Each month we come up with samplers that provide you with a specific focus – grape varietal, region, or style. Our Lot samplers are the most budget conscious way to try all our offerings. All samplers come with FREE SHIPPING. This month we have put together two samplers that we love: Tasting Sample VI – A Flight of New World Syrahs and Tasting Sampler VII – A Flight of California New World Style.

Tasting Sampler VI showcases the mighty Syrah grape varietal – big, purple, inky, intense flavors. All three Syrahs were groomed in California. The sampler incorporates two recommended flights: a vertical tasting which compares the same wine from a different vintage and a horizontal tasting comparing different wines from the same vintage.  For those who love big bold reds with intense flavor I highly recommend this sampler. For the oenophile, this is a luxurious romp through the beloved Syrah varietal at a truly unbelievable price. To purchase click here.

We all love California and know that the New World style which has come to dominate the last 15 years in the wine industry finds it humble beginnings in the breathtaking vineyards of Napa. If Napa is close to your heart or you are curious to taste and even learn about the wine spectrum unique to Napa, our Tasting Sampler VII is the right fit.  Included in the sampler are a Chardonnay, Merlot, Syrah and Cabernet. There’s a wine for every palate and is a delicious journey through the complex, bold, and luscious style that is so uniquely Napa. Check it out here.

Remember, all samplers receive FREE SHIPPING!

Cheers!

Hi everyone -

We have not officially sent out an email about the launch of The Flying Winemaker – but it is coming. So, if you are reading this blog, you get the first scoop on its creation and why we developed this new wine label for you.

It actually all started with our COO, Doug Rogers. He had been doing some outside consulting and at the same time developed the Flying Winemaker concept which was to bring to super-premium wine from vienyards around the world to customers in the US at a value price.

Fast forward three years, Doug joins Cameron Hughes Wine and together we are thinking about ways we can take what we have learned from the Lot Series to the broad market. In wine speak, this means to folks outside larger retailers. So your boutique to mid-size wine retailers and restaurants. The light went off and we all knew that The Flying Winemaker would be the perfect way to express what we have done with the ‘Lot’ series that is more available and convenient.

Now the key difference between The Flying Winemaker and the Lot Series is that we produce larger quantities and the focus is on varietals that we believe grow best in certain regions. So, for example our Tempranillo from Campo de Borja is a classic vrietal of Spain and grown and tested and re-done for many centuries. Quite frankly – Spain just dominates Tempranillo! But how do you get the best stuff at a great price? In comes our relationships we have built a result of the Lot Series that afford us to work with the best Spanish co-operatives in Campo de Borja who grow some of the best Tempranillo in the world!

I hope you you will try The Flying Winemaker. We have four outstanding wines from Spain, Chile, Australia and of course the US. It is project that has much meaning to us and takes the last eight years of our work in developing the strongest winery relationships in the industry and bringing them to you with the same value and passion you have found in our Lot Series.

Jess

The second round of super-demo’s hits this week in NorCal Costco’s (the wine should be in stores now except where noted) and officially run from Thursday the 20th through this Sunday the 23rd. Many thanks to all of you who came out and made last week events such a resounding success!

Costco stores and wines for this week

Please note: some inventories remain in last weeks super-demo locations, including the Lot 86 Lodi Zin which arrived earlier this week.

First, a key to the Lot numbers. Selection varies from location to location, see below for store inventories. Click through to see the full wine notes for each Lot.

• Lot 52 – 2006 Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina Malbec
• Lot 67 – 2005 Russian River Valley Syrah
• Lot 73 – 2006 Chalk Hill Cabernet Sauvignon
• Lot 75 – 2006 Oak Knoll District, Napa Valley Cabernet
• Lot 81 – 2006 Spring Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon
• Lot 82 – 2006 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
• Lot 84 – 2006 Mount Veeder Cabernet
• Lot 86 – 2006 Lodi Old Vine Zinfandel
• Lot 91 – 2007 Russian River Valley Chardonnay
• Lot 94 – 2006 Oak Knoll Merlot
• Lot 97 – 2004 Western Australia Chardonnay

