It takes many people to establish an AVA. One man, Michael Larner, was instrumental in getting the Ballard Canyon AVA off the ground. Michael’s background, love of wine, and his family vineyard, Larner Vineyard and Winery, all played a part in establishing one of the smallest AVAs in Santa Barbara County. Ballard Canyon AVA Established
From a dying vineyard in the 1800s, Ehlers Estate in St. Helena has transformed into a renowned winery encompassing the legacy of Jean and Sylviane Leducq and their Leducq Foundation, as well as their predecessors, Bernard and Anne Ehlers. For Laura Diaz Munoz, General Manager and winemaker, the estate exemplifies a dream come true. The
My last visit with Titus Vineyards was in 2019 when this Napa Valley winery celebrated fifty years of growing grapes in the Napa Valley. Recently I met with Eric Titus and sampled the wines harvested in 2019. The vintage is one of Titus Vineyards’ best; therefore, the fifty-year celebration is still being honored today as
Labor Day signifies the end of summer, al fresco dining, and barbeques. As we say goodbye to summer, we often ponder which red wine will go best as a send-off of the season. Here are my Labor Day 2021 red wine selections to help celebrate the holiday barbeque fanfare. Labor Day 2021 Pinot Noir Landmark
Moving into spring, let us take one last look at this winter’s best red wine for 2021. These wines can go with a hearty stew, a steak, lamb, or even pork. Many of these wines are suitable for any time of the year as they have the versatility to lend themselves to a lighter fare.
As a wine writer, 2020 took on a different significance in terms of wine tasting. You might say enjoying a bottle of wine brought us to a happier place. Virtual wine tasting was the norm and still will be in 2021. Wine get-togethers with friends are now virtual. Looking back at the wine I sip
Cabernet Franc Day, December 4th, has come and gone. However, the wine Dracaena Cabernet Franc Classic and Reserve I enjoyed during a Grand Reserve Rewards Wine Tasting for this special day are still available. Owners Lori and Michael Budd would be excited for you to experience and learn why they love Cabernet Franc so much.
Diversity of grape varieties is one of the best ways to describe Loire Valley wines. Spring to Loire 2019 presented a trade tasting with three seminars, led by Matthew Kaner, focused on France’s most diverse wine region. Not only does one find diversity of grapes in the region but diversity of the climate and soils.
A winemaker’s passion is ever-evolving. That love can situate them anywhere in the United States or the world. I never thought I would find a true passion for the art of wine in New Berlin, Illinois, an area just outside of Illinois’ capital, Springfield, but I did when I met Susan Danenberger of Danenberger Family
They say the bells toll three times a day; morning, midday, and night, symbolizing the beginning and end of the workday and calling people to pray in what is known as the Angelus prayer. The story goes on to say that the chimes could be heard in the vineyards from the neighboring church. Presently this