Viognier has become my favorite white wine.  As many people have been saying lately, I’m an ABC person, (anything but Chardonnay).

Viognier is a rare type of grape brought to Condrieu, on the northern Rhône, over 2,000 years ago by the Greeks or Romans. It was only planted in California a mere 20 years ago. It is now predominantly found in the Rhône valley and California.

Viognier is becoming a favored white wine, as its depth of character and complexity is greater than the current white favorite, Chardonnay. Viognier is noted for spice, floral, citrus, apricot, apple and peach flavors. It typically produces medium bodied wines with relatively high acids and fruit. I have to admit here that viognier is one of my favorite wine types, and definitely my favorite white wine.

Top 15 Favorite California Viogniers

I tasted approximately 250 different Viogniers during 2010 and these were my favorites.

1. 2004 Cold Heaven Viognier – DEUX Condrieu, France (50%) and Santa Barbara County (50%).  (Morgan Clendenen, owner and winemaker, Cold Heaven Cellars and combined in equal parts with legendary French winemaker Yves Cuilleron)

2. 2007 Cold Heaven Domaine Des Deux Mondes – Saints & Sinners Viognier, Sanford & Benedict Vineyard. A winemaking collaboration between Morgan Clendenen and Yves Cuilleron (from Condrieu)

3. 2007 Herman Story Viognier, White Hawk Vineyard

4. 2009 Ampelos Viognier, Santa Ynez Valley

5. 2008 Cass Viognier, Estate Grown

6. 2007 Sol Rouge Viognier, Russian River

7. 2007 Blair Fox Viognier, Paradise Road Vineyard

8. 2008 Jaffurs Viognier, Santa Barbara County

9. 2007 Anglim Viognier, Bien Nacido Vineyard

10. 2007 Kunin Viognier, Stolpman Vineyard

11. 2008 Copain Viognier “Tous Ensemble” Mendocino County

12. 2008 Adelaida Cellars Viognier, Glenrose Vineyard

13. 2009 Miner Viognier, Simpson Vineyard

14. 2008 Cold Heaven Viognier, Sanford & Benedict Vineyard

15. 2009 Zaca Mesa Viognier, Estate Grown

White Rhone Blends with Viognier

1. 2008 Herman Story Tomboy (86% Viognier, 7% Marsanne,  7% Rousanne)

2. 2009 Tablas Creek Côtes de Tablas Blanc (45% Viognier, 28% Roussanne, 20% Marsanne, 7% Grenache Blanc)

3. 2009 Alta Colina 12′oclock High (69% Viognier, 18% Roussanne, 7% Marsanne, 6% Grenache Blanc), Estate Grown

4. 2008 Kiamie White Kuvée (60% Roussanne, 40% Viognier)

Desserts Wines made with Viognier

1. 2003 Cold Heaven Viognier Late Harvest, Sanford & Benedict Vineyard

2. 2005 Rosenblum Late Harvest Viognier, Lodi

3. 2002/03 Mer Soleil Late Late-Harvest Viognier, Santa Lucia Highlands

4. 2006 Zaca Mesa Late Harvest Viognier, Estate Grown

5. 2007 JC Cellars Late Harvest Viognier, Ripken Vineyard

 

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The growler is a refillable glass bottle, very green and very cool.

Around the country, hundreds of brewpubs, breweries and even grocery stores are cashing in on the growing popularity of growlers, a term that dates back more than a century, when people would carry fresh beer in buckets. Growlers are carryout bottles of beer (typically 64-ounce jugs) drawn directly from the tap.

Now growlers are catching on at wineries in Santa Barbara County.

At Palmina Winery (tasting room located in the Lompoc Ghetto) they now have wine on tap. Steve Clifton, owner and winemaker, created the Tavola Bianca and Tavola Rossa from any of the winery’s varietals, and constantly changes the secret blend in each barrel. It’s also the greenest and most authentic way to buy wine: customers buy glass bottles in two sizes (a half-gallon growler or a basic 750 ml), fill them from the taps, then bring the empty bottles back to refill for a fraction of the price.

