california

Domestic Selection: Zinfandel, 1990. Story Vineyards

As in the rest of the wine mak­ing world, it seems each region in California takes on its own person­ality. Certain grapes tend to fair better in certain regions. The May­acamas mountains for its big Ca­bernets, the central coast for its rich Pinot noir, the Carneros dis­trict for its luscious Chardonnay and Amador County for… read more »

Domestic Selection: Cabernet Sauvignon, 1989. Sunridge

When is a second label not a second label? This selection pro­vides the answer. The exalted Mt. Veeder appella­tion, where this wine comes from, is home to a constellation of star-quality Napa wineries: The Hess Collection, Mayacamas, Mt. Veed­er and Chateau Potelle. Sunridge Cabernet Sauvignon is actually the product of the Chateau Potelle estate winery,… read more »

Domestic Selection: Zinfandel, 1991. Bogle Vineyards

Chris Bogle is the fifth genera­tion of Bogies to farm the fertile Sacramento River Delta region of northern California. In 1968, Chris helped his father, Warren, plant their first vineyard. Then, in 1973, they formed Bogle Vine­yards. With nearly 650 acres under vine, the winery is virtually self sufficient in fruit. In some cases, however,… read more »

Domestic Selection: Chardonnay, 1989. Josu

The Joshua Hill Winery label is a proud premium brand offered by what is, actually, the ninth largest winery in the U.S., Delicato Vine­yards. A vintner’s vintner, Delica­to is a family owned Central Valley winery, now in its 56th successful year. It operates the second largest single-plant winery in the nation, with a storage capacity… read more »

Domestic Selection: RS Reserve, 1989. William Wheeler

Bill and Ingrid Wheeler, own­ers of the William Wheeler Win­ery, met while Bill was posted in South America as a U.S. Foreign Service officer. In 1970 they bought a 175 acre Sonoma County ranch. They planted their first vineyard (Cabernet Sauvignon) during 1973-1974 and harvested their first grapes in 1975 (these they “sold off”). They… read more »

Domestic Selection: Meritage, 1989. Konocti

The Konocti Winery is located in Lake County, to the north and east of Napa, Sonoma and Mendo­cino Counties. It lies on an ancient volcanic plateau dominated by Cal­ifornia’s largest natural lake, Clear Lake, and the 4,200 foot extinct volcano, Mt. Konocti, from which it derives its name. Lake County’s vineyards date back to the… read more »

Domestic Selection: Cabernet Sauvignon, 1989. McDowell

In 1970, Richard and Karen Keehn purchased over 500 acres in Mendocino’s McDowell Valley. Although grapes for wine produc­tion had been cultivated in this val­ley and sold to Napa, Sonoma and Mendocino wine makers without interruption since the 1890s, no­body had ever put a winery there. The region boasts low fertility, gravely loam soils, ideal… read more »

Domestic Selection: Blanc de Noirs, Five Star. Sebastiani

Wow! Two superb Sebastiani bargain wines practically back-to-back! (Remember this September’s wonderful “Emilia-label” Cabernet #992A? It’s still available at only $7.29 ea., if you’re new and you missed it!) This winery has man­aged to stay in the same family’s hands despite tumultuous times; Prohibition, The Great Depres­sion, hostile take-overs and what­ever else has come along… read more »

Domestic Selection: Pinot Noir, 1988. Paraiso Springs

Paraiso Hot Springs are situat­ed in the Santa Lucia foothills, 40 minutes south of Salinas in North­ern California’s Monterey County. While establishing the Soledad Mission, Franciscan padres used the springs’ curative waters for healing purposes. The monks also planted early vineyards there. Two hundred years later (1973), current owner Richard Smith planted mod­ern vineyards, eleven… read more »

Domestic Selection: Chardonnay, 1990. Maddalena

If you were to try and imagine the most irregular, most unnatural, most intriguing location for a win­ery, would you choose downtown Los Angeles? No, seriously, I mean downtown Los Angeles! In 1917, when Santo Cambiani­ca came from Padua Italy, winemaking in Los Angeles was truly in its infancy. He opened this win­ery and named… read more »

Sidebar