California wine bar chain opens in Hong Kong to rave reviews

Deborah Parker Wong
Wine bars aren’t new to the metropolis of Hong Kong but the concept behind California Vintage, a California-themed chain of wine bars slated for expansion in mainland China, Singapore, Japan and Taiwan, has struck a chord with locals and ex-Pats alike. Located on Wyndham Street, a chic enclave in Hong Kong’s Central District, California Vintage features the wines of 22 California family winemakers and serves up 90 wines by the glass. Chief Branding Officer Susan Darwin who resides in San Francisco said the concept sprang from a desire to raise the profile and demand for California wine in Hong Kong and offers customers a “high-tech, high-touch experience.”

The company opened its flagship operation in January and introduced comparative wine flights, a form of service that is commonplace in the U.S., to an eager audience in Hong Kong. The operation also emphasizes food and wine pairing and serves an expansive menu of small-plate California cuisine paired with specific varieties and wine styles. “We’re marketing a California lifestyle,” said Darwin “with a holistic concept that makes a connection between wine, food and ambience.” Customers can explore their options from iPad menus that provide instant access to detailed information about the wine in their glass or sample at will from a Napa Technology dispenser using prepaid Smart Cards. The concept also includes an online retail store and wine club that offers incentives and VIP service to frequent buyers.

By adopting a unique business model of partnering with wineries, California Vintage is educating consumers around its partner brands and developing those brands in new markets. “We chose family-run wineries that showcase the diversity of California’s growing regions and offer a broad range of price points,” said Darwin who works directly with the wineries and provides information about how their products are performing. By-the-glass prices range from $7 to $35 USD and aromatic whites like Thomas Fogarty’s Monterey Gewurztraminer, Lange Twins’ Clarksburg Viognier and Three Wine Company’s Russian River Valley Riesling are top sellers at California Vintage this month. “We’re seeing a seasonal shift towards lighter varieties and styles like Rosé but our highest-priced wine – the Tierra Roja Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon at $35 USD a glass – continues to perform well.”

Winemaker Steve Cass who owns Cass Winery in Paso Robles just returned from a two-day stint at the wine bar where his wines were the featured wines of the week. Cass poured his “Rockin’ One White” Roussanne/Marsanne blend, a Grenache and “Flying Nymph,” a Grenache, Syrah and Mouvedre blend, for customers whom he found to be well traveled and well educated. “The majority are young women and they’re very similar to our customers here at the winery,” he said. Cass partnered with California Vintage after hearing a presentation made by industry veterans CEO Michael Sadak and President and COO Ralph Roberts at a board of directors meeting of the Family Winemakers Association. Cass, who worked for Charles Schwab prior to becoming a winemaker, made an initial investment of $35,000 in cash and wine in the venture. “Customers at California Vintage are really interested in the way wine works with food,” he said, “they are eager to embrace wine as part of a lifestyle.”

California Vintage has partnered with these family-owned wineries:

Acorn Winery (Russian River Valley)
Anaba (Sonoma Valley)
Bonneau Wines (Sonoma Valley)
Cass Winery (Paso Robles)
Chentella Winery (Central Coast/Sierra Foothills)
Fleury Winery (Napa Valley)
Fritz Winery (Dry Creek Valley/Russian River/Sonoma Coast)
Hope Family Wines (Paso Robles)
Kachina Vineyards (Dry Creek Valley)
Lange Twins Winery & Vineyards (Lodi)
Peachy Canyon Winery (Paso Robles)
R&B Cellars (Multiple California)
Rock Wall Wine Company (Multiple California)
RustRidge Winery (Napa Valley)
Sand Hill at Durell Vineyards (Carneros)
Silver Mountain Vineyards (Santa Cruz Mountains/Santa Lucia Highlands)
Stuhlmuller Winery (Alexander Valley)
Thomas Fogarty Winery (Santa Cruz Mountains/Central Coast)
Three Wine Company (Russian River/Contra Costa)
Tierra Roja/Mellowood (Napa Valley/Fair Play)
Venge Vineyards (Napa Valley)
Yorba Wines (Amador County)

Source: http://www.examiner.com/drinks-in-san-francisco/california-wine-bar-chain-opens-to-rave-reviews-hong-kong

Although the Philippines is not known for being the wine capital of Asia, Clark Pampanga is the most frequently visited destination for wine lovers in Cebu, Angeles City and Manila to shop for some good vintage wine. The famous wine shop outside Manila called Clark Wine Center is the largest wine shop in Philippines which offers over 2000 selections of fine vintage wine from all wine regions, vintages spanning over 50 years covering all price ranges.

This wine shop in Clark is highly recommended as one of the best places to buy wine in Pampanga. Clark Freeport is just outside Manila near Subic and Angeles City Philippines is Clark Wine Center. Visitors buy wine in Manila and Pampanga should not miss stopping at this wine shop for a few bottles of fine vintage wines to bring home.

Established in 2002, YATS WINE CELLARS is a wholly-owned business unit of Hong Kong-based Yats International which owns and operates resort, wine shops, wine bars and fine-dining restaurant properties in Clark Freeport in The Philippines. YATS WINE CELLARS caters to a clientele of discerning wine lovers from all over the world. Besides a good selection of wine for everyday enjoyment, YATS offers a unique selection of aged vintage wines made available to wine enthusiasts at remarkably affordable prices. Vintages span over a century and the selection of old- and new-world wines covers all major wine regions.

http://www.ClarkWineCenter.com

Getting to this wine shop in Pampanga Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone Philippines from Manila
Getting to the Clark Wine Center wine shop from Manila is quite simple: after entering Clark Freeport from Dau and Angeles City, proceed straight along the main highway M A Roxas. Clark Wine Center is the stand-along white building on the right, at the corner A Bonifacio Ave. From the Clark International Airport DMIA, ask the taxi to drive towards the entrance of Clark going to Angeles City. From Mimosa, just proceed towards the exit of Clark and this wine shop is on the opposite side of the main road M A Roxas.

Clark Wine Center
Bldg 6460 Clark Observatory Building
Manuel A. Roxas Highway corner A Bonifacio Ave,
Angeles Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga 2023
0922-870-5173 0917-826-8790 (ask for Ana Fe)

Wine@Yats-International.com

YATS Wine Cellars
Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 ask for Rea or Chay

Best place to buy wine in Clark Pampanga outside Manila near Subic and Angeles City Philippines is Clark Wine Center.
Wedding couples looking for wedding reception venues and beach wedding venues can log on to this Philippines Wedding Venue web site for free information and assistance:

http://www.PhilippinesWeddingVenue.com

While in Clark, it might be a good idea to enjoy an evening of wine-and-dine in the fine dining Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar that features an award winning 2700-line wine list. It is located in Mimosa Leisure Estate of Clark Freeport Zone. For more information, visit http://www.YatsRestaurant.com

YATS Leisure Philippines is a developer and operator of clubs, resorts and high-class restaurants and wine shops in Clark Angeles Philippines http://www.YatsLeisure.com

Looking for famous tourists spots, places to visit and see, relax and unwind in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines? You may want to check out these sites also:

http://www.LondonPubClark.com

http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com

http://www.ClarkPhilippines.com

http://www.YatsWineCellars.com