Wine Education

      Above Wines began with two Italian friends wanting to bring the essence of the Italian lifestyle to...

Areté, it’s a state of mind with deep roots in Greek mythology. It has a meaning of fulfilling one’s potential...

      For years, wine and football have not been a marriage of equals. Fans were mostly offered substandard...

The values of the LangeTwins Family Winery and Vineyards started in 1870 when the family’s German great-grandparents, Johann and Maria...

  Over a year ago, I was hacked on my Instagram account (April 7, 2022, to be exact). In my...

    Today marks Earth Day, an annual event demonstrating support for environmental protection.  Earth Day started in 1970 when...

        The impact of artificial intelligence (“AI”) – it’s a subject that we hear about almost every...

        Four years ago, I had the opportunity to visit my friend Ali Smith Story, the co-owner...

          Close to four years ago, I had the opportunity to sit down with Rob Barney,...

          The idea started with what appeared to be a simple mission – introducing native grapes...

        As promised, I’m continuing to work through some of the higher-end, interesting, or special occasion samples...

    The topic intrigued me – are California Pinot Noirs built for aging? We all know that Burgundy wines...

      A country the size of the State of Connecticut is ready to shine a spotlight on why...

          Time to catch up on a shipment of special occasion samples. I chose the list...

        Riboli Family Wines is a story of reinvention. I could tell the story of when the...

      I was recently invited to the “Simply Italian Great Wines Americas Tour 2023” in Dallas where I...

      Press trips are amazing opportunities to plunge into a region, meet winemakers, and have someone curate the...

      Kelly Fleming, the owner of Kelly Fleming Wines, has always impressed me with her focus, her wine,...

        Currently, the Texas wine industry has 500 wineries, 340 growers and 5,140 acres devoted to grape-growing....

      The entire saga began because several good friends, whom we had not seen for months, canceled our...

      Uncovering the wines of off the beaten path regions is one of the joys of wine. The...

    I’m not a traditional follower of all the wine days, but there is something about Cabernet Franc Day...

      Christmas has always been a special time in our household. From the time that I grew up,...

      It’s always fun to meet a winemaker who has insight into the soul of her vineyard and...

    Tony Lombardi can be described in one word – humble. He’s a brilliant storyteller especially when he’s talking...

        As one of Italy’s oldest winemaking regions, Campania has a storied reputation for its modern take...

    You could call Bibiana Gonzalez Rave (pictured above with her husband Jeff Pisoni) a soulful winemaker. So much...

      Every time I’ve been to Italy I’ve come with an agenda. What to tour, where to eat,...

    Even though I’ve been now to several of its restaurants, it’s hard for me to wrap my brain around...

    There is a reason why merlot is one of the most popular red wine varietals in the world....

        American oak is used for aging spirits of all kinds and is known for its sweetness...

      It all started for the Fetzer family after tasting produce from the gardens of a biodynamic farmer....

    One of the key benefits of writing about wine is discovering family wineries that you wouldn’t find on...

      For the past few months, I’ve been invited to go behind the scenes to be part of...

      It seems that overnight Prosecco has become a sensation in America. No longer relegated to what you...

      Recently I undertook a fascinating exercise in tasting wines from different regions in Chile. We explored both...

    It wasn’t originally my plan to post again so soon about putting my daughter on a plane to...

    This week my family’s life is about to change. For 17 years, we’ve been a family of three,...

    As Dallas finally broke it’s 47 days of over 100 temperatures (which sadly is not a record), it’s...

        Flipping through the headlines yesterday, one stopped me in my tracks, “Hitler Themed Wine for Sale...

        When you write about wine, you often fall into the habit of opening review wines instead...

          My first trip to Paso Robles was in 2016 on a press tour and I...

        The beginning of Chefs for Farmers, Dallas’ top culinary festival, started with one mission – to...

      It pains me to spend another moment of time on the story of my hack on Instagram....

          The story of Mela is a non-traditional one of breaking barriers. Let’s start with the...

        It’s been six years since I’ve had the opportunity to visit Paso Robles, a large, diverse...

            The most important driver of Puppione Family Wines may surprise you. It’s about Chris...

          I just had a chance to visit, Carus Vini, a relatively new winery (in the...

