Winemaker & Shaker

April 24, 2009 – 4-6pm

Ever wanted to ask a wine celebrity about their golf game? Join us for this year’s Wine Maker & Shaker at the Wine World, Destin store and you can hobnob with some of the greatest winemakers & shakers in the world. This is truly a unique opportunity to learn about wine from the people that make it.

Frank Leal
Leal Vineyards, San Benito, California
Léal Vineyards is the creation of a self-taught wine fanatic. Owner Frank Léal is living his dream. His goal? To have fun, to reestablish San Benito County’s historic reputation as a winegrowing region, and to consistently provide limited, exceptional vintages to his discerning fans.
05 Leal Carnival $34.99
BEST OF SHOW, RED
05 Leal Cabernet Sauvignon $36.99
06 Leal Chardonnay $27.99
05 Leal Merlot $29.99
05 Leal Threesome $27.99
05 Leal Syrah $27.99

5150 Tequila, 100% Agave
Anejo $43.99
Reposado $39.99
Blanco $36.99

Bob Bertheau
Chateau St. Michelle, Washington St.
Chateau Ste. Michelle is one of the few premium wineries in the world with two state-of-the-art winemaking operations, one devoted to whites and another to reds. Bob Bertheau leads the white wine making team at our Woodinville winery located 15 miles northeast of Seattle and leads the red winemaking team at our Canoe Ridge Estate winery on the Columbia river in eastern Washington.
07 Eroica Riesling $21.99
05 Canoe Ridge Estate Cabernet Sauvignon $27.99
05 Canoe Ridge Estate Merlot $21.99
07 Canoe Ridge Estate Chardonnay $22.99
05 Northstar Merlot, ON SALE $29.99

Tom Johnson
Silver Oak
Spending a total of 39 years in the wine industry, Tom began his career working for a distributor as well as spending time with Franciscan, Rutherford Hill, Inglenook, and Vias Imports. Working previously for Justin Meyer and Ray Duncan, when they were owners of Franciscan in 1976 – 1980, Tom was eventually asked by Justin Meyer to come on board their new vineyard, Silver Oak. When approached Tom agreed knowing that joining Silver Oak meant becoming part of a very special wine family. He has spent the last twelve years with Silver Oak Cellars.
04 Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley $76.99
04 Twomey, Merlot, Napa Valley   ON SALE $39.99

Wayne Rayborn
Schramsberg
Blanc de Noirs (white from black) is the counterpart to Blanc de Blancs (white from white). Made primarily from the red grape Pinot Noir, this is a complex, medium-bodied, brut sparkling wine. Schramsberg pioneered the Blanc de Noirs style in the United States, releasing the first such American sparkler in 1967. The key to producing this complex Blanc de Noirs is our vast and varied focus on diverse cool-climate vineyards. Pinot Noir from Carneros and Anderson Valley combine with fruit from low-yielding Sonoma and Marin coastal vineyards to develop a sparkling wine with a breadth of fruitful aroma and flavor. Select Chardonnay lots give zest and backbone to the blend.
05 Schramsberg, Blanc de Blancs $29.99
05 Schramsberg, Blanc de Noirs $32.99
05 Schramsberg, Brut Rose $39.99

Ed Murray
Caymus
Caymus Vineyards was founded in 1972 by Charles F. (Charlie) Wagner, Lorna Belle Glos Wagner and their son Charles J. (Chuck) Wagner on the family’s Rutherford property. The Wagners produced their first Cabernet Sauvignon from the 1972 vintage. Their first Special Selection – from outstanding Cabernet Sauvignon lots given extended barrel aging – was made from the 1975 vintage. Caymus has made Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon every year since its founding, and now focuses entirely on this variety. Production has remained at the same level since the 1989 vintage.
06 Silver, Unoaked Chardonnay, Santa Lucia $35.99
06 Mer Soleil, Chardonnay, Santa Lucia $35.99
06 Belle Glos Las Alturas Vineyard, Pinot Noir $69.99
07 Belle Glos Meiomi, Sonoma Coast $29.99
06 Caymus, Special Select, Cabernet Sauvignon $159.99
07 Connundrum, California $24.99

Margeaux McLain
Grateful Palate,  Australia
Grateful Palate’s Mission Statement:
To create and discover distinct, full flavored delicious wines from Australia and around the world that are always a great value, unbeatably consistent, and food worthy. Invent a portfolio of wines unlike any the world has seen—one that is solid, dependable and aggressively growing. To build a company that delivers pleasure, profits & bacon for all. Oh, and one more thing: WE LIVE TO SERVE!
07 Trevor Jones “Virgin Chardonnay”  $15.99
07 Marquis Philips “Sarah’s Blend” $15.99
07 Strong Arms, Shiraz $11.99
07 Bitch Grenache $12.99
06 Marquis Philips, S2 Cabernet, GOLD MEDAL $36.99

Gary Lynn
King Estate, Oregon
King Estate, celebrating 18 years of Oregon winemaking in 2009 , is located southwest of Eugene, Oregon and produces Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and limited amounts of Chardonnay. Founded in 1991 by the King family, King Estate is committed to producing Oregon wines of exceptional quality using organic & sustainable farming methods, meticulous fruit selection, impeccable winemaking practices and judicious blending.
06 Domaine, Pinot Gris $24.99
06 Next Pinot Noir, GOLD MEDAL $19.99

Janet Myers
Mt. Veeder/Franciscan
“I have two passions, Cabernet and Sauvignon Blanc” says Janet. “And in the heart of Napa Valley, Franciscan’s Oakville Estate vineyards are the perfect place for me to explore Cabernet and its nuances. I love the body and texture of Cab, how it has layers of intensity and richness, but with such finesse when you get it right.”
05 Mount Veeder, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley $34.99
05 Franciscan, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley $19.99
05 Franciscan, Merlot, Napa Valley $19.99
06 Franciscan, Chardonnay, $32.99
“Cuvee Sauvage”, Napa, Carneros

