September is California Wine Month!

Join us for special California themed Tasting Tuesdays, Sunday Sippers Tastings and for Lake Tahoe Restaurant Week, 9/5-12/2010.  Details below:

September 5-12, Lunch & Dinner – Après Wine Company Celebrates Lake Tahoe Restaurant Week Lake Tahoe Restaurant Week puts the spotlight on High Sierra fine dining, giving local food aficionados and visitors an opportunity to enjoy 3-course, prix-fixe menus at 30+ participating restaurants. Après Wine Company is participating, offering a $30 per person prix fixe menu. The inaugural event kicks off Labor Day Weekend, Sunday, September 5, and runs through Sunday, September 12. No tickets or coupons are required to enjoy these delicious offerings at exceptional values. Just get out and dine – it’s that easy. For more details, menus offered during the week and how to participate, click to www.tahoerestaurantweek.com or www.apreswineco.com. RSVP 530-544-9463.

September 5, 12, 19, and 26, 5pm – Sunday Sippers Wine Tasting – California Style, for California Wine Month – Every Sunday at 5pm come to our fun, casual wine tasting. Each week a different theme is featured – this month is all about California! No rezzies required. ONLY $10.

September 7, 6pm – California vs. The World With Jeff Boyer, California Wine Month, Tasting Tuesday at Après Wine Company – Let’s get ready to rumble! California winemakers are known the world over for exceptional wines…but how do they stack up against the Kiwis? The South Americans? Italians? Guest expert Jeff Boyer will bring his facts and figures to entertain and inform your choice. Will you favor California wine or a foreign find? $20 advance, $25 at door. Includes six wines and appetizer pairings. Discounts on wines tasted. RSVP 530-544-9463.

September 14, 6pm – Celebrate California’s Central Coast During California Wine Month, Tasting Tuesday at Après Wine Company – From Monterey to Santa Barbara world-class winemakers are making robust reds and wonderful whites! Try Oprah’s favorite heart healthy red, Le Cigare Volant by Bonny Doon, among other featured wines. Only $20 advance, $25 at door. Includes five wines and appetizer pairings. Discounts on wines tasted. RSVP 530-544-9463.

September 21, 6pm – Sommelier Diane Guth Returns to Celebrate California Wine Month, Tasting Tuesday at Après Wine Company – Sommelier Diane Guth of Wine Warehouse is back by popular demand after a sold out July visit. Diane will share her knowledge about wine and food pairings, regional wine characteristics and California’s distinguished winemakers over some of the best vintages the Golden State has to offer. If you love food and wine, you won’t want to miss this one! $25 advance, $30 at door. Includes five wines and appetizer pairings. Discounts on wines tasted. RSVP 530-544-9463.

September 28, 6pm – Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays for California Wine Month, Tasting Tuesday at Après Wine Company – Russian River, Carneros, Napa, the Central Coast…these regions are turning out tantalizing pinots and chards. Try some of the best at our next Tasting Tuesday. Only $20 advance, $25 at door. Includes five wines and appetizer pairings. Discounts on wines tasted. RSVP 530-544-9463.

Come to Après Wine Company for Lake Tahoe Restaurant Week! RSVP 530-544-9463

Lake Tahoe Restaurant Week puts the spotlight on High Sierra fine dining, giving local food aficionados and visitors an opportunity to enjoy 3-course, prix-fixe menus at 30+ participating restaurants.

Après Wine Company is participating, offering a $30 per person prix fixe menu. The inaugural event kicks off Labor Day Weekend, Sunday, September 5, and runs through Sunday, September 12. No tickets or coupons are required to enjoy these delicious offerings at exceptional values. Just get out and dine – it’s that easy. For more details, menus offered during the week and how to participate, click to http://www.tahoerestaurantweek.com/.

Nice lunch with wine at Après, by Allen Pierleoni, Sacramento Bee

We’ve joined the breakfast crowd a few times at the Red Hut (Highway 50 at Lake Tahoe Boulevard) and with good reasons (the waffle among them). But we wanted a fancy lunch with wine – and found Après in the same strip mall.

 Co-owners J.P. Lonergan and Barbara Tenney run a 300-bottle wine shop, with 50 wines open at any time. The classy wine-tasting bar doubles as a lunch-dinner spot, with fine fare. Another top choice for locals.

We were curious about the store’s computerized Enomatic “wine preservation and serving system” from Italy. The machine keeps wines fresh up to six weeks, claims the company, as argon gas keeps oxygen from touching the vino. It works, said Tenney.

