May '09
2009 Hospice du Rhone - Paso Robles
Examining the deep color of Syrah (left). The HdR is a two-day event featuring wine seminars, library and Grand tastings, and a unique opportunity to meet and talk with the people who are at the forefront of an increasingly popular Rhône varietal movement throughout the world. Presenters and attendees come from Europe, Australia, South Africa, and the U.S. to attend this annual function. In addition to the photojournal, the full HdR report covers tasting and seminar notes, and auction results.
May '08
2008 Hospice du Rhone - Paso Robles
French vintner François Villard (left). The HdR is a two-day event featuring wine seminars, library and Grand tastings, and a unique opportunity to meet and talk with the people who are at the forefront of an increasingly popular Rhône varietal movement throughout the world. Presenters and attendees come from Europe, Australia, South Africa, and the U.S. to attend this annual function. In addition to the photojournal, the full HdR report covers tasting and seminar notes, and auction results.
January '08
Winter Wine Festival & Auction - Naples, FL
Auction lots included collectible Bordeaux (left). Ranked among the top 10 arts and entertainment events for wealthy Americans, NWWF brings many of the world's finest vintners and chefs together with wine collectors and philanthropists for a three-day gala in picturesque Naples, Florida. Proceeds suport the Naples Children & Education Foundation, which is committed to improving the physical, emotional and educational lives of underprivileged and at risk children in Collier County, FL.
September '07
Champagne region - France
Bottles from 1964 rest in the cellar of Champagne Salon (left). Visits to the Champagne region of France, including Roger Coulon, Salon, Taittinger, Philliponnat, Duval Leroy, Ruinart, Pommery, Jaquesson, and others. The appellation of Champagne was created by decree in 1908, which specified an area that would be entitled to use the appellation Champagne. A combination of northern climate, deep chalk sub-soils, and the way in which the grape vines are planted on slopes accounts for the region's "terroir."
June '07
Santa Rita Hills, Wine and Fire Festival
The Sta. Rita Hills AVA held its 2nd annual Wine & Fire event on June 22, 23 and 24, 2007. The Sta. Rita Hills Winegrowers Alliance includes both vineyards located within the geographical boundaries of the appellation, and those who craft wines from grapes grown here. Saturday was held in a secluded canyon, where winemakers discussed their particular approaches to Chardonay and Pinot Noir during 4 tasting seminars, The day was capped by a huge BBQ lunch.
June '07
Auction Napa Valley - St. Helena

Dana Carvey (left) was master of ceremonies at the twenty-seventh Napa Valley Vintners' (NVV) Auction Napa Valley (ANV) charity wine auction. More than $9.8 million was raised from 45 Live, 106 Barrel and 81 E lots during the annual four-day event, for health care, youth services and affordable housing non-profits. Breaking new records, the Staglin Family Vineyards Lot 24 included a six-day driving trip with the Staglins in Italy with the use of two Maserati sports cars, generated $1.1 million.
May '07
Walla Walla - Washington
Large rocks surround the base of the vines in a vineyard in Washington's Walla Walla AVA, (left). The Walla Walla Valley actually stradles two states, Washington and Oregon, and is home to
more than 100 wineries are operating in the valley and more than 1,500 acres of vineyards. Soils of varying combinations of loan, silt, loess, and cobbles delivered by a series of tremendous floods thousands of years ago, and the area still shows signs of this amid a sea of wheat farming.
May '07
2007 Hospice du Rhone - Paso Robles
Winemaker and founder of HdR Mat Garretson (left). The HdR is a two-day event featuring wine seminars, library and Grand tastings, and a unique opportunity to meet and talk with the people who are at the forefront of an increasingly popular Rhône varietal movement throughout the world. Presenters and attendees come from Europe, Australia, South Africa, and the U.S. to attend this annual function. In addition to the photojournal, the full HdR report covers tasting and seminar notes, and auction results.
March '07
East Coast - Mid-Atlantic States
Old clock at La Grange (left). East Coast wineries seem to represent a bridge between "old world" and "new world," almost in direct proportion to their geographic location between Europe and California.
I asked if these talented people felt as though they were playing in the Minors, by not going West. They indulged me, and down to the last person explained that the challenge of growing wine here held its own rewards. It was finally beginning to dawn on me, these guys weren't undiscovered - they were hiding out!
March '07
World of Pinot Noir - Shell Beach
Georg Riedel (left) samples a Pinot during the Iron Sommelier Challenge at the 2007 World of Pinot Noir. Arguably the benchmark Pinot Noir festival in the U.S., this annual event includes two days of in-depth Tasting Seminars, Library Tastings, a featured Tasting with a guest Burgundian producer and two Gala Pinot Noir Dinners with prominent guest chefs.

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