San Diego Trade Industry & Media Wine Tasting – Santa Barbara Vintners

You are cordially invited to an exclusive intimate wine tasting experience on Thursday, June 16th, from 4 pm – 7 pm at Luce Loft in downtown San Diego. Register here.

Hosted by Santa Barbara Vintners, a non-profit trade association, this special evening will feature top producers from Santa Barbara Wine Country, which was honored last fall as “Wine Region of the Year” by Wine Enthusiast magazine.

What to expect: Taste acclaimed wines from 10 of Santa Barbara’s premier vintners, including wineries such as Foxen, Fiddlehead Cellars, Sanford Winery, Margerum, Miller Family Vineyards, Zaca Mesa, Folded Hills, Hitching Post, Dierberg, and Fess Parker.

  • Taste exclusive offerings brought in only for this event as well as wines grown from iconic vineyards such as Bien Nacido, Vogelzang, Sanford & Benedict and Star Lane.
  • Enjoy light bites paired with wines inspired in a fusion of styles from Santa Barbara meets San Diego!
  • Learn about Pop-Up Wine Events kicking off in San Diego this summer.
  • Hear about the recently launched Santa Barbara Vintners mobile app.
  • Meet more than a dozen winemakers to learn what makes the award-winning Santa Barbara wine region California’s hidden gem.

Alison Laslett, CEO of the Santa Barbara Vintners, will also be on hand to talk about the region as a world-class wine-producing and wine grape growing region, as well as an unmatched weekend getaway.

We hope you can join us for this special evening.

This is a San Diego Industry Trade* & Media event only please see below for what constitutes as ‘Trade / Industry’

Please RSVP to this email by Monday, June 6.

Wine Industry Trade & Media Community: Wine Servers, Wine Buyers, Sommeliers, Wine Brokers, Wine Distribution Representatives, Food & Beverage managers, restaurant managers, Wine club managers, Wine Bloggers, Podcast hosts, Documentary producers, Wine writers, Travel Writers, Travel Bloggers

New York & Chicago: “The Charming Taste of Europe” to hold two promotional events in the US that explore the Sweet Wines of Bordeaux

The Charming Taste of Europe” continues to support its initiatives in the US by promoting The Sweet Bordeaux wines and its territory throughout multiple educational events in the US.

On June 13th, in New York City, there will be a luncheon at Temperance Wine Bar, an electric wine bar in the “village.” Temperance Wine Bar, serves over 100+ wines by-the-glass and none by the bottle. This encourages guests to sample multiple different wines all diverse in style. The food is an array of small plates inspired from many different cuisines and countries making it easy for guests to explore with different pairings. In addition, Temperance Wine Bar is owned and managed by top sommelier A.J. Pons, who also holds his WSET level 3. This event will involve a dozen importers who will taste Bordeaux wines in a tasting paired with a lunch.

The same day, there will also be a dinner dedicated to distributors at The Gallery at Odo, a private space featuring a japanese kaiseki speakeasy. The restaurant will offer a unique experience for the guests and is a perfect location for discussion and networking.These events will be led by Mary Gorman, Master of Wine, specializing in Bordeaux Wines.

On June 15th, in Chicago there will be another event held at Bottles Up from 12-2 pm located at 3164 N Broadway St. Chicago, IL 60657. Bottles Up is a bottle shop + experience consisting of a team who take great pride in caring for the world and what it’s drinking. The event will be led by Kristen Ellis, experienced sales and marketing professional, events manager, and wine educator holding advanced certifications in wines and spirits with over twelve years’ experience in the sales, beverage, and service industries.

This event will also involve a dozen importers who will taste a selection of Sweet Bordeaux wines from the main appellations, such as Côtes de Bordeaux Saint MacaireSainte Croix du MontPremières Côtes de BordeauxCéronsCadillacBordeaux Supérieur and finally Bordeaux Moelleux. These appellations produce wines that pair beautifully with anything from white meat, cheese, duck and even sushi.

From 2021, “The Charming Taste of Europe” campaign, co-financed by the European Union, promotes the Union of Agricultural Cooperatives of Kavala (Kavala COOP), the Agricultural Cooperative of Rachi Pieria (“Agios Loukas”) the Vini d’ Abruzzo consortium and the Union of Sweet Bordeaux Wines. The campaign focuses on raising awareness of these high-quality products in the American and Canadian market.

About the Charming Taste of Europe:
Europe, a place with timeless charm, is the birthplace of some of the highest-quality products in the world. The Charming Taste of Europe is a special project that introduces exquisite specialties to the United States and Canada, such as Italian and French wines, and fresh fruits from Greece, that showcase Europe’s charm, beauty, culture, history, art, heritage and unmistakable tastes.

