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. …
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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 …
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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 …
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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 …
Exploring the De Portola Wine Trail
2018 Brought New Adventures Along the De Portola Wine Trail in Temecula January is a great time of the year to be in Southern California, particularly if you are from the Midwest and the temperatures are hovering somewhere between "where atoms stop moving" and freezing. This year, our Temecula wine adventures focused on what I …
Fall Season Means Oven Roasted Tomatoes
Hello Fall! It's time to get on the #OvenRoastedTomatoes! Our Roma #tomatoes surged the last few weeks and the first batch of 50 🍅 are ready for brining and roasting. Super super easy and fills the house with those end of #summer smells! #Recipe: 20 firm ripe Romas 1/4 cup olive oil 2 tbs balsamic …
StonewoodWine 