Lyle Norton

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A recent tasting with international winemakers featured notable examples of sauvignon blanc. (Lyle Norton/Special to S.F. Examiner)

Sauvignon blanc has appealing global presence

Varietal provides a refreshing, food-friendly alternative to chardonnay

A recent tasting with international winemakers featured notable examples of sauvignon blanc. (Lyle Norton/Special to S.F. Examiner)
Winemaker Drew Nenow says he believes in exposing “the truth of the fruit.” (Courtesy photo)

Drew Nenow’s wines honor family and Paso Robles terroir

Vintner produces high-quality Rhone blends and varietals

Winemaker Drew Nenow says he believes in exposing “the truth of the fruit.” (Courtesy photo)
California is producing appealing white wines of lesser-known varietals. (Lyle Norton/Special to S.F. Examiner)

Opening up to California alternative white wines

Market offers more than chardonnay

California is producing appealing white wines of lesser-known varietals. (Lyle Norton/Special to S.F. Examiner)
A bottle of 2015 Center of Effort Chardonnay is pictured with samples from aging vessels.<ins>(Lyle Norton/Special to S.F. Examiner)</ins>

Insight into aging techniques of California chardonnay

Unique processes produce complex, rich wines

A bottle of 2015 Center of Effort Chardonnay is pictured with samples from aging vessels.<ins>(Lyle Norton/Special to S.F. Examiner)</ins>
Notable pink wines are, from left, 2019 Bruliam Rosé of Pinot Noir, 2019 Balverne Rosé of Pinot Noir, 2020 Malene Rosé and 2019 La Bernarde Cotes de Provence Rosé.<ins> (Lyle Norton/Special to S.F. Examiner)</ins>

Warmer weather forecasts rosé days ahead

California is producing exclusively grown, high-quality pink wine

Notable pink wines are, from left, 2019 Bruliam Rosé of Pinot Noir, 2019 Balverne Rosé of Pinot Noir, 2020 Malene Rosé and 2019 La Bernarde Cotes de Provence Rosé.<ins> (Lyle Norton/Special to S.F. Examiner)</ins>
Descended from an Italian immigrant, the Battuello family has been growing wine grapes in the Napa Valley for more than a century.<ins> (Courtesy photo)</ins>

Family farmed since 1909, Battuello Vineyards is creating new Napa Valley wines

Historic estate supports boutique St. Helena winery

Descended from an Italian immigrant, the Battuello family has been growing wine grapes in the Napa Valley for more than a century.<ins> (Courtesy photo)</ins>
Erich Sattler Zweigelt 2018 and Triebaumer Blaufrankisch Rust 2018 are notable Austrian reds. <ins>(Lyle Norton/Special to S.F. Examiner)</ins>

Look to Austria for good value in reds and whites

Four major growing regions in country with ancient winemaking tradition

Erich Sattler Zweigelt 2018 and Triebaumer Blaufrankisch Rust 2018 are notable Austrian reds. <ins>(Lyle Norton/Special to S.F. Examiner)</ins>
Chateau de Cosse Sauternes 2017, Blason de L’Evangile 2014 and Moulin de DuHart 2017 were served at a tasting led by Olivier Trégoat. (Courtesy Lyle Norton)

Second label French wines yield value and access

Bordeaux vintages created for drinking presently

Chateau de Cosse Sauternes 2017, Blason de L’Evangile 2014 and Moulin de DuHart 2017 were served at a tasting led by Olivier Trégoat. (Courtesy Lyle Norton)
Philippe Langner controls all aspects in the creation and production of Hesperian Wines. (Courtesy Karen Norton)

Hesperian Wines express the passion and resiliency of a true vigneron

Despite setbacks due to fire losses, Philippe Langner keeps producing great wine

Philippe Langner controls all aspects in the creation and production of Hesperian Wines. (Courtesy Karen Norton)
Wine Spectator named the Bodegas Marques de Murrieta Rioja Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial 2010 as its best of 2020. (Courtesy photo)