The mission of the Charming Taste of Europe, co-funded by the European Union, is to increase awareness of the merits and quality standards of select European wines and fresh fruits with promotional activities in the competitive markets of the U.S. and Canada. The Charming Taste of Europe is promoted by the Consortium for the Protection of Wines of Abruzzo, the Union of Agricultural Cooperatives of Kavala (Kavala COOP), the Agricultural Cooperative of Rachi Pieria “Agios Loukas” and the Union of Sweet Bordeaux Wines. These European agricultural products, famous around the world for their outstanding qualities, will continue to be promoted with initiatives and events for consumers, journalists and trade professionals. For more information visit charmingtasteofeurope.eu

To Follow The Charming Taste of Europe Campaign:
Website: charmingtasteofeurope.eu
Facebook: @CharmingTasteofEU
Instagram: @charmeu_usa
YouTube: The Charming Taste of Europe
Hashtags: #thecharmingtasteofeu and #charmeu

The content of this promotion campaign represents the views of the author only and is his/her sole responsibility. The European Commission and the European Research Executive Agency (REA) do not accept any responsibility for any use that may be made of the information it contains

Attention Spanish Wine Lovers in DC Metro Area

Wines of Spain Trade ShowJaleo Restaurant – Washington DC – June 27th. Registration vie EventBrite.

Join Markentry USA for this free, exclusive event, to taste, trade, and network with other wine professionals, all while enjoying delicious Spanish tapas from Jaleo by world-renowned chef, José Andrés!

Who should attend?

  • Importers
  • Distributors
  • Retailers
  • Restaurants
  • Hotels
  • Other wholesalers

Why attend?

  • Connect with 36 top producers across many regions from Spain
  • Taste more than 140 types of wine
  • Network with more than 150 wine industry professionals
  • Enjoy the spirit and flavors of Spain with signature tapas from Jaleo by two-star Michelin chef José Andrés
  • Learn about, explore, and discuss the latest trends in wine markets today

Organized by Markentry USA and Gimenez & Sigwald Wine Associates, in collaboration with Jaleo by José AndrésEmbassy of Spain in the U.S.ICEX and the National Association of Beverage Importers.

Welcome speeches from:

  • Begoña Nieto Gilarte, Counselor of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to the US & Canada, Embassy of Spain in the U.S.
  • Mª Pilar de Carlos Villellas, Commercial Counselor, Economic & Trade Office of Spain in Washington, DC
  • Robert Tobiassen, President of the National Association of Beverage Importers

Visit our event website for more information and a full list of participating wine producers.

Attention Chianti Lovers: Consorzio Vino Chianti U.S. Tour

Contact info@ieemusa.com for further information.

🍷Chicago – May 23, 2022
•Starting with a Master Class led by @thewineandteaman followed by the trade walk-around tasting.

🍷Seattle – May 25, 2022
•Starting with a Master Class led by @thewineandteaman followed by the trade walk-around tasting.

🍷Los Angeles – May 26, 2022
•Starting with a Master Class led by @thewineandteaman followed by the trade walk-around tasting.

Attention New Orleans Rhum Lovers: ADI Rum Summit 2022

Join the American Distilling Institute in New Orleans to explore and celebrate R(H)UM! on Tuesday, June 7, 2022 – 8:30am – 5pm CDT at Lula Distillery, New Orleans.

TimeTopicPresenterPresenter Bio
8-8:30amCheck-in
8:30amCoffee & Networking
9amKaren Hoskin of Montanya Distillers will host and facilitate an impressive lineup of speakers and panelists from the American craft rum scene for this year’s Rum Summit. Topics will cover our sugar cane supply chain, sustainability and ethical sourcing, global growth and implications of this category, American rum’s growing role in the industry and more.Karen Hoskin, Montanya Distillers & Olivia Stewart of Three Roll EstateKaren Hoskin is known as a vanguard of the rebirth of American Rum. When she started Colorado’s craft distillery Montanya Distillers in 2008, few people knew there was a strong American rum tradition or mountain rum tradition. Craft cocktails were not yet a major US trend and rum was considered the wild west of spirits. Karen helped change those perceptions while steering the distillery to growth every year. She has just completed a major expansion of her rum distillery in Crested Butte. Karen continues to have a strong hand in inspiring the US market to respect and love American Rum, embrace craft cocktails, put rum into the best cocktails, and understand the mountain rum tradition. She is a frequent speaker and industry leader on distilling science, distilling business, mixology, bar business and sustainability.
10amSugar is made in Louisiana sugarcane fields throughout a 7 – 9 month growing season. The focus of this presentation will be the production of raw sugar and molasses in the factory from newly harvested sugarcane.Kenneth Gravois, PhD, Sugar Research Station & Olivia Stewart of Three Roll EstateFrom a young age, Kenneth had an academic streak that helped him see possibilities in and ask questions about sugar cane, agriculture, sustainability, and environmental impact. This persistent inquisitiveness took him to Louisiana State University (LSU) where he earned his bachelor degree in crop science and a masters and PhD in plant breeding. Today, Kenneth provides leadership for the LSU AgCenter’s Sugar Research Station which has descended from the original Louisiana Sugar Experiment Station. One thing he sees becoming more important to the scientific research community, and to his work in particular, is connecting with consumers.
11amKenneth Gravois joins Olivia Stewart in a discussion on the impact rum could have on Louisiana’s sugarcane industry. From supporting cane-growing families, to tourist dollars and jobs, this diversification of the industry has the potential to benefit the entire state.Olivia Stewart of Three Roll Estate & Kenneth Gravois, PhD, Sugar Research StationOlivia Stewart’s family has owned and operated their Louisiana cane farm and sugar mill since 1859. Her childhood on the farm instilled a passion for all things sugarcane––and eventually rum. When the pandemic hit, she moved back home to operate the family’s distillery, Three Roll Estate. Located in Baton Rouge, they distill an array of rums from cane juice and molasses, all of which are sourced from their own fields and mill.
11:30amMolasses and the rum distiller’s dilemma: molasses procurement and impacts on rum production

