Editors note: this is a guest piece from Igor Sill, proprietor of Sill Family Vineyard on Atlas Peak. Vineyard Microbiology – native, indigenous wild yeast, which surrounds the vineyards, pervades the world of wine. The role of naturally occurring yeast is the most singularly important ingredient that gives birth to fine wine. As much as I would like to ... [Read More]

Well respected vintner, author, artist, professor and lawyer, Richard Mendelson has written the heavyweight on the history of Napa Valley's appellations. He and his wife Marilyn first visited the Napa Valley in 1979 - a few years before the Napa Valley would be granted viticultural status in 1981 which was followed by 16 more viticultural area ... [Read More]

This is Dr. Richard Peterson's first book - and you wonder why it took him so long to write a book - until you finish it. Then you will understand perfectly. Throughout his career he has done everything but sit idle. If one grows up with a connection and appreciation of the land, one keeps that throughout his entire life. Dick's upbringing was during the ... [Read More]

The stage was an unseasonably cold (for April) Friday in the northern part of the valley at Solage Calistoga where the Calistoga Winegrowers' Grand Tasting showcased wines from 30 of Calistoga's wineries and producers. Long time names such as Chateau Montelena and Larkmead were present along with a number of relative newcomers to the north valley wine scene ... [Read More]

Fifteen of Yountville's finest wineries were represented this year as part of a trade tasting through Premier Napa valley. This event as always was held in the historic barrel room in the Vintage 1870 Shopping Center. Highlights included red wines from Blankiet, Kapcsandy, Dominus, Gemstone & Rocca. With most of the producers offering Cabernet Sauvignon ... [Read More]

Held in Honor of International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month, this Girls Getaway Will Offer an Array of Wellness Activities including a Female Wine Tasting Reception and Winemaker Dinner at La Toque NAPA, Calif. (February 2015) – General Manager Don Shindle of The Westin Verasa Napa is pleased to announce the property will hold its third annual ... [Read More]

I stumbled across this informative video recently: ... [Read More]

I was in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan catching up on email in the middle of the day when I immediately started receiving texts and emails from friends and family indicating an earthquake had hit Napa. Soon after I started seeing night time photos hitting Twitter of various buildings downtown - then news indicated several highways were closed for evaluation and within ... [Read More]

The Pebble Beach Food and Wine Weekend is only in its seventh year yet remarkably it seems like it should be much older than that. In such a short time it has become the West Coast's premier food and wine event. It is an intriguing pairing - matching some of the world's best wine with top chefs in a location that is visually stunning. The inspirational ... [Read More]

Napa Valley American Viticultural Area (AVA) encompasses a rather small geographical area, produces only 4% of California's entire wine production and is one of the premium wine growing regions in North America. The earliest vineyards date back to 1836 and the oldest winery is from 1861. The valley itself is only 48 kilometers long and several kilometers ... [Read More]