tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27139294760461661682024-03-13T22:26:33.702-07:00The Wine TravelerTaking the stories of wine around the world.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00420027957973522027noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2713929476046166168.post-8088927048224322212017-02-07T17:03:00.001-08:002017-02-07T17:36:01.949-08:00Four Takeaways from Unified Wine and Grape Symposium<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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What can I say, I'm a sucker for a trade show. Events where exhibitors and merchants gather, walk the aisles to buy, sell or swap stories. It's an environment I've enjoyed from my earliest days in business. After hearing about it for years, I finally ventured up to Sacramento, California's State Capital, to visit the <b><a href="http://www.unifiedsymposium.org/">Unified Wine and Grape Symposium</a></b>, the largest wine industry trade show in North America. </div>
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700 Exhibitors and 14,000 attendees took over downtown Sacramento's Convention Center January 24-26 and there was much for the eye to behold.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/The-Wine-Traveler-256615601041596/?hc_ref=PAGES_TIMELINE">2 minute video at Unified</a></td></tr>
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Here's a list of four takeaways from this year's event by a first time visitor:</div>
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<u><b>New Wine Regions Discovered</b></u></div>
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There were two wine regions in attendance that were unfamiliar to me. Although I've known there is wine being produced in all 50 states in the U.S. I didn't know that Arizona is gaining some momentum with their wine production. Enough so that they poured samples of <a href="http://www.visitarizona.com/see-and-do/eat-and-drink/wineries">Arizona wines</a> during a regional wine tasting. Arizona was the only place outside of California represented in the regional wine tasting. Quite good, I thought. Hints of cactus and red rock...</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wines from Arizona</td></tr>
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There were also some attendees from an emerging wine region in Mexico. I'd been told that I need to investigate Mexico further so it was nice to meeting some folks attending from the Baja wine region. It's only about an hour and a half from the California border, I learned from Demian Sandoval and his family of wine partners, including his sister Ivonne. The Guadalupe Valley in Mexico is where visitors are starting to come for a wine country escape and I hear it's lovely. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Representing Wines of Mexico</td></tr>
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<u><b>Sustainability has Arrived as a Movement</b></u><br />
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Sonoma County, California is leading the movement on Sustainability in what has become a statewide initiative for the California Winegrape Growers and the Wine Institute. Sustainable winegrowing is a comprehensive set of practices that are environmentally sound, socially equitable and economically viable. In the coming years, wineries who meet the criteria will be able to identify their bottles as sustainable with a new symbol which was unveiled at the symposium by Karissa Kruse of the <a href="http://www.sonomawinegrape.org/">Sonoma Winegrape Growers</a> where 85% of the vineyards have already achieved this designation. The research is bearing out that consumers will be more likely to purchase wines that meet this criteria.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2IaAztIgYkxQaVxKNTOIDh5x3AWaT6saTnq9W3xmvwEKyNaEjD5t7wPtM_34afs4bVGtWSFtihccDndJ4TNm8eg8D2KlkVBzuXF2q0ebsyjmKDh-cjDeWjyQDflDMs_vnpJ1unOWFsxt4/s1600/Unified+Exhibitor2+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2IaAztIgYkxQaVxKNTOIDh5x3AWaT6saTnq9W3xmvwEKyNaEjD5t7wPtM_34afs4bVGtWSFtihccDndJ4TNm8eg8D2KlkVBzuXF2q0ebsyjmKDh-cjDeWjyQDflDMs_vnpJ1unOWFsxt4/s320/Unified+Exhibitor2+003.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The new Sustainability Logo for California </td></tr>
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<b><u> Wine and Viticulture Technology Advances</u></b><br />
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You could find anything you need from vineyard management, to corks to bottles to custom crush wine making at this conference. However, it's been told to me that one of the reasons the quality of wine making in the New World regions, such as California, has improved so quickly is because of constant improvement in wine making technology. This can range from analyzing vineyards with drones, to devices that more accurately measure the proper levels of chemicals that make a wine taste better. Lots of friendly representatives were available to show the new ways of the world.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgORkA-yFbexp_HqZEUOe2-GRvf_2G1b65X_HZaEthO9aYdUMeXC5uOAgrGMxZqpUFOfskQpmBJbHUp-aLhhIqUS3FsV_gmeBjHjRnBO2m4DSFZrJbh659jMempLvPWW4FYYbrB_n2u42mg/s1600/Unified+Exhibitor2+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgORkA-yFbexp_HqZEUOe2-GRvf_2G1b65X_HZaEthO9aYdUMeXC5uOAgrGMxZqpUFOfskQpmBJbHUp-aLhhIqUS3FsV_gmeBjHjRnBO2m4DSFZrJbh659jMempLvPWW4FYYbrB_n2u42mg/s200/Unified+Exhibitor2+001.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Airstrike Bird Control</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfuBlLaLW2XwjxkQmvy0_ZXd8ZwF4fpHrWLJdOPWjWDcGJ_qaGVHfkv022sJpRCSEejGD1NjisrZFr6Q-yvB-zgohh3xDyWZ_RRrqvLUMWExblwDIrfrElYSBLQFVK4Ftp9KWEva6aheQg/s1600/Unified+Exhibitors+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfuBlLaLW2XwjxkQmvy0_ZXd8ZwF4fpHrWLJdOPWjWDcGJ_qaGVHfkv022sJpRCSEejGD1NjisrZFr6Q-yvB-zgohh3xDyWZ_RRrqvLUMWExblwDIrfrElYSBLQFVK4Ftp9KWEva6aheQg/s200/Unified+Exhibitors+006.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rack & Riddle Custom Wine Services</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTLOo8NWM8iFAdL6oC-rMUSUpA0JgzJ39rsHssegiZi7JUeLAh9ZlxH-d07Bhk7ywwuxhy_XtwooujW-dvKTuJvj9pqewhD0y-Oddp8WwbDlVAsgF7tfukwknpNCx24-MMlw4dOlvWWq62/s1600/Unified+Exhibitor2+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTLOo8NWM8iFAdL6oC-rMUSUpA0JgzJ39rsHssegiZi7JUeLAh9ZlxH-d07Bhk7ywwuxhy_XtwooujW-dvKTuJvj9pqewhD0y-Oddp8WwbDlVAsgF7tfukwknpNCx24-MMlw4dOlvWWq62/s200/Unified+Exhibitor2+005.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Allary Cooperage from France</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJoCY0kkemlV4f2T3PdOLxlNJVN3Ab4qHT6q93ggLP81LveJ1xZ3MbVIrfQnSmxky87UupRCez8RRBceyU9g-_0dNfAj9x88KtePPlcl0AxiQWYCHObqr3RrpIFps1TaQZmqdcgpZUSC17/s1600/Unified+Exhibitor2+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJoCY0kkemlV4f2T3PdOLxlNJVN3Ab4qHT6q93ggLP81LveJ1xZ3MbVIrfQnSmxky87UupRCez8RRBceyU9g-_0dNfAj9x88KtePPlcl0AxiQWYCHObqr3RrpIFps1TaQZmqdcgpZUSC17/s200/Unified+Exhibitor2+013.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pouring Santa Cruz Wines</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7mBKXvWqVaH1ROZeOeBtx9JyIUCRhyphenhyphensVpIuEtDteGtaR2K31MYK03Mx1qk4wIdNjKp8lSK1bl_QvYtswFq9qjL7zICJBRxrQ5j1tpnUCbROHLy74q979_cGmJTw2PSU4LcHsXdyPZS4XJ/s1600/Unified+Exhibitor2+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7mBKXvWqVaH1ROZeOeBtx9JyIUCRhyphenhyphensVpIuEtDteGtaR2K31MYK03Mx1qk4wIdNjKp8lSK1bl_QvYtswFq9qjL7zICJBRxrQ5j1tpnUCbROHLy74q979_cGmJTw2PSU4LcHsXdyPZS4XJ/s200/Unified+Exhibitor2+007.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amorim Cork America</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm5hj8zTKsguRq10-P6kViFBfUuXMQoKOGjW04XNvHHf2QBErHYGhhqx8zA3L5I8ncZCZ8MUeM9xDHgcj0ajCX_6mVKYwsO1cL1dEBRDiskV4D2h9g78DE6nsdUKRrwpHFZut51if6dEdB/s1600/Unified+Exhibitor2+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm5hj8zTKsguRq10-P6kViFBfUuXMQoKOGjW04XNvHHf2QBErHYGhhqx8zA3L5I8ncZCZ8MUeM9xDHgcj0ajCX_6mVKYwsO1cL1dEBRDiskV4D2h9g78DE6nsdUKRrwpHFZut51if6dEdB/s200/Unified+Exhibitor2+016.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After Party by Toneleria from Chile</td></tr>
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<b><u>Sacramento</u></b><br />
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Sacramento is an ideal location for this major wine industry show due to it's proximity to the Northern California wine regions in easy driving distance. However, there are 14,000 people attending this show and Sacramento only has 2,000 hotel rooms downtown adjacent to the convention center. The exhibit halls were filled to the brim and a rooftop area was covered with a tent to accommodate some of the overflow exhibitors. The center is just a block away from the State Capitol Building and an easy ride to popular attractions such as Old Sacramento. Local news media was reporting about the possibility of moving the city's premier industry trade show of the year which fills the hotels, restaurants and bars with guests for several days each year. However, the show is already showing that it is booked in the "City of Trees" in 2018. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9YqXpHkQgdwIjv5QJyzFSjo3cKu24IPfIE8WYE4xHplUQuNX9Xrrdo8i3NcAzhYKo8Mz0hD3wg9ifiBNvrAfvdgiSfZ5BYZ3rUxsMnTG6z2qH9NM-V_yWkblKFXj8OKJsQ4fIUyrNkkGH/s1600/Sacramento+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9YqXpHkQgdwIjv5QJyzFSjo3cKu24IPfIE8WYE4xHplUQuNX9Xrrdo8i3NcAzhYKo8Mz0hD3wg9ifiBNvrAfvdgiSfZ5BYZ3rUxsMnTG6z2qH9NM-V_yWkblKFXj8OKJsQ4fIUyrNkkGH/s320/Sacramento+006.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old Sacramento or "Old Sac" as the locals say</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfBF9Z83543J2q6M3hdj8jc25h0MHUNZfID9gnUSJAc18TBVM2k4V0sHs11QNYv6pwRgg1p8KUzFZSWGIx-60LLn1VswrMrhXfOng1Gm5nvzY-oF0dVTqcfmAWoIwcBrvXBix10Jv4FbuZ/s1600/Sacramento+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfBF9Z83543J2q6M3hdj8jc25h0MHUNZfID9gnUSJAc18TBVM2k4V0sHs11QNYv6pwRgg1p8KUzFZSWGIx-60LLn1VswrMrhXfOng1Gm5nvzY-oF0dVTqcfmAWoIwcBrvXBix10Jv4FbuZ/s320/Sacramento+007.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Delta King Riverboat Hotel </td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00420027957973522027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2713929476046166168.post-58837436282591802022016-11-17T10:55:00.000-08:002016-12-07T08:43:11.349-08:00Wine Country Enjoyed in Texas<div class="MsoNormal">
Story by Dan Weldy, Director, <i>The Wine Traveler</i><br />
<i>This is a longer version of an article also published by United Airlines Rhapsody magazine</i><br />
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It was a quiet Monday morning in Fredericksburg, Texas just
before noon the day after the big crowds of weekend tourists had gone home. Yet, there was a couple from Maryland in the
tasting room of <i><a href="http://www.lostdrawcellars.com/">Lost Draw Cellars</a></i> enjoying
a wine tasting served by the owner Andrew Sides. The visitors were on a four- week driving
tour of Texas and they heard there were wineries in this part of the state so
they added Fredericksburg to their route.
Ordering wines to be shipped home, they seemed pleased with the Texas
wines they tasted and being in the company of the owner-winemaker.</div>
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In his tasting room just a block off downtown <a href="http://www.visitfredericksburgtx.com/">Fredericksburg</a>,
Andrew described how he shares ownership of a small plane with other wineries
in the region so that they can fly back-and-forth to the High Plains of West
Texas to tend to their vineyards, a one hour flight to avoid the lonesome four
hour drive. While there are vineyards in
the general vicinity of Fredericksburg, the rural High Plains around Lubbock is
where they are cultivating most of the vineyards, he explained. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAx5ygqCqPLpTED9ntrDjWwFNt6CHm1fbz_XH8BqfBVWHgDfPJ324Txi36Bmdn3Tf6rKhAKNpZHmpmeVvGloEl3s4Z8jsWn-K8qRD29SeIT7Kv3bHjxURLPzfTlEjHoGpiv0Og0Py9495o/s1600/Lost+Draw+Cellars+CLAIRE+MCCORMACK+PHOTOGRAPHY-368.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAx5ygqCqPLpTED9ntrDjWwFNt6CHm1fbz_XH8BqfBVWHgDfPJ324Txi36Bmdn3Tf6rKhAKNpZHmpmeVvGloEl3s4Z8jsWn-K8qRD29SeIT7Kv3bHjxURLPzfTlEjHoGpiv0Og0Py9495o/s200/Lost+Draw+Cellars+CLAIRE+MCCORMACK+PHOTOGRAPHY-368.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lost Draw Cellars Vineyards in West Texas</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFSnjOwIT4HdG6LblsmGmijtEK9fvKKk3JiRSLkqDCfO-JyU-H1ntrw6d5BfnAxCKiHCxU9oziIKHLUapFSTwHhPdNpraY0_VGy47e6psQIaxn28wz0Lp2jbxGIzzPsj0z9yWW7EuUidJh/s1600/Texas+Hills+Sangiovese.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFSnjOwIT4HdG6LblsmGmijtEK9fvKKk3JiRSLkqDCfO-JyU-H1ntrw6d5BfnAxCKiHCxU9oziIKHLUapFSTwHhPdNpraY0_VGy47e6psQIaxn28wz0Lp2jbxGIzzPsj0z9yWW7EuUidJh/s200/Texas+Hills+Sangiovese.JPG" width="168" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Texas Hills Sangiovese </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="text-align: center;">The discovery of Fredericksburg and </span><span style="text-align: center;">Texas Hill Country</span><span style="text-align: center;"> as a winery destination is fairly recent for
people from outside the state and the country.</span><span style="text-align: center;">
</span><span style="text-align: center;">However, Texans have been coming to Fredericksburg as a weekend getaway
for decades. The arrival of wineries in this region over the last twenty years
has made the experience all the more enjoyable, attracting a new group of
visitors who seek out places where local food and wine can be explored and
enjoyed.</span><br />
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Fredericksburg is an old town founded by German settlers in
the 1840’s. In the next century it became
popular with tourists for its German heritage, unique shops, natural beauty and
a reputation as the “Peach Capital of Texas.”