Molasses is the most important raw material in the production of rum. However, molasses is also a very
complicated commodity whose quality fluctuates dramatically based on global sugar prices. In this
session we will review the numerous factors affecting the quality of molasses for distilling and we will
analyze actual production data in order to gain insights into how molasses quality may adversely impact
rum production and strategies to potentially mitigate some of the more salient negative effects.
Roberto J. Serralles, PhD, Destilería SerrallésRoberto Serrallés is a sixth-generation rum maker based in
Ponce, Puerto Rico, where his family business, Destilería Serrallés has been operating since 1865. As one of America’s oldest family-owned businesses, Destilería Serrallés has been
producing exceptional rums for over 155 years. Its flagship brand Don Q is the leading premium rum brand on the island.
Roberto began working at Destilería Serrallés in 2004 after completing a PhD in Environmental Studies from the University of Oregon. His first project for the Distillery was to design and implement a state-of-the-art wastewater to energy treatment facility that has helped turn Destilería Serrallés into one of the greener distilleries in the Caribbean. Roberto was honored with the Master Distiller and Rum Pioneer awards at the 2013 Golden Barrel rum awards ceremony in London for his contribution to the Rum industry and he was named Rum Expert of the year at the 2014 Madrid Rum Congress.
He holds a BA from Brown University. He is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Fundación Luis A Ferre which manages the Museo de Arte de Ponce and is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Puerto Rico Conservation Land Trust.
12:30pmLunch is included in the ticket price and will be served on-site
1:30pmMolasses and wastewater management: what comes in, must come out!

In this session we will continue to explore how the quality of molasses affects rum production, focusing
more deeply into how molasses quality affects wastewater management at a rum distillery. Using actual
production data, we will explore the impact of molasses quality on performance of anaerobic and
aerobic digestion post distillation. More broadly, we will discuss wastewater management and the
potential for associated closed-loop processes that can help the spirits industry become more
sustainable.
Roberto J. Serralles, PhD, Destilería SerrallésRoberto Serrallés is a sixth-generation rum maker based in
Ponce, Puerto Rico, where his family business, Destilería Serrallés has been operating since 1865. As one of America’s oldest family-owned businesses, Destilería Serrallés has been
producing exceptional rums for over 155 years. Its flagship brand Don Q is the leading premium rum brand on the island.
Roberto began working at Destilería Serrallés in 2004 after completing a PhD in Environmental Studies from the University of Oregon. His first project for the Distillery was to design and implement a state-of-the-art wastewater to energy treatment facility that has helped turn Destilería Serrallés into one of the greener distilleries in the Caribbean. Roberto was honored with the Master Distiller and Rum Pioneer awards at the 2013 Golden Barrel rum awards ceremony in London for his contribution to the Rum industry and he was named Rum Expert of the year at the 2014 Madrid Rum Congress.
He holds a BA from Brown University. He is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Fundación Luis A Ferre which manages the Museo de Arte de Ponce and is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Puerto Rico Conservation Land Trust.
2:30pmMyths, Misconceptions, and Misinformation: Overcoming Rum’s Categorical Confusion: American Rum’s revival has come during a time when the global rum category is fraught with misconceptions. In this presentation, Will Hoekenga will separate fact from fiction so you can not only educate consumers accurately, but make an authentic product that brings clarity to the category instead of more confusion.Will HoekengaWill Hoekenga is the founder of American Rum Report, a website and newsletter that tracks U.S.-produced rums to reveal emerging trends, provide transparency, and offer a full picture of the American rum revival. He is also co-founder of The Rumcast podcast.
3:30-4pmCoffee & Networking
4pmBarrel Aging Chemistry with comparative tastingLula Distiller Judy Allen & Co-Owner Bear Caffrey, MDJudy Allen is originally from Greenville, Michigan, Judy Allen became interested in mechanics and machinery while working in her family-owned hardware store. She moved to New Orleans in 2001 and began working as a bartender at locally owned restaurants and bars. She eventually landed at Lula Restaurant Distillery in 2017.

Bear Caffery’s interest in Lula Restaurant-Distillery is born on his passion for distilling and brewing. Prior to the Lula concept, Bear’s brewing and distilling interests have been personal interests; however, he has obtained an extensive knowledge and hands on experience in both arenas. He has brewed multiple all grain beers and is well versed in the processes necessary to take Lula Spirits from raw ingredients to the bottle.

Bear studied biology and chemistry at Louisiana Tech University in Ruston and attended medical school at LSU Health Sciences Center.
4:15-5pmPanel Discussion: What does the future hold?Panelists will include all program presenters