9th Annual West Institute Wine Reception and Dinner

On Thursday, July 16, 2015 Mike and Mav once again hosted the Institute team, its volunteers, a favorite faculty member with a wine connection of his own and a few special guests at The Hilltop Winery for another great evening of fun and fellowship after a great week at Loyola Marymount University.

Our friend Edgardo, a specialist when it comes to making pizzas, was making everyone smile with his creations and we added a new twist this year and brought Casa Nostra into the fold.

Brian Baker from Chateau Montelena Winery and Institute faculty member brought a selection of aged Chardonnay’s to The Hilltop Winery and gave us a special presentation/education on the finer points of Chardonnay and how to rate them based on growing seasons and profiles of other white wines from around the world.

The Hilltop Winery’s sommelier, Mike Wojo, matched those bottles of Chardonnay with white Burgundy's and one Sonoma Coast selection from his cellar.  Let the comparisons begin!

Conducted Tasting

• 2006 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay, Napa Valley
• 2006 Les Corbins Meursault

• 2010 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay, Napa Valley
• 2010 Julien ColloVray, Saint-Veran

• 2011 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay, Napa Valley
• 2011 Aubert Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast

In addition to the initial conducted tasting above, we had the opportunity to also try the following list of wines throughout the evening.

White

• 2011 Conte della Vipera (two bottles)
• 2013 Brander Sauvignon Gris, Santa Ynez Valley

Red

• 1989 Chateau Lynch Bages
• 1991 Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
• 1991 Kenwood Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma Valley
• 1991 Staglin Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
• 1993 Pommard Burgundy
• 2005 Alto Moncayo Garnacha
• 2008 Altos De La Hoya
• 2008 Frazier Memento Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
• 2008 Lewelling Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
• 2008 Ramey Claret, Napa Valley
• 2008 Saggi, Columbia Valley
• 2008 Staglin Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford, Napa Valley
• 2011 Cerasuolo di Vittoria (two bottles)

The California sun is getting ready to set, pictures need to be taken and the wine is flowing, what else does one need?

We live a charmed life and I appreciate the largess of Mike and Mav as they open their home and wine cellar for the Institute team to enjoy!

For pictures of the evening go HERE.

WPO Wine Reception

On Saturday, February 9, 2013, The Hilltop Winery hosted 19 wine enthusiasts from Canada and the United States.  They even let a few locals in, as well as, their brother-in-law from Washington they can't seem to get rid of - get over it!

The reception started with a selection of Chardonnay's, we then proceeded to the backyard for a quick picture or two of the sunset and then immediately ran to the cellar where the fun began on pulling some reds.

Let's not forget to mention our caterers who were fantastic, Monrose Catering Company based out of Malibu delivered on the promise of an exquisite evening of hors d' oeuvres.

The following 25 wines were consumed.

White

• 1995 Kistler Russian River Chardonnay
• 1996 Chassagne-Montrachet Burgundy
• 2004 Alsace Riesling
• 2005 DR Stephens Chardonnay
• 2007 Staglin Chardonnay (two bottles)
• 2009 Ramey Sonoma Coast Chardonnay (two bottles)
• 2010 San Simeon Chardonnay (two bottles)
• 2011 Cakebread Cellars Chardonnay

Red

• 1984 Shafer Napa Cabernet Sauvignon, Hillside Select
• 1985 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
• 1989 Caymus Special Select Cabernet Sauvignon
• 1991 Pahlmeyer Napa Valley Blend
• 1994 Dunn Vineyards Napa Cabernet Sauvignon
• 1994 Maya Cabernet Sauvignon
• 1996 Eisele Vineyards Syrah Araujo
• 1999 Eagle Rose Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
• 2000 Constant Cabernet Sauvignon
• 2000 Downing Family Zinfandel
• 2002 McWilliams Cabernet Sauvignon (Australia)
• 2002 Muga Rioja Unfiltered (Spain)
• 2004 Alto Moncayo Garnacha (Spain)
• 2007 Stagliano Sangiovese

For a slideshow of the evening event click HERE.