The wines featured at DU Vin Festival come from all over the world. The following is a compiled list of the many wineries featured.
FONTANA CANDIDA
Throughout the world, Fontana Candida is synonymous with Frascati. This ancient wine, born in the Roman hills, has deservedly been called “the wine of popes and of the people.” While the popes drank Frascati daily, the people would only drink it on important Vatican occasions. It is said that during the papal elections of Innocent X (Giambattista Pamphili in 1644) and of Clement X (Emilioi Altieri in 1670), Frascati spouted from the fountains, the marble nostrils of Marcus Aurelius’s horse and the lions of the Capitol to the delight and amusement of the people. Citizens rushed out with bottles and cups to capture the wine and enjoy it fully. In addition to our popular Frascati Superiore, our U.S. portfolio consists of Pinot Grigio from the Veneto region and Orvieto Classico from the Umbria region. Fontana Candida was founded in 1958 and is headquartered in Monteporzio Catone, Rome. We are the leading producer of Frascati in Italy and produce 8 million bottles of wine per year, of which 6.5 million is exported.
BOLLA AMARONE
Created from the very finest Valpolicella grapes, painstakingly aged in the ancient manner and bottled in exceedingly small vintages, Amarone stands out as one of the world most treasured and distinctive red wines. Bolla was the first Italian producer to market Amarone in Italy and, in 1957, introduced the 1950 vintage Amarone to the United States.
BOLLA VALPOLICELLA
Bolla Valpolicella is made from handpicked grapes from the Veneto region on Northern Italy. This soft, sumptuous wine has flavors of berries, almonds, raisins, and spicy black cherries. This full-flavored wine pairs nicely with beef dishes, grilled meats and zesty pasta meals.
MILBRANDT
Farming is in our blood. Our parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles all made their living working the land. Eastern Washington is in our blood. We came here as young children and have always called it home. When we planted our first vines in 1997 we were entering uncharted territory. Today, we farm 13 distinct estate vineyard sites totaling nearly 1600 acres. Our grapes are purchased by some of the most prestigious wineries in the state. Our own winery, launched in 2005, produces highly-individualistic wines from our estate and neighboring vineyards.
Jim McFerran, one of the foremost viticulturists in Washington, joined us back in 1997 to help with the intricacies of planting. We were very careful about matching the right variety to the right site. Our goal was to be the best growers in the state. From the start, demand for our grapes was immediate and overwhelming. As farmers, there is nothing more satisfying than controlling the quality and style of your product from start to finish. In June of 2007, under the direction of veteran winemaker Gordon Hill, we launched the Milbrandt Vineyards label.
PARDUCCI
The Parducci family operated practically the only winery in Mendocino County for nearly 30 years after the end of Prohibition, but the family sold the business in 1972. It eventually was bought in 2004 by the Mendocino Wine Co., whose owners are firm believers in organic, sustainable agriculture and green business practices — right down to the soy ink on the labels. Through a program of onsite mitigation and carbon credits, Parducci has become the first U.S. winery to achieve “carbon neutral status.” The winery partnered with the California Climate Action Registry to calculate emissions of its greenhouse gases. It then took measures to mitigate and offset those emissions.
Parducci is part of Mendocino Wine Company, which during the last three years has implemented “mitigation” practices, including a solar installation, an energy-efficiency audit in partnership with Pacific Gas and Electric Company, switching to biodiesel in company vehicles and farm equipment, converting from incandescent to fluorescent lighting, and a local tree-planting program.
PAUL DOLAN VINEYARDS
Paul Dolan Vineyard wines are a unique expression of carefully nurtured vineyard sites made manifest in each bottle. We do without conventional pesticides and synthetic fertilizers, treating the soil as a living, life-giving system. Our winegrowing practices create special wines, while sustaining our environment, the place where we live, and the people who live here.
Organic Farming emphasizes the use of renewable resources and the conservation of soil and water. Organic winegrowing recognizes that healthy soils grow balanced grapes that produce the best wines. Organic vineyards are often small, family-owned and -operated properties.
Organic winemaking uses natural processes and rejects the use of synthetic chemicals. Winemakers use organic grapes and yeasts to create wines of great character and purity.
Paul Dolan’s Organic Quality Epiphany …“After tasting the real difference between organic and conventionally farmed grapes, side by side in a sun-drenched vineyard in 1987, my entire way of thinking about grape growing changed,” says Paul Dolan. Since then he has led a revolution, changing the way top wineries think about quality.
ACRE
At Acre, our passion is California’s Central Coast, in all its rugged beauty and cool-climate viticultural diversity. From San Francisco Bay to Santa Barbara County, from Big Sur to Paso Robles, we love everything about the Central Coast and are dedicated to bringing its unique and delicious flavors to wine lovers everywhere. Sophisticated, yet approachable, luxurious, yet affordable, Acre wines embody the very best of the magnificent Central Coast wine region.
HOGUE:
The Hogue family has been a fixture in the Washington State farming community since the 1940s. Settling in Prosser, Washington, future heart of the state’s prosperous wine industry, Mike and Gary Hogue grew up working the hop fields and premier apple orchards of Columbia Valley. Inspired by his parents’ entrepreneurial spirit and work ethic, Mike Hogue planted the family’s first vineyard in 1974. In 1982, he and Gary established The Hogue Cellars, Washington’s 19th bonded winery (there are now 500+). Today, as the Hogue brothers remain active in the business, The Hogue Cellars has emerged as one of Washington’s most respected wineries. Featuring a three-tier portfolio, Hogue, Genesis, and the Reserves, our wines regularly receive critical acclaim for quality and value.
NOBILO:
Nobilo was founded in 1942 by Croatian immigrants Nikola and Zuva Nobilo. Today it is the second largest wine producer in New Zealand and continues to emulate the philosophy of the founder Nikola Nobilo: seeking to create the purest expression of what our clean, green land has to offer. Nobilo encapsulates Pure New Zealand: escape to a far-off country of renowned beauty, rich culture and adventure, through experiencing the unique taste of Nobilo from New Zealand.
MONKEY BAY:
Legend has it that in the late 19th century, an Englishman visiting the Marlborough coast of New Zealand’s South Island reported seeing a monkey cavorting near a small bay within the larger (and now renowned) Cloudy Bay. Locals were skeptical because monkeys are not indigenous to New Zealand. The Brit, however, was adamant, so competing theories arose to explain the simian sighting. Might the little imp have escaped from an American whaling ship that docked in Marlborough after stops in Africa or Indonesia? Or did the Englishman, addled by too much sun, or too much drink, mistake the native kiwi bird for a chimp? Whatever the real story may be, the idyllic spot became known as “Monkey Bay”—and so it is called to this day.
