Thirty Years of Hitching Post Wines

The 30th Annual Central Coast Wine Classic took place last weekend at the Avila Beach Country Club in Avila Beach, California.  I will be reporting on that event on a later date, but today I want to talk about a very special lot that was presented at Saturday's Rare & Fine Wine & Lifestyle Live Auction.

CCWC Lot No. 47

Frank Ostini, owner of the Hitching Post II restaurant in Buellton (the restaurant prominently featured in the wine cult classic movie "Sideways") and his partner Gray Hartley of Hartley-Ostini Hitching Post Wines wanted to create a very special auction lot to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the CCWC.  They created a lot with at least one bottle of wine from every vintage since 1984 reflecting 30 years of winemaking at Hitching Post Wines.  Arranged in multiple issues of 750 ml., 1.5 liter magnums, 3 liter double-magnum bottles and one 5 liter bottle, the overall lot consisted of a whopping 60 bottles of wine, the equivalent of over 100 regular sized (750 ml.) bottles of wine.

Gray Hartley and Frank Ostini
CCWC Lot No. 47
30 Years of Hitching PostWines

This is a world class collection of some of the finest Pinot Noirs ever made in California, or anywhere else for that matter.  I know, because for years Jodie and I along with our wine appreciating friends have have had many wonderful Hartley-Ostini / Hitching Post Wines and Au Bon Climat wines that were all well past their 25th anniversary.  Back in the early 1980's, Au Bon Climat's Jim Clendenen and his partner Adam Tolmach began making Pinot Noirs in the classic style of first growth French Burgundies - more on that story below.  Clendenen's buddies Hartley and Ostini had been making wines, starting with their first batch at their home in 1979 and had adopted many of the same classic French winemaking techniques.  The end result were some beautiful Pinot Noirs that would not begin to reach their potential until they were twenty years old or more.

Old Pinot Noir wines are very special.  As they age, the combination of acidity and just the right level of alcohol allow the fruit to burn off in a very delicate fashion.  While many California wines are made to be consumed while young, during their first five to ten years, these classic wines want to lay down in the cellar and grow old gracefully.  When these California Pinot Noirs get into the 25-30 year maturity level, they present a totally unique and special character that simply has to be tasted and experienced to be understood.

Knowing what a rare opportunity it was to acquire this exhaustive library of Pinot Noir wines, Jodie and I decided to try to win the bid.  At first, Jodie was a bit hesitant to take on a lot with this many large bottles.  We have several 9 liter bottles in our collection from prior year's auctions and it is always a challenge to find events with enough people to justify opening such a big bottle of wine.  Since a 9 liter holds a full 12 bottles of wine, one needs to find an event with 25 or more wine drinking people to open it up.  In this case, I was able to reassure Jodie that there was really only one large bottle, the 5 liter.  The other bottles were all 3 liter or smaller and the three liter bottles (equivalent of 4 bottles of wine) could be put away at a dinner for 8 to 10 people.  So we were in for the bidding.  I don't know who the under-bidder was, but they were pretty aggressive.  Regardless, we persisted, largely at Jodie's urging and finally won the day.  This amazing collection was ours.

The First Bottle

1985 Hitching Post
Santa Ynez Valley
Pinot Noir
Sanford & Benedict Vineyard
Produced and Bottled by Byron Vineyard & Winery
Santa Maria, CA

When Jodie and I got home from the CCWC, we wanted to celebrate by opening one of the older bottles in the lot.  We selected a 1985 Sanford & Benedict Vineyard Pinot Noir.   The Sanford & Benedict vineyard is a legendary vineyard for growing world recognized Pinot Noir grapes.  These grapes were grown at a time when the region was simply recognized as the Santa Ynez Valley. Years later in 2001, the now-famous wine growers in the region marshaled their resources to have the area designated as the Santa Rita Hills AVA.  The area is so successful for growing excellent Pinot Noir grapes because of the hot dry days and the cool moist nights as the ocean fog comes up the valley from Lompoc to quench the sleeping grapes.

