The Wonderful Wine World of Ballard Canyon

We are so lucky in California to be a stone’s throw from great wine regions, no matter which part of the state we live in—and it seems a particularly good moment to celebrate this unique part of the world while it suffers under smoke and fire right now. Hollywood staffer Illya Haase recently took his family on a short jaunt from LA to Ballard Canyon, home to Stolpman Vineyards and their great lineup of wines. He was impressed by their thoughtful winemaking and farming, but mostly by the deep connection to their people and their land.

We're Preaching the Ministry of Clouds

Ministry of Clouds is a husband-and-wife team who make majorly buzz-worthy wine all over Australia. We are thrilled to announce that we are now their exclusive importer for the U.S.! We have a small quantity of these incredible wines, so grab them while you can. The good news: these are cult wines with very reasonable price tags.

From Châteauneuf to Condrieu, the Rhône Is a Bounty of Riches

There’s so much to love coming out of the Rhône Valley these days. After a string of phenomenal vintages, the Rhône is one of the best places to look if you want wines that consistently overdeliver bang for your buck. Buyer Keith Mabry leads the charge of the other K&L Rhônephiles with a list of current favorite bottles and producers in today’s newsletter.

John's Master Class: 2015 Brunello di Montalcino

What is it that makes Brunello di Montalcino so incredibly special? If you are a fan of Italian wine, you’ve probably heard K&L and critics alike rave about the 2015 vintage, and maybe you’re ready to learn more. We asked one of our Italian experts, John Downing, to give us the lowdown on the vintage, the region, and some of his favorites. This is a deep dive for the Brunello lover, or even just the Brunello curious.

Tahbilk: A “First Family” of Australian Wine

We are thrilled to be the exclusive U.S. importer for one of Australia’s finest wineries. Tahbilk is one of the much-lauded “First Families” of Australian wine, and we couldn’t be happier to offer their wines at very special pricing. They encompass the best of Australia’s quality and deep tradition.

Our Summer Burgundy Newsletter

Some wine drinkers consider Burgundy the most inscrutible of regions, but really all you need is an Alex Pross. In our newsletter, K&L Burgundy Buyer tells you his latest favorites and has some tremendous tips for finding Burgundy values (not an oxymoron). Whether you’re a collector or a daily drinker, there is much to love from this famed region!

Profound Blanc de Noir from Gosset

You may have noticed that our Champagne Buyer Gary Westby drinks a lot of really good Champagne. So when one makes him stop and take notice, you can bet it’s exceptional. He had just such a moment over a bottle of Gosset’s NV Blanc de Noir. Paired with salmon mousse, the experience was nothing short of profound.

Italy: Super Tuscan to Südtirol

From 100-point Brunellos to superb Pinot Grigio under $15, our summer Italian newsletter covers it all. With all the fresh produce in season right now (are your tomato gardens popping yet?), it’s a great time to dine al fresco with a glass (or two) of Italian wine.

On a Tail Wind from Spain: Vinos del Viento

We’re excited to introduce you to a new winemaker in our Direct Import portfolio. Meet Michael Cooper and his Vinos de Vientos wines: old-vine Grenache- and Carignan-driven bottlings direct from exceptional vineyards in Spain.

100-Point Brunello from One of Italy's Best Winemakers

Carlo Ferrini is well-beloved in Italian wine as a consultant, racking up several prestigious “Winemaker of the Year” awards for his work with wineries from Piedmont to Sicily. He lets his own small Brunello winery, Giodo, fly under the radar so as not to steal the spotlight from his clients, but his wines are truly exceptional. They are the work of a master with decades of experience, and they will be a beacon for any Brunello lover.

The Rhône Valley Brings It On with Stellar Vintages and Values

It’s a great time to drink Rhône wine—of course, many of us would argue that there’s never a bad time! But with a string of highly rated vintages and an eye toward value, wines from both the north and the south of this famed French valley are exceeding expectations.

The Art of Brunello from Castello Romitorio

Artist Sandro Chia’s Montalcino estate Castello Romitorio has produced an exceptional bottling in the 2015 vintage. His son Filippo, who’s been working side by side with Sandro since 2005, reflects on the confluence of forces that made this such a special year for them, now 36 years since they first came to this historic site.

K&L Wine Merchants

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