• Blog
  • About Me
    • Press Release
  • Back Road Wineries
    • California Wine Trail
    • Tuscany Wine Trail
    • Baja California Wine Trail
  • Wine A Bit ~ Editorial & Reviews
  • Contact Me

UNCORKED WINE TRAVELS

Musings Along The Wine Trails

NEW BOOK RELEASE: A Perfect Score ~ The Art, Soul and Business of a 21st Century Winery

September 13, 2016 by Deborah Mines

unknown-3A Perfect Score ~ The Art, Soul and Business of a 21st Century Winery is an interesting read for wine aficionados everywhere.  Written and narrated by Craig and Kathryn Hall of Napa Valley’s Hall Wines, the book takes readers on an arduous journey from the vine to the glass.

Kathryn was rooted in the family wine business in Mendocino County long before meeting Craig in 1991.  Circumstances drew Kathryn away from her beloved vineyards and into a political career in Dallas, Texas where she met Craig by happenstance.

unknown-1

While Kathryn had winemaking in her ancestral blood, Craig had the business acumen to financially launch their dream of making world-class Cabernet Sauvignon in the then-sleepy Napa Valley.

Together they forged ahead and purchased a neglected vineyard with a fixer-upper house and began custom crushing wine.  The rest, per se, was history.  And what a great history it was!

The Perfect Score narratives between Craig and Kathryn painted the colorful, yet often heart-wrenching tale of building a wine business from the vineyard to the bottle.  Intimate details of the toil in the fields, marketing snafus and disappointing crop failures resonated throughout the book, yet the will to succeed was tantamount. Emotions ran raw as the losses mounted  Yet, the Halls prevailed. [Read more…]

Filed Under: California Wine Trail, Wine A Bit Tagged With: Cabernet Sauvignon, Hall Wines, Napa, Perfect Score, Robert Parker, Walt Wines, Wine Advocate

Joseph Phelps Vineyards’ Insignia Burgundian Style Pinots Amaze

August 13, 2015 by Deborah Mines

QtrMoon-Aug-2012

Joseph Phelps, founder of Joseph Phelps Vineyards, professes a life-long love affair with Burgundian varietals.   Years of searching for the ideal soil and climate conditions to pursue his dream of crafting Burgundian-style wines, brought Phelps to Freestone,  located in the Sonoma Coast AVA, only six miles from the Pacific Ocean.

IMG_8532

Originally the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes were sourced from St. Helena, Yountville and Carneros in the Napa Valley, near the original Joseph Phelps Vineyards.    By 1999, Phelps planted over 100 acres of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in the Freestone area and constructed the Joseph Phelps, Freestone Vineyards Guest Center to showcase both the Sonoma Coast and the Napa Valley varietals.

IMG_8530

Almost impossible to miss, the fire engine red building points the way to the Joseph Phelps, Freestone Vineyards Guest Center,  situated on two and a half acres at the intersection of Bodega Highway and Bohemian Highway.   [Read more…]

Filed Under: California Wine Trail Tagged With: Bordeaux, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Robert Parker, Sauvignon Blanc, Wine Advocate

Let The Good Times Roll At Chamisal Vineyards

October 13, 2013 by Deborah Mines

chamisalmountains1

In the heart of the Edna Valley wine country, where the bucolic views stretch for miles in any one direction, and vineyards line the country roads, if you’re lucky, you’ll stumble upon Chamisal Vineyards.

Historically speaking, Chamisal Vineyards claims to have planted the first vineyard in Edna Valley in 1973. However, the planting of the first vineyards actually date back to the 1880’s when the Franciscan padres planted the first vines along the Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa trail.

Chamisal Vineyards was initially known as Domaine Alfred. The vineyards changed hands a few times over the years and eventually were replanted in the 1990’s with numerous high-end Pinot Noir clones, Syrah, Chardonnay, Grenache and Pinot Gris.

IMG_5696

Aptly so, Chamisal Vineyards‘ namesake was derived from the fragrant native white-flowered shrub, the chamise. Keeping with the theme, Chamisal Vineyards features a top-line wine series labeled Califa, translated from the Modoc Indians to mean “the prettiest one”. And yes, they are the prettiest ones! Califa’s 2010 Pinot Noir recently earned 90 points from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate and it is certainly deserving of every point. The blend of three Pinot Noir clones (115, 667 and 777) fills your mouth with lush blackberry, boysenberry and raspberry and is absolutely divine and worth the price ($60).