At Carr Winery in Santa Barbara, the original 1 liter “growler” bottle sells for $25 (filled with Pinto Gris) and refills are $15.

At Muncipal Winemakers in Santa Barbara, Dave Potter, owner and winemaker, also has a refillable 1 liter “growler” bottle.

I am sure the growlers will be catching on at more wineries in Santa Barbara County and wineries throughout California. So Go Green with Growlers!

 

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Come meet Julie Johnson, the owner, grower
and winemaker at Tres Sabores
on Friday, August 12
from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm

Meet winemaker Julie Johnson of Tres Sabores and taste her beautiful organically certified wines from the western Rutherford Benchland of Napa Valley at the Wine Lab Newport this Friday.

Julie began her career in wine making in 1987 as owner of Frog’s Leap Winery along with John Williams and Larry Turley.  In partnership with the lovely and talented Michaela Rodeno, currently CEO at St. Supery Winery, she founded “Women for Wine Sense”, the ongoing national organization whose vision it is to support the appreciation for, and responsible consumption of wine.

Julie will be pouring four of the current releases and a winery only reserve Cabernet.
1) 2010 Sauvignon Blanc
2) 2008 ¿POR QUÉ NO?
3) 2008 Estate Zinfandel
4) 2007 Rutherford Perspective Estate Cabernet

Space is limited. Make your reservation by contacting Wine Lab at info@winelabnewport.com or (949) 515-8466.

The cost is $16 (Wine Lab Club $12).

Wine Lab validates its customers parking in the garage under the building.

For more information on Tres Sabores, visit their website at: www.tressabores.com/

I have had the opportunity to meet Julie Johnson at two other wine events in the last year (Napa Valley Vintners event in Orange County and ZAP [Zinfandel Advocates & Producers] at the Islands Hotel in Newport Beach) and I highly recommend that you attend this winemaker event at the Wine Lab in Newport Beach. Julie Johnson makes a killer Zinfandel and her 2010 Sauvignon Blanc is one of the best Sauvignon Blanc’s I have tasted in the this year.

Wine Lab Newport hosts wine tastings during store open hours from Tuesday thru Sunday.

Wine Lab Newport
2901 W. Pacific Coast Highway, Suite 100
Newport Beach, CA 92683
(949) 515-VINO (8466)

For more information on the Wine Lab, visit their website at: http://winelabnewport.com/

Find Your Taste at the Wine Lab Newport

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Craig Haserot, proprietor and Randy Bennett, assistant winemaker at Sojourn Cellars

Craig Haserot, proprietor and Randy Bennett, assistant winemaker at Sojourn Cellars

Brandon Sparks-Gillis (in photo) along with John and Steve Dragonette, are the owners  and winemakers of Dragonette Cellars

Brandon Sparks-Gillis (in photo) along with John and Steve Dragonette, are the owners and winemakers of Dragonette Cellars

Ted Plemons, partner at Cass Winery, pouring some Cass Wines for Taryn Feuerberg and Yolanda Bishop (both from the Wine Lab in Newport Beach) and me

Ted Plemons, partner at Cass Winery, pouring some Cass Wines for Taryn Feuerberg and Yolanda Bishop (both from the Wine Lab in Newport Beach) and me

Peter Work, who along with his wife Rebecca, are the owners and winemakers of Ampelos Cellars

Peter Work, who along with his wife Rebecca, are the owners and winemakers of Ampelos Cellars

Elizabeth Pressler and Spencer Graham, the owners and winemakers of Elizabeth Spencer Wines

Elizabeth Pressler and Spencer Graham, the owners and winemakers of Elizabeth Spencer Wines

