The 2015 Blanc de Blancs from Frank Family Vineyards is a delightfully delicious sparkling wine. Made in the style of the Champagne method, it has everything a good sparkling wine needs: festive bubbles, lots of flavor and great finesse and quality.

One always needs a bottle of bubbles on hand for special celebrations, and this 2015 Carneros Blanc de Blancs ($55) fits the bill. What would life be without a glass of sparkling wine?
Frank Family Vineyards has a beautiful tasting room in the winery’s original yellow artisan house. It has been voted “Best Napa Winery” by the Bay Area A-List eight years in a row.
On your next trip to Napa, don’t miss this one. Their motto is “Great Wine Happens Every Day”, and I wholeheartedly agree.
Frank Family Vineyards, 1091 Larkmead Lane, Calistoga. 707-942-0859.

Brewed coffee

Steeped Coffee, a Santa Cruz-based coffee bag maker, is teaming up with Emmy Award-winning chef Nick Stellino to launch its Nick Stellino Fair Trade Certified Italian Coffee, an organic medium/dark roast blend.
“This coffee is taken sip by sip and savored with a smile on your face,” says Stellino. Steeped Coffee’s handy little bags of great tasting coffee are perfect for travel, camping trips and more. I use these at home when I want a quick, hearty brew. All you need is a cup and hot water to pour over the bag. Here is! You have an excellent cup of fresh coffee! steepedcoffee.com.

La Selva Beach Spice Company

We have a spice company right on our doorstep, La Selva Beach Spice Company. I recently purchased a large bag of turmeric powder and noticed it was locally packaged. The company also packages pure ancient Himalayan sea salt, ginger powder, chili flakes, peppercorns and other types of seasonings. This family business claims to use “all natural ingredients, no gross stuff”. Good to know, and spicy news, indeed!
La Selva Beach Spice Company, 453 McQuaide Drive, Watsonville. 831-724-4500; laselvabeachspice.com.

Paid for promotion

La Mamma certainly deserves a little sparkle in her life, and this award-winning bubbly is the closest thing to boarding her in Italy.

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Internationally acclaimed restaurateur Jean-Georges Vongerichten is rounding out his new Nashville presence at the historic downtown Hermitage Hotel with the addition of a delicate cafe open morning til night.

Jean-Georges’ Pink Hermit is the casual counterpart to Drusie & Darr, the hotel’s months-old flagship restaurant that marked the star chef’s first foray into Nashville.

Its new all-purpose cafe, open weekdays from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. (231 6th Ave N., Nashville), offers downtown a sunny spot for coffees, pastries, and sandwiches and salads to go. A sit-down dinner menu designed for before-and-after theater get-togethers includes decadent bar snacks, French wines by the glass, and elegant cocktails like a raspberry lychee bellini and cucumber martini and negroni topped with Plymouth gin.

The Pink Hermit kicks off the day with juices, espresso drinks and loose teas from In Pursuit of Tea; bakery bites like brown butter chocolate chip cookies and vegan blueberry matcha muffins; and chia seed pudding and croissants stuffed with egg whites and goat cheese. Savory sandwiches built on a brioche roll include varieties of prosciutto and mozzarella or ham and Gruyere, joined by seared Nice tuna or roasted beet salads.

The intimate cafe, accessed through a new street-level entrance at the corner of Union and Sixth Avenue, offers a mix of comfortable indoor and outdoor seating. Award-winning interior designer Thomas Juul-Hansen, who also created the look for Drusie & Darr, dressed The Pink Hermit in floor-to-ceiling gray marble accents and pale pink tones (with cups and plates with matching blush tones).

A one-page dinner menu includes wood-fired pizza topped with black truffles, ahi tuna tartare, elaborate charcuterie and cheese boards, a large order of caviar-topped egg toast ($58) and lush desserts like a salted caramel fudge sundae.

Owners of the 122-room hotel, Molly and Robert Hardie, have also teamed up with the celebrity French chef to lead Marigold’s menu at sister property Keswick Hall in Charlottesville, Virginia.

The Hermitage’s executive chef, Kelsi Armijo, oversees daily menus in Nashville.

The 1910-born art deco luxury hotel got a makeover last year, while preserving original features like a stained-glass ceiling above the lobby.

Hotel Hermitage Reveals New Look and Details of Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s New Nashville Restaurants [EN]

Kiwis looking for a classic summer vacation have always been drawn to Hawke’s Bay on the North Island, about a five-hour drive southeast of Auckland. Vacationers come for the sand, the surf and the idyllic coastal lifestyle, where the days are long and the weather is likely to be fine. But they also come for the wine, and for good reason.

