News in Brief from W&S August 2021

The Court of Master Sommeliers’ American chapter is offering 100 scholarships this year for its introductory course and examination to the following groups: BIPOC, individuals identifying as women, LGBTQ+, and those in financial need. The scholarships cover the full cost of the introductory course, exam and tasting kits, and are being offered in three tranches. The first application period closed on May 31, while the second window is open until August 31, with students receiving notification of the award by September 15. The course is available to scholarship students from October 1 through March 30, 2022. Apply through the “Latest Happenings” area on www.mastersommeliers.org.

The Court of Master Sommeliers-Americas has also launched an online version of their introductory course. To help students source wines for study at lower costs, CMS-A has partnered with Master the World to offer custom sample kits of testable wines. Each numbered bottle has a tearaway label hiding the identity of the wine to enable blind tasting in conjunction with the recorded teaching sessions. —S.S.

Jim Clendenen, founder in 1982 of Au Bon Climat in Santa Maria, CA, passed away on May 15, 2021. He was 68. Inspired by the wines and the culture he experienced in Burgundy on a junior year abroad, he brought worldwide attention to Santa Barbara County with his pinot noirs and chardonnays focused on lower alcohols and higher acidity than was the fashion at the time. He is survived by his son, Knox Alexander, and his daughter, Isabelle, as well as the many winemakers he trained or mentored over his career.

Jordan Vineyard & Winery has purchased the 45-acre Meola Vineyard from Mario Meola, marking the first addition to the estate since 1974. Planted to cabernet sauvignon, the new parcel brings Jordan’s land to 1245 acres, all within Alexander Valley, and will bolster the winery’s estate harvest while other portions of its vineyards are being replanted following an incidence of red blotch disease.