Wine, Sports, Stars, and Race Cars

While promoting the Regal Wine Club in Napa this past week. I came across many famous names of Actors, Race Car Drivers, and sports stars now in the wine business. Everyone knows that many celebrities like to see their names plastered everywhere and at first glance I thought that would be the case with most....But....I was wrong. Sure there are some famous people who own vineyards/wineries for investment purposes (although you've all heard this one before I'm sure but I'll repeat it anyhow..."How do you make a small fortune in the wine industry? You start with a large fortune").

So, I thought I would do a bit of research and come up with a list of Winemakers/Winery  owners whom made their mark in their previous life...that is before wine, doing something else.

Francis Ford Coppola, Film Director & Producer of great movies like The Godfather, Patton, Apocalypse Now, The Outsiders, & the list could go on and on. He used some proceeds from the original Godfather film to purchase a vineyard in Rutherford, Ca. and a few years later he bought the former Inglenook winery Chateau and renamed it the Rubicon Estate Winery. He also owns the Francis Ford Coppola Winery near Geyserville, Ca. Many of the wines like his films are produced with magnificent results!

Raymond Burr, the late actor most famous for his role as Perry Mason and Ironside had a real passion for wine. He cultivated Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Port grapes on his land in Sonoma, Ca. After his death, the property was renamed Raymond Burr Vineyards.

Emilio Estevez, famous actor & director lives in the Malibu Hills in a Spanish Style House surrounded by Vines. He uses the time spent tending his vines to "Escape" from the pressures of Hollywood  and to find inspiration for his screen writing. Emilio and his wife Sonja Magdevski run their winery called Casa Dumetz. The wine can be tasted at a quaint tasting room  in Los Alamos, Ca.

Gérard Depardieu, the famous French actor (when telling Wine Tales how could I possibly leave out the french) best know for his role as Cyrano de Bergerac produces some great wines from Loire Valley in France as well as from many other vineyards he owns around the globe.

Wayne Gretzky,  The famous Hockey player known as the "Great One' produces some "Great" wines from his winery in the wine regions of Canada.

Jeff Gordon, Race car driver. Works with August Briggs winery to produce some exceptional wines for his Jeff Gordon Cellars Label.

Speaking of race car drivers.... Let me change that to Race Car Legends...Mario Andretti, arguably the most famous Race car driver of all time is also a legend in the wine industry. In 1996 Mario and his long time friend Joe Antonini (former K-Mart CEO) founded the Andretti Winery(Insert shameless plug here..Regal Wine Club Members enjoy special privileges at Andretti)in Napa California. The winery is dedicated to celebrating the Italian Lifestyle and the fine wines produced by Andretti are Champions like the legend Mario himself.


Golfing Master Greg Norman has not only mastered the game of golf but he has also taken the wine industry by storm with his wonderful wines. Produced in California and Australia.

Other famous wine folks are: Dan Aykroyd, Antonio Banderas, Drew Barrymore, Mario Batali, Mike Ditka, Fergie, Dan Marino,  Dave Matthews, Joe Montana, Vince Neil, Olivia Newton John, Arnold Palmer, Nancy Pelosi (Politician-Vineyard Owner), Jason Priestley, Boz Scraggs, and Cliff Richard.

 This list could go on and on forever but I must get back to the task at hand...Wine!

Until Next Time....Keep a Corkscrew handy and a glass on the ready!

The 4th, Our Friends, and Red, White, and...

 What is better than to sit at the end of the day and drink wine with friends, or substitutes for friends! - James Joyce

The 4th of July has always been a time of getting together with close friends and family. Sharing laughs and catching up. It's a great excuse to throw a party and invite those you care about....Yes even Uncle Calvin who always gets loud and embarrasses the hell out of you! But it's all great fun.

I spent half my weekend up in Los Olivos enjoying some great wine with great friends. Instead of doing our normal tasting room visits we decided to just bring a bottle or 2 of our favorites and sit out on the deck and enjoy the wine and friendship.

I brought 2 of my personal favorites from my cellar: 


2008 Presqu'ille Pinot Noir (Santa Maria Valley)
With it's rich nose of Fennel, tobacco, & Cola and the superb taste of Plum and cherry.It's complexity will leave you speechless!

