Past Meeting Notes

Nov 20, 2024: Halter Ranch Vineyard

Set along the westernmost boundaries of Paso Robles and surrounded by the wild Santa Lucia Mountain Range of California’s Central Coast, the Halter Ranch Estate is a 2,700-acre organic nature estate dedicated to land, art, and 100% organically farmed grapes. Envisioned by Swiss entrepreneur, philanthropist, and world-leading land conservationist Hansjörg Wyss, the estate is an homage to his mother, Alice Halter. It is a haven for the natural world to continue flourishing while it delivers exceptional, timeless wines.

Wines Poured:

2023 Rose (Paso Robles)
2023 Sauvignon Blanc (Paso Robles)
2023 Grenache Blanc (Paso Robles)
2021 Cote De Paso CDP (Paso Robles)
2020 Chaparral Blend (Temecula)
2021 Barbera (Temecula)
2020 Place of the Sun (Temecula)
2020 Cabernet Sauvignon (Paso Robles)

Oct 16, 2024: Michael David Winery

Michael David Winery is family owned by 5th generation brothers, Michael and David Phillips. From humble beginnings of family farming, to being the #7 licensed and bonded winery in Lodi in 1984, to owning the largest winery in Lodi! Mike and Dave are true pioneers and the epitome of the American success story. They started the Sacramento farmers market, helped to fine “Lodi Rules”, the only third-party certified sustainability program in CA while single handedly raising the stakes and putting Lodi on the map as a premium wine growing region.

We Poured:

2023 Michael David Rosé
2023 Michael David Sauvignon Blanc
2022 Michael David Bechthold Vineyard Ancient Vine Cinsaut
2021 Freakshow Old Vine Zinfandel
2021 Earthquake Zinfandel
2022 Michael David Zinfandel
2020 Misfits & Mavens Teroldego
2021 Misfits & Mavens Red Blend
2021 Michael David Reserve Zinfandel

Sept 18, 2024: Alexander Valley Vineyards

After purchasing the historic Cyrus Alexander homestead, Harry and Maggie Wetzel strived to create a thriving agricultural lifestyle on the property. They raised their children along with their vines in Alexander Valley, providing inspiration and encouragement as they developed the estate together.

Our presenter Katie Wetzel Murphy has a special knowledge of Alexander Valley Vineyards that comes from decades of experience on the historic property purchased by her parents in 1962. She joined AVV in 1979 after earning her B.A. in Agricultural Economics from UC Davis. She quickly jumped into the role of winery ambassador, traveling the country in a quest to find new customers for the fledgling winery, along the way building a sales network to take care of AVV’s accounts.

We Poured:

2022 Alexander Valley Chardonnay
2023 Mendocino County Gewürztraminer
2023 Sonoma County Dry Rosé of Sangiovese
2021 Homestead Red Blend
2021 Alexander Valley Merlot
2019 Alexander Valley Syrah
2020 Alexander School Reserve Primitivo
2020 CYRUS

August 3, 2024: Summer Party

Wine Tasting & Great Food

Food provided by Yanni’s Bar & Grill

We had over 100 wines to taste and tasty appetizers from Yanni’s, and much, much more!! Great wine in a wonderful backyard atmosphere made for a fun evening with good conversation. Fun was had by all who attended.

Thanks to all the organizers of this year's festivities, as everything seemed to run seamlessly.

This year:

Wine glasses were provided.
You were greeted with some Bubbly & a friendly face as you entered the patio.
Guests were welcome, so many members brought a guest or two.
This was a Summer time Casual wine affair!

More photos of the event below!

July 17, 2024: Broken Earth Winery

Ben Mayo is a 25-year veteran of the winemaking business. Ben has seen almost everything that nature can fling at you. That being said, nature tends to always surprise. Ben has worked as a winemaker in Paso Robles his entire career. Making wine from both sides of the highway, he still loves walking the vineyards, tasting fruit and observing the maturation process. He still loves the smell of fermentation that lingers in the air after a pump over. Winemaking is still fun after 25 years.

