Team C&J
Pahrump Valley Times – Sanders Family Winery Halts Operations
This story is over a month old, but I just found it, and I couldn’t stop laughing. Someone needs to tell this guy about Shiners. I mean Franzia — Really? From the article:
“On Nov. 27, we conducted an inspection and found that the deceptive practices were occurring,” Williams detailed. “He (Jack Sanders) was pouring Franzia wine into their own wine bottles and labeling it as their own product… We discovered several bottles of Franzia wine in the dumpster and the plastic containers cut open and emptied.”
We will want to scroll this page when I talk about Shiners. https://www.winebusiness.com/classifieds/grapesbulkwine/?go=search&s1=29&s2=&source=&s4=&q=&country=
Wine Business News – Portuguese Company Launches Chestnut Flower Based Wine Preservative as a Substitute for Sulfites
Have an allergy to sulfites? Well, this may be the answer. From the Article:
Tree Flowers Solutions is the biotech start-up behind Chestwine, an organically certified innovation that uses chestnut blossom as a natural preservative for wine. The idea came about in response to the preoccupations of vintners, who are increasingly interested in finding a substitute for sulfites – an additive used to increase the shelf life of products, but also associated with allergic reactions. After exploring various leads, the flower of the sweet chestnut tree (castanea sativa) that had never been used to this end, was identified as a potential alternative by local research scientists, as it inhibits oxidation and microbial growth, due its high phenolic acid levels and high tannin content.
Food & Wine – How US Wineries Saved Canada’s Wine Industry After a Devastating Freeze
Washington had a bumper crop and grapes with no buyers. Canada lost 90% of its crop due to a freeze. The only thing that stood in the way of the US sending grapes to Candian winemakers was a mountain of Red Tape. But in the end, they got it done. From the article:
In a historic trade arrangement between U.S. and Canadian wine growers, Washington state wineries shipped massive amounts of American grapes north of the border last summer after a “catastrophic loss” of 90% of British Columbia’s grape harvest.
Despite all the outreach on the part of U.S. growers, it nevertheless took months for the Canadian government to allow local wines to be made from grapes outside the province without tax markups. Winemakers went ahead and cut their deals regardless. Ron Kubek of Lightning Rock Winery in Summerland, a small community on Lake Okanagan, recalled, “Frank Roth [head winemaker for Tagaris Winery, in Richland, WA] and I went down to Lake Chelan and visited wineries and vineyards; they could not have been more hospitable. The Washington State Winegrowers set up a wine grape dating service — I wish our government did one percent of what yours did. Ours did nothing. By July 25, a lot of people already had their fruit contracts signed. But our government acted like idiots.”
The Oregonian – Personal Injury Powerhouse Parker Waichman Goes After Alcohol Industry Over Cancer
In case you missed it, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy put out a warning on Jan. 3 that alcohol consumption poses a cancer risk that merits placing warning labels on alcoholic beverage containers, just like cigarettes. Now, we think this is ridiculous, but now we can prepare ourselves for the same type of litigation that big tobacco had. From the article:
The Surgeon General’s advisory on alcohol and cancer risk inspired Parker Waichman LLP, a New York City-based law firm specializing in personal injury, mass tort and environmental law, to announce it was seeking plaintiffs for a class-action lawsuit against the alcohol industry.
The cancer case against the alcohol industry will be a challenging one to make, according to Wark.
“I can’t imagine this kind of lawsuit will be as easy to win or settle positively as the tobacco lawsuits were. The link between alcohol and cancer is far more tenuous than between tobacco and cancer. This is indicated by the wording of the Surgeon General’s advisory in which the word ‘may’ is used many times,” Wark said.
Winery Rating: ★★★★★ Wine Club Rating: ★★★★★
When you visit a wine estate like Halter Ranch Vineyard, one of the first things that comes to mind is Paso Robles doesn’t get the respect it deserves.
Of the hundreds of wineries, tastings, and tours we have attended, our experience at Halter Ranch may have been the best yet.
Halter Ranch offers three distinct tastings:
We decided to try Halter Ranch’s Caves & Winery Tour, and we will tell you right off the bat this was probably the best winery tour and tasting we have ever had – and that’s saying something. The tour was exceptionally well planned out; our tour guides, Rachel and James, were knowledgeable and passionate about the wines and ranch, and they provided an amazingly detailed tour.
2019 Podere Campriano Chianti Classico Riserva 92 Points – $42
Tuscany, a region synonymous with romantic landscapes and winemaking traditions, continues to charm wine enthusiasts with its expression of Sangiovese. The 2019 Podere Campriano Chianti Classico Riserva exemplifies this region’s expertise.
Podere Campriano is a small, family-run estate where tradition meets precision. Overseen by Elena Lapini and Luca Polga, the winery adheres to practices that respect the land and emphasize sustainability. Located in Greve in Chianti, their vineyards are nestled near the Balze di Montefioralle—rugged cliffs that contribute a unique microclimate to their vines.
The Riserva bottling comes from 100% Sangiovese grapes, highlighting the varietal’s quintessential characteristics. While lacking an official classification akin to Burgundy’s grand cru vineyards, Podere Campriano’s site-specific approach yields wines that express a distinctive terroir. The aging process—a combination of 10-12 months in older oak barrels followed by 12-14 months in stainless steel—reflects their dedication to allowing the grape’s inherent qualities to shine.
We dropped in here before a Garth Brooks concert, and we are glad we did! Located in Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Amalfi by Bobby Flay is a standout restaurant that promises an immersive journey into Italian coastal cuisine. With a particular emphasis on seafood (You buy an entire fish!), the restaurant expertly combines Chef Bobby Flay’s signature touch with the bright, fresh flavors of Mediterranean dishes.
Corkage Fee: $50 Per Bottle / 3 Bottle Max
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