Hourglass Winery currently has a very utilitarian look to it as one arrives at the entrance. The property was caught in the Glass Fire of 2020. The guest house and out buildings on the property were lost and the wine making facility had to be significantly rebuilt. Thankfully the extensive cave system saved the wine inventory from demise. Hourglass is located off Silverado Trail in … Continue reading Oh those Reds!
The 31st Annual Taste of Howell Mountain is one of Napa Valley’s premier tasting events and it includes both a silent and live auction. This was our first time attending thanks to an exceptional company – Dragonfly Forward who graciously invited us to be their guests. On hand pouring were so many of Napa Valley’s exceptional wineries. The price point for their bottles (easily $200 … Continue reading A Taste of Howell Mountain
May in Ireland is somewhat rainy, a bit chilly but oh, and I’m not kidding, spectacularly beautiful! We had barely stepped out of Dublin on previous visits. This trip we were adventurous and criss-crossed the country exploring some amazing countryside, cities and villages thanks to our daughter who was undaunted driving on the left and circling a million roundabouts backwards! Yes, it’s Guiness country and … Continue reading A Wine Store in Ireland…….
We could not have received a warmer welcome at Villa Creek from these guys! The tasting room is nestled in the 60 acre Maha® Estate that straddles the Adelaide & Willow Creek Districts of Paso Robles. It’s a family owned and operated winery with its share of Turkish Boz dogs, dog dogs, pigs, goats, and chickens all contributing to the sustainability of the estate. Camille … Continue reading Villa Creek………
Los Olivos and Los Alamos are quite possibly my favorite small towns to visit outside of Paso Robles in Central California.They are 15 minutes apart making it doable to plan a wonderful trip around the wineries and incredible restaurants in just these two towns. Los Alamos is on a redevelopment roll with old structures under renovation and new infill popping up. The town has attracted … Continue reading Los Olivos – Los Alamos……..
Life sometimes gets in the way and those ” I meant to do” things get waylaid. We have had a number of visits and tastings over the past 12 months that never received their just post. I want to attempt to make up here for a few that were left on the back burner. Wellington Cellars located just down the road from us in Glen … Continue reading Bits & Pieces………
San Luis Obispo is brimming with neighborhoods filled with historic fabric. It’s a quintessential college town with a high energy level – busy sidewalks, shops, restaurants and parks. We had an afternoon tasting appointment at Dunites Wine Company in the heart of the downtown. It’s located in a small storefront in a row of charming, renovated old buildings just off the main street. We were … Continue reading SLO California
Between holidays and company I’m not always able to keep up with my posts. This past year we were fortunate to taste at a number of wineries that I have not previously written about that absolutely need to be posted. In Napa on Dunaweal Lane is a winery called Canard. Rich “Duck” Czapleski and wife Carolyn own this winery. With son Adam and winemaker Brian … Continue reading Dunaweal Lane Winery…..
Located in Napa’s Soda Canyon with a stunning view back to San Francisco is Relic. It’s the love and passion of Mike Hirby and Schatzi Throckmorton. They have been making their wine since 2001 when both Schatzi and Mike were working for Behrens & Hitchcock (now Behrens Family Winery). They continued making wines for 14 years before opening their own facility / winery in Soda … Continue reading Relic
Ridge Vineyards is the producer of some of our favorite wines. We’ve enjoyed them since the 1980’s getting their shipments in Florida and coming out to visit initially at their first estate – Monte Bello in Cupertino. Today Ridge has three estates – Monte Bello, Lytton Springs, and the newest in Paso Robles. Ridge’s Lytton Springs estate outside Healdsburg is closest to us and among … Continue reading A Monte Bello Cabernet Tasting…..
John's Wine Cellar 