Vino-Sphere

NBA Icon Isiah Thomas Enters The Luxe Kosher Champagne Market With Cheurlin Brut Spéciale

2026-03-25T16:49:00.001-04:00

This Passover, celebrity wines are taking center stage—all kosher for the holiday. Behind one of the most buzz-worthy kosher wines of 2026 is NBA legend Isiah Thomas. Forty percent of all kosher wine is sold during Passover (which begins April 1), and the category is booming, with kosher food and wine sales expected to hit $35 billion by 2034.

Isiah Thomas is the owner‑operator of Cheurlin Champagne, a historic Champagne house from the Aube region of France. This year, he launched a luxury kosher Champagne collection in collaboration with the Cheurlin family.

For those who haven't seen Isiah in action on the basketball court with the Detroit Pistons, let me say he was silky smooth, weaving through defenses and threading the needle with passes. He was part of the Bad Boys teams from Detroit that won two championships. He was named to an NBA All-Star 12 times, on his way to earning his place among the greatest point guards of all time. He was an orchestrator who made everyone else better, and now he has turned that ability to wine.

For those not familiar with kosher wine, it tastes no different than other premium wines. “Simply put, kosher wine is produced using the same fermentation methods as traditional wine," said Jay Buchsbaum, VP at Royal Wine Corp., the world’s largest producer and importer of kosher wines and spirits. "The difference is that all ingredients must be kosher-certified, and the winemaking process is supervised and carried out by Sabbath-observant Jews. Beyond that, kosher wine is no different from any other high-quality wine—and today, it often rivals the very best.”

A common misconception is that all kosher wine originates in Israel. Israel makes some terrific wine, but today, kosher wine spans the globe, including Napa Valley, Champagne, Italy, and beyond.

As Passover begins, families around the world gather for the Seder, retelling the story of the Exodus—and raising four cups of wine to mark freedom and tradition. Today, wine has become one of the most anticipated elements of the Passover table.

We were celebrating the recent wedding of our friends Tony and Amy when we popped the cork on the Cheurlin Brut Spéciale. It was warm and sunny on the patio as the cork soared over the back fence and down the hill. I was anxious to see if Isiah's Champagne was as silky smooth as his jump shot.

The wine is made without added sugar and uses only first-press juice, a hallmark of Cheurlin quality that yields a finer texture and greater purity. The Champagne is made with 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay.

On the nose, there is citrus zest and white blossoms. It unfolds into a mineral-driven palate that is dry and elegant, with persistent tiny bubbles and bright whispers of green apple. It's a delicate and polished wine.

Thomas is a hands-on entrepreneur with a portfolio of companies. He turned Cheurlin into the official wine of the NBA Players Association in 2019. With the new luxury kosher wine collection, he is embracing modern wellness trends, French heritage, and the burgeoning kosher luxury market. His other kosher Champagne is Cheurlin Thomas Célébrité.

The wine was so good, it caused Tony and Amy to say, "I do" a second time, as in "I do want more Champagne." It is a great pairing with oysters and salty foods. We served it with prosciutto-wrapped garlic breadsticks and lobster bisque shooters as an opener to a special meal with friends.

The wine is available at select Total Wine & More locations. It retails for $49.99. It is a slam dunk choice for Passover or other gatherings of family and friends.

Tunnel Creek Vineyards: Serenity in the Air, Elegance in the Glass

2026-03-17T17:09:19.312-04:00

When traveling to a North Carolina wine destination, we usually aim the car west and buckle in for a two-and-a-half-hour drive. On a recent sunny day, we decided it was long past due to head north and visit Tunnel Creek Vineyards in Roxboro.

The journey to Tunnel Creek is about an hour shorter than our typical trip to Yadkin Valley, making it an easier day-trip escape. Passing rolling countryside and through the gated entrance, it's time to exhale and leave worries behind.

The 400-acre estate features 13 acres of vines. The tasting room feels like a boutique resort with modern-rustic architecture—stone, timber, glass, and clean lines. The chic surroundings lend a high-quality air to your tasting experience.

The winery is owned by Larry and Sharon Holler, and their experience as developers shows in Tunnel Creek's recognition as an award-winning event venue. Weddings are held in the events building or outdoors on the immaculate grounds.

The landscape provides views of rolling vineyard blocks, water, and forest -- perfect for relaxation or a photo backdrop. The elevation gives a breezy, open feel.

While the facilities and scenery are outstanding, the hospitality and wine are not to be outdone. Sharon led us through a tasting of the Tunnel Creek lineup of mostly estate wines.

The 2021 Pinot Gris displays great acidity and citrus in an enjoyable glass. The expressive, high-intensity aroma 2024 Traminette is a winner, with tropical hints of pineapple and white blossoms. The 2022 Heritage is a refreshing white blend of Traminette and Vidal Blanc.

Tunnel Creek has a way with red wine. The tasting room, hospitality areas, and event spaces opened in 2020. Since those early days, the wines have benefited from the aging and attained elegance and depth.

There is a lot to love in the red lineup. The 2022 Sangiovese is a juicy glass with ripe cherry and smoke. The 2022 Cabernet Franc is a beautiful rendition of the grape: savory red berries and baking spice. The 2020 Petit Verdot demonstrates black fruit power in an intense wine.

We tasted the 2018 Reserve Sangiovese, which undergoes longer barrel aging and features specially selected grapes. It's a beautiful, smooth wine. We sipped the 2024 Meritage alongside the 2023 Reserve Meritage. It has a degree of earthiness, bolder tannins, and a smooth finish. The Meritage uses Petit Verdot, Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc.

Our palates run dry, but Tunnel Creek offers wine for all tastes. The Castle Creek line of wines is geared to those who prefer sweeter wines. Sweet Magnolia is a muscadine wine.

White wines are priced at $34, reds run from $37 to $39. The Reserve lines go from $49 to $59. The price for a tasting is $20 for six to seven wines.

And yes, there is a tunnel creek! Make sure to visit it during your visit to this showcase North Carolina winery.

Winter Whiteout Party A Blizzard Of Wine And Food

2026-03-11T11:16:00.001-04:00

Winter weather couldn't stop our party a third time. We celebrated with white wine, white attire, and an evening to remember.

In January, the Green Dragon said, "We need to have a party, and we should call it the Winter Whiteout." Those words set the wheels in motion. We were ablaze with a planning frenzy, selecting the wines, then debating food choices, working on decorations, and invitations. This was no normal party (are our parties ever?). Guests were to wear all white, and the wines were to be all white as well (except for one final red).

Phew.

As the big evening neared, the weather forecast turned sinister. An ice storm that would cripple the region was coming our way. We checked our flashlight batteries and emergency supplies and eventually had to postpone the party for a week. On the night of the storm, a brief shower of sleet bounced on the patio, but no coating of ice.

We geared up again for the party. About midweek, the meteorologists again foretold of a wintry blast. This time, snow. The weather forecasters did their thing, and the blizzard of 12 inches or more began to shrink with every weather report, first to nine inches, then up to six. We ended up with less than three. Once more, we had to pull the plug. This isn't North Dakota, and North Carolinians don't venture far when snowflakes fly.

Our third attempt, about a month later, succeeded! The guest list included the Dash-More Divas (a ladies' group in town) and their spouses or plus-ones. Money raised from the dinner went to benefit the local food pantry.

The Winter Whiteout event was conceived as a walk through a winter landscape: the sparkle of first snowfall, feeling the coastal chill, walking through a frosted orchard, seeing the rays of the winter sun, and finally enjoying a fireside glow.

1. Anna de Codorniu Blanc de Blancs Reserva (Cava) & Prosciutto breadsticks with charcuterie board and assorted nibbles

The journey opened with a sparkle. This bright, citrus-laced Cava comes from Cororniu, Spain's oldest winery. It is made entirely from white grapes -- primarily Chardonnay with traditional Cava grapes.

2. Piedra de Mar Albariño 2024 (Rías Baixas) & Spanish-style Garlic Shrimp & Butternut Party Bites

We couldn't hold a white wine party without Albariño from Rías Baixas! From the chilly Atlantic coast of Spain, this wine has the cool salinity of sea spray and notes of lime and green apple. This was a divine pairing with the artfully created shrimp and butternut appetizer.

3. Bougrier 'V' Vouvray Sec 2024 (Loire Valley) & French Onion Gruyere Mini Boules and Baked Brie Apricot Tartlets with Walnuts

Some time ago, we hosted a dinner featuring big California reds. This time, I felt the challenge in reverse. How do you create interest when you serve four white wines in a row? The answer came as we entered the frosted orchard. This Vouvray (100% Chenin Blanc) from France marked a shift from crisp whites to more layered and expressive ones. It features orchard fruit -- pear, quince, and white peach, in a gentle, rounded texture. It has enough acid to playfully pair with the cheese in the appetizers.

4. Halos de Jupiter Costières de Nîmes Blanc 2023 & Lobster bisque

The Green Dragon prepared all the dishes (except the finale), and this may be her crowning achievement. The lobster bisque was sensational -- rich and lusciously creamy with lumps of lobster afloat. The Halos de Jupiter is a Rhone blend of Roussanne and Grenache Blanc. It was the richest of our winter whites with soft florals, a whisper of herbs, and peach and apricot. There is just a touch of sweetness. This fuller, more textured wine was the bridge to our final wine of the evening.

5. Decoy Red Blend Limited 2022 (Alexander Valley) & Lamb meatballs with rosemary & garlic, and Black Pepper Dark Chocolate Bark with Dried Cherries

I donned the chef's apron for this last course, preparing savory lamb meatballs with a red wine reduction sauce. The Decoy Red Blend Limited is a Bordeaux-style blend from Sonoma with the primary players being Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petite Sirah. A chocolate dessert was an ideal pairing. My bark used dark chocolate with chopped dried cherries and walnuts, sprinkled through with ground black peppercorns and topped with finishing salt. We ended the snowy journey with a warm glow from the Decoy's polished dark cherry, blackberry, mocha, and warm spice flavors.

In a final salute to our guests, I offered a poem and a toast. Inspired by our previous cancellations and a Johnny Cash tribute concert we attended, I read the original poem "Winter Whiteout in a Ring of Snow." The final line is, "So raise a glass to twists of fate, to weather's stop-and-go -- and to the ones who made it here through this long ring of snow."

Architectural Gems Highlight Central Florida's Hidden Landscapes

2026-02-27T10:14:00.001-05:00

Central Florida’s Polk County is rich in heritage, nature, and artistry.

By Dave Nershi, CSW

Despite covering more than 2,000 square miles – bigger than the entire state of Delaware – Florida’s Polk County is often overlooked by tourists hurrying from Tampa to Orlando. Guests to the Sunshine State would be best advised to slow down, hit the brakes, and enjoy the abundance of attractions, natural wonders, and hospitality available in this county named after U.S. president James K. Polk.

During our recent visit, we explored architectural treasures that might remain parts of a hidden landscape to travelers who don’t pause to enjoy them. Titans of the field, including Fredrick Law Olmsted Jr. and Frank Lloyd Wright, left their marks on Polk County, which has a history that stretches back more than 11,000 years.

Bok Tower Gardens and El Retiro

Located in Lake Wales, Bok Tower stands 205 feet tall atop Iron Mountain, one of Florida's highest points. It is known as the Singing Tower for its 20-story carillon bell tower, which chimes a melodic concert twice daily.

Built by Edward W. Bok, longtime editor of the Ladies' Home Journal, in the 1920s, the tower is surrounded by a 250-acre contemplative garden and bird sanctuary. While we visited, the Dream Weaver: Tales from the Trees exhibit was on display in the garden.

What is a Carillon

A carillon is an exceptional musical instrument. “It’s as if an organ and drum had a baby,” explains Erica Smith, director of marketing for Bok Tower Gardens. A carillon is a musical instrument made of tuned bronze bells, played from a keyboard-like console. To earn the title of carillon, the instrument must have at least 23 bells. The Bok Tower carillon has 60, among the finest in the world.

The console is played by a carillonneur, who performs inside the tower. The current carillonneur is Geert D’hollander, a world‑renowned Belgian composer and performer. He performs a live concert at 1:00 and 3:00 PM Thursday through Sunday from mid-October to mid-May. Short musical selections are played on the hour and half-hour.

The carillonneur plays the console by striking wooden keys with his closed fists and uses his feet to play pedals, which produce the lower tones. The instrument is part of the architecture, and the sound radiates beautifully across the entire landscape.

The tower features Gothic/Art Deco styles and striking stonework by master craftsmen from the Philadelphia area. Its colorful walls are adorned with pink and grey Georgia marble and coquina stone (a native shell limestone).

The Great Brass Door, located on the tower’s north side, is a masterpiece by Samuel Yellin, America’s preeminent metalworker of the era. The door panels depict scenes from the Book of Genesis, including the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve, and the serpent.

The stonework features a menagerie of Florida wildlife, including storks, herons, swans, foxes, and even baboons. It is part of the theme of unity between nature, art, and spirituality.

Frederick Law Olmsted Jr.’s Legacy

Frederick Law Olmsted Jr., landscape architect for Bok Gardens, was the son of Frederick Law Olmsted, who co-designed Central Park and the U.S. Capitol Grounds. The son’s legacy is also long-lasting: in addition to designing Bok Tower Gardens, he founded the American Society of Landscape Architects and helped establish the National Park Service.

The garden is contemplative and peaceful. Curving paths wind through Longleaf pines, Sandhill vegetation, and native shrubs and wildflowers. As you walk on the rising pathway, the tower emerges, framed by trees, with its image captured in a reflecting pool.

El Retiro is a 20-room Mediterranean-style mansion that sits on 7.5 acres within Bok Gardens. It was built in the 1930s for steel executive Charles Austin Buck, and he engaged Olmsted’s firm to design the gardens for his winter home. Architect Charles Wait was hired to design the house.

El Retiro means “the retreat” in Spanish. The 12,900-foot home is considered one of the finest examples of Mediterranean-style architecture in Florida. It features a barrel-tile roof, thick walls, substantial carved doors and woodwork, and intricately detailed wrought iron.

Three porches afforded Buck and his guests uninterrupted views of his English-style country garden, rolling lawn, and tower. There is a formal Mediterranean-style garden with a Spanish frog fountain, and elsewhere a pond to reflect the afternoon sunsets.

Bok Tower Gardens is open daily with general admission ($20 for adults, $10 children 6-17) that grants access to the historic landscape, the Singing Tower, and the visitor areas. Guests who want to explore the 1930s Mediterranean‑style mansion El Retiro can add a docent‑led tour for an additional fee ($10 adults, $5 children).

Frank Lloyd Wright Architecture at Florida Southern College

Lakeland is home to the largest collection of Frank Lloyd Wright’s work found at a single site. Thirteen structures designed by Wright are on the Florida Southern College campus.

The campus features a Usonian home designed in 1939 and then later built according to Wright’s plans in 2011. Wright coined the term Usonian to describe architecture modest in size, harmonized with its surroundings, and affordable for the average American.

The house at FSC has all the Wright hallmarks; it is low-slung with built-in furniture to reduce clutter. It features a carport, clerestory windows, recessed lighting, and strong horizontal lines. The kitchen is open concept, but quite small compared to contemporary kitchens. Wright believed a kitchen was merely a workplace, and he devoted more space to the living areas and master bedroom. The materials are brick, cypress, and interlocking textile blocks.

Child of the Sun Campus

The campus is often called the “Child of the Sun,” and it has 13 Wright-designed buildings. He designed the layout around the orange trees currently growing there.

The largest water feature he designed is the Water Dome, which measures 168 feet in diameter. It features a full circular spray pattern that creates a 30-foot wide hemisphere that appears almost solid. The original technology to achieve this effect didn’t exist in the 1940s; the fountain remained incomplete for decades. Today, the fountain reflects the geometry and scale originally envisioned by Wright.

Annie Pfeiffer Chapel

The Annie Pfeiffer Chapel was the first Wright building on campus, with groundbreaking in 1938 and completion in 1941. It is the physical and spiritual center of the campus. It also encompasses most of Wright’s mid-career experimentation with light, geometry, and hand-made materials.

Much of the work was done by students in exchange for tuition and board. Textile blocks are used extensively in construction, and many of the blocks have perforations with colored glass inserts. Wright instructed students to randomly insert different colors, resulting in an abstract, stained-glass effect.

The floor is painted in Wright’s hallmark Cherokee red concrete. A lantern tower soars above the sanctuary, and the two levels of the church can seat up to 1,000 people.

E.T. Roux Library

Wright’s original plan called for a circular library. The E.T. Roux Library was designed as a hub for campus intellectual life and reflected Wright’s fascination with geometric purity. It featured a central reading room and radiating study alcoves.

By the mid-60s, the college had outgrown the library. A new library, incorporating many of the elements of the original building, was designed by Nils Schweizer, a protégé of Wright. On the day it opened, March 24, 1968, students formed a human chain to pass books hand-to-hand from the old library to the new.

The Child of the Sun campus is unified by almost a mile of covered walkways connecting buildings. These esplanades are designed to mimic orange grove rows.

Florida Southern College offers daily guided tours of its world‑renowned collection of Frank Lloyd Wright structures, including the Annie Pfeiffer Chapel, the Usonian House, and several academic buildings. Visitors can choose from a basic campus tour at $15 or the more extensive In‑Depth Tour, which lasts about 2.5 hours and includes interior access to six Wright‑designed buildings, at $50. Reservations are strongly recommended.

From the soaring Singing Tower at Bok Tower Gardens to the shimmering arc of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Water Dome at Florida Southern College, Polk County invites visitors into a landscape where art, architecture, and nature speak in harmony. These are places shaped by visionaries—Edward Bok, Frederick Law Olmsted Jr., and Wright himself.

Together, Bok Tower Gardens, the historic El Retiro estate, and the nation’s largest single collection of Wright architecture offer a rare chance to stroll through nationally significant sites within just a few miles of one another. It’s a journey blending quiet reflection, bold design, and the enduring beauty of Central Florida.

Ronda Rosé Blends Artistry and Approachability

2026-01-14T10:50:00.000-05:00

B. Wise Vineyards is a Sonoma winery that I know best for its impressive red wines from the Moon Mountain AVA. In fact, a B. Wise Moon Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon was a featured wine in our special Red Side of the Moon: Moon Mountain AVA Dinner.

I've since learned that B. Wise (named for founder Brion Wise) has an admirable range of wines that includes Syrah, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Tannat, Chardonnay, and sparkling wine. We were delighted to try the 2024 Ronda Rosé and experience the lighter side of this boutique winery.

While rosé conjures up images of sultry summer afternoons on the patio, we find it to be a great year-round choice. Its food-friendly nature means it frequently appears on our dinner table. Looking for a bit of sunshine during an arctic blast? Uncorking a bottle of rosé is the answer.

Ronda Rosé is named after Brion's wife and is a blend of 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Grenache. Grapes come from two premier north coast vineyards in Sonoma County. The grapes are whole-cluster pressed, something that adds depth.

The color is a silvery salmon pink, resulting from only a few hours of skin contact. The wine is fermented in stainless steel and aged in both steel and neutral French oak barrels. As with most B. Wise wines, this is a small-lot production, with only 190 cases produced.

On the nose, there is strawberry with fresh citrus notes. On the palate, there are strawberry and melon flavors and refreshing minerality. The elegance of the Pinot Noir and the roundness of the Grenache equal an expressive wine. The acidity keeps this a playful glass.

At $36 (the price on the winery website), this is an affordable and enjoyable foray into the craftsmanship and spirit that are hallmarks of this superb winery. This is an easy wine to savor, and for us to heartily recommend.

Stikky Wine Is The Perfect Book for Wine Beginners

2025-12-20T08:12:00.001-05:00

Look no further for the perfect Christmas book for your new-to-wine friends.

Barely a day goes by without someone on Instagram, a podcast, a blog, or in a book promising to "demystify" wine. One would think that we are a nation of people wandering about stupefied by the unknowable mysteries of wine, pining for someone to tear the veil asunder and reveal the secrets of the ages.

While I don't buy into the notion of a massive need for demystification, there is a need to jump-start the appreciation of wine for those just beginning. Let me suggest Stikky Wine (Laurence Holt Books). The book offers to "teach essential wine tasting skills to anyone with just a little time. In just one hour, you’ll learn the six aroma families, the three essential characteristics of wine, and how to enjoy and describe wine like a pro." That's a large order to fill!

There's a whole line of Stikky books, on topics ranging from identifying animal tracks to interpreting stock chart patterns. They are written with the help of subject matter experts; in the case of Stikky Wine, the SME is Andrea Reibel. The book uses a unique learning approach, providing a step-by-step introduction to the world of wine. Each step builds on what came before and reinforces it. Simple quizzes and matching exercises test your knowledge.

The book covers the six main categories of aromas found in wine. The section on taste explores tannins, acidity, and body. There are also worthwhile suggestions on pairing food and wine and how to speak with a sommelier.

I found the book to be an enjoyable and quick read. The format is very user-friendly with plenty of illustrations. It covers the six main varietal wines, and the "Next Steps" section covers more varietal wines and types of wines. There's also a basic glossary of terms as well as book and online resources.

It's an ideal Christmas present. It is available for $12 online. My daughter will enjoy unwrapping this gift.

Fall Into These Superb Napa Reds From Hestan Vineyards

2025-11-05T11:54:00.001-05:00

This trio of Napa reds offers power and grace just right for the fall season.

By Dave Nershi, CSW

Hestan Vineyards is a solar-powered estate nestled in Napa Valley’s Gordon Valley region. Established in 1996 by Helen and Stanley Cheng, the property was once a working cattle ranch. Today, it’s home to organically farmed vineyards and gardens, reflecting the Chengs’ enduring appreciation for Napa’s landscape and their commitment to sustainability. Stanley, known for pioneering hard-anodized cookware and founding Hestan Culinary, a brand known for chef-driven kitchen appliances, brings a thoughtful precision to the estate’s winemaking philosophy.

We had the opportunity to taste three magnificent reds from Hestan’s fall release: the 2021 Meyer Cabernet Sauvignon, 2021 Stephanie Malbec, and 2021 Stephanie Prorietary Red Wine.

The Stephanie Proprietary Red Wine is a bold yet polished blend of 39% Petit Verdot, 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Malbec, and smaller amounts of Merlot and Cab Franc. The wine is aged 50/50 in new and neutral French oak. There are silky black cherry notes laced with minerality and floral accents. Limited to 486 cases, this small batch wine retails for $75.

We paired the superb 2021 Napa Valley Malbec from Stephanie with a pan-fried pork chop and a garlic wine reduction sauce. Home-made French fries and fire-roasted corn rounded out the dish. This sensational Malbec boasts a rich, luxurious mouthfeel with flavors of black fruit, blueberries, cassis, and cocoa. The finish is long and delicious.

I brined the chops for an hour in sea salt, herbs de Provence, and a pinch of brown sugar. The seasoning was smoked paprika, thyme, and rosemary from the garden, plus salt and pepper.

The robust seasoning of the juicy chops paired wonderfully with the Stephanie Malbec. We highly recommend this exceptional wine. SRP is only $55.

The Stephanie wines are named for Stanley and Helen’s only daughter. The bottle features a golden silkscreened harp in a nod to Stephanie’s musical talents.

This line is crafted by acclaimed winemaker Jeff Gaffner. He is known for his work with Bordeaux varieties, producing elegant and refined wines. Jeff started at Chateau St. Jean, working with legendary winemaker Richard Arrowood to produce the winery’s 1996 Cinq Cepages, saluted as Wine of the Year by Wine Spectator Magazine. We only wish these wines were available in magnum format.

Thomas Brown is the winemaker behind the renowned Meyer Cabernet Sauvignon. He is one of Napa Valley’s most exciting winemakers with an impressive array of accolades. Among his accomplishments are unprecedented double 100-point scores from the Wine Advocate’s Robert Parker. Thomas joined the Hestan team in 2009.

The 2021 Meyer Cabernet Sauvignon appears destined for greatness as well. The wine is crafted for intensity as well as long-term aging. Made with 100% Napa Cabernet Sauvignon, this is a big wine that is enjoyable now, but can age gracefully for 10 years and beyond.

On the nose, there is the aroma of cassis and crushed herbs. Robust dark plum, black cherry, and cedar flavors anchor the palate. The tannins are structured with minerality and vibrant acidity, providing complexity. The finish is long and gripping.

There were 1,267 cases produced, and the wine is aged in 75% new French oak. This latest vintage of Meyer Cabernet is priced at $90.

These selections from Hestan’s fall release reflect precision, depth, and a clear sense of place. From the expressive Meyer Cabernet to the graceful Stephanie reds, each bottle speaks to the estate’s commitment to stewardship of the land and the talent behind its label. These are wines to enjoy now, and to revisit as they evolve.

Lone Star Wine Shines Bright As Texas Earns Growing Acclaim

2025-10-26T17:58:00.010-04:00

By Dave Nershi, CSW

Texas wine is an immense topic. That’s not surprising, considering the state of Texas is larger than France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, or Germany. I recently had the opportunity to delve deeply into Texas wine during the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association's annual conference, held in Lafayette, Louisiana. I participated in a pre-conference Texas Wine Ambassador certification class and then assisted with a Texas winemaker panel and tasting.

Texas winemakers aim for a refreshing style of wine, said Kelsey Kramer, DipSET, the education director for the Hill Country Wine Academy, who conducted the certification class. Grapes are typically harvested early to retain acidity and avoid exposure to high heat and other extreme weather conditions.

The early harvest, sometimes four months earlier than other regions, and the warm-plus (don’t call it “hot”) climate define a Texas style with big flavors, with a soft and opulent texture. Wine lovers will discover wines that are fruitier, lighter in tannins, and high in minerality. Herbaceousness is another Texas calling card.

The Lone Star State is a mosaic of more than 1,300 soil types spread across 11 degrees of latitude (France has 10), five different climate zones, and elevations that range from sea level to 8,751 feet.

There are about 3,700 named rivers and streams in Texas, with about 15 major river basins. Grapes from different river basins result in strikingly different-tasting wine. Rivers like the Brazos and Colorado carve through limestone and clay, shaping soils that give Hill Country wines their bold character. Texas was once completely underwater, with marine influence and sea sediments creating layered sedimentary rock across the state.

As a result, Texas wines focus on regionality. That’s the reason more than 70 grape varieties are grown in the state’s eight AVAs. While the familiar Cabernet Sauvignon is the most planted grape in the state, the second most popular is Tempranillo. The most planted white grape is Blanc de Bois, the unofficial signature grape of the state. It is a hybrid grape prized for its resistance to Pierce’s Disease and its adaptability to hot, humid climates. Pierce’s Disease is a bacterium that is spread by sap-feeding insects, and grapevines are especially vulnerable.

The Texas High Plains AVA has a cold semi-arid climate and is located on a large flat plateau in an area once called the “Great American Desert.” No indigenous grapes were planted there in the early days, and it is considered disease-free. That’s a good thing, since 80% of Texas wine grapes are grown there. It is the “engine room” of the Texas wine industry.

We tasted six wines, including some from Texas High Plains, and three from areas currently in the review process to gain AVA status.

