Sauternes is the famous French appellation that is home to some of the greatest sweet wines in the world, and to which it is largely dedicated. It lies within the Graves district of the Bordeaux region.
The wine of the same name is made primarily of Sémillon, but smaller amounts of Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle are often included. The unique characteristic of Sauternes is that in years with just the right conditions, including cool, foggy mornings and dry, sunny afternoons, the grapes are plagued with Botrytis Cinerea, or Noble Rot. This beneficial mold causes the grapes to shrivel, driving out water and leaving the fruit rich and loaded with sugar. Winemakers must have a clear understanding of this phenomenon, as only the grapes that have been perfectly concentrated by the Botrytis will be picked, one by one. It is very much a risky, hit-or-miss proposition, subject to many variables of weather and harvest. Because of this, Sauternes’ are not made every year and are always expensive.
Alvear is the oldest bodega in Montilla-Moriles (Córdoba, Andalucía) and among Spain’s oldest wineries.
Juan Bautista García de Alvear y Garnica was born in Nájera in 1657. He grew up to become mayor of the ‘Noble Kingdom of Nájera’ and the Royal Tax Collector. His son Diego de Alvear y Escalera founded the family wine business.
In 1729, Diego constructed the Alvear bodega in Montilla. The bodega was regarded as somewhat small and obscure at the time, yet this reduced space, given over to wine butts and amphorae, was to become Diego’s most intimate universe.
Over time, Diego became one of the most important land-owners in the city. Together with his son, Santiago, he took the bodega to unprecedented heights, never before imagined in Montilla, when he won a contract to ship wine to England in the late 18th century.
Santiago’s son, Diego de Alvear y Ponce de León [1749 – 1830], was a military man and politician as well as being involved in the winery. He procured an assistant from Argentina, Capataz Billanueva, who would eventually become his right-hand-man.
Chuck Hope and his wife Marlyn came to Paso Robles in California’s Central Coast in 1978 to farm, and eventually to start what would become Hope Family Wines. This early arrival put them on the forefront of the Central Coast becoming a world-class viticultural region. Initially, the Hopes planted apples and grapes in this then sparsely-populated area. Seeing the property’s potential for grape growing, Hope eventually replanted the apple orchards with grapes.
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, the Hope family grew grapes for various wine producers. In the 1980s, the Wagner family, owners of Napa Valley’s Caymus Vineyards, turned to the Hope family to source Cabernet Sauvignon grapes for their Liberty School label. Thus began a long-lasting partnership between the two families.
Since that beginning, in Paso Robles specifically and throughout the region generally, Hope Family Wines has built long-standing relationships with over 50 growers. They coordinate with farmers to carefully limit crop yields to ensure concentrated flavors.
Let’s be clear up front: this is a post about the Stags’ Leap winery in Napa, California, not the Stag’s Leap Winery in Napa, California. Whaaaat?
See that little apostrophe? Stag‘s Leap is the famous producer that shocked the wine world when they won the 1976 Judgement of Paris for their Cabernet Sauvignon. Stags‘ Leap is less well known, but considerably older. The similarity has caused confusion for decades, and it even led to a famous lawsuit.*
The Stags’ Leap estate was first worked when grapes were planted in 1872 by the “Grigsby family,” about whom there are no surviving details. 13 years later, the land was sold to W.W. Thompson and H.H. Harris. The next year, Harris conveyed his interest in the property to Thompson’s nephew, Horace Blanchard Chase. In 1893 Chase established a winery there. By the late 1890s it was producing wine commercially and became known for its picturesque setting.
The estate was purchased by Clarence and Frances Grange in 1913, who were prominent members of San Francisco society. The Granges wanted to have a country home in Napa so that they could entertain their socialite friends. The Granges occupied the Manor House until 1956. Although they did not make wine, the vineyards remained in production.
Wollersheim Winery is located on a scenic hillside overlooking the the Wisconsin River, across from Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin, about 30 miles northwest of Madison. In addition to the winery, the property now includes a distillery and a bistro.
Wollersheim is considered one of the more established wineries in Wisconsin, and is known for producing both wine and distilled spirits on site.
The Winery
The vineyards were first planted by Agoston Haraszthy (a Hungarian nobleman) in the 1840s. However, finding Wisconsin winters too inhospitable for what he wanted to do. Haraszthy left the state in December of 1849, and headed west. He brought close to 100,000 grapevine cuttings from Europe, (predictably, mostly vines from Hungary) to Sonoma, California, in 1852, the introduction of the first European vines and grape varieties to California. He then founded the first commercial winery in California, Buena Vista Winery, in 1857, and went on to be known as “The father of California viticulture.”
