The One Minute Wine Guy

The One Minute Wine Guy

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Tom Gamble Puts His Signature on Every Bottle—Literally
With a cutting-edge authentication system and terroir-driven Cabernet Sauvignon from Oakville, Mount Veeder and Rutherford, Gamble Family Estates raises…
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James Nokes
J. Lohr’s Valdiguié: A Case of Mistaken Identity, and the Ultimate Chillable Summer Red
Once mistaken for Gamay, J. Lohr’s Valdiguié has become a cult-favorite summer red: light, juicy, and perfect served chilled.
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James Nokes
Margo Van Staaveren Named Winemaker at Beringer as Winery Eyes 150th Anniversary
Veteran winemaker and Napa Valley trailblazer steps into a new leadership role at one of California’s most historic wineries
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James Nokes
Legacy in a Bottle: Cleto Chiarli and the Revival of Lambrusco
From historic trattorias to modern wine bars, Cleto Chiarli is redefining Lambrusco with tradition, innovation, and a global vision.
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James Nokes
Laurent Gruet’s High-Altitude Sparkle
From the deserts of New Mexico to the forefront of American wine, Laurent Gruet has spent four decades proving world-class sparkling wines can come from…
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James Nokes
Merlot’s Redemption Story
At Northstar Winery, David “Merf” Merfeld is proving that nuance, structure and soul still have a place in American Merlot.
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James Nokes
Precision in Every Pour: Maggie Kruse Crafts Elegance at Jordan Winery
With just two wines each vintage, winemaker Maggie Kruse embraces balance over bravado, guiding Jordan’s Chardonnay and Cabernet to age-worthy finesse…
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James Nokes

June 2025

At Papapietro Perry It's All About The Fruit
At Papapietro Perry Winery, every vineyard and clone gets time to shine—because for Ben Papapietro, great Pinot Noir starts with patience, precision and…
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James Nokes
Tom Gamble: Let Greatness Be Earned, Not Assigned
The Napa Valley vigneron warns that a formal classification system could stifle innovation, discourage reinvestment and undermine the region’s creative…
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James Nokes
Bottling Purity: The Charles Krug Approach to Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Generations Red
Charles Krug’s Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Generations Red Blend shine with a focus on purity, precision and legacy.
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James Nokes
No Gatekeepers in Napa
Peter Mondavi Jr. champions an open, experimental future for California winemaking, where discovery trumps designation.
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James Nokes
In Napa, a Vineyard Called Paradise
Violet Grgich honors her father’s legacy by letting the vineyard lead, championing a humble, regenerative approach to winemaking at Grgich Hills Estate.
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James Nokes
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