Featured User: Alex Lallos

Alexander Lallos grew up a stones throw from the Pacific Ocean in Carmel Valley, CA. This is an area more known for car shows and golf courses than its small but exciting wineries, yet he was always intrigued by the ever growing local wine industry. Upon graduating from UC Santa Barbara, Alex had already traveled to Europe extensively with his father, where he immediately took note of the critical role wine played in daily life. With his historically trained eye and the desire to learn more, Alex fully immersed himself in the world of wine beginning at a Carmel Valley tasting room and from there into the cellar where he began to learn the art of winemaking from an energetic and exuberant winemaker. At the same time, Alex was learning more and more about the wines of the world from a highly esteemed local chef and mentor (Michael Jones - A Moveable Feast) armed with an artillery of knowledge (and old Boreaux) and the excitement of teaching young, dedicated individuals. Alex has taken the time to travel to Europe on multiple occasions where he has visited many wine growing regions with the intention of refining his palate and learning first hand the differences between regions. Alex now lives in Carmel Valley, CA where we works remotely with No Limit Fine Wines. Locally he runs the tasting room, wine club and marketing campaign for one of Monterey County's finest boutique wineries, Chesebro Wines in Carmel Valley. Delectable: What sparked your passion for wine? Alex Lallos: Coming from Carmel Valley California, I was always intrigued by the local wine industry, but my passion for wine really started during college, while traveling throughout Europe with my father. I saw some of the great vineyards of Germany , France and Italy , which drew me into reading more and more about wine, history and the great estates of the world. I immediately took up a career in the field. D: What wine region are you wild about right now? AL: I am absolutely nuts for Bordeaux , having traveled there for 7 consecutive en premieur campaigns. Naturally I am fond of my home 'terroir' here in Carmel Valley California as well as the Santa Lucia Highlands and Arroyo Seco AVAs which are literally my backyard. D: What is the most unusual wine you’ve ever tried? AL: The most unusual wine I have tried must be the Valentini Cerasuolo Montepulciano rosé . It is a wild wine! D: What is your golden rule for wine? AL: My golden rule for wine is drink what you enjoy and never let price be a factor (low or high). D: Say you’re not allowed to have wine, what is your second option? AL: No wine... Hmmm. I do love Chartreuse . D: Choose a movie, book, quote, or song and pair it with a wine AL: Ray Bradbury's 'Dandelion Wine' of course with Dandelion wine . It is a whimsical childhood fantasy... The way wine should be. D: If you were a wine, what wine would you be? AL: If I were a wine I would be Riesling . Versatile, nervy, energetic and never bitter.