If you haven’t already heard, May is Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month. It’s a time to reflect on the contributions of those who have helped shape the past and for those who will shape the future. This year’s theme: ‘Lighting the Past, Present, and Future’.
PAST: Historically, the month of May was when the transcontinental railroad, laid mainly by Chinese immigrants, was completed back in 1869. My own great-great-grandfather on my Chinese grandmother’s side was a part of this era. My family has a long history in California and in San Francisco, in particular. I’m especially proud of my grandfather’s contibutions. He didn’t change history for Asians on a grand scale but he sure did change history for our family. So let’s all raise our glasses in honor of the contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who continue to form this great country of ours.
PRESENT AND FUTURE: Speaking of raised glasses, I’d like to take this opportunity to introduce you to a fellow female entrepreneur. Tondi Bolkan is a winemaker and has been making wines for prominent Napa and Sonoma wineries for 10 years. She as ventured out and created her own brand, Alejos Cellars and has released two wines: the 2006 Pinay Muscato and a 2005 Tondi Bolkan Merlot.
She brought her wines to my chocolate party I threw just a few weeks ago, where it was well recieved by all. It was a small chocolate venue and I limited the attendees to women only. What a pleasant surprise for everyone to meet a female winemaker!
She named her muscato, Pinay, a term used for Filipina, in honor of the people of the Philippines. The 2006 Pinay Muscato grapes were whole cluster pressed and fermented under cool temperatures in stainless steel tanks for lifted aromatics, then arrested at 6% residual sugar. The grapes are from central California where Muscat is allowed to thrive. This vintage had a long, yet cool growing season, so the grapes were allowed to ripen and keep its acidity.
The Merlot was created from grapes from the Oak Knoll district on Napa. 2005 was considered a cool vintage, yet lengthy with record crop levels. The longer hang time allowed for flavors and sugars to develop in unison. After fermenting to dryness, the wine aged 26 months in a mix of American and French oak. Aromas lift of cherry blueberry with an underlying hint of sage. Soft and coated, the palate holds with ripe plums and dark cherries.
If you’re living in the Bay Area, come an meet Tondi at the Wine Tasting Event with Asian Communtiy Groups on June 19th at the War Memorial Veteran’s Building. There will be 15 or so wineries sampling over 50 wines alongside Asian community groups to explore. Learn more about this event here.
Currently, Alejos Cellars can only be sold in the state of California but will eventually become available on the internet. Contact through email at tondi@alejos-cellars.com and bookmark her website when it becomes live at www.alejos-cellars.com
