10 Coolest Wineries to Visit | The Daily Meal

www.thedailymeal.com

These estates offer something unique to separate them from the pack

Save $100 per case on Beach House #34 while supplies last. No codes required, the discount will automatically be applied at checkout. Stock up now, only 30 cases left! This offer expires on 1/31/12.

The Story of Beach House #34
It all began on a beautiful summer evening in July of 2006. Beach House #34 at Castle Hill Inn in Newport RI, is where I proposed to my wife Michelle and we began our journey together. This wine was named after that very special Beach House and is a reminder of the beginning of lives together. We hope that each of you who enjoys this wine, also creates a special memorable experience.

Tasting Notes
This wine has explosive aromas and crisp citrus flavors. Immediately you notice a strong scent of grapefruit but over time you begin to notice the aroma of white peaches. Finally, you notice a hint of nature which is common in a traditional Sauvignon Blanc. The long finish of this wine is a surprising treat that continues to remind you of your favorite summer.

Winemaker Notes
This wine was aged in 100% stainless steel.

Food Pairing Notes
Seafood, Asian Cuisine and Poultry

Thank you

Faustini Wines

Faustini Wines
270 Kreuzer Lane – Napa, California 94559
tel: 707 736 6050

Dear Friends of Arietta,

Awake from your January hibernation! For the next seven days we open the door of the Arietta Wine Library to you. This year’s Library offering features six vintage verticals of Arietta H Block and Arietta Variation One in original wooden cases, a three vintage vertical of Arietta Cabernet Sauvignon in magnum also in original wooden case, and a “behind the scenes” offering of Arietta Quartet and White Keys in our rare 500ml format. One final treat for collectors who appreciate aged White Bordeaux style wines: magnums of Arietta White Wine “On The White Keys” Extended Aging 2006, of which only 24 cases were produced. The Arietta library offer is first come first served; quantities as you may imagine are very limited. For special requests, additional information, or appointments to taste, please contact Vanessa at vanessa@ariettawine.com

And thank you, Mother Nature, for the rain in Napa. It finally arrived; seven inches in the last three days.
Happy Winter,