Agoston Haraszthy
Following Haraszthy, German immigrant Peter Kehl took over. He planted American grape species better suited to the cold climate, and built a winery in 1876. In the late 1800s, Kehl’s son Jacob made brandy as well as wine, mostly used to fortify some of the wines, much like Port, rather than as a stand-alone spirit. But after Jacob’s death in 1899 and a difficult winter, the vineyard/winery operations ceased, and it reverted to a conventional farm.
Peter Kehl
In 1972, Robert and JoAnn Wollersheim purchased the property from a Kehl’s great-grandson, and began restoring it as a working winery. The property was added to the National Register of Historic Places as “Kehl Winery” in 1976.
Philippe Coquard, from the Beaujolais region of France, arrived at Wollersheim in 1984 as part of an agriculture exchange. A year later he became the winemaker. He later married Julie Wollersheim, the daughter of Robert and JoAnn, and continues to co-own and operate the facility.
In addition to being a wine blogger, I am also an amateur chef with advanced skills. All of my friends have fond nostalgic memories of mac & cheese which they enjoyed while growing up. However, I have never had mac &cheese, but finally wanted to try it. I decided that the Blue Box wouldn’t do, so I asked my pal Chat GPT for a recipe that captures their enthusiasm, but that would appeal to my adult tastes. Here’s what Chat came up with:
Serves 4 | Prep time: 40 mins | Bake time: 25 mins
Walson Holland is a small winery nestled in the Ojai Valley of Southern California. it was founded in 2018 by winemaker Benjamin (“Benny”) Holland, a seasoned winemaker, and Jonas Svensson, an Ojai-based vineyard owner.
Benjamin Holland began his career by interning at Kosta Browne in 2016, then worked harvest in Central Otago’s Amisfield in New Zealand, and later interned at the prestigious cult winery Sine Qua Non in California. There, he honed the meticulous craft and precision that now define Walson Holland’s style.
The first vintage began with modest scale: in 2018 they produced roughly 600 cases in an Oxnard warehouse, sourced from vineyard sites across California’s Central Coast—Sta. Rita Hills, Ballard Canyon, Alisos Canyon, Happy Canyon, the Santa Ynez Valley, and Edna Valley. Production then grew steadily, reaching around 800 to 1500 cases by 2022.
As early as 2021, the Santa Barbara Independent featured them, celebrating their Rhône-style blends, field blend approach, and urban tasting room.[Now closed, from what I could determine. The wines are currently sold in a handful of California wine shops, and on an allocation basis on their Web site.]
From the start, the winery has specialized in Rhône‑style blends—including both whites and reds—and also single‑varietal Pinot Noir and Grenache. Their wines have garnered attention from critics including California Wine Advisors and The Wine Independent, with glowing early reviews for their 2018 Grenache and later vintages. Continue reading “Walson Holland Mélange Rouge 2018”
In 1978 Gary and Nancy Andrus founded Pine Ridge Vineyards on roughly 50 acres in Napa’s famous Stags Leap District, planting Cabernet Sauvignon on steep, terraced hillsides set among pine‑lined ridges. Tom Cottrell became the first winemaker.
Inspired by the wines of Bordeaux, the Andrus’ aimed to craft powerful yet elegant red wines—thus beginning Pine Ridge’s signature style.
Over time, the estate expanded to around 160 acres across five premier AVAs: Stags Leap District, Howell Mountain, Oakville, Rutherford, and Carneros.
They diversified their portfolio beyond Cabernet, including Merlot, Petite Verdot, Chardonnay, and a distinctive Rhône‑style Chenin Blanc + Viognier blend.
In 1993 Andrus expanded into Oregon, founding Archery Summit.
Today, the winery is owned by Crimson Wine Group, which purchased it in 2000. Nine years later, Gary Andrus passed away.
Josh Widaman
Josh Widaman is currently the estate winemaker. Widaman has produced 90+ ratings on over 90% of all wines made in his career, including Wine Spectator’s #1 Wine of the Year in 2016 with Lewis Cellars.
“My path to winemaking started with a wine that left a lasting impression [a 1997 Pahlmeyer Merlot] that I use as inspiration in every wine I create,” Widaman emphasizes.
