California's Wine Regions, Terrior, Day Trips, Wine Tasting
Visitors to California wine country practice what we locals call ‘Power Tasting.’ They’re here for a weekend and want to make the most of it. Sometimes that means visiting four … Continue Reading Power Tasting, Sobriety & Keeping Your Palate Operational & Clear
Some California wineries are small players, some are behemoths. The hobbyists turned wine maker loves to share their wine creations up close and personal. Others, like Foley Family Wines are … Continue Reading The Soft Wines of Santa Rita Hills AVA: The Delicate Side of Santa Barbara
As California wine tasting fees escalated over the past years our pocket books felt the pain. Wine tasting fees escalated with what economists call, ‘price elasticity.’ You can keep charging … Continue Reading Finally, Free Wine Tastings Make A Comeback At Some California Wineries
What is the future of wine tasting in California’s Napa, Sonoma, Monterey, Paso Robles, Lodi or Temecula now that whiskey, vodka and tequila creators are finally having their day? These … Continue Reading Side By Side Whiskey & Wine Sipping: Spirit Creators Invade Winery Terroir
Visiting a California winery can sometimes lead to bottle shock: prices for tasting have increased since Covid-19’s destructive run through our economy. In days of yore (back in 2015) you … Continue Reading The Price of Tasting California Wine: What Are Wineries Charging?
You aren’t buying enough wine. You’re not the only one. We wine lovers aren’t buying enough wine and California vintners are feeling the pain. They’re going bankrupt (Vintage Wines and … Continue Reading Another Trailblazing California Winery Bites The Dust: Closing Edna Valley Winery
Standing in her wine tasting room she declared, “We’ll never have a 50% off case sale.” Nine months later this California winery co-owner is hocking 50% off mixed cases of … Continue Reading California Wine Consumption Slumps: With Competition Growing, What’s Next In Pricing?
Amador County is home to some of the great California wines we enjoy. Bella Grace Vineyards is one of those creators of consequential Vino. From whites to red’s they have … Continue Reading Bella Grace Winery: Classic California Gold Country Wine In Amador County
Cooler regions for California wine are usually found along the coast, areas like Lompoc, Santa Maria, Monterey & Alexander Valley. They are considered cool by California standards, home to Pinot … Continue Reading Lompoc Winery Shows Why Santa Barbara’s Not Just About Pinot Noir & Chardonnay
In California’s world of wine there are two competing camps sprouting up from Temecula to Paso Robles to Napa. The first camp of wineries are estates, places where you can … Continue Reading Rising California Winemakers Eschew Estates For Industrial Space
What’s with California wine regions tearing out wine grape vines? Fields of California wine grape torn asunder along with smaller wineries putting themselves up for sale. What is going on … Continue Reading Winemakers Hammered By Declining US Consumption & Exports
Yes, California wine is a dominant force in the world of wine. But will California wine be available during our cruise traversing the Pacific Ocean through the Panama Canal to … Continue Reading Plying The High Seas With California, New World & Old World Wines
Some California wine regions have big wines (big, bold, chewy) and some winery areas are known for their subtleties (softer tannins, more fruit flavor.) Monterey Country winemaker Ian Brand falls … Continue Reading California Wine For A Softer Palate At Monterey’s I. Brand & Family Winery
Somewhere, somehow, you’ve come across a Michael David Wine. You’ll find this California wine in Costco, Total Wine, BevMo and other big box emporiums. They favor names like Freak Show, … Continue Reading Misfits & Mavens of Lodi’s California Wine Show Off Zins, Syrahs & Barberas
California wine is found in many isolated areas. Like Harmony Cellars right off California’s infamous Highway 1. Sitting west of Paso Robles this coastal town named Harmony hosts a total … Continue Reading California Wine On Highway 1 – PCH (Pacific Coast Highway)
California wine regions were pummeled by wild weather spouting atmospheric rivers drenching us in the winter of 2022-2023. The big question all year has been, ‘What affect will that water … Continue Reading Water Into California Wine: Is This 2023 Vintage the Best Of The Decade?