Montemaggiore Blog
We are winegrowers not professional writers, thus this blog will probably only be updated a few times a year. In fact most of these posts either have appeared or will appear in our quarterly newsletter. Having said that, we hope you enjoy our insights on winemaking and winegrowing on a boutique level. We welcome your opinions and questions—and even your suggestions on future topics.
Once upon a Vine...
A movie about a biodynamic farm in southern California reminded me of all the great adventures we've had at Montemaggiore. Full of highs and lows but ultimately our experiences farming grapevines and olive trees have been life-affirming and soul-expanding. Continue »
Feb 5, 2019 at 4:14 PM
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Be the first to comment on this postTime to get a new corkscrew?
Don't be foiled by a bad corkscrew! If it looks like a screw, you should toss it out and buy one that looks like a helix. Continue »
Wildfire effects on 2017 wines
The October wildfires in Napa and Sonoma counties did not impact much of the vintage because most grapes were already picked. But for those that weren't , the fires' affect on the wine may not be initially apparent. Continue »
Baseball taught me everything I know...
From patience to passion to trusting your instincts, baseball taught me a lot about life and growing grapes. Continue »
Drought and Wine at Montemaggiore
The past few years have brought droughts to Montemaggiore, and although we are quite water efficient, we are definitely impacted. Continue »
Wine Etiquette: tips & tricks for serving wine
Should I decant the wines? What temperature should I serve it at? What should I do if the cork crumbles? How much should I fill each glass? Here are various tips and tricks we've gathered over the years in the wine business. Continue »
The Wine Lover’s Dilemma: drink now or later?
We've all contemplated a special bottle of wine, wondering whether to open it now or wait because it may taste better in a few years? Here are a few tips and tools for evaluating the ageability of wines. Continue »
The Beauty of Mountain Wines: soil, slope, and elevation are the secrets
An old anecdote teaches us that "great wines come from vineyards with the best views". Most of the great wines around the world do come from mountainous regions, but it's not actually the view that makes the difference. Continue »
Olive Oil Demystified
Just the names alone for olive oil can be confusiing. And what does "extra virgin, cold pressed" mean anyway? And why should you care? Learn all the fundamentals of olive oil enjoyment. Continue »
Pollination is a fragile process easily disrupted by rain
Learn about the timing, difficulties, and statistics behind the pollination of both grapevines and olive trees. It's a much more fragile process than you would think. And it has huge consequences every vintage. Continue »