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Fiddlehead 728 Pinot Noir

12 July, 2019

Friendship and Camaraderie Among Pinot Noir Producers Along Highway 101

This story originally appeared in the Napa Valley Register.

The 18th annual World of Pinot Noir took place in Santa Barbara this past weekend. More than 250 wineries from around the world showcased their Pinot Noirs at seminars, lunches, dinners and the grand tastings. Everyone in attendance was friendly and shared the common love of Pinot Noir. I was reminded how overall, the wine industry is one of camaraderie, friendship and support.

Winemakers share their wines and taste each other’s wines, offering their feedback. Winemakers buy fruit from each other and sometimes work in the same facility, sharing equipment. They travel together for events or on sales trips.

Even as competitors, they are friends and that was showcased at a dinner I attended featuring winemakers Wells Guthrie of Copain, Jonathan Nagy of Byron, Greg Brewer of Brewer-Clifton and Adam Lee of Siduri.

From the Alexander Valley to the Santa Ynez Valley and in between, these four winemakers have each been making wine for more than 20 years each and their relationships go back as far.

15 March, 2018

Please The Palate Pick of the Week: Fiddlehead Pink Fiddle

#releasetherose should be the new hashtag as Rosé season is here! This past week, Fiddlehead Cellars in Santa Ynez released the Fiddlehead Cellars 2017 Pink Fiddle, Fiddlestix Vineyard, Sta. Rita Hills, their first wine released in 2018 and is the Please The Palate pick of the week.

I had the pleasure to taste the wine at Fiddlehead's annual Pink Dinner Party, an event I look forward to each year as it falls within a few days of my birthday. We were dressed in pink, the winery was decorated in pink and we drink a lot of pink wine. I have been a fan of the Fiddlehead's Rosé but the 2017 is a real standout!

17 February, 2018