You might say Charlie Barra was a maverick. He was ahead of his time. Charlie purchased his vineyard in 1955, way ahead of the wine boom bringing many of our pioneering wineries to Napa and Sonoma in the 1960s and 1970s. Starting as a grape grower, he set the standard for Mendocino County wine and
Iris Vineyards: Showcasing the Southern Willamette Valley
On a recent visit to South Willamette Valley, I discovered Iris Vineyards. The winery’s production facility is located in Cottage Grove, but Iris’s tasting room is situated about 20 minutes from both Cottage Grove and Eugene. The drive is well worth the visit because of the spectacular views. Perched atop a knoll, the tasting room
Visiting Solvang Winery Lucas & Lewellen
It takes a balancing act to oversee the 50 different wines that compose the portfolio of Lucas & Lewellen Estate Vineyards, a Solvang winery, but winemaker Megan McGrath Gates does it with panache. It began as a friendship in 1975 between Louis Lucas, a viticulturist, and Royce Lewellen, a Superior Court Judge, and moved on
Titus Vineyards: Half a Century of a Napa Vineyard
Celebrating fifty years of growing grapes in Napa Valley, Titus Vineyards shows us that a family’s determination to hold on to the land they purchased in 1968 and still sustain the quality of wine that Napa is known for can prevail. Today in Napa we see many wineries selling out to the big conglomerates. It
Abadia Retuerta LeDomaine: Revel in Spanish Luxury
Today wine travel is an all-encompassing experience. Many wineries are not just a location but a destination that includes accommodation, restaurant, and winery. In Spain, one place that offers a unique opportunity for a European wine adventure is Abadia Retuerta LeDomaine. Recently I attended a wine tasting luncheon with Enrique Valero, Abadia Retuerta LeDomaine’s CEO.
Discovering Mandeville Vineyards in Mandeville Canyon
Sometimes we find wonderfully exceptional things in the most unlikely places. Take for example the passion of the wine lover who decides to grow grapes in his backyard in the city like those grown in Mandeville Canyon. Many winemakers start by growing grapes at home. Not everyone can do it successfully because the climate can
Hertelendy Vineyards: An Ensemble of elegant style wines
Wine is music to Ralph Hertelendy’s ears. Coming from a background that includes Hungarian and Slovakian heritage and from a family that is still very involved in classical music. Today, Ralph’s Hertelendy Vineyards enchants you with a chorus that sings high and low notes of Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon and focuses on a bold, elegant
Stars of Cabernet: A tribute to Cabernet Sauvignon
Yearning to discover a new winery can be the most intriguing part of attending a wine tasting and this year’s Stars of Cabernet, presented by WineLA, provided an opportunity to experience some superb wines from wineries not yet on Written Palette’s radar. There were six wineries that made an impression along with one old favorite.
Ascension Cellars: Wines that elevate your senses
For Erick Allen, the process of winemaking is about the blend. Starting Ascension Cellars in 2008 was about accentuating his blending forte of both the Rhone and Bordeaux varietals. It is Erick’s passion for this process that makes his wines truly exceptional. Erick’s success in winemaking comes from not only his blending prowess but also
Roll Out the Barrels: Wine tasting in San Luis Obispo
You might say it was a spur of the moment trip when the opportunity came to visit San Luis Obispo for the Roll Out the Barrels wine tasting event, I could not turn it done as it gave me a new insight into the wines of San Luis Obispo County. Having visited the area many
