Foppiano: Before, During, After, and Today ~ Mastering the World of Wine
She said, “If anyone can write about Foppiano Vineyards, Jo, you can.” This was said to me by my friend Lorraine Raguseo, who’s now part of their team through Quintessential Wines. And, she’s right. At this point in time, besides the family, I believe she’s right. [PHOTO: Foppiano Vineyards, all rights reserved.] BEFORE – 1896 […]
Domaine Bousquet, Discovering the Uco Valley and Standing on One’s Head
The origin of the Domaine Bousquet family travels back to the city of Carcassonne (karkasɔn), located in the southwest of France. With an elevation of 266–820 feet, roots of civilization run deeply here. With extensive remains of medieval fortifications, see the image below. Four generations of Bousquets, the family have been able to traces themselves […]
CANNED WINES ~ Licence IV is So, So Much More
So, this arrived… intriguingly delicious Licence IV. Their French wine products have entered my category of “The Future Is Now the Present.” Besides being fun wines, it’s one of greatest environmental reliefs for the planet, from the manufactured products to the shipping, handling, and delivering, so much energy is saved, while enjoying these wines. This […]
New Voices are so Refreshing ~ Alex Cook, on Suisun Valley
I’m seasoned in wine, if you don’t know. I wear it as a badge of honor, to have come so far in the past 29 years. I’ve felt everyone of them. So, when I meet a starry-eyed person, right off the boat… Someone who looks around and says, “Dear Lord, don’t ever let me become […]
Robert Pepi + Steve Kreps = Collaboration Made in Heaven by Angels
[PHOTO: Robert Pepi] Let’s start with nonpareil Robert Pepi and bring in (also) his nonpareil partner Steve Kreps. Robert Pepi and Steve Kreps Friends + Different Wine Interests Intersect Creation of Two Angels & Samuel Charles Wines When friends work together in Napa Valley, like winemaker Bob Pepi (Eponymous Wines) and wine salesman Steve Kreps […]
When I think of Extraordinary Wine Careers, I think of the affable Kerry Damskey
Kerry Damskey, of Terroirs, Inc. [PHOTO: property of Damskey, Inc. All rights reserved.] Indiana Jones of Wine… Making Gold from Dust! I personally love adventure. I love travel. I love being brave to the point of fearlessness; even sometimes in what I love writing. This is evidenced by my first wine-blog dare: Everyone Has a […]
Open Letter to the Wine Producers of the World
My musing again; and, this is mostly directed at USA’s wine industry leaders… I was just reminded, by my friend and colleague Dr. Michael Apstein (Boston Globe), about the weight of wine bottles these days. And this isn’t new news. It’s been going on for years and it’s an American thing. Competition makes companies think […]
Robert (Bob) Pepi: Series Devoted to Decades in Wine
SIGNIFICANT ROOTS Reshaping one’s life is very empowering. Travel does it to us. As you know, America is such a melting pot, and having that opportunity to visit one’s native DNA land is very special. [Native Americans were the first people to migrate here, crossing the Bering Strait as early as 30,000 years ago.] So, […]
Wine Business Monthly’s September Issue ~ How companies grow their business online
[PHOTO: Purchased. All rights reserved.] I was shocked, as I looked at the number comparisons between how small companies and mid-to-large wine companies participate, with their online promotions. I didn’t anticipate the disparities. It’s in the September 2021 issue, of Wine Business Monthly’s “technology & business” section. I’ve made my passion and living by advocating […]
Mathis Wine ~ Sonoma Valley Lineup
Big picture, for some big wines; not over the top wines, just big in flavor, style, and design. MATHIS WINES Wines submitted for review Sonoma Valley Grenache 2017, Mathis Vineyard – field blend ($32.00) Sonoma Valley Überblend 2017, Mathis Vineyard – Petite Sirah dominant red blend ($35.00) Sonoma Valley Rosé de Grenache 2020, Mathis […]
