The Rhone Rangers rode into town this past weekend, stole our hearts and took our taste buds captive with their wares! Who are these unmasked marvels you query? What were they doing at Pier59 Studios West on Saturday/Sunday and then at Saloon Pourtal in Santa Monica on Sunday eve? They were in town for the annual LA Tasting for Consumers, LA Trade & Media followed by the casual, relaxed and fun filled Happy Hour par-tay at Pourtal.
Cheryl Quist, the Executive Director of The Rhone Rangers, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting American Rhone varietal wines, told us that these wines are made from the same grapes that have flourished for centuries in France’s Rhone River Valley. Twelve of these grapes are planted in the United States, including the best-known Syrah and Viognier, the up and coming Mourvèdre, Grenache, Roussanne and Marsanne, and the truly obscure (but delicious) Counoise, Cinsaut, Grenache Blanc and Picpoul. Hurray and hurrah we love the Rhone Valley Syrah!
Some of the participating wineries who poured for us at the after party at Pourtal included: Adelaida, Alta Colina, Cornerstone Cellars, Curtis Winery, Jada Vineyard, J. Lohr, JK Wine Co-Katin & Arada, Kaleidos, Maison Bleue, Ortman Family Vineyards, Qupe, Tablas Creek, Venteux Vineyards, and Zaca Mesa.
For a very meager $10 tasting fee we got to sample away! This is the kind of a deal that makes frugal gals like us squeal! Drinking these wines that are clones from France made us want to kick up our heels and dance!
Owner Steven Abronson and Marketing Director Kasey Brazeal made us feel home, home, home on the range as they hosted the party for a second year in a row. It was great to see old familiar faces and meet new Rhone-ophiles. Come what may, we can’t wait to sample next year’s Viognier!
RhoneRangers
PO Box 276, Albion, CA 95410
800 467-0163
Email: info@rhonerangers.org
Web Site: The Rhone Rangers
Office hours are M-F, 9 AM– 5M
Pourtal Wine Tasting Bar
104 Santa Monica Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA90401
310 393-7693
E-mail: info@pourtal.com
Web Site: Pourtal Wine Tasting Bar
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