Eight Wine Trends For 2024

Wine Trends For This Year

When I was asked to put on a wine tasting for the Peak City Exchange Club Of Apex (a community service group), I landed upon the theme of wine trends for 2024. The wines for the event at Peak of the Vine were selected accordingly.

Here are the trends I highlighted and four wines that were served along with the presentation:

1. The NOLO (No- and Low-Alcohol) wine category is on fire. Low and No-Alcohol Wines continue to grow. Some call it needless but others see it as an exciting part of wine’s future. It fits in with Dry January, responsible drinking, and healthy lifestyles.
2. Organic and sustainable wines are trending. When it comes to social issues and sustainability, consumers want to spend in a way that’s consistent with their values. In particular, the 21-35 age group buys “responsible” wine more regularly than the older generation.
3. After the COVID pandemic, consumption has dropped and rising costs are affecting wineries. Labor shortages are a real concern for vineyards. Wine prices are going up. cheaper wine brands have consolidated through major wine deals and smaller producers are focusing on higher-priced premium wines to cope.
4. Rosé all year is now a thing. The quality of rosé has never been higher. The drier Provence style has captured the world market. The blush wine pairs perfectly with many dishes making it a perfect go-to wine no matter the season.
5. The sparkling wine category is showing strong growth. This also benefits Champagne alternatives, such as Prosecco, Sekt, and Cava. Crémant from France is one of my favorite values. During the pandemic, people discovered Champagne tastes just as good in sweatpants as in a tuxedo. As a result, sparkling isn’t reserved for just special occasions.
6. Orange wines, also known as skin-contact wines and amber wines, are made from white grapes. They possess both the flavors of white varieties with the texture and tannins common to red wine.  They are good for people experiencing “wine fatigue” and can develop flavors of nuts and dried fruit.
7. Obscure grapes are on the rise. Grapes such as Mourvèdre, Petite Verdot, Carignan, and others are being bottled on their own rather than being a small part of a blend.
8. There's a lot of food and drink inflation going on. This includes grocery stores, restaurants, and the wine shelf. The prices of wine have gone up, reflecting increased winery costs. Portuguese and Chilean wines are tasty and affordable exceptions.

These Four Wines Are On Trend

Mas Fi Cava Brut, Spain: This sparkling wine is made with the traditional method in Penedes, Spain. Undergoing a second fermentation in this bottle, it is aged for 10 months providing its fine bubbles and complex and structured palate. There are notes of white flowers and citrus on the nose, with fresh stone fruits and pleasant creamy flavors in the mouth. SRP below $20.

Santa Julia 2023 “El Zorrito” Orange Wine Chardonnay, Mendoza: This unfiltered and flavorful wine opens with aromas of lemon peel, yellow grapefruit, and grass. The palate has weight and delivers bright grapefruit, lemon, and apple. A perfect pour for summer days, we discovered this winery during our recent trip to Argentina. The wine shows yellow apples and lemons, marmalade, and lemon drops, and peaches and tangerines in abundance, with a touch of creme brulé. Texturally, a few extra days of skin contact make the El Zorrito juicy, intense, and energetic. SRP $19.

Quinta de la Rosa 2019 DouROSA, Douro, Portugal: Produced with 50% Touriga Nacional, 40% Touriga Franca, and 10% Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo) this is an accessible red that delivers smooth flavors of cherries and black currants. The tannins are smooth but will develop with aging. Pairs well with roasted veal and potatoes. 13.5% alcohol. SRP $18.

Lapostolle 2019 Grand Selection Carménére, Rapel Valley, Chile: This bold wine has a fresh nose with red fruit notes such as strawberries and plums, along with red paprika and spices. This delicious wine is perfect for grilled red meat and medium-seasoned dishes. The Lapostolle family began winemaking in France in 1827. In the '90s they established a winery in Chile. In 2005, they became the first South American winery to have a #1 wine as selected by Wine Spectator. SRP $16.

These wines provide the value, style, and flavors that are on trend this year.

Sip Consciously Wine Directory Connects Public With Black Wine Entrepreneurs

Online platform, new directory seek to connect BIPOC culture to the wine experience.

Black Presence In The Wine Community

Dr. Monique Bell had her eyes opened in 2017. Attending the Black Vines wine festival in Oakland, she had her first exposure to Black people not only making wine but also consumers living a wine lifestyle.

Never Miss A Beat – Follow Vino-Sphere On Facebook

“It never occurred to me that there was a space for Black entrepreneurs and consumers in the wine industry,” said Dr. Bell. “I had completed advanced degrees, secured executive roles, and traveled internationally – yet I was still blindsided by the knowledge that Black people – all over the world – were contributing to the wine industry.” When she had an opportunity for a sabbatical, she decided her research focus would be learning all she could about the Black presence in the wine industry.

Her research plan was all set except for one glaring problem. There was no central place to find all these Black entrepreneurs. She started by joining and speaking to members of the Association of African American Vintners. Her research study surveyed more than 100 Black wine entrepreneurs and professionals to understand their motivations and challenges within the global wine industry. The study, which included 60 hours of interviews, also revealed that buying Black wines has important downstream effects.

Sip Consciously Directory

Fast forward to May 2020 and the unfortunate murder of George Floyd. That event triggered a Buy Black movement and Black wine brands started popping up. The need for one comprehensive list became even more urgent, and so Bell compiled a list that covers all three tiers of the wine industry (wineries, distributors, retailers).

Keep up with the latest. Follow us on Instagram!

The Sip Consciously Directory helps Black wine entrepreneurs seeking partners, mentors, or networking. The consumer can use the directory to find Black wine businesses in their backyard or when traveling. Supporting Black wine businesses is important for many reasons, said Bell.

“Often they are the first generation to be in the wine industry or start a business,” said Bell. “Black people have limited access to capital and often are using personal savings and maybe the help of family and friends to start. This is really speaking to their livelihood.” She notes that these entrepreneurs are often major supporters of philanthropy in their own Black communities.

Uncorked & Cultured

Through Bell’s research project, she interviewed more than 40 Black wine entrepreneurs. One of those was Angela McCrae, founder and executive director of Uncorked & Cultured, an online platform that was shaking up the media space. The goal of Uncorked & Cultured is to connect BIPOC culture and the African Diaspora to wine, wellness, culture and adventure. The pair continued to converse after the project ended and decided to partner on the Sip Consciously Wine Directory.

Why is it that people of color are not more visible or involved in the wine industry? “It’s indicative of the American and global culture,” said Bell. “This was seen as an elite space in which Black people were not originally involved in a highly regarded manner.” Many Blacks and people of color don’t see themselves as part of the wine lifestyle and that has to do with exposure and awareness.

“Through the directory and Uncorked & Cultured we want to tell those stories and give that exposure to highlight the contributions and the impact of BIPOC people in the wine community,” said Bell. “We want to do that in a really safe and approachable way so everyone does feel welcome so that we can continue to grow our numbers in the wine industry.”

The directory is a comprehensive guide to Black entrepreneurs at all three tiers of the wine distribution system. Each company or individual has been contacted and has granted permission to be included in the guide. Right now Black winemakers represent about 1 percent of all winemakers and the number is even smaller for Black importers, exporters, distributors, and wine retailers. Through exposure, the number and influence can grow.

Exuberant Response And Events

Bell categorizes the response so far as “exuberant.” People are not only happy to have their own business highlighted, but to have the contact information to make other connections for networking, and seeking mentors, or partners.

Through the directory and Uncorked & Cultured, there is a great opportunity for community and education. “We really want to create a space for the cultural enthusiasts to hang out with a glass of their favorite vineyard selection and build community,” said Bell. “We're making these connections and want to build a community around luxury, travel, and adventure. This is the safe space that is approachable and accessible and where people feel that they are welcome and their stories are being shared and told.”

