The Garagiste Festival Urban Exposure is quickly approaching in Los Angeles at Union Station on July 12, 2014. As a preview, A Taste of Garagiste showcased three wineries participating in the Urban Exposure wine tasting at the Bar & Garden in Culver City. The wineries, which all produce small lot handcrafted wines, were Ascension Cellars, … Read more
World Malbec Day is April 17, 2014. As the day celebrating this exceptional varietal approaches, I reminisce about my adventures in Argentina, a trip made possible by Uncorking Argentina. This journey enabled me to expand my knowledge as well as to identify Argentine wine. Argentine Wine Although I imbibed Torrentes, Cabernet, and Bonarda, it is … Read more
In this day and age, many wineries choose to utilize green practices in both the winery and vineyard. Biodynamic is an old principle but is a newer philosophy of farming for many wineries. As Down To Earth Month slowly comes to a close, there is another Wine Institute member that is Demeter Certified Biodynamic that … Read more
Throughout April many wineries have been and will be participating in the Wine Institute’s Earth Month festivities celebrating the California Wine industry’s eco-friendly practices. One event that I was able to attend was the Buttonwood Farm Winery Scavenger Hunt and Brunch on April 13, 2014. The weather was gorgeously clear over the Santa Ynez Valley … Read more
Since the Wine Institute has designated April as Earth Month, I am exploring wineries that utilize sustainable practices in most aspects of their grape growing and winemaking process. Each winery employs its own set of standards and principles to attain its goal of sustainability. One winery determined to pave the way to establishing a strong … Read more
The Garagiste Festival is the place to discover the latest boutique wineries that have emerged on the California scene. These are the innovators in the field, the new kids on the block, hoping to make their imprint on the wine industry. I enjoy discovering these new wineries because one can find some real surprises. The … Read more
Sometimes the most impromptu situations lead to wonderful outcomes. That was the case when winemaker Karen Steinwachs heard I was in Solvang for the day and invited me at the last minute to Buttonwood Winery pick up party. It was an invite I could not decline. The Buttowood Farm Winery & Vineyard is situated amongst … Read more
Opportunities come in many forms, and when you are a wine lover, it could be experiencing wines from a new region. In my case, the door opened for me to discover a Greek winery. The wines were those of Domaine Porto Carras. Macedonia In Greece, there are 330 varietals of which only seventy-eight are imported. … Read more
Is it the key to opening the door or just pushing the door ajar? In the case of Crawford Family Wines, it is both. The key is the branding symbol of the winery, but it is also the key to an opportunity to taste some fantastic wines. The door is something both Mark and Wendy … Read more
The Sierra Foothills presents itself as a sleepy wine community but therein lies some fabulous wineries creating many marvelous wines. One such winery, Boeger Winery represents one of the pioneers in El Dorado County. Established in 1973, owner Greg Boeger aspired to bring diversity of styles and varietals to this area just northeast of Sacramento. … Read more