Earliest History of Grape Growing in Suisun Valley
[Image courtesy of Gary Mangels] Mae Fisher Purcell wrote for the Eighteenth Anniversary Edition And All County Chamber of Commerce Atlas of Solano County, Information-Section 4-1935, in a story entitled, “Claus Mangels Renowned Solano Winery and Notable Estate is Beauty Spot of Suisun Valley: When Omar Khayyam, poet-tentmaker, wrote in his immortal Rubalyat the lines… [...]
The Butcher, the Baker, and the Local Winemaker ~ Lost in Time
Once upon a time, ages ago, like in the early 1900s, villages in France had their own winemakers. In the southwest region of France, in the Bay of Arcachon, there was (and still is) a small community called “Arcachon.” This commune in the Gironde department, was about 40 miles southwest from the heart of Bordeaux. [...]
The Relationship Between a Winemaker and a Vineyard Grower: The Vineyard Gets the Last Laugh, “Steve Hall”
[Off the record: Steve Hall reminds me of a "Fred Rogers" kind of winemaker, and I mean that in the kindest and gentlest of ways.] Steve has that very easy, very comfortable way about him; and he uses that accessible trait to describe meticulous details of his craft… Namely: working with vineyard owners being at [...]
David Mounts talks about how to grow world class wine grapes in the heart of Dry Creek Valley,
In keeping with Wine Blog’s dedication to oral journals from winemakers, this is the second part of a four part series with David Mounts. My reason for breaking up these videos is because I’m acutely aware that no one has the time to sit through a 30 to 40 minute video during the day. That [...]
Canopy management, shoot position, cluster separation, by David Mounts
In keeping with Wine Blog’s dedication to oral presentations by winemakers, this video is very informative with answers from David Mounts of Mounts Family Vineyards. Coming from his family vineyards in Dry Creek Valley, owned by his father Richard Mounts, David had the advantage of going to UC Davis. This was to not only learn [...]
Winemaker Video Series ~ Gustafson Family Vineyards with Emmett Reed and Dan Gustafson
Did you know wine makes a great gift for any occasion? Last Friday, I featured Gustafson Family Vineyards with winemaker Emmett Reed in Dan Gustafson’s Petite Sirah block. This Friday, it’s the other half of that interview, with Jose Diaz and Emmett taking it to the wine cellar to talk about Gustafson’s 2010 Petite Sirah [...]
Winemaker Video Series ~ Gustafson Family Vineyards with Emmett Reed
Gustafson Family Vineyard has been a favorite on Wine-Blog, because both owner Dan Gustafson and winemaker Emmett Reed have gone out of their way to over deliver. Both articulate gentlemen are very eager to share. Some people are just easy to be around, and that would be Dan and Emmett. There’s never been a time [...]
Napa Valley Harvest Is Going “Live” Starting Today Through Saturday
Having worked with Randy Hall and Christophe Smith, during Concannon Vineyard‘s Annual Petite Sirah Symposiums, I’m very excited about this Live presentation of Napa Valley in Harvest. Harvest is the most exciting time during the entire growing cycle; from winter’s dormancy, to spring’s promise, summer’s promised bounty exploding, and autumn’s maturity on the vine… ripe [...]
