Hayley Hamilton loves wine, and she wants you to love it, too. Four years ago Hamilton started Dallas Uncorked, a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating Dallasites about the nuances of
wine. For all you wine lovers, Hamilton is throwing a birthday fete for her brainchild on Thursday at Candleroom in Dallas.
— Sarah Scott
Staff photo: Chris McGathey
Four years ago, Hamilton started Dallas Uncorked, a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating Dallasites about the nuances of wine.
Why did you decide to start this organization?
I had been actively involved in the Dallas chapter of Wine Brats, a nationwide nonprofit wine appreciation organization
targeted to 20-somethings. When the chapter folded in early 2004, I realized there wasn’t a club or membership organization to take its place. Also at the time, Dallas was lacking in great wine bars. That has
obviously changed now with The Wine Therapist, Vino 100, Chateau Wine Market/Bodega Bar, and others popping up around Dallas. Wine enthusiasts could buy a bottle in a restaurant or find nice selections in
several Dallas liquor stores; but they didn’t have a place to taste new or exotic wines in a relaxed setting and, perhaps more importantly, to learn about and discuss varietals with experts and other
aficionados. There was a demand in the Dallas marketplace for wine education, especially in a social setting. I wanted to offer members an entertaining educational and networking experience. I wanted to make
wine education accessible to both aficionados and novices, singles and couples, in every age range. I wanted to give members the opportunity to taste new varietals and discover wineries off the beaten path.
How did you become interested in wine? It’s hard to say when or where I was when I really got into wine. I didn’t open a bottle of Château Margaux or Cheval Blanc and
exclaim “this is it, I love wine.” I had to devote time to learning about and promoting wine, though I have had many influences. I grew up in an eccentric family of writers and restaurateurs, foodies and
gourmets, who believed you needed to try everything, and even if you didn’t like it you would have had the experience. This led me to try escargot (which at age 7 only looked like tiny oily footballs to me),
beef bourguignon, pate, roast lamb, lobster, caviar, beautiful cheeses, and every vegetable and herb that could be grown in our family garden. And during my impressionable years, I watched my family enjoy these
sumptuous foods with wine, and I took a sip or two occasionally myself — for the experience.
What do you enjoy most about Dallas Uncorked? The passion that I have for wine exudes in every aspect of growing this organization. I personally like to focus on the
smaller, boutique wineries or regions that are not overly commercialized. The ability to teach our members about regions, wineries, and grapes that they may otherwise never hear about is very fulfilling. It is
the best nonprofit organization in the world; I can teach people about wine in a fun, relaxed setting that inspires conversation. Plus, I love to throw a good party.
Why is your organization nonprofit? We are a 501c3 not-for-profit organization that is an educational society. Our main goal is to educate. We do, however, benefit
various charities that we feel are important to our community, like the North Texas Food Bank, which will receive a portion of our proceeds from our anniversary celebration on Thursday. Every $1 donated to the
food bank turns into $10 worth of food for needy families in North Texas. We see this as one of the most deserving charities in our area.
What’s the most surprising thing to come out of Dallas Uncorked? Starting Dallas Uncorked helped spur a deeper interest for me in wine. It led me to receive my Wine
Fundamentals Certification from the International Sommelier Guild. The organization has received such a strong response from our Dallas community. It brought me amazing friendships with many key restaurateurs
and wine representatives, like dear friends Shawn Horne of Kitchen 1924, Andrew Ormsby of Andrew Ormsby Catering, and Stewart Elliott Jr. of Bottled Poetry Imports, a growing import/distribution company here in
Dallas that focuses on family-owned, small-production wineries in Argentina. Mainly it has deepened my love for learning about and teaching about wine. I had the opportunity to travel to Argentina earlier this
year and visit some of these family-owned wineries. The passion and love these winemakers have for their craft is transcendent. One in particular, Walter Bressia of Bressia Winery in Mendoza, was truly moving;
hearing him talk about his vines and his wine was inspiring.
