Rhone Rangers Tasting: Free Tickets!

Posted by | Posted in Wine Events | Posted on 03-08-2012

I’ve become obsessed with America’s Rhone-style wines.

In recent weeks, I’ve had Syrahs from Arnot-Roberts, Copain, and Peay that have floored me. I finally tasted Two Shepherds — a new project from William Allen — and the Syrah/Mourvedre blend is stunning. Indeed, it seems like every red that stops me in my tracks these days is something in this genre.

So I’m not very happy about missing the 15th annual Rhone Rangers Tasting in San Francisco later this month, where consumers will be able to taste (and purchase!) more than 500 wines from more than 100 Rhone Rangers member wineries.

Fortunately, I have discount codes for loyal Terroirist readers. And we’re giving away a free pair of tickets to the Grand Tasting! Read on for details.

This year’s celebration will include two days of tasting, seminars, and a dinner:

Saturday, March 24
Rare Wines: Taste the Unusual
Time: 12:00 PM
Price: $45
Here’s the list of participating wineries, the winemakers who will be speaking, and the wines they will pour:
1. Tablas Creek – 2010 Picpoul Blanc – Jason Haas
2. Two Shepherds – 2010 Grenache Blanc – William Allen
3. Holly’s Hill – 2010 Counoise osh Bendick
4. Lagier Meredith – 2009 Mondeuse Noire – Carole Meredith
5. Ridge – 2009 Carignane – David Gates
6. Clos Saron – 2010 Cinsault, “A Deeper Shade of Blue” – Gideon Beinstock

Wine & Swine: A Pairing of American Rhones with Bacon
Time: 2:00 PM
Price: $65
Wow. Wines include:
1. Inspiration Vineyards – 2009 Viognier
2. Treana/Hope Family Wines – 2009 Red Blend
3. Katin – 2008 Syrah
4. Mount Aukum – 2007 Petite Sirah
5. Skylark – 2009 Grenache

Winemaker Dinner
Time: 6:00PM
Price: $150
This year’s dinner will feature 17 winemakers — one hosting each table — who will provide the wines to pair with dinner prepared by the Girl & the Fig.

Sunday, March 25
American Syrah from a Variety of Regions
Time: 11:00 AM
Price: $55
Patrick Comiskey of Wine & Spirits Magazine will walk attendees through ten Syrahs:
1. Domaine Berrien Cellars – 2008 Syrah from Michigan
2. Tarara – 2007 Syrah from Virginia
3. Chateau Ste. Michelle – 2008 “Ethos” Syrah from WA State
4. Folin Cellars – 2008 Syrah from Southern Oregon
5. Big Basin – 2008 Syrah from Coastview Vineyard in the Gabilan Mountains, Central Coast CA
6. Caliza Winery – 2009 Syrah from Templeton Gap, Central Coast CA
7. Cornerstone Cellars – 2009 Syrah from Carneros (Napa)
8. Domaine de la Terre Rouge – 2007 Syrah “Ascent” from Sierra Foothills CA
9. Donelan Wines – 2009 Syrah from Russian River Valley (Sonoma)
10. Zaca Mesa Winery – 2008 Srah “Mesa Reserve” from Santa Ynez Valley

15TH ANNUAL RHONE RANGERS GRAND TASTING
VIP Tickets
Time: 12:00 PM
Price: $75

General Admission
Time: 2:00 PM
Price: $45

The Grand Tasting features over 500 American Rhone-style wines from more than 100 Rhone Rangers member wineries. And for the first time, consumers will be able to purchase wines!


If you’d like to attend all the events, you can purchase a weekend pass for $185 — this ticket will gain you entry to all seminars and VIP admission to the Grand Tasting. It does not cover the winemaker dinner. Tickets are now on sale at www.RhoneRangers.org.

DISCOUNTS AND FREE TICKETS!
On general admission tickets to the Grand Tasting, Terroirist readers can save $5 with the code: SDKGT312. On weekend pass tickets, Terroirist readers can save $10 with the code: SDKWP312

To have a chance to win a FREE pair of tickets ($90 value) to the Rhone Rangers Grand Tasting in San Francisco on Sunday, March 25, just leave a comment naming your FAVORITE American Rhone-style wine. For an extra entry, tweet to me (@terroiristblog) and the Rhone Rangers (@@RhoneRangers) with your favorite American Rhone-style wine. The contest ends on Friday, March 16, at midnight ET. Good luck!

Comments (19)

  1. I really, really love RIDGE Carignane! I don’t know what else to say!!!!

  2. Benziger North Coast Syrah

  3. Tablas Creek Wines “Esprit de Beaucastel Blanc” gets my vote.

  4. 2006 Tablas Creek Esprit de Beaucastel is killer!!!!

  5. Hi David – Picking a favorite of wine is akin to answering the question of which of your children you love the most. We all have different favorites for different reasons. It’s a subject that I could wax poetically on for some length.

    For the sake of brevity, I’ll go with a Lagier-Meredith syrah.

  6. Thanks for the Rhone Ranger and Two Shepherds love David, love your blog.

    I also want to point out to attendees a special change this year: for the very first time consumers can not only taste, but buy wine and take it home, right at the event. And we will have two checkpoints so you don’t have to tote it around with you.

    60 of the 100 wineries pouring are selling wine, and many don’t have tasting rooms and/or local distribution – so here is your chance to walk home with a bottle of the small lot gem.

    Rhone On! going to be an awesome weekend!

  7. Michael David Roussane of course!

  8. Frick Winery Cinsaut, Dry Creek Valley

  9. tablas creek espirit de beaucastel for me as well (blanc or rouge. both great.)

  10. Sarah’s Vineyard 2008 Cote de Madone Red Rhone Blend — Yum!

  11. Cuvee Le Bec.

  12. Burrell School Vineyards Cab Franc

  13. 2009 TOR Kenward ROCK Hommage Allan Hudson Vineyard Syrah

  14. Unti also does a wonderful job with rhone varietals. Their benchland syrah is always awesome.

  15. 2008 Preston of Dry Creek Valley Carignane paired with roast goat and sauteed bitter greens.

    In general both Ridge and Preston of Dry Creek (both in Healdsburg area) do fabulous jobs with Rhone varietals.

    ps,
    the 17th is my birthday so winning would be an amazing birthday present 😀

  16. […] REMINDER: Today is the LAST DAY to enter our contest for FREE TICKETS to the Rhone Rangers Grand Tas… (0) Comments Tweet […]

  17. Seven of Hearts Chatte d’Avignon (Viognier/Roussane blend) – Rattlesnake Road Vineyard, Columbia Valey, Oregon.

  18. who won?

  19. The winner was Chris, who named the Frick Winery Cinsaut as his favorite!