Tag Archives: wine

May Sweet Club: Iowa

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Sweet Wine ClubCarl-Sittman-Riesling-BottleCarl Sittmann
Riesling
Mosel, Germany

NECTAR WINE STYLE

The Carl Sittmann Riesling features notes of green apples, pears, and apricots on the nose. Its sweet peach and apple flavors are delicately offset by crisp acidity, ensuring the wine remains elegantly refreshing and not overly sweet.

Analysis: 9.5% alcohol / volume
Varietal: 100% Riesling
Region: Mosel, Germany

WineStyles’ Wine and Cheese Pairing: Reach for a tangy goat’s milk cheese to complement the wine’s acidity and fruity notes. Learn more about our wine and cheese pairings here.

Photo and Information © Carl Sittmann – All Rights Reserved

tdo-moscato-bottle-imageTerra d’Oro
Moscato
Amador County, California

NECTAR WINE STYLE

Inviting aromas of honey, white peach, honeysuckle, pineapple and lemon zest lead into vibrant flavors of Meyer lemon, pineapple and a hint of anise. The wine has a pleasing viscosity on the palate and finishes with fresh acidity. This makes the Terra d’Oro Moscato extremely versatile and enjoyable with a meal as well as after it. Try it with spicy Asian cuisine, or a fruit tart.

Analysis: 9.5% alcohol / volume
Varietal: 100% Moscato
Acidity: 0.63 g/100mL
pH: 3.27

WineStyles’ Wine and Cheese Pairing: If you’re looking for a dessert pairing, mascarpone cheese topped with some tart fruit jam is a fantastic choice. Its creamy texture and mild flavor with a punch from the jam will pair well with the sweetness of Moscato, making it suitable for desserts or as a simple, luxurious treat. Learn more about our wine and cheese pairings here.

Vineyard Notes:
Moscato, also called Muscat, is grown in nearly every wine-producing region in the world, resulting in an array of styles. It is believed the name derived from the French word “Musque”, meaning “perfumed”— a fitting moniker for this intensely aromatic variety. Grapes were sourced from several select vineyards to create a wine with that perfect balance of sweetness and acidity. 

Winemaker Notes:
When making the Moscato, the goal was to craft a wine that is full of flavor with perceptible sweetness, yet is still light on the palate. The Terra d’Oro Moscato is crafted in a different manner than their other varietals. Grapes are destemmed and crushed in stainless steel tanks and left overnight before pressing. This “cap and drain” method keeps the grapes in contact with their skins for an extended period, delivering greater varietal intensity. After gentle pressing, 70% of the juice is inoculated with yeast. The remaining unfermented juice is kept at a very low temperature and then added back into the blend after fermentation to create a lightly sweet and refreshing wine with a lower alcohol. 

About the Winery:
Amador’s first winery established after Prohibition was founded in 1970 by renowned winemaker Cary Gott, and he released the first wines under the Terra d’Oro label in 1973. Terra d’Oro’s early success with Amador Zinfandel and other wines, in particular Italian varietals, were key in helping re-establish the region’s reputation for fine wine. In 1988, the Trinchero family, which had been purchasing grapes from the Amador region for 20 years, purchased the winery and 240-acre vineyard. Over the years, the family invested in subsequent vineyards, and in early 2000, completed construction of a new, state-of-the-art winery at the site of the original winery, designed to unlock the potential of each acre of Terra d’Oro’s vineyards. Today, Terra d’Oro farms produces award-winning wines from its 800+ acres of sustainably farmed vines in Amador County and the Clarksburg AVA. Learn more about their sustainable practices here.

