L.A. WINELINE THE KING IN A BOTTLE.

Byline: - Larry Lipson

Are we ready for Blue Suede chardonnay, The King cabernet sauvignon and Jailhouse Red merlot?

Welcome to Graceland Cellars and Elvis Presley brand wines.

They've already garnered medals (one gold, one silver and one bronze) at three respected wine competitions (Dallas Morning News, Riverside International and International Eastern).

According to its press notices, Elvis wines are in 25 states (includes California) and run around $12 a bottle.

As part of the Signature Wines group, information on them can be had by visiting www.signaturewines.com/retail.

But remember, they're wines and should never be ``All Shook Up.''

PERSIA VIA NAPA: Napa Valley's Persian connection, Darioush Winery, has unveiled its new facility at 4240 Silverado Trail, its design inspired by Persopolis, the capital of ancient Persia.

Winery owners Darioush and Shahpar Khaledi, who produce Bordeaux-style estate wines, had their 22,000-square-foot winery designed by architects Ardeshir and Roshan Nozari. It features 16 free-standing columns, each 18 feet in height at the entrance. Information on tours and tastings: [phone].

ITALIAN BARGAIN: This week's bargain wine is a sprightly white from Umbria in Italy called Dubini Bianco by Palazzone, a Marc de Grazia selection, a blend of 60 percent trebbiano grapes and a handful of other white varietals. Sharp, stony and tart, it's a worthy companion to calamari fritti, one of America's favorite Italian appetizers.

You'll find it at Liquid Wine & Spirits, 10100 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Chatsworth, [phone], for the bargain price of $7.39.

ALL ABOUT PINOT: Pinot noir lovers will be gathering for Sonoma County's Pinot on the River Festival Oct. 29-31 at the Retreat Resort & Spa in Guerneville.

Some 25 small pinot noir producers will participate. They include such labels as Williams-Selyem, Merry Edwards, Landmark, Morgan, La Crema, Kosta Browne, Papapietro Perry, Iron Horse, Testarossa, Tandem, Sapphire Hill, Roessler Cellars, DuNah and J.

Information: [phone] or visit www. pinotfestival.com.

SIPS & NIBBLES: Speaking of good pinot noirs, the Rodney Strong 2001 Jane's Vineyard Reserve rendition tied with the David Bruce 2002 as best in the state at the California State Fair. ... Paso Robles shows off its wines Oct. 15-17 at the Paso Robles Vintners and Growers Association's Harvest Wine Tour 2004. Information: [phone] or visit www.pasowine.com, hit the ``events'' link, then ``festivals.'' ... You might expect an orange-flavored liqueur or vodka in an orange-hued bottle, but a red wine? Yep, believe it or not, that's the bottling for a new Italian shiraz-merlot blend on the shelves by Luna di Luna priced at around $9.99. ... Know the difference between decanting and aerating? The former is for older wines, poured slowly into a decanter to leave the sediment in the bottle. The latter is for young wines to get plenty of air, done quickly with splashing and swirling permitted, allowing the wine to open up in a hurry, release its flavors and aromas for the drinker's immediate benefit.

Larry Lipson, [phone]

larry.lipson(at)dailynews.com