HenderZIN!

The first thing I want to make sure that you understand is that I went to HenderZin with the purest of motives. My intentions were to enjoy the wines, diligently report the events, and make sure my readers were able to vicariously enjoy themselves. While writing about who was there, what fun we had, detailed tasting notes, blah blah blah briefly flitted across my mind after I arrived, once there, I realized that sometimes girls just wanna have fun. And that’s what happened!

I met Don and Mark at their home, and we left from there. We arrived just before the festivities began, and made ourselves comfortable. The weather was unseasonably, gorgeously warm, and we found a table that was out of the late afternoon sun. The wineries and the gang from Khoury’s were there still doing last minute setups.

The Wines:

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HenderZIN 2008!

SATURDAY,

OCTOBER 25TH

5:00PM - 8:00 PM

If you haven’t been to this event before, now is the time! Khoury’s Fine Wine and Spirits is hosting its third annual HenderZIN event in the parking lot of its Eastern Avenue location. Will we be there? You bet!

Why?

BECAUSE THERE ARE OVER FIFTY ZINFANDELS BEING POURED, THAT’S WHY!!

And other great wines, too!

Wineries Include: Turley, Vines on the Marycrest, Opolo, Brochelle, Montevina, Tobin James, Gamba, Outpost, Louis Martini, Rancho Zabaco, Storybook, Norman, Seghesio, Rombauer, Frank Family, and many more!

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Spirit Therapies, HenderZIN (aka Paso Zins ROCK), New Releases and More!

Where do I begin? I can’t even think. I have had what seems like the busiest weekend of my life, but it was all good!

I’m going to touch on the 1st Annual Beer and Wine Tasting for Spirit Therapies, an organization that provides opportunities for developmentally disabled children to learn how to ride horses. Of course, it’s more than *just* riding horses; it’s about interacting with other people and the animals, learning a skill, building self-esteem, and realizing the joy of accomplishment.

Thanks to Scott & Elaine, Mike, Celeste, Jana, and Zach (see story on Two Buck Chuck) for giving of their precious Friday night to do the pouring for the guests who came to financially support the cause. They already know how much I appreciate their time – if and when you run into them, thank them. This is a wonderful cause, and (Irene gets on soapbox) I feel that everyone needs to support a charitable cause of some kind if they have the ability to do so. While the pourers weren’t supporting this with their money, their time is just as valuable a commodity for an organization such as this. I encourage everyone to find a cause (or two or more), support it with your money, your time, your heart. The world would be better off, as would those who are less fortunate. Most touching was the presence of some of the riders. These kids have to deal with disabilities that would bring us to our knees, and they do it with courage. It is humbling seeing a child whose twisted form has to be transported in a wheelchair because he cannot even crawl, but who is able to sit high and proud on a gentle horse. For once, *he* gets to see life away from the wheelchair. Don’t be afraid to check them out. You may find that your heart is miraculously softened. (Irene steps down from soapbox).

And now for HenderZIN. This was the second annual, and my second time enjoying the festivities. Of course, this time going as *the* Vegas Wineaux (LOL), it was a little different. Now to my good friends who didn’t attend last year … neener neener! I’ve had this much fun TWO years in a row!

Issa and Nura have done a wonderful job of putting the event together, and we can’t figure out how they managed to do it, especially with a new baby!

Let me go over some of my highlights (if you were there, your highlights may vary. I took notes).

First, a few shout outs to everyone whom I recognized. If you remember running into me and your name isn’t here, let me know! Mel and Gene, Michael, Mitch and Amy, Don and Mark, Robin, Debbie and Mitch, and Tori. And of course, the wine elite were there! Tobin James, Kent Rosenblum, *the* Jim Lambert of Stanley Lambert, Bill of Four Vines (official title: Zin Pimp), and our wonderful Vegas pourers, including Carrie, Maureen, and Paul. Natalie and Teresa of Vino 100 stopped by to enjoy the festivities. Whew! There were many more there I knew, but my poor gray matter is fried!

The wines were wonderful. Opolo, Four Vines, Brochelle, Outpost, Montevina, Palm Cellars, and more! There was a band playing, BBQ, and lots of Zin!

And now give me a moment to offend a few people. First of all, *all* of the wines were wonderful. The wines were from all over California (I didn’t see the New Zealand Zin this year), and were varied in type and structure. With that being said, I have to say that Paso Robles Zins as a group kick Napa Zin butt. The Paso wines are more fruit forward as opposed to having a dustier, earthier character which typify the Napa Zins. That’s not necessarily a good or bad thing. Two of the wines I could drink by the cup are Opolo Mtn. Zinfandel (Paso) and Outpost Howell Mountain (Napa). Very different styles, both delish. However, there are *more* of the Paso wines I could drink by the cup than those from Napa.

As I peruse my notes, I realize that my favorites were Tobin James Dusi, Fat Boy, and Blue Moon, Opolo Mtn. Zin, Four Vines Dusi, Brochelle, Outpost Howell Mountain, Sequum Kidd Ranch, and the unreleased JDusi – a Zin made by the granddaughter of the original owner of the Dusi Vineyard in Paso Robles. This had more complexity and more Napa in style than the other Dusi wines. Once again, all of these comments are my opinion. Your Mileage May Vary (YMMI).

One more opinion: Paso Robles OWNS Zin. So there. Neener neener.

My good friend Elliot (going to be a Papa in a couple of months!) gave me the heads up on the new upcoming releases from Stanley Lambert. They are Three’s Company (GSM blend), Thousand Words (Chardonnay), Silent Partner (100% Cabernet), and Nordic Frost (Riesling). There were too many folks having a great time to get release dates, but stay tuned! I’m pretty certain that there will be tastings, and you can be sure I’ll be there!

Whew. And there’s still more! In the upcoming Blog entry, there will be information about wine clubs; in particular, one of my favorite local wine clubs. In addition, I will address the rumor about the departure of a dearly beloved wine friend (say it isn’t so!). I am planning to turn into an intrepid cub reporter (didn’t you ever read Superman comics?!?) and get to the bottom of a disturbing and saddening rumor. There is a Vegas Wineaux event in the planning stages for November.

Curious? See you next time!

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