Photo and Information © Terra d’Oro Winery – All Rights Reserved

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May Premium Wine Club

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Bold wine Style logoAndes-400-Bottle-ImageAndes Plateau
400 2019
Cabernet Sauvignon
Maipo Valley, Chile

BOLD WINE STYLE

  • Analysis: 13.5% alcohol / volume
  • Varietal: 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Syrah, 3% Cabernet Franc, 3% Merlot
  • Appellation: Maipo Valley, Cajón del Maipo
  • pH: 3.59
  • Residual Sugar: 1.63
  • Total Acidity: 5.45
  • Vineyard Yield: 1.5 kg/plant
  • Planted area: 3 hectares

Bold wine Style logoAndes-Plateau-Bottle-ImageAndes Plateau
700 2021
Red Blend
Maipo Valley, Chile

BOLD WINE STYLE

WINE DETAILS:

  • Analysis: 13.5% alcohol / volume
  • Varietal: 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Syrah, 3% Cabernet Franc, 3% Carignan
  • Appellation: Maipo Valley, Cajón del Maipo
  • pH: 3.6
  • Residual Sugar: 1.59
  • Bottle Aging: 10 months minimum
  • Year: 2017
  • Vineyard Yield: 1.5 kg/plant
  • Planted area: 3 hectares

Both of these elegant wines feature hints of red fruits, graphite, and spices. On the palate, they reveal freshness, intensity, and depth. with red fruits, graphite and spicy notes. Thanks to their acidity, they are versatile wines that can be combined with a wide variety of flavors and foods.

SOILS:
Both terroirs share similar characteristics: Alluvial soils, near riverbeds and Colluvial soils, caused by mountain rock falls.

CLIMATE:
In the growing time, the temperatures are lower, allowing the wines to achieve less degrees of alcohol, lower pH and high acidity.

HARVESTS AND VINIFICATION:
The grapes are tasted and selected carefully. An early harvest allows the wines to achieve freshness and acidity. The process is made by hand, using 12 kilo boxes. They use pure native yeasts. The Cabernet Sauvignon is fermented in stainless steel tanks, while the Syrah, Carignan and the Cabernet Franc are fermented in open tanks to facilitate “Pigeage” (grinding with feet). This process is an essential part of their wine mixture. They limit the pump-over process to the minimum and taste their wines daily until the desired results are achieved.

AGING AND STORAGE:
The wines are aged for 15 months in 3rd and 4th use oak barrels. Additionally, they use an untoasted french oak foundre of 3000 liters. Afterward, the wine is stored for 6 months before being released to the public.

ABOUT THE WINERY:
Andes Plateau is a family run winery with a drive to showcase wines from the Andes Mountains. Altitude determines the identity of their wines; not many producers are in the mountains due to a high risk of frost, yet the Andes Plateau winery believes the risk is worth the reward. They produce elegant and energetic expressions of each varietal, working with the complex geology of their vineyard locations.

WINEMAKER / FOUNDER: FELIPE URIBE
After studying agriculture and working two years in San Pedro Vineyards (Chile), Felipe Uribe studied at Polytechnic University in Madrid (Spain) where he got his Masters degree in Viticulture and Enology.  He returned to Chile and worked at Santa Helena Vineyard. Looking for new challenges, he went to California and worked for La Crema Winery in Sonoma Valley.  After returning to Chile, he worked as Chief Winemaker for Miravalle Vineyard, which is located on the upper part of Cachapoal Valley. While working as head Enologist at William Fevre Vineyard (Maipo Valley) his wine was recognized as “Chile’s Most Innovative Wine of 2012” by El Mercurio, the most important newspaper in Chile. His wine was also awarded the “Revelation Wine of 2012” by Descorchados, the famous wine guide in Chile.  Learn more about the winery here.

© Information and photos from Andes Plateau – All Rights Reserved. 

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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 Sweet Club: Iowa

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Sweet Wine ClubStella-Rosa-Royale-Bottle ImageStella Rosa
Stella Royale Rosso
Veneto, Italy

NECTAR WINE STYLE

With its higher alcohol content, yet still smooth finish, Stella Rosa Royale retains that delicious semi-sweet nature with its fresh natural flavors of raspberries, strawberries and other red berries. This is the perfect wine to pair with any food, just remember to serve it chilled.

