This last Saturday I had the pleasure of attending a great event in Sonoita at Dos Cabezas WineWorks. Kelly and Todd Bostock sure know how to show everyone a great time. They were debuting their new wine building - hence the name "WareHouse Warming!" From 11 to 3PM we enjoyed wine, food and great company! As wine club members we were able to enjoy a great library tasting of many wines which aren't yet released. Many attendees also had the chance to participate in bottling of their Graciano blend which will be coming out later this year. They only made two barrels of this wine and I have to tell you that I think it's amazing. I can't wait until it's available for sale!
I also had a chance to try some of Dick Erath's venture - Cimarron Vineyard in Willcox - a white "Meskeoli" blend that will be sold under the Dos Cabezas label and also a red wine that will be distributed through a local Phoenix restaurant concept - I'll update you when the deal is finalized! Todd made both wines and he did a great job!
I think one of my favorite wines at the event was their new "El Campo". Now this is a fun wine . . . called El Campo because that's the Spanish translation for "field" and this is a field blend if I ever saw one (many different varieties of grape from Todd's Pronghorn Vineyard in Sonoita)! It is fantastic! It is currently only available to wine club members, but will be open to the public starting April 1st. There is only 23 cases so you'll want to reserve yours before it's all gone!
It's always fun to meet with new Arizona wine lovers and talk to the winemaker and his family. If you haven't visited Sonoita's wine country, this spring is a great time to go! Check out Arizona Vines and Wines events for many fun events happening over the next few months!
Ciao!
Monday, March 2, 2009
Callaghan Winemaker Dinner at Kai - Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort
All I can say is Wow!!!! If you haven't yet had the opportunity to dine at Kai, the five diamond/star restaurant in Sheraton's Wild Horse Pass Resort, you need to create an reason to do so! Josh and I have had the pleasure of dining there twice and have been absolutely amazed each time. This time was no different! This was our first time attending an event at Kai and we'll definitely go back.
Currently the only Arizona winery represented on their wine list, Callaghan Vineyards was showcased for this wine spectacle. Kent came up from Sonoita to share five of his blends with us. We were also lucky enough to have the chef come out and speak to us before each course and tell us the special stories behind what it took to put together this gourmet feast.
We started with a warm-up on the patio overlooking the beautiful pool and beyond to the desert and stables. We enjoyed hand-passed hors d'oeuvres paired with Kent's Ann's blend - Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. It was pretty warm on the patio and we all enjoyed it once the sun went down. The 2007 Ann's was a great refresher for us. It was an opportune moment to speak with Kent because during the weekend he is generally pouring wines for a packed tasting room! We laughed when he enjoyed a Nimbus beer while we drank his wine!
Next we retired to the dining room and took our spots at the tables of 10 which gave us the perfect opportunity to speak to some other Arizona wine fans! We met Ron and Barbara who split their time between Payson and Rocky Point and love to stay at the Wild Horse Pass as their resting spot. This was also their first event at Kai and swore that they'd be back for the rest of the winemaker dinners! Our first course was the bite sized Seared Yellowtail Tuna with wine-grape caviar, crispy yucca served with a Syrah-Costerno Chile Spritzer. Although the bite was actually paired with the chef's spritzer, we found plenty of time to enjoy the Ann's that was poured alongside.
For our appetizer course, we were served a Citrus-Mesquite Lacquered Salmon with Dungeness crab, peruvian potato, baby radish salad and pineapple-celery broth. This was paired with the Lisa's 2007 White Blend - a blend of Viognier, Riesling, Marsanne, Roussanne and Malvasia Bianca, one of my favorite Arizona whites.
The next dish seemed to be a crowd favorite - it was definitely my favorite - and, yes, it was as decadent as it sounds . . . Heirloom Chili Glazed Pork Belly with porcini dusted veal sweetbreads, foraged mushrooms, corn pinole brioche and cured foie gras - oh my god, it was amazing!!! Kent poured us his Buena Suerta 2006 Cabernet Blend. It worked very well.
Our palates were cleansed with a pineapple-sage sorbet with rhubarb-lemongrass syrup. Then next up was our main course, Spit Roasted Navajo Churro Lamb with wilted greens, root vegetables and poblano dumplings. This was formatted off of a Native American stew. I don't remember what the chef told us about each of these courses, but he explained what went into preparing each dish and it is truly amazing that anyone puts that much effort into food - and it shows in each bite you taste! This was paired with the Padres 2005 Tempranillo Blend.