More than a century later, a few clever Kiwis put two-and-two together and from lush sauvignon blanc vineyards that had been planted nearby, they created a wonderfully fresh, world-class white wine called…Monkey Bay.
NAPA RIDGE:
33 Harlow Court (The Napa Ridge Winery) was opened in 2002 to enhance the quality and prestige of the Napa Ridge brand, combining state-of-the-art technology and the finest cooperage to produce some of the finest wines from the Napa Valley at prices that everyone can afford. The entire Napa Ridge line is now produced and bottled there as well.
ERNST
Ernst & Co Wine Farm is situated on the Stellenbosch wine route at the foot of the Simonsberg in the Muldersvlei area, 15 kilometers from the picturesque town of Stellenbosch and 40 kilometers from Cape Town, South Africa.
Ernst & Co Wines is a dedicated family affair with a passion for the fruit of the vine. Husband and wife team, Ernst and Gwenda Gouws, assisted by their winemaker daughter, Ezanne, are the soul and drive behind this fine wine company in the Cape Winelands.
Our core business is offering consumers high quality wines at realistic prices. Through utilizing our family strengths and determination we always deliver the best we can offer ourselves. We have founded our family concern on our South African and international training as well as 30 years of experience in the wine industry.
FAT CAT
At Fat Cat Cellars, our vibe is velvety varietal wines. Wines inspired by the jazz music we love. So try our jam session Cabernet Sauvignon, mellow Merlot, smooth Pinot Noir, bebop-crisp Chardonnay, or our new and exuberant Pinot Grigio. You’ll find a fusion of rich flavors and genuine Cat-itude in every glass. You dig?
FILUS
Founded in 1997 by Gustavo Capone and Ambrosio Di Leo, lovers and makers of wine forever.
Our parents have transmitted us their vocation of coopers and taught us that our native soil reaches maximun expression guided by men who devote their work and daily effort. By choice, we devote to make our dream come true, our dream… having our own winery and produce wines of excellent quality. Our winery is located in Lunlunta, Mendoza, a few miles from the city center at the foothills of the Andes Mountains. It combines a classic building with state-of-the-art tecnology to produce great wines that allows us to adapt to the demands of the world markets while always maintaining the true natural virtues of the grape and terroir.
LA CREMA
La Crema was founded in 1979 and quickly established itself as a pioneer for intensely flavored Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from cool climate. Continuing this tradition, La Crema pursues the ultimate expression of the Russian River Valley, Carneros and Anderson Valley by handcrafting wines of distinctive flavor which achieve elegance and balance.
KENDALL JACKSON
One of the “truths” we live by here at the winery is that outstanding wines can only be made from exceptional fruit. Our Kendall-Jackson Estate Vineyards are found atop cool coastal mountains, rocky ridge tops and rolling hillsides – places where the climate, soil and vine come together to create remarkable grapes. In each glass, you will taste our family’s commitment to crafting extraordinary wines from California’s best vineyards.
Born in 1930, Jackson was raised in San Francisco and graduated from UC Berkeley’s Boalt Law School. In 1974, Jess and his family bought an 80-acre pear and walnut orchard in Lakeport, California. After converting the orchard to a vineyard, Jess began selling his grapes to local wineries. In 1982, he produced his first bottle of wine under the Kendall-Jackson label. Jess, a founding member of Family Winemakers of California, his wife Barbara Banke, and his family still run the day-to-day business of the winery.
“When my family and I founded Kendall-Jackson in 1982, we simply wanted to create extraordinary wine from California’s best vineyards,” remembers Jess. “In 1983 our Chardonnay won the first Platinum Award ever presented by the American Wine Competition. For nearly three decades, we have been America’s favorite wine. We grow grapes on some 14,000 acres of California Coastal vineyards, and continue to evolve our practices and increase the quality of our wines. My family will always be committed to creating the very best wine we can. We hope you enjoy our wine as much as we enjoy making it.”
BERINGER
Established in 1876 by Frederick and Jacob Beringer, Beringer Vineyards celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2001 and continues today with a tradition of winemaking excellence in the Napa Valley. As our flagship California brand, Beringer Vineyards has emerged as a name synonymous with quality and excellence, and is known among connoisseurs for its highly acclaimed Chardonnays, Cabernet Sauvignons and Merlots.
Beringer has won two Wine Spectator “Wine of the Year” awards – the first in 1990 for the 1986 Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon and the second in 1996, for the 1994 Private Reserve Chardonnay. It is the only winery to have had both a red and white wine named “Wine of the Year” by this influential magazine, and enjoys the honor of historically having more wines placed on the publication’s “Top 100” list.
Beringer also produces the company’s largest selling product in the U.S., California White Zinfandel, which has enjoyed the largest dollar sales of any wine in U.S. food stores for over five years.
CHATEAU ST JEAN
Chateau St. Jean is a winemaking estate located at the foot of Sugarloaf Ridge in the Sonoma Valley near Kenwood, California. Founded in 1973, Chateau St. Jean produces exceptional wines solely for the premium market. From its inception, the winery has provided their talented staff with the highest quality grapes and the finest equipment available to create truly world-class wines. “Only the finest” has always been the winery’s credo.
PENFOLDS
‘In a winemaking tradition spanning 160 years Penfolds has set the benchmark for Australian wines’
Founded in 1844 by the Penfold family at Magill Estate in Adelaide, Penfolds is synonymous with South Australia and multi-regional blending. Regions include the Barossa, Clare and EdenValleys, McLaren Vale, Adelaide Hills, Coonawarra, Padthaway, Robe and Tumbarumba (New South Wales).
Through multi-regional blending, Penfolds creates wines of consistently exceptional quality. We are most famous for our red wines, which range in style from the mighty Penfolds Grange to the elegant Penfolds St. Henri Shiraz and in price from AUD$400 to AUD$10. Penfolds lovers also know our white wines, including the flagship, Penfolds Yattarna Chardonnay, and our fortifieds such as Penfolds Great Grandfather Port.
ESTANCIA
At Estancia, we take a boutique-winery approach, where quality is the result of attention to every detail, and it begins in our Monterey and Paso Robles vineyards. We control the process from the start—from the trials in our own experimental vineyard blocks, to planting, harvesting, fermenting and aging of the wines.