Do you have any advice for those looking to start a wine collection? Small production, small production, small production. Find the winery that is not overly
commercialized, or even the wine that may come from the large production winery that is their special, reserve wine. I have found that some of the best wine comes from the smallest yields. When you have a
limited amount of grapes to work with, the opportunity to develop something really special is elevated. It may cost you a bit more, but the flavors, aromas, and body you will find in the wine you will pay for
itself, times 10.
Tell us something most people don’t know about you? I am a huge Cirque du Soleil fan. The combination of art, music, costume, incredible acrobatic talent, and
mystical story lines transports the audience to a magical place.
Posted on February 29th, 2008 3:17pm by Sarah Eveans
Dallas Uncorked is one of those organizations I’d like to know more about. For example, how many cute,
single, normal guys attend the events? Well, either way I’m sold, because drinking wine with a bunch of
other people who like to drink wine is what I do most weekends anyway. The group’s fourth birthday is
on April 17, and they’re having a bash at Candleroom (raise it!), complete with wine (duh) and food from
Andrew Ormsby Catering and TUCKER Restaurant. And gifts too, for us! I like those kind of birthdays.
Meet our newest columnist-- The Vine Voice
It is hard to say when or where I was when I really got into wine. I didn’t open
a bottle of Château Margaux or Cheval Blanc and exclaim this is it, I love wine. I had to devote my time to learning about and promoting wine….though I have had many influences including my
favorite, Niebaum-Coppola Rubicon, preferably 1997.
I grew up in an eccentric family of writers and restaurateurs that believed you
needed to try everything, and even if you didn’t like it you would have had the experience. This led me to trying escargot (which at age seven only looked like snails to me), Beef Bourguignon,
brussel sprouts, pate, roast lamb and every vegetable and herb that could be grown in an Arkansas garden. And, during my impressionable years I watched my family enjoy these sumptuous foods with wine, and took
a sip or two occasionally myself – for the experience.
I continued to develop this interest in food and wine while working in restaurants through my college years at TCU in Fort Worth, and out in the real world, or at least Uptown Dallas. Being a novice chef, I have developed an interest in
the combination of food and wine, and the affect that opening one wine vs. another will have on the flavors of the food you are enjoying. This led to a fascination and eventual passion about
wine. Several years ago I became involved with the now defunct organization, Wine Brats, becoming the Dallas Chapter leader in 2003. When the organization closed their local chapters I decided
I wasn’t ready to stop educating the people of Dallas about wine, and I began Dallas Uncorked.
Dallas Uncorked just celebrated its second anniversary as a 501c3 not for profit organization for wine edification, devoted to bringing informative, beneficial, entertaining and unique wine
events to our community. Our hope is to enlighten and educate our members, whether they are the aficionado or the novice, in a relaxed unpretentious atmosphere. Our membership is free, our
members pay only for the events they are able to attend, and we currently have over 1200 members.
My goal when starting Dallas Uncorked was to hold monthly tastings or dinners for our organization, and introduce varietals, regions and wineries that are not mainstream. I love finding that
one special bottle of wine that comes from unexplored regions or unheard of varietals. For instance, I have become a huge fan of the Cannonau grape from Sardinia. It is a well rounded varietal similar to a Pinot Noir, so it matches well with various foods and is soft enough to drink on
its own.
I completed my wine fundamentals training with the sommelier program from the International Sommelier Guild last summer. When I enrolled in the course I wasn’t sure exactly what to expect. I
knew I loved wine and I had started a business focused on it, but this was a big step for me to take, having a full time job to do in addition to Dallas Uncorked. How lucky I was to enroll when
I did! Experiencing the training not only made me a better businesswoman for Dallas Uncorked, but it also opened my eyes (and palate) to a whole new set of varietals I never knew existed, like
the Cannonau.
From this course I learned the process for growing grapes, making wine and the reasons behind various actions. We sampled wine from France, Italy, Germany, Greece, Australia, New York, Texas, etc. Old and New World wines were discussed and tasted, discovering how the land, the climate, the soil, the slope of the land
and the actual grape varietal all play a part in the way a wine will taste. It was fascinating! And though the process was intense, it was also wonderfully enlightening. Now, anyone who talks
to me for more than two seconds can see the passion I have for wine, it is much more than just grape juice in a glass.
