As the Thanksgiving Holiday approaches, many contemplate the best wine to serve to make our Thanksgiving feast memorable. Halleck Vineyard, a small Sebastopol winery, comes to mind. Many of their wines lend themselves to creating a unique and excellent accompaniment to the Thanksgiving dinner. Not only does the wine lend itself to the cuisine, but
When thinking about New Zealand wine, one typically thinks of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. My mind immediately goes to the grassy and grapefruit aromas of the Sauvignon Blanc and the minerally character of the wine. Such was the case when I had the privilege of meeting Winemaker Natalie Christensen and tasting Yealands
Many people are unaware that there is an AVA on the East Bay of San Francisco. The Lamorinda AVA, a hidden gem, is part of the Central Coast and San Francisco Bay AVAs. Located in Contra Costa County, the Lamorinda AVA encompasses the cities of Lafayette, Moraga, and Orinda. Let’s discover more about this little-known
Each glass of wine we drink takes us on an excursion to some of the most incredible wine destinations worldwide. We live vicariously through the glass. For this article, let’s travel to Burgundy to discover a six-generation family that has made their mark on Burgundian wine, Albert Bichot. The Albert Bichot Family Family roots go
From grandfather to grandson, Piedra Creek Winery represents one of the smallest bonded wineries in the Edna Valley. Today, the winery is known primarily for producing Lagrein, a red grape variety from the Alto Adige region of Italy. The production might be small, but the wines are mighty in their own right. Romeo Zuech Founder
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.
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
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
In 2011 I first visited the Dierberg Star Lane Winery winemaking facility. At the time, I was duly impressed with the grandeur of this iconic property. Several years after that visit, I traveled back to Hermann, Missouri, to observe Dierberg’s other production house and the philanthropy Jim Dierberg extended in revitalizing the history and the
As September and California Wine Month come to a close, one winery deserves the honor of being recognized as a pioneer and leader in sustainability while pushing forward with an innovative mindset. That winery Rodney Strong Vineyards played an essential role in establishing Sonoma County. Observing the growth and alterations made over the years becomes