by Jo Diaz | Jul 13, 2025 | Obituary, Petite Sirah, Wine
The news of vintner John Concannon’s passing caught me quite off guard, because it really was so unexpected. John Concannon’s passing has left me with a deep sense of sorrow and reflection. His departure from our lives came as a shock, as I had always...
by Jo Diaz | Jan 5, 2020 | Beaujolais, France, French Wine, Gamay, négociant, Obituary, Wine, Wine Culture
[PHOTO CREDIT: Portrait-FD-et-GD-Avril] Georges Duboeuf: Born April 14, 1933, Died January 4, 2020 Known as the “Pope of Beaujolais” Being asked to go to Beaujolais on a media tour in July of 2019, was just the beginning of a very intense, five-day sojourn...
by Jo Diaz | Jan 3, 2020 | Obituary, PS I Love You, St. Helena, Wine
William “Van” Ballentine ~ Born March 15, 1927, Died December 17, 2019 It is very sad news, when such a dear person and friend passes on… Van Ballentine has passed onto the greener fields of his Irish ancestors. Reading the words from the family,...
by Jo Diaz | Apr 17, 2016 | Alexander Valley, Bordeaux, Napa, Obituary, Wine, Wine Making, Winemaker, Winemaking
This blog story began on Thursday, April 14, 2016. I titled it: Bordeaux, You Can Bank On It, Partie Quatre. At the time, I had no idea that this story was about to take a very sharp 180 degree turn. [Denis and May-Britt Malbec at a reception for Respite Wines in...
by Jo Diaz | Mar 25, 2015 | Alexander Valley, News, Obituary, Sonoma County, Wine, Winery
Matriarch Evelyn Trentadue of Trentadue Winery passed away, on Saturday, March 21, 2015. When asked if I’d help the family to distribute the news, my thoughts ran back to the days when I worked closely with the winery, and what a sweet person Evelyn was. She was...
by Jo Diaz | Jan 12, 2015 | Dry Creek Valley, News, Obituary, PS I Love You, Sonoma County, Wine, Winery
John Pedroncelli was one of those quiet leaders; you know them, they’re the most in tune with harmony. [The Pedroncelli family photo is borrowed from their Website.] The title read, “John Pedroncelli, prominent Dry Creek winemaker, dies at 89,” and...
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