Wine News

Grgich Hills and Robert Mondavi 2013 Blessing of the Grapes

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What a wonderful experience to witness this annual tradition at two Napa Valley wineries this last Friday, August 30th. The blessing of the grapes is a tradition at both Grgich Hills (37th year) and at Robert Mondavi (48th year). Father Gordon Kalil from St. Helena’s Catholic Church gave the blessing at both ceremonies. We had … Read more

Clos Pegase Winery Sold to Leslie Rudd

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Yet another Napa Valley winery has exchanged owners. This time it is one of our favorite wineries to visit in the Napa Valley. Clos Pegase is one of our favorites in terms of its wonderful appeal as it sits among the vines and the backdrop of the Vaca Mountains. It is an architectural wonder among … Read more

Napa Valley Taste of Victory

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I’m not sure why an official wine region is needed, but nonetheless that is how it is. The benefit for the Napa Valley wineries and related industries is plenty of PR, and the only wines poured at all the official venues for America’s Cup are from the Napa Valley.

Calistoga’s new logo

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We just learned that the Napa Valley Tourism Improvement District Committee and the Calistoga Chamber of Commerce have collaborated on adapting a brand new logo and slogan for Calistoga. What do think about this?

Napa Valley Wine Country News

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Are you traveling to the Napa Valley any time soon? Here is the latest Napa Valley wine country news and information.

Oakville Grocery starts an online store
The newly-remodeled Oakville Grocery in the Napa Valley has a new sandwich menu and a new online store. If you are a new traveler to the Napa Valley, you certainly must stop in and at least browse this iconic fixture on Highway 29 in Oakville. Oakville Grocery just launched an e-commerce website, enabling anyone to purchase from the market at shop.oakvillegrocery.com. Originally opened in 1881, Oakville Grocery began as a farmers’ store and is the oldest continually operating grocery store in California. Everything is sourced from California farmers, artisans, and purveyors, with a focus on Napa and Sonoma Valleys.

Travel Tip: We always call ahead to have our deli sandwiches or salads made up in advance. The Oakville Grocery is a popular spot, so call ahead and avoid the long lines. Then head off to one of the Napa Valley’s picnic wineries and enjoy wine country at its finest.

image of oakville grocery
Oakville Grocery

RockNapa comes to Charles Krug, July 18 & 19 and August 15 & 16
The historic Charles Krug Winery’s Carriage House is the venue for each two-day festival filled with live music, fine wines, craft beers, and food. The festival begins at 4:30 and ends at 10 pm. 

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Napa Valley: Calling all electric vehicles to our tasting room

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To our knowledge these are the wineries in the Napa Valley that currently have electric vehicle charging stations available for their tasting room guests.

Santa Barbara wine country will host wine bloggers in 2014

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At the conclusion of the 2013 Wine Bloggers Conference in Penticton, British Columbia, on Saturday, June 8th, it was announced that Santa Barbara wine country has been selected to host the 7th annual North American Wine Bloggers Conference for 2014. The conference will be held at the Santa Ynez Marriott Hotel in Buellton from July … Read more

Five tips to escape Napa Valley crowds this Weekend

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Follow these five very simple ideas to help you escape the crowds in the Napa Valley that will flock the tasting rooms this coming weekend. Most folks are going to be locked into Highway 29 from the town of Napa and into St. Helena. That is where most of the action is located in terms of tasting rooms, lodging and eateries.

Napa Valley Charbono Resurgence

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No, this is not the name of a new chic restaurant or B&B in the Napa Valley. It is a grape that at one time was highly reveled in the Napa Valley. It was famously made by the Inglenook winery from 1882 until the winery was sold to Francis Ford Coppola in 1998. Today there … Read more

American Wine: Jancis Robinson and Linda Murphy at the Commonwealth Club

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When asked what wines in other states surprised Jancis, she responded that she liked the sparkling wine made by the New Mexico winery Gruet. She thought the wine to be very similar to French Champagne.