Tag: food and wine


Dec
2016

Kunde Family Winery Sonoma Valley Chardonnay 2014

categories: Booze, Wine

I feel like Kunde is one of those big family names that has now become synonymous with Sonoma County wines. And it’s no wonder, since the Kunde’s have been harvesting grapes in the area for over a century. But despite their well-known name and prosperity, the Kunde Family Winery is still, in fact, a family winery, run by 4th and 5th generation Kundes. And as such, each wine is an estate-grown and 100% sustainably farmed. Maybe that’s why this seemingly simple Chardonnay provides not just depth of flavors, but depth of soul.

kunde_sonoma-valley-chardonnay

(more…)


Dec
2016

Flanagan Wines Sonoma Stage Vineyard Pinot Noir 2014

categories: Booze, Wine

During my latest tour of Sonoma County wine country, I got a sneak peek at the new winery and tasting room for Flanagan Wines. They’re a boutique business that is certainly booming at the moment. After tasting a full line-up of their current releases, I can say from experience that this success is absolutely due to the fact that each bottle contains a specific vineyard’s story.

Once Upon A Time, there was a Pinot Noir from Sonoma Stage Vineyard…

flanagan_pinot-noir

(more…)


Dec
2016

Lauterbach Cellars 2013 Late Harvest Syrah

categories: Booze, Wine

Stew and Barb weren’t always winemakers. In fact, Stew still works in the medical field and Barb is only recently retired from her career as an attorney. On a recent visit to Sonoma County wine country, I scheduled some time at this literal mom-and-pop wine operation. And if you’re ever in the area, I highly recommend you visit as well — this is your chance to learn the nitty gritty of the winemaking operation from a couple who’ve made this work a project of passion, not profit. And nothing exemplifies this creativity more than the 2013 Late Harvest Syrah.

lauterbach-cellars_late-harvest-syrah

(more…)


Dec
2016

Grgich Hills Estate Chardonnay 2013

categories: Booze, Wine

“Any time you drink Grgich Hills,” I told my partner in wine crime, “you’re drinking a bit of California wine history.” So much more so when sipping on their Chardonnay seeing as how original owner and winemaker Miljenko “Mike” Grgich has been called “The King of Chardonnay” since founding the estate back in 1977. So, needless to say, this wine’s reputation preceded itself and I was (probably over-) eager to see what “The King” is producing today.

grgich_chardonnay

(more…)


Dec
2016

Lauterbach Cellars Estate Syrah 2009

categories: Booze, Wine

On a recent visit to Sonoma County wine country, I popped by the mom-and-pop Lauterbach Cellars to see a boutique wine business in action. Not only was I welcome with generosity of hospitality, good spirits, and a wealth of wine knowledge — I was absolutely blown away by what this couple creates. Self-educated winemaker Stew Lauterbach and wife Barb pretty much just make the wines they like and like the wines they make. But today I want to highlight one of my favorites in the current Lauterbach line up.

lauterbach-cellars_syrah

(more…)