VINO LAS VEGAS makes a stop in the Edna Valley with a visit to Claiborne&Churchill

We have traveled through the beautiful Edna valley in the past. Located outside of San Louis Opispo , it is worth a visit.

Claiborne&Churchill is a must stop. This is a a small, family owned and operated winery, founded in 1983. They make excellent Alsace style wines and specialize in premium dry wines made from Riesling, Gewürztraminer, and Pinot Gris grapes, as well as handcrafted Pinot Noir from several nearby vineyards.

They also produce small lots of other wines, including a Dry Muscat, Chardonnay, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sparkling Brut Rose, and a Port-style wine.





Owners Claiborne (Clay) Thompson and Fredericka Churchill. have an incredible story of their journey to own a winery. They are both former teachers at the University of Michigan and left for the vineyards of California in 1981 in order to start a new life in the wine industry. Clay began as a "cellar rat" in a local winery, learning the business from the ground up and soon they started their own wine production in that host facility.











In 1995 Clay and Fredericka took their dream one step further and completed construction on their new and permanent winery building. The structure is an example of environmental architecture, a "straw bale building," the first of its kind in California. With sixteen-inch thick walls made of bales of rice straw, the winery is so well insulated that it maintains a constant cellar temperature, without the need for mechanical cooling or heating.











The winemaker at Claiborne&Churchill is Coby Parker-Garcia. We
have met Coby in the past and have always been impressed with him. Coby is one of the young winemakers that have made a name
for themselves in this industry dominated in the past by Legends. We used to describe Coby as a young and up-coming winemaker. That description in our opinion no longer applies. Coby is young but he has arrived has a home at Claiborne&Churchill.


He had great knowledge of old world style winemaking and it shows in his wines. Like a true artist, he is not afraid to experiment with different varietals and blends. Coby has great future ahead of him and we will be hearing much more about him in the future




Join Scott from VINO LAS VEGAS as he speaks with Coby about how he got started in the industry and his current projects in the tasting room at Claiborne&Churchill. For more information about these great wines, please go to Claibornechurchill.com.

VINO LAS VEGAS heads west to Shell Beach California at the Cliffs Resort for the 9th Annual World of Pinot Noir

We take you, our readers to many events
throughout the year. With out a doubt the single
event we look forward to the most is the World of Pinot Noir.

The idea for the World of Pinot Noir began when a few local winemakers would gather to share and talk about their Pinot Noirs. This event has grown into one of the largest gatherings of Pinot Noir winemakers and vineyard owners in the world. And they meet in Shell Beach California at the beautiful Cliffs Resort over looking the Pacific Ocean.



VINO LAS VEGAS has been at the World of Pinot Noir the last three years and each year we are more impressed with the quality of the Pinot Noirs being produced and the Ninth Annual event was
no exception. There were more seminars , dinners , and other events this year than there have ever been before. If there is a heaven for Pinot lovers this must be it !




The Regional seminars included New Zealand , Santa Cruz and even Austria. Of course you can't leave out the Burgundy region of France when talking about Pinot Noirs. This year WOPN featured Domaine Henri Gouges from Nuits St George and Pierre Gouges hosted the Burgundian Seminar which was a big hit.

Las Vegas Master Sommelier William Sherer took his annual position as moderator for the very popular Iron Sommelier Challenge a very interactive event with food pairing.





This year there were two Gala Dinners that featured World Class Chef Craig von Foester from Sierra Mar Restaurant at Post Ranch Inn , Big Sur , California and Chef Evan Treadwell of The Lido at the Dolphin Bay Resort and Spa , Shell Beach.


We had the pleasure of attending Chef von Foester's dinner at the Cliffs Resort and sampled his culinary skills as he prepared a four course Pinot Noir Dinner.

First Course :

Green Garlic Soup with Roasted Big Sur Chanterelle Mushrooms and Hose made Bacon

Second Course :

Grilled Squab Breast with Pistachio Pesto, Huckleberries and Smoked Squab-Endive Salad

Third Course :

Roast Colorado Lamb Loin and Pancetta Wrapped Tenderloin with Jerusalem Artichoke Purss and Red Wine Jus

Dessert:

Epoisse Profiterlos











There are many highlights to the World of Pinot Noir. But the two tasting events over looking the Pacific ocean are hard to beat. The Focus tasting is a walk around tasting that features 102 wineries , importers and even a silent auction of magnums. As the many guests strolled and tasted these great wines they were treated with light hors d oeuvres and great Cheese from the famous The Cheese Shop, Carmel and Santa Barbara. The Tasting by the Sea was a bigger event and featured 124 different wineries and of course that great Cheese and hors d oeuvres.