Last we rounded out the meal with a dessert of Anise & Creme Fromage Composition with puffed amaranth and saguaro seed wafer which was served with El Dorado 2006 Petit Verdot/Tempranillo Blend. I was so full by this point that I didn't eat much of the dessert but when I looked at the other dishes on my table, they were all clean!
The thing I really love about Kai is the presentation, the service and the quality of the food. It truly is unmatched in any other experience I've encountered. It is also extremely consistent. The meals are not cheap but it is worth every penny. The wines were poured very generously and the view was spectacular!
Kai has promised to expand their listings of Arizona wines and I'll let you know when they follow through. We are very excited to see many of the higher end establishment understanding the value of carrying Arizona wines on their lists - Binkley's, J&G Steakhouse & the Ventana Room in Tucson to name a few!
Ciao!
Currently the only Arizona winery represented on their wine list, Callaghan Vineyards was showcased for this wine spectacle. Kent came up from Sonoita to share five of his blends with us. We were also lucky enough to have the chef come out and speak to us before each course and tell us the special stories behind what it took to put together this gourmet feast.
We started with a warm-up on the patio overlooking the beautiful pool and beyond to the desert and stables. We enjoyed hand-passed hors d'oeuvres paired with Kent's Ann's blend - Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. It was pretty warm on the patio and we all enjoyed it once the sun went down. The 2007 Ann's was a great refresher for us. It was an opportune moment to speak with Kent because during the weekend he is generally pouring wines for a packed tasting room! We laughed when he enjoyed a Nimbus beer while we drank his wine!
Next we retired to the dining room and took our spots at the tables of 10 which gave us the perfect opportunity to speak to some other Arizona wine fans! We met Ron and Barbara who split their time between Payson and Rocky Point and love to stay at the Wild Horse Pass as their resting spot. This was also their first event at Kai and swore that they'd be back for the rest of the winemaker dinners! Our first course was the bite sized Seared Yellowtail Tuna with wine-grape caviar, crispy yucca served with a Syrah-Costerno Chile Spritzer. Although the bite was actually paired with the chef's spritzer, we found plenty of time to enjoy the Ann's that was poured alongside.
For our appetizer course, we were served a Citrus-Mesquite Lacquered Salmon with Dungeness crab, peruvian potato, baby radish salad and pineapple-celery broth. This was paired with the Lisa's 2007 White Blend - a blend of Viognier, Riesling, Marsanne, Roussanne and Malvasia Bianca, one of my favorite Arizona whites.
The next dish seemed to be a crowd favorite - it was definitely my favorite - and, yes, it was as decadent as it sounds . . . Heirloom Chili Glazed Pork Belly with porcini dusted veal sweetbreads, foraged mushrooms, corn pinole brioche and cured foie gras - oh my god, it was amazing!!! Kent poured us his Buena Suerta 2006 Cabernet Blend. It worked very well.
Our palates were cleansed with a pineapple-sage sorbet with rhubarb-lemongrass syrup. Then next up was our main course, Spit Roasted Navajo Churro Lamb with wilted greens, root vegetables and poblano dumplings. This was formatted off of a Native American stew. I don't remember what the chef told us about each of these courses, but he explained what went into preparing each dish and it is truly amazing that anyone puts that much effort into food - and it shows in each bite you taste! This was paired with the Padres 2005 Tempranillo Blend.
Last we rounded out the meal with a dessert of Anise & Creme Fromage Composition with puffed amaranth and saguaro seed wafer which was served with El Dorado 2006 Petit Verdot/Tempranillo Blend. I was so full by this point that I didn't eat much of the dessert but when I looked at the other dishes on my table, they were all clean!
The thing I really love about Kai is the presentation, the service and the quality of the food. It truly is unmatched in any other experience I've encountered. It is also extremely consistent. The meals are not cheap but it is worth every penny. The wines were poured very generously and the view was spectacular!
Kai has promised to expand their listings of Arizona wines and I'll let you know when they follow through. We are very excited to see many of the higher end establishment understanding the value of carrying Arizona wines on their lists - Binkley's, J&G Steakhouse & the Ventana Room in Tucson to name a few!
Ciao!
We're back!
