TM

WineChief presents...

Wine is a beverage to be enjoyed over a meal with people you love!

 

The 19th Annual Masters of Food and Wine! = 5Attababys!

Highlights from Opening Night!

Park Hyatt, Highlands Inn Carmel, California

The Masters of Food and Wine is a Magical Event!

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This is the best party in the country!

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A very special Thank You to Arvind Dutt- Cellar Master & Bernabe DeLuna, Wine Director
at the Highlands Inn!

Bravo to all of the Sommeliers at the 19th Annual Masters of Food & Wine!

Also, a very special Thank You to

Robert Weakley, Executive Assistant Manager
Food & Beverage Park Hyatt, Highlands Inn

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Moet and Chandon Champagne for everyone!

The Chef's

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Mark Ayers, Executive Chef,

Pacific's Edge Highland's Inn Park Hyatt Carmel, Ca

Amazing Scallops! Wow!

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Mark Miller, Executive Chef, Coyote Cafe Santa Fe, New Mexico

Outstanding Southwestern flavors from Mark's Enchilada's!

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Michael Ginor, Executive Chef Hudson Valley Foie Gras

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The Food!

Can you say incredible?

Seared Foie Gras! Check out that sauce! Astonishing!

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Josiah Citrin Executive Chef, Melisse Santa Monica, Ca.

Unbelievable Beef Shortribs! Oh, yeah!

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David Hawksworth Executive Chef, West Vancouver, BC Out of this world!

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Charlie Palmer Executive Chef, Dry Creek Kitchen, Healdsburg, Ca.

Delicious scallops wrapped in Pancetta!

Bradley Ogden Executive Chef, second from left and team! Bradley Ogden Las Vegas, NV Amazing!

 

The Desserts!

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Sam Mason, Pastry Chef, wd50 NY, NY. Wow!

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Cindy Duby Pastry Chef, Author Wild Sweets Excellent desserts tonight!

 

The wines!

The wines!

The wines!

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Javier Avina, vineyard manager, Luc Morlet, winemaker Peter Michael Winery!

Tomorrow they will be hosting a vertical of Peter Michael Chardonnay including

the famous Point Rouge! Incredible creamy multi-dimensional Chardonnay!

Jen's expression says it all!

One taste of a 2002 Peter Michael Chardonnay = 5Attababys! and you will understand!

Jen and Katey listening to Kevin's love of the Peter Michael Chardonnay!

My favorite?

Peter Michael 2002 Ma Belle Fille Chardonnay = 5Attababys!

Thats Javier Avina, vineyard manager Peter Michael in the background.

Great wine is made in the vineyard!

Jen's smile says it all!

 

want more?

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Stephen and Prue Henschke, viticulturist and winemaker

respectively pouring some of their best wines!

Hello! Serious stuff here... Delicious Syrah from Australia!

Tomorrow afternoon they will be hosting a vertical of Henschke Hill of Grace = 5Attababys!

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Gaye McNutt and Benjamin Smith pouring the 2002 Cadence Cabernet = 5Attababys! Incredible!

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Montesodi Marchesi de' Frescobaldi = 5Attababys!

One of the best wines from Italy I have tasted!

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Mark Pisoni, Mike Zardo and Jeff Pisoni from Pisoni Vineyards!

Pouring the 2003 Pisoni Estate Pinot Noir = 5Attababys! The best yet from this team?

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Rosella Francsioni pouring the 2003 Roar Rosella's Pinot Noir = 5Attababys! Wow!

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Morgan Clendenen, Winemaker Cold Heaven Viognier = 4Attababys! Wow!

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Jim Clendenen, winemaker Au Bon Climat = 5Attababys!

The master at work opening one of his beauty's! Wow!

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Doug Margerum pouring Margurum 5 Varietal Rhone Blend M5= 4Attababys! Wow!

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Garen Staglin pouring Staglin Cabernet Sauvignon = 5Attababys! Excellent!

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2001 Lancaster Reserve = 5Attababys! Wow!