Fritz and Caren Hatton, Proprietors
Vanessa Conlin, Director of Sales and Administration
Andy Erickson and Morgan Maureze, Winemakers
Arietta H Block Vertical of Vintages 2004-2009 in Wooden Box
2004 Arietta H Block
Arietta Red Wine H Block Hudson Vineyards is the Bordeaux Right Bank styled blend of co-fermented Cabernet Franc and Merlot which was the inspiration for Arietta’s creation. Of the 2004 vintage, critic Stephen Tanzer noted "Bright ruby-red. Perfumed aromas of black raspberry, smoked meat, dark chocolate and brown sugar. Superconcentrated, sweet and spicy, with a captivating sugar/acid balance. The violet and cassis flavors are complemented by deep, nuanced soil tones. A compellingly sweet, silky blend with outstanding breadth and opulence. Finishes with building, ripe tannins and great persistence." Production: 350 cases
2005 Arietta H Block
A sensational wine, the product of the greatest vintage for Cabernet Franc in Arietta’s ten-year history. This year’s blend of 80% Cabernet Franc and 20% Merlot harks back to the other “high Franc” vintage for Arietta, the superb 1997. One hundred percent co-fermented, the Arietta H Block Hudson Vineyards 2005 displays great balance, tactility, and persistence. Critic Stephen Tanzer notes "Bright ruby. Cassis, licorice, and violet on the nose. Silky and noble on entry, then penetrating, intense, and sharply defined, offering an uncanny combination of opulence, power, and cut. Captivating violet and dark chocolate notes. Finishes with big, broad tannins, superb spine and building length." Production: 400 cases
2006 Arietta H Block
The majestic 2006 Arietta H Block reverts to its typical blend of 60% Cabernet Franc and 40% Merlot. This proportion is the same as the highly successful 2002 Arietta H Block as well as H Block’s mentoring wine, Chateau Cheval Blanc, one of the two First Growths of the Bordeaux Right Bank. The Cabernet Franc and Merlot are co-fermented, and the wine is aged for twenty months in highest quality new French oak barrels. The dense character and relatively high pH of the 2006 Arietta H Block result from the very long 2006 growing season and an unhurried harvest. The tremendous stuffing and depth of the wine will promote development in the bottle for fifteen years, at least. Critic Stephen Tanzer notes: "Good deep ruby. Black raspberry, mocha and menthol on the nose. Sweet, creamy and densely packed, with rather wild flavors of raspberry, mocha, game and tobacco. Structured, backward wine with terrific length. The building tannins show full ripeness." Production: 450 cases
2007 Arietta H Block
Of the 2007 Arietta H Block, critic Robert Parker writes: "A prodigious wine, the 2007 Proprietary Red H Block Hudson Vineyard (a blend of 55% Cabernet Franc and 45% Merlot) boasts a deep purple color as well as a gorgeously sweet nose of lead pencil shavings intermixed with spring flowers, black raspberries, black currants, and incense. Deep and full-bodied with a stunning texture, sweet tannin, and superbly integrated acidity, alcohol, wood, and tannin, this 2007 should age effortlessly for 20+ years." Production: 450 cases
2008 Arietta H Block
The 2008 Arietta H Block is the first ever release of a 100% varietal Cabernet Franc made from the H Block on Lee Hudson’s Ranch on the Napa side of Carneros. The fabulous quality of the 2.3 acre H Block has been well recognized since it reached full production in 1990, and incredibly enough, this is the first time that its Cabernet Franc has ever been released unblended. For the Arietta Red Wine H Block Hudson Vineyards we normally prefer the additional layering and complexity provided by the addition of Merlot, but this time through all blending trials the “pure H” stood out as the most complete, complex, and well balanced wine. Welcome to the long overdue debut of the "pure H"! Its moment on stage will be brief; the Arietta H Block will return to its traditional Saint-Emilion style blend of Cabernet Franc and Merlot in the 2009 vintage. Winemaker Andy Erickson comments: "the later-ripening Cabernet Franc benefited from a mild, relatively warm autumn, allowing the fruit to mature well into October. The resulting Cabernet Franc wine is incredibly pure, deep, and complex, with notes of roasted coffee, lavender, pencil lead, and ripe fruits. The wine’s depth, balance, and seductive texture are most impressive." Production: 230 cases
2009 Arietta H Block
A blend of 78% Cabernet Franc and 22% Merlot, the 2009 Arietta Red Wine H Block Hudson Vineyards exudes beautiful, enticing aromas of hardwoods, fresh blueberries, and late summer rain. Alluring from the outset, the wine continues to open with time in the glass. On the palate, it shows an incredible finesse and balance, the fresh berry character leading to added layers of toast, leather, and wildflowers. With all its freshness and grace, one can only imagine that the Arietta H Block 2009 will continue to improve for easily a decade or more. Production: 350 cases
Arietta Variation One Vertical of Vintages 2004-2009 in a Wooden Box
2004 Arietta Variation One
