Vintners Club

Vintners Club TASTINGS are held once a month in San Francisco. They start at 6:00 p.m. White tablecloths enhance visual evaluation. Tasting sheets and other aids are provided.

and conclude around 7:30 p.m. 12 wines are tasted in blind-conditions (meaning that participants know the varietal, but do not know which wine is in which glass). Each wine is poured into a separate, lettered Riedel cristal wine glass. 12 glasses for 12 wines. The taster is seated comfortably and is presented with a semi-circle of glasses for analysis of the wines. To facilitate concentration, a q

uiet atmosphere is maintained until each taster has completed his or her evaluation at which point consensus discussion begins. The specific wines are identified only after tabulation of all the scores and rankings has been completed, the consensus discussion at each table has been concluded, and the results announced. These results, which are of tremendous interest to consumers and wine professionals all over the world, are also published electronically. Over the past 40 years, members have been enriched by over 1,500 educational tastings and events. POST-TASTING DINNERS: Recognizing that wine is made for enjoyment with food and friends, the tastings are frequently followed by an optional moderately-priced dinner at which the tasted varietal is paired with food. These dinners conclude around 9:15 p.m. They are designed to advance participants' knowledge of the tasted wines and to add to the camaraderie. PRICE & CANCELLATION POLICY: Tastings are discounted for members and are priced between $65 and $165. Post-tasting dinners, also, are discounted for members and range between $130 and $160 (all wines, 20% gratuity, corkage and tax included). Non-member prices are higher. Tastings and events routinely sell out quickly. Waiting lists are common due to seating space and glassware limitations. The announcement for each event specifies a cancellation deadline. This facilitates proper preparation for the event. Should an unforeseen circumstance present itself after the cancellation deadline has passed, you may send a substitue provided you e-mail the Vintners Club with the name and contact information of the substitute no less than 24 hours prior to the tasting. OUTREACH PROGRAM: So as to further wine education as a public benefit, and with the goal of educating young consumers, a limited number of half-scholarships are offered to full-time students over age 21. Students at Stanford University, University of California at San Francisco, the California Culinary Academy, University of California at Davis, University of California at Berkeley, University of Southern California, and University of San Francisco have availed themselves of these opportunities. Students from other institutions are also welcome. Bruce Gray, a semi-conducter executive, serves as the Co-Ordinator of the Outreach Program and can be reached through the Club’s offices. ELEGANT WINE EDUCATION DINNERS are organized from time to time at restaurants in the San Francisco Bay Area. Often, the wines for these dinners are donated by our members, many of who have extensive wine collections. The Club strives to introduce members to American and foreign wines with which they may not have much familiarity. Appropriate pairing of the wines with food is an important component of these educational events. FIELD TRIPS: Periodically, members enhance their knowledge through field trips to various viticultural areas in California and Europe where they are hosted by member-wineries. Tastings of library wines are part and parcel of these invaluable educational experiences. Recently, members were treated to a magnificent two-day gala at Château Brane-Cantenac (classified as Second Growth in 1855), commune of Margaux, in Bordeaux (France), where they tasted scores of wines, including old vintages of grands vins, from the topmost Classified Growth châteaux. Members will always cherish tasting and evaluating these wines, including a Methuselah (6-litre bottle) of the 1986 grand vin of Château Brane-Cantenac, alongside Bordeaux’ foremost château owners and winemakers. WHERE THE WINES FOR THE TASTINGS COME FROM: Wines are selected by the Club's Executive Committee; they may be purchased, donated by members, or solicited from wineries. Since a limited number of wines can be poured at each tasting, the wines submitted by member-wineries are generally given priority for inclusion in the tastings, provided they meet Vintners Club quality standards. THE PANEL: Tastings are open to interested persons who reserve a seat. The panel of men and women varies from tasting to tasting and the level of expertise ranges from professional to enthusiastic consumers. All are encouraged to attend, regardless of their level of experience. RANKING THE WINES: The final ranking of the wines from first place to twelfth place is based on the panel's overall impressions. The rankings of all the panelists are tabulated, and a wine receiving the lowest overall total of rankings is declared the first-place wine (a low overall total indicates the wine was first-, second- or third-place choice of many tasters, while a high overall total indicates the wine received many tenth- through twelfth-place votes). The U.C. Davis 20-Point Scale is also utilized as an aid in ranking the wines.