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Dianna and Rob Jensen, Testarossa Winery pouring their Pinot Noirs = 4Attababys!

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Justin Baldwin pouring the 2002 Justin Isosolese = 4Attababys! Wow!

Jorge Odonez Fine wines from Spain! Outstanding!

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Donald Ziraldo, Inniskillin Ice Wine = 5Attababys! from Canada Wow!

 

My favorite wine of the night?

2003 Bonaccorsi Santa Rita Hills & FiddleStix Pinot Noir = 5Attababys! Wow!

Wonderful texture and mouthfeel with depth of fruit

and roundness in the mid pallette that so many wines,

especially New World Pinot Noir rarely achieve.

Bravo!

 

The people!

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Kimberly Newhart, Nestle Waters Lorenzo Tombacco, San Pellegrino, Italy

and Micki McGuire, Nestle Waters

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This is what it's all about!

Mark Ayers, Executive Chef, Pacific's Edge and Dominique and Cindy Duby toasting after the party!

Ulrich Samietz, former General Manager of Highlands Inn, Park Hyatt Carmel

with Guenter Seeger of Seegers Atlanta, Georgia! Delicious!

Kent Torrey, The Cheese Shop in Carmel, Ca. and

Wendy Brodie, Celebrity Chef in Monterey, Ca.

The Delgado's and the Franscioni's toasting!

Helen King has attended for 18 years in a row!

Eileen Bragman, the Bragman's have attended for 13 years in a row!

Joseph W. Heston and his lovely wife, General Manager KSBW, Salinas, Ca

Mrs. Julie Samietz, Mr. Andrew Davidson (former General Manager, Highlands Inn Park Hyatt

Mrs. Amanda Blomstrom Davidson and Mr. Ulrich Samietz

(former General Manager, Highlands Inn Park Hyatt

This was the best opening night at Masters of Food and Wine I have attended!

 

It doesn't get any better than this!

 

Bravo to the entire staff of the Highlands Inn!

My deepest gratitude and appreciation to Andrew, Robert and Jan of the Highlands Inn!

Thank you to the entire staff at the Highlands Inn!

Thank you to all of the sponsors of the 18th Annual Masters of Food & Wine!

Park Hyatt Hotels

Wine Spectator

Nestle Waters

 

 

See you next year!

 

 

 

want more?

 

TM

WineChief presents...

 

The 18th Annual Masters of Food and Wine!

Wine is a beverage to be enjoyed over a meal with people you love!

Opening Night!

February 18th, 2004

Park Hyatt, Highlands Inn Carmel, California

The Masters of Food and Wine is a Magical Event!

"This is the Best Party in the Country!"

The Food...

Christophe David Park Hyatt Paris-Vendome!

Joseph and Lidia Bastianich Felidia, Babbo, Esca, Lupa Restaurants and PBS!

Cat Cora, IronChef on FoodNetwork!

Eric DiStefano Geronimo Restaurant!

Kent Torrey, The Cheese Shop!

Guillermo Pernot Passion Restaurant!

Gina De Palma Babbo Restaurant!

Melissa Perello Charles Nob Hill Restaurant!

Andrew Carmellini Cafe Boulud!

Wendy Brodie interviewing Shawn McClain Spring Restaurant!

The Wines...

 

 

Chateau Cheval Blanc vertical anyone?

Doug Shafer pouring a 1990 - 1999 Hillside Select Vertical!

Heidi and Ted Lemon pouring the Littorai 2001 Savoy, Hirsch, Thieirot Pinot Noir!

Jorge Ordonez, Fine Estates from Spain, Sarah Floyd, MS pouring Alvaro Palacios

Lee Codding pouring the Talbott 2001 Diamond T Cuvee Audrey!

Bob Lindquist pouring the 2001 Qupe Bien Nacido Syrah!

Larry Hyde pouring 2001 HdV Chardonnay!

Janeanne Harrod Rinaldi pouring 2001 Mer Soleil Chardonnay!

