Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/326040
70 / the tasting panel / june 2014 Landon Patterson, VP of Sales for Hundred Acre Wine Group, explains the concept behind Layer Cake, founded by Jayson Woodbridge and Chris Radomski: "Jayson is the winemaker. He flies around the world and makes the wine. He's on the road 200 days a year. He works with the same vineyards, and there's a common thread to his style. The wine is like a passport to explora- tion—we have one brand, one name, seven wines, five countries!" Las Vegas Gets Layer'd With so many options, any beverage manager has a lot to draw from in the Layer Cake line. In Las Vegas, Tim Keller (along with Cardin) oversees both Tao and Lavo and relates, "I actu- ally consumed Layer Cake personally before I purchased it professionally. Jayson and Chris make an amazing cult wine, Hundred Acre, which very few people get the opportunity to try. So they also wanted to make a wine that is approachable for everyone." Keller and Cardin also take their cues from their customers. Initially, they ask, "What do you usually drink?" They start their recommendations there, but also note that "sometimes you can tease people into doing something different. Maybe they're familiar with Zinfandel but maybe not with Primitivo," says Keller. Of course, Keller and Cardin do have the advantage of being located in Las Vegas where people want to try things. Keller recommends certain pairings based on dishes at his restaurants, like the Lavo classic Kobe beef meatballs alongside Layer Cake's Puglian Primitivo, which gives both food and wine an Italian "sense of place." Another great pairing from Tao would also work in many other restaurants: Layer Cake's California Chardonnay with sautéed Chilean seabass skewers. Cake across the Country For other locations, take a cue from a new hotel located in the casual atmosphere of Orlando, Florida. This is the surprisingly inclusive largest Four Seasons in the world, the Four Seasons Resort at Walt Disney World, which will open in August 2014. Food and Beverage Director Stephen Wancha comes here after stints at Four Seasons properties in San Francisco and St. Louis. Wancha was also introduced to Layer Cake by Woodbridge and Radomski and finds that their wines drink at a much higher price point than expected. At this Orlando Four Seasons, there will be five restaurants and two lounges, with two full-time sommeliers on the property. Layer Cake's Spanish Garnacha will be by-the-glass at all the restaurants and lounges, including Capa and Ravello. Chef Tim Dacey of the Spanish steakhouse Capa gave THE TASTING PANEL a sneak peek at some of his Layer Cake pairings with the restau- rant's signature dishes. He believes, "The Garnacha will hold up really well to smoke-flavored items and Tim Keller, Wine Director at Tao and Lavo, photographed at Asian-themed nightclub Tao in Las Vegas. Landon Patterson is VP of Sales for the Hundred Acre Wine Group. PHOTO: LEIGH CASTELLI PHOTO: MONA SHIELD PAYNE TP0614_034-71.indd 70 5/23/14 9:24 PM