        The phrase ‘variety is the spice of life’ was first seen in 1785, in William Cowper’s...

          Back in 1542, the Bisol family started cultivating grapes in the Valdobbiadene area of Italy....

          Fifty-one years ago, Stu Smith made the decision to purchase 200 forested acres on the...

          Every decision at Clif Family Winery must answer a question of betterment of planet, people,...

          Since its inception, the story of Cristom Vineyards has been about connecting family, farming and...

      Update: currently my account has been rendered inactive by Instagram and I’m trying to get access again....

          It’s been over two and a half years and I’m finally back in the saddle...

          The story of Oak Ridge Winery is one of pioneers. Not only because it is...

            A few months ago, I was asked the question if Texas wine was appropriate...

        Before I talk about bringning wine to Mexico, let’s talk about my history with Mexico. Mexico...

        Earlier this week, we celebrated International Women’s Day, a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural,...

      A few weeks ago, I posted about how unnecessary wine designation days (National Drink Wine Day as...

        Let’s face it – there are a lot of wine writers, and I’m sure most of...

          Has the celebrate every day thing just become too much? February 18 – today –...

          Do you guys hear the sound of progress?  It’s me having published three samples columns...

          Close to six years ago, I wrote about Craig Camp, a well-known visionary, wine professional...

          The answer to my “what wine would you drink as your last wine” or “what...

        This year I’ve gotten to dive deep with so many winemakers – mostly virtually – and...

        The holidays are often expected to be joyful. After the death of loved ones, you find...

        A monkey and a fish grace the logo of Dashe Cellars and it is a wine...

          Connection is the word I would use to describe my most recent trip to wine...

            Elyse Vineyards – it’s a 33-year-old winery based on trust – a handshake, trust...

          For more than 200 years, Merlot has been a foundational grape in the wine world...

          The perfect wine for pizza.  A phrase often used, but in reality a lot of...

          The wines of Paso Robles have always translated beautifully from the vineyard to the glass...

        The process at Firriato Wine Company begins with terroir, the identity of the native varietals used,...

        It’s been around a year since I posted what I am calling “my accountability challenge” to...

        For Albino Armani, a true pioneer in Pinot Grigio, I can’t imagine the frustration of 400...

        Last weekend’s 30th annual Côtes de Coeur raising money for the American Heart Association at the...

          Last week, I wrote about my unsuccessful quest to buy a Eurocave from the Wine...

        Bourgogne is reclaiming its identity as one of the most iconic regions of France with a...

          After 60 years of success, many companies sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride –...

        The story of Bodegas Pinea Wines began with two childhood friends with a love of Ribera...

        I recently had a chance, thanks to Zinfandel Advocates and Producers (ZAP), to explore the differences...

          When it’s time to celebrate a milestone anniversary, many companies feel a sense of nostalgia...

        For 30 years, Eileen Crane was at the helm as the founding winemaker and CEO of...

          SIMI Winery started with the hard work and persistence of two immigrant brothers.  But it...

        Meeting Cheramie Law and Todd Aho of Cheramie Wines, a Salt and Pepper Wine company, is...

          Podcaster invites guest to be on podcast.  Guest accepts.  Date is scheduled.  But life is...

          While working for a wine distributor at Glazer Wine & Spirits (now Southern Glazers) in...

        Winemaker John Rivenburgh is unabashed in his enthusiasm for the evolution of Texas wines and his...

        One of my favorite memories of my time in Italy is finding new, local wines that...

        I knew that Australia had a storied winemaking history due to its unique climate, complex terroir...

            About 800 years ago, the Ricci Curbastro family started growing grapes and a few...

        Gathering for a virtual tasting and uncorking a bottle of wine or two is the closest...

          There are many things that I didn’t know about Armenia before I discovered the wines...

            Kari Auringer didn’t set out to use her creativity and craftsmanship to make wine...

            A year ago (and a day) I posted about having no words in navigating...

            Growing up, Founder and Winemaker Phil Long of Longevity Wines didn’t have much exposure...

          Rae Wilson didn’t come to Texas with the ambition of disrupting the wine industry.  It...

          Thuwmpf.  You know that sound.  It’s the sound you hear before the deafening silence as...