Now they have cool wineries, art galleries and farm to table restaurants
too. <i>Willkommen </i>signs still greet
people as they roll into this small town with 11,000 residents. Several long
standing German Restaurants downtown still prepare weiner schnitzel, bratwurst, danishes and other Bavarian dishes.
There is an annual Kielbasa Festival in October so the German heritage
is alive and well. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDifp4BBiRdKuPNXwbNRDrBeY0ACwEy6Cs9uo7M7OsjU68UUBdu_VlWFigUPhz9S7Dgjm6zMuALtzXS0zUb3r_t6eIbA746c3A6i2rosBrWmDMSPhPHl-2I_xYmkbd6yKyEUdlPtyQF5i3/s1600/Oktoberfest+4+%2528credit+Robbyn+Dodd%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDifp4BBiRdKuPNXwbNRDrBeY0ACwEy6Cs9uo7M7OsjU68UUBdu_VlWFigUPhz9S7Dgjm6zMuALtzXS0zUb3r_t6eIbA746c3A6i2rosBrWmDMSPhPHl-2I_xYmkbd6yKyEUdlPtyQF5i3/s320/Oktoberfest+4+%2528credit+Robbyn+Dodd%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Octoberfest in Fredericksburg</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>The Wineries<o:p></o:p></b><br />
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Fredericksburg is in the heart of <i><a href="http://www.texaswinetrail.com/">Texas Hill Country</a></i>, a region that is now home to about fifty
wineries. <o:p></o:p></div>
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One of the pioneers of this emerging wine region is Gary
Gilstrap, owner and winemaker at <i><a href="http://www.texashillsvineyard.com/">TexasHills Vineyard</a></i>, started with their first vineyards in 1995 and known today
as the largest winery that only uses Texas grapes. Before he opened his winery, Gilstrap was a
pharmacist, chemist, software engineer and inventor. As wineries began to
become established around Fredericksburg in 1999, he invited about a dozen of
his neighboring wineries to a potluck dinner where they decided to form <a href="http://www.wineroad290.com/"><i>Fredericksburg</i> </a><i><a href="http://www.wineroad290.com/">Wine Road 290</a>. </i>Today, <i>Wine Road 290</i> is a 30 mile stretch of
highway that runs from Johnson City to downtown Fredericksburg and just
beyond. “It was a meat and potatoes
start,” says Gilstrap. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Kjug3xr7Iu4f47ueUOcuB3PfmTVaKC6AbXDc9ILOEh4PJr6bsh1-NlhnrmAbWDZaGnnEfYhDlB5k_MHRIdhXaFydPao8XCIxm5hP4-n5Tc3T_QO6Xlyl81nCAG1s-0GzBuVBOTpNYwfs/s1600/Texas+Hills+Just+Having+a+glass+of+Kick+Butt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Kjug3xr7Iu4f47ueUOcuB3PfmTVaKC6AbXDc9ILOEh4PJr6bsh1-NlhnrmAbWDZaGnnEfYhDlB5k_MHRIdhXaFydPao8XCIxm5hP4-n5Tc3T_QO6Xlyl81nCAG1s-0GzBuVBOTpNYwfs/s400/Texas+Hills+Just+Having+a+glass+of+Kick+Butt.jpg" width="260" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Texas Hills Kick Butt Cab</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="text-align: center;">There are now 15 wineries along Wine Road 290 including </span><i style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.grapecreek.com/">Grape Greek Vineyards</a></i><span style="text-align: center;">, a beautiful estate that evokes whispers of “Tuscany in Texas.”
Owner Brian Heith and his team have cultivated a following of wine club
members and regular visitors who are so passionate that wines are sold only
through the winery. Their guided tours on
a tram through the vineyards and winery are popular. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBxDN9ZUR24OsGKzJtcL8BTcEo0e4laNO-Wsrlp91M9qiJYfpZkzDkEktXAgPPFbyAZWLoNS4sbQSjRWdWYMXtbBNRH9W7F62Lh8HQ-S9yiIK7CVPNQvSuTxmSXfgKcWmS1mc016C-66Ht/s1600/GrapeCreekPatio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBxDN9ZUR24OsGKzJtcL8BTcEo0e4laNO-Wsrlp91M9qiJYfpZkzDkEktXAgPPFbyAZWLoNS4sbQSjRWdWYMXtbBNRH9W7F62Lh8HQ-S9yiIK7CVPNQvSuTxmSXfgKcWmS1mc016C-66Ht/s200/GrapeCreekPatio.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grape Creek Vineyards patio</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq2omHXLm7oGnMdFI4ewMVoHcl3_B0utWRGAM0fotpMztXqvNFQXl0luXJvWd_eurXMVEzzbHpyzn46h1exzJQB4-ZiYr6uCe0QOeYX_jC9kt_WP7sKZ6_DZqzcMBLKZ6dN7u224TxERo-/s1600/Touring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq2omHXLm7oGnMdFI4ewMVoHcl3_B0utWRGAM0fotpMztXqvNFQXl0luXJvWd_eurXMVEzzbHpyzn46h1exzJQB4-ZiYr6uCe0QOeYX_jC9kt_WP7sKZ6_DZqzcMBLKZ6dN7u224TxERo-/s200/Touring.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grape Creek Tram for touring</td></tr>
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<i><a href="http://www.beckervineyards.com/">Becker Vineyards</a></i>
was founded by Dr. Richard Becker, a surgeon in San Antonio and his wife
Bunny. Established in 1992, Becker is
one of the original four wineries in Fredericksburg and today they are among
the best known and highly respected brands in the state of Texas. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbMTP0M0oFxP4cJupdQwEr67xF0nBnUCVrQ33luvcf69K7FdCZGueqzLKGaafn2JaynWG5z2qT9iSDP8tg6tk2H5r1tTv0VUy2maVkelBZYsQAvjl_HQsTga8F6qnx2a2RZYSTvZ-8E0EE/s1600/RichardBunnyBecker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbMTP0M0oFxP4cJupdQwEr67xF0nBnUCVrQ33luvcf69K7FdCZGueqzLKGaafn2JaynWG5z2qT9iSDP8tg6tk2H5r1tTv0VUy2maVkelBZYsQAvjl_HQsTga8F6qnx2a2RZYSTvZ-8E0EE/s320/RichardBunnyBecker.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Richard and Bunny Becker, founders of Becker Vineyards</td></tr>
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<o:p> </o:p><i><a href="http://www.fatassranchandwinery.com/">Fat Ass Ranch and Winery</a>
</i>is a new cult winery popular with millennials. The tasting room is decorated with repurposed
farm equipment, implements and even silos (as bathrooms) offering a one of a
kind atmosphere. In harmony with the
region’s heritage for peaches, their Peach Wine is most popular. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikt5QxzLAhulObHzgAJkZcZiKHVsS2afnJqyiQuMuzMdPOdhyphenhyphenzY1AmRq_mv1ohENAMHMPWmzuG9vmeyXV0C9uul96Y-3R5u6VH2ujGtqWBCMv2erm0j6OeskMEvFUKP4BqkFn5SXRHSgo1/s1600/FatAss.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikt5QxzLAhulObHzgAJkZcZiKHVsS2afnJqyiQuMuzMdPOdhyphenhyphenzY1AmRq_mv1ohENAMHMPWmzuG9vmeyXV0C9uul96Y-3R5u6VH2ujGtqWBCMv2erm0j6OeskMEvFUKP4BqkFn5SXRHSgo1/s320/FatAss.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fat Ass Ranch and Winery selections</td></tr>
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Wineries have also been established in small towns closer to
the state capital of Austin, in little towns such as Spicewood, Driftwood and
Dripping Springs. <i><a href="http://www.duchmanwines.com/">Duchman Family Winery</a></i> offers a gorgeous property in Driftwood and
is one of a group of <a href="http://www.texasfinewine.com/">five wineries</a>
now gaining recognition for making exceptional wines from Texas Grapes. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcQNUM1DsqSE7a6EPC0EUAZVE6E-K87ZKnysEHFx3WASv8fXoxucWQ4GbVmB5Dz45KDQg_KgI3WJyHWXAPyIZ7ZnnY995iWJm8pDcjxXZGChh-SXO2BzvCtIBENUYb0_2QMeEhZ7hUqCtk/s1600/WineswithGlasses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcQNUM1DsqSE7a6EPC0EUAZVE6E-K87ZKnysEHFx3WASv8fXoxucWQ4GbVmB5Dz45KDQg_KgI3WJyHWXAPyIZ7ZnnY995iWJm8pDcjxXZGChh-SXO2BzvCtIBENUYb0_2QMeEhZ7hUqCtk/s320/WineswithGlasses.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Texas Fine Wine at Cabernet Grill</td></tr>
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<b>The Accommodations<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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There are many hotel options in Fredericksburg but one of
the most unique is the <a href="http://www.hangarhotel.com/">Hangar Hotel</a> located adjacent to the local airport. Built
in 2004, the property has fifty guest rooms within a WWII military hangar
overlooking the runway. A vintage 1940s
classic diner, 8000 square foot conference center with an old theater marquee
to announce arriving parties, and the Officer’s Club Bar allow guests to step
back in time. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-uvkS9Tb_7Iz_RUR4MsPQk1cDror6PAiq2dSOS_NfO_Ylr_z292-CRsbpUM5Gc7jM2hBBA1J9ni7EmshCP-QX6_EQy-XL1ifqgMSGxMCNWGTym4WQzde8SYjDAggOHxlHqEFQ4YrjV8TP/s1600/HangarHotel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-uvkS9Tb_7Iz_RUR4MsPQk1cDror6PAiq2dSOS_NfO_Ylr_z292-CRsbpUM5Gc7jM2hBBA1J9ni7EmshCP-QX6_EQy-XL1ifqgMSGxMCNWGTym4WQzde8SYjDAggOHxlHqEFQ4YrjV8TP/s1600/HangarHotel.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Hangar Hotel with fifty luxury guest rooms</td></tr>
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Most notably, Fredericksburg now offers over 900 guest
houses and bed and breakfasts, ranging from private log homes to private
cottages. These accommodations are found
in town or in the country and are most often sold out on the weekends. Mid-week visits are recommended for a slower
pace. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Texas Cuisine and Culture
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Fredericksburg boasts many dining options from Tex-Mex favorites to international cuisine. <i><a href="http://www.oldgermanbakeryandrestaurant.com/">Old German Bakery</a></i> offers Bavarian specialties, one of several
classic German restaurants downtown. <a href="http://www.ottosfbg.com/"><i>Otto’s</i> </a>offers new American cuisine
with a German flair. <i><a href="http://www.burgerburgerfbg.com/">Burger Burger</a></i> is an independently owned restaurant
that the locals recommend for a burger fix and music on the patio. </div>
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<i><a href="http://www.cabernetgrill.com/">CabernetGrill</a></i> is casual fine dining set on beautifully landscaped grounds with lodging on the property. Cabernet Grill Owner, Ross Burtwell changed to
a Texas-only wine list recently. Wine
sales at the restaurant went up by 30%, he says. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Fredericksburg has a wealth of high end art galleries. Enjoy a stroll with a glass of wine to view
bronze sculptures, paintings, wood works, photography, antiques, and jewelry, featuring
both Texas and national artists.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_3oftFy_Tday9j_OlRv7V7GKn82z69txELStsZ61GUoqOBTtfvTx_eevz-ZVy5DeU-tW6RhF799xPJosBWdVcCxqcmZuWhI2SsRVxoIdAdrfqz_eXWM3uth22qSSzlNiAvuYVpZw0FKqo/s1600/ArtGallery.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_3oftFy_Tday9j_OlRv7V7GKn82z69txELStsZ61GUoqOBTtfvTx_eevz-ZVy5DeU-tW6RhF799xPJosBWdVcCxqcmZuWhI2SsRVxoIdAdrfqz_eXWM3uth22qSSzlNiAvuYVpZw0FKqo/s320/ArtGallery.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Twenty art galleries are found in downtown Fredericksburg</td></tr>
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Former U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson and famed WWII
Admiral Nimitz are natives of this area. The Lyndon B. Johnson State and
National Historical Parks and the National Museum of the Pacific War are
popular educational attractions in their honor.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://www.luckenbachtexas.com/">Luckenbach</a>, established in 1849 is a short drive outside of
Fredericksburg where at one o’clock, seven days a week folks can gather to hear
live music and enjoy a truly Texas experience with a bottle of beer or a glass
of wine, amongst the chickens and roosters who roam freely on the grounds. Operations Manager Bobbie McDaniel says the
dance hall is rented for everything from Texas Two-Step gatherings to line
dancing clubs on holiday from Germany. <o:p></o:p><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIkqqFVw2RxexUV-3oJ1JKE4L9WbGq11viS9tU4rjrOIHkG2vAYgs8kpA-nmvxfgeu0Li90xcj72IwOhH9Ga7JQ11RZZSLy1NypP8yJDtHHwNxvzfUYoD4Z7SCekV6Yh9XLKa2Q7bNBxfY/s1600/Luckenbach+%2528credit+Julia+Ermlich%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIkqqFVw2RxexUV-3oJ1JKE4L9WbGq11viS9tU4rjrOIHkG2vAYgs8kpA-nmvxfgeu0Li90xcj72IwOhH9Ga7JQ11RZZSLy1NypP8yJDtHHwNxvzfUYoD4Z7SCekV6Yh9XLKa2Q7bNBxfY/s320/Luckenbach+%2528credit+Julia+Ermlich%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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As an emerging wine region, Fredericksburg and Texas Hill
Country will continue to grow. The Texas
Wine & Grape Growers Association reports 7,000 acres planted in Texas vineyards
today which ranks in the top five of the U.S. states. What’s astounding is that the acreage has
grown 200% over a two year period, according to Executive Director, Debbie
Reynolds. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barrel tasting at Becker Vineyards</td></tr>
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“The fact that these wineries have clustered make it
convenient and easy for people to tour wineries,” says Fredericksburg
Convention and Visitors Bureau President and CEO, Ernie Loeffler. “Being in easy driving distance to 20 million
people in Texas makes this a popular destination,” he says. While Texans from Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth,
Austin, and San Antonio are regular visitors who arrive by automobile, those
from further away can find air travel with international airports in Austin <b>AUS</b> and San Antonio <b>SAT</b><i>.</i>
Both provide excellent service with Texas-based Southwest and American Airlines
as well as United and Delta. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Fredericksburg has a reputation as a good place to come and have
a good time. The wine country destinations are only broadening that appeal. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoaAYLd2CWpW6uB01LDosEwSMpqJNXek1NDlhqLmy4aBhiFdJXzI3nO2LiYin9u8Z_nSoYWdnGwgT-oUdiF_as-uHQXgdB2nBOsyTnA4oRubz-LGzYrymOnXMDKyhRCHQML1dVVx0h-Tas/s1600/Food+and+Wine+Fest+2+%2528credit+Robbyn+Dodd%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoaAYLd2CWpW6uB01LDosEwSMpqJNXek1NDlhqLmy4aBhiFdJXzI3nO2LiYin9u8Z_nSoYWdnGwgT-oUdiF_as-uHQXgdB2nBOsyTnA4oRubz-LGzYrymOnXMDKyhRCHQML1dVVx0h-Tas/s320/Food+and+Wine+Fest+2+%2528credit+Robbyn+Dodd%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fredericksburg Food and Wine Festival</td></tr>
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Photo credits: Steve Rawls, Jonathan Bedford, Robbyn Dodd, Julia Ermlich, Claire McCormack<br />
