Tasting Favorites

Wine Tasting Favorites features articles describing favorite wines we’ve tasted. The majority of the articles are contributed by wine business majors, who are either Gen Zers or Millennials.

Holiday Wines with Freemark Abbey

SSU Winesense Board for Holiday Wine Tasting with Freemark Abbey Contributed by Erica Schreckenghaust - For our final meeting of the semester we had the pleasure of welcoming Kate Hansen from Freemark Abbey. She was kind enough to share 6 fabulous wines to help us celebrate the holiday season and forget final exam stress for a couple of hours. Unique History of Freemark Abbey Freemark Abbey has a history of standing out from the rest, as it was the first winery built by a woman in the United States in 1886, by Josephine Tychson. The unique name was [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-02-01T22:24:25-08:00December 23, 2014|

Ian Cauble, MS Returns to SSU with Brandon Carneiro to Share SommSelect

SommSelect Founders, Brandon, Tyler, and Ian Cauble, MS Contributed by Erica Schreckenghaust - The WineSense Club had the honor of welcoming back the dynamic duo behind SommSelect; Ian Cauble and Brandon Carneiro. They first met in 1999 at Sonoma State University and were part of the students who created the WineSense Club in 2000. Ian studied Business and Spanish, while Brandon studied Economics. Years late they reconnected in Las Vegas where Brandon was a fine wine salesman and Ian was attempting to become a Master Sommelier, which is depicted in the documentary, SOMM. Brandon and Ian decided to [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-02-01T22:24:46-08:00December 21, 2014|

SSU Winesense Salutes Duckhorn Vineyards and Larson Family Wineries

Contributed by Erica Schreckenghaust – Forty lucky SSU students were treated to exceptional wines by Duckhorn Vineyards and Larson Family wineries this month. Organized as part of the WineSense Club educational tasting seminars, the students were excited to learn about the history of these two family wineries, both established in the 1970’s. Duckhorn Vineyards, Napa Valley Duckhorn was founded by Dan and Margaret Duckhorn in 1976 and has become one of the premier producers of Bordeaux varietal wines. Duckhorn is known for pioneering Merlot as a premium varietal, as well as their acclaimed Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon. They strive [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-02-01T22:25:10-08:00November 13, 2014|

Dewey Markham Guides SSU Millennials in a Bordeaux Wine Tasting

Dewey Markum with Bordeaux Wines Contributed by Erica Schreckenghaust - This past Thursday, the Wine Sense club had the honor of being lead through a wine tasting of many famous Bordeaux wines by author and wine scholar, Dewey Markham. Dewey is a man of many passions and exemplifies the idea of chasing your dreams, as his dreams have led him in ventures all over the world. Dewey Markham’s Wine Journey Dewey was born and raised in New York, and later attended New York University. He discovered a love for cooking and enrolled in the Culinary Institute of America. [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-02-01T22:25:31-08:00October 22, 2014|

SSU Students Agree that Gloria Ferrer 2006 Royal Cuvee is Fit for Royalty

Contributed by Erica Schreckenghaust - The SSU WineSense Club was honored to have Gloria Ferrer Winery host the tasting this past week. A total of 47 students came to taste seven of their fantastic wines. Ryan, hospitality rep for the winery, described the history of the estate and the winemaking process. We began with four sparkling wines including the Sonoma Brut, Blanc de Noir, Royal Cuvee and Extra Brut. The favorite sparkling wine of the night was the 2006 Royal Cuvee, which is a blend of 66% Pinot Noir and 34% Chardonnay, from the Carneros region. It received 93 points in [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-02-01T22:25:55-08:00October 6, 2014|

Tasting Wine History – Chateau Montelena and Seghesio Featured at SSU WineSense Club

Contributed by Erica Schreckenghaust - There was a great sense of excitement for our second Wine Sense Club meeting of the year, featuring Seghesio Family Vineyards and Chateau Montelena Winery. Fifty-two Millennial SSU students attended, and some had to be turned away because the room was at capacity for this taste of wine history. Seghesio Family Winery Seghesio, established in 1895, in the Alexander Valley, is considered to be one of the historic wineries of Sonoma County. Hospitality manager, Beau, offered a variety of wines including a 2011 Sangiovese, 2012 Barbera and three different Zinfandels. The students voted on their [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-02-01T22:27:38-08:00September 15, 2014|

SSU Students Love Turley and Miraflores Zinfandels at ZAP Tasting

Rebecca Robinson of Zap with Ray Johnson The SSU WineSense Club was thrilled to have Rebecca Robinson, Executive Director of Zinfandel Advocates & Producers (ZAP), conduct the most recent tasting. Rebecca regaled the students with the history of ZAP and shared fascinating information about the Zinfandel grape. Fun Facts About Zinfandel The grape is originally from Croatia where it is called Crljenak Kaštelanski Also quite famous in the Puglia region of Italy where it is known as Primativo Brought to America in the 1800’s Zinfandel Grapes Planted throughout the Sierra Foothills, Napa, Sonoma, Lodi, Paso Robles, [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-02-01T22:32:18-08:00October 25, 2013|

