February Grand Crew Pickup Party, Phoenix—1:00 to 3:00 PM

February 2024 Grand Crew Wine Selections

We are excited to announce our Grand Crew wine selections for February 2024!

This month we’re featuring a bright Chardonnay from Sonoma and a Willamette Valley Pinot Noir from a local wine and hospitality legend.

We can’t wait for you to try these bottles and hope you’re able to discover something new that you love about wine

February’s Selections:

Benovia | Chardonnay | 2021
Russian River Valley, Sonoma, California
100% Chardonnay

Du Coeur | Pinot Noir | Shea Vineyard | 2021
Yamhill-Carlton, Willamette Valley, Oregon
100% Pinot Noir

Stop by and try a splash of each wine and order additional bottles of your favorites.
We are excited to see you! 

Saturday, February 3rd

1:00—3:00 PM

– Phoenix –

About the Wines

Benovia | Chardonnay | 2021

Notes from the Grower: The Chardonnay is now sourced from Martaella Estate Vineyard and Tilton Hill Vineyards. Heirloom clones of Chardonnay have been planted, and they retain bright acidity and express beautiful floral and mineral notes. The low-fertility soils and the cool temperatures, in this part of the Russian River Valley, unite to form an ideal place for growing Chardonnay. The fruit was harvested at night and then gently whole-cluster pressed. After settling overnight, the juice was fermented in-barrel with indigenous yeast.

Tasting Notes: This lively Chardonnay is bursting with aromas of citrus blossom, melon, and white peach. The nose is filled with sun-ripened apricot and white peach, knit together by balanced acidity and a long-complex finish. Barrel fermentation and oak aging for 13 months have added hints of toasted almond, and spice cake to a subtle minerality on the finish.

About Benovia Winery: Benovia Winery is a special, small production family-owned winery in the heart of Sonoma County’s Russian River Valley, specializing in balanced, elegant Pinot Noir and Chardonnay that is highly sought-after by collectors and connoisseurs alike.

Built from a foundation of farming excellence and winemaking experience, Benovia began in 2005 with passion, fueled by discovery, experimentation, precision, and creativity. With a portfolio of highly acclaimed and award-winning wines crafted from three estate vineyards planted to 70 acres of vines that have evolved and matured, Benovia now enjoys its place among the lofty ranks of Sonoma’s elite boutique wineries.

Du Coeur | Shea Vineyard | Pin0t Noir | 2021

155 ACRES | 320-600’ | YAMHILL-CARLTON AVA
Shea Vineyard was first planted with wine grapes in the late 1980s and today is a 290-acre property with 155 planted acres. 149 of these acres are planted to Pinot noir vines and the balance is planted to Chardonnay. Shea vineyard sits on sedimentary soil over fractured sandstone. Today, the vineyard is surrounded by some of the premiere wineries making Pinot Noir in the “New World.”
2021 VINTAGE
The 2021 vintage is quickly gaining momentum as one of the best vintages ever for many winemakers in the Willamette Valley. June brought record-high temperatures across Oregon that were worrisome in the moment. Balance quickly returned for the rest of the Summer and by September returned to typical cool-climate temperatures. The cool night air allowed the grapes to finish ripening slowly, preserving bright acidity and balancing sugars.

Tasting Notes: Precise and well-sculpted, with cherry and pomegranate flavors that are highlighted by fresh earth, violet, and dusky spices, finishing with handsome tannins. An elegant expression from this vineyard, considered to be somewhat of a ‘Grand Cru’ from the Yamhill-Carlton AVA.

About Wesam Kawa, Winemaker and Advanced Sommelier: Wesam, Sam, Kawa is honored to be one of only a handful of Advanced Sommeliers active in the state of Arizona. He has had the privilege of serving for many years on the floor of Arizona’s top restaurants such as Kai and Cafe Monarch. Named a 2019 Rudd Scholar by the Court of Master Sommeliers, Sam has emerged as one of the nation’s most prestigious advanced sommeliers—and he is humbled to share his knowledge and passion with you.

Once in his stewardship, Sam wants you to forget his impressive credentials and focus on enjoying your wine and your food. When you dine with Sam, it’s not about him and his accomplishments, it’s about using his craft to maximize your experience as his guest. It’s about you.

Hospitality is Sam’s natural gift. His passion and authenticity allow him to facilitate unforgettable meals and tastings. Sam innately cares about each guest and strives to provide everyone with their own unique and unparalleled journey. His incredible ability to combine his expertise, fervor, and hospitality guarantees his guests fine dining experiences that they remember forever.

About Du Coeur Wines: In April 2022, Wesam released his wine label, Du Coeur. Three elegant expressions of Oregon Pinot Noir from the Chehalem Mountains and Yamhill-Carlton AVAs of Willamette Valley. He met Laurent Montalieu of Northwest Winery at Pinot Camp, and that’s where the seed was planted. Laurent (an Oregon winemaking icon with over 30 years of experience) collaborated with Wesam to select the fruit from specific sites, design, and produce two barrels of each wine (only 50 cases of each). Each wine is very food-friendly and designed as an integral piece of a dining experience.