Somerston wines

Touring & Tasting is in Napa Valley--staying at the deluxe and eco-friendly Bardessono and dining and sipping ourselves silly. After 9+ courses at French Laundry, we thought we'd could never eat again, but amazingly found ourselves hungry the next day and enjoying a lovely meal at Redd. We stopped into the beautiful Somerston Winery tasting room to try their Santa Lucia Highlands High Flyer Pinot Noir, crisp and minerally Grenache Blanc, deep and provocative High Flyer Centerline Napa Valley Red blend, and the highly-rated Priest Ranch Cab. There's a massive photo print of their ranch above the tasting room bar of their 1,628 acre spread above the Chiles Valley east of Napa--next time we will have to take one of their tours of the ranch. Bought a bottle of Grenache Blanc to take home and enjoy with a nice cassoulet or fish stew!

Taco Throwdown and Sparkling Wine

Some of our staff had a Taco Throwdown last week with a few of the wines featured in our new issue. I loved the Rack & Riddle Brut. It was crisp and lively, but with a round mouth-feel. I wouldn't have thought to pair a champagne-style wine with tacos, but it was the perfect pairing with fish tacos. Cool label, too.

Have you tried the Rack & Riddle Sparkling Rosé? It is a creamy sparkler with the taste of strawberries and a bit of spice. This would lovely with strawberry shortcake!

Happy Winter Wine-derland

2011 was an incredible year. Yet, we only look forward to all the new joys that 2012 has to bring. We hope this finds you and yours enjoying a beautiful glass of your favorite wine and reflecting on all you have to be grateful for. 

 Happy Holidays from everyone here at Touring & Tasting!

24 Hour Holiday Sale

SPECIAL 24-HOUR CHRISTMAS CLOSE-OUT SALE

We have a limited quantity of fine wine we'd like to clear out of our warehouse before new shipments arrive with the New Year. We're letting these wine go at tremendous savings to you!

TWELVE luscious wines--just $129 - you save $137!!

A French Bordeaux, two lovely Mendocino sparklers, luscious Chardonnays, late harvest Zinfandel, crisp Pinot Grigio, an aromatic Viognier/Sauvignon Blanc blend, rich reds from California and Washington, and a wonderful Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir Rosé...they make tasteful gifts and enhance your dining experience. SAVE over 50%--order now, quantity limited! Please call in your order at 800-850-4370 ext. 100. Sale for 24 hours only! 

Offer ends Thursday at 2 pm PST. You must pick up your wine by noon on Friday from our warehouse. Shipping available for an additional $30. 

3 bottle wine gift basket normally $159--now just $99!

2 bottle wine gift basket normally $99--now just $69!

1 bottle wine gift basket normally $49--now just $39!      

Due to extremely limited supply, please call in your order to 800-850-4370 ext. 100 for one of our wine gift baskets--on sale for 24 hours only!

Offer ends Thursday at 2 pm PST. You must pick up your wine gift basket by noon on Friday from our warehouse. Shipping available--call for details.

Wine Quiz

Hi Tourers and Tasters! Happy Monday! In the holiday spirit, we thought it would be fun to ring in this mid-December week with a wine quiz! How much do you know about wine?

A. How many gallons of wine are produced from one acre of grapevines? 

B. How many calories are in a four ounce glass of red wine?

C. How many grapevines generally make up an acre?  

Post your answers to one or more of the questions in the comment section below!