Wes Hagen, the owner, winemaker and vineyard manager of Clos Pepe Vineyards

Wes Hagen, the owner, winemaker and vineyard manager of Clos Pepe Vineyards

Larry Schaffer, the owner and winemaker of Tercero Wines

Larry Schaffer, the owner and winemaker of Tercero Wines

Phil Staehle, the owner and winemaker of Enkidu Winery

Phil Staehle, the owner and winemaker of Enkidu Winery

Ed Sellers, who along with his wife Dani, are the owners of Edward Sellers Vineyards & Wines

Ed Sellers, who along with his wife Dani, are the owners of Edward Sellers Vineyards & Wines

Random Hazard, Sales Manager of Ahnfeld Wines, pouring wines for Roger RIchards and Drew Fabian (both from the Wine Lab in Newport Beach) and me

Random Hazard, Sales Manager of Ahnfeld Wines, pouring wines for Roger RIchards and Drew Fabian (both from the Wine Lab in Newport Beach) and me

Dave Phiney, owner and winemaker of Orin Swift Cellars

Dave Phiney, owner and winemaker of Orin Swift Cellars

Gary Pisoni of Pisoni Vineyards & Winery and Lucia

Gary Pisoni of Pisoni Vineyards & Winery and Lucia

Ken Brown, the owner and winemaker of Ken Brown Wines

Ken Brown, the owner and winemaker of Ken Brown Wines

Erik Turner of the rock band Warrant holding a bottle of 2007 Kristian Story Warrant Red at the Kristian Story table. Standing behind Erik is Antonia Quast of Kristian Story Wines.

Erik Turner of the rock band Warrant holding a bottle of 2007 Kristian Story Warrant Red at the Kristian Story table. Standing behind Erik is Antonia Quast of Kristian Story Wines.

Ian Brand, the winemaker of Coastview Vineyard

Ian Brand, the winemaker of Coastview Vineyard

photos courtesy of  www.natcoalson.com

Family Winemakers of California tasting events have become one of my top favorite tasting events of the year along with Hospice du Rhone and Rhone Rangers. The Third Annual San Diego Tasting (at the Del Mar Fairgrounds) was held on Sunday, March 13 and the Twelfth Annual Southern California Trade Tasting (at the Pasadena Convention Center) was held on Tuesday, March 15. I attended both events.

I really enjoy all the wineries that participate in the FWC trade tasting. They include many of my favorite California wineries. It is great to taste all their recent and upcoming releases.

One of the great things about the FWC tastings are the wide variety of wines to taste including: Rhone, Bordeaux, Italian, German and Spanish style varietals. I tasted Chardonnay, Semillion, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Roussanne, Grenache Blanc, Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Grigio, Albariño, Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre, Pinot Noir, Petite Sirah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Zinfandel, Barbera, Nebbiolo, Sangiovese, Malbec and Tempranillo and more, as well as many blends. Many of the other wine tasting events are specialized for Rhones only, Pinots only or Zinfandels only, so it is nice to taste such a great variety of wines at one tasting event.

Over 200 wineries from all over California participated at the two FWC Southern California tasting events, showcasing over 1,000 different wines. I probably tasted about 250 of those wines over the 2 days of the trade tasting events, which is about 25% of the wines being poured.

The following is a list of my Top 20 Favorite wines at FWC Trade Tasting:

