Napa Wineries Where Reservations Aren't Required

Since the Pandemic, almost all wineries went to a reservation system for crowd control. Most have kept that system. In Napa Valley, many wineries required a reservation before, and almost everybody does now, but there are a few exceptions. Those allowing walk-ins will always be based on availability. Note that larger groups will need to make a reservation. Check the winery's website when in doubt.

There's More to Dry Creek Valley than Zinfandel

Wine nerds (okay, aficionados)  think of Zinfandel when they hear Dry Creek Valley. And DCV is Zinfandel central, for sure. However, it's about more than Zin, a lot more. 

Saving Some Bucks on Your Trip to Napa

  Maybe you've heard, Napa Valley has gotten expensive, really expensive if you aren't careful with your bookings. It is the most expensive wine region in the country to visit. Here are some ideas on how to keep things in check for those of us that aren't part of the one percent. This piece inspired by a Northbay Business Journal article on Napa's "approachable luxury." Yeah, I love that term, too.

CA, WA & OR Grape Production

 An overview of what's grown in the Western States, where about 92% of America's wines come from.

How Do You Shop For a Bottle of Wine?

  The way you buy wine has probably changed over the years. At one time, you likely relied on the opinions of knowledgeable friends or a sales person at a wine shop. Now it's more likely to be "internet people."

High-End Sauvignon Blanc

Most people look on Sauv Blanc as a relatively inexpensive alternative to Chardonnay. It has a different flavor profile, for sure, being bright/acidic, grassy, grapefruit. New Zealand is famous for their $10 Sauvignon Blanc, California for their $20+/- SB.

Did you know there are luxury Sauvignon Blancs out there that cost over $100? 

Lesser Known Sonoma County AVAs

 If you pay much attention to Sonoma County wine you might know about the Russian River Valley, Sonoma Valley, Alexander Valley, Sonoma Coast, and possibly one or two other growing areas (appellations or AVAs). There are some lesser known ones that might deserve your attention. The issue with smaller growing areas is these wines are not as likely to show up on your local wine shelves.

Spare No Expense Wine Palaces

Where architecture and egos meet in Napa and Sonoma. 

You could argue the fancy destination winery buildings were started in the '70s by Mondavi though there are several older fancy wineries like Beringer and Inglenook. Mondavi's style actually looks pretty tame today. Also, Jordan, Chateau Montelena, or Domaine Carneros have somewhat fancy chateaus, but are nothing compared to those below.

Oh, Poor Merlot

Poor, poor, pitiful Merlot. It had more than a decade long love affair with the American wine consumer from the time of The French Paradox until Sideways.

California Wine Grape Trends

The following data is from the California 2022 Grape Crush Report published by the USDA. The trends show where we've been in the last few years during a boom economy, forest fires, and a pandemic. This data is for the entire state. Note that the majority of the grapes come from the vast San Joaquin Valley and go primarily into inexpensive wines. Also note that, in some instances, the report also shows table grapes.

What's Done to Wine in the Cellar?

First off, I'm not a winemaker other than a bit of homemade stuff. Actually, if I was a winemaker, I wouldn't be telling you many of the things done to your wine. Second, nothing mentioned here will hurt you. Everything done in the cellar is to make the wine better, or sometimes to save time or money, in the opinion of the people making the wine. Sometimes it's for taste, sometimes for looks. The U.S. gov't, the TTB, controls what can legally be added. 

There are two groupings of wine manipulations, things added and processes done to the juice or wine.

Mega Purple is Everywhere!

Depending on your point-of-view, there is a secret ingredient to help many wines look better or there is fakery and dishonest business practices by many wineries. 

Mega Purple is concentrated grape juice added to wine. It's made from a hybrid grape called Rubired (sometimes called Tenturier).