Touring & Tasting Wine Club Wines

Two very different wines were on our table last night--the first is going to be in one of our wine clubs: the Pessagno Lucia Highlands Vineyard Pinot Noir, and the second was in one of our wine clubs: the Hannah Nicole "Le Melange Blanc". The Pinot won 92 points from Wine Enthusiast, which said "This sturdy, full-bodied Pinot could almost be a Grenache, it's so big and strong. Yet, strangely, there's a silky elegance that tells you it's Santa Lucia-style Pinot. Offers waves of raspberries and cherries and oranges, brightened with zesty acidity." It bolsters our view that wonderful wines are coming out of the Monterey County--nuanced with flavor. I tasted a bit of strawberry in the mix of rich fruit--did you taste this wine as part of your wine club? We'd love to hear about your tasting notes!
The "Le Melange Blanc" is from Contra Costa county--east of San Francisco bay and is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier. I loved the aromatics from the Viognier and the light, unoaked flavors of the Sauv Blanc fermented in stainless steel. Both wines went well with asian-style fish, seared and served with wasabi slaw, jasmine rice and Chinese pea pod salad with miso dressing and sesame seeds.

The BRAND NEW Spring 2012 Edition of Touring & Tasting!

Touring & Tasting -- The Premier Guide to Wine Country -- is happy to announce that our brand new Spring 2012 Edition will be on newsstands next Tuesday, December 20, 2011!

We wanted to give you, our loyal blog and social media followers, a sneak peak at the beautiful cover that will grace newsstands through May of next year. 

In this edition we introduce new sections, including a feature on the famous Languedoc-Roussillon region of France. And we've discovered a fantastic way to tour and taste there--on a self driven, luxury cruise boat!

Editor in Cheif, Wendy van Diver, also explores in depth, the Willamette Valley wine region of Oregon, in her Editor's Tour and has many recommendations for places to visit there! In fact, CLICK HERE to enter our "Spring 2012 Editor's Tour Sweepstakes" for a chance to win a fantastic two-night stay at The Allison Inn & Spa in Newberg, with a Tasting Passport for free tastings at all the Willamette Valley, Oregon wineries featured in this new issue! You are the very first to hear about the new sweepstakes, so ENTER TODAY!

We hope you enjoyed the preview of the new issue, but we couldn't give it all away :) Check your local newsstands on December 20, 2012 for the Spring 2012 Edition of Touring & Tasting! The digital version will be available shortly after that -- don't worry, you'll be the first to know :)

WINE SONG WEDNESDAY - Strawberry Wine

Strawberry Wine

Deana Carter

He was working through college on my Grandpa's farm

I was thirsting for knowledge and he had a car

Yeah, I was caught somewhere between a woman and a child

One restless summer, we found love, growing wild

On the banks of the river, on a well beaten path

It's funny how those memories they last

Like strawberry wine and seventeen

The hot July moon saw everything

My first taste of love, oh, bittersweet

The green on the vine like strawberry wine

I still remember when thirty was old

My biggest fear was September, when he had to go

A few cards and letters and one long distance call

We drifted away like the leaves in the fall

But year after year, I come back to this place

Just to remember the taste

Of strawberry wine and seventeen

The hot July moon saw everything

My first taste of love, oh, bittersweet

The green on the vine like strawberry wine

The fields have grown over now

Years since they've seen a plow

There's nothing time hasn't touched

Is it really him or the loss of my innocence

I've been missing so much? Yeah

Strawberry wine and seventeen

The hot July moon saw everything

My first taste of love, oh, bittersweet

And green on the vine

Like strawberry wine and seventeen

The hot July moon saw everything

My first taste of love, oh, bittersweet

The green on the vine like strawberry wine

Strawberry wine

Strawberry wine

Two Bottles Of Sparkling Wine

Send your review by December 15th!

Have you enjoyed a wine from any of our recent wine club shipments or from our wine store recently? Send us a glowing review of one or more of them and you will be entered to win two bottles of sparkling wine--just in time to celebrate the holidays!

The winner will be drawn and the shipment mailed on December 15th--so email us today with your review (photos appreciated also).

thanks! katie@touringandtasting.com

Elves At Work

Our Touring & Tasting elves are working hard to get the wine gift baskets sent by Christmas! We have new gift baskets this season, stuffed with yummy wines like the 92 Point 2007 Calcareous "Twisted Sister" Syrah, freshly baked wine biscuits from Los Olivos, organic roasted pistachios from Santa Barbara Pistachio Company and other gourmet treats! Order by December 15th for Christmas delivery and free shipping!


