With a week and a half until it's "Vegas Baby" time (May 3), I present to you my list of wineries that I plan to visit at the Grand Tour.
If you are going to attend, I suggest you take the time to make a list more in line with your wine preferences, making sure to try some new wineries, some new types of wine to expand your horizons - while mixing in some old favorites along the way.
We typically do not make it to ever winery that I have on my list - we always leave the flexibility for some game time (drink time?) decisions based on recommendations from other Grand Tour guests or from another winery - or just a booth that seems particularly hopping with excitement. Also, at some point in the night the palate becomes overloaded, and it's time to find one of those Craps machines to make a donation to those starving Vegas Casino owners!
So without further delay, here is Wino4Life's 2014 Grand Tour Winery List!
New Wineries to the Grand Tour
- Adobe Road (Napa, California) - maker of small lots of hand crafted wine.
- Black Kite (Sonoma, California) - artisan Pinot Noir (can't pass that up...right?).
- Bodegas Cepa 21 (Ribera del Duero, Spain) I have had their wines once or twice, and really liked them.
- CVNE (Rioja, Spain) - yes folks, you can find us in the Spanish aisle most of the night! This is a winery we might tour on our next trip to Spain, so we want to drop by and say "hi"... and "can I have some wine, please!"
- Inglenook (Napa, California) - This winery is the one Francis Ford Coppola purchased. I want to stop by in case they are pouring Rubicon...or anything else interesting!
- Paul Jaboulet Aine (Rhone, France) - this winery makes Parallel 45, one of my favorite value Cotes du Rhone wines. Interested to try some of their "better" stuff.
- Dr. Loosen (Germany) - I've had lots of their wine, but interested in seeing what they will be pouring at the Grand Tour.
- Merry Edwards (Sonoma, California) - I'm curious if Merry Edwards will be there, and based on the map looks like they will be pouring some white wine.
- Pinitia (Toro, Spain) - Toro is another region that makes great wine from Tempranillo, although they call the grape Tinto de Toro.
- Round Pond (Napa, California) - Highly rated Cabs...always on the lookout for a great wine to have with a great steak.
- Torbreck (Barossa, Australia) - a Shiraz producer that I have not heard of before...and am anxious to try!
- Val de Flores (Argentina) - High rated Malbec, one of my favorite varietals.
Old Favorites
- Alto Moncayo (Borja, Spain) - One of my all time favorite wineries, we visit them every year.
- Dominio de Atauta (Ribera del Duero, Spain) - A wine we tried for the first time last year and really enjoyed.
- Chateau Margaux (Bordeaux, France) - need to at least visit Spain's neighbor to try some good Bordeaux!
- Muga (Rioja, Spain) - We have befriended the wonderful folks from this winery, and have toured the winery in Spain several times. A big winery with worldwide distribution - but still a "family" feel to the operation.
- Charles Smith (Washington State) - One of the great characters in the wine business, I am always up to try his stuff. They typically bring something really... really... good!
Trying Something New
- Bersano (Piedmont, Italy) - I'm not sure what they'll be pouring, but they make wine with all different Piedmont varietals so I'm hoping for something unique.
- Braida di Giacomo Bologna (Piedmont, Italy) - Another winery working with interesting Piedmont varietals. I'm hoping they pour a Grignolino or something else I've never tried before.
- Merus (Napa, California) - on my list last year, but we did not make it to their booth. Highly rated Cabs I hope to try this year.
- Famille Perrin (Southern Rhone, France) - trying to visit at least a few French wine spots, and Rhone wines are some of my favs.
- Quinta do Crasto (Douro, Portugal) - I have been trying to experiment more with dry wines from Portugal, and have found some great wines and great value.
- Sigalas (Greece) - Both new to the Grand Tour and something new to try for me - I have tried some Greek reds in the past, but am not familiar with Greek white wines.
So you can see it's going to be a busy night - but it should be a great night. I highly recommend this event as a great way to dive deeper into becoming an epic wino! You will try some great wine, but also have a chance to learn a lot... and put the "know" in "wino"!
See you there! (In the Spanish aisle!).
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