Terroir geeks: can we talk? Soil, bedrock, micronutrients—it’s downright complicated unless you have a degree in geology. Am I right? Luckily the wine world has Brandon Sparks-Gillis, geologist, winemaker, Master of Wine candidate, cofounder of Dragonette in Santa Barbara County, and all-around great resource on wines and soils. Brandon indulged me all my nerdy soil questions about the special place that is Sta. Rita Hills.
Read MoreAs tried-and-true Californians, we couldn’t be prouder of the beautiful wines being produced by the Golden State these days. Check out our weekly newsletter for a handful of the Domestic Buyer’s favorite picks, and learn about some of the producers who are defining the current Golden Era.
Read MoreOn a recent two-day jaunt through Santa Barbara wine country the team and I visited several producers who we believe are among the most exciting in Southern California. Our tastings confirmed that the wines from these producers are in fact drop-dead gorgeous.
Read MoreHappy National Pinot Noir Day! Here’s our ode to this beguiling grape. The Hollywood staff each picked a favorite bottle from a region around the world. If you’d like to scratch your Pinot itch, might we suggest one of these?
Read MoreThis 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.
Read MoreIn a few days, Cinnamon and I are going to the Loire Valley for the first time, spending the whole trip relaxing in one place: Sancerre. I have been so excited about this trip that I couldn’t wait to get a little taste in advance, and started searching around online for recipes to go with the iconic Sauvignon Blanc from the region. I settled on the salade au crottin de Chavignol as inspiration, and read a number of recipes online. Naturally, I picked the wine first—and went with the 2017 Domaine La Clef du Recit, a recommendation from our Loire Valley buyer Keith Mabry.
Read MoreOne thing I’ve learned at K&L is that if you’re going to get into a discussion about wine, expect it to be thorough. Last Tuesday, Ryan Woodhouse scheduled an after-hours staff tasting on the Santa Cruz Mountains and invited Assistant Winemaker at Rhys Vineyards, Sean Castorani, Winemaker and Owner of Mount Eden Vineyards, Jeffrey Patterson and Head of Viticulture at Ridge Vineyards, David Gates, to discuss their wines and this unique growing region.
Read MoreCasey O’Brien’s new project is a label called Idle Chatter with a relatively straightforward goal: awesome wine meant to be drunk young and fresh at an everyday price point. But underneath a pair of great everyday wines is a remarkable project. Casey recently launched an initiative to give a percentage of his profits to LGBTQ charities. And underneath the friendly exterior, there’s a fascinating backstory to Casey.
Read MoreRecently, K&L domestic wine buyer Ryan Woodhouse took some of the K&L NorCal team up to Sonoma. We wanted to speak to some of the amazing wine producers located right in K&L’s backyard, so to speak. It’s always a good thing to get out of the shop to see where and how the wines we love are made. You can talk endlessly about terroir staring at shelves of bottles, but it doesn’t take on substance until you walk the vineyard grounds, touch the soil, smell the plants, and see everything that goes into producing those bottles you enjoy so much. Everyone in the wine industry knows this, of course, but there are times that understanding fades and it’s time to get back to Wine Country and refresh your mind as well as your palate.
Read MoreA few of us buyers recently embarked on an overnight trip through Napa and Sonoma Valley to check the pulse on wineries as spring dawns on North Coast wine country. We walked sacred vineyards in the heart of Napa Valley, and we heard amazing tales of heroism saving wines during the horrific fires of 2017 in both counties. While everyone we visited had their share in the history of American winemaking, the outstanding highlight of the trip for me was our last visit, to the legendary Hanzell Vineyards in Sonoma.
Read MoreWhether you love it or hate it (and generally you fall on one spectrum or the other), Chardonnay is undeniably one of the most popular wine grapes in the world. In fact, it is the most planted white wine grape on the planet. So, when International Chardonnay Day rolls around, love it or hate it, you should celebrate it. Grab a bottle and grab some friends, and use it as an excuse to raise a glass. We’ve provided a list of five fun facts below to whet your palate and impress your guests.
Read MoreIt’s hard to talk about women winemakers without talking about Cathy Corison. A fixture in Napa Valley for almost forty years, Cathy has broken barriers and busted through ceilings her whole winemaking carrier. With singular focus, determination, grit and confidence, she is unapologetically herself and it comes through in everything she does. Her wines, like her career, are about the pursuit of that passion, displaying a distinctive style that has never wavered based on other people’s opinions or thoughts. When I asked her for her secret, she replied, “Confidence, and not taking ‘no’ for an answer.”
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