Weather cools, and we begin thinking of Zephaniah Farm Vineyard in Leesburg, Virginia -- one of our favorite fall and winter wine destinations. We're writing about Zephaniah now in mid-November because we really hope you'll take the time to visit the farm this winter when it's at it's best. You will feel at home from the moment you walk through the tasting room door in the old farm house, settle into a big chair next to the wood fire, taste their great lineup of small production wine, and enjoy the hospitality that only a family winery can share.
Read moreTop November wine picks feature two American Pinot Noirs and three Tempranillos from Spain
Casual wine drinkers, aficionados, and beginners alike: Each month we try to expose you to new things, educating you and diversifying your palate with a lineup of our monthly picks. We've been traveling through Spanish and Portuguese wine country as we write this month, and are also including two American Pinot Noirs in our November lineup.
Read moreChecking in from beautiful wine country in Spain and Portugal
Writing today from the wineries of Portugal's Douro Valley. We arrived in Madrid, Spain ten days ago before heading through the Spanish winemaking regions of Toro, Ribera del Duero, and Rioja. There is much to share, and much wine to tell you about, but on this Monday morning we wanted to check in with a few of the best things we've seen. Cheers!
Read moreIntroducing you to affordable Balkan wines from Macedonia, Slovenia, and Croatia
We recently sampled bottles from Macedonia, Slovenia, and Croatia courtesy of the Balkan Wine Project and our friend Louis at the Vineyard wine shop in McLean, VA. There's great history wrapped in wine regions that most of us know very little about. Let's not fail to mention, also, how affordable these wines are. Balkans and otherwise, there's great value to be had buying wine off the beaten path.
Read moreHunter's Head Tavern, an authentic English Pub, is an essential Virginia Wine Country stop
You'll find Hunter's Head Tavern in the sleepy village of Upperville, in the heart of the best of Virginia wine country. Step through the door and feel you've slipped into a long time past in an authentic English Pub -- a true tavern in a house built around 1750 -- that's laced top to bottom with rustic sophistication. Old plank floors, fireplaces, exposed beams, farmhouse tables, and wooden chairs of which no two seam to be alike convey a homey sense of somewhere far away.
Read moreWe're off to wineries, capitals, and small towns of Spain, Portugal, Sweden, and the UK!
We're off to Europe, specifically to Spain, Portugal, the UK, and Sweden where we'll visit capitals, wineries, and small towns. We're making a point of sticking (mostly) to wineries that distribute in the United States, so that you can find what we're sharing even if you don't plan to travel yourself. We really hope that you'll follow along and share with your friends!
Read moreHouse (wine) Hunters review three low cost / better performing Pinot Noirs from California
Today we're hunting for great wine at great prices, what we call "house wine". With fall upon us, we've decided to test out an exclusively Pinot Noir lineup, all from California to make a fairly easy time of you finding similars at the store. Pinot is great red wine choice in the Spring and Fall transition months, and is particularly well suited to almost every Thanksgiving dish. Let us know what you think.
Read moreBig Hill Ciderworks mixes apples with winemaker passion in an extraordinary bottle lineup
We deeply respect talented winemakers for the passion they infuse in every barrel, every bottle, every glass they bring to life. Less well known, but possessed of equal passion for their craft, are the cider makers whose barrels, bottles, and glasses do with apples what winemakers do with grapes. At Big Hill Ciderworks in Gardners, Pennsylvania, cider makers Ben Kishbaugh and Troy Lehman draw apples' fine wine from 35 varietals and 25 acres.
Read moreNew wines are being poured at Northern Virginia's excellent Delaplane Cellars winery
Earlier this week we included Delaplane Cellars in our list of current Northern Virginia (and surrounding) wine, dine, and travel favorites. It's been six months since we last wrote about Delaplane, and they've got a nearly entirely new lineup of wines and vintages pouring at the winery right now. We thought we'd check in with some tasting notes and encouragement for you to pay them a visit.
Read moreThese are our Northern Virginia (and surrounding) wine, dine, and travel favorites right now
It's Columbus Day in the United States -- you know, that quasi-holiday that might be the federally recognized holiday that your employer is most likely to expect you to work on anyway? It's also an absolutely beautiful time in the Northern Virginia region that we (and a lot of great wineries) call home. These are some of our top regional recommendations right now.
