PAST FLIGHTS 2024

12/17 through 12/22 - New Wines to end 2024 with

Sample a few new wines on our menu from around the world, including a Garganega from Veneto, Italy, a Pinot Noir from Santa Lucia Highlands in Monterey, CA, and a Mourvèdre blend from Pays d'Oc, France. Click on the 'flight of the week' link above, or here, for more details.

12/3 through 12/15 - Ouí-ner Party [French wines to celebrate Oliver's Third Birthday]

This year we wanted to celebrate our favorite weiner dog mascot, Oliver, with a Ouí-ner party, focusing on iconic French wine regions and varietals. So this month we are featuring a rarely seen Cremant from Chablis in Burgundy, a bright and vivacious Chardonnay from Languedoc, and Syrah from Rhône. Pair this with a sampling of traditional French cheese pairings and/or macarons, and it’s a month made of all the spoils!

11/12 through 12/1 - Sun Break Wines, Willamette Valley, Oregon

Join us Tuesday, November 12th at 6pm when Sun Break owner/winemaker David Patte will be showcasing his wines AND vermouth from Willamette Valley, Oregon.

We will start with a Rosé Vermouth cocktail during the Meet & Greet, followed by a @st.kilians cheese pairing with David’s Chablis-style Chardonnay, two Pinots with different techniques of barrel aging, and digestif of Red Vermouth.

Before the chaos of the holidays consumes you, treat yourself to a fun night with a friend or loved one, and book your res on OpenTable [link is in our bio]. We are nearly sold out so don’t delay! [Or message us directly to join a wait list]

11/19 through 11/24 - Rethinking the Holiday Table

This year you should spice the Thanksgiving table up with your wine pairings. Were you put in charge of bringing an appetizer? This easy but impressive brie en croute recipe and Raboso Prosecco pairing will set the tone...just grab some extra rosemary sprigs for a quick and easy garnish for both! Do you need to help Mom in the kitchen without getting in her way? Keep her glass full with her favorite varietal but instead of a typical chardonnay, turn your mom onto a skin-contact version that pairs perfectly with your famous Pavochon-style salt-brined turkey. Does your dad prefer a red? Leave the Pinot Noir for the less adventurous and pour him a Nero d'Avolo, indigenous to Sicily, that is a lovely accompaniment to this Cranberry Apple Crumble [don't forget the homemade whipped cream!].

11/5 through 11/10 - What's in Jenn's glass?

Many of you ask what I’m loving right now, so I thought I’d beat you to it and share some of my new favorites with you this week, and none of them taste like what you’d expect them to 😊

This Cinsault from Chilean producer Pedro Parra, is medium-bodied with tons of earthy yumminess, reminiscent of Burgundy. And I’m gobsmacked by how unique this La Spinetta Tuscan Sangiovese is! It’s rich and earthy, and you can taste the terroir in every sip 🤤 The last newbie, a Mourvèdre dominant GSM blend from Dom. La Roque in Languedoc-Roussillon, is bold and fruity, with incredibly approachable tannins.

Stop by tonight, and the rest of the week, to sample each and every one of my new favorites! I know I’m going to need some delicious reds to get through tonight 😆 Get out and vote!

10/20 through 11/10 - Mas Carlot, Southern Rhône Winery

Next Sunday the 20th at 4pm we are hosting the incredibly charming Cedric Ferry with Mas Carlot, one of our featured wineries in November and a featured flight of the week.

@mascarlot is a really special producer in Southern Rhône, specializing in traditional varietals for their region like white blends with Marsanne and Roussanne, and red blends with Syrah and Mourvèdre, and sometimes with a twist like their amphora-aged Aureus.

We can’t think of a better way to start your week than with a beautiful flight of wines and a Frenchman so join us Sunday afternoon at 4pm for a fantastic wine and cheese pairing. Make your reservation through OpenTable today!

10/29 through 11/1 - Trick or Treat Yo'self

Join us next week for our annual ‘Trick or Treat Yo’Self’ Halloween Candy and wine pairing 👻

You KNOW you’re stealing your kids’ candy when they go to bed, so come in and learn exactly what wine to pair with it.

October Flight of the Month - Vinho Vadio, Bairrada, Portugal

Come drink insanely delicious, and highly allocated Portuguese wines with Vinho Vadio’s founder and winemaker, Luís Patrão on Wednesday October 2nd at 6pm!

