Wine Business – A New Chapter for Écluse Wines
We are big fans of the Ecluse winery and their wines, and are happy to see that the brand will continue under new ownership. From the press release:
The historic Écluse Wines property has officially found new stewards as Pam and Steve Lock, founders of Écluse Wines, step into a well-earned retirement after more than 25 years of heartfelt winemaking and community-building in the Paso Robles wine country. The property and winery have been purchased by Gibsey and Josh Beckett, owners of Thibido Winery, who will now shepherd the Écluse Wines legacy while continuing to grow their own Thibido brand.
The two labels will share the production space and tasting room at the Kiler Canyon property, creating a dynamic, collaborative space where guests can experience both classic and progressive expressions of Paso Robles wines in a single visit.
Pam and Steve Lock will continue to reside on the property and remain part of the Écluse story, welcoming guests and sharing the history they’ve lovingly cultivated.
Decanter – Michelin Guide Buenos Aires & Mendoza 2025: Winners Revealed
There is a nice wine tie-in here, with Mendoza now having 6 Michelin 1-Star Restaurants. From the article:
Angélica Cocina Maestra at Catena Zapata, led by dynamic young duo Josefina Diana and Juan Manuel Feijoo, also upped its game with its own set of green and red stars. Alongside Casa Vigil, which also falls under the Catena umbrella, Angélica Cocina Maestra has taken the renowned winery’s haul to four stars, the most of any group.
The full list list of one-starred restaurants in Argentina is now as follows:
Angélica Cocin a Maestra at Catena Zapata, Mendoza
Azafrán, Mendoza
Brindillas, Mendoza
Casa Vigil at Bodega El Enemigo, Mendoza
Crizia, Buenos Aires
Parrilla Don Julio, Buenos Aires
Riccitelli Bistró, Mendoza
Trescha, Buenos Aires
Zonda Cocina de Paisaje at Bodega Lagarde, Mendoza
Decanter – White Wine Could Reduce Your Risk Of Cardiac Arrest, Study Claims
Can all of the scientists and researchers just get in a room and take a vote? 🙂 Here we go again. From the article:
The UK Biobank recruited more than 500,000 middle-aged and elderly Brits. The average age was 56.52, while 54.41% of participants were female and 45.59% were male.
‘One of the study’s most intriguing findings is the cardioprotective effect associated with Champagne and white wine consumption, questioning long-held assumptions about the specificity of red wine’s cardioprotective properties.
Question of the WEEK
Nigam Dalal – @nigamdalal5899
“You’ve mentioned in many of your videos about your cellar. I’m moving to Las Vegas and would like to know if you could recommend any vendor who builds custom wine cellars in Las Vegas. Thank you.”
Custom Wine Cellar See PDFS in Folder
Wine Enthusiast VinoView Quad L 620 Smart Wi-Fi Wine Cellar
Wine Business – Tasting Panel and SOMM Journal Reviews Available on Wine-Searcher
I’ve always liked that Wine Searcher aggregates reviews and scores. Nice to see them add Tasting Panel and Somm Journal. From the press release:
Wine-Searcher is excited to announce that its website will now feature wine and spirits reviews from The Tasting Panel and The SOMM Journal.
“Since we review hundreds of wines a month for the industry, we want to share that with an audience we otherwise would not reach: the consumer,” says Meridith May, publisher/editor-in-chief of The Tasting Panel and The SOMM Journal.
Wine-Searcher search engine lists approximately 20 million wine, beer, and spirit products and averages 5.2 million monthly active users. Consumers make 240 million active searches each year .
Example of Tasting Panel & SOMM Journal on Wine Searcher Ratings
Wine-Searcher – Napa’s Most Wanted Wines of 2025
And since they have over 240 million searches annually, Wine Searcher can tell you what people are looking for. And when it comes to Napa, it looks like people like really expensive wines. From the article the top 5 searches are for:
Number one, fittingly, is Opus One at $466 with an aggregated critic score of 95 points.
Number two is Screaming Eagle, with an aggregated score of 97 points, but it also screeches in as $3842.
Three is Dominus Estate and their Christian Moueix – score of 96 points, it’s almost reasonably priced – for Napa – at $361.
Four is grand old Harlan Estate – With a critic score of 97 points, Harlan Estate comes in at $1570.
Five is the Caymus Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon in Napa’s Rutherford. Garnering a critic score of 91 points. It is also ridiculously well-priced, currently averaging around $90. For Napa Cabernet, that’s out of this world.
Stags’ Leap Winery in Napa, CA
With its stunning estate, rich winemaking legacy, and a focus on bold, beautifully crafted wines, it’s an essential stop for any wine lover visiting Napa.
Winemaker Ludovic Dervin brings a global perspective and technical expertise, ensuring that every bottle reflects the best of the Stags Leap District. While the Petite Sirah is the star of the show, the Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Chardonnay are just as compelling.
2022 Cooperativa del Cadalso, Vinos de Madrid, Granito Cadalso Garnacha $20 – 91 Points
At $20, it’s a solid value, especially given the story behind it. You’re not just drinking a bottle of Garnacha; you’re tasting the result of a community’s determination to preserve its winemaking heritage.
Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen in Lake Tahoe, CA
Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen at Harveys Lake Tahoe is everything you want in a fine-dining experience—high-energy atmosphere, top-tier service, and food that lives up to its legendary reputation. Yes, it’s pricey. Yes, it’s a little over-the-top in the best way possible.
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