Call Toll Free
(877) 443-8275

Visit our Retail Store

Newsletter Archives (click here)

We've Discovered California's Best....And So Can You!


 

California Foods and Wines
     Gift Baskets
    Wine from California
    Food from California
    Beer from California
    Wine Tasting Room
    Homemade Fudge

California Gifts
 
 
 
Souvenirs
Accessories
 
  Wine Accessories
    Kitchen Accessories

Gift Certificates
 
  $25, $50, or $100 denominations
Seasonal Specials
 
  See what's new this season


Business Information
    Corporate Gifts
 
  Meetings & Conventions
 
  Business VIP Program

Ordering Information
    About Us
    Testimonials
    Shipping Rates/Information
    Contact Us
    Home

More Information
    Calendar of Events
    Directions to our Store/Map
    Fax-In Order Form
    Employment Opportunities
    Current News/Press Releases
Fun Stuff
 
  California Fun Facts
 
  Tour Our Store
 
  Recipes/Food and Wine Pairing
    Read our Wine Newsletter
   
Sign Up for Newsletter
    Tell a Friend
    Bookmark Us

 

 
September will be the first month for our new wine club. This is something many of our customers have been asking for. Check below for more details and how you can join. Start receiving great wines delivered to your door! We also hope you enjoy reading our monthly newsletter and invite you to do so with your favorite glass of California wine!
John "The Wine Guy" Hicklin

FALL HOURS
Wine Bar Hours
11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sunday to Thursday
11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Friday and Saturday


 

 
Second Saturday at Discover California!
September 8th 4-8pm

Join us for our 2nd Saturday
Happy Hour!
1/2 Price Appetizers
$4 Wine by the Glass
$3 Draft Beer
Live Piano
w/ William Hedge
 

Discover California Cheese!

We are now offering over 20 different California cheeses to compliment your wine selection in our wine bar. Create your own "cheese flight" by choosing 3 or more from our selection.  Select cheeses like Lionza, Camembert and Gouda among others. With over 60 different wines by the glass and our new California Cheese selection you'll always find a new tatse experience.

 

JOIN OUR WINE CLUB!

It's finanlly here! Discover California's! wine club.
Choose either our Red Club (2 Reds) or our regular Club (1 White and 1 Red)
and start recieving 2 bottles from our extensive selection every 3 months.
Each shipment will include two bottles, according to your membership selection,
tasting notes by the winemaker and food paring suggestions. In addition to your  quarterly wines, you will recieve 2 for 1 tastings, including our monthly Winemaker's Tasting,
and 10% off all merchandise in our wine bar and tasting room.
Each shippment will total @  $45 - $55 each. Taxes and shipping not included. 
No cost to join
Visit our website, www.discovercal.com, to join.

 
 
 
  

Speaking of new............
 This month I have a few new wines for your drinking pleasure. Starting with a very nice Chardonnay Cuvee from Steele Vineyards of Lake County, a wonderful Merlot (I’m not a Merlot drinker but I bought 3 cases after tasting this one!) from Farella-Park Vineyards and 2 from Eric K. James Vineyards of Carneros. A Syrah and a fantastic Pinot Noir.

Steel Vineyards Chardonnay Cuvee, their
flagship white wine, is an example of the art of blending. The process begins with the grape sources. The vineyard has worked with most of the great Chardonnay vineyards in California and has chosen fruit from Santa Ynez Valley, Carnerros and Mendocino to obtain the grapes for their Steele Cuvee Chardonnay.

The Farella-Park '02 Merlot is a blend of two separate blocks within the vineyard and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon which broadens the structure of the wine and adds a touch of spice. This is a vintage where Merlot shows it's strength as a full, red varietal with a pleasing softness. Medium-full bodied with soft, elegant tannins, excellent structure for aging and a long, supple finish. Aromas and flavors of plum/cassis fruit with cedar, smoke and spice. Approachable now but will age very well and gain complexity for many years to come.

Last but certainly not least is the Eric K. James Vineyards of the Carneros region. They bring to Discover California! 2 great wines. A Syrah and a super Pinot Noir. The Syrah shows a
deep purple color and its clarity convey a rich wine. The nose is clean, marked by hints of cherries, ripe blackberries, and violets. The palate is well-structured and reveals delicate tannins and black-fruits flavors.
The Pinot Noir has a fine brilliant red-cherry color. Its nose suggests red-cherry and blackberry aromas. The mouth reflects red-fruits flavors accentuated by a toasty oak scent. One of the regions best I've tasted recently.

California Room
Now Available for Private Parties!

Book your private party in our "California Room" for 20 of your closest wine friends.  Reserve the entire bar for more wine friends! Contact the "Wine Guy" for details and availability.

SAVE ON BUYING MORE!
Save 5% on any six bottles
Save 10% on any 12 bottles
Pick and choose your on case of wine and receive a 10% discount on your wine purchase. Sorry, this offer cannot be combined with our free shipping offer.
 

 

Try one last steak for the season before the grill goes to the garage. Bray's Zinfandel works great with this.
 

ZINFANDEL BEEF STEAKS  

Preparation time: 30 minutes. Serves: 4. 

