Nathan OUTloud #13 | Gay Wine Weekend (Crosspost from NathanOUTloud.com)

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In conjunction with WinePHX.com, a newly created wine blog, I continue my series and in episode 13, you hear my interview with the organizers of the very first Gay Wine Weekend, in Sonoma, California. Mark Vogler and Gary Saperstein are the founders of Out in the Vineyard and have put together a line-up of events, special guests and host wineries, that cannot be missed.

Gay Wine Weekend kicks off Friday, June 17th, with a VIP Reception at the host hotel, MacAurther Place and is open to all VIP All-Access ticket holders. Following the reception, Gay Comedy Night will be held at the Sonoma Community Center. All proceeds benefit the Sonoma Community Center.

The events continue on Saturday, with the premier event of the weekend - The Twilight T-Dance. A benefit for Face to Face, Sonoma County AIDS Network - this event will feature over a dozen participating wineries, under the stars and Out in the Vineyard at Atwood Ranch.

The weekend wraps up on Sunday morning with the Big Gay Brunch and Wine Auction. This event is also for VIP All-Access ticketholders and will also benefit Face to Face, Sonoma County AIDS Network.

For more details on Out's in the Vineyard's very first Gay Wine Weekend, visit www.outinthevineyard.com and don't forget to follow my new blog at www.WinePHX.com

If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please feel free to contact me at comments@nathanoutloud.com. You can also call the Nathan OUTloud comment line at (209) 202-3688 (209.20.BeOUT)

Follow me on twitter at @nathanoutloud & join me on the Nathan OUTloud facebook fan page.

Come OUT | Be OUT | Live OUTloud™

Ceja Vineyards | 2007 Carneros Pinot Noir

The minute I opened the bottle of 2007 Carneros Pinot Noir, I knew we had another winner. In the glass, the color and clarity are impeccable. Red ripe cherry color, that has both depth and also a softness to it, that you don't always find. The nose on this Pinot Noir bursts with fruit and earthiness. much like my description of the Ceja Chardonay, it is abundantly clear that at Ceja Vineyards, it is all about the fruit. Fresh strawberries and darker fruits give this wine an accessibility with food that make for very easy pairing. Add to that the subtle spice and herbs of the Pinot Noir grape, and you will be hard pressed to find a food that this wine doesn't compliment.

The smooth and balanced textures of this wine linger with each sip, giving it a finish that I am sure many winemakers wish they could accomplish in their wines. Winemaker Armando Ceja has created another masterpiece, or should I say, he has let incredible fruit produced by Ceja, become the a masterpiece by letting nature take its course.

(This wine was generously provided by Ceja Vineyards as a tasting sample.)

Gay Wine Weekend 2011 | Where to Stay?

Gay Wine Weekend has teamed up with some great properties in Sonoma and the surrounding areas as Official Host Hotels. MacArthur Place Hotel and Spa is just minutes from Sonoma's historic Plaza and is offering special rates for June 17-19. MacArthur Place will also host the VIP Reception on Friday night from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm for All-Access VIP ticket holders. For booking info or to make your reservation, call 800) 722-1866 and mention Gay Wine Weekend. You can also check out the property and other details at www.macarthurplace.com

Also playing host to Gay Wine Weekend is a Santa Rosa historic landmark, Flamingo Conference Resort and Spa. Just 30 minutes north of downtown Sonoma, Flamingo Resort offers the classic charm of the resort hotels of the 1950s and all the contemporary amenities, including a world class health club and spa. It is the perfect location for exploring Northern California’s premier Wine Country in Sonoma and Napa. For more information, visit www.flamingoresort.com or call (707) 545-8530
In addition to the host hotels, there are two partner hotels that are offering special packages for Gay Wine Weekend!

