Tasting Event with Founder and Winemaker Brandon Allen

Wednesday, August 2 at 7 p.m. 

$25 per person

Cantoro Market & Trattoria is pleased to welcome Brandon Allen founder and winemaker of SLO Down Winery to discuss the estate’s wines and their unique approach to shake up wine culture. Enjoy a sampling of SLO Down wines and light hors d’oeuvres.

Brandon Allen – Founder and Winemaker, SLO Down Winery

My name is Brandon Allen and when I was five years old I knew exactly what I wanted to be. A fire truck. Anyway, when I was a freshman in college, I made my first barrel of wine. Everything after that is a blur. The more wine I made, the better it got. At least that’s what my friends with rail-whisky-proven palates told me. Four years later, I was finally ready to commit to something: dropping out. Armed with eight grand of unspent student loan money, I started Slo Down Wines. In the first year, I made 93 cases of Sexual Chocolate, a wine named after my love of Mad Libs. That was 2008. Today, Slo Down represents every dreamer who’s ever dreamed a dream and then did something completely different than that dream which then became their dream.

Tastings

Sexual Chocolate – 

The 2014 Sexual Chocolate makes an immediate impression on the nose with ripe red cherry, dark berry and an array of exotic spices. The silky soft texture is a delight and flavors of blackberry, cherry cola, plum, dark chocolate and a leathery richness only enhance the experience. Concentrated, layered and simply delicious.

2014 Red Blend

Syrah/Malbec

Broken Dreams –

This wine will immediately consume you as it takes you and your taste buds on a magical journey. Aromas of juicy stone fruit, buttered toast and yellow apple lead to flavors of pear, brioche and meyer lemon all wrapped up in a rich, velvety blanket of goodness.

2015 Chardonnay

Stand Out –

The 2013 Stand Out, our second vintage of this charming wine, has a rich, dark color and alluring aromatics of cola, dark cherry, clove and vanilla. The texture is a fine balance of creamy goodness with a nice fistful of tannins. The flavors explode with loads of berry and sweet spices. Supple and lush, it’s simply delicious.

2013 Blend

59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 41% Merlot, just a touch of Magic