Ojai Food + Wine Festival
Ojai Valley Inn
Tasted Thursday, October 26, 2023 - Sunday, October 29, 2023 by tcarter with 183 views
Introduction
Ojai Food + Wine Festival took place over four days in Ojai California.
Flight 1 - Thursday Night Reception (25 Notes)
Open to all ticketed patrons, the walk-around tasting will feature over a dozen chefs and more than 30 wineries with a spotlight on regional California wineries, along with some of the world’s best producers.
Flight 2 - The High Bar w/ Maggie Harrison (8 Notes)
Maggie Harrison honed her skills at the legendary Sine Qua Non under Elaine and Manfred Krankl but it was the “ancient earth” of Oregon that most spoke to her. Her wines at Antica Terra are among the most celebrated and thought provoking, but this tasting is focused on wines that inspire her; the High Bar. An enthusiast’s dream tasting of rarities from different regions of the world that help support the aspirational beauty that Maggie creates in her wines every day. This seminar will explore eight different producers from various regions of the winemaking world.
Flight 3 - The Stars of San Francisco Luncheon (4 Notes)
Nancy Oakes (Boulevard, Prospect) teams up with husband-and-wife duo Stuart Brioza and Nicole Krasinski (State Bird Provisions, The Progress) to create an unforgettable lunch celebrating some of The Golden City’s most beloved restaurants. Includes a family-style lunch and wine pairings from Carlton McCoy.
Flight 4 - Local Legend: Sine Qua Non w/ Manfred & Elaine Krankl (9 Notes)
There really is no wine producer like Sine Qua Non. Named after a Latin phrase meaning “without which, nothing,” SQN gives each new bottle in each new vintage a new name, a new label and a new bottle shape – all of which reflects their unique approach to winemaking. SQN doesn’t have a set method, recipe or style for the wines they make. Rather, they see each year as a new experience and an opportunity to make a wine that reflects what nature has given.
Manfred and Elaine Krankl will share eight different bottlings in this bucket-list peek behind the curtain of Sine Qua Non. They started with a 1999 Sine Qua Non Sparkling wine en magnum that was unreleased (only 280 mags produced and none sold).
Flight 5 - Dinner in My Italian Home w/ Nancy Silverton (7 Notes)
Who wouldn’t dream of showing up at Nancy’s home in Italy for a dinner party? Join Nancy and special guests as she hosts an intimate dinner at a Tuscan-inspired private estate for an unforgettable evening of entertainment and some of the dishes that etched her name into culinary legendry.
Flight 6 - Leroy, Guardian of Great Wines (8 Notes)
“Leroy, absolute perfection. More than a model, the wines are an absolute reference. No other winery in the world holds itself to a higher standard in terms of exactitude in its viticulture.” - La Revue du Vin de France. A dream tasting of eight vintages of Leroy will be presented in this swoonworthy seminar.
Flight 7 - Saturday Grand Tasting (5 Notes)
Open to all ticketed patrons, the walk-around tasting will feature over a dozen chefs and more than 30 wineries at Ojai Valley Inn’s signature venue, The Farmhouse. Scheduled to appear: Priedite Barbecue, Sumo Dog, Rossoblu, Loreto, CUCINA urbana, The Dutchess, Rare Society, among others.
Flight 8 - 1982 Bordeaux First Growth Retrospective (6 Notes)
Widely considered the benchmark vintage by wine enthusiasts, this rare tasting explores the wines of legendary Châteaus Mouton-Rothschild, Margaux, Haut-Brion, Lafite Rothschild, and Latour. Just passing 40 years of age, these wines are still delivering peak accessibility while promising many great years ahead.
Flight 9 - Michelin Three-Star Celebration w/ Kostow, Bradley, Harlan Estate & Krug (7 Notes)
Christopher Kostow (The Restaurant at Meadowood, Charter Oak, Loveski), and William Bradley (Addison) will collaborate with Will Harlan and Harlan Estate Director Francois Vignaud to create an evening celebrating the pinnacle of dining in California. Served in an intimate private estate, the duo of three-starred chefs will share the kitchen and pair courses with the iconic wines of Champagne Krug and Harlan Estate.
Flight 10 - Krug Vintage - The Story of a Year (9 Notes)
At the House of Krug, every Krug Vintage celebrates the distinct character of a particular year. A Krug Vintage is a blend of the most expressive wines from a single year enhanced by a stay of over 10 years in the cellars. This reserve seminar will explore eight different vintage years of Krug.