Vinho Vadio is a boutique, family-owned winery located in the Bairrada region of Portugal, founded in 2005 by husband-and-wife team Luís Patrão and Eduarda Dias. Situated in the village of Poutena, 120 miles north of Lisbon, Vadio encompasses 13 vineyards spread across 10 hectares, which are subdivided into 27 completely distinct plots and an old warehouse that was adapted in a very simple way for wine production.

Focusing on Bairrada’s indigenous grape varietals, Baga, Cercial, and Bical, Bairrada is the youngest DO [Denominación de Origen] in Portugal. It is bounded on the north by the river Vouga, on the south by the river Mondego, on the east by the Caramulo-Bussaco and on the west by the Atlantic Ocean. The typical atlantic climate due to its proximity of the sea, together with the clay-limestone soils and native grape varieties have always contributed to the uniqueness of Bairrada’s wines. The region has 7,000 hectares of vineyards, with the average size of plots being 0.2 hecteres. It is known for its red wines from baga with great ageing potential, for the freshness of its whites and character of its sparkling wines.

Due to the extremely small production, and even smaller allocations overseas, these wines are nearly impossible to find. This is the first time they’ve made their way to Colorado with only 6-12 bottles total of each in most instances…and you know we somehow managed to make them ours! The only way anyone can taste them is at Vin Rouge and this month you get to taste them with the man that gets to take credit for this art.

10/15 through 10/19 - What is a GSM?

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! It’s that sweet spot when summer and winter collide for one perfect moment of the year and we can appreciate the changing of seating literally through our favorite fall wines.

Grenache is the perfect sweater weather red because it still has that plump fruit from the end of summer, partnered with the structure and belly-warming traits we love in our reds going into winter time.

We are showcasing a handful of our favorite French Grenaches this week and can’t wait to share them with you!

10/8 through 10/12 - Cab Franc

We are sipping on three very different stunners from France and the US, including a Carbonic example from one of our favorite winemakers, Gretchen Voelker at @luna.hart.wines in my old stomping grounds of Santa Barbara. Only 57 cases of it were produced and we were able to snag 1!😳💃🏻

September Flight of the Month - vom Boden German fine wine importer

We are kicking off our September Tasting of the Month, Germany and Austria, with PJ from esteemed wine importer, @vomboden

We will start with Sparkling Wine during the meet and greet at 6pm on Wednesday, August 28th. This will be followed by a wine and cheese pairing with an Austrian Grüner Vetliner from Barbara Öehlzelt, 'rosé' of Spätburgunder [Pinot Noir] from Lukas Hammelmann, red Spätburgunder from legendary producer Ulli Stein, and finish with an incredibly gorgeous and balanced riesling from Weingut Hermann Ludes.

9/24 through 9/29 - Fresh Juice

Just in time for a change in seasons, this week we are featuring three new wines that will help us transition from sweltering summer heat, to chilly fall evenings. First, you'll sample a medium-bodied Etna Bianco, a white blend from the island of Sicily, consisting of indigenous varietals, Cataratto and Carricante. Next up is a surpringly fruity and juicy Malbec from Cahors will silky tannins. Finally, it wouldn't be fall without one of my favorite red varietals, Syrah, and Julien Cecillon from Southern Rhône is a beast when it comes to producing them.

9/17 through 9/22 - Pinot Noir

Keeping it simple in this shoulder weather. Waking up each morning has the crisp fall feels, making me crave a great red, but afternoon heat leaves me parched…voilà…perfect pinot weather 😉 And for those of you that are in the know… @holloranvineyardwines is back!

9/10 through 9/15 - Sauvignon Blanc

Before we know it, it’s going to be fall so this week we trying to hold onto what’s left of summer with a bright, fresh trio of Sauvignon Blancs. Sample three different representations of SBs from around the globe: @deepdownwines in Marlborough, New Zealand, @hallwines in Napa, and Domaine du Salvard in Cheverny, France.September 3rd through 8th - National Cabernet & Chianti Days

9/3 through 9/8 - National Cabernet & Chianti Days

What the hell sense does it make, offering red wine for the flight of the week?? None. None at all. But it’s National Cabernet AND Chianti Day this week so we had to oblige.

