There is an expression among us wine collectors that goes “all roads lead to Burgundy.” The saying is based around the conventional wisdom that as collectors mature and their palates mature they transition from flashy, fruit forward wines like Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Russian River Valley Pinot Noir and Old Vine Zinfandel to the complex, thought provoking Chardonnay and Pinot…
Tag: Kosta Browne
2009 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Koplen Vineyard – Bottle Notes
Kosta Browne was founded in the late nineties by Dan Kosta and Michael Browne. In 2009 controlling interest was sold to Vincraft for close to $40 million. In 2015 J.W. Childs Associates, a Boston-based private equity firm, bought out Vincraft. Most recently Kosta Browne was purchased by Duckhorn Wine Company. With these investments have come numerous changes including a new Winery (Gallery)…
The 2018 Zinfandel Chronicles Power Rankings
Welcome to the 6th, annual installment, of the Zinfandel Chronicles Power Rankings. The intent behind the list is to rank wineries based on the buzz and excitement they create in the wine collecting crowd. The rankings are entirely subjective based on my observations on sites like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Wine Spectator, WineBerserkers, WineBid and Cellartracker. Factors such as demand for…
Too Much Being Made of a Change in Style at Kosta Browne
This past Tuesday I had the opportunity to visit Kosta Browne and sample some of the new releases with Damon Wong and Regina Sanz. Damon is the Director of Hospitality and Regina is the Director of Brand Engagement. Tasting at Kosta Browne definitely has a different feel to it than other visits I made on this trip to the likes…
What to do when your Favorite Winery has been Acquired
Williams Selyem Winery was founded in 1979 by Burt Williams and Ed Selyem. I started buying the wines in the early to mid 90’s. These wines fueled my passion for Russian River and Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir. Williams Selyem was one of the very first mailing lists I signed up for. In 1998 Burt and Ed sold the winery to…
Exciting Changes at Kosta Browne
Kosta Browne was founded in the late nineties by Dan Kosta and Michael Browne. In 2009 controlling interest was sold to Vincraft for close to $40 million. In 2015 J.W. Childs Associates, a Boston-based private equity firm, bought out Vincraft. With these investments have come numerous changes including a new Winery (Gallery) in Sebastopol and the purchase of Keefer and Cerise Vineyards.…
2013 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast – Bottle Notes
Kosta Browne began as a dream shared by Dan Kosta and Michael Browne. In the summer of 1997, while working at John Ash & Co. restaurant in Santa Rosa, California, Dan and Michael decided to pool their tips and venture into winemaking. Twenty years later, Kosta Browne is one of the most sought after Pinot Noirs in all of California.…
Pick My Next Bottle – 2015 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
The June Installment of Pick My Next Bottle focuses on Pinot Noir from the Sonoma Coast produced in 2015. As I mentioned in the first installment, the purpose of this series is to provide insight into specific wines or producers you may currently have in your cellar. The winning bottle will be opened this Thursday and a Bottle Note will…
2012 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Russian River Valley – Bottle Notes
Kosta Browne began as a dream shared by Dan Kosta and Michael Browne. In the summer of 1997, while working at John Ash & Co. restaurant in Santa Rosa, California, Dan and Michael decided to pool their tips and venture into winemaking. Twenty years later, Kosta Browne is one of the most sought after Pinot Noirs in all of California.…
2012 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast – Bottle Notes
Kosta Browne began as a dream shared by Dan Kosta and Michael Browne. In the summer of 1997, while working at John Ash & Co. restaurant in Santa Rosa, California, Dan and Michael decided to pool their tips and venture into winemaking. Twenty years later, Kosta Browne is one of the most sought after Pinot Noirs in all of California.…