As "The Vine Voice", I am delighted to now bring tips, recommendations and reviews to this forum. By reading these weekly columns I hope you’ll enjoy learning about different regions and
varietals, pick up tips on great wine stores and restaurants in Dallas, and to help you find some new favorites to enjoy on your own special occasions, whether that be an anniversary, promotion
or Saturday night at home with your sweetie!
I would also love to answer your questions and can be reached through Dallas Uncorked,
Hayley@dallasuncorked.orgFor
more information on Dallas Uncorked and for information on our May 23 event with Bertani Wine at the Grotto Restaurant, please
visit our website, www.dallasuncorked.org.
Cheers,
Hayley Hamilton
"The Vine Voice"
Founder/President – Dallas Uncorked
Dallas Uncorked and its wine loving members celebrated the group’s 2nd anniversary
this past Thursday, April 13th, evening at Candleroom. Dedicated to providing an outlet for both the sophisticated wine aficionado and the curious novice, this group caters to those who want to further
their knowledge and appreciation of wine in an informative, casual, and social atmosphere. And while I was there to simply un”wine”d after work, I was pleasantly surprised at the extensive research into wineries,
varietals, pairings and the art of tasting that went into this delightful event.
I went for both an Old World and a New World wine and sampled both the Mezzacorona Pinot Grigio from Italy and the Septima Malbec/Cabernet Sauvignon from Mendoza, Argentina. The Pinot was floral and apple-y with just a touch of spice. It was quite substantial and buttery on the tongue and went great with a
couple of soft cheeses. The Malbec/Cabernet blend was a fruit basket in the mouth… plums, cherries, and various berries with a roasted peppery finish and was delicious with some roasted red meats.
The Candleroom event was hosted by the group’s founder, Hayley Hamilton. An enthusiastic wine lover, Ms. Hamilton has recently earned the
International Sommelier Guild’s Wine Fundamentals Certification and her huge passion for wine drives her to bring unique boutique wineries to Dallas’ attention. She comes from a family with a passion for wine and, being a big “foody”, the relationship between wine and food is simple and complex
with both elements encompassing the potential to create a virtual orchestra of dining delights. Looking forward to teaching, learning about, and enjoying wine with fellow Dallas Uncorked members, Ms. Hamilton
ensures that each event brings something fresh and exciting to the growing membership.
Upcoming events are on May 23, from 6:30pm to 8:30pm, tasting Bertani wines with Palm Bay Imports at Grotto Restaurant on Pearl Street in Uptown. June’s event will be a Wine Basics
101 Class at the Wine Therapist in Lakewood which will be the kickoff to a series of classes to learn more about what you’ve been missing in the land of the vines.
Dallas Uncorked is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization for wine edification, devoted to bringing informative, beneficial, entertaining and
unique wine events to the community. With a over 1200 member database, new membership is free; you simply pay for the events you attend.
www.dallasuncorked.org
PARTY GIRLS:
Dallas Uncorked founder Hayley Hamilton
(left) and treasurer Nancy Eckhardt.
The room is buzzing with wine lovers of all
ages as another meeting of DALLAS UNCORKED gets off to a schmoozingly
good start. Wine club founder HAYLEY
HAMILTON circles the room, greeting
guests with a sparkling smile and child-like
enthusiasm. Hamilton’s no wine snob. She
didn’t start the club to pontificate on the
mysteries of the vine. Her love of wine and
passion for learning inspired her to gather
like-minded people to sip and chat. “And I
throw a good party,” she says, laughing.
The club celebrates its first anniversary this
month. In one year, Dallas Uncorked has
attracted 800 members and has hosted events at
some of the hottest venues in Dallas,
including Samba Room, Sense, Wine Therapist,
and Sevy’s. No two events are alike: one might
be a champagne tasting with six distinct
flavor profiles; another could be a casual
tasting with a winemaker over hors d’oeuvres.
