Andrew Cates’ Post

Beyond Napa in great North Coast The North Coast AVA is one of the most important regions in California with the most famous appellations and above that we also have the Far North. But if we look beyond Napa and Sonoma Valley, we see even more appellations in the North Coast that can be described as great. What you encounter here is real passion for grapes, resulting in incredibly good wines that can compete with the world class from France. As we often see in America, the appellations follow the borders of the counties. The North Coast has six appellations north of beautiful Napa. To the northwest is Mendocino with Lake County to the east. Below Mendocino we find Sonoma County with Napa County to the east. Solano County is located in the far southeast of Napa. Finally, northwest of the famous Golden Gate Bridge lies Marin County. However, here we do not find separate sub-appellations. Given its location, it is not surprising that Mendocino has the same wine style as its southern sister Sonoma. While Lake County has the same wine style as Napa. Elegance and organic wines from Mendocino county Traditionally, wines from Mendocino County were only consumed locally. However, thanks to modern distribution options, the rest of the world can also enjoy these wines. Mendocino County stretches across several narrow valleys and has one of the most rugged, unspoiled coastlines in California. It is striking that the general appellation, Mendocino AVA, does not apply to the entire county. It is one of the largest wine regions in California, but in terms of plantings it is anything but. Most vineyards are found in the south of the county. https://lnkd.in/eCMiRf2j #wine #winelover #wijn #wijnliefhebber #wset

We are lucky to live in (comparatively) close proximity to Central Otago, affording us the privilege of knowing winemakers, winegrowers and experts in the region, which has fruitfully provided us with the newest addition to our Dhall & Nash stable, Grasshopper Rock. Learn about the wine that Bob Campbell MW is calling "One of Central Otago’s most consistently top pinot noirs," here on our introductory blog; https://lnkd.in/gS9pGdb7

Our Vineyard Partners are selected very carefully! We prefer extreme character within an appellation; location, soil, aspect, elevation and personality. Philosophical alignment is paramount, as our growers must also be dedicated to creating top quality, unique, delicious, exquisite wines. We spend a lot of time in these vineyards with our growers, in fact we have a “half day rule” – we only work with vineyards with a proximity wherein we can leave the winery in Sonoma, drive to the vineyard, spend meaningful time, and get back to the winery within half a day. Otherwise we simply would not be able to go often enough. Our objectives are to guide beautifully grown Pinot Noir grapes from these various single vineyards into the bottle; to express their individuality – we want all our wines to be different from each other; like children, with a thread of commonality but with very different personalities. Appellations: Los Carneros, Russian River Valley, Sonoma Coast, Green Valley of Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, Sonoma Mountain, Napa Valley, Yorkville Highlands, Bennett Valley

The Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon 2018, a pinnacle Napa Valley icon, delivered a remarkable 𝟑𝟒.𝟐% 𝐑𝐎𝐈 for our clients in just 2.5 years!⁠ ⁠ This translates to an impressive 𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝟏𝟑.𝟕%.⁠ ⁠ But Screaming Eagle isn't just about financial strength; it's a legendary wine crafted by a highly sought-after producer.⁠ ⁠ Sourced from a meticulously maintained vineyard in Oakville, Napa Valley, this Cabernet Sauvignon is renowned for its deep concentration, opulent fruit character, and remarkable aging potential.⁠ ⁠ 𝑰𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒏 𝒂𝒅𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒔 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒇𝒐𝒍𝒊𝒐? Let us help you navigate the world of wine investment and discover hidden gems with exceptional ROI potential.⁠ ⁠ At Accru, we believe everyone should have access to this exciting asset class. ⁠ ⁠ 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞'𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐮𝐬 𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭:⁠ ⁠ 𝐒𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡: Hassle-free wine investment with complete transparency and control using our custom built platform.⁠ ⁠ 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭 𝐆𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞: We craft personalized portfolios based on your risk tolerance, time horizon and goals.⁠ ⁠ 𝐒𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭: We handle secure storage and insurance, so you can focus on growth.⁠ ⁠ #Accru #screamingeaglewine #napavalleywine⁠ ⁠ #screamingeagleaglewinery #napavalley #napavalleywinetrain #napavalleywines #napavalleywinery #cabernetsauvignon #cabernetsauvignon🍷 #cabernetsauvignonwine #alternative #assets #wineinvestment #wineinvestments⁠ ⁠

