April 2022 Volume 9, Number 2
From The President – Message from Ellen Zonn
Introducing Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC) – Michael Martinez
Kiva Club Events – Debbi Mitchell
Dining Out – Don Feltri
Home Socials – Debbie Edwards
Membership Update – Pam Molloy
Members’ Corner – Mark Whisler
Save the Dates – Upcoming Wine Club Events
Introducing Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC) – Michael Martinez
Kiva Club Events – Debbi Mitchell
Dining Out – Don Feltri
Home Socials – Debbie Edwards
Membership Update – Pam Molloy
Members’ Corner – Mark Whisler
Save the Dates – Upcoming Wine Club Events
From the President – Ellen Zonn
Spring is in the air, the afternoon temperatures have been balmy, the desert flowers have started to bloom, baseball season has begun, and the Wine Club has almost 500 members!
The Wine Club has partnered with Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC), one of the nation’s largest beverage distribution companies, specializing in wines and spirits. Our first tasting with them was on March 18, and they wowed us with a great presentation and some outstanding wines. We look forward to a strong and long relationship.
Some comments about future wine club events are again needed at this time. We know that wine tastings are social events, as well as educational, and you look forward to seeing fellow wine club members. It is important for you to pay attention and respect our presenters for just a few minutes for each wine. The acoustics in the Tewa Room are not great, and members sitting in the back have trouble hearing under the best of conditions. Please refrain from talking when the presenters are trying to impart some wine knowledge.
When it comes to home socials, remember that we are one community, not this side and that side. Please remember that the board is made up of volunteers who try their best to make the events successful. Assignments for home socials are done randomly and you may find yourself on “the other side”, whatever that may be. You will meet some lovely folks by being flexible when you receive your assignment.
We will have events planned for April, May, and June. For those of you that are new members, please note that there are no events scheduled in July and August. We will be up and running again in September. If you have travel plans over the summer months to get some relief from the Phoenix heat, happy and safe travels. Try some wine from the locations that you visit and share some of that with our Publicity Guru for the Member’s Corner.
Cheers,
Ellen
Spring is in the air, the afternoon temperatures have been balmy, the desert flowers have started to bloom, baseball season has begun, and the Wine Club has almost 500 members!
The Wine Club has partnered with Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC), one of the nation’s largest beverage distribution companies, specializing in wines and spirits. Our first tasting with them was on March 18, and they wowed us with a great presentation and some outstanding wines. We look forward to a strong and long relationship.
Some comments about future wine club events are again needed at this time. We know that wine tastings are social events, as well as educational, and you look forward to seeing fellow wine club members. It is important for you to pay attention and respect our presenters for just a few minutes for each wine. The acoustics in the Tewa Room are not great, and members sitting in the back have trouble hearing under the best of conditions. Please refrain from talking when the presenters are trying to impart some wine knowledge.
When it comes to home socials, remember that we are one community, not this side and that side. Please remember that the board is made up of volunteers who try their best to make the events successful. Assignments for home socials are done randomly and you may find yourself on “the other side”, whatever that may be. You will meet some lovely folks by being flexible when you receive your assignment.
We will have events planned for April, May, and June. For those of you that are new members, please note that there are no events scheduled in July and August. We will be up and running again in September. If you have travel plans over the summer months to get some relief from the Phoenix heat, happy and safe travels. Try some wine from the locations that you visit and share some of that with our Publicity Guru for the Member’s Corner.
Cheers,
Ellen
Introducing RNDC - Michael Martinez and Tim Hirota
In RNDC’s inaugural event with Trilogy Wine Club, Michael Martinez presented the wines at our California Wines taste back in March. Many of you had the opportunity to chat with him as he made the rounds during our wine sampling.
Michael is a Sales Specialist for the Estates Group (fine wine) for RNDC, AZ. He has been with RNDC for five and a half years as a General Market Sales Representative, recently calling on the North Scottsdale/Phoenix territory. Previously he was calling on the West Side territory, which included Trilogy at Vistancia /Kiva Club/Mita Club. "It was a bit like coming home when I walked back into Kiva Club for our most recent Wine Club Tasting". Before joining RNDC/Young's Market, Michael had been the General Manager and Beverage Director for a trio of restaurants in the Phoenix area (RokeriJ, Richardson's and Dick's Hideaway).
Michael is a Sales Specialist for the Estates Group (fine wine) for RNDC, AZ. He has been with RNDC for five and a half years as a General Market Sales Representative, recently calling on the North Scottsdale/Phoenix territory. Previously he was calling on the West Side territory, which included Trilogy at Vistancia /Kiva Club/Mita Club. "It was a bit like coming home when I walked back into Kiva Club for our most recent Wine Club Tasting". Before joining RNDC/Young's Market, Michael had been the General Manager and Beverage Director for a trio of restaurants in the Phoenix area (RokeriJ, Richardson's and Dick's Hideaway).
