Imagine cruising down Highway 1 at golden hour, the Pacific crashing below, Bixby Bridge glowing in the distance, and a night of world-class Italian reds waiting for you in Big Sur. That’s how our evening at Solstice began — a journey as unforgettable as the wines themselves.
From the moment we stepped off the shuttle, the atmosphere was exactly how you expect Big Sur to feel, relaxed. Patrick Orosco, our host of the evening, welcomed us with a spread of drinks and bites that perfectly set the tone: refined, delicious, and just indulgent enough to make us forget the outside world. Conversations buzzed, laughter spilled over glasses, and the glow of the Big Sur sky promised that something special was about to unfold.
And then came the challenge. In the lounge, seven Italian reds waited in their anonymous burgundy bags, ready to humble even the most confident palate. We swirled, sniffed, sipped, and compared notes, each of us determined to outsmart Tuscany, Piedmont, Veneto, and Campania in a single night.
But Italy does not give up her secrets easily. The three faces of Sangiovese blurred into one another. Nebbiolo’s stern tannins from Barolo and Barbaresco teased us mercilessly. Barbera’s charm, Amarone’s velvet power, Aglianico’s dark intensity — they spoke in accents so familiar yet so deceptively tricky.
By the end, humility had the last laugh. Only one team identified the 100-point wine, and that was their single correct guess of the evening. The top score across the room? Just two out of seven. A defeat on paper, perhaps — but in spirit, it was a triumph. The collective challenge, the mystery, and the joy of being fooled together made the night unforgettable.
We lingered long after the reveal, soaking up the glow of Solstice’s bar, the ocean’s distant rhythm, and the warmth of friendships. And as we finally headed back up the coast, one thought united us all: we’ll be back for more. Next time, French white varietals and seemingly equitable endeavor...Redemption awaits.
The Lineup: Italian Red Varietals- Sangiovese – Tuscany, Chianti Classico
- Sangiovese – Tuscany, Brunello di Montalcino
- Sangiovese – Tuscany, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
- Nebbiolo – Piedmont, Barolo & Barbaresco
- Barbera – Piedmont
- Corvina Blend – Veneto, Amarone
- Aglianico – Campania
Imagine cruising down Highway 1 at golden hour, the Pacific crashing below, Bixby Bridge glowing in the distance, and a night of world-class Italian reds waiting for you in Big Sur. That’s how our evening at Solstice began — a journey as unforgettable as the wines themselves.
From the moment we stepped off the shuttle, the atmosphere was exactly how you expect Big Sur to feel, relaxed. Patrick Orosco, our host of the evening, welcomed us with a spread of drinks and bites that perfectly set the tone: refined, delicious, and just indulgent enough to make us forget the outside world. Conversations buzzed, laughter spilled over glasses, and the glow of the Big Sur sky promised that something special was about to unfold.
And then came the challenge. In the lounge, seven Italian reds waited in their anonymous burgundy bags, ready to humble even the most confident palate. We swirled, sniffed, sipped, and compared notes, each of us determined to outsmart Tuscany, Piedmont, Veneto, and Campania in a single night.
But Italy does not give up her secrets easily. The three faces of Sangiovese blurred into one another. Nebbiolo’s stern tannins from Barolo and Barbaresco teased us mercilessly. Barbera’s charm, Amarone’s velvet power, Aglianico’s dark intensity — they spoke in accents so familiar yet so deceptively tricky.
By the end, humility had the last laugh. Only one team identified the 100-point wine, and that was their single correct guess of the evening. The top score across the room? Just two out of seven. A defeat on paper, perhaps — but in spirit, it was a triumph. The collective challenge, the mystery, and the joy of being fooled together made the night unforgettable.
We lingered long after the reveal, soaking up the glow of Solstice’s bar, the ocean’s distant rhythm, and the warmth of friendships. And as we finally headed back up the coast, one thought united us all: we’ll be back for more. Next time, French white varietals and seemingly equitable endeavor...Redemption awaits.
The Lineup: Italian Red Varietals
- Sangiovese – Tuscany, Chianti Classico
- Sangiovese – Tuscany, Brunello di Montalcino
- Sangiovese – Tuscany, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
- Nebbiolo – Piedmont, Barolo & Barbaresco
- Barbera – Piedmont
- Corvina Blend – Veneto, Amarone
- Aglianico – Campania
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