{"id":8760,"date":"2018-02-16T18:34:44","date_gmt":"2018-02-17T02:34:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lesliedinaberg.com\/wordpress\/?p=8760"},"modified":"2020-02-27T00:23:05","modified_gmt":"2020-02-27T08:23:05","slug":"cocktail-corner-the-wondrous-world-of-pinot-noir","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lesliedinaberg.com\/wordpress\/?p=8760","title":{"rendered":"Cocktail Corner: The Wondrous World of Pinot Noir"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Courtesy World of Pinot Noir.<\/p><\/div>\n

A spirited toast to all things alcoholic! by\u00a0Leslie Dinaberg<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong><\/b><\/p>\n

“Discover. Indulge. Celebrate.” is the tagline for the World of Pinot Noir<\/a>, and I can’t think of better advice when it comes to imbibing at this favorite annual event. Held Mar. 2-3 at the Ritz-Carlton Bacara, this festival\u00a0gathers the world’s most highly regarded Pinot Noir wineries and winemakers, renowned chefs, sommeliers and leading wine scholars for two days of in-depth tasting seminars and excursions, Grand Tastings, a Burgundy seminar and tasting and gourmet, locally-influenced lunches and dinners.<\/span><\/p>\n

As I’ve said in the past, I get to go to a LOT of wine festivals and this is definitely one of my favorites. Here’s an overview of this year’s schedule:<\/p>\n

WEEKEND PASS – $1150<\/strong>
\nIncludes an invitation to the Opening Night Celebration March 1; admission to the Friday and Saturday Tasting Seminars & Luncheons; VIP Admission to the Friday and Saturday Grand Tastings; and Pinot Noir Pairing Dinners on Friday and Saturday evenings.<\/p>\n

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Courtesy World of Pinot Noir.<\/p><\/div>\n

THURSDAY<\/h3>\n

THURSDAY OPENING NIGHT PARTY – $110<\/strong>
\nThursday, March 1 at 7 p.m. Kickoff the World of Pinot Noir with a wine-filled feast and f\u00eate, presented by\u00a0The SOMM Journal<\/a><\/em>. Meet participating winemakers, America\u2019s leading sommeliers and preview the weekend while sampling wines, indulging in tasty bites prepared by The Ritz-Carlton Bacara\u2019s Executive Chef, Umit Kaygusuz<\/a>. It\u2019s time to get this weekend-long Pinot party started.<\/p>\n

FRIDAY<\/h3>\n

FRIDAY SINGLE-DAY PASS – $480<\/strong>
\nIncludes admission to the Exploring the Oregon-Burgundy Connection Tasting Seminar & Luncheon, VIP Admission to the Friday Grand Tasting and a Friday evening Pinot Noir Pairing Dinner.<\/p>\n

SEMINAR & LUNCHEON: Exploring the Oregon-Burgundy Connection – $265<\/strong>
\nJoshua Greene, Editor of\u00a0Wine & Spirits Magazine<\/a><\/em>\u00a0will lead a winemaker panel discussion and tasting that explores Oregon\u2019s deep and growing ties to Burgundy, and the how this is influencing the current and future state of this exciting New World region. The wineries include\u00a0Maison Joseph Drouhin, Domaine Drouhin Oregon, Domaine du Louis-Michel Liger-Belair, Chapter 24 Vineyards, Domaine des Comtes Lafon and Lingua Franca.\u00a0The seminar includes a three-course Pinot Noir-paired lunch prepared by the Ritz-Carlton Bacara<\/a> culinary team, with wine service by World of Pinot Noir Sommeliers.<\/em>Friday, March 2, 9 a.m.\u20132 p.m.<\/p>\n

FRIDAY LUNCHEON NO. 1: Celebrating the New Petaluma Gap AVA – $75<\/strong>
\nThis three-course luncheon will showcase the award-winning wine made from grapes grown in the newly-minted Petaluma Gap AVA<\/a>. Located in southern Sonoma and northern Marin counties, the cool-climate, windswept Petaluma Gap AVA boasts 4,000 acres of vineyards, of which, 75 percent are planted with Pinot Noir. Friday, March 2, 11:30 a.m.<\/p>\n

