Posts tagged: Santa Rita Hills

Pinot Envy of the year

Two brothers (John and Steve Dragonette) teamed up with good buddy Brandon Sparks-Gillis to pursue their live-long dream to make wine.  They gained valuable experiences at wineries like Sine Qua Non, Torbreck, Fiddlehead Cellars before they started this awesome venture.  Over the past couple of years the press has been (rightfully so) generous to these [...]

Monday April 15th, 2013 in , , , , , , , , , , | No Comments »

Liquid Farm makes big guys salivate at blind tasting

This small winery in the Santa Rita Hills is the brain child of Jeff and Nikki Nelson.  Their wine maker is Brandon Sparks-Gillis (the “man” behind the Dragonette success).  Last week I conducted a blind tasting where Liquid Farm showed that it is not a fly-by-night brand.  The line-up consisted out of the following amazing, [...]

Monday July 2nd, 2012 in , , , , , | No Comments »

Brewer-Clifton and Diatom ROCK!

I enjoyed tasting with Greg Brewer the other day as we reminisced about our first tasting ever in 1996.  At that time he was the assistant winemaker at a small Santa Barbara winery and had 2 barrels of his first Brewer-Clifton wine.  A lot has happened since that day.   We have all grown up, and [...]

Wednesday June 27th, 2012 in , , , , , , , , , , , | No Comments »

Sine Qua Non at a fraction the price!

Two brothers (John and Steve Dragonette) teamed up with good buddy Brandon Sparks-Gillis to pursue their live-long dream to make wine.  They gained valuable experiences at wineries like Sine Qua Non, Torbreck, Fiddlehead Cellars before they started this awesome venture.  Over the past couple of years the press has been (rightfully so) generous to these [...]

Friday April 27th, 2012 in , , , , , , , , | No Comments »

Rocket Scientist blasts wine into orbit!

Brian Loring is a rocket scientist turned winemaker, and he told me that he does not regret the move one bit!  He told me years ago, that one day (he was 40) he was called “pops” by the younger generation and that was his queue to leave and follow this true passion – winemaking!  He [...]

Wednesday April 11th, 2012 in , , , , , , , , | No Comments »

Our first wine offer of the year. Pre-sale of Paul Lato.

Paul Lato has become synonymous with some of the best “Burgundies” made in California.  All of his releases have received rave reviews from Parker, Tanzer, and many others – especially our Golden Gate Wine Cellars followers. The average score for any Paul Lato wine is 94.5 Points, not shabby for my Polish (via Canada) sommelier [...]

Friday January 6th, 2012 in , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | No Comments »

Rock Star wine – Dragonette is for real!

Another gem finds its way on Frank Melis’ roster of boutique producers. Dragonette (not a movie or T.V. show, but the name of the founders) is a 3-man venture, two brothers and their best friend.  Their love for wine turned into making it!  I enjoyed tasting with the Dragonette team and their low key appeal, [...]

Saturday March 26th, 2011 in , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off

Hilliard Bruce 2008 Pinot Noir “Moon” Santa Rita Hills

For those already familiar with Paul Lato, I do not need to tell you that this man knows how to make wine – and can he!  Paul is the winemaker at this new venture in the Santa Rita Hills.  Only 160 cases of the Premier release were produced.  Paul selected the clones for this soon-to-be [...]

Monday January 3rd, 2011 in , , , , , , , , , | No Comments »

Brewer Clifton 2008 Chardonnay “Sweeney Canyon” Santa Rita Hills

This is the fourteenth release from this amazing vineyard site. Aromas of lychee, mango and a touch of minerality. On the palate this rich, well-balanced wine offers flavors of green pears, a touch of lime and minerality (very Burgundy-like). The wine is viscous and lush without being overpowering. Only 2592 BOTTLES were produced – that [...]

Monday June 14th, 2010 in , , , , , , | No Comments »

Melville 2008 Pinot Noir “Terraces” Santa Rita Hills

An amazing nose of red and blue stone fruit with a hint of cherries. On the palate this wine offers a little more old-world with a touch of black tea, persimmon while it is dense and round. The wine is very elegant (not light!) with stunning complexity and a great mouth-feel. Only 300 cases produced. [...]

Thursday June 10th, 2010 in , , , , , , | No Comments »