Reduce Greenhouse Gases – Buy Direct from the Winery

Earth day is a time to celebrate gains we have made and create new visions to accelerate environmental progress. Earth Day is a time to unite around new actions. Source: U.S. Government.

HotCosts business model is to reduce inefficiencies of the current 3-tier distribution model by offering wines direct from the producer.  With this model, we eliminate the need to consolidate wines and store them in multiple warehouses, transporting the wine multiple times until it finally reaches the retail shop.  We minimize greenhouse gases by offering the most efficient distribution model!  However, our winery partners are unable to use this distribution model for many states.  That’s because individual states may still determine whether or not you may receive wine shipments to your home or place of business.

This distribution system is an outgrowth of the 21^st Amendment, which ended Prohibition. To more effectively regulate alcohol sales after the repeal, most states decided to place an independent intermediary, the wholesaler, between producers and retailers. The result is our current distribution model where each state has created a patchwork of liquor laws nationwide.  In many cases, we have left it up to the wholesalers and distributors to determine how your wine gets to your state.  

Yes, that’s right we are still paying for the effect Prohibition had on our country 75 years ago! 

Even more interesting is the fact that many internet retailers are selling wine that they have purchased and moved to a central storage area! I’ll call that the 2 1/2 tier distribution solution.  These internet sales site are buying at wholesale prices from the wineries and moving the wine to their own warehouse where they then store the wine until you purchase it from them.  Consider the impact of moving the wine twice and storing it in two locations before it is shiped to you.

Before you purchase wine over the internet, make sure you understand the company’s business model.  Buy winery direct – reduce greenhouse gases!

HotCosts attends Santa Barbara Vintners Festival

The annual Santa Barbara County Vintners’ Festival featured the wines of 100+ members of the Association.  The weather was in the mid 50’s and felt more like the 40’s with the wind.  The festival as well laid out and we didn’t find any lines to try the wines.  In large events like these, you typically don’t run into the winemakers.  At this event, all seemed to be in attendance. 

Interaction with the winemakers gave HotCosts the opportunity to learn more about the different AVA’s and microclimates found within Santa Barbara County.  For example, Lompoc (pronounced Lom Poke) also known as the Santa Rita Hills AVA has a cool costal climate and many of the Pinot Noirs, Chardonnays and Syrahs come from here.  Just 15 minutes in land, you will find Solvang, Los Olivos and Santa Ynez AVAs suited to Rhone Varietals.  This area is hotter and drier.

We had an interesting conversation with a winemaker on rootstock and vine clones.  You may have seen this information in winemakers’ technical data on a wine you have purchased.  A rootstock is a plant (usually just the stump) that has established a root system to nourish the vine clone being grafted.  Growers choose the rootstock based on the varietal, soil and climate.  Most Cabs for example use a drought resistant rootstock. Vine clones are numbered or named after someone.  These clones can produce an amazing variety of flavors for the same grape varietal.  For example, consider the number and type of apples we have available.  All are apples but each type provides a very different taste.  This is the same with grapes.

There were many wineries in attendance and too large to name them all.  Below is a list of the smaller produces we visited and merit further review:
Au Bon Climat  - A winery known for their Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
Beckmen Vineyards –  Santa Ynez mountains, great Rhone varietals.  Check out the Mountain Grenache.
Blackjack Ranch Vineyards and Winery - Featured on Sideways, this winery is kicking out some great Chardonnay.  They are also know for the highly regarded Harmmonie but were obviously not pouring it at the event.
Carina Cellars - Known for their Syrah but heard the Iconclast (not tasted) which is a Cab Syrah blend is a must try.
Epiphany Cellars - Produces single vineyard wines to accentuate the terroir’s influence to the varietal.  Great Syrah’s along with lots of awards for the Rhone blend called Revelation.
Firestone Vineyards - Met with winemaker Kevin Willenborg at the event.  Tried the lesser know varietals that they produce; Chardonnay and Syrah.  Both were excellent!
Gainey Vineyard - Great Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noirs poured at the event.
Melville – Another Santa Rita Hills winery known for great Pinot Noirs.
Ovene Winery - This winery sources grapes through out Santa Barbara County.  They had a really nice Viogner and Chardonnay for the event.
Paige 23 Wines - Unique wines that are produced with food in mind.  Trying to enhance, not overpower the food, these wines had focused fruit flavors.  The Syrah had a small amount of Viogner added for acid balance.  Keep an eye out for this wine.
Presidio Vineyards and Winery - Certified organic and biodynamic vineyards, this produces makes small lot wines suited to the micro climates they grow in.  Loved the estated Syrah from the cool climate of the Santa Rita hills.
 Stolpman Vineyards - Also known as a source for great grapes for other premier winemakers, Stolpman keeps a few tons for their own label.  The Estate Syrah has all the classic components of pepper and spice along with a very balance dark berry fruit flavor.  Would love to try the Hilltop Syrah some day.