Walter Hanzell pouring his 46th vintage of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir!

Rosella and Gary Francsioni pouring the 2001 Roar Rosella's Pinot Noir!

Mark and Jeff Pisoni pouring the 2001 Pisoni Estate Pinot Noir!

Emily Miner pouring the 2001 Miner Gary's Vineyard Pinot Noir and natural yeast Chardonnay!

Emmanuel Kemiji, MS and owner

Miura Vineyards pouring the 2001 Miura Pisoni Pinot Noir!

Thomas Broder pouring Michaud Vineyard Chardonnay and Pinot Noir!

Jim Clendenen pouring his best 2001 Au Bon Climat Pinor Noir!

Domaine Roulot & Domaine des Comte Lafon vertical anyone?

Marc Perrin pouring a vertical of Chateau Beaucastel!

Christopher Baron pouring the 2001 Cayuse Syrah!

Wells Guthrie pouring the Copain 2001 Cerise Pinot Noir!

Luc Morlet pouring the Peter Michael 2001 Chardonnays and 2000 Les Pavots!

Brian Talley pouring the Talley 2001 Rosemary's Pinot Noir!

Larry Stone, MS pouring the Sirita 2000 Cabernet and 2001 Merlot!

Thomas Duroux,Tenuta dell' Ornellaia pouring a vertical...

Planeta Syrah anyone?

Fritz Hasselbach pouring his Gunderloch Rieslings!

Alois Kracher pouring his rare Kracher dessert wines from Austria!

Royal Tokaji anyone?

Micki McGuire, Nestle Waters pouring Acqua Panna! The Best!

Micki McGuire and Lori Downie, Nestle Waters

Bravo to the Sommeliers at the Masters of Food & Wine

and a very special thank you to the Sommeliers at the Highlands Inn

Arvind P. Dutt & Bernabe de Luna

It doesn't get any better than this!

Bravo to the staff of the Highlands Inn!

My deepest gratitude and appreciation to Andrew, Robert and Jan of the Highlands Inn!

Thank you to the entire staff at the Highlands Inn!

Sponsors of the 18th Annual Masters of Food & Wine

Park Hyatt Hotels

Wine Spectator

 

 

 

See you next year!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

want more...

 

 

 

 

 

TM

WineChief presents...

 

The 17th Annual Masters of Food and Wine!

Opening Night!

February 19th, 2003

HighLands Inn Carmel, California

The Masters of Food and Wine is a Magical Event!

The Chefs!

Michael Ginor and Family, Hudson Valley Foie Gras

Bobby Flay, Mesa Grill & Bolo NYC

Rick Edge, Pacific's Edge Highlands Inn

The Wines!

Ross Allen pouring Talbott 2000 Diamond T Unfined Unfiltered Cuvee Audrey Chardonnay!

Mark Aubert pouring Aubert 2001 Ritchie Vineyard Sonoma Coast Chardonnay!

Mark and Jeff Pisoni pouring Pisoni Vineyards and Winery 2001 Pisoni Estate Pinot Noir!

Christopher Baron, winemaker Cayuse Vineyards pouring the 2000 Cailloux Syrah

Araujo 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon!

1998 Chateau Margaux!

The Sherwins pouring the Sherwin Family Vineyards 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon from decanter!

Jayson Pahlmeyer pouring his Pahlmeyer 2000 Merlot!

The People!

Helen King has attended 16 years in a row!

The Bragmans have attended 11 years in a row!

Bernie and Helen Brauer have been to more wine tastings world wide than anyone I know!

Evian Water Girls!

The Next Day!

February 20th, 2003

Pisoni Vineyard Pinot Noir Tasting!

The Wines!

A Vertical 1998, 1999, 2000 & 2001 of Pisoni Vineyards Pinot Noir from three different producers! Patz & Hall Winery, Peter Michael Winery and Pisoni Vineyards and Winery!