CENTRAL COAST SEMINAR: Discover the Cool Climate Terroirs of the Central Coast – $65<\/strong>
\nWine Enthusiast<\/em><\/a>\u00a0magazine\u2019s contributing editor, and Central Coast expert, Matt Kettmann, will explore Pinot Noirs from the top cool-climate terroirs of the vast Central Coast. Along with a panel of acclaimed winemakers, Kettmann will guide the tasting of nine award-winning wines he scored 92 points or above. The wineries include Adelaida, Big Basin, Black Kite, Dierberg, Ken Brown Wines, Laetitia, Stephen Ross Wines and Talbott. Friday, March 2, 1 p.m.<\/p>\n

FRIDAY VIP GRAND TASTINGS – $135<\/strong>
\nThis exclusive VIP ticket provides you with early entry to the Ritz-Carlton Bacara\u2019s Grand Ballroom, where you\u2019ll be able to meet winemakers, be the first to bid on silent auction items, and taste through hundreds of Pinot Noir producers from around the world. Several other exclusive VIP experiences will be announced soon. Friday, March 2, 2:30-6 p.m.<\/p>\n

FRIDAY GRAND TASTING – $85<\/strong>
\nTaste through more than 150 Pinot Noir producers from around the world gathered in the Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara’s Grand Ballroom, bid on silent auction items and “taste the place\u201d while you nibble on fresh, local and seasonal wine country appetizers from the Ritz-Carlton Bacara culinary team. Friday, March 2, 3:30-6 p.m.<\/p>\n

FRIDAY DINNER NO. 1: The Art of Japanese Cuisine and Freeman Winery Pinot Noir, with Guest Chef Ken Tominaga – $275<\/strong>
\nChef Ken Tominaga<\/a>, founder of PABU in San Francisco and Boston, and Hana Japanese Restaurant in Sonoma, crafts a multi-course umami-fueled feast designed to pair perfectly with the award-winning Pinot Noirs from Freeman Winery. This intimate, one-of-kind dinner experience is limited. Friday, March 2, 7 p.m.<\/p>\n

FRIDAY DINNER NO. 2: The Bounties of the Santa Maria Valley: A Celebratory Farm-to-Fork Dinner – Presented by the Santa Maria Valley – $125<\/strong>
\nThe Santa Maria AVA<\/a> is home to some of America\u2019s highest regarded Pinot Noir vineyards and producers. But this renowned sub-region of Santa Barbara is just as famous for its hearty and robust eponymously-named style of steak made from locally raised beef. Enjoy an elevated take on Santa Maria barbecue prepared by Ritz-Carlton Bacara Executive Chef, Umit Kaygusuz all paired with wines from the region\u2019s most famous wineries. Friday, March 2, 7 p.m.<\/p>\n

FRIDAY DINNER NO. 3: 101 Years of Single-Vineyard Pinot Noir Along the Historic Highway 101 – $165<\/strong>
\nA collection of winemaking expertise gathers for this epic dinner featuring winemakers Greg Brewer of Brewer-Clifton, Adam Lee of Siduri, Wells Guthrie of Copain and Jonathan Nagy of Byron.\u00a0Join us for an evening of food, laughter, and of course, fabulous Pinot Noir, as\u00a0these trailblazing winemakers share their stories of their collective 101 years of crafting some of California\u2019s most expressive Pinot Noirs along the Golden State\u2019s historic coastal corridor. Friday, March 2, 7 p.m.<\/p>\n

SATURDAY<\/h3>\n

SATURDAY SINGLE-DAY PASS – $525<\/strong>
\nIncludes admission to the Tasting Through The Best of Burgundy Tasting Seminar & Luncheon, VIP Admission to the Saturday Grand Tasting and a Saturday evening Pinot Noir Pairing Dinner. (Dinner upgrades will be available after purchase.)<\/p>\n

SATURDAY BURGUNDY SEMINAR & LUNCHEON: Tasting Through The Best of Burgundy – $265<\/strong>
\nFounder of the San Francisco Wine School and Master Sommelier David Glancy\u2013along with a panel of Burgundy experts and winemakers\u2013will lead a fun and educational tasting of some of the most notable producers and most acclaimed vintages from France\u2019s famed Pinot Noir region, and will discuss the varying classification systems of Burgundy’s sub-regions, their history, trends and the changing roles of growers and negociants. This seminar will feature multiple vintages of premier cru wines from\u00a0Domaine Faively, Domaine Henri Gouge and Domaine Chanson.\u00a0The seminar includes a three-course Pinot Noir-paired lunch prepared by the Ritz-Carlton Bacara culinary team, with wine service by World of Pinot Noir Sommeliers.<\/em>\u00a0Saturday, March 3, 9 a.m.\u20132 p.m.<\/p>\n