Where else can you have the chance to sample well known Pinot Noirs and speak to the winemakers like Seasmoke, Curran, Cargasacchi, Fiddlehead, Ampelos, Tudor, Ken Brown and Kenneth Volk just to name a few.






The World of Pinot Noir brings together legendary winemakers many of which were some of the first to plant Pinot Noir in the area and relative new comers to show a broad spectrum and
true art of making fine Pinot Noir.













When you bring together over 200 Pinot Noir winemakers, world class Chefs, and Sommeliers at a great venue such as the Cliffs you can't but not be in awe of this event. Next year will be the World of Pinot Noir's 10th Annual and we can only imagine what they have in store for us. We will be there and hope to see many of you there as well. For for information about the World of Pinot Noir please go to www.WOPN.com


Join Elaine and Scott of VINO LAS VEGAS as we take you to the 9th Annual World of Pinot Noir

Cheers !

VINO LAS VEGAS joins The Capital Grille in Las Vegas to celebrate Castello Banfi Debut a wine 30 years in the making

The Capital Grille has a very fine national reputation . When we were invited to take place in a little bit of culinary history we could not turn it down. This renowned restaurant paired with Tuscan winemaker Castello Banfi for the United States debut of its BelnerO Sangiovese di Montalcino 2005 which is a highly allocated vintage.



BelnerO means "dark beauty in Italian. The 2009 introduction of the BelnerO celebrates the Mariani family's 30th year at Castello Banfi and
the 90th year as the United States leading importer of fine wine having begun in 1919.










In 1978 John and Harry Mariani, owners of the U.S. wine importer Banfi Vintners, established the award winning vineyard estate and winery Castello Banfi in the Brunello region of Tuscany. A constellation of single vineyards located on ideal sites cover about one third of the 7,100 acre (2,830 hectares) estate. The remaining land consists of bucolic meadows, olive and plum groves, and woodland. Central to the property is a medieval castle that functions as a hospitality center, hosting visitors at a full service restaurant, enoteca and museum dedicated to the history of glass and its relation to wine.

To celebrate this great occasion The Capital Grille offers a 5 course Italian dinner for $49.00 per person from February 23 to April 5 2009. The wine is not included but we had the BelnerO and highly suggest it as the menu was designed to pair with each course. At $69.00 per bottle it its well worth it !

Insalata di Caprino

Field greens, shaved fennel, goat cheese, 12 year balsamic, Tuscan Olive Oil

Sorbetto de Limone al Basilico

Lemon Basil Sorbet

Choice of:

Filetto con Pomodori e Peperoni Arrostiti e Caramelized il Cipollini

Herb Marinated Tenderloin with Garlic, Roasted Tomatoes, Red Peppers and Cipollini Onions

Or

Pesce Spada in Cartoccio

Swordfish Oven Roasted inside Parchment Paper with White Wine, Roasted Tomatoes, Oil-cured Olives, Capers

Maccheroni e Formaggio del Tartufo

Campanelle pasta baked in Mascarpone cream with shaved black truffle

Produzione Propria Gelato con la Salsa di Cioccolato e il Biscotti

House made gelato, chocolate sauces and biscotti

We had the opportunity to speak with Executive Chef David Sacco and Managing Partner/Wine Director Stephen Palermo about the food and pairing of the BelnerO with the dinner.






The Zuppa DI Funghi Porcini provided a nice beginning
to the meal with flavors that just explode with the chive oil being a real stand out.






Sorbetto DI Limone Al Basilico provided us with a nice intermezzo and was a favorite of ours with the basil adding a nice touch.

We each had a different Entree and both were very good. The Pesce Spada in Cartoccio was a real stand out and was so tender it melted in my mouth with the parchment paper keeping the roasted tomatoes , olives and capers full of flavor to the end.

