December 13, 2023: Iberian Peninsula Wines
Winebow's expertise lies in connecting our customers, who are passionate about fine wine and spirits, with the producers who carefully craft them. We are always searching for wines and spirits that are authentic and interesting, and that express their distinct characteristics.
A leading importer and distributor in the United States, Winebow is in all 50 U.S. markets: 33 as an importer and 18 as both an importer and distributor. Our enthusiasm for discovery and for the talented work of new and established winemakers and distillers drives us every day.
Iberian wine refers to the wines produced in the Iberian Peninsula, which comprises Spain and Portugal. This region has a rich viticultural heritage dating back thousands of years, with a diverse range of grape varieties, unique terroirs, and winemaking traditions.
The Iberian Peninsula's wines are highly regarded globally for their quality, diversity, and exceptional value, making them an essential part of the global wine landscape. Whether it's the bold reds, crisp whites, or fortified wines, the wines of Spain and Portugal offer a wide array of options for wine enthusiasts.
Wines Poured:
November 26, 2023: J. Lohr Vineyard & Wines
Founded five decades ago and still family-owned and operated today, J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines has established itself as one of the industry’s most respected wine brands. Jerry Lohr’s
remarkable career continues in close, hands-on partnership with his children and co-owners Steve, Cynthia, and Lawrence. One of America’s favorite wineries is poised for its next exciting,
pioneering chapter.
J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines now includes more than 1,400 acres of cool-climate estate vineyards in the Arroyo Seco and Santa Lucia Highlands regions of Monterey County, with an emphasis on Chardonnay, Riesling, Valdiguié, and Pinot Noir. J. Lohr farms over 2,700 acres of vineyards in Paso Robles, now recognized as one of the world’s best spots for Cabernet Sauvignon and other Bordeaux and Rhone varietals. Nearly all the red wines in the J. Lohr portfolio come from here, affirming the foresight of Jerry’s original vision.
The winery also owns 30+ acres in Napa Valley at our spectacular Carol’s Vineyard, planted to Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot.
From this rich and diverse palette of sustainably farmed estate fruit, J. Lohr crafts wines showcasing bold, concentrated flavors and a vibrant sense of place.
Wines Poured:
October 18, 2023: A Tasting of Two Terroirs
Burgundy and Willamette Valley
The French have evolved the concept of terroir as a way of describing the unique aspects of a place that influence and shape the wine made from it. Maison Joseph Drouhin farms and produces wines from the distinctive terroirs of French Burgundy and the Willamette Valley.
The program will include an overview of Burgundy geography and wine label information, and of the Willamette Valley and associated AVA’s.
For the tasting, two wines will be poured at a time, a wine from Oregon, and a wine from Burgundy. It is suggested that the wines be sniffed alternately, and sips taken alternately. The fun and learning are from the comparisons.
Wines Poured:
Chardonnay:
Pinot Noir:
September 20, 2023: Hearst Ranch Winery
The hand-crafted offerings of Hearst Ranch Winery have been brought to life by the collaboration of sound agricultural practices, impeccable winemaking and the philanthropic involvement of Steve Hearst and Jim Saunders. The fruit from California’s Central Coast vineyards is among the finest in the world. Blend in the talent of our winemaker and you get Hearst Ranch Wines, exhibiting the excellence that is a testimony to the “Legacy of Quality™”—synonymous with the Hearst tradition.
Founded in 2010 by friends, Jim Saunders and Steve Hearst, Hearst Ranch Winery is a premium producer of wines from their estate Paso Robles vineyard. Winemaker Soren Christensen has been making wines from the Saunders Vineyard since 2005 when he first met Jim Saunders. Their relationship flourished even more when Soren became official Winemaker for Hearst Ranch Winery in 2014. Along with Soren, his wine brand Anonimo was embraced with open arms as he produces Italian inspired wines. Jim Saunders's son, Scott, has been full-time with Hearst since 2011, and he also started the brand Arbuckle Ridge, which focuses on making deeply extracted red wines with unique blends. We look forward to sharing a taste of all three brands with you at the SDWG event.
Wines Poured:
August 26, 2023: SDWG Summer Party
Wine Tasting & Great Food
Food provided by Yanni’s Bar & Grill
In addition to 80 plus wines from wineries such as Carol Shelton, Oak Farm, Heringer, Michael David, Sculpterra, Carter Estate, Sartori di Verona, J Lohr, Fallbrook Winery, Austin Hope, and more we also had a few surprises.
Euan Parker, winemaker and past presenter from Fallbrook Winery brought some wine from his own winery. We also had a special table with wines from Baja
July 19, 2023: Hope Family Wines
Hope Family Wines is proudly family-owned and operated by Austin Hope
The Hope family has been farming in Paso Robles for more than 30 years. When they arrived in this barely discovered region, they planted apples and grapes. Little did they know that the rolling, oak-studded terrain of Paso Robles would one day become a viticultural terroir of significance and one of the top wine growing regions for quality red wine within the Central Coast.
Gone are the apple orchards. Today, the Hopes cultivate mature vineyards of the varieties best suited to their area including Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, Mourvedre and Grenache. Vine density has increased, and each vine is asked to produce very little fruit. The terroir of this domain expresses itself in its unique regional character. Regardless of the varieties planted, the expression of Paso Robles is displayed in the glass with spice, licorice and berry in the nose, soft textures, and silky tannins on the palate.
Hope Family Wines consists of five individual brands: Liberty School, Treana, Quest, Austin Hope, Troublemaker.
The wines poured were:
June 21, 2023: Oak Farm Vineyards
Oak Farm Vineyards is a family owned and operated estate winery located in Lodi California.
