Author: Allison Levine

Home > Articles posted by Allison Levine (Page 7)

09 Mar

Posted at 17:21h in 2024 Wineries, Wineries

[vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern" z_index="" side_padding="0"][vc_column width="2/3" css=".vc_custom_1709930727903{padding-right: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}"][vc_column_text] L.A. Lepiane Wines [/vc_column_text][social_icons type="circle_social" icon="fa-facebook" use_custom_size="no" size="fa-lg" link="https://www.facebook.com/lepianewines" target="_blank" icon_color="#ffffff" background_color="#8b2b7a"][social_icons type="circle_social" icon="fa-instagram" use_custom_size="no" size="fa-lg" link="https://www.instagram.com/la_lepianewines" target="_blank" icon_color="#ffffff" background_color="#8b2b7a"][vc_column_text]1480 Count Fleet St., Santa Barbara, CA www.lepianewines.com Region: Santa Barbara County Owner/Winemaker: Alison Thomson About: Founded in 1935 by Luigi A. Lepiane, and re-established by his great-granddaughter in 2013, L.A. Lepiane Wines focuses on small lots of unexpected Italian varieties. Alison Thomson crafts unique wines, using traditional techniques, natural fermentations and lots of time. Her wines reflect true character of the varieties translated in California's soil and sun. What is your favorite forgotten grape? Nebbiolo What was your first experience with a forgotten grape? I worked my first harvest for Ettore Germano in Barolo, Italy. What do you love most about the forgotten grapes? I love variety and a good story. Introducing consumers to less known grape varieties expands their wine drinking horizons to new regions, flavors, and aromas. Variety is the spice of life.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_single_image image="1363" img_size="full" qode_css_animation=""][/vc_column][vc_column width="1/3" css=".vc_custom_1710492078419{padding: 10px !important;}"][vc_single_image image="1361" img_size="full" qode_css_animation=""][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern"][vc_column width="1/2" css=".vc_custom_1709935356040{padding-right: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}"][vc_single_image image="1367" img_size="full" qode_css_animation=""][/vc_column][vc_column width="1/2" css=".vc_custom_1709935363058{padding-right: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}"][vc_single_image image="1365" img_size="full" qode_css_animation=""][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern"][vc_column css=".vc_custom_1709935356040{padding-right: 0px...

22 Feb

Posted at 20:54h in 2026 Wineries, Los Angeles 2026, Wineries

[vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern" z_index="" side_padding="0"][vc_column width="2/3" css=".vc_custom_1711320642741{padding-right: 10px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}"][vc_column_text css=""] Langhart-Hill Wines [/vc_column_text][social_icons type="circle_social" icon="fa-instagram" use_custom_size="no" size="fa-lg" link="https://www.instagram.com/dioncollio88" target="_blank" icon_color="#ffffff" background_color="#8b2b7a"][vc_column_text css=""]480 Foreman Lane, Healdsburg, CA 95448 langharthill.com Region: Russian River Valley, Sonoma Owner: Dennis Hill Winemaker: Dennis Hill About: After decades of successful professional winemaking, our owner-winemaker, Dennis Hill, has shifted his focus to producing a few esoteric wine styles and rare grape varieties. Many grapes are estate-grown in the Russian River Valley near Healdsburg. Dennis is not beholden to one specific wine style but prefers to appreciate the great diversity of all wines. One will find both classic and obscure wines and varieties within the Langhart & Hill and Rumpelstiltskin portfolio. What is your favorite undiscovered grape? Dobričić is one of the darkest, most tannic grapes on the planet. My goal is to make a more approachable but complex red wine that shows character. Dobričić is the specialty of Šolta, the Croatian island in the Adriatic, from where my grandfather immigrated 100 years ago. What was your first experience with an undiscovered grape? Malvasia Bianca and its siblings are a large and ancient variety(s) grown in many regions of the world and make a wide range of wines, including the...

