CellarPass and TasteLive have announced its live streaming broadcast schedule for the 2011 Napa Valley Film Festival. Hosted by Editor-in-Chief Alan Kropf of Mutineer magazine, the one-hour daily broadcasts from marquee Napa Valley Film Festival events will take place on November 10th, 11th and 12th and feature a who’s who in regional winemaking, the culinary arts and special guests. Wine bloggers from around the U.S. will join the shows virtually to taste wines, post comments, and ask questions of guests.

“We’ll be producing five shows in three days,” said Kropf, “so we’ll be running the gauntlet of tight timelines and pushing the threshold of live-stream broadcasting. Along with our scheduled line up, we’ll be inviting talent off the red carpet for spontaneous interviews, and responding to questions posted by our blogger panelists. It’s going to be a bit of a thrill ride that should deliver some sweet surprises.”

Guests wishing to join the conversation can create an account in advance at TasteLive. Visitors traveling to the Napa Valley Film Festival are encouraged to use CellarPass’ industry-leading winery reservation system to book movie-inspired wine tasting itineraries and experiences and enter its sweepstakes to win an exclusive VIP trip to Napa Valley.

Napa Valley Film Festival TasteLive / CellarPass Streaming Broadcast Schedule

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10th 2011

OPENING NIGHT GALA
Robert Mondavi Winery, Oakville
8:00pm to 9:00pm
Go to TasteLive Event Page

Featured Winery & Wines
Robert Mondavi Winery
2009 Fume Blanc Reserve – $40
2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve – $135

Blogger Panelists
Bean Fairbanks, @WineBeerWA
Beau Carufel, @ucbeau
Dennis Atick, @decaturwinedude
Dezel Quillen, @myvinespot
Grace Hoffman, @cellarmistress
Lain Bradford, @winereview
Matthew Horbund, @mmwine
Megan Kenney, @sonadora
Thea Dwelle, @winebratsf
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After a tireless campaign by both the FOR and AGAINST Washington’s Initiative 1183, Washington voters ultimately decided the fate of state run liquor stores with about 60% of them voting in favor to giving them the boot. Starting June 1, Costco and other stores will begin liquor sales as Washington State liquor stores transition out of the business, a business they have held a monopoly on and which laws have been relatively untouched since 1969, and before that, in 1934.

The initiative, largely backed by Washington-based Costco, will allow private retailers to sell spirits and in the coming months the state Liquor Control Board will start to sell its inventory and the Seattle distribution center and state-run liquor stores will be auctioned off.

This isn’t the first time Washingtonians have reached for privatization of liquor sales. In 1972, voters barely defeated Initiative 261 which would have privatized liquor sales and closed state-run outlets. In 2010, Initiatives 1100 and 1105, which both called for privatization, were both defeated at the polls.

For some good FOR and AGAINST opinions, check these blogs.

The 3rd Annual Mutineer Magazine Red Carpet Party came to a dramatic close on Sunday night as the winner of The King’s Ginger Holiday Cocktail Competition was named. After a fierce competition with an array of cocktail submissions from one end of the spectrum to the other and with an absolutely world class panel of judges, Michael Jack Pazdon of SolBar at the Solage Resort in Calistoga was named the champion. Find his cocktail submission below.

The King’s Waes Hail
by Michael Jack Pazdon, SolBar

Combine all ingredients, aside from the genever, in a mixing glass, dry shake for 10 seconds, add ice, shake hard and double strain into a chilled coupe. Float dehydrated apple chip, fresh grated nutmeg, rosemary flowers, 5 drops gingerbread spice tincture and 5 drops Genevieve on top of foam.

*Bring 1 part fresh pomegranate juice to just below a simmer then add 1.2 parts granulated sugar, stir until dissolved. Let cool then add rose water to taste. Bottle and refrigerate.

**Grind 2 tsp. cloves, 2 cinnamon sticks, 9 black peppercorns. Grate 2 whole nutmegs. Toast gently in a pan, remove and combine with 1 oz. grated ginger and 1 c. over-proof rum in an airtight container. Steep for 2 weeks, shaking daily. Strain and bottle in a medicine dropper.

In second place, Jason Withrow of Yountville’s REDD with his cocktail “Rosey Cheeks”.

In third place, Matt Jerome of Napa’s Angèle with his cocktail “Fallen Apple”.

Michael Jack Pazdon announced as first place winner for The King’s Ginger Holiday Cocktail Competition.

Competitors of The King’s Ginger Holiday Cocktail Competition pose on the red carpet with Anchor Distilling’s President David King.

WHAT: Invite Only* Third Annual Mutineer Magazine Red Carpet Party // The King’s Ginger Holiday Cocktail Competition
WHERE: Napa Valley Opera House – 1030 Main St. Downtown Napa
WHEN: November 6 // 7:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
DRESS: ‘Dress to Impress’- Cocktail Party Attire

Mutineer Magazine announces the addition of a new recurring column called “Inspired Beverage Voices,” created to celebrate regional innovators in the world of fine beverage culture. Each issue will now explore a different area, highlighting individuals working with local libations in inspired, new ways. With the support of No.3 Gin, the inaugural feature on Napa Valley will appear in the November 2011 edition and will introduce the nation to the new and innovative voices of TouteSuite Social Club, with Susan Quinn and Didier Loustau, Christophe Smith of Harvest Live, and Laura Levesque Page of The Healthy Junkie.

