Elegant Cool-Climate Wines from Australia's Yarra Valley

The first stop on my wine tour across Victoria was the Yarra Valley, located just an hour outside of Melbourne. The Yarra is a picturesque region where the suburban outskirts of the city give way to rolling green hills dotted with sheep and cattle. Creeks and rivers meander across the landscape, collared by eucalyptus and underbrush. The landscape features a blend of rural communities and opulent country estates with the occasional quaint, main-street towns that serve as centers for the winemaking communities.

Nicolas Maillart: The Cutting Edge of Champagne’s 1er Cru

There is no doubt that Nicolas Maillart is among the elite of Champagne’s grower producers, and we have been very lucky to work with him and his wines over the last four years.

Burgundy Can Be Your Go-To Weeknight Drink—If You Know Where to Look!

Today's Newsletter looks at one of the world's most revered and traditional wine regions through a fresh new lens. In recent years, the Burgundy category has seemingly charged out of reach of anyone but the most affluent collectors, but nothing could be further from the truth. New investment in winemaking and viticulture across the board have many of the region's lesser-known appellations and domaines turning out their best results ever, and K&L buyer Alex Pross is ready to give you the full rundown of some of our surefire winners off the beaten Burgundy path.

Since 1590: Chablis Seguinot-Bordet

During our lovely vacation in Chablis, Cinnamon and I visited Seguinot-Bordet to meet Jean-François Bordet, see his facility, and taste his wines. He is located in Maligny, a picturesque 10-minute drive north of the town of Chablis. Along the way you cross the river Serein to la rive droit and pass in front of Les Clos, Grenouilles, and Bougros Grand Crus and the Premier Cru of Fourchaume—a gorgeous ride!

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.

Visiting Domaine Gérard Tremblay in Chablis

It is hard to come back from Chablis. After a week vacationing in this paradise-like northern corner of Burgundy, I think I have fallen in love for ever. Cinnamon and I had a great time there cooking with the local ingredients, dining at wonderful local restaurants, hiking in the vineyards, and of course, visiting a few producers. One of the catalysts for this trip was a bottle of 2014 Domaine Gérard Tremblay Chablis Grand Cru Vaudésir that we drank on Christmas eve from the case that we bought several years ago. Paired with our local Dungeness crab, it beguiled us, and the empty ended up going on our wall of fame.

Our Top Buys in Grower Champagne

Today's Newsletter gets us back to bubbles in a big way, and not just any bubbles. Champagne buyer Gary Westby and his team have been as busy as ever tracking down the region's best direct-import buys to fill your cellar without breaking the bank. From everyday values to showstopping collectible vintage stunners, our Champagne portfolio is full to the brim with proven performers and new discoveries that with thrill even the most seasoned aficionados.

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.

Olivier Krug Debuts the 2008 Krug Clos du Mesnil

This past Monday, I was invited to lunch by Olivier Krug, who was visiting California with his team for the debut of the 2008 Krug "Clos du Mesnil" Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne. We went to Spruce, in the beautiful Pacific Heights neighborhood of San Francisco, and had a great time catching up while enjoying some excellent food and unforgettable Champagne. To call this 2008 release anticipated would be a gigantic understatement—it is one of the very last from this vintage, which I consider the best of my career, and from one of the most important vineyard sites in Champagne.

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.

Burgundy News: Collectible Benchmarks and Value Steals

Today's Newsletter takes us back to Burgundy with K&L buyer Alex Pross. We kick things off with a survey of Alex's personal favorite value buys that may have gone under most radars, until now. While Burgundy may seem like a price-prohibitive hunting ground for many wine lovers, these selections disprove that perception by offering world-class winemaking craftsmanship and terroir expression for prices that invite any and all Burgundy fans to the table.

Champagne Summit #1: The Billecart Dinner

Last night, Clément Calleja of Champagne Billecart-Salmon kicked off our annual staff Champagne Summit with a big bang. He hosted a comprehensive tasting of their line paired with sushi from Kanpai at Cinnamon’s and my home in Menlo Park. The wines were unforgettable.

K&L Wine Merchants

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