clonemarker

Another favorite is the 2009 Califa Syrah, which is extremely rich on the palette with flavors of blackberry and black plum with a touch of violet and underlying oak. On a lighter note, the 2011 Estate Grenache is outstanding and easy to pair with all foods. The red cherry and black plum flavors offer the slightest hint of sandalwood, anise and allspice and is very characteristic of a Chamisal Vineyards‘ Grenache, vintage after vintage. For Chardonnay lovers, try the 2012 Stainless Chardonnay, (three Chardonnay clones), for a crisp, acidic wine tasting of lush tropical pineapple, peach and red apple without the overdone oaky taste of a typical California Chardonnay. [Read more…]

Filed Under: California Wine Trail Tagged With: Burgundian, Chardonnay, Grenache, GSM, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Pinot Noir clones, Rhone-style, Robert Parker, Rose Grenache, Syrah, Viognier, Wine Advocate, Wine Tasting

Wine Trail Search

Follow My Wine Blog

    Your Name

    Your Email

    A Little About Me

    To many, I’m simply known as a wanderlust ~ a free-spirited adventuress with a passion for travel and a lover of great wines!Read more...

    Vintage Posts

    • Jordan Winery’s Chateau Block Vineyard Tasting Is Unforgettable November 26, 2021
    • Trending Now ~ Top 3 Wineries in Temecula September 12, 2021
    • Freeman Vineyard & Winery’s Cave Tasting Is A “10” August 8, 2021
    • 2021’s Top 10 Winery Picks off Russian River Valley’s Iconic Westside Road July 5, 2021
    • Kickstart The Weekend In DRNK’s Wine Cave June 6, 2021
    • Cannabis in Wine Country? NIMBY. May 29, 2021
    • Ojai’s Spiritual Vortex (And Great Wine) Soothes The Soul April 4, 2021
    • Book Review: The Billionaire’s Vinegar January 3, 2021
    • Book Review: Sonoma Wine And The Story Of Buena Vista November 29, 2020
    • California Wineries Are Now “Waiting For The Other Shoe To Drop…” November 15, 2020
    • Russian River Valley Welcomes Visitors in Uncertain Times… September 20, 2020
    • BOOK REVIEW: A Wine Journey Along The Russian River May 30, 2020
    • US Wine Market Update: A Regional Perspective Webinar Unites Top Industry Leaders April 17, 2020
    • The Lifecycle of a Grape Vine ~ From Vine To Wine March 26, 2020
    • 2019’s “Top 10” Eclectic RRV Wineries December 29, 2019
    • Russian River Valley’s Arista Wines Earn Top Accolades From Wine Spectator September 24, 2019
    • Littorai Wines ~ A Tale of Two Coasts & Three Pinot Noir Styles September 13, 2019
    • After Much Ado, “House of Flowers” Debuts In Russian River Valley August 29, 2019
    • Best Backroads For Cycling In RRV-Healdsburg Wine Country August 16, 2019
    • Experience Cave-Aged Wines At DRNK Winery in Russian River Valley July 3, 2019
    • Best Kept Secret in Sta. Rita Hills ~ Spear Vineyards & Winery May 17, 2019
    • Spring Is An Ideal, And Uncrowded, Time To Visit Wine Country April 19, 2019
    • NEW BOOK RELEASE: Root Cause, A Novel by Steven Laine February 19, 2019
    • Discover the Hidden Wine Caves in Sonoma Wine Country December 17, 2018
    • Vin Santo Reigns In Chianti’s Medieval Hamlet of Castello di Volpaia November 16, 2018

    Uncorked Wine SD

    UncorkedWineTravelsFollow

    Deb Mines is a wine enthusiast with a passion for travel! Seeking the stories behind the vines... . WSET Level 3, FWS, CSW,AWE

    UncorkedWineTravels
    UncorkedWineSDUncorkedWineTravels@UncorkedWineSD·
    21 Nov

    Master Sommelier Program Out of Time | Wine-Searcher News & Features https://www.wine-searcher.com/m/2021/11/master-sommelier-program-out-of-time #GoodOldBoysClub #EnoughIsEnough

    Reply on Twitter 1462563347627343876Retweet on Twitter 1462563347627343876Like on Twitter 1462563347627343876Twitter 1462563347627343876
    UncorkedWineSDUncorkedWineTravels@UncorkedWineSD·
    3 Oct

    A shout out to Ryan Kunde ⁦@DRNKwines⁩ Wildwood Vineyards 2018 Cab Sauvignon ~ perfectly integrated lusciousness🍷🍷🙌🙌#wine #SonomaStrong

