The Doffo Family’s relationship with the Kurt Caselli Foundation dates back to 2014, when Doffo Winery and the MotoDoffo Collection served as the backdrop for the Foundation’s inaugural benefit event. In the years since we have continued to host the event, and each year it is a thrill and an honor to watch folks from all around Southern California gather to pay tribute to the man who inspired so many.
The prospect of holding large public events is uncertain at the moment, but we are looking forward to the day that we can gather together for what will be our 7th Annual Kurt Caselli Benefit. In the meantime, we have decided to release this year’s special edition Kurt Caselli tribute wine, the 66 Blend. This is a completely new creation and production was limited to 100 cases! The best part? A portion of the proceeds go directly to the Foundation!
As always, the artwork on the label tells a story. Kurt Caselli accomplished quite a bit in his short time, and one of those accomplishments is represented on this bottle with an amazing rendition of Kurt’s 2013 KTM 450 XC-F. This year’s MotoDoffo label series artist, Doug Breuninger, did an incredible job bringing it to life in his unique artistic style.
What makes this bike so special? In 2013, Kurt competed in the National Hare & Hound Championship and in the opening race of the season posted a DNF. This is not how most riders hope to start the season, but then again Kurt Caselli was not most riders, and this race showed what kind of person he really was.
Kurt got a great start that day and led for a while until he bent his rear brake disc so badly that he had to limp to the next pit, get it fixed, and get going again. While chasing down the leaders, he came upon an injured rider who had broken a leg and needed help. Without second guessing Kurt made the decision to stop and stay with the rider until help arrived. After the race, Kurt said he wasn’t worried about not scoring any points. He didn’t know at that time that he would go on to win the championship, but this is yet another example of why we remember Kurt as being an amazing person, not just as a racer.
Kurt went on to win seven of the remaining nine races that season, finishing in 2nd place in the other two. He turned the worst possible start to a season into a championship winning season, and this was the motorcycle he did it on.
2018 Kurt Caselli 66
A bright and clean ruby red in the glass, 66 greets the nose with aromas of ripe strawberries and cherries before giving way to spicier notes of mint, vanilla, caramel and roasted nuts. Smooth on the palate and easy to drink, 66 leaves a lingering aftertaste of ripe berries and oak.
Blend: 66% Malbec, 34% Syrah
When to Drink: Enjoy now or cellar age for additional 3 to 5 years.
Barrel Program: Aged 24 months in 60% new American oak and 40% new French oak
Alcohol: 13.6%
pH: 3.7
Total Acidity: 6.2 g/L
Production: 100 cases