The 2004 Arietta Variation One, the innovative co-fermented blend of Merlot and Syrah from top blocks on the Hudson Ranch in Napa/Carneros, impresses us again as the richest and most exotic wine in the Arietta portfolio. Tanzer noted "Deep, bright ruby-red. Slightly reduced nose blossomed quickly to show black raspberry, dark cherry, mocha and chocolate. Lush and superripe on the palate, but saline and mineral elements as well as the wine’s strong acid/tannin spine give it great definition and grip. Firm tannins are buffered by the wine’s strong material." Production: 500 cases
2005 Arietta Variation One
The first ever "reverse blend" for Arietta Variation One, the 2005 is an entirely co-fermented blend of 70% Syrah and 30% Merlot, all from Arietta’s carefully selected blocks on the meticulously farmed Hudson Ranch in Napa/Carneros. The 2005 Arietta Variation One’s rich aromas of bacon fat, earth, smoke, violets, graphite, plums, and wild blackberries remind us of a top-class Hermitage. Tanzer notes: "Very ripe, Syrah-dominated aromas of black fruits, chocolate and meat. Lush, thick and sweet, with an opulence of texture leavened by the wine’s serious tannic clout. This compellingly deep, chewy wine offers outstanding potential." Production: 400 cases
2006 Arietta Variation One
The patience to leave Arietta’s Syrah on the vine until the end of October was a key factor in the creation of the richest and densest Arietta Red Wine Variation One ever produced. The Syrah from Arietta’s sixteen rows in the rockiest part of Hudson Block 4 was co-fermented with Merlot from Arietta’s Hudson N Block. Winemaker Andy Erickson raised the percentage of Merlot in the 2006 Variation One to 45%, providing a good dose of civility to the wildness of the Syrah. The Arietta Red Wine Variation One 2006 is a generous, complex and exciting wine, unique in its blend and flavor profile, and not to be missed. Critic Stephen Tanzer writes: "Wild aromas of mocha, graphite and game, with a complicating note of roasted nuts. Sweet, plush and seamless, but with excellent energy to the layered black fruit flavors. This comes across as remarkably vibrant for a wine with a pH of 3.9. Finishes with building but very fine tannins and excellent length." Production: 500 cases
2007 Arietta Variation One
The 2007 Variation One, Arietta’s distinctive and dynamic "marriage of opposites," is a co-fermented blend of 55% Syrah and 45% Merlot, from the finest rows on the Hudson Ranch. The 2007 tops the critics’ charts. Parker writes: "A sensational effort, the 2007 Variation One displays a vivid, super-fragrant perfume of bouquet garni, white chocolate, blackberries, plums, and subtle smoky oak. Full-bodied with silky tannins, a decadent opulence, and a sumptuous texture, this is a head-turning, full-bodied, expressive wine to enjoy over the next 15-20 years." Production: 500 cases
2008 Arietta Variation One
The 2008 Arietta Variation One is the ninth vintage for our innovative blend of Syrah and Merlot grown on the Hudson Ranch in Carneros. Like a unique and treasured color in an artist’s palette, Arietta Red Wine Variation One excites chefs and wine buffs who prize its distinctive flavor profile. The blend of the Arietta Red Wine Variation One 2008 is similar to recent years: 55% Syrah and 45% Merlot. Winemaker Andy Erickson notes: "The deep, dark, brooding character of the Syrah makes the first impression. Aromas of roasted meat, black cherries, and menthol follow through to the palate. The tannins are mouth-filling and chewy, while the intense fruit character helps to round out the wine and add length. The later ripening of the Syrah in 2008 did not allow us to co-ferment with the Merlot, production of which was dramatically reduced by spring frosts and rain during bloom. However, the small quantity of Merlot produced was dense, juicy, and fruit forward, and blends perfectly with the powerful, dark, mocha elements of the Syrah." Production: 300 cases
2009 Arietta Variation One
The 2009 Arietta Variation One is a dense, aromatic, singular wine produced by co-fermenting two very different varieties – Merlot and Syrah – grown on land uniquely suited to both. At once plump and solid, the wine shows the best of both varieties, with Merlot (48% in this vintage) providing a juicy fruit-forward package, buttressed by a rock-solid framework of Syrah (52%), with its smoky, mineral complexity and firm structure. The experience is a rare mingling of baked blackberries, anise, fresh bread, and campfire aromas. A balanced wine of considerable weight and density, the Arietta Variation One 2009 is built to last. Production: 300 cases
Arietta Cabernet Sauvignon Trio in Magnum Vintages 2005-2007 in a Wooden Box
2005 Arietta Cabernet Sauvignon
Our third Cabernet Sauvignon, produced from Howell Mountain fruit farmed with bonsai-like precision by celebrated viticulturist David Abreu. The 2005 Arietta Cabernet Sauvignon includes 16% Cabernet Franc and 8% Petit Verdot. Critic Stephen Tanzer notes: "Expressive nose melds currant, blackberry, licorice pastille and chocolatey oak, hinting at an almost medicinal character. Suave on entry, then sweet, thick and pliant on the middle palate, with superb concentration and richness supported by a powerful spine of ripe tannins. This boasts compelling sweetness and a texture of velvet without going over the top, thanks in large part to the natural freshness of the vintage." Production: 350 cases, 20 in magnum