2024 Grower Project Picpoul, Texas High Plains – This historic French grape, whose name means “lip stinger,” has found a home in Texas. This wine is pale in color with mouth-watering acidity, with flavors of apricot and lemon zest.

2024 La Valentìa Chenin Blanc, Dell Valley – Pale gold in the glass, it’s made with 40-year-old vines and is aged for six months in neutral oak. Soft texture and subtle flavors of lychee and Meyer lemon.

2019 William Chris Mourvèdre, Texas High Plains – One of my favorites in the tasting. Red brick in color, it is herbaceous with delicate flavors of red fruit, sage, and mint.

2023 William Chris Sangiovese, Texas High Plains – I found the ABV a little too hot at 14.6%, but others praised its voluptuous taste and termed it a boisterous wine.

2020 William Chris Blackmon Ranch Blend, Hickory Sands District – This is a 56-44 Merlot/Malbec blend from the Llano Uplift AVA and specifically the Hickory Sands area, which will soon become its own AVA. It has rich cherry fruit with cola notes and a focused mineral edge.

2020 William Chris Tannat, Pedernales River Basin – A bold wine with flavors of plum, black currant, and dried herbs. The Pedernales River Basin is known for its limestone-rich soils, which add freshness to the wines.

At the conclusion of the day-long session, I was proud to receive the lapel pin as an officially certified Texas Wine Ambassador.

Texas wine kept flowing during the IFWTWA conference during a standout wine panel and tasting that explored the Texas Hill Country and Texas High Plains wine regions. The panel was organized by IFWTWA Vice President Andy Harris and moderated by our new friend Kelsey Kramer.

The panel of all-stars included:

Kim McPherson of McPherson Cellars, a second-generation winemaker and a pioneer of Texas winemaking.
Nikhila Narra Davis of Kalasi Cellars, a winery known for its bold wines and South Indian inspiration.
Jon McPherson of Carter Creek Winery & Resort, a luxury retreat in Texas Hill Country. He is the brother of Kim and also a second-generation winemaker.
Katy Jane Seaton of Farmhouse Vineyards, a family-owned grape grower and boutique wine producer. They provide grapes to more than 20 Texas wineries, and their own wines often feature Rhône and Italian varieties with a Texas twist.

1. Carter Creek Sparkling Tempranillo Rosé

2. 2022 McPherson Cellars Moore Family Vineyards Tokio Block Tempranillo

3. 2022 Farmhouse Vineyards “The Vault”

4. 2022 Kalasi Cellars “Kanchi”

Kim and Jon McPherson are key figures in Texas wine, continuing the legacy of their father, Doc McPherson, a pioneer of Texas viticulture and founder of one of Texas’s earliest modern wineries.

Kim founded McPherson Cellars in Lubbock, focusing on grape varieties that thrive in the Texas High Plains, such as Sangiovese, Mourvèdre, and Viognier. Jon moved to California in 1985 and became a winemaker at Culbertson Winery, focusing on sparkling wine. He is now the winemaker at Carter Creek Winery Resort & Spa in the Texas Hill Country, bringing his rich experience back to Texas.

The Carter Creek sparkling Tempranillo is crisp and dry with notes of red berries and a frothy effervescence. Following on was the McPherson Cellars Tokio Block Tempranillo, crafted from a block near Tokio, a tiny town in the High Plains known for its sandy loam soils and its elevation. It has notes of raspberry with subtle oak and accents of leather.

The Farmhouse Vineyards “The Vault” is a delicious blend of 50% 2020 Mourvèdre and 50% 2019 Montepulciano. This wine was one of my favorites from my Texas wine tasting in Louisiana. It is distinctly Texan with plum and cocoa flavors wrapped in a savory package.

Kalasi Cellars "Kanchi" is a red wine blend made from Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon Clone 8. Flavors of black cherry and plum lead in this elegant wine. The tannins are supple, and mocha flavors linger in the finish.

The IFWTWA was a delightful detour into the world of Texas wine. Texas winemakers also poured wines in the hospitality suite. It was there I imbibed a memorable wine: McPherson Cellars 2021 Sagmor Vineyard Sangiovese. This is undoubtedly the best Texas Sangiovese I have ever tasted.

Sagmor Vineyard was planted in 1967 by Doc McPherson and his Texas Tech colleague Robert Reed. It was one of the first commercial vineyards in the state. The Sangiovese is a flagship bottling for McPherson, with very limited quantities (in 2021, only 224 cases were produced).

It features cherry and berry flavors with accents of vanilla and spice. The balance between acid and tannins is perfection itself. It is savory, with understated oak notes delivered in a dry wine with a medium body. Leather and mushroom notes contribute to the layered enjoyment.

Texas wine is a dynamic, evolving force shaped by geology, grit, and generations of visionaries. From the limestone river basins to the windswept High Plains, each bottle tells a story of perseverance and passion. As a newly minted Texas Wine Ambassador, I’m honored to help share that story. Texas invites you to taste beyond the expected—and discover a wine world as vast as the state itself.

Cherry Creek Cellars Scores Michigan Governor's Cup Win with Cool Climate Pinot Noir

2025-09-14T18:02:00.002-04:00

Cherry Creek Cellars Owner Patrick Spensley and winemaker Kyle Baker produced the 2025 Michigan Governor's Cup-winning wine, a cool climate Pinot Noir.

Pinot Noir is a finicky grape that drives vineyard managers mad and the wine-loving public wild. Notoriously difficult to grow, Burgundy, California, and Oregon produce sterling examples of this variety, so you may be caught off guard to hear of an award-winning Pinot Noir from Michigan.

By Dave Nershi, CSW

Michigan has been a rising star in the growing cool climate wine movement. Most vineyards are located within 25 miles of Lake Michigan or Lake Erie, and the insulating effect makes it an ideal location for cool-climate varieties such as Riesling, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir. While climate change has created havoc for many traditional wine-growing regions, Michigan has actually gained four extra weeks of growing season due to rising temperatures.

Cherry Creek Cellars 2022 Charamar Pinot Blanc and
Governor's Cup-winning 2023 Charamar Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir’s ascent in Michigan was validated at the 2025 Taste Michigan Governor’s Cup Competition, organized by the Michigan Wine Collaborative. Earning the Michigan Governor’s Cup winner (best of show) for 2025 was Cherry Creek Cellars, with their 2023 Charamar Collection Pinot Noir. It ranked the highest out of 154 entries from 33 wineries submitted to the competition. The Governor’s Cup is Michigan’s only statewide industry-driven wine competition.

Cherry Creek Cellars, with its distinctive historic schoolhouse tasting room, is located in Brooklyn, Michigan, and is part of the River Raisin Wine Trail. Patrick Spensley is the owner. His introduction to the wine industry was while traveling abroad in New Zealand. He spent 10 months working off and on in vineyards and cellars while exploring the country.

Upon return to the US, he served as vineyard manager and winemaker at Cherry Creek under the former owners before purchasing the operation. “It really was the perfect situation, an established business with a loyal customer base and great wines, my real job was just to keep the train on the tracks and bring a few new ideas and events into the mix,” he said.

How exactly is winemaking in Michigan different from New Zealand? According to Spensley, much of it is the same. “In my mind, the major difference is just the climate and, therefore, the profiles in the wines produced,” he said. “New Zealand is known for amazing Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc, but I wouldn’t ever try to tell you that our Pinot or Sauv Blanc is similar to the wines they are producing there. However, I would tell you that you could line ours up next to one of theirs and experience two very different, but equally great wines.”

In the glass, the light garnet color of the Charamar Pinot Noir was a surprise. Sipping provides delightful notes of raspberry and cherry, with hints of earthiness and silky tannins. It’s juicy and savory with the right touch of richness.

“Personally, I think there are some amazing Pinot Noirs in Michigan,” said Spensley. “Sure, some years the weather/climate doesn’t cooperate, but that's true of any wine region around the country or even the world. In other years, we produce amazing Pinot Noir across the state. In our experience, our best Pinots are typically lighter-bodied than most, but that allows a lot of the rest of what makes Pinot Noir so special to shine through. The Charamar Pinot is light-bodied, but full of fruit; it has enough tannin and acid to hold up to the right pairing; the barrel notes are present and not overshadowed by the other components.”

The Charamar Collection is Cherry Creek’s premium line of wines. It typically, but not always, features vinifera grapes. It's named after the family farm Spensley grew up on and features small batch runs of their best wines.

We also sampled the 2022 Charamar Pinot Blanc, a lively white with just a whisper of sweetness. It is crisp with plentiful minerality and peach and white floral notes.

Cherry Creek Cellars vineyard

Cherry Creek’s location in South Central Michigan limits the varieties they can grow, so they rely on contracts with other vineyards around the state. The estate vineyard exclusively features cold-hardy hybrids like Frontenac and Adalmiina, among others, that mostly end up in blends. Most contracts are with growers of premium vinifera from the Lake Michigan Shore AVA, though they do get some fruit from the Leelanau Peninsula. All the grapes in their wines are proudly grown in Michigan.

The hybrid grapes provide challenges of their own, but according to Spensley, their resilience is unmatched. “In my 15 years here, we’ve had some brutal winters, but the vines wake up in the spring like nothing ever happened,” he said. “I love our vines and working in the vineyard when I’m not pulled in 100 different directions.” He notes that some of their most popular wines are produced with hybrids.

Cherry Creek Cellars historic schoolhouse tasting room

Their charming tasting room is a historic one-room schoolhouse. Square footage is limited, but they have an exceptional outdoor space used year-round with bands and live music in the summer and igloos and events throughout the winter. A winemaker dinner series is offered as well as a regular café menu of shareable dishes.

As if sipping the tip-top wine in the state isn’t enough, Cherry Creek also offers cider and beer. “We have four to five staple ciders and a couple of rotating taps, depending on the season,” said Spensley. “Like our wines, they range from dry to sweet and feature some fun and unique flavors. We chose to offer ciders (and beer) because they fit our 'something for everyone' mantra. We understand that not everyone is a wine drinker, but we promise that whether it's wine, beer, or cider, we have something on our list that you’ll enjoy. Honestly, our list is probably too big for a small winery, but it's our mission to make sure everyone walks away having enjoyed their time here.”

Sabrage, Sparkles & Sips: A Wine Lover’s Tour Through British Columbia’s Fraser Valley

2025-08-28T14:03:00.002-04:00

British Columbia’s wine scene is overflowing with cool-climate elegance, and the Fraser Valley—just a short drive from Vancouver—is one of its most accessible and charming regions.

After visiting the Canadian wine strongholds of Ontario and Okanagan, we were eager to check out this new-to-us area. Known for its crisp whites, expressive reds, and growing reputation for traditional method sparkling wines, the Fraser Valley offers a mix of boutique wineries, passionate winemakers, and unforgettable tasting experiences. During our recent visit, we explored three standout wineries that showcased the artistry and soul of BC wine: Township 7, Backyard Vineyards, and Chaberton Estate Winery.

Saber & Sip at Township 7 Vineyards & Winery

As many of you know, I love to saber sparkling wine—and on this trip, I had the chance to perform my first international sabrage! Thanks to Township 7 Vineyards & Winery, a winery acclaimed for its Seven Stars sparkling collection, I got to pop a bottle in style during their Saber & Sip tasting experience.

This unique offering includes a guided tasting of their traditional method bubbles and the thrilling opportunity to saber a bottle yourself—outdoors, with a vineyard view and a gleaming Champagne saber in hand. The setting featured a perfect “launch” area for sabrage, with a stack of wine barrels as a target. I was offered a plastic face guard, which was similar to one on an NHL helmet. Needless to say, I declined.

Polaris, a Chardonnay-based sparkler, was the one I chose to saber. The wine offers a taste of brioche with creamy perlage and citrus notes. In the interest of improving international relations, we shared the sabered wine with our new Canadian friends. We also sampled the Riegel (Riesling-based), Sirius (a Pinot-Chardonnay blend), and Aurora, a Pinot Noir Blanc de Noir. It was surprising to discover a winery specializing in bubbles in the midst of Langley, BC.

Our host, Zulie Visram, led us through a delightful tasting overlooking the vines. Each of the Seven Stars wines had its own personality, and the experience was pure magic. If you’re visiting the Vancouver area, Township 7 should absolutely be on your itinerary—especially if you’re ready to channel your inner sword-wielding sommelier.

Legacy and Rare Grapes at Chaberton Estate Winery

One of the highlights of our trip was visiting Chaberton Estate Winery, one of British Columbia’s oldest and largest estate wineries. We were warmly welcomed by winemaker Gary Zhygailo, who gave us a behind-the-scenes tour of the vineyard, production area, and barrel room. Joining my wife and me were Margot Savell (@writeforwine) and her husband, Dave—dear friends from our Wine Bloggers Conference days dating back 15 years.

Gary, originally from Ukraine, brings heart and energy to every bottle. His guided tasting introduced us to Chaberton’s 55 acres of vines, including rare grapes like Ortega, Bacchus, and Siegerrebe. The 2024 Dry Bacchus was a revelation—floral and peachy with lovely stonefruit notes. This was our first taste of this grape – and we loved it. The winery also offers an off-dry Bacchus, which is their best seller.

The 2024 Pinot Gris, aged partially in barrel and on the lees, delivers a smooth, textured package with notes of grapefruit, ginger, and lemon. The 2023 La Fleur de Chaberton Rosé, a blend of Cabernet Franc and Pinot Noir, was fresh and minerally with hints of watermelon.

Among the reds, the 2023 Estate Zweigelt (15 months in neutral oak) stood out with vanilla and spice, while the 2019 Cabernet Franc Reserve was silky and rich with cocoa and currant. The crowning wine was the 2020 Meritage from the Okanagan Valley VQA —a heavenly blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot.

Chaberton is a true gem, offering unexpected varieties and a warm welcome that made our visit an epic wine adventure.

Cozy Charm and Bold Reds at Backyard Vineyards

Our final stop in Langley was Backyard Vineyards, nestled in the Fraser Valley just 45 minutes from Vancouver. This cozy, welcoming winery is the second-oldest in the region, with roots dating back to 2000. We opted for the reserve tasting and paired it with a delicious charcuterie board—an ideal way to unwind after a day of vineyard hopping.

Backyard Vineyards is known for its 100% BC wines, and the 2022 Bacchus white wine was a standout. This grape thrives in the Fraser Valley’s cooler climate, and the wine was bursting with peach and tropical fruit. The reds were equally impressive. These grapes are sourced from the southern Okanagan Valley, except for five acres of estate Pinot Noir. The 2020 Reserve Cabernet Franc dazzled with cranberry, plum, and pepper, while the limited-production 2020 Reserve Meritage (just 120 cases!) offered crushed strawberry and tobacco notes.

We couldn’t resist bringing home the award-winning 2020 Reserve Syrah, a savory treat layered with raspberry, dried herbs, and licorice. With its gazebo and outdoor seating overlooking the vines, Backyard Vineyards is a perfect sipping spot for your next BC adventure.

Final Thoughts

British Columbia’s Fraser Valley is more than just a wine region—it’s a place where tradition meets innovation, and every tasting comes with a story. Langley is a short drive from Vancouver, giving you a chance to escape the big city for a relaxing day in wine country. Whether you’re sabering sparkling wine at Township 7, sipping Syrah at Backyard Vineyards, or exploring rare grapes at Chaberton Estate, you’ll certainly find something to love. And for me, it was a chance to reconnect with old friends, discover new favorites, and raise a glass to the brilliance of BC wine.

Collavini's Broy: Evolution Of An Iconic Friuli White Wine

2025-08-06T12:00:00.000-04:00

Friuli Venezia Giulia is a compact yet captivating wine region nestled along Italy’s northeastern border with Slovenia. The complexity of its wines stems from a unique interplay of Alpine and Mediterranean influences—cold winds from the Alps lend high acidity, while coastal breezes bring salinity and body.

By Dave Nershi, CSW

The Social Soul of Friuli Wine Culture

Wine is woven into Friulian life, and few bottles speak its language more eloquently than Broy DOC Collio from the historic Collavini Winery, founded in 1896 in Rivignano. First crafted in 2003, Broy is a white blend of 50% Friulano, 30% Chardonnay, and 20% Sauvignon Blanc—an elegant trifecta that reflects the region’s terroir and winemaking philosophy.

Tracing the Broy Timeline

At a recent online tasting, I had the privilege of sampling six vintages of Broy, each illustrating a distinct era in its evolution. According to Luigi Collavini, great-grandson of founder Eugenio, the wine has seen three stylistic phases:

- 2003–2008: A bold, powerful white wine

- 2008–2018: A focus on purity—“less winery and more vineyard”

- 2018 onward: Introduction of barrel aging and a new label

Let’s take a stroll through each vintage.

2022 Vintage

The growing season was highlighted by drought and an early harvest. The lack of rain caused some trees to die. Hot winds signaled the reality of climate change. Irrigation in Friuli is only used in emergencies and only in the valleys. Luigi likened irrigation in the vineyard to doping in sports.

In the glass, the wine is a straw yellow color with golden highlights. On the palate, notes of tree fruit and pineapple are present. The wine gets nine months of oak aging, but it is done with finesse. The wine is elegant and balanced with an engaging minerality.

2021 Vintage

This year had a more typical season, with a cool spring and some frost. This edition of Broy offers more acidity while maintaining good balance. The vineyard soil was once a seabed, and that adds beautiful minerality. Salinity, a trademark of Broy, is also evident.

The wine is complex, and the fascinating aroma weaves together wildflowers, spice, and peach. It is creamy and round, lifted by bright acidity. The palate offers apricot, honeyed peach, and flint. This wine, a favorite with critics, delivers elegance with a flourish.

Luigi Collavini - Photo courtesy of Collavini

2018 Vintage

“Revolutions are very welcome,” Luigi says, referring to this vintage, which introduced barrel aging to the Broy line. Growing conditions were perfect, and the crop was more abundant than in previous years.

The color is a rich golden yellow. The aroma is a layered bouquet of ripe peach, mango, and a touch of banana. The barrel aging is done in a restrained Burgundian style, present but not obtrusive. The palate opens with juicy peach and tropical fruit, followed by some salty mineral notes and vibrant acidity, leading into a lingering finish.

2017 Vintage

The harvest season was warmer than average, with the overall crop reduced by 20%. The last vintage before the introduction of the barrel-aging regimen, this wine tasted very different than the newer vintages. Stainless steel finishing resulted in a focus on freshness and minerality.

The wine, eight years on from harvest, is deep gold in the glass. It tasted more austere and focused, contrasting with the opulence of the 2022 and 2021. The tropical notes were more muted with a mineral-driven leaness. This was a wine that looked suspect when I received the shipment due to a moldy-looking cork. However, the wine inside was fine, and this turned out to be one of my favorites.

Collavini vineyards and winery - Photo courtesy of Collavini

2013 Vintage

My 2013 vintage bottle was faulted, not surprising when you are tasting a white wine that’s 12 years old, shipped halfway around the world. (Collavini was kind enough to send another bottle, but it didn’t survive the shipping process.)

Fellow participants enjoyed the candied fruit and savory flavors of the wine, which still maintains its structure and minerality.

2011 Vintage

The 2011 vintage began with temperatures above average. The summer was characterized by cool and humid weather, interrupted by a brief period of intense heat. The harvest season was warm and dry.

A deep golden color captures your attention before the first sip. The aroma is of tropical fruit and flint, hinting at aged elegance. The palate has deep savory notes, including tart apple, dried herbs, and sweet spice. This is a wine to sip and contemplate while enjoying the surprising freshness of a 14-year-old wine.

My first tasting experience with Collavini’s Broy made an indelible impression. The wine is rich, aromatic, and complex. Decades may come and go, but the elegant Broy DOC Collio remains a benchmark in Friuli wine.

Exploring The Heart Of Texas Hill Country Wine

2025-07-25T18:30:00.000-04:00

Texas is the home of longhorn steers and 10-gallon hats, but it’s also home to a flourishing wine scene that’s gaining national and international recognition.

By Dave Nershi, CSW

Texas Hill Country, in central Texas, nestled between Austin and San Antonio, boasts more than 100 wineries scattered across limestone hills and pastoral landscapes. The region offers wines that are as bold and inviting as the people who craft them. From Italian varietals nurtured in the High Plains to creative blends made with innovative hybrid grapes, Hill Country winemakers are proving that Texas wine is no longer a curiosity—it’s a destination.

On a recent trip, using Austin as our home base, we visited three standout wineries that showcase the region's diversity and charm. Each is located in the Texas Hill Country AVA, the third-largest in the country. The AVA encompasses nine million acres.

Carter Creek Winery Resort and Spa – Where Innovation Meets Elegance

Our first stop was Carter Creek Winery, where winemaker Jon McPherson leads the charge not only here, but also at South Coast Winery in Temecula, California. (Fun fact: Jon will be a panelist at the upcoming International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association conference.)

Tasting room manager Katie welcomed us with a refreshing Texas High Plains Brut and a sparkling Tempranillo rosé. The Brut has a touch of fruitiness and is 85% Chenin Blanc with smaller amounts of Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay.

Among the whites, the smooth 2023 Roussanne is a classic Texas favorite, but it was the 2023 Chenin Blanc—with lively citrus and green fruit notes—that stole the show for me.

A fascinating side-by-side tasting of Sangiovese blends (one from Temecula, one from Carter Creek) showcased how terroir influences style. Carter Creek’s flagship red, Maverick, impressed with crushed cherry and plum. Like many of the wines in the region, the grapes are grown in the Texas High Plains AVA. Mourvedre and Carignan share the spotlight at 27% each, with Syrah, Cinsaut, and Counoise making this blend dance with red and black fruit and leather and smoke accents.

As we wrapped up, GM Derek Stutz dropped in—and after a brief chat, gave Katie the nod to pour a limited gem: the 2023 Estate Red. Made from two disease-resistant hybrids, Errante Noir and Paseante Noir, the wine evoked bold, deep flavors reminiscent of Petite Sirah and Zinfandel. Carter Creek was among the first to plant these vines, and the result was remarkable.

Driftwood Estate Winery – Hilltop Hospitality with a View

Driftwood Estate Winery proved to be warm and welcoming. Family-run and veteran-owned since its founding in 1998, the winery sits on a bluff with sweeping views of its 18-acre estate vineyard.

I first discovered Driftwood back in 2011 while ordering wine for a board dinner in Austin. The Moonshine Grill restaurant had a nice assortment from the Lone Star State. That bottle of Longhorn Red changed my perspective on Texas wine, and tasting the 2019 vintage on this trip was a full-circle moment. This Syrah and Cabernet Franc blend remains smooth and easy to love.

Other standouts included the Cuvee Blanc—a refreshing blend of Trebbiano, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, and Viognier—and the bold 2019 Newsom Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon with notes of cherry, vanilla, and baking spice. Newsome Vineyards is a standout grower in the Texas High Plains. Nineteen grape varieties are grown, and the vineyard supplies grapes to more than 10 top Texas wineries.

While Longhorn holds sentimental value, we couldn’t leave without the 2019 Sangiovese, a full-bodied delight brimming with dark cherry, plum, and herbal accents, finishing silky smooth.

Driftwood is ideal for lounging under shade trees, wine glass in hand, charcuterie on the side, and the quiet magic of Hill Country all around.

Duchman Family Winery – A Tuscan Escape in the Lone Star State

No trip to Hill Country is complete without a visit to Duchman Family Winery, one of Texas’s top wine destinations and certainly one of the prettiest. With its Tuscan-style tasting room and picturesque grounds, it’s a place that feels like a European escape—yet every wine is 100% Texan.

GM Tommy Wellford curated a superb tasting for us featuring grapes sourced from the Texas High Plains AVA, ideal for Italian varietals thanks to its elevation and climate. Their top-seller, Vermentino, delivered crisp lemon and lime—perfect on a sizzling hot Texas day.

We tasted layered expressions of Rhone grapes, including a 2023 Viognier and stainless steel-aged Roussanne. Texas is on the way to becoming one of the largest producers of Roussanne outside France. Roussanne can be complex and is also heat-tolerant, which is important in this sun-drenched state.

Their 2023 rosé, a blend of Dolcetto and Montepulciano, is summer in a glass. The light-bodied Sangiovese felt tailor-made for the season, while the 2019 Montepulciano, with blackberry, plum, and a hint of pepper, made it clear why it’s a multi-award winner.

My personal favorite? The bold and beautifully structured 2018 Aglianico, offering dark cherry, cooked fruit, and dried herbs—a wine that lingers long after the last sip.

Final Thoughts

We started our Texas getaway with blues at Antone’s in Austin with Eddie 9 Volt, and we continued rocking in Texas Hill Country – a thriving wine region with passionate winemakers, bold varietals, and unforgettable hospitality. From hybrid reds at Carter Creek to hilltop views at Driftwood and Italian elegance at Duchman, this journey captured the unbridled spirit driving the Texas climb to wine excellence.

The World’s Oldest Wine and a Georgian Supra

2025-07-23T12:11:00.002-04:00

We host a celebration of Georgian food and wine with an Old World style.

In 2015, archeologists digging in a Neolithic site near the Republic of Georgia capital of Tbilisi, made a remarkable discovery. They unearthed ancient clay vessels called qvevri containing residue of grape seeds and juice that were radiocarbon dated to 6000 BC. It’s considered the oldest evidence of winemaking, earning Georgia the sobriquet of the birthplace of wine.

Eight thousand years later, the egg-shaped qvevri is still used to make wine, making 8,000 years of unbroken tradition. That’s worth celebrating, and we did during a recent supra, a traditional Georgian-style feast that blends food, wine, poetry, and philosophy into an unforgettable experience.

The supra was a collaboration with good friend Arthur Barham of Merlot2Muscadine. We previously partnered on an epic Judgment of Paris anniversary dinner. With input from Tom “Tommo” Williams of Eat This! wine tours in Georgia, with whom I worked on a webinar for the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association, we set about meticulously planning our supra.

Our dinner party of 12 included good friends well-known for high-level culinary chops. Each couple was assigned a traditional Georgian dish, which Arthur and I paired with a Georgian wine. We incorporated Tommo’s input from half a world away.

The toastmaster and culinary guide for the supra is the tamada. He is the mood maker that keeps the energy flowing and sets the tone with heartfelt toasts. The tamada weaves in stories, humor, and even poetry. Arthur and I shared the role, using a stole around the neck to indicate who was the tamada.

Arriving guests were greeted with a special treat, an Arthurian Pomegranate Mimosa. The sparkler featured a frozen cylinder of pomegranate juice that released its chilled goodness as you sipped. Just perfect, as we learned about the history of Georgia, its wine, and its culinary roots. Pomegranates symbolize fertility, good fortune, and prosperity in Georgian culture.

The group enthusiastically learned the toast of Sakartvelos Gaumajros (Victory to Georgia!). I can still hear the shouts of Gaumajos (cheers) echoing in the house.

First Course

Kachapuri & 2021 Marani Gemieri White Blend, Kakheti

Diane and John Bomba

Kachapuri is Georgia’s beloved national dish. It’s a boat-shaped bread filled with cheese (Diane created a special blend) and topped with an egg. She finished toasting the bread to a golden brown and then sliced the bread, breaking the yolk, resulting in a gooey, comforting, heavenly bite. This was paired with the Marani Gemieri, a blend of Rkatsiteli, Mtsvane, and Tsolikauri. This wine had a slight pop of fruitiness for a spot-on pairing.

The first rule of supra is that no one drinks until the tamada toasts. Here is the toast for this course:

Let us lift our glasses to the One who gave us the vine and the grain, the wisdom to ferment joy, and the hands to shape khachapuri. May this wine from Kakheti reflect the light of His grace, and may this bread remind us that every meal is a blessing. To the Creator of flavor, fellowship, and feast—may His presence dwell among us as richly as this table. Amen and Gaumarjos

Second Course

Pkhali & K’Deda Qvevri Dry Amber Wine, Tsinandali NV

Diane and Gary Wessel

Pkhali is a vibrant and flavorful Georgian appetizer made from finely chopped vegetables blended with ground walnuts, garlic, herbs, and vinegar. Diane crafted this dish into a feast for the eyes. The rounded pkhali were sprinkled with pomegranate seeds. Qvevri wine can be tannic and oxidized. For almost all guests, this was the first taste of such a wine. The wine ferments on the seeds and skins, and in this case, yields a nice caramelized aroma. This wine is 100% Rkatsiteli.

Toast: Let us raise our glasses to peace—not just the silence after storms, but the quiet strength that grows like herbs in the garden of our hearts. As we taste Phkali, may we remember that even the humblest leaf can nourish the soul. And as this amber wine from Tsinandali touches our lips, may it remind us that time and patience turn the ordinary into the extraordinary. To peace in our homes, in our country, and in our spirits. Gaumarjos!

Third Course

Kharcho & 2023 Kakhuri Gvinis Marani Saperavi Argo

Kathy and Dave Nershi

This is a hearty Georgian soup that blends beef, special spices, rice, and a tangy plum or tomato base into a rich, comforting dish. Kathy used a tomato base, then added pureed plum as an accent. The deep, rich soup was a perfect partner for the Saparavi Argo. More than a year ago, I gifted this bottle to Arthur. I was captivated by the ceramic jug, which features two scenes from the Greek myth of Jason and the Argonauts. Jason’s quest for the Golden Fleece takes him to the eastern coast of the Black Sea, which is modern-day Georgia. This Saparavi is full-bodied with deep blackberry notes and earthy tones.

Fourth Course

Satsivi & 2022 Teliani Valley Tsolikouri

Natalie and Kyle Hampton

This classic Georgian dish features poultry and is served cold in a rich walnut sauce. Natalie chose chicken for this version. The green apple and tropical fruit of the Tsolikouri were a great counterpoint to the richness of the sauce. This was my first taste of 100% Tsolikouri, and I enjoyed the minerality.

Toast: Let’s drink to new life, joy, and the future of our children.

Fifth Course

Mtsvadi & 2022 Shumi Iberiuli Mukuzani & 2019 Marani Mukuzani

Arthur and Mary Barham

Mstvadi is Georgia’s answer to the ultimate grilled meat experience—a rustic, flavorful shish kebab that’s deeply woven into the country’s culinary soul. Arthur took this to an artistic level, presenting marinated pork tenderloin flavored with pomegranate molasses and garlic. It was served with pickled red onion in small cast-iron skillets. Mukuzani was first produced in 1888 and is one of Georgia’s most celebrated wines, considered the Grand Cru of Georgian reds. It is aged in oak barrels for at least three years. To quench our guests' insatiable thirst for premium red wine, I also uncorked the Marani 2019 Mukuzani, allowing us to contrast vintages. Both were exquisite.

Toast: To the women at our table and in our hearts—like Mukuzani, they are bold, refined, and unforgettable. As we raise our glasses before the fire-kissed mtsvadi, let us honor the warmth they bring, the wisdom they share, and the beauty they embody. May their laughter echo like the clink of crystal, and may their strength be as enduring as the vine. Gaumarjos!

Sixth Course

Medovik & 2023 Marani Tvishi

Michelle and Bryant Harrison

Medovik is a classic Russian honey cake popular in Georgia. It's known for its delicate layers and rich, creamy filling. Michelle outdid herself with this decadent cake that was at least 10 layers, with a creamy filling and delicate texture. The magnificent cake was paired with Tvishi, a medium-sweet wine from Tsolikauri grapes. It’s known as Georgia’s “golden whisper of sweetness.” There are blossoms and tree fruit on the nose with pear and honeyed sweetness on the palate. It is elegant and delicate, with a long finish.

Toast: A guest is a gift from God—may our guests feel honored and welcome. Gaumarjos!

With the group properly sated with multiple toasts, good wine, and mouth-watering food, we were treated to impromptu poetry readings by Natalie and Bryant. They hadn’t known they would be reciting poems, but I like to keep guests on their toes! Bryant read Rivers of Memory, and Natalie treated us to Fields of Gold.

As a special bonus, Natalie had brought some homemade Georgian red wine from a church friend. It tasted delightful and well-made. She also brought a glass-stoppered flask that contained some clear spirit, chacha perhaps. Chacha is a clear, high-proof liquor distilled from grape pomace. This tamada wasn’t ready for such a high-test libation, so I continued to sip my Saparavi.

With lightning flashing and thunder booming, it was time for the final toast:

Let us raise our glasses one final time, not in farewell, but in honor of the moments we’ve shared. May the laughter echo beyond these walls, may the wine we’ve drunk nourish our spirits, and may the memories we’ve made tonight live long in our hearts. To friendship, to love, to peace – and to the road that brings us together again. Gaumarjos!

The Princely Wines of Liechtenstein Offer Elegance and Freshness

2025-06-22T15:52:00.001-04:00

The Hofkellerei, or princely winery, of the Prince of Liechtenstein produces distinctive Alpine wines of the highest quality. Here’s what they taste like.

Schloss Vaduz

By Dave Nershi, CSW

Princely Wines From The Smallest Wine-Producing Country

Liechtenstein is a landlocked country of approximately 62 square miles and 40,000 citizens. It boasts one of the lowest crime rates in the world and zero national debt. It’s a principality and its current ruler is Prince Hans-Albert II. It’s also the world’s smallest wine-producing country.

Of special interest to us are the wineries of the prince. Princely Wines are produced from two vineyards, one in Austria and one in Liechtenstein. The family name stems from the Liechtenstein Castle located just south of Vienna, Austria. The noble line dates back to the 12th century.

The lineage is steeped in history. To gain a seat in the Holy Roman Empire’s assembly, they had to own land under the emperor’s authority. They purchased the Lordships of Schellenberg and Vaduz in the early 18th century, which became part of the principality.

Mountains And Microclimate Equal An Esteemed Vineyard

In Vaduz, the Herawingert vineyard and the winery became property of the princely house. Today, it is the most esteemed and important vineyard in Liechtenstein. It is considered the center of winegrowing in the country and is one of the best sites in the Rhine River Valley.

Harvest at Herawingert

The southwesterly exposure, mild climate, and soils rich in limestone and slate are ideal for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The unique microclimate is created by the surrounding 6,500-foot mountains and the Föhn winds: warm, dry downward-sloping winds that occur on the leeward side of the Alps. Vines are more than 40 years old and are cultivated by hand.

Today, the estate features restaurant Torkel, a Michelin-starred establishment situated in a medieval building that was once used for the vinification of princely grapes.

Harvest work at Hofkellerei Liechtenstein Wilfersdorf

The princely winery in Wilfersdorf, Austria, has been in the princely family since the 15th century. The family’s ancestral seat, Palace Wilferdorf, and the Karlsberg and Johannesbergen vineyards are located in northeastern Niederösterreich. White cuvees, Rieslings, Grüner Veltliner, and concentrated reds age slowly in centuries-old vaulted aging cellars on the estate.

The area has a Pannonian climate, a type of Continental climate that features hot summers, cold winters, moderate rainfall, and low humidity. The climate, along with loess soils with dissolved limestone, allows the production of distinctive cool-climate wines.

Winery Managing Director Stefan Tscheppe

Since 2018, Stefan Tscheppe has been directing the wineries in Liechtenstein and Austria, as well as the Torkel. He has a strong reputation for the Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays from Vaduz as well as the Rieslings, Grüner Veltliner, and white blends grown in Austria.

Growing up at the 90-acre winery of his family in Southern Styria, Austria, he started with high-end Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay at an early age, before moving to California in 2005 and running Perry Creek winery in the Sierra Foothills. He returned to Austria in 2012 and took over as director of the Esterhazy wineries in Burgenland and Hungary.

Sipping Princely Wines

We had the opportunity to taste three princely wines:

Reid Karlsberg 2021 Cuvée – A complex blend of Riesling and Grüner Veltliner, it ripples with citrus fruit and floral notes. Its Alpine nature is evident in the flinty minerality and stone fruit. The wine uses wild fermentation, and a portion is aged on the lees. The grapes are from old vines grown in sparse and silty soil high in limestone content. For me, this was an eye-opening experience. I didn’t know Riesling and Grüner were capable of such a multi-dimensional expression of the terroir.

Herrnbaumgarten 2022 Cuvée – A blend of half Riesling and Grüner, this is a lucious wine with the aroma of tropical fruit. On the palate, it’s juicy with white peach and honeysuckle. This is a lighter expression of the blend, wrapped in a salty minerality. On a hot humid day, this is a welcome reprieve.

Ried Herawingert 2020 Pinot Noir – Herawingert has been one of the most important vineyards in the Rhine River Valley for 1,000 years. The vines grow at the foot of a mountain range, on a mix of slate and limestone soil. True to its Alpine heritage, the wine offers austere notes of smoky black cherry and a precise and stony palate. There are deep notes of dried fruit, cocoa, and subtle strawberry. The old vines give this Pinot a character to savor.

These wines are indeed fit for a prince, but you are invited to enjoy them as well. If they are not stocked at your fine wine store, try Archetyp in Portland, which specializes in Alpine wines and spirits.

Vineyard and castle photos courtesy of Princely Wines of Liechtenstein.

Exploring The Delights Of Panama City, Panama

2025-05-12T11:10:00.000-04:00

Panama City at sunset

Article and Photos By Dave Nershi, CSW

Panama City is the gateway between the eastern and western hemispheres. It is a modern city bristling with skyscrapers. There are plentiful attractions, including, of course, the engineering wonder of the Panama Canal. Here are four highlights from our recent visit.

Rooftop Dining In Panama City

Panama City is also a UNESCO Creative City in Gastronomy. One of the best ways to enjoy the tropical delights of Panama City is from one of the many rooftop bars and restaurants in Casco Viejo, Old Town.

Lazotea is a trendy restaurant focused on Latin American cuisine and drinks with an amazing view of the Panama City skyline. The person behind the restaurant is Jorge Rausch, a Colombian chef of Polish and Austrian descent. His Bogotá restaurant Criterión has been named Colombia's best restaurant three times. We arrived early to take in the sunset and the scene as day transformed into night.

We savored a glass of bubbly as the sun sank, painting the pink sky. As we delved into our entrees, the glittering lights of Panama City began to shine. I enjoyed L'Ancienne Grouper, a grouper fillet cooked in hazelnut butter, bacon, paipin, caramelized shallots, Beurre Blanc sauce, and chicken jus. This was paired with Albarino, while my wife enjoyed a prawn dish with a delicious sauce.

Guided Jungle Adventure with Gatun Lake Cruise

We explored the Panamanian jungle on a guided tour that started at the Gamboa Rainforest Preserve and embarked on a boat trip across Gatun Lake. Gatun Lake is a crucial part of the Panama Canal. It’s a massive artificial lake that helps ships cross the 21-mile distance of the Isthmus of Panama. The lake provides the water needed to operate the canal's locks and also serves as a drinking water source for Panama City. We enjoyed seeing the massive cargo ships headed for the locks. They dwarfed our small motorboat.

During our lake voyage, we could visit the famous Monkey Islands, where we could view several different types of monkeys: White-Faced Capuchin Monkeys, Howler Monkeys, and Geoffroy’s Tamarin Monkeys. The curious Capuchin monkeys approached our boats, and some sat on the railing, allowing us to observe them at a close distance.

We then hiked through the lush Soberania National Park. Walking along the Pipeline Road, which follows an old fuel pipeline built during World War II, we were surrounded by natural beauty and were able to spot a sloth and a Crimson-crested woodpecker.

Sunny San Blas Islands

The San Blas Islands are some of the world's most remote and pristine islands. More than 350 islands are in the archipelago off Panama's Caribbean coast. Only 49 islands are inhabited, and many are barely big enough for more than one palm tree. We wondered why we needed to bring our passports for this excursion, then we learned that we would be entering the Guna Yala comarca, an autonomous territory governed by the Guna people, who have kept their culture and rich traditions alive.

The islands feature white sand beaches untouched by commercialism. It’s a remote and peaceful place. We saw at least eight shades of blue gazing across the tropical waters as the wind rustled the palm tree leaves.

Natural Beauty of Anton Valley

El Valle de Antón is nestled in the bowl of an extinct volcano and is rich in the untouched splendor of nature. At nearly 2,000 feet in elevation, the area is cooler than the lower parts of Panama. It is home to more than 500 species of birds. The area is one of the last habitats of the critically endangered Panamanian golden frog.

We stopped at the Sunday Market (it’s open seven days a week) on Avenida Central before heading to El Chorro Macho. El Chorro Macho is a 115-foot waterfall surrounded by dense rainforest. There are hiking trails that offer spectacular views. After we worked up a sweat (not hard in a Panamanian rainforest!) I took a plunge into a natural pool fed by the waterfall.

Following our hike, we visited the Butterfly Haven, a sanctuary that features 21 different species. Anton Valley boasts more than 450. The butterflies were different than those we have seen in butterfly houses in the States. One of the fascinating species is the Owl Eye Butterfly, found in Central and South America, especially in rainforests. The markings on its wings mimic large animal eyes to frighten away predators. We were also blessed with an abundance of Blue Morpho butterflies, a species not found in North America.

