On Chardonnay Day: Get to know the Queen (of grapes)!
Chardonnay For International Chardonnay Day (tomorrow! May 27), let us lift a glass and pay tribute…to wine drinkers’ sweetheart, a favorite among winemakers – arguably, the reigning Queen of Whites – Chardonnay, the grape, and her wines! Did you know…...
Tis the season… for Mustard!
….In the Vineyard that is! Golden waves of billowing mustard among the vines of Dry Creek Valley. Beyond beauty, mustard performs magic for the soil and the vine every spring. Like any cover crop, it protects against erosion, invites water...
Che Syrah Syrah!
Che Syrah Syrah! ….Sonoma Coast Style Oh Syrah, one of my favorite grapes turned wine. The range of styles it can produce, whether the ripest and richest “Shiraz” versions of Australia’s hottest climes, the bold spicy long-lived benchmark Hermitage, or silky to...
Mustard in the Vineyard!
A Vine’s Best Friend In honor of Earth Day, I bring you – Mustard from Dry Creek Valley blowing in the breeze, giving home to some very happy buzzing bees! This patch of yellow flowers was growing tall, in an otherwise fallow vineyard plot. . Not Just a...About Mary Beth
Crushing on.....
silky pasta -- strong coffee and bright wines -- a world map -- and a good dance beat 
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It was a beautiful evening at the “Aromatic Whites & Rose’” walk-around tasting at the Gravenstein Grill — the first of their Summer Wine Series. I discovered some truly (truly) stellar wines and sipped new vintages of favorites, poured by their talented winemakers. ![]()
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Chris Sawyer knows how to throw an intimate party with all the best guests (and lovely atmosphere, delicious passed apps) to accompany the killer wines from our beautiful North Coast. ![]()
I also sipped some of the most beautiful examples of Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc I’ve ever enjoyed [have to call out Porter Creek Vineyards and Davis Family Vineyards (Chard) and Quivira Vineyards and Seawolf Wines (SB)]. And I think I actually teared up over the Davis Family 2013 “Gratitude”, Sara Lee’s Vineyard Lat-Harvest Viognier. Thank you Cooper Davis for sharing the story behind this nectar. ![]()
Follow Chris and the Gravenstein Grill so you don’t miss the next event. So lovely.
And it begins. Day 1 of 2.5 judging the 2023 Sunset Magazine International Wine Competition. 117 reds ahead of me just today. Sip, judge, spit. Repeat.
A beautiful wine! Smith Story Wine Cellars’ Smith Story Wine Cellars inaugural release of a white Rhône blend-![]()
Fleur Blanc, Dry Creek Valley, 2022. ![]()
Its nose is orange blossom. Its gossamer light entry is a mineral beauty, then broadens into perfect palate weight carrying juicy green melon, citrus and a touch of sea salt. I literally swooned over it in the tasting room. Last night, enjoyed with mild Indian curry, then another glass just for sipping. ![]()
The blend- 50% Picpoul 50% Bourboulenc - yes!![]()
It will be perfection with raw seafood, oysters, salads, light pastas, and warm days… and I also suggest omelettes and eggs! Think Mother’s Day brunch, lunch or a beautiful gift.![]()
I recommend wholeheartedly. ![]()
Same for Allison and Eric - the phenomenal and coolest humans behind this craft winemaking venture. The first line of their mission statement captures why: “Smith Story Wines are made with respect for the land, kindness for the grower and, love from the winemaker.” This is their north star - care and support of the people in this industry - and they carry it forward with their daily actions and choices. ![]()
Check out the FLEUR BLANC on their website. But if you’re in the northern Sonoma area, I recommend a detour and stop for a taste of their other temptations too: ![]()
—their delicious, and also new, BRAVE carbonic Zinfandel(served chilled!)![]()
—the Cabernet Franc you’ve been dreaming of![]()
— and the 8th vintage release of a perennial Smith-Story favorite, their incredible Sauvignon Blanc. This vintage is stunning. ![]()
Enjoy!![]()
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Allison Smith Story Eric Story #sipsonoma #drycreekvalley #winelover #stayhealdsburg #sipwine #farmtobottle #craftwine #sonomawine #brightandbalanced #crushonwine #rhoneblend #whitewineblend #wineeducator