Sip

California’s Halter Ranch Vineyard specializes in Rhone varietals by Jan Walsh      Photography by Beau Gustafson Halter Ranch Vineyard is a new California winery producing 100 percent estate- grown wines with a focus on quality and sustainability. The winery is located on the west side of Paso Robles in California’s Central Coast. Halter Ranch… Read More

Extend the evening with a dessert wine, nightcap at The Wine Loft. by Jan Walsh Photography by Beau Gustafson Forgo dessert for a dessert wine—or enjoy both at The Wine Loft. A stand out sweet wine at The Wine Loft is Chateau Gravas 2009. This French Sauterne is most often served as a dessert wine, due… Read More

Select a red wine for your Valentine or your blue heart. by Jan Walsh    Photography by Beau Gustafson After three decades of purveying fine wines from around the world, Wilson Daniels crafts their own California Central Coast wines. California’s Central Coast stretches from San Francisco to Santa Barbara and includes Santa Maria Valley and Paso… Read More

Dalla Terra hosts 15 Italian vintners and winemakers for lunch at Bottega. by Jan Walsh, Photography by Beau Gustafson Dalla Terra (of the earth in Italian) Winery Direct® is a direct importer of a limited selection of Italian wines. Their unique method of shipping, distributing and marketing wine bypasses the national importer in the traditional… Read More

Veranda on Highland’s wine cellar is filled with legendary wines. by Jan Walsh              Photography by Beau Gustafson My favorite table at the Veranda on Highland is the chef’s table in the wine cellar. Here vintage, first class—and first growth—wines are displayed under lock and key, in wine cabinets with antique bronze screens in this 1,500-bottle… Read More

Louis M. Martini wines pair well with a juicy steak. by Jan Walsh              Photography by Beau Gustafson Winemaker Mike Martini recently visited Birmingham and shared his wines over a private steak dinner at Café Dupont. It was great to visit with Mike again, especially here in Birmingham—and always a pleasure to dine at Café Dupont. For… Read More

Winemaker Greg La Follette makes magical Sonoma Coast wines. by Jan Walsh              Photography by Beau Gustafson Hands-on winemaker Greg La Follette captures each vineyard’s terrior in the expression of his wines, as the wine labels illustrate. Wine labels have evolved into an art form. I receive wines for my tasting consideration with everything from comical… Read More

FlipFlop’s varietal wines help put shoes on bare feet. by Jan Walsh  Photography by Beau Gustafson Vintner, David Georges visited Birmingham recently. And we paired lunch at Dyron’s Lowcounty with his FlipFlop wines. The label’s name was inspired by the flip-flops that Georges wears around the winery. FlipFlop’s price per bottle is a mere $7…. Read More

Paladin Family Estates bring their lovely Italian wines to Birmingham. Vincenzo Protti, winemaker for Paladin Family Estates, recently visited my home—and invited me to Italy. Paladin Family Estates boasts a 50-year old history in the Venetian viticulture. They produce wines under the Paladin, Vescine and Bosco del Merlo labels. We tasted through the entire portfolio… Read More

Tardieu Laurent Les Becs Fins 2009 pleases discerning wine lovers. by Jan Walsh  Photography by Beau Gustafson Years ago, my first red wine “ah ha” moment was a Côtes-du-Rhône. One taste and my palate was beyond pleased. I stocked the cellar with the wine. And I drank most of it at its peak, a few… Read More

The Root Beer Float at Jackson’s Bar & Bistro will make you smile. by Jan Walsh  Photography by Beau Gustafson A favorite, spring meeting place is the spacious patio of Jackson’s Bar and Bistro. The black iron umbrella tables that dot the space invite you to pull up a chair. And the menu entices with… Read More