The Butterfly Haven has a video and displays to explain the lifecycle of the butterfly. The highlight is the flight room, with host and nectar plants and butterflies soaring.

H2O Captain Eco-Tours An Aquatic Highlight On North Carolina's Crystal Coast

2025-04-23T08:56:00.004-04:00

Mark Sonder - The H2O Captain

A private eco-tour is the best way to see the sights of North Carolina's Crystal Coast.

Once, you could hear the tones of Mark Sonder’s French horn on Broadway or at Radio City Music Hall. A native of New York City known for his symphony work, his job these days has quite a different rhythm. “I followed my dad’s advice,” he said. “If you do the thing you love, it’s not work.” As a licensed captain, he now rides the waves of North Carolina’s Crystal Coast as the owner of a boutique charter boat company, H20 Captain Eco-Tours.

When COVID left him out of his corporate job, he and his wife looked south. They visited North Carolina’s Emerald Isle. At first, it was for a week, then it was for a month. Hooked on the beauty of the area and its coastal charm, they then bought a house. He had to figure something out for employment. Since he had a captain’s license, he launched H2O Captain Eco-Tours.

A Unique Experience On The Water

There is no shortage of ferries and sightseeing cruises in the area, but Captain Mark offers something very different. Instead of piling on a ferry with a gaggle of tourists, H2O offers a tailored experience for visitors to the Crystal Coast, Emerald Isle, Atlantic Beach, Swansboro, and Beaufort, NC. The private tours are limited to six passengers.

The featured boat is a Carolina Skiff Ultra Elite 21, fully cushioned for passenger comfort. A shallow draft on the boat allows it to approach the shoreline so passengers can head ashore to go shelling or enjoy birds and wildlife. The Cape Lookout National Seashore features Shackelford Banks, known for its wild horses and natural beauty. It’s a popular destination for H2O guests. Captain Mark is an authorized tour guide for the National Park Service.

North Carolina's Wild Horses Roaming Free

A highlight of our recent visit to the Crystal Coast was a private boat excursion with H2O Captain Eco-Tours. For more than two and a half hours, we cruised the waters of the Southern Outer Banks, seeing the waterfront towns of Moorehead City and Beaufort and the wild horses of Shackleford Banks and Rachel Carson Reserve. A popular feature of many excursions is hiking on Shackleford and viewing the horses up close.

The affable Captain Mark delivered entertainment and education as he piloted his Carolina Skiff through the dappled waters. This is a unique experience with your own private captain. Captain Mark is a US Coast Guard Auxiliary member. He took us up close to US Coast Guard Station Fort Macon, which is responsible for maritime safety and rescue operations along the Crystal Coast and surrounding waters.

Captain Mark serves on the Habitat & Water Quality Advisory Committee to the NC Marine Fisheries Commission. He has a fondness for fish and wildlife. His boat was formerly used for fishing. As a vegan, he doesn’t offer fishing charters. Of course, wildlife, specifically wild horses, is a main attraction for people coming to the region.

The wild horses on Shackleford Banks are descendants of Spanish mustangs brought here by Spanish explorers as early as the 1520s. The horses at the Rachel Carson Reserve were brought to the site by a resident and eventually became wild. They embody the spirit of freedom. Captain Mark knows where to go, and his craft can get closer to Shackleford Banks than larger vessels. H2O Captain is also a popular choice for shelling excursions.

H2O Captain Eco-Tours is based at the Coral Bay Marina in Moorehead City. You can arrange your excursion here. This was convenient for us as we stayed in Beaufort (not to be confused with the Beaufort in South Carolina). Our lodging was the delightful Inlet Inn. Our second-floor king with a balcony was perfect for us. It was just steps from the water and the shops and restaurants that line Front Street.

Beaufort and the Crystal Coast: A Perfect Destination

Inlet Inn is charming and offers a complimentary breakfast delivered to your room. From our balcony, we could watch boats pull in and out of the dock. Bring a pair of binoculars, because we were able to view wild horses on Carrot Island as we sat in our rocking chairs on our balcony. Inlet Inn is an ideal location for a Beaufort getaway.

A two-minute walk from Inlet Inn is Aqua, a restaurant featuring delicious small plates, a wide selection of premium wines, and craft cocktails. It has an artsy yet intimate vibe. Our Certified Angus Beef petite filet small plates were sumptuous. The meat melts in your mouth, and the presentation was delightful. The Aqua wine list is quite extensive.

Head to the Crystal Coast for an afternoon of watery adventure with H2O Captain Eco-Tours. At less than 150 miles from Raleigh, it's perfect for a weekend trip.

A Different Harvest: A Winemaker Buds In Michigan

2025-04-21T14:45:00.002-04:00

A Different Harvest wine tasting with Josh Kessler, left, and partner Chuck Bierman, right.

What’s it take to leap from winemaking hobbyist to running your own vineyard? We catch up with a friend who is an IT manager for a health care system for his day job, but is pursuing his winemaking dream.

A Different Harvest red blend

From Backyard Vines To Micro-Winery

Josh Kessler is a friend from our old stomping grounds in Northwest Ohio. Before we relocated from the Toledo area to North Carolina, Josh, who resides with his wife, Casey, in Swanton, Ohio, was part of our blog tasting team. Josh would contribute articles from his winery visits to Michigan, and we’d gather with friends to raise a glass and empty some bottles.

During one visit, Josh took me behind his house to show off his vines of Riesling. He liked to make wine and wanted to grow his own grapes. During one Open That Bottle Night, we sampled Kessler Cellars Cherry Port.

Recently, Josh sent me a couple of bottles from A Different Harvest, his micro-winery. We had a chance to sample his red blend and a single varietal Marquette. The blend includes DeChaunac, Frontenac, and smaller amounts of Chelois, Foch,

and Chancellor. We enjoyed the silky texture and tart cherry flavors. The Marquette is for those who enjoy a bolder taste and fuller body.

“When my wife and I were dating, she invited me to her family’s annual vacation on the western Michigan lakeshore," said Josh. “One rainy day in 2008, we were looking for something to do and happened upon a nearby winery.

A Corner Lot Grows Vines

“This left us yearning to try more and more wines. I had an instant love for wine, so naturally, I wanted to know more about how it is produced. I read countless books and magazines. It didn’t take long to place my first mail order for the types of grapes I wanted to grow in my small backyard in the city.”

Years later, Josh met someone at the gym who farms in Michigan. “As we got to know one another, I took him some of my wine and jokingly mentioned that if he had a corner lot where I could put some vines in the ground, to let me know,” said Josh. The next winter, we are having a conversation in the locker room, and he says, “Do you want to grow some grapes?”

"Of course, I said, Yes!' " Two acres were planted to start, then another two. Today, there are 2,400 vines.

The first wine he made was a blueberry wine with fruit from the annual vacation spot. Even before his skills improved, this was everyone’s favorite bottle. Friends and family continue to request it. Josh’s family has grown (he and Casey now have two daughters), and his winemaking operation and skill have certainly grown, too.

From Small Beginnings

His business partner is Chuck Bierman, a multi-generational farmer. His son Shane is also part of the endeavor. Currently, Josh has dedicated space on Chuck’s property. This includes tanks ranging from 10-125 gallons, a crusher/destemmer, a press, bottling equipment, a cooler, and more. There is a building that will be converted into a production and tasting area.

The size of the operation is very small, with approximately 100 cases annually from their estate vineyard. Plans include sourcing more grapes from other growers in Michigan.

Right now, the wine is only made for family and friends. In the next year or two, Josh plans to be selling the wine in Michigan, not far from downtown Sylvania, Ohio.

He grows mainly French-American and other non-specific hybrids. The emphasis is on being cold-hardy. Chambourcin is among the grapes he grows. Reds, whites, rosé, and wines of varying sweetness have all been made from his grapes.

He is most proud of his Marquette. Says Josh, “Dry red wines are what I enjoy most, and Marquette seems to bear the closest resemblance to a vinifera wine.”

Winemaking Life Has Its Rewards

Challenges have come along the way. “I made the common amateur mistake of planting too many varieties rather than concentrating on a few," he said. "Working with several smaller lots, however, has allowed me to experiment with many different styles and blends."

The annual task of pruning is demanding, taking 80 or more hours a year. Some people can lend a hand, but pruning requires skill that is not easily learned. So the burden falls on Josh, who has to make it happen in a relatively short window while maintaining a full-time day job. That hard work is worth it, though.

"Tasting the end result of countless hours of labor growing your own fruit is very rewarding," said Josh. "We can control many aspects of the grape quality that you can't when buying them from someone else."

Stinson Vineyard Wines Deliver Mountains of Flavor

2025-03-18T17:09:00.003-04:00

We taste three wines from Virginia’s award-winning garagiste winery.

By Dave Nershi, CSW

Stinson Vineyards: From Garage to Gold Medals

Stinson Vineyards is nestled in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains and is in one of our favorite wine regions, the Monticello AVA. They specialize in small lot, garagiste wines with a distinct French influence. The husband and wife team of Nathan Vrooman and Rachel Stinson craft the wines, which are garnering growing acclaim, including three gold medals at the recent Virginia Governor’s Cup awards.

Stinson Vineyard wines

Garagiste wines are so named after intrepid winemakers in Bordeaux who had lots of passion, but little money, and who made their wines in unconventional settings. Stinson’s winery is built into an old three-car garage – but their wines are as smooth and silky as the latest Jaguar concept car.

The Monticello AVA is located near Charlottesville and Thomas Jefferson’s famous home. Jefferson believed that the United States could produce fine wine that equaled Europe. He experimented with growing different grapevines on his estate. Although he never saw that come to pass, some would say that winemakers in the Monticello AVA have fulfilled his vision.

We recently had the opportunity to taste three Stinson wines: 2023 Rosé of Tannat, 2023 Cabernet Franc, and 2021 Meritage. The Cab Franc was a gold medal winner at the Governor’s Cup competition.

The Stinson rosé helped me out of a jam at a recent party. We were celebrating Mardi Gras and had a crowd over for the occasion. The menu included crawfish etouffee, crab cakes, gumbo, and jambalaya. That’s a lot of spice, making wine pairing a tricky proposition.

Stinson 2023 Rosé of Tannat

Rosé To The Rescue

I selected a California sparkler, a South African Viognier, and the beautiful Stinson Tannat rosé. Tannat is a super tannic grape, but Stinson has used it to make a delicate and fruity rosé. That fruit played nicely with the variety of spicy food. The wine is crisp and the aging sur lie in stainless steel adds complexity. Notes of lime and tropical fruit make this a winner. Priced at $25.

It’s no wonder the Virginia Governor’s Cup judges selected the Stinson 2023 Cabernet Franc as a gold medal winner. I popped this open with my good friend and sommelier Arthur Barham, who hosted the tasting. He and I have tasted a lot of Cab Franc, from all around the country and the world. This one pushed all the right buttons.

This is a flavorful wine full of brambly blackberries and savory notes. It is whole-berry fermented, which adds an elegant depth. It is rich, with cooking spice notes complementing the fruit flavors. Six months in French oak (20% new) adds just the right finish. This will only improve over the next three to four years. SRP is $33.

A Mighty Meritage Wine

Stinson 2023 Cabernet Franc

Meritage is America’s answer to Bordeaux blends. The term is regulated and is reserved for a winery's best red blend (white Meritage also exists). We love this style of wine, and the 2021 Stinson Meritage displays the power and structure of the best red grapes in the Monticello AVA.

It is a blend of 50% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Franc, 20% Petit Verdot, and 7% Cabernet Sauvignon. With a Merlot focus, I expected a softer wine – but this one comes out swinging for the fences. It has 14.5% ABV and is aged for 18 months in French oak (30% new).

Following a devastating frost in May of 2020, 2021 was a bounceback year. The Bordeaux varieties responded well with pristine fruit showing powerful acidity and pure flavors.

The flavors pop with deep plum, blackberry, and currant notes. The tannic backbone and acidity make this a blockbuster that needs some time to open up. After swirling and sipping, warm leather notes and toasty oak enhance the enjoyment.

This vintage should shine in another year or two and drink well for five. If you are like me, and just can’t wait, I’d suggest a good hour of decanting. Only 350 cases were produced with an SRP of $41.

In addition to the tasting room in Crozet, Virginia, overnight guests are welcomed at the Inn at Stinson Vineyards. Guests can enjoy a special Wine Cellar Dinner with a four-course tasting menu, use the self-serve wine bar, or walk through the vines to the tasting room. The scenery in the area is spectacular and well worth the trip. To order wines or to get more information on the Inn at Stinson Vineyards, visit the website.

Vintage Venice Dinner Unearths Classic Wines, New Favorites

2025-03-09T15:53:00.004-04:00

Treasures from the cellar are matched with artisan cuisine in our Floridian wine dinner.

Vintage Wines In Venice (Florida)

Our recent visit to Venice, Florida, provided a unique opportunity to dig into a vintage wine collection. We were visiting my brother-in-law and wife (Buddy and Sandra) and were enlisted to help honcho a wine dinner featuring neighbors Bob and Michelle’s wine collection.

Bob had purchased a large wine collection. While a few of the wines were past their drinking window, some had aged beautifully. We carefully tasted through many bottles to select just the right ones and create the menu for the celebratory meal.

Guests included: Buddy and Sandra (our gracious hosts), Mark and Laurie, Bob and Michelle, and my wife and me. The ladies planned the amazing meal, and each couple was responsible for preparing one or more dishes.

Wine Pairing Perfection

The “bird cage” patio and pool area served as a great setting for the meal. Buddy manned the grill and performed flawlessly.

