capsule-narrow

Family of Friends Newsletter

award-winning-wines-425

Is White Zinfandel Sweet? How to Find the Right White Zin for You

By Averi Melcher | November 22, 2020

You may be surprised to learn that White Zinfandel is an incredibly diverse varietal. This charming pink wine can be anywhere from remarkably sweet to refreshingly dry. In fact, some White Zinfandel wines can even be a trendy rosé replacement for your champagne toast! 

Many wine drinkers have turned up their noses at White Zinfandel over the years. 

But is that attitude really deserved? We believe not (and we think you’ll agree!).…

Not Your Mother’s Wine: 3 Reasons You’ll Love Dry Rosé Wine

By Lenzil Hoaglund | November 21, 2020

Wine shops used to be divided neatly into a red wine section and a white wine section. It used to be that rosé wine was a niche, mostly sweet category reserved for ladies who might have grown tired of domestic Chardonnay. 

Oh, how the tables have turned!

Now, it seems like every celebrity and pop culture icon is releasing a trendy rosé, and every liquor store, wine shop, and even grocery store features a shelf full of pink wine.…

The 6 Best Wines for Thanksgiving Dinner (2020)

By Averi Melcher | November 14, 2020

The holiday season is here! We’re sure you’ve got a fabulous Thanksgiving dinner planned and, whether you’re gathering in person or over Zoom, we want your holiday meal to be a smashing success. 

Here at Halleck Vineyard, any festive gathering wouldn’t be complete without one of our top Thanksgiving wines.

Whether you want to try a new wine during Friendsgiving, impress your in-laws, or show the family your expert pairing skills, nothing brings loved ones together like sharing a delicious wine.…

A Guide to White Zinfandel Wine: History, Tasting Notes, and Pairing Tips

By Averi Melcher | November 10, 2020

White Zinfandel wine is a very versatile drink that often gets overlooked by both casual and more experienced wine drinkers due to its former reputation as a cheap, sickly sweet drink.

But the White Zinfandels of today are NOT your mother’s White Zinfandels. In fact, many are sophisticated, dry, and downright delectable. They are a great choice for a weekend brunch, but work equally as well with a

Feeling Special and Loved: Intimate Virtual Wine Tastings at Home

By Ross Halleck | October 30, 2020

Our Virtual Tasting Salons are designed not only to bring the vineyard to you, but to offer a tasting experience paired with organic delectables created by local artisan producers. As part of our California Wine Club, we’ve explored food pairing with Pinot Noir wines, Gewurztraminer, Sauvignon Blanc and many others.

Find Your Light Pinot Noir: Josh Groban Wine Story

By Ross Halleck | August 17, 2020

In 2015, I got a call from a young man in New York, Josh Groban. He was performing on Broadway, had tasted our Pinot Noir, loved it, and inquired about making a special wine to benefit his foundation, the Find Your Light Foundation. The Find Your Light Foundation funds arts education across the United States.

Since we had three sons, all artists, all having attended public schools, the fit was synchronistic. We happily agreed.…

Estate Grown Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir – Wine Story

By Ross Halleck | August 17, 2020

When we planted our Estate Vineyard in 1993, our goals were not lofty.

There had never been a Pinot Noir vineyard planted in western Sebastopol, all the way to the coast. We were the first; we proceeded without a clue what we were doing. We purchased the rootstock from the Yellow Pages.

We thought it would be beautiful, relatively inexpensive landscaping and we could make “backyard garage wine.” In the best of all worlds,…

Clone 828, Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir – Wine Story

By Ross Halleck | August 17, 2020

By 2006, Halleck Vineyard had emerged as one of the top wineries amongst a handful of boutiques in our neighborhood. To say we were a big fish in a little pond would be overstating. We were a small fish in a small pond, but showing some bright colors.

One of the big fish in our neighborhood was a gentleman named Brice Cutrer Jones. He founded Sonoma Cutrer, a poster child for success in the region. Sonoma Cutrer was known for Chardonnay.…

Hillside Cuvee, Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir – Wine Story

By Ross Halleck | August 17, 2020

Similar to our approach with our Three Sons Cuvee Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, we hoped to create a signature blend of vineyards to represent the Sonoma Coast. We introduced the Three Sons in 2003, but awaited until 2006 to introduce its Sonoma Coast brother.

For Hillside Cuvee, we sourced vineyards close to the Halleck Vineyard Estate, of similar elevation and character. Our desire was to express our region in a single Pinot Noir red wine that aggregated the best qualities for which the region is known.…

a