We’ve built a winery that allows us to devote the same attention to detail in winemaking that we give to our proprietor-grown grapes. We’ve added open-top fermenters and small basket presses for our Pinot Noir and Pinot Grigio and new red-wine fermentation tanks that are custom-fitted for the diverse vineyard blocks of Cabernet and Zinfandel in our Paso Robles vineyard.
FRANCISCAN
Franciscan has its roots deeply embedded in the soil of Napa Valley. Founded over three decades ago, wine industry revolutionaries Raymond Duncan and Justin Meyer shaped the winery’s beginnings. In 1985, renowned vintner Agustin Huneeus took over the reins, leading the winery to greatness through innovation and a commitment to small-lot winemaking.
Today, Director of Winemaking Janet Myers is preserving the winery’s legacy while leading it into the future. “We inherited a craftsman’s ethic here: work with nature, work in small lots, innovate. Our uniqueness depends on the details,” she says.
All of Franciscan’s winemakers have left their individual marks, but all have remained true to Franciscan’s signature: bold wines with the rare combination of rich, vibrant flavors yet fine, supple texture.
SIMI
A lot of what we do at Simi is based on tradition, enhanced with cutting-edge innovation. Our philosophy has always been to maintain the quality and style that we’re recognized for, while at the same time improve our methods for growing grapes and crafting wines to reflect the experience and knowledge we are accumulating and have been throughout the winery’s 125-year history. Long ago we also realized the importance of Alexander Valley and knew that it would be a leading appellation for growing Bordeaux varietals. Today we showcase the region with our Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot as well as our vineyard-designated Landslide Cabernet Sauvignon. In 1989 we purchased our Russian River Valley Goldfields Vineyard and planted it to hand-selected original cuttings from some of the best and oldest vineyards in California. This innovative technique gives us the amazing diversity of flavors that has made Simi’s Russian River Reserve Chardonnay famous.
With every taste of Simi wines you’ll discover our devotion to tradition that is enhanced by our pursuit of the best vineyards, the best grape-growing methods, and the best winemaking techniques
KIM CRAWFORD
Kim Crawford Wines began in 1996 after Kim and Erica concluded that the world needed a clean, top quality, fruit-driven wines without heavy oak influence.
One of New Zealand ’s first “virtual wineries,” Kim Crawford Wines sourced its grapes from contract growers and made its wine at other wineries. Sales, marketing and administration were all managed from the Crawford’s Auckland home. Sauvignon Blanc, Unoaked Chardonnay, Tietjen Gisborne Chardonnay, and Semillon were produced the first year. Riesling was added to the portfolio the following year.
ACORDEON
In the mid 1850s, European varietals were introduced into Argentina, resulting in the same names and varieties that we have in California. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Verdot were all introduced, along with the varietals most associated with Argentina: Malbec and Torrontés. Increased European immigration in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, notably from Spain and Italy, helped increase the demand and profitability of table wine production and introduced Italian varieties.The 783 acre Finca Ferrer estate is in the “Valle de Uco” which covers three different Departamentos: Tupungato, Tunuyan and San Carlos. From this it is Tupungato that is the one with the most prestige.
FREIXENET
Freixenet is one of the most renowned and largest cava house in Spain, similar in quality, size and importance to France’s Moet & Chandon. (Cava is the Spanish sparkling wine equivalent to France’s champagne.) The Freixenet cava business started in 1914. Pere Ferrer Bosch was the son of “La Freixenada”, the family estate located in the Alt Penedes region since the 13th Century. Right from the start, the family decided to produce only cava, a natural sparkling wine, following the method used in Champagne (France) for centuries. In 1941, Freixenet launched what in time would become one of its leading products, the cava Carta Nevada and in 1974 the cava Cordon Negro.
TAPENA
Tapeña (tah-PAY-nyah) is the ideal complement for an evening of food and conversation among close friends. In Spain, going for Tapas (TAH-paz) is the American equivalent of bar hopping with an epicurean twist. At every taberna, tapas (small plates) are served communal style—each person is armed with a glass of wine and a fork. Peña (PAY-nyah) is slang for a group of close friends. Put the two together with Tapeña, and everyone is speaking the same language!
CAVALLINA
Cavallina Chianti Classico- A Chianti from the Classico region of Tuscano. Flavors of dark, rich berries and cherries that mingle with an earthy spiciness.
Cavallina Chianti Classico Riserva- Aged in oak barrels this wine displays complex flavors of dried cherries and new leather and has a long finish.
VIGNA DOGARINA
Vigna Dogarina was founded at the beginning of the 70’s when 70 hectares of land were taken over in the area of Campodipietra, with its precious clayey-magnesia soil, which is perfect for vine cultivation. The wines were planted with the consultation of the Wine making School in Conegliano, which, thanks to the willingness of the owners, applied the most modern and advanced planting techniques to the fields. Today the company owns 130 hectares of vineyard and the farming, wine making and marketing techniques have been constantly updated to ensure that Vigna Dogarina is always among the leading enterprises in its field.
RODNEY STRONG
At Rodney Strong Vineyards, we are dedicated to Sonoma County. The winery was established in 1959 by Rod Strong, one of the first pioneers of the modern wine industry in California, as the 13th bonded winery in Sonoma County. Since 1989, the winery has been privately owned by the Klein family, a fourth generation California agricultural family.
Rodney Strong Vineyards grows and produces wines exclusively from four of Sonoma County’s finest appellations—Russian River Valley, Chalk Hill, Alexander Valley and Sonoma Coast. The winery’s twelve unique estate vineyards represent the perfect marriage of varietal selection and terroir. Year after bountiful year, Rodney Strong specializes in making wine from fruit grown exclusively in Sonoma County.
Wild Hare
“This straw colored Chardonnay has a bouquet of fresh fruit and vanilla with a touch of oak. The smooth texture of apples and pears are just the beginning of this simple wine. Enjoy a glass year round!”
Andrea M. Beltran, Winemaker
MASKED RIDER
“This young 2008 blend shows aromas and flavors of fresh fruit, plums, black currant, herbs, espresso notes and is complemented with touches of earth. Along with a smooth mouth, you will enjoy round tannins and a tasty finish. Enjoy this wine with filet mignon, barbecued tri-tip, creamy pasta dishes and a slice or two of smoked Gouda.”
