Tag: view

Several months ago I went to dinner with my husband and some friends. We were at a supper club and sharing a table with an older couple. Because we were late, our friends had started to tell the other couple about us and, as I settled into my seat, I overheard them talking about my husband.

Now, maybe because it had been a while since we saw each other and he wasn’t sure of the exterior details we usually use to introduce people—job, education, hobbies—or maybe he just knew that I needed to hear something else that evening so that I could right this article, but our friend didn’t talk about the superficial things.

A shared family passion and some wine business know-how are the keys to success at Calcareous?Vineyard. The winery was established in 2000 by Lloyd Messer, whose hunt for ideal growing conditions, for terroir-driven wines brought him to the coveted west side of Paso Robles. The new project coaxed his daughter, Dana, to join him, and they both sold their wine distribution companies in Iowa to dive into the world of Paso Robles wine production. And later, sister Erika joined forces to make Calcareous a true family affair. Twelve years later, Calcareous Vineyard boasts countless awards and accolades, blessed by its high elevation, microclimate, and soil conditions.

Sitting atop a hill overlooking verdant Pleasant Valley, California, Silver Horse Winery offers visitors an unforgettable tasting experience. The Kroener family moved here in 1996 and began operating the business from a converted barn. In 2002, the family renovated the property and now it is a must-see for serious wine lovers.

The hacienda-style tasting room, covered with a 115-year-old ceramic tiled roof, features an inviting wood burning fireplace. Outside, there are patios for guests to literally drink in the view.

For more than four decades, the elegant, world-class wines of Chalk Hill have provided a benchmark for Sonoma County, California. The exceptionally beautiful estate is carved into the hills atop the Russian River Valley, just over the ridge from Alexander Valley, and provides a compelling tapestry of soil types, sun exposure, and microclimates that yield wines of exceptional note.

Led by Winemaker Lisa Bishop Forbes, the winemaking team at Chalk Hill practices a light-handed, noninvasive philosophy to emulate the essence of the vineyard in each bottle of wine. This delicate touch yields vintage after vintage of acclaimed Burgundian-style Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Syrah, and Semillon, along with a luscious red blend, Estate Red.