Lars Leicht of The Somm Journal, and Master Sommelier Andrea Robinson, co-hosted ‘Pinot Noir: Aspects from Delicacy to Durability’

The SOMM Journal — in association with National Geographic and SommCon – Webinars

Lloyd Cellars was honored to have our very own winemaker Rob Lloyd as a panelist of seven featured winemakers from around the world



In the spirit of continuing education for beverage professionals and consumers, The SOMM Journal — in association with National Geographic and SommCon — is hosting a series of complimentary, one-of-a-kind wine-tasting webinar series entitled Geographical Digest. The events are hosted virtually by winemakers from across the globe and broadcast live. Videos of the webinars are available on-demand soon after airing.

~ The Synopsis and Featured Regions and Wineries ~

Winemakers have a funny relationship with Pinot Noir: The quirky grape can gratify or frustrate, be delicate or durable, muse or mischief, but one way or another it always inspires passion and pride. Lars Leicht of The Somm Journal, and Master Sommelier Andrea Robinson, co-host this Pinot parley with seven wine whisperers from distinct terroirs around the world.

>>> If you’d like to jump ahead to Rob’s interview, it begins at 1:06:45 <<<

Louis Jadot — Burgundy, France
Willakenzie Oregon — Willamette Valley, OR
Merry Edwards — Russian River, CA
Domaine Anderson — Anderson Valley, CA
Calera — Mt. Harlan AVA/Central Coast, CA 
>>> Lloyd Cellars — Sta. Rita Hills, CA <<<
Giesen — Marlborough, New Zealand

Lloyd Cellars & Prescription Launch ‘Back to Fine Dining’ Parallel Promotions in June

Carl Wockner Headlines Friday-Eve Live in Tampa
Lloyd Cellars & Prescription Vineyards Launch 'Back to Fine Dining'  Parallel Promotions in June 2021

Lloyd Cellars Partners with Former Food Network Executive Rob Bleifer for Instagram Influencer Awareness Campaign, Recipe Blog Series

Prescription Vineyards Sponsors Tampa Bay Restaurant Week June 17 – 27, Launching New Wine & Music Showcase Event ‘Friday-Eve Live’ on Opening Night at Epicurean

(June 2nd, 2021, Napa Valley, CA) – Lloyd Cellars and Prescription Vineyards are returning to in-market work after fourteen months of sheltering in place. Lloyd Cellars, founded in 2008 by Rob and Bonnie Lloyd, felt that an important mission when getting back to market work is to bring awareness and support to restaurants as the nation begins to reopen.

“In our small way, we want to inspire people to get back to fine dining,” said winemaker Rob Lloyd. “If all the small, medium, and large wineries made this a priority, the wine industry could have a positive impact on a segment of our business that was the hardest hit.”

Lloyd Cellars has partnered with former Food Network Executive Chef Robert Bleifer to create delicious content for its June’ Back to Fine Dining’ Instagram Influencer campaign with Social Media agency, ApexDrop. In his 24-years at Food Network, Chef Bleifer was responsible for everything from managing the kitchen of 18 food stylists and recipe developers to coordinating with production teams, chefs and hosts, guest chefs, and much more. He was also an on-air presence, judging numerous Food Network Challenges, catering the three Food Network Wedding specials, and many other ‘cameo’ appearances. He’s now in the development stage of several new projects, including a book. Chef Bleifer can be followed on Instagram: @chef_robear.

In 2015, Rob and Bonnie founded their second label, Prescription Vineyards. Primarily focused on retail, Prescription Vineyards is presenting the opportunity for restaurants to feature its Clarksburg Chardonnay and Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon on wine-by-the-glass menus. “We saw Tampa Bay Restaurant Week as a way present our wine-by-the-glass program in a high-profile way,” said Director of Sales, Greg Moore, “while also supporting and bringing awareness to restaurants and getting people back to the table. We’re excited to be the first exclusive wine sponsor in the 15-years that Creative Loafing Tampa has produced the event.”

As part of the in-market efforts, Prescription Vineyards is also launching a new consumer event, ‘Friday-Eve Live.’ Playing off the pop-culture phenomenon of people jump-starting their weekend by calling Thursday nights’ Friday Eve’, the event is part wine tasting, part musical showcase. ‘Friday-Eve Live’ will launch on the opening night of Tampa Bay Restaurant Week on Thursday, June 17th, in partnership with Creative Loafing Tampa and iHeartRadio/Central Florida, and hosted by Epicurean and Élevage SoHo Kitchen & Bar in Tampa, Florida. Tickets are $25 advance, $35 at door if available.

“iHeartMedia is excited to be a part of and attend ‘Friday-Eve Live’ on June 17 at Epicurean,” said April Easterly, Promotions Director at Rumba 106.5 and US 103.5. “As the kick-off to Tampa Bay

Restaurant Week, our very own Tampa Talents can’t wait to experience the great food and sips from the Bay. Katie Sommers on middays with 93.3 FLZ, and Ian Beckles, who is on evenings as Co-Host of Beckles and Recher on 95.3 WDAE, will be attending.”

