Clos Henri Wine Tasting

Thursday, May 29th | 5-8pm

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Clos Henri Wine Tasting

Wines:

- Clos Henri 'Solange' Blanc de Noirs, Marlborough, NZ 2021

- Clos Henri 'Estate' Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, NZ 2024

- Clos Henri 'Etyate' Pinot Noir, Marlborough, NZ 2022

Price:$24.00

Nestled under the southern foothills of Marlborough’s Wairau Valley, Clos Henri is the wine estate meticulously established and organically run by the famous Sancerre wine growing family of Henri Bourgeois. Uniting 10 generations of winegrowing know-how from the Bourgeois family, Clos Henri crafts textural and elegant wines, capturing the intense Marlborough character with the aim to reveal the identity of the Clos Henri terroir and a true sense of place in the wines. From the three different soil types of the estate, partially comprised of a clay hill slope, the family uses the best of French and New World winegrowing techniques to capture the essence of Marlborough’s intense character and reveal the identity and depth of the Clos Henri terroir.

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Winery: Clos Henri Estate
Importer: Chambers & Chambers Wine Merchants
Rep: Michael Melgoza

Bouchaine Wine Tasting

Thursday, May 22th | 5-8pm

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Bouchaine Wine Tasting

Wines:

- Bouchaine, Estate Selection Vin Gris of Pinot Noir, Carneros 2023

- Bouchaine. Chardonnay Estate, Carneros 2021

- Bouchaine, Pinot Noir Estate, Carneros 2021

Price: $24.00

Bouchaine is the oldest continuously operating winery in the Carneros District; a winery that began making wine long before the region earned its reputation for producing the great Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays of Carneros today. The roots of Bouchaine go back to long before Prohibition, when it was first owned by the remarkably-named Mr. Boon Fly, who grew grapes and fruit beginning in the late 1880’s. The property was bought by Johnny Garetto in 1929, and sold in 1951 to Beringer, who used it as a blending and production facility for almost 30 years. It wasn’t until Gerret and Tatiana Copeland became the sole proprietors that the winery and vineyards were completely renovated and over 100 acres of estate vineyards were added. Today, Bouchaine creates superior wines that capture the elegance of Burgundy and the exuberance and authenticity of Carneros.

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Winery: Bouchaine Vineyards
Importer: Breakthru Beverages
Rep.: Joan Tom

Santa Margherita Wine Tasting

Thursday, May 15th | 5-8pm

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Santa Margherita Wine Tasting

Wines:

- Santa Margherita Sparkling Rose

- Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio

- Santa Margherita Chianti Classico Riserva

Price: $21.00

Count Gaetano Marzotto dreamed of people, nature, and technology working in synergy. He was a visionary, as agriculture had yet to be mechanized. In 1935, his dream came to life when he began revitalizing an abandoned parcel of land in the Venetian countryside. He chose the location well — this had been a region of fine vineyards since Roman times. He would bring it back to its former glory, employing new agricultural science and honoring his commitment to the needs of the locals. Such an inspirational place could only bear one name — that of his one true love, his wife Margherita. And so Santa Margherita was born where alpine rivers cut through sun-drenched hills on their winding journey to the Mediterranean.

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Winery: Santa Margherita Wines

Importer: Santa Margherita USA

Rep.: Teresa Cloyd

Il Poggiarello & Francone Wine Tasting

Thursday, May 8th | 5-8pm

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Il Poggiarello & Francone Wine Tasting

Wines:

- Il Poggiarello, Ortrugo Doc Frizzante 'Gli Spaghi' Emilia Romagna

- Il Poggiarello, Come il Vento, Emila Romagna

- Francone, Settecento, Langhe, Piedmont

Price: $17.00

Situated in Val Trebbia, il Poggiarello stands among peaceful woods and silent vineyards. It is here that we make our wine, using certified organic grapes according to the tradition of entire generations.

