Beef | Wine of the Month Club's Ultimate Wine-pedia

Domestic Selection: Cabernet Sauvignon, 1989. Sunridge

August 29, 2016

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 »

Import Selection: Cabernet Sauvignon, 1990. San Jose De Santiago

August 29, 2016

The San José de Santiago brand is a brainstorm operation based on the high quality grapes of Chile’s Pacific coast. You have, no doubt, seen and/or enjoyed the excellent fruits that arrive during our winter in North America from Chile. I have been relishing these treats since childhood. The green grocers in my family used… read more »

Domestic Selection: Zinfandel, 1991. Bogle Vineyards

August 29, 2016

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 »

Import Selection: Merlot, 1990. Vina Del Mar

August 29, 2016

In 1987, with their eyes focused north on the U.S.A., an already very successful Chilean wine company created the Villa del Mar brand. The Mitjans family had been producing wine from French grape varieties transplanted to Chile’s fertile farmlands for over seventy years. Their Viña Valdivieso line, besides including excellent table wines, featured Chile’s largest… read more »

Import Selection: Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon, 1991. Hardys

August 29, 2016

Hardys is Australia’s second largest wine producer. The company dates back to 1953, when Thomas Hardy, just 23 years old, founded Bankside Cellars, three miles from Adelaide in the then “Colony of South Australia”. Exhibiting a pioneering spirit, an excellent head for business and a natural flair for wine making, the energetic young man from… read more »

Domestic Selection: Pinot Noir, 1988. Paraiso Springs

August 26, 2016

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: Cabernet Sauvignon, 1986. Sebastiani

August 26, 2016

Samuele Sebastiani had been born into a peasant family who toiled in the vineyards of Tuscany, Italy. In 1895, he borrowed money for his steerage to California. In 1904, Samuele Sebastiani started what was to become California winemaking history. Today, when you visit the Sebastiani Winery in old town Sonoma, you will be shown the… read more »

Import Selection: Cotes du Rhone, 1990. Moillard

August 25, 2016

The venerable French wine producing firm Moillard was founded in 1850 by Symphorien Moillard. It is now managed by the fourth and fifth generations, and remains a family owned and operated concern. While 60% of Moil-lard’s turnover is achieved in France, its wines are sold internationally in over 30 countries. The elite part of the… read more »

Domestic Selection: Zinfandel, 1990. Cline Cellars

August 25, 2016

Cline Cellars is owned by a family whose name is a household word. About a century ago, six brothers pooled their resources to put the eldest one through college, a cultural tradition in Italy. The brothers immigrated to California. They took odd jobs, in the mines, for the railroads, even as farm laborers picking fruit… read more »

Domestic Selection: Mourvedre, 1988. Francal

August 23, 2016

If you have been with us for about a year, you will remember Cask One Sauvignon Blanc (#291A). Well, the same people who make Cask One make Fran-cal. There is, in fact, no Francal Winery or Cask One Winery (or Plume Ridge Winery, for that matter, recalling last month’s Chardonnay, #291A…different producer, though). To make… read more »