If you love wine, you are certainly going to love the new Cellar Social that Cucina Enoteca in Fashion has in store.
The new series brings acclaimed wineries to Newport Beach for one-night-only tastings, no trip to wine country required. Guests taste through each featured winery’s lineup, poured by members of the winery’s team.
Tastings run 4–6 p.m. and are $50 per person, including wine and complimentary light bites. The full ticket price can be credited toward a case of the featured wine.
The series kicks off with three legendary California producers that have each shaped their region.
Oct. 29: Greg Brewer: Few people have done more to put the Sta. Rita Hills on the map than Greg Brewer. He co-founded Brewer-Clifton in 1996, when the region was still largely unknown, and built it on Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. In fact, I have a bottle of the label’s 2021 Pinot Noir just waiting to be opened.
Those two grapes have since become the region’s calling card. Brewer was named Wine Enthusiast’s 2020 Winemaker of the Year and the 2026 Sta. Rita Hills Vintner of the Year. He’ll pour all three of his labels: Brewer-Clifton, Diatom and Ex Post Facto, so guests can taste his range in one sitting.
Nov. 5: ZD Wines: ZD was founded in 1969 by Norman and Rosa Lee deLeuze, before Napa became Napa. More than 50 years later, the second and third generations of the deLeuze family still run it, which is rare in a valley that has seen increasing winery consolidation. ZD was also early to organic farming: its estate vineyards in Rutherford and Carneros have been certified organic since 1999. The tasting features its estate Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Dec. 2: Stolpman Vineyards: Stolpman is one of the reasons Ballard Canyon has become a name in California Syrah. Founded by Tom Stolpman and now led by his son, Pete, the estate focuses on Rhône varieties made with organic and dry farming, native fermentation, and a minimal-intervention approach. It’s also known for La Cuadrilla, a wine whose profits go back to the vineyard workers who farm it. That’s a good story for anyone who cares about who’s behind the bottle.
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