…and the next generation of talent poised to usher in a post-COVID-19 era in Sonoma K E Y M = Marimar Torres C = Cristina Torres ** B O N U S ** Flat $5 shipping discount code to all states provided at the end I N T R O D U C T I O N Blonde Tasting had the pleasure of speaking and sitting down with Marimar Torres and her daughter Cristina Torres. Our conversations began in December of 2019, the day after a jubilant holiday party. We chatted about their family’s prestigious history in wine, the origins of Marimar Estate, and Cristina joining forces with her mother. As 2020 progressed and the w ..read more

Spoiler Alert: It is for me! A D Y S T O P I A N W I N E C O U N T R Y Imagine you’re driving through rolling hills meticulously lined with vineyards. The sun is playing hide and seek behind the clouds, and it’s that perfect temperature when you don’t even notice the weather. There aren’t many cars on the road, or people out and about, which makes the drive rather tranquil. Just you and the catharsis of nature. However, when you pull into your destination’s parking lot you notice that it’s deserted, and your arrival creates a dust cloud that keeps drifting along. The sound of your car door sh ..read more

Let's break down what wine tastes like on your palate and the wine terminology you can use to communicate with others. Here is an overview and guide to wine tasting for curious beginners and avid wine enthusiasts alike looking to hone their wine tasting skills. There are 9 wine categories to discern when you’re swirling the liquid goodness around in your mouth. This is called assessing the palate of the wine, because you are analyzing it with your mouth. The first five categories are the cornerstones: sweetness, acidity, tannin, alcohol and body. Understanding these components of wine while ..read more

We all love wine, but how often do you wonder what and who is behind that delicious bottle you’re enjoying? Blonde Tasting had a chance to sit down with Chad Melville, Head Winegrower at Melville Winery in Lompoc, California, to learn about his experience growing up in a wine family, venturing out as an entrepreneur, and ultimately taking the reins at Melville. BT: So, what was it like growing up in a wine family? CM: When you’re really young, you just assume that everyone is in a wine family, but as you get older, you realize that it is unique. For me, normal was growing up with a sense that ..read more

Check out the 30 best warm-weather wines to enjoy this summer with commentary on the grapes, the regions to look for and what to expect in your glass. It's the first day of summer, and you are already getting invites for pool parties and barbecues. The obvious next question is what wine you should bring. Wait, is wine even an option in the heat of summer? Fear not! Here are 30 wines perfect for warm weather, including red (yes, red), white and rosé. Now you can be prepared for any occasion and you won't have to panic when your friend asks you to bring over a bottle of wine and says, "Oh, anyt ..read more

The grape that is higher maintenance than me... Pinot Noir perennially makes the top 10 most popular wine grape varietals in the world, and it knows it. Coming in as the 9th most planted wine grape with 112,000 hectares globally¹, and trending upward, this is a major player. It is, however, one of the most finicky varietals to grow and make. Pinot Noir is kind of like an adolescent girl...volatile, sneaky, extremely picky, and does not usually play nicely with others. It's a free spirit and doesn't take anyone's bs. Thankfully, with lots of patience and love, it can blossom into something tru ..read more

A Pinot House that knows what's up... Have you ever had an amazing day wine tasting with friends and thought the wine club membership sounded like a great idea? They all sound like a good idea when you are overlooking idyllic vineyard terrain, nibbling on charcuterie and laughing at your slightly inebriated friend's jokes. Then you get home and a month or two later get a shipment with a heftier price tag than you recall, but excitedly open a bottle expecting to relive that magical weekend and alas... not the same. Well, that did NOT happen to us with #Saintsbury. Ok, the first part of the sto ..read more

Come take a trip with me as I revisit my meal at The Restaurant at Meadowood... My husband planned a lavish weekend in Napa Valley, CA to celebrate my 30th birthday. It was over-the-top. Full of farm-to-table cuisine, elaborate wine tastings, hiking Lake Berryessa, lounging at the pool at Bardessono and even dining at my very first three Michelin star rated restaurant, which was going to be the icing on the cake. Being awarded Michelin stars is one of, if not the, highest distinctions for a restaurant. This is both a huge honor to the chef and entire team working there, as well as a helpful g ..read more

Spoiler Alert: It is for me! A D Y S T O P I A N W I N E C O U N T R Y Imagine you’re driving through rolling hills meticulously lined with vineyards. The sun is playing hide and seek behind the clouds, and it’s that perfect temperature when you don’t even notice the weather. There aren’t many cars on the road, or people out and about, which makes the drive rather tranquil. Just you and the catharsis of nature. However, when you pull into your destination’s parking lot you notice that it’s deserted, and your arrival creates a dust cloud that keeps drifting along. The sound of your car door sh ..read more

Let's break down what wine tastes like on your palate and the wine terminology you can use to communicate with others. Here is an overview and guide to wine tasting for curious beginners and avid wine enthusiasts alike looking to hone their wine tasting skills. There are 9 wine categories to discern when you’re swirling the liquid goodness around in your mouth. This is called assessing the palate of the wine, because you are analyzing it with your mouth. The first five categories are the cornerstones: sweetness, acidity, tannin, alcohol and body. Understanding these components of wine while ..read more