Infographic: A Tour of West Coast Pinot Noir

Saralee’s Vineyard, Part 3: Introducing the New La Crema Estate

For more than three years, since we purchased Saralee’s Vineyard from Richard and Saralee Kunde, we’ve been planning our dream tasting room in the property’s magnificent, century-old barn in the...

Saralee’s Vineyard, Part 2: The Spirit of a Place

In 1989, when Saralee Kunde and her husband Richard planted what is now, Saralee’s Vineyard, Sonoma was in the midst of transformation. Dairy pastures, grain fields and orchards were giving...

Saralee’s Vineyard Part 1: A Sweet Spot for World-Class Grapes

In the young history of California Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, Saralee’s Vineyard has carved out a reputation that puts it in an elite category of California’s greatest spots for growing...

Russian River History, Part 4: Prohibition to Modern Times

Thirteen years of being “dry” had effectively destroyed the U.S. wine industry. Only a handful of wineries had been permitted to make wine during Prohibition, and those were only as...

Russian River History Part 2: From Fog to Sun

As we saw last time, the Russians ran into problems when they settled the far Sonoma Coast, on the beaches and benchlands near what is today called (in their honor)...

Russian River History, Part 1: The Land Before Wine

Today we begin a multi-part series on the history of the Russian River Valley, including how wine became its most important agricultural product. In part one, Steve Heimoff explores the...

8 Chardonnay Fun Facts

You love Chardonnay, I love Chardonnay, we all love Chardonnay. It’s America’s favorite wine, by far. There’s something about Chard’s rich, creamy-smooth mouthfeel, unctuous flavors and honey-sweet fruit that hits...

Why is blending wine important?

For the average wine drinker, one of the least known aspects of winemaking is blending. This vital step in the winemaking process is a team effort and assures the final...