California Dreamin’

Julien Yung Mameaux, wine expert and CEO of The Experience Company, takes us behind the scenes of Californian wines

MORE THAN WORDS

Insignia. One of California’s prominent wine characters, Joseph Phelps, is a man of words. The businessman’s thirst for construction turned into a passion for viticulture with much success. Its hero wine, Insignia, was awarded “Wine of the Year” (2002 vintage) by Wine Spectator magazine and The Wine Advocate gave perfect point scores to the 1991, 1997 and 2002 releases.

Screaming Eagle. Currently America’s most expensive Cabernet Sauvignon, Screaming Eagle is the object of many praises and tears at auctions worldwide. However it all started in a discreet letter in which landlord owner Jean Phillips unveiled that it had finally sold the magical one-acre, host to a mere 80 vines. The rest need not be said.

Sine Qua Non. From the Latin expression meaning “without which there is nothing”, the Ventura County-based winery uses much creativity to name its wines: Poker Face, Red Handed, Twisted & Bent … Sine Qua Non specializes in Rhone Valley-style wines from Syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre, and the labels are also designed by winemaker-artist Manfred Krankl.

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Robert Mondavi. Besides being now a well-known brand, this was first the name of one of the leading architects of Napa Valley winemaking. A winemaker at heart with an acute sense of marketing, his legacy stands in the status of Napa wineries as much as in his own estate, which now hosts many vineyard tour options and testifies of his innovative and creative ambitions.

Quixote. The boutique winery, formerly owned by Stags Leap, has made the news more than once. It just passed into the hands of Chinese owner Le Melange (Gold Tower Group). It is known for its premium organic red wine of Petite Sirah, artistic label design, as well as its eclectic architecture designed by Austrian Friedensreich Hundertwasser.

Francis Ford Coppola. The movie director needs no introduction, but his passion for wine is a surprise to many. With unbeatable skills for entertainment, the Coppola winery in Alexander Valley, Sonoma County is a resort of choice, with a movie gallery, a swimming pool, a restaurant and winery receptions to discover their range, including high-quality reserve wines.

Book your holiday with wine & lifestyle travel concierge The Experience Company (www.TheExCo.com) at +852 3488 9565 or Contact@TheExCo.com. 10% discount for "HKGolfer" readers for any trip taking place in 2014.

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