Claiborne & Churchill Winery founder, Claiborne Thompson, ponders Riesling’s history and many merits San Luis Obispo, CA – For over 30 years, Claiborne & Churchill Winery in California’s Edna Valley has quietly produced one of the most dependably delicious Dry Rieslings this side of Alsace, France. Always erudite, educational and entertaining, C&C founding winemaker Claiborne…
Earlier this year, in a vast hall in downtown LA called the Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration, the growers and vintners of the newly-designated Malibu AVA came together to fight for their futures. The County Board of Supervisors was voting to decide whether the Coastal Commission’s ruling that no new vineyards be planted or expanded…
Collier Falls http://www.collierfalls.com/ A recurring theme during our recent visit to Sonoma was the early and quick harvest. Typically, with our visit happening in early October, there would have been plenty of grapes still on the vines. Not so this year. But, that didn’t make our hour-plus ATV vineyard tour with Barry Collier at Collier…
Spain’s Great Match, now in its 21st year, is a tasting event organized by the Trade Commission of Spain, in which American importers and distributors of Spanish wines present their top products, new wines and their latest vintages to the American wine industry professionals and consumers…and offers a great education for wine 101ers! Lecture: Verdejo…
There are times that you drive around the Paso wineries and many times you drive right past one that is a real gem that is tucked away and hidden from view. Our good friends Larry and Gloria Stahly know that my wife Tracy and I are passionate about good Pinot Noir wines. On this trip…
(This article was written in March 2002 about the recently opened Agua Dulce Vineyards. It’s more of a tale of how excited we were to have a winery close by because we were missing Napa, and a babysitter.) I definitely gave Eddie fair warning in advance. He had a choice. He could either buy me…
As Grape of the Night (GOTN) continues our exploration of wines from different countries, regions and states we returned to Spain to sample another wine from the old world called Albariño. Wines from Spain are not high on most drinkers list when selecting to purchase or drink. This is really too bad as Spain produces…
In wanting to find the oldest wine grapes grown in the Santa Clarita Valley, I remembered that Juan Alonso, owner of Le Chene French restaurant in Agua Dulce, had his own wines on his extensive 34-page wine list. I e-mailed Juan thinking starting with him was the best. Yes, he had been making wine since…
CARMEL, CA – Vendange Carmel Inn and Suites has partnered with 14 local Monterey County wineries to create a unique guest experience celebrating the bounty of Monterey County’s vineyards. Each winery sponsors one room or suite, providing its own creative touches. From the McIntyre Vineyards room with its impressive 100-year-old section of grapevine to J….