A winery’s history plays a crucial role in the wines it produces today. This legacy is the foundation that the forefathers of each winery give to the present-day owners. How the current generation or new owners interpret what is handed down impacts both the grapes and the winemaking process. It can also make or break
Discover the Yakima Valley, Washington State’s first AVA and what makes it home to the largest concentration of wineries and vineyards in state.
Recently, I had the opportunity to attend a tasting where I revisited the Loire Valley during an evening dinner event at The Gardens Rooftop at Petit Ermitage called Go On! Bloom Big, Explore the Loire Valley’s Cabernet Franc. My first encounter with Loire Valley Wines was in 2019 for Spring Into Loire Valley Wines. At
A wine family legacy typically continues from generation to generation. Still, what happens when you come from a well-known wine family and want to pursue a new direction forward? Take the Mirassou family, who established their winery in the Santa Clara Valley in the 1800s. Sixth-generation Steven Mirassou comes from a long-standing family in the
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 year, as they have the versatility to pair well with lighter fare. Winter’s Best
As a wine writer, 2020 took on a different significance regarding wine tasting. You might say enjoying a bottle of wine brought us to a happier place. Virtual wine tasting was the norm and will likely remain so in 2021. Wine get-togethers with friends are now virtual. Looking back at the wine I sip throughout