Reviews of wines and spirits for the curious drinker.
Simon Creek American Viognier NV Wisconsin native Thomas J. (Tim) Lawrie had a 26-year career in the U.S. Army, including two tours in Vietnam as a combat officer, and was awarded the Purple Heart. He served as an Army Infantry Airborne soldier before finally retiring with the rank of Colonel. After which, he was almost …
Simon Creek American Tempranillo NV Wisconsin native Thomas J. (Tim) Lawrie had a 26-year career in the U.S. Army, including two tours in Vietnam as a combat officer, and was awarded the Purple Heart. He served as an Army Infantry Airborne soldier before finally retiring with the rank of Colonel. After which, he was almost …
Simon Creek Winery Wisconsin native Thomas J. (Tim) Lawrie had a 26-year career in the U.S. Army, including two tours in Vietnam as a combat officer, and was awarded the Purple Heart. He served as an Army Infantry Airborne soldier before finally retiring with the rank of Colonel. After which, he was almost universally referred …
Lautenbach Old Barn Red Lautenbach’s Market, Winery & Cider Co. is one of the older surviving wineries in Door County, Wisconsin, but it really makes more sense when you think of it as a working Door County fruit farm that evolved into a winery, rather than a conventional winery that later planted an orchard.
Helioterra Wines Helioterra Wines Door County is the project of Anne Ebenreiter Hubatch, a Wisconsin native who grew up in Sheboygan, studied geology and environmental studies at UW–Madison, and then moved west. She spent roughly a decade learning winemaking with some significant Oregon names, including Eric Hamacher, David Adelsheim, Dave Paige, Joe Dobbes and Alfredo …
Parallel 44 Red Blend 2018 The story of Parallel 44 Vineyard & Winery began in 2005, when husband and wife team Steve Johnson and Maria Milano planted their first grape vines. Steve grew up in Green Bay, where his father Carl experimented early on with growing grapes. Maria grew up in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, where …
Parallel 44 Salve The story of Parallel 44 Vineyard & Winery began in 2005, when husband and wife team Steve Johnson and Maria Milano planted their first grape vines. Steve grew up in Green Bay, where his father Carl experimented early on with growing grapes. Maria grew up in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, where her Italian-born …
Parallel 44 Vintner’s Reserve The story of Parallel 44 Vineyard & Winery began in 2005, when husband and wife team Steve Johnson and Maria Milano planted their first grape vines. Steve grew up in Green Bay, where his father Carl experimented early on with growing grapes. Maria grew up in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, where her …
Parallel 44 La Crescent NV The story of Parallel 44 Vineyard & Winery began in 2005, when husband and wife team Steve Johnson and Maria Milano planted their first grape vines. Steve grew up in Green Bay, where his father Carl experimented early on with growing grapes. Maria grew up in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, where …
Parallel 44 Winery The story of Parallel 44 Vineyard & Winery began in 2005, when husband and wife team Steve Johnson and Maria Milano planted their first grape vines. Steve grew up in Green Bay, where his father Carl experimented early on with growing grapes. Maria grew up in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, where her Italian-born …
Note: This isn’t really a blog post, but rather a long-form essay. California Wine History If you would prefer a printed copy for reading, click here for the PDF. For an edited “Reader’s Digest” version of this essay that is about half as long, the PDF is here. TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction Spanish Colonization The …