“Uncorked & Cultured offers a space to celebrate the African Diaspora through knowledge and community. Our growing network is powered by the unique and diverse stories of winemakers across the world honoring our rich history and untold contributions to the wine industry,” said McCrae. Bell says that in particular, she wants to make sure younger people know that there are options. Even if they're not interested in a career in wine they should know that wine is a lifestyle that they can enjoy and feel comfortable in.

An example of the unique experiences offered through Uncorked & Cultured is the recent Juneteenth Experience in Napa Valley event. Uncorked and Cultured hosted a small group of cultural enthusiasts, influencers, and oenophiles for the event with support from Napa Valley Vintners.

The tour included a visit to Raymond Vineyards for a private tasting of musician John Legend’s wine collection, Legend Vineyard Exclusive; a wine tasting and tour of the family-operated J.Moss Wines; and a Juneteenth dinner at Buster’s Southern BBQ. The Napa Valley Wine Academy hosted the group for Wine Education 101, their first post-COVID in-person class. Throughout the week, the group visited other Black winemakers including Theodora Lee of Theopolis Vineyards and met with Phil Long of Longevity Wines.

“One of the most important things we can do to increase diversity in the wine industry is build awareness of the few people of color who are already here, making careers in wine,” said Long, who also serves as president of the Association of African American Vintners. “We need more innovative programs like the Juneteenth Experience to help young people ‘see themselves’ in our roles and be inspired to join us.”

Want To Be Happy And Have More Energy? Make Travel Plans

It’s time to chart your next trip and get an unexpected benefit.

New Research Says Planning Travel Makes You Glad

It sounds too good to be true. This one small action can make you happy and give you more energy. Turns out it is bona fide.

Keep up with the latest. Follow us on Instagram!

As Americans slog through months of at-home isolation and pandemic-driven worries, new research released earlier this week suggests that the simple act of making travel plans can boost their happiness and increase their energy levels and sense of well-being.

In new polling conducted by happiness researcher Michelle Gielan, 97% of respondents say that having a trip planned makes them happier, while 82% reported that it makes them “moderately” or “significantly” happier. Seventy-one percent reported feeling greater levels of energy when they had a trip planned in the next six months.*

Given the benefits of trip planning, America’s travel industry has a message for everyone who has dreamed of missed getaways: When you are ready to travel, we’ll be ready to welcome you back.

Launching today and extending into 2021, a new, industry-wide initiative called "Let’s Go There" aims to spark a conversation about future getaways.

Put That Travel On The Calendar

“Booking a trip—even just getting it on the calendar—might be the very thing we need to restore our emotional immune system after months of mounting uncertainty and stress,” said Gielan, founder of the Institute for Applied Positive Research and an expert in the science of happiness. “In our study on the connection between travel and happiness, 82% of people say simply planning a trip makes them ‘moderately’ or ‘significantly’ happier.”

Never Miss A Beat – Follow Vino-Sphere On Facebook

Gielan’s findings align with previous research finding an inherent sense of happiness and satisfaction generated by the mere act of planning a future travel experience—and that anticipating a trip might have an even stronger positive effect than reflecting on one that has already happened.

With flexible booking and cancellation policies in place and great deals for destinations across the United States, there has never been a better time for people to start looking ahead to all the travel they’ve been missing.

“The memories and experiences that travel enables cannot be replaced,” said Jill Estorino, President and Managing Director at Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, and a co-chair of the Let’s Go There Coalition. “This campaign is a first step in inspiring Americans to think about planning a vacation, and encouraging them to look forward to experiencing the wonder and joy—and even magic—that only travel can offer.”

Ready To Open The Front Door

Coalition co-chair Brian King, Global Officer at Marriott International, said, “As the norms of travel evolve to ensure health and safety practices are firmly in place, we have immense optimism that when it feels right to do so, travelers will open their front door and see the world again. The yearning for togetherness and a change of scenery highlight just how much we miss travel. When travelers turn their wanderlust into plans, emotional excitement grows as a host of dream destinations are ready to be discovered and explored.”

Roger Dow, President and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, whose organization is supporting the activities of the Let’s Go There Coalition, said the time is right to unite the industry behind a campaign that reminds Americans that the benefits of travel begin the minute they start planning a trip.

“As millions of people have stayed close to home to contain the pandemic’s spread, we have all missed getting away to be with others and experience moments that clear your mind and refresh your soul,” said Dow. “Those days will return, and we want travelers to know that we’ll be ready when they’re ready to make their next trip.”

Half Of Travel Industry Jobs Have Been Lost

Traveling not only brings abundant benefits to the individual—it also provides an economic lifeline for millions of people employed by the industry. Travel supported employment for one in 10 American workers pre-pandemic—but more than half of those jobs were lost between the onset of the pandemic and May 1. The travel industry is committed to being fully prepared for the moment travel demand returns, in order to keep its customers and workers safe and healthy and to restore jobs as quickly as possible.

The Let’s Go There Coalition includes more than 75 partnering businesses and counting, including: American Airlines; American Express; the American Resort Development Association; Chase; Delta Air Lines; Disney Parks, Experiences and Products; Ecolab; Enterprise Holdings, Inc.; Expedia Group; Hilton; the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Visitor & Convention Bureau; Hyatt Hotels Corporation; the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority; Loews Hotels & Co; Marriott International; PepsiCo; Sabre; the South Dakota Department of Tourism; United Airlines; the U.S. Travel Association; Visa; Visit California; Visit Spokane; and World Cinema, Inc., among other organizations.

Unraveling The Mystique Of North Carolina Muscadine Grapes

Still seeking Chardonnay and Cabernet? Perhaps its time to sample the native North Carolina grape: Muscadine.

The Heritage Of Muscadine

Winemakers in North Carolina have something their counterparts in France and California don’t. While Napa and Burgundy can boast plentiful Chardonnay and Pinot Noir vines, you won’t find any muscadine wine to sample.

Never Miss A Beat – Follow Vino-Sphere On Facebook

Muscadine grapes are native to the American Southeast ranging north to Kentucky and as far west as Texas. Muscadine grapes are bigger than other wine grapes with a thicker skin – and they don’t like cold weather.

The Roots Run Deep

Muscadine history in North Carolina is long and deep. The Mother Vine, legendary for its size and age, is located on North Carolina’s Roanoke Island. The scuppernong vine is estimated to be more than 400 years old.

Keep up with the latest. Follow us on Instagram!

The wine industry in the south was largely based on muscadines and scuppernongs (a variety of muscadines named after the Scuppernong River) in the 1800s and 1900s. In the years before prohibition the most popular wine in America was Virginia Dare, a scuppernong-based wine. Prohibition delivered a crippling blow to the muscadine wine business, but you can’t keep a good grape down.

Although lesser known than the popular international varieties like Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, muscadine grapes and wines made from them are immensely popular. In fact, the muscadine grape is the North Carolina state fruit. In North Carolina 50% of the grapes grown are muscadine, according to Debby Wechsler, executive secretary of the North Carolina Muscadine Grape Association. When home gardens are taken into account, she adds, muscadine totals more than half of all grapes grown in the state.

Andy Zeman of Benjamin Vineyards in Graham says part of the appeal to growers is the hardiness. “They are hard to kill,” said Zeman. “They are resistant to just about everything.” Since they require less care to prevent disease, they are less expensive for winegrowers to raise.

The fruit is also popular as table grapes. The colors range from green to bronze to red to almost jet black. The grapes, almost all of which have seeds, have a delicious sweetness.

Beyond Sweet Wine

While muscadines can produce wine to tickle the sweet tooth, its not all sweetness. “Sugar is a great way to cover up your boo-boos,” said winemaker Nadia Hetzel of Cypress Bend Vineyards in Wagram. She adds that Cypress Bend focuses on drier muscadine wines.

