Tag Archives: wine tasting

Winery Spotlight Series: July 2024

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Austin-Hope-Logo-Color

Spotlight_Austin-Hope_Bottles_blog

Winery Spotlight Wine Tasting
Austin Hope
Paso Robles, California

July 2024

We’re thrilled to introduce these wines to you! Last September, we had the opportunity to visit the Austin Hope Winery − part of Hope Family Wines − during our annual WineStyles conference in Paso Robles. We had the pleasure of sampling their fantastic range of wines. Now, we invite you to join us for a new Winery Spotlight tasting event, where we’ll be showcasing five different wines from their remarkable line. Please join us! 

Wines Tasted:

  1. Treana Sauvignon Blanc
  2. Treana Cabernet Sauvignon
  3. Treana Red
  4. Austin Hope Cabernet Sauvignon
  5. Quest Red Blend

To reserve a spot and attend the wine tasting, please contact your local participating WineStyles store, or reserve your tickets on their local Eventbrite.

Spotlight_Austin_Hope_July

About Treana:
Treana_Logo_2016_BlackTreana embodies the essential elements shaping their wines: the fertile land they farm, the warm California sun, and the cooling ocean breeze. The Pacific Ocean’s afternoon breezes cause significant diurnal temperature shifts, preserving the grapes’ natural acidity. Abundant sunshine during the growing season provides warmth, creating ideal conditions for grape cultivation. The Central Coast wine region in California offers some of the most unique and diverse soil types, further enhancing the quality of Treana’s wines.

About Quest:
Quest-Logo-1As makers and dreamers, the minds behind Quest are never at rest, constantly pursuing untapped possibilities. Quest was born from a love of American oak and the Cabernet Franc varietal. Cabernet Franc is noble grape of the Bordeaux region not widely planted in California, particularly in Paso Robles, due to its specific soil and temperature requirements. After years of trial and error, the Hope Family team found the ideal terroir and microclimate in the Paso Robles AVA for the meticulous Cabernet Franc. With established vines, they collaborated with coopers to craft luxury American oak barrels that would enhance their vision for a world-class Cabernet Franc blend. Creating an exceptional Cabernet Franc, akin to crafting an exquisite Pinot Noir, demands careful attention to soil, site, and temperature.

About Austin Hope:
Austin-Hope-Logo-ColorWinemaker Austin Hope launched his namesake label in 2000, five years after assuming leadership of the family business. Initially, Austin Hope wines focused on Rhône varieties cultivated at the Hope family’s estate vineyard. In 2017, after years of exploration and only when he was confident in creating something extraordinary, Austin unveiled his first Cabernet Sauvignon. This wine quickly became a benchmark for Paso Robles. Today, Austin Hope wines represent Austin’s dedication to elevating Paso Robles on the global stage.

Austin Hope is the mark of their family’s multigenerational legacy in Paso Robles, reserved for the finest expressions of Cabernet Sauvignon and estate Rhône varieties. These are the definitive wines from Wine Enthusiast’s 2022 American Winery of the Year. 

“The goal is simple: to make wines that express everything Paso Robles has to offer, with its pastoral beauty, perfect soils, maritime climate and limitless possibility.” – Owner-Winemaker Austin Hope

Map of Hope Family vineyards

About Hope Family Wines:
In 1978, Austin Hope’s family settled in Paso Robles, establishing vineyards and apple orchards. Unaware of Paso Robles’ future as a premier wine growing region, they continued farming. Today, Hope Family Wines thrives with six distinct brands: Liberty School, Treana, Quest, Austin Hope, Troublemaker, and the newest addition, Austin. Recognitions include Austin Hope being named the 2019 “Wine Person of the Year” by Paso Robles, their 2017 Austin Hope label ranking #10 on Wine Enthusiast’s “Top 100 Enthusiast Wines of the World,” and their recent accolade as Wine Enthusiast’s American Winery of the Year in 2022. To learn more on their website, click here.

© Hope Family Wines
© Hope Family Wines

Photos and Information © Austin Hope & Hope Family Wines – All Rights Reserved.

Let’s Taste, Learn and Enjoy® together! 
Contact your local participating WineStyles to RSVP for this tasting event.
Winery Spotlight Wine Tasting
Austin Hope – Paso Robles, California
July 2024
Cheers!
WineStyles.com

Winery Spotlight Series: June 2024

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Remhoogte winery logoRemhoogte wines to be tastedWinery Spotlight Wine Tasting
Remhoogte Wine Estate
Stellenbosch, South Africa

June 2024

Join us for a wine tasting event featuring Remhoogte Wine Estate Wines from South Africa! We will be sharing the six wines below; to reserve a spot and attend the wine tasting, please contact your local participating WineStyles store, or reserve your tickets on their local Eventbrite.

