If I was forced to pick a favorite wine region in California, I think it would have to be the Santa Cruz Mountains. These rugged coastal mountains are a truly special place to produce wine. First of all, the diversity of micro-climates within the AVA allows for an almost endless range of possibilities for grape growing. The generally warmer interior (SF Bay side) of the mountains is perfect for growing Bordeaux varietals as illustrated by the iconic wines of Ridge Monte Bello and close neighbors such as Fellom Ranch and Mount Eden. On the coastal side of the mountains the Pacific Ocean and Monterey Bay provide enormous tempering effects on temperature as well as persistent fog. This makes great conditions for growing world-class Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

Wine NewsletterRyan WoodhouseApril 6, 2025klwines, santa cruz mountains, santa cruz wine, scm wine, ryan woodhouse, madson, ridge vineyards, farm cottage, rhys, beauregared, assiduous, mindego ridge, samuel louis smith, i. brand, i.brand, mount eden

Holiday Buying Guide: Our Top Picks for the Season

The K&L Holiday Wine Buying Guide is your ultimate resource for selecting the perfect wines to elevate your holiday celebrations. Whether you're searching for the ideal bottle to pair with festive meals, a special gift for a wine lover, or simply a standout wine to enjoy with loved ones, our curated guide offers expert recommendations across all price points and styles. From rich reds and elegant whites to sparkling wines and rare finds, our team of experienced sommeliers and wine buyers has handpicked a selection that embodies the spirit of the season, ensuring your holiday table is stocked with exceptional wines. Let us help you make this holiday season even more memorable with the perfect bottle for every occasion!

California Wine, France, Oregon Wine, Wine Newsletter, Bordeaux, ChampagneKate SotoDecember 10, 2024K&L Wine Merchantsklwines, ryan moses, ryan woodhouse, kirk walker, thomas smith, orazio campoli, hundred suns, assiduous, meteor perseid, mt brave mount veeder, napa cabernet, complant uc davis south station vineyard, far niente, chimney rock, dyer winery, forman winery, andreola mas de fer, bruno giacosa, gaja, tommaso bussola, antinori, felsina, vin santo, tignanello, produttori del barbaresco, cobb estate, lynch bages, cobb winery, pauillac de latour, rauzan segla, leoville poyferre, montrose, vietti, a tribute to grace, cantemerle, sansonnet, cristom, egrot, roederer collection 242, duckhorn, labegorce, 2005 secret orkney (highland park), gary westby, alexandre le brun, ad coutelas, billecart-salmon, krug grand cuvee 172, wine clubs, k&l wine clubs, el escoces volante

A Few of Our Favorite Things from the Domestic Wine Aisle

For the Holiday Buying Guide this year I decided to take a leaf out of Oprah’s book and present a few of my favorite things! As the Domestic Wine Buyer for K&L, I taste many thousands of wines a year: from high-end luxury cult Cabs to delicious everyday drinkers at $9.95; from solid, dependable, consistent old favorites, to the newest, most esoteric, experimental wines from folks trying something creative to get a start. My role as the buyer here is often not just to assess the quality and value presented by a certain wine, but to match it with a specific customer demand. The idea of this list is to be a little self indulgent (hey, it is the holiday season) and focus on wines that I personally enjoy to drink, share, and gift to others. Wines I believe have a broad appeal and will bring a smile to most people who taste them.

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