There are families that are destined for meeting, joining and leaving a mark in the history of a territory. This is what happened to the Ferrari and Perini families, who met for the first time in 1882 and, from then on, they wrote together the history of wine in Piacenza and later they founded Cantine 4 Valli.

In the 80’s, with the arrival of the fourth generation in the Company, the families bought 20 hectares of land in Val Trebbia, with a high cultural and oenological value for Piacenza. It is among the sweet hills of the valley that Il Poggiarello was born: a new challenge for the Ferrari and Perinis having the ambition of becoming ambassadors for the territory through top quality winegrowing.

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A magical combination of sheer determination and passion for winemaking, in a unique setting: this typifies Cantina Francone in Neive, a stone’s throw from Barbaresco in the rolling hills of the Langhe.

Our roots lie in a family tradition, consolidated over time, with a strong bond to the local area.

Our philosophy follows the traditional methods of the classic fine wines of the Langhe area but is coupled with a desire to continually improve our results year on year. This means that we select each grape variety individually as it is suited to each vineyard dependent on position, altitude and terrain. This produces an extensive range of quality wines produced in limited quantities.

Two principles guide us:

Respect for the vines, cultivated in an “integrated agriculture” manner Wine-making and ageing processes which respect the raw material and its natural characteristics through lengthy fermentation on the skins and sulphite content 60% below the permitted level.

Our aim is to make wines that are both elegant and drinkable and not solely full-bodied and structured. This is not a “numbers” story of hectares and bottles but of the work undertaken in the vineyards by hand, from the winter pruning to the harvest.

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Wineries: Il Poggiarello & Cantina Francone

Importer: Cherio Imports

Rep.: Andrea Cherio

No Wine Tasting — Closed for a Private Event

Thursday, May 1st

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No Wine Tasting

Closed for a PRIVATE EVENT

German Wine Tasting

Thursday, April 24th | 5-8pm

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German Wine Tasting

Wines:

- Corvers-Kauter, Silvaner 2021, Rheingau

- Georg Mosbacher, Riesling Trocken 2021, Pfalz

- Philipp Kuhn, Grauer Burgunder 'Vom Loess' 2017, Pfalz

Price: $18.00

The Corvers and Kauter families between them have five hundred years of winegrowing history in the Rheingau, one of the world’s most iconic wine regions. Now led by Dr Matthias and Brigitte Corvers, whose family comes from Rudesheim, their 12 hectares of gravity-defying organic vineyards are planted around the villages of Oestrich and Winkel in the traditional manner on the steep banks of the Rhine. The vast majority of their vines are Riesling, with some Pinot Noir and a smattering of the very rare Roter Riesling, whose pinkish berries are the result of a colour mutation, and usually bunches feature both pink and white grapes. Oestrich-Winkel is its heartland, with Corvers-Kauter one of just a handful of producers in Germany and Austria still harvesting it.

In 1921 Richard Mosbacher Snr. (1898-1977) founded the current estate together with his sisters and named it after their father Georg: 'Weingut Georg Mosbacher Erben' (Wine estate of Georg Mosbacher's heirs). The curved 'M' which decorates our wine labels up to this day goes back to these first years. Richard Mosbacher Jnr. took over responsibility for the cellars when his father Richard - a declared anti-Nazi - was appointed mayor by the Americans after the end of the Second World War.

Over several decades Richard Mosbacher turned the estate into what it is today: one of high reputation and prestige. As of 1992 the next generation, Sabine Mosbacher-Düringer and her husband Jürgen, helped him in this task and the size of the estate has since expanded to its present 20 hectares (54.36 US acres) of cultivated vineyards. The commitment to quality led to the estate joining the VDP in 1993. In the meantime Sabine and Jürgen are managing the estate and safeguarding its reputation as one of the best wineries in the Palatinate.

