Les Bourgeois Vineyards and Winery history begins in 1974 when Curtis and Martha Bourgeois purchased 15 acres of blufftop property on the Missouri River near Rocheport. Year later the family planted a hilltop vineyard in front of their home. It wasn't until after the first significant grape harvest in 1985 that the Bourgeois' casual hobby...
Most people don't realize the Missouri wine industry pre-dates California and most other states. French settlers in the St. Louis and Ste. Genevieve regions began growing grapes in the late 18th and early 19th century. Grape growing accelerated in the 19th century with the arrival of German settlers in central...
Established in 1982, Alba Vineyards is the second largest winery in New Jersey (behind Tomasello Winery). Housed in an old dairy barn built in 1805, the winery produces 16,000 cases a year. The 93-acre estate vineyard is located in the New Jersey upland valleys. The hillside estate is primarily focused on...
Be sure to pick up this months Virginia Wine Lover Magazine and flip to page 17 to read my review of the Breaux Vineyards Nebbiolo! If you can't get a copy, you can still read the latest version online here.
Creating a new website is never easy. Creating a website to cover an entire industry is nearly impossible. Several years back, I visited Georgia to taste the current vintages, and more importantly, see where the industry was headed through my own lens. Not surprisingly, and consistent with the other 46...
I'm behind, way behind in keeping up with this site. No excuses, although my lapse is due to my love for local wine. I've been working tirelessly on an exciting, new website supporting the industry. I hope to share the news next week (so stay tuned). In the meantime, I...
As Rhône-style wines continue to gain in popularity, a handful of Colorado winemakers are having great success with Syrah, both as a varietal or a blend. One winery in particular, Canyon Wind Cellars, consistently produces one of my favorites from the state. Their minimalist approach to winemaking, combined with the excellent...