04/05/2013

THE VARIED EXPRESSIONS OF THE GREAT CLASSIFIED GROWTHS OF THE
ST.-JULIEN APPELLATION (BORDEAUX)

A LIBRARY (VERTICAL & HORIZONTAL) TASTING FOLLOWED BY OPTIONAL GALA DINNER
WITH THE CHATEAU-OWNERS

3:30 p.m., Sunday, April 21


St.-Julien is a red wine appellation located on the Left Bank of the Gironde River (France). Some of the greatest classified Bordeaux estates are located within this appellation. Most of the vineyards lie on a bed of sedimentary rock. While the surface soil is an expanse of pebbles, the subsoil is immensely complex. Hence, the wines emanating from this AOC vary in flavor profile, depending on the location of the particular vineyards.

Two years ago, after visiting St.-Julien and being impressed with the outstanding quality of the wines, we began working on a tasting of this appellation. Now, we are pleased to bring you a "blind" tasting of four of the greatest vintages of the 21st century from three of the finest Classified Growths of St.-Julien-Beychevelle--- Chateau Beychevelle, Chateau Lagrange and Chateau Talbot. Owners of these chateaux will be coming exclusively for our event. They will return to Bordeaux the following day.

Sitting alongside these highly-respected wine experts, we will taste and evaluate vintages 2000, 2005, 2009 & 2010 from each of these chateaux for a total of 12 brilliant wines, all of which have received extravagant praise from our member Robert Parker, Jr. All these wines will be served in separate Riedel crystal glasses (12 glasses for 12 wines). The wines have come to us directly from the cellars of these great chateaux and we are, therefore, confident that they have been aged under optimal conditions.

ALL-INCLUSIVE PRICE FOR THE TASTING (venued at the Tiburon Lodge):
$150 for payment received by April 10. $160 thereafter.

OPTIONAL GALA DINNER at 6 p.m. with the chateau-owners at the lovely waterfront Servino Restaurant which is located across the street from our tasting venue. A first-rate boutique Champagne from Reims (France) will accompany the passed hors d'oeuvres of Halibut Tartare, Beef Tagliata and Italian Burrata. Our next course, Fettuccini di Mare with wild shrimp, manila clams, etc., will be served with the exquisite Platt Vineyard Chardonnay from Dave Ramey. Third course, Sonoma spring lamb, will be accompanied by 3 wines (the highly-rated 1996 vintage from each of the 3 Bordeaux chateaux). A most-unusual and rare 1978 Ausbruch Jubilaumsrebe will accompany our fourth course--- Chef Massimo's superb Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta with Blood Oranges and Nasturtiums.

So as to do justice to these exquisite dinner wines, all of them will be served in our new German crystal Eisch "sensis plus" stemware.

ALL-INCLUSIVE PRICE FOR THE DINNER (venued at Servino Restaurant): $195.

TO RESERVE:
First, E-mail the Vintners Club, [email protected], to confirm seat availability.
Then, Fax your Visa/Mastercard information to the Vintners Club at (415) 381-4460.

