A Sampling of Wines / Spirits

Chuck Custodio
Chuck Custodio is the Owner/Winemaker of Trahan Winery (www.trahanwinery.com), a small micro-family business in Napa Valley dedicated to incredible wines from high quality fruits purchased at the best possible prices so that the best values can be passed along to his label’s growing fans.  Affordable doesn’t mean watered down taste though!  Trahan Winery can’t keep up with the demand for its 2005 Napa Valley Merlot (cabernet style…big, bold and velvety) and its 2006 Carneros Pinot Noir recently sold out!  Chuck, of Filipino ancestry, has roots here in the Islands as well and is a frequent featured guest at local winemaker dinners.  Enjoy Trahan Winery’s offerings at Kapolei Chef Showcase (Azul) and Kapolei Uncorked.

Chris Dearden
Chris Dearden is the General Manager and Winemaker at Benessere Vineyards (www.benesserevineyards.com) in Napa Valley, California. Dearden is a third generation Californian with agrarian roots in the San Joaquin Valley who began his studies at University of California-Davis in enology and wrote his own major in Winery Operations and Management. His vast winemaking and management skills have been shared with vintners, including William Hill Winery, Mont St. John, Heublein’s Fine Wine Group, Seguin Moreau and eventually the establishment of Benessere. The hard work of planting the vineyards and refurbishing the winery has paid off with a track record of small number, high quality Sangiovese. Guests of Kapolei Chef Showcase-Azul, Kapolei Uncorked and Paradise Grand Finale are in for a treat where Benessere’s premium selections are to be poured.

Greg Gauthier
Greg Gauthier is the Vice President of Wine Production and Sales at Bouchaine Vineyards (www.bouchaine.com) having joined Mike Richmond to complete the “dynamic management duo” in 2002. Gauthier has a history of birthing superior lines, including Country Varietals with Sam Sebastiani in the late 1970s and the launch of the Sutter Home brand with the Trincheros. In 2003, he launched his own label—G. Gauthier Cellars. Look for Gauthier pouring Bouchaine Vineyards’ 2006 Napa Valley Estate Chardonnay, 2006 Carneros Pinot Noir, G. Gauthier Cellars’ 2007 Salaal Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc and 2006 Rockin “H” Ranch Vineyard Pinot Noir.

David L. Harmon, III
David Harmon is the Founder of Carneros Della Notte (www.carnerosdellanotte.com), a boutique winery owned and operated in the acclaimed Carneros region of Napa Valley. Harmon is the founder of Wine.com (founded in 1995 and sold in 1999) and in a former life was the chauffer for the legendary Robert Mondavi. He is also partner in a publishing company and Alaskan fishing company. The five-year Carneros Della Notte is dedicated to the production of ultra-premium pinot noir wines. The first vintage 2003 Los Carneros Pinot was voted the number one pinot noir in the 2006 Pinot Shootout out of a field of 240 pinot noirs from around the world.

Michael Hengehold
Michael Hengehold is the Vice President of Sales Western Division for Luna Vineyards (www.lunavineyards.com). He joined Luna Vineyards six years ago to support the broadening of the winery’s sales and distribution after having spent his early years with major distributor, Southern Wine & Spirits. Under his guidance, Luna Vineyards has tripled its sales in the western United States. Hengehold’s latest project is the launch of a new premium Sonoma brand wine. In addition, Hengehold owns and operates a 14-acre vineyard planted with premium Chardonnay grapes. Hengehold joins Luna Vineyards’ Founder and Co-Owner Michael Moone in pouring at the Kapolei Chef Showcase-Roy’s, Kapolei Uncorked and Paradise Grand Finale.

Pat Merrell
Pat Merrell is a Senior Vice President at 4 Copas USA (www.4copas.com), the only maker of USDA-certified organic tequila in the world. Merrell and the 4 Copas Tequila crew are whipping up pitchers of refreshing margaritas at the Paradise Golf Tournament, Kapolei Chef Showcase-Azul, Kapolei Uncorked and Paradise Grand Finale. Merrell is also Co-Owner of PTS Marketing Group ( Irvine, CA), which specializes in printing and marketing for the sports & entertainment and wine & spirits industries. A fun guy to know! Ole!

Michael Moone
Michael Moone is the Founder and Co-Chairperson of renowned Luna Vineyards (www.lunavineyards.com). A native of Santa Monica, California, Moone entered the wine business in 1973 and within ten years took over the helm of Beringer Vineyards, generating more than $150 million in sales and masterminding the acquisitions of Chateau Souverain and Meridien. Under his stewardship, Beringer Vineyards received a “Best in World” ranking from Wine Spectator for its 1986 Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. After leading the winery’s parent company—Nestle--in turning around ailing Stouffer Foods, Moone returned to California and formed the Silverado Group with partner, George Vare. They quickly acquired Beringer Vineyards, followed by Chateau St. Jean and Stags’ Leap Winery. Silverado Partners segued into Silverado Properties which currently farms 5,000 acres of North Coast property. In 1995, Luna Vineyards was purchased to produce “the best Italian-inspired varietals possible.” Moone’s crazy about the Luna Vineyard pours for the Kapolei Chef Showcase-Roy’s, Kapolei Uncorked and Paradise Grand Finale…you will be too!

Boyd Teegarden
Boyd Teegarden is Co-Onwner with Cassandra Teegarden of Natalie’s Estate Winery (www.nataliesestatewinery.com) based in Wilamette Valley. Teegarden began his career in the wine business 15 years ago working with Gallo Winery. He and Cassandra own and farm a three-acre Pinot Noir vineyard along with eight other vineyard site contracts throughout the Northwest. The nine-year old Natalie’s Estate Winery’s offerings are made in small quantities, by hand, using traditional open fermenters and basket presses. The Teegardens have chosen not to hire staff and deliberately keep the winery small in order to ensure the highest quality in Natalie’s Estate wine production. Guests of Kapolei Chef Showcase (Azul), Kapolei Uncorked and Paradise Grand Finale are in for a treat when Teegarden pours.

Nanette Tempest
Nanette Tempest is the Regional Sales Manager for Silver Oak and Twomey Cellars, both owned by the Duncan family of Napa Valley (www.silveroak.com and www.twomeycellars.com). Tempest has 17 years of wine industry experience accumulated through work with some of California’s finest wine distributors. She has been recognized by her peers as Sales Manager of the Year for California on two occasions. She looks forward to sharing the Duncan family story of inspired winemaking at Silver Oak and Twomey Cellars with guests of Kapolei Chef Showcase-Azul, Kapolei Uncorked and Paradise Grand Finale.

Roberto Viernes
Roberto Viernes is the Director of Education for Southern Wine & Spirits of Hawaii. A native of the Philippines with a degree in French from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, Viernes had planned to use his love of food and language skills to study culinary arts in France. However, while apprenticing under Chef Yves Menoret at Clicquo Restaurant, Viernes took the introductory course for the Court of Master Sommeliers in 1997 and became hooked on grapes. His intimate knowledge of all aspects of the wine industry has paid off for employers including, R. Field Wine Co., Neiman Marcus, Mariposa Restaurant, Padovani’s Bistro & Wine Bar and now Southern Wine & Spirits of Hawaii. He is one of the youngest Master Sommeliers in the world is a regular columnist in local print media. Viernes' extensive knowledge will add to the experience of guests at Kapolei Uncorked.

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