With the heat of summer peaking again this weekend, we knew we had to bring back the PINK STUNNERS! Saturday September 2nd from 1pm-4pm Wine Club Members will be treated to FOUR excellent rosé wines that are “thirst-quenchingly” DELICIOUS!!! With 110-degree temps on the horizon, nothing will taste better than a nice cool rosé! Want to invite a friend? Bring up to 2 guests per membership (i.e. ONE other couple) and they can taste for a nominal fee. Here is a sneak peek at what we will be pouring and we’ll see you then!

Cleto Chiarli “Brut de Noir” Brut Rose Sparkling Wine (Italy)

$18.75/bottle or $14.99/bottle on 6+

Winery Tasting Notes:
85% Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro & 15% Pinot Nero
“Lively froth, red currant colour, fine and abundant perlage. Intense and fruity scent, neat taste with feelings of wild berries.”

Bieler Pere et Fils Bandol Rose 2016 (France)

$19.95/bottle or $16.95/bottle on 6+

Winery Tasting Notes:
“The aromas and flavors are all so finely knit together that it’s almost hard to write a tasting note at times: from the more savory lavender and rosemary to rose petal notes to citrus, wild raspberry, and tart cherry. There’s acidity on the tongue yet a hug of richness.”

Chene Bleu Rose 2016 (France)

$29.95/bottle or $24.95/bottle on 6+

Winery Tasting Notes:
“Crystal-clear pale rose pink color. On the nose are aromas of strawberries and citrus with hints of jasmine and passion fruit. On the palate are expressive summer fruits; fresh full-bodied and fruity with a crisp, elegant finish.

Pairs well with grilled seafood, shellfish, fresh lobster, lightly spiced dishes, summer salads or tender lamb.”

Flaneur Rose of Pinot Noir 2015 (Oregon)

$24.95/bottle or $18.95/bottle on 6+

Winery Tasting Notes:
“The 2015 rosé was hand harvested from the Flanerie vineyard brought back to the winery and whole cluster pressed to stainless steel tank. Fermentation of this 100% Pommard clone was long and slow, finishing in late March of 2016. Aged for an additional 1.5 months sur lie our rosé gained body and richness that are atypical to most from the Willamette Valley. We wanted to show the ample fruit of the 2015 vintage and created a wine that stands out with a lush palate and high tone strawberry and guava aromatics. Because of it’s unique nature we think this wine will become more complex with a extended cellaring.”

If you can’t make the Saturday Tasting but are interested in purchasing some of these wines, feel free to respond to this email, or contact me directly at 530.823.0320 x 105.

Cheers,

Jay

Over the past year or so, we’ve been fortunate to have convinced a long line of “A List” writers to cooperate with Carpe Vino in creating a series of prix-fixe dinners and book signings.  We are truly blessed, however, with our next Sunday Evening Series event when James Beard award winning cookbook author Georgeanne Brennan joins us for a prix-fixe dinner and book-signing celebrating publication of her French lifestyle tome, “La Vie Rustic.”

Georgeanne has written upwards of 30 cookbooks and memoirs, most famously “A Pig in Provence,” a soul-baring recollection of her formative life in Provence dating back to 1970.  These days, Georgeanne divides her time between her original homestead in Provence and a small farm in Winters, CA.  She maintains an incredibly hectic schedule of writing, photo shoots and personal appearances, so we’re delighted she’ll alight for an evening in Old Town Auburn.

Join us for what will surely be a landmark experience on Sunday, September 24 starting at 5:30 p.m.  During the all-inclusive program, you will be inundated with tables laden with taste-tempting delights, followed by a family-style, three-course, prix-fixe dinner conceived and prepared by Chef Eric Alexander that exploits elements of Georgeanne’s latest cookbook and his personal take on a Provence/NorCal mash-up.

Included are three French wine options, tax, tip and a copy of La Vie Rustic (one per couple or single guest; retail price is $35 or $22.48 on Amazon). All reservations must be pre-paid online and because this is an event limited to 65 guests, there will be no refunds.

We’ll start the evening by rallying in the bar with a welcome glass of wine and a conversation with Georgeanne. We’ll discuss her career, her approach to developing cookbooks and, of course, her process for maintaining life on two continents. We’ll adjourn to the dining room and Georgeanne will circulate through the buildings to sign your books with a personal message.

Chef Alexander is finalizing the menu soon, taking advantage of in-season at the farm he operates with Pastry Chef (and wife) Courtney McDonald. There is some magic in the fact that Eric and Courtney share the farm and exploit the potager approach to sourcing food for the table right from the family plot and orchard.

