|
 When Irish Wines are Smiling is the inaugural tasting to honor those of Irish decent working in Wine and Food in California. There is a long history of Irish involvement in the Wine Trade globally dating back to the 18th Century.
Today there are dozens of wineries in California, and beyond, which have a link in one form or other with the Emerald Isle. Many of these wineries and their owners are involved with the Winegeese and its umbrella organization, The Ireland Funds, charitable work.
Winegeese is the name given to the emigrant Irish families and their descendants who from the 18th century onwards engaged in the wine trade in the various countries of their adoption. Today their names and labels have become synonymous with quality on the international wine market and many of these pioneering wine families have played significant roles in the viticultural development of some of the finest wine-growing regions around the world, ranging from the Napa Valley to France’s Loire Valley, the Clare Valley in Australia and the Hemel En Aarde Valley in South Africa.
The name Winegeese is a play on the Flight of the Wild Geese which occurred in 1691 and refers to the departure of an Irish Jacobite army from Ireland to France. According to historical records the Irish helped launch the wine industry in America. The oldest commercial surviving winery in California prior to Prohibition, the San Jose winery, built by the Santa Barbara Mission in the early nineteenth century, was owned by Irishman James McCaffrey from 1853 to 1900.
When Irish Wines are Smiling will highlight the contribution made by the Irish to modern Californian wine by showcasing some incredible and hard to find wines. These wines will be the perfect accompaniment to the selection of Irish Cheeses available along with the dishes prepared by a number of Chefs including Chef Bob Hurley of Hurley’s Restaurant in Yountville.
The event will be held at the Rutherford Grange Hall in Rutherford, 2-5pm, Tickets $25 in advance / $30 at the door, Live Traditional Irish Music, (Portion of proceeds to benefit Rutherford Grange) 707.227.4273 or threerockwine@gmail.com
Follow the event on Facebook for updates as they happen
http://www.facebook.com/whenirishwinesaresmiling
Confirmed Wineries
O’Brien Estate – Napa (www.obrienestate.com)
Sullivan Vineyards – Rutherford (www.sullivanwine.com)
Murphy Vineyards – St Helena (www.murphyvineyards.com)
Taylor Family Vineyards – Napa (www.taylorfamilyvineyards.com)
Twomey Cellars – Napa (www.twomeycellars.com)
Fitzpatrick Winery – Sierra Foothills (www.fitzpatrickwinery.com)
Kelley & Young Wines – Sonoma (www.kellyyoungwines.com)
Harrington Wines – Sonoma / SF (www.harringtonwine.com)
Irish Family Vineyards – Murhpys (www.irishvineyards.com)
Waits-Mast Family Cellars – SF (single vineyard Pinot Noir from 3 AVA’s) (www.waitsmast.com)
|