Learn More!

Wine Sale THIS SATURDAY

Come THIS SATURDAY November 19 to Touring & Tasting's Holiday Wine SALE! 

The Burger Bus will be joining us!

Mention THE WINE LOUNGE and get $10 off purchases of $100 or more!

Can't wait for Saturday!!

See you there!

Don't Know Why - WINE SONG WEDNESDAY

Don't Know Why

Norah Jones

I waited 'til I saw the sun
I don't know why I didn't come
I left you by the house of fun
I don't know why I didn't come
I don't know why I didn't come

When I saw the break of day
I wished that I could fly away
Instead of kneeling in the sand
Catching teardrops in my hand

My heart is drenched in wine
But you'll be on my mind
Forever

Out across the endless sea
I would die in ecstasy
But I'll be a bag of bones
Driving down the road along

My heart is drenched in wine
But you'll be on my mind
Forever

Something has to make you run
I don't know why I didn't come
I feel as empty as a drum
I don't know why I didn't come
I don't know why I didn't come
I don't know why I didn't come 

ENTWINE

Today in the Touring & Tasting office, we had the opportunity to taste a new wine! entwine is the result of merging Wente Vineyards, the country's oldest continuously operated family-owned winery, and The Food Network, a popular network, magazine and website. This new California line emphasizes the way family, friends, food and wine all come together to make a meal more than just a meal, to make it an experience! Make sure to check out the interactive website dedicated to entwine!!

This afternoon in the office, we tasted the 2010 Chardonnay. The chilled wine is perfect on a hot day like today! The wine has a lovely nose and is crisp with flavors of apple and pear with just a touch of oak. It's cool and refreshing! 

My favorite part? The food pairing suggestions on the back! Gourmet suggestions of goat cheese or roast chicken alongside easy, familiar suggestions of potato chips and grilled cheese! 

I can't wait to try the other 3 wines in the line, the Cabernet Sauvignon, the Pinot Grigio, and the Merlot! 

Have any of you tried entwine yet? Let us know what you think!! Post pictures of yourselves drinking entwine on Touring & Tasting's Fan page or email them to katie@touringandtasting.com and be entered to WIN in our weekly wine contest!

Trione

Sunshine and Trione Chard--yaahhh!

Wine Slippers

Thanks to T&T Production Manager Lisa for our new Wine Slippers! 

My wine glass is ready to hit the beach!

Wine Song Wednesday: Hannah

"Hannah"

by Ray LaMontagne

I lost all of my vanity when I peered into the pool
I lost all of my innocence
When I fell in love with you
I never knew a man fall so far until I landed here
Where all of my wounds they turned into gold when I kissed your hair
Now come to me Hannah
Hannah won't you come home to me
Hannah won't you to come home to me
And I'll lay down this bottle of wine
If you'll just be kind to me
Ask her why she cries so loud
She will not say a word
Eyes like ice and hands that shake
She takes what she deserves
To celebrate her emptiness
In a cold and lonely room
Sweep the floor with your long flowered dress
If you cannot find a broom
Now come to me Hannah
Hannah won't you come home to me
And I'll lay down this bottle of wine
If you'll just be kind to me
She's got hair that flows right down
Right down to the backs of her knees
Her Papa he was a preaching man
And the Lord is hard to please
So she comes down from the Ozark hills to these very streets to roam
With a banjo and a bible and a fine tooth comb
Now come to me Hannah
Hannah won't you come home to me
And I'll lay down this bottle of wine
If you'll just be kind to me
I'd walk one mile on this broken glass
to fall down at your feet
Oh Hannah you're the queen of the street
I climb the tree with my Hannah-lee
My intentions they were pure
Oh the breeze did whip and I lost my grip
And I tumbled towards the earth
Where you never would guess who it was that stood below
And His name I would never tell
But His eyes were clear
And His arms were strong
And He caught me as I fell
Now come to me Hannah
Hannah won't you come on to me
I'll lay down this bottle of wine
If you'd just be kind to me
Now I'd walk one mile on just broken glass
To fall down at your feet
Hannah you're the queen of the street
Hannah you're the queen of the street 

