From big trees to big wines? We discovered a new winery that demonstrates that a love for nature can be expressed in a multitude of ways. Locke Vineyards is the happy result of a career in forestry pivoting to a second career in winemaking.
Their motto is “For a good time, call Twisted Oak Winery” so you know that they don’t take themselves too seriously. Oh, and their mascot is a giant yellow frog. When winetasting in the Murphys area, we ALWAYS try to include Twisted Oak in our plans.
Have you ever wondered what was in your wine? Besides grape juice, of course. Something transformed pedestrian grape juice into this nectar of the gods, but can it be merely yeast? Many times it is much, much more.
There is so much to love about summer! One of our favorite summer activities? Wine club release parties, of course! The great weather lets a winery really spread out the tasting stations, which helps with the crowd. Ruby Hill Winery’s club parties are VERY popular, so the addition space makes their summer parties truly amazing!
The Livermore Valley Winegrowers Association hosts an annual festival of food and wine called Taste Our Terroir, which highlights the very best of the Livermore Valley’s unique wine and food scene. This multi-day event kicks off with a food and wine pairing competition that really gets the creative juices flowing!
They say that in wine there is truth. Is there also wine in art? Pinot’s Palette in Livermore celebrated their Grand Opening last Friday, and we were invited to unleash our inner artist!
The Oakland wine scene is vibrant and growing. One recent addition that is getting a lot of attention is Oakland Crush. Fine wine in a fine setting, this is definitely a wine shop worth exploring.
In this soulless age of Apple Music 30-day trials, grating Spotify ads and Tidal-exclusive album releases, there’s something refreshing about popping a CD into my car’s stereo. The Novelists performed tracks from their new album, “Breaking the Script”, at the inaugural Darcie Kent “you bring the snacks/adorable dog, we bring the wine and the music […]
They say, “Life is too short to drink cheap wine.” Does that mean that we must empty our checkbook to drink good wine? Not necessarily, if you know where to look.
So how do you pamper Dad on Father’s Day? The restaurants are jammed, the highways are parking lots, and even the wineries are over subscribed. If you are a Wine Tasting Bliss family, the answer is obvious: stay home and put on a vertical wine tasting! What more could Dad ask for, surrounded by family while enjoying wonderful wine!
The Livermore Valley has an ever-growing roster of wineries, benefiting from a climate that supports a wide range of grape varietals. Look hard enough, and one can find nearly every style of wine represented. The Rhone style of wine raises the complexity bar a bit, but Richard Dixon, owner/winemaker at Les Chenes Estate Vineyards is up to the challenge!