My friend Ann Beckner and I were off to wine taste, not far from my home in Camarillo. It was October and the trees in the Lompoc area were turning and fall colors were everywhere. Ann was actually at work as a representative of Wine Warehouse. I was in search of wineries for my wine group, WINO. Our first stop was Palmina. From the minute I walked in the door I knew I was at home in this winery – and it would make a great candidate for an upcoming WINO dinner. We were greeted by Matt and Alacia and immediately felt the warmth of the establishment. We gathered by a comfortable table and shared wine with the usual Italian accompaniments of salami, bread, and cheese.
Palmina was founded by Steve Clifton in 1995 and named for his friend who lived the Italian life style but sadly lost her battle with breast cancer. Clifton’s life-changing moment came when he was in need of a translator for Italian visitors. Along came Chrystal Seals. They shared a love of wine, food and the feeling of family and friends brought about by the sharing of wine. Chrystal soon became a part of the winery and she and Steve were married in Friuli, Italy, in the spring of 2004. Their stated philosophy is, “wine is an extension of the plate, a component of the meal and a means to bring people together.”
Palmina specializes in Italian varietals. The winery wants consumers to know these traditional Italian varietals are modern by design because of the very unique characteristics of the soil and climate of Santa Barbara County. Palmina keeps its production small so it can continue its commitment to high quality production.
For those of you who don’t know me, my husband Ken passed away 10 years ago. His family was from a small town in the Venice, Italy, area (Bartlett was Bortolotti prior to Ellis Island) so I am well acquainted with Northern Italian style of cooking (Ken was a wonderful cook!). I can see how well the Palmina wines fit that cuisine with its wide range of varietals, from the delicate Pinot Grigio to the full-bodied and robust Nebbiolo. I found their wines very drinkable and of excellent quality. I am anxious to see what Chef Jorge Espinosa will come up with in a menu to complement these vintages at the WINO dinner featuring Palmina.
This morning I opened an e-mail from the group Learn About Wine, a source for wine education. They are advertising an event in which they will taste the Top 20 wines of 2009, general admission $95. As I looked down the list of the Top Ten Palmina’s 2005 Nebbiolo with 95 points. What a treat for WINO – we get to taste their wine accompanied by a delicious meal for $69! On February 21 we will meet at the Courtyard Marriott in Oxnard at 5:30 p.m. As soon as I have a menu from Chef Jorge I will put it on my web site.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Jeanne Bartlett, WINO Director
(805) 484-4196
jbruin.wine@veizon.net
http://www.winetravellinggroup.com/
Alma Rosa Winery and Vineyards
Sunday, January 17, 2010, 5:30 p.m.
We will be meeting at the Spanish Hills Country Club for a very special tasting of Alma Rosa wines. Richard and Thekla Sanford share a long-standing commitment to the environment. They separated from their namesake winery, Sanford, and founded Alma Rosa Winery & Vineyards as an expression of their passion for winemaking and with a desire to develop a business that reflected their core values. They have gone all out, from the reintroduction of peregrine falcons to eliminate the use of pesticides to replacing traditional corks with recyclable twist off closures to eliminate the mustiness imparted by bad corks. /Richard Sanford will be with us to tell us how he combined the production of great wines with his commitment to the environment. Chef Karl Holst, a master of pairing wine and food, has crafted a menu to match these vintages.
Grilled Tiger Shrimp and Pancetta Wrapped Shrimp Spiedini
Roasted Shallot and Squid Ink Risotto, Almond Lahvash, Tahitian Vanilla Bean Beurre Blanc, Basil & Pinot Gris Coulis, Kalamata Olives
2008 Santa Barbara County Pinot Gris
Macadamia Nut Crusted Kona Kompachi
Watermelon, Mint and Avocado Salsa, Sweet Potato & Marscapone Puree, Meyer Rum and Anis Reduction
2008 Santa Barbara County Chardonnay
Root beer Marinated Berkshire Pork Tenderloin
Kabocha Squash Ravioli, Roasted Poblano and Cilantro Salsa, Crema Mexicana
2007 Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir
Sumac Dusted N.Z. Lamb Chops
Zereschk Polow, Star Anis and Pinot Demi-Glace, Roasted Baby Red Carrots
2006 Encantada Vineyard Pinot Noir
Scharffen Berger Chocolate Torte with Dried Blueberry and Ancho Chili
Jamaican Allspice Ganache, Pinot Noir Syrup, Trufffle Infused Sea Salt
2008 Clone 667 Pinot Noir
***Checks, Members $65,Non-Members and Guests, $69, must be made payable to Jeanne Bartlett. And SENT to 1358 Saddleback Trail,Camarillo,CA 93012 to arrive no later than Wed.Jan. 13.