Sorry to have disappeared but I will now make a commitment to keep you updated on the goings-on in wine country Arizona! I vow to make at least one entry a month, if not weekly entries. We are so excited that so many things have been going on surrounding the promotion of Arizona wines! The next issue of the magazine will be coming out next week so be on the lookout at your local Whole Foods or AJs market (wine sections) to get your next issue. We also sell print subscriptions if you'd like to have the magazine mailed to your door.
Did you hear about the AZ Vino Wine Club that Cave Creek Wines has put together. Enjoy three wines, three times a year - delivered to your door (or picked up at Cave Creek Wines). It's a great concept and an easy way to try some of the great wines being produced throughout the state! The cost is between $50 & $80 (before shipping and handling) for each delivery.
I'll be immediately following up this post with a couple of posts from our adventures from last week . . . Callaghan wine dinner at Kai (at the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass) . . . Dos Cabezas (Ware)House Warming Party . . .
Ciao!
Did you hear about the AZ Vino Wine Club that Cave Creek Wines has put together. Enjoy three wines, three times a year - delivered to your door (or picked up at Cave Creek Wines). It's a great concept and an easy way to try some of the great wines being produced throughout the state! The cost is between $50 & $80 (before shipping and handling) for each delivery.
I'll be immediately following up this post with a couple of posts from our adventures from last week . . . Callaghan wine dinner at Kai (at the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass) . . . Dos Cabezas (Ware)House Warming Party . . .
Ciao!
Monday, September 22, 2008
Pillsbury Wine Dinner at Cheuvront
Ken Cheuvront has a wonderful wine bar and bistro in downtown Phoenix and he's on the "local" bandwagon, hosting a winemaker dinner featuring a local wine paired with local food! I love that this concept is spreading like wildfire. It feels wonderful to support our neighbors and treat ourselves to a great meal!
Josh was unable to attend due to a previous engagement, however, I invited our good friend Christina to join me and we had so much fun!
As always, Sam is such an entertaining person. We were lucky enough to be seated with him and enjoyed the conversation that covered Arizona wines and film making (and the surprising similarities that they share!).
The restaurant features a beautiful bar, a wine wall and a lovely cheese display with some tasty artisanal cheeses (which we enjoyed after the dinner). Ken started the evening by explaining that he has these wine dinners monthly and was excited to feature local items at this event . . . especially because he is one of the few natives of the area! I have to tell you that the chef did a spectacular job pairing the food with the wines.
We started with a "Lamb Lettuce Wrap". The lamb was cooked perfectly - a very tender medium rare - and served on some beautiful fresh butter leaf lettuce and topped with a cucumber mint lettuce creme fraiche. This was paired with the Pillsbury Rose. In all honesty, when I saw the dish I was a little concerned about the pairing, not thinking it would be light enough for the wine BUT it pleasantly surprised all of us at the table. It was a perfect match . . . the freshness of the lettuce and the cucumber in the sauce played a perfect duet with the wine. I have to tell you that I am disappointed that once the Rose is gone - we won't be seeing it again. It was from a batch of grapes that no longer exist! It will be sorely missed. This truly was my intro into Rose wine and I compare all others to this. I better hit Sam up for some more to save before it's gone!
We were then able to enjoy a glass of the Pillsbury Roan Red, which I'm finding to be a favorite everywhere it's poured. It has a touch of spice that really is accentuated when served with the appropriate food. Once again the chef had a hit! She served a "Spanish Pizza" that was topped with chorizo and a chiptle tomato coulis and finished with smoked Gouda. Sam was apprehensive about the spicy chorizo overtaking the wine but it truly was a great match. The chorizo brought out the flavors of the wine and showcased the depth of the flavor! It seemed to be a hit at every table!
Our third course consisted of a "Southwestern Pork Roast" served with a sweet hominy polenta cake, roasted vegetables and a light cream and green chile sauce. Although we felt the pairing was not as on as the other courses, the food and the wine were great in their own right. The Diva is a bold wine that overtook the milder flavors of the pork. However, the freshness of the pork and the richness of the polenta cake made for a wonderful plate! The quality of the food throughout the entire meal never wavered. This is obviously a chef that cares about the food she serves and knows about quality and freshness.
