The Pocket Watch – Summer 2015

Home , Bianca (grape), Malvasia, Port wine

perfume of the variety. the of perfume Bordeaux varieties as well as Zinfandel, Zinfandel, as well as varieties Bordeaux

helps frame the unique, almost Muscat, Muscat, almost unique, the frame helps list of cultivars that included all of the the of all included that cultivars of list

as the small amount of residual sugar sugar residual of amount small the as grape varieties. grape were considered to be exceptional, a a exceptional, be to considered were

Malvasia in this off-dry style as well, well, as style off-dry this in Malvasia varieties. Of these, around a dozen dozen a around these, Of varieties.

hundred a than more

have chosen to produce the Occasio Occasio the produce to chosen have home to more than a hundred grape grape hundred a than more to home

to home was Livermore

sweet) still wine from the grape. We We grape. the from wine still sweet) Before prohibition, Livermore was was Livermore prohibition, Before

Winery, who made an off-dry (slightly (slightly off-dry an made who Winery, Before prohibition, prohibition, Before

Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve. Reserve. Sauvignon Cabernet

records are those from Cresta Blanca Blanca Cresta from those are records

Bianca and 2009 Heritage Collection Collection Heritage 2009 and Bianca

are also inconsistent. The most reliable reliable most The inconsistent. also are

hope you enjoy. you hope 2014 Founder’s Collection Malvasia Malvasia Collection Founder’s 2014

this wine was made before prohibition prohibition before made was wine this

experience this vintage once again. I I again. once vintage this experience the historic traditions of our Valley - - Valley our of traditions historic the

bone dry. The historical records of how how of records historical The dry. bone

gives our Members the opportunity to to opportunity the Members our gives to our portfolio, continue to explore explore to continue portfolio, our to

the gamut from sparkling to sweet to to sweet to sparkling from gamut the

2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Reserve Sauvignon Cabernet 2009 introduction. The other two wines, new new wines, two other The introduction.

there is no consistent style – they cover cover they – style consistent no is there

This release of our Heritage Collection Collection Heritage our of release This are popular favorites that need little little need that favorites popular are

Today, few wineries make a Malvasia, and and Malvasia, a make wineries few Today,

as none of the original 2009 remains! remains! 2009 original the of none as and 2014 Founder’s Collection Rosé, Rosé, Collection Founder’s 2014 and

is time for its release. Especially now, now, Especially release. its for time is 2012 Founder’s Collection Zinfandel Zinfandel Collection Founder’s 2012

our Valley. our

NOTES

optimum drinking window, and felt now now felt and window, drinking optimum

this quarter. Two of these wines, our our wines, these of Two quarter. this

small amount still planted right here in in here right planted still amount small

decided this wine was entering into its its into entering was wine this decided distinctly summery set of new wines wines new of set summery distinctly

very surprised (and pleased!) to find a a find to pleased!) (and surprised very

WINEMAKER WINEMAKER

five years. Late February, Dave and I I and Dave February, Late years. five

makes me so happy to be releasing a a releasing be to happy so me makes are in the warm Central Valley. I was was I Valley. Central warm the in are

climate controlled cellars for almost almost for cellars controlled climate

anticipation of warming weather that that weather warming of anticipation planted statewide, and most of these these of most and statewide, planted

in the fall of 2011, and has aged in our our in aged has and 2011, of fall the in

winter in memory. Indeed, it is the the is it Indeed, memory. in winter is an orphan grape; only 1500 acres are are acres 1500 only grape; orphan an is

rare T5 barrels. This wine was bottled bottled was wine This barrels. T5 rare

East, who have suffered the longest longest the suffered have who East, century ago. Today, however, Malvasia Malvasia however, Today, ago. century

wine aside for additional aging in our our in aging additional for aside wine

must now be felt by our friends out out friends our by felt be now must introduced it into our Valley over a a over Valley our into it introduced

same year, we set a small amount of the the of amount small a set we year, same

to the joys of coming summer that that summer coming of joys the to arrived in California; Italian immigrants immigrants Italian California; in arrived