Wine Song Wednesday: The Script "For the First Time"

"For The First Time"

 by The Script

She's all laid up in bed with a broken heart,
While I'm drinking jack all alone in my local bar,
And we don't know how,
How we got in to this mad situation,
Only doing things out of frustration

Trying to make it work but man these times are hard,

She needs me now but I can't seem to find the time,
I've got a new job now on the unemployment line,
And we don't know how,
How we got into this mess
is it god's test,
Someone help us 'cause we're doing our best,

Trying to make it work but man these times are hard

But we're gonna start by
Drinking old cheap bottles of wine,
Sit talking up all night,
Saying things we haven't for a while
A while ya
We're smiling but we're close tears,
Even after all these years,
We just now got the feeling that we're meeting for the first time

[x3]
Oooooo

She's in line at the DOLE*
With her head held high (high)
While I just lost my job but
Didn't lose my pride

But we both know how,
How we're gonna make it work when it hurts,
When you pick yourself up,
You get kicked to the dirt,

Trying to make it work but,
Man these times are hard,

But we're gonna start by,
Drinking old cheap bottles of wine,
Sit talking up all night,

Doing things we haven't for a while,
A while ya,
We're smiling but we're close to tears,
Even after all these years,
We just now got the feeling that we're meeting for the first time.

Ooooo
[x3]

Yeah.....
Drinking old cheap bottles of wine,
Sit talking up all night,
Saying thing we haven't for a while,
We're smiling but we're close to tears,
Even after all these years,
We just now got the feeling that we're meeting, for the first time

ooooo...., yeahh for the first time
(ooooo....), oh for the first time,
Yeah for the first time,
(just now got the feeling that we're meeting...
For the first time)

[x4]
Oh these times are hard,
Yeah they're making us crazy
Don't give up on me baby

Iago's Defense of Wine

"Come, come, good wine is a good familiar creature if it be well used;

exclaim no more against it."

                                                            -Iago

                                                             Shakespeare, Othello 

 Laurence Fishburne and Kenneth Branagh in the 1995 adaptation of Othello

Wine Song Wednesday: Rolling Stones "Blood Red Wine"

Blood Red Wine
The Rolling Stones

Mmm...dear, I love you dearly, but don't forget trouble I,
used to find, and it was, in your mind...yeah

I got red blood, and I got blood red wine Which I bring you,
when the snow is heavy on the ground If you say where go
I'll just, wrap my cloak around

You say that every man you ever had Has been obsessed
with you and I, wanna prove an exception To the role, that
you lay down Babe, please don't make me cry, 'cause
there's a little pain inside..iide Yes my darling now you can't
expect me always to hide...

I got red blood, and I got, blood red wine Which I bring you
when the snow lies heavy on the ground If you say we'll go
Why-ow... let me, let me, wrap my coat around

Yeah, that's right You see that every time well the lines must
rhyme And every verse, be in the same old time Does it all,
have to rhyme? But there go, and that's a place that you will
never... You said to remind of the girl I used to know, and
used to love, yeah

I got red blood, and I got blood red wine Which I bring you,
when the snow lies heavy on the ground If, you get cold I, oh
wrap my, coat, coat around My, my, my, my don't you stay,
on that, that snowy ground...

NEW WINNER!

Good Morning Wine Lounge!!  The results are in! The winner of our weekly drawing goes to...Brent & Terrie from Arkansas! Congrats you two, and your wine party kit is on its way!

Sleeping Bear Dunes is GMA's "Most Beautiful Place in America"

Photo from http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/best_places_USA/

Good Morning America voted Michigan's Sleeping Bear Dunes the "Most Beautiful Place in America"! Visitors can find activities for any season, hiking and canoeing in warm weather and skiing and snowshoeing in cold weather. While you're there, stop by the nearby Brys Estate Vineyard & Winery to see why the "Most Beautiful Place in America" is also one of our favorite places to Tour and Taste!