Flight 11 - Sunday Grand Tasting (5 Notes)
Open to all ticketed patrons, the walk-around tasting will feature over a dozen chefs and more than 30 wineries at Ojai Valley Inn’s signature venue, The Farmhouse. Scheduled to appear: Loveski, chi SPACCA, Holy Basil, Rory's Place, Gasolina, among others.
Flight 12 - The Kill Shot Dinner (4 Notes)
Just a few friends popping some good bottles.
NV Krug Champagne Brut Grande Cuvée Edition 170ème 95 Points
France, Champagne
(10/26/2023)
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2019 Faethm / Fingers Crossed Grenache Two Become One 98 Points
USA, California
(10/26/2023)
Decanted for a little over an hour and this was absolutely singing! Way way more approachable than the Syrah which we had next to it. This was powerful but elegant, gorgeous red fruits and a silky mouthfeel. Lingered on the palette which was a welcome delight. Love this one. Significantly better than the bottle I tried about a year ago.
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2019 Faethm / Fingers Crossed Syrah Two Become One 96 Points
USA, California
(10/26/2023)
Terrific Syrah but massive and needs a lot of time to open up. Would recommend a 4+ hour decant. I actually did VacuVin and finished the rest the next day and it was much better then.
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2020 Saxum White James Berry Vineyard 95 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
(10/26/2023)
Wow! First time trying Saxum's white blend and it lived up to the hype. Like it better than many of their reds. Great stuff! Regret not having taken my allocation of this in the past... will not make that mistake again!
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2019 Saxum 4 Hearts Vineyard 92 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles Willow Creek District
(10/26/2023)
Wasn't my favorite of the Saxums. Crazy black fruit like overripe blackberries. Definitely presents as a Petite Sarah to me. I probably would have liked it better with food, like pizza or BBQ chicken.
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2021 Kistler Chardonnay Les Noisetiers 92 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
(10/26/2023)
Nice classic chard.
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2021 Kistler Chardonnay Stone Flat Vineyard 94 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
(10/26/2023)
This was excellent! First time having a Kistler Stone Flat and it's a new fave. Beautiful, balanced wine.
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2017 Rhys Pinot Noir Mt. Pajaro Vineyard 93 Points
USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains
(10/26/2023)
Great stuff
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2021 Kosta Browne Chardonnay One Sixteen 92 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
(10/26/2023)
I haven't had KB One Sixteen in several years and this took me immediately back. Readily identifiable as that wine. Very nice but a bit too much oak for my taste.
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2021 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills 92 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills
(10/26/2023)
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2019 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Gap's Crown Vineyard 92 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
(10/26/2023)
Much bigger than I remember Gap's Crown. Massive PN. Felt kind of hot to me.
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2013 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Garys' Vineyard 94 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands
(10/26/2023)
Wow! That is some killer juice. Drank from magnum.
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2019 The Mascot 93 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
(10/26/2023)
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2020 Ovid Experiment N5.0 94 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
(10/26/2023)
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2020 Timeless From the Family of Silver Oak Soda Canyon Ranch Napa Valley 91 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
(10/26/2023)
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2019 Mail Road Wines Pinot Noir Mount Carmel 93 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills
(10/26/2023)
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2019 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon The Estates Oakville 92 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville
(10/26/2023)
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2021 Occidental Pinot Noir Cuvée Elizabeth Bodega Headlands 93 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
(10/26/2023)
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2021 Occidental Pinot Noir Cuvée Catherine Running Fence Vineyard 93 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
(10/26/2023)
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2019 Peter Michael Sauvignon Blanc L'Apres-Midi 92 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Knights Valley
(10/26/2023)
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2016 Peter Michael Les Pavots 95 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Knights Valley
(10/26/2023)
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2021 Mayacamas Vineyards Chardonnay 90 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley, Mt. Veeder
(10/26/2023)
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2019 Walson Holland Mélange Blanc 90 Points
USA, California, Central Coast
(10/26/2023)
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2019 Walson Holland Mélange Rouge 91 Points
USA, California, Central Coast
(10/26/2023)
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NV Louis Roederer Champagne Collection 242 91 Points
France, Champagne
(10/26/2023)
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