Wine Road wine glass in from of twig basket containing Dutton Goldfield Pinot Noir. A sprig of pine and a pine cone are off to the left side.
Event 10 Wine-Fun Reasons to Attend Wine Road’s Winter Festivals

By January, wine fun seems in short supply, especially after the fast-paced activities beginning with Thanksgiving and running through to the new year. But fear not, the Wine Road offers a winter wine festival filled with great wines, plenty of laughter, great photo ops and a whole lot of fun — it’s the 32nd annual […]

Rebecca Germolus / Nov 12, 2024
A kettle type grill is cooking three sausages, four kabobs with meat and vegetables, an ear of corn and three tomatoes still on the vine.
Wine and Food Pairings Best Summer Wine Pairings

Warm weather beckons us outside for grilling, picnics and sunset dinners. And, we’re always looking for the best wine pairings to accompany these al fresco meals. Here are some of the best summer pairings with delicious wines found along the Wine Road.   Pairings with Salads Rosé The combination of Greek watermelon salad and a […]

Rebecca Germolus / Jun 28, 2024
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
A lineup of 6 bottles of Grenache from Sonoma County
Varietal of the Month Varietal of the Month – Grenache

Grenache is a wonderful and versatile varietal all on it’s own, but its claim to fame is its use as one of the fundamental grapes in the highly regarded French Rhone blend Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Grenache is a medium bodied red wine with moderate acidity, and bright red fruit and strawberry flavors. The tannin structure can range […]

Marcy Gordon / Apr 10, 2024
photo of Nebbiolo grapes just before harvest
Wine Tasting Tips Lesser-Known Varietals Revised

The joys of wine appreciation include checking out unusual or lesser-known varietals. This means varietals that aren’t the standard Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Syrah, etc. When wine tasting Along the Wine Road or elsewhere, I find most wineries have some of the standard classic varietals, but I’m seeing more lesser-known varietals […]

Rebecca Germolus / Feb 15, 2024
Mustard covered vineyard with green hills in the background
Event Early Spring Along the Wine Road

The sweet smell of rain-freshened air is one of the joys of early spring along the Wine Road, but there are many more.   Wild Mustard in Bloom One of my favorite early spring sights is the mustard blooming in vineyards, along the sides of back roads and anywhere else it left seeds the year […]

Rebecca Germolus / Jan 31, 2024
Three people toasting with white wine in wine glasses. Blurry images of food on the table.
White Wine Guide to White Wine: Varieties, Pairings and Regions

Understanding White Wine Sometimes I feel like a walking encyclopedia of wine. Be it white, red, rosé or sparkling, friends and family ask me so many questions about wine. I don’t mind, but it also made me realize I should write down the answers in an organized fashion so even folks who don’t know me […]

Rebecca Germolus / Jan 30, 2024
Vinotastr kits with the 1-2-3-4 strips shown plus the front of the instructions.
Wine Tasting Tips Vinotastr: Defining your Palate Preferences

A visit to a wine bar or wine shop can be daunting with what appear to be endless choices. You know you like red wine, but not all red wines. You’ve often wished there was a way to figure out what you like without randomly buying bottle after bottle until you find the wines you […]

Rebecca Germolus / Nov 16, 2023
Four Blue Bin wine bottles with labels that read 100% recycled bottle and the name of the wine. The background is a beach and ocean with boats in the bay and buildings on the hills on the right side.
Sustainable Exploring Alternative Wine Packaging

Wine lovers’ interest in alternative wine packages is rapidly growing. Putting wine in non-glass containers isn’t something new. Yet, premium quality wines in alternative packaging—especially environmentally friendly and recyclable packaging—haven’t always easy been to find. I wasn’t sure what I’d find as I explored the offerings along the Wine Road, but was pleasantly surprised at […]

Rebecca Germolus / Aug 1, 2023
seven Grenache bottles on a barrel head in the rain
Varietal of the Month Varietal of the Month: Grenache

Grenache is a medium bodied red wine with moderate acidity, and bright red fruit and strawberry flavors. The tannin structure can range from light and smooth to more pronounced and firm depending on the climate in which it is grown. Grenache is a wonderful and versatile varietal all on it’s own, but its claim to […]

Marcy Gordon / Mar 24, 2023