We were actually planning on visiting Bella Vineyards and Wine Caves back in 2017, but a fractured kneecap got in the way. Fortunately, we were finally able to rectify that and it was definitely worth the wait. Bella Vineyards is in the far reaches of the Dry Creek Valley. The scenic drive is beautiful –…
As we were finishing up our tour of the deLorimier Winery property and winemaking facility, we had the great pleasure to meet with winemaker/owner Diane Wilson. Diane is in charge of winemaking at several of the eleven wineries owned by her and her husband Ken. At deLorimier, some of the winemaking duties are shared with…
The Tam O’Shanter in Los Feliz has been one of our select go-to restaurants for a long time, even more so after the pandemic closures. While we can’t say we’ve been going since they opened over 100 years ago, we’ve been dining there much of the last twenty. At this Scottish-themed restaurant, service is consistently…
Driving on the Sonoma Highway just north of Kenwood, it would be virtually impossible to miss seeing St. Anne’s Crossing Winery, even if you weren’t looking for it. After all, how many other wineries have a 28-foot tall bear standing guard over their tasting room? The Bear is a sculpture created by Sonoma County artist…
We were first introduced to the group of Wilson Artisan Wineries in 2015 when we visited Antoine Favero at Mazzocco Sonoma. We’ve been back a few times to Mazzocco and have also visited a few other wineries in the group: Wilson, Soda Rock and Jaxon Keys. Antoine makes the wines at Jaxon Keys and Soda…
We recently had a bottle of the 2016 Comstock Rockpile Petite Sirah along with a few other wines. Petite Sirah is well known for often being dark, brooding, and taking a long time to come around to peak drinkability. This was just the opposite. It was bright, lively and downright elegant. It was the wine…
As mentioned in our previous article, one of the benefits of staying at the Briar Cottage is that it made it that much easier to get to our scheduled visit with Mazzocco Sonoma winemaker, Antoine Favero. All it took was a short stroll over to the Mazzocco tasting room. We were a little early, so…
Lots pop into our heads when we think of 2020, and of course we aren’t out of the woods yet, or even close, so far for 2021. For me it was a windfall of wines sent for review, often accompanied by a Zoom tasting led by the winemaker. I (virtually) traveled to Germany, Spain, Argentina,…
Healdsburg, Calif.–Chef Charlie Palmer and winemaker Clay Mauritson announce the ninth annual Project Zin event, taking place Friday, August 16-Saturday, August 17 at Hotel Healdsburg. This do-good wine weekend offers a series of dining and educational events hosted by Chef Palmer, Clay Mauritson and some of the industry’s most elite winemakers. Saturday evening’s preeminent wine event, Project…
Admittedly, the last few months have been difficult for my family and me. Stuff happens to all of us so the details aren’t necessary for this article, but getting the invitation to Ian Blackburn’s WineLA’s annual Elevating Zinfandel event was like a light at the end of the tunnel. Wine people are good people and…