02 Sep

Posted at 23:11h in 2026 Wineries, 2027 Wineries, Los Angeles 2026, Los Angeles 2027, San Jose 2026, San Jose 2027, Wineries

[vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern" z_index="" side_padding="0"][vc_column width="2/3" css=".vc_custom_1711320642741{padding-right: 10px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}"][vc_column_text css=""] Lava Cap Winery [/vc_column_text][social_icons type="circle_social" icon="fa-facebook" use_custom_size="no" size="fa-lg" link="https://www.facebook.com/lavacapwinery" target="_blank" icon_color="#ffffff" background_color="#8b2b7a"][social_icons type="circle_social" icon="fa-instagram" use_custom_size="no" size="fa-lg" link="https://www.instagram.com/lavacapwinery" target="_blank" icon_color="#ffffff" background_color="#8b2b7a"][vc_column_text css=""]2221 Fruitridge Rd., Placerville, CA 95667 lavacap.com Region: El Dorado Owner: Charlie & Noreen Jones Winemaker: Nolan Jones About: Lava Cap is a third-generation family farm located in Placerville, high in the Sierra Nevada foothills at an elevation of 2700 feet. Our estate mountain-grown grapes are sourced from some of the highest vineyards in California. Our unique volcanic soils, weathered from ancient ash flows, produce wines that are intensely aromatic and luscious with deep, rich fruit erupting with flavor. What is your favorite undiscovered grape? Barbera! Great acid, bright flavors, food friendly. What was your first experience with an undiscovered grape? Planting and working with undiscovered grapes is part of the DNA of El Dorado winegrowers. Rather than being centered on a single “signature” variety, our region is still actively exploring its possibilities. Every time we plant a new grape, we’re asking how it will respond to our volcanic soils, our 3,000-foot elevations, and our steep slopes. It’s an ongoing search for the varieties that not only thrive here but that truly come...

08 Mar

Posted at 23:44h in 2024 Wineries, Wineries

[vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern" z_index="" side_padding="0"][vc_column width="2/3" css=".vc_custom_1709930727903{padding-right: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}"][vc_column_text] Lindquist Family Wines [/vc_column_text][social_icons type="circle_social" icon="fa-facebook" use_custom_size="no" size="fa-lg" link="https://www.facebook.com/VerdadandLindquistFamilyWines" target="_blank" icon_color="#ffffff" background_color="#8b2b7a"][social_icons type="circle_social" icon="fa-instagram" use_custom_size="no" size="fa-lg" link="https://www.instagram.com/verdadlindquistfamilywines" target="_blank" icon_color="#ffffff" background_color="#8b2b7a"][vc_column_text css=""]4665 Santa Maria Mesa Rd, Santa Maria, CA 93454 verdadandlindquistfamilywines.com Region: Santa Maria Valley Owners/Winemakers: Bob Lindquist and Louisa Sawyer Lindquist About: We make a number of forgotten grapes from cool climate vineyards on the Central Coast. What is your favorite undiscovered grape? Marsanne What was your first experience with an undiscovered grape? Probably my first experience would have been when I was in college with Wente Grey Riesling, which is Trousseau Gris.  As a winemaker, the first forgotten grape that I made was a 1987 Marsanne, which I still make today. What do you love most about the undiscovered grapes? There is so much diversity in flavors, aromas and character…and they can often be better values.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][vc_column width="1/3" css=".vc_custom_1709930735254{padding-right: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}"][vc_single_image image="874" img_size="165x590" qode_css_animation=""][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern"][vc_column width="1/2" css=".vc_custom_1709935356040{padding-right: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}"][vc_single_image image="869" img_size="full" qode_css_animation=""][/vc_column][vc_column width="1/2" css=".vc_custom_1709949324112{padding-right: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}"][vc_single_image image="870" img_size="full" qode_css_animation=""][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern"][vc_column width="1/2" css=".vc_custom_1709935356040{padding-right: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}"][vc_single_image image="871" img_size="full" qode_css_animation=""][/vc_column][vc_column width="1/2" css=".vc_custom_1709949324112{padding-right: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}"][vc_single_image image="873"...

