As I strolled through Jean-Pierre Wolff’s vineyard, I found myself asking, “what do turtles have to do with wine?” My host gave a detailed description about the sanctuary for the Pacific pond turtle he had built amidst the vines while pointing out the numerous ladybugs fluttering around us. I pondered
In 1998, Fred Strothman (who now operates JF Strothman Distillery in Grand Junction) was building St. Kathryn Cellars Winery in Palisade, CO. There were a few issues with construction and Strothman took the unconventional step of deciding an exorcism was required. He contacted Bishop Arthur Tafoya in Pueblo, CO, who
A third-generation winemaker, Piero Incisa della Rocchetta comes from a family that's legendary in Italian winemaking. His grandfather was the creator of Sassicaia, one of the first Bordeaux-style blends in Italy and a wine that inspired many imitators. After time spent at the family wine estates, Piero began his own
A cool, persistent spring was the beginning of the weather problems that would plague the 2011 California harvest, pushing back bud break to make the grapes almost three weeks behind schedule. May and June had heavy rains, and the summer heat never really spiked. Pinot noir and chardonnay seemed happy
An aroma reminiscent of the cherry juice that leaks out of a pie while baking, and caramelizes on the edge of the pan. A touch of florals, too. In the mouth the flavors become more intense, appearing sweeter on the end palate. But the wine finishes fairly dry with integrated tannins and acidity. There's
Quick! Word association time: When I say “October,” you say what? For most, the answer is “Halloween” and, perhaps, our perspectives tinted with more recent events, you might also say, “Breast Cancer Awareness Month.” Over the last several years, it-read more-
Can you imagine using a jeweler's eyepiece and tweezers to pull the male organs off a grapevine? Randall Grahm can. It's a patient task, but he's doing it because he's impatient. The idea is to create entirely new, random types-read more-
Our wine-loving lifestyle is under attack. I’m not talking about the archaic 3-tier distribution system that stifles our ability to purchase cult and boutique beauties directly (or easily). Nor is it the wicked economy that's delivering serious hardship to our-read more-