Wines Tasted:

  1. Honeybunch Chenin Blanc
  2. Chronicle Cape Blend
  3. Vantage Pinotage
  4. Free to Be Red (Carbonic Syrah)
  5. Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve
  6. Syrah Reserve
Chris and Rob Boustred © Photo by Remhoogte Wine Estate
© Photo by Remhoogte Wine Estate
© Photo by Remhoogte Wine Estate
Winemaker Chris Boustred © Photo by Remhoogte Wine Estate
© Photo by Remhoogte Wine Estate

About Remhoogte Wine Estate:
Remhoogte Wine Estate is a family-run winery with vineyards nestled on the foothills of the Simonsberg mountain in Stellenbosch. The wines produced here benefit from ancient soils, steep slopes, and the cooling winds from the Atlantic Ocean. Each bottle reflects the story of the vineyards, the estate’s heritage, and its passion for winemaking and land preservation for future generations. The goal of Remhoogte Wine Estate is to bring joy to all who experience their wines and to make everyone feel like a part of the Remhoogte family.

“We believe wine is made in the vineyards, and our goal is to allow the vineyards to express themselves by interfering as little as possible. As a result we have adopted a minimalist approach in both the vineyards and the cellar. The idea being to minimize the human influence on the final product.” – Chris Boustred, Winemaker

All grapes are hand sorted in the cellar before they go into tank. Wild or naturally occurring yeasts are allowed to ferment the grapes before the wine is drained off the skins and allowed to mature in French oak barrels before being racked and bottled. 

“I love opening a bottle of wine, it is like unlocking a time and place. You can experience the terroir of the wines origin and the climate that the vines experienced in the year the wine was made. This is also why I am passionate about Estate Wines, as you are drinking wine from a very specific place in a specific area.” – Rob Boustred

To learn more about the Remhoogte family and their winery,  be sure to RSVP at your local WineStyles and sample their amazing wines.  To learn more on their website, click here. If you’d like to visit Remhoogte and stay at their Zebra Cottage or Zebra Lodge, please click here.  Waking up surrounded by vines and zebras is an amazing experience you’ll never forget! 

Photos and Information © Remhoogte Wine Estate – All Rights Reserved.

Let’s Taste, Learn and Enjoy® together! 
Contact your local participating WineStyles to RSVP for this tasting event.
Winery Spotlight Wine Tasting
Remhoogte Wine Estate
June 2024
Cheers!
WineStyles.com

Winery Spotlight Series: May 2024

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Thelema Mountain Vineyards lightThelema Wine bottlesWinery Spotlight Wine Tasting
Thelema Mountain Vineyards
Stellenbosch, South Africa

May 2024

Join us for a wine tasting event featuring Thelema Mountain Vineyards Wines from South Africa! We will be sharing the seven wines below; to reserve a spot and attend the wine tasting, please contact your local participating WineStyles store, or reserve your tickets on Eventbrite.

Wines Tasted:

  1. Thelema Mountain White
  2. Thelema Chardonnay
  3. Thelema Mountain Red
  4. Thelema Shiraz
  5. Thelema Cabernet Sauvignon
  6. Thelema Rabelais
  7. Thelema ‘Vin de Hel’ Muscat Late Harvest
© Thelema Mountain Vineyards
© Thelema Mountain Vineyards
© Thelema Mountain Vineyards
© Thelema Mountain Vineyards

About Thelema Mountain Vineyards:
After leaving his accounting career to become a winemaker Gyles Webb and the McLeans, his in-laws, purchased Thelema in 1983. The manor house was restored and the first wines under the Thelema label were released in 1988. By the mid 1990’s, their wines sold out within a month of release, making it one of the most sought-after wine estates in South Africa. The Webb family describe Thelema as “one of the most beautiful places on earth”.  Situated on the southeastern side of the Simonsberg Mountain, with elevations 1739 feet above sea level and mainly south-facing slopes, Thelema Mountain Vineyards possesses some of the highest elevations in Stellenbosch, South Africa. These high altitudes and the rich red soils are ideal for premium quality wine grape production. The Webb family believes grape quality is the single most important factor in serious winemaking; their policy is one of minimum interference, allowing the wines to be a true expression of each vineyard.

Thelema Mountain Vineyards lightThelema Mountain Vineyards’ crest showcases a phoenix. This sacred phoenix appears in ancient Arabian, Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Chinese and Indian mythology, but it also symbolizes the birth of Thelema since it is present on both sides of the families. The McLeans owned the Phoenix Garden Hotel in Kimberley, and there is a phoenix on the Webb family crest. To learn more about the family winery and their history, click here.

