Travel to Italy

I'm beginning plans for travel to Italy again this fall. My friend Gina of Villa Vita International will be investigating properties on the coast and in northern Italy lake district and invited me to tag along. I couldn't refuse an offer like that! Did some clothes shopping and found some walking shoes that I think will work great for all the walking around we do in Italy. (last time I took shoes that I THOUGHT would work, but they caused blisters on the very first day (ugh). There is a big difference between dry hot flat in AZ versus humid warm and hilly in Italian villages. We will be north this time, so should be cooler, and later in the year too. I'm excited for a 9 day visit back in 'the old country'.

Alcantara Chardonnay Wine Label

Each of the wine bottle labels is different and unique; a piece of art created by artist Smokin' Joe McWilliams. He has been commissioned to design all labels for all varietals at Alcantara Vineyards.

He also designs posters for festivals, see earlier post below. Aren't they beautiful? This is the label for the 08 Chardonnay that was bottled at the vineyard on Saturday July 10, the Chard Festival.

Chardonnay Bottling and Festival, 7.10.2010

Saturday July 10 was the Alcantara Vineyards Chard Festival and bottling event. Not only did we get chardonnay bottled, but there was also time to bottle ESTATE Sauvignon Blanc too. That's because there was so much help from a lot of family and friends during the day. My friend Tom spent the entire day working in the wine barn, becoming an expert foil operator and supervisor of kids who wanted to help. Actually several kids performed the foiling and corking better than adults. They have the finesse and gentleness required for perfect and precision results. Alcantara is a boutique winery, so all the work is done by hand, the 'assembly line' above.

Tom using concentration and precision to accomplish bottle foiling properly.

Chard Festival

July 9 Birthday Bash For Barbara Predmore, owner Alcantara Vineyards

Friday evening is going to be a great big birthday bash to celebrate Barbara Predmore's 60th birthday. Bob, her husband, is putting on the Ritz with lots of food, music, dancing, and of course, WINE for family, friends, and employees of the Vineyard.

Saturday will be the Chardonnay Bottling Festival for anyone who wants to come and enjoy the fun, food, special barrel tasting before bottling, help with the bottling process, and taste exclusive new release Estate wines not yet available to the public! Learn about the new Alcantara Wine Society and Beach Club, and join for special discounts and priority treatment!

Wait until you see the new Chardonnay label, and get a special poster commemorating the festival, get a T shirt, wine glass and 5 different wine tastings too.

Sunday Brunch is a first at the Vineyard (reservations required)! Followed by the usual tasting menu available to everyone.

Celebrate the 4th at Alcantara Vineyards & Winery

Happy Fourth of July! (well we celebrate the whole weekend, don't you?)

There will be BBQ chicken and ribs at Alcantara today and tomorrow, along with music and WINE of course. I've also heard there is going to be some beer to go with that BBQ.

It is going to be at least 10 degrees cooler here in Northern AZ than in Phoenix, so come on up and enjoy the relaxing cool atmosphere, comfort of patio relaxation and pleasure. What more could you want.

See you there.

July 10 Chardonnay Bottling Festival at Alcantara Vineyards

Update: the Chardonnay Bottling Festival will be Saturday, July 10; held in conjunction with Big Birthday Bash for the entire weekend. For $60 in advance registration, get a poster, a T shirt, 5 tastings and an Alcantara glass, lunch, entertainment, AND first free tastes of NEW Releases - mourvedre, harvest blend, white merlot, and semillion!

Should be a bunch of fun, and we will be introducing the NEW Alcantara Wine Club at this event. Exciting!