I just recently returned from a weekend in Baja near Ensenada and I'm already working on a plan to go back. It had been nearly a decade since my last trip south of the border, so I wan't sure what to expect. What I found when we arrived was a magical place full of beauty, [...]
Iron Horse Vineyards in Sebastopol, CA was by far my biggest wine related surprise of the year. I mean this in the best possible way for a couple different reasons. I love Champagne, but I tend to stay away from California Sparkling Wines. While there are some standouts, I find many of them too sweet [...]
Oftentimes when I visit a winery, I find that I enjoy meeting the people involved in making the wine just as much as I enjoy the wine itself. Such was the case when I visited Larner Vineyard & Winery in Los Olivos, CA. I'm fascinated by the winemaking process and am always excited when I get [...]
If I had to declare a favorite wine, without hesitation it would be Pinot Noir. There are a million other varietals that I love to drink but in my mind, nothing compares to an amazing Pinot. And this weekend I had the opportunity to visit one of my favorite California Pinot Noir makers, Williams Selyem. [...]
Last time I visited Law Estate Wines, it was more of a construction site than a finished project. This past weekend, I visited the winery again in its completed form and was utterly blown away. From the friendly and personal attention of the staff to the breathtaking architecture to the incredible wines, Law Estate is beyond [...]
I've noticed a trend recently of winemakers using a very minimalist approach to their craft. By selecting the best grapes from specific vineyard sites, using wild yeasts, and remaining as non-interventionist as possible, they're allowing the fruit to express itself in an honest, unique way. An excellent example of this sort of wine making is [...]
One of my favorite new wineries is actually not new at all. Established in 1978, Babcock Winery & Vineyards in Lompoc, CA has a rich history in the Santa Ynez Valley and is one of the best producers of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir around. Back in 1978, Mona & Walter Babcock purchased a 110 acre property on [...]
In what was once an old, rundown industrial area just west of Santa Barbara's bustling shopping district, the Funk Zone has emerged as a hub of unique art, culture, food & artisan wine. In my opinion, it's one of the best things to happen to Santa Barbara in a long time. With a number of shops, galleries, [...]
Over the last year or so, I've fallen madly in love with Sonoma County. In particular, the area of the Russian River Valley encircled by the towns of Guerneville, Sebastopol & Healdsburg. From the towering Redwoods to the rocky coastline and everything in between, the natural beauty in this area is unsurpassed. The more I [...]
Last weekend, some of the finest local, small production wine making talent around gathered at the Veterans Memorial Building in Solvang, CA for the 2nd annual "Garagiste Festival: Southern Exposure". This year, a Grand Tasting was held on both Saturday and Sunday afternoon, with a different lineup each day. With 60 wineries pouring over the [...]
Wine-ding Road 