One of the favorite things about my job is seeking out small producers making interesting wines. I love working with people who are really just beginning on their journey and climbing on board with them to see where it goes. I first met Cody and Emily Rasmussen of Desire Lines Wines back in May of 2019 at a very memorable “Shades of Shake Ridge” event in the Sierra Foothills. … There is something so authentic and genuine about them as people and that in turn is encapsulated in their wines. The wines embody a true passion and love for the craft of making wines with a palpable sense of place. They are soulful wines of minimal intervention, yet are also precise and refined. Every part of the process from the selection of vineyard sites, meticulous farming, astute subtle winemaking, hand-drawn label art… everything is done with the utmost care and deliberate attention to detail.

California Wine, domestic, K&L Hollywood, K&L Wine Blog, K&L Wine Redwood City, K&L Wine San Francisco, K&L Wines, On the Trail, riesling, Ryan Woodhouse, wine blog, wine news, Wine NewsletterRyan WoodhouseSeptember 28, 2023K&L Wine Merchantsklwines, wine news, california wine, sierra foothills, desire lines wine co, evanghelo vineyard, kick ranch vineyard, carmel valley, k&l wine merchants, wine blog, wine blogger, ryan woodhouse, cody rasmussen, emily rasmussen, shades of shake ridge, bedrock wine co., assistant winemaker, winemaker, associate winemaker, 2021 desire lines "kick ranch" fountain grove sauvignon blanc, mayacamas mountains, rincon valley, 2021 desire lines wiley vineyard anderson valley riesling, 2021 desire lines winds of change california syrah, 2021 desire lines cachagua ridge carmel valley cabernet sauvignon blanc, cabernet sauvignon, syrah, riesling, california riesling, sauvignon blanc, desire lines evangelho vineyard contra costa county red blend

Small-Production Wines in Santa Cruz: Alfaro Family Vineyards and Farm Cottage

I have long believed that the Santa Cruz Mountains are a truly special place to grow grapes. This rugged coastal range forced up by the collision of two tectonic plates has an incredible bounty of complex soils. It’s a geological kaleidoscope of ancient uplifted seabed, volcanic deposits, and metamorphic rock bent and twisted by the immense pressures below. All of this is churned up by the San Andreas fault and weathered down by several millennia of coastal storms.

California Wine, domestic, K&L Hollywood, K&L Wine Blog, K&L Wine Redwood City, K&L Wine San Francisco, K&L Wines, On the Trail, pinot noir, producer profile, Ryan Woodhouse, wine blog, Wine Travel, Wine TrendsRyan WoodhouseSeptember 27, 2023K&L Wine Merchantsklwines, ryan alfaro, alfaro wines, farm cottage wines, trout gulch vineyard, terroir, soil, geology, wine geology, understanding vineyard soil, california wine, california wine travel, ryan woodhouse, wine news, wine newsletter, k&l wine merchants, on the trail, vineyard redwoods, wine travel, wine tasting, redwood city, heritage clones of pinot noir, swan pinot noir, mount eden pinot noir, wente-clone chardonnay, vosne romanee suitcase selections, syrah, pinot noir, chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon, richard alfaro, wine, wine blog, robert young clone chardonnay, santa cruz, santa cruz mountains, santa cruz wine, santa cruz winery

Exploring the Latest Releases from the Napa and Sonoma A-List

To someone outside of California, saying “North of the San Francisco Bay” would indicate a large territory, including the lumping of Sonoma and Napa Counties together. Being just a quick 30-minute drive apart from each other means that many out-of-town visitors make plans to hit both areas in one go, especially for wine tasting expeditions. Yet, separated by the Mayacamas Mountain Range, these two wine-driven counties are, surprisingly, incredibly different from one another—in personality, in terroir, and ultimately in the wines that they produce. A few weeks ago, the Key Accounts team had an opportunity to spend a day in Sonoma and surrounding areas, and a day in Napa, side by side.

California Cabernet, california history, California Wine, Collectible Wine, High Scoring Wines, K&L Hollywood, K&L Wine Blog, K&L Wine Redwood City, K&L Wine San Francisco, K&L Wines, On the Trail, Organic Wine, wine blog, Wine TravelChelsea HerholdtSeptember 21, 2023K&L Wine Merchantsklwines, pritchard hill, napa, sonoma, realm, chelsea herholdt, mayacamas mountains, k&l key accounts team, alex schroeder, ryan woodhouse, west sonoma coast ava, redwoods, vineyard redwoods, vineyard fog, vineyard travel, california wine, hanzell, ross cobb, cobb winery, pinot noir, chardonnay, carlo mondavi, dante mondavi, robert mondavi, kistler, catherine kistler, occidental-freestone, moon mountain, jason jardine, diurnal shift, understanding wine, howell mountain, vaca range, dunn wine, robert craig, turnbull winery, peter heitz, leopoldina vineyard, black label cabernet sauvignon, turnbull black label, colgin, houyi family, collectible wine, wine collector

The 2021 Vintage: Brilliance in Napa and Sonoma

After traveling around the world and talking to one producer after another, you can tell the difference between a vintage that needs to be explained, and one that speaks for itself. The 2021s in both Sonoma and Napa seem to be the latter.