The Lodge at Sonoma Renaissance Resort and Spa is nestled in Sonoma Valley and just minutes from everything that Sonoma has to offer. It is also conveniently located for easy access to Napa and is less than an hour north of San Francisco. The Lodge is offering the "Living Out Proud" package which includes: Cottage room, Breakfast for 2 daily, Sparkling wine upon arrival and 2 daily spa passes. To book this package visit www.thelodgeatsonoma.com and once you have entered your reservation dates, click on the "Room Packages" tab at the top. You can also call (707) 935-6600 and ask for the "Living Out Proud" package.
If you plan on gathering a group of friends and prefer to stay in a villa for Gay Wine Weekend, BeautifulPlaces specializes in vacation rentals throughout the wine country ranging from cozy vineyard cottages to hilltop estates. Recognized as one of the world’s best villa specialists by Passport, Travel & Leisure, Conde Nast Traveler, and Robb Report, BeautifulPlaces will provide complimentary tickets to the Twilight T Dance with rentals of 3 or more nights. To book your stay, call (800) 495-9961 or visit the BeautifulPlaces website.

Out in the Vineyard | Gay Wine Weekend 2011

Out in the Vineyard, the very first Gay Wine Weekend will take place June 17-19, 2011 in Sonoma, California. Mark Vogler and Gary Saperstien organized the first Gay Napa Wine Train and realized that Wine Country was really missing an opportunity to host a Gay Wine Weekend, or possibly eventually a week-long event, much like Aspen Ski Week.

California Wine Country offers an incredibly unique lifestyle. Less than an hour outside of San Francisco, Sonoma is an escape from the urban life. A slower pace, breath-taking landscapes and amazing wine, Sonoma makes for the perfect host city to Gay Wine Weekend. Last year at an LGBT event, the mayor of Sonoma came to announce a proclamation that was unanimously passed by the Sonoma City Council that declared the city of Sonoma as an LGBT tourist destination. Sonoma has opened up to welcome the LGBT community and provide an Wine Country experience that is second to none.

Gay Wine Weekend will consist of events throughout the weekend, starting with a VIP Reception on Friday night, June 17th. This event is available for attendees that purchase the VIP All-Access tickets. Following the reception is An Evening of Gay Comedy at the Sonoma Community Center featuring Judy Tenuta. Individual tickets are available to this event, which benefits the Community Center. Additional acts including Katya Smirnoff-Skyy, Janine Brito, Scott Silverman and Dave Karraker have been recently announced, making for a full night of laughs.

Before the events resume Saturday night, attendees are free to roam Sonoma, visiting wineries and taking in the beautiful sites of Sonoma and the surrounding areas. Saturday night, the Twilight T-Dance at the beautiful Atwood Ranch benefits Face-to-Face, Sonoma County AIDS Network. At the T-Dance, the host wineries will be pouring their wines from 7:00 - 10:00 pm. Those host wineries include, Poem Cellars, Benziger Family Winery, Gloria Ferrer, Audelssa Estate, Deerfield Ranch Winery, Enkidu, Eric Ross Wines, Imagery Estate Winery, Loxton Cellars, Sojourn Cellars, St. Francis Winery & Vineyards and Westwood Winery. In the coming weeks, WinePHX will be tasting and posting reviews of the wines you will be able to taste/drink that night.

Gay Wine Weekend wraps up Sunday with the Brunch and Auction which is also open to those holding VIP All-Access tickets. This brunch and auction will also benefit Face-to-Face, providing much needed funds for the Sonoma County AIDS Network.

If you are interested in attending the very first Gay Wine Weekend, more details and tickets can be found at www.outinthevineyard.com and follow them on twitter @OutInVineyard.

Ceja Vineyards | 2008 Carneros Chardonnay

An interesting thing happened when I opened the 2008 Carneros Chardonnay from Ceja Vineyards, poured it into my glass and took a nice long whiff - I wasn't hit with an oaky, butter bomb! Now I will be the first to admit that I am not a fan of what some California Chardonnays have become - I feel it has become more about what process the winemakers are using to make the wine, as opposed to letting the fruit really guide the process. As with other Ceja wines I have tasted, this wine is all about the fruit, and not just the juice that has been barreled, but the care that goes into growing a grape that makes great wine.

This Chardonnay highlights the true characteristics of the fruit and the vineyard. From the crisp nose, that presents pretty distinct citrus, as well as a fresh, ripe pear. And that is just the beginning of what this wine has to offer. The palate on this wine is very complex, despite of the fact that the wine-making process did not include malolactic fermentation, which generally gives Chards their body and structure, providing the deep buttery taste and texture. For a wine this crisp, the structure is incredibly balanced and also lingers in the mouth. This fullness is achieved by a 9 month French barrel sur lie aging process, leaving you with a rich wine, that is all about the fruit.