We had the opportunity to sample Cypress Bend’s Livy Estate, a white wine made with the Carlos variety of muscadine. It is produced in an off-dry style. Conveniently, the winery uses a sweetness scale on the back to help you find muscadine wines that suit your palate.

For those used to sniffing a very mild bouquet from your typical wine – hold onto your socks. The aromas from muscadine wines are bold. The smell is grapey and somewhat musky. The Livy Estate is a welcome wave of refreshment – especially if properly chilled on a hot day. It’s light and crisp and a good match for chicken or seafood. It retails for $16.

Wine To Extend Your Life?

The benefits of muscadine grapes may go beyond your wineglass or dinner table. According to Dr. Patricia Gallagher of Wake Forest University Medical Center, the extract of muscadine grapes has shown promising results in breast and prostate cancer studies. Resveratrol, an antioxidant found in the skins of grapes, has long been studied for its health benefits. The thicker skins in muscadine grapes means this potentially beneficial substance is there in abundance.

Initial research findings at Wake Forest shows that muscadine grape extract may reduce the spread of certain cancers in the body. The extract may also improve the safety of radiation and chemo treatments for cancer patients.

Pour a glass of muscadine and drink in a North Carolina tradition.

Drinking Local Is A Delicious Way To Help The Environment And Boost Small Business

Shop local? Sure. But what about drinking local in NC?

By Dave Nershi, CSW

Publisher

When you think of supporting local business, your mind probably goes to stopping by a local shop on Main Street instead of a big box store. Don’t limit yourself to your shopping cart. Drinking local also makes more sense than ever. Supporting your local winery boosts the local economy and supports local agriculture.

Never Miss A Beat – Follow Vino-Sphere On Facebook

“Not only are there environmental benefits of supporting all local farmers — orchards, vegetable farms, meat and grape growers — but, ‘buying local’, keeps money in the local economy,” said Frank Morgan, publisher of the popular Drink What You Like wine blog. “About 68 cents of every dollar spent on ‘local’ products stays in the local economy.”

Wine Isn’t Just From California

Wine is now produced in all 50 US states and the number of wineries has grown by nearly 50 percent since 2009. That’s something you may have missed if you only read the mainstream wine media.

There is no rule that says all wine has to come from California. In Burgundy they drink French wine made in Burgundy. In North Carolina we should drink North Carolina wine.

Keep up with the latest. Follow us on Instagram!

By the dawn of the 20th century, North Carolina was the leading wine producing region in the nation. Prohibition caused the local wine industry to come to a screeching halt, but today North Carolina has more than 525 vineyards and 185 wineries in scenic landscapes from the mountains to the coast. The economic impact from North Carolina wine and wine grapes is nearly $2 billion. Wine from the Old North State is clearly on the rise.

Time Has Come For NC Wine

“North Carolina’s time has come,” said Diana Jones, co-owner of Jones Von Drehle Vineyards and Winery in Yadkin Valley. “As a state we produce a prism of products based on fermentation of our locally produced farm goodness. Wine (from vinifera, hybrid and muscadine grapes), beer (yep, barley and hops are grown in NC), spirits, ciders, and mead (honey). Let’s not forget the NC goodness that goes with the above: breads and cheese. All from right here. Look local, buy local, eat local and you support your neighbors; they in turn will support you.”

Local wineries create jobs and generate tax revenue for a vibrant local economy. Hotels, restaurants, tour companies and local shops all benefit when you patronize your local winery. Purchasing North Carolina wine helps sustain local jobs and when those employees are off the clock, they’ll be spending their paycheck in the local community. That’s quite a different story compared to buying a bottle of California wine in a supermarket.

Jones points out that there are environmental benefits as well. “Supporting local business such as a farm winery not only lets you enjoy the hands-on goodness of real farm to table but saves fuel burned to transport wine to us from afar, keeps tax dollars in our state and local treasuries, and preserves jobs for the thousands of workers that grow, produce and deliver to your door, favorite restaurant or neighborhood store,” she said.

Drink Wine Where It Was Grown

Mass produced wine that must be transported across the country before it gets to you is just plain wasteful. Since local wineries are growing their own grapes or sourcing locally and distributing locally, they have a much smaller carbon footprint. It’s also much cheaper – and sustainable -- to enjoy a North Carolina wine tour than it is to fly to France or Italy to visit wineries and vineyards.

North Carolina has a growing reputation as a hotbed for craft beer, but Max Lloyd, winemaker at Grove Winery, points out that regional wine is even more local. "Wine is much more of an agricultural product than beer. At a brewery, the hops and grains are almost always grown somewhere else,” said Lloyd. “Even the water is brought into the brewery with a pipe. At a farm winery, nearly 100% of the ingredients were grown on onsite."

When you visit a North Carolina winery, you not only enjoy an intimate experience where you might meet the owner or winemaker, but you benefit from prices that avoid the middleman. "There's nothing I enjoy more than going to a farm winery, grabbing a glass or bottle of wine and going outside and drinking the wine on the same farm where it was grown,” said Lloyd. “Throw in a nice locally grown cheese and you have the perfect afternoon."

Drinking Local Is Important

“We think drinking local is just as important as eating local,” said Matt Kemberling, who along with Joe Brock are the NC Wine Guys, who champion NC wines, mead and cider through their video series, blog and social media efforts. “When you’re eating at a farm to table restaurant, why not also have local wine to make a complete offering?”

“When you drink local, you’re doing many things all at once,” adds Brock. “You’re supporting a small business and keeping your tax dollars in the state. You’re encouraging a local winemaker in their passion. And you’re showing that the local industry is important to you.”

Often local wines are disregarded because people expect it to taste like something else. But the soil in every region is a bit different, which means the grapes it produces will also be different. You shouldn’t expect it to taste like California. You also have the chance to taste non-traditional grapes. For example, the very first grape cultivated in the US was grown in North Carolina. It is scuppernong, a type of Muscadine grape.

Matching Grapes To The Soil

In North Carolina, you will find a wide variety of wine grapes ranging from the well-known international varieties such as Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot, but also some less familiar, such as Chambourcin, Seyval Blanc, and Villard Noir. Don’t forget about the Muscadines, North Carolina’s native grapes. Muscadine wines are rich, full-flavored, and very fruity. State winegrowers plant just the right grape variety suitable for the soil – and they pair beautifully with meals sourced from local farms and ranches.

Interest in North Carolina wines is climbing, and the public is showing more interest in wines that come from the “other 47” states (other than California, Washington, and Oregon). Drink Local Wine Week is celebrated nationally the second full week in October.

It truly is a cause for celebration. Drinking local in North Carolina means what’s in your bottle has been created with local ingredients and showcases the unique flavors of our state. There is no end to the reasons to drink local – but the best one is the delicious wine right in your glass.

Wine, Travel and Food News From Vino-Sphere

A roundup of travel, wine and food news from our worldwide sources.

Popular Vintners Resort to Reopen With New Health and Wellness Measures

Vintners Resort, the AAA Four-Diamond Sonoma County luxury hotel, was scheduled to reopen on July 1. The property is now accepting reservations for overnight stays, as well as dining at John Ash & Co. restaurant and The Front Room Bar & Lounge; River Vine Restaurant, Vi La Vita Spa and the Events Center will remain temporarily closed.

“We are eager to see guests enjoy Vintners Resort once again,” says Rhonda Carano, who owns and oversees the 92-acre resort complex and adjacent vineyards. “Over the past three months the incredible team, led by General Manager Percy Brandon, has considered every aspect of the Vintners Resort experience and operations to ensure the health and safety of both guests and staff. With the recent sale of Ferrari-Carano Vineyards and Winery, my focus is now entirely on Vintners Resort and ensuring that those wellness measures are coupled with hospitality excellence.”

