Archive for the ‘Wine and Spirit Events’ Category

Each Ticket includes:

• Wine Tasting + sampling of gourmet “bites”
• 100% of all ticket sales and a portion of wines sales sold at the event will be divided among the charities of the winning teams.
• More VIP fun such as meet and greet with owner/vintner Kathryn Hall.
• Vote for your favorite dish in the People’s Choice category

How to Purchase Tickets – This event sold out last year.  Reserve your tickets through our online store today. A confirmation will be sent by email. Tickets will be charged the week of the event.

Participating Chef Teams - Bounty Hunter Wine Bar & Smokin’ BBQ,  Ca Momi, Carpe Diem, Culinary Mercenary, Cuvee, Feast, La Condesa, Market St. Helena, The Grill at Meadowood, Napa Valley Biscuits, Oenotri, Paula LeDuc Fine Catering

Professional Judges - Hiro Sone and Lissa Doumani – Terra; Chef Ken Frank -  La Toque; Chef Brandon Sharp – Solbar

For more information go to: www.hallwines.com/cabernetcookoff

Questions? Contact Diem Doonan at 707.967.2673 or ddoonan@hallwines.com

Virginia is a Commonwealth of wine, with more than 200 wineries statewide. Wine is so big that the entire month of October is dedicated as Virginia Wine Month. This fall, Whole Foods Market is joining with the Virginia Tourism Corporation and the Virginia Wine Marketing Office for a special October Virginia Wine Month: Discover Your Local Crush promotion.

The Whole Foods Market Virginia stores will feature special Virginia wine tasting events, an expanded Virginia wine selection, in-store travel offers, and a chance to win a day-trip on the Virginia Crush Bus at http://www.Virginia.org/VaCrushBus.

The new partnership is a first for Virginia, which is gaining ground as one of the hottest wine travel destinations on the East Coast.

“October is one of the most beautiful times to visit Virginia, as 15 million acres of foliage burst into color and we celebrate Virginia Wine Month,” said Rita McClenny, interim president and CEO of the Virginia Tourism Corporation. “We are excited about this partnership with Whole Foods Market as it has great potential to encourage their customers to visit Virginia wineries this fall.”

“Through promotions such as this, Virginia wines and wineries are becoming less of an insider’s secret. With the caliber of the wines and the stunning beauty of Virginia’s scenic wineries, this region is fast becoming one of the most talked about up-and-coming wine regions,” said Todd Haymore, Secretary of Virginia Agriculture and Forestry.

The Discover Your Local Crush at Whole Foods Market promotion will include the following exciting events and opportunities for customers:

Win a Day-Trip on the Virginia Crush Bus –Visit http://www.Virginia.org/VaCrushBus and enter to win by October 20, 2012. See the site for specific rules and details.

Visit http://www.Virginia.org/wine to learn more about wine travel in Virginia. Go to http://www.VirginiaWine.org to request a free, 2012 Virginia Wine Guide and map and see a complete list of Virginia wineries, wine varietals and more on the Virginia wine industry.

With Halloween just around the corner, why not give your guests something to howl about?  We’ve found the perfect thing to spice up your Halloween party and have your guest talking for days after.  It’s the Frightful Freeze Ice Trays!

Add a gnash of Transylvanian teeth to your next Bloody Mary with the fangtastic Frightful Freeze Ice Tray or chill your favorite drinks – cold to the bone with the Skull and Crossbones Ice Cube Tray.

Easy to use, just fill with water or fruit juice and put them in the freezer for a bit. Then, pop them out to create an icy array of terrifying refreshment chillers. Flexible and almost indestructible, these food-grade silicone ice trays are simply immortal…in that they can be used over and over again. For extra fun, try Jell-O!

These Frightful Freeze Ice Trays are sure to keep you guests in a ghoulish spirit!  They are also great for any kids parties that you may be having…  And at only $6.49 each, you can’t go wrong in treating yourself to this great little find, or give it as a gift to someone else as it’s the gift that keeps on giving as you can use it for years to come.  For more information, please log onto: www.HomeWetBar.com.

We have two of these for the taking…  If you would like to sample one of these neat ice trays, simply fill out this entry form for your chance to win.

Good luck!

Maureen

In Napa Valley in St. Helena, California, I had the opportunity to experience Charles Krug Winery and the Peter Mondavi Family toasting the season’s grape harvest at their annual tastings.

As this was my first time of attendance, I had no expectations with the exception of tasting amazing wines!  The winery’s signature event, now in its 61st year, was held on Saturday afternoon September 8, 2012.  It had all of the makings of a spectacular event: amazing wines, phonenomenal food and fantastic music!  The Charles Krug Winery’s Great Lawn is adjacent to the estate’s historic Carriage House. Founded in 1861, Charles Krug is Napa Valley’s first winery and represents the birthplace of the Napa Valley wine industry.