          It’s been 12 months since the pandemic officially began.  Looking back, I estimate I have...

        Nearly 11 years ago, I made my first trip to Washington Wine Country for the Wine...

        The love affair with wine started early –  Brian Carter was 14-years-old and he asked his...

        Looking from San Francisco “across coast” into Contra Costa County is a lesson in history. It’s...

    In wine, sometimes you have a “jack of all trades, master of none” moment.  That moment when you...

      It’s sample time and I never knew what a challenge these would be in the time of...

    Argentina – it’s a land known for beef, culture, dance and wine.  People have been planting grapes there...

Crab and Chardonnay = Utopia     From blending sessions to vertical tastings to blind tastings, I’ve been blown away...

      I didn’t grow up in a wine household.  A special occasion was a bottle of Blue Nun...

The Curtain Unveiled: Time to Stand Up     The worst kept secret in the wine industry finally broke in...

      Photo Credit: Mattia Mionetto   Prosecco. It’s often known as key ingredient for mimosas, bellini’s, spritzes or...

      The Women of Bacigalupi Vineyards, Photo Credit: Bacigalupi Vineyards   Bacigalupi Vineyards is one of the best...

        The pandemic created a quandary for many organizations.  Especially for time honored traditions that brought large...

  Each Fall, it seems the horror sequel starts again for those who live in wine country.  It’s fire season...

  Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Courtesy of Santa Lucia Highlands Wine Artisans   There exists a small, but dynamic, wine...

    Jon Larson, Proprietor and Winemaker of Angwin Estate Vineyards, Photo Courtesy of Angwin Estates Jon Larson is the...

      Photo Courtesy of Theopolis Vineyards   I still can’t remember at which event I met Theodora Lee,...

    This Summer, I discovered the region of Lugana, one of Italy’s best kept secrets. This seven mile wide...

      As many times as I’ve covered the Lodi region, each brings an awakening and awareness of something...

    Gambero Rosso, an authority on Italian food and wine, is known for the release of its anticipated annual...

      Theresa Heredia, Winemaker of Gary Farrell Winery, Courtesy of Gary Farrell Winery   Pinot Noir is a...

      Last Friday, the San Francisco Wine School gathered some of the top black Winemakers/Winery Owners, paired with...

    As the days roll by, often it seems an exercise in same day, different bottle, as we enter...

    Racism in wine.  This is a hard subject and one that unfortunately hasn’t received national attention until the...

  Tom and Ashley Darling, Courtesy of Darling Wines   Tom and Ashley Darling, co-owners of Sonoma’s Darling Wines, have a...

    Courtesy of Vigneto Communications   It’s time to discover Lugana — one of Italy’s best kept wine secrets....

    Courtesy of Blue Ostrich Vineyard & Winery   For a winery, navigating how to proceed in a pandemic...

      Stu Smith, the Enologist and Managing Partner for Smith-Madrone Winery, didn’t set out to own premium real...

Best Samples for 2020   Today’s sample column evaluates 69 of the 128 wines that I’ve tasted over the past...

Grilling BBQ and Zins   Grilling, BBQ and Zins are synonymous with Summer and what better time to break break...

    Vineyard View from my Last Italy Trip When my long-awaited family trip to Italy was canceled last month...

  In April, I was supposed to be attending my third annual Wine Writers’ Educational Tour, a media “deep dive”...

A World Changed: But the Jordan Launch Must Go On       It’s hard to believe one year ago,...

    Virtual Winemaker Experience in a Box Kit   The invitation came in to become a “Virtual Winemaker for...

  Flashback to my last press trip to Spain   Our wine group was looking for a way to connect...

    It’s amazing how one wine can bring back memories of eventful wine country trip exactly one decade later....

  Bibiana Gonzalez Rave and Jeff Pisoni, Courtesy of Alma de Cattleya   Bibiana Gonzalez Rave and Jeff Pisoni, the...

Every day is earth day at Benziger winery Virtual Tasting Line Up with Benziger Wines   This past Earth Day,...

From Prohibition to Pandemic: Mondavi Family’s History of Reinvention Mondavi Sisters: Alycia, Giovanna, Angelina and Riana, Photo Courtesy of the Mondavi...

