Kosta Browne was founded in the late nineties by Dan Kosta and Michael Browne and has always focused on Sonoma Coast and Russian River Valley Pinot Noir. The winery has changed hands several times. Most recently Kosta Browne was purchased by Duckhorn Wine Company. The waiting list for the Appellation wines is 18 months long and for the coveted 4…
Author: Tom Lee
Cayuse Release Weekend Cancelled Again
For the third year in a row Cayuse Release Weekend has been cancelled due to the pandemic. Locals will have the opportunity to pick up their wine but there will not be a tasting for mailing list member. “Under the current reduced-occupancy restrictions, it would be logistically impossible to welcome all who wish to attend. In order to treat everyone…
The Week in Zinfandel (1/31/22)
Welcome to the latest installment of The Week in Zinfandel. If I missed your post or story please send me a link and I will be sure to include it next week. Vino-Sphere writes Livermore Valley Wine Dinner Highlights Region’s Diverse Styles. Good Fruit Grower writes Lorenzo Pacini III, a Young Grower from Ukiah, California. Frederic Koeppel reviews the 2019…
2018 Cristom Pinot Noir AVA Series, Yamhill-Carlton – Bottle Notes
Cristom Vineyards was founded by Paul and Eileen Gerrie in 1992. Their son Tom became the majority owner in 2012. Cristom Vineyards is located 43 miles from the Pacific Ocean on the 45th parallel and planted on a diverse range of Volcanic soils in the Eola Hills. The winery has focused on growing benchmark Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Crimson in…
2018 Cristom Pinot Noir AVA Series, McMinnville – Bottle Notes
Cristom Vineyards was founded by Paul and Eileen Gerrie in 1992. Their son Tom became the majority owner in 2012. Cristom Vineyards is located 43 miles from the Pacific Ocean on the 45th parallel and planted on a diverse range of Volcanic soils in the Eola Hills. The winery has focused on growing benchmark Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Crimson in…
2019 Homefire Cellars Zinfandel Mia’s Secret Dry Creek Valley -Bottle Notes
Homefire Cellars was founded by Mike Sterling in 2002. Located in Healdsburg, Homefire is dedicated to making delicious Zinfandel. Mike also happens to be the winemaker. The lineup at Homefire includes several single vineyards Zinfandels. The vineyard for Mia’s Secret is situated on a slope about 1200 feet above Dry Creek Valley. Purple in color. 15.8% ABV. Super nose of…
2016 Toil Oregon Pinot Noir – Bottle Notes
Toil Oregon was founded in 2012 by Chris Figgins. Chris is the President and Winemaking Director for Figgins Family Wine Estates. At present time this includes Leonetti, Figgins and Toil Oregon. Figgins Family Wine Estates has acquired a 42-acre parcel of extraordinary land in the Chehalem Mountains AVA of Willamette Valley. This will become the Estate Vineyard and future winery home…
Zinfandel of the Month – 2017 Turley Zinfandel “Buck” Cobb Vineyard
Zinfandel of the Month is a regular feature on Zinfandel Chronicles. Keep in mind that although the Zinfandel of the Month might be an older bottle, the current vintage will be one you can find at retail or via the mailing list. The February Zinfandel of the Month is the 2017 Turley Zinfandel “Buck” Cobb Vineyard. I chose this wine…
1990 Chateau Léoville Barton – Bottle Notes
The 1990 Chateau Léoville Barton was the winning bottle in the January Installment of Pick My Next Bottle. The wine was opened in memory of Anthony Barton who passed away not long ago. I decanted the wine for 90 minutes and served with a pork roast and roasted smashed yukon gold potatoes. I bought this wine on release and have…
The Week in Zinfandel (1/24/22)
Welcome to the latest installment of The Week in Zinfandel. If I missed your post or story please send me a link and I will be sure to include it next week. Jeff Siegel writes Why is Bourbon-Barrel Wine So Popular? Randy Caparoso writes How a Lodi-Grown White Wine took the Sweepstake Medal at the 2022 San Francisco Chronicle Wine…