4 beef steaks or lean ground beef patties, 6 to 8 oz. each
Salt & pepper to taste
1 tbsp. olive oil
1 tbsp. butter
1/2 c. Bray Zinfandel or dry red wine
1 c. beef broth
1 tsp. water-packed green peppercorns (opt.)
2 tsp. cornstarch
2 tsp. dried tarragon leaves 

1. Wipe steaks dry. Sprinkle on both sides with salt and pepper.
2. In a heavy skillet, heat oil and butter. Add steaks. Over very high heat, cook steaks 3 minutes. Turn. Cook 3 minutes longer.
3. Reduce heat to low. Cook 10 minutes for rare or 15 minutes for medium-rare, turning once. Remove steaks. Keep warm.
4. Drain all but 1 tablespoon fat from pan. To the pan, add Zinfandel. Bring to a boil. Stir to bring up brownings. Boil until reduced to about 2 tablespoons.
5. Reserve 1 tablespoon beef broth. Add remaining broth to pan. Bring to a boil. Cook, stirring, until reduced by half.
6. To the pan, add peppercorns, if used.
7. Stir cornstarch into the reserved tablespoon of broth. Stir into sauce.
8. Cook, whisking constantly, until thickened and smooth. Add tarragon. Taste. Add salt and pepper, if desired.
9. Spoon sauce over steaks. Serve immediately. 

 

  


OUR "NO CARRY-ON" SPECIAL!
With all of the carry on luggage restrictions at the airport, we are making it easy to get your California wines home. Purchase one case (12 bottles) of wine from us, and we'll ship it for free! All rules & restrictions for shipping wine apply - including the states that wine can be shipped to ... contact the "Wine Guy" for details. Note: Alaska and Hawaii are subject to an additional surcharge. Ground shipping only. Limited time offer. May be withdrawn at any time. Cannot be combined with multiple bottle discounts. 

                                                              

 

John Hicklin
The "Wine Guy"
Discover California!

Wine Bar & Tasting Room
114 J Street
    Old Sacramento, CA 95814 

 

 
In This Issue...
  • Bray Vineyards tasting September 13th
  • Second Saturday, September 8th, at Discover California! featuring Happy Hour specials and live piano with William Hedge.
  • New wines for September
  • New Wine Club
  • New Cailfornia Cheese selections
  • Happy Hour Specials
  • "California Room" now available for private parties
  • Staff's Picks on Wine
  • Recipe of the Month
  • Did you know ... little known wine facts
Join us for an evening with
Bray Vineyards

  Thursday September 13th
from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

in our new underground
wine bar and tasting room.
Join winemaker John Hoddy as he pours his best from Shennandoah Valley!
The Shenandoah Valley is renowned for the fine quality of the grapes grown there. John will presenting his Verdelho and Zinfandel, along with their sold out Barbera Rosato (we've got it!) and the famous (or infamous) Brazin' Hussey Red. Come and taste!
Save 5% on any three or 10% on any six featured Bray Vineyards wines at the event! Sorry, this offer cannot be combined with our free shipping offer. Enter to win hourly drawings.  Receive a complimentary Discover California! wine glass
$15.00 per person.
Also live piano music featuring Willliam Hedge.
Visit our web site, www.discovercal.com, to reserve your spot or call
(916) 443-8275.

For reservations, click here.
It's fast, simple and the best way to ensure your spot for the evening.
Space is limited so reserve soon!

STAFF'S PICKS 
 
Select your favorite from ours!  Have you found your favorite yet? 

Steele Vineyards, Chardonnay '05

Mt. Vernon Vineyards, Roussanne '05
Eric K. James Vineyards, Pinot Noir '05
Stryker Sonoma Vineyards,
 Cabernet Franc '03
Michael and David Winery, Incognito '05
 
 
 

"A Taste Of California"
A series of monthly wine tastings held the second Thursday of every month.
 
2007 EVENTS SCHEDULE
September 13th
Bray Winery, Amador, winemaker
October 11th
Mt. Vernon Winery, Auburn, winemaker
November 8th
TBA
December 13th
3rd annual California Christmas Party!
Always a fun time with great wines.
Reserve your spot soon!

For reservations, click here.

It's the best way to ensure your spot for our monthly Taste of California wine tastings.  Space is limited, so reserve soon.   You can also call (916) 443-8275.
 

For more information on upcoming wine events, please visit our events page at www.discovercal.com.  

  If you would like to have me send you information on these or any other offerings, or be added to our email list, contact me at: wineguy@discovercal.com.


Join  Us for  HAPPY HOUR
Monday - Friday 4-7pm
 
WINE by the GLASS $4.00
Choose from Le Bon Vin, Montevina, Leaping Lizard, Revolution wines among others.
APPETIZERS
50% off Regular Menu Price
20oz DRAFT BEER $3.00
River City Brewing Co. *
Lost Coast * The Wheat Beer Co. Big Ass Beer
 

Did You Know........
One of the weirdest grape names is the Portuguese white Borrado das Moscas, translated as fly droppings. The acidic Portuguese red grape Esgana Căo runs a close second, it translates to dog strangler. Come to think of it, the Portuguese red Bastardo name is also expressive, and needs no translation.

CHEERS!

Sent to: Multi-To
If you prefer not to receive
future e-mails of this type,
Leave this List.
Sent By:
Discover California!
114 J Street
Sacramento CA 95814
U.S.A.

 

PAST NEWSLETTERS