Musical guest Carl Wockner was named the first and only Australian artist to win Top Honors at the International Acoustic Music Award’s 2015 (USA). He also scored in the top of the AAA category for the release of his album Crayon Days with producer Michael Flanders in Nashville, Tennessee. He was recently awarded “Musician of the Year 20/21” by Western Australia Prestige Awards. “Bonnie and I love music,” said Rob Lloyd, “and helping artists get back to work just feels right.”

A portion of Tampa Bay Restaurant Week proceeds benefit Feeding Tampa Bay!

Former Food Network Exec Chef Rob Bleifer Partners w/Lloyd Cellars – Serves Up Savory Biscotti as Starter!

Che Bleifer Cameo - Savory Biscotti
Chef Robert Bleifer
Chef Rob Bleifer teases his Lloyd Cellars ‘Back to Fine Dining’ six-part recipe series with his Savory Biscotti

As part of our June 2021 celebration of getting ‘Back to fine dining’ (yes!), we’re excited to announce our partnership with Chef Robert Bleifer, who most recently served as Executive Chef & Vice President of Culinary Production for Food Network for 24-years. Chef Rob has created six recipe pairings to share with our Members and fans, which we’ll dole out in a six-part blog series now through June!

Chef Rob was responsible for everything from managing the kitchen of 18 Food Stylists and Recipe Developers to coordinating with Production teams, Chefs/Hosts, Guest Chefs, and much more. He was also an on-air presence, judging numerous Food Network Challenges, catering the three Food Network Wedding specials, and many other “cameo” appearances.

We invite you to follow Chef Rob on Instagram @chef_robear! He’s got a lot of new projects in works and you’re going to want to be the first to know!

FYI, sister winery Prescription Vineyards is also celebrating ‘Back to Fine Dining’ by being the exclusive wine sponsor for Tampa Bay Restaurant Week this June 17 through 27. Click here to learn more…

We’re going to jump-start Chef Rob’s series with something we’ve never seen before, a Savory Biscotti recipe to pair with our Lloyd Cellars Carneros Chardonnay. This certainly redefines the idea of ‘breakfast for dinner.’

Happy home cheffing!

Chef Bleifer's Savory Biscotti

Chef Bleifer Savory Biscotti

Sure, you love biscotti with your coffee in the morning, but now it's wine-thirty and you're still craving pastry. Chef Robert Bleifer comes to the rescue with his Savory Biscotti to pair with our Lloyd Cellars Carneros Chardonnay!
Course Appetizer
Cuisine Italian

Ingredients
  

  • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)
  • 2 teaspoons fresh rosemary chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried rosemary)
  • 4 large eggs
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 cup grated parm
  • 2 tablespoons honey

Instructions
 

  • Set an oven rack to the middle shelf and preheat oven to 350.
  • Line a cookie sheet with parchment.
  • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together, flour, salt, and baking powder.
  • In a medium bowl or large measuring cup, whisk eggs and then whisk in oil and cheese, herbs, and honey.
  • Add the egg mixture into the flour mixture and mix with a rubber spatula.
  • With floured hands, transfer the dough to a floured work-surface.
  • Roll into a log about 12 inches long and 4 inches wide (it will be flat).
  • Place the log on the cookie sheet and bake for about 20 minutes, until the dough is firm to the touch and lightly golden in color.
  • Cool the log on a rack and lower the oven temperature to 325.
  • With a serrated knife, cut the log into 1/4 inch wide cookies (slice straight across for shorter biscotti or at a 45 degree angle for longer biscotti.
  • Place the sliced biscotti cut-side down onto the cookie sheet and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until dry and golden.
  • Cool on racks and serve immediately, or when fully cool, store in an air-tight cookie tin for several days.
Keyword Chardonnay, Chef Robert Bleifer, Lloyd Cellars, Savory Biscotti

Winemaker Rob Lloyd to be Featured in The SOMM Journal & National Geographic Webinars

The SOMM Journal — in association with National Geographic and SommCon – Webinars

In the spirit of continuing education for beverage professionals and consumers, The SOMM Journal — in association with National Geographic and SommCon — invites our members and trade partners to participate in a complimentary, one-of-a-kind wine-tasting webinar series entitled Geographical Digest. The events are hosted virtually by winemakers from across the globe and broadcast live. Videos of the webinars are available on-demand soon after airing.

Winemaker Rob Lloyd will be featured in two of the eight webinars for 2021. For the May 11th webinar, Rob will be speaking to Sta. Rita Hills AVA where we source our Pinot Noir. In the fall, on September 14th, he’ll speak to the Carneros Region and our Chardonnay. We’ll be sharing registration details in the coming weeks!

To get on our mailing list for notifications for all news, recipes, and offers, scroll to the bottom of this page for our registration form.

