The Story of Kobler Family Wines
Recently, my friend Tony Lombardi introduced me to a new winery in Russian River Valley – Kobler Family Wines. It was a story of all the things I love to talk about – family, resilience, and wines that show a sense of place even when it’s unexpected. I sat down […]
Tony Lombardi: Blending Family Tradition, Good Wine, and Philanthropy
I recently had the pleasure of catching up with Tony Lombardi of Lombardi Wines (who remains one of the nicest people in the industry). Since I last wrote about Lombardi Wines, they’ve been busy crafting some seriously impressive wines and building on his family’s rich legacy. Tony founded the winery in 2013 as […]
Cherry Pie Wine Brings Old World Style Highlighting California AVAs
Cherry Pie Wines began with a vision of making Burgundian-style Pinot Noirs expressed by different iconic vineyards and AVAs throughout California. The vineyards are chosen specifically for their proximity to the ocean in places where the temperatures vary due to the fog and wind. Cherry Pie Wines looks to places like the Carneros region […]
The Magic of VML Winery
The story of VML Winery began with a fourth-generation Italian winemaker who had a passion to make single vineyard Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in Sonoma Coast and the Russian River Valley because of its cool climate and ideal soils. Virginia Marie Lambrix’s family has been making wine in the Veneto region […]
Special Wines of All Kinds Part Two
As promised, I’m continuing to work through some of the higher-end, interesting, or special occasion samples that I’ve had the opportunity to taste. Today it’s a concentration of sample wines from California. Sparkling 2019 Sonoma Cutrer Grand Brut Rosé – This blend of 70 percent Pinot […]
SIMI Winery: Tragedy to Triumph
SIMI Winery started with the hard work and persistence of two immigrant brothers. But it continued due to the determination of one 18-year-old girl who would not let tragedy end her family’s legacy. That legacy, shown in this anthology video, carried on for more than a century […]
Crab and Chardonnay = Utopia
Crab and Chardonnay = Utopia From blending sessions to vertical tastings to blind tastings, I’ve been blown away at the creativity of wineries since the pandemic began. Just when I thought I had seen almost everything, I was invited by Raeburn Winery to celebrate the kickoff of Dungeness Crab season. […]
Seven Expressions of One Grape
Theresa Heredia, Winemaker of Gary Farrell Winery, Courtesy of Gary Farrell Winery Pinot Noir is a grape that is not known for being easy. As Natasha Hughes, MW, once said, “When Pinot producers get it right, the wines have it all: gorgeous aromatics, silky texture, bright acidity and supple tannins. What’s […]
Smith-Story Wine Cellars: Breaking The Mold In The Story of Wine
Lord Sandwich from Smith-Story Wine Cellars poses with me, his loyal subject It’s rare that I write a story of an untraditional winery. Wineries aren’t crowdfunded. Winery dogs are the norm. They don’t become brand ambassadors with 72,500 Instagram followers, a label of their own and a charity of their own. But, you […]