As a 20-year-old PHILIPP KUHN was solely responsible for the wine making and for the vineyards in his parents' estate. With the 1992 he delivered his first vintage. As a relatively young winemaker, he can therefore call himself an old hand in the industry after already mastering 27 vintages, who made his contribution to the success of “Germany's small wine miracle”. The basis of success is, in addition to the right gut feeling and sensitivity for vineyards and viticulture, above all the considerable portfolio of highly decorated individual sites. They are the foundation that gives the distinctive Philipp Kuhn wines their profile and character. It is the primeval, rugged limestone that gives the Northern Palatinate its defining image.

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Wineries:

- Weingut Corvera-Kauter

- Weingut Georg Mosbacher

- Weingut Philipp Kuhn

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Importer: wUst Fine Wine Imports

Rep.: Kevin Wenck

Venica/Ratti Wine Tasting

Thursday, April 17th | 5-8pm

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Venica/Ratti Wine Tasting

Wines:

- Venica & Venica 'Jesera' Pinot Grigio, Collio 2023

- Ratti 'Battaglione' Barbera d'Asti' 2023

- Venica & Venica Merlot, Collio 2021

Price: $21.00

From 1930 to today, through a series of harmonious generational changes, more than 90 years of passion, sacrifice and success have elapsed, in a synergistic relationship between the fascinating Collio and the constant love of the land, the vineyards and their grapes. Venica & Venica is a family enterprise with 40 hectares of vineyards all located in a D.O.C. production area called the COLLIO.

Cantina Ratti has been a pivotal name in Barolo wine making since Renato Ratti founded the estate in the 1960s. After studying winemaking in Alba and gaining international experience, Renato returned to Piedmont to redefine Barolo’s production, implementing modern techniques that improved the wine's elegance and longevity. His innovations, including the creation of the Marcenasco Barolo and the design of the Albeisa bottle, cemented his influence. Today, under the leadership of his son Pietro, the winery continues to uphold its legacy, blending tradition, sustainability, and innovation in its wines.

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Wineries:
- Venica & Venica
- Cantina Ratti
Importer: Breakthru Beverages
Rep.: Joan Tom

Spanish Wine Tasting

Thursday, April 10th | 5-8pm

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Spanish Wine Tasting

Wines:

- Martinsancho, Verdejo, Rueda 2021

- Diaz Bayo, Ribera del Duero 2021

- Bodega Lanzaga, Rioja 2022

Price: $20

Martínsancho is Ángel Rodríguez’ mid 19th-century vineyard in the Rueda. This special vineyard and Ángel himself are responsible for the preservation of Rueda’s indigenous Verdejo grape. Planted in 1972, cuttings from this special vineyard were used in 1976 to establish a 10.11 ha (25-acre) vineyard planted in the traditional head-pruned fashion and dry-farmed. Low yield “Verdejo” produces wines with a delicate floral nose, viscosity, a long finish.

For more than ten generations, the Díaz Bayo family has been dedicated to the cultivation of the land in the Ribera del Duero. The tradition of vineyard cultivation in the municipality of Fuentelcésped dates back to 1177. Familia Díaz Bayo vineyards were planted in the valley of the Nava stream, an ideal spot due to the sunny slopes, abundant loose soil and pebbles.

Led by visionary winemaker Telmo Rodríguez, Bodega Lanzaga is reshaping what defines Rioja by crafting human-scale, terroir-driven wines. Embracing the village-based winemaking traditions of Rioja’s history, Telmo Rodríguez founded his flagship project, Bodega Lanzaga, in 1998 with a radical mission to focus on small-parcel, small-production wines from places that authentically reflect the true essence of Rioja.

