Right off the bat Mendocino County vintner Jim Kimmel of Kimmel Vineyards explained that he’s not related to celebrity Jimmy Kimmel, but yes, these two are email friends and have common friends. Jimmy sent Jim an email three years ago to the effect of, “Hi, my name is also Jimmy Kimmel, I host a late…
Overdue. That’s what we are here in SCV, overdue for the craft cocktail invasion. Mixers, Roman Holiday and SAKE all had some great versions of old cocktails revived with top shelf spirits combined with muddled fruit and spices, fresh fruit purees, garnish, the correct glassware and captivating presentations. But with all of them now closed I longed for a craft…
It’s a great honor to have a winery owner make an appointment to hand deliver his latest wine to me at my home. Now, lest you begin to think, what a fancy schmancy winery it is let me explain: Rebel Coast Winery is run by, well, rebels in the wine industry, including Kate Sieberlich, and…
“As a ‘cub reporter’ representing Eve’s Wine 101 my husband Jon and I attended a Duckhorn tasting held by Tanya Green at her wine bar, Wine 661. We arrived early, so there weren’t too many tasters yet – which was perfect, as we received personalized service from Tanya (who, by the way, always serves impeccably)….
After reading Paso Robles Cab Collective: Wine Dining in the Beacon on 5/9, Paso Robles Cab Collective: En Primeur, Current and Reserve Tasting (also on May 9) on this website, today I have the final installment on the Cab Collective (though you can also look forward to an entire article just on HammerSky alone very…
Not knowing what I was going to write about this week for Beaconeers I pondered…over a bottle of 2002 Summers Napa Valley Zinfandel from the Villa Adriana Vineyard, the last bottle from a case we brought home after tasting and picnicking there. Then, after being greeted by a blast of flavor, I had my column. …
In this, the second annual Cab Collective, now called the Paso Robles Cab Collective, the media was given a multi-day schedule. I planned on resting my head for two nights at the Hammersky farmhouse, after days that would be spent doing barrel tasting of the 2013 vintages, vintner panel discussions, library tastings, interviewing winemakers over…
The Balkans are an ancient land that has given rise to such heroes as Orpheus and Spartacus. Since the Iron Age, some 3500 years ago, Thracians have long dominated Bulgaria and developed it into a mighty kingdom. The Thracians, legendary warriors of antiquity, were ready, willing, and able to hold their own against any foreign…
Now and then I actually write about wine. Well, take that back, I go to a blind Syrah tasting, hosted by my friends in the Santa Clarita Vintners and Grower’s Association, ask them to take down notes and send them to me. So this really is a wine review column, but not just from a…
Verde Valley (Green) is now producing some very exciting wines. Verde Valley is also excelling in the realm of organic wines. Where is Verde valley? Jerome, Arizona, of course. Not only is this unlikely region producing wines of distinction, they are the vision of one whom some may consider, an unlikely source. Caduceus Cellars is…
