Samuel Louis Smith: The Central Coast Winemaker to Watch

When K&L Domestic Buyer Ryan Woodhouse stops a tasting and says "keep an eye on this winemaker," you listen. That was six years ago, and Samuel Louis Smith has been one of our favorite producers ever since. He makes about 1,300 cases a year across Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Gamay, and cool-climate Syrah from some of the most compelling sites on the Central Coast — all organically farmed, all minimal intervention, all genuinely outstanding. We've visited him in the vineyards, poured his wines at our tent events, and we're re-running our 2019 interview now that new vintages are in stock.

United States, CaliforniaOn the TrailMay 4, 2026K&L Wine MerchantsInterview

Ian Brand’s Iconic Fellom Ranch Cab: An Interview

Here at K&L we've long been huge fans of Ian Brand's wines. Right after I took the reins of the Domestic wine department in 2018, Ian was recognized by the San Francisco Chronicle as their Winemaker of the Year. This award shone a bright light on wines that were already considered “insider” here at K&L. In the years since, Ian has been generous enough to host our sales team on several occasions both at his winery in Salinas and at several vineyards from which he sources fruit.

California, United StatesRyan WoodhouseJune 17, 2025K&L Wine MerchantsInterview

Meet Steve Birer, Director of Spirits Auctions

We’re thrilled to announce the next chapter in our auction journey—K&L Spirits Auctions, launching on May 1! We’ve spent the last 15 years refining our fine wine auction platform, focusing on curation and bringing compelling lots to the most heavily visited online retail and auction site in the U.S. Now we’re applying that experience to collectible spirits.

SpiritsKate SotoApril 21, 2025K&L Wine MerchantsInterview

LGBTQ Winemaker Spotlight: Terah Bajjalieh

Terah Bajjalieh of Terah Wine Co. is a queer woman of color who owns and operates one of the coolest natural wine companies in California right now. She has had a long and distinguished career, working 13 consecutive harvests around the world to hone her craft. She first started making wine in a friend’s garage, before starting Terah Wine Co. She only works with organic and biodynamic vineyards and focuses on a minimal intervention winemaking style.

California, United StatesZaitouna KustoAugust 10, 2023K&L Wine MerchantsInterview

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.

California, United StatesKerry KirkhamApril 11, 2023K&L Wine MerchantsInterview, Video

Interview with Lorenzo Pasquini of Château d'Yquem

I missed the introduction to Lorenzo Pasquini before he began guiding the Château d’Yquem staff tasting last week at our San Francisco store. When I nosed the first pour, I didn’t know what he did for the winery. All I knew was that the wines and his passion and charisma shone brilliantly, which inspired me to ask if he would sit down for an impromptu video tasting.

Bordeaux, FranceKerry KirkhamMarch 2, 2023K&L Wine MerchantsInterview

Wine Enthusiast 2020 Winemaker of the Year: Greg Brewer

Greg Brewer has been making gorgeous wines in the Sta. Rita Hills since 1996, first with his eponymous winery Brewer-Clifton, opened with Steve Clifton, then at Melville and Diatom wineries. Though the style is different at each winery, the message is the same: Sta. Rita Hills is world-class terroir, and it’s here to stay. If you want to understand Pinot and Chardonnay from the Sta. Rita Hills, Brewer’s wines should be where you start.

California, United StatesKate SotoDecember 23, 2020K&L Wine MerchantsInterview, Video

New Reds from a Jura Fave: Domaine des Carlines

We are excited to now have the inaugural release of reds from Domaine des Carlines, a Direct Import Jura producer whose whites we’ve loved since their first vintage in 2015. They’re a young domaine but the two at the helm, Patrick and Sophie, have been in the wine business their whole lives. The wines are very special, and we’re going to drink them all summer long.

Southern France, FranceKate SotoJuly 24, 2020K&L Wine MerchantsInterview, Video

An Interview with Chad Melville on his Magical 2016 Estate Pinot

The Melville Winery has set the benchmark for silky, aromatic Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir during its 20+ years in the region. Chad Melville is the man behind the magic—son to the founder and both lead winegrower and winemaker. He spoke with me about their 2016 Estate Pinot, a wine that is always special, but that shines particularly brightly in the 2016 vintage, which also happened to be his first as lead winemaker.

California, United StatesKate SotoNovember 22, 2019K&L Wine MerchantaInterview

An Interview with Rudi Bauer of Quartz Reef

Quartz Reef has always had a cult following at K&L. Which is why I jumped at the chance to meet up with Rudi Bauer, founder and winemaker behind Quartz Reef this August. Rudi first moved to New Zealand from his native Austria in 1985 and after stints at Mission Vineyards, Giesen and Rippon, quickly became known as one of the pioneers of Central Otago, and one of the first adherents of Biodynamic farming in New Zealand. He founded Quartz Reef in 1998 and today, he’s considered a legend in the Central Otago winemaking scene.

New ZealandOn the TrailSeptember 25, 2019Interview

An Interview with Jason Driscoll, Winemaker of Tilth Wines

This week, I was able to catch up with Jason Driscoll, Winemaker of Tilth Wines, before his tasting in our Redwood City Store on Friday. With his positive energy and charismatic nature, he has been able to make a name for himself in an elite world of fine winemaking, in one of the world’s most recognized and revered growing regions. His background is based purely on passion and following his taste buds. I was curious about his journey and his wines. Graciously, he gave me his time and explained his story.

California, United StatesGuest UserAugust 8, 2019Interview

A Conversation with Ian Brand, Winemaker & Owner of I. Brand & Family Wines

Ian Brand is one of the hottest rising talents coming out the Central Coast right now. Recently named Winemaker of the Year by the San Francisco Chronicle, he is an incredibly passionate winemaker with a vision, not only for his own wines, but for the region as a whole. Wine Enthusiast described him as “innovative, experimental and eager to push the envelope in Salinas Valley and beyond.” He currently has three wine brands, La P’tit Paysan, La Marea, and I. Brand & Family, each crafted to capture the unique beauty of the vineyards, the grapes and the distinctive region. Ian will be pouring his wines this Thursday in our San Francisco store, so I took the chance to catch up with him this week.

California, United StatesGuest UserJanuary 15, 2019Interview

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