“We’re like what Napa was in the 50′s… what the Central Coast was in the 80′s”. That’s what Justin Mund told Ambassador Alejandro Orfila, proprietor of Orfila Vineyards and Winery. Mund is Orfila’s new winemaker. Leon Santoro passed away a few years ago and Don Reha took over as interim winemaker, stepping down earlier this year. Mund is a viticulturist at heart, and his goal is to promote the fruit and Read more »

La Tour Eiffel We just got home from a fabulous week in Paris. Laura and I will both be sharing stories and pictures from this grand experience and our stop in Reims to visit Mumm and Veuve Cliquot. I also have other stories in the pipeline, including a three day wine cruise aboard the Schooner Stephen Taber out of Rockland, Maine. In the meantime, click the link for a glimpse of the Eiffel Tower at night.

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I spent nearly four full days in Rockland with a group of writers from the IFWTWA: the International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association. I think I easily could have stayed four months. This town of 8,000 residents has so much to offer. Its rugged, natural beauty, its bounty of delicious cuisine and its warmhearted residents. On day three, after another exquisite breakfast prepared by Frank at the Limerock Inn, we climbed the All Aboard Trolley and headed for the Owls Head Transportation Museum. The museum has more than 100 vintage planes and automobiles on permanent display. The most amazing part is that virtually all the planes Read more »

After a jam-packed 1st day with the 11 other winners of the WBC or Bust contest, we left Seattle’s Renaissance Hotel and headed west towards Walla Walla. 8:00 came early, but being the troopers we were we sucked it up, hopped on the bus and prepared ourselves for the day’s first stop: Cave B Estate Winery. Cave B is located in Quincy, WA and overlooks the Columbia Gorge. About a dozen wineries were pouring for us including Cave B and Cedargreen Cellars. Owner/winemaker Kevin Cedargreen joined us on the bus ride from Seattle and told us about the vertical Chenin Blanc tasting he had planned for us. Other wineries on hand were St. Laurent, Syncline, Hard Row To How, Fielding Hills, Camaraderie, Arbor Crest, Col Solare and a few others. I was intrigued by Read more »

Heading to Washington State for the Wine Bloggers Conference, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. Certainly I had tasted wines from Washington before. Many years ago I had even paid a visit to the famed Chateau Ste. Michelle. I live, however, in California, and the majority of the wines I have been drinking come from the many regions in this state or from France, Italy, Spain or Australia. Washington wines were a mystery to me that I was Read more »

I’ve just returned from an amazing five day visit to Washington State, where not only did I attend the Wine Bloggers Conference in Walla Walla, but I was also one of 12 lucky winners of the WBC Or Bust contest with a plethora of pre and post conference activities. If you’re familiar with this site, you know I like to use photographs. Lots of them. At this moment I’m in the photo editing process and will probably be at it until at least tomorrow. I wanted to say the event was above and beyond all expectations. I hope the five days I spent there will help make this a more enjoyable and relevant place for you to visit. While I work on the photos, here are a few stories I thought you might enjoy from some of those who were a part of this great experience.

Lettie Teague from the Wall Street Journal gave one of the keynote speeches and brings a breath of fresh air to the party. Here’s her take on finding the right words to describe wine.

Joe Herrig publishes Suburban Wino and was part of a panel on Top Gun Blogging. He hails from Atlanta and we had a chance to visit on the bus ride back to Seattle from Walla Walla. He shares a few of his thoughts on the experience here.

Joe and Amy Power are from Houston and were two of the contest winners. Joe publishes Another Wine Blog and hopes Read more »

The anticipation is building. Minutes from now we will be tasting 12 red wines, with 5 minutes per wine to learn about, taste and write about each one. The tasting will begin in moments. I hope you’ll check back.

We’re beginning with a blind tasting. Beautiful deep color, interesting nose, I pick up some chocolate. This wine is smoky, big, chewy and finishes well. AOC travel guides, an iPad and iPhone app. We still don’t know what it is, but the app looks interesting. We’ll be told later what the wine is. Hmmmmmm. Aha! An Italian Lagrein, 2005 Nusserhof Sudtirol, priced around $20.

Dana and Manfred have poured us a 2nd wine, 2008 Sunce Mourvedre from the Russian River. Nice balance, bright.

Lisa from Jordan is pouring a 2006 Jordan Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. I’m a Cab fan and this one is hitting the right notes. A lingering finish, fruit forward, blended with Merlot, Petit Verdot and a splash of Malbec. You can probably find it for about $45. I would drink this wine again.

Here’s the first Washington Zinfandel I have seen. It’s Maryhill’s ’07 Columbia Valley Zin. Production is 3600 cases and this is priced at $14.95. Not a big nose, but it’s lovely on the tongue and I think an excellent value. Alcohol is 14.3, relatively low for a Zin.

Co Dinn is here from Hogue Cellars with their ’07 Genesis Meritage. It’s a blend of 49% Merlot, 44% Cab Sauv with a touch of Malbec and Cab Franc. The mouth feel is exceptional and at $16 I would jump all over this. A real winner!

Buty (pronounced “beauty”) Wines from Walla Walla is pouring the ’06 Rediviva Phinny Hill Vineyard blend. It’s 55% Cabernet Sauvignon with the balance Syrah. Case production is 3000. Great fruit on the nose and palate, with the Syrah really showing itself. $48.

Chad is here with Boomtown Cab with a little Syrah and Can Franc. This is Dusted Valley’s entry level wine priced at about $15. Not a lot of nose, but it sure tastes good and for the price you’d be hard priced to find a better value. I love fruit forward wines and this one works for me.

Katy has arrived from Gordon Brothers and is presenting their ’07 Merlot from Washington’s Columbia Valley. They’re the oldest estate fruit winery in Washington State. This state is producing some outstanding Merlots and I would rank this one as very good, especially at $20. They also grow cherries on their property. A family owned operation.

Nicholas Cole Cellars was founded in 2001 and is named for owner/winemaker Michael Neuffer’s children. The 2005 Camille is a Bordeaux blend with Merlot the primary grape. It’s a unique tasting blend, perhaps not my favorite, but I my be experiencing a bit of palate burn out. $35. This is a Walla Walla wine.

James Leigh Cellars’ Lynne Chamberlain has stopped by and is pouring her ’04 Cabernet Sauvignon. Another Walla Walla wine, Lynne is owner/viticulturist/winemaker. At $18.99, it’s a tasty wine. I want to visit her winery.

It’s time to visit Italy now and the ’07 Banfi “Balnero” Sangiovese blend. $35 +, alcohol content at between 13 and 14%. I like the nose, but this wine may be better suited for food. Not wild about it by itself.

New and exciting is what we’re promised for the final wine. Monthaven’s 2007 California Central Coast Cab comes in an octagonal silver 3 liter box and is priced at $24. The fruit comes from Paso Robles and Monterey. It’s not especially complex, but the price is right at about $6 per 750 liters.

Whew! We’re done. This is hard work!!!