Back to the Future

Wine Travel Beyond the Socials

New Year. I have more ideas than I have time. Speaking of, thank you for yours. I appreciate all the new subs and followers, as well as those of you that have been around for the past months and years. I couldn’t do this without you. Thank you.

Now, let’s get to it.

In Retrospect

2025 by the Numbers:

33 newsletters and 33 regional spotlights

170 wines reviewed from 13 countries

Most reviewed varietal: Cabernet Franc (no shocker) with Tempranillo behind by one

Most reviewed country: Italy and France are tied at first with Spain and the US tied for second

Most reviewed style: Red wine

Top Three Newsletters for 2025:

Half Empty Tables for Two

Drink Up Grinches! (And Whos, Too!) - This issue is home to my 2025 Wine Guide, which you can still download free for a limited time. It’s got timely and evergreen picks for your whole year based entirely on my travels and personal recos.

By Any Other Name

In Summation

These are the wines that moved and shaped me most in 2025, in no particular order (outside of the top spots).

My Top 10 Reds of 2025:

2020 Ronco della Simia from Ronchi di Castelluccio

2023 Artuke Rioja

2009 Mas de Daumas Gassac

2018 Clos Florentin from Domaine Jean-Louis Chave

2015 Goodfellow Pinto Noir Heritage No. 4

2021 La Cuesta de los Liebres from Pago de Carraovejas

1996 Condado de Haza from Familia Fernandez

2013 Biondi Santi Brunello di Montalcino

1996 Bernard Baudry Clos Boissee

2001 Antonelli Montefalco Sagrantino

My Top 10 Whites of 2025:

2022 Ossian and Capitel from Ossian Vides y Vinos

(Ossian held this slot in 2024 as well)

2017 Emilio Rojo Ribeiro

2023 Walter Scott Novo Chardonnay

2023 Approachment Chardonnay

2023 Belondrade y Lurton

2022 Meursault Saint-Christophe from Domaine de Montille

2022 Bodegas Marañones Picarana

1973 Chateau Yquiem

2023 Morgen Long Willamette Valley Chardonnay

2022 Farfarello Brix Romagna Albana from Poggio della Dogana

My Top 10 Sparking Wines of 2025:

1992 Champagne Goutorbe

Ulysse Collin Les Maillons

2019 Adrien Dhondt ‘Chetillons de Haut’ Le Mesnil-Sur-Oger Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Extra Brut

Champagne Jacquesson 744

2017 Lia by Nivarios Rioja Reserva

Laurent-Perrier Grand Siècle Itération n°24

Maison Jussiaume 2020 Brut Nature Blanc de Blancs

Arabilis 2020 Columbia Gorge Extra Brut Sparkling Wine

NV Champagne Francis Orban

2019 JM Sélèque Soliste Meunier Rosé

In My Glass

2024 Chateau de Sancerre Passe Avant le Meilleur

I forgot how much I love Sancerre. I mean, I didn’t really forget, but it had been a while and this bottle was a perfectly timed reminder. It’s not often I order wine at sushi restaurants - at least not the strip-mall variety that I frequent. Thankfully, this crisp, citrusy acquisition didn’t disappoint. There were orchard fruits too. And minerality. But mostly, I just loved how it heightened the flavors of the fresh sashimi and creatively comprised rolls. It didn’t overpower and wasn’t overshadowed. And that it was enjoyed al fresco after weeks of rain, well, that was a definitive bonus. Gentle reminder. $35

2024 Giant Steps Circle of Fifths Chardonnay

Is Chardonnay my favorite white grape variety? Yes, but… As a former card-carrying ABC-club member (Anything But Chardonnay), I am particular. Over-oaked, butter bombs are not my thing. And those that are slightly adjacent aren’t my go-to either. I much prefer a higher acid, softly oaked, and mineral delivering style. It’s why Oregon Chards are often in my wheelhouse (and White Burgs when I have the budget). Chablis too - once upon a time it saved the variety for me. So, how did this Aussie Chard fare? Well. Very, very well. It checked all my boxes and yet was distinctively of its own place. It was flinty, textural, mouth-watering with citrus, orchard, and tropical fruits upheld by subtle, well-integrated, supporting-character style of oak. I don’t have a lot of experience with Chard from down under, but I gotta say, so far they have a winning record. A ripper. $50

2020 Bodegas Muriel Vino de Elciego Reserva

Shit is getting expensive out there and the tariffs on our fave international wines aren’t exactly helping the cause. Thankfully, Spanish wines often punch far above their price points, making them an exceptional value in today’s winescape. In fact, they’re still going to come in less costly than, or competitive with, domestic wines of equal (and even greater) value making this the perfect time to start exploring wines from across España. So, if you’re looking for a classicly oaky, fruity, balanced and character-driven Rioja Reserva, this is a solid and food-friendly example. The label was unfamiliar to me - even after November’s 200+ Rioja wines - but it’s now going to be one I get very familiar with. It will most certainly find its way to my glass again. And again after that. Past the talking stage. $22

