This week for #SherryWeek, I revisit a treasured bottle from Bodegas Tradición — a 45-year-old VORS Oloroso that stirred memories of my grandmother’s 30-day cake. From the cool hush of Jerez’s soleras to an Andalusian-inspired lamb pairing at home, this story celebrates patience, flavor, and the art of time well spent.
Category: Wine
Cabernet with Altitude: Smith-Madrone’s 2021 Vintage Climbs to New Heights
Each week, I spotlight a wine that captivates—whether for its distinctive character, fascinating story, or sheer delight in the glass. This week’s feature: the 2021 Smith-Madrone Cabernet Sauvignon, a wine that channels both the rugged beauty and timeless spirit of Spring Mountain. Widely regarded as an exceptional vintage in Napa Valley, 2021 offered an ideal…
ZANTE Sparkling Zinfandel: Lodi’s Modern Spin on a Historic California Classic
Discover how Peltier Winery in Lodi revives California’s sparkling Zinfandel heritage with ZANTE—bright, sustainable, and made for everyday enjoyment.
Soil, Skin, and Soul — 2022 Scions of Sinai Tekstur
Last week’s Wine of the Week; Golden Hue of Curiosity explored how skin contact can transform white wine into something luminous and layered. This week, that curiosity continues along the rugged coast of South Africa with the 2022 Scions of Sinai Tekstur—a wine that’s as much about texture and place as it is about flavor…
The Golden Hue of Curiosity — 2021 Matthiasson Ribolla Gialla
It glows in the glass like late-afternoon sun caught in amber — not white, not red, but something beautifully in between. At first glance, it looks like a contradiction. But take a sip, and you realize: it’s harmony. This week’s Wine of the Week is the 2021 Matthiasson Ribolla Gialla, a quietly profound expression of…
Wine of the Week: 2022 Sandlands Assyrtiko
What if one of Greece’s most iconic grapes could thrive under California sun? That’s the question the 2022 Sandlands Assyrtiko answers—deliciously. Lodi, already home to more than 100 wine grape varieties, has become a proving ground for the unexpected. From Iberian to Italian to Rhône, Mediterranean grapes flourish here, and now Assyrtiko—famed for its origins…
Sipping with Purpose: AVIVO’s Regenerative White & Rosé
AVIVO Wines, the sister winery of DaVero Farms & Winery, was founded by Ridgely Evers with a clear vision: to craft wines that are as good for the planet as they are enjoyable at the table. Guided by principles of transparency and sustainability, AVIVO sources its fruit exclusively from certified organic and regenerative vineyards. The…
Wine of the Week; 2022 Tablas Creek Counoise
Every once in a while, a wine comes along that feels like a discovery. My pick this week, the 2022 Tablas Creek Counoise, is just that kind of bottle—a little-known Rhône grape variety that rarely steps into the spotlight but rewards curiosity with brightness, spice, and charm. Add in the fact that it’s farmed regeneratively,…
Wine of the Week: 2020 Domaine Carneros Single Vineyard ‘Crane Cuvée’ Brut Rosé
This week’s Wine of the Week is more than a sparkling rosé—it’s a tribute. The 2020 Domaine Carneros Single Vineyard Crane Cuvée Brut Rosé not only delights the palate but also honors the legacy of one of California’s great sparkling wine pioneers. Distinctive, delicious, and deeply rooted in tradition, it’s a wine that resonates far…
Sip Spotlight: 2021 Gary Farrell Lancel Creek Vineyard Pinot Noir
Summer is my favorite season, and one of the things I’ve always loved about California is its gift of Indian Summer—the way warm afternoons stretch the season of alfresco dining, grilling, and BBQ well into fall. With that spirit in mind, I was excited to uncork a sample of the 2021 Gary Farrell Lancel Creek…