The setting was picturesque.  The sun sparkled so brightly out on the luxurious green lawn, yet perfectly shaded by the huge assorted shaped oak trees. The temperature ranged in the high 70’s which made the day feel perfectly comfortable; not too cool or warm.  In the background music was performed by the Steely Dan tribute band, Steely Scam. Across the lawn wines were paired with a bountiful Country feast catered by Knickerbockers’ Oak Avenue Catering, who also dished up pizza from the on-site wood-fired ovens.

The lawn was set up in several stations; White Wine – 2011 Sauvignon Blanc and 2011 Chardonnay Carneros with grilled thai prawns covered with sweet chilli sauce and fava bean puree with lemon and thyme on crostini.  The chilled 2011 Sauvignon Blanc hit the spot for the food and afternoon.   Red Wine – 2009 Pinot Noir Carneros, 2009 Wine Club Selection Zinfandel, 2009 Merlot, and 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon enjoyed with slow braised duck, caramelized onions, wine forest mushrooms, smoked mozzarella and provolone.  The 2009 Wine Club Selection Zinfandel made huge impression on my palate.

Indoors of the Carriage House, guests had the opportunity to sample aging wines directly from the oak barrels, and to meet members of three generations of the Peter Mondavi Family who signed wine bottles.   Upstairs in the ballroom the Peter Mondavi Family delved into their cellars and open special library wines.  The limited release consisted of the following; 20120 Dr. Galante Pinot, 2009 Zinfandel, 2009 X Clones Cabernet Sauvignon, and 2007 Rocky  Ridge Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon served with Toscana aged cheese and baguettes.

If you get the opportunity to be in Napa during the Tastings on the Lawn, take the time to go north to St. Helena.  You won’t be disappointed.  It is truly an amazing event.  One that I will definitely attend again next year!

All the best,

Kenneth

Kenneth Reed

Basil MAGAZINE, Drink Editor

k.reed@basilmagazine.com

The 2012 Entwine celebration will be held on the beautiful WWCC campus under the iconic Dietrich Dome.  It will honor select graduates of the college’s Enology and Viticulture program as well as the Wine Country Culinary Institute. It will showcase the immense talent of our very own graduates through a multi-course paired dinner.

Entwine began in 2003 as a benefit dinner and fundraiser celebrating the grand opening of the new Center for Enology and Viticulture in Walla Walla, WA. In 2004 it was named “Entwine” representing the collaboration between fine wine, fine food and fine art in the Walla Walla Valley. This year marks the ninth Entwine Grand Auction for the Walla Walla Community College Foundation.

Through the continued generosity of our patrons and sponsors, Entwine has made a significant impact for thousands of students through scholarship awards. We have also been able to grow key programs, like our Enology and Viticulture Center and extend support to critical partners who work with our students and give back to our great communities.

Entwine guests will gather at Walla Walla Community College’s Dietrich Dome Saturday, October 13, 2012. The evening begins with a wine and hors d’oeuvres reception and silent auction followed by an exquisite multicourse dinner paired with our honoree graduate wines.  The evening will conclude with a spirited live auction and special program.   The evening’s honorees are listed below.

Enology and Viticulture Graduates to be honored:

• Elizabeth Bourcier – Enologist at Cayuse Vineyards
• Laura Pursley – Assistant Vigneronne at Cayuse Vineyards
• Alfredo Arredondo – Winemaker at Cave B Estate Winery
• Victor Palencia – Head Winemaker at Jones of Washington
• Steven Thompson – Owner of Analemma Wines

Culinary Arts Graduates to be honored:

• Jen Contreras – Sous Chef at Colville Street Patisserie
• Kristin Swaggart – Assistant Director of Nutrition Services for Kennewick School District
• Norm Shaw – Executive Chef of Blue Mountain Café and St. Anthony Hospital
• Paul Freeman – Chef/Owner of The Bank & Grill Catering Co.

For more information, please visit www.wwcc.edu/entwine.

Wine Guardian has announced the launch of a new ducted split wine cellar cooling system that features superior air distribution, temperature and humidity control to protect valuable wine collections.

“The new ducted split system expands our product portfolio into a complete line of wine cellar cooling equipment,” said Wine Guardian Division Manager Mike Militi. “It is available in many capacities and styles to accommodate any size or style wine cellar for homes, restaurants, commercial storage facilities and other applications.”