“It’s been said that a culture is defined by its articulate voices, so we couldn’t be more excited to highlight these new and inspired voices in beverage culture, beginning with Napa Valley,” says Mutineer Editor in Chief and Publisher Alan Kropf.

Today we celebrate the third and last of our Inspired Beverage Voices.

Laura Levesque Page R.H.N., a.k.a. The Healthy Junkie, beat three cancer diagnoses in her early ‘20s by turning away from drastic surgical methods and embracing the natural healing power of a healthy diet and lifestyle. “For me, health is simple: eat more vegetables,” she says. Her recipe for good health includes lots of beverages inspired by leafy greens and fresh juices, which she shares on her website and via Twitter. She also uses her wellness-centered blog, workshops and personal life coaching to inspire others to make better lifestyle choices.
thehealthyjunkie.com / @1healthyjunkie

Mutineer Magazine announces the addition of a new recurring column called “Inspired Beverage Voices,” created to celebrate regional innovators in the world of fine beverage culture. Each issue will now explore a different area, highlighting individuals working with local libations in inspired, new ways. With the support of No.3 Gin, the inaugural feature on Napa Valley will appear in the November 2011 edition and will introduce the nation to the new and innovative voices of TouteSuite Social Club, with Susan Quinn and Didier Loustau, Christophe Smith of Harvest Live, and Laura Levesque Page of The Healthy Junkie.

“It’s been said that a culture is defined by its articulate voices, so we couldn’t be more excited to highlight these new and inspired voices in beverage culture, beginning with Napa Valley,” says Mutineer Editor in Chief and Publisher Alan Kropf.

Today we celebrate the second of our Inspired Beverage Voices.

Christophe Smith is the founder of Harvest Live, an online portal that allows any person with a mobile device to experience a vineyard harvest and grape crush as it happens, without leaving the comfort of home. Inspired by all the “really cool stuff in Napa Valley that the consumer never gets a chance to see,” Smith’s creation uses an online streaming format that lets participants ask questions via moderated chat room or Twitter, and gives people all over the world a glimpse behind the scenes of a Napa Valley grape harvest. Archive footage is also available year-round on their website.
harvestlive.tv / @cork_dork

Mutineer Magazine announces the addition of a new recurring column called “Inspired Beverage Voices,” created to celebrate regional innovators in the world of fine beverage culture. Each issue will now explore a different area, highlighting individuals working with local libations in inspired, new ways. With the support of No.3 Gin, the inaugural feature on Napa Valley will appear in the November 2011 edition and will introduce the nation to the new and innovative voices of TouteSuite Social Club, with Susan Quinn and Didier Loustau, Christophe Smith of Harvest Live, and Laura Levesque Page of The Healthy Junkie.

“It’s been said that a culture is defined by its articulate voices, so we couldn’t be more excited to highlight these new and inspired voices in beverage culture, beginning with Napa Valley,” says Mutineer Editor in Chief and Publisher Alan Kropf.

Today we celebrate the first of our Inspired Beverage Voices.

Quinn and Loustau are the cofounders of ToutSuite Social Club, an innovative online video platform that is changing the way conversation happens between consumers and tastemakers. ToutSuite Social Club members can engage in a real-time, round table dialogue with their favorite product makers, while also connecting with fellow ToutSuite members around the world. Thanks to their headquarters in the Napa Valley, Quinn and Loustau have been able to sit down with the region’s winemakers and beverage artisans for irreverent personal interviews and panel discussions, with a long-term vision to cover a range of product categories on a regular basis.
toutsuite.com / @ToutSocial

Mutineer Magazine is thrilled to announce that we have been nominated as a finalist in the 3rd Annual Taste Awards in the category of “Best Branded Program” for Mutineer Magazine’s 4-part “Cognac Conversations” series produced in partnership with the Bureau National Interprofessionnel du Cognac. The series stars Ben Morrison (MTV’s Punk’d), Daryl Wright (Showtime) and Mutineer’s Alan Kropf and was filmed on-location at the Jon Lovitz Comedy Club at Universal Studios.

Finalists for the Taste Awards are selected from all qualified nominees based on their level of excellence in the categories in which they have been nominated with six finalists being selected for each category. The Judges Panel for 2012 has approximately over 150 industry experts, gurus, peers, and media and they will be responsible for choosing the winner, which will be announced on January 12, 2012.

Best Branded Program Nominees:

1. Magnum Ice Cream Original Short Film Series by Karl Lagerfeld featuring Rachel Bilson
2. Lanvin Fall 2011 Campaign Movie
3. Cooking.com
4. Cuisinart
5. Kraft Cooking School
6. Mutineer Magazine’s Cognac Conversations

Mutineer Magazine’s Cognac Conversations Credits

Executive Producer: Evelyne Resnick
Producers: Alan Kropf, Jeff Dorenbush, Brian Kropf & Ian Andreae
Associate Producers: Julie Hadjinian, Chris D’Amico & Erin Jimcosky
Created by: Alan Kropf and Ben Morrison
Starring: Ben Morrison, Daryl Wright & Alan Kropf
Cinematography: Ian Andreae & Alan Kropf
Editing: Alan Kropf & Ian Andreae
Sound: Alan Kropf
Lighting: Ian Andreae
Intro Theme Music: Hunter Lea
Production Consultant: Ignacio Delgadillo
Title Sequence: Ian Andreae
Location: Jon Lovitz Comedy Club at Universal Citywalk at Universal Studios

Special Thanks to the Bureau National Interprofessionnel du Cognac for giving Mutineer the opportunity to help tell Cognac’s story and to everyone that helped us bring this project to life.