SATURDAY LUNCHEON NO. 1:\u2028Ros\u00e9 Lawn Party Atop the Bluff presented by United Airlines – $80<\/strong>
\nHeld on the seaside bluff of the Angel Oak veranda, this daytime lawn party will feature over 35 of the best Pinot Noir Ros\u00e9s on planet, a gourmet buffet lunch crafted by the Angel Oak Chef du Cuisine, and the unobstructed and downright jaw-dropping views of the Pacific Ocean. Saturday, March 3, 11 a.m.<\/p>\n

SATURDAY SEMINAR NO. 1:\u2028Attack Of The Clones Seminar – $65<\/strong>
\nIn this fun and educational winemaker-led seminar, you\u2019ll learn\u2013and taste\u2013the difference between many key Pinot Noir grape clones. Panelists include: Greg Morthole – Davis Bynum, Heidi Bridenhagen – MacRostie Winery & Vineyards, Ben Papapietro – Papapietro Perry Winery, Amy Thorn \u2013 Thorn Hill Vineyards and Ben Cane \u2013 Westwood Estate Winery. Saturday, March 3, 1 p.m.<\/p>\n

SATURDAY VIP GRAND TASTINGS – $150<\/strong>
\nThis exclusive VIP ticket provides you with early entry to the Ritz-Carlton Bacara\u2019s Grand Ballroom, where you\u2019ll be able to meet winemakers, be the first to bid on silent auction items, and taste through hundreds of Pinot Noir producers from around the world. Several other exclusive VIP experiences will be announced soon. Saturday, March 3, 2:30\u20136 p.m.<\/p>\n

SATURDAY GRAND TASTING – $100<\/strong>
\nTaste through more than 100 Pinot Noir producers from around the world gathered in the Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara’s Grand Ballroom, bid on silent auction items and “taste the place\u201d while you nibble on fresh, local and seasonal wine country appetizers from the Ritz-Carlton Bacara culinary team. Saturday, March 3, 3:30\u20136 p.m.<\/p>\n

SATURDAY DINNER NO. 1: Celebrating the Women of Pinot Noir – $150<\/strong>
\nThis feast will showcase 12 wineries: Bouchaine Vineyards, Chenoweth Wines, La Crema, Lumen Wines, Meiomi, Merry Edwards Winery, Rideau Vineyards, Seagrape Wine Co & Buttonwood, St. Francis Winery, Stolo Family Vineyards, Trombetta Family Wines & Furthermore Wines, Wrath Wines and their trailblazing winemakers. Held in the downstairs Director\u2019s Lounge and outside terrace, this multi-course feast will feature a gourmet whole-roasted pig crafted by Ritz-Carlton Bacara Executive Chef, Umit Kaygusuz. Saturday, March 3, 7 p.m.<\/p>\n

SATURDAY DINNER NO. 2: Willamette Valley Pinot Noir Feast – $165<\/strong>
\nThis five-course dinner will shine a spotlight on Oregon\u2019s most famous region, the Willamette Valley, home to arguably some of the most food-friendly Pinot Noirs in the world. Emceed by Joshua Greene, the editor of\u00a0Wine & Spirits Magazine<\/a>,<\/em>\u00a0and Master of Wine Bree Boskov of the Oregon Wine Board, the evening will feature a long list of award-winning wines and their winemakers. Saturday, March 3, 7 p.m.<\/p>\n

SATURDAY DINNER NO. 3:\u2028 Vintage Burgundy Dinner with the Guild of Sommeliers – $450<\/strong>
\nThe World of Pinot Noir is thrilled to present an extraordinary wine dinner hosted by the Guild of Sommeliers<\/a>.\u00a0Jay James, Master Sommelier,\u00a0will present vintage Burgundy wines from the Guild\u2019s extensive cellar in this six-course gourmand experience. This intimate, one-of-kind dinner experience is limited. Saturday, March 3, 7 p.m.<\/p>\n

Hope to see some of you there! Click\u00a0here<\/a>\u00a0for more cocktail corner columns.<\/p>\n

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When she\u2019s not busy working as the editor of Santa Barbara SEASONS, Cocktail Corner author Leslie Dinaberg writes<\/i>\u00a0mag<\/i>azine articles, newspaper columns and grocery lists. When it comes to cocktails, Leslie considers herself a \u201cgoal-oriented drinker.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n

Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons<\/em><\/a> on February 16, 2018.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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