Hawke’s Bay is New Zealand’s oldest and second largest wine region, with the first vineyards established in the late 1800s. Most vineyards radiate from the main center of Napier, often located on hillsides, river valleys and terraces facing north, or along the sea-watered coast to the south towards Cape Kidnappers.

Several sub-regions bear witness to the diversity of the terroirs which gives the region its distinctive character. Syrah, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc draw all the applause, but the standout varieties tend to be full-bodied Bordeaux-style reds such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The French influence is also reflected in the menus of many cellar restaurants.

The silt and sand, deposited by the rivers that flow from the mountains to the coast, have contributed to the richness of the soils. While the maritime climate combines low humidity and rainfall (the latter due to the shading effect of the beaches to the west) and many sunny days to ripen fruit rich in tannins and carrying just a hint of brine from the Pacific Ocean.

The area is ideal for wine tours, with most vineyards a short drive from Napier and interspersed with farms and cafes. Here are six of the best to check out.

The Urban Cellar
Located in the historic National Tobacco Company building in the Docklands district of Napier, The Urban Winery combines art deco architecture with artisanal wine. Winemaker Tony Bish specializes in Chardonnay, and a deep complexity lurks in this simple assignment, with tastings revealing glaring deviations in the varietal’s flavor profile.

It’s the kind of place you can wander in for a quick tasting but then stay for hours, soaking up the atmosphere among the warm woodwork and the elegant barrel room with its gigantic ‘egg’ barrel. French oak – an essential part of Bish’s many chardonnay secrets.

It’s not just Chardonnay you’ll be drinking: the bar menu dives deep into Hawke’s Bay’s finest wines and beers, paired with excellent dining options. Order a savory platter or check out the full tapas menu, which includes plates such as ginger and lemongrass dumplings, brisket sliders, and a smoked ham and roasted fig salad.

Craggy Range Winery
Craggy Range might produce its award-winning wines at vineyards across New Zealand, but its home is this Hawke’s Bay winery that focuses on Syrah, Merlot and cabin sav (a terraced block a few hours south of Martinborough, near Wellington, produces Craggy Range pinot noir and sauvignon blanc).

You can choose from three different wine tasting experiences. The Ultimate Prestige Tasting is the choice if you want to push the boat out – it includes the cellar’s premium prestige wines and includes a guided tour of the underground barrel room and fermentation cellars. And if you’re traveling in a group and you’re a little hungry (and you like French cuisine), you can order the artisanal plate, which includes the beef tartare, the cheese soufflé, the blue cheese dip, the pork and fennel salami, duck and fig terrine, smoked fish and pâté.

The other major attraction in Craggy Range is the Craggy Range Restaurant. Run by Cutler & Co and Cumulus alumnus Casey McDonald, this fabulous fine-dining restaurant sources local produce for dishes such as seared gurnard with citrus-braised fennel, almond cream and salad. asparagus and octopus, and a glazed shoulder of lamb with shallot purée, wilted vegetables and potato roll. There is also a fabulous all-vegetarian three-course shared menu.

For a good representation of what Craggy Range does best, take home a bottle of his Gimblett Gravels syrah. Luxury accommodations are also available on the banks of the Tukituki River. The winery has been awarded the Gold Medal by Qualmark, a quality recognition program owned by Tourism New Zealand, for its exceptional standards in sustainable tourism and visitor experience.

Domain Te Mata
The story of New Zealand’s oldest working vineyard is now part of local wine legends. In 1886 Joseph Bernard Chambers inherited part of his father’s sheepfold, known as Te Mata, near Havelock North. A French guest at the property planted an idea in Chambers’ head to try growing wine grapes, and after visiting wineries in Europe and Australia, Chambers did just that, laying a plot of pinot noir in 1892. Cut to 130 years later and Te Mata Estate continues to adhere to the classic style of winemaking established in its early days and still produces wine from these original vineyards.

The buildings pay homage to nearby Napier’s Art Deco heritage (with a nod to the Art Nouveau style of the Chambers’ original property). A base cellar door experience is $10 (refundable with wine purchase) and includes tastings of five current releases, while the $45 showcase tasting brings out premium wines for a hosted experience with view of the vineyards. The ultimate experience is the $120 VIP Tour, where you’ll visit historic vineyards and enjoy a private tasting of current and cellar vintages.

If you’re looking for something to take home afterwards, Te Mata Estate’s 2018 Coleraine scored 96 points per Passionate about wine magazine for its cellar references.

Elephant Hill
Elephant Hill’s contemporary style sea green copper cellar door immediately catches the eye.