Picture it: A streamlined, stainless steel-and-Plexiglas machine holding 16 bottles of reds and eight whites, dispensed in 1-ounce measures for varying prices. You access the pours with a pre-loaded ATM-type card. Between that and the 2-ounce measures hand-poured behind the bar, a do-it-yourself wine-tasting is easy.

We spooned spicy gazpacho and split an attractive Middle Eastern spread of hummus, sweet-pepper tapenade with balsamic vinegar, carrot chips and warm pita bread. Next time: the smoked salmon BLT and bacon-wrapped figs stuffed with smoked mozzarella.

 APRÈS

 WHERE: 3668 Lake Tahoe Blvd., South Lake Tahoe

 HOW MUCH: $4-$15

 INFORMATION: (530) 544-9463, http://apreswineco.com

© Copyright The Sacramento Bee. All rights reserved.

Read more: http://www.sacbee.com/2010/07/30/2921719/two-delicious-finds-at-lake-tahoe.html#ixzz0vCZMZuSe 

September 4 & 18, 7-9pm – Live Music With Dorsey Williamson at Après Wine Company – Hear singer/songwriter Dorsey Williamson play his original tunes this Saturday at Après. No Cover, no RSVP necessary.

September 11 & 25, 7-9pm – Live Music With John Chevallier at Après Wine Company – Hear singer/songwriter John Chevallier play his original tunes this Saturday at Après. No Cover, no RSVP necessary.

October 2 & 16, 7-9pm – Live Music With Dorsey Williamson at Après Wine Company – Hear singer/songwriter Dorsey Williamson play his original tunes this Saturday at Après. No Cover, no RSVP necessary.

October 9 & 23, 7-9pm – Live Music With John Chevallier at Après Wine Company – Hear singer/songwriter John Chevallier play his original tunes this Saturday at Après. No Cover, no RSVP necessary.

November 6 & 20, 7-9pm – Live Music With Dorsey Williamson at Après Wine Company – Hear singer/songwriter Dorsey Williamson play his original tunes this Saturday at Après. No Cover, no RSVP necessary.

November 13 & 27, 7-9pm – Live Music With John Chevallier at Après Wine Company – Hear singer/songwriter John Chevallier play his original tunes this Saturday at Après. No Cover, no RSVP necessary.

December 4 & 18, 7-9pm – Live Music With Dorsey Williamson at Après Wine Company – Hear singer/songwriter Dorsey Williamson play his original tunes this Saturday at Après. No Cover, no RSVP necessary.

December 11, 7-9pm – Live Music With John Chevallier at Après Wine Company – Hear singer/songwriter John Chevallier play his original tunes this Saturday at Après. No Cover, no RSVP necessary.

Meet Our Musicians

John Chevallier - When John isn’t keeping us updated on the latest ski conditions and Lake Tahoe and Truckee events, he’s out playing or writing music. Rumor has it he started his music career in Vegas before moving to the mountains. Now, in Lake Tahoe, he’s finally found a more natural venue that fits his style allowing him to creatively express himself on and off the camera. Currently, John is writing/recording/producing/filming his next project which will include original songs.

Caught in the rapture of Tahoe mountain culture, John plans to stick around for a while. “Lake Tahoe is our community, and it is our responsibility to keep it a community. Support, love, and live local!” he says.  Well put John. To contact John for booking information, please call (702) 592-3165

Dorsey Williamson - Thousands from San Francisco to Istanbul and Zurich to Shanghai have grooved on Tahoe troubadour Dorsey Williamson’s humorous and incisive original songs. Singer-songwriter Williamson is a crafty lyricist and plays guitar, harmonica, piano and bass. He’s collaborated with Jazz, Rock and Country musicians as well as Death-Metal giant, Karl Sanders, of Nile. 

Dorsey says his songs are inspired by, “the stuff I listened to and loved growing up in South Carolina and Georgia…Folk, Country, New Wave, Punk, Rock and Art-Rock.”

Eclectic match-ups of style and unique lyrics make Dorsey a memorable listen- – and a good pairing with a glass of Dorsey’s current favorite, Amphora Pinot Noir, or one of the many fine wines Après offers by the glass.

Wes King – Singer/Songwriter Wes King hails from Music City, USA (aka Nashville). He has been playing guitar for over 13 years and has been writing and singing songs for four. Wes has been charming Tahoe audiences for 5 years. His alternative rock, bluesy style pairs as nicely with a big bold cabernet as it does with a buttery chardonnay. You’re sure to have a good time with Wes.

