May Journal Notes

Posted by: Susan Karakasevic, Charbay's GM and co-owner (a.k.a. Mom to several of us!)

These are exciting times at Charbay. We're celebrating our 25^th year of winemaking & distilling in California.

Not only do we have new releases ready for you, but Miles & Marko are working on the next exciting releases. You know Miles & Marko: they don’t slow down. We figure we’re leading a revolution.

Here come 2 originals - the ‘next new thing’…

Charbay Whiskey Release II is bottled, numbered and tagged with the authentic Charbay medallion. It is ready. Call us at 707.963.9327 to find out what will work best to get it to you.

What’s revolutionary? Ingredients. Whiskey, basically, is distilled from beer. Marko is a distiller that talks about wanting to taste, even drink, the beer that his whiskey is distilled from. Is Marko starting a revolution? Will the ingredients of the whiskey start to shift? Will others follow? Will you start to see distillers brag about the sipping quality of the base of their whiskey?

Here are the facts:

In 1999 Miles & Marko distilled a 22 barrel batch of Whiskey from a fine Pilsner beer. While they were distilling, as the story goes, they decided to release this Whiskey in three lots so you can follow how a spirit evolves. That Premiere Release is a collector’s item now –we’re sold out.(Call us for 2 stores that have 1 or 2 bottles in their un-advertised stash).

For Release II, they selected 5 barrels to be the center of the series. It’s now 9 years old and aged 7 years in American oak barrels, charred to “Gator Skin.”

At 110 Proof, you can taste the nutty, rich mellow flavors as well as the unique hops flavors that distinguish it.

For your first taste: taste it neat at 110 Proof. Sit down, roll it around your mouth and close you eyes to take in all the flavors. This is multi-leveled and complex.

Then add an ice cube, sip & enjoy. It has a body & soul about it that is as complex as a fine cognac… almost as if you can taste all the care from Marko & Miles.

It’s a good time to watch the Charbay video again to remember that you know Miles & Marko & family…

We’ve set a two-bottle limit. Price is same as the first release: $325 a bottle even with the extra aging. New package – watch for the Charbay medallion that authenticates it as an artisan spirit from Charbay. We wanted the label to distinguish it as an artisan spirit to look good on your spirits tray. I designed the label.

Here’s a fun quote we have to share:

Importance: High “Holy oh my god almighty!!"

I just tasted the new whiskey with Jim Pickett/NYC. All I can say is, HOLY WOW! You have really outdone yourself, this release is absolutely amazing. This seriously might be one of the best made American Whiskies I have ever laid my lips on, and just ask my liver, I have had quite a few. I can’t wait to get this for the store, but more importantly I can’t wait to get a bottle for my home collection.” - Stephen/Buyer Morrell & Company / New York City

Upcoming Charbay Event: June 11^th - Distiller’s Dinner/San Francisco – Spend the evening with Marko & most of the Charbay wines & spirits paired with foods. This includes the new Whiskey release. Log onto D&M Liquor’s website: http://www.dandm.com/ to learn more. (800)637-0292

What else is Entirely new? “Pour an aperitif, enjoy a cocktail!”

Come on up to the tasting room in Napa & taste Charbay Aperitifs (a.k.a. Ready-to-Drink Cocktails, Charbay Style!) Shaken like a martini or poured over the rocks…delicious! NOTE: no vodka inside. We can serve them here & sell them right along with your Charbay wines & ports to go.

You can serve great cocktails by pouring Charbay Aperitifs on the rocks or even shaking over ice & serving up as a martini! Pour & serve. So easy.

Organically grown Pomegranates, Specially selected Green Tea

Great Tasting Ready-To-Drink cocktails (before now there wasn’t one up to par)

Now all restaurants, bistros, cafes etc can serve a (good) cocktail over ice that any bartender would be proud of…we’re launching in California only.

Why – How? (Since that’s usually the next question) We created them for your entertaining. Miles, Marko & Lara all figured that some people just don’t feel comfortable measuring & shaking cocktails at home.

So Miles sharpened his pencil (all products have to be approved by our federal government), Lara had a label in mind and Marko did the R& D to find out what you would like to see first in this new category. They all worked on the wording for the label. This was a family project.

Charbay Pomegranate Aperitif – Captures those Pomegranate’s earthy flavors. We like to see a lemon peel/twist added when you pour it over ice in a short rocks glass. Can also be shaken & served up in a martini glass with a lemon zest or twist. Tastes as if you’d mixed a complex cocktail with several fresh ingredients… $36/750 ML

Charbay Green Tea Aperitif – Over the rocks tastes very complex with the gently Green Tea flavors and other exotics such as Papaya… comes in a 750 ML. We suggest keeping the bottle in your fridge and serving over ice. Can be shaken & served up in a martini glass. And I’m sure we’ll start hearing from you other ways to serve it. Lara likes adding Odwalla lemonade. It’s so new that you’re the first to hear about it. $36/750 ML

What gets Marko, Lara & Miles so excited is that the first cocktail you pour and the last cocktail out of the bottle will all have the same uniform ‘perfect mix’ flavors…. You’re an ace bartender while talking, entertaining or cooking & listening to your favorite music!!!!!!

What Else: There are about 20 cases of Charbay Rosé available here at the winery. Time to start thinking summer wine, again. This is the masculine rose that Miles & Marko made - a light version of our cabernet/pinot noir/cabernet franc and syrah…. Because that’s what it is. They pulled a small amount of each with a little skin contact and fermented it dry by itself. Of course it’s not pink, like I said, it’s a guy style Rosé.

We enjoy it with a couple ice cubes when we’re grilling out on the deck… perfect with the appetizers you nibble on before dinner.

Oh, yes – it’s in a twist off cap 750 ML – so take it anywhere and be spontaneous!

These aren’t on the website yet – but they can be ordered over the phone or better yet, come see us.

Visits to Charbay: We’re going to be open more in the coming months so check your calendar, gather your friends and come up to see us… we’ll be tasting outside as soon as the new tables arrive. We’re working on some fun programs, too. Vodka & caviar pairing, Port & cigars for those who like to smoke with fellow cigar lovers, Cocktails 101 and more.

Come to Napa Valley = No passports. Same currency as home. We have great restaurants, spas, the ocean is close by and there’s plenty to drink. Be a tourist – it’s fun.

‘Charbay Sundays at Tra Vigne’ Starting end of June, we invite you to come by for our ‘Charbay Sundays at Tra Vigne’. Join us for tastings of all the Charbay Spirits and great tappas. Their courtyard is one of the most beloved in the Napa Valley. Someone from the family will be there to visit with.

Where to Stay: Here’s a real find: Stay on Spring Mountain in a magical place - Mille Vigne Villa. http://www.millevigne.com/ Call Rebecca Kingsley for reservations… unadvertised homes/villas here on the mountain.

Next Month: Bartender Featured cocktail:

• The ‘Andrew S’, made with Charbay Rum & Rhubarb Mint Syrup… from one of our favorite bartenders at Tra Vigne, a favorite, especially out on the patio. Reservations: 707-963-4444

***Remember: Upcoming Charbay Event June 11^th : Distiller’s Dinner in San Francisco – Spend the evening with Marko as he walks you through the Charbay wines & spirits. They’ll all be there, including the new Whiskey Release II. Might be things we don’t even know about. Bring your Dad.

Visit D&M Liquors’ website: http://www.dandm.com/ to learn more. (800)637-0292

We’re starting a remodel of our website. IF you can’t find something, give us a call… someone’s always here.

Everyone says Hello and Best Wishes,

Susan & family