This fabulous winery is located on the Te Awanga coast between Napier and Cape Kidnappers, with its fruit sourced from three different Hawke’s Bay vineyards. The diversity of terroirs means deep and complex flavors for blended wines, while individual vine drops reflect a more site-specific character. The Airavata Syrah is a must – a flagship example of Hawke’s Bay Syrah quality – and the Sea Sauvignon Blanc is a crowd favourite, while the winery’s estate range represents great value.

Head to the cellar door Thursday through Monday for wine tastings and take your time with a platter of local produce from artisan caterer Jo Deitch (vegetarians are well catered for, just mention when booking platform control). The tastings consist of four or six wines from the current version. And if you find the surroundings too beautiful to leave, accommodation is available in a luxury lodge surrounded by vineyards, with a swimming pool and views of the Pacific Ocean.

Te Awanga Estate
Close your eyes and dream of the perfect summer vacation by the sea. Now open them and find yourself at the cellar door of Te Awanga Estate, on the sunny terrace of a relaxed wooden cabin overlooking the sea. ‘Pacific Ocean.

There’s not a hint of pretentiousness or stuffiness at this inviting winery, 20 minutes south of Napier, where you can relax on the lush lawn and listen to live music on an outdoor stage while sipping award-winning wines by local winemaker Rod McDonald.

The estate specializes in Syrah and Chardonnay, but the wine list is extensive, so be sure to sample extensively. Wildsong Chardonnay is made from fruit grown at the base of the Ruahine Ranges – a great place for hiking – and has intense fruit flavors to match that classic chardonnay smoothness. The Stuff & Nonsense pinot noir, meanwhile, has a playful take on the idea that you can’t make a good pinot in Hawke’s Bay.

Pizza dominates the lunch menu and reflects the laid-back vibe (take it out on the grass and take in the view). Try the Fun Guy with mushrooms and caramelized onions.

You can extend your stay at the vineyard apartment (sleeps two), located above the cellar door and boasting a balcony with glistening ocean views. A complimentary bottle of wine and wine tasting are included with every booking, and you can order food at the cellar door or fire up the provided barbecue – it’s the authentic “bach” kiwi experience, but at the middle of a cellar.

Church Road
This century-old winery sits on the urban outskirts of Napier in the suburb of Taradale, but its park-like setting evokes rural New Zealand at its best. The cellar door was voted the best in New Zealand in 2019 and features a stone building surrounded by one hectare of peaceful, tree-dotted grounds. It is another recipient of Qaulmark Gold, in recognition of its best practices in sustainable tourism.

One of Hawke’s Bay’s oldest wineries, Church Road has always championed big, full-bodied reds reminiscent of Bordeaux. The French connection was strengthened a hundred years later when two French winemakers visited and introduced traditional French techniques, including fermenting reds in French oak vats and aging them in French oak barrels. Today the head winemaker is Chris Scott and the range focuses on blends of Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay.

The flagship range is known as Tom, named after Tom McDonald, a talented teenager who was a winemaker here in the late 1800s. You can combine a tasting flight with a visit to the underground museum, emerging again in the sun for lunch under a shady magnolia. There’s also a separate behind-the-scenes tour that will demystify the sometimes bewildering art of winemaking and teach you some tricks Church Road uses to produce top quality drops. A more hands-on experience is called Legacy and Winery – a one-hour tasting of pre and current wines that includes a tour of the cellars and museum. Remember to book in advance as only one of each tour operates daily.

The cellar kitchen harnesses plenty of local produce for a sophisticated a la carte menu by chef Grant McHenry. Start with ginger-caramel pork belly or smoked salmon with beets before moving on to fish from the market or an eggplant schnitzel with artichoke sauce and homemade baba ganoush.

This article is produced by Broadsheet in partnership with Tourism New Zealand.

ST. HELENA, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The Duckhorn Portfolio, Inc. (NYSE: NAPA) (the “Company”), North America’s leading luxury wine company, today announced that Gayle Bartscherer will join the Company as its next Executive Vice President, Chief Marketing and DTC and will assume the role in the coming weeks. . Bartscherer brings over 20 years of wine industry-focused experience to The Duckhorn Portfolio, having previously held key leadership positions in business development, cellar operations, brand management, marketing and marketing and international sales.

Most recently, Bartscherer spent the last few years managing a team of 60 as SVP International Sales, Marketing and Business Development at Jackson Family Wines (JFW). During her 14 years at JFW, Bartscherer held several key positions, including Chief Brand Officer, Chief Marketing Officer, and Vice President of International Marketing and Business Development. After starting out in the accounting industry, Bartscherer began her wine career at Blue Lifestyle, where she worked alongside James Beard Award-winning author, columnist and television personality Anthony Dias Blue as vice president of business development and events. Bartscherer also worked at enjoy your food Magazine and Santa Barbara-based Beckmen Vineyards in marketing and operations. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in French and Italian from the University of London.