" It was taken in October 2009 on my third visit to Great Britain. I’ve been an English history fan since I was a little girl, and I figured that one way to celebrate one of those “milestone” ‘0’ birthdays was to go to a city I love…and that is London. So that is me, on the first full day, standing in front of the infamous Tower of London. And I was on top of the world!!"

                                                         

                                                 -Etienne from Kentucky

St. Francis in Sonoma

"This is a picture of my husband and I at St Francis Winery in Sonoma Valley.  The scenery is beautiful, the events are spectacular and the wines amazing.  They also have some of the friendliest employees in the Valley!"

                           

-Barb

Grow Grapes!

"Here is a picture from our August family vacation in wine country. Our daughter Rachel, 9, is apparently trying to convince the grapes to grow faster at Foppiano Vineyards."

-Brent & Terrie

Paso Robles wine tasting trip

D'Anbino Vineyards and Cellars

Eberle Winery

 

"Once a year, I plan a trip to CA Wine Country for my husband and a few friends.  Here are samples of our 'tasting and touring' in March 2011 in the Paso Robles area.  We use your magazine as a resource for trip planning." 

-April

Comfort, TX   

Photo Contest Entry!

Happy Birthday to Tama!

We'd like to send out a heartfelt "Happy Birthday" to our lovely colleague Tama Takahashi! 

In honor of her birthday we enjoyed delicious bento box lunches from Spiritland Bistro, paired with a crisp and refreshing 2009 Guglielmo Pinot Grigio--soon to be featured in the Touring & Tasting Wine Club!

For dessert we fell hard for Crushcakes--lemon, vanilla, coconut, and chocolate...soo yum! The chocolate cupcake went especially well with the Riverbench Pinot Noir.

Again, Happy Birthday, Tama! We appreciate all the work you do for us :)

Wine Song Wednesday

I JUST WANT TO BE YOUR EVERYTHING- Bee Gees

For so long
You and me been finding each other for so long
And the feeling that I feel for you is more than strong , girl
Take it from me
If you give a little more then you're asking for
Your love will turn the key
Darling mine
I would wait forever for those lips of wine
Build my world around you, darling
This love will shine girl
Watch it and see
If you give a little more then you're asking for
Your love will turn the key

I , I just want to be your ev'rything
Open up the heaven in your heart and let me be
The things you are to me and not some puppet on a string
Oh, if I stay here without you, darling, I will die
I want you lying in the love I have to bring
I'd do anything to be your ev'rything

Darling for so long
You and me been finding each other for so long
And the feeling that i feel for you is more then strong girl
Take it from me
If you give a little more then you're asking for
Your love will turn the key

I , I just want to be your ev'rything
Open up the heaven in your heart and let me be
The things you are to me and not some puppet on a string
Oh, if I stay here without you, darling, I will die
I want you laying in the love I have to bring
I'd do anything to be your everything

Our Production Manager Tours Monterey County! (part 2)

About a month ago our Production Manager Lisa Walker enjoyed a whirlwind tour of Carmel-By-The-Sea, Carmel Valley, and Monterey. She experienced some of the best the region has to offer in wine, food, and fun! Below is "Part 2" of her adventure:

On Sunday, after finishing up in Carmel Valley, I ventured into Monterey's Cannery Row. Warned that I would be overwhelmed with tourist traps I stepped a little off the main road and stumbled upon the Pierce Ranch Vineyards tasting room on Wave Road. Fashioned from an old house, the tasting room still features the original hard wood floor. I was greeted by vintage music from a vintage record player, and the cool, friendly tasting room host, Jesse. Not only did I feel at home with the quaint atmosphere, but I was pleased to find a refreshing change in the wines poured. Pierce specializes in Spanish and Portugal varietals, and I was thrilled to taste the 2008 Cosecheiro, a blend of Tempranillo, Touriga, Graciano, and Petite Sirah, and an unfamiliar white like the 2009 Albarino.