2006 Arietta Cabernet Sauvignon
The 2006 Arietta Cabernet Sauvignon, is a blend of fruit from two of Napa’s most celebrated vineyards: Thorevilos (on the lower slopes of Howell Mountain) and Meteor (in Coombsville, just east of the town of Napa). Both of these sites feature well drained volcanic soils and relatively cool temperatures, and are managed by superstar viticulturists. A hint of Petit Verdot (4%) from the top of Howell Mountain adds density and complexity. The Arietta Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, beautiful at birth, should develop in bottle for ten to fifteen years at least. Production: 96 cases, 15 in magnum
2007 Arietta Cabernet Sauvignon
The core of the 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon is Arietta’s block in the Meteor Vineyards in Coombsville. This small cool-climate viticultural area (about four square miles) just east of the town of Napa is the source of spectacularly good Bordeaux varietals, particularly Cabernet Sauvignon, which flourishes in the volcanic ash at the foot of Mount Saint George. Arietta winemaker Andy Erickson caps the Arietta block’s production at two and a half tons per acre in order to assure uniform ripeness and concentrated flavors at harvest. The beautiful harmonics of the Arietta Cabernet 2007 gain additional complexity and overtones through the addition of Cabernet Franc (17%) and Petit Verdot (3%). Critic Steve Tanzer notes: "Bright, saturated ruby. Vibrant aromas of black fruits and licorice. Densely packed and shapely, with good floral complexity and definition to the highly concentrated dark fruit and mineral flavors. A very young and gripping Cabernet with noble tannins and superb length." Production: 250 cases, 20 in magnum
2009 Arietta Quartet 500ml bottles
With this fourth vintage of Arietta Quartet we introduced a new primary vineyard source: three acres of closely spaced vines planted by viticulturist David Abreu in 2003. The vineyard, located in the relatively cool climate of Coombsville, was planted as if it had been designed for Arietta Quartet: just under two acres of Cabernet Sauvignon (Clones 4 and 337), a half-acre of Merlot and a quarter acre each of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. The fruit produces wine which is plush and classy without being heavy – ideal for Quartet, which is made to be approachable upon release. We spend many happy hours blending Arietta Quartet, which is composed of numerous small lots. The judicious addition of fruit from Arietta’s sources in Calistoga and Carneros adds depth, balance, and complexity. Ready to enjoy now, the Arietta Quartet 2009 should evolve beautifully in bottle for five to ten years. Production: 45 cases.
2010 Arietta "On The White Keys" 500ml bottles
Arietta’s unique white wine, "On the White Keys," is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. While this blend is typical of Grand Cru White Bordeaux, the Arietta "On the White Keys" also resembles the finest upriver Loires in its fresh and bracing presentation of Sauvignon Blanc. The goal of the winemaking is to marry a vibrant entry to a long and complex finish. The former is accomplished through the choice of unusually intense hillside Sauvignon Blanc from Sonoma Mountain, selective use of stainless steel barrels, partial blockage of malolactic fermentation, and bottling relatively young at nine months. The latter is accomplished through 100% barrel fermentation, the use of approximately 25% new French oak barrels, and the addition of Semillon from thirty-year-old vines in the Hyde Vineyard in Napa/Carneros. This year for the first time Sauvignon Blanc Musque clone from Carneros was included in the final blend. Production: 45 cases
2006 Arietta "On The White Keys" Extended Aging Magnum
Arietta "On The White Keys 2006 E.A.” (Extended Aging) comes from a single barrel (24 cases) of 2006 White Keys bottled in July 2008 entirely in magnum format. While the protocol for the production of Arietta On The White Keys is to bottle after nine months in barrel in order to capture the freshness of the Sauvignon Blanc, the Arietta On The White Keys “E.A.” was aged in barrel for twenty months–as long as Arietta’s red wines. The purpose is to compare the flavors and ageability of the Arietta On The White Keys “modern” style (the wine released to our mailing list and restaurants) to the traditional methods employed by top Grand Cru Bordeaux Chateau. The Arietta "On The White Keys E.A." displays a creaminess which coats a core of pear, lemon, honeysuckle, hazelnuts, and minerals, along with a touch of smoke from the extra year in oak. It is a grand and sophisticated wine, and should age in magnum for another several years—and possibly many more. Production: 24 cases
Like us on Facebook