Schug Winery Kicks Off SSU Wine Sense Club Tasting for Fall 2013

Harrison from Schug Winery By Guest Author Dominique Levenberg. There was excitement in the room for the first Sonoma State University Wine Sense Club meeting of the Fall 2013 semester. Harrison from Schug Carneros Estate Winery was a hit with the 38 students who enjoyed tasting five different wines paired with cheese, meats, and crackers. Favorite Schug Wines The line-up included Schug’s sparkling Pinot, a Chardonnay, two different Pinots from the Sonoma Coast and Carneros appellations, and a Cabernet Sauvignon. At the end of the tasting, everyone voted for their two favorite. The winners were the 2012 Schug Chardonnay [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-02-01T22:32:35-08:00September 19, 2013|

Two of the “Grand Cru” Wineries of Sonoma County Pour at SSU

Though Sonoma County doesn’t technically have any “grand cru” wineries, it does have some very well established wine estates with stellar reputations for producing award winning cabernet sauvignons from Alexander Valley. At the last SSU Winesense Club tasting of the year, we were graced by two such wineries -- Jordan and Silver Oak, both established in 1972. Indeed, these two legendary wineries have so much brand power, that students waited in line to get into the tasting, and some were turned away when the room maxed out at 50 people. Silver Oak Rocks Silver Oak winery was represented by [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-02-01T22:33:41-08:00April 27, 2013|

Hook & Ladder and Delicato Wineries Delight Millennials – Liz Rice, SSU Grad Gives Advice on International Wine Sales

Co-Authored by Jenny Garza – There was a double dose of delight when two very famous family run wineries, Hook & Ladder and Delicato, agreed to host the SSU Winesense Tasting this past week. Over 40 students showed up to listen to the presentations, taste some exciting California wines, and enjoy appetizers prepared by the SSU Winesense Board of Directors. Joshua Deloach Tells Story of Hook & Ladder Winery Hook & Ladder Winery, located in the Russian River AVA, is known for handcrafted small lots and specializes in pinot noir and zinfandel. Joshua DeLoach of Hook & Ladder gave an [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-02-01T22:34:41-08:00March 11, 2013|

Chalk Hill and Williamson Winery Kick Off First SSU Winesense Tasting of Semester

By Guest Author DominiqueLevenberg. It was an exhuberant crowd of 35 SSU students who attend the semester’s first Winesense tasting with Chalk Hill and Williamson wineries. Chalk Hill, located in the Chalk Hill AVA of Sonoma County, brought a Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and a Cabernet Sauvignon from their new Lancaster Estate winery. The favorite from Chalk Hill was the Sauvignon Blanc. Williamson Winery, located in Dry Creek AVA, shared a Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir Rose, and a Cabernet Sauvignon. The favorite from Williamson was the Pinot Noir Rose. Cheese, crackers, salami, and tasty treats were served from Bianchi’s Bake Shop. [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-02-01T22:35:02-08:00February 17, 2013|

Balletto and DeLoach Wineries Celebrate the Pinot Noir Harvest with SSU Millennials

Forty-four Millennials showed up to Thursday evening’s SSU Wine Club tasting called “Pinot Party.” Not only did the students get to taste pinot noir wines from both Balletto and DeLoach wineries, but they were also treated to fresh Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris grapes from the vineyard. Favorite wines of the evening were the 2011 Balletto Russian River Valley Pinot Noir ($29), which has notes of dark cherry cola, violets, earth and rhubard, and the 2009 DeLoach Green Valley Pinot Noir ($45). According to the winemaker notes, this latter wine is very aromatic, with touches of raspberries, black cherries, rhubarb, [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-02-01T22:39:18-08:00October 1, 2012|

Kenwood and Valley of the Moon Winemakers Entertain SSU Millennials with Varietal Showdown

Another sold out crowd showed up this past week at the SSU Wine Club meeting to listen to veteran winemakers, Patrick Henderson of Kenwood Wine Estates and Greg Winter of Valley of the Moon. In addition to honoring the “end of summer,” the tasting featured a fascinating “varietal show down” of how two wines made of the same grape varietal can taste completely different based on appellation and/or winemaking techniques. Valley of the Moon’s Greg Winter started with out with an unoaked chardonnay and then compared it to an oaked wine. He explained that consumers liked different styles, and so [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-02-01T22:39:45-08:00September 19, 2012|

Benziger Winery Provides “How to Taste” Seminar to SSU Millennials

Kathy Benziger from Benziger Family Winery kicked off the first SSU Wine Club meeting of the semester by hosting a “How to Taste Wine” seminar. It was a packed house with 50 students, and some disappointed ones who had to be turned away from the door because there were no seats left. Kathy did an incredible job of telling the story of Benziger with its inspiring organic, biodynamic and sustainably grown wines. According to Kathy, “Every wine in our portfolio carries a third party certification of green farming practices history.” Favorite Wines of the Evening The favorite wines of the [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-02-01T22:40:16-08:00September 18, 2012|

A Tasting of the 20 Top Wines in the Beijing Market

Last week I attended an interesting wine tasting in Beijing with 18 Chinese Millennials between the ages of 21 and 34. It was a tasting of the top 20 wines in the Beijing market priced between 200 – 350 RMB ($30 – 55 US). My friend Qin, a wine professor at the Chinese Agriculture University, organized the tasting as part of a research project. The Chinese Millennials were wine buyers, sommeliers, and wine educators working in Beijing. She is also planning on conducting a similar tasting with a group of consumers and comparing the results in order to understand why [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-02-01T22:40:37-08:00September 5, 2012|

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