Analysis: 8% alcohol / volume
Primary Grape Varietal: Barbera, Brachetto, Nebbiolo

WineStyles’ Wine and Cheese Pairing: A creamy, yet tangy, blue cheese like Gorgonzola or Roquefort can provide a bold flavor contrast to the sweetness of the wine. Learn more about our wine and cheese pairings here.

About the Winery:
It all started in 1917, when the Riboli family founded Los Angeles’ historic San Antonio Winery. Back then, Los Angeles was the prime location for wine growing in all of California. For some time, the wine industry reigned as one of Southern California’s most economically significant and popular industries of that time. After surviving Prohibition and about a century later, the Riboli family has continued its artisan winemaking tradition through four generations. Within the tasting rooms of San Antonio Winery, customers repeatedly requested a sweeter, light, refreshing wine. The Riboli family took this unique opportunity to create a new semi-sweet, semi-sparkling wine style, which today, they are the leader. And so, Stella Rosa was born. Learn more here.

Wine Cocktail: Berry Regal
Try this delicious wine cocktail at your next brunch:

  • 2 oz Stella Rosa Royale
  • 1 oz Grand Marnier
  • 1 cup frozen strawberries
  • 1 cup frozen raspberries
  • 1 cup frozen blackberries
  • agave (to taste)
  • Add Grand Marnier, frozen fruits, and agave to a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into glass and stir in Stella Rosa® Royale.

Photo and Information © Stella Rosa and San Antonio Winery – All Rights Reserved

Moscato-Asti_Bottle ImageVietti
Moscato d’Asti DOCG
Castiglione Falletto, Italy

NECTAR WINE STYLE

Bright straw-yellow in color with slightly shimmering hints of gold. This wine has intense aromas of ripe yellow fruit (peach and apricot), floral notes (rose petals and acacia flowers) and ginger. Sweet and delicate on the palate, with the modest acidity, good balance and complexity. Hints of fresh apricot on the finish.

Analysis: 8% alcohol / volume
Varietal: 100% Moscato

WineStyles’ Wine and Cheese Pairing: The nutty and salty flavors of Parmigiano-Reggiano can provide a nice contrast to the sweetness of the wine. Its firm texture and complex flavor profile make it an excellent pairing option. Learn more about our wine and cheese pairings here.

Winemaking:
The grapes are sourced from small vineyards in Castiglione Tinella, with 4,500 plants per hectare. The vines, cultivated with the Guyot-system have an average age of 40 years. Limestone and clay-rich soil.

The grapes are harvested by hand in and around late August/early September. The vinification begins with a gentle pressing of the grapes and natural cold decanting. The must is stored at a very low temperature in stainless-steel tanks to avoid spontaneous fermentation. Throughout the year, individual portions of the must are put in an autoclave at a temperature of 12-14 degrees to initiate alcohol fermentation. When 5.5% alcohol by volume is reached, the temperature is quickly reduced to stop the fermentation. The wine, which is only partially fermented, is then filtered. The wine does not undergo malolactic fermentation and is bottled using sterile filtration, to maintain its natural freshness, aromas and fine bubbles.

About the Winery:
Almost 150 years have passed since its foundation. It was the end of 1800 when Carlo Vietti started the Vietti winery, right in the heart of the Langhe, on the highest point of the medieval village of Castiglione Falletto. In the very same place where it is located today. Vietti is renowned for its commitment to crafting exceptional wines that express the unique terroir of Piedmont. From their iconic Barolo to elegant Barbera and beyond, each bottle reflects a harmonious balance of tradition and innovation. Embracing sustainable practices, Vietti’s vineyards yield grapes of unparalleled quality, resulting in wines that captivate enthusiasts worldwide. Passion, heritage, and a deep connection to the land define Vietti, making it a cherished gem of Italian winemaking. Learn more here.

