N E W S L E T T E R A R T I S T R Y I N W I N E M A K I N G S I N C E 1 9 8 2 OCTO BER 2013 A Note from Rick THE 2013 HARVEST has gotten off to a very busy start. A heat spell during the last week of August prompted us to harvest the first grapes of the season, Pinot Grigio from Clover Creek Vineyard on August 27th. The heat continued the following week, bringing sugar levels of Fe Ciega Pinot Noir grapes to our desired target, and harvest began September 4th. Our vineyard, as well as most other vineyards in Santa Barbara County, produced a record amount of fruit. The quick pace of harvest combined with bigger than expected grape production meant that I, my assistant Stephen, and our harvest intern, Emily, each put in nearly 100 hours during the first week of harvest. As of mid-september, we have processed three quarters of our expected production in just the first three weeks of harvest. This is the kind of year that makes winemakers ask themselves why they re in the business. That is, until we taste the wine and it makes all of the hard work worthwhile. This last Wine Club shipment of the year features our 2011 Pinot Noir from our Estate Vineyard, Fe Ciega, and the ever-popular Blues Cuvée from the 2011 vintage. The 2011 Fe Ciega Pinot Noir is an elegant expression of a great site in the Sta. Rita Hills, and the Blues Cuvée is a complex blend of five grape varietals. The Blues Cuvée s new label showcases artwork by Salt Lake City artist Brad Greenwell. Diana and I and our staff at our Los Olivos and Lompoc tasting rooms hope you have a chance to visit us sometime during the fall or winter months to stock up on your favorite Longoria wine, or just to say hello. Cheers, Rick Longoria, Winemaker
L O N G O R I A N E W S L E T T E R These are the new releases for October. The wines included in your shipment vary according to your Wine Club selection. The cost for each shipment includes the price of the wine, less your Wine Club discount, plus packaging, shipping and appropriate sales tax, when applicable. THE T2011 VINTAGE WAS CHARACTERIZED CHTCH CHATARTRA TACTERI TCTERIZE by a mild Textended harvest season. This slow ripening pace allowed me to fine tune the harvest dates of each clone and block at our vineyard. The average sugar level was approximately 23.5 Brix with excellent acidity. Our crop yield was the lowest since 2003 at 1.95 tons per acre. This bottling of Fe Ciega Pinot Noir is a blend of all four clones that are planted at our vineyard. The blend is predominantly the Dijon 115 and 667 clones with lesser amounts of Pommard and Mt. Eden. Each lot was harvested, fermented and aged separately. The grapes were entirely destemmed and crushed into small open top fermenters. After a three day cold soak period, the must was inoculated and fermentation lasted an average of 12 days. The wine was pressed off, settled and then racked to French oak barrels, of which 30% were new, where it aged for 14 months. The wine was so elegant and well balanced that it did not require any fining but was lightly filtered just prior to bottling in late January 2013. The wine has a brilliant medium ruby color. The aromas are a complex mix of ripe berries, with hints of cedar, desert sage and an intriguing Oriental spice. On the palate the wine is medium bodied with a silky texture that gives way to bright acidity. The new oak component is so well balanced that it is indistinguishable from the wine s fruit tannins. This is one of the most elegant, refined vintages of Fe Ciega we have produced. As with all vintages of Fe Ciega Pinot Noir, this wine will benefit from some aeration before serving. Decanting for 30-60 minutes prior to serving is recommended. Enjoy with salmon, cioppino and other savory dishes. COMPOSITION: 100% Pinot Noir VINEYARD SOURCE: 100% Fe Ciega PRODUCTION: 326 cases ALCOHOL BY VOLUME: 14.2% PH: 3.37 TITRATABLE ACIDITY: 0.64 g/100ml CELLARING POTENTIAL: 6 to 8 years Winemaker's Notes T THIS TIS TTHE THE 19TH VINTAGE of our Cabernet Franc-based blend that Tpopular pays tribute to one of the great American musical forms the Blues. This year s label features new artwork by artist Brad Greenwell. Brad is a young, talented and up-and-coming artist working in the industrial zone of Salt Lake City, Utah. He s provided us with a beautiful oil on canvas painting of a saxophonist deep in musical meditation. Our 2011 Blues Cuvée blend is composed of