Everyone hopes for the ultimate wine tasting experience when anticipating a trip. Research and planning take a lot of time, so I hope this blog can lend the guidance you’ve been seeking.   Wine Tasting Experiences in Sonoma County The Wine Road in Northern Sonoma County offers everything to create the ultimate wine tasting experience […]

Grenache is a wonderful and versatile varietal all on it’s own, but its claim to fame is its use as one of the fundamental grapes in the highly regarded French Rhone blend Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Grenache is a medium bodied red wine with moderate acidity, and bright red fruit and strawberry flavors. The tannin structure can range […]

In part one of My Life Before the Wine Industry, we explored the lives of two people impassioned with their new careers. This time you’ll meet four more people who found their paths to the winery industry in different ways, but the common theme continues. The beautiful surroundings, wine country lifestyle, fast-paced varied roles at […]

Merlot—It’s hard to believe this is the first time we have reviewed Merlot for the Varietal of the Month! Merlot practically needs no introduction; it’s one of the Noble grapes, and one of the most planted grapes in the world. Perhaps you heard of Merlot in a movie that made the grape fall out of […]

  Dive into the world of wine in this compelling podcast episode, which features the insightful Glen Kueffner, the Tasting Room Manager at Emeritus Vineyards in Sebastopol. With an intriguing conversation about Glen’s background and the process through which he cultivated his interest in wine, this episode provides a rich context for anyone intrigued by […]

Understanding White Wine Sometimes I feel like a walking encyclopedia of wine. Be it white, red, rosé or sparkling, friends and family ask me so many questions about wine. I don’t mind, but it also made me realize I should write down the answers in an organized fashion so even folks who don’t know me […]

  In episode 191 of our podcast, we hosted Devin Ruddick, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Hook & Ladder Winery. The discussion centered around the evolution of wine tourism and the urgent necessity for wineries to adapt by providing unique and engaging experiences to attract visitors. Beyond the traditional wine tastings, Devin suggested […]

I’m often asked by wine drinkers, what’s an AVA and why should I care? The short answer is AVAs can help you figure out what type of wine you like and how to find more with similar characteristics. But there is also a longer and more comprehensive answer. In honor of back-to-school and the love […]

Introduction  Orange wines aka skin-contact or amber wines are having a moment —an ongoing moment that started 8,000 years ago. Simply put, orange wines are white grape varieties made in the manner of red wines with extended contact on the skins, resulting in wines full of texture that are both elegant and complex as well […]

In the 181st episode of our podcast, we were joined by Keith Hammond, a winemaker at Emeritus Vineyards. For our wine of the day, Keith brought along a white wine, intriguingly made from Pinot Noir. This unusual style is not common, but it certainly is enjoyable to drink. The wine displays elements of Pinot Noir, […]