An event I rate highly is right around the corner. It’s the Festival of Undiscovered Grapes, and it takes place this year on March 28 in Los Angeles, directly on the heels of the inaugural San Jose edition of the event. (This year I am offering readers a few discounts on tickets to the festival, so read on.)
More than 60 wineries from California will be pouring everything from clairette blanche, bourboulenc, counoise, xarelo.lo, fiano … Wait, what is that I hear from some of my readers? What is bourboulenc, you ask, and fiano? Pouring what? Well, for those who are unfamiliar with those grapes, that is, in a nutshell, the focus of this event: to highlight lesser-known varieties and introduce them to more people.
Nine varieties — chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, pinot grigio, cabernet sauvignon, merlot, pinot noir, zinfandel, syrah, and petit sirah — comprise 93 percent of total wine grape plantings in California. However, 110-plus varieties are planted in the state, which means an abundance of other wine grapes are looking for attention and love. No, those other grapes are not literally “undiscovered,” but they are unknown to and underappreciated by many people, something the Festival of Undiscovered Grapes hopes to rectify.
“It’s exciting to understand and appreciate the vastness of the wine world in California, and this is an event that you’ll want to come to with an open mind and have fun discovering things,” says Allison Levine, the event’s founder. “We’ll have more than 70 great varieties being poured.”
Levine owns Please the Palate, a marketing, branding, events, and education firm focused on wine and spirits. She’s also a friend of mine, a fact that in no way biases my assessment of The Festival of Undiscovered Grapes. This year’s Undiscovered will be my third — I was unable to make it to the San Jose premiere edition — and the first two were among the best wine events I’ve experienced. Smaller producers are given the opportunity to shine, and I love that attendees can meet and talk with them one on one. There are some outstanding people behind these wines, and I never tire of speaking with them.
Speaking of producers, the lineup this year feature some great names, including Alta Colina Vineyard & Winery, Lava Cap Winery, Two Shepherds, Tablas Creek Vineyard, Marchelle Wines, Giornata Wines, Starfield Vineyards, and Stolpman Vineyards.
Of course, one of the main reasons to attend a wine tasting is to sample as many wines as one can. To do so in an efficient and responsible manner, be sure that you carry a spit cup, drink lots of water, and eat something — food will be available for sale at the festival. Finally, consider using rideshare
Another reason to attend an event such as Undiscovered is that you can purchase wines from myriad producers in one place. What makes Levine’s event special is that there are no minimums: You can pick up a case or two of a particular wine, or mix and match without restriction, or you can buy a single bottle and call it a day. There is no pressure, and no complicated details. In addition — and this is a big deal — if you purchase 12 bottles or more and reside 60 miles or closer to the event venue delivery will be free.
You’ll need a ticket to attend, of course, and I recommend getting VIP passes, because the $125 price gives you a lot, including noon admission (as opposed to 2 p.m. for general admission tickets), a pre-tasting discussion on Lodi wines with Stuart Spencer, executive director of the Lodi Winegrape Commission, and David Glancy, a master sommelier and instructor at the San Francisco Wine School, free delivery of any wines you order at the event with no minium requirement, a ticket for one food item, an Undiscovered Grapes T-shirt, and, last but not least, a Festival Passport, which includes offers from participating wineries and sponsors such as free tastings and tours, special experiences, and discounts.
As promised, and because I want to see as many of you on March 28 at the festival as possible, here are some discount offers for tickets to the festival. First, for those planning to go solo, click BROCKHAUS10 to get $10 off any ticket (VIP or GA). Going with a friend or partner? Click BROCKHAUSBUNDLE to save $30 on two tickets.
DETAILS
The Festival of Undiscovered Grapes
Saturday, March 28
Mica Studios
356 South Mission Road
Los Angeles, CA 90033
Click here for map
12:00 p.m.: VIP Entrance
2:00 p.m.: General Admission
5:00 p.m.: Event ends
VIP: $125 plus Humantix fee
GA: $75 plus Humantix fee
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