New and returning guests to the property will discover both physical changes and service enhancements designed to preserve health and well-being, from enhanced bell service to exchanging in-room amenities like coffeemakers to the newly-created staff position of “Resort Care Coordinator,” who will constantly walk the property to ensure all wellness measures are being followed.

Markham Vineyards Honors Veterans, First Responders and Community Heroes With Release Of New Red Blend "The Altruist"

Markham Napa Valley Vineyards has released a new wine, "The Altruist," a Bordeaux-style red blend dedicated to honoring our nation's veterans, first responders and community heroes who courageously defend and preserve our freedoms and security 365 days a year.

The release of "The Altruist" launches with Markham's charitable donation to, and partnership with the Gary Sinise Foundation, whose mission is to serve our nation by honoring our defenders, veterans, first responders, their families, and those in need.

"The Altruist" is a Merlot-based red blend of Napa Valley grapes predominantly from Markham's estate vineyards from the 2017 vintage and releases in June nationally at $29.99 retail.

Play it Safe at Tranquility Bay Resort's Unique Florida Keys Beach Houses

Visitors can rest easy at Tranquility Bay Resort in the Florida Keys after the palm-lined paradise reopened June 1. The property offers space to relax with unique standalone beach houses with private entrances, onsite water sports, a private beach, three pools and its new Safety & Well-being Promise.

General Manager, Bob Bauersachs said, “Tranquility Bay's open-air public spaces and uniquely private beach houses provide the perfect solution for guests concerned about safety and well-being while wanting to get away. With private entrances and no public hallways or elevators, our customers appreciate this peace of mind.”

The 103-room resort attracts mostly couples, families and small groups traveling together. “Our guests can be completely apart from the crowd and still see the most remarkable sunsets and enjoy amazing Florida Keys activities,” said Bauersachs.

Tranquility Bay is located 90 miles south of Miami (a 2-hour drive) and 45 miles north of historic Key West. For more information, visit www.tranquilitybay.com.

Alder Springs Vineyard “A Case for a Cause” Program Extended

In response to the unprecedented hardships caused by world events, Alder Springs Vineyard is re-committing to and re-naming its philanthropic program to offer support to more beneficiaries, over an indefinite period of time. For every 12-bottle case of wine purchased from Alder Springs Vineyard, owner Stuart Bewley will forward a $200 donation to any beneficiary that the customer chooses.

“The world’s never seen anything like these times,” said Bewley. “I wanted to do something to help as so many people have lost jobs and loved ones and suffered loss of personal property. Non-profit organizations of every kind are hurting for funds. So, I’m letting my customers choose where the donation from each case goes.”
The Case for a Cause program launched on April 29 as the Shelter-in-Place Support initiative, but after stay-at-home orders were lifted, Bewley decided to keep the program in place indefinitely – which called for a new name: A Case for a Cause.

70% Of Americans Support Economic Stimulus To Help Reeling Travel Industry

Only 18% Have Traveled Since March; Majority Don’t Have Travel Plans in 2020

Incentivizing Americans To Travel Again

A new survey conducted by Morning Consult commissioned by the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) found that while Americans remain hesitant about traveling, they overwhelmingly support efforts by Congress to help the travel industry recover including helping hotels keep their doors open and bring back employees, as well as incentivizing Americans to travel again.

With only 18 percent of respondents reporting taking an overnight trip since March, the devastation caused to the hotel industry is already nine times worse than 9/11, with more than 8 in 10 hotels having to lay off or furlough workers during the pandemic.

Key findings:

• 70 percent of Americans support the passage of additional economic stimulus for the industries most negatively impacted by the pandemic, including the travel and hospitality sectors.
• By nearly a 3-1 margin, Americans support a new, temporary federal travel tax credit to encourage people to travel (61% support, 21% oppose).
• By nearly a 3-1 margin, Americans support restoring the business entertainment expense deduction to encourage business travel (57% support, 21% oppose).
• By more than a 3-1 margin, Americans support efforts by the federal government to require banks to offer debt relief or forbearance on commercial hotel mortgages (63% support, 16% oppose).

“As communities reopen, we are encouraged to see people begin to travel and some hotel jobs return, but make no mistake, most hotels are still trying to survive. Americans overwhelmingly support efforts by Congress to provide the hotel industry with additional support to ensure we can bring back our employees and keep our doors open,” said Chip Rogers, president and CEO of the American Hotel & Lodging Association. “We need Congress to continue to prioritize the industries and employees most affected by the crisis, so we can retain and rehire the people who power our industry, our communities and our economy.”

Recovery Roadmap

The industry has laid out a "Roadmap to Recovery" calling on Congress to help hotels retain and rehire employees, protect employees and guests, keep hotel doors open and incentivize Americans to travel again when it’s safe.

Part of the hotel industry’s roadmap for Congress is providing a temporary tax incentive to encourage domestic travel and restoring the business entertainment expense deduction, which Rogers says will not only provide a boost to hotels and their ability to stay open and retain employees but also the local economies, including restaurants and retail stores that rely on business from travelers.

“By nearly a three to one margin, Americans support these measures to help incentivize domestic travel and aid hotels and other struggling businesses and their employees trying to survive this crisis. Whether you live in a major city, beach resort area or small town off the interstate, hotels are often the anchor to supporting jobs, economic activity and tax revenue for localities across the country,” said Rogers.

Prior to the pandemic, hotels supported one in 25 American jobs—8.3 million in total—and contributed $40 billion in direct state and local tax revenue in 2018 alone. However, because of the sharp drop in travel demand from COVID-19, eight in ten hotels had to lay off or furlough workers. 

State and local tax revenue from hotel operations are estimated to drop by $16.8 billion in 2020, according to a new report by Oxford Economics released by AHLA.

When Will Travel Return?

Looking ahead, the survey also found that travel is not expected to fully return until next year with a majority of Americans saying they have no plans to travel for the rest of 2020.

“The hotel industry was the first impacted by the pandemic and will be one of the last to recover. We are a major economic driver, supporting millions of jobs and generating billions in tax revenue. Getting our economy back on track starts with supporting the hotel industry and helping them regain their footing,” concluded Rogers.

Survey Methodology
This poll was conducted by Morning Consult on behalf of AHLA. The survey was conducted June 16-19, 2020 among a national sample of 2200 Adults. The interviews were conducted online and the data were weighted to approximate a target sample of Adults based on age, educational attainment, gender, race, and region. Results from the full survey have a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percentage points.

Oregon Wine Country Starts Reopening

All Oregon counties move to Phase One with Oregon tasting rooms permitted to reopen. After seven weeks of upholding stay-at-home orders, Portland tasting rooms and restaurants have now reopened.

Portland Metro Area Open For Business

Multnomah County has been greenlighted to open all restaurants, bars, wineries and tasting rooms after having been closed by executive stay-at-home orders for seven weeks to attempt to slow the spread of COVID-19. Oregon Governor Kate Brown has approved Oregon’s most populous county to move into Phase One. Permitting Multnomah County wineries to welcome guests enables about 26 tasting rooms in the Portland metro area to serve beverages, and food as applicable, to onsite customers.

As of June 19, 32 of Oregon’s 36 counties will have moved into Phase Two. In Phase One, food and beverage establishments must adhere to social distancing and must close by 10 p.m. Phase Two allows for some reduced restrictions for restaurants, bars and tasting rooms, such as a midnight closing time, and also includes reopening pools, movie theaters and bowling alleys.

Special Safety Requirements In Effect

Like restaurants, winery tasting rooms must observe social distancing guidelines such as maintaining physical distancing requirements and limiting the number of customers on their premises accordingly. They must ensure tables are spaced at least six feet apart so that at least six feet between parties is maintained, including when customers approach or leave tables. Parties are limited to 10 people or fewer. Visitors are urged to bring masks, check here to see if their favorite tasting rooms are open, and call tasting rooms before visiting for further assurance, and to check visitation policies as many tasting rooms will be accepting or requiring reservations to ensure safe seating.