Revisiting Bartles & Jaymes Wine Coolers: 33 Years Later   My Senior Picture, Redan High School Class of 1987  ...

  A Girls Trip to Anderson Valley with some of my favorite writer friends   It’s hard to believe only three weeks...

Explore the Dão Region: Wines You Should Discover That Are a Steal Pedro Castro Mondonca, the CEO of the CVR...

  Week two … unreality of making decisions in an age of Coronavirus.  As I told you guys last week,...

  As I went to write my planned blog for the week, I realized I had no words in this...

  Imagine ocean bluffs and a very blue sea.  Throw in wineries and great restaurants.  It’s like you are transported...

  Lord Sandwich from Smith-Story Wine Cellars poses with me, his loyal subject   It’s rare that I write a...

      We began our wine country exploration in Anderson Valley in Mendocino with a tour of Domaine Anderson...

Sarah, Guy and Ella Pacurar   As a mom to a 14-year-old daughter, I love the special bond that she...

    Jason Guerra, Moët Hennessy Brand Ambassador, Heather Queen, Wine Concierge and Master Chef Adrien Nieto   You may...

    It had been close to ten years since I visited the French Room.  I remember the experience well. ...

  The smoke and images were powerful and devastating but did not tell the complete story of what was happening...

  It’s crazy that 2019 has passed in a flash and a new year/decade has begun.  Why not usher in...

  Bruno Paillard had champagne in his blood.  He was born in Reims in 1953 to a family that had...

  For the past 15 years, I’ve been a part of a girl’s wine tasting club.  Over time, what used...

  Me and Vernon Wells from JACK Wines   My first question to Vernon Wells, former Yankees baseball center fielder...

  It was billed it as a “Far From Ordinary Roadshow” and it was a grand effort by the Australian...

    This Wednesday is National Zinfandel Day.  It is a day that is decreed by ZAP – the Zinfandel...

Dave Powell, Owner, Powell & Son Winery   Dave Powell, Owner of Powell & Son Winery, is finally back to...

Sixmilebridge Vineyard: The Second Chapter of Jim Moroney   Jim Moroney, Proprietor Sixmilebridge Vineyard For forty years, Jim Moroney was...

Jesse Katz, Winemaker Aperture Cellars and Devil Proof Vineyards   A good photographer has an eye for detail that brings...

Chatting with the Legends of the Willamette Valley   Jason Lett, The Eyrie Vineyards; Richard and Nancy Ponzi, Ponzi Vineyards;...

    The Willamette Valley is a region that is planted with 80 percent Pinot Noir grapes and because of...

A Return to the Willamette Valley: A Pre-Trip Exploration Mary Cressler, Ember and Vine; Amy Corron Power, Another Wine Blog,...

Six Months of Wine Samples: A Summation of My Favorites It’s sample write-up time again and I held off longer...

  MW Sheri Morano and MW Mary Gorman-McAdams     My Third TEXSOM conference   Masters of Wine Mary Gorman-McAdams...

A Celebration of Friends with J Vineyards & Winery: The Perfect Aperitif The magnum of J Vineyards & Winery Cuvée...

Breaking New Zealand Stereotypes at Left Field Wines: A Chat with Winemaker Richard Painter Left Field Winemaker Richard Painter It...

Adam Bernstein: Del Frisco’s Hospitalitarian and Dallas’ First Restaurant Recycling Pioneer Adam Bernstein, Wine Director, Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse...

Kelly Fleming, Kelly Fleming Wines Kelly Fleming, owner of Kelly Fleming Wines, original plan in Napa was just to build...

Rob Barney, Vintner, Stressed Vines For Rob Barney, Stressed Vines’ Vintner, drinking wine was once a “safe label” choice.  He...

  Our wine trip continued in Sonoma where we spent time at four places– Arista, Passalacqua, Skipstone and Scherrer Wineries. ...

The Dallas Gang in Napa My birthday trip journey continued with a day in Napa Valley visiting three iconic vineyards that...

The Wonderful Place we Stayed in Sonoma Last month, I had the joy of celebrating a milestone birthday with a...

Our Orsi Family Wine Tasting Line-Up It all started with a story of family and heritage for the Orsi Family...

  Maryland.  It’s a state with more than 80 wineries and a mission of showcasing what the state can do....

