San Francisco Grand Tasting

March 21-22, 2009

The Twelfth Annual Rhone Rangers San Francisco Wine Tasting

March 21, 2009, 1:00 - 2:15 PM. Seminar #1 : Great American Syrah from Cool Climate Pinot Country.  Jon Bonné, San Francisco Chronicle Wine Editor, Moderator.  According to Jon Bonné, “Syrah, that sun-worshiping grape, has been waging a stealth campaign to invade chilly spots perfect for Pinot Noir, from northern Oregon all the way south to Santa Barbara and nearly everywhere in between. Wineries long synonymous with Pinot now routinely make Syrah that offers the subtle aromatics beloved by the grape's traditional fans. What would drive a vintner to divert attention from Pinot just as its star is unstoppably on the rise?” Come find out in this intriguing discussion with vintners now making seductively aromatic syrah from grapes grown in the heart of pinot country.  Wineries included in this seminar are Cline Cellars, Hahn Estate, Meyer Family Cellars, Morgan Winery, Novy Family Winery, Peay Vineyards, Qupe, and Travieso. This event takes place at the cozy and charming Fire House at Fort Mason on the San Francisco Waterfront.  Tickets: $50/each.

Saturday, March 21, 2009 2:45 PM – 4:00 PM.  Seminar #2 : Rhone Blending Session: The Mavericks and the Traditionalists.  Jon Bonné, San Francisco Chronicle Wine Editor, Moderator.  Rhone varieties are naturals for blending. Traditional wines from the Rhone Valley can contain up to 22 different grapes, and blends are far more common than single-varietal expressions of syrah, grenache, and mourvedre. Naturally, American producers of Rhone varieties took their first cues from our French traditions, and many of the top Rhone Ranger wines are blends. But these days, maverick winemakers in the US are beginning to blend Rhone grapes with cabernet, zinfandel and other non-traditional partners. For this one special event, we’re going to step outside the classic Rhone Ranger world and pull off the blinders so you can experience the wonderful worlds of blended Rhones, both traditional and their new age cousins. Wineries included in this seminar are: Adelaida Cellars, DeLille & Doyenne, Epiphany, Zaca Mesa, L'Aventure, Lone Madrone, Montemaggiore, and Palmeri. This event takes place at the cozy and charming Fire House at Fort Mason on the San Francisco Waterfront.  Tickets: $50/each.

Saturday, March 21, 2009 6:00 - 9:30 PM.  Reception & Formal Dinner with the Winemakers. Join 15 of the Rhone Rangers’ best winemakers for a stunning evening at the Log Cabin in the San Francisco Presidio. The dinner begins with a walk-around tasting of library wines complemented by splendid hors d’oeuvres. At 7 PM we will be seated for a three course meal, catered by the Girl & the Fig (that famous Sonoma eatery known for their sumptuous duck dishes and their “Rhone alone” wine list) and plenty of great American Rhones. A brief live auction with wine and wine-country travel lots, with auction proceeds benefitting the Rhone Rangers Scholarship Fund, will top off the evening. Attendance is limited to 130. Participating wineries include: Bonny Doon, Bridlewood, Cass Winery, Clos Saron, Curtis Winery, L'Aventure, Le Mistral Vineyard, Michel-Schlumberger, Montemaggiore, Olson Ogden Wines, Palmeri, Qupe, Sawtooth Winery, Tablas Creek Vineyard and Zefina. This event takes place at the rustic yet elegant Log Cabin in the San Francisco Presidio (map).  Seating with any particular winemaker is not guaranteed; we will encourage winemakers to offer their wines to each table, giving everyone a chance to taste any wine offered that evening. A vegetarian meal option is offered at the time of ticket purchase.  Tickets: $125/each.  Advance tickets only; no tickets available at the door.

Sunday, March 22, 2009, 11 AM - 12:30 PM.  Seminar #3 : American Rhones in 2009, Eight Varieties, Eight Flavor Profiles. Karen MacNeil, Culinary Institute of America, Moderator.  We kick off our Sunday Grand Tasting day with a 90-minute seminar on the state of the Rhone Rangers’ nation in 2009. Wine Educator Karen MacNeil will lead a panel of eminent Rhone Rangers winemakers through an exploration of the principal grapes and styles in the world of the Rhone Rangers. Want to know how to differentiate Marsanne from Roussanne? Learn why Rhones make such great dry rosés? Get to taste single-varietal examples of Mourvedre , Grenache and Syrah, as well as a classic Rhone blend? You’ll hear from top producers of each category of wine, and make discoveries that will help you know which wines you’ll want to focus on during the Grand Tasting. Attendees of this seminar also gain admission to the Grand Tasting during the media- and trade-only hours, for a unique opportunity to rub elbows with your favorite winemaker, wine writer or sommelier.  The following wineries are included in this seminar:  Bridlewood Winery, Curtis Winery, Tablas Creek Vineyard, Sarah's Vineyard, Unti, Villa Creek Cellars, Lagier Meredith and Bonny Doon Vineyard.  This event takes place at the Golden Gate Room at Fort Mason, a short stroll along the waterfront from the Festival Pavilion, where the Grand Tasting takes place. Tickets: $100/each, and include early admission (immediately following the conclusion of the seminar) to the Grand Tasting.

Sunday, March 22, 2009.  2:00 - 5:00 PM.  Twelfth Annual Rhone Rangers Grand Tasting,  The weekend culminates with the Grand Tasting, where over 2,000 people are expected to come taste over 500 wines from more than 125 Rhone Rangers wineries. Sample gourmet foods from 35 or more specialty food purveyors, including cheese, bread, olive oil, charcuterie, fruits and other sweets and chocolates. A silent auction will feature Rhone Rangers wines and wine-related items; proceeds from the auction will benefit our partners, Meals on Wheels of San Francisco. For a list of participating wineries, click here. This event takes place at the Fort Mason Festival Pavilion.  Come out for a great afternoon of wine, food and fun. Tickets: $65.

Sunday, March 22, 2009.  12:00 - 2:00 PM.  Twelfth Annual Rhone Rangers Trade Tasting.  This event is by invitation only and is complimentary to qualified members of the trade and press.  You must register in advance and you must bring a pre-printed business card and photo ID to gain admittance.  Registration opens January 15.  You may also request an invitation by sending an email inquiry to rhonerangerevent@prmatters.com with a subject line of : TRADE TASTING INVITATION REQUEST and your name/title/name of the wine-related business/business website addres/email address and phone number.  Only qualified members of the trade and press will be invited, so if you are not a member of the wine trade (retailer, wholesaler, restaurant owner, sommelier) or a published, bona fide wine writer, please do not request an invitation, as we will be unable to grant your request.  TRADE AND MEDIA REGISTRATION IS ALSO AVAILABLE HERE.

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