First two releases sold out of 700 cases in three months
LAS VEGAS (Jan. 16, 2014) – MCC Hospitality Group has added Vanishing Point Winery to its impressive portfolio of award-winning food & beverage entities, including Morels French Steakhouse & Bistro at The Palazzo, Morels French Bistro & Steakhouse at The Grove, d.vino Italian Food & Wine Bar and Dragon Noodle Company at Monte Carlo, JuiceFarm, Market City Cafe and Peet’s Coffee & Tea Hawaii.
Named for the point in the day right before the sun dips below the horizon called the “vanishing point” that casts a beautiful but fleeting light on the vineyards, Vanishing Point Winery strives to craft wines that capture that brilliance and beauty.
MCC Hospitality Group partners Sal Casola, Jr. and Chipper Pastron brought on seasoned winemaker Shawn Johnson to produce the wines, combining a science foundation with his sensory skills of crafting fine wines. After starting in sales at Cottonwood Canyon Winery in Santa Maria, Johnson quickly discovered a fascination with winemaking, inspiring a move to Napa Valley to work during a grape harvest. Over the next 10 years, he ascended from a cellar worker to seasoned assistant for some of the best winemakers and labels, including Mark Herold (Kobalt, Mark Herold Wines, The Vineyardist), Rob Lawson (Ghostblock, Mirror, Pavi Wines), Merus, Buccella, Nicholson Ranch and Caldwell Vineyards, before starting making wine for other labels. He now serves as winemaker for Vanishing Point Winery, located in Yountville, Calif.
“Shawn’s extensive history with winemaking, coupled with his meticulous attention to detail, make him the perfect partner for Vanishing Point Winery,” said Casola, Jr. “He has a true talent for understanding the vines and a passion to create excellent wines.”
After selling out of 700 cases of Vanishing Point Winery’s first vintage Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in three months, Casola and Pastron decided to produce a second label under Vanishing Point Winery called Squirt Gun to release a 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon and 2012 Sauvignon Blanc. Most recently, Vanishing Point Winery released a 2012 North Coast Pinot Noir.
Distributed in California through Kimberly Jones Selections and 4Play Wine Consultants and in Nevada through Imperial Wines, Vanishing Point Winery and Squirt Gun can be ordered online atvanishingpointwinery.com and is found in fine Vegas restaurants including Bouchon Bistro, Lotus of Siam, TAO Asian Bistro, LAVO Italian Restaurant, Botero, Marche Bacchus as well as Whole Foods. The wines can also be found at Divine Bar, St. Helena Wine Center, Mercado Restaurant, Urban Kitchen Grill & Wine Bar and San Dimas Wine Shop & Tasting Room in California. Bottles range from $21-30.
About MCC Hospitality Group (MCCHG)
Based in Los Angeles with extended roots in Las Vegas and Hawaii, MCC Hospitality Group (MCCHG) is comprised of award-winning restaurants and entities including Morels French Bistro & Steakhouse at The Palazzo Las Vegas, a classic steakhouse with cuisine by Executive Chef JL Carrera and recipient of Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence since 2010; Morels French Bistro & Steakhouse at The Grove, named one of the “Best Restaurant Patios In and Around Los Angeles” by CBS Los Angeles and recipient of Wine Spectator Award of Excellence since 2001; d.vino Italian Food & Wine Bar at Monte Carlo Las Vegas, offering seasonal, farm-fresh ingredients and homemade ice cream sundaes from Executive Chef Michael Shaughnessy; Dragon Noodle Co. & Sushi Bar at Monte Carlo Las Vegas, with traditional Hong Kong-style Chinese food and sushi with quirky décor that transports diners into another world with floating baby heads and dancing bok choy; JuiceFarm in Pasadena and The Palazzo Las Vegas, offering cold-pressed juice using the highest quality organic produce; Market City Cafe in Burbank featuring old-world Italian cuisine and pizzas; Peet’s Coffee & Tea Hawaii, providing specialty coffee to raise expectations of American coffee drinkers; and Vanishing PointWinery, a winery in partnership with winemaker Shawn Johnson. Partners Sal Casola, Jr. and Chipper Pastron have more than three decades of success in the food & beverage industry and continue to build MCCHG’s portfolio with innovative and top-notch ventures. For more information, visitmcchgroup.com.