sustainable farming

Shine On Harvest Moon

February 13, 2014 by Deborah Mines

The picturesque meandering country Olivet Road in Sonoma’s Russian River Valley was my starting point for the Winter Wine Land festival last month. Five fantastic vineyards in a row! Harvest Moon Estate & Winery turned out to be one of my most treasured finds.

Stoic dormant vines line the driveway of the Harvest Moon Estate & Winery, emulating a comfortable, familiar feeling of coming to visit an “old friend”. I was warmly welcomed into the cozy tasting room and invited to sample any of the five featured wines. [Read more…]

De-Lovely De Loach Vineyards Is Simply Di-Vine

January 29, 2014 by Deborah Mines

With over 130 wineries to choose from in the Russian River Valley, Dry Creek, Healdsburg and the Alexander Valley, I decided that De Loach Vineyards was the perfect starting point for the Sonoma County Winter Wineland two-day event. Every January, scores of wineries in Sonoma County open their bottles and barrels for the Winter Wineland festival.

I was warmly greeted by De Loach Vineyards staff and a rather hairy, but very friendly, snow creature at the event check-in. Banded with a blue wristband and armed with an official Wine Road glass, I was ready to hit the wine trail! First stop — De Loach Vineyards.

The De Loach Vineyards tasting room was festively decorated, and the staff was bracing for the weekend crowds. Tastings were set up in three different areas in the winery, with an opportunity to get up close and personal with one of the wine makers. The smell of fresh fococcia bread with carmelized onions filled the room.

Five amazing wines were offered for tasting. Two Chardonnays shone brightly — the 2010 OFS Chardonnay and the 2012 Russian River Valley Chardonnay. Both well-balanced with stone-fruit flavors, aged gently in oak. [Read more…]

Sonoma’s Classic 2014 Winter Wineland

January 25, 2014 by Deborah Mines

Nothing could be finer than to be on the Sonoma wine trails for a warm, sunny weekend in the Russian River Valley, Dry Creek or Alexander Valley! The annual Winter Wineland event, held January 18-19, 2014, treated wine aficionados to new releases, barrel tastings and food pairings at over 130 wineries and tasting rooms. Each winery celebrated the the Winter Wineland theme with festivities and elaborate wintery decor.

The biggest decision for me was where to start! Being a huge Pinot Noir lover, I chose to concentrate my wine tasting primarily in the Russian River Valley, but did venture out to Dry Creek late on Sunday afternoon. The weather was perfect ~ mid-70’s, sunny and dry. So dry, in fact that the creeks were non-existent and the fields were dusty and in dire need of a rain shower; talk filled the air about what the drought meant for future vintages.

Surprisingly though, the crowds were small and fairly spread out–no buses or wild parties of 20-something-year-olds to ruin the day. Children were not allowed, nor were there many dogs which made for a pleasant tasting experience all the way around. [Read more…]

Artisanal Wines from Palumbo Family Vineyards & Winery

February 20, 2013 by Deborah Mines

On a recent trek to Temecula Wine Country, some 50 miles from San Diego, I decided to revisit Palumbo Family Vineyards & Winery. For a lesser known, boutique winery, Palumbo’s packs a lot of punch! Most people probably drive right past the dirt road that leads up to the 13 acre vineyard, not knowing what they’re missing!

Tasting room at Palumbo Family Vineyards & Winery, Temecula, California

Palumbo’s is best known for its sustainable farming practices and produces only 2,500 cases of handcrafted wine each season. Varietals include Viognier, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese and Merlot. [Read more…]