Leading up to Phoenix Cooks — which is a colorful landscape of ingredients, products, talents and passions designed to intrigue the palette and zest for culinary experiences put on to support the Phoenix Children’s Hospital on Saturday, September 1, 2012 at the Westin Kierland Resort & Spa in Scottsdale — we are pleased to bring you interviews with two of the specialty winemakers planning to pour at the event:

Phoenix Cooks: Concha y Toro Marques de Concha

How did the winery make its mark? What is your story?

Concha y Toro is one of Chile’s most respected producers with a wide array of offerings. In addition to wines at different price tiers, Concha y Toro is a leading “green” producer. Concha y Toro believes that minimizing environmental impact and having sustainable production processes is key to new generations of wine growers. Marques de Concha wines are of premium quality and price and regularly receive scores above 90 points from publications such as Wine Spectator, Wine Enthusiast, Wine & Spirits and others. The 2009 Marques de Concha Chardonnay was rated 90 points from Wine Spectator.

Where is it currently available in Scottsdale?

You can currently find us at the Westin Kierland, Sportsman’s Fine Wines, Total Wine and Bashas’. The wines can also be special ordered from Safeway at the Phoenix Cooks event.

What is the best Scottsdale-area event the winery has participated in?

For us, Phoenix Cooks is far and away the biggest wine event we have been a part of in all of Arizona. This is our second year!

How would you describe some of your best-selling varietals?

Concha y Toro Marques wines are world class wines within reach in a bold yet balanced style. The wines are elegant and intense and always true representations of the varietals. The Chardonnay is fermented on the lees and aged for 11 months in French oak barrels. It has aromas of pear, fig and toasty hazelnut, layers of ripe fruit and mineral flavors and a long, vibrant finish.

What will you be pouring at Phoenix Cooks?

Marques Chardonnay will be sampled at the event as well as the following Concha y Toro Wines: Casillero Cabernet, Carmemere and Sauvignon Blanc as well as Concha Y Toro Gran Reserva Sauvignon Blanc.

What are some of your personal favorite wines and wineries – besides your own?

Any well-made wine that is true to its place of origin but also fresh and exciting is of interest. The Torrontes and Malbecs from Trivento, in Argentina, especially from Amado Sur are favorites.

Phoenix Cooks: Sledgehammer Wine

How did the winery make its mark? What is your story?

Sledgehammer is a bold wine, in flavor and personality. We make wine because we like drinking wine, not because we want to talk about it! Our motto is “No Sipping. No Swirling.”

Where is it currently available in Scottsdale?

Fine wine shops and smart restaurants that like to showcase good wines without all the muss and fuss. If you can’t find it in your favorite locale, ask for it by name!

How would you describe some of your best-selling varietals?

We have a Cab so big we had a hard time fitting it in a bottle. We are also proud of developing a new style of big Zin — bold and complex. Our winemaker took no prisoners.

What will you be pouring at Phoenix Cooks?

It’s only fair we offer our Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel!

What are some of your personal favorite wines and wineries – besides your own?

We love Etude Carneros Pinot Noir – sublime and elegant. We also like Emma Pearl Chardonnay.

For more information about the Phoenix Cooks event, visit phoenixcooks.com.