22 Mar

Posted at 06:54h in 2024 Wineries, Wineries

[vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern" z_index="" side_padding="0"][vc_column width="2/3" css=".vc_custom_1709930727903{padding-right: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}"][vc_column_text] Lodi Wine [/vc_column_text][social_icons type="circle_social" icon="fa-facebook" use_custom_size="no" size="fa-lg" link="https://www.facebook.com/LodiWine" target="_blank" icon_color="#ffffff" background_color="#8b2b7a"][social_icons type="circle_social" icon="fa-instagram" use_custom_size="no" size="fa-lg" link="https://www.instagram.com/lodi_wine" target="_blank" icon_color="#ffffff" background_color="#8b2b7a"][vc_column_text]2545 West Turner Road, Lodi, CA, 95242 www.lodiwine.com Region: Lodi, CA About: Perfectly situated 90 miles east of San Francisco, Lodi’s Mediterranean climate and unique soils allow its growers to cultivate more than 125 winegrape varieties, cementing the historic winegrowing region as the unrivaled producer of “forgotten grapes." What do you love most about the forgotten grapes? The forgotten grapes add a point of difference between Lodi and other American winegrowing regions and diversify the region’s portfolio of high quality wines.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][vc_column width="1/3" css=".vc_custom_1709930735254{padding-right: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}"][vc_single_image image="1545" img_size="full" qode_css_animation=""][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern"][vc_column width="1/4" css=".vc_custom_1709935356040{padding-right: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}"][vc_single_image image="1544" img_size="full" qode_css_animation=""][/vc_column][vc_column width="1/4" css=".vc_custom_1709935363058{padding-right: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}"][vc_single_image image="1548" img_size="full" qode_css_animation=""][/vc_column][vc_column width="1/4" css=".vc_custom_1709935371833{padding-right: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}"][vc_single_image image="1547" img_size="full" qode_css_animation=""][/vc_column][vc_column width="1/4" css=".vc_custom_1709935378038{padding-right: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}"][vc_single_image image="1551" img_size="full" qode_css_animation=""][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern"][vc_column css=".vc_custom_1709935356040{padding-right: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}"][vc_single_image image="1556" img_size="full" qode_css_animation=""][/vc_column][/vc_row]...

01 Jan

Posted at 01:51h in 2025 Wineries, Wineries

[vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern" z_index="" side_padding="0"][vc_column width="2/3" css=".vc_custom_1711320642741{padding-right: 10px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}"][vc_column_text css=""] Los Pilares Wine [/vc_column_text][social_icons type="circle_social" icon="fa-instagram" use_custom_size="no" size="fa-lg" link="https://www.instagram.com/lospilareswines" target="_blank" icon_color="#ffffff" background_color="#8b2b7a"][vc_column_text css=""]Durbin Road, Santa Ysabel, CA lospilareswine.com Region: San Diego County Owner: Coleman Cooney Winemaker: Michael Christian and Coleman Cooney About: Los Pilares is a long-term exploration of high-altitude viticulture in the mountains of San Diego County, founded by Katie Fawkesmoore, Coleman Cooney, Jay McCarthy, and Michael Christian. Before Los Pilares, they were backyard vignerons, garage winemakers, or wine industry professionals. Since the first vintage in 2010, they have been showcasing the terroir of San Diego’s backcountry and mountains by making wine with nothing but grapes, and sometimes apples. All the fruit comes from sustainable vineyards and orchards grown in the backcountry and mountains of San Diego County. What is your favorite undiscovered grape? Assyrtiko What was your first experience with an undiscovered grape? Drinking young Tintilla Sardo wines in Spain What do you love most about the undiscovered grapes? They extend the spectrum of flavors, textures, and aromas.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width="1/3" css=".vc_custom_1709930735254{padding-right: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}"][vc_single_image image="2542" img_size="full" css="" qode_css_animation=""][vc_single_image image="2543" img_size="full" css="" qode_css_animation=""][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern"][vc_column width="1/3" css=".vc_custom_1709935356040{padding-right: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}"][vc_single_image image="2547" img_size="600x600" css="" qode_css_animation=""][/vc_column][vc_column width="1/3" css=".vc_custom_1709935363058{padding-right: 0px !important;padding-left:...

