Do You Know Verdicchio and Le Marche, Italy Are Quietly Famous?
[PHOTO: Autumn at Colonnara Viticultori] Some might even say it’s a best kept secret, but I don’t mind letting this secret out of the bag… Not to worry if you don’t know either Verdicchio or Marche. I didn’t know anything about the alluring Verdicchio grape, either, before my trip to the land where it reigns […]
Château Pétrus Drives Record Breaking $1.5 Million Fine Wine Auction at Heritage
PHOTO: Heritage Auctions Today, I’m wearing my publisher hat, not my writer’s one. The following is a press release from Heritage Auctions. Having not attended, but having a keen interest in what’s happening in the world of wine, I see two distinct categories of who’s buying wine for what purposes. The first one is people who […]
Fetzer Vineyards Honored with “Changemaker” Distinction from B Lab for Increased Impact in Sustainability
After having just visited with Fetzer Vineyards, to celebrate their Fiftieth Anniversary, the press release below does not surprise me in the least. I’ll be writing in greater details about my visit and their programs, in the near future. I want to let the following information stand on its own merit, before I even begin […]
Hybrid Wine Faults class debuts at Cabrillo College
When I attend one event, I’m invariably drawn into more fascinating things in the making. This story is one of them. I recently got to see Deborah Parker Wong at a Petaluma Gap Wine Growers Alliance tasting. This is her story. SIDEBAR: My blog also serves the public, besides delivering wine info. Having been in […]
Rutherford Dust Society Immersive Wine Experience May 4 and 5, 2018
If you’ve been holding out until the last minute, time is now fleeting, but there’s still today and tomorrow to sign up, BUT… no later than Wednesday, May 2, 2018. The Rutherford Appellation The Rutherford viticultural area is located in the historic heart of the Napa Valley. It’s known world-wide for its signature “Rutherford dust,” […]
You have chosen to do what you do. I hope it is not just for free product.
I think by this point you know it’s not for free products, but you still may not know WHY.
When Carl Doumani Calls ~ A Petite Master Has Answers
How appropriate that I get to write about PS I Love You and Petite Sirah on Valentine’s day. Years ago, when I was loving the architecture of Carl Doumani’s Quixote Winery, in a meeting we had set up for an interview, we had finished chatting and he gifted his time-worn Hundertwasser book to me. I […]
Update on Ronn Wiegand of Restaurant Wine ~ Inquiring Minds Want to Know
For those of you who might be missing Ronn Wiegand of Restaurant Wines, let’s catch up. From Ronn: “I’ve been returning to California to taste 2-3 times every year since 2011, and each of my visits lasts a full four weeks or more (so at least two months a year in California tastings). This means […]
An Alice in Wonderland Life as The Taylor Family Vineyards’ Door Opened
From Then to Now As I reflect upon my own life’s extensive work, it’s been one that’s opened impressive doors to a lot of privilege and honor. Why did I get to be the one backstage with rock n’roll’s brightest stars, in Portland Maine, and be allowed to photograph them for national trade magazine submissions? […]
Excuse me, just wondering, how long has this bottle been open?
I’ve found myself asking that question many times, and I’m not afraid to do it when I’ve ordered a wine and it’s just lost that loving’ feelin.’ Larry Schaffer of Tercero Wines had this info on Facebook a few years ago. I asked permission to reprint here, because he’s raised such great points. On Facebook, […]