For dessert we were served a "Caramel Peach Cobbler" paired with Page Springs Cellars "Short and Sweet". This is a "top secret" recipe but in trying to crack the code - we came up with a Malvasia. A very nice light and fruity wine that paired nicely with the fresh peaches and the nice light crust on top! I'm personally not a fruit fan and ate the top of the cobbler, but my friend who loves food (all food!) really enjoyed this dessert. Her favorite part was that the fruit was not TOO sweet - just a nice, light dessert - not heavy and syrupy!
Well, we really hope to enjoy another dinner or event at Cheuvront's! If this is any indication of the quality of food that is served on a regular basis - this really is a DON'T MISS in Phoenix!
(Because I'm not a dessert fan, we decided to wrap things up with a cheese plate and a bottle of Incognito after everyone left. Our server was fabulous and very informed about the cheese. Something we all noted was not common enough in our experiences at other restaurants! All in all - a great experience that I hope you will take the time to enjoy someday for yourself!)
PS - Sam will be hosting another winemaker dinner at Quiessence (at the Farm at South Mountain) on October 8th. Another great restaurant with another great wine!
Josh was unable to attend due to a previous engagement, however, I invited our good friend Christina to join me and we had so much fun!
As always, Sam is such an entertaining person. We were lucky enough to be seated with him and enjoyed the conversation that covered Arizona wines and film making (and the surprising similarities that they share!).
The restaurant features a beautiful bar, a wine wall and a lovely cheese display with some tasty artisanal cheeses (which we enjoyed after the dinner). Ken started the evening by explaining that he has these wine dinners monthly and was excited to feature local items at this event . . . especially because he is one of the few natives of the area! I have to tell you that the chef did a spectacular job pairing the food with the wines.
We started with a "Lamb Lettuce Wrap". The lamb was cooked perfectly - a very tender medium rare - and served on some beautiful fresh butter leaf lettuce and topped with a cucumber mint lettuce creme fraiche. This was paired with the Pillsbury Rose. In all honesty, when I saw the dish I was a little concerned about the pairing, not thinking it would be light enough for the wine BUT it pleasantly surprised all of us at the table. It was a perfect match . . . the freshness of the lettuce and the cucumber in the sauce played a perfect duet with the wine. I have to tell you that I am disappointed that once the Rose is gone - we won't be seeing it again. It was from a batch of grapes that no longer exist! It will be sorely missed. This truly was my intro into Rose wine and I compare all others to this. I better hit Sam up for some more to save before it's gone!
We were then able to enjoy a glass of the Pillsbury Roan Red, which I'm finding to be a favorite everywhere it's poured. It has a touch of spice that really is accentuated when served with the appropriate food. Once again the chef had a hit! She served a "Spanish Pizza" that was topped with chorizo and a chiptle tomato coulis and finished with smoked Gouda. Sam was apprehensive about the spicy chorizo overtaking the wine but it truly was a great match. The chorizo brought out the flavors of the wine and showcased the depth of the flavor! It seemed to be a hit at every table!
Our third course consisted of a "Southwestern Pork Roast" served with a sweet hominy polenta cake, roasted vegetables and a light cream and green chile sauce. Although we felt the pairing was not as on as the other courses, the food and the wine were great in their own right. The Diva is a bold wine that overtook the milder flavors of the pork. However, the freshness of the pork and the richness of the polenta cake made for a wonderful plate! The quality of the food throughout the entire meal never wavered. This is obviously a chef that cares about the food she serves and knows about quality and freshness.
For dessert we were served a "Caramel Peach Cobbler" paired with Page Springs Cellars "Short and Sweet". This is a "top secret" recipe but in trying to crack the code - we came up with a Malvasia. A very nice light and fruity wine that paired nicely with the fresh peaches and the nice light crust on top! I'm personally not a fruit fan and ate the top of the cobbler, but my friend who loves food (all food!) really enjoyed this dessert. Her favorite part was that the fruit was not TOO sweet - just a nice, light dessert - not heavy and syrupy!
Well, we really hope to enjoy another dinner or event at Cheuvront's! If this is any indication of the quality of food that is served on a regular basis - this really is a DON'T MISS in Phoenix!
(Because I'm not a dessert fan, we decided to wrap things up with a cheese plate and a bottle of Incognito after everyone left. Our server was fabulous and very informed about the cheese. Something we all noted was not common enough in our experiences at other restaurants! All in all - a great experience that I hope you will take the time to enjoy someday for yourself!)