Andrea M. Beltran, Winemaker
PKNT
Delivering the passion, sociability, heat and adventure of South America in a glass is PKNT – the exciting brand from Chile.Ticking all the right boxes for today’s fashion-savvy, style conscious drinker. PKNT is style in a glass. Breaking all the traditional wine protocols, it is bursting with energy, full of fun and easy-to-drink.
The stylish premium packaging makes PKNT instantly memorable – a large red chilli on the front of every bottle screams that it comes from Chile, the hottest new wine growing region. Perhaps more importantly, this stylish iconic symbol makes it impossible to forget when you want to buy another bottle of “that great wine I drank last weekend”.
GLORIA FERRER
“Gloria Ferrer reliably produces some of California best sparkling wines, from the fruit-forward blanc de noirs to the richly structured Carneros Cuvée. On a warm day, step out onto the terrace of the visitors center as you sip your bubbly or one of the winery’s Pinot Noirs or Chardonnays…” Wine Spectator, Travel to California Wine Country, June 15, 2008
For more than 20 years, Gloria Ferrer Caves & Vineyards—the first sparkling wine house in the Sonoma Carneros region—has invited visitors to discover cool-climate wines served with warm Spanish hospitality. Owned by the Ferrer family, whose wine experience is rooted in 19th century Spain, our winery is a vibrant blend of Catalan and California mission design. We cultivate fruit for our premium quality sparkling and still wines in our 335 acres of estate vineyards distinguished by warm days, cool nights, summer fog and a long growing season that coaxes grapes to maturity slowly and consistently, with balanced sugar and acidity. Our Vineyard Manager Mike Crumly and Winemaker Bob Iantosca, both of whom have worked for Gloria Ferrer from its inception, have devoted more than two decades to identifying the diverse soil types, microclimates and specific needs of every vine in their care.
BYRON
When a man plants a vineyard where, by all rights, no vineyard should be planted it’s seen as folly. When the vineyard becomes one of the world’s best sites for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, it’s called vision.
In 1964 Uriel Nielson established Santa Barbara’s first commercial vineyard on what is now the Byron estate. Prior to Nielson, the county had been considered too cold and too windy for grapes. Fortunately Uriel didn’t listen. In retrospect he had vision.
In the 1980s Santa Barbara gathered fame as a cluster of serious vintners started producing Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays that were praised for their character, depth and honesty. Among the group was Ken Brown who established his Byron Winery on the site of the original, historic Nielsen Vineyard. Brown’s innovative gravity-feed winemaking facility and intensive viticultural experiments helped revolutionize cold-climate grape growing in California.
Today, Byron is focused on single vineyard and regional bottlings of Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays from the best
MATANZAS CREEK
Founded in 1977 on the site of an old dairy barn. From our first vintage we have focused on crafting balanced, elegant wines that today are regarded as Sonoma County classics. This dedication to artisan winemaking, coupled with the beauty of our winery and estate gardens, has produced a unique Northern California treasure. Matanzas Creek wines are classically styled, favoring grace over power and extraction.
Our signature varietals are Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Merlot. Our select wines, which may not be available in all markets – Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir.
Our home in Bennett Valley is an ideal place for cool climate varietals. We grow Merlot, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah on the estate. Jackson Park, adjacent to the winery, is our premier Merlot vineyard. Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon are sourced from the warmer region of Knights Valley.
STONESTREET
All of our fruit is sourced exclusively from Alexander Mountain Estate from the 2006 vintage on. Alexander Mountain Estate is 5,100 acres of which only 900 are planted to grapes (235 individual vineyard blocks) and the elevation ranges from 400 – 2,400 feet above sea level. Mountain grown grapes struggle – berry size of Alexander Mountain Estate is much smaller than that from the valley floor thus leading to the more concentrated flavors and a higher skin to weight ratio. The appellation on all our wines is Alexander Valley
Red Bordeaux varietal focus – Cabernet Sauvignon and Fifth Ridge
Limited production items – single vineyard Chardonnays (Red Point, Broken Road and Upper Barn and Christopher’s Cabernet Sauvignon (all 300 cases or less)
Recent acclaim
All 2006 Chardonnays received 91 points or more from Robert Parker Jr.
2005 Christopher’s – 97 points, Wine Enthusiast (October, 2008)
MURPHY GOODE
Twenty-two years of producing award-winning wines at competitive prices
Wide selection of core items makes it easy to make both on- and off-premise placements. Core wines include The Deuce Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma County Chardonnay, Island Block Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Liar’s Dice Zinfandel
Pioneers of Fumé Blanc in Sonoma County; a tradition that continues today
The majority of our fruit comes from the noteworthy Alexander Valley of northern Sonoma County
HARTFORD
Family-owned, Russian River Valley winery.
A ‘Pinot House’ and Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir is our TOP priority.
Hartford Court: Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
Hartford: Old Vine Zinfandels
Hartford Court Pinot Noir and Chardonnay focus on pre-qualified, prestigious on premise accounts.
Use supply scarcity (when appropriate) to your advantage.
Have fun with the Zins in accounts that like BIG.
Hartford Family Wines consistently receive outstanding accolades to support sell through.
B-SIDE
B Side – [be sahyd] noun:
1. A rare, unconventional, often less marketed release
2. Luxury cabernets sourced from alternative appellations for world-class Bordeaux grapes and inspired by the creative tracks discovered on the flip side of our favorite albums.
SKN (SCREW KAPPA NAPA)
Screw Kappa Napa aka S|K|N -[skroo kap-uh nap-uh] noun:
1. Play on words referring to a screw cap closure on a bottle of wine.
2. Napa Valley undressed! Bold and contemporary Napa Valley varietals featuring delicate details and everyday elegance at an modest price
AQUINAS
Aquinas Napa Valley – [ah-kwine-es] – noun:
1. Named after St. Thomas Aquinas, a revolutionary scholar in the 13th century.
2. Affordable Napa Valley varietals with class and tradition that recognize the rich history and culture of Napa.
DELAS
Wines from Côtes du Rhône, France
Delas Freres is a winery of tradition and renewal. Founded 160 years ago in the heart of the northern Côtes du Rhône, the winery enjoyed the dynamism of its original founders and their heirs and more recently, the renewed energy of the Lallier-Deutz family, owners of champagne house, Champagne Deutz. Delas Freres and Champagne Deutz were acquired by the Champagne House of Louis Roederer in 1993. Andre Lallier retired from daily winery duties in 1996, and Fabrice Rosset, a 20-year executive with Roederer, has taken the helm at both Delas and Deutz.