Store Inventory

Danville

• Lots 52, 75, 82, 86, 91, 94, and 97
• Friday arrivals: 67 & 81 (scheduled, unconfirmed)

Sunnyvale

• Lots 52, 75, 82, 86, 91, 94, and 97
• Little bits of 73 and 84 left

Richmond

• Lots 52, 75, 86, 91, 94, and 97
• Friday arrivals: 81 & 82 (scheduled, unconfirmed)

Concord

• Lots 52, 75, 82, 86, 91, 94, and 97
• Lot 81 scheduled to arrive Friday (scheduled, unconfirmed)

Redwood City

• Lots 52, 81, 82, and 91
• Friday arrivals: 86 & 97

Cal Expo

• Lots 56, 82, 91, and 97
• Lot 81 scheduled to arrive Friday (scheduled, unconfirmed)

Folsom:

• Lots 52, 75, 91, and 94
• Lots 81 & 82 (scheduled, unconfirmed)

Sand City:

• Lots 56, 86, 91, 97

Modesto:

• Lots 52, 86, 97

Reno:

• Lots 52, 81, 82, and 97
• Little bits of 35, 73, and 84 left

Stay tuned for updates as more Lots arrive at each location!

Friends in San Diego – The Vista Super Demo also is Thursday the 20th through this Sunday the 23rd. With the following wines:

• Lot 86 2006 Lodi Old Vine Zinfandel
• Lot 94 2006 Oak Knoll Merlot
• Lot 98 2007 Spanish GSM

Dear Friends in San Diego!

We have a Super Demo starting Thursday the 20th and going through this Sunday the 23rd at the Vista Costco. Come on down and talk about the new releases with a CHW enthusiast!

The following wines will be in store:
Lot 86 2006 Lodi Old Vine Zinfandel
Lot 94 2006 Oak Knoll Merlot
Lot 98 2007 Spanish GSM

For first time visitors to our blog, welcome! This blog is a source for everything CHW, including this week’s Super Demo events. Super Demos this week start Thursday, 11/13 and run through Sunday, 11/16. As always, Lots are limited and available while they last!  Please call ahead to confirm inventory!

Without further delay, onto the wines and locations…

Northern California (Southern California is below!)

Please see each location below as selection varies, and not all releases are at each location. Here are convenient links for tasting notes on all of the releases:

• Lot 52 2006 Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina Malbec
• Lot 67 2005 Russian River Valley Syrah
• Lot 75 2006 Oak Knoll District, Napa Valley Cabernet
• Lot 81 2006 Spring Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon
• Lot 82 2006 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
• Lot 86 2006 Lodi Zinfandel
• Lot 91 2007 Russian River Valley Chardonnay
• Lot 94 2006 Oak Knoll Merlot
• Lot 97 2004 Western Australia Chardonnay
• Lot 99 2004 Lake County Cab Franc Still some left at Roseville & Santa Cruz.

Roseville Costco:

• Lot 52 2006 Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina Malbec
• Lot 67 2005 Russian River Valley Syrah
• Lot 75 2006 Oak Knoll District, Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
• Lot 81 2006 Spring Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon
• Lot 82 2006 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
• Lot 91 2007 Russian River Valley Chardonnay
• Lot 97 2004 Western Australia Chardonnay
• Also, a little left of Lots 73 & 84 (please call Costco to confirm availability)

Santa Clara Costco:

• Lot 52 2006 Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina Malbec
• Lot 75 2006 Oak Knoll District, Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
• Lot 81 2006 Spring Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon
• Lot 82 2006 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
• Lot 91 2007 Russian River Valley Chardonnay
• Lot 97 2004 Western Australia Chardonnay

Novato Costco:

• Lot 52 2006 Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina Malbec
• Lot 67 2005 Russian River Valley Syrah
• Lot 75 2006 Oak Knoll District, Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
• Lot 81 2006 Spring Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon
• Lot 82 2006 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
• Lot 91 2007 Russian River Valley Chardonnay
• Lot 97 2004 Western Australia Chardonnay
• Also, a little left of Lot 73 (please call Costco to confirm availability)

Mountain View Costco:

