Inauguration Day. And still, Donald J. Trump has not called. Despite the fury with which he stocked his pending administration with colorful characters, he has yet to give me a ring. And if there is anything this country needs right now, it is a “Wine Czar.” I will...

When Brian and Diana Fitzpatrick moved to Fair Play in southwest El Dorado County 50 years ago, the region was recognized, if recognized at all, for its mountainous and scenic terrain, its faint traces of Gold Rush history, and its recreational opportunities –...

No one is clamoring for the creation of a Sacramento American Viticultural Area. Until now. Even then, consider this more tease than clamor. For the record, American Viticultural Areas, or AVAs, are federally designated enclaves recognized for how their viticultural...

In keeping with livestock-show tradition, Rodeo Uncorked!, the international wine competition of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, comes down to one Grand Champion Best of Show and one Reserve Grand Champion Best of Show, terms as involved and fancy as a...

Madera is one of many small and tidy farming towns strung along commercial and colorful Highway 99 as it stretches through California’s long, hot, arid, and fertile San Joaquin Valley. The city is so proud of its surrounding agricultural heritage that streets carry...

You know what they say: “You can take the winemaker out of Texas, but you can’t take Texas out of the winemaker.” Actually, I don’t know if anyone says that, but it fits Don Brady, a California winemaker with roots deep in the heart of Texas. He was a Texas winemaker...