Zinfandel vine row with a sign reading "Zinfandel"

National Zinfandel Day

Zinfandel Day is the third Wednesday each November, putting it as a close predecessor to the Thanksgiving holiday. Here are some great Zinfandel facts for a bit of conversation over the turkey (and wine) for your celebration: Zinfandel is considered California’s heritage grape, there are some vines in…

Malbec wine grape cluster hanging on the vine

Malbec Facts

If you didn’t know better, it would seem in the last decade a new varietal wine had been magically invented or finally discovered.  During the last American recession, a new standard for structured reds just magically appeared in the marketplace hailing from Argentina, and its name?  Malbec. The…

Ghost in a Haunted Winery

Haunted Wineries

As we move into the darker, colder days of fall, the leaves start falling from the trees, and the last of the grapes have long been harvested. We begin to think about Halloween, and what better way to get into the spirit of the season than to pour…

Riedel Stemware Tasting Seminar Recap

At the end of last month, our whole staff had the pleasure of attending the Riedel tasting seminar at Dutton-Goldfield Winery in Sebastopol, CA.  We enjoyed their Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah out of proper and improper stemware (complete with Lindt chocolates for pairing – more on…

Silhouette of the state of California with "CA" written, overlaid on Autumn vineyards

CA Wine: The Earliest Days

California wine is well-known globally.  A long, rich history is the backbone of the operation.  Although much of the global stance got it’s footing post-prohibition, European immigrants long before modern winemakers saw gold in the soils and climate of modern-day CA. Although the official birthdate of California wine…

Retro vineyard with sunlight

Our Top 3 Hidden Gems in the CA Wine Country!

When planning a trip to the wine country, you’re sure to get tons of recommendations on which wineries to visit—everyone has a favorite they want to share!  While winery tours and tastings are certainly the main event, we want you to know about a few hidden gems that…

How to Survive Wine Tasting!

Summer is fast approaching, and with the weather comes the mass exodus for wine country.  Our staff has taken some time to compile their personal tips & tricks for surviving a full day of tasting wines: Get a ride. Doesn’t matter if it is a limo, Über, Lyft,…