FRENCH-STYLE SUMMER PAULÉE DINNER4:00 p.m., Sunday, August 26VENUE: Daffodil Restaurant inside the Orchard Hotel, 665 B...
08/10/2012

FRENCH-STYLE SUMMER PAULÉE DINNER

4:00 p.m., Sunday, August 26

VENUE: Daffodil Restaurant inside the Orchard Hotel, 665 Bush Street (Corner of Bush & Powell), San Francisco - 2 blocks from Union Square

We invite you to join us for a soirée taking its inspiration from the Paulée de Meursault, a celebration held each year at the end of the grape harvest. Once a widespread practice throughout France, the Paulée dinner was a festive communal banquet for growers, wine-makers and cellar workers. Each guest would bring along a few select bottles. In recent years, a modern version of this delightful fête of bonhomie, delicious food, and superb wines has gained interest in the United States.

For our celebration, a reception with an assortment of premium white wines will be followed by a multi-course dinner (including a fabulous European artisanal cheese course!) which will be accompanied by outstanding red wines served Paulée-style. Main course will be a choice of fresh salmon or beef short ribs.
Each table will be pre-set with red Bordeaux wines from the highly-regarded 2000 and 2003 vintages. In keeping with Paulée tradition, diners are encouraged to bring a library vintage of a favorite wine to share with fellow diners, and to move from table to table sharing wines and conviviality. Thus far, the following wines have been promised by our members:

1989 Château Latour, Pauillac, Bordeaux
1993 Château Mouton Rothschild, Pauillac, Bordeaux
1993 "Gravelly Meadow", Diamond Creek Vineyards, Diamond Mtn Dt, Napa Valley
2003 Clouds Rest Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast
2007 Seasmoke "10" Pinot Noir, Santa Rita Hills
1996 “Hillside Select”, Shafer Vineyards, Napa Valley
1997 Dunn Vineyards, "Howell Mountain", Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
1997 Dunn Vineyards, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
1992 Joseph Phelps "Insignia" in magnum, Napa Valley
1986 "Red Rock Terrace", Diamond Creek Vineyards, Diamond Mtn Dt, Napa Valley
1995 "Maya", Dalla Valle Vineyards, Oakville, Napa Valley
1991 Opus One, Oakville, Napa Valley
1986 Château Pichon Lalande, Pauillac, Bordeaux
1999 Sassicaia, Tenuta San Guido, Bolgheri, Italy

Table assignments will be based on “similarity” of wines brought by attendees.

ALL-INCLUSIVE PRICE: $145/member and $195/non-member. We are almost at full capacity. To avoid disappointment, prompt action is recommended.
TO RESERVE (seating is limited and advance reservations are essential):
First, E-mail the Vintners Club, [email protected], to confirm seat availability.
Then, Fax your Visa/Mastercard information to the Vintners Club at (415) 381-4460.

Deadline to cancel a reservation and be entitled to receive a refund is 10 a.m. on August 15.

PARKING: As this event is being held on a Sunday, we anticipate plenty of FREE street parking.

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VINTNERS CLUB
a California non-profit, public-benefit corporation
(founded in 1971)

Telephone: (415) 381-4467 Facsimile: (415) 381-4460
www.vintnersclub.org
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Some great photos from the last Pinot Noir tasting: http://www.vintnersclub.com/tasting_1504_photos.html
05/07/2012

Some great photos from the last Pinot Noir tasting: http://www.vintnersclub.com/tasting_1504_photos.html

Far Left & Far Right: Longstanding Member, David Bruce. Photographs courtesy of Diana Harper Center Left: Diana Harper, independent documenatry film producer for Public Broadcasting Center Right: Will Harper, independent documentary film director for Public Broadcasting

04/26/2012

TASTING #1,505: 10-VINTAGE VERTICAL (including 1982!) OF CHÂTEAU COS D'ESTOURNEL, grand vin, WITH JEAN-GUILLAUME PRATS

4:00 p.m., Thursday, May 10, 2012

followed by

GASTRONOMIC DINNER FEATURING THE GRAND VIN OF CHÂTEAU COS D'ESTOURNEL - 6:45 p.m.

