Drink the Bottles

  40 Years of Leadership: Kim Stare Wallace Celebrates Four Decades at Dry Creek Vineyard Second-Generation President Reflects on Legacy, Innovation, and Commitment to Place   HEALDSBURG, Calif. (February 11, 2026) – In an industry defined by constant change, longevity has become increasingly rare. Today, Kim Stare Wallace marks 40 years at Dry Creek Vineyard, a milestone that reflects the enduring power of family ownership, thoughtful leadership and an unwavering commitment to Dry Creek Valley.   “In four decades, I’ve seen the wine industry evolve in remarkable ways,” says Wallace. “But our focus has remained the same: to make wines that honestly express where they come from. That kind of clarity only comes from taking the long view.”   Wallace formally joined Dry Creek Vineyard in 1986 as Director of Marketing, though her roots at the winery run much deeper. Raised in Sonoma County’s Dry Creek Valley, she grew up alongside the winery founded by her father, Da...

  If you threw a dart at the map of Napa Valley and hit the center, you would find Rutherford Ranch Winery.  Located on the historic and famous Silverado Trail at the site of the original Round Hill Winery, it has now been family owned by the Zaninovich family for nearly three decades with an empasis on Cabernet Sauvignon.  They also produce Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Merlot under the Rutherford label, showcasing that lovely Rutherford dust! The winemaking team has branched out into a total of seven labels, all with their own uniqueness and price points.  But today we are discussing the  2019 Rutherford Ranch Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley .  Before we get into the details of this wine, we will say that this is one (as well as other stellar vintages) will age well for a very, very long time.  If you're considering this wine, consider multiple bottles.  We think this will continue to flourish and develop for the next 10-plus years. Dar...

  What do you get when you take a top-rated country music superstar, a seasoned businessman and an expert whiskey maker who could rest on his laurels?   It sounds like the start of a funny story that is waiting for a punchline, but it is far from that - very far.  Eric Church (think the incredibly popular song "Springsteen"), businessman and entrepreneur Raj Alva and esteemed whiskey creator Ari Sussman teamed up to create Whiskey JYPSI, a brand that reflects the "gypsy spirit", where everyone has a free-spirited and wild side.   The brand has set out to disrupt industry norms and to explore unique and unusual ways to source and blend their whiskeys.  Today we are looking at two flagship products from the JYPSI label - Tribute and Explorer. Tribute is not only a blend of straight bourbon whiskeys that were finished in secondary oak barrels, but it is also a testimony to the quality and attention of what this company is doing.  Ari Sussman's backgr...

It seems pretty simple, but it is more difficult than it sounds.  Create the finest whiskey.  Sure, everyone with a still and an idea has the same dream.  But in this case, I think they're onto something - BIG!   About three years I stumbled across a liquor store in Colorado Springs, Colorado and popped in to see if they had something I hadn't tasted before.  The good-looking bottle of Blue Note Juke Joint Uncut Unfiltered Bourbon Whiskey caught my eye, and I was even more interested when I saw the single barrel sticker on the side.  For about fifty bucks I thought it was worth a gamble. The folks at B.R. Distlling Company will tell you that their brand was "Born in Kentucky.  Raised in Memphis.  Finished with Soul."   The branding and smoothness of their offerings ties in directly with the blues and soulful sounds of Memphis.  It's a seemless marriage and both Blue Note and Memphis seem to accidentally compliment each oth...

If you want something done right, do it yourself.  That's what "dad" said.  Founder and Distiller Herman Mihalich remembers those words like they were spoken yesterday and they resounded with him over and over.  It's only fitting that Mihalich had a dream of creating Dad's Hat Rye in the birthplace of rye whiskey - Pennsylvania because he too wanted to do things the right way.  And from what we can tell, they are doing just that. Small batch.  Hand crafted.  Local Ingredients.  These arent't just descriptors.  These simple words are the backbone of the business and Dad's Hat Rye doesn't use them lightly.  They take pride and care in creating a footprint in a fast-paced, busy and crowded world.  Their bottles are meant to remind you of kinder, gentler, optimistic times in America.   This bottle of  Dad's Hat Classic Pennsylvania Rye Whiskey is a flagship product in their portfolio.  If you don't appreciate this bottle...

  A historic Kentucky distillery located in Frankfort, KY was once the producing machine of a brand called Kentucky Senator Bourbon.  Like scores of labels and brands throughout the history of distilled spirits, this one fell by the wayside and became only a fond and mysterious memory for most.  But in 2019, Andre Regard and Damon Thayer (who would later become a Kentucky State Senator), did their due diligence and brought the brand back from non-existence. Today, Kentucky Senator Bourbon is alive and well and is receiving praise and attention from the spirits community.  This non-distilling producer (NDP) is bottling bourbon that is between six and fifteen years old and the age statement is clearly displayed (which we love) on each bottle.  Each release is 107 proof and the mash bill is generally comprised of corn (75%), rye (21%) and malted barley (4%).  Every expression is a nod to an actual Kentucky State Senator that includes a history lesson and a QR...