1. 2009 Sojourn Cellars Pinot Noir, Sangiacomo Vineyard
2. 2009 Dragonette Cellars Pinot Noir, Hilliard Bruce Vineyard
3. 2008 Villa Creek Garnacha, Denner Vineyard (100% Greanache)
4. 2008 Tercero Wines Cuvée Loco, Larner Vineyard (50% Grenache & 50% Syrah)
5. 2008 Saxon Brown Semillon, Cricket Creek
6. 2008 Terry Hoage Vineyard “The Pick Cuvée”
7. 2009 Elizabeth Spencer Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast
8. 2009 Sojourn Cellars Pinot Noir, Rodgers Creek Vineyard
9. 2009 Dragonette Cellars Sauvignon Blanc, Vogelzang Vineyard
10. 2008 Coastview Vineyard Terraces Chardonnay
11. 2009 Enkidu Wines ‘E’ Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma Valley
12. 2008 Tercero Wines Cuvée Christie
13. 2008 Villa Creek Avenger, Booker Vineyard
14. 2007 Elizabeth Spencer Cabernet Sauvignon
15. 2007 Coastview Vineyard North Slope Syrah
16. 2007 Saxon-Brown Syrah Owl Box, Parmelee-Hill
17. 2009 Siduri “Hirsch” Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast
18. 2008 Orin Swift “Mercury Head” Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
19. 2007 Saxon Brown Pinot Noir, Parmelee-Hill
20. 2007 Edward Sellers Cuvée des Cinq

There  were so many great wines at the FWC, I would also like to recommend many other wines. If I didn’t recommend your favorite wine, I may not have tasted it. It would have been impossible to taste all the wines at the FWC, so If I did not taste or list your favorite wine, I apologize.

I also recommend these Red wines:

1. 2009 Orin Swift “Palermo” Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
2. 2008 Dragonette Cellars MJM (Syrah from 3 cooler climate vineyards)
3. 2008 L’Aventure Winery Estate Cuvée
4. 2009 Lucia Gary’s Vineyard Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands
5. 2008 Enkidu Wines Kiamberell’s Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley
6. 2008 Villa Creek La Boda, (50% Grenache, 50% Mourvedre)
7. 2008 Tercero Wines Mourvedre, Camp 4 Vineyard
8. 2007 Ahnfeldt Wines Merlot, Napa Valley
9. 2008 Terry Hoage Vineyards “5 Blocks” Syrah Cuvee
10. 2009 Clos Pepe Estate Pinot Noir
11. 2008 Enkidu Wines Bedrock Zinfandel, Sonoma Valley
12. 2008 Dragonette Cellars Pinot Noir, Santa Rita Hills
13. 2007 Ladera Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
14. 2007 Keenan Merlot, Reserve, Mailbox Vineyard, Spring Mountain District
15. 2006 Ampelos Cellars Pinot Noir, Rho
16. 2008 Hart Family Winery Barbera, South Coast
17. 2008 Tercero Wines Grenache, Larner Vineyard
18. 2007 Ampelos Cellars Syrah, Gamma
19. 2008 Ken Brown Pinot Noir, Carasacchi Vineyard
20. 2007 Ahnfeldt Wines Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
21. 2007 Enkidu Wines Petite Sirah, Diener Ranch, Red Hills Lake County
22. 2009 Ampelos Cellars Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara County
23. 2009 Carlisle Winery Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley
24. 2006 Kristian Story Wines Rhapsodie  Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
25. 2006 Ahnfeldt Wines Provocative, Napa Valley
26. 2009 Beckmen Vineyards Cuvée Le Bec
27. 2009 Lucia Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands
28. 2008 O’Shaughnessy Estate Winery Cabernet Sauvignon, Mount Veeder
29. 2007 Edward Sellers Vertigo
30. 2007 Hart Family Winery Sangiovese, Temecula Valley Huis Vineyard

I also recommend these White wines:

1. 2009 Dragonette Cellars Sauvignon Blanc, Santa Ynez Valley
2. 2010 Ampelos Cellars Viognier
3. 2009 Clos Pepe Estate Chardonnay
4. 2009 Cass Winery Rockin’ One White (60% Rousanne & 40% Marsanne)
5. 2009 Terry Hoage Vineyard “The Gap” Cuvee Blanc
6. 2009 Tablas Creek Cotes de Tablas Blanc
7. 2009 Lucia Chardonnay, Santa Lucia Highlands
8. 2009 Tablas Creek Roussanne
9. 2009 Beckmen Vineyards Cuvée Le Bec Blanc
10. 2009 Novy Family Viognier
11. 2009 Tablas Creek Roussanne
12. 2009 Cass Winery Viognier
13. 2009 Elizabeth Spencer Sauvignon Blanc
14. 2008 Edward Sellers Viognier
15. 2009 Tablas Creek Picpoul Blanc
16. 2009 Barr Estate Winery Albariño

