Latest from Jeanne

Discovering Palmina Winery

2010-01-28T22:29:00.000-08:00

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.

2010-01-03T14:59:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-01T12:17:00.000-08:00

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.

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

2009-10-13T13:15:00.000-07:00

Our WINO dinner with the Australian Premium Wine Collection went very well. Confusion to start as the Chef did not have a menu for me when I left for Virginia but we still rounded up 95 people to enjoy some very interesting and special wines from Australia. I love the names of the four wineries--Rocky Gully, Wishing Tree, Elderton and Tir Na Nog.

The Collection is very well known in wine circles. Robert Parker writing in Food & Wine Magazine and speaking of the Australian Collection said, "The name of these importers on a bottle guarantees a wine of quality and integrity." And he was right! We had a great speaker from the organization in the person of Barry Walsh. He was very knowledgeable and presented the wines with interesting side stories.

The printed menu was very sparse in description but the actual food was beautifully presented. The Rocky Gully Riesling with Cajun salad was a delicious combination of textures, with 3 plump shrimp and tasty greens. The salad was not overly spiced that I could detect (and I am very sensitive to that) and the wine was bone dry with lemony flavors. The Mousseline of Salmon sounded like it was headed for disaster with the Wishing Tree Shiraz. Turns out it was a very, very light Shiraz with dark red berry aromas and a smooth finish that worked well with the fish.

When I read Crème Brulee with Elderton Botrytis Semillon I expected a disaster. Turns out the winemaker describes the wine as Crème Brulee in a glass, so again not a problem. The entire menu and wine pairing will be on the web site as soon as we get our flyer for Norman Vineyards on November 15th. Unfortunately, I forgot my camera so you will miss seeing the superb presentation of each course of our Aussie dinner.

I must add a word about the outstanding service. There was constant attention to detail. Water and bread were always refilled without any discussion. When the speaker left the table his dinner way topped to keep it warm. Above and beyond--when a waitperson noticed that someone did not eat the fish course he offered an alternative. My compliments to the staff!

2009-10-08T17:57:00.000-07:00

Greetings! It is Saturday and I still have Virginia (not Georgia) on my mind. On September 22nd my daughter, Diana, editor, Joe and I departed from California and began a 10-day journey that took us from Richmond to Charlottesville and Williamsburg. What a busy time and such special memories.

I was fortunate to be a part of the International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association's (IFW&TWA) media tour of Virginia. After an easy flight we were met by Tamera Wilkins, Manager of Events for the Richmond Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau. We were transported to the Linden Row Inn. What a treasure! The Inn was developed on land used as a garden and is famous for its roses, jasmines and linden trees. Local legend has it Edgar Allen Poe played in the gardens there and that possibly it is the "enchanted garden" in the poem "To Helen." If he is a ghost in residence there he was very quiet - we didn't hear a sound in the night.

Stepping into the rooms of the Inn is like stepping back in time. It is graciously furnished with antiques and reproductions of the Victorian and Empire era furniture but with amenities to satisfy the modern-day traveller. The Inn was redeveloped by the private sector under the guidelines of the Historic Richmond Foundation.

Just as everything was going so smoothly, the zipper on my large suitcase broke. Luckily for me, Erin Bagnell, Public Relations Manager of the Visitors Bureau, lent me a suitcase that I used throughout the trip and returned after I purchased a replacement on the last day. But what would you do if you were on a tour in an overseas country and your bag broke? Anyone have any interesting experiences to share?

That evening we went off to what had to be one of the most sumptuous dinners our our trip. More on that later!

Welcome

2009-10-06T13:08:00.001-07:00

Welcome to the new blog from Wine Travelling Group.com.