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 five years ago. Louis Skinner, a longtime assistant of Bob’s, is now the full…
The Week in Zinfandel (10/21/19)
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. Peg Melnik reviews the 2016 Bella Grace Vineyards Zinfandel Amador County Old Vine. Loren Sonkin reviews the Limerick Lane Zinfandel Block 1910. Esther Mobley writes Kincade Fire Threatens…
2002 Plumpjack Cabernet Sauvignon – Bottle Notes
The 2002 Plumpjack Cabernet Sauvignon was the winning bottle in the October Installment of Pick My Next Bottle. Gavin Newsom and Gordon Getty established PlumpJack Winery in 1995, inspired by one of Shakespeare’s most memorable characters, Sir John “PlumpJack” Falstaff. PlumpJack Winery sits squarely in the heart of Napa Valley’s renowned Oakville region, surrounded by a 42-acre estate vineyard highly regarded…
2013 Marcel Lapierre Morgon – Bottle Notes
Marcel Lapierre took over the family domaine from his father in 1973. The winery dates back to the early 1900’s. In 1981 Marcel met Jules Chauvet. A winemaker, researcher and chemist, Chavet preached for natural wines and the traditional methods of Beaujolais. Joined by local vignerons Guy Breton, Jean-Paul Thévenet, and Jean Foillard, Marcel led a group that soon went to the…
2015 Easton Zinfandel Amador County – Bottle Notes
Easton Wines was founded by Bill Easton in the early 90’s. The winery is located in the Sierra Foothills, in the heart of Shenandoah Valley, 45 miles southeast of Sacramento. Bill also founded Terre Rouge. Terre Rouge is reserved for wines made with Rhone Valley grape varieties like Syrah, Marsanne and Mourvedre while Easton Wines is devoted to releases made…
Pick My Next Bottle – 2002 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
The October installment of Pick My Next Bottle focuses on Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon from the the 2002 vintage. 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 on Saturday and a Bottle Note will be…
2011 Ridge Geyserville – Bottle Notes
Ridge Vineyards was founded in 1959 when three Stanford Research Institute engineers bought an abandoned winery in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The vineyards had been planted in the late 19th century by a San Francisco physician who produced his first vintage in the original winery, called Monte Bello, in 1892. The first Ridge vintage was in 1962. Paul Draper recently retired…
The Week in Zinfandel (10/14/19)
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. Randy Caparoso writes A List of Lodi Grown Wines Produced by Non-Lodi Wineries. Wine Enthusiast writes Get in the Spirit with these Halloween Wine Labels. Michelle Anna Jordan…
2015 Bedrock Wine Co. Zinfandel Esola Vineyard – Bottle Notes
Bedrock Wine Co. was founded by Morgan Twain-Peterson in 2007 and focuses on small production wines from many of California’ s most treasured and historic vineyards. The lineup of wines at Bedrock is expanding rapidly, but I think the best of the best are the ancient vineyard Zinfandels and Field Blends, Morgan is clearly passionate about. Esola Vineyard lies in…
2006 Domaine de Ferrand Châteauneuf-du-Pape – Bottle Notes
Domaine de Ferrand was founded in 1960 by Charles Bravay. Philippe Bravay launched bottling directly at the winery when he took over the domaine from his father in 1995. Since 1997, a large part of the wine produced has been sold under the brand name of Domaine de Ferrand. The wine is primarily composed of Grenache with small amounts of…