Sustainable, Steep, and Stunning: The Story Behind Kiler Canyon’s First Release
When I sat down with Drew Nenow, winemaker for Kiler Canyon Vineyard and ONX, I could immediately tell this was a story of family legacy, innovation and a passion for Paso Robles. Drew is a second-generation winemaker. His dad started at IBM before launching his own label, and Drew, the […]
Continental Vineyards: Where Hollywood Meets Paso Robles Wine Legacy
Earlier this month, I wrote about my recent trip to Paso Robles—a place that had metamorphosed since my last visit. When I had the chance to talk to Ben Mayo, the winemaker from Continental Vineyards, one of the early pioneers in the region started by Old Hollywood actors, I jumped at the chance. […]
Heath Family Wines: Crafting Excellence Across Collections
Heath Family Wines is not a single winery, but a collection of different wineries under one umbrella brand. This wine consortium includes Grape Creek Vineyards, Heath Sparkling Wines, Invention Vineyards, and Jenblossom Cellars, each contributing to a diverse range of wines. The people behind Heath Family Wines, Brian, and […]
Onx Winery Pays Tribute to Paso Robles
In one wine region of California, Onx Winery began with a family’s passion for wine while paying tribute to the unique terroir of Paso Robles. It all started when Steve and Brenda Olson decided on a second career in wine. Steve owned a Seal Beach-based real estate firm specializing in affordable housing. They purchased […]
The Story of McPrice Myers Winery
There’s something about McPrice “Mac” Myers, the Winemaker and Co-owner of McPrice Myers, that inspires wine enthusiasts to get personally involved. That’s what happened with now Associate Winemaker Adrian Perez and Co-Owner Venus Lai once they tasted Mac’s wines. The journey took them from members of the wine club to full-time employees. In […]
The Art of Hospitality in Paso Robles
My first trip to Paso Robles was in 2016 on a press tour and I remember it was one of regional discovery. We visited some great wineries and winemakers, we had some unique experiences and we really got a glimpse into the diversity of the region. I wrote about […]
Paso Robles – Diversity, Development and Destination
It’s been six years since I’ve had the opportunity to visit Paso Robles, a large, diverse appellation located within San Luis Obispo County in California. Back then it had a Wild West feel to it as the region was diverse and rapidly developing with the special things that would differentiate it […]
LXV Winery is an Experience for the 65 Senses
The phrase ‘variety is the spice of life’ was first seen in 1785, in William Cowper’s poem The Task. “Variety is the very spice of life, that gives it all its flavor”, he said. Neeta Mittal, co-owner of LXV Winery, not only believes that should be the case with wines, but […]
Back in the Saddle Again
It’s been over two and a half years and I’m finally back in the saddle again. Next week I’m going to not one, but two conferences — the Wine Writer’s Education Tour (WWET) and Hospice du Rhône’s flagship event in Paso Robles, California. And I couldn’t […]
Virtual Paso Robles CAB Camp
The wines of Paso Robles have always translated beautifully from the vineyard to the glass to provide a perspective of the region. The Paso Robles CAB Collective, SommFoundation, and the Global Diagram of Wine decided to emphasize that point with the creation of the Paso Robles CAB Camp. Creatively, they […]
Virtual Barrel Tasting with Alta Colina Winery
In April, I was supposed to be attending my third annual Wine Writers’ Educational Tour, a media “deep dive” into AVAs, terroirs and varieties, scheduled this year in Paso Robles. Like most wine events this year, it was postponed due to the pandemic. Virtual barrel tasting with Alta Colina So instead of touring a […]
Sixmilebridge Vineyard: The Second Chapter of Jim Moroney
Sixmilebridge Vineyard: The Second Chapter of Jim Moroney Jim Moroney, Proprietor Sixmilebridge Vineyard For forty years, Jim Moroney was a champion of free press and led Dallas’ only daily paper through a digital transformation. But as he told me, “When you work for a public company like A.H. Belo Corporation, you have a shelf […]