Posted on December 20, 2016
World of Pinot Noir Announces 2017 Signature Event Line-up March 3-4 at Bacara Resort & Spa
December 20, 2016 (Santa Barbara CA) - The World of Pinot Noir (WOPN), the organization dedicated to the education and celebration of Pinot Noir, has announced its extensive event line-up for March 3-4, 2017 at the Bacara Resort & Spa in Santa Barbara. Featuring nearly 200 wineries showcasing Pinot Noirs from around the world, the event includes two days of dinners, in-depth wine seminars, luncheons and two grand tastings. Weekend passes and tickets are on sale now at www.worldofpinotnoir.com.
The WOPN Board of Directors and Advisory Committee have secured several noteworthy events featuring well-known brands Kosta Browne, Maison Louis Latour, Hitching Post, Hirsch Vineyards, Merry Edwards and more. Returning favorites are the Burgundy seminar and lunch hosted by Don Kinnan and a special Pinot and Pâté tasting moderated by Santa Barbara–based wine journalist Matt Kettmann. Guest chefs – Dustin Valette of Valette in Healdsburg, Brian Collins of Ember in Arroyo Grande and Frank Ostini of the iconic Hitching Post II in Buellton - join Bacara’s executive chef Vincent Lesage to create the culinary inspiration of the 2017 schedule. Key event highlights include:
· Kosta Browne’s 20th Anniversary Dinner. Kosta Browne is digging deep into their cellar to commemorate this anniversary with rare and large format offerings from Sonoma Coast and Santa Lucia Highlands vineyards. The dinner, with the special wines and Chef Valette’s creativity, will be a one of a kind WOPN experience.
· Taste Premier and Grand Cru wines from Maison Louis Latour. Choose from a seminar and luncheon and/or dinner moderated by noted wine writer Michael Apstein.
· Sonoma’s Hirsch Vineyards Vertical and Horizontal Tasting seminar features Jasmine Hirsch, along with wine personality Christopher Sawyer who will take guests through an in-depth tasting. This seminar features a vertical of vintages 2011 – 2014 and a ‘horizontal’ tasting of different single vineyard Pinots from the same vintage.
· The Merry Edwards Rock Star Dinner will honor one of Pinot Noir’s most talented and celebrated winemakers, Merry Edwards. Dinner will be paired with Merry’s wines alongside the wines of her notable winemaking counterparts including Brewer-Clifton, Fiddlehead and Hartford Court.
The newly renovated Angel Oak at Bacara is the newest venue to showcase the wines and culinary masterpieces. Bacara’s own executive chef Vincent Lesage will create several of the meals, including the Anderson Valley Wineries Dinner on Friday and the Vintage Burgundy Dinner with the Guild of Sommeliers on Saturday evening. Angel Oak, which overlooks the majestic Santa Barbara shoreline, is the location of Friday’s Rosé lunch and a Sparkling Brunch on Saturday.
“We are excited for another full slate of events at the Bacara Resort & Spa,” said Coby Parker-Garcia, WOPN President. “Every year we strive to bring a diverse set of events that showcase the awesome world of Pinot Noir and this year’s line-up is special.”
The signature Grand Tasting events return on Friday and Saturday in the Ballroom of Bacara Resort & Spa. Guests will enjoy Pinot Noir wines from around the world. VIP admission allows guests early entrance and special access areas for food and wine.
The picturesque backdrop for the entire event is the Bacara Resort & Spa in Santa Barbara. Guests can book a room to stay at the resort, attend tastings and dinners and soak in the beauty of California's beautiful Central Coast.
WOPN’s mission is to bring Pinot Noir producers from the most exceptional and unique regions in the world together with Pinot Noir enthusiasts from across the country for a weekend of celebration and education.
2017 Event Schedule / Bacara Resort & Spa, Santa Barbara, California
Friday March 3, 2017
Seminar Series – Hirsch Vineyards and Louis Latour – The Terroirists
9am- 2pm – Maison Louis Latour owns nearly 125 acres in 21 appellations of the Côte d’Or and is the largest owner of Grand Crus property. Moderated by author Michael Apstein, attendees will taste several Premier and Grand Cru wines from the estate. Next up, Hirsch Vineyards presents wines that span vintages and single vineyards for a vertical and ‘horizontal’ tasting led by Jasmine Hirsch and moderator Christopher Sawyer. Three-course luncheon prepared by the Bacara Culinary team.
Rosé Lunch
11:30am – Enjoy a selection of Pinot Noir rosé wines with lunch prepared by Bacara’s culinary team in the new Angel Oak restaurant; moderated by Adam Montiel.
Around the World With Pinot Noir – International Pinots with Tasting Panel
1pm – Taste Pinot Noirs from around the world in this seminar moderated by Anthony Dias Blue. Presented by Tasting Panel Magazine, this panel will showcase the diversity of the grape as it shows its range of styles across several continents.
