San Francisco Chronicle Article - 10/24/2010

French-inspired chateau in Carmel Valley vineyards
Sarah Fritsche, Chronicle Staff Writer

San Francisco Chronicle October 24, 2010 04:00 AM Copyright San Francisco Chronicle. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
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.12 ..Chad Ziemendorf / The Chronicle

The tasting room and grounds of Chateau Julien in Carmel Valley, Calif., are photographed on Monday, September 6, 2010.
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The Tasting Room
French-inspired chateau in Carmel Valley vineyards 10.24.10
Small labels star at collective's bustling bar 10.17.10
David Coffaro vineyard specializes in varietals 10.03.10
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Carmel Valley offers a trove of tucked-away charm. Most tasting rooms in the valley serve as outposts for their respective wineries, located elsewhere in Monterey County. Chateau Julien, however, offers a complete vine-to-wine experience.

The vibe: Cradled by picturesque hillsides, the winery is built in the style of a French chateau. Walking up the cobblestone path toward the entrance, you're struck by the grand elegance. The wood-beamed ceilings of the Great Hall, wrought-iron chandeliers, large fireplace and 18-foot mahogany table that serves as a tasting area all add to the ambience. Handblown stained-glass windows and French doors give an airy feel. The hall also serves as gift shop and awards showcase, displaying the winery's numerous wines and accompanying medals and ribbons.

The team: In 1978, New Jersey natives Bob and Patty Brower moved to Carmel with the goal of establishing a winery that reflected the charm, hospitality and quality of wines they had fallen in love with while traveling in Europe. Four years later, they opened their French-inspired winery. Winemaker Bill Anderson has been with the winery since it opened in 1982.

The wines: Anderson strives for straightforward elegance in his wines. While the winery's focus is on reds, with Merlot as its flagship varietal, they also produce a number of whites. A tasting of six specialty and reserve wines is $5. During our visit, my friend and I started off with a 2009 Gewurztraminer ($22) and a sur-lie 2008 Private Reserve Chardonnay ($32). Moving onto reds, we sampled a 2006 Private Reserve Merlot ($42), followed by the 2006 Black Nova ($78), a Zinfandel-Syrah blend. We also got to try a wine not listed, the 2007 La Conviviance ($90), a Bordeaux-style red blend. We capped off the tasting with a Carmel Cream Sherry ($28).

The experience: We visited the winery on a quiet Tuesday morning. Our host, Fina, who's been with the winery for over 25 years, was warm, friendly and thoroughly knowledgeable about the wines and the winery's history. She even helpfully offered us advice on a shortcut to our next destination.

The extras: An inviting cobblestone courtyard is perfect for taking in the scenery over a glass of wine. Cheese plates are available for purchase, or BYO goodies. Free winery tours are offered at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. during the weekdays and 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. on the weekends; it's a good idea to reserve a spot. Tours last approximately 45 minutes and include the vineyards, winemaking facilities and barrel room. Considering the tours include tasting, it's a steal.

Private tours and tasting packages are available with advance reservations. The winery's facilities can also be rented out for private events.

If you go: 8940 Carmel Valley Road, Carmel; (831) 624-2600 or chateaujulien.com. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday.

Rating: Rating: THREE STARS

This article appeared on page M - 6 of the San Francisco Chronicle



Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/10/22/TRUS1FLJAD.DTL#ixzz13hEzi9Od

For Immediate Release

Carmel, Ca- With a degree in Enology from Fresno State University, second generation Bobby Brower Jr, joined the Chateau Julien team as National Sales Manager earlier this year. After nearly thirty years in production, Chateau Julien wines will now continue to be represented by the Brower family nationwide. The Wine Estate’s Proprietor, Bob Brower will work closely with his son in the national market to solidify existing accounts and re-align Chateau Julien wines in the retail segment of the market.

“We are thrilled to have Bobby on board,” comments father and Proprietor Bob Brower. “His fresh, exciting perspective has brought a new life to the brand nationally, while the distributors and sales teams still receive direct contact from a winery family member. Bobby grew up around the vineyard and Wine Estate, so it is a natural fit.” Brower Jr. is based out of New York, with a nationwide territory extending west to California and south to Texas. After years of roaming the Estate grounds as a child, he has more recently learned about the industry through summer vineyard work, cellar jobs alongside Winemaker Bill Anderson, regional wine sales and as President of the Fresno State Enology Society.
Chateau Julien Wine Estate is family owned and operated by Bob and Patty Brower in Carmel Valley, California. The winery produces wines under three tiers: Chateau Julien Proprietary Blends, Private Reserve and Barrel Selected. Varietals are locally grown in Monterey County and include Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Malbec, Syrah, Sangiovese and Pinot Grigio. For more information on Chateau Julien wines or the Wine Estate, please visit www.chateaujulien.com

Proprietor, Bob Brower, in Stutgart, Germany

Explaining our new package and new vintages to Martina, Pacific Wine Company in Stutgart, Germany - September 2010

Wine feature in Kansas City, Kansas

Bobby gets his first Holiday feature in Kansas City, Kansas at Lucas Wine & Liquor. This display features our new Holiday Case Card and our new Mail-In Rebate coupon.
Great job Bobby!

