If you weren’t at the initial gathering of the second series of our Wine Masterclass, I need to be honest with you: You missed an evening that is already entering the legendary category.
To anyone who secured one of the coveted 12 seats (this was our first event in Series 2, and to no one's surprise, it was a TOTAL SELLOUT), you know exactly what I mean. For everyone else, let me tell you the story of a curated, high-stakes showdown that left even the most seasoned palates scratching their heads in the best way possible.
Setting the Exquisite Stage
We kicked the evening off in the most picturesque way imaginable. Our incredible host, Grier, welcomed us to his beautiful home in The Preserve. The setting was stunning, framed by the sunset over the Carmel Valley.
Upon arrival, we were warmly greeted with cocktails as the sun began to dip, painting the valley in hues of gold. The air was warm, and the vibe was nothing short of magical.
As we filled our bellies, a wonderfull wood-fired pizza chef served fresh, bubbling pies, providing the perfect foundation before we started the tasting. This wasn't just a simple dinner and a few bottles; this was a curated experience designed to challenge and delight in equal measure.
The Challenge: Cult Oregon vs. Cult California
This night was all about the cult Pinot Noir. Specifically, the ultimate rivalry: Oregon versus California.
The format was unique. To set a brilliant baseline for the evening, I changed the format and introduced us with two reference wines, served non-blind. We started with the Etude Heirloom 2022 and the Soter Mineral Springs 2022.
Why these two? They were a masterclass in comparison, sharing a rare and powerful common thread: The legendary Tony Soter. Beyond just the producer influence, these two wines were crafted from the exact same clone of grape and the same 2022 vintage. It was a sophisticated opening, showcasing how wildly different two expressions of the same raw material could be based on place and process.
The Twist: The Blind Showdown (and The Humbling)
After establishing that baseline, things got serious. We moved to the main event: a blind tasting of six iconic, cult Pinot Noirs (3 from Oregon, 3 from California). The exact lineup is below for your envy.
Going into this, I was confident. I thought for sure, for sure, that I would be able to spot the differences. I know my regions, I know my styles. I thought I'd get them all.
Turns out, I was wrong. I was very, very wrong.
And I wasn’t the only one! Even the "expert" palates in the room struggled. The differences were so incredibly subtle, the wines so exquisitely balanced, that the common narrative of CA vs. OR was completely shattered. When the blindfolds came off, my personal score was a humbling 2 correct guesses out of 6.
And for the rest of the room? The high score was a mere 4 correct out of 6. The blind format humbled us all, forcing us to judge the liquid in the glass rather than the label in our heads. That is the true magic of these high-level, curated events.
The Aftermath
As the night grew dark, the warmth of the space, the camaraderie, and the heat of the discussion (and the remaining pizza!) kept the conversation going long after the last pour. We spent the evening dissecting the nuance of each wine, discussing the clone/vintage connection of the references, and simply enjoying the fact that we had just participated in something truly special. The wines did not disappoint, and the experience will be a defining one for this entire series.
So, the only question that remains is: Where were you? These seats are coveted for a reason. Check out the upcoming events in Series 2 to secure your place before they vanish. We are just getting started.
The Showdown Lineup (Wait until you see what you missed):
Calera de Villiers Vineyard Pinot Noir (Mt. Harlan)
Arterberry Maresh Maresh Vineyard Pinot Noir (Dundee Hills, Oregon)
Walter Scott Temperance Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley, Oregon)
Beaux Frères The Beaux Frères Vineyard Pinot Noir (Ribbon Ridge, Oregon)
Aubert UV Vineyard Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast, California)
Sea Smoke 'Southing' Pinot Noir (Sta. Rita Hills, California)
