Josh Jensen: The Beacon of Cienega Valley
Josh Jensen was an explorer. An adventurer. In the 1970’s, he established his winery, Calera, out in the middle of the remote, inhospitable wilds of Cienega Valley. While his contemporaries were exploring the possibilities for Pinot Noir and other grape varieties in more accessible, and attractive regions—Richard Sanford in the coastal Santa Barbara County wine…
Hot Brands 2020: the Wines that Defined the Year
It would be easy to say that there has never been a year quite like 2020. It was a year that tried us, that pushed so many of us to the edge, that separated us from our friends and family. It disrupted businesses and sales and the status quo. Every day delivered a new challenge…
California’s Central Coast Winemakers Respect the Past but Have Eyes on the Future
From the late 1700s, when Spanish friars planted vines in Santa Barbara County, to the end of the 19th century, when French and Italian immigrants established nurseries and vineyards throughout the Santa Cruz Mountains, California’s Central Coast has played a prominent role in the rise of American viticulture. As much of that history slips away with…