Vietti 2011 Barbera D’Alba Tre Vigne The history and roots of the Vietti Winery dates back to the 19th Century, however the Vietti name was not used until the beginning of the 20th Century. In 1919, Mario Vietti made the first Vietti wines which were mainly distributed in Italy. Mario had a farm with other interests, however his love for wine enabled him to transform the family plantation into a grape growing and wine-producing business, and by 1952, under the guidance of Alfredo Currado (Luciana Vietti’s husband), was one of the top-level producers in Piemonte and one of the first wineries to export to the US market. The Vietti Winery…
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Bodegas Marqués de Murrieta Rioja Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial 2005 Bodegas Marqués de Murrieta was founded by Luciano Francisco Ramon de Murrieta in 1852. He spent his youth in Peru and then moved to London. In 1844, Luciano settled in Spain and decided to make wine. In 1878, he purchased the 300-hectares Ygay Estate in the Rioja Alta. Queen Isabel II made him Marquesado de Murrieta; and so the estate of Marqués de Murrieta was born. In 1983, Bodegas Marqués de Murrieta was sold to Vicente Cebrián-Sagarriga, Count of Creixell, the father of Vicente Dalmau Cebrián-Sagarriga. Today, Vicente’s son, Vicente Dalmau is in charge, with his sister Cristina, together…
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Calera 2011 Ryan Vineyards Pinot Noir Josh Jensen became a pioneer in search of the perfect spot on the globe to grow grapes. Taking his cue from the great domaines of Burgundy which have grown grapes in limestone soil for centuries, he set out in search of the perfect spot in California to create wines unique to the world but in the style of the greatest wines of France. Site selection was vital as he ventured off the grid to plant on the site of an old limekiln in the Gavilan Mountains of California. Today Calera Wines still express that pioneer spirit and are revered the world over. Located 90…
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Ruffino 2010 Tan Label Riserva Ducale Chianti Classico Ruffino has a long history and enjoys more than a century of fine winemaking in Tuscany. In 1870, two men (cousins) with a common dream founded Ruffino. Ilario and Leopoldo Ruffino laid the foundation for what was to become one of the most known and loved Italian wineries in the world. In the beginning, Ruffino sourced grapes and wine from the wine farmers of the area, which was then refined in the company cellars at Pontassieve. The meticulous attention to detail and the continuous search for quality which characterized the work of the two cousins formed the basis for the production philosophy…
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Cakebread Cellars 2012 Napa Chardonnay Cakebread Cellars was founded, in 1973, by Jack and Dolores Cakebread, has been famous for its warm, gracious hospitality and unmatched wines. Jack and Delores has an enduring commitment to quality, their belief is that life’s occasions are elevated by good people, good food, and good wine flows through everything they do. Sharing these tenets and their journey not only brings them great joy, but also gives them the motivation to always look to improve and take great pride in sharing their family with your family. In 2013, Cakebread Cellars celebrated their 40th harvest, and the second generation of winemaking, (Cakebreads now running the winery),…
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Hall 2010 Napa Valley Merlot Kathryn Walt Hall is the proprietor of Hall Wines and has been involved in the California wine industry since her family first purchased a vineyard thirty years ago. She has had a distinguished career as a successful businesswoman, community activist, and most recently as the United States Ambassador to Austria. Kathryn Hall and her family have been grape growers in Mendocino County since 1972. The Walt family owns 63 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon, Gamay, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc in the Redwood Valley and has sold their grapes to such wineries as Fetzer, Parducci and Beringer. Kathryn managed the family vineyard from 1982 to…
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Crognolo 2011 Tenuta Sette Ponti In the land of Sangiovese and Chianti rises Tenuta Sette Ponti, not far from the historic town of Arezzo, nestled in a picturesque rural landscape, crossed by the river Oreno, the estate received its name from Antonio F. Moretti, who wanted to pay homage to the so-called Road Sette Ponti (Seven Bridges), which connects the banks of the River Arno between Florence and Arezzo. “You can’t live only of wine”: this could be the motto of Antonio Moretti, who knows how, in the history and Italian culture, there is more than a fruit to harvest. Not surprisingly, the timeless beauty of the landscape has found…
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Damilano 2009 Barolo Lecinquevigne The Damilano Wine Company, one of the oldest wineries in Barolo, dates back to 1890 when Giuseppe Borgogno, the great grandfather of the current owners, began to vinify his own estate. The town of Barolo resides in the lavish and beautiful Langhe region, which basically produce Nebbiolo wines, including Barolo. Barolo, known as the “king of wines”, because of the uniqueness of the Nebbiolo grape and its balance of acidity and tannins combined with remarkable flavor and delicacy. Damilano produces wines that are celebrated for their unmatched style and the tradition is carried on by Paolo, Mario and Guido Damilano, the fourth generation. Together they have…
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Penner-Ash 2011 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir Penner-Ash Wine Cellars embodies the spirit and passion of a small producer focusing on Pinot Noir in the northern Willamette Valley, Oregon. After working for some of Napa’s premier wineries and Rex Hill Vineyards in Oregon, winemaker Lynn Penner-Ash and her husband, Ron, started Penner-Ash Wine Cellars in 1998. In the winery, the focus is on small-lot indigenous yeast fermentation with extended cold soaks to extract a rich, fruit-focused, textured mouth feel. Each lot is treated individually and depending on the outcome, either blended into their reserve quality Willamette Valley Pinot Noir or bottled separately as a vineyard designate. The Penner-Ash Winery was completed…
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Fess Parker Sta. Rita Hills 2011 Ashley’s Chardonnay Family run winery established in 1989 by the late Fess Parker. Fess is best known for his portrayal of the frontiersmen Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone during the 1950’s and 1960’s and made him a legion among millions of adoring fans. Fess Parker was originally from Texas, attended the University of Texas and did a tour of duty with the U.S. Navy during WWII and moved to California in the 1950’s and began acting. After his acting career was winding down, Fess, in 1986, opened a resort hotel in Santa Barbara on 23 ocean front acres. In 1989 Fess’ next adventure lured…