As I am pretty sure the Ceja's would recommend, I had this wine with a plate of slightly spicy chicken fajitas, some flavorful Mexican rice and guacamole. The slight sweetness of the wine, worked beautifully with the spicy dish. This truly is a wine I could drink all summer.

(This wine was generously provided by Ceja Vineyards as a tasting sample.)

Ceja Vineyards | Vinum, Cantus, Amor

Vinum, Cantus, Amor (Wine, Song, Love) are not only the words that guide Ceja Vineyards, but you can practically taste them in every bottle of Ceja wine.

After decades of growing grapes in the Napa and Sonoma Valleys, the Ceja family founded Ceja Vineyards in 1999. Their first vintage was released in 2001 consisting of 750 cases. Over the next decade, that number would grow to 10,000 cases per year. With 113 producing acres of vineyards overseen by Armando Ceja in the Carneros, Silverado Trail and four other regions in the Napa and Sonoma Valleys, the focus on matching vine to terrior is evident in the quality of fruit produced. This quality is not only recognized in the premium wines produced by Ceja, but by the prominent list of clients who purchase or have purchased grapes from the Ceja's. That list includes Mumm, Signorello, Domaine Chandon and any others.

President Amelia Moran Ceja is the first Mexican-American woman to be president of a wine production company and has been recognized by numerous organizations for her contribution to the wine industry and also for leading Ceja Vineyards to become an Award-Winning Vintner. As Amelia says, she wears many hats, including: she is the contact person, a wine salesperson, a public relations person, the executive chef, a compliance specialist, a bookkeeper, a wine delivery person, a wine shipping person, a grape picker, and whoever else she needs to be. She also leads the company's social media presence. Ceja is leading the industry with their involvement in and use of social media, including blogging, facebook and twitter.

Helping Amelia maintain and grow that online presence are her son Ariel and daughter Dalia. Ariel joined the family business as General Manager and has instrumental in the growth through the opening of the tasting room in downtown Napa. Dalia was brought on as Director of Sales & Marketing and has been a driving force in the growth of Ceja through establishing relationships with retailers and restaurants.

Not only are the Ceja's producing quality wine, but also amazing food at Bistro Sabor in downtown Napa, just a block from their tasting room. When you're in Napa, you must stop by Bistro Sabor and if you're lucky enough to be there on a Saturday night, join in the salsa dancing from 10:00pm to 1:30am.

As for the wine, check back throughout this week as I do tastings of three of Ceja Vineyards quality wines. First I will be tasting the 2008 Napa Carneros Chardonnay, followed by their 2007 Carneros Pinot Nior, and ending with the 2007 Vino de Casa Red Blend.

(Full disclosure - Ceja Vineyards very generously provided me with samples of the Chardonnay and Pinot Nior, but I picked up the Vino de Casa at my local wine store.)

Welcome to WinePHX

So what is WinePHX? Well the answer to that question will be ever changing I am sure. For starters, the name started as "Wine Fix", but being that I live in Phoenix, AZ, I thought I would add a little local flair to the blog and call it "WinePHX".

Why start another wine blog? Aren't there enough already? Well, I love drinking, sharing and learning about wine, so I figured what better way to do that, then to start a wine blog. Over the course of the next few months I will be trying out different things on this blog including, featuring wineries that I like, not only talking about the wine they produce, but also the story and the people behind that wine, starting with one of my favorites, Ceja Vineyards. I will also be talking about different wine events, including the very first Gay Wine Weekend in Sonoma, called "Out in the Vineyard".

So what should you know about me? I am certainly NOT a professional, I just have a passion for wine and love to share that with others. I love meeting new people with that same passion and learning from them. So feel free to contact me, share your thoughts, share your knowledge and share the wines you love as well. You can follow me on twitter, or feel free to contact me at the email address listed on the blog.

Interested in being featured and sharing your wines or events? I would love to hear from you.

In the meantime - let's raise a glass to the launch of WinePHX! Cheers!