A Grand Portfolio Tasting Uncovers Some Fascinating Finds
​April 20, 2026

When Specialty Cellars and Legacy Wine Group held their Grand Portfolio tasting a few weeks ago, for the trade and consumers alike, showcasing more than 750 wines and spirits from around the world, I was intrigued! Two separate events at the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills revealed lots of fascinating finds, it was a feast for the senses.

(L-R) Fabian Rodriguez, Patricia Decker and Jordan Ogron of Legacy Wine Group

Jordan Ogron of Legacy Wine Cellars is well known for his love of wine, operating Tesse Restaurant for over seven years in Los Angeles, which was famous for their wine-centric business model, with a menu and wine events that celebrated global wines. Now, in this new phase of his life, he’s an importer and distributor of fine wines, weaving important relationships that sustain the wine business even through challenging times. Focused on family-oriented, high quality wines that are good values, Legacy Wine Cellars represents over eighty wineries, and a few spirits.

​Bob Castellani of Specialty Cellars merged his artisan wines and craft spirits offerings for this grand showcase. Like Legacy Wine Group, it’s about connecting people and places through what’s in the glass, but focused more on family producers, mostly multi-generational, that have a limited production committed to sustainability, over one hundred brands in all. Their motto, “building relationships through storytelling”, was evident at the grand portfolio tasting, supporting their producers and helping them build their brand, while getting their stories in front of consumers and into the glass.

Ylenia Ferronato, Export Manager for Antica Fratta Franciacorta

Over the course of both events, I tasted over seventy wines, probably about 10% of what was poured. So, I will list my standouts, and what I would recommend seeking out, but it truly is personal. France was well represented, especially Bourgogne, and the white Burgundies were excellent. Italy and Spain both offered very good wines for good value. Look for these producers and wines:

​David Moret displayed the beauty of the 2023 vintage in their Burgundy wines, the pure and precise whites include the Auxey-Duressess, Saint-Aubin, Mersault 1er Cru “Les Charmes”, and the spectacular Gevrey-Chambertin “Vielles Vignes” revels in its profound Pinot Noir elegance.

​Romain-Moniot-Nie, a 6th generation family winemaker, blends tradition and a fresh perspective, with the standout Aloxe-Corton 1er Cru “Les Mouttotes” and the enticing Santenay 1er Cru “Clos Rousseau”.

Francois Gaillard of 71 Vintage

​Domaine Antoine and Laurent Robin offered a delicious and good value Chablis 1er Cru “Montée de Tonnerre” 2023.

Leonardo Stroppiana of Stroppiana

​Leonardo Stroppiana, a 4th generation winemaker, poured his family’s Barolo wines, made in a modern and traditional style, the star is the Stroppiana 2019 50th Anniversary Barolo “San Giacomo”.

Eduardo Ruiz, Export Manager for Arzuaga

Arzuaga poured a fascinating Spanish Chardonnay from Ribera del Duero, the Fan D. Oro 2024, and classically made Reserva Especial 2020 and the 2019 Gran Reserva and Gran Arzuaga.

Guillermo Sanchez, Export Manager for Cosme Palacio

​Rioja’s Cosme Palacio poured two delicious whites, the Cosme Palacio Reserva Blanco 2021 and the Cosme Palacio “1894” Blanco, and a study in red Rioja styles, traditional and modern, with the Glorioso Reserva (authentic and traditional) and the Cosme Palacio Reserva (vibrant with modern precision).

​Loacker offered a delicious, low alcohol wine from Alto Adige, the Loacker 2022/23 Morit St. Magdalener red blend, perfect for pizza.

Anne Dow, Export Manager for Loacker/Corte Pavone

​Corte Pavone sampled their 2023 Rosso di Montalcino, such a good value and tasty!

Umberto Cosmo of Bellenda Prosecco

Umberto Cosmo sampled several of his family’s Bellenda prosecco wines from the Veneto, in different incarnations, the fascinating 2022/23 Con Alti Unfiltered Pet-Nat, the Fratelli Prosecco Rosé Extra Dry 2024, and the flagship winner Prosecco “San Fermo” Superiore 2024.

Luis Duarte from Alentejo, Portugal, displayed the beauty of the red wine blends that are made with its indigenous grapes, the wines are so alluring, the Rubrica red 2020 is a keeper!

Mikael Sigouin of Kaena

​California winemakers included Kaena, considered the “King of Grenache” with winemaker Mikael Sigouin at the helm, the Hapa Blanc, a blend of seven grape varieties, is intriguing. Argot of Sonoma sampled a dreamy Chardonnay, the “Le Rayon-Vert” Sonoma Mountain 2022, but I missed returning for their notable reds. Likewise with Laurel Glen I tasted their 2024 Sauvignon Blanc “Blanc Slate” but they are known for their Cabernet Sauvignons, which I didn’t get a chance to taste.

Ben Zerbe of Paquera Mezcal

​And finally, Paquera Mezcal from Oaxaca, holy smokes! Crazy good across the spectrum, but the one that will enchant you is the Wagyu Ancestral, with its meaty palate from a second distillation that included Wagyu beef suspended above in the clay pot, totally unique!

As a wine lover, I so enjoy going to wine tasting events where I can better define which wines appeal to me, evolve my palate, and discover new directions for what’s poured into the glass. Wine is a journey, and should be explored throughout your life, marking many stages and milestones along the way!

Argot Wines, https://argotwines.com/about/
Arzuaga, https://arzuaganavarro.com/index.php/en
Bellenda 1986, https://www.bellenda.it/en/
Corte Pavone, https://www.loacker.bio/en/tenuta-corte-pavone/
Cosme Palacio, https://riojawine.com/en-us/bodegas-rioja/bodegas-cosme-palacio/
Domaine Antoine and Laurent Robin, https://specialtycellars.com/producer/https-www-antoineetlaurarobin-com-le-domaine/
Kaena Wine Company, https://www.kaenawine.com/
Legacy Wine Group, https://www.legacywinegroup.com/
Loacker Weingut, https://www.loacker.bio/en/weingut-loacker/
Luís Duarte, ​https://specialtycellars.com/producer/luis-duarte/
Paquera Mezcal, ​https://paqueramezcal.com/
Specialty Cellars, ​https://specialtycellars.com/about-us/
Stroppiana Wines, ​https://www.stroppianawines.com/en