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Dr. Liz Thach, MW

Napa Valley’s First Growth Vineyard Arrives: Inside the New To Kalon Collective

The Legendary To Kalon Vineyard at Robert Mondavi Winery. Photo Credit: Adam Potts When I interviewed Robert Mondavi chief winemaker Genevieve Janssens in the early 2000s while writing a chapter on the To Kalon Vineyard for the book Call of the Vine, I remember being struck by her words: “It is a privilege to work in To Kalon. I have been here since 1978 and it is my driving reason – raison d'être – for working at Robert Mondavi Winery. To me, To Kalon is the superstar of Napa Valley. It is a First Growth vineyard.” Today, Genevieve has transitioned [...]

By |2026-10-20T08:25:25-07:00October 20, 2026|
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New ‘French Flair’ Wine Collection Demystifies French Wine Regions

Wine Chateau in Bordeaux- one of the French Flair wine regions. Photo Credit: Wikipedia Commons If you’ve ever stood in a wine aisle staring at French labels, feeling like you needed a degree in viticulture just to pick a bottle for dinner, you’re not alone. France boasts over 300 official wine appellations, each with its own strict rules, regional grape varieties, and historic classifications. It’s rich, fascinating—and undeniably intimidating. So winemaker Gérard Bertrand, a French native, decided to do something to reduce the intimidation factor and make French wines more accessible to all. Working with his winemaking team, he scoured [...]

By |2026-10-15T09:42:27-07:00October 15, 2026|
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China Writes a Bold New Chapter in Wine History With OIV Congress

Open of the 47th World Congress of Vine and Wine in Ningxia, China. Photo Credit: OIV Something truly exciting is happening in the wine world this week! The 47th World Congress of Vine and Wine officially launched in Yinchuan, Ningxia—marking the very first time this legendary International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV) gathering has ever taken place in Asia. Nestled right at the foot of the picturesque Helan Mountains, over 600 wine experts, industry leaders, and researchers from across the globe have come together (October 12–16) to talk about where wine is headed next. This is personally very exciting [...]

By |2026-10-12T17:32:11-07:00October 12, 2026|
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How to Plan a Budget-Friendly Wine Weekend Getaway You’ll Love

For couples craving a wine-country weekend that still feels special, the hardest part usually isn't picking a destination, it's managing the budget challenges that sneak in fast. Lodging can eat the weekend fund in one click, tasting fees and meals add up. The good news is that an affordable wine getaway doesn't require luck or sacrifice; it requires a clear plan that keeps choices simple and spending visible.

By |2026-10-09T14:26:57-07:00October 9, 2026|
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Inside Gloria Ferrer Winery’s 40-Year Sparkling Wine Legacy in Sonoma

Gloria Ferrer Winery 40th Anniversary Dinner Celebration. THACH It was a picture-perfect Sonoma evening for the 40th Anniversary Celebration of Gloria Ferrer Winery. The winery opened its doors to a vibrant gathering of wine club members and select media guests, and I was thrilled to be invited. The celebration began in the tasting room lobby, where we were greeted with a crisp, refreshing glass of Gloria Ferrer Blanc de Blancs or Rosé. Outside on the terrace, a stunning array of passed and station appetizers awaited us. Gloria Ferrer Winery – Steeped in Romance The winery's history is steeped in both [...]

By |2026-10-20T08:31:06-07:00October 6, 2026|
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Old Vine Zinfandel—An American Heritage Treasure

Old Vine Zinfandel Vineyard in Sonoma County. PHOTO CREDIT: Getty If you are lucky you may find a bottle of zinfandel that is labeled “old vine zinfandel/.” Though there is no official definition of “old vine,” in general, it indicates that the grapes in the bottle are from vines that are at least 50 years old. In some special cases, the vines are more than 100 years old—and the winery will usually list this on the label. There are even a few old zinfandel vineyards in the Sierra Foothills that were planted in the 1800s, such as the Grandpere Vineyard in [...]

By |2026-09-29T14:24:40-07:00September 29, 2026|
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California Wine Experiences – Uncork the Fun This Harvest Season

Forest Bathing & Wine Tasting at Bartholomew Estate in Sonoma, CA. PHOTO CREDIT: Bartholomew If you love wine travel, like me, here are a few fun events that are happening in California Wine Country this harvest season 2026. Remember that September and October mark the height of the harvest in wine country. It is the most energetic time of the year, as grapes reach peak maturity and are rushed from the vines to the crush pad to begin their transformation into world-class wines. To celebrate this season, wineries across the state host exclusive tours, hands-on workshops, and festive gatherings that [...]

