(Originally published August 2008) I recently had the good fortune to meet up again with Tom Eddy – Napa Valley winery owner and winemaker. At the risk of showing favoritism, I have to say that not only are his wines spectacular (no kidding, right?), but he is one of the nicest, most generous guys around. [...]

(Originally published August 2006) In March 2006, the California wine industry suffered a great loss when Rodney Strong passed away in Healdsburg at the age of 78. Strong was one of the early proponents of Sonoma County, enthusiastically and gracefully extolling its virtues at a time when the Napa Valley was considered the only game [...]

(Originally published April 2006) Over the hundreds of years of winemaking, there have been hundreds of winemakers who make good wines. But there have only been a few who have truly changed the face of winemaking – whether by innovative techniques, commitment to excellence, identification of the benefits of specific clones in specific places, or [...]

(Originally published February 2006) Founded by Georges de Latour in 1900, Beaulieu Vineyard is now in its second century of Napa Valley winemaking. A native of Bordeaux, de Latour chose Rutherford as the site for his winery and initial 128 acres of vineyards, then purchased additional land near Oakville. Today these vineyards, which are still [...]

(Originally published December 2005) While Port and other dessert wines are often relegated to an after-dinner afterthought, a recent trip to Portugal reminded us of the vast range of Port options that are really available. Entire stores are devoted to this lusciously sweet stuff, with shelves groaning under the weight of heavy bottles coated with [...]

(Originally published June 2005) We recently had the opportunity to taste a handful of powerful reds from Washington’s Colvin Vineyards. As a group, they had loads of character – from the earthy Syrah to the seductive Cabernet to the offbeat Carmenère. Founder and winemaker Mark Colvin is calmly enthusiastic and shows understandable delight in his [...]

(Originally published April 2005) Brothers Kym and John Davey craft distinctive wines from their family land in Australia’s McLaren Vale. The three styles they create – Shingleback, The Gate, and the Knot wines – are all delicious examples of McLaren’s versatility and status as one of Australia’s top wine growing regions. Winemaker John Davey describes [...]