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Upcoming Events

Tue Mar 09 @05:00AM -
Hirsch Vineyards, Wine Dinner, Rasika, Washington, DC
Tue Mar 09 @06:00PM -
Randall Grahm, Winemaker Dinner, Laurus, Danville, CA
Tue Mar 09 @06:30PM - 08:00PM
Snowden Winery,Tasty Tuesdays,a/k/a a bistro, St. Helena, CA
Wed Mar 10 @06:30PM - 08:00PM
UNWINED Wine Bar, Tamber Bey Vineyards, San Jose CA
Thu Mar 11 @06:00AM -
Barrel Tasting & Wine Dinner Thursdays at Bonny Doon, Santa Cruz
Fri Mar 12 @11:00AM - 04:00PM
Barrel Tasting: Alexander, Dry Creek & Russian River Valleys
Fri Mar 12 @06:30PM - 09:00PM
The National Hotel, Winemaker Dinner, Jamestown, CA
Fri Mar 12 @07:00PM -
Hirsch Tasting at Union Square Wines, New York, NY
Sat Mar 13 @11:00AM - 04:00PM
Barrel Tasting: Alexander, Dry Creek & Russian River Valleys
Sat Mar 13 @01:00PM - 04:00PM
Calaveras Winegrape and Gourmet Weekend, Angels Camp, CA
Sun Mar 14 @11:00AM - 04:00PM
Barrel Tasting: Alexander, Dry Creek & Russian River Valleys
Tue Mar 16 @06:30PM -
Viader Vineyards, Wine Dinner, Sundance Resort, Park City, Utah
Tue Mar 16 @06:30PM - 08:00PM
Chappellet, Tasty Tuesdays, a/k/a a bistro, St. Helena, CA.
Wed Mar 17 @06:30PM - 08:00PM
UNWINED Wine Bar, Monterey AVA Wines, San Jose CA
Wed Mar 17 @06:30PM -
Viader and Steltzner Wine Dinner, Lugano, Salt Lake City, Utah
Thu Mar 18 @06:00AM -
Barrel Tasting & Wine Dinner Thursdays at Bonny Doon, Santa Cruz
Thu Mar 18 @06:00PM - 08:00PM
Pelerin Wines, The Vine at Bridges, 44 Church St., Danville, CA
Thu Mar 18 @06:00PM - 08:00PM
Organic Wine Tasting Featuring Clos Saron
Fri Mar 19 @05:00PM -
Guest Chef Dinner, JUSTIN Vineyards,Paso Robles, CA 93446
Fri Mar 19 @06:30PM - 09:30PM
Peachy Canyon Winemaker Dinner, Paso Robles, CA

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News: March 5 2010 PDF Print E-mail
Daily News
Written by Fred Swan   
Friday, 05 March 2010 10:18

For California Vintners, It's Not Easy Being Green - Meg Sullivan, redOrbit

About time to certify sustainable wine in California? - Molly Peterson, 89.3 KPCC

More Winegrapes for Nevada County: New operator takes over foreclosed vineyard in Sierra Foothills AVA - Jane Firstenfeld, Wines & Vines

Inertia names new CEO –  North Bay Business Journal

 

 
Marko Karakasevic of Charbay Winery & Distillery becomes Master Distiller (press release) PDF Print E-mail
Winery News
Written by Administrator   
Thursday, 04 March 2010 11:10

St. Helena, CA - Spring, 2010 - Marko Karakasevic has earned the title ‘Master Distiller’ following a colorful 26 year apprenticeship under his father, Miles Karakasevic, who is a 12th generation European Grand Master Distiller. The family owns Charbay Winery & Distillery, an independent artisan winery and distillery based in the Napa Valley. Miles held the standards high and it was up to Marko to prove himself.

To become a Master Distiller, Marko was to source, distill and bring to market a spirit equal to or better than spirits he’d distilled under his Master. Marko’s thesis is a whiskey called Doubled & Twisted, which is an old distilling term referring to a critical point in the second distillation. When he told his father he had sold his first case, Miles, beamed with pride, shook his hand and said: “Congratulations, Marko. You are now a Master Distiller. Let’s drink some whiskey and smoke cigars.”

