Platt Vineyard: A Remarkable Expression
Sometime last year, I received an offer for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from Platt Vineyard. It was not connected to any winery that I was familiar with - just Platt Vineyard. I was surprised and very curious, since I was aware of the popularity of the grapes from that vineyard, well sought after by winemakers. I was not aware of it being its “own” winery. My first response was to open up Anthony Galloni’s app “Vinous” to see what reviews might be available. To my surprise, the ratings and comments about Platt Vineyard wines were remarkable. I was amazed that the ’23 Platt Vineyard Estate Reserve Chardonnay had been awarded 100 points! A perfect score for Chardonnay? This was curious for me; and since I was able to purchase, I did. The newly released Pinot Noir was awarded 98 points. These are remarkable scores for what would be considered a new winery.
OVID Napa Valley: A Remarkable Experience
Early in the 2000s, I discovered OVID. It was and still is a remarkable winery that crafts beautiful red wines that are plush and deep while being truly expressive of place. While that is something that can be said accurately for many wineries, there is a distinction at OVID that can simply put you in awe. The location is on Pritchard Hill in Napa Valley. The views from the winery are simply beautiful and match the expression in the bottle.
The Napa Valley 2025 Vintage Report
Napa Valley has wrapped up the 2025 harvest, which winemakers are describing as beautiful, deep in color, balanced, elegant, and flavorful. It’s all covered in Somm TV's Napa Valley 2025 Vintage Report, which is free to stream.
Wayfarer Vineyard’s Estate Pinot Noir: Wine Spectator’s #8 Wine of the Year!
I have espoused the beauty and joy of drinking Wayfarer Vineyard’s Estate Pinot Noir in the past. (See here.) This is a grand opportunity to bring this brilliant wine to your attention again. The 2023 Estate has just been named Wine Spectator’s #8 wine of the year! Yes, I am cheering! Wine Spectator tastes over 10,000 wines each year, and from that they designate the top 100.
Peter Michael Winery: A Remarkable Expression of the Vine
Peter Michael Winery is located in the northeast corner of Sonoma County (California) in Knights Valley AVA. This is the main winery, and several of the vineyards are at this location. A tasting at this property includes a stunning view of the vineyards from 1000 feet up, on the hillside of Mount Saint Helena. Upon arrival, you are welcomed into a tasting room that has the comfort of a friend’s living room and truly feels like a home. This is a warm and open space. The real journey though is by truck. You are driven slowly to the top of the hillside to enjoy the view. Here, they have built a guest space that allows for the magnificent view of vineyards and the valley below. It is a gorgeous expanse of hillsides and vines. The winery is a remarkable commitment to nature.
Kistler Vineyards: A Chardonnay Lover’s Dream
First and foremost, Kistler Vineyards is a beautiful setting. It sits high on a hill with a lovely house and gorgeous views of the surroundings. Vines, hills, and slopes abound and capture the beauty of the winery. This is a short drive into the Sebastopol, CA area and well worth it for the beauty of the setting alone.
Yet the only reason truly to make the trip is to explore the beauty of the wines. Kistler produces twelve single-vineyard Chardonnays and two Pinot Noirs. What is unique here is that the expression of the wine – the Chardonnays in particular – comes from the vineyards.
Newfound Wines: The Name Says It All
Newfound Wines is a new winery that has created a new expression of wines that will impress. This is the endeavor of Matt and Audra Naumann, who began their journey with land in the Sierra Foothills in 2016. They replanted the vineyard in an effort to strike a balance between nature and the fruit. Because their own vineyard is young, they produce wines from other vineyards that are family-owned and organically farmed in Napa Valley, Sonoma County, and the Sierra Foothills.
Realm Cellars: “This blessed plot, this earth, this realm…”
After purchasing the wine produced by Realm Cellars for over 15 years, it was a pleasure to taste at their newest property in Calistoga, CA. It is the home of one of their wines, the Bard. The Bard is a Cabernet blend that is rich and well structured. After many iterations of Realm Cellars, it has expanded to include three locations: The Stags Leap district, Pritchard Hill, and now Calistoga. Success does breed success.
Arkenstone: A Gem on Howell Mountain
The predominate varietal from this lovely winery is Cabernet Sauvignon. It is a wonderful winery to visit to grasp the svelteness of tannins and complexity of their wine. The winery sits at 1400 feet in elevation; and the views are impressive, matching the quality of the wine.
Willamette Valley: Standout Pinot Noirs
Pinot Noir is a distinctive variety. The grape itself offers unique challenges and is fondly called the “Heartbreak Grape.” The grape presents growing challenges due to its thin skin which makes it susceptible to weather and disease. It’s also genetically susceptible to mutations. These mutations have led to a multitude of clones. Today, there are at least 1000 clones of Pinot Noir, each representing different characteristics.