Bottle Notes, Buying Wine, Zinfandel

New Releases from Bruce Patch Wines

Bruce Patch cut his teeth in the music industry — having once met the Beatles and helped to discover the famous 80’s band, The Cars. Bruce moved to the Russian River Valley in the late 1990’s, and transitioned his sales and marketing background into a successful distribution business representing small independent wineries in Sonoma County. Bruce Patch Wines sources grapes from throughout Sonoma County, including…

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Random Musings

The Week in Zinfandel (4/25/16)

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. Cheers! Mike Dunne writes Amador County’s Reputation for Crafting Complexity Grows. Just Grapes reviews the 2013 Turley Zinfandel Ueberroth Vineyard. Melissa Vogt writes Dry Creek Valley Struts its…

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Cellar Management

Pick My Next Bottle – 2010 Old Vine Zinfandel

The April Installment of Pick My Next Bottle focuses on 2010 Old Vine Zinfandel. As I mentioned in the first installment, the purpose of this series is to provide insight into specific wines or producers you may currently have in your cellar. The winning bottle will be opened this Saturday and a Bottle Note will be published shortly thereafter. 2010…

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Bottle Notes

New Releases from ACORN Winery

Bill and Betsy Nachbaur purchased Alegria Vineyard in 1990. Situated in the Russian River Valley, Alegría Vineyards has 26 acres planted with Zinfandel, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Sangiovese, Dolcetto, Petite Sirah, Alicante Bouschet, and many lesser-known varieties. The oldest part of the vineyard dates back to the 1890’s. For the first many years Bill farmed the vineyard and the grapes were…

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Random Musings

The Week in Zinfandel (4/18/16)

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. Cheers! Mike Dunne writes about Dashe Cellars. Now and Zin Wine writes Amador County Zinfandel Wine. Wine Folly writes 5 American Wine Traditions Worth Keeping. Peg Melnik writes…

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Bottle Notes, Pinot Noir

2010 J. Rochioli Pinot Noir Estate – Bottle Notes

Rochioli is one of the true pioneers in Russian River Valley, with a winemaking history dating back to the the late 1950′s. In 1987 Rochioli released their first estate wine, the 1985 Rochioli Pinot Noir. Although best known for their world class Pinot Noir, Rochioli also produces remarkable Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. The winery recently published a detailed map of…

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Bottle Notes, Zinfandel

2014 Carlisle Zinfandel Sonoma County – Bottle Notes

Carlisle Winery & Vineyards was founded in 1998 by Mike and Kendall Officer. Their passion is clear: Small lots of Zinfandel and Syrah from exceptional, historic vineyards. Many of these vineyards are heritage sites planted by Italian immigrants and date back to the late 1800s . They have also recently added their first whites, two blends from historic, old-vine vineyards plus Sonoma…

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Random Musings

The Week in Zinfandel (4/11/16)

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. Cheers! The Wines of Lodi, CA writes The Love-in of Diversity at Lodi ZinFest. Luxury Las Vegas writes The Roots of Zinfandel. Kelli White writes The Women Who…

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