From space to the vineyard, life has taken many spins around this earth for Don Hagge of Vidon Vineyard. Visiting his hideaway gem of a vineyard with its magnificent views of the Willamette Valley, one would never know that Don had played a specific role in the Apollo space mission. You might call Don an
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
Innovative Autumn Menu comes to Napa Valley Grille
It is fall and for many restaurants, time to showcase their Autumn menu with a change in flavors of their cuisine. Such is the case with Napa Valley Grille in Westwood Village. LA Wine Writers had an opportunity to sample some of the food offered on both the lunch and dinner menu. Napa Daily Grille
Missouri Wines: A brief history, and pairing ideas
If you’ve ever wondered what the heck to pair with that bottle of Norton your friend brought you from her trip back home to Missouri, and Missouri Wines, I’ve got your answer: Slow-braised short rib with goat cheese polenta. That’s right, nice rich meat, to go with the structured dry red wine. Don’t be afraid
Alicante Bouschet: Alentejo’s Premier Varietal
Alentejo is one of Portugal’s most popular wine appellations. It is the 9th largest wine region in the world and the 4th largest in Europe. Alentejo covers about one-third of Portugal’s landmass. The area consists of eight PDO wine regions; Borba, Evora, Granja-Amareleja, Moura, Portalegre, Redondo, Reguengos and Vidigueira. The appellation is flat with surrounding
Santorini and Greek Varietals
Vineyard practices are fundamental to the process of making wine and also the outcome of what we ultimately decide to drink. Across the world, these methods vary because of soil conditions and climate. One of the most unusual vineyard practices I discovered while visiting Santorini, Greece. Santorini sits perched high above the sea, approximately 900
Highland Valley Wineries: A Love Affair with Ramona Valley
My second day in the Ramona Valley took me to four Highland Valley wineries. I found the day to be all about passion. Each winemaker had their interpretation of their love of wine, whether it be the winemaking process or the growing of grapes. Although the passion seemed to take on different forms, one commonality
Markus Wine: A step above Red Wine Blends
I think of Markus Niggli as the master blender, and after sampling all the red wine blends he now produces, I find like an artist, his palette and technique for combining varieties takes him to a level beyond most winemakers. I first met Markus in 2017 when he was the winemaker for Borra Vineyards in
The Driving Force between Five South African Winemakers
Bring five South African winemakers together, and you will see what defines South African wine. They are friends and collaborators who represent four distinct wine regions in South Africa, and they presented their wines and those of others at a wine tasting called South Africa Redefined. South Africa’s wine history goes back almost 400 years.
Spanish Wines: The Wines of Fillaboa and Vall Llach
Let’s delve into the wines from two specific wineries in Spain. Both exemplify the wine regions they represent, but together they tell the inherent story of Spanish Wines. Rias Baixas One sees the Spanish affinity to the white varietal Albarino as profound. The variety is probably Spain’s most popular white. Most Albarinos come from the