2009 Transcendence Parea 
 A magnificent 54% Grenache 46% Syrah. With a nose of Raspberry, Vanilla, and a touch of smoke. Your palette will then experience pure euphoria as you taste it's richness. The dark colors will also please your eyes. You will soon be "transcended" into a Blissful state.




Independence day as it called is supposed to be a celebration of our nations independence. The chance to hang out with our friends and share some great food and wine. It got me thinking about how we wine drinkers may have a different take on the 4th of July. You see for a wine lover like myself every day is like the 4th of July, a chance to share stories and the company of friends and family occur often. All it takes is a nice bottle of wine and a bite to eat and let the celebrations begin!


The wine itself is an integral part of our relationships and the decisions we make. Just look back in history and you will find major battles as well as peaceful diplomatic solutions were planned and executed after sipping a fine wine or spirit.


It's no wonder that our flag has both Whites and Reds!


Have a great and safe Holiday and as always "Keep a corkscrew handy and a glass on the ready!"
      

Paradise Found....after Being Lost!

I just returned from yet another Wine Tasting trip to Temecula, CA.  The weather was picture perfect with a wonderful afternoon breeze. I decided to take the advice of a few Regal Wine Club members and visit the Chapin Family Vineyards.

 Armed with a wine tasting map and a craving for some magnificent wine, I jumped into my car and headed up the hill. I ventured off the main road and started my "Syrah Safari". I'm much better at navigating my way through a wine cellar than I am at offroading the vineyards. I soon found myself lost among the wind swept vines. I didn't panic and just kept studying my map like an ancient explorer. Finally I caught a glimpse of a beautiful sight...Palms trees swaying in the breeze. My first thought was...Is this just a mirage? Are my eyes deceiving me? My eyes soon focused on the most glorious sight, it was indeed the Chapin Family Vineyards Tasting room. I quickly pulled into the parking lot and walked in the the tasting room and I was immediately transported to what I like to call Polynesian paradise. The palms and  open space reminded me of being in Hawaii! The friendliness of the staff continued to remind me of paradise. I decided to take advantage of the offer of a full flight tasting.

 Up first was the Passerina, a wonderful crisp white wine perfect for quenching the thirst of an explorer like myself. The delicate flavors of wildflowers, apricots, and peaches made me soon realize that this wine was as beautiful as the winery that produced it! I could hardly wait to try the next wine. The beautiful red liquid was soon being poured into my glass. I took time to inhale the fruity aromas of the Montepulciano. Before I even sipped it I knew this wine was going to be more than fruity and after tasting it I was blown away by the deep, complex flavors of tobacco, chocolate, and oak. Next up was a Wonderful Cabernet Sauvignon followed by an equally magnificent Syrah. When I thought it could not get any better, I was served the most incredible Merlot I can remember. (I'm not usually a big fan of Merlot, but this Chapin Merlot would have Miles from "Sideways" purchasing a case for his Cellar!) Next up to the table was a Ruby Red Sparkling wine called "Vernaccia Nera". At first taste, a refreshing sparkling wine however after another sip I began to quickly realize that this wine was no simple sparkling wine. The jam flavors and big flavors reminded me more of a complex big Red. Last but certainly not least came the final pour...A late harvest zinfandel. I carefully watched as it was poured and I could see the caramel and brilliant Red colors being mixed like an artists palette. One sip and I was hooked. The flavors were amazing!


I am so happy I visited Chapin Family Vineyards. I highly recommend you visit this winery when you are in Temecula (or from anywhere in So. Cal, it's worth the drive!) The knowledgeable staff and the superb wine will have you returning again and again!

Chapin Family Vineyards is located at  36084 Summitville Street in Temecula.

Stop by and taste "Paradise" and don't forget to let them know you found them through the Regal Wine Club.

Stay tuned for my next post...I'm headed North to Santa Barbara...Until then Keep your corkscrew handy and a glass on the ready!