info@ariettawine.com
telephone 707 963 5918
facsimile 707 963 5919

Arietta
P.O. Box 349
Oakville, CA 94562

ariettawine.com

We’re pleased to announce the very first release of the New Year with our 2010 Estate Chardonnay!
This sculpted beauty recently garnered 90 points from Wine Enthusiast Magazine. Estate grown, fermented, blended and bottled, the 2010 Chardonnay hails from our Persephone Vineyard in the rolling hills of Northeast Napa Valley.
It is crisp and zesty with lively acidity, cool minerality and bright citrus fruit flavors. This wine is a beautiful match for many fish and poultry dishes, or pastas with cream sauce—an excellent start to many winter meals.

“Fruit juicy flavors of peaches, oranges and pineapples and a crisp, zesty structure which gives it life.”
90 Points, Wine Enthusiast, 2011

2010 Estate Chardonnay
$28/Bottle
$302.40/Case (includes 10% discount)
$268.80/Case – Wine Club Price
(does not include tax or shipping)

To purchase by phone,
please call Jessica, Patti or Christina:
800.446.7358
(8:30am – 6pm PST)

Visit Our Tasting Room Daily, 10am – 6 pm
OUR PROMISE IS 100% GUEST SATISFACTION

Peju.com

Peju Province Winery 8466 St. Helena Hwy. Rutherford, Ca 94573 – 800.446.7358

Order 12 or more bottles and GROUND SHIPPING is included.
Please use promotional code SHIPCA112
at checkout to receive your discount.*

*Offer available online or by phone only. Offer valid for ground shipping and for purchase of 12 or more bottles. Use promotional code SHIPCA112 at checkout to receive your discount. Cannot be combined with other offers except Wine Club discount. We reserve the right to change all pricing errors. Offer good through January 23, 2012.

© 2012 Beringer Vineyards, 2000 Main Street, Napa, CA.
All Rights Reserved. Read about our privacy policy.

BRING THE TASTE OF FAR-OFF VINEYARDS
TO YOUR DOORSTEP
These 6 exceptional wines for just $58.49
Plus FREE shipping — a savings of $81!

The World of Wine Club transports you to the finest wine locales in the world.
Taste the most exquisite boutique wines each country has to offer and sample each country’s rich wine-making history. Your World of Wine adventure brings you six glorious wines from a different country every other month. From France to Spain to Italy (and even off to New Zealand), you’ll get an action-packed overview of the world’s finest wines without having to leave the warmth of your dining room! Plus, you’ll save $81 on your introductory wine club shipment.
Also, to help you enjoy your adventure, you’ll receive a free six-piece wine tote valued at $37.95 with your first shipment.

With your World of Wine Club membership, you’ll enjoy these special benefits:

Special: Receive a FREE six-piece wine tote with your first wine club shipment — a $37.95 value

Price: First shipment at 50% off plus FREE shipping, then future shipments are priced at an average of $15-$20 per bottle plus delivery

Each Shipment Includes: Wine facts plus detailed wine tasting notes & ratings

100% Satisfaction Guarantee: No obligation, ever. Cancel anytime

Plus much more: Click for further details.

Terms and Conditions Apply

PS. The Juice Club is not available outside of the US. We attempt to filter out emails not eligible, but those tracking US States with a non-country specific email address will likely still receive this offer.
Avaible to these US State;

AK, AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, NC, ND, NE, NH, NV, SC, WI, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OK, OR, TN, TX, VA, VT, WA, WV and WY.

Vintage Fall Reviews

"As a group, the wines offer pure, complex, fruit- and floral-driven aromatics. The deep, rich and layered fruit flavors are elegant, offering the kind of delicacy and finesse you hope for with Pinot." – James Laube

Rosella’s
94
Durell
94
Graham’
93
Garys’
92

Keefer
Ranch
91
Russian
River Valley
91
Santa Lucia Highlands
91
Sta.
Rita Hills
88

Before we get to the reviews, we wanted to take this opportunity to remind you that these wines are still available for purchase through our on-line ordering system. Please don’t be confused and think that these Pinots are a new release. These are the same wines we released in the Fall.