Broken Earth's Grit and Grape

Our story begins at Continental Vineyards. A 2500-acre parcel of land quietly harboring stories of hard-working caballeros, cattle barons and grape growers whose dedication and vision shaped this place.

Originally named Rancho Tierra Rejada “Land of worked earth”, it is the determination of those who preceded us, and our care for this land that makes our wines unique. Our wines are a bold representation of the place where they were born. Crafted with minimal intervention to reflect the soil, fruit, and character of this place.

June 19, 2024: Duckhorn Portfolio

Co-founded by Dan and Margaret Duckhorn in 1976, Duckhorn Vineyards has spent nearly fifty years establishing itself as one of North America’s premier producers of Napa Valley wines. From its modest inaugural vintage of 800 cases of Cabernet Sauvignon and 800 cases of Merlot in 1978, to its addition of Sauvignon Blanc in 1982, Duckhorn Vineyards has crafted a tradition of quality and excellence that continues today.

In 1976 Dan and Margaret Duckhorn founded Duckhorn Vineyards, which became one of the first 40 Napa Valley wineries. They also purchased our original 10-acre property in beautiful St. Helena. Named Marlee’s Vineyard, after Margaret, this idyllic property will later become home to the beautiful Duckhorn Vineyards Estate House.

The wines poured were:

Decoy Limited Sparkling Rose NV - $28
2022 Duckhorn Sauvignon Blanc - $32
2022 Duckhorn Chardonnay - $38
2021 Goldeneye Pinot Noir - $62
2021 Duckhorn Merlot - $60
2021 Duckhorn Cabernet Sauvignon - $80
2020 Canvasback Cabernet Sauvignon - $44
2020 Paraduxx Red Blend - $56

May 15, 2024: J Vineyards & Winery

Nicole Hitchcock Named

2022 Winemaker of the Year

“Wine is like a universal language. It can transcend physical and cultural boundaries, and ultimately brings people together,” Nicole explains. “From early on, I was enamored by all parts of the industry and process — the journey from vine to glass, the varying tastes and the cultural aspects.”

Nicole attended the University of California at Davis, where she earned a degree in Viticulture and Enology and a minor in the Italian language. This combination enabled her to work at an agriturismo in Todi, Umbria for a summer.

In 2015, Nicole also earned an MBA from the Wine Business Institute at Sonoma State University, gaining an academic perspective on the business of the wine industry as well as how it will evolve in the future.

Today, Nicole is the head winemaker at J Vineyards & Winery, where she oversees all aspects of winemaking. Nicole’s passion for winemaking continues to grow as she crafts world-class sparkling and varietal wines from cool-climate fruit grown in the renowned Russian River Valley and Sonoma County.

The wines poured were:

J Cuvée 20 Brut NV - $40
J Brut Rosé NV - $50
2022 Estate Pinot Gris - $36
2020 Bow Tie Vineyard Chardonnay - $50
2021 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir - $47
2021 STRATA Pinot Noir - $60
2020 Canfield Vineyard Pinot Noir - $75
2020 Bow Tie Vineyard Pinot Noir - $70

April 17, 2024: Cava Maciel Winery

The galaxy, which hides thousands of years of evolution, is a world that is intriguing and fascinating. Jorge Maciel, winemaker of Cava Maciel, had a revelation after a trip to Italy in 1993 that changed his life completely. Back in his native Ensenada, he discovered his passion and tasted happiness firsthand. He took on the task of entering the world of wine, experimenting, and creating his own style.

Thus, in the year 2000, Jorge began to make wines in the garage at his parents' house, guided by the experience of Enrique Ferro, who gladly shared his experience in the wine industry. This is how Cava Maciel was born, from personal taste, from sharing with friends and now with our visitors in the winery located in the area of San Antonio de las Minas, Valle de Guadalupe.

