Sonoma - Palate Press

5 min read

Joel Peterson. Brice Jones. Richard Arrowood. Not so long ago, these three men were among the most-recognized winegrowers in Sonoma County, and all three can still draw a crowd whenever they pour wine. It has been years, however, since Peterson was in full cry at Ravenswood, demanding “No Wimpy Wines,”

It’s #ChardonnayDay

Becky Sue Epstein

Feature Stories

2 min read

We all have a different favorite style of Chardonnay – just ask and we'll try to describe it. It might be easier, however, to track what we buy, which is often the same labels again and again. Some will only buy pricey Chardonnay produced from cool, Carneros grapes in California.

The 7-Year Niche

Roger Morris

Features

4 min read

Readers of a certain age will remember Orson Welles assuring us in a 1979 TV commercial for Paul Masson – preserved on YouTube – that “we will sell no wine before its time.” But what is a wine’s time, especially a tannic red one? When is it ready? Not surprisingly,

What We’re Drinking – 2015 Apsara “Kick Ranch” Sauvignon Blanc

David Honig

Wine Reviews

1 min read

This wine has one of those noses that almost makes you forget to take a drink. Aromas of orange blossoms, distant magnolia, and freshly-sliced pears all float up from the glass. Soft, round fruits lead on the palate, poached pears and mangos, with cut grass in the background. Pink and

What We’re Drinking – 2014 Ridge Vineyards “Lytton Springs”

David Honig

Wine Reviews

1 min read

This is an absolutely lovely wine, rich but balanced, with complex fruit and a solid backbone. The nose shows blackberry and elderberry, bright on top with earthiness in counterpoint. It really explodes on the palate, with the black fruit getting elbowed aside on the mid-palate by black cherry and ripe

What We’re Drinking – 2012 Jordan Vineyard & Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley

Becky Sue Epstein

Wine Reviews

1 min read

When first poured, the familiar Bordeaux-like aroma envelopes your senses. And sure enough, this wine is a blend of four of the main Bordeaux grapes – dominated, in this case, by cabernet sauvignon (77%). Both aroma and flavor exhibit refined red fruit against a backdrop of fine tannin. Well-balanced tannin, fruit and

What We’re Drinking – 2014 Balletto “Teresa’s Unoaked” Chardonnay

Becky Sue Epstein

Wine Reviews

1 min read

I was pleasantly surprised with this Chardonnay because I’ve been tasting a number of Balletto wines this summer, and though they’ve been well-liked at the dinner table this is the first one I’ve wanted to write about. The first sip shows that this is definitely not what you’d expect of

What We’re Drinking – 2013 J Vineyards and Winery Pinot Noir

Becky Sue Epstein

Wine Reviews

1 min read

Intense is the first word that comes to mind when encountering this wine. The aroma is concentrated strawberry fruit, which continues in the flavors of the wine, surrounded by a nice thin circlet of vanilla on the palate and in the finish. The style of fruit is very New World,

Wine

The Col Vetoraz Winery Viewpoint on Prosecco

The Philosophy of Rosé: From the Costaripa Winery on Lake Garda

The Story of Spain’s Top Wine Estates

Random

2003 Fra Guerau – Montsant, Spain

Spirits

Why Low-Alcoholic Wine May Be Increasing & An Adult Beverage Option; Even No-Alc can be Tasty

A Dog, a Mountain Hike and Gin

A Life-Saving Whiskey of Forests and Caramel

Random

Cognac for Wine-Lovers: there’s still grape juice at the heart of it

Travel

Travel for 2025 Makes a Great Holiday Gift – Romance, Family, Celebration or Solo

Wine Country Hospitality in Amador County

Why is Arianna Occhipinti a Winemaking Legend?

Random

Adventure I Expected, but Wineries in Utah Were a Nice Surprise

Hospitality

Wine Country Hospitality in Amador County

Top of the Mark Lounge in San Francisco Celebrates 85 years

Women Chefs Seed Plant Forward Dining at The Grove in Napa

Random

Wine Country Hospitality in Amador County

Not Done Yet in Sonoma

It’s #ChardonnayDay

The 7-Year Niche

What We’re Drinking – 2015 Apsara “Kick Ranch” Sauvignon Blanc

What We’re Drinking – 2014 Ridge Vineyards “Lytton Springs”

What We’re Drinking – 2012 Jordan Vineyard & Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley

What We’re Drinking – 2014 Balletto “Teresa’s Unoaked” Chardonnay

What We’re Drinking – 2013 J Vineyards and Winery Pinot Noir