Category: Wines of California

Temecula Valley Reports Historic Growth in Tourism: 3.4 Million Visitors and $1.1 Billion Economic Impact in 2024

Visit Temecula Valley released its 2024 Economic Impact of Travel report this week, revealing substantial growth in tourism-related activity for the region. According to data compiled by Dean Runyan Associates, the region welcomed a record-setting 3.4 million visitors, a 2.1% increase over 2023 and an 8.7% increase from pre-pandemic 2019 levels. The report underscores the expanding role of tourism in the local economy, with visitor-related spending generating $1.1 billion in economic output. Key metrics analyzed include visitation, expenditures, employment, labour income, and tax revenue, all of which reflect sustained post-pandemic recovery and economic resilience.

“While the broader tourism landscape faced challenges, Temecula Valley proudly surpassed all previous visitor number records, demonstrating exceptional growth,” said Scott A. Wilson, CEO of Visit Temecula Valley. “This achievement is a direct reflection of our tourism partners’ unwavering commitment to elevating Temecula Valley as a premium tourism destination and expanding our appeal to visitors from California, the wider U.S., and increasingly, the world.”

Temecula Valley, also known as Southern California Wine Country, benefits from a strategic geographical advantage. Situated approximately equidistant from Los Angeles and San Diego, the region boasts a substantial drive market, with nearly 23 million residents residing within a two-hour radius.”

It is a popular Southern California destination that includes Temecula Valley Wine Country, Old Town Temecula, and Pechanga Resort Casino. For further information: http://www.visittemeculavalley.com.

Hog Island Oysters by the Sea: A Quintessential California Coastline Experience

Situated along the windswept shore of Tomales Bay in Northern California, Hog Island Oysters is far more than a traditional oyster farm; it’s an immersive coastal experience that captures the character and heritage of the California coastline. Through its seamless blend of natural beauty, artisanal craftsmanship, and a strong sense of place, Hog Island Oysters has established itself as a landmark for both culinary and cultural exploration.

Hog Island Oysters is part rustic oyster shack, part inviting waterfront eatery, complemented by a working oyster farm and its accompanying facilities. Perched right on the water’s edge, it offers sweeping views across Tomales Bay. The crisp, salty air, the sight of seabirds gliding overhead, and the sound of waves create a serene backdrop, making it an ideal setting for an afternoon of shellfish and sunshine.

I found it more than a beautiful destination; it is also a working farm that has sustainably cultivated some of California’s finest oysters for over 40 years. Grown in the cold, mineral-rich waters of the bay, these plump, briny gems can be sampled right where they’re harvested. From shucking classes to “shuck your own” picnics,

We settled at a rustic wooden table by the water, a plate of a dozen freshly shucked oysters that were plump, savoury, and tasting like the very essence of the sea. Paired with a crisp glass of local sparkling wine, it was a moment that encapsulated the very best of the California coast. Hog Island Oysters is a reminder that life’s finest pleasures are often the simplest: a plate of fresh oysters, a panoramic view, and the sound of the sea. What more could one ask for?

A Napa Valley Icon: Oakville Grocery & Wine Merchant

While exploring Napa Valley recently, I couldn’t resist stopping by Oakville Grocery, a true icon of the region! Established in 1881, this historic spot is California’s oldest continually operating grocery, and you can feel its heritage the moment you walk through the door. It’s a beautifully curated space, packed with artisanal cheeses, freshly baked bread, house‑made salads, olive oils, and a bounty of delicious, locally sourced delights. It’s a paradise for food lovers, a time‑honoured piece of Napa’s charm, and an absolute must‑visit when you’re in wine country!

Right next door is Oakville Wine Merchant; this is a must‑visit for wine lovers! I found over 60 wines by the glass, featuring some of Napa’s finest producers! Housed in a charming 150‑year‑old Victorian building, it also serves as the 1881 Napa Wine History Museum. The tasting room combines historical significance with contemporary hospitality.  It’s a perfect spot to sample wines, examine their labels, and gain deeper insights into Napa Valley’s rich winemaking heritage.

Oakville Grocery and Oakville Wine Merchant occupy a prime location along Highway 29, in the heart of Napa Valley, within close proximity to iconic estates including: Opus One, Robert Mondavi, and Silver Oak. After attending the “Opus One Experience,” I found this historic venue to be a welcoming space for pausing, contemplating, and deepening my understanding of Napa Valley’s rich winemaking legacy.

I highly recommend visiting Oakville Grocery and Oakville Wine Merchant as essential destinations for anyone exploring Napa Valley. These two historic buildings embody a living testament to Napa’s rich heritage and cultural identity. Offering not only an exceptional selection of artisanal foods and world-class wines but also a deep connection to the region’s history, they provide a memorable complement to the celebrated wines and enduring traditions that have shaped this iconic terroir.

For further details: https://www.oakvillegrocery.com/

Hall Wines, Napa: A Legacy of Innovation Rooted in Napa Heritage

Nestled just off Highway 29 in St. Helena, Hall Wines is established on the storied Bergfeld Vineyard, an estate whose viticultural history dates back to 1885. This historic site was once home to the Napa Valley Co-Operative Winery, a pivotal institution that, at its peak, produced nearly 40% of the region’s total wine output, marking it as a cornerstone of early Napa Valley wine production.

In 2003, Craig and Kathryn Hall, visionary entrepreneurs and passionate stewards of fine wine, acquired the estate. Their commitment to honouring the property’s legacy while embracing sustainable innovation culminated in a decade-long transformation. By 2013, the Halls had completed an ambitious and sensitive restoration, seamlessly integrating the original stone winery with a state-of-the-art, gravity-flow winemaking facility. The new tasting room, a modern architectural landmark, is LEED® Gold-certified, reflecting the estate’s environmental ethos.

The estate itself encompasses approximately 33 acres at the base of the Mayacamas Mountains. Collectively, the Hall family cultivates over 500 acres across Napa Valley, dedicated to Bordeaux varietals. These vineyards span both valley floor and hillside sites and are farmed with a meticulous, low-yield philosophy rooted in sustainable viticulture, ensuring both quality and longevity in every bottle.

Arriving at Hall Wines: A Journey into Art, Architecture, and Napa Hospitality

Hall Wines sits in the heart of the Napa Valley “wine strip,” a stretch of road synonymous with legacy, innovation, and some of the most storied names in American wine. Just minutes from the Napa Valley Museum of Art & Culture, the estate blends its commitment to fine wine with an evident passion for contemporary art and sustainability.

Upon arrival, I was immediately greeted by one of Napa Valley’s most striking landmarks, “Bunny Foo Foo”, a towering 35-foot stainless steel rabbit sculpture by the late artist Lawrence Argent. Gleaming in the California sun, this whimsical figure stood at the estate’s entrance, playfully setting the stage for what would become a richly immersive and sensorial experience.

Driving up the estate’s long, manicured entryway, I arrived at the modern hospitality center, an architectural statement in glass, wood, and stone, unveiled in 2014 after a multi-year transformation. Inside, sleek design meets vineyard warmth. Expansive glass walls draw the eye westward over the estate’s vines, while curated art installations offer moments of quiet reflection.

Adjacent to the contemporary space is the restored Bergfeld stone winery, a 19th-century “ghost winery” brought back to life with care and respect for its historic bones. The juxtaposition of heritage and innovation is palpable throughout the estate.

Members Lounge

Hall’s Member Lounge provides an artisan sanctuary: open seven days a week, accessible by appointment only, and offers exclusive library wines and relaxed seated tastings. Members can bring food and enjoy comfortable couches overlooking the vineyards on the stunning terrace.

My tasting began on the outdoor terrace, along with some Hall Wines members, where the afternoon sun filtered across rows of Cabernet Sauvignon vines. What a stunning view! I found that Hall’s approach to hospitality is layered and thoughtful while offering a spectrum of experiences catering to both connoisseurs and wine enthusiasts, as follows:

Members Lounge Tasting for the day included:

2021 HALL Ellie’s Cabernet Sauvignon
92 Points Wine Enthusiast

2020 HALL Jack’s Masterpiece Cabernet Sauvignon
The painting featured on the label was designed by Jack Reynolds, who was 18 months old as a Father’s Day gift for his father, Mike Reynolds, who was the winemaker at HALL Wines at the time. Mike Reynolds, now the president of HALL Wines.

2019 HALL Bergfeld St. Helena Cabernet Sauvignon
95 Points Owen Barren

2021 HALL Diamond Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon
96-98 Points (in barrel) Jeb Dunnuck

What a stunning wine – my overall favorite !!