By far, Pierce was one of the best tasting experiences I've had in a very long time! And for those of you local to the area, or visiting soon, Pierce now hosts live music on Friday nights. A great accompaniment to the artistic wines and hip/vintage atmosphere at Pierce.

A fun thing I discovered in Monterey is the "Cannery Row Wine Walk". Baywood Cellars, featured above, along with Pierce, Scheid Vineyards, A Taste of Monterey, and Bargetto are all located within walking distance of each other on or near Cannery Row. Experience tasting at all five tasting rooms with a "passport" and get it stamped at each location. Turn in your completed "passport" at the final tasting room and be entered to win a case of wine! Visitors can also take advantage of 10% discounts on wine and gifts at each of the tasting rooms. 


And when you are done tasting, head on over to the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium. This was my first visit, and I had high expectations as friends and colleagues had been hyping this marine marvel to me for years now. Let's just say the experience far exceeded my expectations...

Beautiful right?! Imagine it right in front of you! The Monterey Bay Aquarium also offers annual pass holders a private wine tasting and live music during summer evenings. I had my fair share of wine for the day, at this point I was ALL about the sea creatures :)

As if my day--and weekend--hadn't already been a great success, the tastiest portion was still ahead. I had heard such rave reviews of Christopher's Restaurant in Carmel-by-the-Sea, from both locals and visitors, that I stayed an extra night so I could head BACK to Carmel and try it for myself. I started with a salad of grilled asparagus on a bed of greens with roasted red peppers, olives, feta cheese, and a balsamic drizzle. That only paved the way for my entree--pan-seared breast of Muscovy duck with a berry-brandy sauce, side of green beans, and wild rice risotto. It is absolutely mouth-watering to be reliving the dining experience right now! Christopher's was superb and a definite MUST visit on any trip to Carmel! (I had some Petite Sirah from my visit to Pierce earlier. It was a perfect pair with dinner!)

 

Monterey County, you did me well! For anyone looking for a weekend getaway--or longer--I would definitely recommend this wine country experience! Until next time...

Cheers,

LW

Touring & Tasting in Northern Virginia

Cooper Vineyards in Louisa, Virginia celebrated the grand opening of a new solar power tasting room on March 11, 2011.  The winery is on the "Heart of Virginia" wine trail. 

Delicious Tapas

Back in Barcelona, but unlike the mild weather we enjoyed two weeks ago, it is hot and humid. Walked for about five hours in the heat to see the Castell de Monjuic, Olympic Stadium and Placa Espanya. Exhausted and woozy from the exertion, we found a nondescript place for tapas which turned out to be excellent. I want to try and recreate these dishes when I'm home: fish (probably cod) fried lightly in spicy oil and potatoes in a very garlicky mayonaise-type dressing. Delicious with refreshing Sangria.

Our Production Manager Tours Monterey County! (part 1)

A few weekends ago, our Production Manager Lisa Walker, enjoyed a whirlwind tour of Carmel-By-The-Sea, Carmel Valley, and Monterey. She experienced some of the best the region has to offer in wine, food, and fun! Below she documents her favorite spots:

 

One of the highlights of my Carmel-By-The-Sea wine tasting experiences was at Caraccioli Cellars on Dolores between Ocean and 7th (for those of you who don't already know, Carmel doesn't have any numbered addresses!) Caraccioli is a new edition--like most of the tasting rooms--to downtown Carmel, and a welcome edition it is! I tasted a flight of6 of their wines, two sparklings, two Chardonnays, and two Pinot Noirs--and they were all delicious! Their wines are not, however, for the bargain wine buyer, falling in the $30-$60 range. But the tasting was very generous, and in a lively, modern-sheik ambiance.

Some of the other wineries I visited downtown were Winfield Gallery/Figge Cellars--I love the wine/art combo!; Cima Collina--extremely friendly tasting room host Allie; and Pepe's Vino Napoli. 

