AWS Conference 2019

The 52nd annual American Wine Society National Conference  was thankfully held in the warmth of Florida's gulf coasts at Tradewinds Resort, St Pete Beach from 30 October to 2 November 2019.

Because AWS room allocation at Tradewinds was full we stayed at neighbouring sister location Rumfish Resort.

Executive Director David Falcheck

The Conference, my eighth, was superb with many great sessions, especially Joel Peterson, founder of Ravenswood and now owner/winemaker of Once and Future, with Mixed Black Magic, an examination of how complementary varieties add to Zinfandel.

Joel Peterson

Joel's tasting

Joel showed 
Once and Future 'Forcini Vineyard' Zinfandel 2018
(100% Zinfandel planted 1904)
Once and Future 'Oakley Vineyard' Zinfandel 2016
(100% Zinfandel planted 1890)
Sandlands Carignan 2018
(100% Carignan planted 1890's on own roots)
Bedrock 'Papera Ranch'  2017
(70% Zinfandel, 30% Carignan planted 1901: "Carignan adds zip -acidity and spiciness) to Zin")
Once and Future 'Palisades Vineyard' Petite Sirah 2017
(100% PS planted in 1976, budwood from original 1894 vineyard: "PS is a pain to grow, lacks colour, structure, is extremely tannic.")
Ridge Lytton Springs 2017
(74% Zinfandel, 15% Petite Sirah, 9% Carignan. 2% Mataro)
St Amant 'Mohr-Fry Vineyard' Alicante Bouchet 2017
(100% Alicante Bouchet:"a little AB goes a long way, can quickly dominate a wine.")
Bedrock 'Pagani Ranch'  2018
(Field blend of Zin, some Carignan, PS and white Chasselas & Palomino)

and then we were invited to make our own blends with the first two 100% Zins.

L>R Diane Meyer, Kate Kearney, John Hames, Marge and Tom Wallman

Randall Grahm, Bonny Doon

Randal Grahm was honoured with the AWS Award of Merit and gave a fascinating and humorous talk on the history of Bonny Doon and his failures, and finally giving up his dream of making a Burgundian style of Pinot Noir in California.