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.
Read MoreIf 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.
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