Category Archives: California

Wines to Brighten Up Your Thanksgiving

Posted on November 10, 2020 by don

For most of us 2020’s Thanksgiving will be different.    Because of the COVID pandemic,  family and friends will not be gathering in  large numbers to celebrate.   Instead,  we’ll keep it smaller for the sake of everyone’s heath. Although we’ll … Continue reading →

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Battuello Vineyards: A Napa Grower’s New Wines

Posted on November 8, 2020 by don

In 1906 Italian immigrant Matteo Battuello arrived in America by steamship docking at Ellis Island.  Relatives in Napa Valley encouraged him to come to California, which he did, and in 1909 he purchased property in Saint Helena and founded Battuello Vineyards. … Continue reading →

Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Countries and Regions, Red Wine, Rosé, Uncategorized, Wine Type | Tagged | Leave a comment

Sangiacomo Wines: Current Releases from Sonoma

Posted on September 14, 2020 by don

The Sangiacomos are third generation farmers in Sonoma with fifteen different vineyards and more than 100 individually farmed sites  located in Carneros, Sonoma Coast, Petaluma Gap and Sonoma Valley. Until recently they exclusively sold grapes to the top wineries in Sonoma … Continue reading →

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Siduri Pinot Noir: Latest Releases from California and Oregon

Posted on July 23, 2020 by don

Siduri is one of America’s preeminent producers of Pinot Noir. Under the guidance of founder Adam Lee, it produces a wide variety of vineyard designated premium wines and blends from celebrated vineyards in California and Oregon. Adam and his winemaker, … Continue reading →

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Cameron Hughes: An American Negociant Offering Wines of Superb Value

Posted on July 20, 2020 by don

Cameron Hughes is a wine négociant who started his eponymous enterprise in 2001, buying excess, bulk wine from well-known California wineries, bottling it and selling it at Costco and other discount locations.  This business model works well when there’s surplus wine. … Continue reading →

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James MacPhail’s Tongue Dancer: New Releases from Russian River Valley and the Sonoma Coast

Posted on July 20, 2020 by don

Veteran winemaker James MacPhail has four new offerings of his Tongue Dancer wines, and each is a pleasure to drink.  Sourced from top vineyards in the Russian River Valley and the Sonoma Coast, the new releases include a Chardonnay, a Pinot … Continue reading →

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Flora Spring of Napa Valley: Current Releases

Posted on July 14, 2020 by don

Flora Springs is one of the Napa Valley’s storied wineries.  Located at the base of the Mayacamas mountain range in Napa Valley, it became famous in the 1990s, especially for its Cabernet Sauvignon. Today, its best known for its flagship wine, … Continue reading →

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Ron Rubin’s Very Good Value Wines from the Russian River Valley

Posted on July 10, 2020 by don

Sonoma County’s Russian River Valley is home to some of California’s best vineyards and winemakers, and many of the wines are priced accordingly.  It’s not easy to find inexpensive, good quality wines from this part of the wine world.  Ron Rubin is … Continue reading →

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Cabernet Sauvignon from Lake County’s Hawk and Horse Vineyard: 2008-2016

Posted on May 21, 2020 by don

Hawk and Horse is a family-owned and operated, Demeter-Biodynamic certified vineyard located in the Mayacamas Mountain range of the Red Hills AVA of Lake County [see map below].  The 18 acre, mostly Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard has red volcanic soils and … Continue reading →

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Napa’s Castello di Amorosa Spreads its Wings

Posted on May 11, 2020 by don

This Napa-based family winery was opened in April 2007 by owner Dario Sattui.  It operates from an authentically built castle and winery situated in the hills just south of the city of Calistoga.  On our visit to the Castello a … Continue reading →

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