WINE REVIEW

2021 HALL Diamond Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon

The wine reveals the depth and intensity characteristic of this high-elevation site. In the glass, it presents a deep garnet hue. Aromatically expressive, it opens with layers of blackcurrant, dark cherry, and crushed violets, interwoven with graphite, cocoa, and hints of cedar. The palate is structured yet polished, showcasing ripe blackberry and cassis, supported by fine-grained tannins and well-integrated oak. A persistent mineral core and vibrant acidity carry through to a long, resonant finish. A compelling mountain Cabernet built for aging but already delivering elegance and power in equal measure – Stunning!

97 Points
Liz Palmer

Other Hall Wines tastings and Experiences include:

St. Helena – Platinum Experience – Discover HALL’s Expressions of Place
This is an exclusive, seated experience which features the coveted Platinum Collection and top-rated Artisan Collection Cabernets.

St. Helena – Cabernet Collector Experience
This is also an exclusive tasting experience which showcases HALL’s top-rated Mountain Cabernet Sauvignons, which are paired with seasonal bites.  This is perfect for collectors looking to explore Napa Valley’s premier appellations.

St. Helena – Signature Tour – A Walk Through Winemaking
With this experience, you take a guided walk through HALL’s vineyards and winemaking facilities, where you gain some insight into Hall’s sustainable practices and rich history.  After the walk, you participate in a tasting of their four award-winning wines paired with seasonal bites.

St. Helena – Reflections of the Valley – Bar Tasting in our Modern Gallery
With this experience, you savour a curated flight of award-winning Cabernet Sauvignon, which is a standup tasting at their modern bar. Don’t forget to view the stunning vineyard views.

Hall Winery stands at the intersection of Napa’s storied past and forward-thinking future. The estate is simultaneously a cathedral of Cabernet, a canvas for art, and a leader in sustainability. From its first impression to final sip, Hall Wines is more than a tasting; it’s a narrative told through art, architecture, and world-class Napa Valley wine.

Exploring the Heritage and Hospitality of Joseph Phelps Vineyards

Located in the heart of Napa Valley, Joseph Phelps Vineyards stands as a benchmark of American winemaking excellence and visionary legacy. The wine estate was founded in 1973 by Joseph Phelps, a Colorado construction magnate turned vintner. Joseph Phelps Vineyards helped shape the identity of Napa Valley wines on the global stage, most notably through “Insignia” the first proprietary Bordeaux-style blend in California.

The estate manages and cultivates 425 acres of vineyards across nine proprietary sites located in premier Napa Valley appellations, including St. Helena, Stags Leap District, Oakville, Rutherford, Oak Knoll District, Carneros, and South Napa. In its ongoing pursuit of optimal terroir for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, the estate acquired and planted an additional 100 acres in 1999 on the western slopes of the Sonoma Coast.  The estate is also a certified Napa Green Winery and a member of the Napa Valley Land Trust.

Joseph Phelps crafts wines from a diverse portfolio of grape varieties, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, and Viognier, each selected to express the distinct characteristics of their respective terroirs.

Wine tourism is an integral aspect of the Joseph Phelps experience. Upon arrival, I was warmly welcomed at their architecturally harmonious estate with a glass of the 2022 Chardonnay, Pastorale Vineyard, Sonoma. The estate offers a range of curated tastings that highlight both single-vineyard selections and flagship wines. I had the opportunity to participate in the “Vineyard Terrace Experience,” a member-only tasting, along with some long-time members. The terrace offered panoramic views of the Napa Valley, featuring vineyards, and provided a breathtaking backdrop that elevated the tasting experience with a sense of place.

Other wines tasted were the 2022 Pinot Noir Bootlegger’s Hill Vineyard, 2021 Vin du Mistral, Central Coast, 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley and my favourite, the 2021 INSIGNIA, Napa Valley. I’m so thrilled to taste this one as this vintage is one of California’s most collectible Cabernet Sauvignons!

Joseph Phelps Insignia 2021

Tasting Notes:

This 2021 captivates the senses with vibrant aromas of black cherry, dark plum, and blackberry, subtly accented by wood and tobacco notes. On the palate, rich fruit and savoury undertones. Beautiful tannins, a great mid-palate, and outstanding length.  This wine will express beautifully for years to come.

98 Points
Liz Palmer

Today, Joseph Phelps Vineyards forms an integral part of the LVMH portfolio, reinforcing its stature as a globally recognized benchmark of viticultural excellence. The enduring legacy of Joseph Phelps is reflected not only in the wines themselves but also in the estate’s continued pursuit of innovation, precision in craftsmanship, and its steadfast commitment to sustainable land stewardship.