PS - Sam will be hosting another winemaker dinner at Quiessence (at the Farm at South Mountain) on October 8th. Another great restaurant with another great wine!
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Page Springs Cellars Harvest Festival
OK - this is the final of the three posts today! I'll have to stay up on things in the future! On August 23rd (Saturday), 2008 we visited the Page Springs Cellars third annual Harvest Festival.
Being a very wet summer, we found rain again on this outing. I have to say, though, it was very pleasant at this outdoor event because it was a very light rain and just enough to cool things down.
We arrived a little bit early hoping to take some pictures of the vines for the magazine (we're always looking for that special "cover shot"). With the clouds it was a bit difficult and the ripened vines were covered in bird netting (placed over the top of the vines near harvest-time when the grapes become dinner for animals in the area!). I did, though, crawl under one of the nets and I think we have a winner for our winter cover! We'll see!
We met up with Fabian Grandoli the vineyard manager for Arizona Stronghold, Page Springs' sister vineyard. And also with Sam Pillsbury of Pillsbury Wine Co. When the festivities began we ordered a bottle of the Vino de Familia, one of my favorite Page Springs wines. A nice fruity yet bold red - I believe it's mostly Syrah. Eric is a master at blends!
We went down to the entertainment and enjoyed Fabian's son singing for the first time to the group that had arrived. He did a wonderful job! Not only was it his first time singing in public, it was his sixteenth birthday! Bravo, Thomas!!!! I think we'll be seeing this guy in the record stores in the future (oh, just dated myself). . . on MTV in the future!
Then we were treated to Keith Greeninger and Dayan Kai - formerly of City Folk in the Santa Cruz area of California. When Eric was a winemaker in that area he met Keith and we are happy he did! The band was energetic and everyone was up dancing! It was a family affair!
Next up was Po' Girl from New Orleans! Wow - they were fabulous! Their lead singer has so much energy and a beautiful voice! I was truly amazed.
For food we enjoyed burgers, dogs and veggie burgers! Staffed by volunteers, I was so impressed by how smooth everything was. All smiles and a fun time!
Being a very wet summer, we found rain again on this outing. I have to say, though, it was very pleasant at this outdoor event because it was a very light rain and just enough to cool things down.
We arrived a little bit early hoping to take some pictures of the vines for the magazine (we're always looking for that special "cover shot"). With the clouds it was a bit difficult and the ripened vines were covered in bird netting (placed over the top of the vines near harvest-time when the grapes become dinner for animals in the area!). I did, though, crawl under one of the nets and I think we have a winner for our winter cover! We'll see!
We met up with Fabian Grandoli the vineyard manager for Arizona Stronghold, Page Springs' sister vineyard. And also with Sam Pillsbury of Pillsbury Wine Co. When the festivities began we ordered a bottle of the Vino de Familia, one of my favorite Page Springs wines. A nice fruity yet bold red - I believe it's mostly Syrah. Eric is a master at blends!
We went down to the entertainment and enjoyed Fabian's son singing for the first time to the group that had arrived. He did a wonderful job! Not only was it his first time singing in public, it was his sixteenth birthday! Bravo, Thomas!!!! I think we'll be seeing this guy in the record stores in the future (oh, just dated myself). . . on MTV in the future!
Then we were treated to Keith Greeninger and Dayan Kai - formerly of City Folk in the Santa Cruz area of California. When Eric was a winemaker in that area he met Keith and we are happy he did! The band was energetic and everyone was up dancing! It was a family affair!
Next up was Po' Girl from New Orleans! Wow - they were fabulous! Their lead singer has so much energy and a beautiful voice! I was truly amazed.
For food we enjoyed burgers, dogs and veggie burgers! Staffed by volunteers, I was so impressed by how smooth everything was. All smiles and a fun time!
Verde Canyon Railroad Grape Train Escape
OK - Here's entry number two of the day! August 15th, 2008 we joined two other couples to enjoy the Verde Canyon Railroad's "Grape Train Escape" featuring wines from the Verde Valley! We were already excited just to be able to hang out with our friends and the local wines were icing on the cake. I was the only one who had been on a train trip with the Verde Canyon Railroad in the past and in all honesty I didn't have high expectations. I learned that the time of year and the company you're with can make all the difference in the world. We all had a great time.