With health and safety at the forefront, a slow, thoughtful pace is paramount in reopening winery tasting rooms, including following the carefully phased plan the governor has laid out. More guidelines that tasting rooms are following to ensure employee and customer safety can be found here. This document was developed by a task force of wineries from across the state, and the protocols go above and beyond the governor’s reopening requirements to add recommended staff trainings and visitor safety protections specifically designed with the welfare of wine country guests in mind.

Oregon wine lovers can use this time to take advantage of Oregon Vine Perks, where Oregon wine buyers can upload their receipts and receive an Oregon Vine Perks Pass in the mail. The pass will unlock two-for-one tastings, discounts and VIP benefits at participating wineries across the state once tasting rooms reopen. The passes are good through April 30, 2021. The OWB will also make a donation in the name of Oregon Vine Perks to the Oregon Food Bank.

Wineries Changing Tactics While World Faces New Reality

Cameron Hughes marketing chief explains how wineries are coping with COVID-19 challenges.

When The Tasting Rooms Closed…

Jessica Kogan was “super bummed” when the COVID-19 pandemic forced winery tasting rooms to be shuttered. As chief marketing officer of Cameron Hughes Wine and chief digital officer of Vintage Wine Estates, it was time to go to work. We caught up with Jessica for an interview last week.

Keep up with the latest. Follow us on Instagram!

“How do you make up for the experience you get in a tasting room?” said Kogan. Vintage Wine Estates is a collection of 40 wineries and producers that span Napa, Sonoma, Oregon and Washington State. All were dealing with closed tasting rooms. “You have to be everywhere your customer is or wants to be.” In these days of stay at home restrictions, it means relying on technology and innovative direct-to-consumer strategies.

For the VWE wineries, that has meant putting tech in the tasting rooms to let employees work remotely. Customers can text or message tasting room associates right from their phone. It doesn’t make up for the tasting room experience, but it creates a relationship with the brand and tasting room associates.

New Ways To Engage

One way to create excitement is to make available wines that normally can only be purchased in the tasting room. Wines like Girard’s 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon, Calistoga, B.R. Cohn’s 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon, Olive Hill Estate magnum and Swanson’s 2013 Face Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, are exclusive gems that will shatter the isolation blues for any wine lover.

Never Miss A Beat – Follow Vino-Sphere On Facebook

Virtual tastings and Facebook Live shows allow the wines and wineries to get online exposure. Winery staff can also provide online support to customers needing advice purchasing wine. VWE has also found other positions when needed for tasting room staff. Some workers have shifted to production or other areas, but the rate of pay is the same.

Three years ago Vintage Wine Estates acquired Cameron Hughes Wine. That deal not only added an internationally respected wine négociant but a wealth of knowledge and connections in the digital space.

Online Wine Sales Surge

Cameron Hughes doesn’t have a winery but instead focuses on sourcing the very best wine and negotiating the most favorable price. The name of the source winery is undisclosed to protect the brand. As a result, Cameron Hughes Wine can obtain $100 Cabernet Sauvignon and sell it for a third of the price, or offer a $60 Pinot Noir for less than $20.

Cameron Hughes wines are only available online and CHW has become a leader in the direct-to-consumer wine sector. It’s a good position to be in as online sales of wine have exploded. According to Kogan, there is a big oversupply of premium wine. Cameron Hughes excels at purchasing the overage and reselling at attractive prices. She said CHW is performing at the top of the list of Vintage Wine Estate brands.

Sea Change In Wine Purchases

While e-commerce sales surge, Kogan sees some subtle changes. “It’s the same listing of varietals, Cabernet and Chardonnay, people are buying across the spectrum. The average order value is going up and people are willing to experiment more without fear. Value wines are becoming popular.

“All indications are the higher-priced wines are taking a hit and it’s not just the virus,” said Kogan. “It’s the choices Millennials are making. They don’t have the same buying power as Baby Boomers, but this is beyond their personal financial situation. They just don’t desire really expensive wines.”

The $20-$25 is the growth area in premium wines whereas the sweet spot used to be $35-50. There is a decline in the super-premium category with prices $50 and above. Kogan sees a huge shift in the market to mainstream consumer behavior and not so many wine collectors seeking high-priced bottles.

There there are contrasts with the current crisis compared to the economic meltdown in 2008. “In 2008 no one knew what to do,” said Kogan. “We didn’t have money and everyone just froze.”

Back then social media and means to connect with customers digitally were nascent. “This has a different feeling,” said Kogan. “I’m happy to see that businesses have been able to engage with consumers versus wondering what to do. Wineries are rightsizing inventory and finding alternate ways to connect with customers.”

When We Get Through It

No one has a crystal ball to foresee the end of the COVID-19 pandemic. “It’s hard and it’s emotional,” said Kogan. “Everything feels tenuous and uncertain. However, I’m seeing some good leadership from companies. We’re trying to provide employees a vision and a path.

At this point, there appears to be no impact on the 2020 vintage. There are adequate workers and so far everything is on track.

“This is a hard time,” said Kogan. “Everyone should be encouraged that at some point we will get through it and your favorite wine will be there when we do.”

Photos courtesy of Vintage Wine Estates

Top Barbecue Cities For 2020 Listed

While barbecue hotbeds rate high on the list, several unexpected cities make their case for BBQ cred.

When we moved from Ohio to North Carolina, we left a locale great for ethnic food and ice wine. We landed smack-dab in the middle of barbecue country.

Apartment Guide recently released their list of The Best Cities for Barbecue. As I read the article I was as anxious as if I had ordered a rack of mouthwatering baby back ribs slathered in tangy sauce.

Barbecue is an important part of the history and heritage of North Carolina. There is a division in the state almost as significant as the Mason Dixon Line – the divide between the red Lexington-style sauce of the west and the vinegar and pepper based sauce of the east. I was curious to see how North Carolina rated in the list of top barbecue locations.

Imagine my surprise to discover that Gary, Indiana, and Decatur, Illinois, ranked higher than any city in North or South Carolina. Furthermore, Gary and Decatur also ranked higher than Kansas City! Wow, that’s almost unbelievable.

For its study, Apartment Guide scoured the nation and found nearly 6,300 cities in the U.S. with at least one barbecue restaurant. It then calculated the percentage of barbecue establishments to the total number of restaurants in each of those towns to determine the cities with the highest ratio of BBQ restaurants.

Here’s a list of the top 10 cities:

1. Memphis TN
2. Minnetonka MN
3. Desoto TX
4. Decatur IL
5. Bowie MD
6. Decatur AL
7. Kansas City KS
8. Saint Cloud FL
9. Smyrna GA
10. Gary IN

No argument about Memphis. Not only does it have the highest ratio of barbecue restaurants in the nation, but it also has the third overall most barbecue joints behind only the much larger Houston and Chicago. There are 142 barbecue restaurants within the city limits, there's amazing pulled pork, ribs and dry rub around every corner. I’d also give them extra points for the blues – smoky Memphis blues and barbecue are a natural fit.

The highest ranking NC city is High Point, checking in at number 18. Rocky Mount earned a 26 rating. St. Louis or Austin?  They didn’t even make the list of top 50 cities.

I guess there is a difference between “best barbecue cities” and “cities with the best barbecue.” A key metric in the report is the number of barbecue restaurants as well as the per capita barbecue restaurants. You’ll have a hard time convincing me that Gary, Indiana, is a better barbecue city than Austin, Texas. If you are in Gary or Minnetonka, MN, though, it sounds like you’ll have a pretty good chance of finding a barbecue restaurant.

For the full listing and additional information, check out Apartment Guide Best Cities for Barbecue. Let the debate begin!

