Occasio Winery and the Legacy of Gypsy Jazz (SOLD OUT)
So, what happens when Louis Armstrong collides with a youthful, French Romany guitarist in the 1930s? Gypsy…
The 125th Anniversary of the Paris Tasting – A Call to Celebrate
The Paris Exposition of 1889 was the largest of its time. Between May and October, nearly 30…
The Last Pinot Gris?
Preparing my tasting notes for tomorrow’s release of the 2013 vintage of Pinot Gris, I am tasting…
The Hidden History of Our Chardonnay
The story of our Chardonnay begins during the reign of Louis XIV, the Sun King, when he…
Do You Pay Your Staff? Hiring Professionals for Quality Wine
Our local newspaper, The Independent, last week ran a front-page article about a Livermore winery that ran…
Practicing an Ancient Art – The Making of Occasio Rosé
Here, my son James has captured me mixing the Pinot Noir rosé, an ancient ritual not unlike…
Intelligent Compromise, with a side of Angst
As with many of the important things in life, there is only one chance to get it…
Grape Harvest 2014 Continued
Harvesting table grapes is largely determined by the fruit becoming sweet and juicy, with consumption coming relatively…
Harvesting when the Grapes are Ready
As a boy, I was always wondering why my Dad picked the crop on a certain day….
On the Eve of Harvest 2014 – Notes
Of course we can’t have harvest until Jon Bonné of the San Francisco Chronicle announces it, and…