“Gayle is an exceptional addition to our leadership team,” said Alex Ryan, the company’s president, CEO and chairman. “She is a strategic, driven and dynamic leader with a proven track record of identifying and capitalizing on market opportunities, particularly in the DTC channel. Gifted leader and responsible marketer with a deep understanding of luxury wine , she will contribute immensely to both our day-to-day operations and our broader strategic planning, while also focusing on the continued growth of our highly successful DTC program.Gayle’s early experiences as an accountant at Arthur Andersen, formerly one of the “Big Five” accounting firms, also ensures that she will bring the necessary financial rigor to her role to support our dual mission of growth and continuous quality improvement, and will be an invaluable addition to The Duckhorn portfolio.

“Like many others, I have been incredibly impressed with what The Duckhorn Portfolio has achieved and what it now represents in the luxury wine industry,” said Bartscherer. “Guided by the same pioneering spirit that made Duckhorn Vineyards an icon, The Duckhorn Portfolio is redefining the modern American luxury wine industry while setting new benchmarks for quality and consumer engagement. I am thrilled to join the team and help continue the tradition of excellence.

Ryan also referred to the invaluable contributions of outgoing Executive Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer and Director of DTC, Carol Reber. “Over the past 12 years, Carol has been instrumental in transforming The Duckhorn Portfolio into the company we are today. She was instrumental in our success in establishing The Duckhorn Portfolio as the best one-stop luxury wine store in America. I can think of no greater compliment than to say that Carol has left our company stronger, more vibrant and more ready to meet the challenges and opportunities ahead than ever before. We are deeply grateful to Carol and wish her all the best.

About The Duckhorn Portfolio, Inc.

The Duckhorn Portfolio is North America’s premier luxury wine company, with ten wineries, eight state-of-the-art winemaking facilities, seven tasting rooms and over 900 acres of coveted vineyards spanning 23 estate properties. . Established in 1976 when winemakers Dan and Margaret Duckhorn founded Napa Valley’s Duckhorn Vineyards, our portfolio today includes some of North America’s most revered wineries including Decoy, Paraduxx, Goldeneye, Migration, Canvasback, Calera, Kosta Browne, Greenwing and Postmark. Sourcing grapes from our own vineyards and fine growers in Napa Valley, Sonoma County, Anderson Valley, California’s North and Central Coasts and Washington State, we offer a comprehensive and curated portfolio of acclaimed luxury wines with prices ranging from $20 to $200 across more than 15 varietals and 25 appellations. Our wines are available throughout the United States, on five continents and in more than 50 countries around the world. To find out more, visit us at: https://www.duckhornportfolio.com/. Investors can access information on our Investor Relations website at https://ir.duckhorn.com.

Alexandria, VA – Living and working vicariously through streaming media and zoom platforms has become a way of life since 2020. Virginia wineries quickly offered virtual tastings when COVID shut down tasting rooms. Wine sales in the state and across the country soared.

Spotting an entertainment trend, TV production companies quickly churned out not one but four shows for the lone Z~oenophile to binge: Beneath the vines, the kings of Napa, promised land, and Great crew.

under the vines, from AMC Networks streaming on ACORN, is a seductive tale as old as wine: two estranged family members inherit a vineyard in Central Otago, New Zealand. Urban socialite Daisy Monroe played by Rebecca Gibney and town attorney Louis Oakley played by Charles Edwards (The Crown, Diana) are vying for vino accolades with local winemaking maven Marissa after a surprise victory for Oakley Wine in a prestigious competition.

Since Kiwi vino is supposed to be all about sauvignon blanc in the United States, that’s what we’ll highlight for a under the vines frantic party. Walsh Family Wine, formerly the Northgate property in Purcellville, offers two Sauv Blancs. The 2020 Bethany Ridge and 2020 Twin Notch Sauvignon Blancs are ready to roll. Both are classics without being too herbaceous and grassy. Appropriate notes of kiwi imbue with the expected citrus of grapefruit, lemon, lime and a whisper of bergamot.

The husband and wife team of Nate and Sarah Walsh founded Walsh Family Wine in 2014. Previously, Nate was the award-winning winemaker at Sunset Hills and 50 West. Before opening their brick-and-mortar operation, he and Sarah sold their wines at farmers’ markets and garage tastings and at local restaurants. In 2014, the two Canney wineries added a Walsh Family Wine label Sauvignon Blanc to the wine list, featuring Sarah’s elegant abstract mountain ridge design, which inspired the label of Walsh family.

