CAST Wines: A Unique Blend of Community and Innovation
Over the last 14 years, I’ve had the opportunity to tell the story of innovation within the wine industry, gaining insights into various approaches to winery beginnings. While family-owned wineries and those acquired by larger corporations or wealthy individuals are common paths, some wineries take the road less traveled. CAST Winery stands out […]
From Soil to Glass: Domaine Bousquet’s Decades-Long Journey of Sustainable Excellence in Argentine Winemaking
Recently, I’ve had the chance to reconnect with winemakers from past columns, and it’s truly impressive to witness not only the realization but also the notable surpassing of goals discussed in earlier interviews. Anne Bousquet, co-owner of Domaine Bousquet, stands out as a prime example from Argentina. Over the last 25 years, Domaine […]
Uncorking Sustainability: Navigating the Landscape of Texas Winemaking Toward a Greener Future
“Sustainability” and “organic” have become prominent marketing buzzwords in the wine industry. Texas, until recently, reflected this trend without established statewide standards or a measurable framework. The state needed to contemplate the sustainable production of grapes and wine, seeking to establish a true sense of place. But until recently, there wasn’t an […]
A Passion for Proving What Makes Australia Special
While I’ve been lucky to taste a few good Australian wines, they have been big-ticket, well-known brands that consistently receive top critic scores and international recognition. But I realized I knew very little about Australia, its wine regions, and what makes it special. It’s also hard when many of the wines that […]
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 […]
LangeTwins Winery: A Fifth Generation Commitment to Sustainability
The values of the LangeTwins Family Winery and Vineyards started in 1870 when the family’s German great-grandparents, Johann and Maria Lange, settled in Lodi and began farming non-irrigated watermelons. Even back then, there was a mission to be stewards of the land for future generations. Five generations later, there is a commitment to sustainable farming […]
Family is Purpose of Puppione Family Wines
The most important driver of Puppione Family Wines may surprise you. It’s about Chris Puppione’s dream of becoming a dad and having a family. The story is about honoring and connecting family and creating family traditions. Chris joked to me that it took him a long time to […]
A Story About the Five Aspirations at Clif Family Wines
Every decision at Clif Family Winery must answer a question of betterment of planet, people, and the community. Whether it’s a big decision, something smaller, or anything that impacts the 45 people that work for the winery, there are five aspirations that guide the company. […]
Six Years of Transformation at Troon Vineyards
Close to six years ago, I wrote about Craig Camp, a well-known visionary, wine professional and my friend, who left a high profile position at a Napa boutique vineyard. Craig told me he was ready to feel the energy and intensity of the wine industry that he felt when he first […]
Rediscover Merlot: The Turning Point
For more than 200 years, Merlot has been a foundational grape in the wine world – from Bordeaux to California – used to make some of the finest wines. The Merlot grape, which translates to blackbird in French, became the most planted grape in Bordeaux and known for its soft, elegant […]
Sicily: A Wine Continent United
The process at Firriato Wine Company begins with terroir, the identity of the native varietals used, and a respect for nature. I was invited to meet with COO Federico Lombardo di Monte Iato who talked about how the vineyards are a mosaic of the “continent” of Sicily reflecting the identity of […]
Shattering the Pinot Grigio Stereotype
For Albino Armani, a true pioneer in Pinot Grigio, I can’t imagine the frustration of 400 years of winegrowing, studying history, terroir and trying to capture the true identity of one grape only to have it described as “mass produced and uninteresting.” Spending time with a man […]
The Three Pillars: The Domaine Bousquet Journey
It’s been a little over two years since my Dallas lunch with Anne Bousquet, co-owner of Domaine Bousquet, the Argentinian shining star example of value-oriented, biodynamic and organic wines. I knew then this was a woman who would have a growth story to tell me the next time we met. […]
California Regionality of the Zinfandel Grape
I recently had a chance, thanks to Zinfandel Advocates and Producers (ZAP), to explore the differences of various regions of the Zinfandel grape in California. I gathered with three family winemakers to make the virtual comparison. The June “Zinfandel Vineyard Tours and Caves” was moderated by travel journalist, Paul Rubio, […]
Bringing the Vineyard to You Virtually: A Red Car Tasting
Gathering for a virtual tasting and uncorking a bottle of wine or two is the closest many have been able to get to a vineyard for more than a year. I admit that after 13 months of virtual tastings and Facebook memories reminding me of how great those in-person experiences once […]
You Say Grenache … I Say Garnacha …. A Closer Look at One of the Most Versatile Grapes Around
To truly explore this grape, you need to begin with a focus on Cariñena, a Spanish wine region located in the heart of the Ebro Valley in Spain’s northeast region of Aragón. The area is bordered by the Pyrenees and France to the north, and Catalunya to the east. While the region was not named […]