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The Cork and Journey Guide to Santa Barbara County
Spanning from the inland valleys to downtown Santa Barbara's Funk Zone, this guide covers the county's transverse geography, varying microclimates, and more than 60 grape varieties. It provides a practical overview of the wineries, dining, and accommodations available across this Central Coast wine region....
2019 Greenock Creek ‘Barossa Valley’ Shiraz
Greenock Creek wines are to Australia, what Sine Qua Non is to California: both have “cult” wine status, whose bottles regularly receive 100 point scores from critics like those powerful tastemakers at The Wine Advocate. Does the 2019 Greenock Creek ‘Barossa Valley’ Shiraz live up to the hype?...
June 15, 2026 – The Growing Pressure on Napa Wineries
Napa Valley is hitting a regulatory and financial pressure point, with industry insiders calling for a massive winery reality check and trade groups pushing for permit reform. Meanwhile, Norah Jones is striking a collaborative chord with a French winery, and Lodi's old vines remind us how effortless great Zinfandel can be....
King’s Fish House
King's Fish House is a sanctuary for the ultimate seafood experience, attracting seafood lovers with many locations ranging from coastal California to Nevada and Arizona. Celebrated for its casual ambiance, fresh-caught seasonal fare, and customer-friendly policies like no corkage fees, King’s remains at the top of our “favorites” list....
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This Week Uncorked
June 15, 2026 – The Growing Pressure on Napa Wineries
Napa Valley is hitting a regulatory and financial pressure point, with industry insiders calling for a massive winery reality check and trade groups pushing for permit reform. Meanwhile, Norah Jones is striking a collaborative chord with a French winery, and Lodi's old vines remind us how effortless great Zinfandel can be....
June 8, 2026 – Wait … Utah Has a Wine Trail Near Zion?
From Colorado’s new digital wine trail app to LVMH’s abrupt exit from Indian winemaking, the regional wine landscape is shifting. Meanwhile, retired tech execs are "messing up retirement" with a major new Idaho winery, and Southern Utah is reviving a forgotten 19th-century viticultural tradition in the desert....
June 1, 2026 – Napa Growers Say Regulation Costs Are Driving Them Out of Business
Vineyard tech took a hit with the sudden collapse of AI-driven Monarch Tractor, while Napa growers are feeling the pinch of shocking regulatory costs. On the bright side, the global Old Vine Registry just smashed its milestones early, and tiny, curated wine shops are proving that less space means better business....
Wineries
Restaurants
King’s Fish House
King's Fish House is a sanctuary for the ultimate seafood experience, attracting seafood lovers with many locations ranging from coastal California to Nevada and Arizona. Celebrated for its casual ambiance, fresh-caught seasonal fare, and customer-friendly policies like no corkage fees, King’s remains at the top of our “favorites” list....
Marché Moderne Experience and Review
Chefs Florent and Amelia Marneau deliver an unforgettable fine-dining experience at Orange County’s premier Marché Moderne. This popular destination offers elevated, unapologetically decadent French cuisine, flawlessly paired with exceptional wines. With incredibly attentive service and luxurious dishes, it is the perfect date-night spot. Just book your reservation well in advance!...
Houston’s Restaurant: Another Hillstone Restaurant Homerun
Houston’s in Irvine is our go-to destination for upscale casual dining. We’ve tried every menu item, and the quality is unmatched. Their famous house-smoked salmon is the best we’ve ever had, while limited-batch grilled artichokes are spectacular. With exceptional service and fresh-squeezed cocktails, Houston’s guarantees a perfect meal every time....
Guides
The Cork and Journey Guide to Santa Barbara County
Spanning from the inland valleys to downtown Santa Barbara's Funk Zone, this guide covers the county's transverse geography, varying microclimates, and more than 60 grape varieties. It provides a practical overview of the wineries, dining, and accommodations available across this Central Coast wine region....
The Cork and Journey Guide to Texas Hill Country
Explore the sprawling vineyards of the High Plains and the charming tasting rooms of the Hill Country. This guide covers the region's best warm-climate wines, top-rated boutique wineries, and unforgettable dining spots, proving Texas is a world-class destination for wine and food lovers.
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The Cork & Journey Guide to Napa Valley
Napa Valley is a compact California wine region with a rare Mediterranean climate and diverse soils. Famous for its Cabernet Sauvignon, the valley produces over 34 grape varieties. Visitors can explore a wide mix of historic estates, boutique wineries, and highly acclaimed restaurants across the area....
Interviews
Inside Crown Point Vineyards With Winemaker Simon Faury
Winemaker Simon Faury takes us inside Crown Point Vineyards to share his journey from Barolo and Bordeaux to California, along with his philosophy on crafting elegant, expressive Cabernet without chasing scores. He also breaks down the realities of today’s wine industry, from restaurant pricing to market saturation, and why he believes the future of California wine is shifting toward balance, drinkability, and authenticity.
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Ian Cauble on Somm, Failure, Triumph, and the Rise of The Caubleist
Famed SOMM documentary star Ian Cauble is entering his most personal chapter yet with his new daily platform, The Caubleist. Reflecting on his journey from competitive tennis to mastering the grid, Cauble critiques the limitations of the 100-point scoring scale and shares lessons learned from leaving a dream gig at Krug....
Winemaker Rémi Jean Reveals the Secrets of Château La Nerthe in Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Château La Nerthe’s Managing Director and Winemaker, Rémi Jean, dives into the estate's 500-year history, from pioneering organic farming in 1998 to mastering all 13 iconic grape varieties. Jean shares his minimal-intervention philosophy, addresses the realities of climate change, and discusses the balanced, expressive profile of the 2023 vintage....