Napa Valley Cabernet is so often the go to wine for many wine aficionados. I have often been curious to the question of how/when a Cabernet producer like Screaming Eagle, Bryant Family, Harlan Estate, and so many others, move from entering the market place, to becoming a high demand, California Cult Wine.

Recently, I had the opportunity to talk with an assistant to one of the worlds most notable cult winemakers (Heidi Barrett), his name, Tony Arcudi. Arcudi, now producing a very limited production (around 250 cases) of his first wine released under the name, Arcudi.

After speaking with ...

The Garagiste Festival is one of those great wine events where visitors can discover numerous super small brands. In some cases these winemakers only produce a few barrels of wine. It is also worth mentioning that many of these wines are not found in a tasting room, or store shelves due to such low production.

The Saturday seminar in Solvang (Santa Ynez Valley) kicked off with a much lessor known varietal, Mourvedre. The panelist included (left) Bob Tillman from Alta Colina in Paso Robles, Eric Mohseni (middle) from the long time famed Zaca Mesa of Santa Barbara County, and Mr ...

It is often said, "Wine is made in the vineyard." If this statement is true, then it might be a foregone conclusion that winemakers select their vineyards very carefully. Most industry professionals would likely agree that the fruit source is key, and is the reason so many consumers buy wines from specific regions and designated vineyards.

I had the honor being included in a rare viewing/tasting of the Larner Vineyard located in a newly (Oct 2013) designated AVA, Ballard Canyon, in Santa Barbara County. The tasting was a focused tasting of seven different winemakers' wines, all sourcing from the ...

Turkish Wine History:

There are always a lot of wines to choose from, and it can be difficult to know what are suggested purchases without having tasted a wine. Few are willing to spend $30, $50, or more on a wine, hoping it will be money well spent.

Vintages change, picking decisions change, blendings can change, and sometimes even winemakers change. I am fortunate enough to taste many wines each year. Some wines I taste at various events and dinners, some are samples sent to me, while others may be tasted in the tasting room. When I see a wine scores a 95 ...

On occasion in the wine industry, there are inspiring and interesting wines, people, and places. In rare instances, one might discover a trifecta of all three. 

J Wrigley (Family) Vineyards hits the mark for everything people look for when hitting the wine trail. Kind hearted real people, a welcoming sense from them, a beautiful location, and of course great wines. A visit to the tasting room of J Wrigley in McMinville Oregon inside of the Wilamette Valley, would likely be the highlight to wine travelers day. 

I had a unique opportunity to meet with John and Jody Wrigley, in southern ...

Like it or not, there are certain things in life that are dependable. Alcatraz is a secure prison, the bank will have my money when I ask them for it, politics gets some people emotional, Mc Donald's drive thru will stop all breakfast orders at 10:29 AM, and Andrew Murray will always deliver a quality wine that taste like I paid a lot more. 

Not all of these aspects are great, however they are dependable. Andrew Murray continues like clock work to keep the train going of high quality and amazing values. 

I must admit, I hit Costco ...

Throughout the year I drink wine at dinners, various wine events, festivals, tasting rooms, and have samples submitted for review. In most cases it can be difficult to properly review a wine without bottle submission, however, there are moments when a wine seems to hit all cylinders even with a small pour. These are the wines that immediately say "Hello!" 

Some wine media produces publications with wines that are too scarce or soldout. Their 'Top 100' in my view often becomes much like going to a restaurant and looking at pictures of the food and then going home. 

Wines That ...