Monthly Archives: December 2008
Looking Back at 2008: Napa Valley’s Top Wine Stories
The Napa Valley Destination Council The Napa Valley Destination Council, formerly the Napa Valley Conference and Visitors’ Bureau, not only changed its name but its focus. On October 1st, it unexpectedly closed the downtown tourist office located in Napa in … Continue reading
Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars — Mystery 1972 Vintage, New Owners not Interested
Stag’s Leap Cellars literally leaped into fame when it was a mere six years old. The winery stunned the wine world when its 1973 Cabernet Sauvignon was selected as the best of the best at the famed 1976 Judgment of … Continue reading
Napa Valley – Bits & Pieces of Wine News
More Economy Wine News My latest Newsweek issue contains an article entitled “Toast to the Slump.” In the article Newsweek reports that sales of wines under $9 have increased 5.3 percent while premiums wine sales have declined 10 percent, all … Continue reading
Mike Chelini, Winemaker at Stony Hill, One of Napa’s Old Guard
Mike Chelini began making wine at Stony Hill Vineyard in 1972 and has never looked back. Mike is one of Napa’s old guard, a member of the G.O.N.A.D.S.,* and a throwback to another time and era in the Napa Valley’s … Continue reading
Napa Valley Cabernets Under $20 at Costco
At my local Costco in Foster City, California, I found two very good Napa Valley Cabernets selling for under $20. The 2005 Robert Mondavi Napa Valley Cabernet is selling for $18.49 but until December 24th, or while supplies last, you … Continue reading
Salvestrin Winery – A True Family-Owned Winery
Salvestrin is more of a typical family-owned winery than either Hooper Creek Winery or William Hill Estate, the two previous family-owned wineries we have reviewed on the Napa Valley Wine Blog. Since 1932, the Salvestrin family has been in the … Continue reading
William Hill Estate —A Very Big Family-Owned Winery
The William Hill Estate Winery is by definition a family-owned winery. It is owned and operated by a family, the Gallo Family. But nothing at William Hill presents itself as one of those old and small family-owned wineries run by … Continue reading
