Author Archives: mike

Drew Winery:  Brilliant Winemaking in the Mendocino Ridge and Anderson Valley

Posted on January 12, 2021 by mike

Drew Winery is the leading producer of Pinot Noir in the Mendocino Ridge AVA, a unique elevation-based coastal growing area in California’s far northern coast.  The winery is owned and operated by Jason and Molly Drew who founded their winery … Continue reading →

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The Farm Winery: 2016 Releases from Paso Robles

Posted on December 18, 2020 by mike

The Farm Winery is one of our favorite wineries in the Paso Robles AVA.   It’s owned and operated by old friends and Stanford Business School alumni Jim Madsen and veteran Argentine winemaker, Santiago Achaval.  Launched in 2009,  it produces … Continue reading →

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Le Cadeau Vineyard: New Releases from Willamette Valley

Posted on April 28, 2020 by mike

Le Cadeau Vineyard is one of Willamette Valley’s premier family wineries.  Established in 1997 by founders Deb and Tom Mortimer, Le Cadeau  was one of the early pioneers in Oregon’s Chehalem Mountains, dedicated to producing high quality Chardonnay and Pinot … Continue reading →

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Crooked Path of Paso Robles: New Releases

Posted on April 24, 2020 by mike

Crooked Path Cellars is owned by Nancy and Craig Stoller and Vino Del Sol, importer and marketing agent of wines from Argentina, Chile and New Zealand. Craig is also CEO of Sunridge Nurseries, the only California-certified nursery block in the … Continue reading →

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Tongue Dancer: New 2019 Releases from Sonoma County

Posted on December 22, 2019 by mike

These two new releases from James McPhail’s Tongue Dancer are a welcome addition to the bevy of Sonoma County wines on the market. As we have written previously James is one of California’s top winemakers and Tongue Dancer is a … Continue reading →

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Pairing Champagne and Food at Washington DC’s Fabulous Blue Duck Tavern

Posted on November 15, 2019 by mike

The Blue Duck Tavern is one of Washington DC’s finest restaurants. Located in the Park Hyatt in Georgetown, the upscale restaurant serves seasonal cuisine with ingredients sourced from local farms and purveyors. The center of the restaurant is an open … Continue reading →

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Margerum: New Releases from Santa Barbara

Posted on October 28, 2019 by mike

Margerum Wine Company is owned and operated by Doug Margerum, one of Santa Barbara’s leading winemaking entrepreneurs. It produces small quantities of premium wines made from estate-grown and purchased grapes from top neighboring vineyards. We visited Doug at the winery … Continue reading →

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Spann Vineyards Wines: New Releases from Sonoma County

Posted on August 22, 2019 by mike

These new releases from Peter and Betsy Spann are wonderful examples of the authentic and artisanal wines being crafted in Sonoma Valley today. They are ripe and juicy wines, mainly red Bordeaux blends and single varietal reds. They include a … Continue reading →

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Spanish Wines of Value and Quality

Posted on June 20, 2019 by mike

  Grapes of Spain has been importing wines from Spain since 2002 and currently has a portfolio of some 36 producers and 90+ wines from all parts of the country. Located just outside Washington DC, the company is owned and … Continue reading →

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Spann Vineyard’s Lake Family Wines from Clarksburg

Posted on March 30, 2019 by mike

  Our friends, Peter and Betty Spann of Spann Vineyards in Sonoma, have introduced a new label called Lake Family Wines.  The new series is sourced from the Clarksburg AVA.  Situated in the Sacramento River Delta east of Napa Valley,  … Continue reading →

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