Affairs of the Vine
Affairs of the Vine

Being seduced by Pinot Noir
has never been so irresistible!

Pinot Noir Shootout Results Available March 25, 2008

On Sunday, March 2, 2008 consumers, press and trade will gather for the remarkable “Passionate about Pinot Noir Summit.” Held at Fort Mason in San Francisco, an extraordinary array of palates will gather to assess “the best of the best,” from the 6th Annual Pinot Noir Shootout finals held on January 16, 2008.


The 6th Annual Pinot Noir Shootout included Pinots from around the globe, including France, Italy, Australia (including Tasmania), and New Zealand. Stateside, California and Oregon dominate the wine submissions; however, Pinots have also come in from Michigan, Pennsylvania, and New York.

Unique aspects of the PN Shootout:

Ellen Landis
Ellen Landis tasting as
part of the PNS panel

The Summit will carry the theme through as above allowing the attendees to taste the wines blind and compare their findings to the panel’s at The Final Showdown.

The Pinot Noir Shootout continues to explore and assess the reactions and preferences of women versus men, in regards to Pinot Noir. This year, descriptors and scores of the female and male panelists will be denoted, as well as the reactions of the Pinot Noir Summit attendees, in an attempt to discover whether women and men prefer different wine styles.

Details:

Who: Affairs of the Vine, International Wine Review, Wineworks
What: The Pinot Noir Summit
When: Sunday, March 2, 2008 ~ Noon to 7:30 p.m.
Where: Golden Gate Room, Fort Mason, San Francisco CA

Features: 

We do not disclose the wines that will be tasted in the blind tasting...that would ruin the fun and the challenge.

Here is a partial list of the wineries that will join us for the Wine Reception.  New wineries being added daily.

Adobe Road WineryAmity Vineyards
Ardiri WineBianchi
BianchiBroadbent Selections
Canihan Family CellarsCima Collina
Claiborne & Churchill VintnersClouds Rest Vineyards
David Bruce WineryDon Sebastiani & Sons
Gryphon WinesHahn Estates
Handley CellarsHeart O' The Mountain
Kenneth Volk VineyardsLaetitia Vineyards
Longboard VineyardsMahoney Vineyards
Manzoni Estate VineyardMark West Winery
Phillips Hill EstatesRN Estate Vineyard & Winery
San Saba VineyardsSanta Cruz Mountain Vineyard
Savannah Chanelle VineyardsSignorello Vineyards
Sonoma Coast VineyardsStephen's Cellar
Three SticksTR Elliott
TR ElliottTrinitas Cellars
Twin Oak CellarsVision Cellars
Willowbrook Cellars

AND MORE...

Each attendee may attend two educational workshops.

Activities:

David Jones
David Jones seriously studies
Pinot Noir at the PNS finals.

Noon - 2:30 PM
Pinot Noir Shootout - The Final Showdown: Pinot Noir lovers will have the opportunity to taste 40 of the top-rated wines from 6th Annual Pinot Noir Shootout in a blind tasting at the Pinot Noir Summit at Fort Mason. Guests will pit their palates against the expert panel. Each attendee will taste the wines and rate their preferences. Scores will be tallied and compared with the findings of our panel.

2:30 PM - 5:00 PM
Pinot Noir Workshops -   Guests may attend two workshops. They may choose from the following:

  1. Here Come the Clones ~ Moderator: Christopher Sawyer; National Wine Writer, Sommelier: Carneros Bistro at the Lodge at Sonoma, Kristen Barnhisel, Co-winemaker, Handley Cellars and Ken Foster, Winemaker, Mahoney Vineyards will discuss Pinot Noir Clonal Selection. The panel will identify the attributes of different Pinot Noir clones and taste examples of each clonal selection.
  2. Analyzing the Ageability of a Young Pinot Noir ~ Moderator: R. Gallyot; Steve Goldman, Stephens Cellar; Elly Hartshorn, Laetitia Vineyard & Winery; Steve Heimoff, Wine Critic and Author; and Mark Weiner, Twin Oaks Cellars
  3. Discover the Excellence of New Zealand Pinot Noir ~ Moderator: Sid Sall, Wine Director, Great Chefs of Marin; Ann Feely, Broadbent Selections; Jennifer Y. Hong, TGIC Importers, Inc.; Art Nieto, Epic Wines
  4. A Question of Style ~ Winemaker panel will discuss their "style" taste the unique differences. ~ Moderator: Martin Reyes, C.W.E., Wine Buyer, St. Helena Wine Center; Ted Elliott, Proprietor, TR Elliott; Joe Otos, Winemaker, Willowbrook Cellars
  5. Discovering New Stars ~ An introduction and tasting of wines from young wineries. ~ Moderator: Rusty Gaffney, Prince of Pinot, Pinotfile; Roger Nicolas, RN Estate, Owner/Winemaker; Tracey L. Bledsoe, Assistant Winemaker/Enologist Three Sticks Wines; Shaun and Gerald Bybee, Owners B Vineyards & Habitat; Jamie Kutch, Owner Kutch Wines
  6. Location, Location, Location ~ An exploration of appellation. ~ Moderator: Alan Goldfarb, Regional Correspondent, Appellation America; Franc Dusak, Winemaker, Adobe Road Winery; Jonathan O'Bergin, Owner/Winemaker Gryphon Wines; Sabrine M. Rodems, Winemaker, San Saba Vineyards
  7. Discover the Velvet ~ A Vertical Tasting of Pinot Noir: John Saemann, Owner, Clouds Rest Vineyards; Ken Volk, Owner, Kenneth Volk Vineyards
  8. How Is Wine Judged? ~ Learn the secrets and process of professional wine judging from a panel of experts as you taste three distinct wines. ~ Moderator: Tom Merle, Principal, Winery Direct Services; Kathe Morris, Wine Educator, Over a Barrel Wines; Paul Machester, Vintage 59 Imports; Scott Clemens, Epicurean Traveler

5:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Pinot Noir Reception, Silent Auction and Awards Ceremony: Final results of the 6th Annual Pinot Noir Shootout & Summit will be announced at 7:00 PM. Winners will be unveiled at the reception featuring top Pinot winemakers showcasing their wines with specially paired hors d'oeuvre.

The Pinot Noir Summit Reception is the culmination of the 6th Annual Pinot Noir Shootout & Summit.

Silent Auction to benefit ALS. Affairs of the Vine, International Wine Review and Wineworks are teaming up with the Muscular Dystrophy Association to raise awareness and funding for ALS, (Lou Gehrig's Disease). A percentage of ticket sales and proceeds from the silent auction will benefit the ALS Division of MDA.

Complete results of the 6th Annual Pinot Noir Shootout will be posted, no later than March 25, 2008.

The final results will be announced at The Pinot Noir Summit at 7 PM on March 2, 2008 and the winners will be unveiled.

Attendance for the Pinot Noir Summit is limited to 200 lucky Pinot Noir Lovers.

Click here to attend the Pinot Noir Summit

Pinot Noir Summit $135 per person

Click here to attend the Reception Only

Pinot Noir Reception $75.00 per person