They have you arrive a bit earlier than necessary. We had all just driven up from Phoenix, checked into our rooms at the Quality Inn and then ventured on over. I think the wait was a bit over an hour - so you may want to verify the time the train leaves before getting there that early. While we were waiting in line the DUST STORM OF ALL TIME blew through! It actually hurt as it passed by - me and the other gals had our legs blasted but in a way it signified the start to a great adventure. In the distance we could see dark clouds and lightning. Hmmmm . . . what were we getting ourselves into . . .
When we arrived we were presented with menus for our trip. The Grape Train Escapes all occur in first class and they have a full bar available. This was an unexpected treat for the cocktail drinkers of the group. The appetizers weren't much more than a "lunchable" spread but the atmosphere and wine made up for it. As the train departed it started to rain and we were concerned that we wouldn't be able to take any pictures. Well, the rain cleared up and we could actually take pictures from inside the train! The terrain was just gorgeous. Most of the train follows the Verde River and Josh told us all stories from his childhood growing up in Cornville! The guy has some great stories! The weather was your typical monsoon storm - variable lightning, rain and sunshine!
There was a nice variety of wines for us to taste. We started with a taste of 2006 Pinot Grigio from Alcantara Vineyards. This is one of my favorite winery locations in the state. It has beautiful views from the Italian-style villa that Barbara and Bob Predmore built! The wine was nice but a bit sweet for my tastes. Jen loved it and ordered a glass!
Then they poured a Chardonnay from Page Springs Cellars (the menu says Arizona Stronghold but I'm thinking that they may have sourced the grapes from Arizona Stronghold - the only wine released from this vineyard has been the Tazi, as far as I know). This was a dry, citrusy (is that a word?!) wine that I pleasantly enjoyed. One thing to know - they don't serve the tastes in a wine glass - you drink from what appears to be a shot glass.
At this point we decided to order some drinks as the tastes just weren't enough! As I mentioned earlier, some ordered the Pinot Grigio and others the Chardonnay (or a cocktail). The next wine served was the 2006 Oak Creek Vineyard Merlot. A fruity flavored wine that appealed to my friend Jen (she loved the Pinot Grigio, too!)
Next was my favorite - the Javelina Leap Zinfandel. This was really nice. I wrote about the barrel tasting I did at this vineyard in a previous post. This truly was my favorite and it was nice to save the best for last! Fruity yet bold! Great depth of flavor!
Our final taste wasn't local but was a nice finishing touch. They served chocolate covered strawberries with a taste of Frexienet Cordon Negro. A perfect palate quencher!
Afterward we went to the Recovery Room restaurant in Cottonwood (right across from the hotel we were staying at). Although it appeared they were closing, the bartender was nice enough to stay open for us to have a bit more wine. We tried another local wine that was a new release (to me) - Freitas Vineyard's Syrah. It was a bit sweet for me, but again, Jen thought it was fabulous. That's the thing about wine . . . just because it doesn't suit one, doesn't mean it's not a great wine! Josh and I enjoyed a bottle of Caduceus Chupacabra! This is one of my favorite wines (how many favorites can I have?!). It's my understanding that he (Maynard James Keenan) will be releasing some new wines in the fall and that the Chupacabra may have a different blend. Well, I hope it retains most of this great flavor!
Anyway, we really enjoyed the outing and I would recommend it to others. They only offer the local wine train once a year - but the Grape Train Escape events are held throughout the summer and fall - showcasing different wines and liquors (the previous one had been a Tequila Train!). If you are passing through this area - be sure to visit the Recovery Room restaurant (their food is great, too - we had breakfast there the next day - Southwest Eggs Benedict with Chipotle Hollandaise and corn bread - YUMMMMM) and also the Asylum restaurant in Jerome (both owned by Paula Woolsley).
They have you arrive a bit earlier than necessary. We had all just driven up from Phoenix, checked into our rooms at the Quality Inn and then ventured on over. I think the wait was a bit over an hour - so you may want to verify the time the train leaves before getting there that early. While we were waiting in line the DUST STORM OF ALL TIME blew through! It actually hurt as it passed by - me and the other gals had our legs blasted but in a way it signified the start to a great adventure. In the distance we could see dark clouds and lightning. Hmmmm . . . what were we getting ourselves into . . .
