Steve Beckmen.
When Steve Beckmen co-founded Beckmen Vineyards with his parents, Tom and Judith, in 1994, he embarked on a journey that would not only elevate Santa Barbara County’s reputation in the wine world but also position the vineyard as a pioneer in biodynamic farming there.
Today, Beckmen Vineyards is recognized for its commitment to the environment and producing among the best wines in California’s Central Coast region.
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The picturesque Santa Ynez Valley.
Santa Barbara wine country, located in Southern California, has earned a reputation for producing world-class wines, thanks to its unique climate, diverse soils, and talented winemakers. One of its standout regions is the Santa Ynez Valley, a sprawling AVA (American Viticultural Area) known for its varied microclimates and distinct sub-AVAs.
Here, winemakers produce everything from elegant Pinot Noir to robust Syrah, offering a remarkable diversity in styles. Let’s take a closer look at the Santa Ynez Valley and its AVAs, uncovering what makes this area a must-visit for wine lovers.
Read MoreOn a sunny morning in July, we drove up to the beautiful winery and tasting room at Nicolas-Jay, one of the most highly regarded wineries in Oregon.
The tasting room patio.
Nicolas-Jay was putting on a breakfast that was paired with 5 of their delicious wines–an event we were very much looking forward to.
We have written about this winery and its beautiful setting several times before. But each time we visit, we continue to be struck by the beauty of the site. The winery and tasting room sit at the bottom of a bowl-like structure of hillsides in the Dundee Hills AVA, most of which are now planted to grape vines. At the top of the vineyards stand Oregon forests (oak and Douglas Fir) which appear like sentinels watching over and protecting the vines.
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Dru Allen.
Dru and Erin Allen’s path to the wine industry was far from what they had originally imagined. As owners of a thriving logistics company, the idea of running a winery hadn’t crossed their minds. But a visit to a friend’s garage, where he was making wine as a true garagiste, ignited the first spark.
Later, while on holiday cruising along the Danube, they met three couples from Newberg, Oregon. What began as a casual conversation about their curiosity in the wine business unexpectedly took a serendipitous turn, setting them on a new course for the heart of the Willamette Valley and ultimately, their own winery called Compris.
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Greg McLellan.
In Oregon’s northern Willamette Valley, where the climate is often compared to that of Burgundy, a story of heritage, passion, and playful experimentation unfolds at Suzor Wines. Here, winemaker and proprietor Greg McLellan has crafted a winery that is as much about honoring his past as it is about embracing the future.
Through a blend of traditional winemaking techniques and a spirit of innovation, Greg, along with his wife Melissa Rondeau, has created a unique space in the Oregon wine scene, one that invites both connoisseurs and casual sippers to experience the essence of the land, the grapes, and the history that shaped them.
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