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Interview with Michael Scholz of Rustom Jee Winery on My Daily Grape with Chad & Frank

My Daily Grape Memorial Day Wine Excursion

with your hosts, Chad & Frank

May 28-31, 2010

A one of kind behind the scenes, exclusive access to the some of the finest winemakers and wine tasting in the world.   Chad & Frank will guide you through Sonoma Wine Country, one the most beautiful wine growing areas.  My Daily Grape has arranged for an artisan gourmet weekend that will give you memories of a lifetime

Chad & Frank will personally guide you to through some of the best award winning vineyards and wineries in the Sonoma Wine Country and you will get to sit down with the winemakers for artisan prepared lunches and dinners, catered by the finest chefs Sonoma County has to offer.  We will tour a Custom Crush facility where you will get to see the inner-workings of small artisan wineries, do some barrel samplings of upcoming vintages and taste some of wines before the general public.

We are taking a very limited amount of guests with us, we only 20 spaces available so we can keep this intimate and personal.

We will have a camera crew with us to video this once in a lifetime wine weekend and will present each guest a video memory of the weekend, complete with conversations with award winning winemakers and memories of your entire weekend tour.  In addition you have the opportunity to participate as a live audience to one of our My Daily Grape shows.

My Daily Grape Memorial Day Wine Excursion

May 28-31, 2010

Day One:  Arrive in Sonoma Wine Country Hilton Hotel

Friday, May 28. 2010

6 pm

Live broadcast of My Daily Grape where we will interview a winemaker at Hilton Sonoma Wine Country Hotel

6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Welcome Reception and conversation with winemaker served with wine and Hors d’ oeuvres’

Day Two:

Saturday, May 29, 2010

8:00-9:00 am

Breakfat at Nectar Restaurant at the Sonoma Wine Country Hilton

10: am

Board Bus at Hiltion Sonoma Wine Country Hotel

10:30 am

Arrive at 122 West Winery for a backstage pass to the interworking of a custom crush facility in Sonoma County.  We will tour the custom crush facility and barrel sample with Zach & Craig Balkin of 122 West Winery.

12:30 pm

Board Bus at 122 West custom crush facility in Santa Rosa, CA

1:00 pm

Arrive at DuNah Estate in Sebastopol ,the heart of the Russian River Valley

Vineyard Tour and Lobster Fest:

The DuNah Estate, located in the quaint town of Sebastopol in the heart of the Russian River Valley for Vineyard Tour and tasting.  This region is home to some of best Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs that typify what Russian River Valley.  Meet  Rick & Diane DuNah and Tour the DuNah Vineyard with 360 degree views ranging from the Pacific Ocean to Mt. Tamalpais,  Enjoy some  fresh shucked oysters from Tamales Bay and followed by “Good ‘Ol Lobster Boil” and all the fixings prepared and served outdoors next to the a rustic barn, and don’t forget all served with DuNah’s award winning wines!

5:00 pm

Board Bus at DuNah Estate in Sebastopol, CA

6:00 pm

Arrive back at Hilton Sonoma Wine Country Hotel

6:00 pm – End of Day

On your own

Day Three:

Sunday, May 30, 2010

8:00 – 9:00 am

Breakfast at Nectar Restaurant at the Sonoma Wine Country Hilton

10:30 am

Board Bus at Hilton Sonoma Wine Country

11:30 am

Arrive at Pezzi King Estate in Healdsburg, CA

Vineyard Tour and BBQ

Pezzi King Vineyards famous for their award winning wines and even more so for Jim Rowe’s Southern BBQ.  Chad & Frank will take you on a guided vineyard tour and wine tasting with the winemaker followed by authentic Southern BBQ at the Jim & Cynthia Rowe’s outdoor kitchen at “The Ranch” overlooking the vineyards and estate.

3:00 pm

Board Bus at Pezzi King Winery, Healdsburg, CA

3:45 pm

Arrive at Papietro Perry Winery in Healdsburg, CA

Bruce and Renae Perry will guide you for wine & artisan cheese tasting.  Taste some of the Pinot Noirs by winemaker Ben Papapietro who was named the Winemaker of the Year by Pinot Report Magazine and was awarded the Critics Choice from Wine Spectator for making one of the best wines in the world.

5:15 pm

Board Bus at Papapietro Perry Winery, Healdsburg, CA

5:45 pm

Arrive back at Hilton Sonoma Wine Country Hotel

7:30 – 9:30 pm

Meet at the Great Lawn at the Sonoma Wine Country Hotel

Wine Tasting with Ross & Jennifer Halleck of Halleck Vineyard served with Tapas & Gerard’s World Famous Paella

Gerard travels the world with his own paella pans in tow ready to prepare fresh authentic paella at almost any location imaginable. Always cooked outdoors, rain or shine, Gerard’s paella is as much a feast for the eyes as it is for the mouth.

Day Four

Monday, May 31, 2010

9:00 am

Send off Breakfast At Nectar Restaurant at the Sonoma Wine Country Hilton

Book your limited Spot Now!

please contact:

frank@justtravel.net or info@mydailygrape.com

schedule subject to last minute changes that are out of our control

Live TV : Ustream

Cima Collina Winery on My Daily Grape featuring 2008 Sauvignon Blanc and 2007 Pinot Noir 03/30/10

Live Broadcasting by Ustream

Ross Halleck is interviewed live on My Daily Grape to discuss his one acre vineyard and the wonderful wines he produces in Sonoma County. Tonight we will feature the Halleck Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc and two of his wonderful Pinot Noirs.

Halleck Vineyard

The symbol represents an H for Halleck. More importantly, the Halleck logo expresses “one to one”, depicted as Roman numerals. Their intent is to have personal contact with everyone who enjoys their wine. Hence they invite people to their home to taste, take people to the winery to sample barrels, travel across the country to meet people, and invite people to join them on trips around the world.

