By Debbie Hall
Photo by Terry Vlisidis
Grand Reserve Rewards, the credit card for wine enthusiasts, is presenting three more virtual event series on behalf of its network of 450 partner wineries. Each event is specially curated and hosted by winemakers and other special guests. All events are free for all to attend with special offers or exclusive tasting kits available for guests to purchase if they want to try the wine. Some of the upcoming events are traditional and wine-focused, while others are a little bit different. The next three events are Nov. 24, Dec. 3, and Dec. 4.
Discover Fine Wines Of New Zealand With Master Of Wine Steve Smith
Tuesday, November 24, 4 to 5 p.m. Pacific Time/7 to 8 Eastern Time
Experience New Zealand at home while discovering the iconic wines of Pyramid Valley and Smith and Sheth. Wines include the exceptional Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Syrah from Marlborough, North Canterbury, Central Otago, and Hawkes Bay.
“It’s not often I get a chance to taste these wines with a whole co-host of wine lovers throughout the US and me in our cellar in New Zealand. I am incredibly proud of these wines that show the beauty, purity, and energy of my home and our unique take on what great kiwi wines taste like,” says Steve.
The French call it terroir—a sense of place. In New Zealand, the defining word—Tūrangawaewae—means a place to stand in the world. Sip and enjoy as Steve introduces wines that reflect the magic and alchemy of this relationship and the true beauty of these places, each crafted from a natural approach to viticulture and to winemaking.
Event registration (free): https://grandreserverewards.com/discover-new-zealand-wine
Pyramid Valley and Smith and Sheth are offering 20% off and free shipping on purchases of three or more bottles of wine to be discussed.
In the tasting line-up:
Smith & Sheth Marlborough Sauv Blanc
Smith & Sheth Heretaunga Chardonnay
Smith & Sheth Heretaunga Syrah
Pyramid Valley Marlborough Sauv Blanc
Pyramid Valley Central Otago Pinot Noir
Pyramid Valley North Canterbury Chard
Shop wines: https://www.pvvusa.com/pages/our-wines
Promo code: GRREWARDS
Wines need to be purchased by November 19 at 5 p.m. Pacific time to arrive in time for the tasting.
The Sonoma House Tasting At Home With Patz & Hall Winemaker James Hall
Thursday, December 3, 4 to 5 p.m. Pacific Time/7 to 8 Eastern Time
Join winemaker James Hall of Patz & Hall winery in Sonoma for an exclusive Sonoma House Tasting in partnership with Grand Reserve Rewards, the credit card for wine enthusiasts.
James will share the history of Patz & Hall and explain why they exclusively focus on Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. He will present and talk about two single-vineyard Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs.
“Since we can’t be together in-person, I’m excited to bring the Sonoma House Tasting to Grand Reserve cardholders virtually and give them a taste of the experience we offer at the Sonoma House at Patz & Hall. We will be tasting two of our single-vineyard Chardonnays and two of our single-vineyard Pinot Noirs. Attendees will get a real sense of our winemaking style and understanding of the incredible growers and vineyards we work with,” says James.
Since its founding in 1988, Patz & Hall has exemplified one core philosophy: to work with only the finest vineyards in California, farmed by the greatest growers. From these prized vineyards, Patz & Hall makes some of California’s most stirring and sought-after single-vineyard Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs—wines that have become benchmarks for their intensity, elegance, and complexity.
Winemaker James has made every single vintage of Patz & Hall wine. He crafts all the wines in a state-of-the-art winery in Sonoma that he designed.
Event registration (free): https://grandreserverewards.com/patz-hall-virtual-tasting
The special Grand Reserve tasting kit for the event is priced at $250, which includes:
2017 Dutton Ranch Chardonnay (Russian River Valley)
2016 Hyde Vineyard Chardonnay (Carneros)
2016 Moses-Hall Vineyard Pinot Noir (Carneros)
2017 Gap’s Crown Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast)
Wines need to be purchased by November 19 at 5 p.m. Pacific time to arrive in time for the tasting.
