12/29 STEVE GLOSSNER, PASO PORT, PER CASO WINE AND PENDRAYS SPIRITS, DAVID TEIG, POMONA FAIRPLEX

STEVE GLOSSNER - OWNER, WINEMAKER & DISTILLER - PASO PORT, PER CASO WINE AND PENDRAYS SPIRITS

PasoPort
Created by winemaker, Steve Glossner and his business partner & wife Lola. Steve has a long history of winemaking in Paso Robles.  He started his career at Justin in 1994 and then worked for Adelaida Cellars & Halter Ranch before turning to consulting and starting PasoPort. PasoPort is a ten year old family winery with production of about 1500 cases focusing on port-style wines. Our bottles are branded with original artwork in the style of the 1940’s and 50’s.  In 2013 the winery purchased an alembic pot still for the purpose of producing our own brandy to fortify the port-style wines.

Per Caso
In 2014 PasoPort acquired Per Caso Cellars. Steve has been Per Caso's winemaker since day one and began making wines for Per Caso back in 07. Per Caso's wine portfolio consists of several single varietal & blended red & white wines.

Pendray’s Distillery
The newest addition to the PasoPort family of brands,‘Pendray’s Distillery’, named after Lola’s maiden name and originating from Cornwall England, ‘Pendray’ which is Cornish, is a race of people with a rich Celtic heritage and an indomitable fighting spirit who inhabited the Southwest of England. Having a distillery was always part of the business plan for PasoPort, in fact, we had a distillery in mind when we made the first port for PasoPort, it just took a little time to accomplish.  In 2013, we purchased a 500 liter German pot still from Holstein.  Now, in our fourth year of distilling, we are in full production of spirits for sipping, mixing and fortifying our port wines.   Our portfolio currently consists of Port Barrel Aged Brandy's and Grappa's along with a few seasonal fruit based Liqueurs.  To see our current selection of spirits click on the below button "Check out our Spirits".


DAVID TEIG - MANAGING DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND HOSPITALITY, FAIRPLEX

DINING AT THE FAIRPLEX:

The Farm at Fairplex
The Farm at Fairplex is a five-acre organic working farm located on the campus of Fairplex, home of the LA County Fair and more than 300 year-round events. With more than 150 California specialty crops, The Farm serves as a community educational component of The Learning Centers at Fairplex and as an abundant garden whose seasonal bounty is used in the delicious cuisine of McKinley's Grille and the Sheraton Fairplex Hotel & Conference Center's catering menu. The Farm at Fairplex also features al fresco dining at its finest. Farm events feature custom menus inspired by in-season herbs, fruits and vegetables harvested from our organically grown five acres of plantings.

McKinley's Bar
Catch up with friends, family or co-workers over drinks at McKinley's Bar.  Enjoy a variety of featured drinks and light appetizers with good company and a casual environment.

McKinley's Grille
A perfect blend of Southern California style and food can be found at this popular Pomona restaurant.  Enjoy a menu with something for every appetite.  From dinner with friends or family to a business lunch, McKinley's offers a great atmosphere with a casually sophisticated menu.

12/22 SPRETI VALENTE, CS - WINE BUYER, CONSULTANT & EDUCATOR

SPRETI VALENTE, CS - WINE BUYER, CONSULTANT & EDUCATOR 

Spreti Valente, Certified Sommelier is the senior wine buyer for Anne’s Boutique Wines in Costa Mesa, California since 2008.    Spreti specializes in finding the best small-production wines the world has to offer.  These wines can be found in the retail floor and wine bar at Anne’s Boutique Wines.  In addition, she procures the wines that are featured in the three wine clubs she manages. 

Anne’s Boutique Wines was voted 2017’s Best Wine Shop in Orange County.  Voted by the general public.

ANNE’S BOUTIQUE WINES
Anne’s Boutique Wines is a wine shop located in the heart of coastal Orange County.  With an incredible selection of small production wines, hard-to-find wines in a super-friendly atmosphere. Wine tastings are conducted three times a week and boasts a by-the-glass wine list that rivals many restaurants.  Our shop maintains a database on each client’s palate to further enhance their wine enjoyment experience.   Our wine club is “avant-garde” in style, to educate and introduce our members to new wines and varietals from all around the world.  Many famous winemakers host events in our tasting room each month.  We are on our 6th year in business.

