Where to eat and drink in Sonoma County
Sommelier Courtney Humiston is your guide...
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New Zinfandel film debuts in Napa
A new film tracking the journey of Zinfandel from its Croatian roots to its status as a signature grape variety of California has debuted at a packed screening in the US state.
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California 2013 vintage set to equal heights of 2012
California is heading for another strong vintage in 2013, according to producers, but some are concerned about tank capacity as the harvest draws to a close.
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New AVAs won't confuse consumers, insist winemakers
Wine producers in the newly-created American Viticultural Areas of Moon Mountain and Ballard Canyon have insisted the new sub-appellations will help consumers, not confuse them.
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Paso Robles AVA producers apply to form sub-appellations
Winemakers in California's Paso Robles have applied to split the American Viticultural Area into 11 new sub-appellations to highlight its diversity to consumers.
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Duckhorn acquires Hopland winemaking facility
Duckhorn Wine Company has acquired a 76,000 square foot winemaking facility and 32 acres of vineyards in the Mendocino town of Hopland.
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Stag's Leap Wine Cellars unveil $7m design for new visitor centre
Stag's Leap Wine Cellars in Napa Valley unveiled the design for a new visitor centre that's been 10 years in the making at a ceremony held at the estate this week.
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Former Screaming Eagle co-owner to open Santa Barbara County boutique hotel and restaurant
The former co-owner of Screaming Eagle, Charles Banks, is increasing wine tourism in California's Santa Barbara County with the opening of a new restaurant and boutique hotel in the Central Coast town of Los Olivos.
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To Kalon vineyard renamed in honour of Robert Mondavi
Robert Mondavi Winery has renamed a block of the renowned To Kalon vineyard 'Robert's Block' in honour of the late patriarch in his centenary year.
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Napa Valley to replant up to 15% of vineyards
A massive replanting that will uproot 15% of vineyards in Napa Valley over the next five to six years has begun, according to Napa Valley Grapegrowers.
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'Napa Pipe' redevelopment to encourage urban wineries
A new development in the City of Napa may encourage 'wine ghettoes' where small-scale wineries can pool resources, officials say.
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Sonoma producers protest new labelling law
Small producers in Sonoma County are angered by new legislation requiring them to label their wines Sonoma County even if they are part of specific sub-appellations.
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Second El Bulli auction brings total to $2.7m
The second auction of more than 8,000 bottles from El Bulli’s wine cellar has taken place in New York, bringing the total raised from the two auctions to US$2.7m.
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Interview: Bo Barrett of Chateau Montelena
In March 2013 James L Barrett, the founder of Napa Valley’s Chateau Montelena, died at the age of 86. His son Bo, who has been the winemaker since 1982 and is now CEO, talked to Courtney Humiston for Decanter.com over the course of two lengthy interviews, once in December 2012 and one shortly after his father’s death, about founding the historic property, the evolving style of California Chardonnay – and the professional and family tensions that nearly led to Montelena being sold to Cos d’Estournel.
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Paul Draper honoured as 'Winemakers' Winemaker'
Paul Draper, the chief winemaker for Ridge Vineyards in California since 1969, was awarded the Institute of Masters of Wine's prestigious Winemakers’ Winemaker Award at a ceremony held at ProWein in Düsseldorf on Monday evening.
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Coppola buys Geyser Peak
Francis Ford Coppola Winery in Sonoma announced last Monday that it has purchased Geyser Peak Winery in Geyserville.
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Jim Barrett of Chateau Montelena dies
James L Barrett, founder of Napa Valley's Chateau Montelena, has died at the age of 86 - 'of a life well lived', as his son Bo said.
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'Consumers will win' as record California vintage announced
The 2012 harvest in California is a record both in terms of grapes crushed and the prices paid for grapes, resulting in what one consultant called ‘a fantastic market for consumers’.
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US imports: Argentina drops for first time in 11 years
Bottled imports from Argentina were down in 2012 after 11 years of consistent growth.
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Sonoma's Ledson buys Moon Mountain land
Sonoma producer Steve Ledson has bought 53ha in Sonoma Valley’s Moon Mountain, a region that is currently being considered for official AVA status.
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US consumers 'confused' by multiple Sonoma AVAs
Sonoma Valley has announced the launch of a new campaign to differentiate the region from the larger Sonoma Coast and even larger Sonoma County AVA.
