Wine Stars

Wine Stories and News for the Young at Heart

Elephant Motif and Farm-Stay Wine Experience at Zo Winery

Contributed by Keira Fernandes – This month we had a great educational wine-tasting on the campus of Sonoma State University with Zo Winery. They are located in the Dry Creek AVA of Sonoma County, just three miles outside of the town of Healdsburg. What is unique about Zo Winery is that they not only offer wine-tasting, but a farm-stay wine experience. They also have a very special focus on elephants, with every wine label graced by an elephant motif. The Elephant Connection The 11-acre vineyard was purchased by David Eckert in 1999 and named after his son Enzo. Enzo’s name [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-02-01T19:50:29-08:00February 23, 2020|

Which Type of Wine Label is Most Attractive to US Consumers?

(Contributed by Shane LaChance) Think about when you last purchased a bottle of wine. Maybe it was for a dinner party, a get-together with friends, or a night-in with the spouse. Let’s say you walked into the store with somewhat of a game plan; in search for a domestically grown red wine in the price range of $12-15. Now, what happens next? Shopping for Wine Survey Shows 80% of Consumers Select Wine Based on Label What guides us to pick up the 2 or 3 bottles that catch our eye. Better yet, what are the deciding factors that [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-02-01T19:50:52-08:00November 7, 2019|

7 Tips for Hosting an Elegant Wine Tasting Party

(Contributed by Jessica Smith) The statement “Wine is the nectar of the Gods,” ‘has been repeated often over the years, and pop culture has praised the beverage for its quality and enjoyment factor many times. Wine is special because it can be enjoyed in a simple fashion to relax with friends and family over an informal meal or it can be used as the centerpiece of an elegant wine tasting party. Just like tea, coffee, beer, whiskey, and other special beverages, wine can have a ceremonial aspect that involves knowledge, special drinking glasses, and etiquette when served for more formal [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-02-01T19:51:20-08:00January 25, 2019|

Trend of Adding Ice to Champagne, Cremant, and Provence Rose Growing in France

On my recent trip to France, I discovered that the trend of adding ice to wine is spreading throughout the country. Introduced several years ago by Moët & Chandon, other Champagne and Cremant houses have followed suit, as well as some Provence Rose producers. However, interestingly, they have created separate blends and new products for their wines that are designed for ice additions. New Sparkling Wine from Cattin Winery in Alsace - -just add ICE! The reason for this was all explained to me by Anais Cattin, during my recent visit to Cattin Winery in Alsace. Anais explained [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-02-01T19:51:46-08:00April 9, 2018|

How I Fell in Love with Wine – A Great Role Model and Exceptional Customer Service at Gloria Ferrer Winery

(Contributed by Brenna Machek) - I fell in love with wine through two memorable experiences. The first time was with my parents, and the second time was when I landed my first big job in the wine industry. My Dad - The Role Model I remember every summer coming to Northern California for a vacation with my family. In exchange for some fun boating time with my brother, my parents would make us stop by a couple wineries so they could have their “fun adult time”. I would watch how my dad carefully eyed the wine in the glass, stuck [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-02-01T19:52:09-08:00December 25, 2017|

How I Fell in Love with Wine: Autumn Leaves and Finding Grape Buyers

Contributed by Victoria Herrera - In 1950 my great grandfather bought 75 acres of farmland outside of the town of Healdsburg in Sonoma, California in the Dry Creek Valley AVA. It was then passed down to my grandfather, who was an immigrant from Italy. Naturally he planted several acres of Zinfandel grapes that he would sell to make a little bit of cash, and also make wine for the family. Vineyard Leaves in Autumn Growing up, I always enjoyed visiting my grandfather at his Healdsburg property. I enjoyed watching him take care of his chickens, vegetable garden, walnut [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-02-01T19:52:34-08:00December 10, 2017|

How I Fell In Love with Wine in San Francisco

Contributed by Cecilia Bandalan - It was a cold winter day in San Francisco, and I had just turned twenty-one years old. I was also dating a French guy from Marseille here on a temporary visa working at a biotech company. Prior to dating him, I had very little experience with wine. After meeting him, we would drink wine at the end of our workday, but nothing he bought really lit a fire in me. He tried explaining the flavor notes; even paired some with cheese and charcuterie, but it still never excited me. Not until the day of my [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-02-01T19:53:01-08:00December 5, 2017|

Ten Great Reasons to Love California’s Wineries and Vineyards

(Contributed by Gregg McPherson) Californian’s have much to be thankful for - great weather, fabulous beaches, soaring mountains, and a thriving economy. Many people focus on Silicon Valley and the amazing technology that is produced there when they think of what drives California’s growth. Not as many people realize how important the wine and grape growing industry is to the people of the state. These are mostly small to medium family businesses that provide quality jobs and a product that is loved across the US and around the world. California’s wines generate roughly $32 billion in retail sales. That is [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-02-01T19:53:25-08:00June 25, 2017|

Which Top American Wine Was Preferred by Chinese Master Class?