Bel Vino-Beautiful Wine

On a recent wine tasting trip to Temecula with a group of Regal Wine Club Members, I had the chance to experience "Bel Vino". A wonderful Winery with an amazing tasting room! Their Tagline is "Fine Wines-Good Times" and they hit the nail right on the head with that one. We were served a wonderful tasting flight of delectable wines. I started out with a Viognier (one of my personal favorites). The delicate balance of sweetness and dry, and the hints of apricot and citrus were very refreshing on a very warm Temecula day. I usually go to the Red side of the tasting menu after a Viognier but today I couldn't resist tasting an Estate chardonnay from a quality winery like Bel Vino. My taste buds were soon experiencing nothing short of mouth watering bliss! The flavors of pineapple and the crispness of a granny smith apple with just enough smokey oak flavor from the french barrel left me wanting more...So....I purchased a case on the spot even before continuing my tasting! I just had to go the the Reds next. I started out with the Lagrein, a Northern Italian varietal which had me tasting a cherry and plum perfection with a slight hint of coffee. For the next tasting I felt as if I were standing in front of a travel agent with a major decision Italy or France? I decided to go Italian once more the Sangiovese, I placed my empty glass in front of me and watched the most exquisite wine as it was poured into my glass. I had to fight the temptation to grab the glass before the pour was complete but I managed. The aroma of a Temecula Terroir mixed with flavors of raspberry and cherry with just the right amount of oak left me speechless! I followed up with a Zinfandel and a Cabernet Sauvignon with were of the same high quality one would expect from a winery of this caliber. I would highly recommend if you are tasting in the Temecula Region to make a stop at Bel Vino. The staff is friendly, the wine is superb, and the ambiance will leave you saying "Bellissimo"

Bel Vino is located in Temecula at 33515 Rancho California Road in the heart of the wine country.

Don't forget to let the nice people at Bel Vino know you found them at www.regalwineclub.com
 

Viewing the Solar Eclipse from "Star Lane"

The solar eclipse and a family members birthday were great excuses for us to throw a big Sunday party. The theme was the good old west.We had cowboy and cowgirl outfits, chaps, hats, latigo, and boots. The party was moseying along nicely. People were dancing and a few others were singing. The tri-tips were sizzling nicely as were the burgers. Something was missing however. What could it have been? The food? Check! The guests? Check! Beautiful weather? In southern Cal? You better believe it! Just then my lovely wife mouths the word "Wine" from across the crowded party. I then said aloud "The Wine!". Pure jubilation soon covered me...A bit like the giant 10 gallon hat on one of our guests. I raced over to get out the wine. When I thought about the pleasures that awaited me just beneath that cork I wanted to sprint over to it but with the western theme I had better not I thought. So I continued to "Mosey" by this time I looked a little bit like John Wayne but not half as tough! I finally reached the special bottle we had picked for the occasion.It was the most beautiful dark bottle with the most eye pleasing three rings on the label. I could almost taste it before it even reached my lips. The wine was of course one of our favorites, the 2007 Consilience Syrah, Star Lane Vineyard. The leather and smoke on the nose was perfect for our western party. The flavors of Plum and black pepper went perfectly with our tri-tips and roasted peppers.After a few bottles of this incredible Syrah had been thoroughly enjoyed by our guests, the phone rang it was a guest running late and asking for directions. I told the guest to hurry up so she wouldn't miss the wine, the food, and the fun! As for directions I told her We are up here on "Star Lane" she replied I'm looking at the invitation and it says "Eldorado" I don't understand. I then told her "Just get up here and you will understand for sure!"

Consilience  is one of my favorite wineries in the Santa Barbara area. They are located in Los Olivos on Grand Avenue. (805) 691-1020 or visit www.consiliencewines.com

P.S. Be sure to let the friendly staff at Consilience know you found them at www.regalwineclub.com

Seal Beach...Surfing for the Perfect Syrah

This past weekend I had the pleasure of visiting a wonderful Gem of a winery. A Friend of mine introduced me to the Seal Beach Winery a few weeks ago and Now I'm Hooked! Nestled in a quiet little commercial complex in Los Alamitos, the Seal Beach Winery is anything but Little when it comes to the Big Red's they produce. I tasted and then purchased an incredible Grenache and my Friend bought the Syrah which was equally superb! In addition to the great wine, the staff/Owners make you feel like you are just enjoying some great wine at a close friends home. If you are in the North Orange County/Long Beach Area, do yourself a big favor and visit the Seal Beach Winery! I can assure you, you're gonna love it!


Seal Beach Winery
3387 Cerritos Avenue
Los Alamitos, CA 90720
562.594.5800

P.S. Please be sure to let them know that you discovered them at www.regalwineclub.com