The dark color of the 2001 vintage on the far left is no coincidence! See below! The 2001 Pinot Noir from Pisoni Vineyards are incredible! Every year Pisoni Vineyards produces better fruit. All Pisoni wines, made by multiple winemakers with multiple philosophies (for example at Peter Michael Winery, Mark Aubert made the 1998, Vanessa Wong made the 1999 & 2000 and Luc Morlet made the 2001! All were great! The Patz & Hall Winery winemaker, James Hall has yet another winemaking philosophy. Jeff Pisoni, winemaker at Pisoni Estate has learned from all of them. The Pisoni Estate wines are superior, however in the end the unmistakable aromas and flavors of the Pisoni Vineyard shown through regardless of winery, winemaker or philosophy! Great wine is made in the vineyard! This tasting was a testament to that fact!

Scratch each glass to smell the wine!

Just kidding! Wouldn't that be nice...

The Tasting Panel!

(Left to Right) Bernabe de Luna, Wine Director Highlands Inn, Gary Pisoni, Pisoni Vineyards & Winery, James Hall, Patz & Hall Winery, Luc Morlet, Peter Michael Winery, Emmanuel Kemiji, Master Sommelier & founder of Miura Winery!

Heavy hitters in deep thought! Most were moaning! This wine will stop you dead in your tracks and make you go Hhhhmmmmmm!

February 20th, 2003

Lunch

Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin, Brut en Magnum

Tanya Pringsheim

xxx

Ajo Blanco

Traditional Spanish Almond and Garlic Soup, Grapes, Warm lobster

Trout Roe, 50 Year Old Sherry Vinegar

paired perfectly with the Patz & Hall 2000 Hyde Vineyard Chardonnay

Chef Jose Ramon Andres Restaurant Jaleo, Washington D.C.

James Hall, winemaker Patz & Hall Wine Company

xxx

The 2001 Pisoni Estate Pinot Noir perfectly matched with Seared Foie Gras

Confit of Muscovy Duck Leg, Black Pepperred Crepe, Spice Persimmons, Herb Veloute

Sandro Gamba, chef Restaurant NoMi Chicago, Ill.

Jeff Pisoni, winemaker Pisoni Vineyards & Winery

xxx

Peter Michael 1999 Les Pavots paired with Red Chili Spiked Monterey Prawns

Cauliflower Risotto with a Green Onion Vinaigrette

Bobby Flay, Chef Restaurant Mesa Grill, NY

Luc Morlet, winemaker Peter Michael Winery

xxx

Inniskillin 2001 Sparkling Vidal IceWine paired perfectly with

Warm Mango Tatin, Vanilla Marscapone Cream, Rasberry Tuile, Candied Violet Ice Cream

Florian Bellanger of Fauchon, NY

Donald Ziraldo, Inniskillin Wine, Inc. Niagara, CA

xxx

illycaffe

Breads by La Brea

Bravo to the Chef's that created Thursday's Lunch!

Right to Left, Chef Jose Ramon Andres Restaurant Jaleo, Washington D.C., Sandro Gamba, chef Restaurant NoMi Chicago, Ill., Bobby Flay, Chef Restaurant Mesa Grill & Bolo, NYC, Florian Bellanger of Fauchon, NYC

Bravo to the Sommeliers at the Highlands Inn

Arvind P. Dutt & Bernabe de Luna

Bravo to the all of the Sommeliers who participated in the 17th Annual Masters of Food & Wine!

It doesn't get any better than this!

Bravo to the staff of the Highlands Inn!

My deepest gratitude and appreciation to Andrew, Robert and Jan of the Highlands Inn!

Thank you to the entire staff at the Highlands Inn!

 

Sponsors of the 17th Annual Masters of Food & Wine

Park Hyatt Hotels

Wine Spectator

 

 

Also, do not miss the wonderful Black & White photography by Gina Taro!

Everyday Sacred! Thank you Gina!

 

See you next year!

 

want more?

 

TM

WineChief presents...

16th Annual Masters of Food and Wine!

