Valley of the Wind Winery

• July 2017

  There are lots of wine brands out there, but only some can be called iconic. These brands shape winemaking in a forward-positive direction. They lead the charge on new initiatives and dare to be different. They are established purveyors of consistent quality. Just a few weeks ago I had the opportunity dig deeper into an icon of this type. Villa ... Read More

  From the article What it means to be a wine icon.

  
  

• March 2017

  I recently had the chance to speak with Craig McAllister, La Crema Winery’s new head winemaker. He took the reins this past January. La Crema wines are much-loved by millions of wine drinkers in the United States for their artisan yet approachable bent. Here are some key notes from my chat with Craig.On becoming a winemakerCraig had a bit of a l... Read More

  From the article Ask the Winemaker: La Crema's Craig McAllister

  
  

• December 2016

  So what wine or other special beverage are you having tonight to celebrate the coming year?  We have a nice 2010 Barnett wine open right now, serving this with a grilled steak shortly.  Later tonight I'll open up a sparkling wine to ring in the New Year. Read More

  Forum post in the topic New Year's Eve (2016) and New...

  
  

• May 2016

  This book looks enticing but was looking for feedback from anyone who may have read it. Thanks Read More

  Forum post in the topic Was wondering if anyone's...

  
  

• January 2016

  Ok, new year and time for a new topic of discussion.  Just yesterday I opened this Pinot Noir from California that initially sounded promising.  First  - it was given to Sandra as a retirement gift so it was free.  Second - a Pinot Noir bottled in St. Helena CA, so it has to be decent, right? and Third - a nice looking label.  Well, this 2014 Me... Read More

  Forum post in the topic Wine you would not drink...

  
  

• November 2015

  OK, this is a topic that hasn't come up recently but has many times in the past. How to store wine in the house? Whether to refrigerate?  How to choose passive or refrigerated wine cellars? What kind of wine fridges are best?  Etc., etc.I was doing some real estate shopping in the Ventura/Santa Barbara counties area and ran across a higher-end h... Read More

  Forum post in the topic How not to store wine

  
  

• June 2015

  How many female winemakers and vineyard owners do you know? A few months ago, Christy Canterbury introduced some ladies of the Langhe. Female winemakers in Piedmont have changed the conservative winemaking landscape to one that is inclusive of women. France is no different. This piece examines five scintillating wines from a group called the Fem... Read More

  From the article A Question of Women in Wine

  
  

• May 2015

  "When the moon hits your eye/like a big pizza pie/that's amore."As we ate our breakfast on Sunday morning at the Imperial Hotel in Amador City, the soundtrack subtly changed.  Last night at dinner and halfway through breakfast, the soundtrack was from the same era, but Sam Cooke sent us, and Ray Charles warned us about women.  This morning, with... Read More

  Forum post in the topic Amador County 101--See...

  
  

• February 2015

  A quiet evening out here in Northern Virginia.  It's cold again (25 F plus a wind chill making it feel like 14 F) following a slight and brief warm up yesterday.  We still have lots of snow on the ground but since I finished shoveling yesterday, I was able to devote some quality time to cleaning tile in our master bathroom.  I did that for two h... Read More

  Forum post in the topic Weekday Wines

  
  

• February 2015

  We finally got the news that we are approved for our planning permit.  Now comes the really trying part:  building permits, contractors' estimates, dislocation, refinancing, and dealing with the neighbor who tried to stop the project and who will harass the contractor.  But it's official:  I get a basement with room for a real cellar with temper... Read More

  Forum post in the topic Finally able to exhale (Some...

  
  

• May 19, 2010

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