And of course the Maccheroni Al Forno in Creama DI Mascarpone con Tartufo was one we will not forget. The shaved black truffle added to the layers of flavors of this dish.

To finish , the housemade Biscotti in the Gelato Fatto in Casa con Salsa Cioccolato was a nice end to a great meal.

The BelnerO Sangiovese di Montalcino paired nicely with every course . Chef Sacco and Wine Director Stephen Palermo did a great job putting these pairings together. The pairing that really stood our for us was the Swordfish Roasted inside Parchment paper. That dish will be rememberd for a while.

The Capital Grille has a wine list with over 350 international selections and also offers a Captains List that features rare and vintage wines from all over the world. They even offer a wine locker membership for those who value their "special bottles ". The reputation of the Capital Grille is well deserved and we raise our glass of BelnerO to Chef David Sacco , Managing Partner/Wine Director Stephen Palermo and our Sommelier /Server Corey Bohanan and say Cheers for a job well done !



Join Scott from VINO LAS VEGAS as he sits down 3 stories above the Las Vegas strip and speaks to Executive Chef David Sacco and Managing Partner/Wine Director Stephen Palermo about the dinner, the wine and what the Capital Grille has to offer.

VINO LAS VEGAS meets Actress/Model Kelly Carlson at Style Magzine's reception in the Chairmans suite at the Palazzo Resort and Casino

Kelly Carlson of FX's Nip/Tuck is the cover model for the
Winter Issue of Style Magazine and hosted an intimate reception in the fabulous Chairman's suite in the Palazzo.

Kelly is beautiful multi-talented Actress and Model who
has done ad campaigns with Miller Lite and Rembrant. In
addition to her modeling work she as appeared in CSI: Miami,
3000 miles to Graceland and is currently a regular in FX's
Nip/Tuck in the role of Kimber.

The Winter Issue of Style Magazine features both the beauty
of Kelly Carlson and the majesty of the Palazzo in some wonderful shots all over the property.






Style Magazine personifies the elegance and sophistication for which The Palazzo and The Venetian are renowned. Printed quarterly, each issue is read by over 1.5 million readers and is placed not only in all 7,100 suites, but also in the resorts fleet of private jets, 180 limousines, VIP and Concierge lounges, private pool cabanas, Canyon Ranch SpaClub®, the ultra exclusive Paiza Clubs, and high-end retail stores.


The invited VIP guests mixed and mingled with actress Kelly Carlson, celebrating Style Magazine’s Winter Issue. Exquisite canapés and cocktails from Restaurant Charlie at The Palazzo were served as guests enjoyed the luxury and beauty of the 8,000-square-foot Chairman Suite.




Available in both three and four bedrooms, the Chairman Suite includes a massage parlor, media room, workout room, sauna/steam room, salon room, dining room, and living room. Off of the main living room through a set of French doors, the Chairman Suite offers a terrace with a private pool, spa, outdoor shower and grassy area with lounge chairs for its guests. The private terrace overlooks The Pools at The Palazzo and is surrounded by lush horticulture that creates a private sanctuary for $20,000 per night when its available !











As we explored the Chairmans Suite and sipped Champagne outside by the suites private spa we noticed another VIP who we have met before.







Award wining Chef Wolfgang Puck stopped by and brought his
lastest book " Wolfgang Puck Makes it Easy a Step by Step Recipe
Collection for the Home Cook "for the guests to enjoy.










At the Palazzo you never know who will run in to while dining or
attending some of the great shows that this property has to offer.



























Join Elaine from VINO LAS VEGAS as she explores this 8,000 square foot luxurious suite and
speaks with Actress Kelly Carlson.

The 13th Annual Keep Memory Alive's Power of Love Charity Gala features Siegfried & Roys final Performance

We have spoken about stars in the past and those are normally Michelin Stars awarded to the world's best restaurants but in this case we are talking about stars and legends of entertainment.



The 13th Annual Keep Memory Alive Foundation charity gala to benefit the Cleveland Clinic's Lou Ruvo Center for Brain health was held at the Bellagio Resort and Casino. The Gala featured the legendary Siegfried and Roy as they returned to the stage for the last time to benefit the Foundation.