four classic Bordeaux grape varietals plus Syrah. Fans of Cabernet Franc will be happy that it comprises slightly over half of this year s blend. Each of the component wines was aged in French oak barrels for 21 months before being blended together. The percentage of new oak barrels averaged 25%. The wine has a beautiful forward nose of berries, cedar and violets. The high percentage of Cabernet Franc is evident in the aromas. On the palate the wine is medium bodied with a great balance of tannins and acidity. The flavors are of blueberry, boysenberry and a hint of green olive. The tannins are very well balanced and the acidity provides a long finish. This wine pairs well with a variety of foods, particularly grilled meats. COMPOSITION: 52% Cabernet Franc, 24% Syrah, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 2% Malbec PRODUCTION: 262 cases ALCOHOL BY VOLUME: 13.9% PH: 3.52 TITRATABLE ACIDITY: 0.69 g/100ml CELLARING POTENTIAL: 5 to 8 years BOTTLE PRICE: $30.00
O C T O B E R 2 0 1 3 Meet th e Artist The new label artwork appearing for the first time on our 2011 Blues Cuvée is by Brad Greenwell, a self-taught artist from Salt Lake City, Utah. Brad s work is an exploration into the ways in which we use symbols and iconography in an attempt to establish and perpetuate an objective reality. Brad has exhibited his work throughout the United States and Canada. His oil paintings are widely collected and reside in private collections across North and South America as well as in the permanent collection of the Salt Lake County Public Art Commission. To see more of Brad Grenwell s work, visit his website at www.bradgreenwell.com. You can also meet Brad in person at our artist reception on October 13th (details at right). Recent Reviews AUGUST 2013 This was a fantastic lineup of wines that all showed solid variety character as well as beautifully made profiles. The wines are made by Richard Longoria and warrant attention. 94 points 2011 Chardonnay, Rita s Crown Vineyard 92 points 2011 Pinot Noir, Fe Ciega Vineyard, Block M 91 points 2011 Chardonnay, Cuvée Diana 91 points 2010 Pinot Noir, Fe Ciega Vineyard 90 points 2011 Pinot Noir, La Encantada Vineyard JULY 2013 92 points Cellar Selection 2010 Pinot Noir, Fe Ciega Vyd 91 points Editors Choice 2012 Pinot Grigio, S.B. County 91 points 2010 Syrah, Alisos Vineyard 90 points 2011 Chardonnay, Rita s Crown Vineyard Upcoming Events WINEMAKER DINNER AT SUCCULENT CAFE Friday, October 11th, 6:30 pm Succulent Cafe 1555 Mission Drive, Solvang, CA Join Rick and Diana Longoria at Succulent Cafe for a delicious meal paired with Longoria wines. Price: $125 per person, all inclusive. For more information and reservations call Succulent Cafe: 805-691-9444. CELEBRATION OF HARVEST FESTIVAL Saturday, October 12th, 1 to 4 pm Rancho Sisquoc Winery 6600 Foxen Canyon Road, Santa Maria, CA Join us at the Santa Barbara County Vintners Association s celebration of the year s harvest. We will be pouring our wines alongside more than 100 other local wineries, and food will be provided by local purveyors. For tickets and information: www.celebrationofharvest.com OPEN HOUSE & BLUES CUVÉE ARTIST RECEPTION Sunday, October 13th, 11 am to 4:30 pm Longoria Winery in the Lompoc Wine Ghetto 1700 Industrial Way, Unit A, Lompoc, CA Come celebrate our 19th vintage of the Blues Cuvée and meet the newest Blues Cuvée artist, Brad Greenwell. Brad will be at our winery signing lithographs of our newest Blues Cuvée label. Come taste the newly released 2011 Blues Cuvée and 2011 Fe Ciega Pinot Noir, as well as other current releases. From 1 to 4 pm enjoy live blues music by Smokey & Friends, and Beto s Place will be out front with tri-tip sliders, shrimp tacos and pulled pork sliders for only $3 each. EMPTY BOWLS: DINE, WINE, AND DONATE Thursday, October 17th, 11 to 4:30 pm Longoria Wines Tasting Room 2935 Grand Avenue, Los Olivos, CA Help support hungry children and adults when you purchase from us at our Los Olivos Tasting Room, by phone, or online. We will donate a portion of the day s sales to People Helping People s food program. WINEMAKER DINNER AT FLEMING S SALT LAKE CITY Friday, November 1st, 6:30 pm Fleming s Prime Steakhouse, 20 South 400 West, Salt Lake City, UT Join Rick and Diana Longoria for a delicious four-course dinner paired with Longoria Wines. The price is $74.95 (plus tax and gratuity). For reservations, please contact Fleming s at 801-355-3704. VINO DE SUEÑOS Saturday, November 2nd, 3 to 6:30 pm Santa Ynez Valley Marriott Hotel, 555 McMurray Road, Buellton, CA Rick has crafted a special 2011 Syrah for the annual Vino de Sueños event hosted by People Helping People. Rick and other local winemakers bottle special wines that may be sampled and purchased only at this event. There will also be live music, appetizers created by local caterers, and a silent auction of the original label artwork. All proceeds go to assist vineyard workers and their families. For more information or to purchase tickets: www.vinodesuenos.com/the-event
