June 13th - This Date in Wine History

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Wine has a long established history of being our drink of choice for celebrating, entertaining, and savoring life; but it didn't start out that way. From the invention of the barrel to the designation of the separate viticultural areas, wine has a long and sorted history.  In our daily feature "This Date In Wine History," we share an event of critical importance in wine history.

  • Frances Burney, novelist, diarist and playwright was born in 1752.  After the death of her mother, her father married the widow of wine merchant.
  • The first burial in St. James’ Cemetery, Liverpool was in 1829 when a Mr. Haram, a wine merchant was laid to rest. (Imperial Magazine)
  • Dorothy L. Sayers was born in 1893.  She was a English crime writer known for her wine loving character, Lord Peter Wimsey and  wine salesman, Montague Egg both of whom are amateur detectives.
  • Valeri Bure, a Russian born professional hockey player and owner of Bure Family Wines in St. Helena, California was born in 1974.
  • California's Malibu-Newton Canyon AVA was designated in 1996.

Northern Sonoma - Wine Region of the Day

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Northern Sonoma received its designation as an AVA in 1990. Situated over 329,000 acres, Northern Sonoma is home to sub-appellations Alexander Valley, Chalk Hill, Dry Creek Valley, Green Valley of Russian River Valley, Knights Valley, Rockpile, Russian River Valley, and Sonoma Coast.  It is the second largest appellation within Sonoma County.  It contains myriad elevations, soil types and climates.  It was designated, in large part to allow the term, "Estate" to be applied to vintages from large producers like Gallo and Rodney Strong but is home to some small producers as well.  The primary grape produced in this area is Cabernet Sauvignon but Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Zinfandel are grown here as well.

Northern Sonoma - Wine Region of the Day

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Northern Sonoma received its designation as an AVA in 1990. Situated over 329,000 acres, Northern Sonoma is home to sub-appellations Alexander Valley, Chalk Hill, Dry Creek Valley, Green Valley of Russian River Valley, Knights Valley, Rockpile, Russian River Valley, and Sonoma Coast.  It is the second largest appellation within Sonoma County.  It contains myriad elevations, soil types and climates.  It was designated, in large part to allow the term, "Estate" to be applied to vintages from large producers like Gallo and Rodney Strong but is home to some small producers as well.  The primary grape produced in this area is Cabernet Sauvignon but Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Zinfandel are grown here as well.

McDowell Valley - Wine Region of the Day

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McDowell Valley by David Toomey for Qorkz.

The McDowell Valley AVA is located on 540 acres in southeastern Mendocino County, California. The appellation consists of sloped bench land at elevations as high as 1,000 feet that overlook the Russian River to the west. McDowell Valley is colder than the surrounding areas of Mendocino County. Currently there are no wineries operating in the AVA. Poor Ranch still has a vineyard block in McDowell Valley but they generally label their wines as Mendocino.  Sadly, another ghost AVA.

Dos Rios - Wine Region of the Day

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Dos Rios by David Toomey for Qorkz.

The Dos Rios AVA is located in northern Mendocino County, California. Dos Rios is located near the confluence of the Eel River and the Middle Fork of the Eel River. Dos Rios receives constant breezes from the Pacific Ocean, offsetting the warm daily sunshine. The soil in Dos Rios is more infertile than other regions in Mendocino. Only one winery, Vin de Tevis, currently operates within the boundaries of the AVA. Vin de Tevis has only six acres under vine, almost exclusively planted to red varietals such as Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Zinfandel.

Malibu Coast - Wine Region of the Day

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Photo of the Malibu Coast by David Toomey for Qorkz.

Containing the smaller Malibu-Newton Canyon and Saddle Rock Malibu appellations, the Malibu Coast AVA was created in 2014.  Ironically, due to its size this  the last of the three Malibu appellations adopted.  The region has been producing wine since the 1820's when Spanish General Jose Bartolome Tapia settled the property now known as Serra Retreat.  Currently, the area is home to more than fifty vineyards producing mainly Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot and Syrah.

December 14th - This Date in Wine History

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Flag of Chile

Wine has a long established history of being our drink of choice for celebrating, entertaining, and savoring life; but it didn't start out that way. From the invention of the barrel to the designation of the separate viticultural areas, wine has a long and sorted history.  In our daily feature This Date In Wine History, we share an event of critical importance in wine history.

  • Chile's Declaration of Appellations was approved in 1994.
  • Oregon's Applegate Valley AVA was designated in 2000.
  • Spain's Conca de Barberá DO was created in 1989.

Carmel Valley - Wine Region of the Day

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CARMEL VALLEY

Photo of the Carmel Valley by David Toomey for Qorkz.

The Carmel Valley received its designation as an AVA in 1982. Sitting on 19,200 acres in the larger Central Coast, the region is located in Monterey County, centered around Carmel Valley Village. The soil of the region is primarily gravely sand loam. There are only 300 acres planted with vines, and those vines sit at an elevation above 1,000 feet on hillside terraces. Due to its proximity to the Pacific Ocean, the Valley is cooler with coastal breezes and fog, but the elevated growing regions protect the vines from the cooler weather. Carmel Valley is best known for its production of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Merlot, and Syrah.

South Coast - Wine Region of the Day

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SOUTH COAST

Image of the South Coast Wine Region by David Toomey for Qorkz. 

The South Coast received its designation as an AVA in 1985. Situated over 2,237,503 acres, the South Coast includes sub-appellations Cucamonga Valley, Malibu-Newton Canyon, Ramona Valley, Saddle Rock-Malibu, San Pasqual Valley, and Temecula Valley. There is an array of soil types and microclimates across the South Coast, allowing the region to show its diversity in the production of many different varietals. The region produces Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Muscat Canelli, Petit Verdot, Petite Sirah, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Sangiovese, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Tempranillo, Trebbiano, Viognier, and Zinfandel.

El Dorado - Wine Region of the Day

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EL DORADO

Photo of the El Dorado wine region by David Toomey for Qorkz. 

El Dorado received its designation as an AVA in 1983. Situated on 410,115 acres, El Dorado is located in the Sierra Nevada Foothills in El Dorado County. Vineyards sit at a variety of elevations between 1,200 and 3,500 feet. There are three basic soil types determining the characteristics of the region: fine-grained volcanic rock decomposed granite and fine-grained shale. Each soil offers good drainage and the nutrients needed to encourage vines producing rich, deeply flavored grapes. El Dorado's mountain vineyards are perched at elevations high above the valley, where cooling breezes off the Sierra Nevada cool the vines. The high elevations mean the grapes receive more direct sunlight, thus ripening fully without retaining excess herbaceous characters or acidity that is out of balance with the fruit flavors. The region is known for its production of Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Rhône varietals such as Syrah.