The Past and Future of Small Family Wineries

Published on August 19, 2019

First off, I want to apologize for the radio silence the last couple of weeks. August is “vacation-month” in France and, perhaps, Paris is rubbing off on me.  My brain certainly needed some time away from the wine world to recharge. Still not quite back in the saddle yet but I’m getting there. However, I do want to take the time to highlight this Kiva micro-loan for a small Georgian winery and what it means…

Published on August 19, 2019
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Nitty Gritty Grumble – Are winery websites dropping the ball?

Published on July 31, 2019

I had a great Tasmanian sparkling rosé that I wanted to write something on. Lovely aromatics. Tremendous mouthfeel. Killer value. Definitely a bottle worth spreading the word about. So I went to the producer’s website to start researching for a post. Pretty site, lots of lovely pictures. The bottles moved when I hovered the mouse over them. I found the Méthode Tasmanoise tab charming. Clearly, the winery spent a bit of money and thought to…

Published on July 31, 2019
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60 Second Wine Review — Gonet-Médeville Extra Brut Rosé

Published on July 23, 2019

A few quick thoughts on the Gonet-Médeville Premier Cru Rosé Champagne. The Geekery In 2000, Xavier Gonet started the Champagne house with his wife, Julie Médeville, in the premier cru village of Bisseuil in the Grande Vallée de la Marne. Gonet hails from the notable Champagne family of Philippe Gonet in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger with that house now run by Xavier’s siblings. Médeville comes from Bordeaux where her family owns several estates in Graves and Sauternes…

Published on July 23, 2019
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Hunting Unicorns in the Stags Leap District

Published on July 20, 2019

Even if it’s was just a marketing farce of Horace Chase, I still like the story of how Stags’ Leap Winery (and the area) got its name. Jancis Robinson recounts it in her book, American Wine, with the legend of Wappo tribal hunters chasing a stag. The hunt was close until the cunning beast secured its freedom by leaping across a vast chasm among the craggy palisades. Kirk Grace, director of vineyard operations for Stag’s…

Published on July 20, 2019
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min read Wine marketing

Wine Influencers and Thinking Like a Consumer

Published on July 16, 2019
by  in Wine marketing
I’m working my way through Neil Gaiman’s MasterClass where I just finished Chapter 17 on editing. I adore the advice that Gaiman gives here on the importance of looking at your work through the eyes of the reader. When he finishes a draft, Gaiman sets it aside for a week or so. Then he returns to as if he’s never seen it before in his life. He brings with him all the expectations that he…
min read 60 Second Reviews

60 Second Wine Review — D’Oliveira 1908 Boal Madeira

Published on July 12, 2019
by  in 60 Second Reviews
A few quick thoughts on the 1908 D’Oliveira Boal Madeira. The Geekery Joao Pereira d’Oliveira founded his namesake winery in 1850 originally to supply wine for other shippers. It wasn’t until the 1970s that D’Oliveira began bottling under their own name. Still owned by d’Oliveira’s descendants,  the estate produces around  150,000 liters of wines a year. After many acquisitions of other Madeira shippers, D’Oliveira is home to some of the oldest stocks of Madeira. All…
min read General, Robert Parker, Wine critics

The Wine Industry’s “Nice Guy Syndrome”

Published on July 9, 2019
by  in General, Robert Parker, Wine critics
I’ve been working with Kenneth Friedenreich on his follow-up book to Oregon Wine Country Stories about the Stags Leap District. He’s been sharing some of his drafts on the prologue and, not to spoil anything, he includes a remarkable moment we had on our research trip watching a hawk swoop down into the vineyard to pluck a vole out amongst the vines. Friedenreich expands on this imagery as a metaphor for many of the themes…