Stars such as Actress Teri Hatcher , Hilary Duff ,
and actor Steve Schirripa as well hair products Mogul John Paul Mitchell were all walking the red carpet for the event. Culinary Stars Wolfgang Puck , Jean-Philippe Maury , Todd English and Martin Heierling all represented the culinary world at it's best.







Even Vegas new comers the Ladies of PEEPSHOW were present to support Keep
Memory Alive and to watch Siegfried & Roy take their final bow.













In addition to featuring a world class dinner and seeing the final performance of Siegfried & Roy guests also participated in a live auction featuring items such a Lake Tahoe getaway with Robin
Williams , Andre Agassi , Stefanie Graf and Emeril Lagasse in addition to a 5 day trip to Monaco and an opportunity to test drive some of the worlds finest cars as well as many more fine items.

The Cleveland Clinic 's Lou Ruvo Brain Center was enlisted by Larry Ruvo, whose father suffered from Alzheimer's and died in 1994. Ruvo said it took 18 months and a California doctor to diagnose the disease after his father was misdiagnosed in Las Vegas. Since then, Ruvo has raised about $60 million for the facility, which will open July 1 in a striking building designed by famed architect Frank Gehry.

This event brought out the best of Print, Film, TV and the Culinary world to support this great cause and has been doing so for 13 years.

We have had the opportunity and honor to see Siegfried And Roy on a few occasions and they will be missed. To honor them we here at VINO LAS VEGAS say, Good Luck and God Speed and of course , SARMOTI !

Simply, SARMOTI is an acronym for "Siegfried And Roy, Masters Of The Impossible."

Join Elaine of VINO LAS VEGAS on the Red Carpet as she speaks to Hilary Duff, Teri Hatcher , John Paul Mitchell , Wolfgang Puck and the Founder of Keep Memory Alive Larry Ruvo.
For more information about Keep Memory Alive please go to www. KeepMemoryAlive.org

A Late Note :

ABC's 20/20 ,Anchored by Elizabeth Vargas will air at 9 p.m. ET on Friday, March 6, a special edition of "20/20" that will feature the Las Vegas Legends in a one hour special highlighting them through the years and their farewell performance at the Keep Memory Alive Power of Love Gala.

The World of Pinot Noir 2009 Kicks off

We have attended the World
of Pinot Noir for years. If you are
are a "Pinot Phile" this is the place
to be.




This annual event takes place the first full weekend in March and includes two days of in-depth Tasting Seminars, Grand Tastings (each with a unique roster of wineries), a Featured Tasting with a guest Burgundian producer and two Gala Pinot Noir Dinners featuring prominent guest chefs. These extraordinary food and wine extravaganzas will be hosted by participating wineries and feature an outstanding panel of sommeliers from across the U.S.

Friday Focus Tasting Tents on the Bluffs ~ The Cliffs Resort 3:00pm - 6:00pm
Cost: $95.00

Join more than 95 Pinot Noir producers from across the globe showing both current releases and library selections in three tasting tents located on the bluffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
Savor gourmet appetizers prepared by Chef Gregg Wangard, Chef José Garcia and The Culinary Team of The Cliffs Resort. Sample exceptional cheeses from The Cheese Shop Carmel/The Cheese Shop Santa Barbara.
The ticket price includes all of the above and a Riedel Crystal Pinot Noir glass. A Silent Auction of Exceptional magnums, 3 Liters and 750's will take place in the Big Tent from 3:00pm - 5:30pm


Saturday Tasting by the Sea & The Grand Ballroom ~ The Cliffs Resort 2:00pm - 5:00pm
Cost: $95.00

Join more than 100 Pinot Noir producers from across the globe showing both current releases and library selections in three tasting tents located on the bluffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean and in The Grand Ballroom of The Cliffs Resort.
Savor gourmet appetizers prepared by Chef Gregg Wangard, Chef José Garcia and The Culinary Team of The Cliffs Resort. Sample exceptional cheeses from The Cheese Shop Carmel/The Cheese Shop Santa Barbara.
The ticket price includes all of the above and a Riedel Crystal Pinot Noir glass. A Silent Auction of Exceptional magnums, 3 Liters and 750's will take place in The Grand Ballroom from 2:00pm - 4:30pm

In addition to the Focus tasting and the grand tasting you can participate in a number of seminars, dinners and visits to wineries. This is the best event by far that we have attended with some of the World's best Pinot Noirs overlooking the Cliffs and the Pacific Ocean. Vino Las Vegas will be there once again and will bring you interesting interviews and some big surprises .