2010 Graham Family Vineyard Pinot Noir – Score: 93

Green Valley of Russian River Valley

Full-bodied, fleshy and concentrated, offering a mix of dark berry flavors, with blueberry, wild berry, plum and spice, that lead to a long, pure, richly flavored aftertaste. Drink now through 2020. 175 cases made. – J.L.

2010 Keefer Ranch Vineyard Pinot Noir – Score: 91

Green Valley of Russian River Valley

Fresh and snappy, with a complex mix of floral, mineral, blackberry and wild berry flavors that are pure and elegant, ending with fine-grained tannins. Drink now through 2018. 450 cases made. – J.L.

2010 Durell Vineyard Pinot Noir – Score: 94

Sonoma Coast

Impressive for its rich, expansive, deep layers of ripe fruit, offering portals into huckleberry, wild berry and boysenberry character, supported and framed by fresh acidity and minerally tannins, with a long, engaging finish. Drink now through 2021. 150 cases made. – J.L.

2010 Rosella’s Vineyard Pinot Noir – Score: 94

Santa Lucia Highlands

Combines dense, fresh earth, snappy wild berry, underbrush and mineral notes, fanning out and gaining depth and richness. Ends with a touch of black licorice and spice. Drink now through 2020. 325 cases made. – J.L.

2010 Garys’ Vineyard Pinot Noir – Score: 92

Santa Lucia Highlands

Starts with a burst of wild berry raciness, then tames down. Clean, pure, vibrant and vivacious, with the wild berry and raspberry fruit core tight and well-focused. Drink now through 2019. 300 cases made. – J.L.

2010 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir – Score: 91

Russian River Valley

Light toasty oak gives way to a richer array of dark berry flavors, built around blueberry, wild berry, floral and lavender scents. Turns elegant, spicy, peppery and delicate on the finish. Drink now through 2020. 300 cases made. – J.L.

2010 Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir – Score: 91

Santa Lucia Highlands

Offers a complex range of red fruits, with cherry and raspberry at the core. Well-structured, intense and snappy, ending with a mix of mint, spice and lavender. Drink now through 2016. 300 cases made. – J.L.

2010 Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir – Score: 88

Sta. Rita Hills

Ripe, complex and generous plum, raspberry and black cherry flavors are front and center, pure and persistent, holding their focus and depth. Drink now through 2016. 300 cases made. – J.L.

These wines are available for purchase to List Members through our
on-line ordering system
Keep this information in a safe place:
Forgot your password? No worries! You can reset it from the login page.
If you have any difficulties please email us.

Join us at Pinot Days!

Loring Wine Company and Pinot Days have partnered to offer our mailing list members a 10% discount on all of the festival’s spectacular events. Just enter the discount code LRNGWSC12 when ordering tickets from the Pinot Days web site and you will receive an immediate 10% discount on all events. This year’s Pinot Days Grand Festival is Saturday, January 28th from 1-5pm at Barker Hangar, Santa Monica.

Home | Store | Wines | Winery | Events | Trade | 1-805-736-0053

SAVE

50%

Check out our latest ticket deal for Wines of the Continental Congress. Purchase tickets for only $14.50!

Deal Price: $14.50

That’s 50% off!

Value:
$29.00

Discount:
50%

You Save:
$14.50

Hurry. This deal ends on Saturday Jan 14, 2012 at 10AM EST.

Go here for more details and to purchase this deal.

Share this Deal on Facebook
Tweet this Deal

EVENT INFO
Wines of the Continental Congress
January 14, 2012 from 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Pinot Boutique
227 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106

Valenzano Winery – Shamong

Winery Tour with Wine-and-Cheese Tasting and Bottle of Merlot for One or Two (Up to 58% Off)

from$12

Buy

No Longer Available

Value

$24

Discount

50%

You Save

$12

Buy it for a friend!

• Time Left to Buy
• 3 days 15:56:10

Limited Time Remaining!

1 bought

• Tweet!
• Email!

• Cultural Pursuits
• Date Night

Groupon’s getting personal. Click the hearts below to tell us the types of deals you love.

In a Nutshell

Barrel-room & production-facilities tours demystify winemaking before tastings educate tourists about pairing wines & cheeses

How far is this from home?Add Home

The Fine Print

• Expires Mar 16, 2012
• Limit 2 per person. Limit 1 per visit. Valid only for option purchased. Must be 21 or older.
• See the rules that apply to all deals.

