Boutique Wines Exploring the New(ish) and Notable Attractions in California Chris Lehoux, January 23, 2026 There was a time, more than twenty years ago, when monitoring new wine brands in California seemed like a feasible task. As an early-career wine writer, I believed I had a good grip on the landscape. Fast forward to today, however, and the situation feels almost comical in its complexity…. Continue Reading
Wine Marsala 101: The Ultimate Guide to Sicily’s Most Overlooked Wine Chris Lehoux, January 23, 2026 Marsala, a fortified wine from Sicily, transcends its common reputation as merely a cooking ingredient. While many American cooks recognize it primarily for recipes, such as Chicken Marsala, the wine’s history and diversity deserve greater appreciation. Spanning a range from dry to sweet, Marsala captures the terroir of its coastal… Continue Reading
Wine Arista Winery Bids Farewell: A Fond Goodbye to a Wine Legend Chris Lehoux, January 23, 2026 Arista Winery, known for its excellence in Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, is set to close its doors after facing difficult decisions from the founding McWilliams family. This follows the sale of their 36-acre estate and winery in 2025, indicating a significant shift for the beloved Russian River Valley establishment. Mark… Continue Reading
Wine Top Picks for Splurge-Worthy Wines: Expert Recommendations Chris Lehoux, January 22, 2026 Dry January is nearly over, signaling a time to reward yourself with a special wine. We consulted wine experts, Kisong Mun and David Rossof, to uncover their top suggestions for splurging on a fine bottle. Kisong Mun—Sommelier 2021 Marc Hébrart Special Club BrutMarc Hébrart is a grower-champagne established in 1964… Continue Reading
Wine Why the Sold-Out Oregon Food & Wine Festival’s NYC Debut is a Game Changer Chris Lehoux, January 21, 2026 The shift back to analog gatherings is reshaping food and wine events, as exemplified by the AAPI Food & Wine Festival. Founded by Lois Cho, who had no prior festival experience, the event has sold out in Oregon for three consecutive years and is now expanding to New York City…. Continue Reading
Wine Record-Breaking Epic Wine Sale Amidst Declining Wine Sales Trends Chris Lehoux, January 21, 2026 Wine sales are witnessing a decline across the globe, but one event stands out: the remarkable BerserkerDay wine sale, taking place on January 30th on the Wine Berserkers forum. This unique sale, which started in 2009, offers exceptional deals and has continually set new sales records. BerserkerDay is organized by… Continue Reading
Wine Mastering the South Beach Wine & Food Festival 2026: A Pro’s Guide to Navigating the Event Chris Lehoux, January 20, 2026 The Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival (SOBEWFF) is celebrating its 25th anniversary from February 19 to 22, 2026. With the event sprawling across Miami Beach and beyond, it will feature over 500 chefs and culinary icons, along with Grammy Award-winning artists. Given its size and scope, having… Continue Reading
Happenings This Week in Wine: Insights and Updates for January 18, 2026 Chris Lehoux, January 20, 2026 Hello and welcome to my weekly roundup of interesting wine stories from around the web. For those who do not use Flipboard, here are the highlights of this week. California Wine Production DeclineAs California’s wine production faces a significant drop, small producers are stepping up to seize the opportunity. Read… Continue Reading
Wine Big-Name Hotels Set to Boost Fredericksburg’s Wine Tourism in Texas Hill Country Chris Lehoux, January 19, 2026 The Texas Hill Country, known as the wine capital of Texas, is experiencing a significant boom in tourism, which has led to a surge in hotel development projects in Fredericksburg. The town, once a quaint German settlement, is now preparing to welcome at least seven new hotel projects, including the… Continue Reading
Old Vine Conference Unlocking Potential: What It Will Take to Establish Old Vines as a Distinct Commercial Category Chris Lehoux, January 19, 2026 Those of us dedicated to preserving and studying old vines understand this fundamental truth: the longevity of most old vineyards globally depends on their financial viability for growers. To better support these vineyards, we must explore two main avenues: government or third-party financial incentives to maintain old vines, or increasing… Continue Reading