Photo Credit: davidstewartgets Flickr via Compfight cc

Surprising Travel Trends For 2020

This is the time of year when we gaze into the crystal ball and make predictions for the future. With the help of a recent Allstar Coaches poll, we present some interesting predictions and travel trends for 2020.

Concerns Over a Potential “Travel Recession” Persist

Travel and tourism marketing agency MMGY’s Global Traveler Sentiment Index has seen declines for eight-straight quarters, which suggests American’s leisure travel plans are softening. Price sensitivity is also growing. Thirty-four percent of travelers now cite travel costs as the number-one concern — versus only 18% in 2016.

Never Miss A Beat – Follow Vino-Sphere On Facebook

These softening travel numbers could reflect concerns about the broader economy. Many experts believe we’re due for a near-term economic recession, though the exact timing is unknown.

Bloomberg places the chance of a recession in the next 12 months at 26%. However, members of the National Association of Business Economics place the odds of an early 2021 recession at 69%.

Despite These Concerns, Travel Spending will Remain the Same

These long-term economic concerns don’t appear to have impacted travel spending habits just yet. In their 2019-2020 Portrait of American Travelers study, MMGY found that America’s travel spending will increase slightly in the near-term.

Keep up with the latest. Follow us on Instagram!

Travelers reported spending $5,025 in 2019, which is even with 2018. Travelers also anticipate spending 17% more on travel than they did in 2018.

Road Trips are a Growing Trend

Millennials are literally driving one new travel trend, however, as the great American road trip comes back in vogue.

• Since 2015, the MMGY Portrait of American Travelers study has tracked a 64% increase in road trip travel.
• 51% of all travelers took at least one road trip in 2018, up five points from the previous year, and 60% of travelers said they were likely to take a road trip this year.
• 62% of millennials intend to make one or more road trips in the next 12 months.

The Concept of Hybrid Vacations are Growing Among Younger Travelers.

Millennial families are now adding road trips to their air travel vacations because they enjoy the flexibility of using a car. Fifty-seven percent of millennial families are taking road trips that begin from another city, compared to 41% of singles and 28% of couples.

These so-called “wings and wheels” vacations evoke a sense of nostalgia for millennial families who want to create cherished vacation memories.

Everything Old is New Again

Not only are millennials busy creating new travel trends, but they’re also returning to a few vacation staples that have gone out of style with older travelers. For example, while the use of travel agents is still down in total, millennials are more likely to use travel advisors than any other group.

• MMGY’s travel study shows that 16% of respondents had used a traditional travel agent in the last 12 months. This was up from 14% in 2018 and down from a peak of 19% in 2016.
• 24% of millennials, however, reported that they plan to use an agent for at least one vacation during the next two years.
• That compares to 16% of Baby Boomers and 15% of Gen Xers, who reported plans to use a travel agent.

MMGY believes that the millennial generation’s focus on experiential travel drives this new trend because they think agents can deliver the best travel experience possible.

Millennials are also more likely to buy travel insurance than other generations.

• In a recent study, Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection found that 23% of travelers said they are going to purchase travel insurance more often in 2020 than they did in 2019. This finding represents a substantial increase over last year’s reports, which only showed a 14% year-over-year increase.
• Those numbers increase dramatically when looking at younger travelers. The survey found that 71% of millennials said they plan to buy more travel insurance in 2020.

Social Media Drives Travel Behaviors

Travelers also report that social media will influence where they travel and what they do during their vacations.

In its 2020 travel predictions report, global travel company Amadeus found that Instagram heavily influences behavior among younger travelers. They report that 40% of Instagram users under 33 said that Instagrammability was one of their top factors when selecting a vacation destination.

Many travelers also plan on engaging in risky behavior during their vacation to gain social media credibility. According to the Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection report, 69% of respondents said they plan on doing something dangerous so they can post it to social media.

Technorati Tags: travel,trends,2020

Wine, Travel & Food News From Vino-Sphere: January 11, 2019

Tacoma Art Museum's New Benaroya Wing Opens January 19

The newest addition to the Tacoma Art Museum (TAM) is the Rebecca and Jack Benaroya Wing, a 6,595-square-foot expansion to showcase the Benaroya Collection gift, which opens to the public on January 19. Led by architects Tom Kundig and Kirsten R. Murray the design of the Benaroya Wing balances opacity and transparency providing symmetry with recent TAM addition of the Haub Family Galleries, also designed by Olson Kundig.

Never Miss A Beat – Follow Vino-Sphere On Facebook

The addition strengthens the visual connection between TAM and the city by activating the north end of the museum, offering a new platform for visitors to observe the urban context from the galleries. "With the Benaroya Wing, I'm most excited about the opportunity to break down traditional thresholds between the museum and the public. The new vista gallery is designed to entice people inside to view the Benaroya Collection by offering a look into what's happening inside the museum,"
says Kundig.

Col Vetoraz joins The Grand Wine Tour Association

Col Vetoraz, a winery situated right next to the Mont di Cartizze in S. Stefano di Valdobbiadene, a municipality in Italy’s Veneto region, has joined the Grand Wine Tour Association. The Grand Wine Tour is an Association of top wineries across seven regions of Italy, offering exclusive wine tastings, boutique hotels, Michelin-starred restaurants & unique activities dedicated to a luxury clientele.

Check out our reports on more than 200 wineries

In 1993, Francesco Miotto, Paolo De Bortoli, and Loris Dall’Aqua founded the winery and planted vineyards that today give rise to the most prestigious wine in the Valdobbiadene DOCG: Valdobbiadene Cartizze Superiore. This style of Prosecco is highly exclusive as there are only 106 hectares of vineyards that fall under the appellation.

Monterey County Tourism Focuses On Destination Sustainability

The Monterey County Convention & Visitors Bureau (MCCVB) has joined two initiatives that will further its goal of ensuring Monterey County is one of the world’s leading sustainable destinations by both setting ambitious goals and measuring long term impacts.

The first is with Positive Impact, a global not for profit which exists to provide education and collaboration opportunities to create a sustainable event industry – and a vision to address the role of plastics in this industry. MCCVB is the exclusive destination partner for Positive Impact on this project which has already included collaboration with a number of United Nations bodies.

Measuring success is also critical to MCCVB’s mission. The organization joined the Global Destination Sustainability Index (GDS-Index) initiative. The GDS-Index measures sustainability strategies, policies and performance of participating destinations and by sharing best practices from around the world. Monterey County recently scored 52% on the sustainability index just behind Geneva and ahead of U.S. cities like Washington, D.C. and Houston. The scoring allows MCCVB to set a benchmark and improve in the coming years.

New Details and Activities Revealed for NBA Experience at Disney Springs

Walt Disney World Resort is giving guests and basketball fans a glimpse of the exciting action coming to the new NBA Experience at Disney Springs in summer 2019. This one-of-a-kind destination – developed by Walt Disney Imagineering in collaboration with the NBA – will feature hands-on activities that immerse guests into the world of professional basketball. The new NBA Experience is set to open at Disney Springs in summer 2019.

"Developed with the NBA, and inspired by the league's 29 arenas around the country, NBA Experience will highlight the heart-pounding action and excitement of the NBA world," said Stan Dodd, Executive Producer, Walt Disney Imagineering. "From training simulations and clock-racing competitions to fan-favorite NBA moments – we're bringing new experiences and thrilling games to life to make fans truly feel like a star player."

NBA Experience will feature something for everyone. Visitors will get a glimpse into the atmosphere at the NBA Draft, participate in their own scouting reports, go through pregame preparations, and step onto the court to make clutch shots and highlight reel-worthy slam dunks. The attraction will feature a dozen unique and innovative activities.

Organic Wine Now Part Of Meal Subscription Plan

Good Company Wines has announced a strategic partnership with San Francisco-based subscription meal delivery service, Sun Basket. Following up on a successful launch in the initial markets, the plan is to expand the organic wine subscription service to a national audience.