Tim Hirota conducted a quick “Wine Tasting 101” class at our March event, introducing us to three of the elements of taste that constitute structure in wine. His “class” brought a new dimension to our wine tasting experience, and we’re hoping for more wine education in the future.
Tim is the District Manager for the Estates Group (fine wine) for RNDC, AZ. He has been in the wine & spirits industry for just short of 40 years; nearly all of that time in Southern California. He has taught wine, spirits, and cigar education nationwide; in addition, Tim has conducted numerous staff trainings, and delivered public speaking events on all things wine, spirits and cigars. Tim taught portions of the Court of Master Sommeliers program, and his specialty is food and wine pairing.
We all look forward to many delightful and informative wine tastings with RNDC in the future!
Tim is the District Manager for the Estates Group (fine wine) for RNDC, AZ. He has been in the wine & spirits industry for just short of 40 years; nearly all of that time in Southern California. He has taught wine, spirits, and cigar education nationwide; in addition, Tim has conducted numerous staff trainings, and delivered public speaking events on all things wine, spirits and cigars. Tim taught portions of the Court of Master Sommeliers program, and his specialty is food and wine pairing.
We all look forward to many delightful and informative wine tastings with RNDC in the future!
Kiva Club Events – Debbi Mitchell
Mark your calendars – more great wine tastings from our new distributor, RNDC:
Debbi
Mark your calendars – more great wine tastings from our new distributor, RNDC:
- April 12 – Tickets go on sale for the April 24 Wine Tasting
- 8:00 – 10:00 am – Kiva Lobby
- April 24 – Italian Wine Tasting Event
- 4:00 – 6:00 pm – Tewa Room
- May 10 – Tickets go on sale for the May 22 Wine Tasting
- 8:00 – 10:00 am – Kiva Lobby
- May 22 – Oregon & Washington Wine Tasting Event
- 4:00 – 6:00 pm – Tewa Room
- June 14 – Tickets go on sale for the June 26 Wine Tasting
- 4:00 – 6:00 pm – Tewa Room
- June 26 – European Wine Tasting Event
Debbi
Dining Out – Don Feltri
The Wine Club resumed Dining Out in February with a delicious Italian meal at Fabio on Fire. We completely filled Fabio’s new room, and all enjoyed tagliatelle, ravioli, or pizza and a glass of Italian wine. We followed that up with an outing to Kawaii to sample Asian cuisine, and of course a glass of wine! Both events sold out very quickly.
Our third off premises dinner will be at Urban Margarita, a Mexican restaurant that we have visited previously. The event will be on Wednesday, April 27. The address is 6685 W. Beardsley Rd. in Glendale. It’s a short 26 minute drive from Trilogy.
Don
The Wine Club resumed Dining Out in February with a delicious Italian meal at Fabio on Fire. We completely filled Fabio’s new room, and all enjoyed tagliatelle, ravioli, or pizza and a glass of Italian wine. We followed that up with an outing to Kawaii to sample Asian cuisine, and of course a glass of wine! Both events sold out very quickly.
Our third off premises dinner will be at Urban Margarita, a Mexican restaurant that we have visited previously. The event will be on Wednesday, April 27. The address is 6685 W. Beardsley Rd. in Glendale. It’s a short 26 minute drive from Trilogy.
Don
Home Socials – Debbie Edwards
Wow! Three great months of home socials! In February, Mo and Curtis Roberts, Pam and Jerry Clements, Robin Cook and Bill Palmer, and Kathy and Gary Weimer opened their homes to a total group of 155 members. Not to be outdone, Mary Jo and John Packard, Lynda and John Zimmer, Laura and Jack Dreyfus, and Karen Schmitz and Bernie Binder hosted 163 wine-loving members in March. Finally, our April home socials were held at the homes of Mark and Kim Nance, Ed and Joyce Mason, Joe Brimacombe and Rennae Ward, and Ed and Betty Lewis. Our local weathermen cooperated by giving us clear, warm evenings, so it was a delightful time for all. And it wasn’t just the guests who enjoyed themselves; many of the hosts commented on what great times they had, with a couple of the hosts even asking to host again. I’m raising my glass to everyone who attended and hosted!
For those of you who’ve opened your homes during the last few months, I can’t thank you enough. It takes a village for home socials to happen, and I appreciate the cooperation when I reach out to potential hosts. Sometimes, just saying thank you to our hosts may not be enough. So, I’m acknowledging you in our Newsletter so our members are aware of your efforts. Thank you again!