Smart money says make your ressies stat!

$35.95/bottle

Gang, we are on the final leg of one of the best “road trip’s” we’ve ever taken!  Behrens Family Winery’s cult classic The Road Les Traveled IV is coming to an end.  The winery horded a bunch of cases of this eclectic red, and released it…for one last time!   So, are we taking as much as we can before it’s gone for one simple fact…the juice is flat-out RIDICULOUS!!! For those in the know, click the SKIP EMAIL BUY NOW, and get it while you can.  If you haven’t had this wine, then you are in for the ride of your life!

The Road Les Traveled IV Red Wine is a culmination of various varietals sourced from several different vintages and vineyards throughout the Behrens Family award-winning wine collection.  The RLT4 is all the overrun juice from their other high-end wines that easily retail between $65- $150/bottle…if you can find them!!!  Long Story Short,  HIGH QUALITY grapes at a FRACTION of the price!  Behrens Wines are only available to select restaurants throughout the US, and Carpe Vino is one of the lucky few that receives a healthy allocation, year after year.

HOW DOES IT TASTE?

The ANSWER = AWESOME!!!  We are always enamored by the  Road Les Traveled and again this 4th rendition reminds us just how SOLID this wine is!  From its OPULENT bouquet of MOCHA and DARK BERRIES to its BRIGHT flavors of TART CHERRIES  and BLACK PLUMS, your senses go on an EXCURSION of a lifetime.  Capped off by a GENEROUS finish that is second to none, your taste buds wish this “road trip” never ended!

Winery Tasting Notes:

“Road Trip!! We are always excited when it is time to roll out our favorite non-vintage wine. The RLT4 is dense, red/purple/black and loaded. Currant, cedar and blackberry notes jump from the glass, followed by flavors of bright cherry, menthol, sweet oak and dried herbs. Chocolate cherry cordial, cigar ash and charcuterie add intrigue to the broad finish. Everything one needs to hit the road and satisfy that Wanderlust!”

• 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 10% Tempranillo, 7% Petite Sirah, 7% Malbec, 3% Cabernet Franc
• 769 cases produced

WANT TO RAMP UP YOUR GRILLED STEAK, BBQ, and CIGAR GAME???

2013 Sainte Fumée (by Behrens Family) Red Wine
$59.95/bottle

36 BOTTLES

We call this lovely little lady “The Meat Goddess!”  The 2013 Sainte Fumée is BIG, BIG WINE!  Just like the label implies, this delicious gem is excellent with any grilled steak preparation you can imagine.  With just under 300 cases in production and only so many available for the whole state of CA, this is one to definitely jump on.  Not much else to say other than WOW…WOW…WOW!!! GORGEOUS!!!

Winery Tasting Notes:

“Dang, we love this wine – it has everything we could hope for! Vibrant and expressive, with aromas of white pepper, smoked meats and brown sugar, Sainte Fumée is rich and well-textured with flavors of dark cherry, dried herbs and blackberry. (In our tasting, Les kept saying “mmm, duck with blackberry sauce!”) These lively notes linger on in the flowery finale, that is laced with rose petals, violets and pastis. All of this in the bottle with everyone’s favorite label – what’s not to love?”

• 60% Syrah, 20% Cinsault, 10% Grenache, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon
• 297 cases produced

 
Cheers,
Jay

It’s been an incredible journey as we enter our 16th year of business, but it certainly hasn’t come without seeing our share of tragedies; locally, nationally and worldwide.  We have seen and felt the effects of the destruction created both by Mother Nature and/or man himself.  On the local front, two Auburn incidents have occurred in our tenure including: the 2005 “Old Town Fire” which crippled several buildings/businesses and the 2009 “49er Fire” which burned 323 acres and destroyed roughly 80+ homes/structures.

Throughout these 16 years, we have always tried to give back to the community whenever possible.  Sometimes the “call” for giving goes beyond our city, beyond our county and even beyond our state and today we are going to answer that “call” for those who have been affected by “Hurricane Harvey.”  We have had much success with standard fundraising pledges and  wine sales in the past.  This time we wanted to try something different and pay tribute to the contributions Texas has brought to us by producing good ole “Texas BBQ” Hurricane Harvey relief meals.