  For Julio and Amalia Palmaz, of Palmaz Vineyards, the love affair with wine started after years of regular visits...

Mike Thompson, Proprietor of Thompson 31Fifty (third from right) and the Dallas Wineaux When you sit down and talk to...

Weston Eidson, Founder Silver Ghost Cellars and Montagu Wines I told the story about Weston Eidson, founder of Silver Ghost...

In May, Jordan launched its first vintage of Cabernet Sauvignon aged 100 percent in French oak barrels.  Imagine sampling the...

Dan Panella,  Oak Farm Vineyards, Rodney Schatz of Peltier Winery and Vineyards and Sue Tipton of Acquiesce Winery & Vineyards ...

San Diego Wine Country – It’s a juxtaposition of the first wine region in America.  It’s a bit Wild West. ...

  Santa Barbara Panelists of Winemakers The winemakers in the room had a combined 100 years of experience.  All with...

What I’m Drinking: A Round of First Quarter (Almost) Sample Favorites – Sample Reviews I found myself behind (even more...

In its own marketing brochure, Wines of Alentejo describes the region and the wines as having “a long and turbulent...

Tom Parmeson, Owner and Winemaker of Parmesan Wines Tom Parmeson, Owner and Winemaker of Parmeson Wines, never aspired to be a Sonoma winemaker. ...

Anne Bousquet, Managing Partner of Domaine Bousquet Lunch with Anne Bousquet, Managing Partner of Domaine Bousquet, is like sitting down...

Sitting Down with Christophe Paubert: A Winemaker Legend from Stags’ Leap Winery Christophe Paulbert, Senior Winemaker Stags’ Leap Winery I...

Sitting down with Weston Eidson, founder of Silver Ghost Cellars and Montagu Wines, is a fascinating tale of the intersection...

It’s time for my quarterly sample posting and following tradition, there are several wines that merit a separate column prior...

History of Piedmont in a Glass: A Discussion with Matteo Sardagna and Manuel Marchetti Marchetti and Sardagna Yesterday I experienced...

Trudie Styler and STING aren’t just another celebrity couple who make wine. After being fooled by the former owner of Tenuta...

Acker Merrall has a long history of wine evolving from the humble roots of a package store in New York...

Bryan and Denise White, Troon Owners and Fellow Texans One of the great things about Troon Vineyard is that it...

When Tina Morey, the founder of Wine Studio, asked me what I knew about San Diego’s wine region, I was...

Sergio Cuadra, Winemaker; Susan and Ed Auler, Owners of Fall Creek Vineyards When deciding to start a winery in Texas...

Duffy Keys, B Cellars, me and Kent Rathbun, Chef Duffy Keys, Co-Founder of B Cellars Vineyards and Winery, recently came...

The Berryessa Gap website starts out with a strong statement — we are immigrants, pioneers, farmers and entrepreneurs.  What better...

Last year, when I delved into Sweet Bordeaux wines with Snooth, it become very clear that I had some stereotypes...

A Taste of Two Legends: Celebrating Legacy and Longevity for Morton’s The Steakhouse and The Mondavi Family Wineries in 2018...

Spottswoode Estate Vineyard & Winery: A Vertical Tasting of 30 Years of Family Winemaking Spottswoode’s CEO, Beth Novak Milliken, told...

To truly explore this grape, you need to begin with a focus on Cariñena, a Spanish wine region located in...

Bob Shepard, Proprietor, Amici Cellars Amici Cellars began as a project of wine loving friends in 1990 who wanted to focus...

This October, I had the opportunity to attend the Virginia Wine Harvest Party, which was a two-day whirlwind media tour...

Celebrating 30 Years of Virginia Wine: My Reintroduction After 7 Years to the Commonwealth Linden Vineyards  It’s funny, when I...

New Zealand has been making wines since the 1850s, but the modern wine industry in New Zealand began in the...

There once was a debate on the origin of wine.  At the end of last year it was finally determined...

  Our line-up of Loire Valley wines This Summer, I was invited to a wine chat focusing on Loire Valley...

It’s time for another sample round up and I found that a theme emerged for me this quarter.  I either...

Did you know that October is Merlot Month?  And this is a grape worth celebrating! For the last five years, hundreds...