Anne’s Boutique Wines is a known as “Orange County’s Best Kept Secret” in the top five “BEST WINE SHOP” by Orange County’s City Voter. (2nd to HiTimes)

12/15 PAUL COKER, STONEHILL TAVERN, THE FORBES FOUR-STAR MICHAEL MINA RESTAURANT AT THE ST. REGIS MONARCH BEACH RESORT

PAUL COKER  LEAD SOMMELIER AT STONEHILL TAVERN, THE FORBES FOUR-STAR MICHAEL MINA RESTAURANT AT THE ST. REGIS MONARCH BEACH RESORT

Paul Coker is the lead sommelier at Stonehill Tavern, the Forbes Four-Star Michael Mina restaurant at the St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort. Coker has an Advanced Sommelier certificate, and oversees a wine selection of more than 700 bottles with a focus on boutique producers in the California wine regions.

Prior to becoming a sommelier, Coker spent seven years as a cook and leverages his culinary background to create wine pairings on a molecular level. His fresh, fun approach to wine is easily accessible to aficionados and novices alike. Coker is ingrained in the Orange County community having worked at several local restaurants. In his free time, Coker enjoys playing hockey, mountain biking and reading.

“Sometimes people make too big a deal of it. We want wine to be fun,” said Paul. “My goal is for people to try something new, shift their paradigm a little, but ultimately have a great night enjoying delicious food and wine.”

STONEHILL TAVERN AT ST. REGIS, MONARCH BEACH
Open for dinner only, Stonehill Tavern at The St. Regis Monarch Beach is Michael Mina's acclaimed restaurant, offering tavern fare in a casual yet sophisticated setting. Guests of the Forbes Four-Star Stonehill Tavern enjoy a one-of-a-kind dining experience, including modern American cuisine that features seasonal ingredients and contemporary twists on classic tavern dishes. Under the direction of Wine Director Rajat Parr, Stonehill Tavern presents a wine selection of 400 to 500 bottles with a focus on boutique producers in the California wine regions. Stonehill Tavern was designed by celebrated international designer Tony Chi, whose striking décor and artful melding of interior dining and terrace seating provides an inviting visual expression of the outdoor way of life that represents California.

WWW.STREGISMB.COM

12/01 DAVE PRAMUK, ROBERT BIALE VINEYARDS, FRED SCHERRER, SCHERRER WINERY

DAVE PRAMUK - CO-FOUNDER, SALES, MARKETING, COMMUNICATIONS OF ROBERT BIALE VINEYARDS

A lifelong friend and schoolmate of Bob Biale, Dave is from a family of eight children and was raised in Napa, attending local schools.  At Napa Valley College he played for the Golden West Conference championship tennis team. At CSU Chico, he graduated with a degree in Developmental Psychology, and also studied Journalism and European Studies. An in-depth wine appreciation class and subsequent travels across Europe changed his life. Since 1982, he has worked for several Napa Valley wineries in winery-direct sales, hospitality, public relations, and production: Sterling, Carneros Creek, Clos du Val, Clos Pegase, Kendall Jackson, Cardinale and Lokoya. He has also worked as a wine broker in Napa and Sonoma. Dave has a love for the history of Zinfandel and Petite Sirah and their unique place in American wine. The Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley is Napa’s newest subappellation and Dave contributes as a board member and marketing advisor to advance education and promotion of the district. As Co-Proprietor of Robert Biale Vineyards he directs the winery’s Sales, Marketing, and Public Relations – writing and traveling and “spreading the gospel” of Zinfandel and Petite Sirah.

FRED SCHERRER - OWNER/WINEMAKER, SCHERRER WINERY

Since our small winery’s first vintage in 1991, our goal has been to create handcrafted, full-flavored wines that express the personality of the unique Sonoma County vineyards where they are grown. Fred first became known for Zinfandel from his father’s Alexander Valley vineyard, and now his careful hand with Pinot Noir from the Russian River and Sonoma County has quietly gained attention and a steady following. That same attention has made Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Grenache that exemplify the bounty of Sonoma County vineyards.