10th Annual West Institute Wine Reception and Dinner

On Thursday, July 14, 2016 the Institute team celebrated 10 years of tasting grape from The Hilltop Winery with a special trip to the Bel Air Bay Club.

This year was special since we were able to celebrate the 10 year anniversary of Karyn MacRae, IOM, CMP, CAE, Institute’s Director with a special 2006 Magnum of Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon, delivered by one of our favorite Institute faculty members, Brian Baker.

We didn’t taste the wine, we all signed the bottle as a present to Karyn and she will be able to open it at a later date, in Virginia, with Travis and friends.

The wine reception started with a special wine tasting in the Wojo Cabana, just a couple of feet from the Pacific Ocean.  After a quick swirl, we retreated to the dining room for a special dinner created by chef David Summers.

Charlie, our waiter, was a great host and treated us like family.  Thank you Charlie!

The following wines were consumed by all and we had an enjoyable time at the Bel Air Bay Club.

Whites

  • 2010 Chateau Montelena Riesling, Napa Valley
  • 2011 Liquid Farm Chardonnay Golden Slope, Sta. Rita Hills
  • 2012 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay, Napa Valley
  • 2013 Liquid Farm Chardonnay, Bien Bien, Santa Maria
  • 2014 Ceritas Chardonnay, Santa Cruz Mountains
  • 2014 Liquid Farm Chardonnay, La Hermana (two bottles)
  • 2015 Liquid Farm Rose, Vogelzang Vineyard

Reds

  • 2006 Chateau Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
  • 2006 Staglin Family Vineyard Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford, Napa Valley
  • 2006 Dunn Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Howell Mountain, Napa Valley
  • 2006 Kobalt Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

Mike and Mav, thanks again for hosting the Institute team and introducing us to a new venue allowing us to see a different view of the Pacific Ocean, in Southern California.

For pictures of the evening go HERE.