97 Points and $24.95: Two Mountain Winery

A few months back, an old friend in the wine business turned me on to the wines of Two Mountain. Previously unknown to me, I trusted his palate and sent a request for samples to the winery. Shortly afterward, I tasted through the range and was immediately impressed by both the quality and the exceptional value for money.

Read More
WeatherEye Is Washington’s Most Exciting Terroir

While the primary focus of my trip to Washington was Walla Walla, I decided to extend my visit and check out a vineyard I’ve wanted to see for many years: WeatherEye. As I’ve explained in a previous newsletter, this incredible site on the upper slopes and ridgeline of Red Mountain is one of the most exciting vineyard developments of the past decade anywhere in the USA. Seeing it with my own eyes was truly mind-blowing.

Read More
Washington’s Milton-Freewater AVA: In the Rocks

While technically sitting just across the state line in northern Oregon, the Rocks District of Milton-Freewater is a sub-AVA of Walla Walla that produces some of the most distinctive wines in the world. That’s not an exaggeration. The wines from the Rocks District are so incredibly distinctive that the expression of place is often more recognizable than the grape variety itself.

Read More
Washington State Wine’s Old Guard Still Holding Court

While it was a lot of fun exploring wines from new producers on the trip, it was equally rewarding to revisit some old favorites and taste new releases from iconic wineries that helped elevate Washington wine onto the world stage in the first place. Here are a few of the crème de la crème wines I was lucky enough to taste—and secure small allocations of for our shelves.

Read More
Exploring Washington State Wines… Finally!

Last month I went on an incredible trip to Washington wine country in search of a deeper understanding of the wines coming from Walla Walla and beyond. It was my first time back since before the pandemic, and the trip was long overdue. Four days were packed with insightful vineyard walks, winery visits, large-scale tastings, and more intimate dinners with library wines. It was a wonderful opportunity to check in on some old favorites while also seeking out new producers pushing the boundaries of the current Washington wine scene.

Read More
The Spider and the Pip: A Tale of Friendship and a Fantastic wine

Friday night SOS: a text from K&L colleague Dejah Overby: a photo of a massive wolf spider camped out in her bathroom. I knew the right move was to help a good friend out. I drove over and captured the spider for her. On my way out the door, Dejah handed me a bottle of red as a reward, one our colleagues had been raving about and calling a killer deal. That got my attention…

Read More
A Journey to Breganze, Treiso, and Beyond with Club Italiano

Kerry Kennell’s Club Italiano picks: a bracing, flinty Vespaiolo grown on volcanic soil in Breganze—from a grape named for the wasps that swarm it—and a pale, atmospheric Langhe Nebbiolo from Treiso, in the heart of Barbaresco.

Read More
Champagne Deals August 2026: Dom Pérignon to Grower Picks

With warm weather still ahead, nothing refreshes like Champagne. Our shelves run the range — from the casual Maison 76 Côte des Blancs Grand Cru to the mineral-driven 2017 Launois "Helia" Grand Cru Brut to the brioche richness of 2014 Taittinger "Comtes de Champagne" — plus the sub-$30 Baron-Fuenté "Grande Réserve" Brut, real Champagne at generic-sparkling-wine pricing. For special occasions or your cellar, we've got Krug and Cristal too. Late-summer meals are made for Champagne — the right bottle turns dinner into an occasion. A toast to you!

Read More