The Panella family arrived in the region in 1936 and began an agricultural journey that ultimately culminated with the purchase of Oak Farm in 2004. As a third generation California Farmer, Dan reveled in undertaking the task of replanting the property’s 60 acres of vineyards in 2012 to fulfill the vast potential of Lodi. Dan leads a talented team to build a diverse portfolio of wines made from estate fruit, made up of 14 different grape varieties as well as selectively sourced grapes.
Today, Oak Farm Vineyards offers a wine tasting experience that is without equal in the Lodi appellation. Our tasting room sits amid a 70-acre oasis of lush vines and majestic century old oaks. The property also hosts out of town travelers at Annadan suites, our beautiful vacation rental located within walking distance of the tasting room. The tasting room is open 7-days a week by reservation.
The wines poured:
May 17, 2023: Heringer Estates
Clarksburg, Ca has been the Heringer family home since 1868 when John Heringer immigrated from Holland to California. John came to the Sacramento River Delta with his family to farm and build his legacy. Through seven generations the family has farmed various row crops, such as alfalfa, corn, sugar beets, and tomatoes. In the 1970s the Heringer family planted their first vineyard. That first planting of wine grapes was the beginning of a changing agriculture market in California and the start of the Clarksburg Wine Country that we love today.
Today the family shows the same boot strapping determination and love for their land and community at Heringer Estates by producing over 30 certified sustainable wines, offering a customizable wine club, hosting private events and weddings, and opening up their home estate as a tasting room for daily wine tasting experiences.
See the wine lines for location change for this meeting.
The wines poured were:
April 19, 2023: Sculpterra Winery
Dr. Warren Frankel, his wife Kathy and their three children moved to Paso Robles from the San Fernando Valley in 1979 with a vision for a simpler life. The Frankel family first planted 20 acres of pistachios on the ranch, followed by 20 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. After initial success with both plantings, Dr. Frankel expanded the vineyard operation in 1997 with more Cabernet Sauvignon, 10 acres of Zinfandel and 10 acres of Merlot. Cabernet Franc, Mouvedre, Petite Sirah and Viognier are the most recent additions to the vineyard.
With the potential for a tasting room and winery that could showcase the estate vineyard fruit and become a destination for wine and art aficionados, Dr. Frankel broke ground on the winery in 2006 and opened for business in October 2007. Sculpterra now features a fine portfolio of ultra-premium wines, fine art and a multimillion-dollar sculpture garden that greets our guests and makes for a memorable wine tasting experience.
See the wine lines for location change for this meeting.
The wines poured were:
March 8, 2023: Sartori di Verona
Andrea Sartori is President of Italian wine producer Sartori di Verona founded in 1898 by his great-Grandfather Pietro Sartori. Pietro founded his winery following development of his popular tavern-hotel in Verona. The business grew both commercially as well as culturally. “I knew my great grandfather, but not my grandfather, because fate decreed that that the father outlive his son”, says Andrea Sartori. “Despite a rather grumpy character, he had a certain affection for my brother and me”. The entrepreneurial spirit was thus engrained in Andrea.
Andrea became President in 2000. He focused on improving the quality of the wines as well as modernizing packaging and extending the export business. Soon after assuming the reins at Sartori di Verona, Andrea embarked upon an ambitious range of initiatives designed to help Sartori stay ahead of the global competition.
The primary wines that are produced are Pinot Grigio, Pinot Noir, Amarone, Ripasso, and Valpolicella. The grape varieties grown include Pinot Grigio, Pinot Noir, Corvina Veronese, Corvinone, Rondinella, Oseleta, Croatina, and Cabernet. Many of the reds are produced using the Appassimento method, involving drying the harvested grapes on racks or mats for months after harvest to reduce the moisture content by about 30% prior to fermentation. This is all governed by the Wine Board of Valpolicella.
Wines we poured:
February 15, 2023: Terlato Wines International
The Terlato’s built their success over 90 years. In 1935 Salvatore Terlato opened a retail wine and spirits store in Chicago. His son Anthony became very involved with the business in 1956. When Anthony married Tony Paterno’s daughter Josephine, they became partners in Pacific Wine Company. In 1968 Robert Mondavi Joined Pacific Wine Group, and by now the portfolio included Mondavi, Champagne Roederer, and Beaulieu Vineyards.
The Pacific Wine group became the Terlato Wine Group in the 1980s. Rochioli joined the Terlato portfolio in 1986, then Chapoutier in1987. In 1996 Terlato purchased Rutherford Hill Winery, and in 2000 Chimney Rock was purchased. In the 1990s they expanded the portfolio to include premium wines from France, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Argentina, Chile Greece, Oregon, and California.
In 2003 Tony Terlato was named “Man of the Year” by Wine Enthusiast. In 2007 they changed the name to Terlato Wines International.
From starting as a retail store in 1935 to evolving into a leading Importer of luxury brands, Terlato has worked to achieve success in every aspect of the industry. Their portfolio consists of 85 fine wines and artisanal spirit brands.
Wines we poured:
January 18, 2023: Carter Estate Winery and Resort
In 2015 Jim decided to create another Southern California Wine Country destination with the passion project which would become known as Carter Estate Winery and Resort. Situated on 109 areas of pristine California Certified Sustainable Vineyards, Carter Estate Winery and Resort is an ideal setting for your relaxing stay in wine country. Carter Estate features 60 guest.
Jim analyzed the water, soil, and climate. Finding the conditions ideal, he started digging in the earth once more. He planted and nurtured the finest grapes with his own hands and the help of a hardworking team. Expert winemakers joined the team to create the wines that would establish the Temecula winery's reputation. Becoming a vintner inspired another chapter in Jim's story: building South Coast Winery Resort & Spa. Complete with villas, a restaurant and a spa situated in the middle of 63 acres, his story continues to grow, much like the vines he first planted.
Wines we poured: