Californian Wine News

Rivers-Marie Winery, Sonoma Coast

2009-03-03T12:08:00.000+02:00

The creation of a new winery is always an exciting thing, especially when it is founded with the goal of being small, conscientious, and expressive of a particular place and grape. Like turning the corner in a new neighborhood and discovering a tiny shop that sells exquisite crafts, or finding a hole in the wall restaurant that serves the perfect version of a favorite dish, tasting great wine from a recently begun boutique winery is one of my favorite experiences in the world.

We hear a lot (and I certainly write a lot) about wineries or wine labels that represent the realization of a lifelong dream. Or equally as often they are the expression of someone's ultimate vision, usually something like: "I want to make the most awesome [fill in the blank with varietal or appellation] ever." These wineries and wines begin with a story already formed within them -- a story of the life and trials and tribulations involved in getting the opportunity to pursue the dream or that vision, and the wines are the first chapters of its completion.

California Wineries Prepare for the Worst

2009-02-28T00:45:00.000+02:00

The Wine Institute, which represents more than 1,100 wineries and related businesses, recently released its position on Schwarzenegger’s proposal. “The restaurant and hospitality industry as a whole is already reeling from declining sales and many in the industry, including wineries… [And] wineries would be forced to either absorb the tax increase, which would drive down or eliminate profit margins, or “pass through” the tax, raising the price of many popularly priced wines by 25 percent,” it stated. “We understand the [budgetary] need and will support broad-based revenue measures to help solve the budget crisis.”

Another publication released by the Wine Institute, titled “The Impact of Excise Tax Surcharge,” noted just how large an impact a tax hike could make on the wine industry. It estimated that wineries would experience a drop in sales and revenue that would lead to a job loss of anywhere between 6,756 and 11,545. Ironically, the state (and respective county) would also see a decrease in tax revenue that could total $73.55 million to $125.7 million.

Wine Country Tour News

2009-02-22T20:48:00.000+02:00

When you think of northern California’s wine country tours, what comes to mind is attending the local wineries and imbibing world-class Napa County and Sonoma County wine along with great food. But with this week’s Tour of California cycling race highlighting the area scenery during its first of nine stages, climbing the surrounding mountains and whizzing through the Napa Valley vineyards and past the stately wineries, the area is quickly gaining recognition as something of a Mecca for cycling as well. Northern California wine country is establishing itself as the premier US location for cycling enthusiasts to go for their vacations or training.
Along with the Amgen Tour of California event which has brought television coverage to the area, the fact that three American professional cycling teams – including that of Lance Armstrong, now make their base in wine country () is also playing a large role in painting the wine country as cyclists’ dream location. But the area is also working on creating a more bike friendly setting for locals and tourists – pleasure riders, with the recent approval of another 70 miles of bike path through the valleys’ vineyards and wineries and many more miles in the works around the various towns in three counties.

CALIFORNIA WINE FAIR BALLROOM TASTING

2009-02-09T11:10:00.000+02:00

Tasted Any California Wine Lately? The California Wine Fair Ballroom Tasting on March 3rd, will feature over 350 wines from over 100 wineries at the Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre. A fun filled social evening of wine tasting which includes vintages never seen in Canadian cellars as well as the rare opportunity to converse with the vintners and suppliers. Don’t miss the incredible silent auction items that will include many of the hard-to-find wines featured at the tasting. In support of the Arts Club Theatre Company.

For tickets and more information, call 604-687-1644 or CLICK HERE.

California Wines for Obama Inaugural Lunch

2009-01-26T20:07:00.001+02:00

At the official post- inaugural lunch in the Capitol building, President Barack Obama was toasted with three Californian wines which are reasonably priced, making the wine industry hope that his presidency will help promote wine drinking culture in the country.

Duckhorn Vineyards 2007 ($25), Sauvignon Blanc, Goldeneye 2005 Pinot Noir ($52) and Korbel Special cuvee sparkling wine NV ( $14 for a regular Brut) as a dessert wine adorned the luncheon table.

The lunch was attended by 237 guests that included former Presidents Bush, Carter, Clinton and Bush, as well as Supreme Court judges, members of the Congress, senior Cabinet officials and several political and government honchos.

Napa Valley kosher wine makes splash

2009-01-24T20:11:00.000+02:00

Jeff Morgan, winemaker, author, journalist and wine educator is a partner in Covenant Wines that makes kosher wines from Napa Valley grapes. David Stoneberg photos

Napa Valley kosher wine makes splash

St. Helenan and crusader Jeff Morgan wants the world to know that he’s making a great Napa Valley cabernet sauvignon. The grapes are from an historic vineyard near Calistoga, the wine is fermented and aged in French oak and it has earned great praise from Robert Parker.

Morgan is partners with Leslie Rudd, and the two vintners’ flagship wine, Covenant, is sold all over the United States and in many countries throughout the world, even though the 2006 production, currently in release, is a mere 500 cases.

California's Boho Vineyards 2006 Central Coast Chardonnay

2009-01-20T14:18:00.000+02:00

There is a box of wine in our refrigerator, a confession that just a few short months ago we would not have made under torture.

Technically, we're talking about what the industry likes to call a premium wine cask, a taste- and odor-neutral plastic liner inside a cardboard box, typically holding 3 liters of wine, the equivalent of four standard bottles.

Here's why producers like it and we do too: It is lighter and cheaper to ship, allowing a lower price point at retail; because it requires less fuel to ship, it produces a smaller carbon footprint; and because air is excluded from the container as the wine is drawn, it lasts much longer than wine in an open bottle.

Napa Valley Wine Train

2009-01-13T21:38:00.000+02:00

The Best Couples Getaway this year is the Napa Valley Wine Train, one of the most popular tourist attractions in a place that is the definition of elegance. The visitor who boards the Wine Train gets a little taste of pampered rail travel - think Orient Express - for a fraction of what it would cost for the real thing.

Once on board, it's clear that the Wine Train has pulled out all the stops to make this as luxurious as possible. We settled down into plush chairs facing one another with a table in between. During our three hours on board, we were treated to waves of meal and beverage service starting with wine (not included in your meal price, by the way), appetizers, salad, a main course - which during our trip was a choice between salmon and a beef entrée - and dessert. Everything was exquisitely prepared and the presentations rivaled what you would find at an expensive gourmet restaurant. To learn more about the Napa Valley Wine Train, call (80... or go to www. winetrain.com.

Foley Wine Group snaps up Sebastiani Vineyards

2009-01-06T19:35:00.000+02:00

After more than a century in business, a family-owned California winery has sold itself to a southern California conglomerate as consolidation swirls in wine country.

Amid increasing competition and consolidation in the wine industry, Foley Wine Group has purchased Sebastiani Vineyards for an undisclosed sum, according to a statement released by Sebastiani. The sale includes the Sebastiani winery, a Sebastiani tasting room and event center in downtown Sonoma, Calif., and 100 acres of vineyards.

The perfect wine country getaway in Sonoma County, California

2008-12-25T19:42:00.000+02:00

Looking for an easy California getaway that offers terrific scenery, outdoor exercise, and celebrated foods and wines? We’ve found the perfect escape for you.

At this time of year, the little town of Healdsburg in Sonoma County is nicely uncrowded and offers a relaxed setting where you can enjoy wine tasting, and sample local restaurants.

An easy 80-minute drive north of San Francisco up Highway 101, Healdsburg is unique because it has maintained its small town atmosphere amid the growth of tourism in the California Wine Country.

The Honor Mansion in Healdsburg is an unusually elegant B&B resort offering gourmet foods, wines, and special treats for the discerning traveler.

Try a California brut

2008-12-18T20:27:00.000+02:00

It could be Champagne from France, Cava from Spain (especially a pinot noir-based Gloria Ferrer Blanc de Noirs), spumante or prosecco from Italy, Sekt from Germany or Cremant from France's Burgundy and Alsace regions.

The sparkler, too, could come from this country.

"I'll tell you something that's overlooked," said Jeff Auman, owner of The Wine Cellar on Walmart Way in Midlothian. "There are some really nice sparkling wines coming out of California that are competing very well with the French Champagnes.

"My favorite California sparkler is Scharffenberger Brut from the Anderson Valley. It is very dry and full-bodied, like Champagne.

Red blends bring on the party

2008-12-10T14:22:00.000+02:00

Sacred Stone Master's California Red Blend, $9.99. The aroma offered dried and stewed plums and wild berries, cedar, cinnamon and clove. The wine tasted like it smelled, with lots or cedar. It had a green wood flavor on the end. We felt this blend would be a real crowd pleaser. It ranked first in the tasting.

2006 Root 1 Cabernet Sauvignon, $11.99. This wine from Colchagua Valley, Chile, had dusty, gravelly scents of green peppers, strawberries, ripe black fruit and basil. More peppers and dried fruit appeared on the palate, with minerals and low acidity, all in a lovely texture. Those who like the green pepper taste in red wines should try this, as it should work well with food. It ranked second in our tasting.

2006 Penfolds Koonunga Hill Shiraz-Cabernet Sauvignon, $10.99. This wine was from Barossa Valley, Australia. Its nose reminded us of black cherries, smoke, pepper, angelica root, menthol and dried herbs. It was better on the palate than the nose, with black cherry pit and cherry skin flavors, along with black olives and alcohol. The wine had lots of attributes to make it attractive for parties.

1996 J. Rochioli "West Block" Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley

2008-12-08T09:19:00.000+02:00

To paraphrase Shakespeare, there are wineries that are born great, those that achieve greatness, and those that have greatness thrust upon them. To explain: some fantastic wineries are started by people who are superstars already, and it hardly seems to matter what they do -- these properties are destined for success. Some top wineries seem to come from nowhere, and indeed have greatness thrust upon them, when out of the blue, their wine scores highly somewhere and they are vaulted from obscurity to fame.

The majority of the best wineries in the world, however, fall into Malvolio's second category through their own achievement. Achievement seems perhaps not quite the correct term, however, for the amount of sweat and energy that goes into building a world class winery over decades, even centuries. Wine lovers early in their education (and in their earning power) are often flummoxed by prices for wines that start to head north of $80 or $90 per bottle. Should they pursue their love of wine long enough to really learn (and see for themselves) what kind of work goes into some of the world's best vineyards, and to taste the wine that they produce, such prices no longer seem outrageous.

Mondavi-inspired wine center files for bankruptcy

2008-12-05T15:16:00.000+02:00

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Six months after California wine pioneer Robert Mondavi's death, the not-for-profit Copia wine and food center he founded filed for bankruptcy on Monday while it seeks to restructure and stay afloat.

The center, located in California's Napa Valley, said its decision to restructure through a Chapter 11 filing will provide an additional six months to achieve long-term sustainability.

In the filing, Copia estimated its outstanding liabilities at between $50 million and $100 million. Recent news reports put its debt at $78 million.

"We recently have taken intensive measures to overcome our deteriorating liquidity position," Copia CEO Garry McGuire said in a statement, referring to cost-cutting by making Copia less of a wine and food museum and more of an education institute.

California penoit noir ideal for Thanksgiving

2008-11-19T10:26:00.000+02:00

Every year I am faced with the daunting decision of what to serve for Thanksgiving. I don't mean the meal; like most people my family follows a tradition menu.

I'm referring to what wine to serve with the varied Thanksgiving menu. Think of it - there is the meat, usually turkey, chicken or game birds; then there are the sides and sauces - soup, potatoes, mushrooms, beans, yams, stuffing, gravy, cranberry sauce.

I have successfully tried a variety of wines over the years. I have been known to start with whites like sauvignon blanc, Riesling, Gewürztraminer and pinot gris; then move on to reds like zinfandel and syrah. But I have decided that this year pinot noir is the wine for the meal.

The dining in California wine country mellows out

2008-11-11T11:12:00.000+02:00

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA — Wine-country visitors checking out the harvest will discover that the most inviting new restaurants among the vineyards of Napa and Sonoma counties are small, casual gems that are more analogous to quaffable Zinfandels than blockbuster Cabs.

Not that there's anything wrong with the famous anchors of the dining scene — in Michelin's just-published 2009 San Francisco Bay Area & Wine Country Guide, The French Laundry in Yountville retains its three-star rating, Cyrus in Healdsburg and The Restaurant at Meadowood in St. Helena keep their two-star ratings, and eight other places hold onto their lone stars.

But in this tanking economy, wine country can sustain only so much grandeur, and so the best of the newcomers (with a few exceptions) offer a simpler, scaled-down approach that invites grazing on the region's world-class bounty. Think small plates, wine bars, local cheeses and house-cured meats. All of the above can be found under one roof at the new Oxbow Public Market complex (oxbowpublicmarket.com) in the town of Napa, or scattered among the menus at these recently opened places:

Ten Bordeaux And California Reds Head-To-Head

2008-10-30T12:58:00.000+02:00

Remember the last time you heated a frozen pizza in your toaster oven? Your expectations were relatively low, but it tasted decent enough. Now imagine if, lined up against a pie from a famous Brooklyn pizzeria, the frozen version comes out the winner.

That's more or less what happened in 1976, in a blind tasting of French and California wines that's since become known as the Judgment of Paris. France had the reputation; California was an unknown entity. All the expert judges were French, and that day they chose California wines as their favorites, unintentionally kick-starting what would become the massive American wine industry.

Were the French judges out of their minds? Not at all, says George Taber, author of the book Judgment of Paris, and the only journalist who attended the '76 tasting (he was a reporter for Time magazine).

Two fabulous wine bars in San Francisco

2008-10-19T02:38:00.000+03:00

The first one I checked out was down at The Embarcadero -- the Ferry Plaza Wine Merchant. I've checked this place out many times before when visiting the city and it never fails to disappoint. I didn't opt for a wine flight this time around. Instead, I had an Italian Sangiovese. It wasn't bad, but didn't completely knock my socks off, either, so I wanted to try something else. Surprisingly, none of the California wines really grabbed me, so I opted for a sparkling wine from New Mexico instead. New Mexico, you say? Yes! And it was great -- I was pleasantly surprised. If you're curious, check out the winery's Web site here and order some yourself if you can't make it down to the City by the Bay. Before I move on to the next wine bar, however, you might want to check out this video on the Ferry Plaza Wine Merchant.

Another wine bar I've visited before that is always worth a visit is the California Wine Merchant in the Marina District. They've got wine tasting events every Monday night, so check it out if you happen to be in town. I sauntered in on a quiet afternoon and chatted with the guy behind the bar and had a wine flight consisting of a Grenache, Zinfandel and a Red Blend. If it weren't for the airlines being so picky these days, I would have definitely bought a bottle from this guy and taken it home. But alas. I guess I will just have to go back someday.

Harvest caps challenging year for Calif. vintners

2008-09-30T17:37:00.000+03:00

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — California vintners are bringing in the grape harvest this month after a challenging year that started with unusually sharp frosts and moved on to smoky summer wildfires.

So far, it looks like the crop will be smaller than usual but the fruit that is coming in is good, said Karen Ross, president of the California Association of Winegrape Growers. "People are very happy to date with the quality and flavor development," she said.

The harvest caps a season that began with late frosts that struck just as vines were beginning to send out shoots. That was followed in some areas by a heat spike that hit during flowering, another adverse condition, said Nick Frey, president of the Sonoma County Winegrape Commission.

"We have had some real tough spots," he said. On the plus side, conditions for much of the season were "pretty ideal," he said.

California winemakers brace for smaller supply of grapes

2008-09-02T11:14:00.000+03:00

As California's winemakers begin the 2008 harvest, they are scrambling to find enough Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes.

After several years of bumper crops, Mother Nature turned fickle this year, offering up deep frosts, followed by hot weather and ultimately not enough rain.

"This is one of the strangest weather patterns that I have seen in more than 30 years of farming," said Andy Beckstoffer, the largest independent grower on California's North Coast.

