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
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
Brian Nuss’s passion for wine came from building homes on Mount Veeder. As a general contractor, he built many homes in the bay area. Building the home for comedian/actor Robin Williams finally brought Brian to Napa Valley to live. He took his first step into vineyard management when Robin asked Brian to oversee the vineyard
From the vineyard to the winery, innovation to traditional style, Lisa Strid does it all as winemaker of Arizona Winery Aridus Wine Company in the Willcox AVA. She is the backbone of both the winery and custom crush facility. Her goal is to “usher the grape from vine to bottle.” Scott and Joan Dahmer purchased
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
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
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