Spinach and feta puff pastry and prosciutto-wrapped breadsticks were paired with two traditional-method sparkling wines to open the meal. First served was the 2018 Cuvée Jean Philippe Brut Blanquette de Limoux from the home region of France’s first sparkling wine. Once the stubborn cork was removed, this proved lively and fresh with flavors of the Mauzac grape. Our second pour was the Gruet Brut NV from New Mexico. This was frothy and crisp with apple and citrus flavors. The sunny Florida weather, flowing bubbles, and great appetizers were an auspicious beginning.

Our fish course was Grilled Mahi-Mahi with mango salsa and mandarin orange salad. The 2023 Dr. Konstantin Frank Dry Riesling from the Finger Lakes was a newer addition to Bob’s collection and a spot-on pairing with the succulent Mahi. The wine surprised some of our guests who weren’t familiar with the tasty dry version of Riesling. Yalumba in Australia’s Barossa Valley is a worldwide leader in Viognier, a grape originating in France’s Rhône Valley. We chose their 2021 Yalumba “Eden Valley” Viognier. It is aged for 10 months in oak and has a creamy texture. This was a superb dish and pairing.

We shifted gears to red wine and another elevated dish: pork tenderloin with cranberry chutney and sauteed green beans with toasted almonds. During my trip to Spain years ago, I was impressed with the wines from the Montsant region, which encircles the famous Priorat DOQ. The wines are powerful and represent a great value. Bob’s collection yielded a 2018 Potente Red Blend. Potente is a blend of Garnacha, Syrah, Merlot, and Carignan. This wine is showing well with notes of cherries and chocolate.

The 2020 Bastide Miraflore Syrah & Vielles Vignes de Grenache comes from Côtes du Roussillon in the French Mediterranean. I may have overplayed my hand on this one, as the blend of Syrah and Grenache tended to overpower the pork.

Through The Ages With Cabernet Sauvignon

Go big or go home. Since we weren’t leaving, we had no choice but to roll out three Cabernet Sauvignon for our Plat Principal. The dish was a mouthwatering beef filet roast with brandy mushroom cream sauce and roasted Medley potatoes. We entered our time machine for our first Cab, the 1989 Robert Mondavi Reserve Unfiltered Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley. This was a long shot when I opened the capsule. The cork showed leakage, and while half the cork came out neatly, the bottom had to be pushed in. Using a strainer, the wine proved to be alive and kicking. The wine is past its glory days but still displayed smokey notes, slight earthiness, and some faded fruit – not bad for a 36-year-old wine.

Hafner is a small, third-generation family winery in Alexander Valley, one of the primo areas for Cabernet in Sonoma. Our second pour was their 2012 Hafner Cabernet Sauvignon. The tannins are fully integrated, with no rough edges. Violets, black cherry, and cigar box notes matched well with our filet. It is a wine to savor.

Enjoying A Block Party

Thirty years on from our first Cab, the 2019 Priest Ranch Block 136 Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley is a powerhouse of elegant flavors. Aged for 26 months in 75% new oak, Block 136 has righteous tannins and defined flavors of oak. We decanted for two hours to allow the wine to open up and were rewarded with pleasurable plum, blackberry, and cherry overtones. Thanks to Mark and Laurie for making this a “Block” party.

After four courses and nine wines, we were ready for the finale, a sinful dessert of macerated berries with vanilla ice cream, mint, and Grand Marnier sauce.

The evening was spectacular, filled with good times, amazing wine, and succulent food. Tasting older vintage wines, one more than three decades old, along with current vintages, was a singular experience.

Cheers, Venice!

What's In Your Glass? Here Are A Trio Of Our Recent Wine Pours

2025-02-24T15:10:00.001-05:00

What's in our glass? Here are three recent wines we tasted at Vino-Sphere international headquarters. They range from ho-hum to magnificent. Which is which? To find out, read on...

Les Indigènes "Cultivar" 2023 Grenache Blanc, France

This French white hails from the Languedoc region. While red Grenache is most widely known, and we love it, white Grenache has great charm. It is a juicy wine, fresh with ripe green pear and made with organic grapes. It has a medium body, so it stands apart from the Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc you might typically buy.

We purchased this at Total Wine for $18. I consider it a great value. It's also at the low end of the ABV spectrum (12.5%), making it a great food pairing wine. It works well with turkey, fish, pasta, or other light entrees.

Element Winery 2015 F.L.X. Cuvée, Finger Lakes

Element Winery is the brainchild of Christopher Bates, who promotes the virtues of the Finger Lakes cool-climate wine with an evangelistic zeal. With wines like the 2015 Cuvée, it's easy to grasp his enthusiasm.

This is a blend of Cabernet Franc and Pinot Noir, with a dash of Blaufränkisch. It's a limited production with only 281 cases produced. This bottle demonstrates just how beautifully Finger Lakes wines can age.

The three grapes sing in perfect harmony, with tart cranberry to open with rich berry notes and light spice to follow. The lower alcohol level and higher acidity provide the balance that makes this an exceptional experience. SRP $33.

Ego Bodegas 2021 El Goru Gold, Jumillia

Maybe it was the crazy character on the label -- or perhaps the discounted $9 price -- but this bottle from Spain attracted my attention. The label translates El Goru to mean "mad hairy fella." If only for the brilliant portrait on the bottle, I decided to give it a go.

The label proclaimed a 93-point rating by Wine Enthusiast. However, ratings, and pretty labels, can be misleading. It may have benefitted from some decanting because the high ABV (14.5%) nearly bowled me over. Jumillia is known for its Monastrell (Mourvedre) wines, which I've found to be smooth and fruit-forward. This hairy old man wasn't so easygoing. The wine had oak, plum, and leather notes with some mint along for the ride, but it remained closed and unrewarding.

This wine didn't make the cut, but as Meatloaf said, "Two out of three ain't bad."

Add Spice To Your Valentines Day With This Trio Of Wines

2025-02-10T16:37:00.001-05:00

These three Portuguese wines from Silk & Spice are just what you need to make your Valentine’s Day one to remember.

Silk & Spice wines are perfect
for Valentine's Day.

We first discovered Silk & Spice wines four years ago, tasting the 2018 vintage of their original red wine. Today it is the best-selling red Portuguese blend in the US. The wine made such an impression that when we learned three new wines were available, we jumped at the chance to taste them.

Silk & Spice is a tribute to the adventurous spirit of the Portuguese navigators who explored the world in the 15th century and opened up the silk and spice trade routes. The wines combine native Portuguese grapes in mouthwatering combinations at very reasonable prices.

If you are searching for a spark for Valentine’s Day, check out these three wines. One (or more) may be perfect.

Silk Route Red 2021

Playing off the brand name, this wine delivers a smooth ride that begins with the aromas of red fruit and chocolate. On the palate, there are fresh red cherries and plum plus some savory notes and a touch of pepper.

The blend is 40% Tinto Roriz (Tempranillo), 40% Baga, and 20% Merlot. The wine is very well-balanced. The Tinto Roriz and Merlot contribute to an ultra-plush finish while the Baga provides the tannins for a nice structure.

This is ideal with snacks, salads, meat, or grilled vegetables

White Blend 2023

This was a surprise for me. Outside of Vinho Verde and Alvarinho, I am used to sipping red wines from Portugal. In my own journey of discovery, I found this to be a fresh and bright white wine – perfect for casual dining or chilling out.

Silk Route smooth red blend.

Blended in this wine are 35% Arinto, 15% Alvarinho (Albarino), and 50% Bical. Peach and melon flavors dominate with touches of white blossom. The mouthfeel is rounded rather than acidic. The wine is fermented in stainless steel but does spend some time in American oak on fine lees.

A lower ABV (12.5%) means this is a food-friendly wine. This will be perfect with grilled vegetables, sushi, grilled chicken, or pasta with cream sauce.

Spice Road Red 2021

Spice Road indeed! This wine takes its name seriously. A blend of 20% Touriga Nacional, 50% Alicante Bouschet, and 30% Shiraz, this wine is a salute to the most important spices traded during the Portuguese voyages of exploration, which are now found around the world.

The Alicante Bouschet makes this wine big and bold. Flavors of blackberries and blueberries mingle with notes of chocolate and profound spices. To taste this is to experience the exotic spices of the Silk Route in a glass.

This wine is made with their finest grapes, which undergo additional maceration after fermentation. The result is a deep, beautiful purple. This wine is for the adventurous.

It is a chance to break out of the bubble of conventional wines and enjoy unfamiliar but delicious grapes. Another tasty aspect is that each bottle costs only $13.99. At this price, you can afford to get all three to go big this Valentine’s Day.

Full disclosure: These wines were received as a marketing sample.

Lessons from the Winescape: Emerging Wine Regions Must Rely on Artisanal Ethos

2025-02-07T09:04:00.000-05:00

By Dave Nershi, CSW

China is an emerging wine market.

How do emerging wine regions compete with the big players for shelf space and the hearts of consumers? According to one scholar, they should take a holistic view of their situation and focus on creativity and artisanal winemaking.

"In my research, I’ve always studied emerging and transforming regions and looked at their infrastructures and environments,” said Eric Patterson at the Southeastern United Grape and Wine Symposium, recently held at Surry Community College in Dobson, NC. As a student at California’s UC Davis, it was natural that he would see how this applied to the wine world. “I did preliminary research, and it just exploded. I knew this would be a path.”

Patterson is pursuing a cultural anthropology doctorate as a PhD student at UC Davis. His research focus is emerging wine cultures and their social, political, and economic impact.

In his work, he uses a concept known as winescapes, first developed by Vander Valduga, Sarah Marroni Minasi, and Gui Lohmann in the Routledge Handbook of Wine Tourism in 2022. If wine terroir is a chess game, a winescape is three-dimensional chess.

Eric Patterson in a
North Carolina vineyard.

According to Patterson, a winescape is a multifaceted wine region defined by its unique local culture, terroir, and winemaking practices. It stretches beyond mere geography to encompass the social dynamics and economic factors that shape wine production, appreciation, and consumption.

A winescape can have geographic boundaries but transcends a regional focus. It is more holistic, including culture, creativity, and winemaking practices.

The winescape framework “helps you understand how a wine region will flesh out,” said Patterson. “It includes all the things that affect the wine region. It allows the region to reach its maximum potential.”

Emerging wine regions are gaining prominence as they bring fresh perspectives and innovative approaches to viticulture and oenology. These areas contribute to economic growth and diversify the global wine landscape, offering distinct flavors and stories.

Two winescapes visited during Patterson’s fieldwork couldn’t be more different: China and North Carolina. Both are considered emerging wine regions. Both are unlocking creativity in their growth.

Erik Martella's Summer Kitchen.

“Creativity is a fuel that needs to be used,” said Patterson. “It’s a driving force.” There is a greater need for creativity in regions where conditions (climate, soil, wine market) are not ideal.

In North Carolina, wineries are embracing creativity and artisanal style. Raffaldini Vineyards, in the Yadkin Valley, specializes in Italian grape varieties. For some of its wines, it uses the appassimento, drying the grapes before fermentation. The raisinated grapes provide a wonderful depth of flavor.

Carolina Heritage Winery takes a creative approach to be more sustainable. The local county doesn’t have a recycling plan, so the winery uses new sustainable packaging options including eye-catching paper wine bottles. The bottles use 94% recycled material.

Rather than trying to duplicate European wines, winemaker Erik Martella is creating something entirely new. In southern states, muscadine wines have traditionally been produced in a sweet style and even contain added flavors. Martella is taking these grapes, which are naturally disease-resistant and come in about 150 varieties, and applying fine wine techniques. He uses carbonic maceration, aging on the lees or seeds, and extended aging. His goal is to craft fine wines from these native grapes.

Chinese vineyard.

Culturally dense products are a unique and important part of Patterson’s research. Wine is one such product, encapsulating a narrative of both the land and the people behind its creation. Patterson found this to be the case in China, a land with vast potential for wine production.

Formerly, Chinese wine consumers preferred Bordeaux or Australian wines. In 2020, China placed an embargo on Australian wines with a stiff tariff. The embargo was lifted in 2024, but this disruption proved to be a boost for the Chinese wine industry, still in its infancy.

A growing number of Chinese winemakers have graduated from foreign or domestic wine programs. This increased knowledge has boosted the understanding of how to make quality wine. China has become an innovator in the field. They are pushing innovation surrounding sustainability, varieties, and winemaking techniques that bring in more consumers, especially younger ones.

There is a growing middle class in China, and through community engagement and adaptive marketing, the niche is being successfully targeted. Chinese consumers are more aware and hungrier to understand what role drinking wine as a hobby and social activity means to them.

Chinese wines are marketed to
a growing middle class.

According to Patterson, emerging and successful wine regions have an impact that reaches beyond your wine glass. “The wine industry has the potential to transform rural areas quicker than any other industry I’ve studied,” he said. It involves many socio-economic levels, from the farmers to construction workers, winery staff, and ultimately the consumer. The capital barrier for entry is low and there is a wide range of consumers and investors.

He sees an inflection point coming, perhaps triggered by the changing climate, where established regions will need to think beyond rigid frameworks and embrace the creativity needed for their next stage of growth.

Emerging winescapes like North Carolina can be the future model for wine regions, said Patterson. “It’s a mix of tradition and new. The region is trying to do it differently because it can’t do it like everyone else.”

Most photos courtesy of Eric Patterson. Martella wine photo by Dave Nershi.

Ghost Hill Cellars Producing Legendary Pinot Noir

2025-01-10T13:30:00.000-05:00

Ghost Hill Cellars is a fifth-generation family farm that has been operated since 1906. After decades of growing crops and raising cattle, the Bayliss-Bower family pivoted to Pinot Noir in 1999.