Debbie
Wow! Three great months of home socials! In February, Mo and Curtis Roberts, Pam and Jerry Clements, Robin Cook and Bill Palmer, and Kathy and Gary Weimer opened their homes to a total group of 155 members. Not to be outdone, Mary Jo and John Packard, Lynda and John Zimmer, Laura and Jack Dreyfus, and Karen Schmitz and Bernie Binder hosted 163 wine-loving members in March. Finally, our April home socials were held at the homes of Mark and Kim Nance, Ed and Joyce Mason, Joe Brimacombe and Rennae Ward, and Ed and Betty Lewis. Our local weathermen cooperated by giving us clear, warm evenings, so it was a delightful time for all. And it wasn’t just the guests who enjoyed themselves; many of the hosts commented on what great times they had, with a couple of the hosts even asking to host again. I’m raising my glass to everyone who attended and hosted!
For those of you who’ve opened your homes during the last few months, I can’t thank you enough. It takes a village for home socials to happen, and I appreciate the cooperation when I reach out to potential hosts. Sometimes, just saying thank you to our hosts may not be enough. So, I’m acknowledging you in our Newsletter so our members are aware of your efforts. Thank you again!
Debbie
Membership Update – Pam Molloy
It appears we are finally at the tail end of the COVID crisis and the Wine Club is up and running at full steam. I look forward to seeing you all at one of our functions, either a wine tasting, home social or an outside dinner.
As members begin to head home for the summer or start their summer travels, I would like to update you on the club’s membership statistics. At this time, the club has 482 members, which includes 90 members new to the club. We anticipate membership applications will slow down a bit as we move into June, as there are no wine activities in July and August, with an uptick when the club resumes September. To compare, at the end of 2021 the club had 508 members. We have almost matched that number and if applications continue as anticipated we will have the largest membership in the last five years!
I would also like to remind all members that a waiver form must be completed prior to participating in club activities. This form can be filled out on line at the My Trilogy Life website (click on Community/Resort Club) or at the Kiva or Mita front desks.
Please mention the wine club to your friends and tell them to join, so they can join you at our upcoming events!
Cheers!
Pam Molloy
Membership Chair
It appears we are finally at the tail end of the COVID crisis and the Wine Club is up and running at full steam. I look forward to seeing you all at one of our functions, either a wine tasting, home social or an outside dinner.
As members begin to head home for the summer or start their summer travels, I would like to update you on the club’s membership statistics. At this time, the club has 482 members, which includes 90 members new to the club. We anticipate membership applications will slow down a bit as we move into June, as there are no wine activities in July and August, with an uptick when the club resumes September. To compare, at the end of 2021 the club had 508 members. We have almost matched that number and if applications continue as anticipated we will have the largest membership in the last five years!
I would also like to remind all members that a waiver form must be completed prior to participating in club activities. This form can be filled out on line at the My Trilogy Life website (click on Community/Resort Club) or at the Kiva or Mita front desks.
Please mention the wine club to your friends and tell them to join, so they can join you at our upcoming events!
Cheers!
Pam Molloy
Membership Chair
Members’ Corner – Mark Whisler
This month’s Newsletter includes inputs from two of our members, and you might say the content ranges from the ubiquitous to the unknown. Our very own TWC VP, Debbi Mitchell, discusses why she is such a devotee of chardonnay (is anybody surprised?). Shifting to the “unknown”, long time club member Mark Carter offers a commentary on Arizona wines. Both pieces make interesting reading, and I hope you enjoy the perspectives presented.
The Members’ Corner for the July Newsletter is an open book. I know many of you have some interesting wines, wine stories, or wine adventures. So please share! All it takes is a quick email to me, and we’ll get your comments published.
Thanks!
Mark Whisler
TWC Publicity Chair
This month’s Newsletter includes inputs from two of our members, and you might say the content ranges from the ubiquitous to the unknown. Our very own TWC VP, Debbi Mitchell, discusses why she is such a devotee of chardonnay (is anybody surprised?). Shifting to the “unknown”, long time club member Mark Carter offers a commentary on Arizona wines. Both pieces make interesting reading, and I hope you enjoy the perspectives presented.
The Members’ Corner for the July Newsletter is an open book. I know many of you have some interesting wines, wine stories, or wine adventures. So please share! All it takes is a quick email to me, and we’ll get your comments published.
Thanks!
