Leaving Liverpool
2007-05-24 14:58:00
I'm back at my desk again after a fabulous three week trip to my Liverpool
hometown. I didn't have the opportunity to blog while away, as our schedule was full to bursting with family get togethers, day trips and explorations of favorite childhood haunts.Along with the obvious connection with the Fab Four, Liverpool is famous for it's architecture, museums and beautiful parks, and, next year, will be the official European Capital of Culture. It was sad to leave family and friends, but good to be back at Escafeld again, and as soon as the jet lag has subsided, and my accent and spelling have adjusted, I'll post more about our UK adventures...
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Half Price Special, 2007
2007-05-31 18:47:00
Six Bottles 2002 MerlotEvery year, we announce a special half price discount on a selected wine, and this year, the Escafeld half price special is the perfect summer BBQ companion: A half-case (six bottles) of our award winning 2002 Merlot for just $60! That's a 50% discount from the usual retail price of $119.70.This is a lovely, refined, food friendly wine with aromas of black cherry and raspberry. Flavors of black cherries and strawberries are highlighted with touches of chocolate, vanilla and a hint of eucalyptus on the finish.Awards:Bronze Medal - LA County Fair Wines of the World Competition, 2006Bronze Medal - Central Coast Wine Competition, 2006Bronze Medal - Lone Star International Wine Competition, 2005Bronze Medal - Indy International Wine Competition, 2005Quite a deal! So stock up on an Escafeld bargain for your special summer get togethers and BBQs while supplies last!
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Merseybeat
2007-05-30 12:39:00
While in Liverpool, I spent some time at our local pub, the Childwall Abbey. This is where Steve and I held our wedding reception, and the church next door, All Saints, is where we were blessed on our wedding day. The church is the oldest in Liverpool and the only one with medieval origins. The parish of Childwall itself is mentioned in the Domesday Book, which was compiled by William I in 1086. A translation of the entry reads:"Four Radmans held Childwall as four Manors. There is half a hide. It was worth eight shillings. There was a priest, having half a carucate of land in frank almoign."Apparently, a hide was an area of land measuring from 60 to 100 acres; a carucate is thought to be roughly the amount of land a team of oxen could plough in a season, and frank almoign may be translated 'Free alms'. Pictures of All Saints and the Childwall Abbey, along with other images of Liverpool can be found here at Brian Seddon's photography site.A few other Liverpool facts and treasures:Liv
Measure A Fails
2007-06-06 14:51:00
Monterey County voters had their say yesterday, voting no on Measure
A, which was also known as the Community General Plan Initiative, a "slow growth" plan developed by LandWatch Monterey County. If passed, Measure A could have restricted agricultural businesses and development, it could also block construction of facilities for wine growers, restricting winery development by requiring an expensive countywide election when a farmer or rancher needs to make a change to his or her property.
Cheers to Dad!Celebrate Father's Day in Style...
2007-06-08 14:48:00
Dad deserves to be pampered on Father
's Day, so this year, show your appreciation for everything he does with a special bottle of his favorite red wine!To celebrate Dad's special day, we're offering a 10% discount on wine purchased through our website. So jump online, pick out his favorite wines and enter coupon code BESTDAD at checkout to receive your discount. Order now to receive your wines by Father's Day.And which wine would Dad prefer?If he's into bold spicy flavors and loves BBQ, ribs, burgers and chilli, go for our 2003 Zinfandel.If he loves Italian dishes, decant a bottle of our flavorful 2003 Merlot.If he has refined tastes, and likes to explore new varietals, a bottle of our Best of Class 2004 Petit Verdot is an absolute must.And if you're on a budget, be sure to take advantage of our 2007 Specials:6 Bottles for $60Our half price special this year is the perfect summer BBQ wine. Pick up six bottles (a half-case) of our 2002 Merlot for just $60 - that's a 50% discount
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, Celebrate
, Style
Wine in Wonderland: Curiouser and Curiouser
2007-06-12 16:54:00
March Hare: Have some wine. Alice: I don't see any wine. March Hare: There isn't any. Alice: Then it wasn't very civil of you to offer it. After having to turn down yet another customer asking to have wine shipped in to a prohibited state, I'm wondering, is there is anything out there more bizarre and unnecessary than the world of wine shipping regulations? To me it's a mix of surreal nonsense that restricts wineries and frustrates consumers. And to make matters worse, it's in a constant state of flux.Since the end of Prohibition, each state has developed its own system to regulate alcohol. The evolution of each system is quite unique, having been influenced by local politics and business interests, resulting in a diverse crop of laws governing direct to consumer shipments. Some states are very open (and cheers to them!), others require that wineries obtain (often for a fee) a permit, others restrict volume, while a few consider the shipment of wine a felony. Take shipping to DC
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Salute to Agriculture Wine Pairing Dinner
2007-08-27 16:28:00
The kids have returned to school, which heralds my return to blogging after a fabulous summer break. It's good to be back, and there's a great deal to catch up on, but today I'll start with Salute
to Agriculture
, a series of events, dinners and tours highlighting Monterey County food, wineries and agriculture. The events start on September 12, and culminate on the 14th with the Taste of the Valley Wine & Food Show, where you'll have the opportunity to taste new recipes from the farms and ranches of the Salinas Valley in partnership with local wineries and restaurants.On Wednesday September 12, don't miss the chance to taste our 2004 Petit Verdot at the Salute to Agriculture Wine Pairing Dinner
. Our PV has been chosen to pair with the main course, which will consist of Braised Lamb Shank with Wild Mushroom & White Bean Cassoulet. Sounds good? The # to call for tickets is (831) 424-7611, or you can e-mail info@salutetoag.com. Dinner starts at 6pm and tickets are $100 per head, or $7
Get On Your Bike: Sign Up For Waves to Wine
2007-09-11 15:36:00
You have three weeks left to register for the annual Waves
to Wine MS Bike Tour, which will take place September 29 to 30 to raise more than $1.2 million for critical Multiple Sclerosis research and vital programs and services. With AT&T Park, the Golden Gate Bridge and wine country as backdrops, thousands of cyclists participating in this two-day event from San Francisco to beautiful Healdsburg will come together to lend their support to the more than 20,000 Northern Californians living with MS. After the first day's ride, participants are invited to an evening festival to enjoy great food, great music, and great wines.To register, volunteer, sponsor a rider, or to learn more, visit http://www.wavestowine.org/ or call 1-800-FIGHT-MS.