Serena Mode 00

Last January I promised to give a shout-out to the non-alc wines that I’d actually put in my glass. My opinion still stands that they aren’t technically wine. By definition, wine is grape juice that has been fermented - and fermented things contain alcohol. That said, this Sauv Blanc was fermented as a traditional wine after which it was dealcoholized. In other words, for NA wine, it’s about as winey as it gets. And while so far, I’m still more partial to the sparkling NA variety as the bubbles help with the structure, this Sauv B from Miguel Torres in Chile gets a passing grade from me. I poured a glass while I was cooking one night and it did give me that wine kind of feeling. The aromas were characteristic of the variety - grapefruit in particular. It was fruity with notable acidity and the finish, although short was pleasant. You won’t mistake it as wine, but it did scratch a wine itch, and I did pour a second glass. I would still choose water if I wasn’t drinking wine, but for those looking for a wine-like NA alternative, this gets a firm nod and a green light. $13

(This is also a fab price point for dealcoholized wines so I’d also say for the category it’s a solid quality price ratio (QPR) wine.)

In the Spotlight

Wine Region of the Week

In 2019, Paso Robles, California was the first California wine region I visited in a wine writer capacity. At the time I was not only impressed by the wine, but also the community, the diversity of activities available, and the ease of travel. I passed through the area again on our family holiday a few weeks ago, and it became clear that this is a region I need to return to for further, and updated, research and recos. Until then, here’s a bit of Paso Robles 101 to pique your curiosity.

Paso Robles is a large and diverse wine appellation with 11 distinctive sub-AVAs. It is located just inland of the Santa Lucia coastal mountains in San Luis Obispo County on California’s Central Coast, and it offers more than 40,000 acres of vineyards across the 614,000-acre AVA, over 60 grape varieties, and 200+ tasting rooms. Although situated inland from the coast, the Paso Robles AVA still benefits from maritime influences of the Pacific Ocean and it has one of the greatest day-to-night temperature swings in California. Additionally, the altitudes (from 700 to 2,000 feet), mesoclimates, and the 30+ types of soils lend to a long growing season with advantageous conditions for growing a variety of vines that produce a range of expressive and terroir-driven wines. As for the wines, the region is best known for both its Cabernet Sauvignon and GSMs (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdres), but you’ll also find reds and whites from Spanish to Italian varieties, and Bordeaux to Rhône blends, as well as the region’s heritage Zinfandel.

Winery of the Week

Since we’re on the subject, let’s dive into Paso Robles’ Pelletiere Estate founded by a kindred spirit of mine, Janis Pelletiere. Janis grew up in the Chicago area, founded her own business, and eventually found her calling in wine (relatable). When Janis was 21 years old, she left the Midwest for California and established her own Marketing business. After a successful 30-year run, she again yearned to push her boundaries, but this time in wine. Janis moved to Paso Robles where she found a historic 12-acre property to support her desire to make Italian wines. Pelletiere Estate was named in honor of Janis’ father, and is today led by both Janis and her daughter, Morgan Stepp. Together, this feisty female duo grow grape varieties including Sangiovese, Nebbiolo, Montepulciano, Lagrein, Zinfandel, and Viognier, which were planted between 1993 and 1996. The Pelletiere vineyards are farmed sustainably and feature south-facing slopes and rocky limestone soils, which benefit from cool coastal breezes and the significant diurnal temperature fluctuations within the region. They produce around 10 wine labels including single-varietal and blended Italian red wines (including an Aglianico I obviously need to try), a Viognier, and an off-label Chardonnay, “Dorothy Jean Chardonnay,” from Santa Maria Valley. And as a final, fun fact, the Pelletiere Estate dates back to the 1890s with the original onsite farmhouse available as a vacation rental.

Recommended wines: Lagrein, Nebbiolo, Sangiovese Reserva, and the Dorothy Jean Chardonnay

In the News

It’s not uncommon for winemakers to transition from one winery to another - especially when it’s not their own brand. As such, this isn’t a topic I typically cover, but this job change seemed relevant as it is a winemaker I’ve previously described as one of Willamette Valley’s brightest talents (particularly as it relates to Chardonnay), Paden West. Previously the winemaker at Benza Vineyards, Paden is now winemaker for the sparkling wine label, Lytle-Barnett and its sister label, Aubaine where he rejoins Directors of Winemaking Andrew Davis and Isabelle Meunier with whom he worked 10-years ago (2026 is the new 2016!*). Could this mean my top 3 for Willamette sparkling wines will see a shift? We’ll see! Paden will also continue working alongside his wife and partner, Jess West, at their shared label, Approachment Wines (which I highly recommend and whose Chardonnay made my top 10 whites for 2025).

*2026 is the new 2016 is a recent social media trend where people post nostalgic photos and videos from 2016. It was meant as an escape from today’s overwhelming digital landscape and as a throwback to more authentic and less-curated adventures. Mostly I just found it fun to reminisce…

In the Spirit

Yes, I too hopped on that recent trend on Instagram with a throwback to my family’s sabbatical in 2016:

Well this 2016 trend took me down a rabbit hole of procrastination this morning, and while there are far too many pictures, I think I picked the ones that best captured the intangibles of the year.