© Thelema Mountain Vineyards
© Thelema Mountain Vineyards
© Thelema Mountain Vineyards
© Thelema Mountain Vineyards
© Thelema Mountain Vineyards

Photos and Information © Thelema Mountain Vineyards – All Rights Reserved.

Let’s Taste, Learn and Enjoy® together! 
Contact your local participating WineStyles to RSVP for this tasting event.
Winery Spotlight Wine Tasting
Thelema Mountain Vineyards
May 2024
Cheers!
WineStyles.com

Winery Spotlight Series: April 2024

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Official-HFW-logoHope Family standing in vineyardsWinery Spotlight Wine Tasting
Hope Family Wines
Paso Robles, California

April 2024

We’re thrilled to introduce these wines to you! Last September, we had the opportunity to visit the Austin Hope Winery − part of Hope Family Wines − during our annual WineStyles conference in Paso Robles. We had the pleasure of sampling their fantastic range of wines. Now, we invite you to join us for the Hope Family Wines Winery Spotlight tasting event, where we’ll be showcasing five of their remarkable wines. Please join us!

Wines Tasted:

  1. Austin Chardonnay
  2. Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon
  3. Austin Cabernet Sauvignon
  4. Liberty School Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
  5. Troublemaker Blend 16

To reserve a table and attend the wine tasting, please contact your local participating WineStyles store, or reserve your tickets on Eventbrite.

Hope Family wines to be tasted

About Hope Family Wines:
In 1978, Austin Hope’s family settled in Paso Robles, establishing vineyards and apple orchards. Unaware of Paso Robles’ future as a premier wine growing region, they continued farming. Today, Hope Family Wines thrives with six distinct brands: Liberty School, Treana, Quest, Austin Hope, Troublemaker, and the newest addition, Austin. Recognitions include Austin Hope being named the 2019 “Wine Person of the Year” by Paso Robles, their 2017 Austin Hope label ranking #10 on Wine Enthusiast’s “Top 100 Enthusiast Wines of the World,” and their recent accolade as Wine Enthusiast’s American Winery of the Year in 2022. Learn more about their story here.

© Hope Family Wines

© Hope Family Wines

Sustainability:
Hope Family Wines is committed to sustainable growing practices that promote vine health, improve wine quality, and ensure that growers remain profitable. The number of tractor passes is kept to a minimum, protecting the integrity of the root structures and avoiding compacting the soil. Hope Family Wines works actively with the Central Coast Vineyard Team to promote best practices in the vineyards. They also use self-assessment tools put together by the Wine Institute and the California Association of Winegrape Growers to gauge progress and identify areas for improvement over time. This multi-pronged approach to growing, from winter pruning through fall harvest, ensures we use only the finest grapes for each of our labels. 

SIP Certified:
Chuck and Austin Hope believe their stewardship of their estate vineyard reaches far beyond the vineyard rows to ensure the ecosystem thrives. They’ve created wildlife corridors so the native quail, deer and maybe a wild boar or two, can pass through the vineyard. Their estate vineyards are SIP Certified ensuring they focus on preservation and protection of natural and human resources.  Learn more about their sustainability efforts >

© Hope Family Wines

© Hope Family Wines

About Austin Hope – Winemaker & President:
Austin Hope began his journey in Paso Robles in 1978 when his family acquired a ranch. Assigned to work in the vineyards as punishment by his father, Chuck Hope, a young Austin surprised everyone by embracing the task at just eight years old. While studying Fruit Science at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in California, Austin’s family laid the groundwork for Treana Winery. When his uncle passed away in 1996, Chuck turned to Austin to lead the business. Teaming up with winemaker Chris Phelps, Austin ventured into producing red table wine from Paso Robles, then a lesser-known region. His boldness paid off; today, Austin continues to expand his wine portfolio, driven by his unwavering commitment to showcasing Paso Robles’ essence in every bottle.

Map of Hope Family vineyards

Photos and Information © Hope Family Wines – All Rights Reserved.

Let’s Taste, Learn and Enjoy® together! 
Contact your local participating WineStyles to RSVP for this tasting event.
Winery Spotlight Wine Tasting
Hope Family Wines
April 2024
Cheers!
WineStyles.com

April Collector’s Wine Club: Iowa

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Collectors Wine ClubPine-Ridge-Stags-Leap-District-bottlePine Ridge Vineyards
Stags Leap District
2021 Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley, California

BOLD WINE STYLE

This wine is a pure and exquisite expression of the world-famous Stags Leap District AVA. On first inspection, delightful notes of blonde roast coffee and cracked black pepper blend harmoniously with cherry cola and spiced blueberry jam. The wine’s texture is round, with classic Stags Leap District tannins surrounded by mouth-filling pomegranate juice and raspberry mocha flavors. These savory and sweet notes complement a generous serving of Gorgonzola Dolce on a crusty Pain au Levain boule. The wine’s fine grain tannins, balanced by refreshing acidity, create a lush and velvety back palate that brings forth black raspberry and toasted oak hints before gently fading away on the long finish.