Photo and Information © Vietti – All Rights Reserved

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March Sweet Club: Iowa

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Sweet Wine Clubterra-doro-zinfandel-port-bottleTerra D’oro Winery
Zinfandel Port
Amador County, California

NECTAR WINE STYLE

The name Terra d’Oro (Italian for “land of gold”) perfectly reflects the Amador region’s richness of its history, natural resources, and wines. Terra d’Oro Zinfandel Port’s amazing aromas evoke raisined berry fruit, candied dates, caramel, dark chocolate and orange peel. Rich flavors of cocoa, toffee, raisin and coffee follow through to a full-bodied, medium-sweet palate with a long finish.

WINE DETAILS:

Analysis: 18.89% alcohol / volume
Varietal: Port
Acidity: 0.6
Accolades: 93 points

WineStyles’ Wine and Cheese Pairing: Pair with an aged cheddar – the sharpness and nutty undertones will provide a delightful contrast to the sweetness of the Port. Learn more about our wine and cheese pairings here.

Vineyard Notes:
Terra d’Oro Non-Vintage Zinfandel Port is a fortified red dessert produced from Zinfandel grapes sourced from the rolling foothills of Sierra Foothills, a region known for creating elegant, rich and full-bodied Zinfandel. A combination of vintages of late harvested grapes creates a seductive history of Port in one glass.

Winemaker Notes:
Terra d’Oro Zinfandel Port is the last project during harvest, allowing the grapes’ sugar levels to rise and the acid levels to slowly fall, creating a sumptuous and sweet wine. After the Zinfandel grapes are crushed and de-stemmed, the must is inoculated and begins fermenting in stainless steel tanks. During fermentation, yeasts convert sugar to alcohol while extracting ripe juicy fruit flavor, tannin and color from the grape skins. Once the wine reaches a carefully chosen sugar level, the addition of un-aged grape brandy — a process known as fortification — is introduced. After fortification, the high alcohol levels stop fermentation and help extract even more flavor from the skins. The leftover residual sugar gives the wine its sweet edge. Using a traditional “Solera” style method of aging, the newest vintage is blended with several previous vintages. The Zinfandel Port is aged in a combination of French, American, and Hungarian oak barrels creating a velvety, rich and polished dessert wine.

About the Winery:
Amador’s first winery established after Prohibition was founded in 1970 by renowned winemaker Cary Gott, and he released the first wines under the Terra d’Oro label in 1973.  Terra d’Oro’s early success with Amador Zinfandel and other wines, in particular Italian varietals, were key in helping re-establish the region’s reputation for fine wine. In 1988, the Trinchero family, which had been purchasing grapes from the Amador region for 20 years, purchased the winery and 240-acre vineyard. Over the years, the family has invested in subsequent vineyards, and in early 2000, completed construction of a new, state-of-the-art winery at the site of the original winery, designed to unlock the potential of each acre of Terra d’Oro’s vineyards. Learn more here.

Amador County AVA:
The Amador County AVA is synonymous with Zinfandel and other rich reds such as Barbera and Petite Sirah, with good reason. The area’s elevation and its iron-rich volcanic and granite soils produce small yields of intensely flavored fruit. Learn more here.

Information and photos © Terra D’oro Winery – All Rights Reserved.

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“Wine” not try our Sweet Club! 

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March Premium Wine Club

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Bold wine Style logobg_pn_eulenloch_2019-1661470498969Belle Glos
2021 Eulenloch
Pinot Noir
Napa Valley, California

BOLD WINE STYLE

Dark ruby red, with aromas of dried cherry, raspberry, blueberry and cedar. A rich opulent wine, offering flavors of ripe plum, blackberry, cocoa, black licorice and dried herbs. This wine is bold and well-balanced with lively acidity and refined tannins.

VINEYARD NOTES:
The Eulenloch Vineyard is located in the Carneros region of Napa Valley and its predominantly comprised of clay soils which retain water but are remarkably shallow. When combined with the cool coastal breeze, these characteristics provide ripe fruit that is complex and nuanced. Eulenloch Pinot Noir offers structure, suppleness, length, and depth.

