VineBuzz

The last time I made this stop on Trancas in Napa, something said that it needed closer, more intimate examination. Sitting there in one corner of the wine department, a pair of 8-port Cruvinets took care of their patients:

The Sonoma County (#soco) Wine Industry organization and Facebook Monthly, organized by William Allen (aka @SonomaWilliam) convened on 8-30-2011 in the tasting room of the Inspiration Vineyard and Winery in Santa Rosa, California.

Yesterday, June 11, 2011 Hahn Family Wines kicked off the grand opening of their Cycles Gladiator Lodi Visitor Center.

March 23, 2011 (a very rainy day) was perfect for reviewing the current release portfolio at Cuvaison's Silverado Trail tasting room in a deep presentation by associate Travis Elder, and joined by their direct marketing specialist Suzanna Boogay. Their commitment to sustainable green vineyard and winery practices are commendable, from grey water treatment to solar power. Their Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah, and Cabernet are all extremely good.

On November 19th, 2010, wineries and advocates all over the world celebrated Global #Zinfandel Day. As luck would have it, Adam Reiter (who is a digital marketing pro in the wine industry, known throughout northern California) caught up with me in the middle of a Zinfandel tasting at the Girard Winery in Yountville, with his Flip camera ready at hand to preserve the moment.

Having overnighted in Healdsburg, California

Ralf Holdenried, head of the winemaking team at the William Hill Estate in Napa, introduces us to the detailed considerations he makes in planning, scheduling, and reconsidering the order and timing of the harvest. During the six-week harvest cycle, he thoroughly enjoys long days in the vineyard examining the vines and tasting many varieties of grapes. He tracks sugar levels and tannin development; chews on berries and skins to determine which parts of which blocks are the most ripe and ready for harvest.