The Kings of Napa is from executive producer Oprah Winfrey for her OWN streaming channel. Reginald King, family patriarch and founder of the house of kings wine, dies suddenly as his family bickers over control and management of the vineyard. The show is Falcon Crest meets the Shores of Bel-Air. With episode titles like “She’s Gotta Crush It”, “What’s Port Got To Do With It?”, “How Stella Got Her Pinot Back”, “Mo Bottled Blues”, and “Judas and the Black-Owned Vineyard”, you know the bashing above the wine swirl gets real right off the bat. The Kings of Napa is “all about black excellence in motion ~ wine, style and cuisine.

So where to put your King? For that Napa experience, you can’t go wrong with Breaux Vineyards in Hillsboro. The majestic stucco and tile-roofed Tasting Palace blends Spanish mission with New Orleans razzmatazz and French savoir faire. Sitting on the Vidal Patio overlooking the vines cascading towards a horizon of rolling hills, you can easily imagine that you are in Napa.

Another option is the King Family Vineyard in Crozet near Charlottesville. Their merlot could give the house of kings and Stella a run for their Pinot. The 2018 Seven (named after the seventh chukker in a polo match), a fortified red wine aged two years in Kentucky bourbon casks, answers the question… What do port and polo have to do? with that ? Yes, there are polo matches, a polo school and classes at Roseland Polo Club.xd

But if it’s pinot noir you’re looking for, you’re headed to Ankida Ridge in Amherst. Atop an Appalachian mountain nearly 2,000 feet above sea level lies a microclimate where the impossible happens. Owners Christine and Dennis Vrooman grow some of the best pinot noir in the United States. It’s the only Mid-Atlantic wine invited to the International Pinot Noir Celebration held in Oregon each July.

An accidental winery, the vineyard was born when the contractor mistakenly cleared an extra acre of woods on the property. Chickens strut around the vines for natural pest control, while Katahdin sheep, mother nature’s weedkillers, graze on land that was once as high as Everest. If you can’t make the three hour drive or don’t like heights, Ankida Ridge ships. They also have foothills tastings and a shop in Charlottesville.

Paradise Springs is the closest to Alexandria and the first bi-coastal winery in the United States. Their Sauvignon Blanc, amusingly named 2018 F’ing Merlot, is rated 93 points by Wine Enthusiast Magazine. The 2018 K III is a delicious Rhône-style GSM blend (Grenache-Syrah-Mourvèdre) with a spicy, peppery kick, bright, not-too-fruity berries exhibiting hints of cloves, river rock and can cigar box, a perfect Big Bang expression of Central Coast bravado. Even better, opening hours in Clifton have been extended to 7 p.m. daily and Fridays to 9 p.m.

Promised land originally aired on ABC and last month moved exclusively to Hulu. Set in Sonoma, the saga pivots from 1987 when brothers Sandoval Joe and Billy Rincón, along with friend Lettie and her sister Rosa, cross the border into Mexico in search of a better life in (you guessed it ) the promised land – the wine country of California. The four arrive at Heritage House Vineyards, where they toil in the vineyards of Oliver M. Honeycroft. Joe (John Ortiz~ Silver Linings playbook, replicas) marries Margaret, Oliver’s daughter, although he and Billy are hopelessly in love with Lettie.

Fast forward to 2022. Joe has divorced Margaret, taken over the vineyard and is now married to Lettie, raising a combative blended family rivaling the Kings. Billy is an estranged priest from the family. Margaret returns from a long vacation in Europe, a successful hotel magnate reconnecting with her adult children while seeking revenge on Joe.

In an episode last month, siblings Veronica and Antonio Sandoval took part in a blind tasting of six bottles at Bottle Shock, including a 2003 Chardonnay. Chardonnay can indeed age 20 years. You’re unlikely to find a 2003 Virginia Chardonnay, except maybe in my cellar gathering dust somewhere.

Pearmund Cellars’ award-winning Old Vine Chardonnay, grown on the Merriwether Vineyard in Fauquier County, is Virginia’s oldest Chardonnay vineyard. It was named Virginia Grand Cru Vineyard by the American Grand Cru Society. This extraordinary wine is 100 percent malolactic fermentation, sur-lie, and aged for nine months in French oak barrels. A classic buttery and woody Swiss chard. Try it, you will like it!

The crew on Great crew don’t descend much from Chardonnay. They’re all about big, bold reds. Great crewairing on NBC, is Black Friends of the 20s. Six friends, three guys and three girls, with a brother and sister among the group, meet at a wine bar in Los Angeles’ Silver Lake neighborhood called Cru.

For episode 9 on March 1, the team headed to a vineyard in Santa Barbara. Paradise Springs maybe? Stream the show on Peacock to find out. To quote the crew, “Bespoke this! Check your feelings. It’s time to drink.

