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Monterey Wine Country’s Best of the Blue

VIP Pre-Tasting – 11:30am to 12:45pm

Hosted by: Steve Heimoff
West Coast Editor and Wine Enthusiast

Relax in the fireside lobby of the Del Monte Aviation Center prior to The Best of the Blue.  Board the event early with a first class arrival, and meet Steve Heimoff, West Coast Editor for Wine Enthusiast.  Steve and select winemakers from Monterey will sample wines from Monterey County that he has given the highest ratings to in the Wine Enthusiast over the past year.  Rob Jensen (Testarossa), Eric Laumann (Cambiatta), Bill Anderson (Chateau Julien), and Dan Lee (Morgan Winery) will all be at the VIP celebration to discuss their wines that Steve has given the highest accolades to.  Featured wines will include:

2009 Testarossa Doctor’s Vineyard Pinot Noir
2008 Novy Syrah
2009 La Crema Chardonnay
2007 Cambiatta Tannat
2007 Chateau Julien Private Reserve Merlot
2010 Morgan Metallico Unoaked Chardonnay

(This special pre-tasting also includes: VIP Parking, Complimentary Riedel Glass, Early and Private Entrance to the Event, Local Food Samples and General Admission to the Best of the Blue tasting.)

This exciting post-harvest event features over 50 wineries showcasing their best wines from the Blue Grand Canyon™.  The region will be featuring the abundance of Monterey County with:

Best of the Blue – 1pm to 4pm

A “Try & Buy” Wine Marketplace where guests can purchase wines that are featured at the event.  An eco-friendly wine bag is provided with any first purchase of wine. Gourmet food trucks that will tempt your palate with everything from specialty salads and sandwiches to tasty Cuban dishes and cupcakes. Take a break in the comfortable Wine Enthusiast Lounge, where you can ask Steve Heimoff, West Coast Editor of Wine Enthusiast, your most compelling wine questions.  Wineries and vineyards who have been certified sustainable through the Central Coast Vineyard Team (CCVT) will also have representatives on hand pouring wines in this intimate setting. Captivating artwork and videos that demonstrate the majestic beauty of the Blue Grand Canyon™, the National Marine Sanctuary, and the Monterey Bay Aquarium.  Guests will leave with a great appreciation for how Monterey’s maritime influence impacts the viticulture industry, with an amazing 42 varietals being grown in Monterey Wine Country. Enjoy live music with the Cachagua Playboys The Williams & Sonoma Culinary Showcase will be open for you to view cooking demos throughout the day and sample holiday recipes that you can use at your own Thanksgiving table.

All of this at the incredible and exclusive venue of the Del Monte Aviation Center, a private jet hangar conveniently located near the Monterey airport.

Why BLUE?

“Best of the Blue™” takes its name from the “Blue Grand Canyon™” – an underwater gorge beneath the surface of the Monterey Bay of the same size and scope as the Grand Canyon.  The maritime influence caused by this geological feature has a remarkable effect on this viticulture region, producing fog patterns and variable temperatures that span throughout the 90-mile-long grape-growing area.

Participating Wineries

The line-up of participating wineries is the “Who’s Who” of winemaking and grape growing in Monterey County.

Bernardus Winery * Boekenoogen Vineyards and Winery * Cambiata
Caraccioli Cellars * Carmel Road * Chalone * Chateau Julien Wine Estate
Coastview Vineyards * De Tierra Vineyards * DFV * Estancia * Figge Cellars
Galante * Hahn Winery * Heller Estate Organic Vineyards * Holman Ranch
J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines * Joyce Vineyards * Le Mistral * Manzoni Vineyards
Marin’s Vineyard * McIntyre Vineyards * Mercy Vineyards * Mesa Del Sol Vineyards  Michaud Vineyards * Morgan Winery * Otter Cove Wines * Paraiso Vineyards
Pelerin Wines * Pessagno Winery * Pianetta Winery * Pierce Ranch
Saint’s Valley * Scheid Vineyards * Sycamore Cellars * Talbott Vineyards
Testarossa * Tudor Wines * Ventana Vineyards * Wente Vineyards * Wrath Wines

Featured Food Trucks

Babaloo Cuban Cuisine
Featuring traditional and with-a-twist Cuban dishes

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A Piece of Cake Bakery
Goodies from scratch, using only the highest quality ingredients

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The Pizza Gypsy
Wood-fired oven that is used for authentic Italian pizza and other Italian dishes

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Treatbot
The famous Karaoke Ice Cream Truck, featuring sorbets and cookie sandwiches

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Me and the Hound Memphis BBQ
Authentic Memphis pulled pork – a family tradition brought to you

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Lugano’s Swiss Bistro
Chef Andre Lengacher’s culinary magic will transport you to a little bit of Switzerland!

Celebrating the Abundance of Monterey County

Church Brothers
Sweet Spring Mix, Chopped Romaine, Wrapped Iceberg Lettuce, Wasabi Arugul, Spinach and Tuscan Lettuce
D’Arrigo Bros. - Andy Boy
Cactus Pear Puree with Lemonade
Red Blossom
Delicious Monterey County Strawberries
Tanimura & Antle
Before you leave stop by the T&A food truck and receive your complimentary take home samples of Artisan Lettuce and Artisan Romaine

Additional Food Stations

Butterfly Brittle * Dr. Kracker * Monterey Chocolate Company * Paris Bakery
San Tasti * Joseph Gallo Farms * Vertigo Coffee * Marich Confectionery
Williams & Sonoma * Emi’s Biscotteria * Cabot Creamery
ECO-DELI * Maha’s Authentic Lebanese Cuisine

Additional Attractions

Professional Photographer Kip Evans will have a large selection of fine art prints on display for the Best of the Blue.

Chris’s Stuff * Kip Evans Photography * Blue Ocean Film Festival
The Monterey Bay Aquarium * Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
Specialized Helicopers * CACHAGUA PLAYBOYS * Wine Stave Designs
Day of Event Photographer – Randy Tunnell

Band

Cachagua Playboys

Information provided by Monterey County Vitners and Growers Association