Wineries:

- Bodega Martinsancho

- Bodega Diaz Bayo

- Bodega Lanzaga

Importer: Breakthru Beverages

Rep.: Joan Tom

Cardedu Wine Tasting

Thursday, April 3rd | 5-8pm

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Cardedu Wine Tasting

Wines:

- 2022 Vermentino di Sardegna ‘Nuo’

- 2022 Monica di Sardegna ‘Praja’

- 2020 Cannonau di Sardegna ‘Caladu’

Price: $18.00

Sergio Loi is a 4th generation traditional Sardinian producer, whose family winery from the early 1900s has always practiced no chemical farming and minimum intervention in the cellar. The Cardedu [car-DAY-do] vineyards are located on the island’s sparsely populated southeast coast, where soils are crumbling granite near the coast and schist in ragged-dry cliffs around Jerzu.

Sardinian producers are now catching up in popularity to those of Italy’s other large island, Sicilia. One difference that remains is that Sardinia remains more ‘lost in time.’ Cardedu balances on that edge of being traditional but also thoughtful, especially considering today’s warmer climate.

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Winery: Cardedu

Importer: Martine's Wines

Rep: Adam Brunsen

Hedges Wine Tasting

Thursday, March 27th | 5-8pm

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Hedges Wine Tasting

Wines:

- Hedges Red Blend

- Hedges Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain

- Hedges Syrah

Price: $25.00

Led by a passion for authenticity and a deep connection to the land they call home, the Hedges Family epitomizes the modern wine estate. A blend of rich cultural upbringings and a shared love for creating beautiful wine converge at the heart of bucolic Red Mountain, fostering a true homegrown approach to farming and viticulture. Hedges Family Estate unites past and present, evolving tradition for generations to come.

Winery: Hedges Family Estate, Red Mountain, Washington

Distributor: Breakthru Beverages

Rep: Joan Tom

Giornata Wine Tasting

Thursday, March 20th | 5-8pm

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Giornata Wine Tasting

Wines:

- Giornata Orangotango Paso Robles 2023

- Giornata 'Il Campo' Rosso Paso Robles 2023

- Giornata Barbera Paso Robles 2023

Price: $21.00

The journey in creating Giornata started with a dream to create wines from Italian grapes grown in California employing the sensibility and philosophy of Italian winemaking. We work with the same grape vines (clonal material) as the best producers in Italy. The Central Coast of California possesses many of the attributes of the top wine growing regions of Italy.

Our winemaking style leans more Italian than Californian in that we favor wines with balance and subtlety rather than intensity and extraction. We pick our grapes at lower sugar levels and handle our must gently in the cellar, thus resulting in wines that belong on the Italian dinner table possessing both ample acidity and tannin. Traveling to Italy on a regular basis, we continue to receive feedback on our efforts while researching Italian winemaking and viticultural methods.

Winery: Giornata Wines

Distributor: Chambers & Chambers Wine Merchants

Rep.: Michael Melgoza

Italian Islands Tasting

Thursday, March 13th | 5-8pm

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Italian Islands Tasting

Wines:

- Jankara Vermentino di Gullura Superiore

- Santadi Cannonau di Sardegna

- Zabu Nero d'Avola, Sicily

Price: $21.00

Jankara: Founded in 2006, Jankara is located in the prestigious Vena di San Leonardo area, with vineyards in two of the most sought-after “Grand Crus” in Sardinia: Mamoiada and Gallura. It is owned by the Spanu and Empson families, who recently acquired a stake in the boutique winery. The two families strive for high-quality expressions of the island’s one-of-a-kind terroir, with its rugged terrain, pristine sea and granite formations, working with one of Italy’s most important enologists, Gianni Menotti. At the same time, the two families remain hands on through every step of the production process and beyond. “We are 100% family operated.

Santadi: The Cantina di Santadi Winery is located in the Sulcis area, in South-western Sardinia, just a few miles as the crow flies from the dazzling beaches and white sand dunes of Porto Pino. It was established in 1960, and after some start-up difficulties, a new management gave it a decisive boost, driven by strong determination which fanned enthusiasm and passion. Thus the Winery embarked on an ambitious programme, adopting new strategies and clear targets, streamlining its operations and issuing coherent guidelines to its member grape growers.

