A love of his native land was what brought Leonardo Baccarelli to purchase the property that is now Roccafiore Winery in Todi, a town in the province of Perugia, situated in Umbria. The wines from this region are outstanding, and the wines from this winery are a true testament of what can be produced in
Newton Vineyard: A hidden gem on Spring Mountain
A vineyard is like a puzzle. Each block represents one of the pieces, and those, in turn, form a pattern that becomes the plot plan of the vineyard. There is a mystique behind the vineyard and every vine until each vintage comes to full fruition. In the case of Newton Vineyard, the puzzle has many
Artesa Vineyards & Winery: The Jewel of Carneros
For a wine writer, discovering an absolutely superb wine is like finding nirvana. Add in the ingredients of a consistent portfolio of wine, an outstanding winemaker, and a magnificent and architecturally pleasing setting for a winery. Such was the case when I had the opportunity to visit with Mark Beringer at Artesa Winery located in
What is in this drink?
This article is intended for those over fifty who must endure the preparations required for a colonoscopy. Those under age fifty, medical guidance is advised. I originally wrote this humorous description of the colonoscopy preps when I had to cleanse my body prior to surgery in 2013. I am sharing it with you now
Toby: A blind dog’s journey
Every once in a while I come upon a story that is so inspiring and moving, it really resonates with me. Such is the case when I was visiting Ecluse Winery and met Toby, a blind dog that is the inspiration for the winery’s second label, Blind Dog Wines. It is not the wine, but
Remembering Mendoza
As life leads us in different directions, sometimes we are offered a once in a lifetime experience that we should take advantage of and not turn down. My trip to Mendoza, Argentina was one of those rare opportunities I could not decline. It was one year ago that I landed in Argentina. Today I ponder
Achaval-Ferrer: A purest approach to making Argentine Malbec
In Argentina, the combination of purity in winemaking, terroir-driven wines, and old vines is symbolic of one winery, Achaval-Ferrer. It is the passion of the winery owners to produce Malbec from single vineyards, but there is more that makes the Achaval-Ferrer wines exceptional. In addition to the land and the grapes, it is the people
Kaiken Premium Wines: A passion for great wine
Finding true passion in winemaking is one of the ingredients for making outstanding premium wines. This passion is the case when you meet Aurelio Montes, Jr., winemaker for Kaiken. His exuberance for his craft is quite evident when in his presence. You immediately sense his passion for wine, the terroir, and the process of making
Bodega Trivento: A true expression of the Argentine terroir
Over the last week, I sipped and tasted three wines from Bodegas Trivento, a Torrontés, Cabernet Sauvignon and Amado Sur. I am reminded of my wonderful trip to Mendoza last fall where I had the opportunity to visit Trivento and meet some of the people that create and produce their fabulous wines. Reviewing my notes,
L’Aventure: Bringing together the best of Bordeaux and Rhone
The entire winemaking process is an adventure. This journey begins with the establishment of the winery and continues through the process of growing the grapes, harvesting and putting one’s creative juices to the test of making exceptional wine. The story behind L’Aventure Winery is a voyage across the continents with a quest to pursue a