This week we are offering a Chianti, a Cabernet Franc and a Super Tuscan [50/50 Cab Franc and Cab Sauv] to celebrate some of the most delicious grapes on the planet. But don’t fret because if you’re hot and thirsty, we still have some cold whites and rosés by the glass as well as a flight of the month that will definitely scratch that hot weather itch 🥵

August Flight of the Month - Katherine Walt Hall wines

We are thrilled to be able to share the gorgeous wines of Katherine Walt Hall with you! From her Napa winery @hallwines we will enjoy their Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon. And from her Burgundian-inspired lineup @waltwines we will sample the beautiful expressions of Pinots from areas that some would consider the Grand Crus of the US : Sta. Rita Hills, Santa Barbara, Sonoma County, and Shea Vineyards, Willamette Valley.

As always, our favorite cheese mongers @st.kilians have partnered with us to bring you a gorgeous cheese board to accompany your wine flight.

8/13 through 8/16 - Wines by Bibiana - 200 miles from Monterey to Sonoma

💥Pop-up Tasting with the Expert💥 - Bibiana González Rave, Sonoma and Santa Lucia Highlands winemaker

On Tuesday, 8/13 @ 6pm, we will have the honor of drinking through a handful of wines in Bibiana’s lineup. Our meet and greet will start with a rosé of Pinot Noir from Lucy Wines, her families’ shared project. Afterwards, we will enjoy a cheese and wine pairing that includes a fresh, key lime Sauvignon Blanc from Alma de Cattleya in Sonoma, Chardonnay No. 5 with racy minerality and stone fruit from Cattleya in Sonoma, and two Pinot Noirs from one of the most coveted and awarded vineyards in Santa Lucia Highlands, Pisoni Family Vineyards, including Garys’ Vineyards and Sobranes, which are some of the most sought after blocks in the country.

Some of you may recall that I was selected to take part in an intimate group of sommeliers from around the country to visit and learn about Santa Lucia Highlands in Monterey County, CA last week. I was moved by the hospitality of all of our sponsors and the meticulous care each farmer paid to their vines. Bibana’s story is particularly remarkable and when she asked if we should do an event together, the answer was a resounding ‘hell yes!’ but I had no idea we’d be able to pull it together so quickly…but that’s just what Bibiana does 😊 [Did I mention she also has two young boys, a fellow winemaking husband, multiple labels, a line of honey and roasted coffees??] There’s nothing she can’t do! We’ve had many events over the years together, but trust me when I tell you, this one will blow you away, and you’ll want to meet her to hear her story directly because it is fantastic.

8/06 through 8/11 - Vermentino

Our inspiration this week? Bright green vermentino of course!

Stop by this week for three stunningly different examples of the Vermentino grape from California, France, and it’s motherland, Corsica [also technically France but it’s exchanged hands with Italy so many times I’ve lost track 😝]

This week is going to be just as hot as the last so come quench your thirst with a flight of refreshing whites.

7/30 through 8/04 - Obscure White Varietals

After a hot as$ weekend, can we just relax into some sexy obscure white varietals this week? This heat has me tired!

From #Corsica we are pouring a crisp and refreshing #Vermentino , from #Croatia a dry and floral #Malvazija [not to be confused with the sweeter Malvasia] and stunningly luxe 2016 #XarelLo from #Barcelona.

Club members, if you haven’t used your quarterly tasting yet, this is the sign you needed to come in this week and take advantage of it!

7/9 through 7/14 - Grenache Blends - one grape, two flights...will you choose rosé or red?

One of my favorite varietals, especially in the summer, is Grenache. The lucious fruit-forward Rhône varietal is perfect for on a hot day, whether it is offered as a rosé or chilled red.

Grenache is often used as a blending component, adding body and sweet fruitiness to a wine. The grape can be troublesome for the winemaker due to tendency to oxidize easily and lose color. To compensate for the grape's naturally low tannins and phenolic compounds, some producers will use excessively harsh pressing and hot fermentation with stems to extract the maximal amount of color and phenols from the skins. This can backfire to produce green, herbaceous flavors and coarse, astringent wine lacking the grape's characteristic vibrant fruitiness. To maintain those character traits, Grenache responds best to a long, slow fermentation at cooler temperatures followed by a maceration period. Grenache produces a sweet juice that can have almost a jam-like consistency when very ripe. Syrah is typically blended to provide color and spice, while Mourvèdre can add elegance and structure to the wine. The grape's thin skin and pale coloring makes it well-suited for the production of full bodied, fruit rosé wines.

7/2 through 7/7 - Red, White & Blue Fruit

Happy Fourth! 🇺🇸

This week we are celebrating our independence with a flight of red, white, and blue fruit.