Check out this Wedding at Chateau Julien

http://brunkblog.com/2010/08/25/neha-raj-married-chateau-julien-wedding-carmel/

The wedding pictures are very memorable - Click on the link

Ferrari Event at Chateau Julien Wine Estate - August 2010

Web 1 new result for chateau julien


YouTube Ferrari Fra Vigna Chateau Julien 81210
Walking around the Chateau Julien winery during the Ferrari Club of America Pacific region meet.
www.youtube.com/?v=63ur5Q88x3M


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Check out this Video - Scroll down

Ferrari Club of America Pacific region meet @ Chateau Julien ...
By admin
This wonderful event was hosted by Chateau Julien on the beautiful sweeping hillsides of Carmel Valley in the Central Pacific Coast of California. If you find yourself in this region of California, I recommend paying Chateau Julien a ...
Ferraristi - http://www.ferraristi.net/blog/

See us on Facebook

Look for us on Facebook at:

Chateau Julien Wine Estate - Proprietor

Chateau Julien Wine Estate - National

With "Proprietor" you get messages from Bob and with "National" you get messages from Bobby (National Sales Manager) and son of Bob and Patty!

The Ultimate Beverage Challenge results are in.

The Results of the Inaugural Ultimate Wine Challenge Are In!


June 22, 2010 (New York, NY) - The first Ultimate Wine Challenge was conducted at Astor Center in New York City this past June 7-11. Operated by Ultimate Beverage Challenge, a New York-based beverage competition and events company created by award-winning journalist/author F. Paul Pacult, David Talbot and Sue Woodley, Ultimate Wine Challenge set a new standard for how wines should be evaluated by panels of judges.


The Chairman’s Trophy 2010 winners are:

Champagne: Piper-Heidsieck Rare 1999, $275.00

Red Blend: Chateau Julien la Conviviance 2006, $90.00

For the complete list of results, go to www.ultimate-beverage.com/uwc2010-results/

Four panels of best-of-the-best judges led by Judging Chairman F. Paul Pacult - specifically Jennifer Simonetti-Bryan MW, Mary Ewing-Mulligan MW, Laura Maniec MS, Steve Olson, Nick Passmore, Ed McCarthy, David Lusby, James Conley, John McClement, Michael Apstein, Patricia Savoie, Mary Gorman and Sean Ludford, Assistant Judging Chairman - carefully assessed nearly 500 domestic and international wines. The judging panels did not know the identity of any of the entered still, sparkling, fortified and sake wines in order to promote a completely level playing field for all entrants. Entrants were judged on the 100-point rating system in multiple stages to arrive at the top wine per category. All wines were judged in flights according to price, grape type and region. The highest scoring wine in each category was awarded the coveted Ultimate Wine Challenge Chairman’s Trophy.

Said Pacult of the first Ultimate Wine Challenge, “With UBC’s emphasis on integrity, method and credibility, coupled with the enormous experience of our world-class judges, we’ve created an innovative, exciting and authentic way for wines to be assessed and then presented to consumers.”

CHATEAU JULIEN - BEST TASTING ROOM AWARD

County of Monterey - Resolution honoring Robert Brower

Pretty Neat - A picture of Bob and Patty's wine next to Bobby's

As mentioned earlier - Bobby's first wine debut was on March 6th and he was pouring his PioZ Merlot right along with our Chateau Julien Wine Estate Chardonnay. Second generation is coming on!

Bob Brower - Hospitality Professional of the Year 2010.

The Monterey County Herald
Posted: 03/13/2010 01:52:53 AM PST

MONTEREY Hospitality group will honor Brower

Bob Brower, owner of Chateau Julien Wine Estate in Carmel Valley, will receive the Hospitality Professional of the Year award from the Monterey County Hospitality Association on March 26.

Brower has been a member of the association for 15 years and has served on the board of directors and executive committee for 11 years. He is an active member of the government affairs committee and represents MCHA and the hospitality industry as a trustee on the Monterey County Political Action Committee. He has served on the boards of the Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association and the Workforce Investment Board.