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Story posted following a <i>Wine Traveler</i> visit to Fredericksburg, OCT 30-NOV 3, 2016<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00420027957973522027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2713929476046166168.post-16739079334874792932016-08-01T04:00:00.000-07:002016-08-01T04:00:00.157-07:00The Heart of Washington Wine Country<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Heart of Washington Wine Country<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbY4npIoBzsgKnr-HwWExbuKJ2hyvQ9v1lATWhIbI9p3zxxYpI6Fwdl88V8xuH4d06jaeBAa1ys5Nh0uV_4s7Stp9E-68lMbEmEyO5L9QnBbiiCNe_eTxW9NxIPsBrThiQR1JKzycH6-qg/s1600/RedMtn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbY4npIoBzsgKnr-HwWExbuKJ2hyvQ9v1lATWhIbI9p3zxxYpI6Fwdl88V8xuH4d06jaeBAa1ys5Nh0uV_4s7Stp9E-68lMbEmEyO5L9QnBbiiCNe_eTxW9NxIPsBrThiQR1JKzycH6-qg/s320/RedMtn.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16.8pt;">Thirty years ago there were fewer than 100
wineries in Washington. Today there are more than 900.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16.8pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16.8pt;">Washington is the second largest wine
producing region in America after California.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16.8pt;">
</span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16.8pt;">The</b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16.8pt;"> </span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16.8pt;">Heart of Washington Wine Country</b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16.8pt;"> is found 150 miles east of Seattle
in </span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16.8pt;">Tri-Cities</b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16.8pt;">, named after the towns
of Kennewick, Pasco and Richland.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">There are 200 wineries within a one hour drive of
Tri-Cities. This is a prime agricultural
region near the Columbia River, with potatoes, blueberries, apples, hops, and
wine grapes among the 45 different local crops.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Red Mountain, Horse Heaven Hills, Columbia Valley,</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> and <b>Yakima Valley</b> are the
viticulture areas around Tri Cities which have garnered international
acclaim. The region gets 300 days of
sunshine a year, perfect for wine grapes and highly popular with people from
Metro Seattle who come for a weekend escape.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="line-height: 16.8pt;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 12pt;"><u>Wine Traveler Favorites</u></span></b></div>
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<b style="line-height: 16.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Maryhill Winery</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3S4W9ZR3si7AQxvWjthTPy-EQkAVyc7mUhYFzprC4qwmR4rU4nTy19cHw9VFcC1wmQQ1JlMrZredffWoWqrBJG6pS4JiI2j5FBHvg0aD8l35HfMxvvWD13c-GheOPLn9JKUWKRMF-JZmy/s1600/Maryhill_Concert_Aerial_still+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3S4W9ZR3si7AQxvWjthTPy-EQkAVyc7mUhYFzprC4qwmR4rU4nTy19cHw9VFcC1wmQQ1JlMrZredffWoWqrBJG6pS4JiI2j5FBHvg0aD8l35HfMxvvWD13c-GheOPLn9JKUWKRMF-JZmy/s320/Maryhill_Concert_Aerial_still+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> "</o:p></span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16.8pt;">It’s hard to wrap your mind around the beautiful
view,” says owner Craig Neuhold.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16.8pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16.8pt;">Craig
and his wife Vicki will celebrate the 15th anniversary of Maryhill Winery in
the summer of 2016. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16.8pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Family-owned and
operated, Maryhill is a favorite of the Pacific Northwest. Enjoy spectacular views, tasting room, gift
shop, world-class concerts in a 4,000 seat amphitheater, and live music on the
vine-covered terrace all summer. Taste over 50 wines that have earned more than
3,000 awards, including <i>2015 Pacific
Northwest Winery of the Year</i> from <i>Wine
Press Northwest</i>. Maryhill wines are a true testament to the quality and
diversity of the state.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="line-height: 16.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Milbrandt Vineyard </span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoxaIFBwJPEERM7qIKx418Co-cnSbFA1DEGsWCBkuoNYAB3XS1UYZfz0wtQ4CG_3FKu1UiDfnpFT1xTmT4vrePFVHpKblwDVkmD421nKKW1HYjF7UcEkuLLoUwI0tcel5rYUDAyM-szYS3/s1600/MilbrandtTastingRoomA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoxaIFBwJPEERM7qIKx418Co-cnSbFA1DEGsWCBkuoNYAB3XS1UYZfz0wtQ4CG_3FKu1UiDfnpFT1xTmT4vrePFVHpKblwDVkmD421nKKW1HYjF7UcEkuLLoUwI0tcel5rYUDAyM-szYS3/s320/MilbrandtTastingRoomA.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Milbrandt Vineyards was founded in 1997 by Washington wine
pioneers Butch and Jerry Milbrandt. Owning and operating their own vineyards as
well as the winery, they helped establish two of the top AVAs in the state:
Ancient Lakes and Wahluke Slope. Their Evergreen Vineyard has consistently
produced 90-point wines with the guided talents of Cornell graduate and
winemaker Joshua Maloney. The award-winning tasting room in Prosser is open
seven days a week and offers seated tastings and patio parties. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Brothers Butch and Jerry Milbrandt are pioneers of the
Columbia Valley wine regions. Butch started cooking in the military 50 years
ago and today is known as an ace at pairing food and wine. You can even watch Milbrandt Vineyards’
originally branded recipe show called <i>Pair This </i>on the winery’s website.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Their tasting room is in Prosser’s Vintners Village, home
to 10 unique wineries.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">J. Bookwalter Winery<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiBR5qUiG2NZRC3gXSZ3hmjJC47YcX4FK0eIsY4ta2IOXrUoNUGGXWRBop9UUpxna-SCgTkoaUBv32c9Jip1bwWBAXKyixZODj5puPIM-7PDRC9Br57hEJ02rXTrTuukbZQ5JLAvYtUhyz/s1600/front-pati+Bookwalter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiBR5qUiG2NZRC3gXSZ3hmjJC47YcX4FK0eIsY4ta2IOXrUoNUGGXWRBop9UUpxna-SCgTkoaUBv32c9Jip1bwWBAXKyixZODj5puPIM-7PDRC9Br57hEJ02rXTrTuukbZQ5JLAvYtUhyz/s320/front-pati+Bookwalter.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Owner-Winemaker John Bookwalter has taken his family name
to make a perfect pairing between wine and literature.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The winery’s flagship tasting room in Richland, named one
of the best tasting rooms in the United States by <i>Sunset</i> magazine, now includes a full-service restaurant, <i>Fiction. </i>In the category of “winery
restaurants,” <i>Fiction</i> is often mentioned
as one of the finest in the country. J. Bookwalter also operates an attractive,
modern tasting studio in Woodinville in suburban Seattle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">With literary brand names on the label such as <i>Antagonist Syrah</i> and <i>Subplot 31</i>, Bookwalter wines keep connoisseurs
deeply involved from beginning to end like a good book. For those who like Cabernet Sauvignon, the
flagship <i>Protagonist</i> is not be missed
with 91% premium cabernet and 9% Syrah in a supporting role.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">J. Bookwalter has grown from one of Washington’s oldest
wineries into one of the Pacific Northwest’s most recognized boutique wine
brands, relying on exceptional vineyard sources and meticulous winemaking to
produce some of the world’s finest wines.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Tourists Welcome <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The region is well known for local wineries,
expanding craft beer offerings, wide open spaces, and the new arrival of legal cannabis. It also should be recognized for its
friendliness. This is not a place where
you find pretentious people. It’s a
place here the local residents welcome visitors. They are just glad that someone took the time
and trouble to come visit them out in the country, I think. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Our region has become popular with tourists who
come not only to enjoy the wines, but meet with the owners, experience a walk
through the vineyards and learn about the industry,” says Visit Tri-Cities
President Kris Watkins. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">There are many opportunities to explore the
outdoors between winery visits. Go horseback
riding with <b><i>Red</i> <i>Mountain Trails</i></b>,
stroll to ten wineries clustered together at <b><i>Vintner’s Village</i></b> in
Prosser, or enjoy desert beauty with <b><i>Columbia Kayak Adventures</i></b>. Walk the
23-mile continuous riverfront path along the Columbia River, known as <b><i>Sacagawea
Heritage Trail</i>. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Two major additions have come to the area in the
last couple years. <b>The Clore Center</b> welcomes
you with an operating tasting room with $5 wine tastings featuring a different
region each month. The wine education is
casual. “It’s learning a little with a
glass of wine in your hand,” says Executive Director Abbey Cameron. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Ste. Michelle Wine Estates WSU Wine Science Center </span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">opened in 2015 in Tri-Cities, expanding <b>Washington State University’s</b> highly esteemed program in
viticulture and enology. WSU is known as
one of the “Big Four” in U.S. schools for learning how to grow vineyards and
produce wine at the highest level. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Fly into wine country to <b>Tri Cities Airport</b> in Pasco, an expanding regional airport just a
short, one-hour flight from Seattle. The airport has many connections from
airports in the western United States.
Some of the airlines allow you to check through cases of wines for
free. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">A visit to Tri-Cities and the surrounding
wineries enlivens the senses, captures your heart and makes you long for the
day when you can plan another visit. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; line-height: 14.2667px;">CAPTIONS (from top): Red Mountain, one of America's most widely respected wine growing regions; Summer concerts at Maryhill Winery; Milbrandt Vineyards tasting room at Vintner's Village in Prosser; The tasting room and Fiction Restaurant at J. Bookwalter Wines; Grape stomp in Tri-Cities wine country; St. Michelle Wine Estates WSU Wine Science Center; Hot Air Balloon Festival provides views of wine country</span><br />
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<b style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 21.56px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; line-height: 14.2667px;">Republished and expanded from Delta </span><i style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; line-height: 14.2667px;">Sky</i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; line-height: 14.2667px;">, May 2016, </span><i style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; line-height: 14.2667px;">The Wine Traveler</i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; line-height: 14.2667px;"> </span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00420027957973522027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2713929476046166168.post-23532832983033372822016-07-01T10:11:00.000-07:002016-07-01T10:11:00.977-07:00A Toast to the Central Coast of California<br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px; line-height: 14.2667px;"><b>A SHINING STAR IN CALIFORNIA'S WINE CONSTELLATION</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">The drive between Los Angeles and San Francisco is about 7 hours. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In between these cities, lies one of the most
beautiful stretches of wine country that you can find in the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The gateway to central coast wine country is
the Pacific Coast Highway (ocean side) or “the 101" (inland) as it’s called in these parts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you find serenity in wine country the scenic
wine trails in Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Monterey counties are well
worth exploring.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">Pick a month, any month to tour wine country on the Central Coast.<b> </b>The weather doesn't change much all four seasons except for high heat in the summers where the Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfindel thrive. It's always a good time to set out and visit. Central coast wine country destinations continue to gain
notoriety around the world, becoming one of the Golden State’s most popular
tourism destinations with more visitors each year than San Diego, according to <i>Visit California</i>.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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County</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">It seems to me that most people outside the state seem to know
four places in California:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Los Angeles,
San Francisco, San Diego and Santa Barbara.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Santa Barbara is called the “American Riviera” where cruise ships
disembark and tourists come for the beachside resort community. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">Not everyone seems to know that 45 minutes north of Santa Barbara,
<strong>wine country begins with the Santa Ynez Valley</strong>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Miles and miles of vineyards come into view for another five hours of
cruising on this highway, along with rolling mountain ranges and coastal
views.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">There are five wine trails in Santa Barbara County, home to over
170 wineries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have often visited, the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Foxen Canyon Wine Trail</b> which takes you
out of the city and deep into wine country with exceptional tasting rooms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">The region has become a famous for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines.
