“My only purpose in the entire universe as a winemaker is to produce pleasure.” Sean Thackrey was one of California’s most influential, eccentric, and game-changing winemakers. Alongside legends like Alice Waters, Jeremiah Tower, and Kermit Lynch, Sean had a guiding hand in a remarkable moment in history – the explosion of food and wine culture…
A nod to the Rhône Valley from Paso Robles down to Solvang. Sans Liege winemaker Curt Schalchlin is equally aligned with the freedoms of the New World and the heritage of the Rhône Valley, and he is careful not to hold too closely to either. Tending fruit in vineyards he adores from Paso Robles down…
A revered standard of heritage vineyard Zinfandel and Petite Sirah in the Napa Valley. Chickens, not sheep! As champions of old vines and protectors of historic sites in Napa and Sonoma, the folks at Biale are not sheep. Leaders, not followers (although I would not describe chickens as naturl leaders, you get the idea). The…
Vineyards on the edge of the pacific with a focus on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Red Car was founded in 2000 when three friends, Mark Estrin, Carroll Kemp and Richard Crowell produced 50 cases of wine from a single ton of Syrah grapes in a Culver City garage. In a nod to their Los Angeles…
Family-owned vineyards and winery producing highly acclaimed wines for 30+ years. The estate is dramatic and historic, releasing their first wine in 1991. 32 years later, Steve Pride and his team at the winery remain as inspiringly humble as they are dedicated to their mission: to make the very best wines they can; unique to…
Hands-on approach to all winemaking and vineyard operations, nothing is outsourced. Ren and Marilyn Harris purchased 55 acres of prime Oakville vineyard in 1975. The vineyard sits on the west side of Highway 29 just below Harlan, south of Tokalon, and north of Dominus. Up until their first release in 1991, Ren and Marilyn were…
Rooted in sustainability, integrity, and personal connection. Onward Wines is Faith Armstrong. Born on a tiny island in British Columbia, Canada, traveling to school in a little boat called the Onward, her journey to winemaking was more of a meander than a straight line. She started in sales and marketing, and then went into production, which…
Family growers & makers of old vine Zinfandel in the Napa Valley. A singular project from Mike Hendry of Hendry Ranch, and his wife Molly Hendry, who’s uncle just happens to be Bill Moore, of RW Moore Vineyard. A historic and unarguably famous site planted in 1905 in the Coombsville AVA in Napa. Mike and…
Pioneering the future of old-school California viticulture and traditional wine from the rugged central coast. Chuchaqui (choo-CHA-key) is a Quechua word for, “without legs” (as in extra drunk), and Los Chuchaquis is a joint venture between Ryan Stirm and Jehan Hakimian, and they bring us sparkling Albariño, sparkling Sangiovese, and some exciting off the beaten…
Seek to express our estate vineyard’s character by using the gentlest of equipment coupled with minimalist techniques. Lichen is seven acres of estate vines that overlook Highway 128 in the Anderson Valley, planted in 2008 with meter-by-meter spacing. Winegrower Doug Stewart aims to reset the bar with estate-grown fruit, and estate crafted still and sparkling…
A marriage of remarkable soil, and a family’s dedication to the stewardship of that land. Larkmead Vineyards is one of the oldest family-owned establishments in Napa Valley. Originally founded in 1895, the Larkmead estate is sandwiched between the Mayacamas and the Vaca at one of the narrowest points of the valley with the Napa River…
Wine nerds making some pretty epic wine in Northern, CA. Iconic is a project from Birk O’Halloran, a hospitality guy who cut his teeth in the New York City fine dining scene, and then landed in production many years ago. Sybil and I go way back with Birk, to when he was managing the portfolio…