wineries

Tips For Visiting Wineries
Wine

5 Huge Misconceptions About Visiting Wineries

As a writer of food and drink, I have a pretty big blunder to admit.
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As a writer of food and drink, I have a pretty big blunder to admit. Though wine country is a mere hour away, I don't know the first thing about choosing a tasting room. On my last trip to wine country, I hit up three spots: one fantastic, another mediocre, and a third downright horrible.

If only I had known what I know now, after speaking with Tilar Mazzeo, the author of Back Lane Wineries of Napa and Back Lane Wineries of Sonoma, two helpful books that guide visitors to vineyards that are off the beaten track. After a lengthy discussion with her, I discovered that I've been approaching wine country all wrong. Not only that, but many of my perceptions about visiting wineries are completely incorrect.

Now that I'm much better equipped, I'm already plotting my next trip! Curious to know what mistakes you might be making? Read on.

A Picture Tour of Simi Winery in Healdsburg
Wine

A Tour of One of California's Oldest Wineries

Last weekend I was fortunate enough to head up to Healdsburg to check out Simi Winery.
by partysugar
A Picture Tour of Simi Winery in Healdsburg

Last weekend I was fortunate enough to head up to Healdsburg to check out Simi Winery. Founded in 1876, Simi is one of the state's oldest wineries and was one of only four to continue production during Prohibition. Although it was established by two Italian brothers, beginning in 1904, a female, Isabelle Simi, the daughter of one of the brothers, took control of the winery.

She is credited with starting the first tasting room in Sonoma County and continued working at the winery until she retired at age 99. Getting a tour of the winery is a fascinating lesson in local history. Here's an inside look at Simi.

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Meet Roshambo, A Winery Worth Tasting
Wine

Meet Roshambo, A Winery Worth Tasting

It's hard for a young, new drinker — who knows nothing about it — to get into tasting wine.
by partysugar
Meet Roshambo, A Winery Worth Tasting

It's hard for a young, new drinker — who knows nothing about it — to get into tasting wine. There are thousands of different types of wine and a special vocabulary to discuss it, not to mention how many wineries are pretentious, snobby, and rude to uninformed tasters. Luckily there are hip, fabulous wineries like Roshambo — my new favorite winery — that cater to this once overlooked demographic. Roshambo was founded on the "simple idea that serious wines became, well, a little too serious." Recently I had the chance to check out Roshambo's tasting room in Sonoma. To learn more about the wine, the tasting room, and their fun take on the stuffy industry, click the "Start" button.

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Cheers To Miner Wines
Wine

Cheers To Miner Wines

For my birthday I invited a small group of friends to join me for a wine tasting in Napa.
by partysugar

For my birthday I invited a small group of friends to join me for a wine tasting in Napa. We visited a few wineries, but our favorite was Miner family vineyards. The excellent PR girl had arranged a private tasting and tour, complete with a surprise birthday cake for yours truly! Our guide, the jovial and informative Jaime, began by giving us a sampling of the Miner Sauvignon Blanc and Rosato. Next we moved on to the Sangiovese and the Pinot Noir — both of which were outstanding. However the best wine was the limited edition Benedetto blend series. A smooth and bountiful red, this wine was like heaven in a glass. Jaime lead us through the wine making rooms and into the Miner caves. Nestled in the base of a small mountain, the caves hold thousands of aging barrels of wine. We sampled a 2006 Malbec which they plan on using to make their signature blends. Later he showed us the private cave dining room where we had an impromptu birthday party. If you are planning a trip to wine country, Miner winery is a MUST stop. If you won't be coming to California anytime in the near future seek out these wines at your local wine shop. Miner wines have been served at the White House so I can guarantee you will not be disappointed. To check out the entire gallery of images from my trip there, read more