Today, the Delas wines are crafted by a panel of experts headed by winemaker Jacques Grange. Together, the team makes wines that have been heralded for their intensity of flavor and excellent value. The winery was updated in 1988 with new barrels and small wood barriques. These changes have made a remarkable difference, and critics have remarked on the improved quality of the wines, which tended to be hard, dry and tannic in the 1970s and 80s. Delas is one of the largest landholders in the northern Rhône, and also has long-term agreements that date back decades with southern Rhône growers who provide additional grapes for its wines.
CARPE DIEM
WINE FROM NAPA VALLEY
Carpe Diem has recently launched a new wine, the Carpe Diem Cabernet Sauvignon, vinified under the strict supervision of Christian Moueix’s winemaking team in Yountville, California. Carpe Diem Cabernet is made in a classic winemaking style and embodies the essence of Napa Valley classic Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2005 vintage marks its first release.
NAPANOOK
Napanook is made solely from grapes grown at the historic Napanook Vineyard in Yountville, Napa Valley. The wine is blended from blocks in the vineyard that were carefully selected for their lively fruit, soft tannins and early maturing characteristics.
Tasting Notes
The 2006 vintage is deep crimson in color. Its nose is dense, complex and full of black cherry, fresh almonds and bitter chocolate notes. The entry is very full and velvety, enveloped with round, deep tannins. The finish lingers on with aromas of bramble berries, cigar tobacco and cocoa beans. This wine is created to be consumed young, and enjoyed with food, but will also age well for more than a decade. Christian Moueix recommends decanting young wines before serving to allow them to reach their full potential
FLEUR DU CAP
Wines from Cape Coastal Region, South Africa
One of South Africas premier and best-known labels, Fleur du Cap, is a member of the Distell group. The Fleur du Cap wines are made from grapes meticulously selected from superior vineyard blocks in the Cape Coastal region and are made in a contemporary style which captures and reflects the highly sought-after qualities of varietal character and terroir.
Leading the way, this new generation of wines is crafted in compliance with universal guidelines to ensure environmentally friendly winemaking practices. Winemaker Andrea Freeborough strives to make well-versed wines that reflect minimal intervention in the cellar. Great skill, unwavering dedication and participative team work lies behind the success of the Fleur du Cap wines. Making wine “the way Mother Nature intended” requires greater care from the winemaking team as each step of the intricate winemaking process has to be gently and sensitively handled to produce wines that express their terroir and varietal character.
ROEDERER ESTATE
Wines from Anderson Valley, Mendocino, California
Founded in 1982, Roederer Estate winery is nestled in Mendocino County’s cool, fog-shrouded Anderson Valley. As the California outpost of Champagne Louis Roederer, Roederer Estate winery builds upon a centuries-old tradition of fine winemaking. Roederer Estate’s sparkling wines are produced using only Estate-grown grapes from the winery\’s own vineyards. Carrying on the tradition of Champagne Louis Roederer in France, special oak-aged reserve wines are added to each blend. The multi-vintage Roederer Estate Anderson Valley Brut debuted in 1988 to great acclaim, followed by the Roederer Brut Rosé and Roederer Estate’s tête de cuvée, L’Ermitage.
JEAN LUC COLOMBO
What happens when you combine a creative, adventurous spirit with an unbridled passion for wines of quality and character? For lovers of fine wines from Frances Rhône Valley, the answer is simple: Jean-Luc Colombo. Hailed as “the winemaking wizard” of the Rhône, Colombo has achieved a high-profile international reputation for innovative wines, bursting with personality. A native of Marseilles, Colombo developed a strong admiration for the wines of the Rhône Valley in the late 1970s. A devotee of the Syrah grape, he was convinced that the northern Rhône appellation of Cornas offered enormous potential for producing stellar quality Syrah. Following his conviction, he opened his own wine laboratory in Cornas and developed a thriving reputation as a wine consultant, breathing new life into the then-obscure wines of Cornas. Shortly after, Colombo began purchasing his own vineyards first in Cornas then throughout the Rhône Valley and Languedoc leading to the establishment in 1994 of Vins Jean-Luc Colombo. The wines of Vins Jean-Luc Colombo are all highly personalized, sourced from Colombo’s own vineyards and from carefully selected domains under his direct consultation.
With wines as vibrant and memorable as the man who makes them, Vins Jean-Luc Colombo has made a major impact on the evolution of modern French winemaking.
EL PORTILLO
Situated on a high plateau in the Uco Valley of Argentina’s Mendoza region, the El Portillo winery and vineyards are dedicated to making superb quality wines for everyday enjoyment. Harmony with nature is readily apparent in every aspect of this property, which is designed to deliver wines that capture and respect the pristine beauty of their birthplace.
The El Portillo winery (El Portillo means “portal” or “gateway”) is largely built of local materials, including stones quarried from a nearby valley. This enables the facility to blend in tastefully with the surrounding environment. Ancient masonry techniques practiced by the indigenous population in bygone times were revived for its construction in the late 1990s, providing new and welcome opportunities for skilled local craftsmen.
CLOS DU BOIS
For over 30 years, Clos du Bois has crafted award-winning wines that showcase the best of the Sonoma County wine region, particularly the Alexander Valley, home of our winery and estate vineyards. The extraordinary fruit grown within this appellation is the basis of the Clos du Bois style — elegant, soft and supple wines that offer complexity and aging potential.
Clos du Bois award-winning wine style is derived primarily from these sources:
The Sonoma County appellations of our estate vineyards and grape sources.
The strength of our grower relations, ensuring a continued supply of the highest quality grapes.
The winemaking style of Erik Olsen
The winemaking philosophy of “Wineries Within a Winery.”
BLACKSTONE
Blackstone Winery was founded in 1990 in Sonoma County. Since its inception, it has become a trusted brand known for delivering consistent, balanced wines of uncompromising quality. Blackstone Winery offers a full range of varietals sourced from California’s premier growing regions, with a focus on Sonoma and Monterey counties. The winery is best known for its award-winning California Merlot. Crafted in Blackstone’s signature style of rich fruit, supple texture, balanced oak, and smooth tannins, this wine has for years been the best-selling Merlot in the U.S.
