Expert articles and wine tasting videos profiling wines from California, California wine regions, Napa Valley, Sonoma County, & more.

Mendocino County: Something For Every Wine Lover

Sandy beaches cradle the vast Pacific Ocean on the Mendocino coastline; towering redwoods carpet the forests of Mendocino County’s state parks; in the winter, whales can be seen peeking up from the vast ocean waters, and everywhere you turn there’s a charming little town filled with cafés and curio shops. For visitors to Mendocino County, there’s no shortage of adventures to be had. With all of the activities Mendocino has to offer, it’s easy to forget that it’s also a thriving wine region. But if you skipped out on wine tasting while visiting the area, you’d be missing some of California’s finest and most diverse wines.
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The "Queen of Charbono": An Interview With Pacific Star Winery Winemaker Sally Ottoson

After driving for nearly four hours from San Francisco through winding roads and coastal highways, I pull into the long dirt driveway at Pacific Star Winery . Dust flies up from my car as I maneuver my way down toward the mid-sized redwood and stone winery overlooking the powerful Pacific Ocean. A pot-bellied beagle snoozes at the entrance to the winery while a calico cat mews loudly at me as I enter the tasting area. At the wine bar, a vivacious woman with long curly blonde hair entertains two guests from New York with tales of what’s inside their wine glasses .
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California Napa Valley Merlot Vintage Chart

Napa Merlot 2009 89 D/H 2008 93 D/H 2007 96 D/H 2006 92 D/H 2005 93 D/H 2004 91 D/H 2003 90 D/H 2002 96 D/H 2001 97 D/H 2000 86 D 1999 90 D 1998 82 D 1997 96 D 1996 94 D 1995 95 D 1994 98 D 1993 93 D 1992 93 D 1991 98 D 1990 92 D 1989 74 D Vintage Charts should be used for a generalized guide in...
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California Napa Valley Chardonnay Vintage Chart

Napa Chardonnay 2009 89 D 2008 95 D/H 2007 93 D/H 2006 88 D 2005 90 D 2004 90 D 2003 88 D 2002 92 D 2001 92 D 2000 88 D 1999 89 D 1998 85 D 1997 91 D 1996 90 D 1995 90 D 1994 94 D 1993 90 D 1992 92 D 1991 94 D 1990 90 D Vintage Charts should be used for a generalized guide in lieu of specific...
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