Dreams materialize when the universe aligns with the present, with what we can enjoy here and now.

The wines poured were:

2022 Venus Chardonnay $25.99
2023 Venus Rose $25.99
2016 Luneo Mourvedre Blend, $29.99
2018 Orbita Tempranillo-Petit Syrah, $24.99
2015 Via Lactea Merlot, $33.99
2016 Alba Cabernet, $29.99
2016 Apogeo Nebbiolo, $39.99
2015 Perigeo Petit Syrah, $49.99

March 20, 2024: Harney Lane Vineyards

As fifth-generation farmers, we’ve learned that high-quality, handcrafted wine requires an immense amount of heart and hard work.

Nothing can replicate the years we’ve sown into the land and our legacy. Since 1900, with focus and fortitude, we’ve learned that excellence takes endurance, distinction takes determination, and grace takes grit.

That’s why we’ve taken matters into our own hands. We pour our heart into every step of the process – from soil to shelf – we’re committed to making the best possible beverage for our customers and the planet. Our 100% estate-grown wines are produced from sustainably farmed vineyards and meticulously made with no unnecessary additives and an unwavering commitment to quality. The result is a classic collection of naturally smooth, fruit-driven wines, perfect for enjoying in everyday life.

With over a century on Henry Ranch in the remarkable Lodi Wine Country, our philosophy has been and will always be: to honestly make wine that is beautifully balanced and consistently crafted with grace and grit.®

The wines poured were:

2023 Albariño, Henry Ranch - $28.00
2021 Chardonnay, Scottsdale Vineyard - $32.00
2021 Chardonnay, Home Ranch - $34.00
2021 Old Vine Zinfandel, Lizzy James Vineyard - $45.00
2021 Zinfandel, Scottsdale Vineyard - $42.00
2021 Petite Sirah, Henry Ranch - $35.00
Cabernet Sauvignon, Lot 23 - $40.00
Lizzy James Port - $38.00

February 21, 2024: Grgich Hills Estate

Miljenko “Mike” Grgich first gained international recognition at the celebrated “Paris Tasting” of 1976. Then, in a now-historic blind tasting, a panel of eminent French judges swirled, sniffed, and sipped an array of the fabled white Burgundies of France and a small sampling of upstart Chardonnays from the Napa Valley. When their scores were tallied, the French judges were shocked: they had chosen the 1973 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay, crafted by Mike Grgich, as the finest white wine in the world. Mon Dieu! The results stunned the international wine establishment and immediately earned Mike a reputation as one of the greatest winemakers in the world.

The Paris Tasting served notice to the world that the California wine industry was on the move, and it laid the groundwork for the creation of Grgich Hills Cellar. After his victory in Paris, Mike sat down with Austin Hills and his sister, Mary Lee Strebl, from the Hills Bros. Coffee family, and on Independence Day 1977, they gave birth to Grgich Hills. It was an ideal partnership. Austin owned premium vineyards in Rutherford, in the heart of the Napa Valley, and with his extensive background in business, he put the winery on its financial feet. Mike, with his fierce commitment to making wines of the highest quality, began producing what immediately became our signature wine: the exquisite, richly complex Chardonnays that win awards and delight wine lovers across America and throughout the world.

The wines poured were:

2021 Fumé Blanc, Napa Valley - $34
2020 Sauvignon Blanc, Skin Fermented - $40
2021 Chardonnay, Napa Valley - $47
2018 Zinfandel, Napa Valley - $38
2019 Merlot, Napa Valley - $49
2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley - $72
2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, Old Vine - $225
2018 Violetta, Late Harvest, Napa Valley - $85

January 20, 2024: Winter Party

A Toast to Friendships

Silver Gate Yacht Club

Our first annual Winter Party was a great success despite the rain. We hope all 53 who attended enjoyed the evening! We want to thank the Winter Party Planning Committee for all their “over the top” performances. The efforts to theme our gathering added to the enjoyment of all who gathered and shared this experience.