Vinography Unboxed: Highlights from the Week of February 8, 2026

Hello and welcome to this week’s edition of Vinography Unboxed, where I explore a selection of wine samples that have recently arrived.

This week, I had the pleasure of tasting several wines from Cadre Wines, a project by the Niven Family in the San Luis Obispo Coast. The family has been influential in the region’s winemaking, with John Niven being one of the pioneers in planting vineyards in the Edna Valley. His grandson, also named John Niven, continues this legacy with a focus on grape varieties like Albariño and Grüner Veltliner. These wines, all crafted in stainless steel, aim to highlight the grapes’ pure expressions. While they are indeed fine wines, they could benefit from a bit more edge—perhaps more acidity and complexity—perhaps through native fermentation. Nevertheless, at around $30 each, they offer good value, complemented by their beautiful branding.

Also worthy of mention this week are wines from Scenic Valley Farms in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. Their skin-macerated Pinot Gris is particularly delightful, and I found their ramato-style Pinot Gris very appealing. Among their two Pinot Noir offerings, their entry-level Pinot Noir stood out for me—a bit less complex than their higher-end Silvershot Pinot but bursting with exuberance.

From Pali Wine Co. in Santa Barbara, I explored some lesser-known grape varieties, including Gamay Noir and Dornfelder. The latter, despite its obscurity, produces a richly pigmented red with decent acidity. The Gamay, crafted with native yeasts and aged in neutral oak, blends savory and berry flavors delightfully.

Lastly, I sampled a couple of single-parcel wines from Stony Hill Vineyard, which has recently become part of the Lawrence Estates. I’m glad to see that the new ownership maintains the estate’s traditional style—lower alcohol and restrained oak expression. The Côte Rouge offers a bright quality, contrasting with the darker, earthier Côtes des Píerres. Both wines are elegant, refined, and built for aging while also being enjoyable now.

Tasting Notes

2024 Cadre Wines “Band of Stones” Grüner Veltliner, Edna Valley, California
Score: 8.5 | Cost: $26
A pale yellow-gold wine with aromas of pear and lemon pith. On the palate, it showcases bright acidity and flavors of pear and green apple.

2024 Cadre Wines “Sea Queen” Albariño, Edna Valley, California
Score: 8.5 – 9 | Cost: $27
This pale yellow-gold wine has notes of lime zest and green apple, presenting bright candied flavors underpinned by brisk acidity.

2024 Scenic Valley Farms Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley, Oregon
Score: 9 | Cost: $20
A light peachy bronze wine, it features aromas of orange blossoms and flavors of orange peel that are fresh and lively.

2024 Pali Wine Co. “Pali Vineyard” Gamay Noir, Santa Barbara County, California
Score: 8.5 – 9 | Cost: $50
This medium garnet wine has aromas of blood orange and mulberries, with a savory edge on the palate.

2023 Stony Hill “Côte Rouge” Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California
Score: 9.5 | Cost: $275
A very dark garnet wine with aromas of black cherry and earth, it offers a brilliantly structured palate propelled by excellent acidity.

For those looking for more information, you can find tasting notes and opportunities to purchase these wines through various retailers.

About the Author: Chris Lehoux

Meet Chris Lehoux, an experienced wine connoisseur and dedicated blogger with a deep passion for all things wine-related. With years of expertise in the industry, Chris shares insightful wine reviews, valuable wine tasting tips, expert pairing advice, and captivating tales of vineyard visits. Join Chris on a journey through the world of wine, where every sip is an adventure waiting to be savored!