ABOUT THE WINERY:
Owner/winemaker, Joseph Wagner 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. Belle Glos showcases distinctive Pinot Noirs produced from California’s most noteworthy coastal wine-growing regions. Although each vineyard location lies near the Pacific Ocean, the climate differences are significant for each. Learn more here.

Information & Photos © Belle Glos – All Rights Reserved.

Bold wine Style logoBeaulieu-Vineyard-Tapestry-NV-Red_750_bBeaulieu Vineyard
2019 Tapestry Reserve
Red Blend
Napa Valley, California

BOLD WINE STYLE

Blending five Bordeaux-heritage grape varieties grown within the Napa Valley, this blend came together seamlessly, offering nuance, complexity and balance. The Cabernet Sauvignon, exhibits a bounty of dark bramble berry fruits, with notes of blackberry, boysenberry, blueberry cobbler, wild black cherry and red currant, alongside notes of root spice, ginger, and musky perfume. The Merlot adds vibrancy and riper notes of black raspberry and dark plum, while also softening the tannins, contributing to a velvety-rich, supple mouthfeel. Malbec adds fresh raspberry notes, while the Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot complete the blend with darker berry fruits and savory spices, alongside delicate floral and woodsy nuances of black pepper, cedar, forest floor and wild sage. Well integrated notes of mocha and caramel, having been aged in new French oak barrels, heighten the overall aromatic expression, and lengthen the spiced multi-layered finish. The firm, grippy tannins lead to a sense of depth, and will ensure the wine’s ability to age for many years to come. A classic example uniting old world techniques with new world winemaking, all while showcasing the true elegance, generosity and allure of Napa Valley.

WINE DETAILS:

  • Analysis: 14.7% alcohol / volume
  • Varietal: 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Malbec, 13% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot
  • Appellation: Napa Valley, California
  • pH: 3.72
  • Oak Treatment: 19 months of agin in French Oak (60% new barrels)
  • Critical Acclaim:
    • 93 Pointes – JamesSuckling.com
    • 92 Points – Wine Spectator

WINEMAKING:
The team at Beaulieu Vineyard tailored the winemaking for each varietal to best capture the personality of both the vintage and specific vineyard blocks. Optical sorting, cold soaking and gentle pumpovers along with in-barrel malolactic fermentation all contributed to this wine’s richly textured and complex flavors. Aging in roughly 60% new French oak barrels for 19 months complimented the wine’s impressive depth and freshness. Beaulieu Vineyard’s Winemaker, Trevor Durling, presides as only the fifth winemaker in the winery’s 119-year history. A native Californian, Trevor was raised in Sonoma County, the heart of Northern California’s wine country. With a love of agriculture, science and cuisine, Trevor pursued his studies at the University of California Davis in the Viticulture and Enology program. As winemaker at Beaulieu Vineyard, Trevor incorporates his passion for creating fine wines, while preserving the heritage and legacy of Beaulieu Vineyard.

VINEYARD:
Since its inception in 1990, their Tapestry Reserve has always been a tribute to their French heritage and a nod to the classic Bordeaux blends and Clarets that are world-renowned.  Varietals are always sourced from a selection of specific vineyard blocks of top-quality grapes that give Tapestry the combined attributes of terroir expression and a round, approachable tannin structure. Roughly half of the Cabernet Sauvignon was grown on the famous western benchland of the Rutherford American Viticultural Area (AVA) and the balance from the Calistoga, Oakville, and St Helena AVAs. The Merlot, Petit Verdot and Malbec are sourced exclusively from their estate vineyards in Rutherford. Two styles of Cabernet Franc lend complexity and intrigue: one from cooler Sonoma Valley providing fresh acidity and a slight herbal character; the other from warmer Calistoga adding ripe and expressive red fruit notes.