Mark Whisler
TWC Publicity Chair
The Best Wines Say “Chardonnay” on the Bottle - Debbi Mitchell
I have a nickname of “Debbi Jeanne the Chardonnay Queen”, and a glass to prove it! My friends and family know I like a good glass of chardonnay.
I enjoy the bold buttery Chardonnays. Some of my favorites are Kenwood, Sonoma-Cutrer, Paul Hobbs, Auberge, and Williamson Wines.
Pair Chardonnay with brie with apples, chicken, pork, seafood, and/or pumpkin pie.
Enjoy!
Debbi Mitchell
I enjoy the bold buttery Chardonnays. Some of my favorites are Kenwood, Sonoma-Cutrer, Paul Hobbs, Auberge, and Williamson Wines.
Pair Chardonnay with brie with apples, chicken, pork, seafood, and/or pumpkin pie.
Enjoy!
Debbi Mitchell
Appreciate Your Own Backyard: Arizona Wines – Mark Carter
My wife, Dawn, and I have lived in Arizona for most of our lives. It always amazes us how many people we talk to who have been around Arizona for many years who have never been to the Grand Canyon, one of the wonders of the world.
We’re not going to say that Arizona wines are one of those wonders, but we are proponents of supporting and appreciating local businesses that deserve the attention. We are not wine experts, we but have learned about wines in general from the Trilogy Wine Club over the years, and then graced ourselves by visiting several wineries and vineyards in two of the three Arizona wine regions to see and taste what we had been missing. A person doesn’t actually have to visit all three regions because many of the independent wineries around the state get their grapes from one of the major vineyard regions in southern Arizona.
The three Arizona regions are: Verde Valley, Sonoita/Elgin, and Willcox – and all grow numerous varieties of grapes from around the world. Most of the wineries in our state are small and family owned, however there are a few larger wineries attached to their own vineyards. We primarily drink reds, and we have chosen some of our favorite Arizona wines from three (of the many) wineries in the Verde Valley that get most of their grapes from one family’s vineyard near Willcox. Since the three wineries are related but independent, that’s the club membership we chose (Cellar 433 Wine Club) to experience a larger variety of excellent local wines on a regular basis. Some of the Verde Valley wineries can be sampled during a day trip from Trilogy, but the southern Arizona locations are best experienced over several days’ duration. There are over 100 wineries in Arizona, and we would suggest getting out of the Phoenix area to visit them. Please do an Internet search of “Arizona Wine Regions” to find many websites that can help you with appreciating your own back yard of Arizona wines!
Mark Carter
TWC Member
We’re not going to say that Arizona wines are one of those wonders, but we are proponents of supporting and appreciating local businesses that deserve the attention. We are not wine experts, we but have learned about wines in general from the Trilogy Wine Club over the years, and then graced ourselves by visiting several wineries and vineyards in two of the three Arizona wine regions to see and taste what we had been missing. A person doesn’t actually have to visit all three regions because many of the independent wineries around the state get their grapes from one of the major vineyard regions in southern Arizona.
The three Arizona regions are: Verde Valley, Sonoita/Elgin, and Willcox – and all grow numerous varieties of grapes from around the world. Most of the wineries in our state are small and family owned, however there are a few larger wineries attached to their own vineyards. We primarily drink reds, and we have chosen some of our favorite Arizona wines from three (of the many) wineries in the Verde Valley that get most of their grapes from one family’s vineyard near Willcox. Since the three wineries are related but independent, that’s the club membership we chose (Cellar 433 Wine Club) to experience a larger variety of excellent local wines on a regular basis. Some of the Verde Valley wineries can be sampled during a day trip from Trilogy, but the southern Arizona locations are best experienced over several days’ duration. There are over 100 wineries in Arizona, and we would suggest getting out of the Phoenix area to visit them. Please do an Internet search of “Arizona Wine Regions” to find many websites that can help you with appreciating your own back yard of Arizona wines!
Mark Carter
TWC Member
Save the Dates – Upcoming Wine Club Events
April
May
June
July & August
- Sunday, April 24 – Kiva Club Wine Taste Event, Italian Wines, 4-6 p.m.
- Wednesday, April 27 - Dining Out, Urban Margarita, 5-7 p.m.
May
- Saturday, May 21 - Home social
- TBA - Dining Out. Watch for the Punchbowl invitation in early May.
- Sunday, May 22 – Kiva Wine Taste Event, Oregon & Washington Wines, 4-6 p.m.
June
- Monday, June 13 - Home social
- TBA - Dining Out. Watch for the Punchbowl invitation in early June.
- Sunday, June 26 – Kiva Wine Taste Event, European Wines, 4-6 p.m.
July & August
- No events…Wine Club dark for the summer!