On The Wine Road

12/06/2025

We were invited to two festive holiday events this week, on the same night.

Photo 1: hosted an industry party in their refurbished barn. Tasty food and wine was offered.
Photo 2: The sleepy grapevines with visions of mustard plants in their heads.
Photo 3: The supermoon just rising beyond the fog over back vineyard.
Photo 4: The Healdsburg Public Library & Sonoma Co. Wine Library hosted a holiday gathering celebrating the newly refurbished building and the future of the Wine Library Association. Many fans of both entities attended including winemaker friends and owners.
Photo 5:The entrance to the newly designed Wine Library.

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12/05/2025

It's nearly that time of year when the ZAP Zinfandel Advocates and Producers present their annual Weekend Classic, ZinEX. The 2026 Event begins Thursday, 1/29 and ends on Saturday, 1/30 with The Tasting. It's always a blast, and I guarantee you'll discover a Zinandel you'll appreciate, or more than you can count!

Now, a word from Joel Peterson, Ravenswood Wines founder and owner of Once and Future Wine Company: "I'm very excited to once again pour at the legendary ZinEx Tasting next year. Tickets are now available, with preferred pricing on tasting tickets. ZAP is celebrating 35 years of Zinfandel heritage, community, and craftsmanship. Join us on Saturday, January 31 from 1:30 pm - 4:00 pm at CIA at Copia in Napa to explore an outstanding collection of Zinfandels from producers across California, including yours truly.
I have been involved with ZAP since its founding 35 years ago, and it's wonderful to celebrate this milestone anniversary."

Early bird pricing ends soon! Get tickets here: http://bit.ly/4iJDLvg

11/07/2025

I couldn't turn down an invitation to a Port Wine tasting at Ungrafted in San Francisico. GuildSomm was the presenter, Colangelo & Partners invited me. 12 Ports from 3 categories. The standouts were a Quevedo Special Reserve Tawny, Kopke 10 yr old Tawny, and Taylor Fladgate 2019 LBV Port.

Nothing like the warm sweet nectar from 300 year old vineyards on a rainy fall day!

10/28/2025

Congratulations to winemaker Akiko and her husband Ken whose Freeman Cuvee of Pinot Noir has been chosen to be served during tonight's U.S. Embassy Dinner during the Presidential visit to Japan. Freeman Winery is located in the West Sonoma Coast region of Northern California. Their winery is one of Sonoma County's hidden gems!

You can hear my interview with Akiko and Ken on my website here: https://onthewineroad.us/freeman-winery/

09/07/2025

Hey fun seekers, September is California Wine Month! Events are happening all over the state. For grape-stomping, vineyard tours, lobster feeds, live music, and so much more, start at https://discovercaliforniawines.com and look for the interactive map. Discover which region and winery is offering your favorite activity! California Wines

Or register to attend the Sonoma County Wine Celebration. Pre-auction events are planned at venues around the county on Thursday, 9/18 & Friday the 19, with the annual wine auction on Saturday the 20th. It's Sonoma County’s largest fundraising event, which has already supported more than 430 nonprofits in Sonoma County. For details and to join in, visit https://winecelebration.sonomawine.com
Sonoma County Vintners

08/18/2025

I’m especially honored to share today’s podcast. Seven years ago, I met with Jasmine Hirsch for our first conversation. A lot has happened since then—but nothing as thrilling as Hirsch Vineyards being named one of the Top 30 Vineyards in the World by Wine Spectator! (Granted, Old Hill Ranch, To Kalon, Hyde, Mayacamas, and Monte Rosso, all within 65 miles of each other, also made the list - highlighting this incredible wine growing region).

You can see some photos and hear Jasmine describe their extraordinary vineyard by clicking the image below. The interview is also on your favorite podcast platform as On The Wine Road Podcast. Cheers!

Hirsch Vineyards has often been chosen one of the world's elite wineries. On this podcast, she shares details about what makes Hirsch Vineyards so distinctive.

07/27/2025

Occasionally, as wine lovers, we will choose unconventional pairings that amuse the palate and mind, such as a hot dog with sauerkraut, complemented by a 60th Anniversary Grateful Dead Gnarly Head Cabernet.

Cheers to my “Deadhead” wife, Meredith.

07/09/2025

What do Calistoga's Titus Vineyards, the iconic Chappellet winery, and Acumen of Napa Valley have in common? The same accomplished winemaker, Phillip Titus! Yet somehow he remains a jovial, easy-going guy.

Hear his story at OnTheWineRoad.com or Facebook.com/OnTheWineRoad.

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07/05/2025

It's about time for another podcast. I truly enjoyed recording this one with Phillip Titus of Titus Vineyards, Chappellet, and Acumen.
Phillip is a likeable winemaker whose exuberance is youthful, yet he has been in the business for a long time. As you'll hear, he's had a stellar career and recently added Acumen Napa Valley to his list of respected wineries. He helped plant his father's vineyard as a young teenager, entered the acclaimed wine and viticulture program at UC Davis at age 18, and has been making some of Napa's most sought-after wines since graduating. You'd likely expect him to have a swelling ego, but no, he's one of the most pleasant, easy-going guys you'd want to meet. He delves into his storied career and shares details of the iconic vineyards from which he makes wine for Acumen. To hear the interview click the image below or look for On The Wine Road Podcast on your favorite platform.

Phillip Titus has worked in the wine business since he was a young teenager. Now adding Acumen to the list he shares details about his stellar career.

05/29/2025

Our recent road trip took us to S. Oregon's Applegate Valley. I met up with winemaker Vince Vadrine to share details about this unique property. More photos can be seen at OnTheWineRoad.com.

05/22/2025

Recently, we spent 5 days in Cape Cod.

Image 1: The weather was fantastic, thankfully. (Better than Sonoma Co.!)

Image 2, 3 , & 4: I love the shingled houses on the Cape.

Image 5: Hey, if the sign is still accurate, why change it? (They love their history)

Image 6, 7 & 8: Churches are seemingly every mile and a half! The last one has the steeple lit in honor of my father-in-law, Carl. We were there for his memorial service. Touching. The family was in good spirits, sharing memories. Did we enjoy decent wine? Yep, my brother-in-law was a VP of wines sales during his career in Boston. :-}

05/17/2025

We went to Bordeaux this week. That is, I was invited to The Bordeaux Experience at TerraSF. It featured a wide selection of styles. One of my favorites was Chateau Carbonnieux, a Grand Cru from Pessac Graves. A fave of Thomas Jefferson, I read. Mer and I beat the crowd and had easy access to the reps and wines. A great way to spend a few hours on a Tuesday!Thanks to .