RAVENSWOOD
In 1976 joel Peterson founded Ravenswood in partnership with a fellow wine lover and, over the next half-dozen years, their fledgling operation moved from one winery to another. Ravenswood finally turned a corner after a dozen years and purchased a winery on the northern edge of Sonoma Valley, where the Ravenswood Visitor Center and Tasting Room are still located today. Since its beginning, Ravenswood has been recognized the world over for its amazing Zinfandels. Thirty years later, Ravenswood is known for all of its exceptional varietals, from the everyday Vintners Blend, to the county-specific wines in the County Series, to the top-of-the-line Single Vineyard Designates. Each wine is crafted in the traditional Old World style with bold flavors.
ROBERT MONDAVI
The goal of Robert Mondavi Winery has always been to produce wines that stand in the company of the great wines of the world. With the philosophy that great wines reflect their origins, Robert Mondavi Winery pursues the fullest expression of the terroir of its Napa Valley vineyards: the historic Robert Mondavi Winery To Kalon Vineyard in the Oakville American Viticultural Area (AVA), and the Wappo Hill Vineyard in the Stags Leap District AVA.
TOASTED HEAD
Toasted Head and the fire-breathing bear began their amazing journey in 1995. From a winery tucked away in the Dunnigan Hills of Yolo County, they set out to spread the word of toasted barrels and their distinctive influence on wine. Toasted Head is named for the age-old practice of toasting barrel heads and staves that imparts a mellow, toasted flavor to barrel-aged wines. The fire-breathing bear on our label was originally inspired by a drawing created by artist Robert Shetterly for a poem entitled “Speaking Fire at Stones.” The mystery and wry humor of the bear, coupled with our commitment to superior winemaking, perfectly captures the Toasted Head frame of mind.
WILD HORSE
Located south of Paso Robles in Templeton, California, Wild Horse Winery was founded in 1983 by Ken Volk. Wild Horse Winery was named for the wild mustangs that roamed the hills east of the vineyard estate. These mavericks suggest a free, noble spirit and are the ideal symbol for the Wild Horse Winery commitment to spirited winemaking. The vineyard and winery location was selected for its low vigor soils, proven ground water table, proximity to Estero Bay and rural atmosphere. Wild Horse Winery creates compelling wines from 16 diverse appellations and more than 40 vineyards from the Central Coast. Wild Horse Winery is committed to sustainable viticultural and business practices and creating fine wines that express the best of the region’s diversity. “Live Naturally, Enjoy Wildly” reflects the attitude and personalities of the people who have been creating these wines for over 25 years.
HOGUE
The Hogue family has been a fixture in the Washington State farming community since the 1940s. Settling in Prosser, Washington, future heart of the state’s prosperous wine industry, Mike and Gary Hogue grew up working the hop fields and premier apple orchards of Columbia Valley. Inspired by his parents’ entrepreneurial spirit and work ethic, Mike Hogue planted the family’s first vineyard in 1974. In 1982, he and Gary established The Hogue Cellars, Washington’s 19th bonded winery (there are now 500+). Today, as the Hogue brothers remain active in the business, The Hogue Cellars has emerged as one of Washington’s most respected wineries. Featuring a three-tier portfolio, Hogue, Genesis, and the Reserves, our wines regularly receive critical acclaim for quality and value.
LUNETTA
Lunetta — Little Moon — Prosecco is produced in northern Italy’s Trentino region by Cavit, winemakers of America’s Number One Pinot Grigio and Number One Pinot Noir, at their spectacular state-of-the-art sparkling wine facility. This stylish, delicately sparkling wine is fragrant, with enticing aromas of apple and peach. On the palate it is rich, refreshing and harmonious, with crisp fruit flavors and a clean finish. Perfect for summer sipping!
CAVIT
Combine a half-century of winemaking expertise, the dramatic landscape and terroir of northern Italy, and a profound enjoyment of the good things in life. The result: the CAVIT COLLECTION, source of America’s #1 Italian wine. Cavit swept onto the radar of American wine lovers in the 1970s as an early pioneer of a then little-known white wine called Pinot Grigio. Prized for its crisp, elegant character, fruit flavors and delicate floral aroma, Pinot Grigio is a demanding grape to cultivate, but has flourished in northern Italy for over 100 years. Cavit has consistently championed this varietal in the U.S., earning its well-deserved title of America’s #1 Pinot Grigio. However, there is much more to the CAVIT COLLECTION than outstanding Pinot Grigio. This stellar range of high-quality, approachable and food-friendly wines includes Pinot Noir, Riesling, Chardonnay, Teroldego, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.
ROCCA DELLA MACIE
When the late Italo Zingarelli, a successful film producer best known for his popular spaghetti westerns, bought Rocca delle Macìe (pronounced ROH-kah DELL-eh mah-CHEE-ah) in Tuscany’s Chianti Classico district back in 1973, he embarked on a new career as one of Tuscany’s more unlikely wine producers. Working closely with his son Sergio, Zingarelli set about restoring the property that Sergio together with his wife Daniela, and their two children now call home. Then a tumbled down 14th-century farmstead near the village of Castellina in Chianti, it was surrounded by acres of neglected vines. Vineyards were replanted from scratch; further property, the nearby Sant’Alfonso estate, was acquired, and a state-of-the-art cellar built and installed with the latest winemaking equipment. The Zingarellis left nothing to chance in their quest to create a stellar Tuscan wine estate.
BERTANI
Bertani, which just recently celebrated its 150th anniversary, was founded in 1857 by brothers Gaetano and Giovan Battista Bertani. Prosperous wine merchants who believed that quality winemaking held the key to the future, the Bertanis invested their funds in buying some of the finest vineyards in the province and making their own wines. Consequently, unlike many other local producers, Bertani owns its own vineyards and so is able to oversee the entire winemaking cycle from start to finish. Recognition and success followed swiftly as Bertani became one of the first Veronese producers to export its wines on a significant scale. In the early years Bertani spearheaded a campaign to underscore the potential of Verona’s Valpolicella Valpantena wine district. The release of its Secco-Bertani Valpantena brand, still in production over 150 years later, is responsible for putting this DOC on the map.
FEUDI SAN GREGORIO
Situated in the tiny village of Sorbo Serpico in Campania’s Irpinia region, this highly acclaimed estate was established in 1986. Along with the expert guidance of consulting enologist Riccardo Cotarella, one of Italy’s most esteemed winemaking talents, Feudi di San Gregorio has emerged into the international limelight as a great success story in a region that, for many years, was locked in a virtual winemaking holding pattern. Feudi di San Gregorio has aggressively tapped into the enormous potential of Campania’s unique terroir and ancient varietals by placing a thoroughly modern spin on indigenous grapes such as Fiano di Avellino, Greco di Tufo and Aglianico.