ABOUT THE WINERY:
One of the longest continually operating wineries in Napa Valley, Beaulieu Vineyard came to be in 1900, when Georges de Latour’s wife, Fernande, first laid eyes on that land that would later become the Rutherford vineyard. She said, “Quelle beau lieu!”, or “What a beautiful place!” Shortly thereafter, de Latour sold his thriving cream of tartar business, bought the four-acre ranch, and founded Beaulieu Vineyard with the vision of making Napa Valley wines that would rival those of his native France. Learn more here.

Information and Photos © Beaulieu Vineyard – All Rights Reserved.

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Maison Ventenac Pierre

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Caramelized-Onion-Asiago-Roast-Beef-Sliders-9-of-14

Photo © Yellow Bliss Road

Caramelized Onion & Asiago Beef Sliders

INGREDIENTS:

  • 2 tablespoons Chef Shamy French Onion Butter
  • 1 large yellow onion
  • 12 slider buns mini burger buns
  • 1 pound deli sliced roast beef, the more rare, the better
  • ½ cup beef broth
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 cup  fresh Asiago cheese shredded

Topping:

  • 3 tablespoons Chef Shamy French Onion Butter melted
  • 1 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley
  • 1 tablespoon finely shredded Asiago cheese

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Melt 2 tablespoons of Chef Shamy French Onion Butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and reduce the heat to medium-low. Cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly caramelized (softened and browned), about 25-30 minutes. *If the onions start to become dry or burnt, add 1-2 tablespoons of water to the skillet (I had to do this twice). You can also try turning down the heat a bit.
  2. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  3. Thinly slice the roast beef into strips and add them to the skillet. Stir in the beef broth and Worcestershire sauce. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook for 5 minutes. Drain off any excess liquid (you don’t want it soaking into the slider buns and making them mushy).
  4. Separate the buns in half so you have a “slab” of tops and a “slab” of bottoms; don’t pull the rolls apart and slice individually because you want to keep them connected. Lay the bottom buns out in a 13 x 9-inch baking dish.
  5. Using a slotted spoon to drain any excess liquid, evenly arrange the meat mixture over the bottom buns. Sprinkle the shredded Asiago cheese evenly over the meat. Cover with the top slab of buns.
  6. Brush the tops of the slider buns with the melted French Onion Butter. Sprinkle on 1 tablespoon of finely shredded Asiago cheese and chopped parsley.
  7. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until cheese is melted and tops are lightly browned.

© Recipe and Photo courtesy of Yellow Bliss Road. All rights reserved.

MARCH WINE CLUB:

Mellow style logoVentenac_Pierre_wine-bottleMaison Ventenac
Pierre.
Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc
Pays d’Oc IGP, France

MELLOW WINE STYLE

Aromas of ripe pepper and blackcurrant. Roundness and a silky structure with notes of blackcurrant on the palate. A fresh and lingering finish.

Analysis: 13% alcohol / volume
Varietal: 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 50% Cabernet Franc
Appellation: IGP Pays d’Oc, France
Soil: Clay-limestone soil
Plots: La Condamine, Bourdichou et les Plos
Yield: 50 hl/ha
Vine Density: 6500 vines/ha. Guyot single cane – 7 buds
Harvest: Sorting, fully crushed. Pre-fermentary cold maceration for 5 days at 6°.
Fermentation: At 28° in 300hl stainless steel tanks. No sulphite vinification. Indigenous yeast. Daily pump-overs. Vatting length: 25 days. Malolactic fermentation. Racking.
Maturation: Aging on fine lees with micro oxygenation (3 months)

WINEMAKER’S NOTES:
“For this vintage our work will focus simply on wrapping the authoritative power of the Cabernet Sauvignon in a velvet glove through precise vinification with no sulphur and only natural yeasts (yeasts that are naturally present on the grape skins). Authority, velvet glove, that was the way my grandfather worked. “Cheers!” Pierre, and thank you.” – Maison Ventenac, Stephanie et Olivier Ramé

Information & Photos © Maison Ventenac – All Rights Reserved.