Explorer Ponce de León abandoned his quest to discover the mythical land of wine after a tumble into the Fountain of Youth left him eternally underage. Take up his journey with today’s Groupon to Valenzano Winery in Shamong. Choose between the following options:

• For $12, you get an educational winery tour for one, with a wine-and-cheese tasting and a bottle of merlot (a $24 value).
• For $20, you get an educational winery tour for two, with a wine-and-cheese tasting and two bottles of merlot (a $48 value).

Valenzano Winery’s Tuscan-style estate sprouts grapes to produce a wide variety of Dionysian delights. Savvy tour guides pilot paths through the winery’s production facilities and barrel room, waxing poetic along the way about the art of winemaking and how to keep grapes from leaving home to join a rock band. After working up an appetite touring, guests are invited to the bar to taste a variety of wines, which will be paired with cheese and light appetizers. Then tourists can head home with a bottle of 2008 vintage merlot neatly tucked underneath arms and newly learned knowledge neatly stashed away inside brainfolds.

• Shamong

  1090 Rte. 206
  Shamong, New Jersey 08088
  (609) 268-6731
  Get Directions

Interview: Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board CEO Joseph Conti

When voters in Washington state approved a referendum to end state control of beverage alcohol sales late last year, all eyes turned to Pennsylvania, the largest control state in the United States by volume. Indeed, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) is the largest purchaser of wine and spirits in the U.S. and has sales of $1.5 billion generated from 609 state-operated stores.

Currently, Pennsylvania is one of only two states (the other is Utah) that owns and operates wholesale and retail sales of wine and spirits. Unlike Washington, Pennsylvania doesn’t have binding referendums, so the route to privatization would simply be for a bill from the legislature to be signed by the governor. Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett has indicated he would sign such a bill. Shanken News Daily recently spoke with the PLCB’s CEO, Joseph Conti, about the likelihood of privatization and overall efforts to modernize sales of beverage alcohol in Pennsylvania.

SND: What’s your view of privatization, and do you think the Pennsylvania legislature will move forward with the privatization bill?

Conti: House Majority Leader Mike Turzai’s House Bill 11 was amended before the House of Representatives adjourned for the holidays. It’s still part of an active legislative agenda. Rather than proposing 1,250 retail outlets in the original version of HB 11, the amended version offers the opportunity for 1,200 additional beer distributors to sell wine. There’s a proposed $50,000 upfront fee for a license and then a $15,000-a-year licensing fee.

SND: How significant is the consumer movement toward privatization in Pennsylvania?

Conti: In polls, 50%-60% of Pennsylvanians favor deregulation. Back in the ’80s and ’90s, there was much more public support—around 95%—for deregulation. So there’s not the enthusiasm we saw 20 or 30 years ago. That’s thanks to the PLCB’s various initiatives over the years.

SND: What’s the best argument for maintaining the status quo in Pennsylvania?

Conti: First, we are a significant asset that has $1.5 billion in sales and was able to generate $80 million in profit last year and cover all expenses for our operation. We also collect $400 million in taxes annually. So you have the benefits of a nice return for Pennsylvania taxpayers, and then you have the public safety issue. We think there’s a lot of merit in the controlled nature of wine and spirits sales.

SND: What are the latest developments in the modernization of the PLCB?

Conti: Beginning four years ago, the board conducted research to determine what consumers wanted in our stores. One thing that emerged from that was our center tables, which are a combination checkout with two to four registers, along with a manager’s office that’s visible to the public and a tasting bar at the end. That’s our new look. The store concept itself also has been revamped in terms of visuals—mainly by having fewer case stackings and displaying the bottles out of their cases. That has met with great consumer success, and we’ve seen nice increases in retail sales at our three or four prototypes. We’re now rolling this out across all 609 stores over the next two to five years. We also have a new website, finewinesandgoodspirits.com. We think we have a great future in e-commerce.

SND: How does purchasing work on the website?