In January of 2016, we pulled the kids from school, packed our lives into 2 suitcases and a backpack each, left our home, neighbors, family, and cats bound for 8 months abroad.

Our adventures began in Spain, where we traveled from Madrid to Andalucìa, and back north to Basque Country. It marked our first visits to Jerez and Rioja, then Bordeaux and Bourgogne. We eventually made our way via Alsace through Germany to our 4.5 month home in Częstochowa, Poland. As we built a life in our new neighborhood, we also explored much of Eastern Europe (discovering wine in Hungary, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Austria, and Slovenia). And eventually, we made our way to Italy, where we immersed for the summer.

Nothing can prepare you for the logistical, emotional, and physical elements of an adventure like this; and nothing can compare. Words still feel inadequate 10 years later. A sabbatical while at times is like an extended vacation, it’s also drastically different. This was our life, even if it was brief. We worked, made friends, and experienced everyday life in a place very foreign to us.

There is no question 2016 changed me, changed us. We all knew it would, but none of us knew how, and in many ways those changes are still playing out. But we can all say, we are certainly not the same people that stepped on that plane back in January 2016. And I can also say with certainty, it was one of the best years of my life.

As for the rest of 2016, re-entry was a learning process in and of itself, but we did pull the kids out of school one more time that year… #webleedcubbyblue - Yeah, 2016 was kind of momentous. And words still aren’t enough.

And if this snippet isn’t enough for you, and you’re ready to jump down another rabbit hole, our sabbatical life was chronicled on my family’s food blog (published from 2006 to 2016).

In Living Color

This past holiday I sat down with a new, beginner’s level wine book, Stikky Wine. The book is designed to be read in an hour or two and between two sittings. Its goal is to “to teach essential wine tasting skills to anyone with just a little time,” and I can attest it is a quick read. It’s also full of wine 101 tidbits from how wine is made, to how to choose a wine from a list. As a former teacher of WSET Level 1, I will say that it covers nearly everything I taught in the course including a wine’s structural components and how to taste a wine. While it doesn’t come with a certification or a pin, it is a fun resource for those looking to brush up on basic wine knowledge. I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone already well-versed in wine, or even somewhat-versed in wine, but for the truly new-to-wine and curious, it’s quick, informative, and will give you a solid base from which to start your further, more in-depth explorations. It’s also great for those that need or want a base-level of wine knowledge, say maybe someone that entertains clients and needs some wine expertise, but isn’t particularly interested in it for themselves. It’s also likely a book I’ll gift to my kids when they move into their first “adult” home along with their first cookbook. Never hurts to have a handy resource (outside of mom!).

In the Hopper

This weekend I’m off to a Austin, Texas to visit with my college roommates. There will no doubt be wine - and not the Franzia we used to keep in the apartment fridge. As for what’s to come here, I have a lot in the works from an Italian tour with my boyfriend (#cabernetfranc is my boyfriend), all things Rioja, hidden Italian travel destinations, and a revamp of my Willamette Valley Guide. And yes, there’s also a bit of travel lining up, both wine-centric and not (although wine is always adjacent).

In Memoriam

Last year I explored and shared a lot about Montefalco, Italy as well as its native wines, Sagrantino, Grechetto, and Trebbiano. Sadly, this month, Montefalco said goodbye to one of its early visionaries and storied legends. Arnaldo Caprai the founder of Arnaldo Caprai winery died at the age of 92. Mr. Caprai was an Umbrian entrepreneur in the textile industry, who in 1971, acquired 104-acres (10 planted to vine) in Montefalco, Italy. At the time, most of the Sagrantino planted was used to produce a dessert-style wine, but Mr. Caprai believed it could also be used to produce a powerful, age-worthy dry red. He gradually acquired adjacent lands brining the holdings to more than 395 acres planted to Sagrantino, Sangiovese, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Grechetto, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc. Mr. Caprai eventually transitioned the operations to his son Marco Caprai who joined his father in 1986. Marco has since continued his father’s vision of showcasing and amplifying Sagrantino. On a personal note, Arnaldo Caprai Sagrantino was among the first Sagrantinos I tasted (also back in 2016!), and they were among those I rated highly this past summer on my immersive trip to the region for A-Montefalco. Mr. Caprai certainly leaves the world with a powerful wine legacy - and as Sagrantino sits in my top 5 reds of all time, one I am eternally grateful for.

Should you want to raise a glass in his honor, I recommended this one in my 2025 wine guide:

2020 Arnaldo Caprai 25 Anni Montefalco Sagrantino

Sagrantino also lives in my top 5 reds, and Arnaldo Caprai is one of the OGs. This label comes from hand-selected grapes that are rotated in barrels daily during fermentation for a softer extraction of tannins. It’s still a dense, and concentrated wine with dark fruits, warm spices, and volcanic minerality. It’s probably not one you want to sip on a patio under Umbrian sun, but believe me there are worse ways to spend a summer. Bold and Beautiful. $140