When we arrived we were presented with menus for our trip. The Grape Train Escapes all occur in first class and they have a full bar available. This was an unexpected treat for the cocktail drinkers of the group. The appetizers weren't much more than a "lunchable" spread but the atmosphere and wine made up for it. As the train departed it started to rain and we were concerned that we wouldn't be able to take any pictures. Well, the rain cleared up and we could actually take pictures from inside the train! The terrain was just gorgeous. Most of the train follows the Verde River and Josh told us all stories from his childhood growing up in Cornville! The guy has some great stories! The weather was your typical monsoon storm - variable lightning, rain and sunshine!
There was a nice variety of wines for us to taste. We started with a taste of 2006 Pinot Grigio from Alcantara Vineyards. This is one of my favorite winery locations in the state. It has beautiful views from the Italian-style villa that Barbara and Bob Predmore built! The wine was nice but a bit sweet for my tastes. Jen loved it and ordered a glass!
Then they poured a Chardonnay from Page Springs Cellars (the menu says Arizona Stronghold but I'm thinking that they may have sourced the grapes from Arizona Stronghold - the only wine released from this vineyard has been the Tazi, as far as I know). This was a dry, citrusy (is that a word?!) wine that I pleasantly enjoyed. One thing to know - they don't serve the tastes in a wine glass - you drink from what appears to be a shot glass.
At this point we decided to order some drinks as the tastes just weren't enough! As I mentioned earlier, some ordered the Pinot Grigio and others the Chardonnay (or a cocktail). The next wine served was the 2006 Oak Creek Vineyard Merlot. A fruity flavored wine that appealed to my friend Jen (she loved the Pinot Grigio, too!)
Next was my favorite - the Javelina Leap Zinfandel. This was really nice. I wrote about the barrel tasting I did at this vineyard in a previous post. This truly was my favorite and it was nice to save the best for last! Fruity yet bold! Great depth of flavor!
Our final taste wasn't local but was a nice finishing touch. They served chocolate covered strawberries with a taste of Frexienet Cordon Negro. A perfect palate quencher!
Afterward we went to the Recovery Room restaurant in Cottonwood (right across from the hotel we were staying at). Although it appeared they were closing, the bartender was nice enough to stay open for us to have a bit more wine. We tried another local wine that was a new release (to me) - Freitas Vineyard's Syrah. It was a bit sweet for me, but again, Jen thought it was fabulous. That's the thing about wine . . . just because it doesn't suit one, doesn't mean it's not a great wine! Josh and I enjoyed a bottle of Caduceus Chupacabra! This is one of my favorite wines (how many favorites can I have?!). It's my understanding that he (Maynard James Keenan) will be releasing some new wines in the fall and that the Chupacabra may have a different blend. Well, I hope it retains most of this great flavor!
Anyway, we really enjoyed the outing and I would recommend it to others. They only offer the local wine train once a year - but the Grape Train Escape events are held throughout the summer and fall - showcasing different wines and liquors (the previous one had been a Tequila Train!). If you are passing through this area - be sure to visit the Recovery Room restaurant (their food is great, too - we had breakfast there the next day - Southwest Eggs Benedict with Chipotle Hollandaise and corn bread - YUMMMMM) and also the Asylum restaurant in Jerome (both owned by Paula Woolsley).
Barrel tasting at Canelo Hills Vineyard & Winery
First of all, I have to apologize for taking so long to write this post! It has been a very busy time getting the next magazine issue ready for print! We have been attending many fun wine related events so I will be posting a few posts today - be sure to read them all!
August 2nd, 2008 Josh and I attended a barrel tasting at Canelo Hills Vineyard and Winery on Saturday night after we left AugustFest in Sonoita. We got there just in time for the tasting. We were able to start with a sample of their current bottling before the barrel tasting began.
Tim and Joan Mueller are great people who are working very hard to create GREAT wine. They established their vineyard in 2003. They have 10 acres and work as a team. Joan grows the grapes while Tim makes the wine. They have been sourcing their grapes from sources in Southern Arizona until their grapes were ready to produce wine - and they are almost there! Well, their grapes are there - they are just waiting to be unveiled from their barrels! Two of the tastes we had were from their estate and they were very good!
As always, here's my disclaimer . . . I am in no way an expert on wine tasting. These are my unrefined opinions and we brought in some from the other folks who participated with us. Please be sure to taste the wines on your own and find your favorites - they may be completely different from ours!