Focus Grand Tasting / Pinot Noir by the Sea - 3 – 6:30pm
VIP admission 3pm and includes access to special areas for wine and food, general admission 4pm. Enjoy Pinot Noir wines from over 100 wineries in the Bacara Ballroom and views of the coast.
Kosta Browne 20th Anniversary Dinner with Chef Dustin Valette of Valette, Healdsburg
7:30pm - This intimate dinner features Kosta Browne’s cellar collection of wines. A five-course dinner prepared by Chef Dustin Valette of Valette Healdsburg will complement the wines for a special Pinot Noir and dining experience only available at WOPN.
Edna Valley Collective Dinner with Chef Brian Collins of Ember, Arroyo Grande
7:30pm - Join the Edna Valley Collective wineries – Baileyana, Center of Effort, Tolosa, Claiborne & Churchill and Niner for a special five-course dinner. Taste the unique flavor of Edna Valley AVA through the wines and food in this culinary immersion.
Focus Dinner: Anderson Valley Pinot Noir / Dinner by Chef Vincent Lesage
7:30pm - Executive Chef Vincent Lesage prepares a five-course dinner to pair with wines from Anderson Valley in Sonoma including Witching Stick, Goldeneye, Panthea and Waits Mast. Moderated by Patrick Will.
Featured Burgundy Dinner with Maison Louis Latour
7:30pm - Maison Louis Latour was established in 1797 and has been passed from father to son for 11 generations it’s the largest of Grand Cru property in all of the Côte d’Or. A special dinner prepared by Bacara’s Executive Chef, Vincent Lesage will feature Latour wines in an intimate six-course meal.
Saturday March 4, 2017
Burgundy Seminar – La Cote D’Or - Vintage Does Make A Difference
9am – 2:30pm – Enjoy an exclusive seminar led by celebrated wine expert, Don Kinnan featuring multiple vintages of Burgundy wines:
Domaine Drouhin-Laroze Gevrey-Chambertin Lavaux-Saint-Jacques – 2013, 2009, 2008
Domaine La Pousse d'Or Volnay En Cailleret Clos des 60 Ouvrees – 2011, 2007, 2006
Domaine Robert Chevillon Nuits-Saint-Georges Les Roncieres – 2013, 2012, 2011
A three-course luncheon will follow the seminar and features additional Burgundy wines: 2013 Maison Louis Jadot Puligny-Montrachet La Garenne, 2012 Domaine Albert Morot Beaune-Bressandes,
2013 Domaine Louis Jadot Beaune Clos Des Couchereaux
Sparkling Brunch
11am – Kick off your day with bubbles in the Angel Oak restaurant. Sparkling wines and Champagnes will be featured with brunch prepared by Bacara’s culinary team; moderated by Allyson Gorsuch
Pinot and Pâté
11am – Sophie Boban-Doering and Paul Doering, owners of the San Luis Obispo shop, Fromagerie Sophie, bring their cheese expertise back to WOPN along with special pâté offering. Enjoy a selection of Sonoma wines including offerings from David Bynum, Landmark and Walt carefully paired with cheeses. Matt Kettmann of Wine Enthusiast will moderate.
Grand Tasting / Pinot Noir by the Sea 2:30 – 6pm
VIP 2:30pm and includes access to special areas for wine and food, general admission 3:30pm. Enjoy Pinot Noir from 150 top producers from California, Oregon, France and beyond.
Rock Stars of Pinot Noir Dinner – Honoring Merry Edwards
7:30pm – Each year WOPN honors a vintner based on his/her contribution and success in producing world-class Pinot Noir. The 2017 honoree, Merry Edwards, is a class act when it comes to making a mark in the category. Enjoy a special multi-course dinner with the Sonoma based vintner and friends: Greg Brewer of Brewer-Clifton, Kathy Joseph of Fiddlehead and Jeff Stewart of Hartford Court.
Hitching Post Retrospective Dinner with Frank Ostini
7:30pm – As one of the original founders of WOPN, Chef Frank Ostini is back and this time it’s all about the wine and barbecue in a retrospective dinner. This dinner features a vertical of Hitching Post Pinots, made by Ostini and Gray Hartley, with traditional wood fire barbeque meats prepared by Frank and his team. This is not your typical backyard gathering.
Vintage Burgundy Dinner with the Guild of Sommeliers
7:30pm – The World of Pinot Noir is thrilled to present an extraordinary wine dinner hosted by the Guild of Sommeliers. Jay Fletcher, MS will present vintage wines from the Guild’s extensive cellar in this six-course gourmand experience in a private dining salon for 45 guests.
About The World of Pinot Noir:
WOPN, a 501 (c) (6) trade organization, was established in 2001 by a small but dedicated group of winemakers from California’s Central Coast. The group’s mission is to bring fans of Pinot Noir together for a weekend of festivities. Wineries, sponsors and wine enthusiasts interested in learning more, contact [email protected]. Purchase tickets. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram #wopn, #wopn2017
