Elizabeth Smith

Life-changing Tokaji Furmint

My introduction to Tokaji Furmint was in 2020 – the 2018 Wetzer Tokaji Furmint – a dry white with some botrytis influence made in a minimalist style (native yeast, unfiltered, unfined). I wrote about tasting it – and won one of the categories in the…

Life-changing Tokaji Furmint

My introduction to Tokaji Furmint was in 2020 – the 2018 Wetzer Tokaji Furmint – a dry white with some botrytis influence made in a minimalist style (native yeast, unfiltered, unfined). I wrote about tasting it – and won one of the categories in the…

Villány Underground – Péter Bakonyi of Bakonyi Pincészet

The first day of my November 2022 trip to the annual Franc & Franc Forum in Villány, Hungary, we arrived late due to flight delays. Our guide asked my group if we wanted to skip the tastings to freshen up at the hotel and join everyone at dinner – or…

Villány Underground – Péter Bakonyi of Bakonyi Pincészet

The first day of my November 2022 trip to the annual Franc & Franc Conference in Villány, Hungary, we arrived late due to flight delays. Our guide asked my group if we wanted to skip the tastings to freshen up at the hotel and join everyone at dinner…

Bells Up Winery – The End of the Beginning

In August 2021, I met Sara and Dave Specter of Bells Up Winery for the first time during a media visit that was a bit more formal – a sit-down tasting and interview with them both. I learned and shared what I thought was their story as part of an…

Bells Up Winery – The End of the Beginning

In August 2021, I met Sara and Dave Specter of Bells Up Winery for the first time during a media visit that was a bit more formal – a sit-down tasting and interview with them both. I learned and shared what I thought was their story as part of an…

Youngberg Hill’s Wayne Bailey – Farmer First

In late October 2022, I visited Youngberg Hill in Oregon’s McMinnville AVA. It is a gorgeous 50-acre property with a historic inn atop the hillside, surrounded by astounding views and meticulously farmed, organic and biodynamic vineyards planted to…

Youngberg Hill’s Wayne Bailey – Farmer First

In late October 2022, I visited Youngberg Hill in Oregon’s McMinnville AVA. It is a gorgeous 50-acre property with a historic inn atop the hillside, surrounded by astounding views and meticulously farmed, organic and biodynamic vineyards planted to…

7th FRANC & FRANC International Cabernet Franc Forum

When Michael Broadbent visited Villány in 2000, he noted, “Cabernet Franc has found its natural home in Villány.” He was right. Fast forward to 2022. Villány is the primary red wine region of Hungary, which is becoming increasingly well known for…

7th FRANC & FRANC International Cabernet Franc Forum

When Michael Broadbent visited Villány in 2000, he noted, “Cabernet Franc has found its natural home in Villány.” He was right. Fast forward to 2022. Villány is the primary red wine region of Hungary, which is becoming increasingly well known for…

Napa’s Trusted Property Management Company: First & Main

Although First & Main Property Management is a new company – opening its doors in March 2021 – owner Jessica Buurma brings with her 13 years of property management experience and her business partner, Damian Bennett, 20 years of experience in…

Lenné Estate – Going in Blind

Steve Lutz is not your typical vintner/winemaker. Some in the industry have called him a maverick. Lutz has proven himself to be just that, by launching a premier Pinot Noir (plus a little Chardonnay) vineyard, winery, and tasting room from scratch…

Fontanella Family Winery: Premium Without Pretense

In 2005, ambitious young couple Jeff and Karen Fontanella discovered a beautiful and serene 26-acre property nestled in the illustrious Mt. Veeder appellation. Located up one of Napa’s spectacular roads that winds through oak forests and rises 600…

We Should Start a Vineyard…

“We should start a vineyard. My family in Italy did it so it can’t be that hard,” said Brian Cadamatre to his girlfriend, Nova, when they were college students. The seed was planted. After marrying in 2005 and working in various roles in the wine…

Mavericks Builders – Napa’s Woman-Owned Luxury Home Builder

Numerous magazines, books, and television shows have featured award-winning Mavericks Builders and CEO Robin Nielsen not only for their beautiful luxury homes, but for being a women-owned business. She’s also been noted as a leader who was paramount…

5th Web Wine Writing winners announced!

5th Web Wine Writing winners announced! by Ágnes Németh hungarianwines.eu The Hungarian Wines Web Wine Writing contest was launched by a Hungarian wine writer, but the competition is not exclusively about Hungarian wines, the topics are broader, what…

Lula Cellars – The Deep End’s Hidden Gem Comes of Age

During a rare chilly and rainy, late-spring day, a friend and I stopped to taste the highly rated wines at Lula Cellars, a small producer in the cooler and foggier “Deep End” of Anderson Valley in Mendocino County. Lula’s tasting room is the last one…

7th FRANC & FRANC International Cabernet Franc Forum

Fast forward to 2022. Villány is the primary red wine region of Hungary, which is becoming increasingly well known for producing its signature wine, Cabernet Franc, thanks to the area’s sub-Mediterranean climate, loess and clay soils, and innovative…

2018 Wetzer Furmint, Tokaj, Hungary

My first taste of a dry Furmint is forever etched in my memory. I purchased the wine during the pandemic – the 2018 Wetzer Furmint, Tokaj, Hungary – at Compline, a local wine shop and restaurant in the city of Napa known for its specially curated and…

Sensational Summer Salads

It is summer in Napa Valley, which means there is a bounty of salad-ready vegetables and fruits. When one thinks about salads, likely the most ordinary immediately come to mind. However, local restaurants have elevated the salad experience to another…