Analysis: 15.5% alcohol / volume
Varietal: 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Petite Sirah, 2% Petit Verdot & 1% Malbec
pH: 3.77
TA: 5.7 g/L
Region: Stags Leap District
Pairing: Homemade Shepherd’s Pie

VINTAGE NOTES:
The 2021 growing season was a prime example of why Napa Valley is such a great place to grow grapes. The winter heading into the 2021 growing season was colder than average with a drier than average spring. There were four total heat events over the growing season with the May and September heat events being outside the typical range for that time of year. The rainfall for the year was below average for the fourth straight year, presenting a challenge for the grower due to irrigation ponds and wells being at levels that have not been seen since 2017. The summer growing conditions were exceptionally good, making for ideal berry development. Both bloom and veraison, which typically last two to three weeks each, were each over in about a week! The start of harvest was early due to September being very warm. This was good, because in October California experienced a series of atmospheric rivers that dumped 9.5” of rain that month. The yields for the year were below average, but from a quality standpoint, it was a vintage year!

VINEYARD:
Their steep, densely planted Stags Leap District Estate has been the heart of the winery since Pine Ridge Vineyards was founded in the farmhouse in 1978.

VITICULTURE & WINEMAKING:
The 2021 vintage was harvested from September 15th to October 19th. The grapes were hand-harvested at night when temperatures often dip to 50°F to capture vibrant acidity and fruit expression in the wine.

First, the must (crushed grapes) was cold-soaked for gentle extraction and then fermented in stainless steel, concrete and oak barrel fermenters at 88°F. Rigorous pump-overs, increasing during the peak of the fermentation, developed deep color, rich varietal character, and fine tannins in the wine. The wine was aged in 50% new French oak barrels to meld the bright fruit expression with oak spice nuances. After three months of aging, we blended the vineyard components allowing them to marry for a total of 20 months of barrel élevage. This wine was bottled unfined and unfiltered to present the attributes of the vineyard in the purest form possible, from the dirt to the glass.

ABOUT PINE RIDGE VINEYARDS:
Pine Ridge Vineyards, nestled in the heart of Napa Valley, embodies a legacy of excellence in winemaking since its establishment in 1978. With a commitment to sustainability and innovation, Pine Ridge crafts wines that reflect the unique terroir of their estate vineyards. From the iconic Cabernet Sauvignon to the elegant Chardonnay and beyond, each bottle showcases the artistry and dedication of their skilled winemaking team. With a blend of tradition and contemporary techniques, Pine Ridge Vineyards continues to produce wines of exceptional quality that captivate wine enthusiasts around the world. Learn more about their story and team here.

Photos and information © Pine Ridge Vineyards – All Rights Reserved.

Bold wine Style logoBelle-Glos-taylor-laneBelle Glos
Taylor Lane
2014 Pinot Noir 1.5L
West Sonoma Coast, California

BOLD WINE STYLE

Once on the palate, the acidity sparks a fire of smoked caramel and cinnamon spiked cranberry sauce. The silky-smooth texture gives way to a long and balanced finish that leaves your senses wanting more.

“Oak spice aromas, powerful black-fruit flavors and a firm structure of acid and moderate tannins give this wine a nice heft to help it pair with rich foods. Having aged extra long at the winery, it still should develop more complexity starting from 2025” – 93 pts. Wine Enthusiast

Analysis: 14.4% alcohol / volume
Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir
Bottle size:  1.5 L
Region: West Sonoma Coast AVA, California
Critical Acclaim: 93 pts. Wine Enthusiast
Pair: Pairs well with duck, goose and game birds

VINEYARD DESCRIPTION:
The Taylor Lane Vineyard is located on the furthest western ridge of the coastal range, sitting just over the Pacific, looking out over the Faralon Islands. However beautiful as Taylor Lane may be, it was unlike any vineyard site the Belle Glos team had ever farmed along the California coast. The ruthless and challenging Pacific weather required years of farming innovation to get it right. The key was the similarity to Burgundy in the heat accumulation patterns. They consulted with a Burgundian winemaker to apply some of their traditional, old world techniques to make Taylor Lane a traditionally steeped, yet California Coastal Pinot Noir coming out of the true Sonoma Coast.

