Monthly Archives: November 2020

Sommelier, Tasting, Video, Virtual, Wine

Join Me & CellarPass TV with Spottswoode Estate on Dec 9th!

Leave a comment

CellarPassTV is back for a very special holiday episode, hosted by Sarah Ellison, featuring Beth Novak Milliken and Lindy Novak of Spottswoode Estate located in St. Helena California: Join us to chat about our favorite holiday traditions, recipes and of course their incredible wines. Show starts at 6pm on Wednesday December 9th.

Pre-register at CellarPass TV! Wines can be purchased there as well: Featuring 2019 Spottswoode Sauvignon Blanc, 2017 Spottswoode Estate Cabernet Sauvignon & 2017 Lyndenhurst Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon!

Holidays, Sommelier, Travels, Video, Virtual

The Varietal Show Says Happy Thanksgiving!

Leave a comment

What better way to celebrate than with nature and family. In that vein this episode of The Varietal Show features my son and I on an outing in the Redwoods! Enjoy our adventure and many more on my YouTube Channel and more in this collection of The Varietal Show episodes!

Remember to hit LIKE, SHARE, and FOLLOW my channel for more exciting weekly episodes on Tuesdays at 12:30pm!

#GoMendo

Sommelier, Tasting, Travels, Varietal, Video, Wine

An Ode to Zinfandel 2020

Leave a comment

Did you miss Zinfandel Day on Thursday November 19th? That’s OK, I have you covered here for an extended celebration with my recent article Preserving the Zinfandel Legacy of Mendocino County published on the ZAP Blog. (And mark your calendar for some social zintancing with ZinEx in January 2021!)

It was my pleasure to taste and muse about the fabulous flavors from a memorable visit up north: My Mendocino trek also involved a few conversations that are documented on The Varietal Show, from my YouTube channel; including Chef Mark Dym of Little River Inn; Steve Alden spinning the tale of Murder Ridge; and this extra little repost below from my visit with Lorenzo Pacini at the famous Pacini Vineyard! Enjoy and FOLLOW my channel for more exciting episodes to come . . .

Where’s Waldo? Find the visitor flying around in one of these three videos. Name that bird! #GoMendo

Sommelier, Tasting, Varietal, Virtual, Vlog, Wine

Rhône Adventures Continue with Tablas Creek Vineyards on The Varietal Show

Leave a comment

In this Part Two from my discussion with Jason Haas of Tablas Creek Vineyards, he reflects about lessons from his dad with wine, and he shares three tiers of red blends including a tasty Mourvedre on The Varietal Show.

Find out more about their Rhône connection on our Rhone Rangers Webinar, Thursday November 19th! As well as a viewing of Tablas Creek Vineyards, Part One, on The Varietal Show.

Check it out here and remember to hit LIKE, SHARE, and FOLLOW my channel for more exciting weekly episodes on Tuesdays at 12:30pm!

Tablas-Creek-Proprietor-Jason-Haas CROP
Tablas-Creek-sign
Animal-herd-at-Tablas-Creek
Holidays, Sommelier, Tasting, Varietal, Virtual, Wine

Rhône At Home With This November 19th Webinar!

1 Comment

Jump in on this Webinar with ME and the Rhone Rangers, that I will be moderating next Thursday, November 19th, at 4pm PST! White Rhône-blends are perfect for sipping fireside and celebrating the holiday season: Hear direct from the winemaker’s who craft these incredibly versatile wines, optimal in any season. Discover favorites to pair with your Thanksgiving menu!

Advance registration via Zoom is required; click here to Register. Featured wines include:

Caliza Winery, Paso Robles – Carl Bowker, 2019 Kissin’ Cousins (47% Viognier, 31% Grenache Blanc, 22% Roussanne)

Kita Wines, Santa Barbara County – Tara Gomez, 2018 T’aya (Marsanne, Roussanne, Grenache Blanc)

Terre Rouge/Easton Wines, Sierra Foothills – Bill Easton, 2013 Enigma (49% Marsanne, 26% Viognier, 24% Roussanne, 1% Grenache Blanc)

Tablas Creek Vineyard, Paso Robles – Jason Haas, 2018 Esprit de Tablas Blanc (66% Roussanne, 21% Grenache Blanc, 8% Picpoul Blanc, 3% Picardan, 2% Clairette Blanc)

20180426_204012
20160415_110246
92891507_10158455029984287_2376496960694648832_o
20160415_155832

Caption this! In the days before social distancing at Hospice du Rhône, a Paso Robles staple in years gone by.

Sommelier, Tasting, Varietal, Virtual, Vlog, Wine

Take a Rhône Rendezvous on The Varietal Show With Tablas Creek Vineyards

Leave a comment

On my way down to judge at the Central Coast Wine Competition, The Varietal Show made a little stop to explore the joys of red wines made with Rhône varietals grown on the marvelous Tablas Creek Vineyards estate properties: This first part features the first tasting of the 2018 Tablas Creek Esprit Rouge, come back for more next week!

Check it out here and remember to hit LIKE, SHARE, and FOLLOW my channel for more exciting weekly episodes on Tuesdays at 12:30pm!

Sommelier, Tasting, Varietal, Video, Virtual, Vlog, Wine

Pinot Noir at Keller Estate with The Varietal Show

Leave a comment

The Varietal Show talks about Petaluma Gap Pinot Noir with my friend Ana Keller of Keller Estate. Enjoy our conversation and then make your tasting appointment to try it for yourself! (And if you fancy Pinot Gris, then watch our previous episode . . .)

Be first to watch when you SUBSCRIBE to my You Tube Channel for new episodes on Tuesdays at 12:30pm.

Setting PINOT NOIR free at vineyards of Keller Estate!
Awards, Competition, Judging, Sommelier, Wine

Summing Up the North Coast Wine Challenge For 2020

Leave a comment

It finally happened, after an initial postponement in April, so now rounding back to the big (socially distanced) competition in July, you can read some results about The Press Democrat North Coast Wine Challenge (NCWC) in my follow up article published by Spirited Magazine in September, and then scroll down for a full list of winners!

WINNING WINES: RESULTS FROM THE NORTH COAST WINE CHALLENGE 2020

2020-PD-FullPage-WineWinners-3

Photo by Kent Porter for The Press Democrat.