However as one of the coolest wine growing regions in California, over 20
different types of wine grapes are cultivated here. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Wine
Ghetto </b>in Lompoc and the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Funk Zone</b>
in Santa Barbara have popped up in recent years to give visitors a unique wine
tasting experience.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">Santa Barbara offers a full range of hotels and accommodations to
fit any travel lifestyle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can venture
into small wine country inns such as the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Fess
Parker Inn</b> in <strong>Los Olivos</strong> or the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Santa
Ynez Inn</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The quaint towns of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Santa Maria, Buellton, and Solvang</b> can
be relaxing overnight stopovers with wine and craft beers native to the region
offered to those who are inclined to drink local.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">Two Nights in San Luis
Obispo County</span></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkWp46UNWCtc8DTPC-Lg_AnhxuIDv73_gaJMg5niAdz0BIsSPlkuYZnfnfY5belhmHbYSxIGub0fE5Ro7-iU2rdmfkK6LV2Ik0kLnY-t8Ai4Og2aFmNGIv7KbSS_k_HA4-rX0aolpdfSCh/s1600/Edna+Valley_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkWp46UNWCtc8DTPC-Lg_AnhxuIDv73_gaJMg5niAdz0BIsSPlkuYZnfnfY5belhmHbYSxIGub0fE5Ro7-iU2rdmfkK6LV2Ik0kLnY-t8Ai4Og2aFmNGIv7KbSS_k_HA4-rX0aolpdfSCh/s320/Edna+Valley_.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">SLO County (as you can call it) is the halfway stop between LA and
SF.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">With more than 280 wineries, it is California’s fastest growing
wine region. I have never seen congested traffic when traveling on the wine
country roads in SLO County.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That
doesn’t mean people aren’t coming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
tasting rooms are always occupied. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s still
undiscovered by some measure and frankly it takes a little more effort to reach
these beautiful wineries that are about 3 hours from the big cities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">In the middle of the state, SLO feels like quintessential
California. The wineries have prospered located next to one of the most highly
regarded wine and viticulture programs in the world at <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Cal Poly. </b><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">SLO Wine</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;"> near the town of San Luis Obispo is one of the must-see wine
trails in America with fewer than 25 wineries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The wineries boast an average distance of just five miles from the
ocean, which in turn yields remarkable wines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Wineries are on the seafront side of the Santa Lucia mountain range
where you can enjoy stunning views from the tasting rooms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">Traveling north from San Luis Obispo over a mountain pass lies <b>Paso
Robles</b>. Paso Robles was discovered as one of the great new wine regions of the
world about 40 years ago with soil and climate that is ideal for growing
vineyards. </span><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">That’s not a secret to wine drinkers in
California. Since the region is dominated by boutique wineries, you almost have
to come here to taste some of the best wines.</span><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">Popular hotels such as <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Apple
Farm</b> in SLO and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">La Quinta</b> in
Paso Robles act as ambassadors for the region with complimentary wine tastings
for guests in the afternoons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For a true
wine country experience, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Biddle Ranch</b>
and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Justin</b> are among the wineries
that offer accommodations on their property.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">Two Nights in Monterey
County<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">The first time I visited the coast of Monterey County I could only
describe it as Shangri-La.</span><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">There are so
many places of earthly paradise such as Carmel By-The-Sea, Pebble Beach and Big
Sur. The northern most region of the Central Coast, Monterey County attracts
visitors for everything from whale watching to golf. Many include trips to some
of the 80 wineries in the region.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">I chose to have a guided, educational tour, with <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ag Venture Tours</b> to learn how Monterey
County is known as “America’s Salad Bowl.” </span><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">A large majority of the salad greens consumed in
the U.S. are grown within this region</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;"> due to the leafy crops
which share the land with the vineyards.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">Carmel Valley Road takes you to a village that is home to 20
tasting rooms. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Cima Collina</b>, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Bernardus</b>
and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Talbott</b> are but a few.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Farm-to-table restaurants and art galleries enhance
the neighborhood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Carmel-By-The-Sea</b> has luxury inns, art galleries and tasting rooms,
all within a short stroll of the coastline.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">Venturing into the vineyards, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Hahn
Estate</b> provides a stunning view of the Santa Lucia Highlands as you enjoy a
glass of Pinot Noir or Chardonnay in their tasting room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of the most well-known wine producers
in California, such as <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">J. Lohr</b> got
their start in Monterey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">Just two hours from San Francisco, Monterey is growing in
popularity as a first-choice wine country destination for many Bay Area
residents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">90+ scores from wine critics are most common among the cast of
wineries along the central coast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
tasting room fees range from free to $15.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The wines are not the most expensive from California just among the most
hard-to-find until you visit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">You can fly into Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Santa Maria or Monterey to commercial airports. I often travel on Amtrak. Or pack up for a nice, long drive between LA or SF. Taste and tour for yourself through this prime offering of California's abundant bounty of wine.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px; line-height: 14.2667px;">CAPTIONS (from top): Santa Barbara County Vineyards; Santa Ynez Valley in Santa Barbara County; downtown Los Olivos; Edna Valley along the SLO Wine Trail; Chamisal on the SLO Wine Trail is renowned for their Pinot Noir; Pismo Beach has wine and waves; Halter Ranch Vineyards in Paso Robles; Hahn Estates vineyards in Monterey County; Bernardus Winery patio in Carmel Valley</span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; line-height: 14.2667px;">Republished from Delta </span><i style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; line-height: 14.2667px;">Sky</i><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; line-height: 14.2667px;">, September 2015, </span><i style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; line-height: 14.2667px;">The Wine Traveler</i><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; line-height: 14.2667px;"> </span></b><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00420027957973522027noreply@blogger.com0J. Lohr Winery, Paso Robles36.5978891330702 -121.9921874999999410.277207633070198 -163.30078149999994 62.918570633070196 -80.683593499999944tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2713929476046166168.post-70297229264843049342016-06-04T09:35:00.000-07:002016-06-04T09:35:08.424-07:00KINDRED SPIRITS OF WINE<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-indent: -.25in;">
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<b><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16.8pt;">KINDRED SPIRITS OF WINE</span></b></div>
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<span style="line-height: 16.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Wine People of Traverse City, Michigan</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16.8pt;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16.8pt;">Take a priest, a carpenter, a pirate and what do you have? A sample of Traverse City’s remarkable
wine-growing community. </span><span style="color: #211f1f; font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16.8pt;">These individuals now
count themselves as some of the unique people who own wineries on Old Mission Peninsula in Traverse City, Michigan along the Great Lakes.</span><br />
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<b style="background-color: white; line-height: 16.8pt;"><span style="color: #211f1f; font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Carpenters/Bonobo
Winery</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #211f1f; font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Brothers Todd and Carter Oosterhouse are from Traverse City.
Todd moved to Texas to work in construction for 15 years. Carter landed in Los Angeles and works
construction and television. Carter has been
the host of national TV shows, including <i>Trading
Spaces</i> and <i>The Great Christmas Light
Fight.</i> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #211f1f; font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Meantime, their hometown’s reputation was growing as a wine and
culinary destination. They made a decision
to join the movement and returned to Old Mission Peninsula to open <b><a href="http://www.bonobowinery.com/">Bonobo Winery</a> </b>in 2015<b>. </b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #211f1f; font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">“We wanted to come back to our hometown and move the needle as a
mecca for food and wine, more than just a place where you come to play in the
sand,” says Todd. “We want to be as
authentic as possible, to show the wine world that Traverse City is a special
place and capture it in a bottle,” says Carter</span></div>
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<b style="line-height: 16.8pt;"><span style="color: #211f1f; font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> The Priest/Chateau
Chantal</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #211f1f; font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Bob Began and his wife Marie could write a book, “From Church,
to Cherries, to Chardonnay.” Bob, 81
started as a Seminary Priest and Marie was a Felician Nun in the Archdiocese of
Detroit, devoting over two decades to the church. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #211f1f; font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">While in their forties, their lives came together in marriage
and they welcomed a daughter, Marie in 1978.
Ready to leave city life, Bob
says he was “looking for land on the water.” He purchased a 65 acre cherry
orchard on Old Mission Peninsula which would eventually be the site of <b><a href="http://www.chateauchantal.com/">Chateau Chantal</a></b>. “The winery is elevated so we have beautiful
views of both bays,” says Began. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #211f1f; font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Memories of an earlier station in life remain with Began who
quoted the Bible, “I am the vine; you are the branches.” Today their daughter, Marie Chantal Dalese
has branched out to become the President & CEO of the winery. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUo7k-b3iNWpdeR-LX6oWtWKbvWr9vqr_hCKfpMxS94ly1PlFnB7yI1YaWjeFnhdJ1utjqzCWZ3lowgcCG8GucrXCW9YOZKsGnh3cIB9ZMvLjM21rR4yeOHcuHJGQYgaczsOkOR_M9YUG3/s1600/Lagina-Oak+Island.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUo7k-b3iNWpdeR-LX6oWtWKbvWr9vqr_hCKfpMxS94ly1PlFnB7yI1YaWjeFnhdJ1utjqzCWZ3lowgcCG8GucrXCW9YOZKsGnh3cIB9ZMvLjM21rR4yeOHcuHJGQYgaczsOkOR_M9YUG3/s320/Lagina-Oak+Island.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<b style="line-height: 16.8pt;"><span style="color: #211f1f; font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> The Pirates/Villa Mari
Vineyards</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #211f1f; font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Lagina Brothers, Marty and Rick, will soon open <a href="https://www.marivineyards.com/"><b>Villa</b> <b>Mari Vineyards</b></a>, the most anticipated new winery in Traverse City,
perhaps in history. When they are not
working on Villa Mari, you can see them looking for buried treasure on “Curse
of Oak Island” on <i>History Channel</i>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #211f1f; font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The television show is the pursuit of something that fascinated
them as boys, according to Marty. The
investment in a winery on Old Mission Peninsula is a different type of treasure
hunt. “When I realized grapes could be
grown on the southern Peninsula, with the same sunlight as Bordeaux without the
heat, we started growing,” says Marty. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #211f1f; font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The brand new tasting room, winery facility and underground
caverns will be open in late spring.
“It’s an Italian design and looks like it could come from Tuscany,”
Lagina says. To this day, Marty says he speaks Italian to the grapes so they think they are in Italy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #211f1f; font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Dad Rock/Ciccone
Vineyards & Winery<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #211f1f; font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">On my first trip to Traverse City to visit wineries, someone
mentioned in almost hushed tones, “Madonna’s parents own a winery here.” That would be the Ciccone family, owners of <b><a href="http://www.cicconevineyard.com/">Ciccone Vineyards & Winery</a></b> on
Leelanau Peninsula.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #211f1f; font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The pop superstar, <a href="http://www.madonna.com/">Madonna</a> is the oldest of eight children. Today, Tony and Joan Ciccone enjoy a wine
country lifestyle as owners of a popular winery on Leelanau Peninsula. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #211f1f; font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Photos (top down) Todd and Carter Oosterhouse building Bonobo Winery; Bob Began at Chateau
Chantel; Marty & Rick Lagina, the new Villa Mari Vineyards Madonna's dad, Tony Ciccone</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Republished from Delta <i>Sky</i>, May 2016 with edits. <i>The Wine Traveler. </i></span></div>
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<b>OTHER PHOTOS FOR THIS STORY</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitS1e8flUgALmbFhVS1bhabxjlzMJVyciZbEebfJX83AHEptD1mQ43InZWFCdbzXBAn16yzolIHraxVGW4zI0rikakwmLkiEJ850xhRgpWCiBoBqjF29m6c9qp8-jGDul_S1idu_wI271E/s1600/Bonoboaerial.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitS1e8flUgALmbFhVS1bhabxjlzMJVyciZbEebfJX83AHEptD1mQ43InZWFCdbzXBAn16yzolIHraxVGW4zI0rikakwmLkiEJ850xhRgpWCiBoBqjF29m6c9qp8-jGDul_S1idu_wI271E/s320/Bonoboaerial.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Todd and Carter Oosterhouse had some help but the brothers can say they built Bonobo Winery. It's fantastic inside and out. </b><br />
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<b>Chateau Chantal's patio overlooks the water on both sides of the Leelanau Peninsula. </b></div>
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<b>Local cheeses at Cicccone Vineyards. The Madonna labeled wine is sold out. </b></div>
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<b><span id="goog_1105216066"></span><span id="goog_1105216067"></span>Villa Mari Winery will elevate the region's reputation as a wine destination, opening in 2016</b><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00420027957973522027noreply@blogger.com0United States44.087585028245179 -84.37518.565550528245179 -125.683594 69.609619528245176 -43.066406tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2713929476046166168.post-49406808151575742562015-01-29T17:15:00.000-08:002015-01-29T17:15:17.805-08:00A Toast to Sky Mall<span style="font-family: Calibri;">On my recent cross country flights over the holidays in
December I had many hours to pass the time while up in the air.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It didn’t dawn on me until several weeks later
that I didn’t see a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sky Mall</i> magazine
