Life Between the Vines

What could be better than making wine in a castle? Peter Velleno does in fact, make wine in a castle, in Napa Valley. Castello di Amorosa is found in Calistoga at the north end of Napa Valley and actually is easy to miss. As you head up the driveway this 13th century Tuscan castle reveals [...]

This week on our Vino Lingo segment we feature Peter Velleno, Winemaker, Castello di Amorosa, Napa Valley, defining the phrase “Two Dragons, One Sword”.  Learn more by visiting castellodiamorosa.com

Pinot Noir and Chardonnay tend to run hand in hand coastal areas of California. Freestone Vineyards focuses on those two grapes along the Sonoma Coast making some very serious wines. Justin Ennis is the Senior Director of Winemaking and I caught with him recently to learn more about this wine that had its start at [...]

This week on our Vino Lingo segment we feature Justin Ennis, Senior Director of Winemaking, Freestone Vineyards, Sonoma Coast, defining the term “Whole Cluster”.  Lear more by visiting josephphelps.com/freestone-vineyards

Nolan Jones grew up literally across the street from where he now makes wine in El Dorado County, California. Schooled in Los Angeles and then England, he worked wine in Champagne, Sonoma, Paso Robles and Napa Valley but found his way back to El Dorado and Lava Cap Winery. That’s where the bears really, really [...]

This week on our Vino Lingo segment we feature Nolan Jones, Winemaker, Lava Cap Winery, El Dorado County, defining the term “Alpine”.  Learn more by visiting lavacap.com

The history of Napa Valley is extensive but few names have have left a mark like Mondavi. Peter Mondavi Jr. now takes the helm of Charles Krug Winery in St Helena, continuing the legacy and importance, of family. I met up with Peter at the winery earlier this year to clarify a bit of the [...]

This week on our Vino Lingo segment we feature Peter Mondavi Jr, Co-Proprietor, Charles Krug, Napa Valley, defining the term “Bottle Variation”.  Learn more by visiting charleskrug.com

February in Napa Valley can bring an interesting menu of weather variations. My recent trip saw cold and rain along with a bit of snow on top of Mount St Helena. All it took was another week until it got to 70 degrees and a more pleasant scene. But its wine country so who cares? [...]

This week on our Vino Lingo segment we feature Michael Honig, President, Honig Vineyard and Winery, defining the term “Fumé Blanc”.  Learn more by visiting honigwine.com