The split system is designed to maintain ideal cellar conditions for long-term storage, which typically range from 55° F to 57° F (13° C to 14° C), and from 50 to 70 percent humidity. It is available in four models—1/4-ton, ½-ton, 1-ton and 2-ton capacities—for 60 hertz operation.

The standard two-piece system includes a fan coil unit to cool the wine cellar air, and a condensing unit to remove heat from the refrigeration process. On ¼-ton, ½-ton and 1-ton systems, the fan coil can be ducted from up to 25 feet (7.62 meters) away from the cellar, and a 2-ton system can be ducted from up to 50 feet (15.24 meters). Also, the condensing unit comes with its own housing, which makes it suitable for outdoor use. The combination of these features makes Wine Guardian’s new split system extremely quiet and virtually vibration-free, giving users maximum flexibility when designing their cellars and locating the cooling system.

For more information on Wine Guardian products or to locate a distributor, visit www.WineGuardian.com.

Did you know that today is National Lemonade Day?  Well let’s celebrate with a lemonade cocktail!  Below is a quick and easy recipe perfect for the adult version of this occasion to share and enjoy with friends. 

Enjoy!

Viktoria

Avión Lemonada

Ingredients:

2 parts Tequila Avión® Silver

4 parts Fresh Lemon Juice

½ part Agave Nectar

1 Lemon Wheel for Garnish

Directions:

Add 2 parts Avión Silver, 4 parts Fresh Lemon Juice and ½ part Agave Nectar into a shaker with ice. Strain the cocktail over a tall glass of ice. Garnish with a lemon wheel and enjoy!

Cruzan Rum’s Mixologist Jesse Card, straight from the island of St. Croix, has created specialty cocktails to help you celebrate this ”holiday” properly!  These cocktails are perfect to enjoy while kicking back, relaxing and embracing the “Don’t Hurry” that the Cruzan rum tribe embodies.  Enjoy these favorites by Jesse below…

CRUZAN® ”DON’T HURRY” CANE

Ingredients:

1 part Cruzan® Vanilla Rum

2 parts Cruzan® Aged Light Rum

1 tsp Sugar

3 Lime Wedges

Method:

Combine 2 of the lime wedges, sugar & Cruzan Vanilla Rum in a tumbler and lightly muddle for ten seconds. Add Cruzan Aged Light Rum and a scoop of ice and shake hard for 20 seconds. Strain into a chilled Hurricane glass and garnish with the final lime wedge.

CRUZAN® TAKE 9

Ingredients:

1 1/2 parts Cruzan® 9 Spiced Rum

3/4 part Dry Vermouth

1/4 part Curacao

1/2 tsp Grenadine

Orange Twist

Method:

Combine all ingredients over ice in a tumbler and stir for 30 seconds. Strain into a chilled Martini coupe. Garnish with an orange twist.

CRUZAN® COCONUT OLD FASHIONED

Ingredients:

2 parts Cruzan® Single Barrel Rum

1/2 part Rich Simple Syrup

3 dashes of Bitters

Coconut Water Ice Cubes (see additional recipe below)

Method:

Cut a wide swath of orange peel and lightly press it in the bottom of a rocks glass. Add rum, syrup and bitters. Now drop in a few Coconut Water Ice Cubes and stir gently.

Coconut Water Ice Cubes Recipe: Pour a can of Coconut Water (strain the pulp out first, if needed) in an ice cube tray – the bigger the cube try the better – and freeze for several hours.

Prima, a premier destination for high-end Italian cuisine and an extensive wine list in Walnut Creek, is celebrating “An Evening in Provence” on Aug. 16.

As one of the most established restaurants in the San Francisco Bay Area, Prima is thrilled to announce the Aug. 16 event, “An Evening in Provence.” Guests will be treated to wines from this region of France paired with a Provençal menu.

“Although we are known primarily as an Italian restaurant, we love preparing and enjoying French food and wines. We’re excited to share our passion for this region with our guests,” Jennifer O’Donnell said.

Prima serves contemporary and seasonal Northern Italian cuisine using locally sourced ingredients in a comfortable and elegant atmosphere. Its wine list has consistently won awards for its depth and unique selections from all over the world. Prima is conveniently located from all points in the San Francisco Bay Area in the heart of the quaint yet bustling downtown Walnut Creek area.

“Prima looks forward to your visit and the opportunity to exceed your expectations for a special day or evening of Italian tastes and hospitality,” O’Donnell said. “Come see us any day for a bite, a glass, or a visit with friends, family or co-workers.”

For more information about any of Prima’s products or services, call 925-322-2761 or 925-935-7780, keep up with it on the Web at http://www.primawine.com or visit 1552 N. Main St. in Walnut Creek.