We started with a Sangiovese, Clone 2, from Sweet Sunrise Vineyard in Willcox, AZ. It was light & peppery. I thought it was very nice. Next we tried a Sangiovese from Sweet Sunrise but it was a Brunello Clone . . . this was a traditional fruity Sangiovese with a bit of earthiness. I liked the other Sangiovese better, but Josh liked this one the best!
Then we tried a Syrah (also Sweet Sunrise) that had been aged in three-year-old neutral American oak. You could really taste the oak in this one. If you ever get a chance to "barrel taste" with the winemaker - do it! You learn so much about the winemaker - and you also get a chance to learn how different types of aging affect the flavor of the wine! It's truly amazing. One of the gals that had been to the barrel tasting the week before said that she could really tell that the wines were coming of age - even with just one week more in the barrel.
The Zinfandel (Sweet Sunrise) was aged in a new American oak barrel. This one was oaky and jammy and tasted like chocolate when eaten with the cheddar cheese! Josh found it to be a bit tart.
Now we were in for a treat! The two estate wines we tasted were really something else. They were both aged in new European oak barrels and have us so excited that we pre-ordered some before their release! The first was a Tempranillo. Honestly, I don't normally care that much for Tempranillo - however, this one was much more bold than the ones I've had in the past. Its depth came out in the end with a fruit flavor and a bit of caramel. Very red! The second estate wine we tasted was a Syrah that had a floral nose and tasted a bit like vanilla. We tasted a slight tannic flavor to both - but not in a bad way! We really loved these two wines!
All around, it was a great time with a nice small group of people. Tim was able to share stories of the wines and answered our questions. If you get a chance to join them for future events - be sure to do so! www.canelohillswinery.com
August 2nd, 2008 Josh and I attended a barrel tasting at Canelo Hills Vineyard and Winery on Saturday night after we left AugustFest in Sonoita. We got there just in time for the tasting. We were able to start with a sample of their current bottling before the barrel tasting began.
Tim and Joan Mueller are great people who are working very hard to create GREAT wine. They established their vineyard in 2003. They have 10 acres and work as a team. Joan grows the grapes while Tim makes the wine. They have been sourcing their grapes from sources in Southern Arizona until their grapes were ready to produce wine - and they are almost there! Well, their grapes are there - they are just waiting to be unveiled from their barrels! Two of the tastes we had were from their estate and they were very good!
As always, here's my disclaimer . . . I am in no way an expert on wine tasting. These are my unrefined opinions and we brought in some from the other folks who participated with us. Please be sure to taste the wines on your own and find your favorites - they may be completely different from ours!
We started with a Sangiovese, Clone 2, from Sweet Sunrise Vineyard in Willcox, AZ. It was light & peppery. I thought it was very nice. Next we tried a Sangiovese from Sweet Sunrise but it was a Brunello Clone . . . this was a traditional fruity Sangiovese with a bit of earthiness. I liked the other Sangiovese better, but Josh liked this one the best!
Then we tried a Syrah (also Sweet Sunrise) that had been aged in three-year-old neutral American oak. You could really taste the oak in this one. If you ever get a chance to "barrel taste" with the winemaker - do it! You learn so much about the winemaker - and you also get a chance to learn how different types of aging affect the flavor of the wine! It's truly amazing. One of the gals that had been to the barrel tasting the week before said that she could really tell that the wines were coming of age - even with just one week more in the barrel.
The Zinfandel (Sweet Sunrise) was aged in a new American oak barrel. This one was oaky and jammy and tasted like chocolate when eaten with the cheddar cheese! Josh found it to be a bit tart.
Now we were in for a treat! The two estate wines we tasted were really something else. They were both aged in new European oak barrels and have us so excited that we pre-ordered some before their release! The first was a Tempranillo. Honestly, I don't normally care that much for Tempranillo - however, this one was much more bold than the ones I've had in the past. Its depth came out in the end with a fruit flavor and a bit of caramel. Very red! The second estate wine we tasted was a Syrah that had a floral nose and tasted a bit like vanilla. We tasted a slight tannic flavor to both - but not in a bad way! We really loved these two wines!
All around, it was a great time with a nice small group of people. Tim was able to share stories of the wines and answered our questions. If you get a chance to join them for future events - be sure to do so! www.canelohillswinery.com
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