If last year was Darth Vader – all about extraction, enzymes, neutral oak chips and depth of color – this year is more zen Yoda. I basically said to the yeast: “do or do not, there is no try”. In short, ’08 is all about the old wine cliche “let the wine make itself”. The [...]

Recently I added my name to a mailing list consisting of journalists on deadline looking for “experts” (ahem) for quotes for their stories. It was pitched to me as a way to “build your personal brand” and “cement your place as an authority in your area”. All well and good. I definitely like building my/our [...]

Really? This is what we get worked up about, puffing up in self-righteous indignation? Is this the best we can do? So the Wine Spectator got fooled. It’s kinda funny, and it may even be just a little bit telling. What it isn’t is evidence of any kind of graft or misrepresentation on their part. [...]

From Morgan’s blog: Exciting news! It works out that a tasting of Kick Ranch producers provides the perfect opportunity to pour barrel samples of my wines to the public for the first time. Thus, I would like to warmly invite you to come and taste not just the 2007 Bedrock Heirloom WIne, the 2007 Rebecca’s [...]

The “Professional Development Seminars” catalogue at Sonoma State for fall 2008 was released this week. For anyone living in or near Sonoma County it’s a tremendous resource. This is especially true if you’re interested in starting a winery or if you’re looking to make a move into the wine business. Each seminar costs $150.00 and [...]