FONTERUTOLI
CASTELLO DI FONTERUTOLI, source of some of Italy’s most prestigious wines, is an historic property embracing an entire tranquil, centuries-old hamlet just south of Castellina in Chianti, in the heart of Chianti Classico. The estate has been in the hands of the Mazzei family – devoted to winemaking for 24 generations – since 1435 and is today led by Lapo Mazzei and his sons, Francesco and Filippo. This dynamic family has carefully safeguarded the inherent beauty and rich heritage of Fonterutoli, while simultaneously implementing measures to ensure cutting-edge quality in the vineyards and cellars. An exciting example of this dedication to quality is the in-progress construction of a stunning new cellar that operates via gravity and clean energy, and has already been defined as “the most impressive in the entire Chianti region” by Steven Spurrier of Decanter magazine.
BOTTEGA VINAIA
Bottega Vinaia is the outcome of a vision shared by Giacinto Giacomini and Anselmo Martini, two leading figures in the north Italian wine industry who, starting in the early 1990s, sought to highlight the potential of a handful of extraordinary vineyards in Italy’s Trentino region. As managing director and chief winemaker, respectively, at Trentino’s internationally recognized and highly successful Cavit winery, Giacomini and Martini were in a singularly advantageous position from which to pursue their dream and transform it into reality.
Bottega Vinaia’s prized high-altitude, low-yield crus are located in the gently sloping hills of Trentino’s Valle dei Laghi (Valley of Lakes) within the Dolomite Alps. Each of these quaint, historic farmsteads, locally known as “masi,” is typically handed down from one generation of growers to the next and represents a familiar feature of the Trentino landscape.
FAUSTINO
In the mid 1800s, Eleuterio Martinez Arzok took his first steps toward establishing himself as a producer and merchant of wines from the Rioja region of Spain. An entrepreneurial young man, he started out by selling his wines in the Rioja and Basque regions, direct from the barrel, working from the back of a horse-drawn cart. Much has changed since then and the winery he founded has since become known as one of the premier fine wine producers of the Rioja region. In the late 1950s, his similarly adventurous descendant, Julio Faustino Martinez, launched the family-owned label in both national and international markets. Today, Bodegas Faustino is Rioja’s largest exporter of Gran Reserva wines, accounting for more than one third of Gran Reserva wine exports from the Rioja region. The winner of numerous awards and gold medals in international competitions and tastings, Bodegas Faustino is a proud custodian of the Rioja region’s international reputation as a source of truly world-class wines.
ANDELUNA
Andeluna, located in the foothills of the Andes in the Uco Valley of Mendoza province, has both a state of the art winemaking facility and a warm lodge style building where guests can take cooking classes or have a gourmet six course lunch. Winemaker Silvio Alberto, recently an ”Outstanding Young Winemaker of the Year” in Argentina delivers the winery’s internationally styled Malbec and other French varietals.
FOPPIANO
Foppiano was established in 1896, and is the oldest family-owned winery north of San Francisco. The winery built their reputation on estate grown Petite Sirah, but today they are increasingly attracting attention for their Russian River Estate Pinot Noir. Winemaker Natalie West recently joined Foppiano and is adding her expertise as they move forward in their third century of California winemaking.
JUSTIN
Justin Vineyards and Winery concentrates on constantly raising the quality bar for their estate grown Burgundian-style Chardonnay and full-bodied Bordeaux grape varietals in the Central Coast region of Paso Robles. Proprietors Justin and Debbie Baldwin’s vision also included an inn and destination restaurant, which are almost as much in demand as Justin’s flagship Isosceles blend.
QUADY
The entrepreneurial and innovative Andrew Quady revolutionized California dessert wines beginning in the 1970s. He was inspired to elevate underappreciated Muscat grapes, port-style wines, and aperitifs while creating a line of labels each with their own distinct personality. The unique and creative labels are enticing entrees to the serious quality of the wines.
TERRA VALENTINE
Terra Valentine’s home is a striking artisan built stone building that resembles most a secret castle nestled in Napa Valley’s esteemed Spring Mountain District. Grapes are sourced from two estate vineyards, Yverdon and Wurtele. The owners and winemaking team combine their state-of-the-art fermentation system with their commitment to sustainable farming to produce exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon
WILD EARTH
California native and former abalone diver Quintin Quider selected an untamed, stunning alpine location for his vineyards in the Central Otago district. He recognized its potential for growing outstanding Pinot Noir to rival the world’s best. Quintin’s vineyard choice was affirmed when his Wild Earth Pinot Noir 2006 was selected as “Best Pinot Noir in the World” at London’s acclaimed International Wine Challenge in 2008.
SCHLOSS VOLLRADS
The viticultural history of Schloss Vollrads is inseparably linked with the name Greiffenclau. It is the family with the longest tradition of wine growing – not only in the Rheingau, but probably in the world. A document in the Mainz City Archives shows that on November 18, 1211, Ruthard Embricho and Heinrich Greiffenclau sold wines from their hometown, Winkel, to the St. Victor monastery in Mainz. Even in the Middle Ages Vollrads wines were a valuable commodity exported to towns along the Lower Rhine and in northern Germany. Then, as now, vines were cultivated on the south facing slopes along the Rhine River that still fan out in a semicircle around the Vollrads Palace. Today, this long tradition is enhanced by the most modern technical equipment and meticulous care in the cellars. The estate’s 125 acres of vineyards are planted exclusively with Riesling grapes, the finest white grape grown in Germany. In order to achieve the highest quality of wine possible, Schloss Vollrads cultivates Riesling grapes; controls yields through selective pruning; practices ecologically-oriented vineyard maintenance; harvests its grapes late and selectively, by hand; and allows its wines to develop with as little interference as possible.
MARKUS MOLITOR
In 1984, at the age of just 20, Markus Molitor assumed responsibility for the parental wine estate, then just 7 ½ acres. Despite his youth, his vision was very clearly defined and ambitious: to help restore the wines of the Moselle valley to their former glory, with unmistakeable Riesling wines true to their individual vineyard identity (terroir) and of extreme longevity. Precise quality of work both in vineyard and cellar – without any compromises – together with absolute respect for the natural products grape and wine are his guidelines. Each vineyard, each vintage should express itself in taste. He wants his wines to have structure and depth of taste as well as to inspire with the freshness and brilliance typical of the Moselle. The Molitor family have been making wine at their estate for 8 generations. The home of the winery lies situated above the Moselle in the middle of the Wehlener Klosterberg vineyard, with a view over to the vineyards of Zeltingen.
