Let out a rebel yell, wine garagistes are getting some “Urban Exposure”! The Garagiste Festival is coming to town this Saturday, July 9, 2016, with over 60 winemakers pouring 200 plus wines. These mavericks of the wine world will pour their heart out at The Wiltern Theater in Los Angeles from 2-6pm, showcasing many exciting artisan wines.
It’s an afternoon crash course in defining “garagiste” here in California. Originally, the term was used in the Bordeaux region of France to belittle small production winemakers who rejected the established rules of the region, and often worked out of their garage. Here in California, these wine pioneers also think outside the box, producing small lots of premium wines, mostly under 1,500 cases and often much less. These rebel winemakers experiment with the unexpected, but always follow their passion. Most of them don’t have a tasting room, so this festival provides the perfect opportunity to taste a rising star and discover your next “house” wine.
Billed as “Urban Exposure, Bringing the California wine country to the city” the 2016 Garagiste Festival tickets are available online at californiagaragistes.com. VIP Backstage Seminar Access starts at 1pm, focusing on the influence of oak in wine, with Ryan Render, a winemaker/owner of Rendarrio Vineyards, who also represents Cadus, a French barrel company, along with Santa Barbara County’s Michael Larner of Larner Vineyards, and also includes wine tasting until 6pm, for $129. Early Access is from 2-6pm, offering a one hour head start to taste, meet the winemakers, and experience exclusive sips of “Rare and Reserve” wine only poured for Early Access guests. Unlimited wine tasting, with bread, cheese, and charcuterie are included in the $99 admission. The Grand Tasting, from 3-6pm, offers everything that the VIP tastings do, except no special wine tasting of the rare and reserved, for $69. Organizers are encouraging attendees to take the Metro, as the Wilshire/Western stop on the Purple Line is right across the street from the theater. Otherwise, there are various parking garages and limited metered parking in the area.
This non-profit Garagiste Festival donates its proceeds to the Cal Poly Wine and Viticulture Program, based in San Luis Obispo. Looking to the future, this charity event supports the education of budding winemakers and others training for wine industry jobs. Garagiste Festival co-founders Stewart McLennan and Doug Minnick are passionate about connecting these cutting edge winemakers with wine lovers who seek out the novelty of the unknown, the fringe element before it becomes chic. Doug explains how their non-profit acts as a de facto trade organization, and “helps people who make amazing wines get their word out”.
Thought you knew what California wine is all about? Embrace “garagiste” and discover a whole new dimension, free spirited winemakers with boundless passion and limited funds, who strive to put their own spin on California wine, breaking the rules, all in one place, “The Garagiste Festival: Urban Exposure” at the Wiltern Theater, this Saturday, don’t miss it!
It’s an afternoon crash course in defining “garagiste” here in California. Originally, the term was used in the Bordeaux region of France to belittle small production winemakers who rejected the established rules of the region, and often worked out of their garage. Here in California, these wine pioneers also think outside the box, producing small lots of premium wines, mostly under 1,500 cases and often much less. These rebel winemakers experiment with the unexpected, but always follow their passion. Most of them don’t have a tasting room, so this festival provides the perfect opportunity to taste a rising star and discover your next “house” wine.
Billed as “Urban Exposure, Bringing the California wine country to the city” the 2016 Garagiste Festival tickets are available online at californiagaragistes.com. VIP Backstage Seminar Access starts at 1pm, focusing on the influence of oak in wine, with Ryan Render, a winemaker/owner of Rendarrio Vineyards, who also represents Cadus, a French barrel company, along with Santa Barbara County’s Michael Larner of Larner Vineyards, and also includes wine tasting until 6pm, for $129. Early Access is from 2-6pm, offering a one hour head start to taste, meet the winemakers, and experience exclusive sips of “Rare and Reserve” wine only poured for Early Access guests. Unlimited wine tasting, with bread, cheese, and charcuterie are included in the $99 admission. The Grand Tasting, from 3-6pm, offers everything that the VIP tastings do, except no special wine tasting of the rare and reserved, for $69. Organizers are encouraging attendees to take the Metro, as the Wilshire/Western stop on the Purple Line is right across the street from the theater. Otherwise, there are various parking garages and limited metered parking in the area.
This non-profit Garagiste Festival donates its proceeds to the Cal Poly Wine and Viticulture Program, based in San Luis Obispo. Looking to the future, this charity event supports the education of budding winemakers and others training for wine industry jobs. Garagiste Festival co-founders Stewart McLennan and Doug Minnick are passionate about connecting these cutting edge winemakers with wine lovers who seek out the novelty of the unknown, the fringe element before it becomes chic. Doug explains how their non-profit acts as a de facto trade organization, and “helps people who make amazing wines get their word out”.
Thought you knew what California wine is all about? Embrace “garagiste” and discover a whole new dimension, free spirited winemakers with boundless passion and limited funds, who strive to put their own spin on California wine, breaking the rules, all in one place, “The Garagiste Festival: Urban Exposure” at the Wiltern Theater, this Saturday, don’t miss it!
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