Wine The Perfect Wine Pairing for Foo Fighters: Discover at BottleRock Napa Valley! Chris Lehoux, May 25, 2026 At this year’s BottleRock Napa Valley festival, the question on many attendees’ minds is what wine pairs best with the Foo Fighters, who headline the event on Saturday night. Set in the picturesque Napa Valley, this three-day festival not only features top musical performances but also showcases the region’s premier… Continue Reading
Wine Discover Hidden Creek Estates’ Unique ‘Wine-Barrel’ Tiny Homes! Chris Lehoux, May 24, 2026 A ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the opening of innovative, barrel-shaped tiny homes at Hidden Creek Estates in Roscoe, Illinois, on May 21. This new addition to the 77-acre property includes five uniquely designed homes inspired by famous wine-producing regions: Barolo, Napa, Champagne, Rhone, and Tuscany. Each tiny home is equipped with… Continue Reading
Napa Experience the Flavors: Taste of Oakville Returns on June 14, 2023! Chris Lehoux, May 23, 2026 If you’re a fan of Napa Valley Cabernet, mark your calendars for June 14, 2026, when the annual Taste of Oakville Grand Tasting takes place at the renowned Robert Mondavi Winery. This exclusive event offers a rare chance to sample some of the region’s most sought-after and prestigious wines, attracting… Continue Reading
Wine The Ripple Effect: How the Wine Industry Slump is Affecting Local Winery and Vineyard Values Chris Lehoux, May 23, 2026 The North Coast wine industry is currently facing one of the most significant downturns it has seen in decades, according to market analysts and land appraisers. This prolonged slump is not merely a temporary issue; it is a structural reset affecting various aspects such as vineyard values, grape demand, distribution… Continue Reading
Pinotage Pinotage: A Legacy Reborn in the World of Wine Chris Lehoux, May 22, 2026 I have seen the future of South African Pinotage, and it’s a transformation that feels long overdue. Introduced in 1924 by Professor Abraham Izak Perold at Stellenbosch University, Pinotage is a hybrid of Pinot Noir and Cinsaut (formerly known as Hermitage in South Africa). Despite being labeled as South Africa’s… Continue Reading
Wine Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Judgment of Paris: A Guide to Toasting Wine History Chris Lehoux, May 22, 2026 This year marks a significant milestone for American wine enthusiasts as it celebrates the 50th anniversary of the groundbreaking Judgment of Paris wine competition. Launched in 1976, this event featured a blind tasting held in Paris where top wines from California faced off against esteemed French counterparts. The results stunned… Continue Reading
Wine Introducing the Next Generation of Canned Wine: What’s New and Exciting! Chris Lehoux, May 21, 2026 Canned wines, once considered an inferior choice for serious wine drinkers, are experiencing a remarkable transformation, attracting attention even amid a global downturn in wine sales. The U.S. market for canned wines and other ready-to-drink beverages has seen a consistent annual growth of approximately 14% since 2019. This shift is… Continue Reading
Chardonnay Exploring Yamhill-Carlton: The Warm Heart of Willamette Valley Chris Lehoux, May 20, 2026 Having recently immersed myself in Oregon’s Yamhill-Carlton AVA, I’m left pondering what it truly means to "taste" a wine region. The wines in this area are undeniably excellent, yet there’s a question of whether I am tasting the wine itself or the community that produced it. Unlike the traditions of… Continue Reading
Wine Savoring Success: North Coast Wine and Food Festival Celebrates Gold Medal Wines Chris Lehoux, May 20, 2026 A delicious showcase of the region’s finest wines and culinary talent, the North Coast Wine & Food Festival is set to return to the Luther Burbank Center for the Arts in Santa Rosa on Saturday, June 13. This festival, highlighted by gold and double gold-winning wines from the 2026 North… Continue Reading
Happenings Wine News Roundup: Highlights from the Week of May 17, 2026 Chris Lehoux, May 19, 2026 Hello and welcome to my weekly roundup of notable wine stories from around the web. I’ve sifted through various publications to bring you the highlights worth your attention. Can Organic and Biodynamic Farming Actually Improve Yields?The answer is possibly affirmative, but it may take time. The Evolving Languages of Pinot… Continue Reading