Jan. 7 to Jan. 13 please phone or e-mail reservations to Diane Keay 642-0571, wino.keay@sbcglobal.net NO refunds after Jan. 13 unless space can be filled from a waiting list. Single members may bring one guest at member price. If you need to cancel let Diane know as there may be someone waiting to take your place. No checks will be cashed until Monday, Jan. 18.
Coming Events: Feb. 21, Palmina, March 21, Bridlewood April 18, Rancho Ventavo, May 16, Rosenthal June 6, Opolo, July 11, Ken Brown, 35th Anniversary of WINO Aug 8, Tobin James
Spanish Hills Country Club,
999 Crestview Avenue, Camarillo, 93010
(805) 484-4196
jbruin.wine@veizon.net
http://www.winetravellinggroup.com/
Alma Rosa Winery and Vineyards
Sunday, January 17, 2010, 5:30 p.m.
We will be meeting at the Spanish Hills Country Club for a very special tasting of Alma Rosa wines. Richard and Thekla Sanford share a long-standing commitment to the environment. They separated from their namesake winery, Sanford, and founded Alma Rosa Winery & Vineyards as an expression of their passion for winemaking and with a desire to develop a business that reflected their core values. They have gone all out, from the reintroduction of peregrine falcons to eliminate the use of pesticides to replacing traditional corks with recyclable twist off closures to eliminate the mustiness imparted by bad corks. /Richard Sanford will be with us to tell us how he combined the production of great wines with his commitment to the environment. Chef Karl Holst, a master of pairing wine and food, has crafted a menu to match these vintages.
Grilled Tiger Shrimp and Pancetta Wrapped Shrimp Spiedini
Roasted Shallot and Squid Ink Risotto, Almond Lahvash, Tahitian Vanilla Bean Beurre Blanc, Basil & Pinot Gris Coulis, Kalamata Olives
2008 Santa Barbara County Pinot Gris
Macadamia Nut Crusted Kona Kompachi
Watermelon, Mint and Avocado Salsa, Sweet Potato & Marscapone Puree, Meyer Rum and Anis Reduction
2008 Santa Barbara County Chardonnay
Root beer Marinated Berkshire Pork Tenderloin
Kabocha Squash Ravioli, Roasted Poblano and Cilantro Salsa, Crema Mexicana
2007 Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir
Sumac Dusted N.Z. Lamb Chops
Zereschk Polow, Star Anis and Pinot Demi-Glace, Roasted Baby Red Carrots
2006 Encantada Vineyard Pinot Noir
Scharffen Berger Chocolate Torte with Dried Blueberry and Ancho Chili
Jamaican Allspice Ganache, Pinot Noir Syrup, Trufffle Infused Sea Salt
2008 Clone 667 Pinot Noir
***Checks, Members $65,Non-Members and Guests, $69, must be made payable to Jeanne Bartlett. And SENT to 1358 Saddleback Trail,Camarillo,CA 93012 to arrive no later than Wed.Jan. 13.
Jan. 7 to Jan. 13 please phone or e-mail reservations to Diane Keay 642-0571, wino.keay@sbcglobal.net NO refunds after Jan. 13 unless space can be filled from a waiting list. Single members may bring one guest at member price. If you need to cancel let Diane know as there may be someone waiting to take your place. No checks will be cashed until Monday, Jan. 18.
Coming Events: Feb. 21, Palmina, March 21, Bridlewood April 18, Rancho Ventavo, May 16, Rosenthal June 6, Opolo, July 11, Ken Brown, 35th Anniversary of WINO Aug 8, Tobin James
Spanish Hills Country Club,
999 Crestview Avenue, Camarillo, 93010
Friday, January 1, 2010
Alma Rosa Winery and Vineyards--Next WINO dinner, Spanish Hills CC
Last October I went on a road trip with Ann Beckner, wine representative for Wine Warehouse distributors. I went in search of wineries to feature at our monthly dinners. What better place to start than our California Central Coast. I was looking for something special to begin the new year and I found it.