Disclaimer: I’ve been a member of the Clos Pegase wine club for years, so this post is hardly impartial.
Clos Pegase was founded by the late Jan Shrem in 1983 on a 50-acre vineyard near Calistoga in Napa Valley. He was born in Colombia in 1930 to Jewish-Lebanese parents, and spent his childhood in Jerusalem and his early adolescence back in Colombia.
A romance with a Japanese woman named Mitsuko led him to Japan, where they were married in 1960. They stayed 13 years, and during that time Shrem established a book distribution company that sold English-language encyclopedias, and books on engineering and art.
After Shrem sold this operation, he moved with his wife and two sons to spend time in Italy and France, where he continued with publishing and book distribution ventures. While there, he began collecting art and learning about wine. He studied enology at the University of Bordeaux.
Château de Berne, nestled in the heart of Provence near Flayosc, boasts a rich history that spans over two millennia, evolving from a Roman-era vineyard into a modern luxury estate renowned for its wines and hospitality.
The estate’s viticultural roots trace back to Roman times. Situated along the Via Aurelia—a Roman road connecting Italy to Spain—Château de Berne was strategically positioned for wine trade. Archaeological discoveries, including an ancient oven used for crafting amphorae, tall earthenware jars with two handles and a narrow neck for storing wine, attest to the estate’s early involvement in winemaking and commerce.
Amphorae. Photo: Anthromedia.com
In the 12th century, Count Raymond V of Toulouse gave the estate to Bernard of Clairvaux, the founder of the Cistercian Order. The Cistercians, known for their agricultural prowess, managed the estate until 1307, when it was confiscated by King Philip IV of France. Subsequently, the property came under the ownership of the noble Marquis de Villeneuve family, who maintained it for nearly five centuries.
The 19th century marked a renaissance for Château de Berne under Marius Estellon, a former frigate captain in the imperial army. Estellon expanded the estate, introduced new vineyards, and modernized viticultural practices. A patron of the arts, he also hosted grand events and produced on-site earthenware enhancing the estate’s cultural prominence.
Some of the vineyards. Photo: Natalie Young
Throughout the 20th century, the estate changed hands multiple times, including Dr German from 1949 to 1960, then Mrs Smeets (CEO of the Jean Mineur advertising company) until 1985. The vineyard was then somewhat neglected until 1995, when an anonymous Englishman acquired Château de Berne, revitalizing the vineyards by replanting 79 acres [32 hectares] and modernizing the winemaking facilities. He also introduced a gravity-fed cellar system to enhance wine quality.
The fermentation room. Photo: Natalie Young
In 2007, another (also anonymous) British entrepreneur purchased the estate, further elevating its status. Under his guidance, Château de Berne introduced the first square-shaped wine bottles, a distinctive feature that is a patent-protected trade dress, and is an homage to the two 18th-century square towers at the entrance to the property. The estate now spans 1,483 acres [600 hectares], with 358 acres [145 hectares] dedicated to vineyards, and produces approximately 1 million bottles annually, focusing on rosé, red, and white wines. The estate cultivates a diverse array of grape varieties, including Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, and Viognier, among others. The wines are celebrated for their balance, complexity, and reflection of the unique Provençal terroir.
The tasting cellar. Photo: Natalie Young
Château de Berne has also embraced sustainable practices, achieving organic certification for its vineyards in February 2021, and holding a Level 3 High Environmental Value (HVE) certification.
Photo: Natalie Young
Today, Château de Berne is not only a renowned winery but also a luxurious retreat. The estate features a five-star Relais & Châteaux hotel with 27 rooms, a spa offering Cinq Mondes treatments, and two restaurants, including the Michelin-starred Le Jardin de Berne, which also holds a green star for sustainability.
The hotel. Photo: Claude Blanc
Guests can partake in wine tastings, explore hiking and biking trails across the expansive estate, and immerse themselves in the Provençal lifestyle amidst vineyards, olive groves, and scenic landscapes.
Chateau de Berne La Grande Cuvee Blanc 2020
This wine is a blend of Rolle (aka Vermentino, which is most often associated with the French island of Corsica) and Sémillon, which often, as here, needs to be blended with something that has more character, as it is rather neutral on its own. It saw a short ageing period in oak barrels.