One of my favorite tasting stops in Carmel-By-The-Sea, wasn't wine at all! The Cheese Shop in Carmel Plaza is filled with more cheese than you can possibly fathom, with free tastings of about 5-7 of them. Though I just tried the cheese here, they do also feature a wine bar at the rear of the shop. After all the two are inevitable partners!

On day two I ventured into the beautiful Carmel Valley. I had never been here before and was pleasantly surprised with the lush, country-esque feel of the valley. There is quite the wine tasting village in the small town of Carmel Valley. I was only able to stop at two, but loved the different styles of the tasting rooms at Joullian--more quaint and country, and Joyce--hip and warehouse-like. You'll definitely see which is which. Both, though are equally worth stopping through for a taste!

Stay tuned for part two of my wine/food/travel adventure. To come: Cannery Row Walk, Monterey Bay Aquarium, and the restaurant I was dying to try so much so that I headed BACK to Carmel-By-The-Sea!

Cheers,

LW

Touring and Tasting Aboard the Celebrity Solstice With Brys Estate Wines

We enjoyed a fabulous wine pairing luncheon with Brys Estate and Rodney Strong single vineyard and Reserve wines on the Touring & Tasting Wine Cruise. Yesterday, Eileen and Walter Brys hosted a tasting of their Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc and Gewurztraminer--wonderful to hear how their delicious wine developed in the vineyard.
Today's luncheon was a tour de force, held in the ship's Tuscan Grille. The appetizer choice of Chilled Tian of Shrimp, Mango and Avocado with Passionfruit Vinaigrette was paired with the 2007 Brys Estate Bubbly--a Rose' sparkling wine. The Brie Fondue was paired with the 2009 Rodney Strong Chalk Hill Chardonnay.

The roasted fig and arugula salad garnished with goat cheese and toasted pine nuts was paired with the 2010 Brys Estate "Naked" Chardonnay and 2008 Rodney Strong Reserve Russian River Chardonnay.

A cherry and champagne sorbet cleansed our palate before the entree of either Sea Bass On A Potato and Truffle Puree paired with the 2008 Brys Estate Pinot Noir and the 2009 Rodney Strong Reserve Russian River Pinot Noir, or the Fillet Mignon with Foie Gras and Porcini Risotto paired with the 2007 Brys Estate Cabernet Franc or the 2008 Rodney Strong Single Vineyard "Alexander's Crown" Cabernet Sauvignon.

Dessert was either a Warm Chocolate Lava Cake With Frangelico Gelato paired with the 2007 Brys Estate Signature Red or the 2007 Rodney Strong Symmetry Meritage or the selection of bite-sized desserts paired with the 2007 Rodney Strong Reserve Port and the ethereal 2008 Brys Estate "Dry Ice" Ice Wine--golden nectar in a glass!

An Evening with Dan Weldy at the Wine Bloggers Conference

The five course wine dinner at the Wine Blogger's conference included 3 wine tastings with the first four courses and two wines with the dessert. That's 14 wines with dinner! Glasses were plentiful.

Jason Tesauro of TheModernGentleman.com was the emcee for the awards program, shown here with Stacey and Wendy from Visit Loudoun in Leesburg, Virginia.

Following the awards dinner, bloggers were invited by Spanish wine company, Vibrant Rioja to a five-stop wine crawl to continue tasting and visiting local shops and eateries in a short walking distance. Horton Vineyards Mike Heny enjoys the evening.

Wine tasting at the historic Monticello Estate

The ladies from Foggy Ridge Cider of Dubspur, Virginia used fans to keep

the hot air moving.

Winemaker Brad Hansen and wife Lydia from Prince Michel Vineyard & Winery in Leon, Virginia.



Dan Weldy: This was the wine tasting at the historic Monticello Estate in Charlottesville, Virginia where Thomas Jefferson called home. It would be unfair to show these pictures and not mention that it was 100 degrees with a 115 heat index during the day of this evening event.