Now you wouldn’t happen upon Alma Rosa by chance, but if you know the reputation of Richard Sanford you would go the distance. Ken, my late husband and co-founder of WINO, and I were fans of Sanford back in the 1980s when it was known as Sanford and Benedict. The vineyards planted through the 1990s into 2000 are producing the fruit that Sanford has harvested and crafted into award-wining wines, including pinot noirs to treasure.
Ann and I left the 101 freeway going north toward Buellton from Ventura County and drove quite a distance on Santa Rosa Road, a two-lane highway. We turned off and followed a winding dirt lane and finally came to an unimposing wooden building with nopales cactus surrounding it.
As we entered there was a desk and a friendly person who welcomed us to the tasting room. At the other end of the building we merged in with a couple from Mission Viejo (home of prominent WINO members Hank & Ruth Fischer) to savor some fantastic wines that I’m looking forward to tasting at the WINO event on January 17 at Spanish Hills Country Club. Chef Karl Holst, a master of pairing wine and food will be crafting the menu.
Sanford met his future wife, Thekla Brumdes in 1976 and they married in 1978. They planted their first 100% organic vineyard at Ranch el Jabali in 2005. Sanford and Brumdes separated from the namesake winery to dedicate the winery to organic farming and sustainable agriculture—nature and agriculture in sustainable harmony.
Recognition of what Alma Rosa Winery has accomplished comes from the organization Greenopia, which rates everything environmental. In this instance they studied the impact of wineries in the United States. Using a rating system of leaves, with four leaves representing the highest rating of sustainability, Alma Rosa topped the list of wineries in the United States with a rating of three leaves out of four. They are proud and honored to be recognized by Greenopia and pledge to continue their efforts toward environment responsibility and social justice.
With over 100 acres of certified organic vineyards in the Santa Rita Hills, Alma Rosa is working towards continued success in the production of very drinkable wine that pairs well with food. It is important to them to continue their reputation for excellence.
Last October I went on a road trip with Ann Beckner, wine representative for Wine Warehouse distributors. I went in search of wineries to feature at our monthly dinners. What better place to start than our California Central Coast. I was looking for something special to begin the new year and I found it.
Now you wouldn’t happen upon Alma Rosa by chance, but if you know the reputation of Richard Sanford you would go the distance. Ken, my late husband and co-founder of WINO, and I were fans of Sanford back in the 1980s when it was known as Sanford and Benedict. The vineyards planted through the 1990s into 2000 are producing the fruit that Sanford has harvested and crafted into award-wining wines, including pinot noirs to treasure.
Ann and I left the 101 freeway going north toward Buellton from Ventura County and drove quite a distance on Santa Rosa Road, a two-lane highway. We turned off and followed a winding dirt lane and finally came to an unimposing wooden building with nopales cactus surrounding it.
As we entered there was a desk and a friendly person who welcomed us to the tasting room. At the other end of the building we merged in with a couple from Mission Viejo (home of prominent WINO members Hank & Ruth Fischer) to savor some fantastic wines that I’m looking forward to tasting at the WINO event on January 17 at Spanish Hills Country Club. Chef Karl Holst, a master of pairing wine and food will be crafting the menu.
Sanford met his future wife, Thekla Brumdes in 1976 and they married in 1978. They planted their first 100% organic vineyard at Ranch el Jabali in 2005. Sanford and Brumdes separated from the namesake winery to dedicate the winery to organic farming and sustainable agriculture—nature and agriculture in sustainable harmony.
Recognition of what Alma Rosa Winery has accomplished comes from the organization Greenopia, which rates everything environmental. In this instance they studied the impact of wineries in the United States. Using a rating system of leaves, with four leaves representing the highest rating of sustainability, Alma Rosa topped the list of wineries in the United States with a rating of three leaves out of four. They are proud and honored to be recognized by Greenopia and pledge to continue their efforts toward environment responsibility and social justice.
With over 100 acres of certified organic vineyards in the Santa Rita Hills, Alma Rosa is working towards continued success in the production of very drinkable wine that pairs well with food. It is important to them to continue their reputation for excellence.
Now our WINO group in Ventura County will get to sample these wines and Richard Sanford will be with us to give us inside information about them. Join us:
Sunday, January 2010, Spanish Hill Country Club, 5:30 p.m.
Reservations until Jan.6, Jeanne Bartlett, 805.484-4106
Jan. 7 to deadline Jan. 13 Diane Keay, 805.642-0571
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