Migration Wines is owned by TSG Consumer Partners, a San Francisco based private equity firm. In addition to Migration, TSG Consumer Partners owns Duckhorn (their flagship brand), Calera Wine Company in the Mount Harlan appellation east of Salinas in San Benito County on California’s Central Coast (a long time producer known for Pinot Noir), Canvasback … [Read more...]
Archives for November 2020
Lerner Project
Lerner Project. The singular element that strikes one immediately upon arriving at Armstrong Ranch (the home estate for Lerner Project) is its profound silence. In this regard, its remote location is its most coveted asset. Yes this is in the Napa Valley, but this is a slice of the valley that few visitors ever see. Access is either from Sonoma County on a … [Read more...]
Hossfeld Vineyards
Hossfeld Vineyards. Henry and Susan Hossfeld moved to this part of the Napa Valley in 1980 from Marin County. Henry owned and continued to operate a successful home construction and remodel company. After acquiring the property, he and Susan decided to grow crops on site. Initially they looked at planting kiwis but then were encouraged to plant grape vines … [Read more...]
Jon Nathaniel Wines
Jon Nathaniel. The winery for Jon Nathaniel wines was completed in 2019, a tiny production facility owned and overseen by long time grape growers and former owners of the Flora Springs Winery property, the Komes family. This is a joint project between father (John) and son (Nat) Komes. The physical winery is located on John's property at the end of West … [Read more...]
Palazzo Wine
Palazzo Wine. Founder and winemaker Scott Palazzo grew up in an Italian household in La Mirada, Orange County California - wine was part of the fabric of his Italian heritage and was commonly served with family meals. His early interest in perhaps someday following a career centered around wine was piqued while on a three-month backpacking trip at age 19 … [Read more...]
Introducing Migliavacca Wine Company
Every so often on my relentless pursuit of visiting, tasting with and promoting all Napa Valley based wineries and producers - I discover brands that combine intriguing history, cool owners and excellent wines. Earlier this year I met up with owner Katie Migliavacca and her winemaker and business partner Vincent Traverso in the Migliavacca Mansion in … [Read more...]
Organic Aromas – Nebulizing Diffuser for Aromatherapy
When one smells and tastes wine partly for a living, one's sense becomes acutely aware of smells. I remember as a child I could smell minute particles of smoke in the air, well before anyone else picked up on the aromas - often from fires a long ways away. I still can. However, translating this genetic talent into picking out aromas in wines - is not as easy … [Read more...]
Top 12 Winery Luxury Spaces in the Napa Valley
Over the past 15 years I have been tasting up and down the cozy confines of the Napa Valley - from valley floor to hillside. With well over 1,000 Napa Valley wineries and producers visited with to date, my journeys have taken me into some of the most luxurious, secret and coveted spaces. Coming up with top lists is always challenging especially with our … [Read more...]