Each month, members of Après Wine Company’s “Wines of the Month Club” receive selections from international world-class boutique vineyards. Unlike winery clubs that focus only on their own brands, usually from specific regions, we feature selections from around the globe. Our goal is to introduce you to vintners and varietals that you might not discover on your own.

We offer three tiers suited to your budget. Each level includes two bottles of wine exclusively discounted to Wines of the Month Club members. Club selections will include red, white and sparkling wines, tailored to the seasons. For example, in February (Valentine’s Day) or December, one bottle might be a sparkling wine. In winter months there will be more red wines in the plans.

Easy Rider Club – $29.99 plus tax/month: We search the globe for rare wines with great flavor and small price tags. We do the work, you enjoy the wine.

Slalom Club – $59.99 plus tax/month: There is no question phenomenal wine with big price tags can make you very popular at a cocktail party…but what about spending half that for the same impressive quality? Our expert wine team sniffs out these previously undiscovered beauties before they become famous and pricey. You can say “I knew them when!”

Black Diamond Club – $89.99 plus tax/month: Here we take you from the groomed runs to ride the steep deep powder of wine enjoyment. We focus on world class wines that take you to the next level with selections that are sure to rock your world!

Wines will be available for pick up in the first week of each month at our retail store (3668 Lake Tahoe Boulevard, South Lake Tahoe, CA  96150).  Shipping is available upon request.

So travel to the great wineries of the world from the comfort of Tahoe with Après Wine Company! Create a year-round gift by giving a friend an Après Wine Club membership.

Wines of the Month Club Members will also receive:

• $5 Après Wine Company Tasting Card with each Wine of the Month Club pick up.
• A 10% discount on all retail purchases including the Club Wines once they’ve been released to our retail store.

We can ship your fine wines (and gifts!).  With the exception of a few states, wine can be delivered via UPS from our door to yours, provided a 21 year old is there to accept the package.  If you have any questions about shipping wine, feel free to call or email us.

Email Apres Wine Co or call 530-544-9463

by Becky Bell, Editor, Tahoe Arts & Mountain Culture (www.tahoeculture.com), Posted on December 11, 2009

Like the golden rule for meeting people, JP Lonergan of Aprés Wine Company in South Lake Tahoe suggests you have an open mind while tasting wine. You don’t want to miss out on a lasting relationship because of preconceived notions, especially when it comes to wine!

Great advice say sippers who meet six different varietals during the educational Sunday evenings, making new friends along the way.

A wine connoisseur overflowing with knowledge and a wonderfully relaxed style,  JP introduces new and repeat sippers to a tantalizing selection of six wines every Sunday evening during the Sunday Sippers Wine Tastings.  JP provides a comprehensive review of the grapes and appellations during his taste tour, identifying the subtle differences for sippers seated around the wine bar.

For only $10, the Sunday Sippers Wine Tastings start at 5pm and have become very popular with locals and visitors looking to learn more about wines without breaking the bank.

In fact, Aprés Wine Company prides itself in offering an extensive selection of quality wines from California and around the world to match every wine lover’s budget.  Best of all you can taste before you buy from over 50 wines served daily by the taste, glass, or carafe on their unique Enomatic wine-dispensing machines.

To top off your wine tasting is the Aprés Bistro serving their signature fare handcrafted by chef Zach Barnhill. Try favorites like the Stuffed Figs with black figs stuffed with smoked mozzarella, wrapped in bacon and sprinkled with fresh basil, then drizzled with balsamic reduction; and the Smoked Salmon BLT with house smoked wild sockeye salmon, bacon, tomatoes and smoked mozzarella on grilled focaccia drizzled with honey basil oil.

Reservations are necessary for the Sunday Sippers Wine Tastings which start at 5pm for just $10.  Reserve your seat at the wine bar by calling 530-544-WINE.

For those who can’t make a Sunday Sippers evening, JP and Barbara invite you to the following special events in December to toast new and old friends, and ring in the New Year:

• Happy Hour, Tuesday through Saturday: 4-6pm & 9-10pm
• December 15 at 6pm:  Value Wines Wine Tasting, $15
• December 22 at 6pm: Big Reds! Wine Tasting, $25
• December 29 at 6pm:  Après One Year Anniversary Party, $15
• December 31 at 9pm:  New Year’s Eve Celebration, $79 per person, $149 per couple

Cheers!