in the planes.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Who hasn’t been on an airplane without leafing through the
pages of<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> Sky Mall</i>?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was easily found 12 inches from your
knees in the seat pocket in front of you, featuring a huge variety of products
ranging from home decorating to dog pampering to colorful rain boots.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It was reported last week that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sky Mall</i> has filed for bankruptcy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Three of the largest airlines in the U.S. (Delta, US Air and American)
all ended their distribution contracts with the publisher last fall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a pity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">One of the long term advertisers in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sky Mall</i> has been the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">California
Wine Club</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We were in it pretty
much since it launched” says California Wine Club General Manager, Gerri Lin
Baker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She recalls that when they
started it was during the time that the seat back in front of you was equipped
with a built-in telephone specifically with the intention of placing an order
from the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sky Mall</i> catalogue. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Operators were standing by! Now that's what I call a business model. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I enjoyed checking out <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sky Mall</i> even if my reaction to some of the doodads was for
amusement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since my occupation and
vocation focuses on wine and travel these days, I thought this might be an
appropriate time to give some attention to the wine-related accessories that
graced the pages of this catalogue during its many years of spanning the globe
with millions of travelers from all over the world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A HOLIDAY GIFT of GREAT TASTE!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The California Wine
Club</span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></b><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></b> </div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://www.californiawineclub.com/">The California Wine Club</a> is a
family-owned, first rate wine club and very successful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They specialize in bottles of wine from California’s best “mom and pop”
wineries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> They were always on page 3. Monthly gift packages start at $49.95</span></span><br />
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">ENJOY THE DELICIOUS FLAVOR OF 10 YEARS OF AGING IN JUST A
FEW SECONDS<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Vintage Express Wine
Aging Accelerator</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></b> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Extremely powerful Neodymium magnets realign particles in
beverages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So wine in a glass shows
noticeable improvement in just a few minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The longer a beverage remains in the Vintage Express, the greater the
effect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>$59.99<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">ADD YEARS OF FLAVOR AND BALANCE TO WINE IN ONLY 10 SECONDS<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Vintage Express Rack</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-r-_tYlCdbBhWfktKQtghjET1xpG1SbpCjSXWOs8eYAZ-XOKn2Eu0uIlz7keV4RiYLO0ukDKCV5ymb_8pNDWhS6sV840NvDMQVGpgCTp8SeLzhR2TT3vsOnd2THnI_i_1TC86tYYAMs5t/s1600/VintageExpressRackAddYearsofFlavor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-r-_tYlCdbBhWfktKQtghjET1xpG1SbpCjSXWOs8eYAZ-XOKn2Eu0uIlz7keV4RiYLO0ukDKCV5ymb_8pNDWhS6sV840NvDMQVGpgCTp8SeLzhR2TT3vsOnd2THnI_i_1TC86tYYAMs5t/s1600/VintageExpressRackAddYearsofFlavor.jpg" height="263" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This five bottle rack transforms inexpensive red and white
wines in premium vintages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Powerful
magnets are built in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No moving parts,
no batteries required and no additives needed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>$99.99<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">HAND BLOWN, EASY CLEANING, DISH WASHER SAFE AERATING WINE
GLASS<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Aerating Wine
Glass by Chevalier </span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjW4DomwX6bWkQ8xniEeWhZMFbliyu0q7l1rSbkMGgN24yC-lPvyQq9wqqlfJHBvuOyoV8jEUBanrTqxf9dGyPcmr0jUiykvAJzHF7OFXgeqCOmToHvXlgeCijImGeVRZfgo8H2hS9Q7Z7/s1600/18024a_Set-of-Two-Chevalier-Aerating-Wine-Glasses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjW4DomwX6bWkQ8xniEeWhZMFbliyu0q7l1rSbkMGgN24yC-lPvyQq9wqqlfJHBvuOyoV8jEUBanrTqxf9dGyPcmr0jUiykvAJzHF7OFXgeqCOmToHvXlgeCijImGeVRZfgo8H2hS9Q7Z7/s1600/18024a_Set-of-Two-Chevalier-Aerating-Wine-Glasses.jpg" height="320" width="295" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Simply pour into the aerating cell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The shower effect is laboratory proven to
aerate your wine, enhancing its bouquet of flavors and aromas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>$19.95<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p></o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">YOU CAN’T NOT DECANT!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Eve Decanter by
Riedel</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJxzVfrblvS7WAmYyP_3VFmqcd_e9QZ7JwcDjkxHb2-D1okXagCqd7a7BaO5Vs-IkUWWNQiCZ54OED2frbq4lmHQQ9KLb7nGKkujAJ9pnfs_HFkW2Do6E7IL4VQ8f_dMYImFVcNUYxARLv/s1600/Eve+Decanter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJxzVfrblvS7WAmYyP_3VFmqcd_e9QZ7JwcDjkxHb2-D1okXagCqd7a7BaO5Vs-IkUWWNQiCZ54OED2frbq4lmHQQ9KLb7nGKkujAJ9pnfs_HFkW2Do6E7IL4VQ8f_dMYImFVcNUYxARLv/s1600/Eve+Decanter.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The sensuous, serpentine curves of Riedel’s lead crystal,
mouth blown Eve decanter are not only seductive but functional.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eve is a decanter that also speaks- it emits
a sound akin to the gurgle of a King Cobra as the wine makes its trip through
the curvaceous swirl of glass. Exactly what does the “gurgle of a King Cobra”
sound like?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can find out for $445.95<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">WHEN YOU NEED A BREAK FROM WINE<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Beer Machine Brew
master</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-HoEpK6lHhl_rJ-KcFnlISBoKKEJ_loyoFnJGLtzVvDRlu097_Zod_009oT7dNrSJljd8EOjho1NsNa_boXBfh9R0iJ0iHYKKPOnjLkSmaAlKq59k1bEGOiZHpF40FUUpsJQ3YaoJ_7xF/s1600/The+BrewMaster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-HoEpK6lHhl_rJ-KcFnlISBoKKEJ_loyoFnJGLtzVvDRlu097_Zod_009oT7dNrSJljd8EOjho1NsNa_boXBfh9R0iJ0iHYKKPOnjLkSmaAlKq59k1bEGOiZHpF40FUUpsJQ3YaoJ_7xF/s1600/The+BrewMaster.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We all know it takes a lot of beer to make wine. This machine
will make 28-12 oz servings per batch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You get one beer mix, CO2 capsules, plus Bottling Kit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had my first homemade brew when I was in
England back in the 1970s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope the
process has improved since then.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>$120.00<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">BREATHE
TASTEFUL LIFE INTO YOUNG WINES<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Magic Coaster</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgVhgY-abAk7nhl8Td7wVPz9b9ZiOp2f1NXhQuNZalWG1ow1PVyphBhxCxmsWY4z16fB3rjc3cgLBhtZwAnvP4CrOfgm6OszA86ZjVpjxKU9bny_6f3_cvRQX8vXWUZ7Erx11cbvnJa70u/s1600/AgingAccellorator.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgVhgY-abAk7nhl8Td7wVPz9b9ZiOp2f1NXhQuNZalWG1ow1PVyphBhxCxmsWY4z16fB3rjc3cgLBhtZwAnvP4CrOfgm6OszA86ZjVpjxKU9bny_6f3_cvRQX8vXWUZ7Erx11cbvnJa70u/s1600/AgingAccellorator.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></b><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“We Will
Sell No Wine Before Its Time” intoned Orson Wells on a Paul Masson TV commercial
back in the day when you could smoke on an airplane<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>However, why wait for aging with the Vintage
Express Aging Accelerator for Wine, Whiskey, Scotch Bourbon, Tequila or any
other liquor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It ages beverages 10 years
in 10 seconds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>AS SEEN ON TV <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">FOR THE
WINERY DOG<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Go-Go Dog Pals</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBmCuuBSmY2_NgYQTGp2sOUBdzSnCQoxIpbCR422bWhB3zp7Sy8CaqiKjRJuVcp4rr1gHPmBWKGtqJ0-EI4yJ27z3Y9HYlKhagRrD79nDOgxDHXr1WCoRuxrQQsi-NA46Hz7J1Z_UQaJ7n/s1600/Go-Go+Dog+Pal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBmCuuBSmY2_NgYQTGp2sOUBdzSnCQoxIpbCR422bWhB3zp7Sy8CaqiKjRJuVcp4rr1gHPmBWKGtqJ0-EI4yJ27z3Y9HYlKhagRrD79nDOgxDHXr1WCoRuxrQQsi-NA46Hz7J1Z_UQaJ7n/s1600/Go-Go+Dog+Pal.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></b><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This is a
remote control toy to get your dog to exercise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Now the fun can be shared by the dogs <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">and </i>their owners. Give your winery dog a good chase for $299.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">WHAT A GREAT HAIR RAISING IDEA!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Flair Hair Visor</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFdxAR_4khERsOFl_Uab9sGNQGLFu7L_UEBhAXy9bweHYXR2Gvq-buRQp0hGlt_HGL-6zS3Sw8iM9XvQThhbzJLhYF8dsK4oHf06YV2bcMom7VReJNoaKpCAM1xrm6NjgrjSHZJZZTGGa6/s1600/FlairHairVisor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFdxAR_4khERsOFl_Uab9sGNQGLFu7L_UEBhAXy9bweHYXR2Gvq-buRQp0hGlt_HGL-6zS3Sw8iM9XvQThhbzJLhYF8dsK4oHf06YV2bcMom7VReJNoaKpCAM1xrm6NjgrjSHZJZZTGGa6/s1600/FlairHairVisor.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">If you are a guy who enjoys wine touring and tasting on a sunny day <em>and</em> you are bald, the Flair Hair Visor could be just for you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The visor with a built-in ‘doo is a great
gift idea for the man who has everything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Machine wash; air dry. $19.99</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The hair visor and the dog pal are a stretch as a wine accoutrement but I couldn't resist. It's just a reminder of one of the many flavors of <em>Sky Mall</em>. Almost all of the businesses that were promoting themselves in the catalogue are still in business. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Salute! <em>Sky Mall</em>....we enjoyed your company up in the air. </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00420027957973522027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2713929476046166168.post-91441997728679376392014-11-19T17:02:00.000-08:002014-11-19T17:02:58.679-08:00Global Wine Tourism Awards Announced<h2>
Global Wine Destinations Celebrated in Mendoza</h2>
Mendoza, Argentina hosted the annual gathering of the <a href="http://greatwinecapitals.com/">Great Wine Capitals Global Network</a> where the <strong>Best of Wine Tourism</strong> awards were announced.<br />
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The GWC is a network of some of the world's leading wine-producing areas created to promote international practices in wine tourism. The awards are judged by a panel of experts in tourism, food, hospitality, architecture, landscape gardening and culture. In all, 343 applicants were received this year.<br />
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And the winners are....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF-M2xcc8_mblF1kt-EiUrEjpgfMxs2ZXh6muC1kJpgFVwy3xDFT5SR7HJ-znoOq18eAP5VbZPlyQrFtRYqfIxRMSBfvUyAWenCc1PRzlWoJztOrLXnZTv0EycNjHBJWo-tv-Qah1-iV7-/s1600/%23Bodegas.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF-M2xcc8_mblF1kt-EiUrEjpgfMxs2ZXh6muC1kJpgFVwy3xDFT5SR7HJ-znoOq18eAP5VbZPlyQrFtRYqfIxRMSBfvUyAWenCc1PRzlWoJztOrLXnZTv0EycNjHBJWo-tv-Qah1-iV7-/s1600/%23Bodegas.png" height="228" width="320" /></a></div>
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<strong>From Spain</strong>: Rioja's historic <strong>Bodegas Marques de Murrieta</strong>, for its splendid restoration of Ygay Castle founded in 1852 and built by Luciano Murrieta, the first owner and driving force of this iconic winery.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDYqBOJ-RUj61RIbXeyD_7vlkn615U7AnkSLqfiMvsvvdjmH6YVQAhAAh-dX33I5EwWWosNU8Y17eFje-307Dmy_TmI6iZLrxUQgbtpQ_C-7agCXLTKpupnSx89_qp1PL_uauvOqswqW6v/s1600/%232ChateauLaCroizille.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDYqBOJ-RUj61RIbXeyD_7vlkn615U7AnkSLqfiMvsvvdjmH6YVQAhAAh-dX33I5EwWWosNU8Y17eFje-307Dmy_TmI6iZLrxUQgbtpQ_C-7agCXLTKpupnSx89_qp1PL_uauvOqswqW6v/s1600/%232ChateauLaCroizille.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<strong>From France</strong>: The St. Emillion estate, <strong>Chateau La Croizille</strong>, for the eye-catching architecture of its new cellar and magnificent reception room in the stylish modern building which can accommodate up to 100 people.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAJoS-SDpScJ6yOf8hUU8ld2uy54ksifz-5MdkNLCsHjYezw6v1E1q98hBPvoObTko4Wf0OKSBsk8_ZpbNzpX1GzFgjaim4KE71oFwktABJK2l01UOEL0GzCidVAVJMOZNYuJY9cs-aXir/s1600/%233SouthAfrica.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAJoS-SDpScJ6yOf8hUU8ld2uy54ksifz-5MdkNLCsHjYezw6v1E1q98hBPvoObTko4Wf0OKSBsk8_ZpbNzpX1GzFgjaim4KE71oFwktABJK2l01UOEL0GzCidVAVJMOZNYuJY9cs-aXir/s1600/%233SouthAfrica.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
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<strong>From South Africa</strong>: <strong>Waterford Estate</strong> in Stellenbosch, famed for service excellence, in a destination estate, offering a variety of informative, authentic, fun and innovative tasting options.<br />
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<strong>From Germany</strong>: The 17th-generation at <strong>Weingut Dr Hinkel</strong> in Framershein for its most innovative approach where the winery regularly offers color-wine tasting in its specifically equipped wine event room.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1RpNcB4C3_jggdY49Zxavf47SELFVhyphenhyphen5b0XvBWRFSl1qIa7EBJ8waDR-nwnxPkdCax31wsPWf7dxNjw9_NVa37Bcj_RVxJsflw_DcpysgiP8FCuyl2l7CwO-WPdFexsZy_hFWs_o3wKsm/s1600/%235Argentina2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1RpNcB4C3_jggdY49Zxavf47SELFVhyphenhyphen5b0XvBWRFSl1qIa7EBJ8waDR-nwnxPkdCax31wsPWf7dxNjw9_NVa37Bcj_RVxJsflw_DcpysgiP8FCuyl2l7CwO-WPdFexsZy_hFWs_o3wKsm/s1600/%235Argentina2.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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<strong>From Argentina</strong>: <strong>Trapiche</strong>, which is Argentina's biggest wine producer and a multi-award winner as well as one of the first Argentine wineries to enter the international scene.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSk2t2spx6lPYI0QrOppFw9zqc9YApIhIzuDCVUHoureGMr5wFoQMGZRwUWouLVyNM8zgi_cqqLy3Tzp_Olly5nl8dfNykqXFS9GAyw8mwf3qVrHhpiqB4V2My7FTjbTM9LB4rPnOuFG-s/s1600/%236portugal2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSk2t2spx6lPYI0QrOppFw9zqc9YApIhIzuDCVUHoureGMr5wFoQMGZRwUWouLVyNM8zgi_cqqLy3Tzp_Olly5nl8dfNykqXFS9GAyw8mwf3qVrHhpiqB4V2My7FTjbTM9LB4rPnOuFG-s/s1600/%236portugal2.jpg" height="215" width="320" /></a></div>
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<strong>From Portugal</strong>: The highly rated <strong>Museu do Douro-Museu de Territorio</strong> whose objective is to represent the Douro Demarcated Region's natural and cultural heritage designated World Heritage by UNESCO.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmqfvS-hLeiCHSEsDH1WfFAfODu4iji6x1o4Or0ItmJVpjDGkNgp_gsMYsvG0xf6WVxV1smAZofjkdKOJpwBTPsKg4KYzQ8IKonXr1nMxFc7scTqXl7v0I3cOj9SkQP7iMXN3SkLgbTNtx/s1600/Hall-WIne-Napa-Art-Tour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmqfvS-hLeiCHSEsDH1WfFAfODu4iji6x1o4Or0ItmJVpjDGkNgp_gsMYsvG0xf6WVxV1smAZofjkdKOJpwBTPsKg4KYzQ8IKonXr1nMxFc7scTqXl7v0I3cOj9SkQP7iMXN3SkLgbTNtx/s1600/Hall-WIne-Napa-Art-Tour.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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<strong>From USA</strong>: The acclaimed <strong>Hall Wines</strong> of the Napa Valley where visitors are invited to explore the Gold Leed Certified state-of-the-art hospitality center and winery, the renovated historic Bergfeld Winery, and expansive art collection.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNiUMEwAE4wH6tRVOUTCHVgJ65CqJx18R0OspvasHTTENSxl5ha45IspA3oIqq-d6QRkgiv2bk_l02moljlH-HYO2VtAIb9_6VP9oJ1Iq1D1xbAXJufbO5WEzVAYDv4zuIcAhin_B3SCw8/s1600/Chile2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNiUMEwAE4wH6tRVOUTCHVgJ65CqJx18R0OspvasHTTENSxl5ha45IspA3oIqq-d6QRkgiv2bk_l02moljlH-HYO2VtAIb9_6VP9oJ1Iq1D1xbAXJufbO5WEzVAYDv4zuIcAhin_B3SCw8/s1600/Chile2.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<strong>From Chile</strong>: Casablanca Valley Restaurant <strong>Macerado at Vinamar</strong> aims to create an intense and enjoyable harmony between cuisine and sparkling wine, a careful task that embodies the Vinamar Spirit.<br />