Richard Sanford and Michael Benedict created the S&B vineyard in 1970 and operated it as partners for the next decade.  Frank Ostini recalls that the 1985 S&B was their first from the vineyard.  Partners Sanford and Benedict had created a world class Pinot Noir in 1976 at a time when most California Pinots were hardly drinkable.  According to Ostini, "Heads turned around the world - delicious Burgundian styled P/N from the Central Coast of California.  Many of us here took note: Jim Clendenen, Adam Tolmack, Rick Longoria, Brian Babcock, Ken Brown and us (Ostini & Hartley).  Sanford and Benedict would not sell grapes in the early years.  A $25 Pinot was a tough sale in those days and the partnership eventually broke up.  Mildew struck in 1986 hurting the crop yield, so 1987 was the first year for most other wineries to get S&B fruit."

Ostini shared his experience with his first pick of those S&B grapes back in 1985.  "I remember hauling the grapes.  We made 1.5 tons, just 100 cases.  (You have one of the last 6 bottles) There were two picks.  The first pick was in S&B's 1/4 ton bins with no liners.  By the time I got to the Byron winery where we made our wine, juice was dripping on the ground.  On the second pick, I brought a 1/2 ton bin with a plastic liner so no juice was lost."

He continues, "I was so proud of the grapes that I detoured to Au Bon Climat (at the dairy barn near Rancho La Cuna).  Jim and Adam were crushing their first Willamette Valley, OR PN grapes.  Both those batches were the best grapes we had ever seen.  I remember it like it was yesterday.  What an amazing time of discovery and growth."

I pinged Frank and Gray by email when we opened that 85 S&B to let them know that it was drinking very nicely straight out of the bottle.  We had a little trouble with the cork, which is to be expected as old corks can be temperamental.  But we got the bottle properly decanted and I was delighted to see that even after 25 years, there was precious little sediment in the bottle.  Jodie and I took our time over the next three hours, refreshing our glasses with small pours every 30 minutes or so.  As the bottle opened up, the aromas became more pronounced and the tastes on the palate were smooth and rich.

Frank was gratified that we had given him a heads up about drinking this very special bottle of wine and he came back with a really amazing offer.  He wrote:

Jim and Jodie,

We want to give you an official thank you for buying our donation to the Central Coast Wine Classic. We knew when we assembled this, that it was really something special, and actually represents a huge part of our creative lives.  We weren't sure if any bidders would comprehend and appreciate this.

Now that you have it, and you have noticed us on opening your first bottle, it has brought back so many memories that we are anxious to share.  Thanks for your communication, as we realize we have given more than 60 bottles here, and we are willing to continue to comment on each bottle that you open.

If there is any way to give us a few days heads up on your plans to open bottles, we would be happy to supply our stories so that you can share them as you enjoy the wines.  I think we have discovered an amazing and interactive level of giving and receiving of a vertical auction lot.  As Archie and his friend Emeril would say, we are 'Kicking it up a notch!'.  A very special thanks to you for the inspiration.

Best Regards,

Frank Ostini
Chef Winemaker
Hitching Post II Restaurant & Winery
Buellton, CA
www.HPWines.com

To Frank and Gray, Jodie and I give you this reply.  We are thrilled to have this rare collection of the fruits of three decades of your dedicated and creative labors.  We are going to open one of these bottles every month or so, often in the presence of fellow wine lovers.

We will definitely give you the heads up that you requested and once the stories have been told and the wines have been enjoyed, I will chronicle each episode in a continuing story on this blog.  Hopefully, in time it will become somewhat of a living history of and tribute to your efforts.

We look forward to our mutual adventure!

Jim and Jodie Rea

The Central Coast Wine Classic
http://www.centralcoastwineclassic.org/

Hitching Post Wines
http://www.HPWines.com 

Hitching Post II Restaurant
http://www.hitchingpost2.com/

Team Derek

Imagine you wake up one day, groggy from the barrage of drugs and painkillers you have been given.  You are told you were in a bad car accident, that your spine is broken and that you will never walk again.  That is the story of my wife's cousin Derek Berry.

Derek was a young professional soccer player and coach living in El Cajon, California.  One night he got into his car and drove to a fast food restaurant to get something to eat.  Driving home, he reached for his soda, lost control of the car and hit a tree, thus beginning a very difficult new chapter in his life.

For the past several years, with the unbelievable support and assistance of his mother and father, Sharon and Dave King, Derek has fought untold adversities from diabetes, to uncontrollable physical tremors, to internal medication pumps that stubbornly refuse to correctly do what they are supposed to do.  He fought these battles as a full-on quadriplegic, confined to a wheelchair.

