Tag: wineries

If you don’t already know this, it’s time you do: The beautiful state of Kentucky is home to America’s first successful commercial vineyard and winery. In the early 1800s, when the Spanish missionaries were establishing religious outposts in California, a Swiss native by the name of John James Dufour was determined to create a Swiss colony complete with a commercial vineyard, just about 25 miles from Lexington. The official year was 1798, more than 50 years before Stephen Foster composed the legendary song, "My Old Kentucky Home."

For more than 150 years, grapevines have flourished in Lodi on farms that have rarely changed hands. Instead, they have been proudly passed from grandfather, to father, to son and daughter.

Through the years, these multigenerational farming families have crossed paths in many ways, tightly weaving the legacy that stands behind Lodi wine. Lodi enjoys a classic Mediterranean climate. For decades, it has been quiet, but far from a sleeping giant, producing an astounding amount of grapes for countless wineries throughout California. Quality, not quantity, is what draws savvy wine tasters here.

Some wines deserve a little more attention than others. These wineries are producing exceptional wines that deserve added attention and appreciation.

The Steven Kent Winery

Although he grew up in a family that has been making wine for six generations, it wasn’t until 1996 that Steven Kent Mirassou brought his love of great Cabernet Sauvignon to the Livermore Valley and started The Steven Kent Winery, with the singular focus of crafting the very best possible Bordeaux wines.

It's not the easiest thing in the world to produce great wine. In fact, it's as much art as it is science. These three California wineries have embraced the challenge and not only produce spectacular wines, but offer accessible environments for visitors to enjoy them in.

Grabbing a bottle of wine that will go with your holiday meal can escalate anxiety—and who needs that? We've compiled these four wineries that might be the first gift you open this year.

The Four Graces

When Paul and Steve Black purchased their first vineyard in the Red Hills of Dundee in 2003, they set out to make rich, complex wines that elegantly expressed their unique terroir. They named their winery The Four Graces in honor of their four daughters.

There are amazing wineries around the world producing fantastic wines, from France and Italy to Chile and Spain. Along the West Coast of America is no different. Wine enthusiasts can travel up the Pacific from California to Washington tasting exquisite wines. Here are seven wineries to visit and taste.

Elizabeth Chambers Cellar

On every Elizabeth Chambers Cellar wine label, one finds a blue butterfly—a tribute to Elizabeth’s mother, who inspired her daughter’s role as a pioneer in Oregon wine. Today, Elizabeth Chambers Cellar is dedicated to the small-lot production of high-quality handcrafted Pinot Noir.

Nestled an hour east of San Francisco, the Livermore Valley is one of California’s oldest wine growing regions. Surrounded by lush vineyards, picturesque hills and quaint suburbs, the Livermore Valley has a rich history of wine making. Fifth generation winemakers, new winemakers and vineyardists all work in unison to usher the Livermore wine region into a new era of wine renaissance.