Tech Report: Resveratrol on Trial--Winegrapes Exposed
2007-09-10 13:28:00
According to today's issue of the Times, thirty British patients suffering from a rare disease will be the first to benefit from a new drug based on resveratrol, a chemical found in red wine. The small trial, based in Newcastle-upon-Tyne in North-East England, will test resveratrol, a chemical they say could potentially lead to a family of new drugs developed to combat the diseases of ageing. A version of resveratrol, SRT501, is also being tested in India for diabetes and several versions of the drug are apparently in the pipeline. Today, Wine Spectator Online reports that on Aug. 26, a team of Italian and French researchers reported that they have cracked the genetic code of the Vitis Vinifera grape!
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A Taste of Monterey
2007-10-03 11:01:00
Our 2004 Petit Verdot has been selected for A Taste of Monterey
's October wine club shipment. If you're a member of the club, you'll be receiving a bottle of our favorite PV any day now.If you haven't had the chance to visit A Taste of Monterey Wine Visitor's Center, jump in the car and head over there at your first opportunity. They have two great locations: one overlooking the ocean in a renovated 1918 sardine cannery on Cannery Row, and the other in Downtown Salinas--just a stone's throw from The Steinbeck Center.The last time I poured at the ocean-front Cannery Row location, I was stunned to see dolphins leaping through the waves, and can't wait to return for a repeat performance.
The Perfect Thanksgiving Wine
2007-10-05 16:14:00
If you're already planning for Thanksgiving
, you'll be well aware of the annual challenge--which wine should we pair with dinner?If it's a large crowd, I usually suggest a varied collection of reds and whites, allowing guests to pick and choose their favorites. But this year, you shouldn't miss the opportunity to include a bottle of Escafeld 2004 Petit Verdot.This Petit Verdot is the ideal Thanksgiving wine: soft and lush on the palate, with plenty of dark berry and spice flavors that will stand up perfectly to all your favorite Thanksgiving dishes. This is one of my favorite wines, and I'm sure that when you sample it with your Holiday fare this year, you'll make it a family tradition of your own.
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Harvest at Twin Vines
2007-10-26 17:48:00
Harvest
took place at the Twin Vines
vineyard yesterday. Rain and cooler weather had conspired to delay things, but the sugar level readings this week indicated that it was indeed time to pick. Twin Vines is about 2 acres, and is planted to 5 red Bordeaux varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cab Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot. We initially determined the planting proportions for this vineyard by finding the published blend quantities for as many red Bordeaux wines, and as many California Meritage wines as possible, and then finding the average. We ended up with about 50% Cab S. going down to around 5% of Petit Verdot and Malbec. Interestingly, these varieties have differing ripening characteristics, which can prove to be a challenge when it comes to picking (because we want to harvest just once each season). As it stands, harvest went perfectly--the fruit was great, averaging around 26% sugar (or, 26 brix), and we came away with about 3,550 pounds of grapes for our first field blend
San Antonio Valley AVA - The Movie!
2007-11-02 03:09:00
Recently I was invited to contribute to a promotional video being made by the Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association to promote the nine American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) located within Monterey County, California. Ron Frudden (of Ronan Cellars) and myself took our turns in front of the cameras to discuss the San Antonio
Valley
, which is the newest AVA in Monterey. The complete production is in the form of a DVD entitled, "Elements of Taste - the unique American Viticultural Areas of Monterey County", which is distributed by the MCVGA. Contact the MCVGA via their website @ www.montereywines.org or at +1.831.375.9400 for further information. The official press release for the video can be found here.The full DVD is broadcast quality and also covers the Carmel Valley, Monterey, Chalone, Santa Lucia Highlands, Arroyo Seco, San Bernabe, San Lucas and Hames Valley AVAs. Included here is the section covering San Antonio
Valley, which is where Escafeld Vineyards is located.
Chart Topping Petit Verdot
2007-12-18 10:15:00
A huge thank you to Dr. Debs of Good Wine Under $20, who has listed our 2004 Petit
Verdot as number one in her list of Top 20 Wines of 2007!If you haven't tasted this wine yet, pick up a few bottles, gather your friends around and spend an evening enjoying it together.The recipient of a Double Gold, Best of Class award at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, our 2004 Petit Verdot is a wonderful wine to serve during the Holidays, and one that reflects the season perfectly: a beautiful fragrance of red berries and espresso leads to a soft, full palate, packed with lush mixed berries, spice, hints of mocha and gingerbread. Cellar Tracker reviews are available here.
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