California’s wine, defined
It’s a crime to donate without a license. Vintner Bill Wolf, of Eagle Eye Wine in Napa, learned about this law the hard way after he was cited by the Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) for donating his wine to a charitable event.
In 2006, the total value of Napa agriculture dropped to $477.7 million from $548.6 million in 2005, a 13% decrease. It is important to realize though, that 2005 was an unusually large and lucrative winegrape harvest. Winegrape sales were valued at $469.1 million in 2006, down from about $540 million in the previous year.
Northern California is the proverbial heart of California’s wine country. Narrowing down our geographic focus, the North Bay (Sonoma, Napa and Marin counties) is home to some of the best wineries in California and maybe the world.
Tickets for Auction Napa Valley went on sale a few weeks ago. But if you can’t afford the $5,000, two ticket package, and you want to bid on the best wine from the Napa Valley, there is hope. In addition to the usual events, there will also be an E-Auction.
Anyone who has lived in or frequented the Napa Valley over the past couple of decades knows how much the region has changed. There was a time in the not so distant past when the valley was known for its prune orchards and state hospital rather than fine wine and restaurants.
From May 18th to May 20th, 2007, the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance will hold its 25th Annual Wine Festival. Few California wine regions have experienced the growth that Paso Robles has over the past few decades. There are now more than 170 resident wineries; 10 times the number there were during the festival’s inaugural year.
Kendall-Jackson founder Jess Jackson’s plan to build a new winery in Knight Valley is stirring up a great deal of controversy in the Knights Valley. Members of the Knights Valley/Franz Valley Association feel that the plans would violate the protective aspect of the scenic route plan for that area.
The purpose of media is to connect the public to the world around them. This comes in many forms; the written and spoken word, images, sounds and video. This connection is often lost in translation, as some things are too beautiful to be described through words and images.
Fred Franzia is no stranger to controversy. He has been the subject of numerous legal battles over his 49 different labels and business practices. But on the fifth anniversary of the introduction of the Charles Shaw label, he seems to be taking a step in the right direction.
The 20th Annual April in Carneros Open House will be held on April 21st and 22nd from 10 am to 4 pm. Tickets are $25, and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to scholarship programs at Santa Rosa Junior College and Napa Valley College. 21 wineries will be pouring wine and holding events for guests including live music and food pairings.
