L.M. Archer

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RRV Passport to Pinot 2013

In Russian River Valley, Sonoma, Wine Tasting on June 18, 2013 at 2:55 pm

Passport to Pinot 2013
Part 2 of 2 Part Series | Part 1 of 2 here.

by: L.M. Archer, FWS

RRVW PP2P 2013
Guy Davis, Lauren Eastman & Ziggy!
Davis Family WInery: Judy & Cole Davis
Valdez Family Winery: Winemaker & Sean Tevik
Joseph Swan Vineyards – Rod the Winemaker explains it all.
Joseph Swan Winery

binNotes joined in the Russian River Valley‘s 30th Anniversary Celebration and 2nd Annual Passport to Pinot Barrel Tasting Weekend June 8-9, 2013. Over 30 wineries rolled out the barrels on their new releases and uncorked their library pours, offering live music, Farm-to-Table food pairings, and artisan wares to participants.

Bookmark this event if you enjoy Pinot, boutique wines, artisan foods, fresh air, and friendly people. Set  amidst the stunning Russian River Valley, it’s a place to reset and rewind.

binNotes Passport to Pinot Ports of Entry included:

Most Memorable Moment: Meeting the next generation of Davis Family Winery – Cole Davis & his mother Judy, while blinded by their Tasting Room Bling Board of Wine Awards.

Most Memorable Moment:  Tasting ’09 Zinfandel from St. Peter’s Church Vineyard - the motherlode!

  • New Release & Barrel Tastings  & Balsamic Vinegar tastings at picturesque Hanna Winery.

Most Memorable Moment: ’12 Sauvignon Blanc – a little bit yuzu, a whole lotta zing! And the best Gift Shop summer hat selection in RRV!

Most Memorable Moment: Tie between enjoying the charming Old World grounds and courtyard and sipping  saucy ’09 RRV Lt Harvest Gewurtztraminer in the well-appointed Tasting Room. Santé!

Most Memorable Moment: Meeting legendary wine grower John Balletto, after following his winery for years on Wine Guy Mike. 

Most Memorable Moment: ’11 Freestone Hill Vineyard RRV Pinot Noir – SE exposure meets Pentaluma Gap wind meets Bodega Bay.

Most  Memorable Moment: Talking tips for making gopher paté (goes great with Pinot – who knew?!) in between geek speak about RRV soils with winemaker Rod Berglund. 

Any questions?!? Here’s a little video from the fine folks at Russian River Valley Winegrowers that breaks it down for you:

Video: Courtesy http://www.RRVW.org

So book your transportation for next year’s Passport to Pinot 2014  now – and don’t forget to bring your wine skins!

Cheers!

Copyrighted 2013. All photos courtesy of author; reprint permission required. All Rights Reserved.

Thank you Lauren Eastman | Issima! PR

Thank you John Balletto and Team | Balletto Vineyards

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RRVW Pinot Classic First Annual Paulée Dinner

In California Wineries, Sonoma, Wine Tasting on June 15, 2013 at 4:41 pm

Russian River Valley Winegrowers Pinot Classic

 First Annual Paulée Dinner 

Part 1 of 2 Part Series

by: L.M. Archer, FWS

RRVW Paulée dinner – Image: L.M. Archer
RRVW Paulée Dinner Host Arista Winery
RRVW Paulée dinner – Image: L.M. Archer
Guest Transportation -RRVW Paulée dinner – Image: L.M. Archer
Musical Trio -RRVW Paulée dinner – Image: L.M. Archer
Wood-Roasted pizza station -RRVW Paulée dinner – Image: L.M. Archer
RRVW Paulée dinner – Image: L.M. Archer
’99 Echezeaux Grand Cru – Compliments C. Donatiello Winery
Dutton-Goldfield pours for Eva Dehlinger
Mike Sullivan – Benovia Winery
RRVW Paulée dinner – Image: L.M. Archer
Williams Selyem in the House!
Ironhorse in the House!
Can I get another pour of that?
Jean-Charles Boisset, DeLoach Vineyards
Chris Donatiello, C. Donatiello WInery
RRVW Paulée bar – Image: L.M. Archer
Kosta Browne in the House!
RRVW Paulée dinner – Image: L.M. Archer
Dessert wine, anyone?
RRVW Paulée dinner – Image: L.M. Archer

A little bit of Burgundy strutted itself at the Russian River Valley Winegrowers First Annual Paulée Dinner, hosted by Arista Winery on June 7, 2013.

The dinner kicked off the new Pinot Classic, slated for roll out June 12-15, 2014. The Pinot Classic broadens the existing Passport to Pinot program to include:

  • Winemaker Dinners & Receptions
  • Barrel, Vertical & Library Tastings
  • New Vintage Launches
  • Private & Public Winery Tours

After Arista Winery host Mark McWilliams graciously welcomed guests, the irrepressable  Jean-Charles Boisset of DeLoach led the group to a rousing rendition of the classic Burgundian Paulee drinking song ‘Le Bon Bourguignon.’ Link here for video.