Vigneti Zabù was founded in 2007 in Sambuca di Sicilia. Its main goal is to showcase Sicily’s native varieties, such as Nerello Mascalese and Nero d’Avola, bringing them international recognition. Sambuca di Sicilia is an uncontaminated corner of Sicily, with ancient vineyards that mirror millennia-old traditions.The unique microclimate, with significant temperature variations even in summer, and a lake, creates ideal conditions for producing exceptional wines.

Wineries: Jankara Sardegna, Cantina di Santadi Sardegna, Vigneti Zabu Sicily

Importer: Breakthru Beverages CA

Rep.: Joan Tom

Madson Wine Tasting

Thursday, March 6th | 5-8pm

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Madson Wine Tasting

Wines:

- Madson Chardonnay, Santa Cruz Mountains 2023

- Madson Pinot Noir, Santa Cruz Mountains 2022

- Madson Kessler-Haak Vineyard Syrah, Sta. Rita Hills 2022

Price: $25.00

It all started with one tiny, old Chardonnay Vineyard that needed a farmer in 2016. It was a side hustle to make a little wine for our friends and family. We farmed the vineyard, made the grapes into wine and what we made was beyond the level of quality that we had hoped for. Slowly we began increasing the stakes by farming additional vineyard plots. A few years later we farm over 30 small vineyards around the Santa Cruz Mountains, using only organic practices. We make the wine in our cellar using only native yeasts. We believe that the wines showcase our unique coastal and mountainous California terroir.

Winery: Madson Wines

Distributor: Vintage 59 Wines & Spirits

Rep: Andrew Cox

Pier Paolo Grasso Wine Tasting

Thursday, February 27th | 5-8pm

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Pier Paolo Grasso Wine Tasting

Wines:

- Pier Paolo Grasso 'Moroso' Arneis 2022

- Pier Paolo Grasso 'Morosa Barbera d'Alba 2021

- Pier Paolo Grasso 'Riva' Langhe Nebbiolo 2021

Price: $18

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In the picturesque countryside of Barbaresco, Italy, Pier Paolo Grasso founded a renowned winery in 2000. Born into a rural family, he developed a deep connection to the land, tending fields, vineyards, and animals from a young age. His family's legacy of winemaking inspired him to dream of creating a company solely dedicated to crafting exceptional wines. Starting with few vineyards and a small cellar at home, Pier Paolo's perseverance paid off over the years. His vineyards expanded, and the cellar grew with subsequent extensions. However, the real transformation came when he met his future wife, Sara, who shared his passion for winemaking and brought a more delicate and natural approach to their vineyard practices. Today, Pier Paolo "speaks" to his vines, embracing a profound understanding of their needs. With the support of his devoted team and the guidance of a knowledgeable wine expert, he continually strives for excellence while prioritizing the well-being of the final product and environmental preservation. From a humble dream to a flourishing winery, Pier Paolo Grasso's journey exemplifies the harmonious fusion of passion, tradition, and innovation.

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Winery: Pier Paolo Grasso
Importer: Copa Fina CA
Rep.: Patrick Cress

Sparkling Wine Tasting

Thursday, February 13th | 5-8pm

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Sparkling Wine Tasting

- Maison Veuve Amiot, Crémant de Loire 'Elisa'

- Bortolomiol, Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore Brut Ius Naturae 2023

- Mont Marcal, Cava Brut Rose, Metodo Tradicional 2021

Price: $18

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Maison Amiot

As a widow, Elisabeth Amiot took over the destiny of the family business in 1884, deciding that her wine

would become the greatest in the Loire. From vineyard to bottling, the house controls the entire process

of developing traditional method wines: selection, assembling, bottling, fermentation in the bottle, aging

in the cellars, disgorging and labelling. Veuve Amiot has increased its underground network by more than

1 km, making in total 6 km of underground facilities at the forefront of technology, where prestigious wines

await their visitors.

