May 20, 2005

La Rochelle Winery to close Evergreen operations Sept. 1

Move to Livermore

By Bea Baechle
Editor

La Rochelle Winery announced plans this month to move its tasting room and wine production to the Livermore Valley on Sept. 1. La Rochelle will become the 29th winery in that world-class winemaking region.

The Aborn Road location of La Rochelle will remain open for tasting, wine purchases, gourmet events and Sunday Farmer’s Markets throughout the summer.

The Mirassou family, America’s oldest winemaking family, decided to complete the transition from one generation to the next. Fifth-generation brothers Daniel, Peter and Jim Mirassou created the boutique wine label of La Rochelle at the historic winery in Evergreen after the family successfully sold the Mirassou brand name to the Gallo family.

Daniel and Peter plan to play a smaller role in La Rochelle’s day-to-day operations in Livermore, and brother Jim passed away last July.

Former partner Steve Mirassou, also representing the fifth generation of Mirassou winemakers, left the Evergreen Valley 21 years ago to found Tamás Estates Winery in Livermore with Iván Tamás Fuezy. Steve and his son Steven, who owns the Steven Kent Winery in Livermore, plan to combine efforts to continue the legacy of La Rochelle.

Steve sold Tamás Estates to Wente Vineyards, so this winery located next to Steven Kent Winery will be vacated by Sept. 1, making way for La Rochelle to occupy its separate wine tasting room and production area.

In a letter sent to its wine club members, the Mirassou’s wrote, “Our move is the most recent in a series of changes, yet one thing remains constant: our dedication to producing world-class, Burgundian-style wines from the finest vineyards in Monterey County.”

According to Director of Hospitality Dave Eriksen, La Rochelle’s Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc wines will complement the Bordeaux-style wines of Steven Kent Winery well.

The new tasting room will be located about 35 minutes from the Evergreen facility. If you have any questions, contact Dave Eriksen at DEriksen@LRWine.com, (408) 274-4000, or Steven Mirassou at SMirassou@LRWine.com, (925) 456-2385.

“Summer of Fun”

La Rochelle Winery’s last summer in Evergreen

The ever-popular Sunset Dinners return this summer on Saturdays June 11, 18 and July 9. Main entrees are beef, chicken and veal, respectively. Full menus are available online at www.LRWine.com under the “Dinners” section. The evenings begin with wine tasting at 6 p.m. and dinner at 6:30 p.m. Cost is $87 plus tax per person.

La Rochelle’s Chef David Page has also come up with two unique dining experiences. La Rochelle Latin Night on July 30 will feature a real “spit-roasted pig” and Pan-Latin cuisine served in a “tapas” or family-style fashion, accompanied with live Latin music. Cost is $90 plus tax.

The End of Summer Gourmet Extravaganza, a nine-course chef’s tasting menu and the most elaborate meal served to date at La Rochelle Winery, will be held Aug. 6. Cost is $125 plus tax.

All meals are masterfully paired with the appropriate La Rochelle wines.

Seats are limited for some of these events, so make reservations soon by calling the winery at (408) 274-4000 or e-mailing DEriksen@LRWine.com. All sales are final, and tickets are non-refundable or transferable.

Members only
Wine release parties for Club La Rochelle members to be held at Aborn and Ruby Roads this summer will be on:
- Saturday, May 28 from 12 – 4 p.m.
- Saturday, June 25 from 12 – 4 p.m.
- Saturday, July 23 from 12 – 4 p.m.
- Saturday, Aug. 13 from 12 – 4 p.m.