    Reply on Twitter 1444458315619061760Retweet on Twitter 1444458315619061760Like on Twitter 14444583156190617601Twitter 1444458315619061760
    UncorkedWineSDUncorkedWineTravels@UncorkedWineSD·
    16 Sep

    The @WineSpectator Scholarship Foundation is giving $10M to @NVCollege's Viticulture, Wine and Technology program. The Wine Spectator Wine Education Complex will offer affordable training for aspiring #wine industry workers young and old: https://winesp.ec/39nW5r7

    Reply on Twitter 1438493844467699721Retweet on Twitter 1438493844467699721Like on Twitter 1438493844467699721Twitter 1438493844467699721
    UncorkedWineSDUncorkedWineTravels@UncorkedWineSD·
    13 Sep

    Top 3 Wineries in Temecula WIne Country
    https://uncorkedwinetravels.com/trending-now-top-3-wineries-in-temecula/
    #winelovers #wine #winetasting

    Reply on Twitter 1437212801898934278Retweet on Twitter 1437212801898934278Like on Twitter 1437212801898934278Twitter 1437212801898934278
    UncorkedWineSDUncorkedWineTravels@UncorkedWineSD·
    15 Aug

    Discover Scout & Cellar's Clean-Crafted Wines - Be ready to be wowed! Interested in starting your own wine business? DM for details or visit http://www.scoutandcellar.com/UncorkedWineTravels

    Reply on Twitter 1426984234573615111Retweet on Twitter 1426984234573615111Like on Twitter 1426984234573615111Twitter 1426984234573615111
    UncorkedWineSDUncorkedWineTravels@UncorkedWineSD·
    9 Aug

    Freeman Vineyard & WInery's Cave Tasting is a "10"
    https://uncorkedwinetravels.com/freeman-vineyard-winerys-cave-tasting-is-a-10/

    2
    Reply on Twitter 1424526599458754563Retweet on Twitter 1424526599458754563Like on Twitter 1424526599458754563Twitter 1424526599458754563
    UncorkedWineSDUncorkedWineTravels@UncorkedWineSD·
    14 Jul

    Hot time Summer in the city 🎵🎶. Fire up the BBQ and pair grilled goodies with Scout and Cellar’s clean-crafted wines 🍷🍷DM me for info or visit my bio link. https://www.instagram.com/p/CRUti0CLHoh/?utm_medium=twitter

    Reply on Twitter 1415431411956396040Retweet on Twitter 1415431411956396040Like on Twitter 14154314119563960401Twitter 1415431411956396040
    UncorkedWineSDUncorkedWineTravels@UncorkedWineSD·
    2 Jul

    Beautiful warm breezy day @PalumboWinery #temeculawinecountry #winetasting #July4th

    Reply on Twitter 1411062285917847552Retweet on Twitter 1411062285917847552Like on Twitter 14110622859178475521Twitter 1411062285917847552
    UncorkedWineSDUncorkedWineTravels@UncorkedWineSD·
    2 Jul

    Breezy warm day in #temeculawinecountry @palumbowinery Where Will your travels take you this holiday weekend? @ Palumbo Family Winery https://www.instagram.com/p/CQ1p0hVrv_Q/?utm_medium=twitter

    Reply on Twitter 1411060360086425601Retweet on Twitter 1411060360086425601Like on Twitter 14110603600864256011Twitter 1411060360086425601
    UncorkedWineSDUncorkedWineTravels@UncorkedWineSD·
    1 Jul

    Just posted a photo https://www.instagram.com/p/CQyXbPwLFdd/?utm_medium=twitter

    Reply on Twitter 1410597696662949889Retweet on Twitter 1410597696662949889Like on Twitter 1410597696662949889Twitter 1410597696662949889
    UncorkedWineSDUncorkedWineTravels@UncorkedWineSD·
    26 Jun

    Getting in the groove! Studying for Spanish @winescholarguil exam https://el9nou.cat/osona-ripolles/actualitat/santi-carcasona-torna-a-donar-so-al-vi/

    Reply on Twitter 1408922699460534275Retweet on Twitter 1408922699460534275Like on Twitter 1408922699460534275Twitter 1408922699460534275
    UncorkedWineSDUncorkedWineTravels@UncorkedWineSD·
    25 May 2021

    Stellar @WineRRV cave #winetasting at DRNK with Ryan Kunde to celebrate #NationalWineDay

    Reply on Twitter 1397318352482095105Retweet on Twitter 1397318352482095105Like on Twitter 1397318352482095105Twitter 1397318352482095105
    Load More...

    Uncorked Wine Travels

    Follow on Instagram

    Copyright © 2022 · Lifestyle Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in