All proceeds will be donated to “Greater Houston Community Foundation”

This Sunday, September 3rd 2017, Carpe Vino is offering a traditional smoked “TEXAS BBQ” meal(s) with all proceeds donated to the “Greater Houston Community Foundation.”  After nearly 12 years, Carpe Vino continues to create high quality/innovative meals with ingredients and produce sourced locally to create a “French influenced/California themed” dinner menu.  Last year, to help diversify the menu, Carpe Vino built a custom smoker and began offering “smoked specials” on our summer menu.  Those specials have largely been influenced by similar methods found in the heart of Texas BBQ country. Carpe Vino’s Chef Eric Alexander and Pitmaster Spencer Smith, along with several CV staff members & volunteers will be collaborating to make this ONE-DAY event a success.  This single serving “Hurricane Relief” meal will consist of Texas-style Smoked Brisket, Smoked Sausage Hot Link | Smokey Pinto Beans w/ Barrel Aged Maple Syrup & Lonestar Lager, Buttermilk Potato Salad, Apple-Caraway Cabbage Slaw and Texas Toast.

These “TEXAS BBQ” Meals can be purchased online now until 10pm Friday, September 1st.  All meals must be paid in advance and are available “TO-GO” ONLY.  Priority curbside service is available directly in front of Carpe Vino for pick-ups, Sunday, September 3rd, during the hours from 3-6pm.  Carpe Vino staff and volunteers will bring your order(s) to your window so you don’t even have to get out of your car!

For more information or to order click the BUTTON below:

Can’t make it BUT want to donate?  Click Here -> http://ghcf.org/

Why the “Greater Houston Community Foundation?”

Donating is not always as easy as it seems and is only further complicated when trying to send assistance to an area that is a catastrophic disaster.  Needing council, we sought out the foremost authority and one of the best fundraisers not only in Placer County but California, Veronica Blake of the “Placer County Community Foundation.”  After discussing our fundraising mission, Ms. Blake included the GHCF as an option for donating which was a fantastic idea.  The beauty of both the PCCF and GHCF is that the money is spread out among many programs that are important to the community.  Instead of this donation going to one cause, it can go to several including; housing, food and even animal shelters.  We trust that with this foundation, this donation will be used to its maximum value.

Sidenote:  Several hours after the decision to donate to the GHCF, news channel CNN was broadcasting live from a RED CROSS shelter in Houston.  Just as the segment was cutting back, the reporter said, “I would like to plug TWO donation platforms…RED CROSS and GREATER HOUSTON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION.”  The reporter proceeded to discuss all of the benefits of the GHCF which gave us reassurance the right decision had been made.

A LITTLE TOO CLOSE TO HOME

When natural disasters hit anywhere in the world your immediate thoughts shift to “who do I know that lives there?”  In this case, my (Drew) girlfriend’s son began his quest in June, to obtain an Underwater Welding Degree from The Ocean Corporation.  Where is that school located?  HOUSTON!  I’m happy to say that he is safe, residing in a 2nd story apartment on the southwest side of Houston-proper.  He’s one of the lucky ones that still has power and enough food/water to last a week.  Spirits are good but yesterday he and a friend toured a few blocks from his home and wrote to us saying, “I had no idea it was this bad!”  Here are some of his photos:

The heat of summer is not going away just yet but we’re pulling out a few PINK STUNNERS that will certainly ease the sting! This Saturday August 26th from 1-4pm, Wine Clubbers will be treated to FOUR excellent rosé wines that are super DELICIOUS!!! So, come on down to our little Old Town Oasis and sample/stock up on some CV’s latest and greatest. Want to invite a friend? Bring up to 2 guests per membership (i.e. ONE other couple) and they can taste for a nominal person fee. Here is a sneak peek at what we are pouring and we’ll see you on Saturday!

Cleto Chiarli “Brut de Noir” Brut Rose Sparkling Wine (Italy)

$18.75/bottle or $14.99/bottle on 6+

Winery Tasting Notes:
85% Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro & 15% Pinot Nero
“Lively froth, red currant colour, fine and abundant perlage. Intense and fruity scent, neat taste with feelings of wild berries.”

Bieler Pere et Fils Bandol Rose 2016 (France)

$19.95/bottle or $16.95/bottle on 6+

Winery Tasting Notes:
“The aromas and flavors are all so finely knit together that it’s almost hard to write a tasting note at times: from the more savory lavender and rosemary to rose petal notes to citrus, wild raspberry, and tart cherry. There’s acidity on the tongue yet a hug of richness.”