Jeff Brody
Cosentino
Lead by the spirit of creativity and innovation, Cosentino Winery was founded nearly 30 years ago with a commitment to making only the highest quality wines from California’s greatest vineyards. Because these same ideals ring as true today as they did in the beginning, Cosentino wines have steadily grown in quality and reputation over the years and are considered among many to be some of the finest wines made in the world.
06 Cosentino, “The Zin”, California $24.99
05 Cosentino, “Cigar Zin”, California $24.99
06 Cosentino, “Franc”, Cabernet Franc $17.99

Lydia Tremble
Rocca Delle Macie
Rocca delle Macìe is a young and dynamic winery which in a little over 30 years it has forged a reputation throughout the wine world as one of Chianti’s most highly regarded estates.
05 Chianti Classico, Tuscany $14.99
07 Chianti Classico, Tuscany $14.99

Liz Sedia
“J” Winery
J’s mission is to create world-class wines reflecting the rich terroir of Sonoma County’s Russian River Valley and to craft wines that enhance special moments in the lives of its customers.  There are but a handful of places on earth where fine wine grapes flourish and the resulting wine is clearly exceptional. Sonoma County’s Russian River Valley is brimming with such magic.
NV J Cuvee 20 Brut $33.99
07 J Pinot Gris, Russian River $19.99
05 J “Nicole’s Vineyard”, Pinot Noir $54.99

Jim Killam
Dona Paula, Argentina
Doña Paula owns 1878 acres of vineyards in the Lujan de Cuyo and Tupungato regions of Mendoza, at 3200 to 3400 feet of elevation. The Lujan de Cuyo vineyards are adjacent to the Andes Mountains and are thought by some to be among the most beautiful in the world. Tupungato is among the highest altitude terroirs of the most renowned of all wine growing regions of Argentina. These districts of Mendoza are producing intense yet elegant aromas and flavors. Vineyard management at Doña Paula emphasizes maximizing the best varietal characteristics, with extensive care taken to achieve perfect ripeness while maintaining balance and freshness. Grapes are all hand picked.
08 Los Cardos, Sauvignon Blanc $7.99
07 Los Cardos, Malbec $7.99
07 Dona Paula Estate, Malbec $12.99

Taylor Case
Cono Sur, Chile
Our quest is to present the world with the finest grape expression and character, from Chile’s varied wine regions. Right from the start Cono Sur applied the newest ideas and technology to winemaking’s traditional methods. Our main goal, therefore, is to create expressive and innovative wines from one of the world’s southernmost wine regions.
07 Cono Sur, Bicycle, Sauvignon Blanc $9.99
07 Cono Sur, Vision, Sauvignon Blanc $13.99
07 Cono Sur, Bicycle, Pinot Noir $9.99
07 Cono Sur, Vision, Pinot Noir $13.99
06 Cono Sur, 20 Barrell, Merlot $22.99
07 Cono Sur, 20 Barrell, Pinot Noir $22.99
06 Cono Sur, 20 Barrell, Cabernet Sauvignon $22.99

Virgina Mariani
Banfi
Virginia Mariani-Kitt is a family proprietor of Castello Banfi, Tuscany’s most honored vineyard estate, and Director of Hospitality for Banfi Vintners, America’s leading wine importer.
07 San Angelo, Pinot Grigio, GOLD MEDAL $17.99
03 Banfi, Brunello Di Montalcino $79.99
05 Banfi, Chianti Classico, Riserva $19.99
08 Palo Alto, Reserve Sauvignon Blanc $12.99
07 Palo Alto, Reserve, Cabernet, Carmenere, Syrah $12.99

Francoise Lannoye
Chateau Lanbersac
Francoise and her husband Philippe own vineyards in the fabled right bank of Bordeaux, including Puisseguin St. Emilion and Cotes de Castillon. Her wines are very food friendly, textured and elegant.
07 Rose de Lanbersac $9.99
04 Chateau Moulin de Clotte $12.99
04 Chateau Lanbersac $15.99
02 Chateau Lanbersac Vieilles Vignes $19.99

Ron & Jamie McManis
McManis Family Vineyard
McManis Family Vineyards is a grower and vintner of premium varietal winegrapes located near the cool confluence of the San Joaquin and Stanislaus Rivers, just south of Lodi, now known as the River Junction appellation. The company was founded in 1990 by Ron and Jamie McManis – fourth generation family farmers. The McManis family has been growing grapes in this region since 1938.
07 McManis Cabernet Sauvignon $10.99
07 McManis, Merlot $10.99
07 McManisV, Vioginier $11.99
07 Petit Sirah $11.99

Robert Craig
Robert Craig Winery
Robert Craig celebrates three decades as a Napa Valley “mountain man,” producing distinctive Cabernet Sauvignons from vineyards in the highest, most remote reaches of the Valley. He has been a pioneer in Napa Valley mountain vineyards and a visionary in creating a new wine style for mountain Cabernets that emphasizes ripe fruit, supple tannins, and early balance and integration.
04 Robert Craig, Mt. Veeder, Cabernet Sauvignon $66.99
04 Robert Craig, Howell Mt., Cabernet Sauvignon $66.99
04 Affinity $39.99

This entry was posted on Friday, March 20th, 2009 at 2:05 pm and is filed under Wine & Cheese and tagged with Sandestin Wine Festival, Shaker, Wine Maker. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.