But the goal is always to learn and have fun.
Experience levels vary among members, but that
doesn’t stop the conversation as they share
notes. “There’s vanilla in the finish,” says
one. “This would be great with a thick steak,”
says another. At a recent tasting with Puerto
Viejo owner Santiago Achurra, members tasted a
Chardonnay and a Cabernet Sauvignon that wowed
’em with their modest price tags—less than $10
each. Both wines exemplify the quality and
value available from Chilean wineries. (Look
for these wines at most Albertson’s.)
You can jump right in the mix at the next
Dallas Uncorked event. Membership is free, but
there’s generally a small fee—between $15 and
$40—to cover the cost of the event. Help
celebrate Uncorked’s anniversary on April 18
with a happy hour, complete with appetizers
and half-price wines, at Il Sole (4514 Travis
St., Ste. 201. 214-559-3888). A $15 “cover” is
requested, and a portion of the proceeds from
the birthday bash will be donated to a local
charity. For more information, go to
www.dallasuncorked.org. —Julie
Blacklidge
BUBBLES AND BIRTHDAY CAKE
MON, APR 18
by JB Hayes
Dallas Uncorked
celebrated its first birthday at Il Sole on Monday night with Hayley Hamilton,
founder,
and Nancy Eckhardt and Anne Smith, board members, glowing with pride. The
weather was perfect
for a patio party as 80 wine lovers toasted the milestone.
Several men about town were spotted around the room-Dallas Observer's food
critic Mark Stuertz
and lawyer Dean Tailor stopped by as did Dallas newcomer Stephen Tann. He
complimented the
organization's choice of venues and said he looked forward to the next event at
Hibiscus on May 16.
Sea blue was the dominant color of attire as hosts Hayley and Nancy set the
trend sporting trendy
blue tops. Guest Sandie White wore a sexy sundress in the same shade while
others accessorized
with blue shoes and handbags.
Devoted friends and head turners Stephanie Trest and Sherri Haskins worked the
room.
Entrepreneurs, take note: hire your hottie friends. They not only know how to
make you look even
better, guests feel more connected knowing someone who knows someone. Always
adorable Devon
Meeks was seen chatting with gal pals Erin Cohen and Sarah Mathieu as they
sipped wines from
around the globe.
Dallas Morning News
Tasting Notes: Dallas' Wine Brats: Uncorked
April 7, 2004
When Wine Brats announced that it was disbanding local chapters so it
could plan all events from its national headquarters in California, some
members of the Dallas team decided to venture out and start their own
group.
Toward that end, they created Dallas Uncorked, a nonprofit organization
that's planning wine tastings, dinners, happy hours, seminars and more —
organized from the grass-roots level, according to lead instigator and
former Wine Brats Dallas chapter leader Hayley Hamilton. The new group
will focus on lesser-known boutique wines, she says.
The group's kickoff event is a Tuscan wine tasting featuring Montellori
winemaker Giuseppe Nieri on April 22 at Arcodoro & Pomodoro, 2708 Routh
St. Chef-owner Francesco Farris will prepare appetizers matched to the
wines. Time is 6 to 8 p.m. Cost is $35 advance, $40 at the door; for
tickets log on to
www.tix.com. For information on Dallas Uncorked, e-mail
dallas_uncorked@yahoo.com;
there's no fee to join.
Send mail to
info@dallasuncorked.org
with
questions or comments about Uncorked or this web site.
Uncorked encourages moderation and responsible drinking. Each guest to an Uncorked event agrees to drink responsibly and further agrees
that the purchase of a ticket to or their attendance at an Uncorked event constitutes an acknowledgement that Dallas Uncorked, Inc. and its agents, representatives, officers & directors shall not be liable
for any injuries or property damages suffered by or from the actions of any guest while attending or traveling to and from an Uncorked event.
You must be 21 years old to attend Dallas Uncorked events.
Updated June 29, 2008
