Wine Travel Stories

In-depth Tales of Winery Visits Around the World

Don’t Shake That Sherry at Bodega Delgado Zuleta

(June 2018) Bodega Delgado Zuleta is located on the outskirts of Sanlucar, Spain in an industrial area with plentiful parking. They are one of the largest sherry wineries in Spain, and are the producer of the famous La Goya Manzanilla brand. Their partner winery, Barbiana, is also housed at this complex. Established in 1744, the winery has over 1,000 hectares of vineyards, and produces millions of bottles of wine each year. I arrived in the afternoon and was met by Eva Jimenez who is a sherry expert living in the area, and also a great tour guide and [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-22T22:29:23-08:00July 7, 2018|

Bodega Hidalgo: A Visit to La Gitana Vineyard and the Tambourine Gypsy Lady

(June 2018) I was thrilled when I learned that Fermin Hidalgo, youngest son and director of the family operated Bodega Hidalgo in Sanlucar, wanted me to meet him at the La Gitana Vineyard. The only problem is that both Google and Apple maps do not know where the vineyard is. When I explained this dilemma to Inma at the Wines of Sherry Office, she said “Just look for Exit 17 on the highway between Jerez and Sanlucar. Then you will see a large building surrounded by vineyards with the words “La Gitana” painted on the side of it.” [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-22T22:29:44-08:00July 6, 2018|

Bodega Gonzalez-Byass: Home of Tio Pepe and the Sherry Drinking Mouse

(June 2018) After circling the cobblestone streets around Bodega Gonzalez-Byass in Jerez, Spain twice, I gave up on finding street parking, and finally descended into the large underground parking lot nearby. At the gates of the winery I was welcomed by Simon Leth-Nissen, International Brand Manager, a fluent Spanish and English speaker originally from Denmark. As we started our walking tour, a brightly colored red train trundled by filled with tourists. Simon explained that they receive thousands of tourists every year from around the world. This is due, primarily, to the great success of their bread and butter brand, [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-22T22:35:08-08:00July 5, 2018|

Bodega Tradicion: Home of Low Interventionist Sherry and Famous Paintings

The entrance to Bodega Tradicion is along an old cobblestone street and then through a wooden door into a simple tree shaded courtyard with a few welcoming benches. We were greeted by Eduardo Davis, Export Manager, who provided us with an excellent tour and an overview of the bodega’s history. Bodega History and Production Originally established in the 1650’s by the Rivero family, the bodega had many prestigious years until it was sold to an investment firm and later fell into bankruptcy. The family was able to buy it back and in 1995 changed the name to Bodega [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-22T22:35:30-08:00July 4, 2018|

“Wine That Travels” – A Short History of Sherry

(June 2018) It was so exciting to finally arrive in the land of sherry – that famous fabled wine that has traveled the world. We caught an 11:30 flight on Iberia Airlines from Madrid to Jerez, and by 1pm were already departing the small airport in our Hertz rental car. As we drove towards our resort hotel on the ocean just south of Sanlucar, we passed rolling hills covered in bright yellow sunflowers and green verdant vineyards filled with palomino and pedro ximenez grapes. The blue sky and warm temperatures in the mid 70’s was welcome after the cooler temperatures [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-22T22:36:18-08:00July 4, 2018|

Vega Sicilia – The Ultimate Iconic Winery of Spain

(June 2018) There are certain times in life when you taste a wine that is so magnificent that it transports you into another century. That is what happened to me the first time I tasted Vega Sicilia Unico Gran Reserva a few years ago. We were attending a pool party at a friend’s house, when one of the guests approached me with an open bottle of 1986 Vega Sicilia. “My company is relocating me to Europe,” he said, “but I cannot bring my wine collection, so I’ve decided to share some of my favorite bottles with friends here tonight.” [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-22T22:36:39-08:00June 25, 2018|

Visiting Marques de Riscal – A Bucket List Item Achieved

(June 2018) For many wine lovers a visit to Marques de Riscal Winery in Rioja is a bucket list item. It definitely was for me, and not just to taste the delicious wine, but to stay overnight in their masterpiece hotel designed by Frank Gehry. With swirling patterns of pink, purple and silver, the famous architecture feat appears to be a decadent piece of salt water taffy floating on a sea of green vineyards. The chance to stay in such a magnificent location, now operated by Starwood as a luxury resort, compelled me to consult my SPG loyalty points and [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-22T22:37:11-08:00June 21, 2018|

The Best Wine Sales Person in the World – from Vietnam!

“Hey, lady, do you want to buy some wine?” A female voice with a Vietnamese accent called out to me, and I glanced over the side of our boat to see a small woman in a bright orange shirt holding a bottle of wine. She was standing up in one of the many small “grocery store” boats that we had seen sailing around Halong Bay all day. These boats were filled with different types of food, drink and household supplies to sell to the tourist boats and locals who lived on boats in the Bay. Lady Selling Wine from [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-22T22:37:35-08:00June 6, 2018|

Will America Soon Have a Rosé Wine Aisle Like France?

