To celebrate the 45th anniversary of the Judgement of Paris, we’d like to pay tribute to one of our very favorite California wineries, one whose 1971 Monte Bello came in fifth place in 1976, and whose 1971 Monte Bello came in first place 30 years later at the rematch—Ridge Vineyards. Our Domestic Buyer, Kaj Stromer, recently attended a Zoom tasting of Ridge’s spring releases, and he left thoroughly impressed. Click for his recap.
Read MoreChampagne Liaison Scott Beckerley unearthed a treasure recently from his cellar: a bottle from LeClerc Briant, a beloved producer who sold off their exceptional biodynamic vineyards upon the owner’s passing. Luckily, the vineyards were bought by Roederer, and the superb terroir lives on in their wines.
Read MoreThere’s no doubt that the wines coming out of California, Oregon, and Washington State these days are better than ever. With an influx of new talent and well-honed skills from the veterans, the wines are not just a departure from the “go big or go home” model, they are in fact some of the most pure expressions of the specific and varied terroir that the West Coast has to offer.
Read MoreBehind every great wine is a great story. Napa’s Accendo Cellars indeed makes great wine, and the story behind it is particularly special to us at K&L. Bart Araujo, former owner of Eisele Vineyards and Araujo Estate Winery, is the man behind the magic at Accendo Cellars. He also happens to be good friends with K&L’s Clyde Beffa, and their story stretches back to the baseball diamond at Serra High. Luckily they both held their own on the ol’ sand lot, though you might hear a bit of friendly rivalry now and again! Since those years, they’ve built some amazing businesses, and a remarkable multi-generational friendship.
Read MoreWe are in the middle of summer, the mercury is rising, and you want to grab that perfect bottle of rosé, but which one? Our Rhône and French Regional liaison at the Redwood City, Lauren Seward, is here to offer five glorious suggestions that should fit the bill perfectly.
Read MoreMichael Broadbent was an influential wine writer whose work was deeply important to the early days of K&L. Upon his recent passing, one of our longest-tenured staffers, Ralph Sands, looks back at the man, the myth, the legend.
Read MoreOn the occasion of Gary Westby’s 20th anniversary with K&L, we sat down and asked him all the questions that inquiring minds want to know. Find out more about the man behind our world-class Champagne program!
Read MoreOn this, the eve of the most American of holidays, Shelby ponders the most American of grapes: Zinfandel!
Read MoreIt was a special treat for the LA team to get to do a Bordeaux tasting yesterday with K&L’s owner/founder/Bordeaux evangelist, Clyde Beffa.
Read MoreNothing more fun than picking the brain of a tried-and-true wine geek. For part 3, we talk wine with Clyde!
Read MoreWelcome to Part 2 of the K&L story, where we delve into the decisions that kept the K&L boat afloat all these years, and that have made it the unique, multi-faceted enterprise that it is today.
Read MoreWhat’s the trick for long-lasting friendship? If you are Clyde Beffa and Todd Zucker, owners of K&L, the trick seems to be going into business together. Todd and Clyde met in 1947 when they lived across the street from one another in San Mateo. Legend has it that some sand was flung at their first meeting (they were two), but they nonetheless became thick as thieves. And, after 42 years in business together, they still are.
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