He had victories as well.  As a young professional athlete, his academic career was never his foremost priority.  However once his condition became more or less stabilized, he correctly reasoned that the one thing that worked well in his body was his brain.  So he enrolled at San Diego State University where he earned a Business Degree in Accounting with honors.  He went to work for Ernst and Young and followed on with a position at a medical equipment company, but the rigors of long hours and severely limited mobility proved to be too much to maintain on a day-to-day basis.

Graduation Day - SDSU

He also learned how to drive.  He has a limited amount of mobility in his arms.  He has enough movement that he can feed himself and he re-learned how to drive with the assistance of a tricked out van that he completely operates with his hands. It has an automatic ramp that folds out through the side door where he can roll up into the van and then into the driver's position where he locks his wheelchair into place.

Derek's first tricked out van.

During the last few years, he has done some fun things as well, like skydiving out of an airplane.  He went on world cruises with his parents, even though the logistics of traveling half-way around the world in an airplane is a huge challenge for a quadriplegic.

Getting ready to jump

In the wind!

Then one day a couple of years ago, he started a new journey to change his life in yet another major way.  He set out to learn how to walk.  He has been working at a special facility called Project Walk, that specializes in rehabilitation of spinal chord injury victims.  Here are a few photos from earliest days at Project Walk around the end of 2012.

Fast forward to October of 2013 and we have a short video clip of Derek taking a few steps down the red carpet.  This is a dress rehearsal for Project Walk's annual Steps to Recovery event where all of the participants walk down the red carpet accompanied by the cheers of loving onlookers.

He has continued his therapy at Project Walk and now walks over 100 feet every day at his home.  But this therapy is expensive so several of his friends got together to hold the first of several fundraisers to underwrite his rehabilitation.  Known as Team Derek, Derek's friends and family gathered together to make it happen for him.  The event had some exercise activities to entertain the guests.  T-shirts were for sale along with tickets for several raffle prizes and a number of silent auction items.  I won a very cool long-board skateboard in the silent auction.  I don't know how much they raised, but I am sure it was a great start!

Team Derek Logo

Jodie and Derek

Raffle Prizes

So we wish Derek all the best.  He has shown amazing perseverance and determination.  We are looking forward to the day when he jogs up the big hill to our house!

Project Walk Website: http://projectwalk.com/

Central Coast Wine Classic

The Central Coast Wine Classic is coming up the second week in July in Avila Beach, CA.  This annual charity food and wine spectacular raises money to help a number of non-profit organizations in and around the Central Coast of California.  While there are several dinners, wine tastings, seminars and other events in addition to the day long wine auction, we will present here a few of the highlights.  Additional details can be found at the Central Coast Wine Classic website (www.centralcoastwineclassic.org).

The Dinner at Hearst Castle in San Simeon

One of the most magical events of the CCWC is their gourmet dinner at Hearst Castle in San Simeon on Thursday evening.  It is a black tie affair and it promises to give you an evening you will remember for a lifetime.

Understand that the Hearst Castle (now a property of the California State Park system) only allows two dinners of this kind every year.  One is for the Central Coast Wine Classic and the other is for the Friends of the Hearst Castle, so it is an exceedingly rare and special event.

The event begins with a champagne reception around the famous outdoor Neptune Pool, which is one of the most well known icons of the castle grounds.  Portrait photographers are on hand to take portraits with the Neptune Pool serving as a dramatic background.

Champagne Reception at the Neptune Pool

Portrait of Jodie and I at Hearst Castle

Those who wish to do so can take a very special tour that takes you into places that regular visitors to the Castle can hardly see.

The dinner is nothing short of a culinary extravaganza.  Renowned Chefs from across California provide a six course dinner fit for a king with matching wines served by a small army of sommeliers.

Can anyone count the number of glasses on those tables?

Dessert or Fine Art Sculpture?  The entire piece is made of Chocolate.

One never has to worry about driving after enjoying all of that wine.  The entire party is delivered to the Castle on luxury bus liners and returned to the central hotel after the event is concluded.

VIP Outdoor Winery Dinner Dance

This outdoor dinner and dance, held on Friday evening at the Avila Beach Country Club features the wines of several central coast winemakers artfully paired with the culinary creations of one of the event's celebrity Chefs.

