CIMA COLLINA NEWs, reviews & EVENTS

Join Winemaker Annette Hoff and  Executive Chef Brian Christensen

for a wine pairing dinner Saturday, May 30, 2009 – 6:15 at Stokes Adobe

featuring:

Chef Brian’s Passed Appetizers   &   2007 Cedar Lane Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc  

Sautéed Day Boat Sea Scallop    &   2007 Chula Viña Vineyard Chardonnay  

Housemade Gnocchi   &  2006 Monterey County Pinot Noir   +  2005 Chula Viña Vineyard Pinot Noir  

Oven Roasted Duck Breast  & 2006 Tondre Grapefield Pinot Noir +   2005 Hilltop Ranch Estate Pinot Noir  

Dessert   &   NV Dessert Wine  

$80 per person plus tax and gratuity or $100 inclusive

Reservations:  (831) 373-1110   *  Stokes Abobe  *  500 Hartnell Street   *  Monterey

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C3 wine club members will receive a 30% discount for full case purchases, plus a 50% percent discount on UPS ground shipping, through May 31, 2009.

Because this is only available to wine club members for a limited time, we  did not reconfigure the website shopping cart for this promotion. The discounts will be reflected on your winery invoice that will be emailed or sent to you after your order is processed. You can also call us to place your order and receive confirmation of the discount totals at that time 831.384.7806

Thank you!

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Toast of the Town - New York's Lincoln Center, on Monday, June 15

VIP Tasting 5:00 PM, Grand Tasting 7:00 - 10:00 PM.

For tickets visit:  ToastOfTheTown.com, or call 800.847.5949

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Pinot Days Grand Festival Tasting - Sunday, June 28, 2009 1:00pm - 5:00pm

Festival Pavilion, Fort Mason Center - Buchanan Street and Marina Boulevard, San Francisco

This event features nearly 200 producers of pinot from around the globe. Come immerse yourself in the wines of the noble grape.  For tickets or more information, visit www.pinotdays.com

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         The latest reviews . . .

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In recession, many still willing to pay high price for pinot noir

. . . Monterey County pinot has been coming on strong, and there were some good examples at the tastings. The 2007 Testarossa Garys' Vineyard Pinot Noir ($59) from the Santa Lucia Highlands needs time but displays juicy cherry, raspberry and rhubarb flavors with considerable depth and concentration, while another wine from the Santa Lucia Highlands appellation, the 2007 Cima Collina Tondre Grapefield Pinot Noir ($48) is bright and lively, with cherry and raspberry and a lovely texture.

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PINOTREPORT

for people passionate about western pinot noir   december 2008

Cima Collina Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands Tondre Grapefield 2006

Medium-deep ruby color; spicy cherry and rose petal aromas; deep and rich black cherry with floral, spice and rhubarb flavors; nice texture; sweet oak; good structure and balance; long finish. Balanced and full of flavor, this Pinot comes from the Tondre Grapefield in the Santa Lucia Highlands and is a mix of Pommard, Dijon 115 and 667 clones.         158 cases made   $48   Score: 91

Cima Collina Pinot Noir Monterey County 2006

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89 CIMA COLLINA Pinot Noir Tondre Grapefield Santa Lucia Highlands 2006

Ripeness and full body are among the hallmarks of Santa Lucia Highlands' Pinot Noir, and this weighty wine shows plenty of both. It may not be as boldly fruited as the very best of its district, yet it is still quite tasty and fairly deep, and it adds in distinct touches of richness to its convincing notes of plums and cherries.  $48.00 

    $

October 2008

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Down in Monterey: Wineries place tasting rooms in locations convenient for tourists

WINERIES NEAR THE AQUARIUM AND IN CARMEL

By Laurie Daniel for the Mercury News: 04/13/2008

A trip to Wine Country can be an appealing diversion, but two or more hours on the road while burning gas at the rate of nearly $4 a gallon can take a lot of the pleasure out of the excursion.

But if you're headed to the Monterey Peninsula for an aquarium visit, a round of golf or some gallery stops in Carmel, it's easy to make a quick detour for wine tasting. Several tasting rooms are within a couple of minutes' walk from the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Others are tucked into the small streets of Carmel-by-the-Sea or just off Highway 1.

No, you won't see any vineyards, fermentation tanks or oak barrels. But with the money you save on gas, you could buy a bottle of wine for a picnic overlooking Monterey Bay - a view that easily rivals the most picturesque corner of any wine country.

CARMEL

Cima Collina

The essentials: San Carlos Street, between Ocean and Seventh streets, in the Paseo Courtyard. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursday-Monday; $5 for up to six tastes. (831) 620-0645.

The ambience: Art lovers' heaven. The tasting room went into a space occupied by an art gallery, and a gallery has remained, featuring the works of Carol Chapman and Fred Slautterback. The tasting bar occupies a small spot.

Don't miss: The Chula Vina Vineyard chardonnay is one of my favorites; the pinot noirs are also very good.

Information: cimacollina.com