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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

February Sweet Club: Iowa

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Sweet Wine ClubKungFuGirl-Riesling-bottle-bowCharles Smith Wines
Kung Fu Girl Riesling
Washington State

NECTAR WINE STYLE

“It takes an unconventional winemaker to make a totally unexpected dry Riesling. One night, Charles was eating Chinese takeout and watching a fight scene in a notorious martial arts film when he had an idea: a killer white wine made to be paired with Asian food.  Just like that, Kung Fu Girl was born. And it’s been kicking ass and taking names ever since.” – Charles Smith Wines

White peach, mandarin orange and apricot are delivered with a core of minerality that makes this dry Riesling shimmer with energy and freshness. Another epic vintage of Kung Fu Girl.

WINE DETAILS:

Varietal: 100% Riesling
Region: Washington State, USA
Pairings: Spicy ramen, sriracha pork tacos, Chinese takeout
Accolades:

  • 90 points – Wine Enthusiast, February 2017
  • Best Buy – Wine Enthusiast, February 2017
  • Top 100 – Wine Spectator, December 2016
  • 90 points – Wine Spectator, December 2016
  • 90 points – Wine Advocate, June 2015

WineStyles’ Wine and Cheese Pairing: Pair with a spicy, herbal cheese. Learn more about our wine and cheese pairings here.

About the Winery:
Few winemakers have a story quite like Charles Smith. Although he was born and raised an hour from Napa Valley, California, Charles didn’t discover his love for wine until he moved to Europe. While living abroad, he managed a number of rock bands, including the famed Danish duo The Raveonettes. It was the wining and dining of a rock n’roll life on the road that sparked Charles’ passion for great wine. In 1999, while on a road trip to Walla Walla, Washington, Charles met a winemaker who convinced him to start making his own wine, true to his own story and vision. And in 2001, Charles released 330 cases of his first vintage. Eight years later, he would be named Winemaker of the Year by Food & Wine magazine and again in 2014, by Wine Enthusiast. Learn more here.

Information and photos © Charles Smith Wines – All Rights Reserved.

Willamette-Valley-Riesling-bottle-bowWillamette Valley Vineyards
Riesling
Willamette Valley, Oregon

NECTAR WINE STYLE

This riesling is classic and versatile. On the nose, this semi-sweet wine opens with a bouquet of poached pear, delicate florals and green apples. On the palate, the luscious mouthfeel displays flavors of melon, pear and nectar. The finish is wonderfully persistent with a perfect balance of sweetness and refreshing crispness. Serve well-chilled and allow it to warm in your glass for optimal enjoyment of aromas and flavors.

WINE DETAILS:

  • Analysis: 10.5% alcohol / volume
  • Varietal: Riesling
  • Appellation: Willamette Valley, Oregon
  • Pairings: Pair with spicy Asian or Mexican dishes, German-inspired dishes like sausage and schnitzel, and desserts like fruit pies, crème brûlée, or a savory artisan cheese plate.

WineStyles’ Wine and Cheese Pairing: Pair with an aged Gouda or Fontina cheese. Learn more about our wine and cheese pairings here.

About Willamette Valley Vineyards:
The “budwood” of Willamette Valley Vineyards began long before its founding in 1983 by vintner Jim Bernau. His Dad, a Roseburg attorney, was hired by California winemaker Richard Sommer to secure one of the first winery licenses in Oregon since Prohibition. Jim’s Dad allowed small tastes of Richard’s wine at the dinner table, lighting a path that led Jim from home winemaking to studies at UC Davis and eventually Beaune, France. In 1983, with the encouragement from winemakers making their move from California, Jim cleared an old pioneer plum orchard in the Salem Hills, hidden underneath scotch broom and blackberry vines to plant Pinot Noir. Learn more here.

Information and photos © Willamette Valley Vineyards – All Rights Reserved.

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