In the glass, the wine pours an intense yellow color with golden highlights. The nose features cantelope and honey dew melon, plus hints of pineapple and mango. On the palate, there is a velvety mouthfeel, with flavors of lemon and green apple, with a bit of sage and chalk. The lingering acidity is laced with a suggestion of bitter grapefruit. Bern classes this as a “gastronomic” wine, which they believe is particularly suited to appropriate food pairings. They suggest foie gras in terrine or pan-fried with peaches, turbot mousseline, or Bresse chicken with chanterelle mushrooms. The ABV is 13.5%.
Tony Lombardi was born into a family of small business owners, and grew up in Sonoma County. His first job in the wine business came in 1998 when he joined the hospitality team at Clos Du Bois Winery, located in Geyserville, California.
From 2001 to 2013, Lombardi held senior leadership positions in marketing, public relations, and sales for such companies as Allied Domecq Wines, Beam Wine Estates, J Vineyards & Winery, Ascentia Wine Estates, and Kosta Browne Winery.
In partnership with his wife Christine, Lombardi founded Lombardi Wines in 2013 with a barrel of Chardonnay and a barrel of Pinot Noir. He describes himself as a storyteller/connector at heart, and loves to tell the unique and interesting personal stories of Sonoma and Napa wineries and winemakers, and connect them and their wines to people across the country. As part of that effort, he was encouraged to take the leap of faith in creating his own label from his former employers Dan Kosta and Michael Browne. They told him, “We did it, so should you!”
Lombardi hired Cabell Coursey in 2015 to be his winemaker and viticulturist/grower relations manager after he had held those jobs for three years at Kosta Browne. Coursey also toils at his own winery, Coursey Graves. Prior to those efforts, he was the winemaker with Andy Smith at Dumol. Well traveled, he has made wines all over the world, including Burgundy, New Zealand, Oregon, and California. Continue reading “Lombardi Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 2021”
The Raymond name has been associated with Napa valley since the year Prohibition ended. The Raymond family arrived in Napa Valley in 1933. Roy Raymond married into the Beringer family in 1936. He worked as winemaker for Beringer from 1933 to 1970. The following year, he and his two sons Walter and Roy Jr set out on their own with a 90-acre estate property in Rutherford. They released their first commercial wine under the Raymond Vineyards label in 1974. The estate now comprises 300 acres in Rutherford, St. Helena, and Jameson Canyon. All are are certified organic and biodynamic. The winery is also operated on 100% solar power.
In 1989, Kirin Holdings purchased the winery, with the Raymond family still managing the property and production.
The Search For The World’s Finest Glass of Bubbly – The Glass of Bubbly Awards 2025
In just a few months time, international wine judges will gather together in London with one common goal, to discover The World’s Finest Glass of Bubbly for 2025.
Entries will be sent in from all over the world, both new and old, traditional, charmat and unique, canned and bottled, with and without alcohol, any bubbly could win. On top of Gold, Silver & Bronze medals, there are 21 Trophies to be awarded, including the much-loved, consumer-friendly Category Trophies; the ever more important Sustainability Trophy in Partnership with Slow Food UK; and of course, the best of them all, The World’s Finest Glass of Bubbly Trophy, in partnership with Carynx.
This year, there is an incredible vast array of 2025 Award Partners who we’ve enlisted to help search for the World’s Finest Glass of Bubbly for 2025, including a Sommelier School, Wine Shops, PR Agencies, International Wine Journalists and more.
Champagne Collectors
Clerissa – Wine Consultancy + PR Agency
Sommelier School
Museum Wines
Branding 4 Wine
Grape Experiences
The World’s First True Vinosopher
Winervana
EcoSIP
The Online Wine Tasting Club
Champagneplz.com
Harrington Blue & Partners/Harrington Verve
Wine Desinfluencer
Gleam Connections
Wharf Distillery
Wine Lovers Italy
The Northern Wine Guy
WineHo
Between the Wines
Kikico
Anne-Wies.NL
Badagoni
Drinks Journey
If you’d like to enter any of your sparkling wines into the Glass of Bubbly Awards this year, click here on the Awards Page and fill out the entry form. Entries are open from now until the 31 August 2025.
Merry Edwards Winery, founded in 1997, is a well-known producer in California’s Russian River Valley. The winery was established by Merry Edwards, one of California’s first female winemakers, who began her winemaking career in 1970 with her amateur label, Merry Vintners, while pursuing a degree in physiology at UC Berkeley. She later earned a master’s degree in food science with an emphasis in enology from UC Davis. During her time there, she conducted groundbreaking research on lead contamination in wine, leading to the industry’s move away from lead-based capsules.
