Author: Nancy (CSW)

Rodney Strong Vineyards featured photo

A Fresh Look At Rodney Strong Vineyards

Rodney Strong Vineyards has recently undergone a refresh. The most noticeable change to consumers who visit the winery will be in the remodeled tasting room; to anyone who picks up a bottle of Rodney Strong wine it will be the newly designed wine labels. But less visible changes have been going on behind the scenes for some time in the […]

Esporão in Vinho Verde and Douro featured photo

Esporão in Vinho Verde and Douro: Two Regions, One Winemaker

Winemaker José Luis Moreira da Silva, Zé Luis as he is known more informally, has the challenge of making wine in two Portuguese wine regions. The two regions could not be more different in terms of growing conditions and grape varieties. Fortunately the distance between Vinho Verde and the Douro is not too great, about 90 minutes by car. In […]

Beltane Ranch Inn photo

A Quiet Getaway To Sonoma Wine Country

The flower garden beneath our second-floor room is in full bloom. Raspberry bushes bear ripe fruit waiting to be picked. Paisley and Clifford, two relaxed longhorns, graze the pasture just beyond the garden. Close by a flock of chickens scratch and peck among the olive trees, with their nighttime roost (a re-purposed travel trailer) set safely within their fenced area. […]

Kenwood Vineyards wine and cheese featured photo

Pairing Cheese With Wines From Kenwood Vineyards

Recently I was invited to sit in on a virtual tasting of Kenwood Vineyards wines paired with cheese. During the tasting Kenwood Vineyards winemaker Zeke Neeley gave us the behind the scenes details of each wine we tasted while chef and cookbook author Gaby Dalkin created a cheeseboard. I came away with a greater understanding of the different ranges of […]

Sosie Red Blend Rossi Ranch, Sonoma Valley, Sonoma County photo

2019 Sosie Rossi Ranch Red Blend: Made For A Meal

Sosie Wines proprietors Regina Bustamante and Scott MacFiggen are well acquainted with the wines of France, and that influence is reflected in the wines they craft. They source grapes from a number of very special vineyards in Northern California and take a light hand in winemaking. Rossi Ranch in Sonoma Valley is one of those special vineyards. We received this […]

White Wines For Summer Imported by González Byass photo

White Wines For Summer Imported by González Byass

Austria, Spain and Chile are represented in this group of white wines imported in the US by González Byass. In addition to the importer they share affordability and offer a variety of grape varieties to enjoy for summer sipping. We received these wines as tasting samples. 2020 Domäne Wachau Grüner Veltliner Federspiel Terrassen, Wachau, Austria — pale yellow with aromas […]

Priest Ranch Grenache Blanc featured photo

Priest Ranch Napa Valley Grenache Blanc: A Taste of The Unexpected

Summer is here, temperatures are rising and we’re enjoying lighter meals. We’re grilling and trying to keep cool. White wines are more likely to grace our dinner table this time of year and Grenache Blanc is a delicious choice to accompany meals or sip before dinner. Grenache Blanc from Napa Valley isn’t the most common of choices, but Priest Ranch […]

Bordeaux sustainability featured photo

Three of The Many Approaches To Sustainability In Bordeaux

Sustainability initiatives in Bordeaux include a variety of approaches. These efforts must at least preserve, if not restore, the environment and have a positive effect on society. According to the Le Conseil Interprofessionnel du Vin de Bordeaux (CIVB, Bordeaux Wine Council), the region began its sustainability efforts 20 years ago. 35% of Bordeaux’s vineyard area were taking a certified environmental […]

The Pairing featured photo

New Release Wines From The Pairing

Today we’re sipping three new releases from The Pairing that were sent to us as tasting samples. The Pairing range of wines is part of a highly-regarded family of wines that includes JONATA and The Hilt. This is our second taste of The Pairing wines. Matt Dees is the winemaker for all three ranges and the vineyard sources for The […]

Domaine Bousquet Gaia Rosé featured photo

A New Wine From Domaine Bousquet: Gaia Pinot Noir Rosé

Just in time for spring and summer sipping (not to mention National Rosé Day on June 12) we have a delightful rosé from Domaine Bousquet, Argentina’s noted organic winery, to share with you. We received this wine as a tasting sample. This is the inaugural vintage of Domaine Bousquet’s Gaia Pinot Noir Rosé, made using estate-grown Pinot Noir. Since the […]