Read moreTouching down in Phoenix for a little taste of Arizona wine and absolutely beautiful country
Returned from Phoenix, AZ with good things to say about the local Arizona wine, newly renovated American Airlines Admirals Club at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), and -- of course -- the beautiful scenery. It is absolutely beautiful country.
Read moreOctober wine picks: New Mexico, Virginia, Spain, Croatia with Napa "Sexual Chocolate" to finish
Casual wine drinkers, aficionados, and beginners alike: Each month we try to expose you to new things, educating you and diversifying your palate with a lineup of our monthly picks. This month we're going to New Mexico, Virginia, Spain's Ribera del Duero region, Croatia, and California with a sparkler, rosé, and three interesting reds. Enjoy!
Read moreGlobally renowned water + ton of history make Berkeley Springs (WV) Brewing worth watching
We stopped at the Berkeley Springs Brewing Company on a beautiful mid-September day. We found the brewing operation and companion Bathwater Brew Pub to be particularly well suited to helping drinkers discover and like things they didn't know they liked. At just a year old, we need some more time to see what this brewery is going to turn into, but there are pieces here that play well in its favor.
Read moreBuyer beware: The only thing we learned at DC "Uncorked" Wine Festival is to not go back
Casual winos, whether of the just-getting-into it or aspiring-connoisseur varieties, can learn a lot at wine festivals. Sadly, after attending the Uncorked DC Wine Festival this past weekend, we have to strongly recommend that you avoid festivals sponsored by Uncorked. It was one of the worst wine experiences we've had, and an epic waste of money.
Read moreLot 12 Public House restaurant: Big city quality and small town Berkeley Springs, West Virginia charm
Lot 12 Public House restaurant occupies the stately house ensconced in a garden nestled on the hillside that rises above natural spring and spa town Berkeley Springs, WV just two hours from Washington, DC. It is truly world class dining, a place we take friends from DC and New York so that we can see the look of delighted surprise on their face when they realize such places exist where they'd least expect.
Read moreSu Vino urban winery in Scottsdale, Arizona serves up unique wine in a modern, fun setting
An urban winery that sources at least the vast majority of its fruit from various California vineyards, Su Vino serves its own unique wine in a modern, fun environment. This winery is built for a good time, more like a wine bar that makes its own stuff, set apart from more traditional tasting rooms by everything from the big group of friends seated all together having a great time, to the happy hour specials listed on the menu.
Read moreEscape the city to exquisite dining at Virginia Wine Country's Ashby Inn, an hour from Washington
We stopped at the Ashby Inn in Paris, an unincorporated village straight out of Americans' stereotypical vision of a small English town (or, the Hobbit). The setting is positively idyllic, the type of place at which you stop for lunch between wineries, and then realize hours later that you've sat in the garden until your next destination has closed. Situated about an hour outside of Washington, the Ashby Inn is an absolute no-brainer for city escapees, romantic weekenders, and winery wanderers alike.
Read moreWines of Arizona Stronghold Vineyards are innovative, full of character, deeply rooted in terroir
I came to Cottonwood looking for the exceptional wine of Arizona Stronghold Vineyards. I stepped across a stylized emblem from the Arizona state flag, painted on the sidewalk out front, into a lively and comfortable tasting room filled with people who clearly care very deeply about this 100% Arizona wine, artfully blended, filled with the history and character of their home state.
Read moreHow to get a second date with Kathleen: Own your drink choices, wine or not
We met for drinks and spent some time perusing the menu, or at least I did. I didn’t have to search long for my choice because they had my favorite sparkling wine, Bugey-Cerdon, on the menu. Naturally, I ordered Bugey. He ordered beer.
Read moreOur September wine picks: Two whites, two reds, and a bottle of rum for dessert
Each month we educate and diversify your palate with a lineup of different wines. We want to expose you to new things. With bottles this month from Washington, Arizona, and Massachusetts, we quite nearly made it to all four corners of the United States. September's lineup is nicely balanced with two whites, two reds, and a bottle of rum for dessert. Enjoy!
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