Dust on Their Boots, Ramona Valley in Their Glass: Josh and Michelle Mann’s Wild, Living Wines
Credit: The Succulent Cellar Josh and Michelle Mann didn’t set out to make wine that just tasted good—they set out to build something that worked from the ground up. The kind of thing that doesn’t just grow grapes, but grows wiser each year. […]
Bringing Yountville Back to the Locals- The Farmstand Sandwich Shop with a Purpose
Built by Lindsay Hoopes—a vintner, regenerative farmer, and Yountville native who once sold vegetables from a bus stop—it’s more than a sandwich shop.
Sta. Rita Hills Ignites: Wine & Fire Weekend 2025
The weekend kicks off with the annual Barn Party at The Hilt Estate’s beautifully reconstructed barn on Santa Rosa Road, featuring an extensive library of wines poured by local Sta. Rita Hills winemakers.
From the Ground Up: Jennifer Lane’s Winemaking Journey in Ramona Valley
Jennifer Lane. Credit: Pamo Valley Winery Jennifer Lane’s love affair with wine began far from California, deep in the vineyards of Australia’s Yarra Valley. In the late 1990s, while living in Melbourne, she spent weekends wandering those rolling hills, drawn to the quiet elegance of vineyard walks and long wine dinners. But for Lane, it wasn’t just the wine—it was the culture, the feeling of belonging to something timeless and true. […]
The Saucelito Way: Heritage and Grit in the Heart of the SLO Coast
Vineyard estate. Credit: Blake Andrews Saucelito Canyon’s story is vividly captured in Sean Weir’s The Mad Crush, which chronicles the gritty 1995 harvest that brought broader attention to this hidden gem deep in the Arroyo Grande Valley. […]
Crowley Wines: Just Honest Farming and No Shortcuts in Oregon’s Willamette Valley
Credit: Crystal Williams Step into the world of Crowley Wines, and you encounter a winery defined not by growth or flash, but by deliberate restraint, deep reverence, and a patient connection to the land. […]
In the Dirt: Pine Ridge’s Relentless Climb in Napa Valley
Credit: Pine Ridge Vineyards Gary Andrus didn’t just stumble into winemaking—he charged into it. In 1978, after a career hurtling down icy slopes as a U.S. Olympic downhill skier, Andrus brought that same edge, intensity, and focus to founding Pine Ridge Vineyards. […]
Elevating Paso Robles: The Grower-First Vision of Hawks Hill Ranch in the Adelaida District
Credit: Hawks Hill Ranch Situated amid the rugged hills of Paso Robles’ Adelaida District, Hawks Hill Ranch sits on a landscape defined by dramatic elevation changes and a patchwork of soils shaped by ancient seas. Kit Kuyper’s connection to this place runs deep—rooted in family tradition and a growing love for the region’s natural beauty. “Paso Robles has a long history with my family,” he explains, recalling how his father’s annual trips from Los Angeles to find quality wines at good value first introduced him to the area. When his father retired to Paso Robles, Kuyper began exploring [...]
The Lompoc Wine Ghetto: An Unlikely Wine Paradise
Credit: Explore Lompoc Situated in Santa Barbara County, the Lompoc Wine Ghetto has flourished into a haven for wine enthusiasts. This hub of artisanal winemaking, located within an industrial park, redefines the traditional wine destination. […]
From T-Shirts to Terroir: The Noisy Water Winery, A New Mexico Story
Credit: Noisy Water Winery When economic headwinds battered the Riddle family’s T-shirt printing business in Ruidoso, New Mexico, in the late 2000s, Rick Riddle and Mary Jo Piedmont faced a crossroads. Their small-town enterprise, once thriving with souvenir designs for tourists visiting the nearby Sierra Blanca peaks, struggled to stay afloat. Rather than retreat, they chose to reinvent—channeling their entrepreneurial grit into a venture that celebrated New Mexico’s identity. In 2009, they transformed their print shop into “The Cellar Uncorked”, a cozy wine bar spotlighting exclusively New Mexican wines. This marked their first step into the wine world—a [...]