Every Tuesday

Join us for “Tasting Tuesdays” each week and be entertained and enlightened by our staff, guest hosts and visiting winemakers.  They’ll share their wit and wisdom over wine (but of course!) and delicious appetizers inspired by their selections.

RSVP 530-544-9463.

Click on the Events Calendar tab above for a full schedule of events.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE South Lake Tahoe, CA – January 2009 – Locals and visitors in South Lake Tahoe will find the Après Wine Company a welcomed addition to the area’s entertainment and retail offerings.  Après, a wine bar and full-service retail merchant of fine wines and gifts will be pioneering the “taste before you buy” system in the Lake Tahoe area.  At Après, patrons can relax with friends, sample the best wines from around the world and find gifts for any occasion.  Located in the heart of the Ski Run Business District, Après Wine Company is the newest tenant in the recently completed Ski Run Center, across the street from Lake Tahoe and just one mile from Heavenly Ski Resort. 

Après Wine Company is the dream venture of JP Lonergan, a long-time South Lake Tahoe home owner and new full-time transplant to the Tahoe area.  After years of wine collecting and study, JP decided to abandon his SoCal real estate career and pursue his passion.  “My goal is to provide people with a wine experience like no other,” says the enthusiastic Lonergan.  “Our Enomatic tasting machines allow you to taste many different wines in a relaxed enjoyable setting.  We specialize in ‘world class’ small production, artisan crafted wines from the entire planet at all price points.  I plan to carry in excess of 300 labels with 50 wines available to taste daily.”

Lonergan looks forward to serving the local community and area visitors at Après Wine Company.  He notes that staffing is an area that he will be focusing on in the months to come, hiring and developing a friendly and knowledgeable local staff.

More about Après Wine Company

Après Wine Company’s Enomatic Taste Before You Buy System:  Lonergan asks, “Have you ever shelled out your hard earned dollars for a ‘special’ bottle of wine that once opened left you disillusioned and short 50 bucks?”  According to Lonergan, Après Wine Company’s Enomatic wine dispensing machines allow wine buyers to purchase a taste before the expense of buying a bottle, taking the stress and mystery out of ordering and buying wine.  “South Lake Tahoe wine buyers no longer have to be intimidated by pretentious waiters or worrying they’re being sold a wine they won’t like or is too expensive.”

Here is how the Enomatic system works – customers purchase an Après Wine Pass (similar to a debit card) and are handed a wine glass.  Next, they select from 1 of the 24 bottles of wine on tap and choose a pour.  After inserting the Après Wine Pass the machine dispenses a 1 ounce pour, deducts the amount from the pass and pours the wine.  Each bottle can have a different price per serving, and are priced to fit every budget, allowing customers to sample a variety of good, great and super premium wines.  The machines ensure continual wine freshness by injecting neutral gas into the bottles to prevent air from oxygenating the wine.  With Enomatic, a bottle can remain perfectly fresh for weeks.

Lonergan notes, “the system not only provides a sure-fire way to discover new and delicious wines, the process is an entertaining, fun wine-tasting activity to do with friends without the hassle of driving to distant wineries.”

The Wine Bar – Relax Over A Glass of Wine:  Après’ warm and inviting Wine Bar is designed to provide hard-working and hard playing residents and visitors a place to unwind, relax and have a good time.  Serving 24 wines by the glass daily, in addition to the 24 featured in the Enomatic tasting machines, the Wine Bar also has a nice selection delicious appetizers, meals and desserts, and wine flights.  The daily flight menu consists of a selection of wines, usually three 2 ounce portions, presented for the purpose of sampling and comparison.  This format allows tasters to evaluate and contrast different wines within a theme.  For example, wines from the same region and vintage would comprise a flight, or wines from the same variety but different regions. It is a great way to illuminate the similarities and differences in the grouping.

Après’ Wine Bar will also have regular tasting events, play host to periodic guest winery tastings, conduct wine classes and can be reserved for special events.

The Wine and Gift Shop – Find The Perfect Bottle Of Wine Or Gift For Any Occasion:  Après offers shoppers fine wines, wine accessories, and gifts for every personality, from warm household décor for the perfect host to picnic accessories for outdoor enthusiasts.  At Après, 300 quality crafted wines are available by the bottle or case with a broad domestic and international selection to serve wine fans’ interests in new and established vintners.  The innovative Enomatic wine tasting machines that let you “try before you buy” guarantee that customers get just the right wine to toast the host or celebrate a special occasion.  After making these tough decisions, shoppers are encouraged to unwind in the Wine Bar!