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The eight international winners were announced during the GWC conference on November 6 at the <a href="http://bodegalostoneles.com/en/turismo/">Bodega Los Toneles</a> in Mendoza, Argentina. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00420027957973522027noreply@blogger.com1United States33.498899154155126 -118.346443176269537.9768646541551256 -159.65503717626953 59.020933654155129 -77.037849176269532tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2713929476046166168.post-4131813754123066202014-04-28T11:38:00.000-07:002014-04-28T12:10:38.224-07:00Cab Proclaimed King in Paso Robles
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">There is a new wine movement taking
place in Central California.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
movement is to designate Paso Robles, California as the most promising region
in the world for producing Cabernet Sauvignon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It is a rather bold initiative that was founded in the last
two years leading to the formation of the <a href="http://www.pasoroblescab.com/"><em>Cab Collective</em></a>, a group of Paso Robles wineries that is focusing on small
production, elite Cabernets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Paso Robles is located almost midway between Los Angeles and
San Francisco.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Cabs of
Distinction </i>four-day event invited media, sommeliers, and consumers to Paso
Robles April 23-26 for several days of tastings, winery visits, and discussion
about why Paso Robles should be recognized as one of the leading terroirs for
Bordeaux style wines. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXVE89o7x3FSjLLf_CCzrm917DbcHutQQJExr9jZdrJyAbGC7NQEdqlz2B9hscyBy5G8qZZMUepjrc62w7ZVmpoFPZhS2HvD9L2H16FO2GPkLMOOUu3Ywj-9yL29Eorz1YVijagEZ0-C7s/s1600/BarrelTaste.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXVE89o7x3FSjLLf_CCzrm917DbcHutQQJExr9jZdrJyAbGC7NQEdqlz2B9hscyBy5G8qZZMUepjrc62w7ZVmpoFPZhS2HvD9L2H16FO2GPkLMOOUu3Ywj-9yL29Eorz1YVijagEZ0-C7s/s1600/BarrelTaste.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.pasoroblesinn.com/">The Paso Robles Inn</a> hosted several wine tastings </div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Paso Robles AVA (Agriculture Viticulture Area) is 617,000
acres, which is larger than Napa and Sonoma County combined.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>26,000 vineyard acres are planted so there
is room for major expansion as long as it rains every couple years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Winemakers are hoping that the forecast for El
Nino rains will hold true in 2015 following a well documented drought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wineries took their first steps into Cabernet in the 1960s
and 1970s in Paso Robles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Cabernet Sauvignon remains the leading variety for the Paso Robles
appellation, accounting for 38 percent of the regions planted wine grape
acreage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wineries from Temecula,
California to Texas continue to source the region for grapes and juice to
produce their own wines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">However, the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Cab
Collective</i> members are changing the focus from crop farming of vineyards to
more controlled viticulture practices.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“We discovered through sampling over several years we could control
quality,” says Michael Mooney, owner and winemaker at <a href="http://www.chateaumargene.com/">Chateau Margene</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a fifth generation Californian, Mooney
settled on his vineyard property in 1997 and is continuing to discover the
potential of the region for higher-end Cab production.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We are hyper vigilant in our process,” said
Mooney.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Barrel, New Release & Library tastings were offered to guests</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">David Parish, owner and winemaker at <a href="http://www.parrishvineyards.com/">Parrish Family Vineyards</a>in Paso Robles worked for 20 years with Robert Mondavi <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>planting vineyards in Napa Valley.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He chose to establish his own winery in Paso
Robles based upon the conditions he feels are most important for growing wine
grapes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Parish says the region offers an
ideal climate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I feel Paso Robles is
like the Goldilocks area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not too
hot and it’s not too cold,” says Parish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He also sights other contributing factors that are highly favorable to
growing Cabernet Sauvignon related to water, soil, and the abundance of
south/southwest facing slopes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">At the forefront of this movement is Daniel Daou, proprietor
and winemaker at the relatively new <a href="http://www.daouvineyards.com/">DAOU Vineyards & Winery</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He came to Paso Robles with a colorful life
history.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He carries a scar of from a war
injury in his youth in Lebanon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He and
his brother, Georges grew up in France.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They came to San Diego for their college education. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As an engineer he and his brother founded a
successful high tech company that went public.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This business success staked him to pursue a lifelong dream, to become a
farmer and winemaker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Daou Winery was
founded on the highest elevation in the region (2200 feet) and the beautifully
designed tasting room has quickly become well known for its magnificent vistas
of the Paso Robles wine region.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQd9kPwEoLgt4cSVlWf4xY7EMKz4WBnZ0O9AvYWgr5ypxIDiRPpLMryd6F7Lsg9UIqFd-qpX3ucccrf00RNS7VZs-fFjzhC7eYVPpC8pKdeBqRBxYchxOsMjAGEqd_Rz_KwiIWm6VzAG_C/s1600/DanielDaou.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQd9kPwEoLgt4cSVlWf4xY7EMKz4WBnZ0O9AvYWgr5ypxIDiRPpLMryd6F7Lsg9UIqFd-qpX3ucccrf00RNS7VZs-fFjzhC7eYVPpC8pKdeBqRBxYchxOsMjAGEqd_Rz_KwiIWm6VzAG_C/s1600/DanielDaou.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Daniel Daou, of DAOU Vineyards and Winery</div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The brothers were looking for a vineyard location that was
reminiscent of where they grew up in France.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They also came in search of the right kind of soils for producing high
end wine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When they came to Paso Robles
they found a new home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It was love at
first sight,” said Daou.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Daou feels Paso Robles began a transformation 7 years ago
that was similar to a great revolution that occurred in Napa in the 1990’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like Napa, Paso winemakers began to
transition to a Bordeaux style planting. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They also began to source higher end
clones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“What we are doing now in Paso is we are starting to tap
into the potential of what this terroir can do,” said Daou.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He says that Paso Robles is just beginning to
recognize that it is a wine region where great things can happen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s like we had a Ferrari that we were
driving at 50 miles per hour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today, we
are actually thinking it can go 200 miles per hour,” he said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With a greater focus on quality he feels
that winemakers in the region are starting to “put the pedal to the metal” with
high performance results from many wineries.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Paso Robles Cabs also have a characteristic which is not
found in some of the old world wine regions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The wines are accessible to the marketplace at a young age.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Consumers don’t have to wait 10-15 years for
the wines to offer splendid results.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Daou is now producing Cabs that are aged 24 months in French Oak barrels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His two-year old Cabs were sold out in two
weeks for $100 per bottle directly through the tasting room, without the
exercise of garnering high wine scores.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Paso is able to achieve the correct ripeness almost year to
year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So what you are tasting in Paso as
a ripe wine is more reminiscent of a 1982 Bordeaux,” says Daou. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Paso Robles
has long been recognized as an excellent point of origin for wines from
California.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Winemakers such as Jerry
Lohr at <a href="http://www.jlohr.com/">J. Lohr Vineyards & Wine</a>, Gary Eberle at <a href="http://www.eberlewinery.com/">Eberle Winery</a>and Doug
Beckett at <a href="http://www.peachycanyon.com/">Peachy Canyon</a> have had their hands in the dirt in Paso Robles for several
decades before the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Cab Collective</i> was
declared a legitimate designation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All
three of these heritage wineries from the region have signed on as members of
the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Cab Collective</i>.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitzVIQy69bEaPA2jU-dYbO2-F7XLqFcPxkkODsJoWi_k_o0sqledPM2guvay8JlLktyYScgwmHS6TbLipVYzNcSGtqBzsZ0aBVE2umz1JICQaEIatPeQdhrE4wR4wH9j-oFaH7qf1Lde0o/s1600/CynthiaLohr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitzVIQy69bEaPA2jU-dYbO2-F7XLqFcPxkkODsJoWi_k_o0sqledPM2guvay8JlLktyYScgwmHS6TbLipVYzNcSGtqBzsZ0aBVE2umz1JICQaEIatPeQdhrE4wR4wH9j-oFaH7qf1Lde0o/s1600/CynthiaLohr.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Cynthia Lohr of J. Lohr Vineyards and Wine spoke to invited guests at the VIP BBQ </div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As the wine
industry has flourished in Paso Robles in the past ten years, emerging
winemakers are hoping to elevate the region’s reputation when it comes to
Cabernet Sauvignon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“In the past, Paso
Robles wineries were shy about selling a higher end bottle of cabernet,” said
Daou.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Cab Collective</i> members believe their wines can stand up with other
regions that have a larger and more long-standing reputation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bottles
showcased at the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Cabs of Distinction</i>
event included the 2012 Cask 4 from Chateau Margene ($75), 2010 Cab from
Parrish Family Vineyards ($50), 2010 Ancestor from <a href="http://www.halterranch.com/">Halter Ranch Vineyard</a>($50),
and 2010 Soul of a Lion from DAOU ($100).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Most of what
you find in Paso Robles is small, family owned wineries. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These are boutique wineries are successful in
their own right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>J. Lohr is the biggest
brand with distribution throughout North America and globally.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Without a major city nearby, the fan base for
Paso Robles is primarily in Central California.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Cab
Collective</i> hopes to expand its visibility and popularity through the
massive southern California markets of Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego
counties.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The town offers visitors a
quiet, rural, farm-to-table culture that is showing signs of growth with new
and expanding hotel options.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihMSa7IPW3TiuBwLUmlxTJ4F4KieMJFcT51vDzXJrk-keXc268UM_vGtmQPuTdVx49AmM7drcNgz3MKyBnKj9my8QBmmVTnPjvoRJP1RM7L-td8P6vA4byzfupCM5hWDsplHI0EZ6NKJcB/s1600/JustinVineyard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihMSa7IPW3TiuBwLUmlxTJ4F4KieMJFcT51vDzXJrk-keXc268UM_vGtmQPuTdVx49AmM7drcNgz3MKyBnKj9my8QBmmVTnPjvoRJP1RM7L-td8P6vA4byzfupCM5hWDsplHI0EZ6NKJcB/s1600/JustinVineyard.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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The newly renovated Justin Vineyards hosted VIP guests</div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Cabernet
Sauvignon is now the most popular red wine varietal in America, slightly ahead
of Merlot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Members of the <em>Cab Collective</em>
such as Daniel Parrish hope that consumers will focus their attention on Cabs
from Paso Robles regardless of the price point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Taste the wines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Evaluate for
yourself,” said Parrish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00420027957973522027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2713929476046166168.post-10154942803509337922014-03-05T17:23:00.000-08:002014-04-14T15:29:20.552-07:00World of Pinot Noir Reigns <br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After 13 years in San Luis Obispo County on California’s
central coast, organizers of <a href="http://www.wopn.com/"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">World of Pinot Noir</span></a> moved their event 60 miles south to Santa Barbara this
year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The 14<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> annual WOPN
wine event was staged at the <a href="http://www.bacararesort.com/"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Bacara Resort & Spa</span></a> just outside the city of Santa
Barbara in Goleta.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">One thing that would almost never have been predicted was
three days of rain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>California is
dealing with a well-publicized drought and Santa Barbara hasn’t seen rain in
almost eight months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a region
that is known for its never-ending ideal weather.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy42sxndMbTTo_LYP6_SE-8dxpVJdB8Ai2JtAKveMwxfstO12uvVK3LJtwAW1hJYz60eTTla_MZ_9i6Kr3-VKZMCDLJ0vH2TND0ZefAbWopkgniibe0cT0FuzHrEmH5q0d3YVcFTiE1eIA/s1600/WOPN+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy42sxndMbTTo_LYP6_SE-8dxpVJdB8Ai2JtAKveMwxfstO12uvVK3LJtwAW1hJYz60eTTla_MZ_9i6Kr3-VKZMCDLJ0vH2TND0ZefAbWopkgniibe0cT0FuzHrEmH5q0d3YVcFTiE1eIA/s1600/WOPN+015.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span> </div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The rain was celebrated by the winemakers and Californians.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For attendees and exhibitors it meant that
activities would be moved indoors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
the previous year at the Cliff’s Resort in Pismo Beach the Grand Tasting events
were under large white tents overlooking Shell Beach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The move indoors this year made for a
similar experience, albeit without the cooling ocean breezes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I was particularly drawn this year to the Pinot Noir wines
coming from Oregon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were 16 Oregon
wineries represented at WOPN this year, which seemed like an increase from the
past.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Considering that the Willamette
Valley is branding itself as one of the world’s premier Pinot Noir growing
regions, it seemed fitting to try and taste their wines instead of randomly
approaching the nearly 200 California wineries on hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>New Zealand, France and Spain were also
represented this year along with a return visit from Heart & Hands Winery
representing Finger Lakes, New York.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvbPkjHVF7Na5MQipnK8SG2gHiPLRwFThbtUwfGbqNtJM7HJTWvHJL6qQmqfhILXopO9rDtUisHISRV94NGPzf2zVWaxTLq9-dIc4I5kSvk4NnimuDFTginlEoeKCimap4D2Xv3hY0PUCe/s1600/WOPN+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvbPkjHVF7Na5MQipnK8SG2gHiPLRwFThbtUwfGbqNtJM7HJTWvHJL6qQmqfhILXopO9rDtUisHISRV94NGPzf2zVWaxTLq9-dIc4I5kSvk4NnimuDFTginlEoeKCimap4D2Xv3hY0PUCe/s1600/WOPN+011.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Willamette Valley and Oregon have a bit of an image
