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Hospice du Rhône {Blackberry Farm}

May 22, 2012 The Press Comments Off on Hospice du Rhône {Blackberry Farm}
Hospice du Rhône {Blackberry Farm}

On the Saturday of Hospice du Rhône, as lunch wraps up, the auction kicks into full swing. After introductions from John Alban and comments from Chris Cherry of Villa Creek, Jesse Ventura, a Central Coast Auctioneer, and his gang of cowboy side-kicks get down to business.

We mistakenly got a paddle, thinking there would be one or two items we could bid on. We were wrong. The first item up, a sea urchin excursion with the Rhône Prophet himself, John Alban…it went for $6,500. It was clear right away, this auction was way out of our league.

From private tours and tastings at estates from all over the world, to a magnum of Manfred Krankl’s newest joint venture with Philippe Cambie and Vincent Maurel that went for $5,000, the bidding was intense and fast. As Jesse Ventura sang his auctioneer song and his cowboys screamed in a flurry of bidding, the items came and the items went, for impressive sums of money.

Out of all the items, from seven magnums of Saxum, to a dinner for twelve at The Girl + The Fig, there was one item that blew the others away. As Sam Beall, Owner and visionary behind Blackberry Farm in Eastern Tennessee, sat watching, a weekend trip to his Blackberry Farm climbed to five-thousand, and then ten, and fifteen, then climbing past twenty thousand. In the end, a chance to experience one of the Country’s most prestigious resorts and diverse Rhône cellars went for $25,000. … Continue Reading

Hospice du Rhône {John Alban}

May 22, 2012 The Press Comments Off on Hospice du Rhône {John Alban}
Hospice du Rhône {John Alban}

I was surprised to learn just how involved John Alban is with Hospice du Rhône. From moderating panel discussions, to acting as the MC, John is a central part of the organization.

We had our first Alban that weekend, although not at the event. Thursday, on the eve of Hospice, while at dinner with friends, we came across a bottle of 2002 Alban Grenache. It was stunning.

The truth is, I wanted to meet and interview John for a long time. So when I ran into him while talking to Jason Carter of McPrice Myers, I thought, “what the heck, I might as well ask.”

John was gracious enough to chat for a few moments about the importance Hospice du Rhône for him and where he hopes to see it go. … Continue Reading

Doon on the Clos {In Pictures}

May 17, 2012 The Press Comments Off on Doon on the Clos {In Pictures}
Doon on the Clos {In Pictures}

Doon on the Clos was a huge success! At the end of all the planning and phone calls, emails and tweets, people showed up, people drank, they ate, they listened, and they bought wine.

A highlight of the evening was an open discussion on biodynamics as well as the philosophies of Bonny Doon’s Randall Grahm and Clos Pepe’s Wes Hagen. It was spirited, let’s put it that way. As I get some time, we will post some of that content.

We were thrilled to have our friend Jeremy Ball in attendance. Jeremy is one of the most talented wine and food photographers on the Central Coast and his company, Bottle Branding, works with the best producers in Santa Barbara County. We have gotten to know Jeremy over the last few years and are big fans of his work.

All the images in this gallery are his and we are thankful to have them! Spend some time on his site, it is beautiful work. … Continue Reading

Hospice du Rhône {The Girl + The Fig}

May 9, 2012 The Press Comments Off on Hospice du Rhône {The Girl + The Fig}
Hospice du Rhône {The Girl + The Fig}

There were many stand-out moments at this year’s Hospice du Rhône. For Damaris and I, our first Hospice, the entire weekend was special, with many opportunities to try new things.

Of course, the wine was fantastic, but we start our Hospice coverage with a focus on another aspect of the event, the food. Good wine exists for good food, not the other way around. After all, we can live without wine (sort of), but not without food.

This year, we were thrilled to learn that Sondra Bernstein of The Girl and the Fig, in Sonoma, and Sam Beall of Blackberry Farm, outside of Maryville in Eastern Tennessee, would be showcasing their cuisine. We were fans of the simple rustic style of The Girl and the Fig already and are now equally enthusiastic fans of the terroir driven cuisine of Blackberry Farm. … Continue Reading

This is Paso

May 1, 2012 The Press Comments Off on This is Paso
This is Paso

I just wanted to share this… … Continue Reading

Doon on the Clos {May 11th at Clos Pepe}

April 24, 2012 The Press Comments Off on Doon on the Clos {May 11th at Clos Pepe}
Doon on the Clos {May 11th at Clos Pepe}

I am a daydreamer. I often spend too much time pondering what could be and playing out scenarios in my head over and over.

 

Today, we are thrilled to announce that one of those scenarios is coming to fruition.

