Category: Ramblings and Rants

Why Hasn’t Anyone Bought Quartz Reef Yet?
While I primarily focus on the sensorial aspects of the wine world, I also pay attention to the business side

Why You Should Apply to Attend the Wine Writers’ Symposium
The wine world is made of dreams. Some people dream about drinking wine. Some people dream about growing or making

I’ll Drink to That!: Peter Jakob Kühn Found Quality Along With Pain
A new episode of the I’ll Drink to That! wine talk podcast was released recently. Episode 503 features Peter Jakob Kühn, the

The Old Vine Registry Turns Two: A Webinar
June 26th will mark the second anniversary of launching the Old Vine Registry. I’ve put quite a lot of volunteer

Napa Needs a New Kind of Governance
Napa County has been biting the hand that feeds it for a long time. But now it seems intent upon

I Don’t Really Feel Like a Hero
If I am going to be a hero, however, I don’t think I mind being a hero to old vines.

Martine Saunier 1934-2025: In Her Own Words
Few people in history achieve true mononymity, fewer still in the world of wine. But for 50 years, one American

I’ll Drink to That!: This Conversation with Meike Näkel Has A Terrifying Turn
A new episode of I’ll Drink to That! has been released. Episode 501 features Meike Näkel. Meike and her sister Dörte run

Wine Just Got Fun-Sized
If you thought choosing a bottle of wine was tough enough amidst a seemingly neverending sea of options, just wait

Officially Defining (and Helping) Old Vines Around the World
It’s not every day that an official European government body makes a decision and notes that it’s informed by work

The Only Thanksgiving Wine Pairing Advice You Will Ever Need
Any moment now, regular as clockwork, your inbox will be filled with updates from various wine and food publications offering

Why Wine Drinkers Should Care About Come Over October
You would be forgiven, however much you love wine, for not following the turbulent bits of insider baseball that have

Checking in on Idaho
A little more than ten years ago, an unsolicited case of wine showed up on my doorstep. That wasn’t particularly

Research Old Vines, Win Fabulous Prizes
One year ago, we launched the Old Vine Registry, the world’s first and most comprehensive global database of old-vine vineyards

Shake Ridge Ranch in All Its Glory
Throughout the world of wine, certain vineyards become legendary. Some because they are synonymous (or even eponymous) with legendary producers

Marin – Potential Wasted?
The pioneers of California viticulture were the Mexican padres who, beginning in the late 1700s, planted grapes as they established

What Wine to Drink on Your Amalfi Coast Sailing Trip
My friends and I are getting to that age. You know, the one where the kids are out of the