02 Jan Please The Palate January 2024 Newsletter

Happy New Year! Hoping you had a wonderful holiday season and are ready for another year!

As I look back at the past year, it is hard to believe that it started so slowly. The first few months were quiet with few events and travel. But in the end, I traveled 125 days in 2023, which was 34% of the year! Travel took me domestically to Santa Barbara/Santa Ynez, Paso Robles, Sonoma, Napa, and Temecula, plus Arizona, Las Vegas, Chicago, and 22 days in New York. Internationally, I traveled to Italy twice, once to Asolo Prosecco DOCG in the north and once to Sicily. I also traveled to the Republic of Georgia and was on the news in Georgia talking about my experience at the Gurjaani Wine Festival.

I judged two wine competitions, interviewed 35 winemakers for the Wine Soundtrack USA podcast, and filmed 26 Crush On This videos. I co-hosted 12 virtual wine tastings with winemakers for the Forgotten Grapes Wine Club. I moderated two virtual panels for the Rhone Rangers and one live panel for Women and Wine Sense. I was also invited to serve as an “Expert” for USA Today 10Best.com Readers’ Choice Awards which cover various travel and lifestyle topics covering food, destinations, travel gear, things to do, seasonal family fun, and more.

I wrote 35 articles for various outlets and more than 100 stories on my blog. And, of the 404 wineries included in the 2024 Slow Wine Guide USA, I completed 78 of the interviews and entries.

In addition, I organized and promoted more than twenty live trade and media events for different wine regions around the world, including Grappa and Madeira, as well as Italian, French, and Spanish regions. I also organized live consumer events for both Grappa and Madeira.

To finish off the year, I was profiled in Bold Journey where I shared a bit about my story and where my optimism comes from.

When I look back at the year, I cannot believe that I was worried at the beginning of the year. So, as I start another year on a relatively quiet note, I am going to enjoy it as it will not last long!

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The 2024 edition of the Slow Wine Guide is available for sale directly through Slow Food USA.

If you want to purchase your copy, click here!

Save 10% on one book with the code: winemember10

Save 30% on 6+ copies of the book with the code: multi30

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Attention Pinot Noir Lovers! If you have Passion4Pinot, then join me in Palm Springs for the Palm Springs Pinot Fest – Friday, February 2nd – Saturday, February 3rd

The Annual Palm Springs Pinot Noir Festival, aka “A Passion 4 Pinot” is a high-class high-end event. Come mingle with winemakers, taste, and discover new wines from over 70 of the best Pinot Noir producers from California. The highly popular and desirable wintertime desert playground of Palm Springs will become Pinot Noir Central. Come mingle with Pinot lovers from around the world as we celebrate this amazing wine varietal.

The Grand Tasting is on Saturday, February 3rd from 2:00pm – 5:00pm.
Tickets are $135-$225.
SAVE $25 on tickets to the Grand Tasting. Use the code PleaseThePalate

In addition, I am excited to share that I will be moderating The West Sonoma Coast AVA All-Star Tasting Panel Seminar on Saturday, February 3rd at 11:00 am!

Experience the adventure. Taste the journey. Immerse yourself in the wines of Sonoma County’s newest AVA: West Sonoma Coast. Farmed at expansive elevations – from sea level to 1400 ft., these wines are uniquely wild and expertly tamed by some of the true pioneers of the rugged Sonoma Coast winegrowing region.

The West Sonoma Coast Vintners is an association of wineries and growers who are passionate about farming along the mountainous coastline of western Sonoma County. Our members create wines that evoke the complexity of the region — wines expressive of our unique community.

This Panel tasting seminar will consist of five of the best Pinot Producers from the West Sonoma Coast AVA. Come taste and discover what makes the Pinot Noir from the West Sonoma Coast so delicious and highly sought after.

Peay Vineyards – Andy Peay
Bob Cabral Wines – Bob Cabral
Three Sticks Wines – Ryan Prichard
Cobb Wines – Ross Cobb
Boar’s View – Jennifer Downing

Click Here to Purchase Tickets! Use the code Please The Palate to save $25 on Grand Tasting Tickets!

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Upcoming monthly virtual wine events:

Forgotten Grapes Monthly Virtual Tastings with Winemakers 

There are more than 3500 wineries in California. That is a lot of wineries. Many of these wineries are small, family-owned businesses making anywhere from 500-5000 cases. At Please The Palate, owner Allison Levine loves to seek out these small producers and introduce them to friends through stories and events. Each month, in partnership with Chris Kern of Forgotten Grapes, we will offer 4 wines for $109 from one of these incredible producers. You will also be invited to our virtual tasting with the owner or winemaker on the second Thursday of each month.

Upcoming Dates:
February offering:
J Brix Wines (Escondido)
1 white wine + 3 red wines
$109 + tax ($128 value)

March offering:
Giornata (Paso Robles)
1 white wine + 3 red wines
$109 + tax ($125 value)

If you are interested, please email me at info@pleasethepalate.com to let me know you would love to receive one of the $109 bundles (plus shipping if out of the Los Angeles area).
Forgotten Grapes is not a club and there is no commitment. Each month, a bundle of wines will be offered for a special price. If you are interested, you can order them. I’ll take your credit card and delivery information and will charge your card. If you live in Southern California, delivery is FREE and will be personally delivered to you (contactless). If you live beyond Southern California, wines can be shipped – $25 in California and $30 outside of California to Western States (AZ, NV, OR, ID). Additional states, please contact us.

For a complete list of upcoming events, visit the Events Calendar on www.pleasethepalate.com

Read the entire Please The Palate January 2024 Newsletter.