So let’s hang crew for a bottle of white, a bottle of red, maybe a rosé instead. Make yourself comfortable near the screen, face to face with under the vines from Napa Kings in the Promised land with your Great crew.

ICYMI: Spring is sprouting with new restaurants in town

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Behind each sommelier presenting a table bottle is a three-tier wine distribution system that guides luxury wine from the vineyard to the table that has deeply felt the rapid change of the past two years. The backbone of the restaurant and hospitality world, every leg of this chain has faced challenges ranging from COVID-19 closures to pricing; supply chain challenges; and a consideration of the role of diversity and inclusion in a space that has historically had high barriers to entry.

Enter Demeine Estates, an innovative fine wine company that sees these changes not as obstacles, but as a roadmap for building a better wine industry; the one they intend to lead.

“Fine wines continue to thrive due to a high quality blend and strong demand,” said Scott Diaz, senior vice president of global brand strategy and marketing. “While there are supply shortages in key premium categories like Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Champagne, Burgundy and Sauvignon Blanc, Demeine Estates is well positioned to meet consumer demand with a expansion of new wine partnerships.”

Founded in October 2020 as a marketing and sales agency for some of Napa’s most historic and exclusive wines, Demeine Estates has already added wines like Champagne Legras & Haas and Domaine de Montille to its import portfolio and continues to grow rapidly. With just over a year in business, they are recognized as leaders in sustainability, quality, and inclusivity (and they love and are extremely passionate about wine!). So how do you get a foothold in a tumultuous market? Let’s look at their journey.

It all starts with the wine. The roots were planted in 2018 when Nashville-based agricultural investor Gaylon Lawrence Jr purchased the Napa Heitz Cellar legacy and appointed master sommelier Carlton McCoy Jr to run it. Since then, Lawrence has incorporated three other historic properties into what is now called Lawrence Wine Estates (LWE): Stony Hill, Burgess and Haynes Vineyard. With 185 years of operation combined, these estates are benchmarks of Napa history and quality, but needed a renewed presence in a market that is showing renewed interest in classic-style domestic wine.

Under McCoy’s leadership, LWE also created two new independent brands: Ink Grade, a range of mountain wines from steeply sloping vineyards on the other side of Howell Mountain, and Brendel, a creative outlet for estate winemakers. aimed at bringing a new generation of consumers into the fold of high-quality, sustainably produced Napa wines.

Demeine Estates is responsible for spreading the word (and wine) of “New Napa” to the most important distributors in the country and to supplement the portfolio with import properties of equal prestige. The New Napa focuses on sustainability and the next generation of winemakers, hospitality experts and consumers, with a specific focus on quality and education. McCoy is the managing partner, and to lead the charge he has picked industrial might Philana Bouvier.

When Bouvier accepted the role of president, she became the first non-family female manager of a wine importer. When McCoy accepted the position of CEO of Heitz, he became Napa Valley’s first black cellar CEO. For McCoy and Bouvier, the most important thing about being the “first” is to ensure that it is followed by “many”.

Bouvier aimed to build a team based on talent, experience, aptitude and ambition. The resulting group is one of the most diverse (and female-led) in a pocket of the industry with many barriers to upward mobility. While other companies strive to retroactively increase diversity, Demeine Estates builds on it.

“Diversity is our DNA here at Demeine Estates. People come first in our organization, not company policy, and we’ve seen the results,” says Bouvier.

“Our sales and marketing teams are the best there are, not only because of their passion for winning, but also their ultimate respect for diverse perspectives. We believe in our employees and our partners, and we aim to ensure that our wine industry always accepts differences and celebrates culture from all walks of life.

The resulting team takes a fresh approach to a traditional space. Senior Vice President of Sales, Leila Pearson, leads a team of 10 across the country to land wines on the highest visibility lists through unparalleled distribution relationships. The measured size of the Demeine Estates portfolio allows full attention to be given to each brand, a rarity in a wine world that is gradually consolidating into fewer distributors and larger supplier portfolios.

Senior Vice President of Global Brand Strategy and Marketing Scott Diaz leads a three-person team responsible for accessing and creating new luxury wine consumers for “New Napa.” Alexa D’Acquisto, Senior Brand Manager, is an expert in brand creation and repositioning, and Shannon Pestoni, Brand Manager, co-founded, developed and sold Napa’s Jelly Jar Wines before joining the team. Audrey, Digital Marketing Specialist

Marek leverages social media and digital tools to create an unrivaled online footprint in a segment that often overlooks the power of virtual space.

