Part of a winemaker’s passion is finding a niche that makes their wines uniquely different yet at the same time stand out as exceptional. For Andrew Beckham utilizing his ceramic background into the winemaking process is tantamount to creating his wine. The answer became designing ceramic vessels to make amphora wine. By doing so, Andrew
Good Pinot Noir for summer pleasure
When thinking of reds to enjoy during a summertime dinner, my go-to red is Pinot Noir. Typically Pinot Noir is not as substantial as other red varieties. Good Pinot Noir can be very versatile. Here are two wines that one should consider this summer. First, let’s go to the Anderson Valley and discover Domaine Anderson
Oregon Winery St Innocent Explores the Subtle Demeanor of Pinot Noir
It is hard for me to turn down a wine tasting event so when fellow wine writer Annette Rau Solomon asked me to her home for dinner with Mark Vlossak of St Innocent Winery, I immediately accepted the invitation to discover an Oregon winery. Since that time I have visited the winery. St Innocent Winery
Domaine Nicolas-Jay: Willamette Valley Pinot Noir with a French flair
Recently a group of wine writers met with Jean-Nicolas Méo of Domaine Méo Camuzet and Jay Boberg former music director turned Oregon winery owner to discover the Willamette Valley Pinot Noir of Domaine Nicolas-Jay. You might say these two are the newer kids on the block in the Willamette Valley. Of course, they are not novices
Sanford Winery: The Role of Barrels in Chardonnay and Pinot Noir Country
Visiting Sanford Winery is like a trip down memory lane because the founders of this winery pioneered the region, putting both Santa Barbara County and Sta. Rita Hills on the map as a prominent wine producing areas for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Meeting the current owner, John Terlato, and Winemaker Steve Fennell, one realizes they
Sweetzer Cellars: From Chardonnay to Pinot Noir
I first sampled the wines of Sweetzer Cellars at a Pinot Noir wine tasting in Santa Barbara. Since then I have sampled their wines on three other occasions including a luncheon with LA Wine Writers. If I were to pick one of the rising wine stars I discovered this year it would definitely include Sweetzer
Feedfeed meets Austerity Wines: A dinner at Lucques
Today the farm to table concept is the culinary mission for many restaurants throughout the country. Chefs and foodies are always trying to take the idea a step further with many practicing sustainability in the kitchen as well as utilizing every portion of a food staple. Carrying the notion of using local ingredients further wineries
New Zealand Loveblock Wines Meets West Hollywood Wolf Restaurant
It is interesting to discover a winery and restaurant that have the similar philosophies and approaches to their craft. Such was the case when I was invited to the New Zealand winery, Loveblock Wines luncheon at Wolf, West Hollywood. What is even more fascinating is the commonality that exists even though you could consider the
A wine tasting visit to the Santa Lucia Highlands
The Santa Lucia Highlands, also known, as SLH is an AVA primarily recognized for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Recently the Santa Lucia Highlands Wine Artisans were in Los Angeles sharing many of the area wineries latest releases to the trade. This article will feature some of my favorites discovered at this event. One must first
A day in Santa Barbara tasting Pinot Noir
It does not take much to convince me to make a trip to Santa Barbara or sip Pinot Noir. When I received an invitation to the Santa Barbara Vintners Pinot Noir tasting at the Bacara Resort & Spa, it offered a nice opportunity for my husband and I to get away from Los Angeles, enjoy