Chene Bleu Rose 2016 (France)

$29.95/bottle or $24.95/bottle on 6+

Winery Tasting Notes:
“Crystal-clear pale rose pink color. On the nose are aromas of strawberries and citrus with hints of jasmine and passion fruit. On the palate are expressive summer fruits; fresh full-bodied and fruity with a crisp, elegant finish.

Pairs well with grilled seafood, shellfish, fresh lobster, lightly spiced dishes, summer salads or tender lamb.”

Flaneur Rose of Pinot Noir 2015 (Oregon)

$24.95/bottle or $18.95/bottle on 6+

Winery Tasting Notes:
“The 2015 rosé was hand harvested from the Flanerie vineyard brought back to the winery and whole cluster pressed to stainless steel tank. Fermentation of this 100% Pommard clone was long and slow, finishing in late March of 2016. Aged for an additional 1.5 months sur lie our rosé gained body and richness that are atypical to most from the Willamette Valley. We wanted to show the ample fruit of the 2015 vintage and created a wine that stands out with a lush palate and high tone strawberry and guava aromatics. Because of it’s unique nature we think this wine will become more complex with a extended cellaring.”

If you can’t make the Saturday Tasting but are interested in purchasing some of these wines, feel free to respond to this email, or contact me directly at 530.823.0320 x 105.

Cheers,

Jay

$34.95/bottle or $19.95 on 6+

HURRY…LAST 96 BOTTLES!

Chardonnay Buff’s!  The mind-numbing discount on the 2014 Outcast Chardonnay is almost over!  Every new vintage we haul in a forklift tipping amount of this Carneros Classic, so we can pass on the unprecedented deal of $19.95/btl on 6+.   Well, we are down to the final EIGHT cases and we won’t be getting more, in that quantity, until the new vintage is released.  Which means…get it while you can because once supplies run out, so does the discount!

 
Here is all you need to know about this juicy gem!  You want fruit?  It’s in there!  Succulent RIPE pear, JUICY yellow peaches, and TROPICAL papaya.  You want body?  It’s in there!  With superior weight and depth, the flavors of CRÈME BRULEE and CARAMELIZED VANILLA will coat your palate like wet paint.  Still need convincing?  Try $19.95/bottle on 6+!!!  You’ll be hard-pressed to find a better-value wine that exudes all the flavors we know and love in a BOLD CALIFORNIA CHARDONNAY…PERIOD!

Winery Tasting Notes:

“Shows fresh green apple, ripe Bose pear, tropical melon fruit notes with hints of lemon zest on the nose. On the palate it shows beautiful, bright acidity,which is balanced by a creamy, rich texture showcasing flavors of crisp apple,mineral notes and white tropical fruits. The touch of oak gives this Chardonnay some layers on the nose and palate with traces of toasted almonds, vanilla, flint, and spice.”

Cheers,
Jay

With seconds left on the clock, the CV Wine Staff pulled off a “hail mary” and secured a stellar tasting lineup from Château de Saint Cosme Winery. Château de Saint Cosme is located in the heart of the Gigondas Appellation in the southern Rhône Valley. It is the oldest estate in the region possessing about 15 hectares or just over 37 acres of vines that average 60 years in age. This Saturday August 19th from 1pm-4pm, we are showcasing four stellar wines from this distinguished property that you must have. It has been a while since we last carried these wines but with a distributor change, we’ve reconnected and are pumped they are back in the arsenal. Here is what we are pouring:

Cht St Cosme “Little James Basket Press” Blanc 2015
(France) $15.95/bottle or $13.95/bottle on 6+

Cht St Cosme “Condrieu” White Blend 2015
(France) $79.95/bottle ***Only 12 Bottles Available***

Cht Saint Cosme “Cotes du Rhone” Rouge 2016
(France) $19.95/bottle or $15.95/bottle on 6+

Cht Saint Cosme Gigondas Red Wine 2015
(France) $44.95/bottle

If you can’t make the tasting but are interested in purchasing some of these wines, feel free to respond to this email or contact me directly at 530.823.0320 x 105.

Cheers,

Jay

Tonight, we will be offering a Wood-Smoked Pulled Pork Sandwich w/ coleslaw and Chef Alexander’s house-made Brioche bun.  It will be served w/ spicy bread & butter pickles, topped off with our CV-style steak fries.  Best part is you get your choice of sauce; Carolina Mustard or Smoky Red Wine BBQ!   Available in the Carpe Vino Wine Bar & Dining Room for only $13!
(Roughly 30 available – first come, first served.)
Regular Dining Menu will be available in the bar and restaurant as well!
Drop by Carpe Vino or submit your booking for tonight (or an up-coming night) simply by clicking the button below.

