This article is an excerpt from an article on Santa Maria wines I wrote for Wander with Wander in November. The article takes us on a journey through the generations of the Ontiveros family who helped develop the Santa Maria Valley. The history of Santa Maria involves the story of the Ontiveros family, the Ranchos
From space to the Newburg vineyard, life has taken many spins around this earth for Don Hagge of Vidon Vineyard. Visiting his hideaway gem of a vineyard with its magnificent views of the Willamette Valley, one would never know that Don had played a specific role in the Apollo space mission. You might call Don
Recently a group of wine writers met with Jean-Nicolas Méo of Domaine Méo Camuzet and Jay Boberg former music director turned Oregon winery owner to discover the Willamette Valley Pinot Noir of Domaine Nicolas-Jay. You might say these two are the newer kids on the block in the Willamette Valley. Of course, they are not novices
For many, traveling with our pets is the optimal way to tour the country. We love having our furry friends tag along and partake in our experiences. Often, our canine kids are happier joining us than being stuck in a kennel or at home with a pet sitter. Being a wine enthusiast, I have discovered
When first meeting Jim Kimmel, one immediately senses his commitment to his family, relatives, the cattle ranch his father and mother, Ed and Lillian Kimmel began in 1963 and the grapes he grows in the vineyard. It is about continuing the family heritage, now seeing its 4th generation. It is carrying on the legacy that
A vineyard is like a puzzle. Each block represents one of the pieces, and those, in turn, form a pattern that becomes the plot plan of the vineyard. There is a mystique behind the vineyard and every vine until each vintage comes to full fruition. In the case of Newton Vineyard, the puzzle has many