Bortolomiol

This is the legacy left by Giuliano to his wife Ottavia and their daughters Maria Elena, Elvira, Luisa and Giuliana, who with a “natural” instinct have not only maintained what their father built up but have also taken on new challenges to ensure the revolution does not come to an end.
Bortolomiol is a strong and tight-knit family made up entirely of women: the mother, the soul and linchpin of this company, and the sisters, the beating heart, who guide and support the family business in the continual challenges to achieve quality, efficiency and effectiveness with an outlook that is always competitive.

Mont Marcal

Our Mont Marçal wines and cavas range is closely linked to the image of transition between the foundation of the company and its dynamic evolution towards the demands of the market close to our customers, is synonymous with tradition, innovation and courage.
We are characterized by the desire to stay anchored to the past, but always keeping our eyes open to a constantly changing future to provide a small touch of regeneration and modernity. Our aim is to produce wines achievable to the tastes of different customer segments.

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Wineries: Maison Veuve Amiot, Bortolomiol, Mont Marcal
Importer: Breakthru Beverages
Rep.: Joan Tom

Sauvignon Blanc Wine Tasting

Thursday, February 6th | 5-8pm

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Sauvignon Blanc Wine Tasting

Wines:

- Band of Vintners, Napa Valley 2023

- Tokara, Reserve Collection, South Africa 2023

- Saint Clair Family Estate, Marlborough, New Zealand 2023

Price: $21.00

Band of Vintners was formed in 2014 by seven wine industry friends at a tasting group led by Dan Petroski. Their collective goal of producing one wine that provided exceptional value from Napa Valley became the anthem for Band of Vintners.
Today the Band is led by two intrepid young winemakers and a Master Sommelier. Committed to continuing the tradition of tasting the world’s greatest wines together, we are striving to redefine what great wine can be. We believe in sustainable practices and producing wines that are within reach for everyone so we’ve joined forces to get our wines out to the world.

Tokara - Nestled on the upper slopes of the Simonsberg mountain, our vineyard and olive grove overlook two of mother nature’s most awe-inspiring sights, False Bay and Table Mountain.
Because of our unique location, the climate, geography and soils combine to produce perfect grapes. These grapes are then hand-picked and gently transported to our state-of-the-art cellar, where our exceptionally skilled winemakers transform the fruit into award-winning Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc wines.

Saint Clair Family Estate is owned by Neal and Judy Ibbotson
Neal and Judy have been viticulture pioneers in Marlborough since 1978. The grapes from their vineyard were originally supplied to local wine companies, however they wanted to showcase the quality they had achieved in their vineyards through to the finished wine as well. This desire is what led to the establishment of Saint Clair Family Estate in 1994.

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Wineries: Band of Vintners, Tokara Wine Estate, Saint Clair Family Estate

Importer: Breakthru Beverages

Rep: Joan Tom

Cantine Guidi Wine Tasting

Thursday, January 16th | 5-8pm

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Cantine Guidi Wine Tasting

Wines:

- Cantine Guidi Vernaccia Riserva 2021

- Cantine Guidi 'Bernardo' Red Blend 2021

- Cantine Guidi Chianti Classico 2021

Each tasting includes a small food pairing: $21.00

The Guidi winery was founded in 1929, with the aspiration to grow a family-run business that can stand the test of time – to pass down knowledge, culture, and tradition from generation to generation. From 35 hectares planted across the hills of the Chianti Classico, Montalcino and San Gimignano, their distinctive and refined wines are characterized by a great focus on the search for the best quality. With deep respect to nature, the Guidi family farms organically, supports local sustainability studies and uses only native yeast. All the wines are the expression of the family’s thought and taste, and are characterized by elegance, drinkability, freshness, clean nature, and respect. Today, the winery is run by the 4th generation: brothers Nicola and Giacomo Guidi. The family wants to spread its own style and name and that of Tuscany and Italy all over the world, because loving wine has always meant sharing it with everyone.

