The wines I’ve made have been reviewed infrequently over the years. Different reviewers, different wines but the results have shown a predictable monotony: 84-89 points, nearly every time. Same with competitions: the wines always medal — frequently gold, but never double-gold or best of show. Seems that I show a remarkable consistency. But hey… I’m [...]
Archive for the ‘The Market’ Category
Talking “Natural” Wine – Again
Jamie Goode is a trained scientist who today in his blog wrestles with the tension between faith and science implied by “natural” wine. I am also a trained scientist, plus I am deep into my 24th vintage as a winemaker. You might be surprised how infrequently the term “natural” comes up in discussions among professionals. [...]
The Newest Greatest Wine Marketing Thingie
Here it is — the hottest ticket to making better wine in the last couple of years. The concrete “egg” fermenter. This year, no fashionable winemaker should be without one! (No, this one is not mine – I’m SO unfashionable.) Seriously though: the temperature is barely getting out of the 70s today, but is supposed [...]
Just Say NO To “Sonoma County”
Say hello to Westwood’s new label. Thanks to California Assembly Bill 1798, a new law passed unanimously by both the Assembly and Senate and expected to be signed by the Governor, “…any wine bottled on or after January 1, 2014, labeled with an American Viticultural Area established pursuant to federal law that is located entirely [...]
Grape Ripeness And Wine Alcohol
Are you as tired as I am of all the whinging over high-alcohol wines? Yes some, perhaps many (but not most) wines over — what? — like, 14%-14.5% alcohol by volume? — might strike some tasters as “out of balance.” Certainly any “high alcohol” wine is a risk to drink too much of when one [...]
Wine & The Power Of Social Media
Tomorrow (6/16/10) the Wine Spies will be running a sale on the Westwood 2006 redFOUR blend. When we presented this wine to the Spies’ secret agents they fell in love with it, to the point that they wanted to run their one-day sale on it with just over a week of lead time. Truth be [...]
Bottle Closures — Again
Last month I asked for feedback on whether or not I should continue using traditional foil capsules on our wine bottles. Thanks again to those who shared an opinion. In the comments to that post I reiterated my commitment to using natural cork to stopper our bottles — one of my earliest blog posts was [...]
Capsules — Who Needs ‘Em?
Historically, cork sealed bottles needed some sort of covering to prevent the cork being gnawed by rodents or infested with cork-boring bugs. Down through the years the corked end of the wine bottle has been covered and protected, first with wax (slow to apply, hard to remove), lead foils (REALLY bad for landfills and groundwater) [...]
The Grape Moth Quarantine Question
Yesterday I met Jean-Marie at the Estate vineyard to talk about things. The Syrah at the west of the site is furthest along – you can see 4″ of growth in the picture above. The Grenache is out about 2″ with the Mourvrdre and Tannat not far behind. The young cane-pruned Pinot blocks are next, [...]
Valentines & VinOlivo
I hope you and yours had a nice Valentine’s Day (and President’s Day holiday). Our kids did — they love the candy, and for being so young they are surprisingly moved and excited by cards from mom and dad. Said dad has been better but he’s still recovering from a touch of stomach flu, which [...]
