High above California’s Alexander Valley stand the towering Mayacamas Mountains, home to Stonestreet’s rugged Alexander Mountain Estate. Comprised of 400 separate vineyard blocks aligned with the contours of the mountain, the Estate is an intricate puzzle of peaks, valleys and ridges that create a broad spectrum of aspects and facings. Stonestreet is dedicated to fulfilling the promise of Alexander Valley’s exceptional and distinctive vineyards, with lean, well-draining soils and cooler temperature, producing fruit with smaller berries and more intense color and flavor. Traditional, Old World methods of hand harvesting, small barrel lot production, native yeast fermentation and bottling each wine unfiltered brings out the best in specific grape varieties and provides the quality framework for each Stonestreet wine.… Read the rest

July 26, 2014

Worth the Wait Arriving Next Week

Thomas Pico is the young winemaker/proprietor at the head of Domaine Pattes Loup, a small plot of his family’s vineyard in Chablis. At the age of 30, he’s already earned a reputation for innovation and excellence in a region known for tradition and difficult growing conditions. In 2005, he dubbed his inherited 2.4 hectares “Wolf Paws,” and began transforming the site with strict yield control and organic viticulture.

One key to his success is his vines:planted by his grandfather in selection massale in the hillsides near Courgis and Preys, the two highest altitude villages within Chablis, with vineyards up to 300 meters. The quality of the grapes helps him express the briny minerality prized in Chablis, while adding density and texture.… Read the rest

July 24, 2014

Vinopolis Special Two Visionary Oregon Winemakers

Patricia Green
With a long history at stellar wineries  throughout Oregon behind her, it’s easy to call Patricia Green one of Oregon’s top winemakers. After purchasing their 52 acre Ribbon

Ridge estate in 2002, Patty Green and Jim Anderson have gained a reputation for the wide array of Pinots they produce from all over Oregon, far flung vineyards representing some of the better sites in the Ribbon Ridge, Dundee Hills, Chehalem Mountains, and the Yamhill-Carlton growing regions. Vineyard distinction is of the utmost importance at Patricia Green Cellars, and every step is taken to produce Pinot Noirs that show the various attributes of the sites they work with. Whether part of the Patricia Green Estate or purchased fruit, attention to detail is given to every vine in their non-irrigated fields in order to show the characteristics of the soil, micro-climate and clonal material of each vineyard.… Read the rest