The team is also keenly aware of its role in the wider wine industry, and that leadership cannot exist in a vacuum. In January 2022, they announced their Dream it, live it initiative, which serves to provide professional development opportunities specifically for women and people of color in the wine and hospitality industries that focus on entrepreneurship.

The goal is to create long-term, mutually beneficial relationships with program partners and foster a more inclusive wine and hospitality industry for all by providing access to growing businesses.

“Our progressive leadership builds trust and invites people, employees and partners, into the winery space who may not have felt like they belonged before,” says D’Acquisto. “In a relationship-based industry like ours, the results are valuable, meaningful connections that drive business while celebrating diverse backgrounds and unique perspectives.”

Their first partnership with Tish Wiggins of “Tish Around Town” resulted in the Celebration of Women in Wine trip, which takes place in Napa Valley from March 29 to April 2. With sponsorship from Demeine Estates, Tish, a wine educator, event curator, speaker and wine writer with a strong online and social media presence, will bring a group of 20 attendees to taste and learn with Heitz Cellar Director of Winemaking Brittany Sherwood, Burgess Winemaker Meghan Zobeck, Stony Hill Winemaker Jaimee Motley and Hospitality Manager Brendel Candace Keeton.

The Women in Wine Tour celebration will also highlight the new Heitz Cellars Tasting Lounge, a modern design and French laundry-inspired experience. Employing many hospitality professionals with Michelin star backgrounds, the space elevates the wine tasting and pairing experience beyond the vineyard while taking a root-to-glass approach. The tour’s emphasis on hospitality and luxury emphasizes the intertwined nature of good food, good wine and high quality.

“Attendees will enjoy a 3-course meal featuring the cuisine of award-winning chef Cindy Pawlcyn at the iconic Mustards Grill,” said Wiggins, who is a hospitality veteran and catering enthusiast.

Mustards Grill has been a Napa Valley staple for over 37 years, serving chef/owner Cindy Pawlcyn’s blend of regional American dishes fused with global influences. Favorites include the famous Mongolian pork chop with sweet and sour red cabbage; and house-herb marinated rabbit with Brussels sprout leaves, thyme-roasted parsnips and white-wine currants.

“We have strategically secured a boutique hotel in downtown Napa so attendees have access to some of the best dining and dining experiences Napa has to offer,” Wiggins continues. “Some of my favorites are Oentori and Charlie Palmer Steak, and I always like to end my evening at Cadet Wine + Beer Bar for drinks and late night bites.”

“I have a passion for creating fun and interactive ‘Sip, Socialize & Learn’ experiences. As a wine educator, my tours are different because each experience embodies my desire to create a fun experience that is also informative. and educational.”

So with all this momentum, what’s next for Demeine Estates? Grow their import portfolio through strong relationships with wineries that share their values ​​of sustainability, history and quality. Diaz, who served as senior vice president of marketing at a prestigious importer with a large portfolio for twelve years before joining Demeine Estates, aims to exploit the many historic vineyards, particularly in France and Italy, which are under- represented in the US market. . Once he gets the appointment, he says, it’s all up to Bouvier.

“You get Philana at the door, she makes the deal happen,” Diaz says.

From the start, Demeine Estates was built by agents of change; and therefore, they are uniquely able to adapt and influence an industry that continues to evolve. So if you’re wondering where good wine will be in 5 years, look no further than Demeine Estates.

QT Sydney is marking another milestone in its culinary journey, with the reopening of its signature Gowings restaurant this week under the creative direction of acclaimed chef, Sean Connolly.

Inspired by New York’s Little Italy and the steakhouse scene, Connolly will showcase “elegant and unpretentious” Italian cuisine, with a menu built on clean, crisp flavors, beautiful seafood, fresh pasta and Australian pastures. and grain-fed beef.

“I am very pleased to work with Gowings, a restaurant that has been a pioneer in Sydney’s culinary scene, located in a building that is an integral part of Sydney’s cultural fabric,” said Connolly.

“In this new venture, I will bring back an old-school hotel restaurant with a twist, combining the new interiors and menu with a flair for interactive theatre. It will be a melting pot of Italian cuisine and excellent Australian beef and produce, what’s not to love? »

The new restaurant will offer a highly immersive experience, with an open kitchen, roving carts for table service and a chef’s table, which seats up to eight diners at a time.

Connolly previously worked with the QT brand on the opening of award-winning restaurant Esther at QT Auckland. At QT Sydney, he will lead the dining concept at Gowings as well as in-room dining and conference and event menus.

The atmosphere of the restaurant is enlivened by haute couture art, photography and music. Australian interior designer Nic Graham worked alongside the EVENT Design team to redesign the restaurant in a way that respects the heritage-listed building.

