Christian Petroni and Rocco DiSpirito

We attended Vintage Cru on Saturday, January 28, 2023, one of the many exciting events held during the multi-day Mohegan Sun - Sun Wine & Food Fest 2023, which celebrated its 19^th year in 2023. A smaller, more intimate event, Vintage Cru attracted oenophiles, wine and spirits collectors, retail buyers, chefs, restauranteurs, as well as wine and spirits novices who were there to learn. 

Over the course of two hours, guests had the opportunity to learn about, as well as taste, a selection of 145 wines and spirits presented by 26 wine and spirits companies. Wines ranged from moderately priced to exceptional at $200 to $360 per bottle, and one of the high-level spirits offered cost $530 per bottle, making the event truly spectacular and memorable. 

Vintage Cru also provided patrons with the opportunity to speak with the winemakers and brand ambassadors about their wines and spirits on a more personal basis. Well-curated domestic wines were presented from California, Oregon, and Washington state, and international wines from Argentina, Chile, France, and Italy. 

A Selection of Wines Tasted 

Although we would have liked to have had the opportunity to experience all the excellent wines presented, we concentrated on select wines that we would not have the opportunity to ordinarily experience. 

Melissa McLarry of Kobrand Fine Wine and Spirits     

A sampling of some of delectable wines we tasted included Château Pape Clément Rouge ($160) and Château Pape Clément Blanc ($200) from the Bordeaux region of France presented by Jeanne Dubor.

Clémentin De Pape Clément

Nicolas Catena Zapata ($125) from Mendoza, Argentina presented by Ann Marie Sgroi for Catena Winery. From Kobrand Fine Wine and Spirits, we tasted Tenuta Sette Ponti Oreno from Italy ($105), and Purple Angel by Montes from Chile ($105) presented by Melissa McLarty. 

Duckhorn Vineyards from Napa Valley, California, presented by Ian Merris, brought six wines including Goldeneye Gowan Creek Pinot Noir ($95), Duckhorn Three Palms ($120), and Duckhorn Howell Mountain Cabernet ($110). Slocum & Sons brought four different expressions of Muga wines from Rioja, Spain including Muga Torre Muga ($125) and Muga Prado Enea ($96) presented by David Lemonnier. 

Huneeus Wines

We also tasted some excellent California wines, Faust The Pact Cabernet ($135) offered by Huneeus Wines and presented by Ashley Kent, and Ovid Napa Red ($360), and Leeuwin Art Series Chardonnay ($110), from Opici presented by Tony Lombardozzi. From Hartley & Parker, presented by Doug Preston there was Robert Mondavi Stag's Leap Sauvignon Blanc ($84), and "M" By Michael Mondavi Red Blend ($199), from California, and Damilano Barolo Liste from Italy, ($89). 

House of Smith - Suzy McDonald

From Wilson Daniels we tasted Bergstrom Silice Pinot Noir Chehalem Mountain ($105) from Oregon presented by Mike Tobin. From California's Far Niente Winery presented by Eric Penneys we tasted their Far Niente Cabernet ($125). Eder Brothers presented by Phil Serafino poured BV Private GDL Reserve Cabernet ($169) and BV Tapestry ($145) also from California. 

Trione Vineyards and Winery

House of Smith presented by Suzy McDonald poured K Vintners King Coal ($106), and K Vintners Syrah Royal City ($164) from Washington state, and from Knight Bridge Winery presented by John Bailey there was Knights Bridge To Kalon ($225) from California. 

Chris Benziger of Benziger Family Winery

A Selection of Spirits Tasted 

There were also high-end spirits available for tasting, and we were able to experience Beam Suntory's Bowmore Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky 15 Years, 43% abv ($98), and Laphroaig Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky aged 25 Years in ex-bourbon barrels and bottled at cask strength, 51.9% abv ($530 bottle). 

Laphroaig Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky - 25 Years

For tequila aficionados, Aldez Tequila brought three different organic tequila expressions including Aldez Añejo Tequila, 40% abv ($70). Greens Farms Spirits brought a selection of whiskey, bourbon, rum, and rye, including Triple Down Light Whiskey ($90). 

Green Farms Spirits

The Wine Brands 

Bodegas Ondarre presented by JC Rodriguez
Foley Family Wines presented by Veronica Suarret
Venge Vineyards presented by Joe Bello
Hartley & Parker presented by Doug Preston
Slocum & Sons presented by David Lemonnier
Château Pape Clement presented by Jeanne Dubor
Opici presented by Tony Lombardozzi
Catena Winery presented by Ann Marie Sgroi
Kobrand Fine Wine and Spirits presented by Melissa McLarty
Huneeus Wines presented by Ashley Kent
Duckhorn Vineyards presented by Ian Merriss
Wilson Daniels presented by Mike Tobin
Carolina Wine Brands presented by Joe Vita
Far Niente Winery presented by Eric Penneys
Eder Brothers presented by Phil Serafino
Greens Farms Spirits presented by Nick Conti
Lange Twins Family Winery and Vineyards presented by Brie Anna Williams
The Withers Winery presented by Andrew Tow
House of Smith presented by Suzy McDonald
Knights Bridge Winery presented by John Bailey
Longevity Wines presented by Phil Long
Trione Vineyards and Winery presented by Reid Harper
Benziger Family Winery presented by Chris Benziger
Peter Paul Wines presented by Martin Reyes 

Phil Long of Longevity Wines 

The Spirits Brands 

Beam Suntory presented by Mike DePasqua
Greens Farms Spirits presented by Nick Conti
Aldez Tequila presented by Jen & Manuel Aczualdez 

In addition to experiencing Vintage Cru, we also experienced the Mohegan Sun - Sun Wine & Food Fest's Grand Tasting with celebrity chef demonstrations, food tastings, as well as wine and spirits tastings, which you might like to read about in the Gastronomy section. 

This was our second year attending the Mohegan Sun - Sun Wine & Food Fest, and the event just keeps getting bigger and better with age. Vintage Cru was truly a spectacular event offering some of "the best of the best" wines and spirits. 

Christian Petroni and Edward F. Nesta 

We cannot wait to see what the 2024 Fest will bring. If you would like to attend the next Mohegan Sun - Sun Wine & Food Fest, be sure to buy tickets early as the 2023 fest tickets sold out quickly. Until next time, Cheers! 

For more information on the next Mohegan Sun - Sun Wine & Food Fest or one of their other upcoming events, please visit the website: www.mohegansun.com. 

Mohegan Sun
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United States
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Website: www.mohegansun.com
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