Dr. Liz Thach, MW

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 Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2026-09-29T14:24:40-07:00September 29, 2026|

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 Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2026-09-29T14:09:10-07:00September 29, 2026|

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 Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2026-09-24T09:19:12-07:00September 22, 2026|

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 Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2026-09-22T12:55:42-07:00September 22, 2026|

Inside an Exclusive 7-Course Cristal Dinner at Atelier Crenn

To celebrate 150 years of Louis Roederer’s flagship prestige cuvée, three-Michelin-starred Restaurant Atelier Crenn hosted an unforgettable retrospective featuring rare Vinothèque releases.

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2026-09-15T12:59:42-07:00September 15, 2026|

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 Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2026-09-15T13:06:44-07:00September 10, 2026|

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 Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2026-09-01T12:43:52-07:00August 31, 2026|

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 Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2026-09-04T09:49:20-07:00August 31, 2026|

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 Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2026-07-22T16:08:49-07:00July 23, 2026|

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 Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2026-07-19T11:18:17-07:00July 21, 2026|

Finding the Floor: Liv-ex Report Highlights Fine Wines with Rising Trade Prices

Finding the Floor: Liv-ex Report Highlights Fine Wines with Rising Trade Prices While the fine wine market has faced a challenging correction—currently sitting roughly 25% down from its historic peak in October 2022—the latest data suggests the tide may finally be turning. According to a recent report from Liv-ex, the London-based global marketplace and benchmark authority for the fine wine trade, select corners of the market are showing encouraging signs of stabilization. "Some [wine brands] likely have further yet to fall; others appear to have found their floors and are now tracking gently upwards." — Sophia Gilmour, Liv-ex Market Analyst [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2026-07-14T12:12:49-07:00July 14, 2026|

Inside the Newly Renovated Beaulieu (BV) Winery in Napa Valley

The 1885 Renovated Beaulieu (BV) Winery in Napa Valley. Photo Credit: BV Following an extensive two-year renovation, the historic Beaulieu Vineyard (BV)—dating back to 1885—has officially reopened its doors. Located along the iconic Highway 29 in the heart of Napa Valley, the estate features an original stone winery crafted from local stone and river-mud mortar. Officially registered as Bonded Winery No. 71 in Napa, the structure proudly retains its original 1885 signage. An international design and construction team spearheaded the restoration, retrofitting the building for seismic safety while prioritizing the reuse of original building materials. To advance its sustainability efforts, [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2026-07-14T07:56:11-07:00July 14, 2026|

U.S. Wine Market Tops $115 Billion

U.S. Wine Market Sales Hits $115 Billion A new report released in Spring of 2026 from market research firm BW166 shows that U.S. wine sales achieved over $115 billion in 2025. This figure includes all domestic and imported wine. “The latest data, which came out last week, shows total calculated consumer spending on wine to be $115.33 billion USD versus $112.477 billion USD last year,” stated Jon Moramarco in an online interview. Moramarco is Managing Partner of BW166 LLC, a firm that uses government and tax data to prepare this annual report. With more than 40 years experience in the wine industry, [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2026-07-09T15:48:02-07:00July 9, 2026|

Historic Ex-Cellar Auction Of Château Haut-Brion

HISTORIC EX-CELLAR AUCTION OF CHÂTEAU HAUT-BRION I'll never forget my visit to the historic Château Haut-Brion. It was a bright and sunny morning in May, and I was visiting as a Master of Wine candidate to learn more about the wines of Bordeaux. The white wines of Château Haut-Brion are just as exquisite (and usually more expensive) than the great red wines from this legendary winery, dating back to the 1549. Below is exciting news from Sotherby's on a great cellar auction that will take place at the estate. PRESS RELEASE: PARIS, 8 JULY 2026 – On 1 October 2026, [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2026-07-08T08:49:39-07:00July 8, 2026|

5 Ways to Celebrate the Judgment Of Paris Wine Tasting in 2026

5 Ways to Celebrate the Judgement of Paris Celebration All Year in 2026. Getty This year marks an important anniversary for all American wine lovers because it is the 50th anniversary of the famous Judgment of Paris Wine Tasting. Held in Paris, France, in 1976, this blind tasting featured some of the top wines from California and France. The competition focused on the best Chardonnays and Cabernet Sauvignon-based wines, and all of the judges were French wine professionals. The surprising result was that two California wines placed first in both categories, shocking the wine world and setting the stage for [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2026-06-10T11:26:38-07:00June 10, 2026|