“We honored the history and balanced the masculine energy of the space by introducing feminine touches, resulting in this interior that is beautiful, bright, fresh and tactile,” Graham said.

The venue’s extensive wine selection, comprising over 800 wines, showcases Australian winemakers, with an Italian accent. Gowings will also feature an aged Australian collection that dates back 90 years.

“Wine is about communication, not education,” said QT beverage director Chris Morrison. “Wine is a drink, and often great, but it’s the humor, drama, music, food and service that go with it to make the wine experience at QT memorable.”

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Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain: March 21st

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102 years of Broadway: March 22-23

Take a history lesson at the New York Theater with composer Neil Berg. Five Broadway stars join Berg at the McCallum Theater, performing selections from musicals loved by any Broadway fan worth their salt, including West Side Story, Badand Wretched. mccallumtheatre.org

Susto: March 23

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50 years of rock’n’roll: March 23-24

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Palm Springs Chalk Art Festival: March 24

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Chloe Perrier: March 24

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TDOV CV: March 26

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Iconic images of cool-climate Monterey County reflected in new versions of J. Lohr Bay Mist White Riesling and J. Lohr Wildflower Valdiguié

San Jose, California – (February 15, 2022) – J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines is proud to unveil J. Lohr Monterey Roots, a new line of wines highlighting J. Lohr’s history of excellence in viticulture and winemaking in Monterey County. Setting the new standard, award-winning J. Lohr Bay Mist White Riesling and J. Lohr Wildflower Valdiguié migrated from the J. Lohr Estates wine portfolio to J. Lohr Monterey Roots.

The packaging of the 2021 J. Lohr Monterey Roots vintage releases reflects iconic images of cool-climate Monterey County. The White Riesling label offers an artistic interpretation of Monterey’s spectacular coastline, and the Wildflower Valdiguié label features a multicolored painting of the region’s native wildflowers. Both wines carry the Certified California Sustainable seal on their back labels. This distinction means that at least 85% of a given wine was made with grapes from certified sustainable vineyards, that the wine was made in a certified sustainable winery, and that 100% of the grapes come from California vineyards. Wines began shipping to US markets in early February.

“As a child, I remember coming to Monterey with my father, Jerry Lohr, in 1972 when we started planting our first vineyards, which included our original plantings of Riesling and Valdiguié,” says Steve, CEO and second generation co-owner. Lohr. “Today we cultivate over 1,400 acres of vineyards in Monterey. We have always been very proud of our Monterey roots and champion what makes this area so special. Our Riesling and Valdiguié are the quintessence of Monterey wines. They are also two of the hidden gems in our portfolio. Presenting them in their own level will give them the spotlight they deserve.

Bay Mist White Riesling and Wildflower Valdiguié are made from grapes grown on J. Lohr’s estate in the Arroyo Seco region of Monterey. To ensure beautiful aromas and vibrant fruit, the wines are fermented and aged without the use of oak and are bottled with convenient Stelvin screw caps. The J. Lohr Bay Mist White Riesling offers mouth-watering layers of honeysuckle, ripe pear, Meyer lemon and lychee and contains less than 90 calories per 4 oz serving. One of the most unique red grapes grown in California, J. Lohr’s Wildflower Valdiguié is a bright, juicy red with enticing flavors of fresh berries. Like Riesling, it has less than 90 calories per serving and is best served chilled.

“As the former Executive Director of the Monterey County Vintners and Producers Association, I know firsthand what a pivotal role J. Lohr played in shaping Monterey’s reputation as a renowned wine region. world,” says Rhonda Motil, vice president of marketing for J. Lohr. “Our Monterey wines always highlight the influences of the cool-climate region. With J. Lohr Monterey Roots, we’re engaging the next generation of wine drinkers by focusing on the fun, adventurous, attitude-free spirit of these wines. The fact that these wines are certified sustainable and contain less than 90 calories per glass appeals to both the values ​​and lifestyle choices that many new consumers are seeking and embracing.

About J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines

Founded forty-eight years ago by Jerry Lohr and still family owned and operated today, J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines grows, produces and bottles a full line of internationally recognized wines from its more than 4,000 acres. from certified sustainable California vineyards in Monterey County. Arroyo Seco and Santa Lucia Highlands, Paso Robles and St. Helena appellations in Napa Valley. Offering an expressive range of styles that showcase the fruit of its estate, J. Lohr crafts eight levels of award-winning wines: J. Lohr Signature Cabernet Sauvignon, J. Lohr Cuvée Series, J. Lohr Vineyard Series, J. Lohr Gesture, Exclusive J. Lohr Pure Paso red wine, J. Lohr Estates, J. Lohr Monterey Roots and ARIEL Vineyards. The company’s online home is jlohr.com.