Cass Vineyard and surrounding foothills of Paso Robles AVA 2018 and 2019 vintages shine, while many in Napa hang dry 2020 for insurance The 2022 wine and field report consists of tastings across 12 AVAs from Temecula to Paso Robles and into Napa and Sonoma Valleys. The tastings cover over 50 wines with 25 specific …
Field Report from Santa Barbara County: Rockets Red Wines
The town of Los Alamos lies in North Santa Barbara County along the Highway 101 that stretches along the coast of California. Once you exit US-101 onto CA-135 you have a choice: north to Vandenberg AFB or south into town along the old road that once was a stagecoach route. It is this point of …
Continue reading "Field Report from Santa Barbara County: Rockets Red Wines"
Alexander Valley Vineyards: An Old Schoolhouse, New Directions and a Dog named Cocoa too
The old schoolhouse was built over 150 years ago and sits on a hill overlooking the Alexander Valley and California highway 128. It's July in the early summer growing season and the grapevines are lush with clusters pre-veraison, cared for by the waters coming from the top of the Mayacamas Mountains that the land is …
Willamette Valley Sparkles with 2015 and 2016 Vintage Offerings
Summertime is a beautiful time in Oregon. Portland showcases the Waterfront Blues Festival. The Coast radiates expressions of glory with each beach sunset. As part of our family vacation we took a day to taste some of the newer vintage offerings from Willamette Valley winemakers. The 2015 vintage was nearly perfect condition for the region. …
Continue reading "Willamette Valley Sparkles with 2015 and 2016 Vintage Offerings"
FLX: The Dry Summer Days of Riesling
The road up County Route 76 slopes gradually north and with a grade, as if the car is heading towards some ramp on a monster truck rally. Outside the window the summer greenery is at its peak splendor. I pass old storage houses and garages that present carcasses of withered single row fishing boats - …
A Day in Graves with St Jeanne de Lestonnac
It was a beautiful day as good as any early spring day could be in Bordeaux. We were en route to Sauternes and Graves and had an opportunity to add a tasting before most of the local chateaus rolled up their doors before the 5 o'clock hour. Several inquiries went to voicemail until we reached …
Continue reading "A Day in Graves with St Jeanne de Lestonnac"
Winter in Santa Ynez
While winter is hardly peak season in the California Central Coast, it can offer the brave and determined a rare glimpse of several wine areas. Our recent foray up the coast to the Santa Ynez Valley offered just such an occasion. Quiet, warm fireplaces and very few crowds are your reward during this off season. …
My Irish Cream Holiday Recipe
Very popular every year! My business school friend years ago - Irish by pride and custom - gave me her recipe. What a great friend! This is my holiday gift to all of my friends ... 1 qt whipping cream (use the heavy cream, so much better) 1 qt half and half 1 can sweetened …
Michigan Wine Industry: From Freeze to the Future
Several Michigan wineries have made comeback efforts after two profoundly poor vintages of low harvest and severe stock damage to multiple vineyards across several AVAs. The early 2017 vintages show promise, as do a number of off-varietal 2016 bottlings that suggest a certain directional influence of what we might expect in the future particularly from …
Continue reading "Michigan Wine Industry: From Freeze to the Future"
Reflections from Bretagne
Summer is a great time to visit France. Whether you are going to Paris or a regional destination like the Cote d' Azure, France - particularly in the early shoulder season - offers much to the gastronomic delight. And of course the wine. So. Much. Wine. (Thank you anonymous colleague, you know you are.) Such …
StonewoodWine 