One of my favorite things about the wine industry is the people in it. Our staff members are no exception. They’re a fascinating lot, and each has meandered one way or another through interesting experiences until they’ve gotten to us. So here goes our new series: Meet the Staff, in which we’ll ask them about their journeys and take you along for the ride. First up, Ryan Woodhouse, Domestic Buyer Extraordinaire.
Read MoreFrom busting myths to discovering cool new wineries, K&L’s Domestic Team has been busy finding the greatest wines from the U.S. of A. to bring to our customers. This week’s mammoth 12-page newsletter has the fruits of their labor. Whatever your fancy, allow Ryan Woodhouse and Kaj Stromer to be your guides, as they champion the depth and breadth of wines from our home turf.
Read MoreWe’re deep in the dog days of summer, when nothing but a thirst-quenching glass of wine will do. In this week’s newsletter, our Buyers reveal some of their favorite refreshers from around the world, from Sauvignon Blanc to rosé to Gamay.
Read MoreAs the temperatures rise across California, our Domestic Buyers have been grabbing their jackets and hitting the coolest spots up and down the coast. What they’ve found are some of the most exciting wines and winemakers in the entire US, and you'll find their stories in this month's newsletter. And there are plenty of stories to tell—so much so that this is the biggest newsletter of the year (so far!).
Read MoreWe’re here today, on National Chardonnay Day, to celebrate this iconic, global grape, and specifically to celebrate what’s happening with it in Oregon. Pinot Noir definitely put Oregon wine on the map, but Chardonnay is no doubt becoming a major contender, and, if the bottles we have on our shelves are any indicator, the future looks incredibly bright for Oregon Chard.
Read MoreOn Monday night, browsing through my Instagram feed, I was shocked to read about the sudden passing of Jim Clendenen. I have seen many outpourings of heartfelt sorrow for Jim's untimely death and several anecdotal stores highlighting just what a colorful guy he was. So, I figured I'd share a quick story about the first time I met Jim back in 2009.
Read MoreA couple years back I was lucky enough to get the full tour of Eisele Vineyard with General Manager, Antoine Donnedieu. After walking the vineyard and spending a few hours tasting with Antoine, I was able to fully understand how Eisele’s Altagracia Cabernet is differentiated from the Eisele Vineyard Cabernet "proper…"
Read MoreToday, the staff and buyers at K&L are opening up Sauvignon Blanc from around the world to pay homage to the Sauvignon Blanc grape and the wonderful wine it produces.
Read MoreI can't think of a more appropriate Wine of the Week for Earth Day than the 2018 Hirsch Vineyards "San Andreas Fault" Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir. The wine comes from an iconic vineyard that sits quite literally at the edge of the Earth, 1,500 to 2000 feet above the Pacific Ocean in the Fort Ross-Seaview AVA… The entire estate, including the orchards and gardens, are farmed according to biodynamic principles. The wines themselves are made in a very natural way that respects the quality of the fruit and a powerful sense of place.
Read MoreWhen COVID-19 shut the world down 12 months ago, just about everything changed. Though it will never replace walking the vineyards or tasting barrels in the cellar with an amped-up winemaker excited to share their creations, I'm hugely grateful to the folks who have sent their wines during this time, and I have had more than a few "discoveries" that have left me stunned.
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