BOSCHENDAHL
Nestled in one of the most picturesque valleys in the Cape winelands , one of South Africa ‘s original wine farms. With a winemaking tradition spanning over 300 years, Boschendal Wine Estate offers a veritable treat for wine lovers everywhere. This gracious national treasure is a familiar favourite to many and a glorious discovery for countless others.
This premier estate is a destination in its own right and draws inspiration from a rich heritage dating back to when its French Huguenot founders recognized this property’s enormous potential for wine growing. Today a highly motivated and talented team is making sure that Boschendal maintains its rightful place on the forefront of modern advances, as a winery of international distinction.
Situated at the gateway to the Franschhoek valley, encircled by the rugged splendour of the Groot Drakenstein and Simonsberg Mountains , Boschendal is less than an hour’s drive from Cape Town . Be warned though, a visit to this estate may turn into an all day affair! Besides Boschendal’s award-winning wines, the grandeur of the grounds, graceful tree lined gardens and charming historical buildings will entice you to lose yourself in a wine tasting adventure with our hospitable staff and tempt you with tantalizing cuisine.
DOUGLAS GREEN
As an Elsenburg graduate and a qualified viticulturalist and winemaker, Douglas Green had a reputation for his very fine palate and astute tasting abilities. In 1916 his service in the Royal Navy placed him in Europe, and after the First World War he lived and worked in the Champagne region of France where he gained valuable experience, and brought the “first bulk sparkling wine fermentation process” to South Africa. Douglas Green began his business with the purchase of the Forrer brother’s Stukvat liquor business in Paarl’s main road in 1938. Recognised as South Africa’s first true negotiant wine producer, he bucked conventional wine trends and ignored regionalism in favour of quality and price. Traversing the Cape winelands seeking out first-rate vineyards and cellars, he sourced grapes and wine to blend in his top quality range of wines. It was not long before this progressive approach established Douglas Green wines amongst the most reliable quality and affordable wines in South Africa.
TALL HORSE
In 1824 the Sultan of Egypt bestowed a giraffe to the King of France as a gift of diplomacy. The giraffe, nicknamed Tall Horse by the thousands of Frenchman who lined the streets to witness the event of the giraffe travelling from the port of Marseilles to Paris, inspired the creation of the Tall Horse range of wines.
Launched specifically to capitalize on the ‘critter craze’ that hit the USA, Tall Horse is still standing tall. The unmistakable colourful labels stand out from the on-shelf clutter in retail stores making it instantly recognizable.
MONT GRAS
VIÑA MONTGRAS, located in Chile’s Colchagua Valley, was established in the early 1990s by brothers Hernán and Eduardo Gras, together with their business partner Cristián Hartwig. Santiago Margozzini serves as head winemaker, with renowned California winemaker Paul Hobbs serving as consultant.
Colchagua Valley, a serene sub-valley of Rapel, is situated in Chile’s Central Region at the heart of the country’s wine-producing zone. Nestled between the Pacific Coastal Range to the west and the snow-capped Andes to the east, this rustic valley is a protected environment with positive maritime influences that foster a terroir ideal for producing quality wines
BONDED WINERY # 9
Bonded Winery #9 is a portfolio of wineries that expresses the terroir of vineyards in the heart of the Napa Valley.
Family Owned • 635 acres • Yountville and Oakville Appellations •100% Organically Certified • 100 consecutive Harvests
GHOST BLOCK
Nestled on a gently sloping knoll on the north edge of Yountville, Ghost Block vineyard is named in honor of the historic Pioneer Cemetery for which it borders. According to local lore George C. Yount; who was the first person to plant a grapevine in the Valley, wanders the hillside overseeing the vast spectrum of an industry he himself founded on this very land. Ghost Block is our premier Cabernet Sauvignon expressing the very best from our estate vineyards. Production is limited, always based on our very best fruit.
ELIZABETH ROSE
Elizabeth ROSE wines portray a contemporary style of leisure and bliss. The wines are an instant luxury, meant to be enjoyed with food or simply by themselves with friends.
Each wine variety of Elizabeth ROSE is produced from organically grown grapes in Yountville, Napa Valley. The four Elizabeth ROSE varieties: Pinot Noir, Rosé, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Blanc reflect the purity and definition in flavors that are unique to a place and season.
BAQUEANO
To conquer part of the patagonic desert and convert it into a new grape-producing region was a challenge which started in 1996. The lands that were chosen for this project are located in San Patricio del Chanar, province of Neuquen, and at that time they were considered marginal as they didn’t have access to the irrigation zone of Neuquen River. As a first step, it was necessary to make a big effort and build a proper channel of 20km long to provide the necessary water for the growing of grapes. Finally, in 1999 the first vineyards were planted. Strong winds forced the engineers to protect the vineyards with windbreak screens and each plant with individual shells.
At present, the winery is staffed by a team of experts in every area and has the contribution of the famous French enologist Micel Rolland as external advisor. Baqueano sells it wines all over the Argentine territory and exports them to more than 24 destinations.
THE CRUSHER
The Crusher- [cruh-sher] – noun:
FLOCK
As part of its continuing effort to bring premium appellation wines to market, Don Sebastiani & Sons today announced the release of Flock by Smoking Loon, a new wine brand designed to capitalize on the success of the company`s flagship offering, Smoking Loon, which has been an Impact Hot Brand for five consecutive years.
“Flock is for consumers who enjoy Smoking Loon, but also seek to expand the range of their ever-evolving wine palates,” said Donny Sebastiani, winery principal. “As more Americans are drinking wine, we see an increased interest in varietals from unique appellations. Consumers are exploring how region influences a wine`s taste, and even which wine regions they prefer. With Flock, we will offer wines sourced from celebrated growing regions throughout California, crafted in a manner that showcases each varietal`s unique and memorable character.”
“The students have also incorporated sustainable living into this event by using recyclable and biodegradable products, locally grown food products…”
Why not extend this admirable goal to the wine list? Colorado wines–local, sustainable, what better way to reduce your carbon footprint–BUY LOCAL WINE!
Very good point. We will try and extend the focus of this event more in that direction for the future. Thanks for the suggestion.