And now for something a little different.....

OK, so I'm not the best about regular posting, and this blog is typically about wine, but those of you who know me know that I and a bit of a foodie as well (I mean, hey, gotta have something to go with the wine, right?). So, last night, we were among the lucky to see Anthony Bourdain up here in Santa Rosa(that's right, all the Tony, without the bleeps). If you're not familiar with him, he spent more that a quarter century as a professional chef, most recently at Les Halles in New York (most of those as executive chef), wrote the wildly successful book, "Kitchen Confidential", which then lead to the whole travel-around-the-world-exploring-food-and-the-people-behind-it kind of thing, all the while being taped on TV (which he freely admits, he has the best job in the world), and has followed up with a number of other very successful books on his travels.
Most people know him as "the bad boy chef gone to television", and, while that my be true, he is also one of the most genuine, well-read, open, honest people I've had the pleasure to watch, read, and, now see in person and meet. His first foray into the travel-TV thing was via Food Network, and while still some good TV, his stay over there was, oh, let's just say he has some very specific opinions about a lot of what goes on there, and maybe that's why he has been on Travel Channel for the last 4 years or so. One thing that strikes me is that he really gets that it's not just about food - it's about the people behind it, the place that's it's in, and a connection to one another. It's about history, pride, giving and sharing, and telling it like it is.
Over the last several years, he has been pretty much to the corners of the world, and in some pretty scary situations, including having knifes pulled on him, held at gun-point (including via AK-47 with safeties off, no lees), and of course, the Beirut episode from 2006, where they had to be airlifted out because of the Israli-Lebanon conflict that erupted while they were there (for those who know the Emmy-nominated episode - he and the crew are going back there soon, to follow up and be able to show more of the people, food, etc.). And even with all of that, he says the scariest situation he has been in involved Sandra Lee (from Food Network) at last year's premiere for the film "Julie and Julia" - I can't even do justice to how he described this encounter with her - let's just say, I'm sure I'll have nightmares just from listening to it (I think Sandra Lee would scare Tanya Harding). He also shared some of his other stories from his travels, about the people, food, friends he's made; his family (after all, since becoming a dad almost 3 years ago, he's the "new, softer Tony" - yeah, right); Food Network people he actually likes (including Ina Garten - one of my favorites as well); PETA; Ronald, the King, the Colonel, and how the American meat industry might actually be trying to kill us a little at a time; and why American tourists are mostly hated around the world (mostly, because we act like, well, us, instead of how we should, as a guest).
Plus, after almost 2 hours of incredible stories and the like, the chef also signed books for those who had them, which appeared to be the entire crowd of a nearly sold out house at Luther Burbank/Wells Fargo/whatever you want to call it. I have to say, he was still entertaining and nice, even by the time I got to the front of the line to have a couple of books signed, almost a hour later. If you missed his visit, he will most likely be back around in the summer, when his new novel comes out - and I'll probably be there again, hungry for more.
Until later
David

Start the New Year with expanding your knowledge!

So, it's been a while, but have been developing a course through Sonoma State University in Federal Compliance - here's a link to the site and this course description. Other courses are offered through this program, as well as the Wine Business program at SSU - including the FIRST Wine MBA program (which just got a large scholarship endowment). This is a great program, so check it out at www.sonoma.edu/winebiz/.

Here's the link to the class I'll be teaching (I'm also doing some guest lecturing in the undergrad program this spring as well) -

http://www.ssuexed.com/course.php?id=1918&sem=Spring&year=2010

More later,
David

And the year end kudos begin...

As we come to the close of the year, inevitably, there are Top Wine lists that pop out from every last publication, both big and small. I would like to give a big shout out to one of the pleasant surprises of 2009, from a great winery here in Sonoma County, Magito Wines. Their Mt. Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon not only got 94 points a few months back, but it as also selected as one of the Top 100 Cellar Selections by Wine Enthusiast Magazine (coming in a number 32!). It has great fruit (especially cassis and black currant), with structure that will hold up for many years, but also very drinkable and enjoyable right now. Great choice for a nice bit of prime rib roast for the holidays, or even a big bowl of fresh pasta with a rich beef sauce. I'm particularly proud of them, as I get to work with the owner, Tom Meadowcroft, owner and winemaker, on a regular basis (I do some compliance work for them!). Tom is a great guy, and excellent winemaker, and he lets me taste his wines on a regular basis to see how they are evolving. Besides the Cab mentioned above, Magito has a wide range of wines (Chardonnay, Zinfandel, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Viognier, and more!), and at different price points, to fit most any budget. Ask for them at your local wine shop, or contact them through their website at www.magitowines.com.
Until next time,
David

The funny ways of the wine industry...

The wine industry is an odd mistress - sometimes sweet, sometimes fickle. You may have noticed that my posts trailed off - mostly with the end of harvest, I was inundated with requests for all sorts of projects that took over my time. Not that it's a bad thing, but I have missed being able to share some of the wines I've tasted and places I've had a chance to visit over the last six weeks. Now that things have settled down a bit, I hope you will join me in (once again) finding out more about the crazy world of wine we all enjoy.
Until later,
David

Let's talk Lodi Wine!!!

Here we go - Let's talk some Lodi Wine!!!
There's some many womderful wines, and better yet, some great people. For instance, Tom and Carmela Hoffman, who own Heritage OAk Winery just east of Lodi, make some stunning wines from land that Tom's great-great grandfather homesteaded on back in the 1860s. On this land, they grow some stellar Zinfandel (as well as Chardonnay and Cabernet), and make some of the tastiest Zin from Lodi, but for my money, it's the Sauvignon Blanc that really steals the show. Always crisp and full of wonderful notes of citrus, pineapple and melon, it has been a wine I have enjoyed since they opened their winery - and even before, as Tom was a VERY accomplished home winemaker, and his Sauvignon took numerous big awards in amateur competition before turning pro a few years ago. On those wonderful summer eveings we get in Northern California, especially in the Fall, the Heritage Oak Sauvignon Blanc goes great with pasta, chicken, fish and pork (especially grilled pork tenderloin!). What makes going to Heritage Oak even more special is that Tom and Carmela are truly enjoyable to talk with, about wine or any number of topics. Plus, with this land in Tom's family for five generations, you feel a sense of place on this special piece of land.
To learn even more about Heritage Oak Winery, stop by and visit on the weekends, or you can visit virtually at www.heritageoakwinery.com. Until next time, when we move onto another great place, wine and people,
Salute,
David

What? More Rain?

A thousand pardons to those of you waiting for the Lodi series - with last week's rain, and then this week's, things have been pretty hectic with some of us working with Sonoma County - the Lodi series will resume by no later than Thursday!
Also, kudos to fellow Lodi Wine Nation writer Jon Bjork, passing on the info on Iberian varietals growing in Lodi, presented at UCD by Markus Bokisch earlier this year - a must see (about an hour long, but SOOOOO worth it)!

http://stream.ucanr.org/fps_grapes_of_iberia/Bokisch/index.htm

More to come!!!

David
p.s. the ark is almost done......

And this news from our sponsors.....

That would be A LOT of rain (we had well over 3" in my neck of the woods in Sonoma County yesterday), plus some power issues, but we're back up and running! We will be continuing our Lodi series later today
Cheers
David