Santa Barbara County Vintner’s Festival 2008

The SB Vintner’s Festival was one windy and cold day in Lompoc, CA, but the elements didn’t stop the enthusiasm people have for wine tasting. Wine drinkers from across the country came out in droves to taste Santa Barbara County’s best wines, which include our favorite little wine that could….. Kinton Syrah.

It seems we have a common theme no matter where we travel—people love our Syrah. We actually overheard these comments at the event.
** “Great wine for the money”
** “WOW this is a different Syrah.”
** “Great aroma and texture”
** “This wine is creative and different from every other Syrah that is at this Festival.”

And our favorite………..
** “WHOA! Your winemaker is hot!!!!! Is he single???? Can I give you my card to give to him so the next time he comes to town he could call me?” Yes it’s true:)

Bamboo Club and Kinton

Attention Kinton Syrah fans in Arizona, Florida and Michigan---The rumors are true, the little-wine-that could is making a debut at The Bamboo Club Asian Bistro. The Bamboo Club is an upscale, yet casual, Asian Bistro with a menu that offers authentic flavors from across the Far East including; Malaysia, Thailand, China, Vietnam, and Indonesia. The Kinton Syrah is offered by the glass and it's sure to pair with any of the "non" spicy beef dishes. Enjoy!

Signing Off, Over and Out

Your two favoritest guest bloggers are signing off (for now) but not forever. We had so much fun with Kinton in New York. Truly, the little Santa Barbara wine that could, overtook the scene in just a week. To recreate these events at your home simply open a few bottles of Kinton Syrah and pair it with:

Fromage D'Affenois, herbed fines, and pair with a Blenheim Apricot/Green Curry Chutney over plain baguette crostinis.
Slow Roast 1lb Apricots on a baking sheet (150 degrees for 3-4 hours). Let cool. In a large bowl, add 3 tblsp brown sugar, 3 tblsp honey, 3 tblsp. green curry powder and a splash of apple juice. Slowly add in Apricts. Toss to coat and spoon over the D'Affenois. A delicate blend of international spicy with downhome sweetness. Unusual and Unexpected.

-or-

Cashel Blue Cheese, and pair with Walnut/Honey/Black Currant Chau Chau over water crackers.
Simply, blend equal amounts of honey, fresh cracked walnuts and dried black currants. A pinch of coarse sea salt and cracked pepper will add a new dimension to the chau chau. Layer over the Blue Cheese for a tangy blend of stinky and sweet. Of savory and fruity. Perfect for the roundness of the Syrah.

Delicious! Happy Entertaining!!

Love,

Closing Party

Two Shots from Closing night at GenArt by Angie Vetter.

Two from Opening Night

Kinton Rocks the After Parties

Film Festival Premiere

Kinton Syrah @ Touch

Film Festival continues

Starting to feel like Paris Hilton. These films and after-parties are so glamourous, exciting and full of beautiful people. Each night is more glamourous and socially intoxicating than the night before.

Tonight, is supposed to be the best night of the entire week. We shall see....

Here is a rewind of last nights party and whirlwind:

Kinton Kiss N Fly

Kiss and Tell Fly

After a sombering film involving crystal meth addiction, the Gen Art'ers came out in full force to Manhattan's meat packing district for a dazzling circular experience at Kiss & Fly, a new club on West 13th Street.

It must be said, first and foremost that Kinton Wine Drinkers were the life of the party because noone else sipping beer or whisky came near the dance floor. While Sexy Syrah Drinkers got things going to Al Green and Motown.

Californians know how to do things right. From crafting perfectly balanced wines to crafting perfectly disarrayed dance moves. Whether in a tank, barrel or dance floor - Californians know how to have a good time.

...

Last Night's overheard adjectives:

"Silky

Sexy and Spicy

Nice Squared + Infinity

Juicy and Oaky

Langous on the finish

This tastes so good!

Delicious

Warm and filling

good to the last drop

jumps with pounding black cherries

really good and really nice!"

Kinton at The Park

Live from the GenArt Film Festival . . . it's Kinton Wines

Matthew Broderick's film was a hit and shot film, Ctrl Z was a smash. After the film screenings, at the Ziegfeld Theatre, the beautiful people, including Nick Cannon, Amy Poehler and the film's cast & crew headed over to 10th Avenue and 17th Street on Manhattan's Westside for a party at The Park. An outdoor atrium extravaganza.

The line to get in, wrapped around two cold & windy blocks and inside the party was packed.
...

I was just putting the finishing touches on the cheese plates -

(1. Cashel Blue: an Irish triple creme cheese that I doused in a honey/walnut/black currant chutney & 2. D'Affenois: a french cousin of brie, also triple creme with a wrapping of green curry apricot chutney with tinges of fresh shaved ginger)

- when the first guests came to the Kinton table. As we poured them tastes of the wine, I began jotting down adjectives as they were blurted out in a cross between Cranium and Charades:

"Perfect.
Masculine.
Love it! - The taste is great!
Very Nice.
Decent. But with this CHEESE. Oh GAWD. DELICIOUS.
Lovely, very smooth.
Exquisite
Peppery
Fruity, winter time
Cabin-Feel
Voluptuous
Oaky
Sweet, but not too sweet. I love it. Verrrrry smooth.
Balanced. Nicely Balanced. "