Tuesday, September 27, 2011

09/27 Ferrari-Carano Vineyards And Winery, Monterey Chocolate

What's Cookin' Today

Southern California Regional Manager Of Ferrari-Carano Vineyards and Winery, Michael D Hurst Joins Us To Talk About The Newest Wines, Especially Their Special Fumé Blanc

Since 1985, Ferrari-Carano has been a leading producer of world class, nationally acclaimed wines. Vintage after vintage, the wines exhibit a remarkable consistency of style and elegance. Unlike their corporate competitors, Don and Rhonda Carano's uncompromising commitment to quality and excellence is a reflection of their desire to produce memorable wines that enhance the pleasures of gracious entertaining and not focus on short-term financial goals.

In 1979, Don and Rhonda Carano purchased a single 60 acre parcel of land in Sonoma County's Alexander Valley. The parcel included a restored 1904 farmhouse, a barn and 30 acres of grapes. So began a twenty-five year mission to acquire premium vineyard properties throughout the county, because Don and Rhonda truly believed, and still do, that owning their own vineyards is the best way to ensure the highest quality grapes needed to supply their growing winery in Dry Creek Valley and their mountain winery in Alexander Valley.

Today, Ferrari-Carano owns over 19 estate vineyards in five different appellations totaling over 1,400 acres, in some of the finest wine growing regions in all of California. Mountain, bench land and valley floor vineyards spread over a fifty mile radius were chosen for their diversity of micro-climates and soil; the acclaimed and diverse Alexander Valley, the desirable Russian River Valley with its cooler temperatures, picturesque Dry Creek Valley, at the southernmost end of the county, Napa/Carneros, and Sky High Ranch in peaceful and bucolic Anderson Valley. Each vineyard is a micro-climate unto itself, contributing its own unique diversity of grape flavors, textures and structures derived from the perfectly balanced combination of climate, soil and plant materia

We're Visiting the Monterey Chocolate Company with Owner Chris Bickel!

Monterey Chocolate Company is a small startup established in 2010 and located in Monterey, CA. All of their chocolates begin with the finest, 100% organic, fair-trade and sustainable ingredients available. They source the majority of their fruits and nuts from local farms, insuring the freshest product possible. No preservatives, refined sugars or extracts are used within their products. They currently feature several truffle collections, each uniquely different and distinct.

Chris Bickel’s 8 years of experience as a chocolatier encompasses all aspects of chocolate making. As the owner of Monterey Chocolate Company, he works directly with customers from the individual to the corporate CEO. Self-taught as a chocolatier and business owner, Chris pursues a superior product that not only brings enjoyment, but also the health benefits of chocolate. Chris lives and works in the Monterey, CA area, and sells his chocolates by participating in the local farmer’s markets, festivals, wholesale and online through the Monterey Chocolate Company web site.



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