Mailers from Betz and Quilceda Creek have already arrived. Save the date emails from Sojourn and Outpost are in my inbox. I’ve seen confirmations from the winery that Saxum and Rivers-Marie are only a week or two out. The biannual battle of trying to juggle mortgage payments, school tuition and wine purchases has begun. For better or worse, mailing list season…
Williams Selyem Winery began when Ed Selyem and Burt Williams started making wine as a hobby in 1979 in Forestville, California. Their first commercial release was in 1981, and in less than two decades they created a cult-status winery of international acclaim. Setting a new standard for Pinot Noir winemaking, they put Sonoma County’s Russian River Valley at the forefront…
Year end always seems like a good time to take stock of the wine cellar and think about how you might want to change your approach in the up coming year. I’ve been at this wine hobby this for a long time so there is no need for a radical overhaul. I do though plan to make some minor changes…
Chateau de Beaucastel, located in Courthezon in the Southern Rhone Valley, has over 250 acres of organic vineyards. Unlike many Rhone Valley producers, Beaucastel grows all 13 of the grapes permitted in the appellation and the estate uses an unusually high percentage of Mourvèdre in its red wines, usually around 30%, along with 30% Grenache and smaller amounts of Syrah,…
Sojourn Cellars was founded in 2001 by Craig Haserot and Erich Bradley. The winery specializes in Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and recently added a Chardonnay to the lineup. Their fruit is sourced from some of California’s finest vineyards. Light red in color. 14.4% ABV. The fruit is sourced from from six different Sonoma Coast vineyards including Sangiacomo and Wohler. Red…
Fattoria di Felsina is a historic estate in the Chianti appellation of Tuscany. In 1966 the estate was purchased by the Poggiali family, and today a second generation of the Poggiali family still run the 153-acre estate. Gambero Rosso, Italy’s leading wine journal, has often awarded Felsina’s wines with 3 Bicchieri, the journal’s highest rating. Rancia is 100% Sangiovese, sourced…
Spottswoode is a family owned winegrowing estate located on the western edge of St. Helena in the Napa Valley. The 46 acre estate, established in 1882, is distinguished by the historic Victorian home depicted on the label. Its entrance is graced by classic formal gardens, while the vineyard stretches behind to the Mayacamas Mountains. The Spottswoode Estate was bought by…
As I was thinking about the focus of Zinfandel Chronicles in 2014, I took a moment to look at what posts in 2013 generated the most traffic (excluding most Bottle Notes and Pick My Next Bottle polls). Since many of you just recently started reading my blog (thank you!), I thought I’d put together a list of the most popular…
Rochioli is one of the true pioneers in Russian River Valley, with a winemaking history dating back to the the late 1950′s. Although best known for their world class Pinot Noir, Rochioli also produces remarkable Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. I’ve blogged about Rochioli previously in Zinfandel Chronicles Power Rankings and the Fab 5 of Mailing Lists. Rochioli recently published a…
Betz Family Winery was founded in 1997 by Bob & Cathy Betz. Critical acclaim from local and national wine publications has put Betz Family Winery at the forefront of Washington wines alongside Cayuse, Leonetti and Quilceda Creek. The winery was sold to Steve and Bridget Griessel (with Bob Betz remaining on as the winemaker), and I fully expect quality will…