California Cult Bubbles and More: The Latest from Ultramarine and Cruse Wine Co. Chris Lehoux, October 22, 2026 Michael Cruse’s winemaking is guided by a rare mix of scientific curiosity and a practical goal: making bottles people want to open. Trained in molecular biology at UC Berkeley, he worked in academic labs before moving into wine. After gaining experience in Napa, he set up his own custom-crush facility… Continue Reading
Burgundy Burgundy Comes to San Francisco: Notes from La Paulée Chris Lehoux, October 19, 2026 San Francisco rarely offers the chance to taste top Burgundy wines. Many are scarce, expensive, and snapped up by collectors, restaurants, and retailers without needing promotion. When they do appear at public tastings, the winemakers themselves are often absent. That made the Grand Tasting at La Paulée de San Francisco… Continue Reading
1960'S Cabernet A Taste of California Wine History Chris Lehoux, October 12, 2026 A recent blind tasting in San Francisco offered a rare chance to explore a broad range of well-cellared California wines from the 1960s and ’70s. A collector shared bottles from their cellar over a home-cooked dinner, and the group was surprised by how many remained sound and enjoyable—especially since most… Continue Reading
Boutique Wines Savoring Coastal Brilliance: Discover the Latest Releases from Hirsch Vineyards Chris Lehoux, October 4, 2026 This past July, the wine community lost David Hirsch, a pivotal figure who demonstrated that outstanding Pinot Noir could flourish near the chilly Pacific Ocean, just three miles from the coast, amid towering redwoods. After suffering a tractor accident in 2014, Hirsch became wheelchair-bound, prompting his daughter Jasmine to step… Continue Reading
Dessert Wine Vinography Unboxed: Highlights from the Week of September 20, 2026 Chris Lehoux, September 27, 2026 Hello and welcome to my weekly exploration of wine samples that have been sent my way. In this edition of Vinography Unboxed, I’m excited to share some highlights from the latest arrivals. Wine Highlights This week, I received a selection from Whitehall Lane in Napa Valley. Their Sauvignon Blanc is… Continue Reading
Boutique Wines Exploring the Journey to Exceptional Wine with Eben Sadie Chris Lehoux, September 26, 2026 When a winemaker of Eben Sadie’s caliber shares his insights on creating exceptional wine, it’s a moment worth listening to. Last autumn, I had the incredible opportunity to spend an afternoon at his estate in Swartland, South Africa, accompanied by a group of first-time visitors from Madagascar. Sadie provided an… Continue Reading
Press Samples Vinography Unboxed: Weekly Wine Highlights from September 6, 2026 Chris Lehoux, September 13, 2026 This week’s installment of Vinography Unboxed takes a closer look at a variety of wine samples that have recently arrived for tasting. Among the highlights are two wines from Shared Notes Wines, a unique project led by winemakers Bibiana Gonzalez Rave and Jeff Pisoni, known for their exceptional Sauvignon Blanc… Continue Reading
Wine Reviews This Week in Wine: Highlights and Updates for September 6, 2026 Chris Lehoux, September 9, 2026 Hello and welcome to this week’s collection of intriguing wine stories from around the web. As I sift through the latest articles, I’ve highlighted selections that I believe are worthy of your attention. Standing Up for Cabernet SauvignonEric Asimov champions the often-overlooked Cabernet Sauvignon in his latest piece. To shelve… Continue Reading
Bernard Baudry Exploring Napa’s Singular Love Affair with the Loire Valley: A Wine Journey Chris Lehoux, September 7, 2026 In 1996, John Skupny and his wife Tracey ventured into the Napa wine scene with a bold move: they launched a wine label named Lang & Reed, focusing exclusively on Cabernet Franc. The name, derived from the middle names of their two sons, reflects their personal connection to the venture…. Continue Reading
Press Samples Vinography Unboxed: Highlights from the Week of August 30, 2026 Chris Lehoux, September 5, 2026 Hello and welcome to this week’s edition of Vinography Unboxed, where I share insights from my recent tastings of various wine samples that have arrived at my doorstep. This week, I explored wines from Geographic Wines, a unique project initiated by Nuno Morais Vaz and Daniela Matias, focusing on producing… Continue Reading