Andrés Sánchez, Photo Courtesy of Alcance Winery Recently Andrés Sánchez, Winemaker of Alcance winery and co-founder of VIGNO, Chile’s first viticultural regulatory...

Hamish Clark, Winemaker and Viticulturist from Saint Claire Family Estate It just took one sip of the 2017 Saint Claire...

One of this Summer’s wine studios was focused on the importance of rosé wine labels on #winestudio, a conversation about...

Delving into the History of Montepulciano Wine: A DOCG in Need of a Bigger Voice   We hired “Just in...

Finding Terralsole is quite the journey.  But trust me, once you do the journey is worth every missed navigation point...

Cantina del Vesuvio: My Italy Journey Continues with a Trip to the Lacryma Christi DOC One of the many things I...

Several years ago, on my way to Vinitaly, I opened my Wine Spectator and read an article about how Massimo...

Me and Ed St. John It was time for the quarterly “Taste Up” with the gang at Pedroncelli Winery led...

One thing that I appreciate about the #winestudio program is that it brings a wide variety of wines into my...

Matias Calleja, Winemaker Bodegas Beronia, and me It’s not often that you have the chance to gather with a Winemaker who...

Shattering the Stereotypes of Napa: What I Learned at the Wine Writers’ Educational Tours Conference Years ago, I had a...

Me hanging with John Concannon Last month, I had a chance to sit down with a member of the fourth...

As a card carrying Italian family member (unfortunately from one family who made really awful wine as I post today...

In May, Snooth and Rías Baixas invited a group of bloggers to gather for a Rías Baixas Virtual tasting. I invited the...

Riana and Peter Mondavi Jr  When Peter Mondavi celebrates a milestone, it is always done with pomp and circumstance with...

June Round-Up: Spring and Summer Sample Standouts In keeping with my pledge to improve the frequency of my sample posts,...

The end of April, I was invited to a Dallas tasting to celebrate the launch of Château de Berne and...

When DLynn Proctor issues an invitation to come and join him for some great wines, one immediately RSVPs, no questions...

Argentina is a country known for passion – whether it’s for dancing the tango, for playing futbol or for its...

I recently had my second opportunity to taste with Robbie Meyer from Murrieta’s Well, one of Livermore Valley’s most iconic...

A Conversation with Tom Gamble: Preserving a Family, Farming and a Legacy It’s been about 18 months since I last...

Photo Credit: Goff Photography The Summer of 2016 was when I first encountered the region of Lodi.  I knew the...

Me and Gaia Gaja If Italian royalty comes knocking, one answers the call with an appropriate curtsy.  When I received...

At the last Wine Blogger’s Conference in 2014, Solvang was a just a stop on a bus tour through Santa...

My Return to Santa Barbara: Part One of Our Wine Country Trip with Tercero, Presqu’ile, Storm, Zaca Mesa and Demetria...

It’s time for the general wine round-up and I’m featuring 20 of the 35 wines from 5 countries that I...

As a prelude to Women’s History Month in March, our #winestudio in February was a early celebration of women-focused wineries. ...

  As a wine blogger, I get a lot of samples and I am very grateful to have the chance...

A Chat with Ravage Winemaker Bryce Willingham: Doing It Her Way – No Recipes Allowed Ravage Winemaker Bryce Willingham Ravage...

It seems like forever since I drove by the Crudo sign at the corner of Northwest Highway and Preston and...

This Summer, I was lucky enough to be included on the insiders list for one heck of a party as the...

  January’s #winestudio taught me I was fast to jump to conclusions and it once again unveiled what I knew...

  Carruthers and me I admit it.  I loved Oak when it opened several years ago.  The wine list was...

Debbie Gioquindo, Lisa and me In my last blog post, I talked about my top 10 discoveries from the Wine...

Alexia Pellegrini, Chief Operating Officer of Pellegrini Wine Company Our last stop en route to the Wine Bloggers Conference was to...

Brazil, a land of gorgeous beaches, beautiful people, grilled meat, Rio Carnival and unmatched soccer celebrations.  It’s a country built...

Our November #winestudio focused on the wines of New Jersey.  I have vivid memories of my childhood, running through the...

It looks like I have a New Year Resolution and that’s to get a little faster about reporting on the...