Even if we haven’t collectively acknowledged it, the narrative of the California wine industry is broken, and it’s time for new heroes to emerge. This summer, Cadre is kicking off a new project to champion the producers who are defining the New California.
The Alt-Cali Dinner Series is our homage to the entrepreneurial spirit of independent winemakers, a series of events crafted to illuminate the path less trodden by the giants of the industry, highlighting new regions, grapes, and styles of winemaking.
Exclusive Events Highlighting Alternative California Wines
Alt-Cali (Vol.1): Another Rare Creature, Matt Rorick from Forlorn Hope
- Date: Tuesday, June 11th
- Price: $135
- 7 wines, 5 courses with Hors d’oeuvres to start
- Founder and winemaker, Matt Rorick will be there to talk about the wines
Matt Rorick, the former professional skateboarder, submarine telescope technician, guitar builder, and UC-Davis trained oenologist, may well be the most interesting winemaker in all of California. He’s one of our greatest heroes, and the ethic behind his winery, Forlorn Hope, perfectly suits the mission of the “Alt-Cali” series:
“We love the long shots. We love the outsiders, the lost causes, the people/projects/ideas abandoned as not having a chance in the world. We love the longshots because we’re all about tenacity, we relish a challenge, and – we admit it – we love us a good tussle.”
We’ve been collecting wines from Rorick’s Rare Creature series for the past three years, and for this dinner, we’ll be serving all seven paired with five courses and hors d’oeuvres. Come deep dive into the stories behind the man, his vineyard, and the fighting spirit of modern winemaking.
Alt-Cali (Vol.2): Terre Rouge Library Wine Dinner
- Date: Tuesday, July 9th
- Price: $150
- 5 wines, 5 courses
- National Sales Manager, Les Doss will be there to talk about the wines
Not only do we rarely get the opportunity to enjoy aged California wine, but many people do not believe it’s possible for these wines to gain complexity with age. However, Terre Rouge, one of the original Rhône Ranger producers, has been actively aging their wines up to decades before release and has opened their wine library to us for a special pairing dinner.
For this event, we’ll be opening five Rhône-style wines spanning vintages from 2006-2015, each accompanied by a textbook French food pairing. Guided by the booming voice of Les Doss, National Sales Manager for Terre Rouge, we’ll learn more about the vineyard and winemaking vision that produced these age-worthy and critically loved wines.
Why Join the Alt-Cali Dinner Series?
Cadre’s Alt-Cali series isn’t just a dinner; it’s a journey through California’s hidden vineyards, an exploration of rare varietals, and an opportunity to shape the future of California wine. Each event is designed not only to expand your palate but also to expand your horizons, inviting you to partake in stories of resilience, craftsmanship, and the pursuit of winemaking excellence.
Reserve Your Seat at the Table
Embrace the opportunity to indulge in a dining experience like no other. With limited seating available, we invite you to secure your place at the table. Discover wines that challenge the status quo, paired with dishes that delight and inspire.
Visit our events page for more information.