purple grapes hanging form vines with leaves that are turning from green to a reddish rust
Wineries Seeking the Quintessential Zinfandel

If you’re seeking the quintessential Zinfandel, head to Dry Creek Valley, a slice of heaven in Northern Sonoma County. Why visit Dry Creek Valley to find amazing Zinfandel when so many other regions produce good Zins?   Why Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel? Long-time Dry Creek Valley winegrower Fred Peterson, owner of Peterson Winery, explains, “If you […]

Rebecca Germolus / Apr 16, 2024
Summer photo of Dry Creek Valley with lots of green vineyard and tree-lined hills in the background.
Wineries Stories Behind the Names

  What’s in a name? Many wineries bear the name of their founder, like Frick, Foppiano or Trentadue. Others are named for a region or landmark, like Alexander Valley Vineyards, Dry Creek Vineyard, Russian River Vineyards or Mill Creek Vineyards & Winery. Then there are those names that make you wonder, what’s the story? Here […]

Rebecca Germolus / Feb 9, 2023
30th annual Winter Wineland post with bottle image and snowflakes in blue and white
Event Experience Winter Wine Tasting at Its Best

Ready to experience a fabulous winter wine tasting along the Wine Road? Then it’s time to buy your tickets to the Wine Road’s 30th Annual Winter Wineland event! As I reviewed this year’s program, I was struck by how lucky I am to live here and be able to attend the Wine Road events. Why […]

Rebecca Germolus / Dec 2, 2022
Barbera bottles of wine on a rail with trees in the background
Varietal of the Month Barbera: Varietal of the Month

Barbera is one of Italy’s five most planted grapes and the fifteenth most planted varietal in the world. In California, Barbera is characterized by high acidity and fruity exuberance with medium tannins and a spicy finish. A charming and quaffable varietal, Barbera pairs well with fatty fare that serves to balance the buoyant acidity. Here […]

Marcy Gordon / Aug 24, 2022
Car Hop Wine Shop web page
Wineries Reconnect to Wine Country

Ready to reconnect to Wine Country? Is your wine supply a bit depleted after weeks of sheltering in place, aka SIP? I’ve found my wine cellar is missing many of my favorites after the holidays, and now weeks of SIPping at home. My plans to stock up got put on hold when I couldn’t visit […]

Rebecca Germolus / May 5, 2020
Bottles of Barbera wine sitting next to pink flowers
Varietal of the Month Barbera: Varietal of the Month

Barbera, a variety native to Italy, can vary in flavor depending on where it’s grown; be it warm or cool climate, and how it is produced. Wines from cool climes tend to display brighter tart red fruits and warmer climes revel deeper dark berry fruit flavors. Typically Barbera is delightfully spicy with good acidity, and […]

Marcy Gordon / Jan 28, 2020
Malbecs lined up on a counter
Varietal of the Month Malbec: Varietal of the Month

When we think of Malbec the first thing that may come to mind is Argentina. But the variety actually originated in the Cahors region of France and is one of the building blocks of Boudreaux blends. But Malbec from the Mendoza region of Argentina is where the grape developed it’s following and found it’s place […]

Marcy Gordon / Dec 30, 2019