to buy a small, dying vineyard in the late 1800s and embark on a quest to create the winery that continues to bear his name.  He replanted his newly-acquired 10-acre vineyard, established the olive grove that still thrives today and in 1886 completed construction of the stone barn that is now our beautiful winery building and tasting room. His original Bale Mill Winery continued to operate long after his death, run by his wife until the 1920s and then by successive new owners who took advantage of its prime location and unique terroir.

A century later, another husband and wife team discovered the lure of this idyllic spot in the heart of the Napa Valley.  French entrepreneurs and philanthropists Jean and Sylviane Leducq saw the potential for this region to produce wines with the power, balance and structure of the finest Bordeaux bottlings they knew and loved.  Over several decades they patiently built a contiguous wine estate – common for French chateaux but increasingly rare in California.

kevin-morrisey-winemakerWith the help of renowned enologist, Jacques Boissenot, they gradually acquired individual local vineyards as they came up for sale and replanted with the most suitable clones and rootstock. By the turn of the century they had created the 42-acre estate we farm today, with Bernard Ehlers’ original stone barn and vineyard at its heart and the Ehlers name once again poised to grace wine labels. The 21st Century began with the release of the very first vintage from the Leducq’s new Ehlers Estate.

Developing the winery had become a passion project for Jean and Sylviane, one they shared long after the sale of their other successful businesses in Europe. Their legacy remains in safe hands today under the leadership of our current winemaker, Kevin Morrisey, who was favored by Sylviane because he shares the same passion for creating sophisticated wines with an old-world charm that capture the character and heritage of our land.

Ehlers Estate continues a proud tradition of farming with experienced vineyard and cellar teams that share a non-interventionist winemaking philosophy firmly rooted in the belief that terroir defines a wine, but passion, patience and hard work are needed to ensure that it is fully expressed in the bottle.
ehler_vineyard
By using organic vineyard practices, Ehlers Estate leaves a minimal footprint on the land and provides maximum flavor in the grapes. Taking advantage of the robust Estate ecosystem and carefully-chosen rootstocks, the vineyard crew coaxes the vines to fully express the numerous soil types and microclimates found on the estate. Once the grapes are harvested, the cellar crew knows when to be hands-on and when to let nature takes its course as the wines ferment, develop and age.

Today, the winery strives to be responsible stewards of the land and continue the legacy of Bernard and Anne Ehlers, and Jean and Sylviane Leducq, who saw the potential that you can taste in every bottle of Ehlers Estate wine.

EHLERS ESTATE
Winery Spotlight Tasting
St. Helena, California

ehlers-wines

  • Ehlers Estate Sauvignon Blanc
  • Ehlers Estate Cabernet Franc
  • Ehlers Estate Merlot
  • Ehlers Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Ehlers Estate 1886 Cabernet Sauvignon

 Limited Seating Available – Reserve your seat ASAP!

Contact your local WineStyles to RSVP!

Stolpman Vineyards Winery Spotlight Tasting Event

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Stolpman_Tasting_headerMay Winery Spotlight
STOLPMAN VINEYARDS Tasting Event
>> RSVP at your local WineStyles <<

CircleLogo_Stolpman_HighResJoin us for a Winery Spotlight tasting event, featuring Stolpman Vineyards of Los Olivos,  California.

The largest vineyard in the AVA, Stolpman Vineyards is considered the founding vineyard of Ballard Canyon. Over a dozen other vintners followed Tom Stolpman into Ballard Canyon and based on the results of their experimentation, all have decided to focus on Syrah. Planted in 1992 and 1994, their first blocks of Syrah are the oldest vines, producing concentrated Syrah with a firm structure built for aging. Please join us as we Taste, Learn and Enjoy® these delicious wines from the Stolpman Vineyards. Cheers!

redcottageIf you ever get a chance to visit historic Los Olivos, be sure to stop by their adorable “little red cottage” tasting room.  Or click here for a virtual tour. Los Olivos is one of my favorite places to visit, very cute and quaint little neighborhood of tasting rooms, just outside of Solvang, CA in the Santa Ynez Valley.  Our WineStyles team had the pleasure of visiting wineries in Los Olivos last year.

ABOUT STOLPMAN VINEYARDS and FAMILY

Over 20 years ago, Founding Partner, Thomas Stolpman, discovered what he believed to be one of the greatest viticultural sites on earth. Hidden in the hills of California’s Central Coast, on a rare Limestone outcropping & unobstructed from the Pacific Ocean wind, this unique land is naturally suited to grow Syrah and Roussanne grapes. Stolpman Vineyards are committed to preserving this natural environment for vines through natural farming, dry farming, & sustainable employment. In the winery, they prefer native fermentation & minimal manipulation.   Dedicated to sensible farming & winemaking, Stolpman Vineyards believe that theycan create natural, vibrant, site-specific wines, with a focus unique to Ballard Canyon AVA, California.

StolpmanTom_WSTom Stolpman, Founding Partner

Behind every great man there is a strong woman. Marilyn Stolpman seeded the idea of creating a vineyard in Tom’s mind back on their honeymoon in 1974. Marilyn believed she and Tom should only invest in something the family could enjoy, and encouraged Tom to pursue his viticultural dream.

