Category

Wine Pros

Wine California

Interview: winemaker Raymond Smith (Indigenè Cellars)

Oakland native Raymond Smith started as a ship joiner before deciding to apply his ingenuity to the wine industry. He moved to Paso Robles, where he built and operated mobile wine bottling lines. He...
Read More
Wine California

Interview: Vines On The Marycrest co-founder Victor Abascal

Since 2004, when Victor Abascal and wife Jennifer founded Vines On The Marycrest on the Westside of Paso Robles, they’ve grown zinfandel, tempranillo and Rhône varietals on 26 acres. Victor then blends the varietals...
Read More
Wine California

Interview: winemaker Peter Hoffmann (Aum Cellars)

Grower and wine maker Peter Hoffmann grew up in Rancho Cucamonga, in a historic wine producing area where the once thriving vines were ravaged by Pierces Disease. To realize his dream of owning a...
Read More
Wine California

Interview: winemaker Debra Mathy (Dutcher Crossing Winery)

Ever since Debra Mathy discovered wine on trips to Europe during high school, she longed for a winery of her own. In 2007, motivated by her father, and after a long search, she instantly...
Read More
Wine Santa Barbara

Interview: Cambria Estate Vineyards and Winery owner Barbara R. Banke + winemaker Denise Shurtleff

Stewardship of the land allows a winery to flourish. At the northern end of Santa Barbara County is one of the state’s most renowned vineyards: Julia’s vineyard, a source of Pinot Noir grapes for...
Read More
Sommelier Los Angeles

Interview: sommelier Alex Weil (Bouchon Beverly Hills)

The firestorm surrounding Bouchon Beverly Hills reached inferno status by November 16, but hours before the bistro’s opening party, sommelier Alex Weil took the time to discuss his background and approach to the wine...
Read More