So, now with your Après Wine Pass in hand, it’s time to have a little fun!  Come to Après and swirl, sniff, sip and enjoy! 

JP Lonergan

JP has been a regular visitor to his family home in Lake Tahoe since the mid-seventies. He and Barbara Tenney (see below) have owned a home in South Lake Tahoe since 2004 and are avid skiers and hikers. 

JP brings 17 years of restaurant experience and another 32 years of wine collecting to Après Wine Company.  He recently earned a certificate in the highly respected Vintage series courses at UCLA Extension.  This comprehensive program takes about two years to complete and covers viticulture, wine making, marketing, regional differences, industry economics and food and wine pairing.  JP holds a California Real Estate license and has worked with home developers in Southern California for the past 17 years.  JP has one daughter, Delaney, 17, an accomplished rhythmic gymnast.  In 2007, Delaney was a representative on the US National Rhythmic Gymnastics Team (top 4 ranking) and ranked 11th nationally in 2008.  Delaney attends high school in Los Angeles. 

JP’s newest venture is Après Wine Company, a wine bar and full-service retail merchandiser of fine wines and gifts located in South Lake Tahoe, California. 

JP is also an accomplished magician and member of Magic Castle, the world’s most famous club for magicians and magic enthusiasts and home to The Academy of Magical Arts, Inc.  His magic career led to some acting gigs that included a couple of appearances on General Hospital. Look for some drama as he pours some magic out of your next bottle of wine!  

Barbara Tenney

Barb brings nearly 30 years of experience in marketing and market research to Après Wine Company.  Most recently Barb worked at Lieberman Research Worldwide as a Vice President in their Entertainment and Media Division, where she consulted with national television, cable and home entertainment clients on effective customer targeting and marketing research and strategies.  She spent 9 years at FOX Broadcasting as VP, Affiliate Research and Marketing.  Prior to FOX, Barb worked at NBC where she began her career as the Research Manager for KNBC, an NBC owned station.  During her tenure at NBC, she also served as VP, Research for the NBC Television Stations Division.  While at FOX and NBC she managed branding, promotion testing, new program/talent testing, local news assessment, program formatting, and sales service studies. Barb graduated with her BS in Business Administration from the University of Oregon (Eugene) and has her MBA from Seattle University.

Barb is co-owner of Après Wine Company, a wine bar and full-service retail merchandiser of fine wines and gifts located in South Lake Tahoe, California.

APRÈS WINE COMPANY FACT SHEET

Location:  3668 Lake Tahoe Blvd., Suite G, South Lake Tahoe. Across the street from Lake Tahoe and one mile from Heavenly Ski Resort.

Phone:  530-544-WINE (9463)

Fax:     530-686-3966

Founders:  JP Lonergan & Barbara Tenney

Website:  www.apreswineco.com

E-mail:  jp@apreswineco.com or barb@apreswineco.com

Marketing & Press Contact:  Barbara Tenney, 530-544-9463, barb@apreswineco.com

Architect & Builder:  MWS, Truckee, California, Gardner Construction, Stateline, NV

Graphic Design:  Duoos Design, Portland, Oregon

About Us:  Après Wine Company is a new wine bar and full-service retail merchant of fine wines and gifts in South Lake Tahoe.  Après Wine Company is the dream venture of JP Lonergan, a long-time South Lake Tahoe home owner and new full-time transplant to the Tahoe area.  Located in the heart of the Ski Run Business District, Après Wine Company is the newest tenant in the recently completed Ski Run Center.  At Après, patrons can relax with friends, sample the best artisan crafted wines from around the world and find gifts for any occasion.  For a truly unique wine tasting experience, 48 different wines can be sampled daily on Après’ innovative Enomatic wine dispensing machines.  By inserting an Après Wine Pass (similar to a debit card) into the Enomatic, customers choose a wine, wait a second for the pour, then… swirl, sniff, sip and enjoy!  Après’ Wine Bar also has regular tasting events, hosts winery tastings, conducts wine classes and can be reserved for special events. 

Après Wine Company

3668 Lake Tahoe Blvd., Suite G

South Lake Tahoe, CA  96150

T: 530-544-WINE (9463)

F: 530-686-3966

www.apreswineco.com