problem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Willamette rhymes with
Dammit,” explains Soter Vineyards National Sales Manager Michelle Cove.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Michelle travels nationally on behalf of
Soter and she often hears, “Is Oregon first or Washington first?” when
describing the upper left corner of America.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Oregon’s reputation for Pinot Noir is making gains at the same time that
the varietal is moving onward as one of the most popular red wine choices by
consumers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It was interesting to note that a handful of the Willamette
Valley wineries have their roots in Napa Valley.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Soter Vineyards, Brittan Vineyards,
Cornerstone Cellars, Pener Ash Wine-Cellars and Hamacher Wines all trace their
history to winemakers and growers who worked in Napa but migrated to the cooler
regions of Willamette Valley.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0B77pTkxO512TF2_ZzVjlJA1GMuTh8pBAZP3wTxyvHjGzAFo26-P_fuF2XNdIJu4wA_GRhJQcABMhnmvFXpOG7WnalIeXqe0CGx21wYnJXxtkHpGMWupyecDdv6Y7PQpYA-SO4Ekxo8Qi/s1600/WOPN+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0B77pTkxO512TF2_ZzVjlJA1GMuTh8pBAZP3wTxyvHjGzAFo26-P_fuF2XNdIJu4wA_GRhJQcABMhnmvFXpOG7WnalIeXqe0CGx21wYnJXxtkHpGMWupyecDdv6Y7PQpYA-SO4Ekxo8Qi/s1600/WOPN+016.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Craig Camp of Cornerstone remains in Napa with his original
winery but felt passionate that he needed to move north to produce world-class
Pinot Noir.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“When I see vineyards in
Napa that are growing Pinot Noir grapes right next to rows of Cabernet, I know
it isn’t the best,” said Camp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He feels
that the Willamette Valley is “one of the few perfect places on earth” to grow
Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As I was able to taste through the Oregon Pinot Noir
selections in the ballroom and media room, including Aberrant Cellars, Archery
Summit, Left Coast Cellars, and Trisaetum, I found myself using the descriptor
“elegant” quite often.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These beauties in
a bottle were exceptional wines that would rate a 92 in my book.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVLVKEzrAW0HXrud_O9w8U8ORPKGo5JcNFtkVcjX9pY9i6V8mO9tHjxmx2n9-B3AE0FE0Eg68XrhbLNG4f6zKT_7nvGzdX_LxDJnov5inA2BMfcK1XBKxc5Kk6Mc5DDR7y4STzrtJlgiNy/s1600/WOPN+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVLVKEzrAW0HXrud_O9w8U8ORPKGo5JcNFtkVcjX9pY9i6V8mO9tHjxmx2n9-B3AE0FE0Eg68XrhbLNG4f6zKT_7nvGzdX_LxDJnov5inA2BMfcK1XBKxc5Kk6Mc5DDR7y4STzrtJlgiNy/s1600/WOPN+013.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Organizers estimated that WOPN attracted 2,000 attendees
this year which may have included the trade and media.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Consumers seemed to enjoy themselves despite
the light rain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mike Reed from
Corralitos in Santa Cruz County, California <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>has been coming to WOPN for four years with a
group of about 20 friends and family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Oregon is a new frontier for us” said Reed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“When you spend $30 on a bottle in the store,
you would like to have a tasting first,” he advised.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had noted several of his favorites as he
made his way through the ballroom.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR6dkzwbM0ROhIbwKAc-ajzMMW7vRA-fiIWUPn-wlyBd_-sn2kITdTwQlDp7MxpHDhH3chv9f8amh49NGHUt9n4CLRAymrmAkJiH3UIBwKChH11vHhtV5zOxbpig_jQvMLLKmyx2V9ZTE9/s1600/WOPN+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR6dkzwbM0ROhIbwKAc-ajzMMW7vRA-fiIWUPn-wlyBd_-sn2kITdTwQlDp7MxpHDhH3chv9f8amh49NGHUt9n4CLRAymrmAkJiH3UIBwKChH11vHhtV5zOxbpig_jQvMLLKmyx2V9ZTE9/s1600/WOPN+002.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Bacara offered guests a $275 room rate if they were
attending WOPN for the weekend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There
were several seminars in the morning hours, including a discussion about the
parallels between Burgundy and Oregon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
screening of the movie “Sideways” was held in the Bacara Theater to celebrate
the film’s 10<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> Anniversary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A Silent Auction with rare wines was fetching bids as high as $300 per
bottle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were also winemaker
dinners on Friday and Saturday nights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Despite the rain and the logistics of moving to a new
location, World of Pinot Noir continues its reign as one of California’s
premier varietal-specific wine events.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">PHOTO CAPTIONS (top to bottom)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Pinot Noir tastings spread to the rotunda at the Bacara; Michelle Cover & friend pouring wines from Soter Vineyards from Oregon; Craig Camp of Cornerstone Cellars is passionate about the Pinot Noir from Willamette Valley; Sommerliers and media conducted self-guided tastings in a private room; C'est Cheese of Santa Barbara in the Grand Ballroom </span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00420027957973522027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2713929476046166168.post-26473399353310075112014-01-23T10:32:00.001-08:002014-01-23T11:00:23.549-08:00A Central California Jewel<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wine Country travel enlivens all of your senses and also
quiets your nerves at the same time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While
wine tasting takes center stage, the first thing noted at the Fess Parker Winery
& Vineyards and the companion Fess Parker Wine country Inn and Spa is your sense
of sound.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is quiet, except for a few
birds chirping and the friendly dogs greeting each other, as the sun rises over
the property’s home town of Los Olivos, California, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjItyESBh1AuskX0BvOhyphenhyphen_4KGo7yxtjx5kgqUF1y5tMw8b8_FTVweF72-uWQceJHE20DuKYc8QCIXpn3_E9Euw_SC9mUd_GnOYyoxX8BkJ5tp4pTu4bLsUr2G9lxfzXLI8ywUe8y_tKAeD/s1600/fess_parker_winery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjItyESBh1AuskX0BvOhyphenhyphen_4KGo7yxtjx5kgqUF1y5tMw8b8_FTVweF72-uWQceJHE20DuKYc8QCIXpn3_E9Euw_SC9mUd_GnOYyoxX8BkJ5tp4pTu4bLsUr2G9lxfzXLI8ywUe8y_tKAeD/s1600/fess_parker_winery.jpg" height="320" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Fess Parker Winery and Vineyards is described as the “Jewel
of Foxen Canyon Road” in the heart of Santa Barbara’s wine country.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tucked into the foothills overlooking the low
mountains of the Santa Ynez Valley, the winery tasting room is stylish and
sophisticated yet warm and approachable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Not only are you served by knowledgeable staff in the tasting room, the
winery also serves as an entertainment center with a picnic area and VIP Barrel
Room Lounge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> You can pack and picnic and enjoy the outdoors. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Fess Parker
was a well known actor who played Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone on successful
television shows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His family has
established properties that are now renowned in the region. In addition to the
winery and wine country inn, they also own the Fess Parker Double Tree-Hilton
Resort in Santa Barbara.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQZye_1fIyJ0BZz27YxGVqt1AFmMdm-T0zvfNLYtHTUdouQtQlNqodQ34LKlUAec6A_1QEWApYphYEE1Wa6y96lMEeVrT1UsEqlBBAgghsE-MsTR0rhQG5VSf0RKnatPMoBNrLBE3xHIPK/s1600/Pool+and+Ocean+View+cropped+for+square+Jpeg.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQZye_1fIyJ0BZz27YxGVqt1AFmMdm-T0zvfNLYtHTUdouQtQlNqodQ34LKlUAec6A_1QEWApYphYEE1Wa6y96lMEeVrT1UsEqlBBAgghsE-MsTR0rhQG5VSf0RKnatPMoBNrLBE3xHIPK/s1600/Pool+and+Ocean+View+cropped+for+square+Jpeg.jpg.jpg" height="318" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Fess envisioned growing grapes but not to this scale,” says
Fess Parker Winery and Vineyard President, Tim Snider.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the beginning of the winery business in
the 1980’s, consumers still recognized the Fess Parker name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, the younger generations know Fess
Parker as the name on the label of some extraordinary wine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As they enjoy the wine they learn about the
back story of his life as an actor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Snider became part of the Parker family after he met Fess’s
daughter Ashley on a wine industry trip in Australia in 1999.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tim
and Ashley were married soon after.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Snider believes the winery is now cast in the lead role of Fess Parker’s
legacy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Our family came in this
business as a celebrity-family owned winery focused on quality and value.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We happened to have a founder who had a very
successful acting career.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But today it’s
not rooted in celebrity.”<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfucU5I5gNdeaVvEaDlXsWxCZnyCakRVJB0ixufQDdkFk64vi8g3UNGV08dno3CYCha5EuldVHYBaTWKlGc3gOktMPfi22Uzv_iRo9A_88hYTsn3dzyna-2UM-n28t_lMG04DUSn6XpdlO/s1600/RodneysVineyard040108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfucU5I5gNdeaVvEaDlXsWxCZnyCakRVJB0ixufQDdkFk64vi8g3UNGV08dno3CYCha5EuldVHYBaTWKlGc3gOktMPfi22Uzv_iRo9A_88hYTsn3dzyna-2UM-n28t_lMG04DUSn6XpdlO/s1600/RodneysVineyard040108.jpg" height="158" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The wholly family owned and operated winery was established
in 1989 and after several decades of hard work the name Fess Parker is now
known to new generations as a world-class producer of Syrah, Pinot Noir and
Chardonnay.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The winemaking culture was originated by Fess Parker’s son,
Eli who discovered a passion for winemaking at the outset of the business.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eli Parker stepped aside as the winemaker
with the 2005 vintage and turned over the reins to Blair Fox.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both winemakers have won the prestigious
Winemaker of the Year Award from <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">the San
Francisco Chronicle</i>. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqENWlJJWPUKy6yVE0gICOtVDt7XBP_KDr5wAP9FHuEHUCpbzrWv41r_ReD2BqQ-DG0H_xsHCdY-IN1EflYjOogVbE_dDbzbKMlk7AS1UbS8smeMIVbq8cmouh-dH0ghH2OYtXLluBt9D0/s1600/09+Ashley%2527s+Pinot.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqENWlJJWPUKy6yVE0gICOtVDt7XBP_KDr5wAP9FHuEHUCpbzrWv41r_ReD2BqQ-DG0H_xsHCdY-IN1EflYjOogVbE_dDbzbKMlk7AS1UbS8smeMIVbq8cmouh-dH0ghH2OYtXLluBt9D0/s1600/09+Ashley%2527s+Pinot.JPG" height="320" width="160" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Fess Parker Wine Country Inn<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b>is a Five Star boutique property located in the heart of Los
Olivos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Surrounded by the beauty of
Santa Barbara wine country, this charming town is known for its tasting rooms,
restaurants, and galleries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhERHUtOjqH7IfGx8DP6twYVY5Or9ad6X2WbQlvnKTC8BhF7BzJVv8jAR-XLf0-CVDcaSDUaIN5Ewztm1AAJE3w9CJs10Qb6S6jo8vSKTL6XH5DNOMMuH1NMNg52xmmJGhbjRL9DX7j3nFy/s1600/Photo+of+Inn+2011.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhERHUtOjqH7IfGx8DP6twYVY5Or9ad6X2WbQlvnKTC8BhF7BzJVv8jAR-XLf0-CVDcaSDUaIN5Ewztm1AAJE3w9CJs10Qb6S6jo8vSKTL6XH5DNOMMuH1NMNg52xmmJGhbjRL9DX7j3nFy/s1600/Photo+of+Inn+2011.jpg.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Guests at the19-room Inn enjoy luxurious rooms, the Champagne
Spa and Boutique, the surprisingly hip Petros’ Restaurant specializing in
Hellenic-California Cuisine, an outdoor patio with a warming fireplace, a
library room , and the Bin 2860 International Wine Shop, showcasing wines from
the region and from around the world. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Black
and white photos of winemakers from the Santa Ynez Valley adorn the walls
providing an introduction to the wine culture of the region.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPPwfwSLeF672_Huu0NNPd_MZi3qUGAX-7eJrmf9Juj1Sx3HNfkEIjT7tnN-6AOXvVvv195VL5G-apybJlv7re4HAi7HbCbiFF4gq6sQjEBuTX91odxcFaN2lsYbpMFW4tcWExLZN82U-G/s1600/Luxury+Guest+Room.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPPwfwSLeF672_Huu0NNPd_MZi3qUGAX-7eJrmf9Juj1Sx3HNfkEIjT7tnN-6AOXvVvv195VL5G-apybJlv7re4HAi7HbCbiFF4gq6sQjEBuTX91odxcFaN2lsYbpMFW4tcWExLZN82U-G/s1600/Luxury+Guest+Room.jpg.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span> </div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The American historical figure, Daniel Boone, who was
portrayed by Fess Parker on television, would be pleased with the surroundings
of this winery and inn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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</div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“One day, I undertook a tour through the country and the
diversity and beauties of nature I met within this charming season expelled every
gloomy and vexatious thought,” said Boone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span><br />
<br />
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<a href="http://www.fessparker.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">www.fessparker.com</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00420027957973522027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2713929476046166168.post-67432645698991587082014-01-23T09:17:00.000-08:002014-01-23T09:29:28.127-08:00Traverse City Michigan's True North Wine Country<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Traverse City, Michigan is a
destination that changes noticeably with the seasons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The slower tourist season from November until
April brings cascades of snow offering a winter wonderland for those who enjoy skiing,
ice fishing, and hunting.</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As the climate changes in May and
June with high temperatures in the 70’s and the summer months warm up to an average
high temperature of 82 degrees, Traverse City is well established as one of
America’s favorite destinations to celebrate spring and summer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The wine and food scene has
exploded in the region.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Winemakers,
chefs and local farmers are creating an experience that connects visitors to
the land found amongst lakes, dunes, hills and sunlit fields.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Two of the area’s wine-growing
regions, the Leelanau and Old Mission peninsulas, are home to nearly 50
wineries. The wine culture was born out of the cherry industry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Traverse City still grows 80% of the cherries
sold in America.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Winemakers and vineyard
managers have discovered that the ideal conditions for growing cherries such as
sandy soil, elevation, location near water, and seasonable temperatures, are
closely associated with the ideal conditions for growing wine grapes as found
in other northern wine regions of the world.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">25 years ago, Traverse City would
not have been recognized as a wine country destination.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, that has changed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The surroundings of the white sand beaches,
the blue waters of Lake Michigan, the golf courses, the hiking and biking
trails have been joined by the addition of beautifully designed wineries that
produce an almost European style wine, with a Northern Michigan character.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As the industry flourishes, new
wineries and tasting rooms are opening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Additions to the scene include a new tasting room with panoramic views
at Bluestone Vineyards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bluestone’s owner
Tom Knighton says that the wineries of the Traverse Bay region are “making
wines that people respect.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The cool climate viticulture allows winemakers
to achieve a nice balance between fruit and acidity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rieslings, Gewürztraminers and Pinot Blancs
are at the forefront of the Northern Michigan white wines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir and Gamay Noir, a
Vinifera cultivar, are the leading varietals in red wines.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dining on a waterfront is popular
in this land of lakes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Guests enjoy the
