2026 Alexander Valley — Bordeaux Grapes    Now available on the WIN Marketplace: Alexander Valley Bordeaux varietals — an opportunity for wineries looking to source fruit from one of Sonoma County’s most established Cabernet-growing regions. Alexander Valley is known for its warm Mediterranean climate and significant day-night temperature swings, conditions that help Bordeaux varieties ripen fully while maintaining balance and structure. This offering includes all five Noble Bordeaux varietals, creating a rare one-stop sourcing opportunity for wineries building a complete Meritage or Bordeaux-style blend. View Listing The WIN Marketplace is built to connect buyers and sellers across the wine industry, and vineyard listings like these Alexander Valley Bordeaux grapes highlight how the platform helps wineries secure premium vineyard sources directly from growers. With all five Noble Bordeaux varietals available in one offering, buyers have the opportunity t

Let’s be honest: There’s a certain magic to pouring wine in your own tasting room—the clink of glasses, the sunlight through the vines, the laughter echoing off the barrel room walls. But what if you could bottle that magic and uncork it anywhere in the world? Today’s top-performing wineries aren’t just waiting for guests to walk through their doors. They’re packing their corkscrews and passports, finding their biggest fans where they live, work, and play—from the next city over to the far side of the globe. Welcome to the golden age of wine roadshows—and, now, globetrotting wine adventures! Why Travel? Because Wine Is About Connection Wine is the ultimate connector. It brings people together and creates memories, whether it’s a backyard BBQ in Austin or a sunset dinner on the Amalfi Coast. Your most devoted club members and best customers crave those connections—and they’re hungry (and thirsty) for experiences that go b

Sonoma County is home to a remarkable array of native plants, each contributing to the rich tapestry of our local ecosystems. These plants are not only beautiful but also play a critical role in sustaining the health of our environment. From the rugged coastal ranges to the sun-soaked valleys of wine country, Sonoma’s native plants have evolved to thrive in our Mediterranean climate—making them ideal for sustainable and low-maintenance landscaping. Native plants are uniquely adapted to the soil, rainfall, and temperature of their home region. This means they require less water, fewer chemical inputs, and minimal maintenance compared to non-native species. In landscaping, that translates to less work for property owners and more harmony with the environment. Seven Native Plants Ideal for Sonoma County Landscapes 1. California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica) Hearty as they are iconic, our state flower thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Its bright orange blooms are a

Preserving the Montado: A Commitment to Biodiversity and Culture On this International Day of Forests, we celebrate the Montado, one of the world's most precious and biodiverse ecosystems. This unique landscape, found in southern Portugal and other Mediterranean regions, showcases a harmonious blend of nature and human ingenuity. The Montado is an agro-silvo-pastoral system that has thrived for centuries. Protected by some of the world’s oldest laws—dating back to the 7th century and refined in the early 13th century—its cork oaks and holm oaks are cherished cultural and natural treasures. These trees not only support local livelihoods but also provide critical environmental benefits. Beyond its rich cultural significance, the Montado plays a vital role in carbon sequestration, water regulation, and biodiversity conservation. Its tree cover helps absorb COâ‚‚ from the atmosphere, mitigating climate change, while its unique ecosystem maintains soil health, prevents

It's not for the faint of heart Going no-till certainly has been picking up steam in recent years, and overall it’s a good thing. When I first got involved in viticulture back in 2010 I was living in Italy. Like a lot of Mediterranean viticultural areas, there was a tendency to disc everything all the time. If you didn’t have a barren wasteland with vines poking out of it, you weren’t a good farmer. Anything you couldn’t get to with a tractor you sprayed with herbicide. One of my first vineyard jobs in Italy was spraying glyphosate out of a backpack sprayer all spring. I felt like I was in the final scene of the Godfather! Minus the dying part. Herbicide: the new four-letter word Mentalities have shifted since then both in Europe and here in the states. All in all it’s a good shift. We’ve all seen places that have gone on for years and years using herbicide to a point where you don’t even need to spray it anymore because that soil is so d

When it comes to sealing wine bottles, one material has stood the test of time and emerged as the preferred choice of winemakers and enthusiasts alike – cork. Derived from the bark of cork oak trees, cork stoppers have been used for centuries, and their natural properties make them the perfect choice for preserving and aging wine. Preserving Wine Quality Cork stoppers are celebrated for their ability to preserve the quality and integrity of wine over time. Their unique structure provides a near-impermeable barrier to oxygen, preventing excessive oxidation and allowing wine to mature gracefully. Unlike synthetic alternatives, such as screw caps or plastic stoppers, cork allows a controlled amount of oxygen to interact with the wine, enabling it to evolve and develop complex flavors and aromas. Furthermore, cork's elasticity allows it to form a tight seal within the neck of the bottle, protecting the wine from external influences such as light and temperature fluctuations. T

Assessing the Feasibility of Regenerative Management for California Vineyards Sustainable Ag Expo   I   November 13    I    9:00-10:00 am This presentation will show the preliminary results of a three-year, large-scale project performed in various vineyards in California. The project explores the benefits and tradeoffs of compost use, no-till, and sheep grazing for soil health, vine yield, and nutrition. The presentation also includes an economic analysis of the practices. Get tickets here! --- Dr. Lazcano currently leads a team of 20 researchers at different career stages and from different backgrounds, focused on understanding the links between soil biodiversity and agroecosystem functioning. The goal of her research is to generate ecologically based soil management strategies that will reduce the environmental footprint of agriculture, with a strong focus on winegrape production. Through on farm collaborative research, Dr. Lazcano hopes to h

Saturday, June 1st, 11am to 3pm Our 2024 Summer Open House + Marketplace is just two weeks way! This event is the perfect opportunity to gather with friends and family and sip handcrafted wines from our family of sonoma-based boutique wineries. This is also an amazing reason and support these incredible winemakers by purchasing directly from them. We will have 14 of our independent wineries pouring their incredible wines and sharing the stories behind them. Each winery pouring four to six wines, thats over 50 handcrafted wines, and we know that you will find one (or more) that you love! A wonderful chance to stock up on wines for your summer celebrations. Our event is kid and dog friendly, so bring the family and join us on Saturday June 1st!  Wineries - Black Kite | Bruliam | Bucher | Copper Six | Cupere | Ernest | Fat Dragon | Innumero | Jeff Cohn | Moret Brealynn | Parea | Saxon Brown | Stringer Get Tickets Additionally, we have secured some amazing local farms + food artisan

Summer is almost here, and we're gearing up for our 2024 Summer Open House + Marketplace at Grand Cru on Saturday, June 1st, from 11am to 3pm. It's just 5 weeks away! Whether you're a seasoned wine enthusiast or a novice, there's something for everyone to enjoy. Tickets are available now for $35, and they include wine tasting and valet parking. Here's what's in store for you at the event: Wine Wonderland: Discover wines from 14 exceptional wineries, including:Black Kite Bruliam Bucher Cupere Domaine de la Riviere Ernest Innumero Jeff Cohn Moret Brealynn Parea Saxon Brown Stringer Plus, we're excited to welcome some new wineries this year: Copper Six and Fat Dragon! Wineries will be pouring upwards of 4 wines, giving you the perfect opportunity to find your new favorite local wine. Culinary Delights: Treat your taste buds to delicious offerings from our featured vendors:Lunch Box: Indulge in juicy smash burgers, sandwiches, and more. Dino'