You’ll start with Chenin Cremant Brut from Vouvray, and then enjoy two refreshing chilled reds including a red Rhône blend of Grenache/Syrah/Mourvèdre from Languedoc and blueberry-forward Perricone from Sicily.

All of this beautiful wine is only $18/flight so come celebrate Independence Day at Vin Rouge!
[We will be closed on Thursday for the holiday]

June Flight of the Month - Margerum Wine Company

Doug Margerum is a legend and has been involved in the Santa Barbara food and wine scene for over 35 years. Upon graduating from UCSB in 1981, his family purchased Wine Cask. In 1994 the Wine Cask became one of 74 restaurants in the world to earn the Wine Spectator Grand Award.

Doug launched the Santa Barbara Wine Cask Futures Program in 1984, which elevated the exposure nationally of Santa Barbara Wine Country. From 1986 to 1998, Doug owned Vita Nova winery with Bob Lindquist [Qupé] and Jim Clendenen [Au Bon Climat].  In 2001, Margerum Wine Company began in a tiny 240 square foot cold room behind Brander Vineyards. The philosophy: return wine making to its previous form of production – handcrafted and personal. 

Margerum Wine Co. produces limited quantities of wines made from grapes grown both at their Estate Vineyard and grapes purchased from other top vineyards from in and around Santa Barbara County. The 18-acre Estate Vineyard is planted exclusively to Rhône grape varietals. The acreage is divided between limestone hillsides and gravelly alluvial flatlands along Alamo Pintado Creek. Margerum carefully selects the vineyards with meticulous attention to detail in all factors influencing the ultimate quality of the wines, including pruning, soil, climate, and farming methods. These top vineyards are from the cool, eastern end of the valley in Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara to the cold vineyards of Sta. Rita Hills towards the western end of the valley.

Doug’s unique background with retail wine sales, as the sommelier/owner of a Grand Award restaurant and as a wine maker made him sought out by a variety of wineries to assist in the formation of their brands.  Doug has consulted for Chêne Bleu super Rhône wines in France, and continues to consult for Happy Canyon Vineyards, and Robert Lieff’s Tipping Tree wines in the Los Olivos District, all in Santa Barbara County, as well as the Santa Barbara wines of Paradise Springs Winery based in Virginia.

6/24 through 6/30 - Classic Whites

As part of our new summer wine series, this week we are featuring three new classic whites: Pinot Grigio from Friuli, Italy, Semillon from Hunter Valley, Australia, and Chardonnay from Languedoc-Roussillon, France. These varietals can sometimes be polarizing for some palates but these examples will definitely make you think twice before ever judging them again. The Pinot Grigio is packed with punches of flavor and not at all fading on the palate, the Semillon finishes with beautiful acidity and not overwhelmingly floral, and the Chardonnay is bright and fresh, not oaky and buttery. Take a chance and redefine, one white at a time.

6/18 through 6/30 - Chilled Summer Reds 😎🍷

With the temperatures mellowing out a bit this week [lol], what better way to end your summer day than with a cool, refreshing, light and easy-drinking red?

This week we are shining our sun rays on a new trio of reds including a crushable Sangiovese, elegant Cinsault/Grenache blend [look at that label!😍], and gorgeous Pinot.

Grab a friend or two, to share a glass or two, or try all three for only $20 per flight.

6/4 through 6/9 - Gamay of Beaujolais, Burgundy

This week you'll get to sample 3 out of 4 wines from Brouilly and Morgon in Beaujolais. 

The Beaujolais is a historical province and a wine-producing region in central eastern France, located north of Lyon and south of Macon and covering parts of the north of the Rhône department [Rhône-Alpes] and parts of the south of the Saône-et-Loire department [Burgundy]. Administratively the Beaujolais is in Rhone but as a wine region parts of it fall under Burgundy in Saone and Loire.

The Romans planted the first vineyards in the Beaujolais around Mount Brouilly. In the late 14thC, when the Duke of Burgundy decided to focus on planting the Pinot Noir grape variety, the Beaujolais in the south opted to plant only Gamay vines for its wine production. The Gamay grape variety, being hardier, ripening earlier and producing a stronger, fruitier wine than Pinot Noir, hence creating a distinctive difference between the two regions. Today, 98% of the Beaujolais is planted with Gamay, the rest being mainly planted with Chardonnay for the production of still and sparkling white wines.

