Today we’re sipping a collection of wines from beverage entrepreneur Ron Rubin, which we received as tasting samples. In 2011 he purchased River Road Family Vineyards and Winery in Green Valley and established Ron Rubin Winery where he makes the Ron Rubin and River Road lines of wine. Ron’s path to winery ownership was not a direct one, but it […]
Today we’re sipping Pinot Noir, which is one of my favorite varieties. Pinot Noir can be anything from weightless and etherial in the glass to medium bodied and brooding, which is part of the charm of this variety for me. These two expressions of Merry Edwards Pinot Noir, sent to us as tasting samples, are distinctly different. Merry Edwards […]
Tasmania lies off Australia’s south coast and is separated from the rest of Australia by Bass Strait. The Australian island state is cool, windswept and largely wild. Tasmania is home to a small wine industry defined by one GI (geographical indication), Tasmania, and seven informal wine growing regions. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are the two most-planted varieties, so they are […]
The Benziger family is a large and raucous group according to Chris Benziger of Benziger Family Winery. Political points of view differ, but the Benzigers are united in their dedication to sustainable, organic and biodynamic viticulture and winemaking. They were early adopters of these principles in Sonoma County and this year are celebrating 20 years of Demeter Biodynamic® certification. We […]
The Paring has a backstory that includes winemaker Matt Dees and two of Santa Barbara County’s acclaimed wineries, JONATA and The Hilt. Through common ownership there is a connection to Napa’s cult wine, Screaming Eagle. Impressive connections. But when we receive wines as tasting samples for review we taste them without learning more about them than what is on the […]
Valentine’s Day is fast approaching, so if you haven’t already made a plan now is the time to do so. To aid you in planning your celebration we are sharing three Spanish wines today, all were sent to us as tasting samples, that will get you off to a delicious start and then finish your evening with something sweet. We […]
James Downes met us in the tasting cottage at Shannon Vineyards on a crisp spring morning. The cottage was James’ home in his bachelor days and looks out over a beautiful garden, vineyards and waterway. All of it had been washed clean by early-morning rains. Click on individual photographs in galleries to view. Close to return to the post. Shannon […]
Before visiting Peju Winery in Napa Valley’s Rutherford AVA I knew the winery primarily for its distinctively-pruned sycamore trees arching over the driveway leading to the winery. I always look for them as we drive along Hwy 29. Click on individual photographs in galleries to view. Close to return to the post. Our first taste of Peju wine came in […]
If you are anything like us, right now the search is on for bright white wines, rosés and sparkling wines to enjoy as summer temperatures soar. Add affordability, sustainability and relatively low alcohol levels and all of the boxes are checked for summertime sipping. Today we have four such wines to share, all of which we received as tasting samples. […]
Our celebration of rosé continues with three rosés of Pinot Noir. Two are made in California and the third in Oregon. All were provided to us as tasting samples and all are part of Jackson Family Wines. How did they know my first love is Pinot Noir? Hot weather has descended upon us this year without much transition from cool, […]
We enjoy wine, food and travel. Pull That Cork is a chronicle of our wine adventures, the food and wine pairings we create and our travels which are increasingly organized around wine.