HotCosts Attends Californial Wine Festival

Wine, food, blues, sea and sun. These elements create a unique wine tasting experience at every California Wine Festival. A sunny seaside setting, hundreds of California’s best red and white wines, live blues music complemented by dozens of top chefs and specialty food purveyors serving gourmet appetizers, fresh cut fruits, grilled meats, artisan breads and cheeses and much more.  The event was great even though temps hit the high 80’s.  We visited the following wineries:
Calcerous Vineyards  Where the soil rules.  Loved Twisted Sister Bordeaux blend.
Edward Sellers Every winemaker in Paso raves about this guy.  “I like my wines, but he makes the wines I drink” said one winemaker.  They are focused on unique Rhone-style wines from Paso Robles.
Hahn Estates - Fantastic Pinot Noir from Monterrey.
Harvest Moon - Russian River Zin masters.  All excellent wines.  Found the Late Harvest Zin and stayed for an hour!
EOS - They were pouring an incredible Petite Syrah.  Look for it.
Howell Mountain Estates - Fine, balanced cab from Napa Valley’s premiere AVA.
IO Wines - Poured a fantastic Santa Barbara Rhone Blend.
Ironstone Vineyards - Nice reserve wines.
Tara Bella -  We found a great Cabernet from Sonoma, really rivals the great ones from Napa.
 

HotCosts attends the Santa Lucia Highlands trade tasting event

HotCosts attended the Santa Lucia Highlands Trade tasting event Monday, April 7. 

Not being a big Pinot Noir & Chardonnay drinker, I had lots to learn on this trip.  I’ve heard of the influences this region has had on the great Bergundian grape but had not had an opportunity to taste them.  First, I must say how friendly and straight-forward the winemakers are here.  I met several who were probably suprised that I had not heard of them, but were very gracious and took the time to explain their passion of this region.  It was obvious that they were in it for the passion of winemaking and the SLH AVA.

I am now on every ones waiting list and joined as many wine clubs as I could possibly afford.  YeHaw.

Many well known vintners and brands from outside the Santa Lucia Highlands rely on the appellation’s grapes for their top vintages. The prevalent varietals grown here are Chardonnay and Pinot Noir with some Syrah.  Many of the wineries below poured wine sourced from grapes grown at Garys’ Vineyard, Rosella’s Vineyard and Sleepy Hollow’ Vineyard.  Considered to the be the premiere vineyards of the region, each winemaker had their own presentation of the fruit.  Rather than try and give a review of each winery’s final product, we have given a general observation about the differences between these vineyards.

Gary’s Vineyard from SLH.  Gary’s aroma was full of dark berries.  There was a lot of sweet fruit in the mouth. Strawberry, raspberry and cherry jam was noted. On the mid-pallet, the wine felt rich, lush and smooth.

Rosella’s Vineyard from SLH.   Rosella’s was a bit brighter in taste.  Rather than dark berries, I noted more cherry on the nose and palate. On the mid-pallet, the wine felt rich, lush and smooth.

Sleepy Hollow’ Vineyard - from SLH.  These grapes were planted in 1973 making them the oldest Pinot Noir vines in North America.  The result is intense fruit aromas of plum and spice. On the palate, we tasted cherry and blackberry with smokey undertones.  The minerality of these grapes created a very smooth and long finish.  