(May 19, 2017) Last evening I taught a Master class in Shanghai, China entitled “Top Wines of America.” It was scheduled from 7 to 9pm at the Hyatt Regency, and all 34 seats in the class were filled with young Chinese wine professionals. Most were working in the industry as wine retailers, marketers, or educators. There were also a few importers and winemakers in the class. Master Class on Top American Wines in Shanghai China The hosts of the Wine100 Competition organized the master class and arranged for the wines to be available for the event. They requested [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-02-01T19:54:02-08:00May 20, 2017|

Toasting Trione Winery at Over 100 Years in Sonoma County

(Contributed by Jane Hofmiester) Trione Winery was the most recent guest winery in the SSU Winesense Club educational series. Boasting over 100 years in Sonoma County, the Trione family are true pioneers in the region. The Old Stone Building at Trione Winery About Trione Winery Beginning as farmers and grape growers, the Trione's own over 700 acres of vineyards in the Russian River Valley, Alexander Valley, and Sonoma Coast AVAs. They finally started making wine in 2005, and opened a winery tasting room for the public in 2008. Operated by brothers Mark and Vic Trione, along with Mark’s [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-02-01T19:54:25-08:00April 11, 2017|

Russian River Vineyards – A Winery with an 1890 Historic Farmhouse Restaurant and Organic Food Garden

(Contributed by Jennifer Schiff) Is it a restaurant, a farm, a tasting lounge, an historic site, or a winery? Well actually Russian River Vineyards encompasses all five of these functions. Established in the 1960s in the heart of the 10,000 acre Russian River AVA, Russian River Vineyards has grown to be one of the premier organic and sustainably farmed grape-growing properties in California. 1890 Historic Farmhouse at Russian River Vineyards This past week a group of Sonoma State University Millennials was fortunate enough to attend an educational session and tasting at the SSU Wine Sense Club Meeting, with [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-02-01T19:54:48-08:00April 1, 2017|

Learning About Champagne Riddling at Field Trip to Domaine Carneros

Old wooden riddling racks were set-up around the second floor room of Domaine Carneros, overlooking the winery below. CEO, Eileen Crane, handed everyone a glowing flute of Domaine Carneros Ultra Brut to enjoy as she explained how the riddling process works. "The traditional method was to turn each bottle in the riddling rack by a set amount each day until all of the yeast from the second fermentation in bottle fell to the top lip of the bottle. In this way, it could be frozen and then easily ejected." There were oohhs and aahhs from the thirty SSU wine business [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-02-01T19:55:11-08:00March 22, 2017|

Wines for the Lawyer and Sicilian in Your Life – Emmitt-Scorsone Winery

(Contributed by Jane Hofmeister) This week, Palmer Emmitt, CEO of Emmitt-Scorsone Winery, visited SSU to share his beautiful artisan wines with us. Palmer and his partner produce two brands: Judge Palmer and Domenica Amato. Emmitt-Scorsone Wines The Judge Palmer Wine Brand This wine was name for Palmer’s grandfather James Palmer. He served as a judge in El Dorado County, California in the 1960s and 1970s. Palmer said this wine is a favorite of lawyers, and also is a great gift for anyone working in a legal environment. However, the velvety and rich taste of this wine will satisfy [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-02-01T19:55:32-08:00March 8, 2017|

The Unknown Story of Gloria Ferrer Champagne Cave’s First Venture into the US Market

Contributed by Jennifer Schiff – The SSU WineSense Club’s first meeting of the Spring 2017 semester featured Gloria Ferrer Champagne Caves, a prominent bubble house located in the southernmost part of Sonoma. The sparkling wine house was established in 1982 by the same folks who brought us the globally distributed Cordon Negro, Freixenet. However, there is a little known story about their first venture into the US in the early 1930’s. Multiple Wars and Unrest Delay Arrival to California After years upon years of producing cava and becoming the largest producer and exporter of sparkling wines in the world, the [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-02-01T19:55:56-08:00February 24, 2017|

SSU Wine Sense 2017 Spring Schedule Focuses on Napa and Sonoma Wineries

The Sonoma State University (SSU) Wine Sense Club has announced their Spring 2017 meeting schedule, featuring seven exciting wine education sessions. Each two hour meeting, held from 7:00pm to 9:00pm in the Bennett Valley Room includes a presentation from a winery professional and a guided tasting. Appetizers are served to pair with the wines. Participants must be enrolled as a student at SSU and be 21 years of age or older. The Spring 2017 Schedule is: Feb. 9 – Gloria Ferrer Winery – bubbles, chardonnay and pinot noir Feb. 23 – TBA March 2nd – Russian River Vineyards March 23 [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-05T20:08:48-08:00February 18, 2017|

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