WINEMAKER NOTES:
Belle Glos’ first wine under the newly minted West Sonoma Coast AVA and a cellared release, this majestic vineyard brings plum with a slight burnt edge in the glass and boasts aromas of freshly tilled land, a rich oak forest in Autumn, and Crème de Cassis.  “At age 15, Taylor Lane was my first vineyard project. I invite you to celebrate with our Taylor Lane Vineyard Pinot Noir. A wine that’s close to the coast, my family, and my heart.” – Joseph Wagner, Owner & Winemaker

ABOUT BELLE GLOS:
Belle Glos showcases award winning Pinot Noirs from California’s most noteworthy coastal wine-growing regions, produced by fifth-generation winemaker Joseph Wagner. Joseph chose the name Belle Glos (pronounced “BELL GLOSS”) to honor his grandmother, Lorna Belle Glos Wagner. Lorna was a co-founder of Caymus Vineyards, an inspirational figure to Joseph and an avid lover of Pinot Noir. Although each vineyard location lies near the Pacific Ocean, the climate differences are significant for each. Learn more here.

Photos and information © Belle Glos – All Rights Reserved.

Collectors Wine ClubLove to collect amazing wines?
Learn more about our quarterly Collectors Club > click here

 

 

 

Winery Spotlight Series: March 2024

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Ancient Peaks Winery logo - Web

Ancient Peaks wine bottles with vineyard in backgroundWinery Spotlight Wine Tasting
Ancient Peaks Winery
Santa Margarita Ranch AVA
Paso Robles, California

March 2024

We’re thrilled to introduce these wines to you! Last September, we had the opportunity to visit the Ancient Peaks winery and vineyards during our annual WineStyles conference. We had the pleasure of sampling their fantastic range of wines. Now, we invite you to join us for the Ancient Peaks Winery Spotlight tasting event, where we’ll be showcasing seven of their remarkable wines from their estate vineyard that is SIP certified (Sustainability in Practice – the leading standard for viticultural sustainability).  Ancient Peaks’ estate vineyard is very exclusive, as it’s the only vineyard in the Santa Margarita Ranch AVA in the Paso Robles wine region. Please join us!

Wines Tasted:

  1. Ancient Peaks Chardonnay
  2. Ancient Peaks Sauvignon Blanc
  3. Ancient Peaks Merlot
  4. Ancient Peaks Cabernet Sauvignon
  5. Ancient Peaks Oyster Ridge
  6. Ancient Peaks Zinfandel
  7. Ancient Peaks Renegade

To reserve a table and attend the wine tasting in person, please contact your local participating WineStyles store, or reserve your tickets on Eventbrite.

Ancient Peaks Table

© Ancient Peaks Winery

About Ancient Peaks Winery:
Ancient Peaks Winery and Margarita Vineyard are owned by three longtime local winegrowing and ranching families – the Filipponis, Rossis and Wittstroms. Two generations are actively involved in the daily operations of the vineyard and winery. Grapes were first planted at the Santa Margarita Ranch by Franciscan missionaries in 1780, but the area’s history began with the Chumash and Salian Native Americans more than 10,000 years ago. The modern viticultural era at the ranch began with the planting of Margarita Vineyard by the famed Robert Mondavi family starting in 1999. The Mondavis saw immense potential in the land with diverse soils and marine-influenced climate.

In 2005, the ranch owners – Filipponi, Rossi and Wittstrom families – had an opportunity to buy the original lease from the Robert Mondavi Winery and take full ownership and control of the Margarita Vineyard. The Margarita Vineyard estate resides in Santa Margarita Ranch AVA and stands alone as the southernmost vineyard in the Paso Robles region, tucked against the Santa Lucia Mountains and just 14 miles from the Pacific Ocean – the coolest micro-climate in Paso. Ancient Peaks’ wines are crafted under the guidance of Founding Winemaker Mike Sinor and Winemaker Stewart Cameron. Vineyard Manager, Jamie Muniz, has been working at the ranch since the first grapes were planted in 1999. Together, they are committed to making wines that capture the extraordinary character and flavors of the Margarita Vineyard Estate. Learn more about their story here.

SIP certified logoSustainability: 
The Margarita Vineyard was planted in 1999 as a model for sustainability.  Today, Ancient Peaks continues to implement numerous sustainable viticultural practices to ensure natural quality in their wines while protecting the rich native environment surrounding the vineyard. Their practices have earned SIP (Sustainability In Practice) Certification for their Margarita Vineyard, the leading standard for viticultural sustainability.  Learn more about their sustainability efforts >

© Ancient Peaks Winery
© WineStyles 2023 Visit to Ancient Peaks Winery – Oyster Fossils
© Ancient Peaks Winery
© Ancient Peaks Winery
© WineStyles 2023 Visit to Ancient Peaks Winery & Vineyards
© Ancient Peaks Winery – Doug Filipponi, Co-Owner
© Ancient Peaks Winery
© Ancient Peaks Winery, Photo by Cameron Ingalls
© Ancient Peaks Winery – Founding Winemaker, Mike Sinor
© Ancient Peaks Winery
© WineStyles 2023 Visit to Ancient Peaks Winery
© Ancient Peaks Winery, Photo by Cameron Ingalls

Photos and Information © Ancient Peaks Winery – All Rights Reserved.