14 Mar

Posted at 16:57h in 2025 Wineries, Wineries

[vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern" z_index="" side_padding="0"][vc_column width="2/3" css=".vc_custom_1709930727903{padding-right: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}"][vc_column_text css=""] Lucas & Lewellen Vineyards and Toccata Winery [/vc_column_text][social_icons type="circle_social" icon="fa-facebook" use_custom_size="no" size="fa-lg" link="https://www.facebook.com/LucasLewellenVineyards?mibextid=wwXIfr" target="_blank" icon_color="#ffffff" background_color="#8b2b7a"][social_icons type="circle_social" icon="fa-instagram" use_custom_size="no" size="fa-lg" link="https://www.instagram.com/lucaslewellen?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==" target="_blank" icon_color="#ffffff" background_color="#8b2b7a"][vc_column_text css=""]95 Los Padres #1, Buellton, CA 93427 www.llwine.com Region: Santa Maria Valley Owners: Louis Lucas and Mike Lewellen Winemaker: Megan McGrath Gates About: Louis Lucas, a third-generation grape grower, and Superior Court Judge Royce Lewellen met in 1975 through the Santa Maria Wine & Food Society. Louis was a well- respected grower who had been supplying premium wine grapes for reputable Napa and Sonoma wineries for decades. Royce Lewellen was a passionate wine enthusiast with a vision for the future of the Santa Barbara County wine industry. Over the next twenty-five years, the Lucas and Lewellen families would grow in a deep friendship that would serve as the foundation for Lucas & Lewellen Vineyards, a Solvang, California based winery with four hundred estate acres situated among three of Santa Barbara County’s separate and distinct climate zones, three major wine labels, two popular tasting rooms in downtown Solvang, and a state of the art winery. Lucas & Lewellen Vineyards has a distributor presence in 25 states and...

17 Dec

Posted at 20:17h in 2025 Wineries, 2026 Wineries, Los Angeles 2026, Wineries

[vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern" z_index="" side_padding="0"][vc_column width="2/3" css=".vc_custom_1711320642741{padding-right: 10px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}"][vc_column_text css=""] Luna Hart Wines [/vc_column_text][social_icons type="circle_social" icon="fa-facebook" use_custom_size="no" size="fa-lg" link="https://www.facebook.com/lunahartwines" target="_blank" icon_color="#ffffff" background_color="#8b2b7a"][social_icons type="circle_social" icon="fa-instagram" use_custom_size="no" size="fa-lg" link="https://www.instagram.com/luna.hart.wines" target="_blank" icon_color="#ffffff" background_color="#8b2b7a"][vc_column_text css=""]2825 Tapadero Road, Solvang CA 93463 lunahartwines.com Region: Santa Barbara County Owner: Gretchen Voelcker Winemaker: Gretchen Voelcker About: At the heart of Luna Hart's philosophy is a commitment to vineyards practicing sustainable, organic, or biodynamic farming throughout the enchanting landscapes of Santa Barbara County. Gretchen's vision is to create wines that resonate with the very soul of the grapes—their origin, vintage, and variety—a true reflection of the terroir. Immerse yourself in the meticulous process where Gretchen's careful attention to the fruit in the vineyard and daily tastings during fermentation result in high-quality, fruit-forward wines. Luna Hart's creations are characterized by bright acidity and a delicate balance, held together by an incredible structure that speaks to the harmony between nature and craftsmanship. What is your favorite undiscovered grape? Grüner Veltliner! It’s so versatile and food-friendly. It’s a really fun grape to work with and truly showcases site specificity in a gorgeous way. We craft it in both a still and sparkling style and it’s also really amazing to see it in both styles. What was...