O C T O B E R 2 0 1 3 Featured Recipe RED LENTILS WITH PAN-FRIED SALMON To pair with 2011 PINOT NOIR, FE CIEGA VINEYARD by Elizabeth Gunn-Baumann Online Promotions Administrator & Sales Associate Serves 4 people Ingredients 1 CUP RED SPLIT LENTILS 1 CUP DICED SWEET ONION ½ CUP DICED CARROT 2 CLOVES GARLIC, MINCED ¼ CUP RED WINE (IT HURTS TO COOK WITH THE FE CIEGA BUT IT LL BE WORTH IT!) 2¼ CUPS VEGETABLE BROTH 1 TEASPOON RED PEPPER FLAKES 1 TEASPOON BLACK PEPPER 1 BAY LEAF 1 TABLESPOON OLIVE OIL SALT TO TASTE
Method Lentils: Open bottle of 2011 Pinot Noir, Fe Ciega Vineyard and sample. Then heat olive oil in pan over medium low heat and sautee onion, carrots and garlic until slightly softened and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Add lentils and cook 1 minute stirring frequently. Add broth, wine and seasoning. Cover with a lid and simmer over low heat until tender, about 13 minutes. While waiting, drink the Pinot Noir to enjoy the subtle changes aeration has allowed. When lentils are done remove bay leaf and add additional seasoning if needed. Salmon: Season 4 salmon filets with salt, pepper and Cajun seasoning. Add a little olive oil to a hot pan and cook for 2-3 minutes. Flip and cook an additional 2-3 minutes. I like my salmon a little pink in the middle, so lower the heat and cook longer if you need it cooked through. Spread a layer of lentils on a plate and top with salmon filet. Refill your wine glass and enjoy!
Longoria Current and N ew Releases NEW RELEASES IN THIS SHIPMENT BOTTLE PRICE 15% DISCOUNT 20% DISCOUNT 2011 Pinot Noir, Fe Ciega Vineyard $48.00 $40.80 $38.40 2011 Blues Cuvée, Santa Barbara County $30.00 $25.50 $24.00 CURRENT RELEASES BOTTLE PRICE 15% DISCOUNT 20% DISCOUNT 2011 Albariño Reserva, Clover Creek Vineyard $28.00 $23.80 $22.40 2012 Pinot Grigio, Santa Barbara County $19.00 $16.15 $15.20 2011 Chardonnay, Cuvée Diana $40.00 $34.00 $32.00 2011 Chardonnay, Rita s Crown Vineyard $55.00 $46.75 $44.00 2012 Pink Wine, Cuvée June $18.00 $15.30 $14.40 2010 Pinot Noir, Fe Ciega Vineyard $48.00 $40.80 $38.40 2011 Pinot Noir, Lovely Rita $32.00 $27.20 $25.60 2011 Pinot Noir, La Encantada Vineyard $50.00 $42.50 $40.00 2011 Pinot Noir, Fe Ciega Vineyard, Block M $55.00 $46.75 $44.00 2011 Syrah, Clover Creek Vineyard $28.00 $23.80 $22.40 2010 Syrah, Alisos Vineyard $34.00 $28.90 $27.20 2010 Blues Cuvée, Santa Barbara County $28.00 $23.80 $22.40 2010 Evidence, Bordeaux-Style Blend $40.00 $34.00 $32.00 2010 Hoo Doo Red, Santa Barbara County $18.00 $15.30 $14.40 2010 Syrah, Vino Dulce, Port-Style Wine (375ml) $23.00 $19.55 $18.40 Order online today at www.longoriawine.com, email info@longoriawine.com, fax 805-688-2676, or phone 866-RLWINES to purchase Longoria wines. REORDER THE WINES IN YOUR SHIPMENT WITHIN 30 DAYS AND GET AN EXTRA 5% DISCOUNT. Become a Longoria Wines Facebook Fan and keep up with what we're doing throughout the year! See the latest videos and photos of what's happening in the winery and vineyard. Read articles written about us and our wines. Go to: www.facebook.com/longoriawines 2013 Tentative Sch edule of Releases The wines included in your shipment will vary according to your Wine Club Selection November: GRAND TASTEVIN ORDER You must also be a member of the Wine Club to receive these wines 2011 Tempranillo, Santa Ynez Valley 2011 Evidence, Santa Barbara County 2007 Evidence, Santa Barbara County (Library Wine) DON T MISS OUT! If you would like to receive the Grand Tastevin Order shipments and have not already signed up, please email info@longoriawine.com or phone 866-759-4637. The cost per shipment is approximately $100 to $250. You must be a Wine Club Member to sign up for the Grand Tastevin Order. Grand Tastevin members receive their wine 30 days prior to it being released to the public.