I also recommend this Dessert wine:

1. 2009 Novy Family Wines, “Oley”, Late Harvest Viogner, Russian River

I thought it was well planned, conveniently laid out and had some excellent food to go along with the wines. I look forward to attending the next Family Winemakers of California tasting event.


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Come out and meet Napa Valley Winemaker, Kristian Story
on Wednesday, June 29 from 5:00pm to 8:30pm

Kristian will be pouring four of KSW’s highly acclaimed Napa Valley Wines:
1) 2006 Rhapsodie Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
2) 2006 Soirée Estate Meritage
3) 2007 Kristian Story Red
4) 2007 WARRANT Red

I met Kristian last month and had a chance to taste all four of these wines and they are all outstanding. My favorite of the four is the 2006 Rhapsodie (a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, 3% Petite Shirah and 2% Petite Verdot).

Additionally, you will get to see and possibly taste, some of KSW’s newest wines…yes, we’ve seen the “light” and will soon be releasing three new white wines!
• 2010 Kristian Story Chardonnay (not yet released)
• 2010 RATT N ROLL “Body Talk” Chardonnay (not yet released)
• 2010 Richard Blade Chardonnay (not yet released)

Space is limited. Make your reservation by contacting Wine Lab at info@winelabnewport.com or (949) 515-8466.

Tickets $17 ea. Rock music will be played, optionally wear your old rock concert T-shirts, we’re going to have fun!

Wine Lab validates its customers parking in the garage under the building.

For more information on Kristian Story Wines, visit their website at: http://www.kristianstorywines.com/

Wine Lab Newport hosts wine tastings during store open hours from Tuesday thru Sunday.

Wine Lab Newport
2901 W. Pacific Coast Highway, Suite 100
Newport Beach, CA 92683
(949) 515-VINO (8466)

For more information on the Wine Lab, visit their website at: http://winelabnewport.com/

Find Your Taste at the Wine Lab Newport

 

 

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I had a chance to spend some time talking with Brandon Sparks-Gillis of Dragonette Cellars at the “Stars of Santa Barbara” wine event on June 9, 2010 at Scott’s Seafood Restaurant in Costa Mesa. We talked about their great new wine releases and their new tasting room in Los Olivos.

I decided to go up to Los Olivos and visit Dragonette’s new tasting room and meet with Brandon Sparks-Gillis and John Dragonette. The new tasing room is located in Los Olivos on Alamo Pintado Avenue, across the street from the Stolpman tasting room.

Brandon and John poured all their current releases for me, including the 2009 Rosé, 2008 Sauvignon Blanc, 2008 Pinot Noir from the Cargasacchi-Jalama Vineyard, 2008 Pinot Noir from the Fiddlestix Vineyard, 2007 Syrah and the 2007 MJM (a Rhone blend made from 96% Syrah, 3% Grenache and 1% Viognier) from York Mountain (located in the Central Coast on the eastern side of the Santa Lucia Mountains, west of the Paso Robles AVA) and the Santa Ynez Valley.

John and Steve Dragonette and close friend Brandon Sparks-Gillis formed Dragonette Cellars in order to pursue a long-held dream to produce wines of the utmost quality and purity from the finest vineyards in Santa Barbara County and the Central Coast.

I enjoyed all of their current releases and the 2008 Fiddlestix Pinot was my favorite. In the last few weeks I have had the opportunity to taste many of the new Pinot Noir releases from several outstanding wineries, and without a doubt, the 2008 Dragonette Pinot Noir from the Fiddlestix Vineyard is one of my favorites. It is a great example of a handcrafted pinot.

