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Dear Norman & Traudl,
It is Springtime, not only by the calendar, but by our own Santa
Barbara Wine Country indicators! The vineyard now has tiny, bright green
leaves popping out on the vines, Norman is awakened by frost alarms in the
middle of the cold nights and we are getting ready to celebrate the
arrival of this new vintage at the annual Vintners'
Festival!
But this year is particularly exciting for us, as we can now host
tastings and an Open House at our estate vineyard. Plus, we are
introducing our first dessert wine, made from Dornfelder grapes in a port
style. So, read on for details!
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Introducing Hafen! |
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We will introduce our inaugural dessert wine, Hafen during
Vintners' Festival weekend, and we're pretty excited about its debut!
Hafen, which translates in German to "harbor" or "port", was made by first
allowing our Dornfelder grapes to hang on the vine until Thanksgiving in
2007. We then crushed and fermented them as we would dry Dornfelder, but
stopped the fermentation mid-way by adding grape brandy. This "port-style"
dessert wine then aged in a half barrel until it was bottled last month.
The result is a rich and delicious wine, with a superb balance of
sweetness and alcohol. There are lots of dark berry, plum and earthy
notes, and the texture is almost glycerin-like. Pairs gorgeously with hard
cheeses!
Because Hafen is a fortified wine, it can be consumed over time
with no worry for oxidation or the wine going flat. It is bottled in a
500ml bottle - but only 15 cases are available. Come taste it during
Festival activities!
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Vintners' Festival Open House |
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Please join us at our estate vineyard and home during Vintners'
Festival Weekend. We will be pouring our full lineup of wines -
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Dornfelder and the new Hafen dessert wine. While
we are normally open only by appointment, we'll be celebrating Vintners'
Festival weekend with an Open House during the long weekend!
Huber Cellars Open House
Friday April 17 - Monday April
20
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Special Discounts throughout the
weekend!
4892 Hapgood Road, Lompoc
(near Babcock & Melville,
on the other side of the road)
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Vintners' Festival! |
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It's our annual rite of Spring! Please join us, and the 100+ members of
the Santa Barbara County Vintners' Association as we herald the arrival of
the new 2009 vintage! All of the members of the Association will be there
pouring their wines, and we'll be joined by over two dozen of the area's
best chefs, caterers and specialty food purveyors.
Two live and lively bands will fill the springtime air with music,
there will be a cheese and wine pairing seminar, a demonstration of the
latest stemware from Riedel and even a free grapevine to take home as a
souvenir. And be sure to check out the Silent Auction, which not only has
some great bargains and limited release wines available, but also benefits
local schools and charities.
We'll be there, pouring our newest releases. We hope to see you on
April 18th!
2009 Vintners' Festival!
River Park, Lompoc
Saturday,
April 18th from 1;00 to 4:00
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Cheers! |
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We are looking forward to Vintners' Festival and our Open House, and to
your visit.
Norman and Traudl
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