purple grapes hanging form vines with leaves that are turning from green to a reddish rust
Wineries Seeking the Quintessential Zinfandel

If you’re seeking the quintessential Zinfandel, head to Dry Creek Valley, a slice of heaven in Northern Sonoma County. Why visit Dry Creek Valley to find amazing Zinfandel when so many other regions produce good Zins?   Why Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel? Long-time Dry Creek Valley winegrower Fred Peterson, owner of Peterson Winery, explains, “If you […]

Rebecca Germolus / Apr 16, 2024
Zinfandel-VotM
Varietal of the Month Varietal of the Month: Zinfandel

  You can’t come to Sonoma and not taste Zinfandel. Well, you could but why would you? Especially since the area is one of the premier Zinfandel growing regions where the grape has been grown since the 1800’s. Zinfandel is a medium-bodied dry red wine with a range of dark fruit flavors that include raspberry, […]

Marcy Gordon / Jul 20, 2023
Three Bottles of Chenin Blanc
Varietal of the Month Varietal of the Month: Chenin Blanc

Have you noticed that Chenin Blanc is having a moment?  Its popularity has surged lately and seems to be on every wine list by the glass and bottle. It’s a versatile white wine with great texture that can vary in style from dry, crisp and lean, to rich and plush. It’s the signature grape of […]

Marcy Gordon / May 11, 2023
Summer photo of Dry Creek Valley with lots of green vineyard and tree-lined hills in the background.
Wineries Stories Behind the Names

  What’s in a name? Many wineries bear the name of their founder, like Frick, Foppiano or Trentadue. Others are named for a region or landmark, like Alexander Valley Vineyards, Dry Creek Vineyard, Russian River Vineyards or Mill Creek Vineyards & Winery. Then there are those names that make you wonder, what’s the story? Here […]

Rebecca Germolus / Feb 9, 2023
Pedroncelli Winery's holiday 2022 gift boxes with a mix of wines
Wineries Perfect Holiday Gifts

Trying to find the perfect holiday gifts can put a damper on the spirit of the season. Once I figured out that wine was the best gift for almost everyone on my list, the holidays got a lot easier. Still not convinced? Let me share some ideas with you! Business to Business Gifts How many […]

Rebecca Germolus / Nov 3, 2022
Winter-picnic-by-mustard-filled-vineyard
Wineries Top Reasons for a Winter Trip to Wine Country

A winter trip to Wine Country is the perfect cure for those post-holiday blues, and here are the top reasons you should plan your visit today! Far From the Maddening Crowd Tired of mobbed venues and too many people to deal with? You can find many uncrowded tasting rooms during the winter months along the […]

Rebecca Germolus / Jan 12, 2022
old wine press
Wineries Multigenerational Family Wineries – Part 1

Once common, multigenerational family wineries are a dwindling breed. But, along the Wine Road you can still find dozens multigenerational family wineries. So many in fact, it will take us awhile to explore them all. Almost A Century Old We’ll start with a wine family that goes back almost 100 years! The Pedroncelli family has […]

Rebecca Germolus / Aug 5, 2020
Car Hop Wine Shop web page
Wineries Reconnect to Wine Country

Ready to reconnect to Wine Country? Is your wine supply a bit depleted after weeks of sheltering in place, aka SIP? I’ve found my wine cellar is missing many of my favorites after the holidays, and now weeks of SIPping at home. My plans to stock up got put on hold when I couldn’t visit […]

Rebecca Germolus / May 5, 2020
Line of Sauvignon Blanc bottles on table
Varietal of the Month Sauvignon Blanc: Varietal of the Month

Widely planted around the world, Sauvignon Blanc has an array of styles from lean and bright, to juicy and plush. Sauvignon Blanc typically offers great aromatics and flavors that range from zesty citrus, to tart apple, to creamy peach and lean nectarine. Best bets for paring are briny oysters, Thai food, crab cakes, and goat […]

Marcy Gordon / Feb 25, 2020
Malbecs lined up on a counter
Varietal of the Month Malbec: Varietal of the Month

When we think of Malbec the first thing that may come to mind is Argentina. But the variety actually originated in the Cahors region of France and is one of the building blocks of Boudreaux blends. But Malbec from the Mendoza region of Argentina is where the grape developed it’s following and found it’s place […]

Marcy Gordon / Dec 30, 2019