This event sells out quickly, For more information go to www.WorldofPinotNoir.com. Look for us there !

Chateau De Pez 1966 Bordeaux

It is not often we get to enjoy a wine that is over 40 years old.
As many of us already know, sharing wine and food with great friends has been going on for literally hundreds of years. Recently we had the opportunity to do just that.







We were invited to a dinner party with some of our close friends . Much to our surprise they said it was time to open a very "special" bottle. The hostess produced a Chateau de Pez 1966 Bordeaux before our eyes. Opening the bottle was like anticipateing the delivery of a child. Natalie slowing began to open the bottle. We were a little disappointed when we saw mold on the top of the cork. She continued and pulled the rest of the cork out of the bottle and we were still worried that this wine may have seen its better days.

Natalie poured some of wine into her glass and put it to her nose and then tasted it. She said nothing for about 20 seconds and then a smile came over her face. The wine was Great !

In the glass it showed a light garnet color with the tell tale brownish age ring this wine has deserved after over 40 years in the bottle. The palate produced hints of spices and the forest floor that finished elegantly with smooth tannins.

Chateau de Pez is one of the oldest houses in Saint-Estèphe dating back to the 15th century. In 1452, squire Jean de Briscos ruled the estate followed by the “noble man” Ducos in 1526. Later in 1585 Jean de Pontac took over the estate.

The Pontac family, who also created Haut-Brion, gave Chateau de Pez its vineyards. The property remained in the hands of descendants, the Marquis d’Aulède and Count de Fumel, Commander of the Provence of Guyenne until the French Revolution when the estate was sold as a property of the state.

The Domaine then fell into the successive ownership of several families; Tarteiron, Balguerie, Lawton, du Vivier, Bernard, and Dousson. However, with the constant change of management the estate was not properly managed and was in need of repair.

In 1995, the property was purchased by Jean-Claude Rouzaud who immediately recognized the potential of this great estate. He employed Winemaker Philippe Moureau in 1996 who spent his childhood and career working in Bordeaux. Mr. Rouzaud spent many years restoring the property and its vineyards to its original splendour.The Chateau has once again reached its glory and has recently been reclassified as a Crus Bourgeois Exceptionnel which commenced with the 2003 vintage.

This is a wine that we will never forget as we think about what was going on and the people involved in October of 1966 when this wonderful wine was harvested and the lives it has touched on its journey to our table. It was truly an honor to have shared and enjoyed this wine

Celebrity Chefs reach New Heights in Las Vegas

Celebrity Chefs take Dining to New Heights in Las Vegas as they are raised 180 feet above the Las Vegas Strip.





We have said for years that Las Vegas has taken its place as one of the worlds top Food and
Wine destinations and the recent Michelin awards barred that out.

Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman and Bon Appetit Executive Chef Cat Cora along with some of
the biggest culinary stars in the world celebrated Las Vegas's accomplishment with a Champagne toast 180 feet above the Las Vegas Strip seated at a "table in the sky"

The day was cold by Las Vegas standards but that did not deter big name award winning Chefs like Kerry Simon, Francios Payard, Hubert Keller, Alex Stratta, Michael Mina, Rick Moonen and many others as they sipped Champagne and toasted what Las Vegas has become.

Scott from VINO LAS VEGAS spoke with Chef Michael Mina , Chef Kerry Simon, Chef Francois Payard, Chef Rick Moonen, Chef Mike Minor and Chef Theo Schoenegger of the new Sinatra at the Encore and Chef Marc Poidevin of Switch also at the Encore. They all spoke about what Las Vegas has become and where it is going in the culinary world as well as their own restaurants.




If this meeting of the Chefs is any indication, this years Bon Appetit's Vegas Uncorked will surpass last years event which was an incredible experience. Where else in the world can you sample the artistry and meet the worlds best except right here in Las Vegas. For more information about Vegas Uncorked please go to www.vegasuncorked.com/