January 8, 2018
“The Swartland is a beautiful and wild place. The landscape is a series of rolling hills with a few significant outcrops of rock that form the Paardeberg, Kasteelberg, and Piketberg mountains. It is not an easy place to establish vines,... UNFILTERED
Bubbles & Booze: A New Year’s Cocktail Primer
December 29, 2017
New Year’s Eve parties are an eternal puzzle, full of charming potential and celebratory whimsy, but also rife with the worst pitfalls of any deeply anticipated celebration – times, like, a million. Every year it seems that for each successful... BUON NATALE 2017: Christmas Traditions from Our Italian Winemakers’ Table to Yours!
December 20, 2017
The holidays are a special time of year for us all. Whether it’s dining with family around a big table, sharing the evening with friends over bubbles and all around jubilation, or simply taking the opportunity to kick up your... Don’t Call It a Cognac: Brandy’s Been Here for Years
December 19, 2017
In May of 2016, Punch magazine published an article by Robert Simonson in which he documented his search for the ultimate sleeper of classic cocktails, the Sidecar—a deceivingly simple brandy daisy from the early 1900’s. He posited a number of... Introducing Mayacamas: 128 Years, Singular & Resilient
December 7, 2017
“Mayacamas Vineyards is one of the greatest Cabernet Sauvignon producers in the history of California. For those who long for great red wines that cellar with conviction and evolve in the course of time into brilliantly complex and compelling wines,... Nog, Punch & Glögg: Helpful Holiday Tipples
November 20, 2017
‘Tis the season for entertaining! Holiday parties, soirees with friends, family traditions; essentially any excuse to get together out of the cold and warm up with drinks and celebration. All these parties and events — while fun – do have... Introducing Ashes & Diamonds: Collaboration and Reverence in Napa Valley
November 13, 2017
In the autumn of 2013, Kashy Khaledi, a creative executive in media and advertising, absconded from the music industry. He was largely disillusioned by the consolidation of record labels and the mechanization of production. He watched as artistry suffered and... Boilermakers: Part II
November 10, 2017
Fall is officially almost over; we’re heading into winter. Hopefully you found time to drive north and peep the foliage, but as the leaves begin to drop and cold rolls in, the chill seems to demand a stiff drink. While... Finca Torremilanos: A Gem Hidden In Plain Sight
November 7, 2017
So rapid has been the rise of the Ribera del Duero’s star, so commanding its market presence of late, that it’s easy to forget its short life as a government-ratified denominación dates only to 1982. It’s not, of course, that... The Art of Independent Bottling: Single Cask Nation
November 1, 2017
As the craft cocktail renaissance marches forward, educated drinkers and bartenders continue their intrepid pursuit of new and interesting products. Categories of spirits never before taken advantage of continue to make their debuts in the United States, and here at...