My association with the Ahwahnee Vintner's Holiday goes back to its very beginnings thirty years ago. Actually, Acacia was invited along with a couple other wineries who were represented by a rep named Lee Leardini to do a tasting with staff and guests of the Ahwahnee a year or so before the Vintner's Holidays began. Out of that tasting the idea for the Vintner's Holiday developed. I have been to many of them over the years. I've lost track of the exact number. Besides delicious food and a beautiful setting there have been some magic moments up there. I remember once walking outside after one of the dinners. It had been snowing all day and the skies cleared revealing a moonlit and snow blanketed Yosemite Valley. It was beyond spectacular. In the early days there were also some wild parties with the staff afterwards. For the winemaker the chance to give a long form seminar with the guests is one of the highlights. I particularly enjoyed one with Gerald Asher (legendary wine writer) who I had long been a fan of. This year I am planning on giving a modified version of the seminar I gave to the Southern Pinot Noir Workshop in New Zealand this past January which looks at the changes in structure and style of Pinot Noir globally over the last three decades.
Come out and join us for the last session on December 7th and 8th and I would love to share more epic stories. Here are the details:
Each session includes:
- Exclusive "Meet the Vintners" wine tasting reception
- Four lively and fascinating seminars in The Ahwahnee's Great lounge
- Gala dinner in The Ahwahnee's grand Dining Room featuring an elegant five-course gourmet meal specially developed and prepared to complement the wines o f the distinguished vintners of the session.
Tolosa is part of Session VIII: December 7 - 8, 2011:
Moderated by Dan Berger, Wine Journalist & Judge
Wednesday, December
1:00 PM Tasting Seminar: Ceja Vineyards - Amelia Moran Ceja,
Proprietor & President
3:30 PM Tasting Seminar: Karjy Winery - Lawrence "Buck" Cobb,
Proprietor & Wine maker
6:00 PM Meet the Vintners Wine Tasting Reception
Thursday, December B'"
1:00 PM Tasting Seminar: Tolosa Winery - Larry Brooks, General
Manager & Winemaker
3:30 PM Tasting Seminar: Chateau Montelena Winery - Bo Barrett,
Portner & Moster Winemaker
6:30 PM Vintners' Holidays Gala Dinner in The Ahwahnee
Dining Room
Packages and Rates available on the Yosemite Park Website. Click here for booking and details.
-Larry Brooks
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