Blog

Here are a few photos taken on and near the ranch as fall unfolds in the hills and valleys. It’s getting cooler, with days in the 50s and nights in the 30s. Soon winter will arrive, and with it, maybe even a little snow. But in the meantime, we’re savoring these last sunny days. (Below) The mighty hunter, Dante, searches for another destructive squirrel victim in the autumn trees.   We love the fall colors in the...

Pinot Gris is what’s known as a food-friendly wine. Our Sumner Vineyards Pinot Gris has enticing aromas of spicy stone fruits, with hints of honey and smoke that fill your glass. The fresh and earthy minerality underscores intense, rich apricot and guava flavors and complements the long, spicy finish. It will pair beautifully with a rich turkey, cream sauces, potato dishes, and even the ubiquitous Thanksgiving green bean...

Thanksgiving is almost here, and we can make a start on the feast by selecting wines that complement—without overpowering—traditional American fare. Turkey, mashed potatoes, vegetables, and cranberries all pair beautifully with Sumner Vineyards Pinot Noir Rosé: it is crisp, slightly acidic, fruity, colorful, and festive…a perfect culinary match for this holiday. Our Oliva Vineyard provides us with all the fruit for this lively wine,...

“No more half-measures.” – Breaking Bad, Season 3, Episode 12 It might not look like much yet, but we’ve broken ground for our new storage facility. Someday very soon this site will hold a building filled with cool, quiet aisles of Sumner Vineyards wines, ready to be shipped to your home. Lovely thought, isn’t...

Becoming more wine savvy is an education of the senses. Here are some ideas to get you started… 1. Visit Wineries And Taste New Types Of Wines If you live near wine country, this will be as easy as spending a relaxed weekend afternoon tasting at several different wineries. Note: limit yourself to no more that four wineries, take breaks for leisurely meals, and enjoy the scenery…you’re here to have fun. Otherwise,...

  How Wine is Made: From Harvest to Bottling Every year, in late summer, our harvesting process includes these basic steps:     Pick  Crush  Ferment  Age  Bottle    Everything starts in the vineyard, and the land is of primary importance. The late Dr. Robert Pool, grape specialist at Cornell University provided the following concise overview of vineyard site selection: “The most fundamental and irreversible...