I remember co-owner Gray Hartley telling me years ago that a guy came in, ordered a glass of wine and then a bottle and his world turned upside-down. The man was Rex Picket, author of the book Sideways. I sat with Frank Ostini, Gray's partner, who told me he knew something was up when director Alexander Payne walked in.
Just last night we gathered again, friends with food, wine and cheer for our last wine tasting of the year.
Prior tastings, however, took place that I need t...
Diane and Ken Wilson own the Wilson Artisan Wineries as well as the Grape Leaf Inn. There are eight wineries all totaled and I visited three of them, starting with Matrix Winery. Formerly Rabbit Ridge Winery, the Wilsons purchased the property in 2007.
Jan thought it had a great, spicy nose and lots of plum on the palate. At $15, she thought it was a great value. Ken loved the nose, too and found caramel and cherries on the palate and liked how it paired with sausage. Tony called it a very nice Pinot and said it drank more like a $30 bottle.
She wanted to feature sparkling wines that represented a sense of terroir. She re-paid the loan as soon as she could so she could make the winery uniquely hers.
Kim and Brian felt it was a really smooth Pinot and an astounding value. I loved it's pale ruby color and found it fruit forward, well balanced and with a good finish. Ken gave it five stars and described it as delightful.
I recently received an email asking me if I'd be interested in learning about the wines from McGah Family Cellars. The McGah family co-founded the Oakland Raide...
When I heard about a quality Pinot Noir coming out of the Temecula Valley, I was extremely skeptical. I have tasted two Pinot Noirs from the area and they don't...
We gathered at a friend's home, about 10 of us, with eight bottles of wine to share. Some brought pizza, others brought cheese and crackers, and truffles that s...