Let’s Taste, Learn and Enjoy® together! 
Contact your local participating WineStyles to RSVP for this tasting event.
Winery Spotlight Wine Tasting
Ancient Peaks Winery
March 2024
Cheers!
WineStyles.com

January Collector’s Wine Club: Iowa

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Collectors Wine ClubBuccella-Merlot-bottleBuccella
Merlot 2020
Carneros, California

BOLD WINE STYLE

Elegant, silky and layered; this Merlot has aromas of ripe plum, strawberry, raspberry jam and black cherry jump out of the glass and mingle with hints of cedar, clove, graphite and vanilla bean. An alluring, mid-palate is round and balanced by sweet red fruit, cocoa and a luscious savory finish. Soft, plush, juicy tannins create a textured palate, which will have you yearning for another sip. This is a definite “Cab lovers” Merlot that is approachable now and will lay down for 15 to 20 years.

Analysis: 14.6% alcohol / volume
Varietal: 90% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc
Aging: 18 months in 70% new French Oak
Appellation: Carneros, California
Bottled: Unfiltered and unfined
Produced: 188 cases

WINEMAKING NOTES:
“Our Merlot fruit comes from two blocks atop a knoll in the acclaimed Carneros appellation, where harvests typically yield less than two tons per acre. Influenced by the cooling effect of the Pacific Ocean, Carneros is an ideal spot for growing our distinctive Merlot. It’s a youthful wine that’s invitingly approachable, while still offering the richness and decadence we love.” – Buccella

ABOUT BUCCELLA:
Founded in 2002 by Bill Deem and his wife, Alicia; the couple discovered their mutual love for the wine industry over a bottle of 1990 Gaja, shared on their very first date. They chose the name “Buccella,” meaning “mouthful” in Latin, to highlight the big, bold, concentrated flavors that make their wines so luxurious. Their goal is to create wines that bring people together, initiate new relationships and celebrate life’s most monumental moments. Learn more about their story here.

Photos and information © Buccella – All Rights Reserved.

Bold wine Style logo2021-cabernet-sauvignon-sonoma-countyKokomo Winery
Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Sonoma County, California

BOLD WINE STYLE

This Cabernet Sauvignon is full of black fruit flavors with hints of cassis, clove, dusty soil, and anise. The tannins are supportive and integrated showing a silky character that finishes with just a touch of acidity, making this Cabernet an elegant food pairing wine.

Analysis: 14.4% alcohol / volume
Varietal: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Appellation: Sonoma County, California
Harvest: October 2021
Fermentation: Tank fermented
Barrel Aging: 11 months in French Oak, 20% new

VINEYARD DESCRIPTION:
This explosive Cabernet Sauvignon comes primarily from Kokomo’s 100-acre Cabernet Sauvignon Vineyard in Alexander Valley, Ruth’s Vineyard, with 20% coming from their home vineyard in Dry Creek Valley. 

WINEMAKER NOTES:
“The goal in making this Cabernet Sauvignon was to make it powerful yet graceful, food-friendly yet delicious on its own, and most importantly, balanced. After harvesting the grapes, we sorted them and gently de-stemmed them without crushing or bruising the fruit. We cold soak the grapes for 3-5 days and let fermentation begin naturally using the native yeast that comes in on the grapes from the vineyard. When we are satisfied with the fermentation and the quality of the juice, we gently press the wine so it can rest in 100% oak barrels for one year. We tend to use more neutral oak on this wine to showcase the fruit.” – Kokomo Winery Team

ABOUT THE WINERY:
Owner and Winemaker Erik Miller started the winery in 2004 naming it after his hometown of Kokomo, Indiana, and decided on a Coastal Cypress Tree as a logo to signify his move out west. Kokomo currently produces over a dozen different varietals and several single vineyard designates which are farmed by his partner in the winery, grower, Randy Peters. Kokomo Winery has been making its mark in Sonoma County, unfailingly earning 90+ ratings, Best of Class, and Gold Medals across all of their varietals since the beginning. The team takes pride in being a family winery; they have created a place for visitors to enjoy a comfortable and laid back wine tasting experience immersed in their cellar and surrounded by wine barrels. Learn more here.

Photos, video and information © Kokomo Winery – All Rights Reserved.

