Chardonnay - deborahparkerwong

Pelletti Vineyard, Laguna Ridge, Sonoma.

Russian River Valley’s Laguna Ridge Neighborhood

February 16, 2025 deborahparkerwong Russian River AVA, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, SOMM Journal, Sonoma, Terroir, Wine, Wine Tasting, winegrowing, Winemaking

Fog over the Pelletti Vineyard in Laguna Hills, Russian River Valley.

New World and Old World Heritage

May 8, 2023 deborahparkerwong Chardonnay, Italy, Napa Valley, Wine

Five Decades for California’s Class of ’72

October 18, 2022 deborahparkerwong Wine, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Chardonnay, Napa Valley, Sauvignon Blanc, SOMM Journal, Sonoma

Of the California wineries celebrating their 50th birth year in 2022, six gathered to mark the occasion with a retrospective tasting at The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in St. Helena. Each dazzled us with three wines while reflecting on five decades of harvests and providing a snapshot of their current vintages.

A Milestone for Schug Carneros Estate

May 17, 2021 deborahparkerwong Carneros, Chardonnay, Napa Valley, Pinot Noir, SOMM Journal, Wine, Wine & Food Pairing, Winemaking

Walter Schug departed this world in 2015 but his passion for Pinot Noir lives on at Schug Carneros Estate which is celebrating 41 years of devotion to the variety. Axel and Claudia Schug, third generation winegrowers, were joined by chef Kristine Schug and winemaker Johannes Scheid as they presented a retrospective tasting that spanned the past, present and future of the Carneros estate winery.

Well Born, the origin of Bien Nacido Vineyard

June 24, 2020 deborahparkerwong Bien Nacido, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Santa Maria, SOMM Journal, Vineyard, Wine

Inspired by its striking maritime climate—attributable to the juxtaposition of the San Rafael Mountain and Transverse Ranges to the Pacific coast as well as to its chalky, sandy loam soils—the Miller Family named the site Bien Nacido, which means “well born” in Spanish, and planted it in 1973.

The evolving styles of Chardonnay

May 26, 2020 deborahparkerwong Chardonnay, Trends, Wine, Winemaking

California Chardonnay has had its ups and downs over the last 60 years but it had clearly been a cash cow for many producers whose styles have evolved while remaining a hallmark for others whose style hasn’t changed significantly for decades.

In Pursuit of Sensory Literacy

February 6, 2020 deborahparkerwong Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, sensory, sensory science, SOMM Journal, Sonoma, Wine

When Sonoma’s La Crema Winery turned 40 last year, it celebrated the milestone with a unique exercise: Led by Dr. Henry “Hoby” Wedler, it was easily one of my top sensory experiences of 2019.

Exploring North and South American terroirs

December 19, 2018 deborahparkerwong Argentina, California, Chardonnay, Chile, Mendocino, Napa Valley, Pinot Noir, Vineyard

There’s a yin and yang to winegrowing in the Americas. As the vines in North America are stirring to life, the vineyards in South America are ready for harvest.

A tranquil moment with Didier Depond

August 18, 2018 deborahparkerwong Champagne, Chardonnay, France, SOMM Journal

In a rare tête-a-tête, The SOMM Journal joined Didier Depond, President of the Champagne houses Salon and Delamotte, for an[…]

Lodi home to California’s best wine value

August 14, 2018 deborahparkerwong Chardonnay, Lodi, Value

Collier Creek 2016 Front Coach Chardonnay is, by all accounts, a first class
ticket for the price of coach. With a retail price of $9.99, you might assume that massive amounts of this wine are being produced but winemaker Susana Rodriguez Vasquez made just 5,000 cases.

Imagery repeats as CA State Fair California Winery of the Year

August 10, 2018 deborahparkerwong CA State Fair, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Chardonnay, Enotourism, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma, Wine Competitions

In a repeat performance, Imagery Estate Winery founded by Joe Benziger in 1985 has been honored for the second year running by the California State Fair as the 2018 Golden State Winery of the Year. Benziger, who was at the helm for the 2017 award, has now retired but serves as guide and mentor for his second daughter Jamie Benziger, 31, who stepped up as winemaker in 2018.

Paraiso Vineyard: The backbone of the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA

August 9, 2018 deborahparkerwong CA State Fair, California, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Sustainability, Terroir, Vineyard, Wine, Wine Competitions, winegrowing

Spanish missionaries at Mission Soledad first planted vineyards in the region now known as the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA in the late 18th century. But winegrowing on the windswept terraces of the Santa Lucia mountain range began in earnest in 1973 when Rich and Claudia Smith established the Paraiso Vineyard. Parasio is the tenth iconic vineyard to be acknowledged by the California State Fair as Vineyard of the Year.

Twelve months of bubbles

December 27, 2017 deborahparkerwong California, Cava, Champagne, Chardonnay, France, Italy, minerality, Pinot Noir, Prosecco, Rosé, Sonoma, Spain, Sparkling wine, Terroir, Veneto, Winemaking

From Asti to Champagne, bubbles were a bright spot in 2017. While sparkling wine is no longer confined to special[…]

Q & A with CEO Sid Patel, The International Bulk Wine and Spirits Show

June 26, 2017 deborahparkerwong Bulk wine, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Carneros, Central Valley, Chardonnay, Languedoc, Lodi, Partnerships, Portugal, Provence, Restaurants, Rosé, San Francisco, Sauvignon Blanc, Sommeliers, Sonoma, Spain, Sparkling wine, Spirits, Trends, Veneto, Wine

San Francisco continues to be one of the world’s most important destinations for leading players in the wine industry, so it’s no surprise that a major conference dedicated to the private label and bulk trade is making its way to the city on July 26-27.