Vintners predict quality wines from grape harvest

THIS YEAR’S WINE GRAPE HARVEST began early. Deploying little more than a pair of well-sharpened shears, the vintners, laborers and volunteers fanned out into the vineyard, hand harvested the grapes, put them in bins (or lugs) and hauled them off to the winery on a big tractor. The freshly picked grapes were sorted for quality, […]

Community Canvas, Pilot Peak host “Paint & Pour” art classes

“WINE AND ART GO TOGETHER because both are about enjoyment of life,” says Jean-Pierre Got, the celebrated wine poster artist from Southern France. In the Napa Valley, the Robert Mondavi winery is well known for its impressive collection of sculptures and paintings. The foothills is becoming known for its own innovative art and wine pairings […]

Meet the Winemakers

QUALITY WINE IS CREATED IN THE VINEYARD by a farmer, crafted by an artist, and chemistry brings it all together. Though foothills’ winemakers come from all walks of life, they share in this experience. Dozens of winemakers and winery owners are re-settling the foothills wine growing region, whose roots go back to the Gold Rush […]

Winery dogs: “You can’t make a good wine without a dog”

DOGS ARE A WINEMAKER’S BEST FRIEND, providing companionship in the vineyard and at the winery. They romp among the vines, chasing balls and snacking on grapes. Many of them greet guests at the winery, as much a part of the experience as tasting wine. There’s also a deeper connection. “Just like drinking wine, or pruning […]

Tasting Notes: What’s new at foothill wineries

SIERRA FOOTHILLS WINERIES WON HIGH HONORS in the 2012 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, the world’s largest competition of American wines. Sierra Vintners wineries that won medals included Avanguardia Wines, Lucchesi Vineyards, Montoliva Vineyard, Naggiar Vineyards and Pilot Peak Winery. Montoliva won “Best of Class” for its 2008 Sierra Bella. “Now try to tell me […]

Pilot Peak Winery: A destination winery in the foothills

THIS YEAR MARKS THE fifth annual release of wines at Pilot Peak Winery, one of the foothills’ premier destination wineries. To celebrate, the winery has expanded its signature, flower-filled terraces, relocated the dance floor and added colorful landscaping. The Penn Valley winery, on a hillside overlooking Pilot Peak, continues to offer varied events during the […]

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