24 Sep

Posted at 19:33h in 2026 Wineries, 2027 Wineries, Los Angeles 2027, San Jose 2026, San Jose 2027, Wineries

[vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern" z_index="" side_padding="0"][vc_column width="2/3" css=".vc_custom_1711320642741{padding-right: 10px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}"][vc_column_text css=""] Lyons Vineyard [/vc_column_text][social_icons type="circle_social" icon="fa-facebook" use_custom_size="no" size="fa-lg" link="https://www.facebook.com/lyonsvineyard" target="_blank" icon_color="#ffffff" background_color="#8b2b7a"][social_icons type="circle_social" icon="fa-instagram" use_custom_size="no" size="fa-lg" link="https://www.instagram.com/lyonsvineyard" target="_blank" icon_color="#ffffff" background_color="#8b2b7a"][vc_column_text css=""]3564 Sagunto St., Suite 302 Santa Ynez CA 93460 www.lyonsvineyard.com Region: Santa Barbara County Owners: Skye Lyons & Sarah Lyons Winemakers: Ryan Carr with Skye & Sarah Lyons About: Located in the Los Olivos District AVA, in the heart of Santa Barbara wine country, Lyons Vineyard is a small family-run vineyard founded in 2017 with a focus on Rhône varietals. After years of growing Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, and Viognier for some of Santa Barbara’s top winemakers, we launched our own label in 2022. We make limited-production, small-batch wines that let the fruit and the land shine through. Our signature style is balance; wines with depth and interest that still hold their freshness and acidity. We’re excited to showcase two Grenache clones side by side, showing just how different the same varietal can be. Along with two vintages of our 100% Mourvèdre that capture the influence of Mother Nature from year to year. We love how tasting these comparisons can spark curiosity, open up conversations, and remind us that wine is at...

27 Nov

Posted at 06:23h in 2026 Wineries, San Jose 2026, Wineries

[vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern" z_index="" side_padding="0"][vc_column width="2/3" css=".vc_custom_1711320642741{padding-right: 10px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}"][vc_column_text css=""] m2 Wines [/vc_column_text][social_icons type="circle_social" icon="fa-facebook" use_custom_size="no" size="fa-lg" link="https://www.facebook.com/m2wines" target="_blank" icon_color="#ffffff" background_color="#8b2b7a"][social_icons type="circle_social" icon="fa-instagram" use_custom_size="no" size="fa-lg" link="https://www.instagram.com/m2wines" target="_blank" icon_color="#ffffff" background_color="#8b2b7a"][vc_column_text css=""]2900 E Peltier Rd, Lodi, CA www.m2wines.com Region: Lodi Owner: Layne Montgomery Winemaker: Layne Montgomery About: Since 2004 our focus and purpose has been creating dynamic artisan wines from distinctive vineyards in Lodi, the Sierra Foothills, and Napa Valley. From stellar examples of Lodi Zinfandel to exciting Rhone wines from the Sierra Foothills to wonderful lesser-known grape varieties, m2 wines are created to fully express the character of the vineyard and the fruit of the vine as wine that is true to itself - balanced, complex, approachable and age-worthy. What is your favorite undiscovered grape? Carignan - It is versatile and can be used as varietal, a blending component, or a rose. It comes from old vines and has lots of character; it is not a boring grape. What was your first experience with an undiscovered grape? Viognier - It reflects the region and the soil/place of the vineyard. What do you love most about the undiscovered grapes? They are fun, not boring![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width="1/3" css=".vc_custom_1709930735254{padding-right: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}"][vc_single_image image="5974" img_size="full" css="" qode_css_animation=""][vc_single_image image="5977" img_size="full"...