Yvonne K. Foucher, owner of Tucson's CataVinos Wine Shoppe & Tasting Room, records her thoughts in the People's Choice event at the 2010 Festival at the Farm.

Arizona Wine Growers Association will celebrate a year of national acclaim by raising a glass with the public on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011, at The Festival at The Farm.

Shake hands and drink the juice of Arizona’s own grape farmers and wine producers in the picturesque pecan grove setting of Phoenix’s historic The Farm at South Mountain. More than 20 of the state’s top wine growers from the Verde Valley, Sonoita/Elgin, and Willcox regions will gather to showcase their finest wines at this interactive event. Guests will learn about Arizona wine production, participate in fun and educational wine seminars, and taste dozens of wines.

As a nod to Arizona wine’s rich history, the festival is an officially-sanctioned Arizona Centennial event. The festival is from1pm to 5pm, and is limited to 1,000 guests. Prior to November 10 (that’s tomorrow!) tickets are $65 for the public and $60 for AWGA members. Tickets are $75 starting on November 11, and at the door.

The festival will include:

• Wine tasting with more than 20 participating Arizona wineries
• Picnic lunch prepared by The Farm Kitchen; also tasty treats from other local Arizona favorites
• High-energy live auction for great prizes
• Educational seminars

“Whether they are a novice or an aficionado, wine lovers will not want to miss this chance to meet the folks behind the rising Arizona wine movement,” said Peggy Fiandaca, president of the Arizona Wine Growers Association. “Come sip the juice from our state’s beautiful wine regions all in one place, in one of the most wonderful settings Phoenix has to offer.”

The festival is preceded by a special event on Friday, November 18, 2011. The “Celebration of the

Arizona Wine Growers” is an opportunity to mingle and meet winemakers from across the state. The event is 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Quiessence Restaurant at The Farm at South Mountain.

The winemaker dinner is open to the public but capped at 100 guests. This special evening includes an awards reception followed by a specially prepared four-course dinner using local produce by Quiessence Executive Chef Greg LaPrad. Each course is paired with winning wines from the 2011 Arizona Grower’s Cup and Winemaker’s Medal competition. Each of the winning wineries will be present to discuss their wine and wine-making philosophy. The cost for this special evening is $125 per person.

Wilhelm Family Vineyards hosting Patriot Salute Wine Festival

Head to Elgin, Arizona, this weekend, Nov 11-13, 2011, 10:00am to 8:00pm (except Sunday, ends at 6:00pm) for Wilhelm Family Vineyards second annual Patriot Salute Wine Festival.
Hosted by owners Kevin & Karyl, both Air Force veterans, this festival honors military families for their commitments and service to our country.

For a nominal charge ($15/person, free for non-tasters), festival goers receive a festival logo wineglass and then choose eight wines to taste from 25 choices—including Wilhelm’s new release ‘Patriot Salute’ and new chocolate ports (including white chocolate). Activities will include winery and vineyard Q&A tours. Winemaker suggested food-pairings will be offered by Prairie Chicks Catering (food sold separately). Friday and Saturday evenings will be celebrated around a bonfire and Saturday evening will feature a karaoke experience. Music will provide entertainment all weekend. There will be a jumping castle and games for kids, including face painting and temporary tattoos. Enjoy a horse-drawn wagon ride on Sunday, and check out local vendors’ amazing products all weekend long.

Combine French Maid Cabernet Sauvignon with Sam O’Shaugnessey’s Supper Club, entertainment by Lisa Otey and Bobby Craig, and three of my long-time friends, Nancy Stewart, Janice Ulrich, and Karen Irby, and you spell P-A-R-T-Y! What a birthday celebration this turned out to be.

Owner Sam O’Shaughnessey is the chief cook and bottle washer at this quaint and charming restaurant, hidden just east of Tanque Verde on East Camino Principal. If you’ve never been there, you’re in for a surprise and a whole lot of fun. The varied menu–all made from scratch  (I couldn’t make up my mind!), upbeat and fun entertainment, and superb service add up to a delightful evening.

Sam prepared our salads and entrees that all agreed were superb. From my medium rare Petite Filet to my friends’ Delmonico steaks and clams and linguine, all were made-to-order–there were no complaints (and we can be a picky bunch). The parsley roasted potatoes were a nice added touch.

We ordered a bottle of the house red wine–the French Maid Cab, the perfect choice for the evening.  Blended with 10% Merlot and 10% Syrah for added depth and complexity, this rich, ripe Cabernet Sauvignon boasts layers of luscious black cherry and dark berry jam fruit with complementary notes of roast coffee, sandalwood, vanilla, and spicy oak–those rich aromas and flavors I most enjoy.

