Wine educators are asked to remember an excess of wine regulations, fermentation science, and agriculture practices but for all wine professionals tasked with staying ahead of ever shortening attention spans it can be very rewarding to remember the stories we share with guests can extend beyond clusters of grapes.
The year was 1972 when founder David Stare packed his family into a mint green station wagon to begin an adventure transforming a 55-acre abandoned prune orchard into a historic winery with a remarkable five decade run.
Today many pillars of pretentiousness have crumbled in the world of wine, with a great deal of wine influencers more than happy to promote and advertise pairings aimed as being fun, approachable and inclusive for the everyday wine lover.
The promise and potential of this grape is too good to be left studying in books over being poured into wine glasses. To uncover the mystery of Meunier I sought out the producers who have never forgotten their affection and continue to bottle love letters to the grape under cork.
Inside the Santa Ynez Valley is a variety of climates, grapes and quality to be found. This diversity is what influences local winemaker and industry leader Wes Hagen to describe the Santa Ynez Valley as, “…the Loire Valley of California.”
A short drive away from Vancouver and Seattle is an emerging wine region that has started to realize the height of its potential. Just far enough away from the spotlight of attention, the vineyards in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley have been focused on proudly representing the magnificent land they are blessed to call home.
When you drink a Fiddlehead Cellars wine, you’ll notice the harmony that blends together acidity, oak and fruit, with no extreme presence of one that completely overshadows the other characteristics. This liquid excellence is brought to us by proprietor Kathy Joseph who I recently had the pleasure to taste with through an abundance of her superb wines.
Join sommelier Bryce Faucheaux as he tours the Monticello AVA of Virginia, one of the top wine growing states now home to over 300 wineries and poised to continue to expand in the future.
North Carolina always has been a beautiful part of the country, with beautiful beaches and rolling farmlands, to the scenic foothills and mountains of the Appalachian ranges.
Sanford & Benedict is considered a crown jewel vineyard, its excellence encouraging a young Santa Barbara wine region that it could produce Pinot Noir & Chardonnay grapes that would be the envy of the world of wine.
While the Court of Master Sommeliers states that only they offer a Sommelier certification, other credentials from wine education providers such as the WSET, Society of Wine Educators and Wine Scholar Guild are now accepted alternatives for employers. This has led the certification to be used as a catch all term by any wine industry professional, does it matter though?
2020, what a vintage to be alive. During this time, the wine industry is fluctuating between the dejection and fear felt by many and the optimism of hope that defines the hospitality spirit.
An overview of Mission Santa Barbara, an educational wine, food and cultural immersion into Santa Barbara County put on by the Santa Barbara Vintners. Featuring the great wines, winemakers and vineyards of Santa Barbara.
Part 2 Conclusion of the SLH Wine Artisans Tour. Continuation of the great wines and history I learned during the tour about what makes SLH a gem among California wine regions.
While on the tour our group of wine industry professionals were able to experience firsthand the climatic influences that gives SLH their distinctive tasting style for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. This article highlights some of the great wines, history, producers and vineyards of the region.
It all started in 1969 when two aerospace engineers Norman deLeuze and Gino Zepponi along with Normans wife Rosa Lee decided to make wine together. Combining their last names, which also happens to be the quality control term of zero defects used in industrial production, the winery ZD was born.
Catena Zapata has branched out in many new directions since its founding in 1902. Now customers can expect a quality Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, and Sauvignon Blanc among its different labels along with fan favorite high elevation Malbec.
Challenges to make great wine here are plentiful as climate, viticulture, and economic forces have kept the Texas wine industry from living up to its potential in the past but the future of Texas wine remains as big and bright as their stars at night.
The responsibility for success would soon fall to Alfred, enthusiastic and eager to expand the past achievements of the Château by incorporating organic and biodynamic viticulture methods to create an impressive Bordeaux Estate for the future.
Producers and lovers of the Zinfandel grape come together at the Zinfandel Advocates & Producers (ZAP) Grand Tasting to celebrate Zinfandel in all its glory. An overview of the wines, winemakers and producers at ZAP 2019