• Lot 52 2006 Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina Malbec
• Lot 67 2005 Russian River Valley Syrah
• Lot 75 2006 Oak Knoll District, Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
• Lot 81 2006 Spring Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon
• Lot 82 2006 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
• Lot 91 2007 Russian River Valley Chardonnay
• Lot 97 2004 Western Australia Chardonnay

Livermore Costco:

• Lot 52 2006 Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina Malbec
• Lot 75 2006 Oak Knoll District, Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
• Lot 81 2006 Spring Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon
• Lot 82 2006 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
• Lot 91 2007 Russian River Valley Chardonnay
• Lot 94 2006 Oak Knoll Merlot
• Lot 97 2004 Western Australia Chardonnay

Foster City Costco:

• Lot 52 2006 Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina Malbec
• Lot 75 2006 Oak Knoll District, Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
• Lot 81 2006 Spring Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon
• Lot 82 2006 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
• Lot 91 2007 Russian River Valley Chardonnay
• Lot 97 2004 Western Australia Chardonnay

Santa Cruz Costco:

• Lot 52 2006 Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina Malbec
• Lot 75 2006 Oak Knoll District, Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
• Lot 81 2006 Spring Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon
• Lot 82 2006 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
• Lot 91 2007 Russian River Valley Chardonnay
• Lot 97 2004 Western Australia Chardonnay

Almaden Road, San Jose Costco:

• Lot 52 2006 Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina Malbec
• Lot 67 2005 Russian River Valley Syrah
• Lot 75 2006 Oak Knoll District, Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
• Lot 81 2006 Spring Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon
• Lot 82 2006 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
• Lot 91 2007 Russian River Valley Chardonnay
• Lot 97 2004 Western Australia Chardonnay

Carson City, Nevada Costco:

• Lot 52 2006 Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina Malbec
• Lot 81 2006 Spring Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon
• Lot 82 2006 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
• Lot 97 2004 Western Australia Chardonnay
• Also, a little left of Lots 50, 73 & 84 (please call Costco to confirm availability)

Southern California

Fountain Valley Costco:

• Lot 73 2006 Chalk Hill, Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
• Lot 84 2006 Mount Veeder, Napa Cabernet Sauvignon
• Lot 91 2007 Russian River Valley Chardonnay
• Lot 95 2007 Valle Central, Chile Meritage
• Lot 98 2007 Campo De Borja, Spain GSM Red Blend

Coachella Valley Costco:

• Lot 51 2004 Lujan de Cuyo, Argentina Malbec
• Lot 75 2006 Oak Knoll District, Napa Valley Cabernet
• Lot 77 2006 101 Year Old Vine Barossa Valley Shiraz
• Lot 91 2007 Russian River Valley Chardonnay
• Lot 95 2007 Valle Central, Chile Meritage

Enjoy the new releases!

Just wanted to make a quick note to say thanks for all who came out to the Wine 2.0 event in NYC. We had an absolute blast! We’ll definitely be back very soon. Check out the pics from the event here.

Now to this week’s releases. Cam’s in Alabama… Alaska… or did he say Antarctica?????? He’s in some place that starts with an A, so he left it to me to tell you about two hot new wines: a brand new Meritage and, for the first time, a Cabernet Franc.

Lot 72 ($12) is a Napa Valley Meritage blend of 62% Merlot and 38% Cab. Silky, smooth Merlot is backed by Cabernet structure. It is full of black fruits and cherry upfront with chocolate and espresso on the finish. We tasted through a bunch of wines a few weeks ago and Lot 72 blew us all away. It’s drinking fantastic right now. Previous Meritage Lots have been some of the most popular wines we’ve released… Lot 72 will be no different!

We’ve come a long way since Lot 1; hard to believe we are about to hit triple digit lot numbers! Lot 99 ($10) is a Cabernet Franc from Lake County. This wine exhibits a beautiful vanilla fragrance with subtle hints of roses on the nose. It is fruit forward with luscious blackberries and cassis. This is a big wine that calls for big food! Throw those ribeyes on the grill or enjoy with a thick burger with blue cheese. Lot 99 is our first 100% Cabernet Franc and it’s a smokin’ deal at only $10!

Cheers!