The 10 Crus are situated in the most northern part of the Beaujolais - each produced in a village or area which has its own wine characteristics and produces a wine that carries that name - Brouilly, Côte de Brouilly, Régnié, Morgon, Chiroubles, Chenas, Fleurie, Moulin-à-Vent, Juliènas, Saint-Amour. These wines are the most complex of the Beaujolais region and generally contain more tannins which gives them a longer maturation period of around five years in which to develop depth and a broader array of rich flavors and aromas.

April Flight of the Month - Spain & Portugal

This Tuesday at 6pm we have not one expert in the field, but TWO, including assistant winemaker for Portuguese winery Quinta da Pellada, Aydogan Cift 🇵🇹 and Head of Business Development for award winning importer Olé & Obrigado, Yassmin Dever 💃🏻

We will start with a meet and greet, enjoying a stunning glass of Brut Cava from UNESCO winery Casteller in Catalonia. Once seated, Yassmin will introduce two whites from Spain and Portugal including an albariño from Lagar de Pintos in Rías Baixas and a blend of indigenous Douro varietals from Maçanita in the Douro Valley.

Aydogan will round out our experience with two of his blends, both created with indigenous Dão varietals like Touriga Naçional. And without hesitation I can say that his DAC blend is one of the best wines I have had in the last year.

As always, our partners at St. Kilian’s are pairing a special board for you to enjoy alongside your flight.

3/20 through 4/7 - Claudio Quarta Vignaiolo, Puglia, Southern Italy

Three wineries, three territories, a single objective: producing wines capable of ‘telling’ the emotion of the South. There is a common thread that unites and runs through the three wineries that make up the identity and brand of Claudio Quarta Vignaiolo. A thread that feeds on the beauty of the chosen territories, on the traditions that have animated those places for centuries, on the landscapes that surround the production places recovered from their history. One white, three reds, four amazing wines.

3/05 through 3/19 - Dominico Clerico, Barolo, Piedmont, Italy

In 1976, Domenico Clerico began to not just grow grapes but produce Barolo from Monforte d’Alba. Today, he’s one of the most respected producers in the world, his wines are now a benchmark for Barolo. Never afraid to push or explore new ideas, Domenico started out with next to nothing and a desire to understand the unknown.

Domenico left us a great gift, a philosophy that spans time, between the tradition of a land that offers great emotions and innovation, the desire to continually improve.

March Flight of the Month - Holloran Vineyard Wines

Eve and Bill Holloran moved to the Portland area in 1999 and purchased a ‘heritage’ vineyard on Worden Hill Road in Dundee and a large parcel of land perfect for grape growing in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA. When the harvest of 1999 fast approached, they needed a place to make wine, so the winery began in a converted horse barn located at their West Linn property in September 1999. giving Bill credit for the ‘garagiste’ movement in Oregon, blurring the lines between suburban and rural.) Their first harvest in 1999 produced 500 cases of Pinot noir, Riesling, and Chardonnay.

Mark La Gasse has been making wine at HVW since 2005, initially assisting Jay Somers, eventually becoming head winemaker after just a few years. His wines are made following Old World traditions. They do not strive for maximum extraction and ‘big’ flavors; rather they allow the unique characteristics of each vintage and vineyard to shine through, emphasizing purity of flavors. Bright acidity makes their wines ideal for pairing and complementing your meals.

They start with high quality farming techniques, using sustainable farming practices, including organic and biodynamic disciplines. They carefully manage crop loads to ensure optimal ripening. They are growers as well as a winery and believe that the character and excellence of their bottled wines is directly influenced by their sustainable farming, including organic and biodynamic practices.

February Flight of the Month - Baracchi Winery

Next Thursday 1/25 at 6pm we will have the honor of Benedetto Baracchi with @baracchiwinery in Cortona as our expert of the month!

I had the pleasure of meeting Benny last year at an event I attended and I knew then that he would be a PERFECT fit for Vin Rouge. He is funny and passionate about his family’s winery, but most of all he loves his Mama! Silvia [pictured in last photo] looks like she could be Benny’s little sister [sorry Benny, but you KNOW she looks stunning!!!] but most importantly after her family is her love for cooking. Silvia is a Michelin starred chef with too many accolades to share here so you’ll just have to come in next Thursday and ask Benny all about them and the numerous awards his wine has won.

We are pouring a fun list of wines for you including a sparkling rosé of Sangiovese, Chardonnay/Viognier blend, Sangiovese, and stunning Super Tuscan blend of Cab and Syrah alongside another beautiful Italian cheese board from @st.kilians