April Gallery Wine Tasting Soirée

Each month CulturePlaces hosts an evening of mingling and sipping. We showcase an array of limited releases from a carefully selected group of artisan wineries representing different California appellations. Think of it as a "Wine Trunk Show" with munchies. And the gallery showcases a different group of artists.

Featured wineries:

P.B. Hein Vineyards. At our recent bus trip to the Napa Valley and the Spring Wine Festival at Copia, several members found the Syrahs of Hein to be among the best wines in the room. I agreed. It was fascinating to compare their mountain Napa version to the wine crafted from Suisun Valley fruit. Paul Hein, a fifth generation Napan, has agreed to travel down to our City tasting room in the Crocker Galleria to share his terrific initial releases, plus some barrel samples of Cabernet and Charbono.

Peter Murphy Vineyards. This wine was tasted at the recent Crush Pad/Wine 2.0 mash up of some 50 wineries. Another "best of room" standout, so I invited Peter Murphy to join us on Wednesday and he graciously agreed. He will be pouring his SF Chronicle Gold Medal winner 2005 Sierra Foothills Cabernet Franc as well as three other reds from the Napa Valley and the Gold Country. The owner of a respected vineyard management and development company, Mr. Murphy through his connections is able to choose outstanding grapes at reasonable prices. The style of Murphy wines is elegant and easy: fruit aroma, mild tannins, smooth finish.

Iridesse Wines [called out of town; postponed until next month]

This is an informal walkaround tasting, so drop in anytime up to 7:00 p.m. Those driving can find plenty of parking on the adjacent streets as the towaway goes off at 5:45 p.m.

[Co-sponsored with the Bay Area Wine Enthusiasts Guild]