Essential Vine Training and Pruning Tips

Essential Vine Training and Pruning Tips

Vine Training Tips

As springtime approaches, winemakers and vineyard experts turn their attention to the crucial task of training and pruning their vines. Proper training and pruning ensure the health and longevity of the vines and contribute to the quality of the grapes. This post explores types of vine training methods to help make informed decisions on how to train your vines.
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Sta Rita Hills AVA

Sta Rita Hills AVA

A True California Wine AVA

The Sta Rita Hills AVA (American Viticultural Area) is a wine-growing region located in Santa Barbara County, California. The cool climate, marine influence, and diverse soil types create ideal growing conditions for a variety of grape varietals, including Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Read More

Oak and Wine – A Beautiful Relationship

Oak and Wine – A Beautiful Relationship

The Traditionally, Oak & Wine Forever Married!

Oak & Wine is like peanut butter & jelly! It is one of the biggest influences on the flavor of the wine. It simply affects the maturity, flavor, and subtle texture. Some people are prejudiced against oaked wine and complain of even the slightest hint of oak. It is common for experts to agree that if a wine is =carefully aged in oak it does not taste like wood, but has improved characteristics. Read More

Tips for Making Wine with Fruits other than Grapes

Tips for Making Wine with Fruits other than Grapes

Tips for Making Wine with Fruits other than grapes

Most people commonly associate wines with grapes; however, it is entirely possible to make wines from fruits other than grapes. The production of wine using fruits other than grapes has become quite commonplace as the hobby of home winemaking has become more pronounced in just the last few years. Read More

Racking Wine

Racking Wine

Racking Wine is a Timing Game

Racking wine is one of the most essential parts of making stellar wine. Generally, you will need to rack the wine at least two times and in some cases, you may need to rack it as many as four times. Making sure that you rack in a timely fashion will ensure the wine is properly clarified as well as prevent off-flavors. Read More

Sangria Summer Nights

Sangria Summer Nights

What is Sangria?

For years now a staple to my summertime diet has been to have a glass or two of sangria while sitting out on my patio on those warm summer evenings with friends. Sangria is a wine-based punch that originates from Portugal and Spain. The word “sangria” is derived from the Spanish word “sangre” which means blood. Sangria is usually made from red wine, sliced citrus fruit, sugar, and a spirit such as brandy or triple sec. Read More

Guide to Blending Wine

Guide to Blending Wine

Blending wine has become a highly respected part of the process of winemaking. Many winemakers in fact view blending as a highly evolved art form. The basic idea of blending is to mix different wines. In order to create a final wine that possesses a quality that is superior to that of each of the different components singularly. Read More

Discovering Wine Tasting

Discovering Wine Tasting

After a recent visit, one of our customers sent us a nice email about their adventures in discovering wine tasting. 

My wife and I and our close friends recently discovered wine tasting. We had never thought to spend a day touring the many wineries that surround our hometown. We made the necessary arrangements and embarked on an unknown adventure for a day of wine tasting upon our out-of-town friends’ suggestion. Read More

Aging Wine

Aging Wine

Aging wine allows many of the components of the wine to mellow out over time, and bring a harmonious balance to the flavor.

Wine HangoverWine is a complex substance. Open a bottle of it now, and it may taste fine. Open a bottle of the same wine several years from now, and the wine becomes something else entirely. Rough edges in the flavor will have smoothed out and the overall flavor of the wine will be more balanced and mellow. Read More