Collectors Wine ClubLove to collect amazing wines?
Learn more about our quarterly Collectors Club > click here

 

 

 

Winery Spotlight Series: November 8, 2023

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Tooth-and-Nail-logoTooth & Nail Wine Company
with Guest Speaker, Jeremy Leffert
Paso Robles, California

Wednesday, November 8, 2023
6:00pm CST / 7:00pm EST

Join us for a wine tasting event featuring Tooth & Nail Wines with guest speaker Jeremy Leffert, Director of Winemaking at Tooth & Nail. He will be joining us LIVE on the big screen nationwide, sharing the six wines below.

Wines Tasted:

  1. Sauvignon Blanc
  2. Cabernet
  3. Red Blend
  4. Amor Fati Syrah
  5. The Possessor Cabernet
  6. The Stand Petite Sirah

To reserve a table and attend the wine tasting in person, please contact your local participating WineStyles store. Or, if you prefer to attend remotely, pre-order a wine tasting kit to-go from your local participating store and watch/taste along with us on Zoom!

Tooth and Nail_Wines_Bottle Shots

About Tooth & Nail Wine Co.:
Founded by grower Rob Murray, Tooth & Nail Wine Company followed a path of true grit and determination to find success in Paso Robles, a tough place to grow grapes and make wine. Rather than battle nature, he bottled it–fighting tooth and nail to create wines that embrace the elements in the pursuit of excellence and for people who simply love wine. The Tooth & Nail winery and vineyard resides in the Willow Creek District AVA of Paso Robles on California’s Central Coast. Willow Creek is a small district in the path of the cool marine air that flows through the Templeton Gap, a notch in the coastal mountains. It is home to some of the largest calcareous soil formations in North America. Tooth & Nail also sources grapes from other Paso Robles vineyards that are under their viticultural control—enabling Tooth & Nail to grow the fruit to their exact specifications and to build natural complexity into their wines. Learn more about the Tooth & Nail story here.

About Jeremy Leffert, Director of Winemaking:

Jeremy Leffert

Director of Winemaking, Jeremy Leffert © Tooth & Nail Wine Co.

All Tooth & Nail, Amor Fati, Destinata and Stasis wines are made under the guidance of Jeremy. Born in California and raised in Minnesota, Jeremy always had a deep interest in the natural world.  After completing his bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies with a focus in Natural History at the University of Vermont in Burlington, Jeremy relocated back to California. Soon after moving to Santa Barbara, he discovered the world of Central Coast wine and felt particularly drawn to the vineyards that surrounded him. 

After meeting Dr. Keith Patterson, the famed wine and viticulture professor at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, Jeremy was inspired to enroll in the university’s masters program in Crop Science with a focus in Viticulture. Throughout his time at Cal Poly, Jeremy’s passion exceeded his desire to learn as he strove to perfect his viticultural knowledge and abilities. Jeremy began his winemaking journey working at Four Vines Winery. He has been rooted in the Paso Robles winemaking community ever since, ultimately leading to his position as Director of Winemaking at Tooth and Nail Wine Company starting in 2015. Reserve your spot and join us November 8th to learn more about Jeremy and Tooth and Nail Wine Co.’s winery and wines.

© Tooth and Nail Wine Co.
© Tooth and Nail Wine Co.
© Tooth and Nail Wine Co.
© Tooth and Nail Wine Co.
© Tooth and Nail Wine Co.
© Tooth and Nail Wine Co.

Photos and Information © Tooth & Nail Wine Company – All Rights Reserved.

Let’s Taste, Learn and Enjoy® together! 
Contact your local participating WineStyles to RSVP for this tasting event.
Winery Spotlight Wine Tasting with Jeremy Leffert
Tooth & Nail Wines
Wednesday, November 8, 2023
6:00pm CST/ 7:00pm EST
Cheers!
WineStyles.com

Winery Spotlight Series: October 2023

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OBC-LOGO
Old Bridge Cellars
Featuring Maison l’Envoyé Wines
France

October 2023

Please join us for the Old Bridge Cellars tasting experience, featuring wines from Maison l’Envoyé France. Be sure to RSVP at your local participating WineStyles store or reserve tickets on Eventbrite.com.

MLE France_Header

About Old Bridge Cellars:
In a time where ‘big company’ buyouts, increasing consolidation and mass production are growing more popular, Old Bridge Cellars continues to bring us a group of fiercely independent winemakers who retain their belief in artisan winemaking. Coming to know their land through generations before them, they have an intuitive understanding, quiet confidence and immense desire to produce only the best they can from each vintage. Representing these highly sought after wines since 1990, Old Bridge Cellars has become the US importer of choice – especially for iconic Australian wines. Learn more about their story here.