or higher Cabernets from then on. That That on. then from Cabernets higher or

defeat of Henry VI pales in comparison comparison in pales VI Henry of defeat By then, fortunately, Malvasia had had Malvasia fortunately, then, By

began our consistent run of 90-points 90-points of run consistent our began

Richard III’s elation over his brother’s brother’s his over elation III’s Richard before being wiped out by phylloxera. phylloxera. by out wiped being before

win Best of Show in competition, and and competition, in Show of Best win

summer….” summer….” was widely planted in northern Italy, Italy, northern in planted widely was

the 2009 vintage. This wine went on to to on went wine This vintage. 2009 the

Malvasia (pronounced mal va SEE Ya) Ya) SEE va mal (pronounced Malvasia

discontent made glorious glorious made discontent

release of Cabernet Sauvignon with with Sauvignon Cabernet of release

Some of you will remember our first first our remember will you of Some Bianca. Malvasia … and Syrah, “Now is the winter of our our of winter the is “Now

UPCOMING EVENTS

Thursday, May 7, 5 – 9pm, Blackhawk Plaza Blackhawk Film Festival, Behring Auto Museum.

Wednesday, June 24, 5 -8pm, Tasting Room Wine Wednesday, after hours at Occasio Winery.

Saturday, July 18, 6 - 9pm, Uncle Yu’s at the Vineyard Wine Maker’s Dinner at Uncle Yu’s at the Vineyard in Livermore

Thursday, September 10, 6 - 8pm, Tasting Room Member reception for newly released wines. Occasio Winery club release. Members only

“...the anticipation of warming weather...”

SUMMER ISSUE

WINEMAKER NOTES

2014 FOUNDER’S COLLECTION ROSÉ 2014 FOUNDER’S COLLECTION MALVASIA BIANCA 2012 FOUNDER’S COLLECTION ZINFANDEL 2009 HERITAGE COLLECTION CABERNET SAUVIGNON RESERVE

THE MANY FACES OF ZINFANDEL

BARBECUE RIBS RECIPE

MALVASIA BIANCA - RESCUING OUR VANISHING HERITAGE

We are dedicated to the Heritage varietals of Livermore Valley. We devote our efforts UPCOMING EVENTS to rediscovering the historic expression of our region by focusing on these magnificent varietals, those with more than a century of excellence in Livermore. WWW.OCCASIOWINERY.COM occasiowinery @occasiowinery POCKETWATCH

©2015 Occasio Winery. All Rights Reserved “Now is the winter of our Syrah, and … Malvasia Bianca. Some of you will remember our first release of Cabernet Sauvignon with discontent made glorious Malvasia (pronounced mal va SEE Ya) the 2009 vintage. This wine went on to summer….” was widely planted in northern Italy, win Best of Show in competition, and before being wiped out by phylloxera. Richard III’s elation over his brother’s began our consistent run of 90-points By then, fortunately, Malvasia had defeat of Henry VI pales in comparison or higher Cabernets from then on. That arrived in California; Italian immigrants to the joys of coming summer that same year, we set a small amount of the introduced it into our Valley over a must now be felt by our friends out wine aside for additional aging in our century ago. Today, however, Malvasia East, who have suffered the longest rare T5 barrels. This wine was bottled is an orphan grape; only 1500 acres are winter in memory. Indeed, it is the in the fall of 2011, and has aged in our planted statewide, and most of these anticipation of warming weather that climate controlled cellars for almost are in the warm Central Valley. I was WINEMAKER makes me so happy to be releasing a five years. Late February, Dave and I very surprised (and pleased!) to find a distinctly summery set of new wines decided this wine was entering into its small amount still planted right here in NOTES this quarter. Two of these wines, our optimum drinking window, and felt now our Valley. 2012 Founder’s Collection Zinfandel is time for its release. Especially now, and 2014 Founder’s Collection Rosé, Today, few wineries make a Malvasia, and as none of the original 2009 remains! are popular favorites that need little there is no consistent style – they cover This release of our Heritage Collection introduction. The other two wines, new the gamut from sparkling to sweet to 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve to our portfolio, continue to explore bone dry. The historical records of how gives our Members the opportunity to the historic traditions of our Valley - this wine was made before prohibition experience this vintage once again. I 2014 Founder’s Collection Malvasia are also inconsistent. The most reliable hope you enjoy. Bianca and 2009 Heritage Collection records are those from Cresta Blanca Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve. Winery, who made an off-dry (slightly Before prohibition, Before prohibition, Livermore was sweet) still wine from the grape. We Livermore was home to home to more than a hundred grape have chosen to produce the Occasio more than a hundred varieties. Of these, around a dozen Malvasia in this off-dry style as well, were considered to be exceptional, a as the small amount of residual sugar grape varieties. list of cultivars that included all of the helps frame the unique, almost Muscat, Bordeaux varieties as well as Zinfandel, perfume of the variety.