Visit: https://www.patzhall.com/5637264597.p
Celebrate National Cabernet Franc Day With Dracaena Wines And Grand Reserve
Friday, December 4, 4 to 5 p.m. Pacific Time/7 to 8 Eastern Time
December 4 is National Cabernet Franc Day and Grand Reserve Rewards is delighted to be celebrating with the founder of National Cabernet Franc Day, Lori Budd, owner of Dracaena Wines.
Sip and celebrate Cabernet Franc with two of the finest bottles of the varietal from Dracena Wines in Paso Robles, including the pre-release 2018 Reserve Cabernet Franc.
Light and supple yet sufficiently substantial, today’s new red wine darling, Cabernet Franc, is the perfect summer-into-fall wine.
“I created the National Cabernet Franc holiday in 2015 in alignment with Dracaena Wines’ inaugural release of our 2013 Classic Cabernet Franc. The day was chosen to honor the memory of the death of Cardinal Richelieu, who transported Cabernet Franc vines from Bordeaux to the Loire Valley. 2020 marks the anniversary of the sixth annual event. I look forward to joining wine lovers for a celebration in showing that Cab Franc is More Than a Blending Grape, where I will host a virtual tasting of Dracaena Wines’ two award-winning Cabernet Francs in partnership with Grand Reserve Rewards , followed by an hour-long Twitter chat. #CabFrancDay,” says Lori.
Event registration (free): https://grandreserverewards.com/dracaena-wines
In the tasting line-up:
Dracaena Classic Cabernet Franc 2018
Dracaena Reserve Cabernet Franc 2018
To celebrate Cabernet Franc Day Dracaena Wines is offering a special offer on a 2-bottle bundle ($80) or 6-bottle bundle ($220) with free shipping. To purchase visit: https://dracaenawines.square.site/grandreserverewards
Wines need to be purchased by November 23 for East Coast deliveries or by November 30 for West Coast deliveries.
Following the tasting, Dracaena Wines invites guests to participate in their National Cabernet Franc Day Twitter chat starting at 5 p.m. Pacific Time to discuss all things Cab Franc with 10 wineries that will be online to answer any questions.
Engage using the hashtags:
#cabfrancday #morethanablendinggrape #exploringthewineglass
Learn more about National Cabernet Franc Day:
www.cabfrancday.com
https://www.facebook.com/CABFRANCDAY/
Grand Reserve Rewards is a rewards program centered around the Grand Reserve World Mastercard, the credit card for wine enthusiasts. Cardmembers earn points on purchases: 5x points on purchases from over 450 partner wineries, 3x points from all wine merchants, bars, restaurants and take-out / deliveries, and 2x points on all other purchases. Additional bonus points are earned on purchases from cardmembers personal ‘”top wine merchants.”
Points can be redeemed for hundreds of sommelier-curated items from wine keys and decanters, to books, classes, and tasting experiences. Redemptions start as low as 750 points, and points earned are available for redemption as soon as transactions post. The rewards catalog includes exclusive experiences at partners’ wineries including vineyard tours, winemaker dinners, and overnight stays at wineries. Other benefits include a complimentary Priority Wine Pass, a wine concierge, a European hand-blown Grassl Glass as a welcome gift, and invitations to exclusive events. It is the first lifestyle-focused card designed distinctively for wine enthusiasts to enjoy the things they love and also acts as a gateway to discovering fine wine.
Grand Reserve World Mastercard cardmembers earn 50,000 bonus points when they spend $3,000 or more within 90 days. There is a $149 annual fee, which is waived for the first year.
Learn more: grandreserverewards.com
Grand Reserve partner list: http://grandreserverewards.com/partner-network
Grand Reserve events calendar: https://grandreserverewards.com/events
The Grand Reserve virtual event series is open for all wine lovers to participate and enjoy.