Marilyn was first exposed to wine while a UCLA undergraduate studying abroad at the University of Bordeaux, where she studied French literature. Today, Marilyn heads up the estate extra virgin olive oil program and promotes Stolpman wines with Tom.

Tom Stolpman still practices law as a trial attorney with the Long Beach, California firm of Stolpman, Krissman, Elber & Silver LLP. When not preparing or trying cases, he is the founding partner and charismatic historian of Stolpman Vineyards and Ballard Canyon.

Tom and Marilyn finished construction of their dream house on the vineyard, Villa Angeli, in 2013. Perched atop one of the vineyard hills, Tom and Marilyn can enjoy the family dynasty they have created.

Learn more about the folks at Stolpman and their “Grape Whisperer”.

Stolpman_winemaker

stolpman-wineSTOLPMAN VINEYARDS
Winery Spotlight Tasting
Santa Ynez Valley, California

  • Stolpman Viognier
  • Stolpman Roussanne
  • Stolpman LaCuadrilla
  • Stolpman Estate Syrah
  • Stolpman Petite Sirah
  • Stolpman Sangio Degli Angeli

 Limited Seating Available – Reserve your seat ASAP!

Contact your local WineStyles to RSVP!

Fess Parker Winery Spotlight Tasting Event

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fess-parker-headerApril Winery Spotlight
Tasting Event
>> RSVP at your local WineStyles <<

 Fess-parker-logoJoin us for a Winery Spotlight tasting event, featuring Fess Park Winery and Vineyards of Santa Ynez Valley, California.

Our WineStyles team had the privilege of touring and tasting at Fess Parker’s Winery and Vineyards last year.  Not only is the winery a beautiful property in Santa Ynez Valley, it also offers equally beautiful wines.  We hope you will enjoy the Fess Parker winery experience as much as we did….and bring home a few extra bottles to continue enjoying at home, as we did 🙂

ABOUT FESS PARKER WINERY and FAMILY

When Fess Parker was cast in the role of Davy Crockett in the mid-1950’s, it caused an international sensation and changed his life forever. So too did the purchase of 714 acres in the Santa Ynez Valley change the course of the Parker family’s history.

Driving north along the pastoral Foxen Canyon Wine Trail feels like traveling back to California’s early days. Rolling hills frame vast meadows, deer and wildlife roam free, and pristine landscapes stretch as far as the eye can see. Realizing the potential of Santa Barbara County as a premium grape-growing region, Fess and his son, Eli, originally set out in 1989 to plant a small vineyard and sell fruit to local producers. But, as Fess’ daughter, Ashley explains, “ Fess is from Texas, so he can’t do anything small. “The Fess Parker Winery and Vineyard now farms almost 700 acres on four vineyards throughout Santa Barbara County.

Fess-familyEli Parker and his sister Ashley continue to stay involved as stewards of the family’s vision for the winery while Ashley’s husband Tim Snider serves as President and oversees day-to-day operations. The family’s vineyard is the 120-acre Rodney’s Vineyard, named after Fess Parker’s late son-in-law, at the 400-acre Foxen Canyon Road estate where the winery is located. They also source grapes from Camp Four vineyard in the heart of the Santa Ynez Valley, which Parker planted in 1998 as well as vineyards in the cooler Sta. Rita Hills and Santa Maria Valley appellations. Blair Fox assumed the role of head winemaker in 2005. In recent years, the winery has sharpened its focus to produce more small-lot, vineyard-designated wines made from high-quality Rhone and Burgundian varietals, which have won awards in national wine competitions.

Fess-wineryCompleted in 1994, the new winery and tasting room are loosely designed after an Australian sheep station, with a grand stone fireplace, stone floors, and a wraparound veranda with picnic tables. The spacious complex is set amid an acre of meticulously landscaped grounds that border the vineyard. The amphitheater-style lawn, rimmed by mature oaks, provides a serene setting for picnics, summer evening performances by Shakespeare Santa Barbara, and other events. Indoors, visitors taste the latest vintages at a worn knotty pine bar, surrounded by photos of Fess Parker as Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone and other memorabilia related to the actor’s television roles.

Working as a family has always been a great source of pride and pleasure for the Parker family. Eli Parker began in the family business as assistant winemaker in 1989. After several years of learning the craft at the side of renowned and accomplished winemakers, Eli took the reigns as winemaker himself with the 1995 vintage. A leader of the winery since its inception, it was in 1996 that Eli formally assumed the title and responsibilities of President. In the early 1990’s, Ashley ran the first tastings out of the barrel room and represented the winery at trade shows. In 1998, Ashley became Eli’s partner, working on the public relations and sales and marketing teams. The presence of Fess and his wife Marcy as the founding visionaries of the winery is a vital and enduring one.