The Sun Basket subscription is focused on "cleaner glass" wine selections. Biodynamic, organic and sustainably farmed wines, the program is built on Good Company Wines’ global wine network and Sonoma-based operations. Designed to pair with Sun Basket's core offering, the monthly rotating selection of wines showcases new pioneers, special heirloom vineyards, and a high quality/price ratio.

AIDA Cruises Ship Makes Maiden Call in the Canary Islands as World's First Cruise Vessel Powered by LNG

Carnival Corporation and its AIDA Cruises brand celebrated the start of its operation of the Santa Cruz de Tenerife Cruise Terminal in the Canary Islands with the maiden call of AIDAnova, the world's first cruise vessel to be powered at sea and in port by liquefied natural gas (LNG), the world's cleanest burning fossil fuel.

In total, following AIDAnova, Carnival Corporation has an additional 10 next-generation "green" cruise ships on order that will be powered by LNG in port and at sea, with expected delivery dates between 2019 and 2025, leading the cruise industry's use of LNG to power cruise ships.
AIDAnova welcomed its inaugural guests in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, for the first seven-day holiday cruise around the Canary Islands and Madeira in December.

New Organic Wine Producer's U.S. Marketing Strategy Recognized by Chilean Government

St. Stephen Vineyards, has been named named winner of the Chilean government's 2018 CORFO Regional Program of Support for Entrepreneurship for marketing innovation. St. Stephen wines are high quality, certified organic, harvested by hand, and artisanally produced in small batches. Proceeds used to support environmental causes.

The objective of the competition is to support entrepreneurs with high growth potential and international scope. The competition is open to startups, and winners are evaluated on innovation in technology and in marketing. St. Stephen Organic Vineyards submitted a detailed project outlining work to investigate, identify, and test both conventional and alternative marketing channels for small and medium sized Chilean vineyards to enter the US Market.

"This honor validates our work to define and test alternative distribution channels in the United States for organic wine and is a first step to opening the door to roughly 80% of Chile's vineyards who are currently shut out of the US market," said St. Stephen Organic Vineyards President, Tim Edwards. St. Stephen Organic Vineyards wine became available in the US in September 2018.

Technorati Tags: cruises,Walt Disney World,Organic wine,Italian wine,travel,museum,Tacoma,Monterrey County

The Top Wines Of 2018: An Exclusive Vino-Sphere List

Here it is – our annual listing of the best bottles of the year. Uncork a bottle and enjoy as you check out the favorites we reviewed in 2018.

We hope you have enjoyed 2018 as much as we have. We’ve tasted hundreds of wines and visited dozens of wineries. Our travels included a foray to sample the great wines of Washington State and a couple of jaunts to the wine country of North Carolina. After sorting through our tasting notes and piles of empty bottles and corks, we’ve compiled our anticipated 2018 Top Wines list.

Never Miss A Beat – Follow Vino-Sphere On Facebook

We present the list in alphabetical order. An asterisk indicates exceptional quality.


Ad Lucem 2014 Elaina Red, Columbia Valley
Adorada 2016 Rosé, California
Altipiano 2016 Estate Sangiovese Reserve, San Diego County*
Balletto 2014 BCD Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley
Becker Family 2012 Pinot Noir, Pfalz
Bedell Cellars 2017 Taste Rosé, Long Island
Bollina Corte Medicea 2015 'Cletus' Toscana IGT, Tuscany
Bonterra 2015 The Roost Blue Heron Vineyard Chardonnay, Mendocino County
Breathless Brut Magnum, North Coast
Brut Jordan Cuvée by Champagne AR Lenoble
Ca’Marcanda 2013, Bolgheri*
Clos du Bois 2008 Marlstone, Alexander Valley

Check out our reports on more than 200 wineries

Corona de Aragon 2017 Garnacha Blanca
Cremisan Wine Estate 2014 Star of Bethlehem Baladi, West Bank
Domaine Artefact 2017 Rincon del Diablo, San Diego County
Dry Creek Vineyard 2013 Meritage, Dry Creek Valley
Duckhorn Vineyards 2015 Napa Valley Merlot Three Palms Vineyards*
Geil 2015 Bechtheimer Scheurebe Kabinett, Rheinhessen
Hanna 2014 Bismark Moon Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon*
Hanna 2016 Sauvignon Blanc, Russian River Valley
Hightower Cellars 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain*
Il Poggione 2016 Rosso di Montalcino
Jezreel 2016 Levanim, Jezreel Valley*
Kenwood 2013 Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma*
Lambert Bridge 2013 Crane Creek Cuvée, Dry Creek Valley*
LAN 2011 Rioja Reserva
Left Coast Cellars 2017 “The Orchard” Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley*
Lorenzi Estate 2009 Zinfandel Signature Series Reserve Temecula*
Montefioralle Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG 2014
Muscardini Cellars 2013 Rancho Salina, Moon Mountain
Papapietro Perry 2014 Peters Vineyard Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley
Parducci 2005 True Grit Petite Sirah, Mendocino County
Raffaldini 2014 Sangiovese Classico, Swan Creek
Santa Ema 2013 Amplus Old Vine Carignan, Maule
Shadow Springs Vineyard 2014 Petit Verdot, Swan Creek
Sterling 2014 Iridium Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley*
Terra Bella 2008 Estate Syrah, Paso Robles
Three Rivers Winery 2015 Svelte, Walla Walla Valley*
Vignobles Mayard 2009 La Crau de ma Mère, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Villa Maria 2015 Taylors Pass Pinot Noir, Marlborough*
Villa Maria 2016 Taylors Pass Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough
Weingut Wittmann Westhofener 2014 Riesling Trocken, Rheinhessen

Wine, Travel & Food News By Vino-Sphere: November 1, 2018

Aquaman Debuts In Madame Tussauds Orlando

Joining an unprecedented league of DC Super Heroes, Aquaman will soon take his rightful place in the action-packed experience – Justice League: A Call for Heroes, only at Madame Tussauds Orlando.

Fans will be the FIRST to see Jason Momoa as Aquaman up close when the epic new figure debuts on December 4. Designed in collaboration with Warner Bros. Consumer Products on behalf of DC Entertainment, the figure captures every detail from the title character in the feature film Aquaman, which hits theatres on December 21, and is outfitted in the all-new suit designed for the movie.

In the experience, Aquaman's commanding presence will rise above the streets of Metropolis where fans must unite with an all-star cast of DC Super Heroes to save the world. Madame Tussauds Orlando is an interactive wax experience where guests are guided through immersive themed rooms where they can shake hands with the President, get on stage with pop princesses, or get up close and personal with a Hollywood heartthrob and take the ultimate selfie!

New State-of-the-Art Winery At Doubleback Winery in Walla Walla

Heading south past the farms and fields along Walla Walla’s Powerline Road, the weathered exterior of Doubleback Winery’s new 14,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art winery and tasting room looks as though it has always been there. But don’t be fooled. Despite all the modern technology, equipment, and innovation housed within its walls, the new winery’s exterior is clad in siding reclaimed from barns that stood for more than a century on Doubleback and Bledsoe Family Winery proprietor Drew Bledsoe’s Flying ‘B’ family cattle ranch in Ellensburg, Wash.

