Mencia Mencia is a thick-skinned blue grape originating in either the Castilla y Leon region of north-west Spain or in neighbouring Portugal (here it’s called Jaén do Dão), depending on who you ask. […]
Wine Speak Paso – Grand Tasting
Grand Tasting – Grand Opportunity Wine Speak Paso Robles is a collaboration between wine experts and local wineries that first came to be in 2017, co-founded by Amanda Wittstrom Higgins of Ancient Peaks Winery. Seminars and […]
Wine Review: Sculpterra – Merlot 2016
Well Knock Me Sideways, Merlot is Back! The last vintage of Merlot from Sculpterra was back in 2012, so it’s great to see it back in the tasting room. Cabernet Sauvignon’s thinner-skinned sibling (Cabernet […]
Camera Upgrade. Short Nikon D850 Review
Professional Imaging Tool It’s been a long journey to get here, but I’m pleased to introduce you all to my new camera. The Nikon D850 has the highest resolution and, reportedly, the best image […]
Camera History
A little (abridged) camera history… pt 1: Film The first camera I got to play with was a mid-1960’s Minolta AL. I was about 8 years old at the time, and the camera was my […]
Harvest, or Alien Invasion?
Eerie mist, bright lights, and people in white overalls. Are we being invaded? Turns out on this occasion the Sculpterra harvest crew is bringing in Cabernet Sauvignon from the Bentley Ironworks block. These are […]
Wine Review: Sculpterra Winery – Bentley Ironworks 2014
Ironworker extraordinaire Master Ironworker Robert Bentley has been working for Sculpterra since 1998, building the incredible entry gates and other works around the property, plus helping to install all of the other sculptures. His […]
Tasting Room Visit – Cypher Winery
New beginnings, vintage lounge Cypher wines have been a favourite of mine ever since I first tasted them in 2013. The unconventional labels and consistently good wine really helped the brand stand out. Who […]
Wine Review: Sculpterra – Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 Reserve
Something Special It’s not every year that Paul Frankel at Sculpterra makes a “Reserve” wine. The 2016 Cabernet Reserve was bottled in February 2018, and the arrival of those bottles in the tasting room prompted […]
Wine Review : Marie de Beauregard – Chinon 2015
Chinon The Chinon appellation gets its name from the ancient town on the banks of the river Vienne, in western France, dominated by an incredible 12th-century chateau. It is situated in the Loire Valley, and […]