Southwest Florida is home to some wildly successful food and wine charity events. Regardless of the cause, food, wine, and travel are almost always big-ticket items at charity auctions. Participants go home with one-of-a-kind experiences and items, along with the satisfaction of helping a cause they care about. So for Wine Wednesday, I am sharing these dream trips and rare wine country experiences up for grabs now. They are through an event called Project Zin.
About Project Zin
The annual event is hosted by renowned Chef Charlie Palmer and winemaker Clay Mauritson who is famous for producing outstand zinfandel and more. His family has been growing grapes in Sonoma since 1868. Project Zin raises money and awareness for people with disabilities, specifically those with Down Syndrome. Mauritson's son Brady has Down Syndrome and embodies the spirit of the event. What an inspirational kid.
Clay and his wife Carrie are well known in our local wine community. Not just because their wines are distributed in Southwest Florida. But also because of their participation in many Southwest Florida charitable events over the years. They give back so much, I wanted to share their event. Technology makes it easy to participate, even though it is taking place this weekend in Sonoma. Online bidding is open now for Southwest Floridians and the auction lots are impressive. Especially if you like food, wine and travel.
Dream Trips And Rare Wine Country Experiences
I visited Mauritson's winery last week and got a peak at the auction lots. They hosted a cook out and opened a stellar lineup of zinfandels from some of the top producers in the region. Producers that will also be participating in this year’s event. Click here for a short, mouthwatering video. If you love unique, one-of-a-kind experiences (especially wine related) this year’s event is loaded. Click here and check out the dream trips and rare wine country experiences up for grabs now. Bidding is open. Project Zin has raised over $2 million dollars so far.
Cheers To A Sparkling Wine Wednesday From Sonoma County
It's the middle of the week. Time to get over the hump and raise a glass in the process. This week, I'm on a media trip to Napa and Sonoma, getting inspiration, learning and enjoying some great wines. So raise a glass with me today, wherever you are, as we head towards the weekend. Cheers to a sparkling Wine Wednesday from Sonoma County and J Vineyards & Winery in Healdsburg. It's where I had an outstanding sparkling wine tasting yesterday.
J was originally founded by Judy Jordan who was a pioneer of sparkling wines in the region. She has since sold the winery and established a new brand based in Oregon (but sill makes some win in CA) called Geodesy. It's a brand with a purpose. The mission is to provide scholarships and support for young women in the field of agriculture. However, her legacy lives on at J.
The tasting room at J Vineyards has been reimagined with a so-called Bubble Room. It's a space designed for full dining experiences with sparkling wine pairings that are said to push the envelope. In addition, they have a culinary series called Shifting the Lens. J brings in guests chefs to spotlight diverse perspectives on food and cuisine. They are cuisines that have traditionally been underrepresented in wine country. Events in the bubble room typically start at $135.
A sparkling Wine Wednesday from Sonoma County
I opted for the Legacy Tasting. It features a flight of five wines and local cheeses paired with each. The wines can be all sparkling, all still, or a mix. I chose the sparkling flight. Surprise. It was phenomenal. First, we enjoyed Cuvée XB which is really dry and zesty with some apple an almond. I loved the tiny bubbles. It was paired with a Goatija cheese from Bohemian Creamery, topped with corn gel and sumac tajin for a little spice.
Second, the Brut Rose which is a favorite of mine. It has ripe strawberry cream and Bing cherry. This one tastes like summer. It was paired with Midnight Moon from Cypress Grove, topped with Tomato Jam and Micro Basil. Beautiful pairing.
Next, 2016 Vintage Brut that had juicy stone fruit, hints of quince and hazelnut. A zesty and lovely wine. The cheese was Boont Corners from Penny Royal Farms. It was topped with pickled cherries and hibiscus honey. This was my favorite pairing.
We enjoyed the 2017 RRV Blanc de Noir next. It was so smooth with raspberry and cranberry. This a wine to linger with. The cheese was a Chèvre from Laura Chenel with lactose-fermented blueberry and candied almonds
Finally, we enjoyed 2012 Late Disgorged Brut. It was creamy and toasty but still had nice acid. It's a cool wine. This one was with Petite Truffle Brie from Marin French and topped with pickled peach and crispy prosciutto. In addition, the ladies opened a fantastic 2015 Blanc to Blanc for me to try along with a 2017 Annapolis Pinot Noir. I recommend both.
Cheers to a sparkling Wine Wednesday from Sonoma County. Enjoy these photos and buy a bottle of J for your next summer soiree.
In the J Legacy Lounge, a wine and cheese flight is served. You can have all still, all sparkling or a mix of wines. Each one is paired with a different local cheese. Fantastic.
J RRV sparkling wine was among the vintage wines served in The Legacy Lounge tasting at J Vineyards in Sonoma. It's drinking right on right now.
