Brigid Harris of Bedarra Vineyards and Jim Rickards of J. Rickards Winery at the Alexander Valley Winegrowers’ table, she with her luscious 2020 Malbec, he with his deliciously old-school 2020 Old Vine Zin.
Schelling was part of Lei-An Field’s Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau contingent spreading the word that the best way to help Maui recover from last year’s fires is also the most pleasant: come visit.
Cameron Vann of Ocean Vodka (made from organic sugar cane and “deep ocean mineral water”) won us over with a slyly potent cocktail. Maui Brewing Co’s OMG Hazy IPA packed a punch, too.
I’ve long been a fan of Helen Keplinger (www.KeplingerWines.com). She’s holding her magnificent 2021 Truchard Vineyard Solitaire Syrah; I also liked her 2021 Versailles Paderewski Vineyard (Willow Creek, Paso Robles) blend of Petite Sirah, Syrah, Mourvѐdre, and a splash of Viognier.
Stopped by to say hi to Andy Farriester and Paige Dana of Kosta Browne Winery, whose 2019 from the Observation Series was one of the best Pinots (Sonoma Coast) I tasted at HWFE.
Chardonnay starred at our last two stops, Marchelle Wines (Greg La Follette, on the right with winemaker Evan Damiano) and Stringer Cellars (Casey Stringer, bottom right). Greg’s Chard came from three counties, Casey’s from Napa’s venerable Hyde Vineyard (hot tip: excellent price for a Hyde). We also liked the 2022 Marchelle Frediani Vineyard Charbono (Calistoga) and the 2022 Stringer Cellars Peake Ranch Grenache (Sta. Rita Hills) that Casey’s holding.
