Somm Gift Kit 2021: Cellar Selections – Twin Cities Wine Education

YAY! You have the 2021 Twin Cities Wine Education Cellar Selections Somm Kit!

You’ve got some gems in this box. Wines that will go the long haul as long as you store them correctly.

Let’s dive into these three wines and learn more about them!

But first, in case you have no idea who we are, here’s an introduction from us, explaining who we are and what we do:

Let’s learn about your wines!

More links for learning

CHATEAU MONTELENA CHARDONNAY, Napa Valley

This is the legendary wine that won the Judgement of Paris Tasting in 1976, and is still owned and operated by the Barrett family. The movie Bottle Shock is all about that tasting, which really put California wines on the international map, but they took some serious liberties with the story. Regardless, it’s one of my favorite movies and it does a great job of showing how beautiful Napa Valley is. Plus, Alan Rickman! Boy I miss him. Passed way too early.

ST. INNOCENT ‘TEMPERANCE HILL’ PINOT NOIR, Willamette Valley

The mind behind St. Innocent is Mark Vlossak, one of the most fanatical and detail-oriented winemakers I’ve ever known. I got to know Mark well when I went to Pinot Camp (an industry-only event) in 2012, and I know many who consider him one of the top five Pinot Noir winemakers in the world. Temperance Hill Vineyard is really the home turf of Vlossak, and it consistently produces some of my favorite wines of the region.

DOMAINE EDEN CABERNET SAUVIGNON, Santa Cruz Mountains

The Santa Cruz Mountains AVA is overlooked by many wine lovers, mainly because it’s almost impossible to visit easily. The vineyards are small, the wineries few and far-between, unlike Napa Valley where the wineries are cheek-by-jowl packed together. The history of this property goes back to Martin Ray, the crazy founding proprietor who ran his business into a financial pit (all the while making top quality wines), and was resurrected by Jeffery Pattison.

Be sure to take the time to read the whole story of this winery before popping the bottle, best told on the Mount Eden website.

And finally…

We talked about it in the video, but we want to emphasize something that will bring tons of joy to your wine life.

As you collect wines for future enjoyment, be sure to label the wines for special occasions. Even put those bottles and occasions in your digital calendar so you don’t forget. The fun is in the anticipation, and it will help keep you from having bottles slowly die while you own them. There is nothing more sad that owning a bottle for ten years, only to discover you should have popped it five years ago. So promise the wine when you’ll set it free, and start the countdown!

Thank you! Enjoy your wines!

Jason and Angela Kallsen