Twelve Important “New” Canadian Wineries 2023 By David Lawrason Dobbin Estate, Twenty Mile Bench, Ont. This super-premium Niagara winery has an impressive tasting room in a tower that models its lofty aspirations. The Dobbin family purchased the unique vineyard in 2018. With south- and north-facing slopes sloping into a very large pond, the site was geologically varied enough to ping the radar of Niagara consultants Peter Gamble and Ann Sperling. They started with a replanting to Niagara’s core varieties like riesling, chardonnay, pinot noir and cabernet franc. But it is not as simple as replanting. They are deep into rootstocks, clones and other viticultural minutiae that build options that can respond to Niagara’s becoming infamous vintage variation and create complexity and texture. And likewise, that is what these wines are all about. Whether masterful riesling, luxe chardonnay, energized pinot noir or the delicious soon-to-be-replaced cabernet blend, the wines are all subtlety, depth, textural grace, richness and elegance. With my scores in the mid-90s for complexity and finesse, registering their success. Tastings in the tower tasting room — set amid classical European gardens overlooking the pond — are by appointment.Website: dobbinestate.com https://lnkd.in/gXRB8V7Z

NAPA’S NEW CRYSTAL SPRINGS AVA APPROVED Crystal Springs of Napa Valley AVA becomes the 18th official appellation for the prestigious wine region. The new AVA slots into the hilly area in a northwestern region of Napa Valley between the St Helena, Calistoga and Howell Mountain AVAs. Crystal Springs of Napa Valley has officially been named an American Viticulture Area (AVA), a designation denoting region-specific appellation labelling that can appear on American wines. Steven Burgess, the former owner of Burgess Cellars, who has historically had contentious relationships with residents and his former winery’s new ownership, spearheaded efforts to create the Crystal Springs appellation. While this marks the first official Napa Valley appellation since the adoption of the Coombsville AVA in 2011, some contest that it may continue a trend of consumer confusion across California’s wines and regions. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eqVAfKc7 By April Louis, Decanter #crystalsprings #napavalley #ava #americanviticulturearea #appellation #wineregion #americanwines #wine #usa

Part 1 ⁠ ⁠ Is Domaine Leroy the most polarising of all the Domaines of Burgundy?⁠ ⁠ I think so...⁠ ⁠ I admire Madame Bize-Leroy for her tenacity and determination in pursuing her desire to handcraft what she considers the "world's best" and the most terroir-amplified wines.⁠ ⁠ Biodynamic viticulture with punishingly low yield is reduced by about 50% from what is allowed in the vineyard and the winery. Domaine Leroy's high-trellised vineyards are easy to spot and look healthier and brighter than their peers.⁠ ⁠ With such a dramatic yield reduction, you are helping the vines to ripen, and the flavours become amplified and more prosperous; however, in doing so, the terroir signature becomes less apparent.⁠ ⁠ When drinking wines from Domaine Leroy, I often wonder if Burgundy terroir is strong enough to reveal itself, and more often than not, the answer is yes. However, the stylistic imprint is strong. They are unique, unlike any other Burgundy I have tasted.⁠ ⁠ More ranting to follow in the next post; see the description of 1996 Clos de la Roche Grand Cru, Domaine Leroy, in the comments.⁠ ⁠ #DomaineLeroy⁠ #ClosdelaRoche⁠ #1996Vintage⁠ #BurgundyWine⁠ #FineWine⁠ #WineLovers⁠ #WineTime⁠ #WineTasting⁠

Despite the Ahr’s recent attention in the media, Germany's tiny winegrowing valley still remains a place of mystery. Difficult to locate, impossible to define. And even among umlaut-wine lovers and professionals, a place far too few have visited. With only 529 hectares of vines, this stunning region of contrasts is one of the country’s smallest. Yet its steep slate volcanic slate slopes more than make-up in drama for what it lacks in size. It counts among Germany’s most northern winegrowing regions, yet 80% of its vineyards is planted to red grapes. Spätburgunder (aka Pinot Noir) makes up 65% of the plantings. And in a further twist one of the this Pinot paradise’s most well known specialties is a white wine, Blanc de Noir, or as winemaker Julia Bertram calls it, “the very soul of Spätburgunder.” On average, the region gets 535 more hours of sunshine than it did in 1951 and is 1.3 degrees celsius higher, yet the current generation of winemakers is actively working toward reducing extraction, seeking out shade, and embracing the smoky coolness of their slate-grown Pinot. Interested in learning more? Visit the bio link and type "ahr" into the search bar to learn even more!

Please read my latest feature article for Mark Oldman at Bevinars: several interesting facts about Opus One Winery LLC https://lnkd.in/eVpiquqH #winelovers #winebusiness #wineclasses