When you dream the impossible dream, and it’s Cabernet. Cliff Lede (pronounced like “lady”, as in, “GaGa” or “and the Tramp”), is a benchmark example of what hard work can do. Cliff came from construction, but he knew he wanted to be part of the wine business magic, so twenty years ago he got his…
This is Napa Valley history, the fun way Shypoke Estate vineyard is located in the north-western corner of the Napa Valley. In 1904, winemaker/owner Peter Heitz’ great grandparents immigrated from Alsace and created bonded winery #130 for the production of fine wines. Five generations later, Peter and Meg Heitz carry the torch forward with wines…
An Icon that holds up and slam dunks Fred Scherrer is relentless. With an early interest in alcohol (he began at age 15), Fred began to tinker and he simply cannot seem to stop. Why do it any other way than the best way? As his wife and business partner Judi has noted, “Fred has…
All that is good about Napa, without the price tag. Four Dimes is a wine company deeply rooted in the personal history of Springboard co-owners/sisters and long-time food and beverage professionals, Sybil Ajay Sanford and Elizabeth Corsini. They grew up with very little, and the name Four Dimes is not only a nostalgic nod to…
California grown Italian varietals like you’ve never seen them before. Tansy Wines was founded in 2020 by three friends with a few key things in common. A love of Italian wine, Italian varietals, and of California bounty. Shelley Lingren of A16 restaurant in San Francisco (known for introducing southern Italian wines to diners for the…
When History and Family come together in the best possible way A family affair since 1977, Bethel Heights sits in the heart of the Willamette Valley amidst the geologically complex hillside soils and directly impacted by the powerful Aeolian winds. These are highly energized wines with firm backbones, depth of character, and distinctive personalities. Current…
Up up and away from any kind of norm. Itri Cellars is a collaboration between Kent Humphrey of Eric Kent Wines, and Casey O’Brien, Springboard’s very own LA based sales machine, who has been making it rain for us since 2016. Both Kent and Casey have at times, throughout their lives been labeled as “weirdos”…
A touch of Iberia in Salinas Driving through the Salinas Valley, you could not feel further from Spain, and yet, there is something that strikes you. And it must have felt the same for transplants to the valley, planting vines that seemed at home there, because there happens to be some amazing old vine material…
Wine by the people for the people Wine for everyone! Ian Brand created this project to provide people with an all access pass wines of the highest quality, amazingly old vines, from the heart of California, at a price they can afford. The Salinas Valley is not known for being picturesque. It is NOT quintessential…
Breggo Cellars, back and reimagined. Breggo sits on 203 acres of heaven, halfway between Boonville and Philo, in the heart of Anderson Valley. About 30% of the property constitutes what winegrowers might call “usable” ground: islands of open grassy slopes, on reasonably stable clay-loam soils, with gentle southeastern exposures. The rest is wilderness. Breggo means…
Washington value through the actual roof. From the busy people at Valravn, Averæn and Valkyrie Selections, we have their Washington State project, Requiem. As is always the case with them, this was born out of a restlessness for something better at a markedly better price. Tastes like $50, goes for $20, that is their type…
Small-batch, cool climate wines from coveted vineyards along the California coast. When I heard about Marine Layer a few years ago, I said out loud, to whomever was standing there, “great, that’s just what the world needs, another expensive and exclusive Sonoma County Pinot Noir brand”. My attitude, in short, was very very bad. But…