Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/522996
4 { THE SOMM JOURNAL } JUNE/JULY 2015 { letter from the publisher } New Frontiers IMAGINE A TWO AND-A-HALF DAY immersion of insightful opportunities and seminars, tastings and networking with an all-star cast of industry celebrities: Robert M. Parker, Jr.; Kevin Zraly; Andrea Robinson, MS; Fred Dame, MS; Tony Terlato; Andrew Beckstoffer; Merry Edwards; Robert Bath, MS; Tim Gaiser, MS; Rajat Parr; Daniel Johnnes; Scott Beattie; Chef Ken Frank; Bill Foley; Steven Geddes, MS . . . and the list goes on. History was made in late April at the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) at Greystone Napa Valley. The inaugural Sommelier Summit, sponsored by The SOMM Journal, was a one-of-a-kind event and educational showcase. Attendees of the sold-out event were on- and off- premise professionals and wine students, all of whom opted in for a wealth of enriching experiences in order to learn more about the business and to make connections that very well may impact their careers. While the CIA is known for its excellence in culinary education, it also delivers one of the most progressive and well-rounded wine and beverage education programs in the U.S. You'll be able to see the recap of the entire event in our August issue. In this issue, don't be surprised to see a smart story on cannabis. It is the first for us, but not the last. When it comes to this topic, there are more interesting—and educational—viewpoints than gummy bear edibles and bongs, and to prove the point we introduce our official Ganjier (the can- nabis world's equivalent of a sommelier) on page 34. This series also introduces our new sister publication, debuting this coming fall: The Clever Root. It will be an informative and lavishly illustrated chef-centric quar- terly with focus on farm-to-table ingredi- ents, from heirloom tomatoes to Sonoma lamb . . . and of course, herbs, including the first educational voice for the cannabis grower and consumer. Later this month, I'll be making a trip to Humboldt County to meet the growers and delve into what matters as we progress towards a prospec- tive 2016 legalization here in California and, soon, elsewhere as well. For more informa- tion, go to www.thecleverroot.com. selected contributors Eduardo Bolaños began his wine career in Beverly Hills, CA under the tutelage of the Spago Beverly Hills Wine Director Chris Miller, MS. Working at Spago, Eduardo Bolaños assisted in building the wine cellar that won a Wine Spectator Grand Award in 2010. Eduardo went on to work for top Los Angeles restaurants Pizzeria Mozza and Chi Spacca. In 2012 he spent time abroad working the wine harvest in Spain, while working as a sommelier at three star Michelin restaurants Arzak and Akelare. Eduardo currently works as a Sommelier at Terroni in Downtown Los Angeles. Sarah Hughes Bray has written for a variety of publications including Saveur, Serious Eats and Edible Manhattan, among others, and has worked in marketing for fine wines at Sotheby's. In addition to her writing, she is the founder of Vino Consulting, working on strategic planning for wines and spirits, from brand develop- ment to translations to website and content strategy. A wine-lover and world traveler, she holds an Advanced Certification from the Wines & Spirits Education Trust and is a Diploma candidate. You can see examples of her work at sarahhbray.com. Becca Yeamans-Irwin is an award-winning freelance writer with expertise in wine science and the environment. She has a Bachelor's of Science in Biology from Saint Michael's College in Colchester, VT, and a Master's of Science in Environmental Sciences from the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, VA. She has extensive scientific research experience as well as experience working directly in the wine industry. In addition to being published in peer-reviewed journals based on her past work, Becca's passion for wine writing took off with the establishment of her blog, The Academic Wino (www. academicwino.com). Becca lives in Longmont, Colorado with her loving husband and her four-legged family members. Courtney Humiston is a profes- sional writer and sommelier based in Northern California. A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, she believes in creating thoughtful and engaging dialogue around wine—whether she is writing a restaurant's wine list or a magazine article. Fascinated by terroir, for this issue she traveled to Napa Valley's newest AVA, Coombsville, to explore the new release from Silverado Vineyards, GEO. Felix Sanchez has a passion for the deeper story and emotion of his subjects. He crafts imagery that builds a provocative visual balance between setting, composition, and lighting. His style is contemporary yet natural, allowing him to capture and enhance the story of his subjects. Based out of Texas, Felix has over 20 years of experience shooting for national and international clients. Emily McIntyre, co-founder of Catalyst Coffee Consulting, is a barista married to a coffee roaster and Q Grader. She specializes in writing about beverages and travel (though she has covered gardening in an RV, harp therapy and summer camps too). In a former life a professional pianist, Celtic harpist and vocalist, she fills her days with reading, writing and thinking about craft beverages as well as exploring life in Portland, Oregon with her husband and two-year-old daughter, Eire. At the inaugural Sommelier Summit at the CIA at Greystone Napa Valley, Robert M. Parker, Jr. and winemaker Merry Edwards were among the elite inducted into the Vintners Hall of Fame. Tony Terlato presented. Pictured left to right: Parker, Edwards, Terlato and The SOMM Journal's Meridith May. PHOTO: ALEXANDER RUBIN