Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/148134
THE MESSAgE True to the Roots A Flying Start MATT DAMES FROM GETTY y job is to show people what makes Belvedere Belvedere," says Claire Smith, Head of Spirit Creation and Mixology for Belvedere Vodka. Hosting a beautiful dinner at RivaBella in Los Angeles on June 4, Smith perfectly illustrated that identity. "We take our Polish heritage very seriously—which means that we stick to the environmental and agricultural guidelines set out by the Polish government." What Smith really means is that they go above and beyond these guidelines: Belvedere uses all Polish products, only the finest Dankowskie Gold rye and all fresh fruits to flavor the different expressions. After spending the past ten years with the brand ("I was always pushing for more responsibility and being a pain in my bosses' bums."), Smith is the perfect representative for the super-premium vodka. She explains, "There are two parts of my job: creating what is inside the bottle and then communicating what I created."—B. D. PHOTO: JOHN CURLEY "M Left to right: Craig Calders, VP, National On-Sale U.S. and National Accounts Manager, The Wine Group; Kelly Sorenson, Executive Director of the Ventana Wildlife Society; The Wine Group's Andrew Girardin, CSW, CSS, Division Manager; and Andrew Powell, Manager, National Accounts, The Wine Group. T o kick off the launch of Central Coast wine brand 10SPAN, The Wine Group partnered with the Ventana Wildlife Society, donating a check for $12,000 to help endangered California condors. See the full story, starting on page 99. Rocky Montanya "I PHOTO: BREANNE DEMORE spent years being disappointed at the lack of American rums so I decided to make my own!" says Karen Hoskin, President and co-founder, along with her husband, Brice Hoskin, of Montanya Rum. "I wanted to make one with 100% American ingredients and resources." With four simple ingredients (mountain spring water from an aquifer 350 feet below the distillery, Maui sugarcane, yeast and a pinch of Colorado mountain honey) and the claim that "every step takes place in the facilities," Hoskin's Montanya Rum is truly an American artisanal brand. It's not all about the stats, though. "I've been in love with rum for a long time and felt the same disappointment as Karen. It was really nice to find a well made rum in Montanya," says mixologist extraordinaire Steve Livigni. "You can sip this rum because it is so well made and the flavors are so natural, but it also mixes extremely well." The proof of which is in the Hoskins' own bar right in the distillery, featuring recipes of the week along with classic favorites. Karen Hoskin explains, "Being able to witness Steve Livigni of Pour Vous, La Descarga and Harvard & Stone fame with Master Distiller Karen Hoskin share a few Montanya cocktails at Black Market in Studio City, CA. the immediate reactions and opinions of our hard work is both rewarding and vital as we absolutely use the feedback to make necessary adjustments." —Breanne DeMore 20 / the tasting panel / august 2013 TP0813_001-33.indd 20 7/24/13 9:46 PM