In 1974, Edwards became the winemaker at Mount Eden Vineyards. There, she curated Pinot Noir cuttings that were later propagated as UCD clone 37, also known as the “Merry Edwards selection,” which became widely planted in California.
By 1977, she was the founding winemaker at Matanzas Creek Winery in Sonoma County, where she further honed her expertise in Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Her commitment to clonal research and site-specific viticulture helped elevate the reputation of Russian River Valley wines.
Photo: Lisa K.
She launched her own label in 1997, alongside her husband, Ken Coopersmith. The flagship Meredith Estate Vineyard was planted in 1998, followed by Klopp Ranch in 1999, the Coopersmith Vineyard in 2001. Georganne Vineyard in 2006, Richaven Vineyard in 2012, and finally Warren’s Hill Vineyard in 2015. The winery’s first release was a 2,250-case bottling of Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, marking its first single-vineyard offering.
In 2006-2007, a state-of-the-art winery and tasting room were constructed on the Coopersmith property, solidifying the winery’s presence in Sebastopol, California. In 2018, Edwards appointed Heidi von der Mehden as her successor, marking the first time another winemaker held that position at the winery. Von der Mehden, a Sonoma County native with a background in chemistry and winemaking, had worked closely with Edwards since 2015. The following year, in 2019, Merry Edwards Winery, including the brand, inventory, winery, tasting room, and 79 acres of vineyards, was acquired by Louis Roederer Champagne House (one of my favorites), a French producer known for its commitment to quality that also has a large California operation named Roederer Estate. Edwards remained involved during the transition, ensuring the winery’s values and standards were upheld.
Under von der Mehden’s leadership following Edward’s retirement in 2020, the winery has embraced sustainable practices, including organic farming at the Meredith Estate Vineyard. Innovations such as the introduction of a sparkling wine, the 2017 Merry Edwards Cuvee Eclipse, showcase the winery’s dedication to excellence and adaptation in the face of climate challenges.
Merry Edwards’ contributions to the wine industry have been widely recognized. She was inducted into the Vintners Hall of Fame in 2013, joining a select group of women honored for their impact on winemaking. Her advocacy for women in the industry and her commitment to quality have left an indelible mark on American viticulture.
Today, Merry Edwards Winery is a Certified California Sustainable Winery, producing a range of wines including Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc, with a focus on single-vineyard expressions from the Russian River Valley and Sonoma Coast.
Merry Edwards Sauvignon Blanc 2023
First introduced in 2001, this wine presents as a very pale yellow in the glass. The nose features delicate citrus notes, with subtle hints of lemon curd and lime zest. On the palate, it is an intense classic Sauvignon Blanc, dominated by ruby red grapefruit, along with honeysuckle, ripe melon, and just a little bit of grassiness. These are followed by a burst of crisp, refreshing acidity. The ABV is 14%.
Beau Vigne, pronounced “bo-veenya” and meaning “beautiful vineyard” in French, is a boutique winery located in Napa Valley, California. Founded in 1999 by Napa native Ed Snider and his wife Trish, with its first vintage release in 2002, the winery has established a reputation for producing exceptional wines, particularly Cabernet Sauvignon.
The Snider family’s connection to Napa Valley dates back to 1913 when Ed’s grandfather, Martin Garzoli, a Swiss-Italian immigrant, settled in the region. Garzoli was involved in winemaking and ranching in the Carneros area, laying the foundation for the family’s future in viticulture.
Beau Vigne’s estate vineyard, known as Stags Ridge, is situated within the Atlas Peak AVA, accessible via Soda Canyon Road. This high-elevation site, approximately 1,400 feet above Napa Valley, is characterized by volcanic soils, contributing to the distinctive qualities of their wines.
In its early years, Beau Vigne collaborated with notable winemakers to craft its wines. Dave Phinney, the founding winemaker, aimed to create red wines that could compete with the world’s finest. [Phinney went on to fame and fortune with his Orin Swift Wine Company and the overrated The Prisoner.] This vision was furthered by winemaker Kirk Venge, who joined in 2008 and led the winery to achieve a perfect 100-point score from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate.
The Search For The World’s Finest Glass of Bubbly – The Glass of Bubbly Awards 2025
