8 posts
behind the cork
2020 Sobon Estate Amador County Barbera ($17) Shenandoah Vineyards in Plymouth, CA, was founded in 1977 by Shirley and Leon Sobon. They moved from Los Altos, California, where Leon was a Senior Scientist with the Lockheed Research Lab. Leon’s gift f...
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tour of grapes
Chardonnay 🥂 Chardonnay is one of the most widely planted varieties. Although it is probably best known as the white grape of Burgundy it’s also a major grape in the production of Champagne. Chardonnay is a versatile grape, and its style can vary w...
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behind the cork
2023 Carneros Creek Reserve Chardonnay ($29.95) Carneros Creek Winery (now a brand under Carneros Wine Company) was originally founded by Francis Mahoney in 1972. While the physical winery was sold to Michael Mondavi in 2006, the Mahoney family has ...
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tour of grapes
Chenin Blanc Chenin Blanc is a white wine grape variety that has been cultivated in France for nearly 1300 years. It is most commonly associated with France’s Loire Valley. French documents first mention Chenin Blanc as early as the year 845, and ...
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behind the cork
2018 Rombauer Zinfandel ($42) Koerner and Joan Rombauer established Rombauer Vineyards in 1980, and in 1984 they released their first California-style Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon wines. One interesting note about the Rombauer family is that K...
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tour of grapes
Cinsault 🍷 Cinsault (sin-so) is also known as “Cinsaut.” Cinsault vines have been grown for centuries in southern France, making it one of the oldest grape varieties found in the region. It has traditionally been used in Southern Rhône blends alon...
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behind the cork
2021 Frei Brother Sonoma Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon ($16) Frei Brothers has been a part of Sonoma County for over a century. After coming to California from his native Switzerland, founder Andrew Frei first established vineyards in the Dry Creek Val...
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tour of grapes
Colombard (or Colombar) Photo from Pancrat on Wikimedia Commons The name Colombard likely comes from the French word for dove, “colombe”. Legend has it that the grape was so named because its white, dusty berries match the color of a dove’s pluma...
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