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Family of Friends Newsletter

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The 10 Best California Wine Clubs (2023)

By Averi Melcher | July 22, 2021

We’re biased, but we believe the best wine clubs in the US are right here in Sonoma County. This region is home to over 400 wineries, 18 AVAs, and some of the most astoundingly spectacular wines in the world. So it’s no surprise that this region has a sublime selection of wine clubs as well. But which of these wineries have the BEST California wine clubs?With hundreds of noteworthy wine clubs across Sonoma County, you can’t possibly try them all –…

15 Best Wine Influencers on Instagram and Twitter

By Averi Melcher | July 21, 2021

Calling all wine enthusiasts! We’re here to help you pursue your passion for wine with our list of the 15 best wine influencers on Instagram and Twitter. This list is a celebration of our love (and your love) for all things wine and wine culture. Because what better way to immerse yourself in the world of wine than by keeping up with the people who’ve made a career out of it? From authors to wine critics to industry experts,…

Wine Scores and Ratings – A Look Inside Wine Competitions

By Dan Berger | June 27, 2021

Wine consumers seeking valid assessments of exalted wines often look for high wine scores. But all that tells us is that a solitary wine critic lifted a glass of high-caliber Pinot Noir and moments later proclaims it to be worth 97 points.

How did that reviewer get to that conclusion? What were the parameters that led to 97 and not 98?

Surely there must be a better way to ascertain the quality of a wine,…

Pursuit of the Best Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir: The Halleck History

By Ross Halleck | June 9, 2021

Near the coast of northern California is a place where the fog caresses the sea and envelops the rolling hills in its cool embrace. And here lies a family owned estate that started from the most humble of beginnings. One that would go on to create the best Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir around.

That estate is Halleck Vineyard.

But when Ross and Jennifer Halleck, the co-founders of Halleck Vineyard, originally planted their Estate Vineyard in 1993,…

Single Vineyard Dry White Zinfandel at Halleck Vineyard

The Difference Between a Wine Club Membership and Wine Subscription

By Averi Melcher | March 26, 2021

You’ve probably heard of wine clubs and wine subscriptions by now, but did you know that the word “wine club subscription” is actually a little misleading? That’s because a wine subscription and a wine club membership are actually two different experiences.

Wait, what?

It’s true! There are different perks and benefits when you join a wine club vs a wine subscription. 

And here at Halleck Vineyard, we always work to offer our customers exactly what they want when it comes to enjoying our wines.…

4 Tips for Discovering the Best Pinot Noir Wine for You

By Averi Melcher | March 22, 2021

There is no shortage of options when it comes to the world of wine. And depending on your tastes, the vast array of wine flavors can be intimidating. This is especially true when it comes to finding the best Pinot Noir wine

Pinot Noir wine comes in an immense variety of tastes and textures, and it’s sometimes difficult to figure out what makes a bottle a good Pinot Noir. 

But there are several factors to help you narrow down the best Pinot Noir wine for you.…

Pinot Noir vs Cabernet Sauvignon vs Merlot: Finding the Right Red Wine

By Averi Melcher | March 21, 2021

If you’ve found yourself standing in front of a row of red wines, wondering what the difference is between Pinot Noir vs Cabernet Sauvignon vs Merlot, you aren’t alone. They are three of the most popular red wines on the market, and they do have distinct differences. 

And we’re here to tell you how to identify them as you begin dipping your toes into the depths of these ruby beauties.

To demonstrate the difference between Merlot vs Pinot Noir vs Cabernet Sauvignon,…

Is Pinot Noir A Sweet or Dry Wine

By Averi Melcher | March 12, 2021

If you’re new to the world of red wine, or perhaps a white wine or rosé aficionado looking to branch into new (red) territory, you may have found yourself asking: “Is Pinot Noir sweet or dry wine?” 

We’re here to help you understand everything there is to know about this silky red wine, including how it tastes, its origin if Pinot Noir is dry or sweet, and how food pairings can affect its taste.…

The Red Wine Lover’s Guide to Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

By Averi Melcher | February 15, 2021

Ask any wine connoisseur where the best Pinot Noir in the US is made – and the Russian River Valley will be at the top of the list. It is truly unlike any other Pinot on Earth – and we’re here to tell you what makes a glass of red wine from this region so special.

The Russian River Valley, with its foggy mystique and rolling hills, produces startlingly vibrant Pinot Noir wines –…

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