On the third Thursday of last July, Carpe Vino was invited to participate in the inaugural Auburn Downtown Co-op.  The event was held in the historic downtown district of Auburn and consisted of an array of vendors selling everything from handcrafted jewelry, artwork, clothing, pottery, coffee, beer, wine, food and even GIN.  Several farms also participated, including Chef Alexander’s “Four Tines” farm selling flowers and produce!  To top it off, the event had live skateboarding demonstrations presented by MILO Snow & Skate, along with stage performances from DJ King Royal and the Manzanita Band.

That night, Chef Alexander and myself (Drew) took the Carpe Vino GEM and restored “totally-custom” Hot Dog cart out for its maiden voyage.  WHAT A NIGHT!!!  The place was packed and everyone…I mean everyone…was SMILING – LAUGHING – EATING – SIPPING – SHOPPING AND EVEN DANCING which was really, really cool!

NOW THAT’S A “CHICAGO DOG!”

Positioned next to our good friends @NIXTACO, (click the link to check them out) Chef Alexander and I started selling/making CHICAGO DOGS right at 5pm!!!  The line eventually reached 10-15 people deep and at one point, I yelled – CHEF…”I gotta go back to CARPE, we’re almost outta dogs!!!  After a quick trip in the CV GEM we were reloaded and firing off dogs again until, well, we finally SOLD OUT!  We were so stoked and believe me when I tell you we learned a thing or two, but this Thursday WE’RE COMING BACK…BIGGER AND BETTER!  New signage, new stall setup and production area all to increase our speed delivering you and your loved ones CHICAGO-STYLE DOGS – FAST & HOT!!!   See you at 5PM!

“BBQue TWO” is a week from Sunday and we are stoked to once again fire up the smokers for our take on the BBQ classics! Our first BBQ dinner event this year, “Memphis in May,” paid homage to the month-long BBQ festival held every year (during the month of May) in Memphis, Tennessee. Chef Eric Alexander and Pitmaster Spencer Smith collaborated on a menu that would showcase several of the BBQ specialties one would expect if they made the cross-country trek to experience in person. Menu items included brisket, red hot sausage links, pork spare ribs, turkey breast and onslaught of sides!!!
The turnout for Carpe Vino’s “Memphis in May” was beyond our wildest expectations — 90+ dinners joining us in a four-hour span! This doesn’t come close to the 100,000 ‘que fans attending in Memphis, it definitely proved the notion, “if you smoke it, they will come!” We heard you loud and clear CV Fans and on Sunday, August 20th we are firing up “Big Berta” again for another epic evening of ‘que.

Click Above Picture For Video

Whatcha gettin’ @ “BBQue TWO?”

Bites For the Table: Brown Butter Cornbread w/ Whipped Honey Butter, Pimento Cheese w/Summer Vegetable Crudités and Saltine Crackers

‘Que Tray: (Meat dry-rubbed w/ Spencer’s secret “Shred Spice”) Angus Beef Brisket, Mary’s Organic Chicken Thighs, Pulled Pork
House-made Sauces on the Table: Spencer’s famous “Shred Sauce” (mustard based Carolina-style); House BBQ; Asian-style Sweet Chile Soy.

Sides: Bread & Butter Pickles -Coleslaw, Corn on the Cob -Tater Tots w/ Bacon, Jalapeño, & Charred Scallion Sour Cream
Dessert: Warm Dark Chocolate Brownie w/ Toasted Marshmallow Cream, Graham Crumble, and Salted Peanut Caramel

For this “Sunday Evening Series” event we will be opening our doors one hour earlier starting @ 4pm. Make your reservations now by clicking – OpenTable – (MAKE SURE TO CHANGE DATE TO SUNDAY 8/20) or call the restaurant at 530-823-0320. Cost is $44.95 per person plus tax and tip. This event is for one night only, and we will not be able to accommodate walk-ins. We will confirm by phone and request a credit card to secure the reservation (no-shows will be charged $25 per person).

For all parties LARGER than 4 people. Please contact us directly at 530-823-0320 (x112) and ask for Patti.

Like always, best to make your reservations right now, because we expect “BBQue TWO” to sell out quickly. And not to worry, we’ll have plenty of napkins!

Cheers,
Your Carpe Vino Crew