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UNCORKED WINE TRAVELS

Musings Along The Wine Trails

Panzanello Winery Is Panzano In Chianti’s Brightest Shining Star

October 23, 2016 by Deborah Mines

11pz5jpgHaving just returned from a whirlwind trip to Tuscany and looking through my 800+ photos, undoubtedly,  Panzano In Chianti is absolutely one of the most beautiful  places in Italy.  With a population of less than 1,200 people, the charming hilltop village of Panzano lies mid-way between Siena and Florence, right in the heart of Chianti Classico wine country.

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Anthony Bourdain, Rick Steeves and other travel writers often boast about Panzano’s famous resident butcher, Dario Cecchini  (read about Dario Cecchini on my blog)  But for Sangiovese lovers, Panzano is more about the legendary Chianti Classico wines.

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A scenic winding road outside the city center of Panzano leads to Panzanello Winery. Time seems to stand still as you pass the shimmering silver-green olive groves and the fruit-laden vineyards as you slowly turn down the long driveway to Panzanello Winery.

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[Read more…]

Filed Under: Tuscany Wine Trail Tagged With: cellars, Chianti, Chianti Classico, estate olive oil, Grappa, Sangiovese, Super Tuscan, Wine Tasting, Wine Tour

Hooray to Korbel Champagne Cellars For The Red, White & Sparkling!

July 4, 2016 by Deborah Mines

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The birth of Korbel Champagne Cellars dates back to the early 1880’s when the three Czechoslovakian Korbel brothers from the province of Bohemia, started off making cigar boxes in San Francisco, which later transitioned into a sawmill and dairy farm in the storied Russian River Valley near Guerneville.

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Trying their hand at winemaking and being somewhat successful, the Korbel’s produced 20,000 to 30,000 gallons of wine and experimenting with various grape varietals such as Pinot Noir.  By 1892, the Korbel brothers were officially in the burgeoning wine business.

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It was during this time that the Korbel’s sent for winemaker Frank Hasek in Prague to come to the United States to be their champagne master. It was Hasek who employed the time-honored French method of producing champagne, aka méthode champenoise, which catapulted Korbel Champagne Cellars to great success in the wine business.

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Prohibition took its toll on many wineries in the 1920’s with forced closures.  Korbel Champagne Cellars was able to survive due to the brothers’ other business ventures.  In 1954 the winery was purchased by family friend, Adolph Heck, who was credited for patenting an automatic riddling process which was vital to the business, enabling the champagne bottles to be turned at precise moments during the fermentation process.   [Read more…]

Filed Under: California Wine Trail Tagged With: Brut Champagne, Champagne, Champagne Cellars, Champenois Methode, Chardonnay, Historical Site, Pinot Noir, Rose, Russian River Valley, Sparkling Wines, wine cave, Wine Tasting, Wine Tour

Pinot Noir & Tapas at Marimar Torres Family Vineyards – Ole!

February 27, 2016 by Deborah Mines

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Certainly worthy of the trek to the far reaches of the famed Green Valley AVA near Sebastopol is the Marimar Torres Family Vineyards, perched high atop a vineyard-studded hill.

54a3289f3bf83.imageWind your way up the long driveway to the lovely Spanish inspired tasting room and you’re likely to meet the legendary Marimar Torres herself.  Always by her side are her beloved Springer Spaniels, Chico and Bonita, who are on hand to greet guests and pose for photos.

Marimar paved the way in the late 1980s for other women wine makers to be recognized.   Her pioneering and determined spirit was unwelcome in the primarily male-dominated wine making industry at the time.  Today, however, Marimar is held in high regard in the Russian River Valley wine industry and has earned numerous awards for her stellar Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

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True to Marimar’s Spanish heritage, the vineyards are organically farmed and the grapes are hand-picked, which allows the unique Russian River Valley terroir to be expressed in every glass.  [Read more…]

Filed Under: California Wine Trail Tagged With: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, Sonoma Coast, Spanish wines, tapas, Wine Tasting, Wine Tour

Jordan Winery’s Wine & Food Pairing Is Alexander Valley’s Crown Jewel

December 20, 2015 by Deborah Mines

For one of the most memorable wine tasting experiences in Sonoma Wine Country, visit Jordan Winery in the stoic Alexander Valley.  Founded in 1972, Tom and Sally Jordan had a vision to produce great “approachable” Bordeaux-style California Cabernet Sauvignon.

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Inspired and fashioned after a French château, the Jordan Winery is at the top of the A-list for winery tours.  No detail is too small, nor overlooked. Guests meet in the stately lobby for a guided walking tour of the grounds and production area, followed by a first-class private seated wine and food pairing in the château.

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“Unique amongst Healdsburg wineries, more than three-quarters of the scenic estate has been preserved as natural habitat—an oasis where craggy oak trees pepper the landscape, geese and ducks swim the lakes, and rabbits and turkeys roam the hills. The property includes 112 acres of grapevines, 18 acres of olive trees, a one-acre garden, two lakes and several grazing pastures. The diversity of ecosystems on the estate encourages beneficial insects and other predators that support our sustainable farming practices”.                   

[Read more…]

Filed Under: California Wine Trail Tagged With: Bordeaux-style, Cabernet Sauvignon, cellars, Chardonnay, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Russian River Valley, Sonoma Wine Country, wine cave, wine cellar, Wine Tasting, Wine Tour, Winter Wineland

Moshin Vineyards Is “Pinot Heaven” ~ Russian River Valley’s Little Gem

July 25, 2015 by Deborah Mines

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Calling all Pinot-philes… Time to experience a “range of motion” at Moshin Vineyards on the westside of Sonoma’s Russian River Valley.  Specializing in small lot, hand-crafted wines, there are always several interesting Pinot Noir wines to taste on any given day.

IMG_8385Upon arrival, a towering spectacled iron clad hummingbird greets visitors outside the eclectic tasting room.

Local Artisan’s wares are exhibited in the tasting room with special artist receptions hosted throughout the year.   IMG_8391

Besides a fabulous line up of Pinot Noir wine, Moshin Vineyards also showcases Vin Gris, Pinot Gris, Zinfandel and Petite Sirah.  Other estate varietals include Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Merlot.  [Read more…]

Filed Under: California Wine Trail Tagged With: Chardonnay, Petit Sirah, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Vin Gris, Wine Tasting, Wine Tour, Zinfandel

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    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...

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

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    uncorkedwinesd UncorkedWineTravels @uncorkedwinesd ·
    16 Dec

    Christmas in Grapevine Texas ⁦@landonwinery⁩ 🍷🍷

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    21 Nov 2021

    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

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    3 Oct 2021

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

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    16 Sep 2021

    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

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    13 Sep 2021

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

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    15 Aug 2021

    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

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    9 Aug 2021

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

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    14 Jul 2021

    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

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    2 Jul 2021

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

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    2 Jul 2021

    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

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    1 Jul 2021

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

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    26 Jun 2021

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

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