Latest Posts and News...
September 14, 2026 – Michelin Is Now Rating Wineries | Meet the Michelin Grape
From the MICHELIN Guide introducing its inaugural "Grape" distinctions in Burgundy to Virginia wines standing shoulder-to-shoulder with top French bottles in Paris, regional prestige is taking new forms. Meanwhile, six new Master Sommeliers earned their pins, and a new documentary spotlights East Coast winemaking. ...
Chandlers Prime Steaks & Fine Seafood
Chandlers is an upscale downtown Boise steakhouse built around aged prime beef, fresh seafood, an extensive wine program, and nightly live jazz. The menu favors recognizable steakhouse preparations supported by carefully composed sauces and sides. Service is structured and polished without feeling rigid. Pricing is high, but the restaurant provides the setting and breadth expected at that level....
Alpha Omega Collective Napa
Alpha Omega Collective Napa brings Alpha Omega’s Cabernet-focused Napa Valley portfolio and Tolosa’s cool-climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay into a polished downtown tasting room. Three guided flights, flexible wine choices, indoor and patio seating, and food from neighboring The Dutch Door make it a practical alternative to a full estate visit....
Alpha Omega Stagecoach Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
The 2022 Alpha Omega Stagecoach Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is a concentrated Atlas Peak wine with notes of cassis, blackberry, cedar, and graphite, supported by firm mountain tannins. Its compact structure and pronounced oak influence suggest that several more years in bottle should allow the wine to soften and become better integrated....
This Week Uncorked
September 14, 2026 – Michelin Is Now Rating Wineries | Meet the Michelin Grape
From the MICHELIN Guide introducing its inaugural "Grape" distinctions in Burgundy to Virginia wines standing shoulder-to-shoulder with top French bottles in Paris, regional prestige is taking new forms. Meanwhile, six new Master Sommeliers earned their pins, and a new documentary spotlights East Coast winemaking. ...
September 7, 2026 – U.S. Tariffs Just Reinvented Franzia Boxed Wine in China
Escalating tariffs are reshaping global trade, forcing Franzia to sell Australian wine packaged in China while US lawmakers push the "CANADA Act" to penalize Canadian alcohol bans. Meanwhile, South Africa pivots toward drought-resistant Greek grapes, and US Champagne sales show a steady rebound. ...
August 31, 2026 – Meet the Robot Fighting Vineyard Disease With UV Light
Vineyard technology took center stage as UV-C light robots debuted to combat powdery mildew, while AI search tools ignited debates on alcohol health risks. Meanwhile, a new data platform promises to solve "planning paralysis" in Walla Walla, and Washington’s Abeja Winery highlights the regional news. ...
Wineries
Alpha Omega Collective Napa
Alpha Omega Collective Napa brings Alpha Omega’s Cabernet-focused Napa Valley portfolio and Tolosa’s cool-climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay into a polished downtown tasting room. Three guided flights, flexible wine choices, indoor and patio seating, and food from neighboring The Dutch Door make it a practical alternative to a full estate visit....
Reynvaan Family Vineyards
Founded in 2004 in the Walla Walla Valley, Reynvaan Family Vineyards produces low-intervention Rhône-style wines from estate vineyards grown on cobblestone riverbeds and mountain foothills. Winemaker Matt Reynvaan utilizes minimal manipulation to craft savory Syrahs recognized for river stone minerality, olive brine, and dark fruit structure, distributed primarily through an allocation mailing list....
Abeja Winery
Situated on a century-old farmstead in the foothills of the Blue Mountains, Abeja is a landmark Walla Walla winery known for precise Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Merlot. With historic architecture, estate-driven winemaking led by Daniel and Amy Wampfler, and a refined hospitality program, it offers a focused reflection of Washington State wine country....
Restaurants
Chandlers Prime Steaks & Fine Seafood
Chandlers is an upscale downtown Boise steakhouse built around aged prime beef, fresh seafood, an extensive wine program, and nightly live jazz. The menu favors recognizable steakhouse preparations supported by carefully composed sauces and sides. Service is structured and polished without feeling rigid. Pricing is high, but the restaurant provides the setting and breadth expected at that level....
ōkta Farm and Kitchen
Situated inside the Tributary Hotel in downtown McMinnville, ōkta offers a micro-seasonal four-course tasting menu. Produce and livestock are sourced directly from the restaurant's nearby regenerative farm. With an open kitchen design and focused culinary execution, the dining room delivers polished Oregon cuisine. It serves as a refined reflection of Willamette Valley agriculture....
The Kitchen at Abeja
The Kitchen at Abeja pairs a seasonal five-course menu with the controlled setting of a working winery and inn. Mike Easton’s Tuscan influence appears most clearly in the handmade pasta and restrained sauces. Seafood and beef courses show careful preparation and coherent composition. The result is polished dining shaped around seasonal ingredients and Walla Walla wine....
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....