A close look at Wine Spectator’s best of 2020

California vintages are well represented on the top 100 list

Wine Spectator named the Bodegas Marques de Murrieta Rioja Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial 2010 as its best of 2020. (Courtesy photo)
Winemaker Theresa Heredia has been at Gary Farrell Vineyards since 2012. (Courtesy photo)

Russian River Valley Neighborhood wines are notable

Gary Farrell releases are among the area’s most striking offerings

Winemaker Theresa Heredia has been at Gary Farrell Vineyards since 2012. (Courtesy photo)
Judy Jordan, founder of Geodesy and WG Edge, is dedicated to promoting and nurturing women in the wine industry. <ins>(Courtesy photo)</ins>

Judy Jordan’s Geodesy wines are rooted in gift and gratitude

Industry veteran committed to mentoring women in her field

Judy Jordan, founder of Geodesy and WG Edge, is dedicated to promoting and nurturing women in the wine industry. <ins>(Courtesy photo)</ins>
Donum Estate’s pinot noir pairs delightfully with bites by chef Aaron LeRoi. (Courtesy Donum Estate)

Donum Estate deftly blends wine, food and art

Carneros vintner produces award-winning pinot noir and more

Donum Estate’s pinot noir pairs delightfully with bites by chef Aaron LeRoi. (Courtesy Donum Estate)
J. Schram and L’Ermitage are among the exceptional sparkling wines in produced in California. (Lyle Norton/Special to S.F. Examiner)

Roederer Estate and Schramsberg Vineyards: Legends in the California sparkling wine story

U.S. vintners use traditional Champagne method

J. Schram and L’Ermitage are among the exceptional sparkling wines in produced in California. (Lyle Norton/Special to S.F. Examiner)
Oenologist Diane Flamand introduces the Légende Collection. (Courtesy Nick Passmore)

Légende Collection provides an affordable taste of Bordeaux

Wines from Domaines Barons de Rothschild group are created for everyday enjoyment

Oenologist Diane Flamand introduces the Légende Collection. (Courtesy Nick Passmore)
Acquiesce Clairette Blanche, Bokisch Albarino Terra Alta and Markus Nativo are excellent whites from Lodi. (Lyle Norton/Special to S.F. Examiner)

Lodi is the new destination to explore distinctive whites

Vintners in appellation creating diverse selection of single-varietal wines

Acquiesce Clairette Blanche, Bokisch Albarino Terra Alta and Markus Nativo are excellent whites from Lodi. (Lyle Norton/Special to S.F. Examiner)
Philippe Rolet is the estate manager of Bodegas CARO, a 20-year-old project joining Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) and the Nicolás Catena family. (Courtesy photo)

On the Vine: Bodegas CARO partnership blends iconic families, cultures and grapes

French, Argentine winemakers join forces successfully

Philippe Rolet is the estate manager of Bodegas CARO, a 20-year-old project joining Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) and the Nicolás Catena family. (Courtesy photo)
Matt Dees is The Hilt’s winemaker. (Courtesy photo)

On the Vine: The ‘electric acidity’ of Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay

The Hilt creates delicious wine from Santa Barbara County vineyards

Matt Dees is The Hilt’s winemaker. (Courtesy photo)
From left, Aaron and Jesse Inman, who are siblings, head up Lucky Rock Wine Co. (Courtesy photo)

Lucky Rock speaks to a new generation

Brothers Aaron and Jesse Inman have a modern take on the wine business

From left, Aaron and Jesse Inman, who are siblings, head up Lucky Rock Wine Co. (Courtesy photo)
Vintner Jeff Cole says Sullivan Rutherford is an ideal place to grow cabernet sauvignon. (Courtesy photo)

Sullivan Rutherford re-emerges as an elite Napa Valley wine estate

Steeped in Napa Valley history, Sullivan Rutherford Estate helped establish the area…

Vintner Jeff Cole says Sullivan Rutherford is an ideal place to grow cabernet sauvignon. (Courtesy photo)