"Wild Women" Lisa Otey and Diane Van Deurzen willl will be performing "The Greatest Songs of All Time!" at the Gaslight Theatre on Mon., October 17, 7:00pm.

Much to our delight, the famed Lisa Otey walks in (yes, THAT Lisa Otey), says a quick hello, and seats herself at the piano, face-to-face with our table. Somewhat surprisingly, our waiter Bobby Craig also took the stage, and his repertoire of all things musical combined well with Lisa’s rocking, boogie-inspired style.

We lingered at O’Shaughnessey’s much longer than typical, but Lisa and Bobby played right into our varied musical tastes–they seemed to know every song in the universe–from boogie woogie to blues to rock to country to swing and beyond.

Of course, the French Maid Cab was savory sipping as they sang. It had been a perfect match for the hearty grilled beef and rich pasta dishes we enjoyed. It especially complemented the shared slice of Ghiradelli chocolate cake, delivered with lit candle, as Sam crooned “Happy Birthday” and Bobby sang and swayed me to a very personal “Just In Time”.

Lisa will be playing at O’Shaughnessey’s for the next couple of weeks (open for dinner, Wednesdays through Sundays), so I highly recommend the show. Bobby apparently has sang all over the world, and in one word, his performance was “Wonderful”–also his favorite song. When he sang that song while seated at our table, the message filled my soul.

Sometimes, it’s not just all about the wine…but the right choice of wine can put the crowning touch on a fabulous evening. Thanks, French Maid, and thanks to everyone for making this such a special celebration. Cheers!

Curious about how all that wine joy made it to that one little glass? The opportunity to learn about the journey from grape to glass will take place on Saturday, August 27, 11:00am to 3:00pm, at the Lawrence Dunham Vineyards in Pearce, Arizona, just south of Willcox.

To help them celebrate this year’s harvest and learn more about the wine grape-growing and winemaking process, sign up to attend the second annual Grape to Glass Symposium held at the winery. The event is limited to 80 participants who will tour the vineyard and winery with the winemaker and enjoy a gourmet lunch paired with Lawrence Dunham Vineyards’ wines. Lunch features locally-grown cheeses and produce as well as mesquite grilled flat iron steaks paired with Petite Sirah, grilled salmon and shrimp perfectly paired with Sky Island Grenache, and a variety of salads and desserts.

Unique to this event is that the attendees participate in the state’s largest tasting panel. The panel input provides the winemaker valuable feedback on the upcoming 2010 blending process. Wines are evaluated throughout the maturing process typically only by the winemaker or trusted wine enthusiasts. The Symposium allows participants to taste and evaluate several different blends compiled by the winemaker directly from the barrel.

Lawrence Dunham Vineyards creates hand-crafted Rhone-varietal wines that reflect its unique Southeastern Arizona environment. The 5000’ elevation provides warm days, cool nights, mountain breezes, and four-season climate essential for quality wine production. The transformation that wine grapes go through as they journey from the vineyard to the bottle centers around the gentle handling of the grapes through the winemaking process.

“We process small batches and do not fine or filter our wines which we believe creates an extraordinary mouth-feel and well-balanced taste,” said Curt Dunham owner/winemaker. “The harvest that began this month is a critical point in the journey from grape to glass as it culminates the growing season and begins the transition to the winemaking process,” Dunham said.

“Harvest has begun a little earlier this year and the timing of the Symposium could provide an added experience for participants. The Viognier grapes have been harvested and we are hoping for a bit more hang time in the vineyard for the Grenache, Syrah, and Petite Sirah. However, it has been warm and they are ripening fast,” said Dunham.

From veraison (grapes changing color) to harvest, the real skill of the vineyard manager comes into play as the weather is closely monitored. Last August, the Lawrence Dunham Vineyards received over ten inches of rain, a great deal more than the typical rainfall allowing them to reduce the irrigated water application. This summer rain has been plentiful too causing Ash Creek, which cuts the property in half, to overflow its banks.

Time will tell if the journey from the vine to the wine exceeds the winemaker’s expectations. But one thing for certain, the quality of the wine produced will be heavily influenced on the unpredictable journey from the grape to the glass.

Several spots are still available to experience this symposium. To register for the Lawrence Dunham Vineyards’ Grape to Glass Symposium email your attendance to info@lawrencedunhamvineyards.com or call 602/320-1485. Cost is $45.00 and includes lunch and wine, tours, and barrel tasting panel.