Random Musings

The Week in Zinfandel (10/14/19)

Welcome to the latest installment of The Week in Zinfandel. If I missed your post or story please send me a link and I will be sure to include it next week. Randy Caparoso writes A List of Lodi Grown Wines Produced by Non-Lodi Wineries. Wine Enthusiast writes Get in the Spirit with these Halloween Wine Labels. Michelle Anna Jordan…

Continue Reading

Bottle Notes, Zinfandel

2015 Bedrock Wine Co. Zinfandel Esola Vineyard – Bottle Notes

Bedrock Wine Co. was founded by Morgan Twain-Peterson in 2007 and focuses on small production wines from many of California’ s most treasured and historic vineyards. The lineup of wines at Bedrock is expanding rapidly, but I think the best of the best are the ancient vineyard Zinfandels and Field Blends, Morgan is clearly passionate about. Esola Vineyard lies in…

Continue Reading

Bottle Notes, Syrah

2011 Lillian Syrah – Bottle Notes

Maggie Harrison was assistant winemaker to Manfred Krankl of Sine Qua Non for eight years before moving to Oregon to take over the wine making position at Antica Terra. Lillian Winery, founded in 2004, represents Maggie’s personal project and reflects everything that she learned during her time at Sine Qua Non. The fruit for the Lillian Syrah comes from the…

Continue Reading

Bottle Notes

2015 Sandlands Carignane Contra Costa County – Bottle Notes

Sandlands is the personal project of Tegan and Olivia Passalacqua. Tegan is the Winemaker and Vineyard Manager at Turley. The line-up encompasses some of the forgotten classic California varieties, primarily grown in decomposed granite from regions and vineyards that have been farmed for many generations but have remained the outliers of California viticulture. The wines made at Sandlands include Syrah,…

Continue Reading

Bottle Notes, Pinot Noir

2006 Williams Selyem Pinot Noir Hirsch Vineyard – Bottle Notes

Williams Selyem Winery began when Ed Selyem and Burt Williams started making wine as a hobby in 1979 in Forestville, California. Their first commercial release was in 1981, and in less than two decades they created a cult-status winery of international acclaim. Setting a new standard for Pinot Noir winemaking, they put Sonoma County’s Russian River Valley at the forefront…

Continue Reading

Random Musings

The Week in Zinfandel (10/7/19)

Welcome to the latest installment of The Week in Zinfandel. If I missed your post or story please send me a link and I will be sure to include it next week. Lela Nargi writes Can Dry Farming Help Save California’s Vineyards? Jonathan Kauffman writes How Darrell Corti Became a Tastemaker in California Food and Wine. Randy Caparoso writes 2019…

Continue Reading

Bottle Notes, Cabernet Sauvignon

2005 Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon – Bottle Notes

Quilceda Creek Vintners was founded in 1978 by Alex and Jeanette Golitzin. Alex Golitzin is a nephew of André Tchelistcheff, the legendary winemaker who put Beaulieu Vineyard at the forefront of Napa Valley Cabernet in the 1960s and 70s. He credits summer trips to visit his uncle in St. Helena, California with developing his early interest in wine. Alex’s son,…

Continue Reading

Bottle Notes

New Releases from Lauren Ashton Cellars

Lauren Ashton Cellars was founded in 2009 by Kit Singh. A Dentist by profession, Kit’s passion for wine was fueled by trips to Napa, Sonoma and Europe’s best known wine regions. Kit’s enology background includes classes at UC Davis and Seattle Community College along with an internship at Delille Cellars. The inspiration for the name of the winery was Kit’s…

Continue Reading