Alma Rosa Winery Current Releases © Zach Brown of Atlas Imagery

Alma Rosa Winery: The Best of Sta. Rita Hills

Although under different ownership, the backbone of Alma Rosa Winery still harks back to its beginnings with Richard Sanford, one of the pioneers of Santa Barbara Wine Country. Richard forged the roads to bring the Sta. Rita Hills on the map by establishing and planting one of the first vineyards in the area in 1971.

Ketcham Estate - Russian River Valley ©Ketcham Estate

Ketcham Estate: Highlighting California Women In Wine

Anytime is a good time to honor California women in wine. One woman, Allie Ketcham, unexpectedly fell into the wine business and has now created an all-women team. The winery is Ketcham Estate in the Russian River Valley of Sonoma. After meeting Allie, her vibrant personality reflects in her wines. Life took a big turn

Organic Wine Growing at Matthiasson Wines ©Matthiasson Wines

Matthiasson Wines: Organic Wine Growing At Its Best

Steve Matthiasson’s passion for wine began in 1995 when he was an agricultural consultant for grape, almond, and peach growers. His specialty, organic farming, brought him into the wine business through a different route. With organic agriculture engrained in his psyche, Steve wanted more. He wanted his own vineyard and established his Matthiasson Wines as

Thanksgiving 2021 Wine

Thanksgiving 2021: Eight Wines to Enrich Your Holiday Feast

It is another year to be grateful, and with Thanksgiving 2021 upon us, we must reflect on the fact that although the Pandemic is still here, we still need to be careful. This year we are able to get together with close friends and family comfortably. I think the virtually sharing of wine and meals

Panoramic View of Utopia Vineyards © Cori Solomon

Utopia Vineyards: The Best of Ribbon Ridge AVA

The smallest AVA in Oregon is Ribbon Ridge. The AVA. consists of about 5.25 miles with approximately 500 acres of vineyards located on the northeast side of the Chehalem Mountains. It is contained within the Chehalem Mountains AVA. and consists of 34 vineyards and ten wineries. Ribbon Ridge earned its designation in 2005. The most

Spring Mountain District Above the Fog © Smith-Madrone

Smith-Madrone: The Best of Spring Mountain District

As a pioneer of the Spring Mountain District in Napa Valley, Stuart Smith has seen many changes over the years. He took an entrepreneurial leap in 1971 when at age 22 years old, he purchased the 200-acre property on Spring Mountain. From its beginning to the present day, it has been a challenging endeavor, but

Terragena Off-The-Grid Winery and Vineyards

Terragena: Excelling at Off-The-Grid Wine

Discover a maverick when you meet Terragena Vineyard’s Chris Buchanan. Making a dramatic career change in 2008, Chris moved from New Orleans to Humboldt County’s Myer Flat. As a mathematical researcher, Chris was keen on creating everything from scratch. He started with nothing and ultimately developed a small limited production off-the-grid winery. It began with

Casablanca Valley

Ritual Wines: Exploring The Rituals of Organic Winemaking

A ritual is defined as a daily action performed regularly. It can be a custom, practice, or even a habit. We all have daily routines that inspire us to get through the day. During COVID, it might be the Ritual of a virtual wine tasting. We began this practice in 2020, and it will continue

Best Wine 2020

Year In Review: Best Wine 2020

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 still will be in 2021.  Wine get-togethers with friends are now virtual.  Looking back at the wine I sip throughout the

Irvine & Roberts Vineyards Ashland Winery

Irvine & Roberts Vineyards: Expressing the Splendor of this Ashland Winery

A special place defines our memories. People we meet also characterize the location and how we remember it. Often we meet people who are so hospitable and gracious, welcoming us into their home or in the case of Irvine & Roberts Vineyards, into their Ashland winery. These traits flow into their wines. It also extends

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