California Wines

Before leaving Benmarl, we were told that we should visit Stoutridge Vineyard, just a few miles away, in Marlboro, New York.  He’s doing some pretty interesting things with his wine making techniques, suggested Wendy, Benmarl’s wine events coordinator.  And so, with less than 30 minutes to go before Stoutridge was due to close, we hopped [...] Read Full Story

Frankly, the Wine Curmudgeon didn’t think he’d like this. So what happened when I tasted it? I was quite taken with its quality – a well-made, varietally-correct zinfandel for about $8 at most grocery stores. It’s hard to beat that (and proves, once again, not to pre-judge wine). Unlike some zinfandels, the Smoking Loon wasn’t especially fruity. I’m beginning to think that lack of fruit is a function of the 2006 vintage in California, since this wasn’t the first time I’ve noticed it. But... Read Full Story

If you are visiting us for the first time, Welcome! The Wine Spies feature one exceptional wine each day – and we only bring you wines that we ourselves seek out and love. Always, the wines are great. Sometimes even better than that, as is the case with today’s wine from Burgess Vineyard. Read Full Story

It should have been wonderful: a trip to Washington and a state dinner with Jack and Jackie Kennedy!...all while flying the flag for the family's Charles Krug Winery. Robert Mondavi had been representing the winery for some time as general manager and head of sales and marketing. As part of his business education, he and his wife Marjorie had traveled to France in 1963 and brought back some new ideas. Not just about making wine, mind you - for example, using oak barrels for aging - but also... Read Full Story

Why don't we just all get along and watch BOTH movies and then pass judgement? As far as Bottle Shock - The Movie goes, I think it's a wonderful story and most interesting to most of us here in Napa Valley. We especially love Freddy Rodriquez' character, Gustavo Brambila because we drink his wine. My favorite? The wildly fragrant and crispy green 2006 Sauvignon Blanc [just released]. Maybe because it's hard-core summertime now here in the Valley, this wine was most appealling with our... Read Full Story