About Maison l’Envoyé, France:
MLE_LogoMeaning, ‘The House of the Messenger’, Maison L’Envoyé traverses the globe with the intention of presenting the acme of regionality and winemaking styles. With winemaking footprints in Burgundy, Beaujolais, and the Willamette Valley, they champion many unsung growers who have farmed their vineyards for decades and generations, some mere feet away from more illustriously cited neighbors. In Burgundy, Maison L’Envoyé’s winemaking team is based in the town of Beaune, drawing from several sites including the Premier Cru, Savigny Les Beaune ‘Les Marconnets’ and their own monopole, Chateau Vivier, in Beaujolais’ Fleurie cru. This project has been a standout since its debut in 2011 including Wine & Spirits naming Maison L’Envoyé a ‘Winery To Watch’ in 2015.  Join us for this incredible tasting to learn more about Maison l’Envoye wines!

Old Bridge Cellars team, Rob Buono and Gavin Speight
Mark Tarlov, Founder and Winemaker of Maison L’Envoye
© Old Bridge Cellars – Autumn vineyards in Beaujolais France
© Old Bridge Cellars – Beaujolais Vineyard
© Old Bridge Cellars – Cote-du-py
Multi generational wine growing
Final Blending at Maison L’Envoye

Photos, Video and Information © Old Bridge Cellars – All Rights Reserved.

Let’s Taste, Learn and Enjoy® together! 
Contact your local participating WineStyles to RSVP for this tasting event.
Winery Spotlight Wine Tasting
Old Bridge Cellars & Maison l’Envoye
October 2023
At Participating WineStyles Locations
Cheers!
WineStyles.com
 

October Collector’s Wine Club: Iowa

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Collectors Wine ClubSeanMinor-InvitedSeries-PinotNoir-Bottle-ImageSean Minor Wines
2021 Sangiacomo
Roberts Road Pinot Noir
Sonoma Coast, California

MELLOW WINE STYLE

Deep ruby garnet hue with aromas of fresh blueberries, cranberry, dark cherry, violet and forest floor. On entry, the dark fruit characteristics provide a perfectly balanced mouth feel that carries through the mid-palate, creating a rich and lingering finish with delicate spice and hints of vanilla nuances.Sean-Minor-Wine-Tasting-Profile
Analysis: 14.5% alcohol / volume
Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir
Vintage: 2021
Appellation: Sonoma Coast
Closure: Cork
Always Invited: Pizza Night, Dinner Parties & Beach Bonfires
Accolades:  90 Pts. Wine & Spirits Year’s Best US Pinot Noir; 93 Pts. Wine Enthusiast

WINEMAKING NOTES:
“Located at the base of Sonoma Mountain at the far northern edge of the Petaluma Gap, the vineyard stays in the fog until mid-day. This provides an excellent opportunity for a long growing season which allows the grapes to mature slowly and evenly, resulting in extraordinary balance. Single vineyard blend of Dijon 777 and Pommard clones from carefully selected blocks within the vineyard. All grapes are hand-picked at night and early mornings to keep the fruit at optimal temperatures. The fruit is cold-soaked and left to naturally ferment. Once the wine is fermented dry it is racked to barrels for completion of malolactic fermentation. The wine is aged 10 months in 100% French medium toast oak barrels of which 50% are new.” – Sean Minor Wines

ABOUT SEAN MINOR WINES:
Sean Minor Wines was founded in 2005 by Sean and Nicole Minor, husband and wife team, and is still family-owned and operated to this day. Originally named Four Bears Winery, after their four children. Just as children grow, so did we, but their commitment to crafting delicious, affordable wines remains as strong as ever. Learn more about their story here.

Photos and information © Sean Minor Wines – All Rights Reserved.

Bold wine Style logoPremiere Napa Valley GhostblockPremiere Napa Valley
Ghost Block & Markham Vineyards
Auction 21, Lot. No. 2
2015 Red Blend
Napa Valley, California

BOLD WINE STYLE

This sustainably produced wine is a masterpiece by Andrew Hoxsey and Bryan Del Bondio. These good friends are sharing what is now their 9th Premier Napa Valley collaboration from Ghost Block Estate and Markham’s Yountville Estate – situated across from each other on the southern end of the Rutherford bench. Their winemaking teams work their magic with each of the five Bordeaux varieties to highlight the beauty of the 2015 vintage.

Varietal: Noble Red Blend – Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec
Grapes: 100% sourced from Napa Green Certified Land or California Certified Organic Farms
Region: Napa Valley
Cases Produced: 20

ABOUT THE WINERY:
Premiere Napa Valley wines tell the stories of the soils, microclimates and remarkable personalities which make up the mosaic of Napa Valley. They represent the quality and innovation for which America’s leading wine region has become known and are among the world’s rarest wines. Learn more here.

Photos, video and information © Premiere Napa Valley – All Rights Reserved.

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