2014 Founder’s Collection 2014 Founder’s Collection 2012 Founder’s Collection 2009 Heritage Collection Rosé, Livermore Valley Malvasia Bianca Zinfandel, Livermore Valley Cabernet Sauvigon Reserve DEL ARROYO VINEYARD Livermore Valley DEL ARROYO VINEYARD Livermore Valley Seeking a uniquely Livermore take on a DEL ARROYO VINEYARD A wine of structured elegance in a style GALLES & GHIELMETTI VINEYARD provençal-styled Rosé, this year’s harvest We have recreated a Cresta Blanca classic- that defined Livermore’s historic success This Cabernet is from the fabled Galles Vineyard. was fermented in mixed wood barrels of a wine literally like no other. Slightly with this variety, a wonderful balance of Aged 20 months in rare French Oak, was bottled French oak and Black Locust. This wine is off-dry with muscat flavors accented with fruit and spices. in Sept. 2011, and aged in bottle for four years. marvelously refreshing! hints of burnt orange and cardamom. Harvest Date Brix TA Harvest Date Brix TA Harvest Date Brix TA Harvest Date Brix TA Sept. 25 and 24.5 (Galles) 0.55 – 0.6 Aug. 20, 2014 23.2 0.65 Sept. 5, 2014 23.8 0.65 Oct. 25, 2012 23.2 0.55 Oct. 3, 2009 23.8 (Ghielmetti) Cases Made pH Alcohol by Vol. Cases Made pH Alcohol by Vol. Cases Made pH Alcohol by Vol. Cases Made pH Alcohol by Vol. 25 3.4 12.9% 48 3.6 14% 97 3.5 13.1% 22 3.5 – 3.6 14.3% THE MANY FACES OF ZINFANDEL

Zinfandel has had many incarnations: first as a substitute for French claret The Zinfandel that first won me over was from Ridge Winery in the early in the 1870s, and then later as port wine, White Zinfandel, and today’s 1970s. Paul Draper had created a marvelous wine of 12.5% alcohol, and though fruit bombs. As a wine, Zinfandel has been simultaneously vilified as a poor these levels have risen over the years, his wines still retain a balance that substitute for cabernet and worshipped as a California original. In short, the seems missing from the more hedonistic wine styles in fashion today. It is the many faces of Zinfandel reflect the fashions of the times. remembrance of these early wines that led me to search for balance in our As I survey the landscape today, Zinfandel producers continue to push ripeness, Del Arroyo fruit in 2012. A field blend of two ancient clones, we hand sorted with many wines now exceeding 16% alcohol by volume. But, are these ultra ripe, but not overly ripe, berries from each cluster, a painstaking process that ripe wines still Zinfandel? At what point might we loose the briary red fruit and reduced our already low yields by half. Personally, I find these efforts to have peppery spices characteristic of the variety and replace them with the flavors been worth it, as we have produced a wine of balance that is pure Zinfandel. I of raisins and plums? Have we lost the Zin-ness that caused us to fall in love hope you enjoy this ‘experiment’ as much as I do. with this wine in the first place?