Marko’s apprenticeship included 26 years around the family Copper Alambic pot stills. Together, Miles & Marko fermented wines, distilled brandy, made ports (fortified with their own brandies), liqueurs and distilled grappa, pastis, vodkas, rums, Pachanga, whiskey and their latest release: Charbay Tequila which they personally distill in Mexico. They are hands on distillers.

It was Marko’s idea to produce Charbay fresh fruit vodkas back in 1998 when he was just 25 years old. The 100% whole fruit vodkas went national. The Food & Wine article by Pete Wells fueled the buzz that these vodkas truly captured the fresh fruit flavors. They woke up the world to a new category of artisan vodkas. Marko was honored with the Vodka Visionary award by Food & Wine magazine. Gourmet Magazine said they “…tasted better than the real fruit…”

Charbay is family owned and operated. They work with restaurateurs across the country including Employees Only, NYC; Michael Mina, S.F.; Rock House, Bahamas to the International Aman Resorts.

Marko’s thesis is called Doubled & Twisted Light Whiskey. He bottled his first release in 1 liter jugs. It retails California for $58.

CHARBAY WINERY & DISTILLERY was started in 1983 by Miles & Susan Karakasevic. Miles is a 12th generation winemaker & Grand Master Distiller from Europe. His family carries on a lifetime of artisan skills combined with the ‘can do’ spirit of California and the wonderful fruits available. Son Marko, who grew up in St. Helena, is the 13th generation winemaker/distiller in the family. Come taste the wines & ports of Charbay, an independently owned and operated winery & distillery.

Contact: Susan Karakasevic
Phone: 707-963-9327, ext. 16
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

 
News: March 3 2010 PDF Print E-mail
Daily News
Written by Fred Swan   
Wednesday, 03 March 2010 10:11

On Wine: Bill Brosseau of Testarossa Vineyards - Laurie Daniel, San Jose Mercury News

Tiny Bottles a Big Change for Wine Tasting? - Michelle Locke for Associated Press

Napa County finds middle ground on wine law - Napa Valley Register

Mike Dunne's Wine of the Week pick is from Calaveras County -  sacbee.com

A 20-Year-Old Napa Cabernet Still Going Strong - James Laube, What We're Drinking Now: Wine Spectator

County supervisors rezone land for Graton winery project - Bleys W. Rose, PressDemocrat.com

Tiny Novato winery wins trademark case against Trek Bicycle – Jeff Quackenbush, North Bay Business Journal

Luna Vineyards Promotes Jim McMahon to Winemaker - winebusiness.com

Do Oil Sprays Delay Grape Ripening? - Paul Franson, Wines & Vines

Cellartracker! Partners with Wine Market Journal for Cellar Valuation - Wine Business News

Learning how to find bargain wines - Dan Berger, PressDemocrat.com

Wine of the week - Peg Melnick, PressDemocrat.com

More than grapes in Napa Valley? - Mike Treleven, St. Helena Star

Napa Condos empty for three years now on the market - Mike Treleven, Napa Valley Register

Last Updated on Wednesday, 03 March 2010 11:47
 
News: March 2 2010 PDF Print E-mail
Daily News
Written by Fred Swan   
Tuesday, 02 March 2010 11:27

Wine grapes and salmon at odds - Jason Dearen, The Associated Press via Daily Democrat

Benicia event goes wineless - Tony Burchyns, Vallejo Times Herald

Valley chefs prepare a feast for annual Academy Awards fundraiser - L. Pierce Carson, Napa Valley Register

Auction sale of large Nevada County vineyard - Kyle Magin, TheUnion.com

CDFA PD/GWSS Board Announces Winegrape Grower Referendum - Wine Business News

Wine People on the Move - Jane Firstenfeld, Wines & Vines