Little Known Southern California Winery Completes 2008 Wine Competition Circuits Ranked Among Top in The Nation

2008-08-13T13:39:00.000+03:00

The results are in and South Coast Winery, this year's winner of the prestigious California Golden State Winery of the Year award, is capturing the attention from both international and national wine buyers and critics across the nation for its wine quality, value, and selection. From vine to shelf, South Coast Winery has always placed quality ahead of quantity. With 41 of its wines earning 255 awards and medals from both regional and international wine competitions in 2008 alone, there is little doubt in anybody's mind that South Coast Winery is committed to producing quality wines and adhering to quality production methods. As owner/vintner, Jim Carter, summarizes it, "We started with great passion and commitment to making the finest wines possible here at our winery. As you can see, the efforts of our winemakers Jon McPherson and Javier Flores have really been paying off in the amount of medals that we are winning, including the additional stature of having earned the California Winery of the Year medal.

Five California Wine Brands Come Home

2008-07-04T21:14:00.000+03:00

Jim DeBonis, former COO of Beam Wine Estates, has announced the formation of Ascentia Wine Estates, Healdsburg. Ascentia Wine Estates' first major acquisition is a portfolio of wineries representing a million-case annual production of highly rated wines five from California and three from the Pacific Northwest. The company also acquired 646 acres of prime vineyard land. Ascentia Wine Estates acquired the portfolio of labels from Constellation Brands.

The newly-formed company comprises a group of investors that includes William and Peter Deutsch, proprietors of leading wine importer W.J. Deutsch & Sons, Ltd., and GESD Capital Partners, a San Francisco-based private equity food and beverage investor.

"We are thrilled with this acquisition," says Ascentia CEO DeBonis. "These wines are consistently highly-rated and we are confident the brands will flourish in our highly focused portfolio. The size of the Ascentia portfolio, the superior quality of the wines, and our partnership with W.J. Deutsch & Sons, Ltd., who will serve as our exclusive sales and marketing agent, allows for immediate strength in the marketplace.

Temecula, California: wine-country getaway package

2008-06-23T12:46:00.000+03:00

Napa, shmappa. Skip the long drive and head instead to Southern California’s own wineries lightly peppering our region from Malibu on down to San Diego. One of the more winery-dense areas is Temecula. If you’re looking for a lure, Temecula Creek Inn offers a package with a stay, tickets to wineries and lots of opportunities to taste-test.

Deal: Here’s the scoop on the Wine Country Getaway package: For $335 and up per night (pre-tax and based on double occupancy), you and your companion get a room, a bottle of local wine, breakfast, a picnic lunch, a regional wine-accompanied dinner at the hotel’s Temet Grill and tickets to select local wineries. You’ll visit three wineries; Falkner Winery, Leonese Cellars and Stuart Cellars are among those chosen for guests’ packages.

He put California wine on the map

2008-06-11T11:02:00.000+03:00

To say Robert Mondavi was to American wine what Julia Child was to French food would not be an exaggeration. Over his long life, especially after opening his eponymous winery in 1966, he did as much as anyone could do to put American wine on the international stage.

"Everybody in the wine business needs to be grateful to him. He made the California wine industry," said Anthony Terlato, chairman of the Terlato Wine Group and Terlato Wines International, which are based in Lake Bluff. "He was unselfish; he never worried about making money. He was concerned about great wine. He wanted to make great wine."

Terlato met Mondavi in 1955 when he traveled to California on his honeymoon. He spent a week on the Mondavi Ranch, tasting wines with Mondavi and watching, fascinated, as he undertook wine training with the wait staff at restaurants in San Francisco. That wasn't done much then.

Calif. wine patriarch Robert Mondavi dead at 94

2008-05-20T23:22:00.001+03:00

BERKELEY, Calif. (AP) — Robert Mondavi, the vintner who built his career and helped an iconic Northern California industry blossom by insisting that Napa Valley wines can compete with the best in the world, died in the valley Friday. He was 94.

Mondavi died peacefully at his home in Yountville, Robert Mondavi Winery spokeswoman Mia Malm said.

"It is hard to imagine anyone having more of a lasting impact on California's $20 billion-a-year wine industry than Robert Mondavi," Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said in a statement. Mondavi, said the governor, was "a tireless entrepreneur who transformed how the world felt about California wine, and an unforgettable personality to everyone who knew him."