Our SF Team Hit the Slopes of Santa Cruz

Once again, the dynamic duo of Ryan Woodhouse and Jorge Valencia treated the San Francisco team to a fantastic wine van journey. This time we embarked to the Santa Cruz Mountains and the awe-inspiring beauty, terrain (We experienced some of the steepest vineyards ever, akin to the Mosel!!), and talented winemakers we met along the way. What a beauty of a day!

Reflections on Premiere Napa Valley by Hope and Carlo

Our fearless Domestic crew traveled to Napa to taste the finest the valley had to offer at this year’s Premiere Napa Valley. Staffers Hope Cooc and Carlo Delgado recap their impressions in today’s blog.

Interview with Chris Puppione of Puppione Family Wines

Every wine ever made is a result of a series of decisions. Each decision, especially early in the process, lays the wine’s foundation and structure. The wines Chris Puppione makes are exquisite examples of place and variety—such purity and honesty. The five that I tasted with Chris made me excited for the future. I felt like I escaped into great series on Netflix, and I eagerly await the coming seasons to see how this this story evolves.

Redwood City Hits the Road: Santa Lucia Highlands and Chalone

Just a few short weeks ago the K&L Redwood City sales team went on the trip of a lifetime. We traveled to the vineyards gently climbing the coastal mountain range that separates Salinas Valley from the coasts of Big Sur.

San Francisco Is Feeling the Love with Valentine’s Day Picks

Valentine’s Day is around the corner, and our San Francisco team has got you covered. They’ve picked their favorite bottles for romancing yoru sweethearts! Whether you’re hitting the town in your finery or cozying up with Netflix, there’s a beverage for you in this list!

Domestic Wine News: Sta. Rita Hills' Finest, An Oregon Rising Star, & Top Values

Our Domestic Buyer Ryan Woodhouse shines a spotlight on the Sta. Rita Hills, Santa Barbara County’s rising superstar wine region. This cool climate zone produces some of the most exciting Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in the state, and our pages are packed with some of Ryan’s favorites. He also includes a focus on an Oregon Riesling producer who knocked his socks off and a roundup of under $20 bottles that overdeliver.

Holiday Buying Made Easy: Our Top Picks in Nearly Every Category

Today's Newsletter is the final installment of 2022, and we're ringing out the year with a bang. Our buyers have all pitched in to compile a wide-ranging selection of holiday winners for every palate, price tier, and festive occasion. Without further ado, we'd like to wish you Happy Holidays and all the best over the next few weeks and into the New Year.

Alex Pross, austria, Barbaresco, Barolo, Big Point Wines, Brunello di Montalcino, burgundy, California Cabernet, California Wine, champagne, Champagne Under $30, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, chardonnay, Clyde Beffa Jr., Collectible Wine, domestic, France, Gary Westby, Greg St. Clair, High Scoring Wines, Holidays, Italian Wine, italy, K&L Hollywood, K&L Wine Blog, K&L Wine Redwood City, K&L Wine San Francisco, K&L Wines, Kaj Stromer, Kate Soto, Keith Mabry, Kirk Walker, Napa Valley Wine, New Year's Eve Champagne, new zealand, Oregon Wine, Organic Wine, On the Trail, pinot noir, pinot meunier, rhone, Ryan Moses, Ryan Woodhouse, Sangiovese, Sauvignon Blanc, Spain, Spanish Wine, sparkling wine, spirits, Stocking Stuffer Wine, Thomas Smith, Value Bordeaux, Vintage Champagne, wine blog, Willamette Valley, Wine Newsletter, wine news, BordeauxKate SotoDecember 13, 2022K&L Wine Merchantsklwines, wine blog, on the trail, champagne, holiday wine, bordeaux, burgundy, califonia wine, pinot noir, italian wine, cabernet sauvignon, rhone wine, australian wine, austrian wine, learn about australian wine

Thanksgiving Stars to Elevate Your Holiday Feast

Today's Newsletter gets us in the holiday mood with a truly all-encompassing look at our absolute favorite picks for pairing with a large and diverse holiday feast. Our best-in-the-business team of buyers has you covered with hand-picked selections that will shine in any holiday occasion, from the most casual, warm-hearted get-togethers to the most intricate and luxurious affairs.

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