Foothill wineries win “double gold,” “best of class” and other top honors at State Fair wine competition
Posted by jeffpelline on April 23, 2017 · Leave a Comment
FOOTHILL WINERIES EARNED numerous awards in the 2017 California State Fair wine tasting competition. Winners included Andis Wines, Avanguardia, Cooper Vineyards, Montoliva Vineyard & Winery, Naggiar Vineyards, Nevada City Winery, Sierra Starr Vineyard and Szabo Vineyards. Andis won a “Best of California” for its 2013 Painted Fields red blend; Avanguardia won a “Best of Class […]
Filed under FWA blog, Wine & Beer · Tagged with 2013 Nebbiolo, 2013 Primitivo, 2014 L'edonista, 2015 Cosmic Reserve Chardonnay, 2016 Roundpen Rose, 2017 California State Fair wine tasting competition, Amador Wines, Andis Wines, Avanguardia, California State Fair, Cooper Vineyards, Jeff Pelline, Montoliva Vineyard & Winery, Naggiar Vineyards, Nevada City Winery, Sierra Starr Vineyard, Sierra Vintners, Szabo Vineyards
Naggier: Wine, food, music and vineyard tours
Posted by jeffpelline on April 23, 2017 · Leave a Comment
A VISIT TO NAGGIAR VINEYARDS & Winery, nestled in the rolling hills between Auburn and Grass Valley, is one of the most satisfying wine country experiences. This time of year the wildflowers are in full bloom. Naggiar’s Tuscan-inspired tasting room and bistro overlook 60 acres of vineyard that produce award-winning wines. Naggiar’s warm-weather season begins […]
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Grape expectations: Some wine predictions for the New Year
Posted by jeffpelline on April 19, 2017 · Leave a Comment
FOCUS ON MILLENNIALS Millennials are fast becoming the largest wine-drinking population, eclipsing the baby boomers and accounting for 30 percent of wine drinkers. (For more on “Gen Wine,” see our companion website SierraCulture.com.) “What does this mean for wine in 2017?” asks Wine Cooler Direct. “Labels are continuing to get more creative and whimsical, biodynamic […]
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What’s brewing: Sierra Nevada’s $2 million gift to UC Davis and ol’ Republic’s Barrel Club
Posted by jeffpelline on March 5, 2017 · Leave a Comment
OVER 5,000 U.S. BREWERIES In the 1870s, America had over 4,000 breweries. Before Prohibition, the total had fallen to under 700. Now the U.S. is home to over 5,000 breweries, according to the Brewer’s Association. “In the face of numerous opportunities and challenges in 2016, small and independent craft brewers continue to thrive,” says Bart […]
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Tasting Notes: Andis, Avanguardia, Nevada City Winery & Sierra Starr
Posted by jeffpelline on March 4, 2017 · Leave a Comment
FOOTHILLS CELEBRATION Now in its 16th year, the Foothills Celebration in downtown Grass Valley is one of the region’s premier wine and food tasting events. Participants gather on Saturday, March 4, from 1-4 p.m., to sip wine from more than 20 foothills wineries while sampling delicacies from local restaurants, including favorite nibbles from their menus. […]
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Amador Vintners hosts “Behind the Cellar Door” March 3-5
Posted by jeffpelline on February 8, 2017 · Leave a Comment
AMADOR COUNTY’S MICROCLIMATES are as diverse as any in California, ranging from oak-studded hillsides at 900 feet to Sierra peaks that top 9,000 feet. Besides offering a year round playground—or cycling, hiking, fishing and other activities— the county’s terroir, climate and soils are ideal for growing premium wine grapes. The majority of Amador’s 3,700 vine […]
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Tasting notes: Andretti, Andis, Bent Metal, Smith and Sierra Starr
Posted by jeffpelline on January 14, 2017 · Leave a Comment
INDY 500 WINNING TEAM INTO CALIFORNIA WINE Nevada City native Alexander Rossi won the 100th Indianapolis 500 for Andretti Autosport this summer. He was the first Californian to win the race since 1955. As it turns out, the winning Indy 500 team is into California wine, not just race cars. Andretti Winery in Napa was […]
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Amador Vintners
Posted by jeffpelline on January 14, 2017 · Leave a Comment
AMADOR COUNTY’S MICRO-CLIMATES are as diverse as any in California, ranging from oak- studded hillsides at 900 feet to Sierra peaks that top 9,000 feet. Besides offering a year ‘round playground—for “leaf peeping,” cycling, hiking, skiing and other activities—the county’s terroir, climate and soils are ideal for growing premium wine grapes. The majority of Amador’s […]
Filed under Wine & Beer · Tagged with Amador, Amador Cellars, Amador County, Amador County events, Andis Wines, award-winning wine, barbera, Best of California, Cooper Vineyards, Dick Cooper, Fiddletown, grape growing, Jeff Pelline, Karmere Vineyards, Mike Roser, Plymouth, roads less traveled, San Francisco Chronicle wine competition, Scott Harvey, Shake Ridge, Shenandoah Valley, viticulture, Wine, winemaker, winemaking, winery, zinfandel
Honoring “everyday” heroes: military personnel, police officers and firefighters
Posted by jeffpelline on December 6, 2016 · Leave a Comment
THE CLIENTELE OF A RESTAURANT OR watering hole typically mirrors its community, including its “everyday heroes.” More and more we notice that proprietors in the food and drink business—restaurateurs, winemakers, bar owners—are reaching out to “everyday heroes,” including military personnel, police officers or firefighters, in unique ways. On a recent visit to the Golden Era […]
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Exploring Amador Wine Country
Posted by jeffpelline on November 16, 2016 · Leave a Comment
AMADOR COUNTY’S MICROCLIMATES are as diverse as any in California, ranging from oak-studded hillsides at 900 feet to Sierra peaks that top 9,000 feet. Besides offering a year ‘round playground—for “leaf peeping,” cycling, hiking, skiing and other activities—the county’s terroir, climate and soils are ideal for growing premium wine grapes. The majority of Amador’s 3,700 […]
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