Located in Willamette Valley's Yamhill-Carlton AVA, the family’s highly prized soils produce Pinot Noir

of exceptional finesse and longevity, crafted by acclaimed Oregon winemaker Eric Hamacher. It's also known for the namesake ghost that is said to haunt the environs.

According to legend, in the late 1800s, a gold prospector on his way to sell his ore in Portland camped at the top of a wooded hill, on what is now known as Savannah Ridge. In the dark of night, a bandit attacked and killed him and his horse, stealing away the gold. Some say the miner’s ghost still wanders the hill in search of his stolen treasure.

Brothers Daniel and Samuel Bayliss bought the land in 1906 and operated a dairy until Samuel’s son and his wife bought them out in the 1930s. The land was used for growing wheat, hay, clover, and peas, and raising sheep. Their son Mike Bayliss and his wife Drenda raised cattle and hay but opted for producing Pinot Noir to keep the farm in the family.

They started with a goal of providing grapes to other wineries but established an excellent reputation and decided to make their own wine. Today, Mike and Drenda live in the original farmhouse and get help operating the farm from the fifth generation: their son Michael, daughter Bernadette, and son-in-law Cameron Bower. They produce around 1,200 cases of 100% estate-grown Pinot Noir annually.

Eric Hamacher, one of Oregon’s most respected and sought-after winemakers, took over Ghost

Hill winemaking with the 2015 harvest. He favors traditional winemaking techniques and favors wild fermentation and minimal intervention. The winery also benefits from a favored position, atop Savannah Ridge. The 16-acre estate vineyard is 400 feet in elevation and features Willakenzie series soils on top of marine sediment bedrock. The soil type, the best known in Willamette Valley, is ideal for growing Pinot Noir.

During a recent International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association webinar, we had a chance to taste the 2023 Pinot Noir Blanc. This is the best-selling wine for Ghost Cellars and was originally produced so that the winery could offer a white wine in its tasting room. It is whole-cluster-pressed, providing a great depth of flavor, and finished in neutral oak. In the glass, it is a beautiful rose gold color. On the palate, there are juicy stone fruit flavors with notes of citrus and pear.

It's a delectable wine that is outstanding as an aperitif or a companion for a shellfish entree. The retail price is $34.

Ghost Hill Cellars offers a spirited lineup of Pinot Noir. We recommend them highly.

International Petit Verdot Day Is Scheduled For January 25

2025-01-06T15:25:00.000-05:00

Petit Verdot isn't just for blending. Join in celebrating this full-bodied red grape during its international celebration this month.

Sure, I've known about Petit Verdot for many years. In those first years, though, it was 1% here or 3% there, added to a French Bordeaux or an American red blend. My eyes were opened more than a decade ago during a trip to Virginia wine country.

A pre-conference excursion during the Wine Bloggers Conference led me from Charlottesville, Virginia, to the Flying Fox winery. There they poured a glass of 100% Virginia Petit Verdot. Boom. It was silky and rich, flowing with ripe flavors. I became enlightened to the wonders of single-varietal Petit Verdot.

Since then I've sought out Petit Verdot and have enjoyed wonderful bottles from Moon Mountain, Walla Walla, Bordeaux, North Carolina, Colorado, and Argentina. Who knows what other bottles are just faded memories? The point is that single-varietal Petit Verdot is a thing, and it is a thing you should be enjoying right now. We've got the ideal opportunity for you.

The inaugural International Petit Verdot Day, a global celebration dedicated to one of the wine industry's most intriguing varietals, Petit Verdot, is scheduled for Saturday, January 25, 2025. This event aims to bring together wine enthusiasts, connoisseurs, and producers to honor and explore the unique characteristics and versatility of Petit Verdot.

Petit Verdot translates from French as "little green one" and it ripens later than most red wine grapes. In fact, that characteristic led to much of the French Petit Verdot vines being uprooted and replaced with Merlot and Cabernet Franc, which ripen earlier. Today, you'll find Petit Verdot in wide-ranging locales, from Argentina to California to Australia. You'll experience a range of flavors from plum to black cherry and herbal notes such as cooking spice and perhaps violet. For International Petit Verdot Day, you may wish to compare Petit Verdot from different countries.

International Petit Verdot Day is the effort of Arthur Barham, a sommelier and wine judge from North Carolina. He is the creator of Merlot2Muscadine, media created to advance the wines and wineries of North Carolina. “International Petit Verdot Day is an exciting opportunity for wine lovers around the

world to come together and appreciate the complexity of Petit Verdot,” said Barham. It's his hope that this special day will foster a greater understanding and appreciation of the grape variety, whether as part of a blend or as a standalone wine. He notes that Petit Verdot does exceptionally well in North Carolina.

To celebrate this special day, Barham will facilitate and encourage a series of events, including tastings, educational seminars, and wine pairings at wineries and wine bars worldwide. Participants are encouraged to share their experiences on social media using the hashtags #PetitVerdotDay and #InternationalPetitVerdotDay to connect with fellow enthusiasts and discover the diverse expressions of this varietal.

To learn more about how you can participate (as a wine lover, winery, wine bar, or wine influencer) go to the International Petit Verdot Day web page.

Clif Family Wines Climb To New Heights

2024-12-07T11:00:00.000-05:00

Bring energy to your holiday entertaining with these wines from Clif Family.

Clif Family Winery in Napa is dedicated to organic farming and sustainable business practices. If the name sounds familiar, it should. Gary Erickson and his wife Kit Crawford are co-creators of the Clif Bar and winery co-owners. The energy bar, named after Gary’s father Clifford, shows a rock climber dangling precariously from the side of a mountain cliff.

The Clif Bar was launched in 1992 and even then, Gary and Kit envisioned a more sustainable model for business, one in which organic farming and ingredients played central roles. In 2004 the Clif Family Farm and Winery began as a way to connect with the family.

What started as a small garden is now a fully operational farm with 90 acres of estate vineyards in Napa Valley’s famed Oak Knoll and Howell Mountain districts. Nine different grape varieties are grown; the vineyards are certified organic and Napa Green-certified.

With a group of friends and wine lovers, we recently uncorked six current Clif Family releases:

Unoaked Chardonnay, 2023, Oak Knoll
Rte Blanc Sauvignon Blanc, 2023, Napa Valley
Reyna Noriega White Blend, 2023, Oak Knoll
Rosé of Grenache, 2023, Mendocino County
Gary's Improv Zinfandel, 2023, Oak Knoll
Reyna Noriega Red Blend, 2022, Oak Knoll

We opted for a casual tasting with various charcuterie and appetizers rather than a sit-down meal. The unoaked Chardonnay was our arrival wine. It struck just the right chord, with flavors of pear and apricot as we toasted the evening’s fun.

The next two whites were accompanied by homemade sourdough bread with dipping sauces, cheese, sausage, and homemade guacamole. The Rte Blanc delivers Sauvignon Blanc goodness sans the jarring acidity of New Zealand versions. This wine has notes of white blossom, lemongrass, and oodles of minerality.

Reyna Noriega is a visual artist, designer, and author. Her work centers on women of color and is designed to instill hope, healing, and pride. In collaboration with Clif, two special blends are offered. The 2023 white blend is 60% Viognier and 40% Chardonnay. The tropical vibes of Viognier fill the palate with tangerine while the full and round flavors hint at white blossoms. This wine gets six months in neutral oak.

For our reds, we had stuffed mushrooms, meatballs, brownies and chocolate. The Rosé of Grenache was the only wine not from Napa (well, we did slip in a seventh wine. More about that later). The rosé hails from Mendocino County and is pale pink with notes of strawberry and watermelon.

Gary’s Improv Zinfandel comes from the winery’s new Valle Di Sotto vineyard and features a 7% splash of Petite Sirah. This was an excellent pick with our brownies. The tannins are restrained with fruit-driven notes of blackberry accented with cooking spice.

The 2022 red Reyna Noriega collaboration wine is 49% Zinfandel, 39% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petite Sirah, and 5% Malbec. The Zin provides a nice jammy note to this medium-bodied wine and Cabernet provides depth. There are notes of plum and strawberry. The aging is 18 months in 20% new oak. This is a delightful limited production (382 cases) wine.

The selection of Clif wines we enjoyed was impressive, made all the more so by the winery’s commitment to sustainability. The prices are accessible, ranging from $30 to $50. The Reyna Noriega duo is available as a set, which is just perfect for holiday gift-giving. Clif also offers a premium range of Howell Mountain wines at higher prices.

As our crowd drifted to the comfortable seating and conversation ensued, we had time for just one more wine. Before our soiree began, I had selected a bottle and placed it anonymously in a “number 7” blind-tasting bag. It was now time for that seventh wine.

To close our evening I decanted and then poured the 2012 Rotie Cellars Northern Blend from Washington State. This winery focuses on Rhone-style wines. The Northern Blend is 97% Syrah and 3% Viognier and appears to be at its peak. This wine was profoundly marvelous. I picked it up at the winery tasting room while visiting Walla Walla. It has meaty dark fruits with a nice thread of minerality and a long silken finish.

Enjoy the holiday season.

Vino-Sphere

NBA Icon Isiah Thomas Enters The Luxe Kosher Champagne Market With Cheurlin Brut Spéciale

Tunnel Creek Vineyards: Serenity in the Air, Elegance in the Glass

Winter Whiteout Party A Blizzard Of Wine And Food

Winter weather couldn't stop our party a third time. We celebrated with white wine, white attire, and an evening to remember.

1. Anna de Codorniu Blanc de Blancs Reserva (Cava) & Prosciutto breadsticks with charcuterie board and assorted nibbles

2. Piedra de Mar Albariño 2024 (Rías Baixas) & Spanish-style Garlic Shrimp & Butternut Party Bites

3. Bougrier 'V' Vouvray Sec 2024 (Loire Valley) & French Onion Gruyere Mini Boules and Baked Brie Apricot Tartlets with Walnuts

4. Halos de Jupiter Costières de Nîmes Blanc 2023 & Lobster bisque

5. Decoy Red Blend Limited 2022 (Alexander Valley) & Lamb meatballs with rosemary & garlic, and Black Pepper Dark Chocolate Bark with Dried Cherries

Architectural Gems Highlight Central Florida's Hidden Landscapes

What is a Carillon

Frederick Law Olmsted Jr.’s Legacy

Child of the Sun Campus

Annie Pfeiffer Chapel

E.T. Roux Library

Ronda Rosé Blends Artistry and Approachability

Stikky Wine Is The Perfect Book for Wine Beginners

Look no further for the perfect Christmas book for your new-to-wine friends.

Fall Into These Superb Napa Reds From Hestan Vineyards

This trio of Napa reds offers power and grace just right for the fall season.

Lone Star Wine Shines Bright As Texas Earns Growing Acclaim

Cherry Creek Cellars Scores Michigan Governor's Cup Win with Cool Climate Pinot Noir

Sabrage, Sparkles & Sips: A Wine Lover’s Tour Through British Columbia’s Fraser Valley

British Columbia’s wine scene is overflowing with cool-climate elegance, and the Fraser Valley—just a short drive from Vancouver—is one of its most accessible and charming regions.

Saber & Sip at Township 7 Vineyards & Winery

Legacy and Rare Grapes at Chaberton Estate Winery

Cozy Charm and Bold Reds at Backyard Vineyards

Final Thoughts

Collavini's Broy: Evolution Of An Iconic Friuli White Wine

The Social Soul of Friuli Wine Culture

Tracing the Broy Timeline

2022 Vintage

2021 Vintage

Luigi Collavini - Photo courtesy of Collavini2018 Vintage

2017 Vintage

Collavini vineyards and winery - Photo courtesy of Collavini2013 Vintage

2011 Vintage

Exploring The Heart Of Texas Hill Country Wine

Carter Creek Winery Resort and Spa – Where Innovation Meets Elegance

Driftwood Estate Winery – Hilltop Hospitality with a View

Duchman Family Winery – A Tuscan Escape in the Lone Star State

Final Thoughts

The World’s Oldest Wine and a Georgian Supra

We host a celebration of Georgian food and wine with an Old World style.

First Course

Second Course

Third Course

Fourth Course

Fifth Course

Sixth Course

The Princely Wines of Liechtenstein Offer Elegance and Freshness

Princely Wines From The Smallest Wine-Producing Country

Mountains And Microclimate Equal An Esteemed Vineyard

Winery Managing Director Stefan Tscheppe

Sipping Princely Wines

Exploring The Delights Of Panama City, Panama

Rooftop Dining In Panama City

Guided Jungle Adventure with Gatun Lake Cruise

Sunny San Blas Islands

Natural Beauty of Anton Valley

H2O Captain Eco-Tours An Aquatic Highlight On North Carolina's Crystal Coast

A Unique Experience On The Water

North Carolina's Wild Horses Roaming Free

Beaufort and the Crystal Coast: A Perfect Destination

A Different Harvest: A Winemaker Buds In Michigan

From Backyard Vines To Micro-Winery

A Corner Lot Grows Vines

From Small Beginnings

Winemaking Life Has Its Rewards

Stinson Vineyard Wines Deliver Mountains of Flavor

Stinson Vineyards: From Garage to Gold Medals

Stinson Vineyard wines

Stinson 2023 Rosé of Tannat

Rosé To The Rescue

A Mighty Meritage Wine

Stinson 2023 Cabernet Franc

Vintage Venice Dinner Unearths Classic Wines, New Favorites

Treasures from the cellar are matched with artisan cuisine in our Floridian wine dinner.

Vintage Wines In Venice (Florida)

Luigi Collavini - Photo courtesy of Collavini

2018 Vintage

Collavini vineyards and winery - Photo courtesy of Collavini

2013 Vintage