Zoom Into Wine Archive: July 1st - Sommelier Session with Jared Hooper & James Ontiveros
Virtual Wine Tasting: Sommelier Session with Jared Hooper & James Ontiveros Zoom Recap
In this Zoom we dove into 2 bottles of wine with host Ian Blackburn and special guests Jared Hooper & James Ontiveros. We got to know a little more about one of Los Angeles’ famed sommeliers, Jared Hooper.
Jared Hooper discussed his career path including his time in high-end New York wine retail, his time in service at noteworthy venues such as The ROYCE with David Feau and his path to being considered one of LA’s BEST sommeliers at FAITH & FLOWER - plus we tasted two wines of Jared’s own selection and heard from Jared about why they matter so much to him… he shared some of his ideas on the industry, wine, life… and what makes his own creative juices ferment.
James Ontiveros, proprietor of Native 9, also joined us! We learned how the wine was made, got behind the scenes information, ideas and influences.
Sommelier Session Zoom Kit: 2 bottles of wine. The first being Weingut J. & H. A. Strub Niersteiner Bruckchen 'Herzstuck' Riesling Kabinett, Rheinhessen, Germany, 2017. The second: Native9 Pinot Noir, Santa Maria Valley, Central Coast, California, 2012. Kits include some added information about the wine and discounts on future purchases.
Weingut J. & H. A. Strub Niersteiner Bruckchen 'Herzstuck' Riesling Kabinett, Rheinhessen, Germany, 2017
Native9 Pinot Noir, Santa Maria Valley, Central Coast, California, 2012
About Jared Hooper
Wine Director Jared Hooper found his way into wines by a happy accident. While working as assistant to sculptor Walter Channing in his Bridgehampton NY studio, Jared became introduced to the Channing Daughters Winery crew. He borrowed the winery pick-up truck for endless lumber runs. This interest quickly became a passion. before he was even allowed to touch a corkscrew, he was given a pair of boots to learn the about the wines from the grown up.
After years of vineyard and tasting room work, he became the Lead Sommelier at The Laundry Restaurant in East Hampton and a Senior Broker at Sokolin Wines. Jared left for California to become Wine Director for Noir Food and Wine where he was award Sommelier of the Year by the Southern California Restaurant Writers Association. He then opened the award winning Royce at The Langham Huntington, Hakkasan Beverly Hills, and Faith and Flower in Downtown LA.
Food & Wine "12 Wines that Pair with Absolutely Everything"
About James Ontiveros
James Ontiveros - 9th generation Californian, farmer, and winemaker.
"Ranchos de Ontiveros tells a real story about the durability of truth, the people, and the earth itself. After seven generations, we’re still farming and ranching right here on the same land in California's Santa Maria Valley. Our small lot, estate wines reflect the terroir and offer a true expression of this place."
After planting Rancho Ontiveros, James worked in vineyards in the Sonoma Coast and the Russian River Valley, driving home to Santa Maria on the weekends to take care of his own vineyard. It was during this time that James developed many impactful relationships in the wine industry, and began looking at wine and winemaking as a way of life rather than solely a practical use of the land. In 2003, he took his first of many trips to Burgundy, tasting in the cellars, walking the vineyards, and learning about biodynamic practices of producers like Domaine Dujac, Lucien Le Moine, Domaine Leflaive, and Domaine Romanée-Conti. He would take these lessons home with him to the Santa Maria Valley, and implement many in his own vineyards and wines.
FULL-LENGTH ZOOM VIDEO
