Dedicated to wineries, wine and wine lovers .
We absolutely love small wineries! The connection between the winemaker and the wine lover is at its most intimate. Every vintage is a new adventure and a fresh glimpse into the evolution of the winery. We returned to Inner Sanctum Cellars for a third year to see where their journey had taken them.
In honor of International Sauvignon Blanc Day, the nice people at Brancott Estate kindly asked to introduce us to their library of Sauvignon Blanc wines. Always up for a new tasting adventure, we gladly accepted their offer and sent our palates off to New Zealand!
An annual highlight of the spring wine tasting season is the Taste of Calaveras. The best food, wine, and art from across the county is brought together for a wonderful afternoon. This year’s Taste was a great way to ring in a new summer of wine!
Monday, April 24, 2017 is International Sauvignon Blanc Day! Why is such an awesome event on a Monday? There is so much to like about Sauvignon Blanc, where do we start? Right here:
A centerpiece of the wine scene is the wine festival. Nearly every wine region has one or more events that celebrate the best of their vintners. After attending our fair share of these events, here are some tips we’ve picked up along the way:
The best things in life are usually killing us slowly. Such is the case with wine. We’ve read in lifestyle mags and blog posts that a glass or two of red wine a day can help our skin, but we’ve also read about the nasty side effects of alcohol in general on our angelic complexions. This mix of information […]
Spring comes early to California. While most of the country is still dealing with a snowy winter, Northern California welcomes sunshine and warm breezes in early March. Once the chill is off the vineyards there’s just one thing to do: go taste some wine OUTDOORS!
I’m sure half of you sassy wine lovers have already responded to the title with, “My favorite wine is the one I’m drinking.” First off, well played, and second, everyone has a favorite wine varietal even if they don’t want to admit it. I know these type of personality assessments have been floating around the […]
For those of you drinking copious amounts of wine to abate the teeth-chattering effects of winter storm Stella, we feel for you from California. Over here, we’re getting a sneak preview of spring after a seemingly endless winter of storms and rain.
Spring is a great season for wine tasters! The warming weather puts new shoots on the grape vines, and the air is filled with the promise of a new vintage. Wine festivals are another exciting part of the season, including one of our favorites: the annual Taste of Calaveras food and wine event.
California winter is pretty mild by any measure. This winter has been especially full of cold and rain, so the arrival of spring was particularly welcome. We celebrated the arrival of good weather in the best way possible, with a wine club release party at Darcie Kent.
| May 31 |
Concannon Vineyard in Livermore The art of blind tasting Wednesday, May 31st | 6:00-8:00pm You've seen the masters identify a wine varietal by solely utilizing their sense of smell and taste - now it's your turn to try it! Learn how to taste with the "grid" and retain more information about a wine. Refine your tasting skills and find out how this increased sensitivity extends to all of your senses during this blind tasting experience. Visitors: $65 | Members $55 |
Page Mill in Livermore Paint Night Wed. May 31 Save the date for a night of wine and creativity! We will provide everything you need to create a masterpiece for just $38! Painting begins at 7:00 p.m., but get there a little early to get your wine (available for purchase by the glass or the bottle). Sign up with Debbie. |
| Jun 03 |
Balletto Vineyards in Russian River EXPERIENCE OUR FIRST VINTAGES WINEMAKER DINNER - BALLETTO CELLAR Saturday, June 3rd 5:30 pm Join John Balletto and Anthony Beckman as we indulge on Library Wines from our 1st Vintages and more (there were just too many great library wines to choose from)! Paired with dinner catered by Chef Sarah Piccolo of FORK Roadhouse. Be among the first to dine in our new barrel room. Seating is limited to 48 people. Passed Appetizers 2011 Brut Rose Local Mushroom Bruschetta with D'Affinois and Pistou Beet Cured Gravlax on Stuffed Potato with Creme Fraiche and capers Salad Course 2011 Sexton Hill Chardonnay & 2013 Sexton Hill Chardonnay Local Greens with Marcona Almonds, Chevre, Shaved Fennel, Radish Course One 2001 RRV Pinot Noir Hand cut Tagliatelle with Gourmet Mushroom Ragout and Shaved Parmesan, Basil Puree Course Two 2007 Winery Block Pinot Noir & 2007 Burnside Pinot Noir Wild Local Salmon with Castleventrano Olive Tapenade Edible Flowers, Pistou on Braised Spinach Course Three 2011 Sexton Hill Pinot Noir & 2005 Syrah Rack of Lamb over Fennel Leek Ragout, Fried Herb Chimi-churri Dessert 2009 Vin De Paille Meyer Lemon Mousse with Berries Tickets: $120 - person | $97 - Wine Club Member (two maximum) RSVP: jacqueline@ballettovineyards.com |
| Jun 17 |
Vino Noceto Winery in Amador From 11:00 to 3:00 Celebrate at Vino Noceto's 30th Anniversary Open House Go full noceto with us as we, the Vino Noceto family, celebrate our 30th year as (we like to think) the finest Sangiovese producer outside of Tuscany! Entry is free, and there will be games (like bingo!), a food truck, tours, live music, and of course...Vino! Club members will also have the exciting, once in a lifetime opportunity to taste decades old library wines from Dos Oakies, Hillside, and more! Can't make it and want to know about the library wines? We'll post tasting notes after the event! |