The following are wineries we were able to attended at this event.  We missed many more. Here are our notes:

Boekenoogen - Family owned vineyard that until recently, was only selling grapes to other wineries.   Tried the 06 Chardonnay $30 retail, 350 cases produced.  Light yellow-green; complex, attractive butter and mineral aromas show lees, malolactic fermentation and oak; mineral deep flavors; soft mouthfeel, medium to full body with richness; balanced. Pleasing, complex style; very nice wine
Belle Glos – Belle Glos showcases distinctive single-vineyard Pinot Noirs produced from some of California’s top wine-growing regions.  Met with winemaker Joseph Wagner at this event.  Great guy with a real passion for winemaking.  He spoke in length about the Gambit Series “Gary’s Vineyard” Pinot Noir. Produced without adding sulpher, these are fragile wines!  But the result is a wine with depth, complexity and texture.  This had lots of ripe fruit and spicy aromas. In the mouth its full bodied, very soft and supple with great balance. Those aromas expand and explode in wave after wave of intensity as you breathe out through your nose.  Get it if you can find it…..

Bernardus - Met with winemaker Dean Dekorth.  Cool guy with a sense of humor to go with the serious side of winemaking.  Tried the 05 Rosella’s Vineyard Chardonnay.  500 cases produced $40 retail.  This wine is showing really nice right now.  Straw yellow. Toasted oak and muted tropical notes of pineapple and guava. Full bodied with excellent flavor on the palate. Impressive balance, not overly fat or buttery, with crisp acidity.

Cru - Met with winemaker Michael Leven and bonded over leaving the corporate world to start somthing we love and the importance of food and wine pairing.  Great guy who puts a capital A in artesian winemaking.  Cru is focused on site-designated Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs from Monterey County.  Tried the 06 Chardonnay Vigne De Monte Nero Vineyard 200 cases produced retails for $29.99.  This wine has bright fruit flavors and acidity.  A beautiful harmony of fruit and oak provide the main theme, followed by a lingering, well-rounded finish. I was thinking how great a cold dungeness crab salad would taste with it. 

Kosta Browne - Met with winemaker Michale Brown.  History – the guy starts out in the restaurant business, decides to become a sommelier, then determines that he should start making wine.  So, he goes over to a great winery run by Robert Rex called Deerfield Ranch and becomes assistant winemaker.  In 2001,  2 days after 9/11 he and his partners put together a prospectus to raise money for a new winery, and succeed!  Today, they sell their Pinot Noir and a little Syrah on a mailing list allocation that reaches a 10 year waiting list.  Tried the 06 Rosella’s and Gary’s Vineyard from SLH.  Folks, get on the mailing list and wait your turn to get these well crafted wines.
Loring - This winery is focused on Pinot Noir.  They produce single vineyard designated wines from 14 vineyards.  As mony other wineries pouring here today, they focus on sourcing Pinot Noir grapes from the best vineyards in each appelation known for Pinot Noir. They poured the Gary’s and Rosella’s Vineyard 06 Pinot Noir. This is a winery worth trying. I can’t wait to try their complete production.

Paraiso - This winery was pouring Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah.  Most of their Vineyard Designates wines are produced in small lots totaling less than 300 cases each. I especially liked the Eagles Perch Chardonnay which showed great balance with rich white burgundian flavors.  Their West Terrace Pinot Noir was my favorite of the wine I tasted at this winery.  This had lots of dark fruit and spicy aromas. In the mouth its full bodied, very soft and smooth with great balance.

Pisoni - The family that introduced the “Pisoni Clone” Pinot Noir to the region also makes a few barrels for those on their mailing list.  Tried both the Gary’s Vineyard and Estate Pinot Noir.  Both showed long-term aging potential with a tight core but open fruit flavors.

Robert Talbott - Just my luck – arrived at the table closest to the entrance last!  Went clockwise and they were last on the clockwise tour.  There was very little left to taste – but I did get to try the Talbott Chardonnay – Sleepy Hollow vineyard.  Made in the Bergundian style, it was creamy , rich with mineral notes.
Six Strings - As the name implys, the winemakers are both guitarists who share a passion for making excellent wines in small lots that are inspired by great music.  Their motto: “Less Masking – More Tasting.” Keeping with the non-invasive winemaking techniques, both the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir were nicely balanced – Mozart anyone?

Wine Blog Parody

HotCosts loves wine and hates snobbery.  We found a great new website that pokes fun at wine blog websites.  For a good time, check out wine-ing 2.0.  They poke fun at everyone from Gary Vaynerchuk’s wine tv to Robert Parker.  Hey, maybe we can be a target soon!