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Winery: Cantine Guidi

Rep: Patrick Cress

Importer: Fina Wine Imports

Bocale Wine Tasting

Thursday, January 9th | 5-8pm

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Bocale Wine Tasting

Wines:

- Bocale Trebbiano Spoletino 2023 - Bocale Montefalco Rosso 2021 - Bocale Montefalco Sagrantino 2019

Each tasting includes a small food pairing: $22.00

The Valentini family has been connected to the City of Montefalco by history and personal experiences for over one hundred years.

The background is the special Umbria Region, full of history and culture, where the act of every farmer is full of folk wisdom, simplicity, passion and sacrifice.

The family's philosophy is influenced by the history of men working in fields, surrounded by the rare beauty of it's hilly landscape.

In 2002 , the Valentini tradition continues in the new generation of Valentini revitalizing the environmental and cultural heritage and creating Bocale , a winery built on the old passion for wine passed down through generations.

Bocale in dialect, is a term used to indicate a two-liter mug of wine or olive oil, but also the name by which this family of Montefalco has always been known.

The productions of Montefalco Rosso and Montefalco Sagrantino are authentic expressions of an innovation in the tradition, where the fruits of nature are mixed with the perfection and simplicity of human gestures.

Central elements of the philosophy behind Bocale wine is the respect given to environmental cycles and the handcrafted process that makes the wine such a natural product full of personality.

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Winery: Azienda Agricola Bocale

Importer: Cherio Holding & Trading Company Inc.

Rep.: Andrea Cherio

Sancerre Wine Tasting

Thursday, December 19th | 5-8pm

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Sancerre Wine Tasting

Wines:

- Domaine des Griffes, Sancerre Rose 2023 - Domaine des Griffes Sancerre Blanc 2023 - Claude Riffault 'La Noue' Sancerre Rouge 2021

Each tasting includes a small food pairing: $24.00

Domaine des Griffes is located in the south of France in Nizas . The building and the cellar are located in the heart of the village, the vines are located a few kilometers away.

As an anecdote, the Domaine des Griffes takes its name from the fountain located in the central square of the village where the Domaine building is located. In the south of France, the fountains are called Griffes .

The Domaine des Griffes covers 18 hectares of vines, with an average age of around thirty years and located on the last foothills of the Cévennes. The vines benefit from clay-limestone and basalt soils as well as a Mediterranean climate characterized by maximum sunshine and moderate wind, ideal conditions for producing great wines.

Stéphane Riffault (Claude’s son and now the owner of the estate) is turning out Sancerre bottlings that are the envy of many producers twice his age in the village of Sury-en-Vaux. Stéphane Riffault works on 33 different parcels in 8 different lieu-dits spread across four villages. The 13.5 hectares of vines are plowed, and no synthetic material is used. Starting in 2017, the property has been certified organic by ECOCERT and biodynamic by BIODYVIN. Unlike most Sancerre producers, the entire harvest is carried out by hand, and extensive sorting occurs before the grapes are crushed. Stéphane’s wife, Benedicte, leads the harvest team while Stéphane manages the sorting and press during harvest.

Most of the domaine’s holdings are planted on the soft limestone soil called terres blanches, with some parcels on calliottes and silex. Minor, judicious uses of oak help to add length to the already precise, site-expressive, and vertical bottlings. All the parcels are vinified separately, and except for the rosé, all the wines are bottled unfiltered.

Having studied and worked in Burgundy (and closely with Olivier Leflaive), it’s easy to see the Burgundian influence in Stéphane’s wines. The mastery of minerality standing shoulder–height with the wood is rarely duplicated in Sancerre. Regardless of his parcels’ exposition (many are south-facing), Riffault’s wines are always crisp and high-cut with a jeweled delineation that speaks to the precision and attention these wines get. These are not your daddy’s (or his daddy, Claude’s)

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Wineries: Domaine des Griffes & Claude Riffault

Importer: Breakthru Beverages

Rep.: Joan Tom