The Fiddlestix Vineyard, located at the cool western end of the Santa Rita Hills, is ideally situated for Pinot Noir. They selected two blocks, consisting of clones 113 and 777. The 113 provides a nice bright cherry tone and spicy aromatic lift, while the 777 provides waves of darker fruit and structure.

Their tasting notes on this wine are: Bigger and weightier than its sibling, the wine provides classic aromas of black cherry and iron, with a dusting of baking spices. On the palate, the wine is full bodied and silky, with a nice balance between the waves of black cherry and blue fruits and the complimentary notes of cola, cinnamon, balsa-wood, leather and gently toasted vanilla. The wine is lifted by clean, round refreshing acidity and ripe tannic structure, leading to a long echoing finish. The texture was wonderful.

The 2008 Fiddlestix Pinot Noir tastes great now, but it is still very young and I recommend that you lay in down for 2 to 4 years and then it will be absolutely incredible.

For more information on Dragonette Cellars, visit their website at:   http://dragonettecellars.com

Dragonette Cellars
2445 Alamo Pintado Ave
Los Olivos, CA 93441
805-693-0077

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Meet Peter Work of Ampelos Cellars and Vineyard
at the Wine Lab
in Newport Beach on
Wednesday, May 25 from 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm

Ampelos Cellars is one of the first wineries in California to be certified organic, sustainable, and biodynamic. There vineyard is located in the Santa Rita Hills of Santa Barbara County and their tasting room is located in the Lompoc Ghetto. Peter and Rebecca Work (winemakers, owners and vineyard managers of Ampelos Cellars and Vineyard) started using biodynamic farming in 2005. They produce some of the best whites and reds I have tasted from this region.

Peter will be pouring five wines:
1) 2010 Ampelos Viognier
2) 2010 Ampelos Rose (of Syrah)
3) 2009 Ampelos Pinot Noir, Santa Rita Hills
4) 2007 Ampelos Pinot Noir Lambda
5) 2007 Ampelos Syrache

Come learn about Organic & Biodynamic Wines with Peter Work and taste some great Ampelos wines.

The wine tasting is $19 – drop by anytime between 6pm – 8pm.

Special bottle prices for Ampelos Cellars wines will be offered for the evening.

Wine Lab validates its customers parking in the garage under the building.

For more information on Ampelos Cellars wines, visit their website at: http://www.ampeloscellars.com/

Wine Lab Newport hosts wine tastings during store open hours from Tuesday thru Sunday.

Wine Lab Newport
2901 W. Pacific Coast Highway, Suite 100
Newport Beach, CA 92683
(949) 515-VINO (8466)

For more information on the Wine Lab, visit their website at: http://winelabnewport.com/

Find Your Taste at the Wine Lab Newport

Newport Beach’s Only Wine Bar and Wine Store

Over 200 different bottles under $20.00

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Meet Heather Gray of Bodegas Paso Robles at the Wine Lab
in Newport Beach on Wednesday, May 11
from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

All of the Bodegas Paso Robles wines are made with grape varietals used in Spanish and Portuguese winemaking, some in the California style and some in the European style. Their winemaker and co-owner, Dorothy Schuler, strives for an artistic balance of the ancient craft of winemaking, with the new world’s love of innovation.

Heather Gray will be pouring six wines:
1) 2010 Galicia Albariño
2) 2009 Doña Blanca
3) 2005 Solea – Tempranillo/Graciano
4) 2005 Viva Yo
5) 2007 Vaca Negra
6) 2008 Pimenteiro

The wine tasting is $19 – drop by anytime between 6pm – 8pm.

Wine Lab validates its customers parking in the garage under the building.

For more information on Bodegas Paso Robles wines, visit their website at: http://www.bodegaspasorobles.com/

Wine Lab Newport hosts wine tastings during store open hours from Tuesday thru Sunday.

