by Laura Ness
November 20, 2008

Winemaking in the Santa Cruz Mountains has always included Chardonnay, Cabernet and Pinot Noir. Much has been written about Ridge Vineyards and Cabernet, but it is truly Pinot Noir that has captured the hearts and imaginations of all who toil in the steep, gnarly vineyards set among wild, redwood-covered mountains.

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by Jo Diaz
November 10, 2008

As soon as Petite Sirah is poured from a bottle to a glass, the mystery begins. This is when we witness that the wine’s so big, black, bold, and beautiful that it becomes very clear that this wine is light years away from anything petite and demure. Consequently, Petite Sirah has become the most misunderstood variety for consumers.

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by Clark Smith
September 17, 2008

To truly understand the many layers of virtue to be found in “Monterey” wines, it is necessary to map the diversity of the wines, which is inherent in the complex patchwork of terroirs and wine producing cultures spread across the county. From the pinnacles of Chalone to the valleys of Monterey (Salinas), then up the benchlands of Santa Lucia Highlands, our aim is to map the differences that make every crook and cranny of “Monterey” an exciting venue of vinous exploration.


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by Jo Diaz
August 19, 2008

Established as an AVA in 1982, Suisun Valley, now an appellation committed to growing ultra premium wine grapes, has history that dates back to the 1800s. It has always been, and continues to be, a winegrape-grower driven appellation, versus a winery showcase destination. Today, the valley has approximately 2,000 planted acres. The area is devoted to such varietals as Syrah, Petite Sirah, Barbera, Gamay, Grenache, Mourvedre, Primitivo,

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