sunset at the Boathouse overlooking the beautiful Bowers Harbor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The 107 year old Riverside Inn is lovingly
restored along the banks of the Leland River and offers an excellent selection
of local wines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gastronomic
destinations also include Leelanau Cheese, Grand Traverse Pie Company, and Tandem
Ciders.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">While Traverse City has long been
popular as a driving destination by Midwesterners, the area’s growing reputation
as a wine and food destination has led to impressive growth at the Cherry Capital
Airport.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“People are choosing the ease
and friendliness of traveling by air to Traverse City” says Brad Van Dommelen,
Convention and Visitors Bureau president and CEO.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“We consider the airport to be
the first welcome mat to the region,” says airport spokesperson Susan
Wilcox-Olson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Traverse City connects
direct to LaGuardia, Newark, Chicago, Detroit, Minneapolis, and Denver.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The number of daily flights to Atlanta has more
than doubled in the last 24 months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As a gateway to the local wine
county, it seems only fitting that many of the acclaimed wines of Traverse City
are offered for purchase at the airport gift shop after the friendly check
point allowing travelers to bring wine on board.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We want everyone to feel the heritage of the
region, like they are walking down Main Street,” says Wilcox-Olson. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Air travel to a wine region like
Traverse City is the recommended way to go if your drive is more than 1 day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You will have plenty of time on the road
while you are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Touring the beautiful
sights, visiting the excellent restaurants, and of course, wine tasting which
has become the region’s newest claim to fame.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
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<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Iron Chef Mario Batali, who has
had a home in Traverse City for 15 years, remains an ambassador to the
region.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“If you visit, you’ll understand
there’s nothing this close to scratching those itches like Tuscany and
Sonoma.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Traverse City is real and I love
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a remarkable place,” he says.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZwkPOGgFwKubr-sozz-cHHXz-Z6S_AK6xDfGAq9gnsZgRaZu-R_CyOIU6oWjSAH2Yy64EI3j8AxnNg0RAPwuo48kelkfG4Ueg1DnCVLAXToAA6jDeTE2Tmo3nrIxhZCF_3l2Qbr9b2ziP/s1600/BrysEstateVineyardandWinery_View.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZwkPOGgFwKubr-sozz-cHHXz-Z6S_AK6xDfGAq9gnsZgRaZu-R_CyOIU6oWjSAH2Yy64EI3j8AxnNg0RAPwuo48kelkfG4Ueg1DnCVLAXToAA6jDeTE2Tmo3nrIxhZCF_3l2Qbr9b2ziP/s1600/BrysEstateVineyardandWinery_View.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Brys
Estate Winery and Vineyards lets visitors celebrate summer on Old Mission Peninsula<br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTVoQ7iL0B3h_XG5x9UQQofqZNCFuP4H1wt8IcQKcWZ7YtICjpAYQ-fg3F2GXDUuYJzPIX22EYn4Hq8FkCDZMN3tB4OciZZwz9zkDcI5EH22GnW6tNBl4v-JKvYvYzAJDTbG0q4I48nfIS/s1600/Blustone+Vineyards.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTVoQ7iL0B3h_XG5x9UQQofqZNCFuP4H1wt8IcQKcWZ7YtICjpAYQ-fg3F2GXDUuYJzPIX22EYn4Hq8FkCDZMN3tB4OciZZwz9zkDcI5EH22GnW6tNBl4v-JKvYvYzAJDTbG0q4I48nfIS/s1600/Blustone+Vineyards.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->“We
want to let visitors take part in this beautiful experience of visiting wine
country,” says owner Tom Knighton of their new tasting room at Bluestone
Vineyards</div>
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</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizMHlcciSq8GIYi0NSVd1qAHfFI9B7ihVvo4hfr_jeciaU3CGBukOmoTDj3q-RmRQzWhkF1CdZFwV8jzDBm3C_K5AlY08WgkePKVC0p3VEStFjk1BBzmw4q7HuZ63roaehyYjQaDXY5DMF/s1600/DiningatTheBoathouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizMHlcciSq8GIYi0NSVd1qAHfFI9B7ihVvo4hfr_jeciaU3CGBukOmoTDj3q-RmRQzWhkF1CdZFwV8jzDBm3C_K5AlY08WgkePKVC0p3VEStFjk1BBzmw4q7HuZ63roaehyYjQaDXY5DMF/s1600/DiningatTheBoathouse.jpg" height="276" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"> </span> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Wining
and dining at The Boat House is one of many outstanding local restaurants with
waterfront seating</div>
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</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggXZx1Wb8UyWtn78qcXYWy25HQE-mYWCVaTPJePNTWynjR75llQoCumXG50i3gmheK3exMbsfGmx4VP7no5Ejz2Y9oK-wQCfXrHBMDRH7y9ulJQLZirBkmRZrSi7WdNMnXQ76wREPVq8-Q/s1600/airport+night+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggXZx1Wb8UyWtn78qcXYWy25HQE-mYWCVaTPJePNTWynjR75llQoCumXG50i3gmheK3exMbsfGmx4VP7no5Ejz2Y9oK-wQCfXrHBMDRH7y9ulJQLZirBkmRZrSi7WdNMnXQ76wREPVq8-Q/s1600/airport+night+-+Copy.jpg" height="131" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"> </span> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->The
terminal at the Cherry Capital Airport in Traverse City.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The airport continues to see ridership gains</div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE03ixbXl6jtuPoMOM_k0B84kvhy8TjIgafagskn-XOFuGVL11Qvws1dLmJY1-CpKZyyXfnqHK7eFWqu0kYnRcR9s5R4c_7QV8hirYWNvGFzLCPIbUbeKnnJNiOMEoqK23Cm0TtiwDjKAQ/s1600/Spring+Shopping+Downtown+TC+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE03ixbXl6jtuPoMOM_k0B84kvhy8TjIgafagskn-XOFuGVL11Qvws1dLmJY1-CpKZyyXfnqHK7eFWqu0kYnRcR9s5R4c_7QV8hirYWNvGFzLCPIbUbeKnnJNiOMEoqK23Cm0TtiwDjKAQ/s1600/Spring+Shopping+Downtown+TC+-+Copy.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pedestrian-friendly downtown Traverse City
blooms with pear and crabapple trees in the<br />
spring and offers nearly 150 boutiques,
restaurants, coffee shops and galleries.<br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></span><br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00420027957973522027noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2713929476046166168.post-1741951803098472922013-07-23T16:19:00.002-07:002014-01-23T10:49:30.125-08:00Putting Sparkle into Prosecco <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://www.mionettousa.com/">Mionetto </a>Just north of the beloved city of Venice, the town of
Valdobbiadene has been the home of the Mionetto Winery since 1887. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The celebrated winery is located in The Veneto
wine region in northern Italy which is world renowned for producing <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">prosecco</i>, Italy’s most popular sparkling
wine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the late afternoon, virtually
every bar in Venice pours glass after glass of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">prosecco</i>, which Venetians consider a pick-me-up. </span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Between the southern Alps and the Adriatic Sea, Mionetto’s
vineyards enjoy ideal growing conditions with thin soil, giving way to stone, providing
the grapes a mineral taste that is highly regarded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sunshine is prevalent year round.<a href="http://www.mionettousa.com/">Mionetto USA</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6rwMnG8WJACoBXtq2xfIkLPZDVYWzZULc0KEFmJfCb_p-ISx4ZahRVip66v38gIk5xtKuhvzq1uk-b9ttWTAvZFy4bKZjPDrqLUvGg5_81gDPgTHZF6eLeUnq4CzdEsqgfGpvD86jyeze/s1600/Valdobbiadene2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6rwMnG8WJACoBXtq2xfIkLPZDVYWzZULc0KEFmJfCb_p-ISx4ZahRVip66v38gIk5xtKuhvzq1uk-b9ttWTAvZFy4bKZjPDrqLUvGg5_81gDPgTHZF6eLeUnq4CzdEsqgfGpvD86jyeze/s320/Valdobbiadene2.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>The town of Valdobbiadene and Mionetto Winer</strong>y</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Mionetto, owned by MW Imports, is now the top selling <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">prosecco</i> in the US and a leading <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">prosecco</i> selection around the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It is an easy-to-drink wine,” says Mionetto
USA CEO, Enore Ceola.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“People like it
because it is light, food friendly, casual but elegant, and less dramatically
crisp than champagne,” he explains.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaMdIBMf8tliZVC85qlNCz8GfVwn2TQkzulXtOl0s_SUA8o9KySSGsQbzABWobiMOJIaubmP9rBvKCWDTs3EjcF3AeTfdr2lwrBZq1dxNiVcopS6-4hnp2olOfYvebrGGNnfTf9QvOk8LW/s1600/EnorePhoto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaMdIBMf8tliZVC85qlNCz8GfVwn2TQkzulXtOl0s_SUA8o9KySSGsQbzABWobiMOJIaubmP9rBvKCWDTs3EjcF3AeTfdr2lwrBZq1dxNiVcopS6-4hnp2olOfYvebrGGNnfTf9QvOk8LW/s320/EnorePhoto.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Mionetto USA CEO, Enore Ceola</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Visitors to the winery in the rambling hills of northern
Italy will find Mionetto’s tasting room in the original home of the founding family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Casa Mionetto</i></b> is a store located
within the winery property where visitors can taste and purchase wine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a museum with a collection of old
vinification implements and a collection of all the iconic wine Mionetto has
produced.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ1Z9fch-jYCrQLko3_uVHgO-FvU117vwR3HtYqpxzTkzwuI3Aep32nA5yO3iyS6oApU2bGI1FBL1woaALdGkLfXWYsBBjpuoVEWYqwvpBkcOUfpKT5s-T6PonBhgG26_FZRFySLpeaPn8/s1600/Mionetto+Winery.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ1Z9fch-jYCrQLko3_uVHgO-FvU117vwR3HtYqpxzTkzwuI3Aep32nA5yO3iyS6oApU2bGI1FBL1woaALdGkLfXWYsBBjpuoVEWYqwvpBkcOUfpKT5s-T6PonBhgG26_FZRFySLpeaPn8/s320/Mionetto+Winery.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Most visitors to the region start out in Venice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those who venture into wine country of The
Veneto and the Mionetto Winery are in for a special treat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">WINE RECOMMENDATIONS</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 7pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">IL Prosecco Doc</span></b><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">: Soft, gentle
bubbles invite with fresh fruit forward aromas and flavors of apple, peach and citrus<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Mionetto Prosecco Doc Treviso Brut</span></b><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">: Fine,
persistent bubbles with crisp notes of white pear, green apple and star fruit
lead to a clean, elegant finish</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">‘MO’ Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG</span></b><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">: The seductive perlage entices with exotic fruit flavors that build
to a long, structured finish</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00420027957973522027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2713929476046166168.post-37365839040568931282013-07-23T15:42:00.001-07:002014-01-23T10:37:09.472-08:00New Frontier for California Wine<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>New Frontier for California Wine<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Lake County,
California<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s rugged and a little untamed. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You get to drive on winding and hilly roads to
rendezvous with Mother Nature.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
vineyards and ranches are the natural habitat of coyotes, mountain lions,
bobcats, and bald eagles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can find
historic communal natural soaking pools where clothing is optional.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is all part of the wine country
experience found in Lake County, California.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6y_S18XKnTA_Pqoa-OLEUna3sWj7SbYjNY8nWhtt26r0tAe0uMi8DQQoK2-3AVokY7jWBKhT3LyIMe02bgJdFVdH0G6CJA2sjx0oIMKtLGIrW4nAq1-lkyA7vwFvg0U9kg3ptCGNAXrHO/s1600/AerialViewofLake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6y_S18XKnTA_Pqoa-OLEUna3sWj7SbYjNY8nWhtt26r0tAe0uMi8DQQoK2-3AVokY7jWBKhT3LyIMe02bgJdFVdH0G6CJA2sjx0oIMKtLGIrW4nAq1-lkyA7vwFvg0U9kg3ptCGNAXrHO/s320/AerialViewofLake.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Lake County is hidden in the hills north of the San Francisco
Bay area sharing her southern border with Napa and Sonoma counties.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The people who venture to the region discover
a scenic and rural environment, whose signature natural assets include a
dormant volcano, Mount Konocti which rises to a height of 4,300 feet above sea
level.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the center of Lake County is Clear
Lake, the largest natural lake in California.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Lake County has the distinction of being consistently rated as having
the cleanest air in the California.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The history of Lake
County wine is one of pioneering,” says Peter Molna, Chairman of the Lake
County Winegrape Commission and owner of Tricycle Wine Co.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>California grape growers have been looking for
new places to spread their wings and investments are pouring in for land,
vineyards, and wineries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, people say Lake County looks like
Napa County did 40 years ago before it boomed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The vineyards are planted at higher elevations along the
backbone of the great Cabernet regions of northern California.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“There are crazy soils up here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s an exciting place that makes great
wine,” said Molna.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib1L57dDYXYnPuduSSxYVgN8BfPNUMsB-L0aIOoYUK58h_T9f18DLPI3964W01z5WgmiNZvkJYmeDvXy3HBz-JWEEspizuLaeZX-PxIggI1LU2pPzazmhm8KjZge5CHG7dB_JZHRntzQBY/s1600/VineyardMtn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib1L57dDYXYnPuduSSxYVgN8BfPNUMsB-L0aIOoYUK58h_T9f18DLPI3964W01z5WgmiNZvkJYmeDvXy3HBz-JWEEspizuLaeZX-PxIggI1LU2pPzazmhm8KjZge5CHG7dB_JZHRntzQBY/s320/VineyardMtn.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“We are pioneering winemakers and we attract pioneering
consumers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People who are looking for
something different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are looking
for wine that’s fun to drink…that’s exciting,” says Paul Zellman, Education
Director of the Lake County Wine Commission. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Clear Lake is surrounded by small towns, each with its own
identity and each with its own wineries and tasting rooms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Upper Lake and Lower Lake are historic towns with
renovated buildings that still remind visitors of the Old West.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kelseyville has decorative street lights and popular
restaurants such as Saw Shop Gallery Bistro and The Brick Tavern.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lakeport is the county seat presiding over
just 65,000 local residents.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Lake County continues to be homeland to six tribes of the Pomo
and Miwok Indians.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The area has been
considered sacred ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The county has
attracted a spiritual type of agricultural entrepreneur.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sustainable farming practices abound.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Flocks of sheep are used in the vineyards to
eat the weeds and provide fertilization.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Six Sigma Ranch & Winery
sprawls over 4,300 carefully preserved acres of vineyards, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>grazing land, and natural habitat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We think this is such a beautiful piece of
nature that we want to protect it,” says Six Sigma proprietor, Kaj Ahlmann.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9hWaSJVCBvTzpo_70adsPlhZTI7ZtN4XgGvpuA7DPIUORM7y3NIGNbWDpX9HpvKpwhsq2-niakdUQ8w-6yY2jtIVrTbxFF-Z9BmgOeAR037ASv9bwwAY2tw81d1bcqWTPBomAFMw1jqL6/s1600/Lamb5+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9hWaSJVCBvTzpo_70adsPlhZTI7ZtN4XgGvpuA7DPIUORM7y3NIGNbWDpX9HpvKpwhsq2-niakdUQ8w-6yY2jtIVrTbxFF-Z9BmgOeAR037ASv9bwwAY2tw81d1bcqWTPBomAFMw1jqL6/s320/Lamb5+(2).jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bird watching on designated water trails, fishing on the
lake rated third-best for bass fishing in America, hiking and biking in the
county’s publicly owned lands, and tasting the intensely beautiful local wines,
are making Lake County, California a new frontier for wine lovers and adventure
seekers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a wildly unique
place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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