Over the course of our voyages, we have met many fine and wonderful winemakers, but few more so than Mr. Randall Grahm, the Great Pontificator and President for Life of Bonny Doon Vineyard in Santa Cruz, California. We’ve had the grand privilege of sharing some wonderful moments with him, such as the dedication of Popelouchum, his new organic (bio-dynamic, bio-charred, bio-charged) vineyard in San Juan Bautista.

 

But Randall is still a son of Santa Barbara in a way, sourcing fruit for some of his Rhone (Ranger) wines from some of the County’s best vineyards. Around these parts, like anywhere in California you find honest people laboring at Rhone based wines, you will find many who say, “oh Randall Grahm? I like that guy!” … Continue Reading

#ALPHipsta – And the Winners Are…

April 23, 2012 The Press Comments Off on #ALPHipsta – And the Winners Are…
#ALPHipsta – And the Winners Are…

This was a lot harder than we thought it would be, but the response was amazing.

First, let me say how happy we were to receive so many great images and from all over the World! In total, we had over 160 entries with participants from Guadalajara- Mexico, Mexico City, Cleveland Ohio, Santa Cruz California (go Slugs!), Philly PA, Chicago Illinois, Seattle Washington, Buellton California, Davis California, Lompoc California, San Luis Obispo California, Brooklyn New York, Malvern PA, Bel Air Maryland, Wellington New Zealand, Rocky Hill Connecticut, Tucson Arizona, Naaldwijk Netherlands, Baltimore Maryland, Milano Italy, Brescia Italy, Montevideo Uruguay, Ventura California, Santa Barbara California, and others. … Continue Reading

ALPHipsta – {The Photos}

April 16, 2012 The Press Comments Off on ALPHipsta – {The Photos}
ALPHipsta – {The Photos}

So this blows my mind a bit, over 100 entries! *UPDATE, 160 ENTRIES!* From all over too, the U.S., Mexico, France, New Zealand, Uruguay, Italy, the Netherlands. I didn’t have time to put a name on each one yet, but hover over them with your cursor and the name will pop up. I am still missing a few images and please feel free to email me if you don’t see yours, alongpour@gmail.com

Keep them coming, you have until Midnight tonight to get them in!

 

-Wayne

… Continue Reading

A Long Pour {The Photo Contest!}

March 28, 2012 The Press 6 Comments
A Long Pour {The Photo Contest!}

We always envisioned A Long Pour as a space where we can support people, not just objects. I am proud of the work we have done in creating a project that speaks to the passions of people rather than trivial criticisms.

For us, the visual image is just as important to our stories as the words. Sometimes, the best way to tell a story is to attempt to do so in pictures.

These days, there are many amazing tools to help us do that. One of those amazing tools is Hipstamatic, an app for the iPhone. What we love about Hipstamatic is the analog approach to a digital medium. Like traditional film, there is some thought that goes into it. Unlike other apps that let you edit an image after taking it, Hipstamatic requires some creative thought. What lens will I use? What film? What combinations work best for this situation? The results are often unexpected and incredibly beautiful.

… Continue Reading

Quit WINEing {the interview}

February 22, 2012 The Press 10 Comments
Quit WINEing {the interview}

It takes a lot of energy and patience to find those special wines in a sea of mediocrity and the same can be said for the “wine blog.” If you are anything like me (which isn’t likely because you are reading this, and I don’t know how to read), you have little time to keep up with everything you would like to. When I can make time to catch up on some online reading, I spend my time with those who have fresh ideas, a fresh voice, or a fresh approach.

So I was thrilled the day I stumbled on Quit WINEing. Author Courtney Rich knows few boundaries in expressing her zeal for wine. Her style and attention to the visual details is unmatched, but she has more than creative zeal. A certified Sommelier, Courtney backs up her flare for the bizarre with classic wine knowledge. She isn’t just scooping something off a shelf and giving it a badge, or smiley face, or whatever, these are thoughtful (but fun) musings on wine from a serious wine advocate, with a not so serious self-image. … Continue Reading

{Archives}

Bonny Doon: Day of the Doon IX {Photo Essay}

September 22, 2011

Bonny Doon: Day of the Doon IX {Photo Essay}

We have grown rather accustomed to long trips for short stays, so much so that a 500 mile weekend is not such a big deal anymore. There are a lot of events we are invited to and we can only attend a few of them. But when Randall Graham asks you to attend, you attend. […]

Secret Project {the reveal}

August 17, 2011

Secret Project {the reveal}

A few weeks ago I posted the “Secret Project” with some shots of  a friend’s new winery taking shape. At the time, the space was still in a raw state, holes in the ground, bare walls, cut concrete. In terms of photographing a new winery, one might say there was not much to see, no […]