5 Pinot Noir from CA’s Central Coast Pouring at WOPN: Ampelos, Dusty Nabor, The Ojai Vineyard, McIntyre, Presqu’ile
With the 25th Anniversary World of Pinot Noir coming up at Ritz-Carlton Bacara in Santa Barbara February 27 – March 1, I took a quick scroll through this year’s WOPN participating wineries (here) to see who is pouring what wines and when. This will help me make a list so that I don’t get lost at the Grand Tastings on Friday and Saturday! And to get in the mood, Sue and I opened five wines from California wineries that will be pouring a this year’s events: Ampelos, Dusty Nabor, The Ojai Vineyard, McIntyre, Presqu’ile paired with Boeuf Bourguignon; scroll down for all the details!
As usual, World of Pinot Noir opens with a party on Thursday night February 27, and I’ll be there for it! On both Friday and Saturday WOPN offers morning seminars, lunches, and dinners with Grand Tastings each afternoon. Continue reading →
Bring a Sparkle to Black History Month: McBride Sisters Brut Rosé from Hawke’s Bay on National Drink Wine Day with chocolate truffles okay!
Right now in the United States, important diversity initiatives are under fire, people are literally getting fired for being part of these initiatives and supporting them, and books featuring diversity are being banned and removed from school libraries — all making it more important than ever to support Black and BIPOC owned businesses.
Even under these circumstances, during Black History Month 2025 it is easier than ever to find food from Black farmers using this tool. and wines made by Black winemakers; scroll down for links to lots of resources to support BIPOC businesses. And what better day to get started than today — National Drink Wine Day!
Yes, that’s right — today is National Drink Wine Day! So let’s pop a cork and get to business!
Kenyon Elliot is winemaker and owner of organic Field Number Fifteen in the Sierra Foothills
Who loves Syrah? Whether it is inky or peppery or blueberries or mulberries or full on herbs, we do, we really do! We especially love it when it is bright and balanced and farmed with respect to the land– organically and biodynamically, considering the health of planet as well as people. The climate where the Syrah grapes grow influences the profile of the finished wines. In cool climates, Syrah may be lighter, peppery, and elegant while in moderate climates like the northern Rhone Valley and parts of the Walla Walla AVA in Washington State Syrah produces medium to full-bodied wines with bramble fruit, herbs and black pepper notes. Hotter climates like Australia for Syrah (or Shiraz) often means fuller-bodied wines with soft tannins, jammy blueberries, and notes of licorice and leather.
With Syrah Day Feb. 16 (and any day you open a bottle of Syrah!), these three check all the boxes: biodynamic, juicy, elegant, full of flavor, food friendly. Today we feature one of the most well known biodynamic Syrahs from Washington’s Cayuse, plus up and coming J Dirt from San Luis Obispo (mostly growers but also makers), and finally brand new Ojai Mountain in Ventura County which is about to release the second vintage of their Syrah. All three wineries have a pioneering spirit with where and how they are producing biodynamic Syrah.
Around the World with 5 Skin Contact Wines: Mighty Fine For Valentines
Valentine’s Day is all about skin contact, am I right? Lips to lips– and more? So how about choosing a “Skin Contact Wine” for Valentines paired with a luscious lobster mac n cheese, with a side salad and lava cakes for dessert! What’s even better is lobster Mac n cheese can be done in advance and then finished in the oven. The lava cakes may seem fancy but with a microwave Sue says they are super easy!
SKIN CONTACT WINES aka “orange” wines are made from “white” grapes all over the world, and while they may seem like a new phenomena, they are actually made in the most ancient technique where, instead of being immediately pressed off, the grape juice stays in contact longer with the skins, and that imparts color, texture, and flavor. Often these are known as “orange” or “amber” wines.
For this excursion into the world of orange wine, we have four from around the world — two from the old world countries of Germany and Austria, and two from the New World: Mexico and California. Continue reading →
Meet Sciaccarellu, Niellucciu, Carcaghjolu Neru, and Minustellu from Corsica!
If you’re looking for something new and exciting to liven up your wintry days, or maybe looking for something a bit romantically French just in time for Valentine’s, how about a new to you French grape or region? Honestly, it’s been a miserable January here in Southern California with fog and fires and wind and power outages, and now it’s drizzly with major storms on the horizon. So we’re ready to travel –by glass anyway –to Corsica, a French island in the Mediterranean Sea that offers unusual wines made by uncommon grapes like Sciaccarellu, Niellucciu, Carcaghjolu Neru, and Minustellu. Continue reading →
Get Sideways in Santa Barbara County at Garagiste Festival 2/8 and at World of Pinot Noir Feb. 28
After a dry January (in more ways than one), I’m ready for a WET February! How about you? Tis the season for wine festivals and festivities and yes I am here for it! Here’s a few events on my radar — including a series of creativity workshops I’m leading that are inspired by books and include guided wine tastings!
First, Feb. 8! Who’s headed to the Garagiste Festival Continue reading →
wine predator.............. gwendolyn alley 