This year’s WineLA event, Stars of Cabernet had more meaning than usual. After the devastating wildfires hit Northern California especially wine country, it amazed me to see the turn out of wineries producing Cabernet Sauvignon participating from those ravaged areas. Supporting these efforts to help victims of those fires, the silent auction benefitted Habitat for
I think Rosé describes the best type of wine to enjoy during the summer months. Something about Rosé wine speaks to warm weather, days filled with sunshine, outdoor eating, and barbecues. Perhaps its refreshing crispness or the flavors of summer fruits like strawberries, raspberries, watermelon, and stone fruits like peaches, apricots, and nectarines help define
Many prominent female winemakers are making their mark on an industry that was established predominately by men. One such woman is Pam Starr of Crocker & Starr has an affinity for Cabernet Franc. The winery is celebrating their 20th year of producing wine, which shows the prowess and stamina of the woman behind this winery.
Yearning to discover a new winery can be the most intriguing part of attending a wine tasting, and this year’s Stars of Cabernet, presented by WineLA, provided an opportunity to experience some superb wines from wineries not yet on Written Palette’s radar. There were six wineries that made an impression, along with one old favorite.
Like the winery’s name, the Rarecat Saint-Emilion is a rarity for both Rarecat Wines and the California wine industry. The story behind this wine is also something unique that signifies the philosophy of winery owner Sharon Kazan Harris. Rarecat Wines are defined as single-vineyard wines that often do not reveal themselves all at once as
Life takes many twists and turns, and for many winemakers, their career beginnings drove them down quite a different path. Besides the approach to winemaking, it is this past that can also define the future of their style of winemaking and especially true for Tony Arcudi, Arcudi Wines. Being of Italian descent, Tony grew up
Our lives take different paths and as we maneuver down each road we traverse, it establishes how we come to know the people we encounter along the way. Such is the case with John and Tracey Skupny, owners of Lang & Reed Wine Company in St. Helena, California. Our friendship came about through a common
One of the beauties of wine is its ability to age and develop over time. For a wine writer, it is a delight when a winery offers to let you explore some of there oldies and in the case of wine goodies. The best way to observe this maturity and development is a vertical wine
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. In the case of Rarecat Wines it is the splendor of the wine and the female inspiration behind these wines, including the Chardonnay. For Sharon Kazan Harris, owner of Rarecat Wine, it is about that rare exquisiteness that can be found when you least expect it. Sometimes