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Family of Friends Newsletter

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Ross Halleck, the winemaker of Halleck Vineyard located in Sonoma County, and Victoria Taylor, the sommelier of Bar Boulud in Manhattan, collaborated on a private wine pairing dinner. The event showcased premium wines from the Russian River Valley, known for its fruity and earthy notes, paired with delectable dishes crafted by the expert chefs at Bar Boulud. This unforgettable dining experience brought together the best of Californian winemaking and French culinary expertise, creating a fine dining experience for all attendees.

Wine Wars: Tasting Showdown Between French Wine and California Wine at Bar Boulud

By Scott Butterfield | April 10, 2023

What goes better with French food? French wines or California wines? Winemaker Ross Halleck of Halleck Vineyard in Sonoma County collaborated with Bar Boulud Sommelier Victoria Taylor in Manhattan on a private vintner dinner to find out. 

They compared 4 award-winning, small-production California wines from the Halleck Vineyard boutique Sonoma winery in the West Sonoma County town of Sebastopol with 5 French wines, all carefully paired with contemporary French dishes from one of the most celebrated French chefs in America.…

Experience the beauty of sustainable viticulture, where environmental regulation meets grape-growing innovation. Our winegrowers utilize biodynamic practices, and our vineyards are USDA certified. From the red wines of California to the biodynamic wines of Austria, our commitment to sustainability is evident in every glass. By reducing food waste and practicing sustainable farming, we are leading the way towards a more sustainable future. #sustainability #iso14001 #winegrowing #environmentalregulation #biodynamicwines #usda #grapes #californiawines #austrianwines #olivetrees #foodwaste #winegrower

Sustainable Wineries: The Future of Wine Production

By Scott Butterfield | March 14, 2023

The wine industry has long been at the forefront of sustainable farming. Long before organic became a buzzword, eco-friendly California winemakers in highly respected regions like Sonoma County became ambassadors for climate protection through stakeholder engagement. The rise of the sustainable winery, carbon accounting, and climate-neutral viticulture are their responses to the decades of depletion and contamination that pesticides and commercial fertilizers have caused. 

Table of Contents

Sustainable Wineries
Sustainable Viticulture
What is Sustainable Wine? 

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Pour Decisions: Favorite Sonoma Biodynamic, Organic or Natural Wines

By Scott Butterfield | February 20, 2023

Natural wine and organic wines are rising in popularity.

Despite the wide-ranging and heated discussions around natural and organic wine, ultimately, the difference, here in the US, is quite simple.

Organic wine is certified by the FDA. Natural wine is not. 

This is just fine for many passionate, anti-authoritarian, and raucous natural wine community members who suspect the futility of effective government regulation. The initial cost of organic certification (around $6,000), the price of annual inspections required to maintain certification,…

Romantic Wineries in Sonoma for Lovers

By Elizabeth Kate | January 31, 2023

Thanks to the ample rains from the heavens, Sonoma Valley vineyards are teeming with life. What could be better than a romantic wine tasting getaway in Sonoma? It’s time to get creative with your amorous planning.

But with a wealth of wonderful Sonoma wineries and hillside screaming out with abundant greenery, it may be challenging to pick and choose the most romantic wine tasting rooms.

Not to worry!

No need to blindly search for a ‘romantic winery near me’…

Wine Tasting Masterclass in Burgundy France with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

2023 Wine Festival Calendar

By Scott Butterfield | January 18, 2023

We scoured the web to put together this 2023 Wine Festival Calendar. It features 16 California Wine Festivals (including the big event in Santa Barbara), Nantucket, Oregon, and Colorado wine festivals, plus a wine festival reopening in France. All the festivals serve food, but these are true wine festivals, organized to appeal to aspiring wine enthusiasts and serious wine collectors. 

Now a lot has changed, but one thing remains the same. We still enjoy gathering together to share our passion about wine with others.…

Sonoma Wineries to Visit in 2023

By Averi Melcher | January 3, 2023

If you’re searching for the best wineries to book a Sonoma County wine tasting at, here’s our list of top Sonoma wineries, from the Russian River Valley to the Sonoma Coast, Healdsburg to Alexander Valley, and Sebastopol to Dry Creek.

Sonoma County, California – a 60-minute drive from San Francisco – is home to many of the top boutique wineries in the US.

All in all, there are 632 licensed Sonoma wineries,…

best wine for mediterranean food from Victoria Taylor

Best Wine for Mediterranean Food from Sommelier Victoria Taylor

By Scott Butterfield | December 2, 2022

Pairing the best wine with Mediterranean food is notoriously difficult. There’s a menagerie of spices and herbs that don’t mesh easily with white and red wine varietals. 

One of the best wines to pair with Mediterranean dishes is the Halleck Vineyard Hillside Cuvee Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir, according to Boulud Sud Head Sommelier Victoria Taylor, who pours the varietal at her Lincoln Center eatery.

Boulud Sud is owned by two-Michelin star celebrity chef Daniel Boulud,…

Sommelier Michael Dolinski with Chef Alfred Portale

Pinot Noir Food Pairing Tips from Michael Dolinski

By Joanna Hughes | November 30, 2022

Ready for some Pinot Noir food pairing tips from a true master? Sommelier Michael Dolinski at New York’s Michelin-star Portale restaurant recommends the Halleck Vineyard Three Sons Russian River Valley Pinot Noir.

Here’s a closer look at why this California Pinot Noir is Dolinski’s favorite for showcasing many menu items at Portale, along with Pinot Noir food pairing tips for what dishes to prepare with this award-winning, boutique California Pinot Noir.  …

Best Crab Cakes Recipe

Best Wine with Crab Cakes: Dry White Zinfandel

By Lenzil Hoaglund | November 21, 2022

If you’re searching for the best wine with crab cakes, you’ve come to the right place. This Dry White Zinfandel crab cake wine pairing (actually a Rosé) is complex, sophisticated, and refined. And it is the perfect wine for crab.

It’s rare to find a food and wine pairing this good. The crab cake recipe is simple, yet elegant. This pairing will undoubtedly earn you the respect of the most seasoned sommelier. 

This “Best-Ever Crab Cake”…

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