The thrill for a wine writer is the ability to sample an exceptionally outstanding wine, but often the story behind compels me to compose the article. In the case of DAOU Family Estates, the biographical history behind the wine Soul of the Lion drew me to write this piece. Although this wine is extraordinary, it
Stay At Home: Eleven Wines To Savor At Your Leisure
We may not be able to travel to visit wineries at this time, but we certainly stay at home and enjoy a bottle of wine in the comfort of our houses. Many wineries are offering special deals and free shipping. Our local wine shops will allow curbside pickup and in California, the ABC relaxed the
Discovering Gilbert Arizona
This post is an excerpt from an article I wrote on Gilbert Arizona for FWT Magazine. Gilbert Arizona has become the fastest-growing city in the Phoenix area. Its popularity can be seen as one walks down Gilbert Rd in the heart of Gilbert’s Heritage District. Not only is the town popular with snowbirds, especially those
Willamette Valley Winery: Tyee Wine Cellars
From a dairy farm to growing grapes, Tyee Wine Cellars is a family-owned Willamette Valley winery. Now in its 5th generation with Merrilee Buchanan Benson and her husband Brian Benson taking the lead on this boutique Oregon winery that produces 2000 cases of wine a year. Off the beaten path about 20 minutes from Corvallis,
Alentejo and the Antão Vaz Grape
In a recent article, I discussed Alentejo and its most popular red grape, Alicante Bouschet. This article concentrates on one of Alentejo’s popular white grape varieties, Antão Vaz. Alentejo is one of the largest wine regions in Portugal. The country has over 250 indigenous grape varieties, so it goes without saying that its most popular
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
Mudgee Musings – Australia Wine Country
Some of the many delights of traveling are discovering an unexpected site, cozy restaurant, or photo op that takes you by surprise. The whole region of Mudgee was like that for me. An unknown (to me) wine region, that was one of my excursions to Australia Wine Country with the Wine Media Conference. Now, you’ve
Escape to the South Willamette Valley
The Willamette Valley spans 150-miles from Portland to Cottage Grove, with the Willamette River flowing along its entire length. Most people think of the Willamette Valley as the area between Salem and Portland, but this article will delve into the South Willamette Valley that includes the cities of Corvallis, Eugene, Springfield and Cottage Grove. Recently
Show Me Missouri Wine
The wine industry has played a significant role in both the history of Missouri and the United States. Our wine heritage must include Missouri wine because the state was the number one wine producer in our country during the mid-1800s and also home to the first AVA in the US Appellation system. After several visits
Bells Up Winery: Wine Music Hits All the Notes
Music is an essential part of the wine message at Bells Up Winery in the Willamette Valley. Music comes in many forms for David and Sara Specter, owners of the winery. As you enter the winery you first encounter the wine music with their logo of the French horn. I would say in their own