The dinner also celebrated the recent appointment of Karissa Kruse as President of Sonoma County Winegrape Commission. Karissa replaced Nick Frey, who held the position for fourteen years. Karissa comes to SWC from Dairy Management, and brings a strong business background, as well as deep roots in the community.

Luminary winemakers and winegrowers from Arista Winery, Benovia Winery, C. Donatiello Winery, Davis Family Winery, Dehlinger Winery, DeLoach Vineyards, Dutton-Goldfield Winery, Gary Farrell Winery, Hartford Family Winery, Iron Horse Vineyards, Joseph Swan Vineyards, Kosta Browne Winery, Merry Edwards Winery, Siduri Wines, and Williams Seylem unleashed top-shelf pours from their cellars, including some extraordinary Burgundian Grand Crus (Merci, Jean-Charles Boisset and SWC 2nd VP Chris Donatiello!)

Pinot-inspired artisan fare included locally sourced and crafted:

Luckily, dynamo doyen Lauren Eastman of Issima!PR orchestrated a designated driver for binNotes from www.PureLuxury.com to navigate the windy back roads of Russian River Valley to and from the event. Lauren also worked her magic arranging lodging at Benovia Winery’s Hideaway, a 3-bedroom, 2-bath well-appointed rental cottage overlooking Benovia Vineyards – the perfect staging venue for a wine tour to Sonoma. Waking up to a silent parade of hot air balloons suspended above the vineyard amidst the chirping of birds in the smog-free air sure helped clear away the dregs of over-indulgence.

Balloons over Benovia Winery
Balloons over Benovia Winery

Unquestionably, the brightest stars outshining the event’s stellar food, wine, and venue were the participants. Individually, each prove exceptional in their respective fields.  Together, they engender the  quintessential spirit of Burgundy’s original Paulée dinner – a celebration among neighbors after harvest. Neighbors who hold authentic mutual respect and regard for one another – as people, as family, as artisans.

Any wine enthusiast looking for a unique spin on an Old-World tradition – save yourself the hassle of international travel and schedule a trip to Russian River Valley Pinot Classic next June 12 – 15, 2014. Santé!

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Join binNotes here for Part 2:Russian River Valley Passport to Pinot.

Regrets for delay in posting this event – it’s busy season in the Tasting Room!

Copyrighted 2013. All images courtesy of author. All Rights Reserved.

Dinner and Passport to Pinot access provided by Issima!PR.
Lodging provided by Benovia Winery Cottage.

Thank you to Russian River Valley Winegrowers Team – Shannon Wesley, et al.
Thank you to Lauren Eastman – Issima! PR
Thank you to Dominic Phillips & Team – DPEM.com
Thank you to Paul Miller – www.paulcmiller.com
Thank you to Arista Winery – McWilliams Family
Thank you to Benovia Winery – Mike & Roger!
Thank you to Davis Family Winery –  Adrienne, Guy & and Extended Davis Family!

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Spoiler Alert: Fork in Road

In Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, OR., Wine Tasting, Woodinville Wineries on June 10, 2013 at 11:09 pm

What it’s All About – Pinot Noir @Arista WInery. Image: L.M. Archer©

 

As some of you may already know, I started binNotes as an antidote to drudgery while writing a historical novel set in WW II Burgundy France. Here I could ‘play scales’ word-smithing while riffing on wine as art, not just beverage.

But a funny thing happened on the way to the novel’s re-write. I fell in love with Pinot Noir. I also fell in love with the industry, and not just the art, of wine.

A college professor once grudgingly told me that I had a ‘real gift for recognizing BS.’

Well, I’ve reached a fork in the road. I call ‘BS ‘on my passive sideline-sitting, writing content.

As a pragmatist and corporate escapee, I value the opportunity to work in the wine industry and understand the reality, not just the image. Hence my recent acceptance of a position at Lachini Vineyards  handling Marketing and Special Events.

As mentioned previously, I’ve worked hard to achieve actual, not fabricated, designations in order to write accurately about Burgundy in the book, as well as unleash my Wine Geek on this blog. I consider writing as essential as breathing.

But I also have an analytical side that needs care and feeding.

Just to reiterate: I will continue to write for freelance publications, and on this blog when it does not present a conflict of interest. And if I’ve insulted anyone for past attempts at levity to pierce the wine world’s sometimes pretentiousness, my regrets. The intent was not to insult.

Thanks for your ongoing interest, understanding and support – Cheers!

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Continue to subscribe to binNotes for links to forthcoming freelance and event writing on Sonoma County, Wine Region Eco-Travel, and  International and Regional Pinot Noir wine events.

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Copyrighted 2013. All Rights Reserved.

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