After working with the Alcohol Tax and Trade Bureau to create a unique, new wine category for Spiced Wine, Spicy Vines released a Signature Collection of Gold Medal wines including Zinfandel blends, a Chardonnay and a Syrah. Now a boutique winery, Spicy Vines offers a Signature Collection that blends old-world traditions into an artisan taste in wine.
Spicy Vines is making an incredible first impression with the release of its newest wines from their Signature Collection, which has already earned a Gold Medal. Spicy Vines is producing high-quality handcrafted wines and offering an unparalleled wine tasting experience. With a tasting room in Healdsburg, CA is slated to open in 2016 (currently undergoing renovation) Spicy Vines is poised to be a serious competitor in the wine industry.
In June, Spicy Vines introduced their new Signature Collection at the 2015 San Francisco International Wine Competition where they received a Gold Medal for their 2012 Zin Master, a Sonoma County Zinfandel (91 points). The flavors are masterfully balanced with hints of wild raspberries, dark cherries and blackberries that seamlessly blend together with cacao and undertones of cardamom, sage, anise and cedar. Each of the Spicy Vines’ wines is beautifully handcrafted to expose their unique depth and structure.
Prior to launching their Signature Collection, Spicy Vines introduced its proprietary red wine blend infused with fruit, spices and spirits in 2012. Spicy Vines’ Original Blend of spiced wine has since become known for its unparalleled creativity, versatility and quality among wine enthusiasts. Spicy Vines’ Original Blend is delicious when mixed in a cocktail or sangria and even heated to emulate a more refined version of its European counterpart of Mulled Wine-Glühwein. Original Blend won a Gold Medal Award in 2013 (90 points) and several People Choice Awards.
A hot toddy prepared by Managing Partner Toni Andrews and Lisa Hart of SoCal TV & PR was a fitting finale to end the evening and highlighted the Original Blend spiced wine which is at the core of their brand.
I visualized serving this Spicy Vines hot toddy at holiday get togethers, tailgate parties, filling a thermos to keep the chill at bay during football games, and for cozying up in front of the fireplace during the deep freeze that is sure to come. By simply adding flavors of apple and cinnamon this simple elixir has gained a permanent place in my taste memory as deliciously warm and satisfying, every bit as mulled wine with a hint of spice. It was a hit at the small wine tasting we had at Back Bay Bistro and I mixed up a batch to bring to the Les Dames d’Escoffier Holiday get-together at Manaserro Farms and everyone raved about it!
Doug Hackett, the Winemaker and the man behind the Signature Collection, “All of our wines are made with heart, soul and a hint of spice.”
Hackett is a renowned artisan winemaker from Healdsburg, who has earned numerous 90+ points ratings within his winemaking career, including awards for Dogwood Cellars. Spicy Vines selected Hackett to join the Spicy Vines team to develop a Signature Collection embracing natural hints of spice to include; Zinfandel, Syrah, Petite Syrah, Pinot Noir and Gewürztraminer to name a few.
Spicy Vines has partnered with some of the most celebrated vineyards in Sonoma County, Napa County and other California vineyards that craft artisan wines with balance, elegance, and purity. Spicy Vines’ vineyard sites are located within the heart of some of the finest grape growing regions in the world such as, Dry Creek Valley, Carneros and the Russian River Valley. Each vineyard provides a unique combination of soil type, elevation, age, exposure and natural influences that give a range of flavors and variety to Spicy Vines’ growing collection of artisan wines.
- 1 bottle of Spicy Vines Original Blend
- 2 cups apple juice
- Garnish: cinnamon sticks whipped cream (optional)
- Cocktail Variation:
- 1.5 ounce bourbon
- 1 ounce Spicy Vines Original Blend
- 1 ounce apple juice
- Splash of ginger beer 1/2 ounce
- Garnish: apple slice
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Gently heat wine over medium-low heat. Do Not Boil.
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Add apple juice, stir and heat to warm.
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When serving add a cinnamon stick and a dollop of vegan SoBe whipped cream if desired.
Spicy Vines’ Signature Collection:
• Zin Master – 2012 Sonoma County Zinfandel (Gold Medal – 2015)
• Scarlet’s Flirtation – 2011 Mendocino County Zinfandel (Silver Medal – 2015)
• Risqué Chardonnay – 2013 Vintage Napa
• Dragon’s Kiss – new release – Syrah 2015
For more inspired recipes, ordering or information on where to buy visit Spicy Vines’ website and Like their Facebook page to keep up with this exciting winemaker.
Alice D'Antoni Phillips
Now this is my kinda wine! Next time we’re together, luv, let’s concoct something!! xo
sippitysup
Hmmm. I don’t know what I think, so pass me a glass and I’ll let you know. GREG