VENUE: Metropolitan Club, 640 Sutter Street (between Mason & Taylor), San Francisco

Thanks to the generosity of our members (many of who are renowned connoisseurs and collectors of world-class wines), we have been able to assemble numerous vintages of impeccably aged Château Cos d'Estournel. The authenticity and provenance of all the bottles have been meticulously verified.
This blind-tasting will feature the grands vins only--- not the château's "second" label ("Les Pagodes de Cos"). The grand vin is highly sought-after by collectors and consumers around the world, commands stratospheric prices, and is scarce. Some old, legendary vintages (like the epic 1982) are virtually impossible to acquire.

Château Cos d'Estournel sits across Château Lafite-Rothschild, and is the center-piece of the Saint-Estèphe appellation of Bordeaux. This legendary wine was first made in the early 1800s by Louis Gaspard d'Estournel. Soon, it was exported as far as India, the price surpassed that of other prestigious Bordeaux wines, and Louis was hailed as "The Maharajah of Saint-Estèphe”. In 1917, Château Cos d'Estournel was purchased by Fernand Ginestet, a prominent Bordeaux wine-merchant, whose grandsons (Jean-Marie, Yves and Bruno Prats) ultimately inherited it.

We are pleased that Jean-Guillaume Prats, son of Bruno and General Director of the château, will be coming to San Francisco to preside over our intimate tasting. Thus, this is a unique opportunity to taste phenomenal wines (many of which are no longer commercially available) in the company of somebody whose bonds with the château span almost a century. Together, we will enjoy 10 select vintages (1982, 1985, 1986, 1989, 1990, 1995, 1996, 2004, 2005 and 2008), scoring between 95 and 100 points! Generous amounts of each vintage will be served in separate Riedel crystal glasses at tables covered with white linen tablecloths and in an atmosphere of gracious elegance.

ALL-INCLUSIVE PRICE FOR THE TASTING: $295/member and $345/non-member for payment submitted by April 29 (no additional gratuities, taxes, handling fees, ticketing fees or processing charges). Thereafter, $310/member and $360/non-member.

GASTRONOMIC DINNER WITH JEAN-GUILLAUME PRATS AT 6:45 P.M.: Will feature French Champagnes as well as the 1998 Late Disgorged sparkling wine from Thomas Fogarty, library vintages (from the 1990s) of the grand vin of Château Cos d'Estournel, the 1990 Château Rieussec (Sauternes), and other cellar treasures. All-inclusive Price: $225/member and $275/non-member for payment submitted by April 29. Thereafter, $235/member and $285/non-member. Because we have a limited number of bottles of the old vintages, and because we want to ensure that all attendees receive generous pours, seating is limited. First come!
Dietary restrictions can be accommodated, provided you let us know when you request a reservation.

TO RESERVE:
First, E-mail the Vintners Club, [email protected], to confirm seat availability.
Then, Fax your Visa/Mastercard information to the Vintners Club at (415) 381-4460.

Details:http://www.vintnersclub.com/schedule1505.pdf

04/14/2012

BLIND-TASTING #1,504 - PINOT NOIR: A SENSUOUS WINE THAT COMES IN MANY & VARIED STYLES

6:00 p.m., Friday, April 20, 2012

VENUE: Metropolitan Club, 640 Sutter Street, San Francisco

The name Pinot Noir is derived from the French words for "pine" and "black" alluding to the varietal's tightly clustered dark purple pine cone–shaped bunches of fruit. It is a distinguished varietal, possessing special attributes not found in other red wines. Where Cabernet Sauvignon is powerful and fruity, Pinot Noir is delicate and elegant. If there is one word that best describes Pinot Noir, it is “sensuous”. That is, Pinot Noir gratifies the senses of smell and taste with aesthetic pleasures that almost defy description, and then delights the sense of touch with an incredibly silky feeling in the mouth.

As has been observed repeatedly over the 40-year history of the Vintners Club, there is no such thing as quintessential Pinot Noir; wine-makers create many and varied interpretations of this wine. Not only do wine-making techniques have an effect on the product, but so do region, soil, and microclimate.