May 11th 2021 @ 9:00am PT
National Geographic “Pinot Noir: Aspects from Delicacy to Durability Webinar, moderated by Master of Wine Andrea Robinson, in association with the Somm Foundation
Winemaker Rob Lloyd to Speak to Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

September 14th 2021 @ 9:00am PT
National Geographic “Balancing Act: Chardonnay at its Best’ Webinar
in association with the Somm Foundation

Winemaker Rob Lloyd to Speak to Carneros Chardonnay


For the first time since 2011, National Geographic Books has fully updated The New Sotheby’s Wine Encyclopedia, the comprehensive guide for enophiles now in its sixth edition. The launch of the highly anticipated New Sotheby’s Wine Encyclopedia by National Geographic Books was the catalyst for the innovative approach and synergies among industry leaders in their categories.

This essential reference—long used as the go-to text for the prestigious Master Sommelier examination—is the most comprehensive guide to the world of wine, featuring authoritative information on related history, culture, geography, and more. (Source: Tasting Panel Magazine)

Get the Latest on Lloyd Cellars & Prescription Vineyards Market Support!

Lloyd Cellars Market Update

Lloyd Cellars and Prescription Vineyards have an exciting year planned for 2021. Here in our Market Update, we share recent scores and links to promotional assets such as Shelf-Talkers, Line Cards, Data Sheets and Bottle Shots.

Lloyd Cellars Collateral | Prescription Collateral

Additionally, we have a series of virtual events scheduled, including Webinars with National Geographic and The Somm Journal, an upcoming Sip Sip Hooray Podcast with Award-Winning Media Hosts Mary Babbit and Mary Orlin, all integrated with our ongoing Instagram Influencer campaigns with ApexDrop. These Instagram Influencer campaigns also feature our pop-culture partnerships with top chefs and musical artists.

Though in-market event planning is still fluid due to Covid, we are putting down markers and making appropriate plans to support our distributor and on- and off-premise partners. Please read on the for more details and links to our recent blog features!

Greg Moore, Director of Sales | Greg@LloydCellars.com | (415) 385-9658

Joel Quigley, Director of Marketing Communications | Joel@LloydCellars.com | (707) 495-0831


Recent Scores & Reviews

Lloyd Cellars 94 Point Scores

LLOYD CELLARS 2019 CHARDONNAY SCORES 94 POINTS – MAKES CHEERS MAG’S TOP 50

CELEBRATING 91 POINT PINOT NOIR SCORE FROM WINE ENTHUSIAST W/NEW BLUMER RECIPE!

2017 STA. RITA HILLS PINOT NOIR SCORES 94 POINTS WITH TASTING PANEL MAGAZINE

PRESCRIPTION CHARDONNAY SCORES GOLD – 91 POINTS AT SUNSET MAG INT’L COMPETITION!

WILFRED WONG SCORES PRESCRIPTION 2018 ALEXANDER VALLEY CAB 91 POINTS!


Lloyd Cellars Blog Features | Prescription Blog Features


The Somm Journal & National Geographic Webinars

The launch of the highly anticipated New Sotheby’s Wine Encyclopedia by National Geographic Books is the catalyst for the innovative approach and synergies among industry leaders in their categories. The SOMM Journal — in association with National Geographic and SommCon — invites you to participate in these complimentary, one-of-a-kind wine-tasting webinar series entitled Geographical Digest.

May 11th 2021 @ 9:00am PT
National Geographic “Pinot Noir: Aspects from Delicacy to Durability Webinar, moderated by Master of Wine Andrea Robinson, in association with the Somm Foundation
Winemaker Rob Lloyd to Speak to Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

July 29th 2021 @ Time TBA
Buyer’s Forum: In association with the Somm Foundation, Prescription Vineyards tastes along with 40 qualified wine buyers featuring the upcoming release of our 2019 Clarksburg Chardonnay
Winemaker Rob Lloyd & Director of Sales Greg Moore Lead Our Discussion

September 14th 2021 @ 9:00am PT
National Geographic “Balancing Act: Chardonnay at its Best’ Webinar
in association with the Somm Foundation

Winemaker Rob Lloyd to Speak to Carneros Chardonnay

Note: These webinars are part of a year-long marketing campaign that includes advertising, editorial and social media


ApexDrop Instagram Influencer Campaigns

ApexDrop is a marketing firm that manages a network of thousands of Instagram Influencers. We produced three campaigns from October 2020 to February 2021, including our holiday campaign in partnership with Celebrity Chef, Author, and Artist Bob Blumer, to celebrate the holidays and his new cookbook Flavorbomb. Blumer has had three shows on the Food Network, has penned many award-winning cookbooks, and holds 8 Guinness World Book of Records.

We have scheduled three campaigns for 2021 running March through August. With each effort, we engage with 50 hand-selected Instagram Influencers. We set the theme, hashtags, and photo wish list. All User-Generated Content, including comments/reviews and photos, becomes the property of Lloyd Cellars for promotion through our Social Media Networks and beyond.

In addition to the robust content generation and product sampling, each campaign with the 50 Instagram Influencers has had a total following of more than 750,000 followers. Over our last three campaigns, our total reach has surpassed 1.5 million with our Engagements reaching more than 60,000. We invite you to visit our Instagram accounts with Tags to see the quality and diversity of our content and, of course, follow us!

Lloyd Cellars Instagram | Prescription Instagram