THURSDAY JUNE 24   

PEJU WINERY    

 

Peju Winery is one of those great Napa Valley stories.  Tony and Herta Peju were successful flower shop owners in Los Angeles when one day Tony woke up and decided his true calling was farming.  They began the process of looking at properties all over California... date farms, lettuce farms and eventually grape vines.  A friend suggested the Napa Valley, Tony made a trip, fell in love and drove back and forth between Napa and Los Angeles for months and months until he found a small vineyard with an old house he could afford to buy.  Leveraging the family to the hilt, Herta, and then two very young daughters, Lisa and Ariana, moved to the Napa Valley to "tend the farm" while Tony commuted back and forth to Los Angeles to tend the businesses generating the cash flow required to support the winery project.    

  

The first cases of Peju wine were sold to Los Angeles restaurants out of the back of a flower delivery van.  The family went through a lot of hardship in those early days and on at least two occasions were certain they had reached the end of their cash flow and were going to have to sell the property.  But they persevered and slowly grew the winery.  Today, the second generation has taken the helm with Ariana acting in the capacity of General Manager and Lisa in charge of sales and marketing.

Peju makes 15 different wines, but sells only 5 into the marketplace; the rest are still sold directly from the winery and their gorgeous tasting room.   

 

Sara Fowler joined the winery as winemaker in 2005 and has had a hand in improving both the quality of the wines and their consistency from vintage to vintage.  This is a winery that tends to fly under the radar, but has a rabid following by those "in the know".

 

We'll be tasting: 

 

2013 Sauvignon Blanc:  Pineapple, passion fruit, grapefruit and lychee are all very prominent on the nose. The palate offers more lush fruit and bright acidity with notes of creamy lemon tart, guava and apricot with a fresh, clean finish.

    

NV Tess: 85% red grape varietals and 15% white grape varietals, Tess is a refreshing wine that showcases the bright fruit of strawberry, raspberry and watermelon.  This wine is surprisingly rich with soft balanced tannins and bright acidity. Serve chilled.

  

2011 Zinfandel: Focused aromas of cherries, spice, roses, and oak vanilla lead the way to dusty, summertime brambleberries. Layered, sharp and intense fruit flavors come through on the palate, followed by a bright raspberry tart finish.

  

2011 Cabernet Sauvignon: An elegant and enjoyable Cabernet that showcases light thyme and sage, vanilla, red fruits, and anise on the nose. Juicy plums and sweet oak come through on the palate with remarkably soft tannins from start to finish.

  

 2010 Merlot: Vivid flavors of plum and black current.  The wine exhibits hints of anise and vanilla on the nose and integrated layers of raspberry, cherry and cocoa flavors on the palate.  

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 Gregory Condes Wines  

The Sommeliers' Sommelier 

 

Please join us for a fascinating evening of fine wines imported by Master Sommelier Gregory Condes. We love the wines in Gregory's portfolio for their quality, story and value. Each wine is an excellent, often "textbook" representation of its terroir. The producers have great stories - ranging from legendary to cutting edge. Finally, each wine has a quality to price ratio that can't be beat. This is one mighty fine tasting!

 

We'll be tasting:

 

2013 Andre Felici Verdicchio, Italy: Coming from the high elevation site in Apiro, this wine demonstrates freshness from the high elevation and a Riesling like minerality of the Marche hills. Crisp and delicious, it's the perfect summer sipper!

 

2011 Domain Martin Chardonnay, Saint-V�ran, France: Domaine Martin St V�ran has such exceptional terroir, it's no wonder they are considered the benchmark for the region. Chalky soils and old vines produce concentrated berries, and organic farming allows the amazing pedigree to shine through. This wine has energy, concentration and a true sense of place. Authentic, pure, and absolutely delicious!

 

2011 Angoris Schioppettino, Friuli Colli Orientali, Italy: Schioppettino is a native grape that takes its name because it pops ("schioppetta") with spiciness in your mouth. This wine is medium bodied with prominent yet fine tannins, citrus, honeysuckle and minerality. Incredibly elegant, it finishes long and a little bit spicy.

 

2010 Montirius 'Garrigues', So Rhone - Vacqueras, France: Predominantly Grenache, we love this wine! The powerful aromas, flavors and textures come from old vines dating back to 1925 and the vineyards thick blue marl clay subsoils. Bio-dynamically farmed grapes and gravitational, natural winemaking let the wines basic elements shine. This wine has pure black cherry fruit with aromas of meat and pepper and hints of plum, violet and garrigue. The tannins are silky and the finish long.

 

2009 Montirius "Terre des Aines", So Rhone - Gigondas, France: Called 'the eldest', this Grenache Mourv�dre blend comes from the estates oldest vines. Planted on three geologically different parcels, the cuv�e truly expresses the appellation. Old Vines, great terroir and biodynamic farming give this wine such complexity and elegance that my tasting note could go on for many paragraphs. Suffice to say it's elegant, sexy and exceptional! Deep, full and supple, with perfumes of black fruit, pomegranate and molasses underscored by classic savory and salty notes.

 

2011 Porter Creek Old Vine Carignane, Mendocino, California: (Yes, I thought it was a spelling error too and then I learned the the American's decided to add an "e" to the end of  this traditionally french grape varietal.  If anyone knows why, please let me know; it is a mystery.).  This idyllic Carignane is beautifully perfumed and soft like a pinot with spice of the Southern Rhone. The wine is produced from some of the region's oldest vines - all dry farmed - from a vineyard started by Italian immigrants during prohibition. From Vine to bottle, the winemaker treats it like grand cru and the wine has been recognized by critics and French producers for showing what Carigagne can be. Delicately scented of red raspberry, licorice and black pepper, this medium bodied wine has elegant tannins that finish long and rich.

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