Winery Profiles

Zonin Family of Wines — Wines For The Holidays

The Holidays are upon us. From now until January, there will be a series of social events to attend, not to mention family gatherings. What to serve, what to take along? Here are two suggestions. We recently received samples from Zonin USA for tasting. Here is our impression and how you might enjoy them.

Heritage Oak Winery — A Profile

Tom Hoffman wasn’t always a winemaker. He used to teach, in South America. But, eventually he was drawn back to the family farm, to manage the vineyards. For a while he was a home winemaker. His interest in winemaking eventually became Heritage Oak Winery, located within the Mokelumne River AVA of the Lodi appellation. The winery opened in 2007.

Wilhelm Family Vineyards — Elgin, Arizona

Karyl Wilhelm, winemaker at Wilhelm Family Vineyards, is a woman on a mission. She makes an astonishing number and variety of wines. Her husband, Kevin, is the vineyard manager. They planted their vineyard in 2005. The quality and quantity of their vineyard has improved every year as Kevin learns what works best in the vineyard.

Dos Cabezas WineWorks – Sonoita, Arizona

This was our second visit to Dos Cabezas WineWorks. In 2011 it was the first Arizona winery we visited on our first tour of the Sonoita wine area. Six wines were on their tasting sheet that August, all red, one a fortified dessert wine. This year we enjoyed tasting through the since-expanded tasting sheet, eleven wines in all.

Callaghan Vineyards – Elgin, Arizona

Kent Callaghan listens more than he talks. He’s reserved and unassuming. He’s had his hands in the dirt of his Elgin vineyard since at least 1990. I’m guessing he has learned something about that vineyard every day since. It’s reflected in the wine he makes. If you have visited his winery and tasted his wines, you know exactly what I’m talking about.

Arizona Wine Tasting Trip Update

Over the next several weeks we will have several posts profiling the wineries we are visiting here in Southern Arizona. However, I just wanted to post a little update until we can get those written. The last two days we spent in Willcox which appears to have some of the best vineyards in the state. There are several wineries in […]