I’ve received a lot of requests from people asking about small producers making interesting wines out here on the west coast, so I thought I’d compile a list of some of the wines that have been inspiring me since my move out to Napa in February. All of these micro producers have an eye toward sustainability and working directly with the farmers they source from. They are keen to produce high-quality, distinctive wines at relatively fair prices given the costs of production out this way. Each has a unique story to tell, and many have incorporated lesser-known grapes into their portfolios, although not all. I’ve highlighted my personal favorite wine from each maker below, but definitely check out the other wines these winemakers are producing. Continue reading
Tag Archives: california
Looking Back at Robert Mondavi Wines over 50 Vintages
The first vintage for Robert Mondavi Winery was 1966: 50 years later, and the wine is still singing. For 50 years the wines at Robert Mondavi have followed Mr. Mondavi’s vision of producing wine among the great wines of the world defined by their elegance concentration and terroir and the evening was a tribute to the singular vision of the man who put the New World on the map. Read more about the 50th anniversary gala dinner that brought together some of the Napa Valley greats who worked with Mondavi over the years in my most recent piece for The Tasting Panel.
SIMI: A Long History of American Winemaking
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135 years is a long time, especially in US wine history, but that’s how long Simi winery in Sonoma, CA has been producing wine. In fact, Simi was making wine even through the years of Prohibition as an authorized producer of sacramental wine.
