Rochioli is one of the true pioneers in Russian River Valley, with a winemaking history dating back to the the late 1950′s. Although best known for their world class Pinot Noir, Rochioli also produces remarkable Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. I’ve blogged about Rochioli previously in Zinfandel Chronicles Power Rankings and the Fab 5 of Mailing Lists. Straw colored and 14.5%…
Efeste, pronounced like the letters “F-S-T” strung together, was named after the last names of founders Helen & Dan Ferrelli, Patrick Smith, and Kevin & Angela Taylor. Efeste is located in the Warehouse District of Woodinville, Washington. Peter Devison took over full-time winemaking duties when Brennon Leighton left to work with Charles Smith in 2012. Light golden in color. 13.7%…
Spottswoode Estate Vineyard & Winery, located in St. Helena, made their first Cabernet Sauvignon with the 1982 vintage and is one of the true iconic Cabernet producers in Napa Valley. They also make an exceptional Sauvignon Blanc, a second Cabernet named Lydenhurst and a Rhone blend known as Field Book. Light pale in color. 14.1% ABV. The fruit is sourced…
In 1987 Jennifer and Herb Lamb purchased a little over 7 acres of hillside property on the eastern hillsides of St. Helena just below Howell Mountain. Starting in 1991 the fruit was sold to wineries like Karl Lawrence and Colgin. In 1997, with winemaker Mike Trujillo at the helm, they released the first vintage of Herb Lamb Cabernet Sauvignon. The…
Araujo Estate is a 38-acre vineyard in northeast Napa Valley, east of Calistoga. It was established in 1990 when Bart and Daphne Araujo bought the historic vineyard from Milt and Barbara Eisele, who planted the vines in the 1960s. For nearly 40 years the Eisele Vineyard has been known as one of the valley’s great vineyards, consistently producing outstanding wines.…
My wife and I received an invitation from Bob Silver of WA | Wine | PR to attend the Fall release party for a newcomer to the Woodinville Warehouse District, Avennia Winery. Winemaker Chris Peterson was the first graduate of Walla Walla Community College’s Enology & Viticulture program, and spent the better part of the last decade making wine at…
Many wine writers and bloggers have written about the sea of ubiquitous and mediocre Sauvignon Blanc being produced in California and Washington. I am going to take a different approach and talk about some of my favorite Sauvignon Blancs. These wines can run with the big boys from the Loire and Marlborough.
Guardian Cellars was founded in 2004 by Jerry Riener. Like many winemakers, Jerry supports his passion with a day job. His profession as a police officer sheds some light on the naming theme of the Guardian wines: Chalk Line, Gun Metal, Angel.
Rochioli Vineyards & Winery is one of the true pioneers in Russian River Valley, with a winemaking history dating back to the the late 1950’s. Although best known for their world class Pinot Noir, Rochioli also produces remarkable Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.