About Halleck Vineyard

A family one acre site, Halleck Vineyard is perched above the Russian River watershed and flanked on the west by the slopes to the Pacific Ocean. It commands an expansive view of the rolling Sonoma County hills to the northeast. This vineyard is to serve as a college fund for their three boys, Connor, Adam, and Quinn. Of course, a passion for Pinot leads the charge.

2007 Sauvignon Blanc, Little Sister Vineyard, Russian River Valley

$28

With aromas of Tropical Fruit, Kiwi it invites you to enjoy the Citrus and Minterality of this quintessential Sauvignon Blanc.

2007 Pinot Noir, Three Son’s Vineyard, Russian River Valley

$36

A great Pinot Noir named for Ross’ three sons, Conner, Adam & Quinn.   A great pinot for the money.  With aromas of cherry and anise, it makes you want to go back for another smell.  The bing cherry and satin finish is a great compliment to duck and salmon.

2007 Pinot Noir, The Farm Vineyard, Russian River Valley

$55

This is what Russian River Pinot is all about.  The raspberry notes with an earthy undertone is very seductive.  The earthiness follows through right to the palate with a really bright fruit component.  The balance of the bright fruit and acidity denotes pomegranites at its finest.  I would love this wine a wild mushroom dish or lamb.

Fotinos Brothers Winery

www.fotinosbrotherswinery.com

A Family Wine Making Heritage

In Lefkas, Greece, toward the end of the 19th Century, Chris & Tom’s grandfather, Christos, was taught the art of traditional wine making by his father. Christos immigrated to the United States in the early part of the 20th Century and eventually farmed his own vineyard in Sonoma, California. As Christos perfected his viticulture and wine making techniques, he passed his knowledge along to his son, Tom, their father. As children theywere immersed in this deep tradition, working in the vineyard in the Spring and Summer months and harvesting in the Fall. Being a large family, twenty or so of them would meet monthly at their grandparent’s home and vineyard enjoying food, wine and each other. Sundays at their grandparent’s house were spent eating Greek lunches under the grape arbor with family and friends. This was back in the days when they would climb inside half barrels and stomp grapes with their feet. They have come a long way since then.

In 1968, their father, Tom, purchased his own vineyard. He used the traditional skills of his heritage along with his own contemporary ideas to create one of the best private label Pinot Noir’s in Napa Valley. In the 1970’s, he won many 1st place ribbons in Napa, Sonoma, and Santa Rosa County wine making contests.

Chris & Tom grew up with this rich history of wine making, honing the skills to produce what has taken four generations to perfect, our 2006 Pinot Noir. Unfortunately, their father passed away in 1983. They want to dedicate this first vintage in his memory. Their mother, Martha, remains involved in the family vineyard, carrying on their father’s legacy.

In Greek mythology, The God of Wine was Dionysos. He was often depicted with a “thyrsos”, which is a giant fennel staff covered in grapevines and leaves and topped with a pine cone. The symbol for Fotinos Brother Winery is a variation of this “thyrsos”, representing their Greek heritage. Homer told many tales of Dionysos and the courage he displayed fending off evil doers. They believe this “Tha-rros” (courage) is in their blood, giving them continued strength to grow and produce Pinot Noir, the most delicate of wines.

2006 Pinot Noir

$55

In the heart of the Carneros wine appellation, set among tumbling hills with light bay breezes, are the Fotinos Brothers Vineyards. This 11 acre wine estate has the ideal microclimate for their traditional, yet progressive, style of viticulture. The wines are a culmination of 115 years of family wine making, spanning four generations. They are committed to producing the highest quality, terroir driven Pinot Noir that is the purest expression of their vineyards. Since 1973 their  family has hand crafted this wine on a private label. After 33 years of perfection, it is now available for everyone to enjoy. Salute!

Video streaming by Ustream

Chris Fotinos of Fotinos Brothers Winery talks with Chad & Frank about his family heritage and the passion behind these award winning wines, 2006 Pinot Noir and 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon

Look for Chef Stuart O’ Keefe to be interviewed on My Daily Grape, with Chad & Frank….Coming Soon! And don’t miss the premiere of his show on Food Network TV, Private Chefs of Beverly Hills

James Family Cellars

www.jamesfamilycellars.com

They planted their vineyard in 1998 and had their first harvest in 2000. They have long sold their grapes to Schramsburg Winery in Napa County for their premium sparkling wine program.  After winning several awards for the amateur wines they produced their grapes, Jeff & Judy James decided in 2007 to take the leap and start James Family Cellars.

James Family Cellars is dedicated to reaching the pinnacle of what Pinot Noir can be–a marvelously aromatic and flavorful wine. They are committed to quality and this is reflected in the limited number of cases released.
The vineyard is located in a particularly cool area in the famed wine growing region of Sonoma County. It is about twenty miles from the coast and the climate is affected daily by the ocean. This cool climate, combined with the sun exposure provided by southern-facing hillside vineyard, creates a low yielding, slow ripening environment which is perfect for Pinot Noir.
It is a family enterprise, involving their two sons and other family members. They are all involved and dedicated to the same goals. Jeff & Judy enjoy being part of the region’s agricultural and wine businesses and strive to always produce wines which delight.

Webcam chat at Ustream

Jeff & Judy James from James Family Cellars are featured on My Daily Grape, with Chad & Frank. We are tasting the 2008 Rose of Pinot Noir, 2008 Pinot Noir & 2008 Syrah.

Live TV : Ustream

Susie Bynum will be interviewed tonight on My Daily Grape, with Chad & Frank featuring Ehret Family Winery