SAN FRANCISCO MAGAZINE MARCH 30, 2015 OAKLAND MAGAZINE HIGHLIGHTED FOUNDER’S COLLECTION PINOT GRIS HIGHLIGHTED OUR EFFORTS TO UNCOVER THE TRUE HISTORY OF LIVERMORE VALLEY Ian White (of San Francisco Magazine) placed Occasio Pinot Gris on his list of LOCAL WINEMAKER SHREDS LIVERMORE VALLEY MYTHS by Anneli Rufus “12 WINES TO PAIR WITH YOUR NEXT SPRING FEAST”. He paired it with “Feast Bay was lucky enough to connect recently with fifteenth-generation farmer and UC OCCASIO Spring Pea Salad and Chilled Greens. Just toss together a few ingredients like Davis alum John Kinney, founder of and winemaker at Livermore’s Occasio Winery... Kinney parmesan, olive oil, radishes, fresh herbs and tomatoes. shared with us some interesting insights into Livermore, wine and more.” IN NEWS THE

FEATURE RECIPE MALVASIA BIANCA Barbecue Ribs RESCUING OUR VANISHING HERITAGE

There are few better ways to show off our summer wines than by pairing them with Malvasia Bianca is disappearing. This barbecue. Our new winemaker Dave Hendrickson shares his favorite BBQ ribs northern Italian cultivar, which once recipe, with a sauce he borrowed from Ina Garten* with just a few tweaks. The secret thrived in our valley, has now been is pre-cooking the ribs at low heat and then a final turn on the grill before serving. replaced with more fashionable varieties THE SAUCE like Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio. Today, 1 ½ cups chopped yellow onions ½ cup Worcestershire sauce fewer than 1500 acres remain, mostly growing in the Central Valley. Coastal (1 large onion) 1 cup Dijon mustard plantings, such as the few remaining in 3 – 4 cloves of smashed minced garlic ½ cup soy sauce Livermore Valley, are vanishing. ½ cup olive oil 1 cup hoisin sauce 1 cup tomato paste (10 ounces) 2 Tbsp. chili powder I refuse to allow another Livermore 1 cup cider vinegar 1 Tbsp. ground cumin heritage variety to become memory 1 cup honey ½ Tbsp. crushed red pepper flakes without a fight. That is why I included Malvasia Bianca in our 2014 harvest. I In a large saucepan on low heat, saute the onions and garlic with the olive oil until hope other local wineries will do the the onions are translucent but not browned. Add the remaining ingredients and same, as a single ton does not a vineyard simmer, uncovered, on low heat for 30 minutes. save. However, if others follow our lead, THE RIBS The first step can be done the day before. Take a rack or two of baby it will be the small producer, as the big back ribs and remove the membranes from the underside. Place the ribs on a baking wineries that control most of California’s wine production have little interest in pan and slather both sides with sauce, letting the meat marinate while you heat your adding another varietal to their long lists of labels. oven to 300°. Cook under slow heat for about 90 minutes (meat side up) until the In the end, however, the future of this variety will depend on how well it appeals meat is tender. Remove from oven and slather them with more of the sauce. Now, to you, the consumer. Malvasia is a unique wine, literally like no other. It is not either heat up the grill or cover the ribs and refrigerate overnight. clear that the American palate will embrace these new flavors. In April, we had Heat grill to about 250°, use the indirect heat method. While the grill is firing up, a chance to sample this wine with our members at the monthly seated tasting; take ribs out ot the refridgerator and bring to room temperature. Place the meat the response was enthusiastic. Now, I look forward to seeing if this enthusiasm away from the coals and cook covered at low temperature to get that smoky flavor continues as we release Malvasia to the public in May. I hope so, as Malvasia (from 10 – 30 minutes). Remove from grill and add some additional sauce. Enjoy! Bianca is a wonderful wine with historic connections to our valley’s past. *Ina Garten, Barefoot Contessa Foolproof: Recipes You Can Trust (2012).