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Santa Barbara Wine Tasting with Morgan Clendenen

Friday, 02 February 2024 15:21
DC wines
 
News Release: Friday, February 2nd, 2024
About: Santa Barbara Wine Tasting with Morgan Clendenen
 
Join us on Thursday, February 15th from 4 to 6pm to meet Winemaker Morgan Clendenen and taste Dalfonso-Curran Wines from Santa Barbara. Hosted by Tom Leiner, tasting includes
2022 Grenache Blanc, 2022 Grenache Gris (rose), 2019 Badge "Borderlands" Red Blend and 2021 Tempranillo. The event is "at the bar" and "on the house." No reservations necessary! 
 
Dalfonso-Curran wines is owned by Kris Curran and Brian d'Alfonso. The two have developed long-standing relationships with some of the best vineyards located in Santa Barbara County.  
 

Kris Curran undoubtedly ranks among California’s highest profiled winemakers, particularly for her gift for creating outstanding Pinot Noir. She’s voted as one of Wine Spectator’s Top Winemakers almost annually due to her pioneering station amid the industry’s forward-thinkers.
kris curran
Kris’s love for animals led her to Science, which led her, ultimately, to winemaking. She initially graduated from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo with an Animal Science Degree, followed by her second Bachelors, this time in Winemaking from Fresno State. From there Kris took up a position at Cambria as Assistant Winemaker and later became a founding member at Koehler. She progressed to Sea Smoke where she produced seven vintages but left when Foley Wines offered her the Winemaker position, where she made wines under the Foley, Lincourt and Two Sisters brands.

Today Kris continues to fulfill her innovative standing as the first Californian vintner to popularize Grenache Blanc which she started making in 2003. Her love for Spanish varietals prompted her to take up the challenge of mastering different production techniques: “I have come to appreciate the unique personality of each varietal with which I work. I combine this understanding with my scientific knowledge in pursuit of crafting the best wine possible.”

Bruno D'Alfonso: When one thinks Bruno D’Alfonso, one also thinks the best Pinot Noir-winemaker in the business. Bruno’s approach to winemaking is fueled by a talent for creating outstanding wines that alter traditional expectations, matched by his dedicated precision and attention to detail. He is the consummate perfectionist.
bruno
With a history of hunting and fishing in the wild and a love for open spaces, it was no surprise Bruno earned a Degree in Soil Science from Cal Poly. However, his Italian heritage compelled his inherent appreciation for wine, so his second Degree, this time in Winemaking, was earned at UC Davis.

Bruno’s early career is almost as fascinating as his current one. He started out with the now-late Richard Graff of Chalone at Edna Valley Vineyards and worked there for three vintages. Bruno later joined Richard Sanford to start Sanford Winery where he remained as Winemaker for twenty-three vintages.

Today, fans of Bruno’s Pinot Noir acquire his exceptional offerings under the BADGE and Di Bruno labels. “Over the years I have begun to understand the designing of wine. That has become my goal: to create wonderful, stable, long-lived, stylized wines.”

Bruno is an ardent foe of the practice of using harmful chemicals in the winemaking process. All D’Alfonso-Curran wines bode well with the imbiber’s health, in addition to their senses. Bruno’s purist approach to winemaking ensures uncontaminated, unpolluted wines that respect his customers’ health and wellbeing.
 
dc wine dogs
D'Alfonso- Curran Wines is also home to The Wine Dogs:
Website: Bruno & Kris are true lovers of animals, especially their dogs - Roland, Gunner, Breaker, and Badge. These magnificent Shepherds are quite the local attraction. Wherever the “Pack” goes - the winery, out to lunch, to the grocery store…Kris & Bruno are sure to follow!
 
Who is Morgan Clendenen: Morgan Clendenen is a close friend and collegaue of Kris and Bruno. She knows these wines well and, because, she lives here in North Carolina, she will be representing the selection and discussing the Santa Barbara Wine Region!
 Morgan2 e97da07e
Morgan says that her mission and goal as a winemaker is to illuminate and define Viognier, elevate its profile, and explore its potential through keen observation and copious tasting. She seeks to sound the depths of this enigmatic grape, to reveal its secrets, and to shine a bright light on the extraordinary fruit grown in the cool vineyards of the Santa Maria and Santa Ynez Valleys of California’s Central Coast.

Morgan started in the wine industry working for an Italian wine importer in her native North Carolina. Then she moved on to a boutique wine importer to optimize her learning curve. A move to a sales and marketing position at Robert Sinskey Vineyards, in Napa, led to her meeting Jim Clendenen, winemaker and owner at Au Bon Climat. They married, and she moved to Santa Barbara County. When Au Bon Climat, by chance, was offered a lot of Viognier grapes in 1996, Cold Heaven Cellars was born.

Morgan knew little about Viognier at the time and had only some practical knowledge of winemaking and no formal training. She learned winemaking “on the job” and also says that she had some amazing mentors, including Bruno D’Alfonso and her then-spouse.

After closing the Cold Heaven tasting room in 1998, Morgan joined Shokrian Vineyard in Los Alamos as one of its winemakers. She continues to produce Viognier, making up to five single-vineyard versions, and Syrah, and has added Pinot Noir to her portfolio.
 
MetroWines says: "This is a high profile tasting that you do not want to miss!"
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