Conti: Our web offerings tend to be mostly items not available in our stores—with the exception of the Chairman’s Selection, which is our deep discounted wine program. Until recently, all purchases had to be delivered to a store of the shopper’s choice. But we’re now allowing those purchases to be shipped directly to homes and businesses. A shipping fee of $14 is added to deliveries that include one to three bottles, with an additional dollar added for each bottle over that. Over the coming months, we’ll be seeing how our consumers like this initiative.

SND: Do you believe that the people of Pennsylvania are best served by the current PLCB system?

Conti: I do, but we have to continue to improve. We’re halfway to where we want to be. In the next two to three years, we’ll see the fruition of our current strategic plans.

As the largest winery in Washington State, Chateau Ste. Michelle is also regarded as one of the finest. And for 2011, it just happens to be the Wine.com winery of the year. Producing an array of wines that display the unique characteristics of Washington viticulture, Chateau Ste. Michelle has been a champion for getting the wines of Washington to the national wine market. From crisp and fruit-forward Eroica Riesling to their incredible value Cabernet Sauvignon, the winery has something for everyone’s palate. In fact, three wines from Chateau Ste. Michelle made the 2011 Wine.com 100: Chateau Ste. Michelle 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon, Chateau Ste. Michelle 2007 Merlot and Chateau Ste. Michelle 2009 Eroica Riesling.
See why Washington State is taking the wine scene by storm and shop the most popular Chateau Ste. Michelle wines below!
Cheers,
Wine.com

Foppiano Vineyards Caught In Sibling Legal Battle

Sonoma’s oldest family-run winery, Foppiano Vineyards, is facing the twin threats of plummeting sales and a lawsuit between family members over its management, reports Wine Spectator. Louis M. Foppiano, chairman of the 115-year-old winery in Healdsburg, is being sued by his sister, Susan Valera. She claims Foppiano threatened the health of the family trust that controls the winery by using it as collateral for loans to the company. She also accuses him of using some of that money for executive bonuses.

A Sonoma County judge began hearing arguments yesterday. As first reported in the Santa Rosa Press Democrat and according to documents filed for the case, Valera is asking that Foppiano be stripped of his title as co-trustee, leaving her in charge of the family trust. Neither side could be reached for comment on the pending case, but the documents include evidence that the winery has struggled for several years as the siblings have clashed over its management. Foppiano Vineyards’ annual sales, once over 100,000 cases, are now down below 20,000 cases, documents say.

Giovanni Foppiano, a native of Genoa, Italy, founded the winery in 1896. His grandson Louis J. Foppiano was only 14 when his father died, leaving him and his mother to tend the ranch and winery. They barely scraped by during Prohibition and the Great Depression. Foppiano—known as Lou Sr.—remembers a day in 1926 when government agents dumped 100,000 gallons of the family’s wine into a creek.

Today, Lou Sr. is 101. In 2009, he relinquished his rights to a family trust that controls 49% of the winery and vineyards, naming his son and daughter as co-trustees. Louis M., 64, known as Lou Jr., has worked in the winery since he was a boy and has managed it since 2003. He has spent several years trying to upgrade the old cellar, hired a new winemaker, replanted old vineyards and focused on Petite Sirah and Pinot Noir. Wine quality had declined in the final years of Lou Sr.’s management.

In legal papers filed with the court, Lou Jr. claims that Valera and other family members supported him when he brought in an outside consultant in 2008 to suggest how to revitalize the brand. Foppiano then hired a manager and took out close to $4 million in loans to pay for improvement projects, using the family trust as collateral. But the plan ran straight into the recession. Revenue was 35% less than projected in the 2009 fiscal year.

Foppiano alleges that Valera and her husband began demanding financial documents and pressuring him to sell the business. But in her suit, Valera accuses Foppiano of financial mismanagement and of paying himself sizable bonuses. She also alleges that when she began asking questions about the company’s finances, Foppiano fired her. Her brother responds that her position was eliminated, along with several others, as part of cost-cutting measures.

Arguments are expected to last a week, and the judge will decide the future of the family trust. The winery still has impressive assets in its cellars and vineyards, and a well-known brand name. With investors recently scooping up several old Sonoma wineries, Foppiano would be a tempting acquisition. Seghesio Vineyards, Sonoma’s second oldest family-owned winery, was sold to Crimson Wine Group earlier this year.