Doubleback closed on the property in August 2016, broke ground in February 2017, and construction was completed in April 2018. This year’s harvest marks Doubleback’s first in the new winery, which was built to meet current needs while allowing for future expansion to accommodate as much as 10,000 cases of annual production for both the Doubleback and Bledsoe Family Winery labels. Key features of the production facility include the following:
· Eight 1,500-gallon stainless steel tanks
· Four 1,000-gallon stainless steel tanks
· Three 950-gallon Italian concrete “tulips”
· Three 750-gallon variable capacity tanks
· Four 320-gallon concrete “tulips”
· Four open-top, portable fermenters

“This is more than the realization of some big dreams and a lot of hard work,” Bledsoe, the former NFL quarterback said. “It’s a tribute to my Walla Walla upbringing, an homage to my family’s agricultural roots, and a world-class production facility all rolled into one.“

Topnotch Resort Package Includes Your Own Family Christmas Tree

Picking out the family Christmas tree is a great way to kick off the holiday season. Topnotch Resort, a AAA Four-Diamond resort located in Stowe, Vermont, now offers an O' Christmas Tree Package for the 2018 holiday season. This offer includes a stay in one of Topnotch Resort's luxury guest rooms, and a tree from nearby Paines Tree Farm where guests take a wagon ride to find the perfect tree.

Once selected and cut, the skilled team at Paines professionally wraps, packages and loads the tree onto the cars for a safe trip home. Nightly rates for the O' Christmas Tree Package, start at $199 for a standard room, double occupancy. The package is available 11/9/18 through 12/20/18.

Finger Lakes’ Villa Bellangelo Winery Earns Top 100

In November 2018, the Missick family will mark its seventh anniversary of ownership of Villa Bellangelo, and there is much to celebrate. In an impressive run, Bellangelo earned a spot as a producer of one of Wine & Spirits Magazine's Top 100 Wines in the World for 2018, and has had a series of wines in Wine & Spirits Magazine's "Best Of," category.  Bellangelo's Top 100 honor was its 2015 Berry Select Riesling (with a score of 94). 
When the Missick family moved from California to the Finger Lakes, it focused immediately on crafting authentic, delicious expressions of wines grown on the west side of Seneca Lake.  With a "sense of place," the varietal focus revolved around Riesling, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Franc.  "The beauty of Riesling, is that it has an ability to express its terroir in a way few varietals can," according to winemaker, Christopher Missick; adding "and in the Finger Lakes, we can tease out those expressions in a way no other region in the United States can.”
Bellangelo currently offers a dozen different Rieslings in its tasting rooms.  Missick is also the only full-time winemaker in the world that is also admitted to practice law before the Supreme Court of the United States.

Pizza Hut Cooks Up Mobile Pizza Factory

Pizza Hut has joined forces with Toyota to develop the one-of-a-kind, zero-emission Tundra PIE Pro, a mobile pizza factory with the ability to deliver oven-hot pizza wherever it goes. The full-size pizza-making truck was introduced at Toyota's 2018 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show presentation. 

The Tundra PIE Pro features a unique truck bed that has been converted into a virtual pizza factory on wheels—also known as "The Kitchen"—which contains a refrigerator, a pair of computer-guided robotic arms, and a portable conveyor oven. Like the truck itself, all components in The Kitchen are powered by a hydrogen fuel-cell electric powertrain. From start to finish, the pizza-making process takes between six and seven minutes.

When a Pizza Hut pizza is ordered, the first robotic arm opens the refrigerator and removes the selected pizza, places it on the oven conveyor, and returns to close the refrigerator door. The pizza is then sent through a high-speed ventless oven. On the far side, a second arm removes the finished pie, places it on the cutting board, divides it into six identical slices, boxes it up, and delivers it to the customer.

Ancient Wine Geek Gifting Dilemma Solved In Time For Holidays

With the launch of its Garagiste Club, the Gold Medal Wine Club has answered the perennial question: What do you give the wine geek who craves something different and unique? The gift of membership in the Garagiste Club means your closest wine geek friends and family members receive regular shipments of hard-to-find, extremely limited production wines produced by artisan winemakers up and down the West Coast.

“We kept getting requests for a wine club option fit for the enthusiast instead of the casual drinker and that led to the creation of the Garagiste Club,” says Gold Medal Wine Club founder David Chesterfield. “The Garagiste club procures the wines enthusiasts want: something rare, hard to find, extremely limited and produced by critically acclaimed winemakers.”

Examples of the wines Garagiste Club members have received include the 2013 Dolina Pinot Noir from the Santa Rita Hills with only 75 cases produced, a 2014 Thomas Knoll Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley with only 65 cases produced, and the 70-case production 2015 Montagne Russe Chardonnay from the Black Knight Vineyard in the Sonoma Coast.

Cointreau Unveils First Designer Cocktail Series

As friends and families gather for the most festive time of year, Cointreau, the celebrated orange liqueur, unveils the first Designer Cocktail Series, a collection of classic libations with an artful twist created by luminaries from the art, culinary and fashion worlds. To craft the Designer Cocktail Series, Cointreau enlisted tastemakers including actress, designer and influencer Olivia Culpo, street artist Bradley Theodore, celebrity pastry chef Elizabeth Chambers and fashion designer and creative director Marissa Webb.

Cocktail connoisseurs can raise their glasses to a medley of festive Cointreau recipes:

• Red Carpet Cosmo – a stylish take on the Cosmopolitan by Olivia Culpo featuring sweet raspberry garnished with candied ginger.
• The Gold Street Margarita – a colorful Margarita by Bradley Theodore with a specialty black sesame and gold flake rim inspired by his street art.
• The Lavender Sidecar – a feminine twist on a Sidecar by Elizabeth Chambers with fresh citrus, accented with a lavender infused sugar rim.
• The Jalapeño Fizz – a spicy Fizz by Marissa Webb boasting jalapeño infused Cointreau and a cilantro salted rim with jalapeño garnish.
• 
  

Mendocino Eco-Resort Offers Vegan Thanksgiving

The 2018 Thanksgiving menu at the Stanford Inn Eco-Resort draws on locally grown Northern California ingredients with a new twist on traditional flavors. Celebrating their 21^st anniversary as the nation's only vegan resort, Stanford Inn Eco-Resort chefs have announced the menu for their annual Thanksgiving feast that is sure to satisfy resort regulars, as well as those looking to establish new traditions for the holiday.

"This is our biggest and most requested meal of the year! It is popular with our local community as well as those traveling from across the nation to enjoy our Thanksgiving feast," said Jeff Stanford, co-founder of Stanford Inn Eco-Resort. "This dinner dates back to when we launched the Ravens and were so thankful to be in such an amazing coastal environment with a focus on service for our guests and the planet.”

2018 Thanksgiving Menu at Stanford Inn's Ravens Restaurant
Starter:                       Trumpet Royal and Zucchini Fritter with Caper Remoulade
Soup:                          Garden Turmeric Minestrone
Salad:                         Artichoke Heart, lambs greens (mache) with avocado ver jus
Choice of Entrees

• Almond encrusted tofu with chestnut stuffing, mashed potatoes, mushroom gravy and seasonal vegetable - seared Brussels sprouts and cranberry orange sauce.
• Creamy polenta with chanterelles and port reduction drizzle, served with broccoli rabe and shallots, garlic and pistachios.
• Thanksgiving tamale filled with ground walnut/cauliflower adobo; served with cranberry and pine nut quinoa pilaf and avocado, cucumber & tomato timbale.

Choice of Desserts:    Apple cobbler, pumpkin pie; trifle

BACA Wines To Host Holiday Drive Event In Napa

BACA Wines, a modern California Zinfandel brand spearheaded by Director Jennifer Brown and Winemaker Alison Frichtl Hollister, has announced plans to host a Holiday Drive event at HALL St. Helena on December 1. This event will serve as the kick-off for a month long holiday drive campaign benefiting NEWS, a Napa-based non-profit that provides support to survivors of domestic violence and abuse. 

Entrance to the event, which includes a wine tasting and light bites, is a donation-based contribution to NEWS through the Eventbrite by selecting a Game-centric monetary value. The donation system is modeled with four different levels of donation named after games. For example, the DOMINOS donation is $30, with the next donation level being JENGA, a $50 donation, and so on. Each individual donation will translate to one complimentary tasting per person.