Sera

How many people have truly shaped my wine journey? Bruce Neyers is unquestionably one of the foremost. I first met Bruce back in the late 1970s or early 1980s, when he was running Joseph Phelps Vineyards. It was under his leadership that Phelps released my very first taste of a commercial Syrah bottling. That same visionary team, guided by Bruce, also conceptualized and launched Insignia—a wine that would go on to change the game for California Cabernet wine blends. In 1992, Bruce left Phelps to join a then-fledgling importer: Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant. For the next 25 years, he led sales and marketing, helping to transform Kermit Lynch into one of the most iconic and respected wine importers in the world. That’s Bruce. My Wine Yoda—wise, humble, down-to-earth, and deeply insightful. His extraordinary career spans the early days of Napa Valley’s rise and extends into the revelatory world of artisanal, family-run vignerons in France and later Italy. His influence is profound and far-reaching. Bruce hasn’t been back to Hawai‘i in quite some time—and let’s be honest, none of us are getting any younger. So, this is a rare and personal opportunity. Featured Wines 2021 Carignan “Evangelho Vineyard" 100 plus year old, own rooted vines made into a homage to the world acclaimed Carignan based red wines of Maxime Magnon. 2021 (Cabernet Merlot) “Left Bank” A superbly elegant, wonderfully refined Cabernet/ Merlot blend—reminiscent of Bordeaux in style--from a parcel inundated with river stones near the creek that runs through their property. 2022 Pinot Noir “Placida" A very savory, masculine Pinot Noir made from a one acre parcel of Swan heritage vines. Stylistically it lies somewhere between the New & Old World. 2021 Chardonnay “Carneros" Crafted using the heritage “Wente clone”—stony in its core, with uplifting aromatics & Old World sensibility.. Hope to see you there.

Join us at Sera on Wednesday, July 9th for a rare, intimate tasting with one of California’s most under-the-radar wine legends: Fred Scherrer. If you look up the word vigneron in a French dictionary, it simply means “winemaker.” But for those in the know, it means much more. A vigneron is someone who lives and breathes wine—deeply rooted in the vineyard, crafting wines with intention, humility, and a sense of place. It’s not a job; it’s a life. Fred Scherrer is a true vigneron. Working mostly on his own, Fred farms his family’s vineyard in Alexander Valley and produces wine under the radar, without flash or pretense. But make no mistake—his wines are among the very best being made in California today. He excels across multiple grape varieties (a rarity), and his work with Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon places him firmly in the state’s top tier of winemakers. For this special evening, we’re clearing the table—literally. There will be no food pairings during the initial tasting. This is about slowing down, tasting wine deeply, and hearing directly from the person who made it. No distractions, no frills—just Fred, the wines, and a small group of fellow wine lovers. Fred will share the stories behind each wine, his approach to farming and winemaking, and how he’s quietly built one of the most respected portfolios in California—all while flying under the radar. Featured Wines We’ll be tasting four of Fred’s most expressive wines, including older vintages and single-vineyard bottlings: – 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon – Alexander Valley Fruit from Fred’s family vineyard, planted in the early 1990s. Classic, structured, and soulful. – 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon – Scherrer Vineyard A deeper, more layered expression of the family vines. – 2014 Pinot Noir – Russian River Valley Mature, elegant, and full of nuance—Fred’s wines age beautifully. – 2016 Pinot Noir – Platt Vineyard From one of the most prestigious sites in Sonoma, this shows why Fred is considered one of California’s top Pinot Noir producers. Optional Menu Available After the Tasting Begins While the formal tasting portion will be wine-only, we’ll open a limited à la carte menu as the evening progresses for those who’d like to linger. Think thoughtfully prepared appetizers and a choice of entrée—one pasta, one meat—priced lower than usual in case you'd like to stay, relax, and enjoy the space.