By |2026-09-29T14:09:10-07:00September 29, 2026|
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Why Weeds in the Vineyard Are Beautiful: Sustainability Practices at BV Winery

During a recent vineyard visit to Beaulieu Vineyards in Napa Valley (BV), we embarked on a sustainability tour led by Will Drayton, BV Winery’s Director of Sustainability. BV manages over 300 acres in the valley, all of which are Napa Green and California Sustainable certified. While they are not classified as organic, the winery strictly avoids the use of traditional herbicides, such as Roundup.

By |2026-09-24T09:19:12-07:00September 22, 2026|
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Kosta Browne Winery’s Love Affair With Burgundy

Inside Kosta Browne Winery in Sonoma County, CA. PHOTO CREDIT: Kosta Browne Located just 30 minutes from my Sonoma County home, Kosta Browne Winery is a standout destination for exceptional Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Nestled in the charming town of Sebastopol, the winery's origins trace back to 1997, when two waiters pooled their tip money to start a winemaking venture. Co-founders Dan Kosta and Michael Browne later became industry legends after selling a controlling interest in the brand to Vincraft for nearly $40 million. Today, Kosta Browne is part of The Duckhorn Portfolio. A few years ago, the team made [...]

By |2026-09-22T12:55:42-07:00September 22, 2026|
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Aged 50 Months: Ventiventi Winery Transforms Sparkling Lambrusco Wine

  Enjoying Sparkling Lambrusco Wine in Italy. VENTIVENTI If you have ever enjoyed a sparkling red wine from the Italian wine region of Lambrusco, then you are familiar with the welcoming ripe strawberry flavors and celebratory bubbles that caress your palate. If you’ve never tried sparkling Lambrusco wine, then now is the time. With the surge in popularity of sparkling wines from around the world, Lambrusco definitely needs to be part of the lineup. Now there is an even more important reason to pay attention: some Lambrusco wineries are starting to take the sparkling wine to new heights [...]

By |2026-09-15T13:06:44-07:00September 10, 2026|
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New Online Guide to Napa Valley from Wine Spectator

Welcome to Napa Valley Sign. Photo Credit: THACH Here's some good news for wine travel enthusiasts. Wine Spectator has just launched a new online travel guide to Napa Valley. This will make planning a getaway to Napa Valley a whole lot easier, and it is completely FREE! As someone who has lived in the Napa/Sonoma wine regions for more than 20 years, friends are always asking me which wineries to visit, where to stay and restaurants to visit, so this makes my job a little easier. Thanks Wine Spectator! Entitled the Ultimate Guide to Napa Valley, it is available at [...]

By |2026-09-01T12:43:52-07:00August 31, 2026|
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Franciacorta Targets U.S. Growth via Michelin Guide Partnership and L.A. Tastings

Enjoying Franciacorta Sparkling Wine from Italy. THE FRANCIACORTA CONSORTIUM Have you ever enjoyed a bottle of Franciacorta sparkling wine from Italy? Though Italy is known for producing many delicious styles of sparkling wine, such as Prosecco, Lambrusco, Asti Spumante and the fresh clean sparklers from the Trentodoc region, in Italy, Franciacorta is considered to the the ultimate luxury choice for sparkling wine. Franciacorta sparkling wines are crafted in the same way as Champagne - with second fermentation in the bottle. They also use two of the Champagne grapes - Chardonnay and Pinot - but are allowed to add small amounts [...]

By |2026-09-04T09:49:20-07:00August 31, 2026|
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Celebrating Mexican Wine: Inside the Vibrant Vendimia Harvest Festival

Each August The Major Mexican Wine Region of Valle de Guadalupe Holds a Famous Wine & Food Festival. GEMINI Every August, wine and food lovers from around the world travel to the Valle de Guadalupe wine region of Mexico, located on the Baja Peninsula. There, they spend several days or a week enjoying wine from more than 150 wineries, paired with delicious Mexican cuisine. Advance event tickets are available at Provino and through individual wineries. I had the chance to spend a week in the Valle de Guadalupe as a wine judge and was very impressed with the beauty of [...]

By |2026-07-22T16:08:49-07:00July 23, 2026|
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Inside LVMH’s Ultra-Exclusive ‘Vins d’Exception’ Dinner at The French Laundry

Four Founders of Vins D'Exception, Thomas Keller and Guests at the French Laundry. LARISSA CLEVELAND Deep within the multi-faceted empire of LVMH lies an elite inner sanctum of viticulture: a collection of four legendary wine estates operating under the banner of Vins d’Exception. Distinct from the luxury conglomerate’s broader commercial labels, these rare properties are managed with a singular devotion to heritage and unparalleled terroir. To celebrate this elite portfolio, Vins d'Exception recently orchestrated a historic, ultra-exclusive gastronomic experience in partnership with Thomas Keller’s three-star Michelin icon, The French Laundry, to which I received an invitation. Proving the insatiable global [...]

By |2026-07-19T11:18:17-07:00July 21, 2026|
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