Exploring new wineries is one of our great joys. A full day of visiting previously undiscovered wineries was before us on this gorgeous autumn day in the Russian River area. We were “Tasting Route 116” and our next stop was Graton Ridge Cellars!
As wine lovers, we spend a lot of time thinking about wine. That brings a lot of pleasure, but a surprising aspect that is commonly overlooked can really affect the overall experience: the wine glass itself. In this one limited case, it isn’t just marketing. The wine glass DOES play a substantial role in wine appreciation! Here’s what you should know.
Wine Club Appreciation Weekend in the Russian River area was in full swing! Thirteen wineries along Route 116 had banded together to extend Club Member benefits to any member of a participating winery. What a great idea! We picked up our commemorative glasses at Belletto Vineyards and were ready to experience something new. First on our list? Taft Street Winery!
We love wine clubs! If time, money and bottle storage were unlimited, we would be club members at hundreds of wineries. Unfortunately, none of these precious attributes are without bounds, so we try to limit ourselves to a mere 6-8 wine clubs at a time. Imagine our joy to discover that a forward-thinking group of wineries in the Russian River area had a (temporary) cure for our problem: Wine Club Appreciation Weekend!
There are good problems and bad problems. My favorite good problem is having so many wine club release parties coming up that I lose track of who’s up next. This is prime season for wine release parties, so we happily bounce from party to party, tasting the new releases and snacking on some tasty treats. One of our favorite parties was just a week ago: the Darcie Kent Vineyards Fall Release Party. Here’s how it went!
This is the USA, and we have a day celebrating nearly everything, including Peanut Butter Fudge. So in honor of National Peanut Butter Fudge Day, here is a great recipe and the story of how it came to be a family favorite back in 1986. That autumn, John’s paternal grandmother traveled with John, myself, Robby […]
Some things never get old! Among my favorite repeating events: wine club parties. What a great excuse for a party: wine, friends and good food. And don’t forget those lovely party favors; the box full of newly-released wines! This past weekend we got to revisit one of our favorites, the Eagle Ridge Vineyard club party. […]
Can a winery founded in the 1880’s still be fresh and new? Concannon Vineyard claims the title “America’s Oldest, Ongoing Winery Under the Same Family Label and Stewardship.” That brings to mind an ivy-covered edifice full of dusty bottles and hidebound tasting rooms. Our recent visit showed us that nothing could be further from the truth.
We love wine. We enjoy a broad range of wine styles, too. In fact, its rare that we encounter a wine style that we can’t find some redeeming elements somewhere. Well, there was that one wine from Phoenix, but that’s pretty much the exception that proves the rule. Our wine appreciation scale runs from “that’s […]
Two wineries in one tasting room? Yes, it’s as great as it sounds! Crooked Vine and Stony Ridge Wineries bring twice the wine tasting fun in a single tasting experience. Positioned conveniently at the start of the Livermore wine trail, these wineries are a great start for so many reasons. On this sunny afternoon, we […]
Page Mill Winery is a great choice if you’re visiting the Livermore Valley or playing tour guide for out-of-town friends. They encapsulate the best aspects of tasting in a small working winery: scenery, architecture, staff, and of course, amazing wine. Only have time to visit one winery? Why not give Page Mill a try! It […]