He is a director of the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District.

Brower will be honored at the association's annual dinner at Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa. The reception is at 6p.m., followed by dinner. Cost is $120. For information, contact 626-8636 or.mcha.net.

Chateau Julien event launches PoiZ Wine Estate first product release

On Saturday, March 6, 2010 we celebrated the launch of our son's brand, PoiZ Wine Estate at an event held at Chateau Julien Wine Estate. The event was a fashion show that was sponsered by Woogiewoo and is owned by Bobby's good friend Brandon Eaches. The event was a hugh success and food was provided by the world famous Baja Cantina. Bobby's first release is a 2007 Merlot from Monterey County. This is the first of many great vintages from this young winemaker.

Chateau Julien's La Conviviance rated 94 points - Exceptional

BEVERAGE TASTING INSTITUTE IN CHICAGO:

Château Julien 2006 "La Conviviance", Monterey County $90.

Now-3 Yrs
from
2010-02-08
Rich garnet color. Lovely aromas of toffeed chocolate rice bars and baking spices follow through on a round, supple entry to a dryish medium-to-full body with great depth and a tangy, lively, lightly meaty finish. A fun sipper or table wine to experiment with haute Asian cuisine.



WORLD WINE CHAMPIONSHIPS AWARD: Gold Medal


RATING: 94 points (Exceptional)

Chateau Julien winemaker, Bill Anderson in Italy for a wine event!

Great wine Ratings from Cork'd

Sign on to the website Cork'd for great wine reviews on our wines. This new service allows the consumer and the winery to communicate what the wine actually tastes like. A consumer panel will review all of our wines on April 1st. Can't wait.

What an Honor when someone names their boat from your Wine!

Yes - One our great friends and long time customers actually named their boat after our product La Conviviance.

As reported by Wine & Spirits Daily

MERLOT'S REPUTATION BETTER THAN PREVIOUSLY THOUGHT

Although merlot sometimes gets a bad rap, a new study by Nielsen and commissioned by Blackstone Winery found that merlot "has the single largest consumer base of any varietal wine in the U.S. and, of the major wine varietals, is the one most closely associated with high quality at an affordable price." Interesting. Conventional wisdom tells us that merlot took a big hit from Sideways, while pinot noir benefited. Not so says Nielsen. "Contrary to what people may think, Merlot never died," says Danny Brager, Nielsen vp of beverage alcohol. Perhaps that's because the majority of loyal merlot drinkers never saw Sideways. Forty-five percent of participants in Nielsen's survey of merlot drinkers never saw the movie, and 93% of those that saw the movie say it had no effect on their opinion of merlot. Since Sideways, merlot dollar sales and volume have grown steadily and the number of US households purchasing merlot more than doubles those purchasing pinot noir. This isn't surprising since pinot noir's growth comes off a much lower base than merlot.

More American households purchase merlot than any other wine variety, red or white. The varietal is reportedly loved for its taste, value and approachability, and also has the highest repeat purchase rate of any wine variety in the U.S. A majority of 90% of respondents say "taste" is the most important factor in their wine-buying decisions, with "good value" ranking second. Not surprisingly, 80% of respondents consider merlot "a good everyday and food wine," while roughly 70% find merlot to be "a good value" (rising to "great" when priced under $12 per bottle), "a good wine to drink at home," and "approachable and reliable."

Although merlot is the third most popular varietal after chardonnay and cabernet, it has a higher household penetration than any other wine variety, with 9.5% of U.S. households purchasing at least one bottle of merlot in 2008 compared to 9.3% for chardonnay and 8.8% for cabernet sauvignon. Merlot also boasts the highest repeat purchase rate of any variety, with 49% of merlot consumers making multiple purchases year over year.

Gary Sitton, winemaker for Blackstone Winery said: "There's no question there was some mediocre Merlot in the market earlier this decade as a result of growers planting too much in ill-advised areas. But much of that acreage has been pulled out, and the quality of California Merlot has greatly improved - supply and demand have come back into balance."

Chateau Julien Wine Estate is known for its' outstanding Merlot.

Chateau Julien's LaConviviance wins its First Award

While we have just sent the wine to various judging around the country the first award is in. The package won for its unique design and we are incredibly impressed to wine this prestigious award.

Kudos to our son and his product launch - PoiZ Wine Estate

It's always a great thing to be proud of your children's accomplishments. Our son, Bobby, has launched his website and has begun sales of his brand, PoiZ. Take a look at his site www.poizwineestate.com

Winter and time for New Oak Barrels

Happy Holidays from us at Chateau Julien Wine Estate