Cellar Notes

Notes about the wines we have tried recently.

Two Shepherds Vermentino featured photo

Two Shepherds Vermentino

Vermentino is a grape variety lovers of crisp, white wines should get to know well. Especially this time of year. William Allen makes a delightful version at his Two Shepherds winery that in addition to having plenty of refreshing acidity has loads of flavor. 2019 Two Shepherds Vermentino Windmill Vineyards, Yolo County — pale yellow in the glass with generous […]

Trio of Spanish Wines Featured Photo

A Trio of Spanish Wines for Summer Sipping

Today we’re sipping three wines that will pair as nicely with time spent sitting in the shade on a warm afternoon as they would with summer salads, light pasta dishes or grilled chicken for supper. All are easy on the pocketbook and offer a taste of several varieties you might not have in your usual wine rotation. We received these […]

Tenuta Regaleali featured photo

Wines from Sicily’s Tenuta Regaleali for all Seasons

Today we are sipping four wines from Tasca d’Almerita’s Tenuta Regaleali. It is difficult to decide which qualities I appreciate most in these wines. All four are made using varieties indigenous to Sicily and all are 100% varietal wines. These wines are extremely versatile and will take you from summertime sipping all the way into winter. Then there is the […]

Two Shepherds Pinot Gris featured photo

Skin-Fermented Pinot Gris from Two Shepherds

These wines made by William Allen, Two Shepherds proprietor and winemaker, should come with a disclaimer warning that once you taste skin-fermented Pinot Gris, regular Pinot Gris will taste, well, regular. And while Pinot Gris made in the traditional way by the right winemaker, from the right terroir can be charming, skin-fermented Pinot Gris takes the variety in a completely […]

German Riesling featured photo

A Taste of Riesling’s Charms

Riesling is Germany’s most-planted grape variety and likely originated in the Rheingau. It is capable of making wines in styles that range from dry to sweet. Riesling is beautifully aromatic and so delicious, but the trick is figuring out if the wine will taste sweet or not. Today we’re tasting two Rieslings, both of which were provided to us as […]

Theopolis Vineyards Rosé of Petite Sirah featured photo

Theopolis Vineyards Rosé of Petite Sirah

Theopolis Vineyards is situated in the Yorkville Highlands AVA in the southern part of California’s Mendocino County. Theodora R. Lee is the owner and winemaker, but the winery is not her sole focus. The native Texan is a law firm partner and trial lawyer in San Francisco. She developed a serious interest in wine after moving to San Francisco, which […]

Cockburn's Special Reserve Port featured photo

Cockburn’s Special Reserve Port

Cockburn’s  was founded in 1815 by brothers Robert and John Cockburn who were wine merchants in Leith near Edinburgh. The company continued to be run by family members well into into the twentieth century, during which time it earned a reputation for quality vintage port. Cockburn’s was sold to corporate interests in 1963, changed ownership several times after that and […]

Cenyth Rosé featured photo

Cenyth Rosé of Cabernet Franc

Cenyth is a collaboration between Julia Jackson and Hélène Seillan, both of whom grew up in wine families. The longtime friends call Sonoma County home and each contributes artistically to the project. Julia, daughter of Jess Jackson and Barbara Banke, created the artwork for the labels. Hélène Seillan, daughter of winemaker Pierre Seillan of Vérité, makes the wines. Both Cenyth […]

Ehlers Estate feature photo

Spring Releases from Ehlers Estate

This is the time of year we wine drinkers begin to step up our search for white and rosé wines for summer enjoyment. Cue the spring winery releases. We recently received these two new wines from Napa Valley’s Ehlers Estate as tasting samples and we are happy to share them with you. Ehlers Estate is tucked away in Napa Valley […]

Chalk Hill Chardonnay featured photo

Chalk Hill Chardonnay Paired with a Savory Tart

By Memorial Day the weather forecast predicts triple-digit temperatures. So that means it’s time to get white wine chilling. Conveniently, #ChardonnayDay always falls on the Thursday before Memorial Day as a reminder, in case the weather forecast doesn’t do so. Today we’re sipping a meal-worthy Chardonnay we received as a tasting sample. Chalk Hill AVA lies in the northeast corner […]