Opening Night February 21st, 2002

HighLands Inn Carmel, California

David Ramey, winemaker Rudd and Ramey Wineries, Napa, CA.

Rudd 1999 Jericho Canyon Red = 5Attababys!

Michael Michaud, winemaker Michaud Vineyards and Winery Soledad, CA.

Michaud 1999 Chardonnay = 4Attababys!

John Kongsgaard, winemaker Kongsgaard Winery Napa, CA.

Kongsgaard 1999 Chardonnay = 4Attababys!

Mike Etzel, winemaker Beaux Freres Vineyards and Winery Newberg, OR.

Michael poured a vertical of Beaux Freres Pinot Noir from 1992 through the 1999. He also poured a 2000 barrel sample. My favorites, the 1992 Beaux Freres Pinot Noir = 4Attababys! 1994 Beaux Freres Pinot Noir = 4Attababys!

Harry Peterson-Nedry, Owner

Chehelam 1999 Rion = 3Attababys!

Merry Edwards, winemaker

1999 Russian River Valley Klopp Ranch Vineyard Pinot Noir = 3Attababys!

Also tasted and loved,

1999 Peter Michael Pisoni Vineyard Pinot Noir = 4Attababys!

 

Paul Draper

1997 Ridge Monte Bello = 3Attababys!

1998 Jones Family Cabernet = 3Attababys! Heidi Barret, winemaker

Dennis Lewis of Lewis Cellars

Lewis 1999 Reserve Cabernet = 3Attababys!

Delia Viader, winemaker Viader Winery

Viader Winery 1998 V = 3Attababys!

The Star Chefs!

Ken Frank La Toque, Rutherford, CA

The Best Food in Napa Valley at the moment!

Mark Miller, Coyote Cafe Santa Fe, NM

One of the best restaurants in the country!

Michael Ginor of Hudson Valley Foie Gras

The Best!

Gale Gand of TRU Restaurant Chicago, IL

Chocolate Wow!

Bravo! to the Staff at the Highlands Inn = 5Attababys!

Ulrich, Jeff and Jan

Arvind P. Dutt & Bernabe de Luna

Sommeliers

See you next year!

 

want more?

 

 

TM

WineChief presents...

15th Annual Masters of Food and Wine

Highlands Inn Carmel Highlands, CA

The Magnificence of Marcassin

A morning with Helen Turley and John Wetlaufer February 22, 2001

The Magnificance of Marcassin! Magnificent it was!

World class Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from 6 year old vines?

Actually, Yes! This was the largest Marcassin tasting ever created!

Six Chardonnays and Six Pinot Noirs! Thank you!

The wines, the wines, the wines!

WineChief says, Great wine is made in the vineyard!

All Marcassin Estate wines are from vines planted in 1991 along the Sonoma Coast!

All are created with natural yeast, very gentle handling, no racking, unfined and unfiltered and it shows!

Creamy Chardonnay!

Silky Pinot Noir!

I asked Helen what she would pair with her Chardonnay.

Her answer..."Lobster!"

I also asked Helen and John for suggestions on what to pair the Pinot Noir.

Their answer... "Salmon, Wild Bird, and Wild Boar!"

Marcassin means young wild boar in French!

All wines were decanted for a couple of hours.

My favorite?

The Marcassin 1996 Marcassin Chardonnay and Pinot Noir = 5Attababys!

I opened the 1996 Pinot Noir for Jean-Jacques Hegner, owner of Le Bistro Bourguignon Wine Bar and Restaurant

8, rue Monge 21200 Beaune France 03 80 22 23 24

Jean-Jacques was so impressed with the Marcassin 1996 Marcassin Vineyard Pinot Noir...

he took the empty bottle with him back to France

to show and tell his friends and winemakers of his new world discovery!

Wow! Also, one of WineChief's Best Wines on the Market!

Want more? WineChief's Favorite Chardonnay!

and WineChief's Favorite Pinot Noir!

An old saying is appropriate here...

To drink a wine is too see into the winemakers soul.

Amen!