FESS PARKER
Winery Spotlight Tasting
Santa Ynez Valley, California

Fess-Parker-wine-tasting

  • Fess Parker Santa Barbara Chardonnay
  • Fess Parker Ashley’s Chardonnay
  • Fess Parker Marcellas
  • Fess Parker Santa Barbara Riesling
  • Fess Parker Sta. Rita Hills Pinor
  • Fess Parker The Big Easy
  • Fess Parker Rodney’s Syrah

 Limited Seating Available – Reserve your seat ASAP!

Contact your local WineStyles to RSVP!

Greywacke Winery Spotlight Tasting Event

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February Winery Spotlight
Tasting Event
>> RSVP at your local WineStyles <<

Greywacke-Logo

GWK_PinotGris_NVJoin us for a Winery Spotlight tasting event, featuring Greywacke wines of Marlborough, New Zealand.

Winemaker Kevin Judd

Kevin Judd, winemaker

One of Marlborough’s pioneering winemakers, Kevin Judd’s career is intrinsically linked with Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. Established in 2009, Judd’s label Greywacke (pronounced “grey-wacky”) is the fulfillment of a long-held dream. Named after New Zealand’s prolific bedrock, Greywacke was originally adopted by Kevin and his wife Kimberley as the name for their first Marlborough vineyard in Rapaura, whose soils have an abundance of these river stones. Greywacke sources fruit from mature vineyards within Marlborough’s central Wairau Plains and the Southern Valleys. Also an established professional photographer, Judd’s home in the Omaka Valley overlooking Marlborough’s picturesque vineyards provides inspiration for both his passions.

The Greywacke portfolio is based on the Marlborough region’s signature varieties, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. The Sauvignon Blanc is crafted in two distinctive styles: classically pure Marlborough Sauvignon, and an alternative wild yeast-fermented, oak-aged Sauvignon. In addition, Kevin indulges his creative drive with small parcels of Chardonnay, along with aromatic varieties Pinot Gris and Riesling. When the season graces this idyllic region with ideal conditions, limited releases of late harvest wines from the aromatic varieties are produced.

Hand harvesting Riesling, at Ashmore Vineyard for Greywacke - the new Marlborough label of Kevin Judd, Marlborough, New Zealand

Hand harvesting Riesling, at Ashmore Vineyard for Greywacke – the new Marlborough label of Kevin Judd, Marlborough, New Zealand

The wines of Marlborough are known worldwide for their precision, intensity, and distinctiveness, bequeathed by an extraordinary climate and a diverse collection of soils. The expression of unique sites within this distinguished environment lifts the wines of Greywacke to another level. Kevin takes a low-intervention approach to winemaking in order to coax the finest nuance of individuality from each hand-selected vineyard parcel, while maintaining the aromatic intensity for which Marlborough is renowned. Purity of varietal expression is a foregone conclusion in the fruit Kevin works with; indigenous yeast are then left to run their course in new and older French oak barriques, ensuring ample texture and complexity in these compelling wines. Already garnering worldwide acclaim, they show a common thread of layered concentration, fine structure and invigorating freshness.

Greywacke Winery Spotlight Tasting
Marlborough, New Zealand

Greywacke-wines

  • Greywacke Pinot Gris
  • Greywacke Sauvignon Blanc
  • Greywacke Wild Sauvignon
  • Greywacke Chardonnay
  • Greywacke Pinot Noir

 

Limited Seating Available – Reserve your seat ASAP!

Contact your local WineStyles to RSVP!

Greywacke-winery

Ridge Vineyards Tasting Event

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Ridge Vineyards Tasting EventOctober  Winery Spotlight
Tasting Event
>> RSVP at your local WineStyles <<

Ridge Vineyards, California

The history of Ridge Vineyards begins in 1885, when Osea Perrone, a doctor who became a prominent member of San Francisco’s Italian community, bought 180 acres near the top of Monte Bello Ridge. He terraced the slopes and planted vineyards; using native limestone, he constructed the Monte Bello Winery, producing the first vintage under that name in 1892. This unique cellar, built into the mountainside on three levels, is Ridge’s production facility. At 2600′, it is surrounded by the “upper vineyard.”

“We decided to farm organically because we believe it leads to better grapes and higher quality wines. This approach in the vineyard, plus our traditional approach to winemaking, will provide the finest possible wines for our customers.” –  Paul Draper, CEO/winemaker.

montebello

13zls-bottle-shotRidge-Vineyards-LogoLytton Springs, in Sonoma County, became part of the Ridge estate in 1991. A quarter century’s experience with this vineyard had convinced us that it was an exceptional piece of ground. Forty consecutive vintages of Geyserville attest to yet another stunning combination of location and varietals. Though born in the early sixties to the post-Prohibition world of modern California winemaking, Ridge relies on nature and tradition rather than technology. Our approach is straightforward: find intense, flavorful grapes; intrude upon the process only when necessary; draw the fruit’s distinctive character and richness into the wine.  While Ridge is by no means a large grower,  they are the largest grower of organically farmed grapes in Sonoma County, and in the Santa Cruz Mountains appellation.

Limited Seating Available – Reserve your seat ASAP!

Ridge-wines

Contact your local WineStyles

Ridge-Vineyards-Logo