Archie McLaren - Leader of the CCWC at the VIP Dinner

Master Chef Frank Ostini with Ritchie and Jodie

Can you feel the rhythm

Rare & Fine Wine & Lifestyle Auction
Silent Auction and Luncheon

Saturday brings the crowd back to the Avila Beach Country Club for the main event, the Auction.  Silent auction lots and live auction lots keep patrons busy all day long.  A gourmet luncheon is presented through much of the afternoon, again created by one of the visiting celebrity Chefs.  Patrons are treated to a literal wall of wine, as pourers constantly mill about the room ( a bright yellow and white tent ) pouring from a wide selection of the Central Coast's best wines.

Auction lots range from wines of all types, vintages and sizes (here you can even bid on rare huge 3L, 5L and 9L bottles ), lifestyle lots such as luncheons, dinners and international trips and many other things to amaze and amuse you.  You can see the full range of auction lots online at the CCWC website.

Before the Auction gets underway

Morning pastries for early arrivers

Bid Spotters

Jim Glines - Head of the spotters

One of the Auction Lots

Many of the auction lots feature hand painted 9L bottles and are
accompanied by the artwork that is reproduced on the bottle
and yes, that bottle holds the equivalent of a full case of wine.

The very beloved and recently departed Auctioneer, David Reynolds
He will be deeply missed.

Jodie & Ritchie with Celebrity Chef Emeril Lagasse

Jodie and I with some Vineyard Art by Joanne Beaule Ruggles

Reserve Wine Tasting

Sunday brings the event to a close with the Reserve Wine Tasting with 50 notable California wines complimented with music and hors d'oeuvres.  All and all, the Central Coast Wine Classic is a wonderful way to spend a high-powered long weekend enjoying great wine, incredible food and wonderful friendships.  Won't you join us this year?

Central Coast Wine Classic

Thursday, July 10, 2014 - Sunday, July 13, 2014

Avila Beach, CA

Central Coast Wine Classic Website: http://www.centralcoastwineclassic.org/

Venice Family Clinic Art Walk - 2014

The Venice Family Clinic held its 35th annual Art Walk auction at Google's offices in Venice last Sunday.  The event is a large silent auction of fine art combined with studio tours and architectural tours in and around Venice.  The actual event on Sunday features over 300 works of art for sale, live entertainment and a street full of food trucks for patrons to choose from.

Approaching the event - Sign in tables

Venice Family Clinic is one of the largest free medical clinics in the country with 10 facilities serving Venice, Santa Monica and surrounding communities on the west side of Los Angeles.  Their annual Art Walk is their 2nd largest fundraiser, contributing over $600,000 to their annual operating fund.

For the last three years, the Art Walk has been held at Google's Venice offices in the famed "Binocular Office Building" that was originally the home of the Chait Day advertising agency.

Google's Binocular Office Building

Works of art are on display in two areas of Google's offices, an entry corridor and a large hall with sculpture on display in an outside area near the performance area.

Large crowds mill through the exhibit, placing their bids on forms posted next to each work.  The Art Walk is free for the public to attend and each guest is given their own unique bidding number upon entering the event.

My wife Jodie has worked at the event for the last 15 years or so and her cousin Kimberle King has assisted for the last 5 years or more.

Jodie with friend and fellow collector Fala Powers

Kimberle King happily at work

The event included live entertainment from 6 or 7 bands during the course of the day.  Two bands, featured here wound up the festivities at the end of the day.

Little Galaxies

 

Alexandra and The Starlight Band

Some sculpture among the music

I think this was part of the sale

The audience featured fans young and old who enjoyed the music and the delightful pre-summer afternoon, which was a huge relief after scorching 110+ days earlier in the week.

An outside patio adjacent to the musical entertainment area offered guest a place to sit and enjoy beer and wine or maybe even a game of lawn chess.

Food trucks were located along the street behind the offices where patrons could grab a bite to eat from a wide variety of different styles of cuisine.

At the end of the auction, when all the patrons were ushered out of the building so the sales could be tabulated, they were greeted with a bevy of sweets to help them bide their time.

Finally, to end the event, patrons paid for their art purchases, had it wrapped up if desired and out the door.  A very successful day!

For more information, refer to the following links below.

Venice Family Clinic Art Walk: http://theveniceartwalk.org/

Venice Family Clinic: http://www.venicefamilyclinic.org/

A gallery of photos from the event: http://www.jimrea.com/zenphoto/VFC_Artwalk_2014