Wine Lab Newport
2901 W. Pacific Coast Highway
Suite 100
Newport Beach, CA 92683
(949) 515-VINO (8466)

For more information on the Wine Lab, visit their website at: http://winelabnewport.com/

Find Your Taste at the Wine Lab Newport

Newport Beach’s Only Wine Bar and Wine Store

Over 200 different bottles under $20.00

 

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Meet Seth Kunin of Kunin Wines
at the Wine Lab
in Newport Beach
Thursday, April 21
from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Kunin Wines was founded in 1998. Owner and winemaker Seth Kunin’s philosophy is simple: when you open a bottle of Kunin Wine, you can be assured from vineyard to glass, very little has been done to alter the purity of the fruit or its natural terroir.

Seth will be pouring:
1) 2007 Kunin Wines Viognier, Stolpman Vineyard
2) 2008 Kunin Wines Pape Star (Red Rhône blend – 50% Grenache, 35% Mourvedre,
and 15% Syrah)
3) 2006 Kunin Wines Syrah, Santa Barbara County
4) 2003 Kunin Wines Syrah, Alisos Vineyard
5) 2007 Kunin Wines “Westside” Zinfandel, Paso Robles

To quote Robert Parker “Seth Kunin’s winemaking style offers the elegance and complexity found in top-class French wines, as well as the sweet, ripe, tasty fruit the better California offerings routinely possess”.

The Kunin Wines event costs $19 – drop by anytime that evening

For more information on Kunin Wines, visit their website at: http://www.kuninwines.com/

Wine Lab Newport hosts wine tastings during store open hours from Tuesday thru Sunday.

Wine Lab Newport
2901 W. Pacific Coast Highway,
Suite 100
Newport Beach, CA 92683
(949) 515-VINO (8466)

For more information on the Wine Lab, visit their website at: http://winelabnewport.com/

Find Your Taste at the Wine Lab Newport

Newport Beach’s Only Wine Bar and Wine Store

Over 180 different bottles under $20.00

 

 

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Meet Maggie Tillman of Alta Colina Vineyard & Winery
at the Wine Lab in Newport Beach
Wednesday, March 23 from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm


Alta Colina Vineyard & Winery, one of the rising stars on the westside of Paso Robles, was started in 2004 by Bob and Lynn Tillman. Alta Colina is a family owned and operated winery. 2007 was the first bottling for Alta Colina. Their wine is 100% estate fruit farmed sustainably.

Alta Colina Vineyard & Winery has been in Wine Spectator – TWO ISSUES in a row! And this time there’s a PHOTO! AND Paso’s own Justin Smith of Saxum on the cover! Alta Colina owners and winemaker Lynn Tillman and Bob Tillman make a cameo in the buying guide of the current issue alongside a 91 point score on our Ann’s Block Petite Sirah. There’s also a GREAT article on some of our Paso featuring Scott Hawley (who consulted on our first 3 vintages) among others so check it out.

Maggie is returning to the Wine Lab with these new releases:
1) 2009 Alta Colina 12 O’Clock High
2) 2008 Alta Colina Keystone Syrah
3) 2008 Alta Colina Toasted Slope Estate Syrah (91 points Wine Spectator)
4) 2008 Alta Colina Estate GSM (90 points Wine Spectator)
5) 2008 Alta Colina Old 900 Syrah

The Alta Colina winery event costs $22 – drop by anytime that evening

For more information on Alta Colina Vineyard & Winery, visit their website at: http://www.altacolinawine.com/

Wine Lab Newport hosts wine tastings during store open hours from Tuesday thru Sunday.

Wine Lab Newport
2901 W. Pacific Coast Highway, Suite 100
Newport Beach, CA 92683
(949) 515-VINO (8466)

Find Your Taste at the Wine Lab Newport

Newport Beach’s Only Wine Bar and Wine Store

Over 180 different bottles under $20.00

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