Mountain Crafted Marvels: The Stotesbery Family’s Napa Valley Legacy Endures
Stotesbery Family, the next generation. Credit: Ladera Vineyards Anne and Pat Stotesbery’s journey from Montana ranchers to Napa Valley vintners is a tale of unexpected twists. Their decades spent raising Black Angus cattle laid the groundwork for their resilience, which became crucial when they made a spontaneous decision during a vacation in 1996 to buy a 20-acre vineyard, now known as Ladera Vineyards. […]
A Study of Tension and Expression: Nicole Walsh’s Winemaking Philosophy at Ser Winery
“A bottle of wine contains more philosophy than all the books in the world.” — Louis Pasteur Credit: Ser Winery Nicole Walsh’s journey embodies this sentiment, shaped by curiosity and an unshakable bond with the land. Growing up in Saginaw, Michigan, she studied horticulture at Michigan State University, where an internship on an organic farm ignited her passion for agriculture—yet also nudged her toward perennial crops over fleeting harvests. […]
Soquel Vineyards: The Founding Partners’ Story Takes Root in the Santa Cruz Mountains
Credit: Soquel Vineyards Soquel Vineyards is a distinguished winery that exemplifies the artistry and dedication of winemaking, steeped in rich tradition and innovation. Situated in the breathtaking Santa Cruz Mountains, it crafts exceptional wines that capture the essence of its unique terroir, inviting wine lovers to experience a true taste of the region’s heritage. […]
‘This Aggression Will Not Stand, Man’: Napa Wineries Challenge Regulatory Overreach in Federal Court
In the heart of Napa Valley, a significant legal battle is underway as three family-owned wineries—Hoopes Vineyard, Summit Lake Vineyards & Winery, and Smith-Madrone Winery—take on Napa County in federal court. […]
Claiborne Thompson: A Scholar’s Leap of Faith into Edna Valley Winemaking
Credit: Claiborne & Churchill Winery Claiborne Thompson’s love affair with wine ignited during a pivotal family move to Germany in his late teens, where his father’s role as an Air Force officer opened the door to a world of European wines that dazzled him. Gone were the days of jug wines with forgettable names like “Mountain Burgundy” or “White Zinfandel”; instead, he found himself captivated by the rich, complex flavors of authentic German and Alsatian varieties. […]
Halleck Vineyard: Sebastopol’s Passion for Pinot Noir with a French Touch
Ross and Jennifer Halleck. Credit: Halleck Vineyard Ross Halleck’s journey into the world of wine began in his mid-20s when he chose wine as “my drug of choice.” His initial introduction to Pinot Noir came through Burgundy, which laid the foundation for his passion. […]
Farming & Family First in the Sebastopol Hills: The Kanzler Vineyards Story
Kanzler family. Credit: Kanzler Vineyards The Kanzler family’s foray into winemaking was a happy accident. In 1992, they traded the Seattle area for Sonoma County’s countryside, drawn by the promise of a strong community and good schools. As they settled into their new life, they found themselves custodians of a neglected apple orchard. With the encouragement of seasoned farmers and a crash course in viticulture, the Kanzlers embarked on a new adventure, one that would eventually become Kanzler Vineyards. […]
Everything Happens for a Riesling: Discover Sheldrake Point in the Finger Lakes in the New Year
Credit: Sheldrake Point Winery As the world welcomes 2025 with cheers and champagne toasts, let’s raise a glass to the perfect blend of tradition and innovation, just like Sheldrake Point Winery, which has been cultivating excellence in the Finger Lakes for nearly three decades. […]
A Very Italian Holiday Season: Exploring Guglielmo Winery in Santa Clara Valley
Credit: Guglielmo Winery As the rain drops gently fall upon the rolling vineyards of Santa Clara Valley’s wine country, the Guglielmo family gathers to celebrate the magic of the season. It’s a time-honored tradition that echoes the warmth and love of their Italian heritage. […]
Jingle Bell Pinot: A Holiday Wine Wonderland in the Dundee Hills of Oregon
Credit: Durant Vineyards As the holiday season casts its warm and cozy glow over the Dundee Hills, the region’s wineries and vineyards are abuzz with festive cheer. December has arrived in Oregon’s wine country, and Durant Vineyards is at the heart of the celebrations. With its picturesque vineyards, olive groves, and rustic charm, Durant Vineyards is an ideal destination for those seeking a festive and unforgettable wine country experience. […]