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Family of Friends Newsletter

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Guests enjoy the hospitality of Sonoma county winemakers and an event by Sonoma County Tourism.

Celebrated Sonoma and Sebastopol Wineries Reopen

By Marta Heacock | April 5, 2022

Two years after the global pandemic effectively crushed tourism for Sonoma and Sebastopol wineries, tasting rooms are opening again. The lights are coming back on. And visitors from all parts of the globe are raising a glass to celebrate the return of relative normalcy.

To welcome Los Angeles-based travelers out of their homes and back to wine country, on March 22, 2022 Sonoma County Tourism, hosted a very special event. An Evening With Sonoma: Beyond a New Perspective – Life Opens Up was a veritable reopening for Sonoma and Sebastopol wineries and tourism alike. …

Sweet and Dry White Zinfandel Wines from Halleck Vineyard and Sutter Home

Sweet vs Dry White Zinfandel Wine Tasting (Review)

By Marta Heacock | March 22, 2022

Ross Halleck and Harris Miner are back at the estate in Sebastopol for a sweet and dry White Zinfandel wine tasting, and discussing about their differences, similarities, and pairing possibilities.

Table of contentsHistory of New World White ZinfandelSutter Home Sweet White Zinfandel Wine Tasting NotesHalleck Vineyard Dry White Zinfandel Wine Tasting NotesWine Review VideoWhite Zinfandel Wrap Up

On one side of the table,…

Wine, Bottle, Reviews, Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand, Wine Pairing, Marlborough, White Wine

New Zealand vs California Sauvignon Blanc

By Scott Butterfield | March 18, 2022

California Sauvignon Blanc is like New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc in many ways. But the two varietals from different regions deviate in some respects as well. In this wine review, Ross Halleck and Harris Miner are in Sebastopol wine tasting and discussing the popular Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc, comparing to the Halleck Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc, judged Best of Class White and Best White Wine in California (94 pts) at the 2019 Orange County Wine Society.…

Château Ste. Michelle Gewürztraminer Vs Halleck Vineyard (Wine Review)

By Marta Heacock | March 16, 2022

In this wine review, Ross Halleck and Harris Miner are in Sonoma wine tasting and talking about New World Gewürztraminers from the Russian River and Columbia Valley appellations. First on the list is 2019 Château Ste. Michelle Gewürztraminer from Washington’s Columbia Valley, and then we’ll move on to the Halleck Vineyard Dry Gewürztraminer Callendrelli Vineyard from the Russian River Valley in Sonoma County. 

Table of contentsThe Gewürztraminer GrapeTraditional Gewürztraminer PairingsChâteau St.

Wine, Bottle, Reviews, Pinot Noir, California, Wine Pairing, Monterey

Sonoma Coast vs La Crema Monterey Pinot Noir (Wine Review)

By Scott Butterfield | March 15, 2022

In this wine review Ross Halleck and Harris Miner are in Sonoma wine tasting and enjoying two California Pinots; La Cream Pinot Noir from Monterey and Halleck Vineyard Hillside Cuvee from Sonoma Coast.

Table of contentsLa Crema Monterey Pinot Noir Tasting NotesHalleck Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir Tasting NotesWine Review (Video)The Last Word

La Crema Monterey Pinot Noir Tasting Notes

2019 La Cream Monterey Pinot Noir

La Crema Monterey Pinot Noir is one of the most popular wines in the world.…

Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir plays well with middle-of-the-road, semi-soft cheeses.

Inside the Best Wine and Cheese Tasting Sonoma Has to Offer

By Marta Heacock | March 4, 2022

These pairing suggestions from certified wine educator Jim Laughren and award-winning author offer an inspiring alternative to the cheeses we serve at our Sonoma wine tastings in Sebastopol.

California Pinot Noir Wine and Cheese Pairings

Whether the occasion calls for an impromptu mid-afternoon respite on a sunlit porch or a fully-fledged wine and cheese board as a prelude to an elegant or romantic evening, the age-old combination of wine and cheese tasting is appropriate for a range of circumstances.With roots in French and Italian agrarian traditions,…

Kendall Jackson Pinot Noir MacMurray Halleck Vineyard

Kendall Jackson Pinot Noir vs MacMurray vs Halleck Vineyard (Wine Review)

By Marta Heacock | February 25, 2022

We’re in Sonoma wine tasting and talking about Kendall Jackson Pinot Noir, MacMurray Estate, and Halleck Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir. Read on to find out which of these New World Pinots are best for picnics, parties, porches, and anything by candlelight. 

Table of contentsKendall Jackson Pinot Noir Wine Tasting NotesMacMurray Estate Wine Tasting NotesHalleck Vineyard Three Sons Wine Tasting NotesWine Tasting VideoPinot Wrap Up

Kendall Jackson Pinot Noir Wine Tasting Notes

Kendall Jackson Vintner’s Reverse Pinot Noir is the most famous of all their variants.…

Belle Glos Las Alturas 2019 and Halleck Vineyard Haas Vineyard 2018 are exceptional Pinot Noirs, with very different profiles.

Belle Glos Pinot Noir Las Alturas vs Halleck Vineyard Haas Pinot Noir (Wine Review)

By Sandy Pavick | February 21, 2022

We’re in Sonoma wine tasting and reviewing the Belle Glos Las Alturas 2019 and our own Halleck Vineyard Haas Vineyard 2018. 

These are two of the best California Pinot Noir wines. And these two have totally different profiles. Belle Glos is big and bold, with blackberry candy, while Halleck Vineyard Haas Vineyard is lighter with a lower alcohol content and hints of cherry, mace and cinnamon.

California is known throughout the world for its excellent Pinot Noirs.…

Halleck Vineyard Estate Grown and Kosta Brown Pinot Noir from Sonoma, California

Kosta Browne Pinot Noir vs Halleck Vineyard (Wine Review)

By Scott Butterfield | February 18, 2022

In this post, Ross Halleck and Harris Miner are wine tasting in Sonoma and reviewing two of the best California Pinot Noir wines from the Russian River Valley and the Sonoma Coast.

Table of contentsKosta Browne Pinot Noir (2016)Halleck Vineyard Estate Pinot Noir (2016)Wine Review [Video]The Last Word

Kosta Browne Pinot Noir (2016)

2019 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Gap’s Crown Vineyard

Kosta Browne Pinot Noir belongs to a very special place.…

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