She said, “If anyone can write about Foppiano Vineyards, Jo, you can.” This was said to me by my friend Lorraine Raguseo, who’s now part of their team through Quintessential Wines. And, she’s right. At this point in time, besides the family, I believe she’s right. [PHOTO: Foppiano Vineyards, all rights reserved.] BEFORE – 1896 […] The post Foppiano: Before, During, After, and Today ~ Mastering the World of Wine first appeared on Wine Blog ..read more

Kerry Damskey, of Terroirs, Inc. [PHOTO: property of Damskey, Inc. All rights reserved.] Indiana Jones of Wine… Making Gold from Dust! I personally love adventure. I love travel. I love being brave to the point of fearlessness; even sometimes in what I love writing. This is evidenced by my first wine-blog dare: Everyone Has a […] The post When I think of Extraordinary Wine Careers, I think of the affable Kerry Damskey first appeared on Wine Blog ..read more

SIGNIFICANT ROOTS Reshaping one’s life is very empowering. Travel does it to us. As you know, America is such a melting pot, and having that opportunity to visit one’s native DNA land is very special. [Native Americans were the first people to migrate here, crossing the Bering Strait as early as 30,000 years ago.] So, […] The post Robert (Bob) Pepi: Series Devoted to Decades in Wine first appeared on Wine Blog ..read more

When is there never a special, or non-special, time for Champagne? Winesellars Ltd. just sent this to me, “It’s time to start drinking Champagne—all the time.”  I left them in the dust on this one a l-o-n-g time ago, like any of our 365 days in the year, I’m on it. But, I do know […] The post The Most Special Time for Champagne ~ That’s a joke, right? first appeared on Wine Blog ..read more

One of the best places in California for studying and scientifically understanding the wine industry is UC Davis. I’m not sure when you realized that global warming was a true warning. I heard it in the 60s and began to do my part. It’s been a somewhat lonely road, quite honestly, but I am thankful […] The post Global Climate is Shifting: UC Davis Discussion Invites You to Understand the Impact on Grape Growing first appeared on Wine Blog ..read more

Let’s just say, I have stories I can tell and some I can’t. It would rock the wine world with disclosures. So, yes, from a personal perspective it exists. I have a blended marriage, I married the love and light of my life, who also happens to be Puerto Rican. Our love is quite private, […] The post Addressing Racism in Wine ~ From a Unique Perspective first appeared on Wine Blog ..read more

A piece of my heart was deliberately left in Chianti Country, during a visit to Tuscany, with the Bluest Sky Import Group. A life-altering education, every time I’ve headed out to “be there,” smell the terroir, feel the earth, see the vines, taste the wines, and ask questions (even if some sound like I just […] The post Wine of the Week ~ Chianti 2018 DOCG Renzo Masi & C. Rufina, Italy first appeared on Wine Blog ..read more

Lucas & Lewellen sustainably crafted is just so fine is not an overstatement, it’s what I’ve experienced and happy to write about it. First, I got the wine. Next, I tasted it, and found it to be really lovely. The elements of femininity really shined through. Then I discovered Lucas & Lewellen has a female […] The post Lucas & Lewellen Sustainably Crafted is Just So Fine ~ An Interview with Mike Lewellen first appeared on Wine Blog ..read more

[PHOTO: Kerry Damskey’s image of the Costa Rica property.] Kerry Damskey is the proprietor of Terriors, Inc., which couldn’t be a more appropriate name for what he’s doing. From his Website declaration: With over 30 years experience, Kerry Damskey has created the first fully integrated and holistic wine consulting team in the wine business, applying […] The post Episode 4 – Kerry Damskey – Winemaking in Costa Rica first appeared on Wine Blog ..read more

From a time of great success, in his 40’s, Kerry Damskey hit his own personal ceiling goals, as a winemaker and then as a consultant. For some, it’s called a mid-life crisis. For others, it’s a time to further bloom, and that what happens next. (Consider, Robert Mondavi started Robert Mondavi in his 50s, for […] The post Episode 2 ~ Kerry Damskey Talks About Making Wine in India first appeared on Wine Blog ..read more