On April 20, we will compare and contrast 12 current release Pinot Noirs produced in a variety of California microclimate pockets formed as a result of unique geological formations and cool, gentle breezes that blow in at various entry points alongside the Pacific Ocean:

Alma Rosa Winery & Vineyards, La Encantada Vineyard, Santa Rita Hills
Capiaux Cellars, Wilson Vineyard, Sonoma Coast
Ceja Vineyards, Carneros-Napa
Clouds Rest Vineyard, Limited Release, Sonoma Coast
David Bruce Winery, Estate, Santa Cruz Mountains
Keller Estate "Precioso", Sonoma County
Lucienne, Doctor's Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands
Paraiso Vineyards, Faite, Santa Lucia Highlands
Thomas Fogarty Winery, Rapley Trail Vineyard, Block M, Santa Cruz Mountains
Windsor Oaks Vineyards, “Winemaker’s 2 Barrel” 3-Clone Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley
Windward Vineyard, Monopole, Paso Robles
Wrath Wines, Tondré Grapefield, Santa Lucia Highlands

These 12 remarkable wines will be served in 12 separate Riedel crystal glasses at tables covered by white linen tablecloths. Comfortable seating in an elegant setting. You will discover which wine is in which glass only after you have turned in your ballot, the scores have been tallied, and the results have been announced. A fun-filled Friday-night, relaxed, learning and social opportunity for the burgeoning Pinotphile as well as for the novice.

ALL-INCLUSIVE PRICE FOR THE TASTING: $80/member/first-time guest of member and $130/non-member/repeat guest for payment submitted by April 15 (no additional tips, taxes, handling fees, ticketing fees or processing charges). Thereafter, $90/member/first-time guest and $140/non-member/repeat guest.

OPTIONAL POST-TASTING DINNER at 7:45 p.m....We are fortunate to be able to pair our first course of prawns with the crisp and well-balanced Loire-style Chenin Blanc from our member, Chappellet Vineyard, Napa; this wine is not available at retailers and can be purchased only at the winery.

To provide a comparison with what our brethren on the other side of The Pond do with the elegant Pinot Noir grape, we will enjoy some marvellous Gevrey-Chambertins (Red Burgundies, Côte de Nuits) from the celebrated 1995 vintage. These will be paired with our main course of Roast Spring Sonoma Lamb.

Our delightful evening will conclude with a traditional Tiramisu paired with the 30-year aged Apostoles , Palo Cortado Viejo, Jerez, from none other than Gonzalez Byass in Spain! This unique blend of Palomino & Pedro Ximénez grapes promises to be the perfect accompaniment to the mascarpone and chocolate as well as to the "night cap" that will follow in The Bar.

Dietary Restrictions? Please let us know when you request a seat.

Price for the Optional Dinner: $160/member; $185/non-member, all-inclusive.

TO RESERVE:
First, E-mail the Vintners Club, [email protected], to confirm seat availability.
Then, Fax your Visa/Mastercard information to the Vintners Club at (415) 381-4460.

Deadline to cancel a reservation and be entitled to receive a refund is 5 p.m. on April 15. Should an unforeseen circumstance present itself after April 15, you may send a substitute, provided you e-mail the Vintners Club that person's name and contact information by 12 noon on April 19 (one day prior to the tasting).

Please see http://www.vintnersclub.com/schedule.html for the latest schedule of Vintners Club Tastings.
04/14/2012

Please see http://www.vintnersclub.com/schedule.html for the latest schedule of Vintners Club Tastings.

Spotlight on the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA with Luncheon at the luxurious Post Ranch Inn, Big Sur. Large formats. Older vintages.

Address

Tiburon, CA
94920

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 6pm
Tuesday 9am - 3pm
Wednesday 9am - 3pm
Thursday 9am - 3pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 12pm - 5pm

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