Founded in 1998 by darkhorse Jayson Woodbridge, Hundred Acre didn't waste any time raising the bar in St. Helena. Their second vintage made the Wine Spectator 100. And from 2002 - 2015, their wines earned 22 100-point scores from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate.
Dave Phinney: Cult Winemaker Turned Entrepreneurial Powerhouse
If Old World Wine is Beethoven and New World Wine is Sammy Hagar, then Dave Phinney is The Descendants. He's all about blending far-reaching, disparate lots—an approach unpopular with the low-intervention, terroir-minded set, and he's totally fine with that.
Read moreMizunara Oak Aged Whiskey 101
In the right hands, Mizunara Oak can result in satin-smooth whiskeys with an abundance of classic wood characteristics like vanilla, cinnamon, and coconut along with more exotic flavors like sandalwood, kara (Japanese incense), citrus oil, and agarwood.
Your Ultra-Quick Guide To Sherry Cask Finished Whisky
Sherry may not be everyone's favorite tipple. Sherry casks—on the other hand—are wildly popular in whisky production. And for good reason. In the right hands, sherry cask finishing can transform an austere whisky into a real crowd-pleaser.
Read moreHerman Story Wines Late Bloomer Series
If you've browsed a wine rack recently and found an awkward teenager staring back at you, you've already "met" Herman Story's Late Bloomer series.
Argentinian Malbec 101
When a nostalgic French botanist first introduced the varietal to Mendoza, Malbec was on its way out—a minor blending grape in Bordeaux with meager plantings in Southwestern France.
Truffle Carpaccio. "A Bacchanalia of Flavor."
Truffle Carpaccio is simple to make—shaved at peak ripeness and preserved in oil—but the outcome is anything but simple. "Some truffles arrive at peak ripeness, too late to store, but perfect for preserving at maximum pungency,” says Ian Garrone, son of Far West Fungi's founder and team leader at the Santa Cruz retail store, “which is nutty and earthy with a little honey."
Bespoken Spirits. Can Great Spirits Time Travel?
Can great spirits time travel? Vanguard spirit “designers” are proving they can. And co-founders Martin Janousek and Stu Aaron of Bespoken Spirits are leading the charge.
Read moreBlack Truffles: Everything You Need To Know
Black truffles are unforgettable because they are packed with FLAVOR. The aroma is often referred to as “intoxicating.” Common tasting notes include (but aren’t limited to) damp earth, cocoa, tobacco, and dried fruit.
Wheated Bourbon 101
Typically, rye is corn’s sidekick in bourbon production, often with some malted barley thrown into the mix. Swap out rye with wheat, and you have “wheated” bourbon. That’s all there is to it.
Read moreThe Legend of Pape Meat Co.
Pape Meat Co. is a family-run butchery and Millbrae's oldest running business. Brothers Ron and Bob Pape opened their doors in the old Stanaway Market on Hillcrest Blvd and Broadway back in 1958. Since then, “Pape’s” has become the Bay Area's definitive place for quality meat and seafood.
Double Eagle Very Rare. The Ultimate Collector's Bourbon.
To honor the third release of Double Eagle Very Rare, Buffalo Trace pulled zero punches. Firmly seated in the heart of Kentucky, the Buffalo Trace Distillery created Eagle Rare back in 1975 to celebrate the bicentennial of the Declaration of Independence.
Old Carter Whiskey Co.
Rare in the world of wine and spirits, Mark and Sherri Carter embody a perfect blend of fortified work ethic, barrel-proof talent, and small-batch charm. Some people make delicious wine. Others make great whiskey. The Carters do both.