Anyone want to start Winefinders #4? Call me Ron Cassano.(925)944-1238
Wine Finders 1
Wine Finders 1 meets on the 2nd Thursday of the even numbered months at the home of one of the members. If you are interested in joining the group, please contact Ron Smith or Tony de Losada.
Our third tasting of the year was on Wednesday, June 7 at the home of Dan and Lynn Crowley. Dan picked his favorite varietal — Cabernet Sauvignon.
We had eight couples who brought eight different cabernets:
And after all of the sipping and swirling the Top Picks were-
Dan Crowley’s entry- #1 2019 Nottingham Cellars at Costco for $14. This was the runaway favorite, scoring 14 points and 4 First Place votes out of 9. You might want to try it.
#2 was the 2021 Sterling Vineyards Collection brought by Rob and Gay Laaback. It scored 9 points. You can pick it up at Safeway for $7.77.
It was a great evening with SIR friends as we enjoyed wonderful conversation and good wines, the usual delicious appetizers. And Judy Smith made Brownies especially to go with the Cabernet. Delicious.
All in all it was a great evening with lots of good conversation to go with the wine and food.
Our next tasting will be at Tom and Connie Hodgson’s on Thursday, August 10. They haven’t picked a varietal yet.
Members/spouses volunteer to hold the tasting at their home and they select the month they would like to host and the varietal to be tasted. So the venue moves around and we taste different wines from all over CA and the world.
Always interesting, educational and fun.
If you don’t belong to Wine Finders 1,2 or 3, but are interested in learning more about our tastings, or starting a new group, etc,. Just drop Ron Smith or Tony de Losada, an email and one of us will get back to you.
In the meantime, enjoy your wine, whatever your choice.
Ron Smith, Chairman Wine Finders 1
Tony de Losada, Asst. Chair
WF1 for June 2023
Our next tasting will be at Dan and Lynn Crowley’s on Thursday, June 8.
Dan has picked Cabernet Sauvignon. Members/spouses volunteer to hold the tasting at their home and they select the month they would like to host and the varietal to be tasted. So the venue moves around and we taste different wines from all over CA and the world. Always interesting, educational and fun.If you don’t belong to Wine Finders 1,2 or 3, but are interested in learning more about our tastings, or starting a newgroup, etc,. Just drop Ron Smith or Tony de Losada, an email and one of us will get back to you.In the meantime, enjoy your wine, whatever your choice.
WF1 for May 2023
no event.
WF1 for April 2023
Our second tasting of the year was on Thursday, April 13 at the home of Ken Belfer and Karen Scott and they had picked their favorite varietal-–**ABC**- Anything But Chardonnay.
We had eight couples who brought five different varietals including:
Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Albarino and Soave Bolla. After everyone swirled, sipped and tasted, five wines were in the top three:— the winner was the 2021 Pazo La Moreira, Albarino brought by Ron and Judy
Smith, second place was a tie between Ken Belfer and Karen Scott’s 100% 2021 Garganega, Suavia, Soave Bolla and Ken and Linda Stehr’s 2021 Angeline Reserve, Sauvignon Blanc and a tie for 3rd between Bill Barber and
Chloe Laube’s 2022 Josh Hopland, Pinot Grigio and Ed and Vicky Kirschner’s 2022 Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc.
It was a great evening with SIR friends as we enjoyed wonderful conversation and good wines, the usual delicious appetizers and our hostess Karen Scott baked Chocolate Chip cookies for the group. This is at least the third time
she has done this. Always a delight as end of the evening treat.
Members/spouses volunteer to hold the tasting at their home and they select the month they would like to host and the varietal to be tasted. So the venue moves around and we taste different wines from all over CA and the world.
Always interesting, educational and fun.
If you don’t belong to Wine Finders 1,2 or 3, but are interested in learning more about our tastings, or starting a new group, etc,. Just drop Ron Smith or Tony de Losada, an email and one of us will get back to you.
In the meantime, enjoy your wine, whatever your choice.
Ron Smith, Chairman Wine Finders 1
Tony de Losada, Asst. Chair
WF-1 met at the Crawley’s on June 8th 2022 (??) Some pictures from the session
WF-2 RonCassano,Chairman. roncassano@gmail.com, 925-944-1238 Winefinders #2 meets on the second Thursday of even months. The Chairman picks a host fot the tasting. The host selects the wine( priced under $20). This is a co-ed activity and each couple brings an appetizer to share an their own glasses. We start at 6pm. The tasting is held at the host’s home. We usually have a combined gathering of all Winefinder Groups in August and December.
WF-2 for July 2023(updated 06/25/23 by SM)
Our tasting of Pinot Noir was hosted at Pat Eich,on June 16. The run away winner was Carl Meier,s 2021 Angelina Pinot, $10.9 purchased at Safeway. All other competitors were very close.
The Coppola Diamond Pinot from Pt Eich was second and with a one point difference for third was Stephen Deness’s 2018 Latitude. As usual , the appetizers were “really” good and we started with a Proseco to wet the taste buds. Our next gathering in August will be a social gathering when will drink our favorite Summer wine.
Ron Cassano, Head Wino.
WF-2 for April 2023
Our April 20 wine tasting was held in the gardens of Carl and Barbara Meier. Petite Syrah was the wine. It was a close competition. The 2020 Matchbook, Ron Cassano’s choice was first, followed in second by the Meiers 2020 Bogle. Bringing up third was the Karg’s Kaleidoscope. The pint spread was very close. Conclusion, all wines were quite good.. The round of appetizers, as usual, were delicious and paired well with the wine. As I said before, wine seems to taste better in the garden this time of the year.
Ron Cassano, Head Wino
WF3
On April 20, a dozen members of Winefinders III gathered at Kathy & Larry McEwen’s home in the afternoon to sample Sauvignon Blancs. Fortunately, the weather gods favored us and we were able to enjoy the outdoors under the Wisteria. (See photo attached). The afternoon was kicked off with a pallet cleanser of Caiu A Noite Vinho Verde, a Portuguese Green wine with only 9.5% alcohol. Jim Sowell’s daughter, Lisa, joined us for this event.
Two wines vied for first place: Roger & Mardi Lockwara’s 2021 Giesan Group Marlboro, available for $7 at Costco, and Leo & Gayle Dominguez’s 2019 De Negore which they purchased directly from the winery & $8. The tension-filled final round went to the Giesan Group Marlboro. Goodies accompanying the tasting included Jim Sowell’s smashed Yukon /Gold potatoes, AMy Rizzo’s chinese noodles, Mardi Lockwara’s home-made meatballs, Holley Yarberry’s blueberry-infused cream cheese spread, Gayle Dominguez’s sandwich wraps and Kathy McEwen’s assorted finger foods. Following the tasting, the group was treated with brownie sundays featuring Trader Joe’s coffee ice cream and Ghiradelli dark chocolate. The afternoon’s festivities ended with shots of Baily’s Irish Cream and, hopefully, all made it home in one piece.
Our next event will be held in Blackhawk in June.
Larry McEwen
Anyone want to start Winefinders #4? Call me Ron Cassano.(925)944-1238