My sister adores rosé wine, so when we visited France recently, I took her to one of the many large French grocery stores and introduced her to the rosé wine aisle. She nearly swooned in delight. Various-pink and salmon hued bottles of wine were lined up on both sides of a very long aisle. The wines were from all regions of France, including Provence, the Rhone, Languedoc, Bordeaux, Burgundy, Alsace, and other locals. In fact, the rose wine aisle in French grocery stores is usually similar in size and length to the red and white wine aisles, because 35% of [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-22T22:37:58-08:00May 27, 2018|

Cattin Winery in Alsace – Creating Captivating Cremants & Great Wine Tourism Experiences

(March 2018) On my most recent trip to Alsace, my friend Coralee took me to visit Cattin Winery. Established in 1720, the winery is now operated by the 12th generation of the family – husband and wife team Jacques and Anais Cattin. What makes Cattin distinctive is their line-up of captivating cremants, as well as their unique wine tourism experiences. Modern Tasting Room at Cattin Winery Cattin’s Modern Tasting Room in the Village of Voegtlinshoffen After a delicious lunch in Colmar at Restaurant Maison de Tetes, we drove about 20 minutes to Voegtlinshoffen - one of the many [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-22T22:38:20-08:00April 8, 2018|

Enchanting Rogue Valley: A Visit to Weisinger and Irvine Roberts Wineries

(February 2018) Recently I was honored to receive an invitation to speak at the Southern Oregon Wineries Association Annual Meeting in Ashland, Oregon. When they asked me if I wanted to arrive a day early so I could visit some wineries, my answer was - naturally – yes! Though I have visited many wineries in this region in the past, because my relatives live in Medford, Oregon, this area is booming right now, and I wanted to take advantage of the chance to visit a couple new wineries. Therefore, I was pleased to visit Weisinger Family Winery and Irvine Roberts [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-22T22:38:42-08:00April 2, 2018|

Russian Dancers, Ballerinas and Caviar Enrapture Guests at Jordan Winery’s Holiday Party

I always enjoy receiving an invitation to visit Jordan Winery in the Alexander Valley AVA of Sonoma County. Not only is it one of the oldest wineries in the region, with an impressive gate and curving driveway which leads to a golden ivy-covered building designed in the French chateau style, but they are known for their very innovative events. Ballerina Dancers at Jordan Winery in Sonoma County This time it was an invitation to attend their Tchaikovsky Christmas Party tasting to highlight their new Jordan Cuvée Champagne made in partnership with AR Lenoble in France. This is a [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-22T22:39:07-08:00December 10, 2017|

How Warren Winarski and Marketta Formeaux Inspired the Creation of Mi Sueño Winery: A Mexican-American Dream Come True in Napa Valley

(July 2017) Last Saturday evening my husband and I were invited to the 20 Year Anniversary Dinner Celebration of Mi Sueño Winery. Given that I knew the wines of Mi Sueno were very delicious and that the dinner was being held at Michelin star restaurant L’Auberge de Soleil, we were very pleased to be on the guest list. However, I didn’t expect to be brought to tears by the speakers, and completely awestruck by the support and mentorship of Warren Winarski and Marketta Formeaux in helping Rolando and Lorena Herrera to start Mi Sueño Winery. The Herrera Family, Owners [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-22T22:39:28-08:00August 1, 2017|

Magnificent Meals at Domaine Drouhin, Serene and Penner Ash Wineries in Oregon

(May 2017) In addition to elegant food-friendly pinot noirs, the Willamette Valley is also well known for fresh farm produce grown in sustainable ways. So in addition to experiencing beautiful vineyard landscape and exquisite wine tastings, the 42 MWs on the tour organized by the Oregon Wine Board were treated to a variety of magnificent meals. Following is a recap of some of these delicious meals. Local Oregon Appetizers at Domaine Serene Cellar Lunch at Domaine Drouhin On the second day of our Oregon wine tour we were welcomed to Domain Drouhin. Established more than 25 years ago [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-22T22:39:49-08:00July 12, 2017|

Southern Oregon Wineries Focusing on Diversity

(May 2017) The wineries of Southern Oregon have always held a special place in my heart because I have been visiting them for two decades. Ever since most of my relatives left California in the early 1990’s to move to Medford, I have made many trips to the area. Each time we have visited the charming towns of Jacksonville, Ashland, and, of course, the wineries of the Rogue and Applegate Valleys. Vineyards of Southern Oregon. Photo Credit: Southern Oregon Winery Association In the beginning there were not that many wineries, but today there are more than 120 in [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-22T22:40:10-08:00July 10, 2017|

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