Latest news with #CabernetFranc
Forbes
2 days ago
- Forbes
The Top American Wines, According To The Decanter World Wine Awards
A map of the USA made from wine corks. getty Six American wines took top honors at the Decanter World Wine Awards. Two California wines received Best of Show honors, while four wines earned Platinum medals. Below are brief descriptions and tasting notes on the six wines that Decanter judged the best in America. Clos du Val is a historic Napa Valley estate, renowned since the 1970s for crafting elegant Bordeaux varietals. Their Stags Leap District Cabernet Franc combines site-specific finesse and structured richness. The wine is a blend of 84% Cabernet Franc, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Merlot, and 2% Carmenère. The wine features aromas of dark cherry, graphite, and fresh herbs. The palate showcases flavors of plum, subtle oak spice, with silky tannins and balanced acidity. The finish is long and polished with lingering black fruit notes. The DWWA Judging Panel described the wine as 'a show-stopper: opaque black, with a carnival of scent in which spice, flowers and damsons mingle with carefully schooled abandon. On the palate, the wine has splendid depth and width, just as its Cabernet Sauvignon offspring so often does in Napa; the difference is a lightness of touch here, an aerial grace, and a lithe ease of line to the tannins; the acidity remains tenderly supportive. Rarely does a wine from Stag's Leap leap so gracefully; the result is memorably drinkable.' Kenwood Vineyards is deeply rooted in Sonoma winemaking. The Six Ridges series highlights the distinctive mountain ridges that define Sonoma's terroir. This Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon shows the impact of regional terroir on California cabs. The wine features notes of ripe blackberry, cassis, and hints of mocha. The palate is rich and full-bodied, showcasing ripe dark berry richness, integrated oak, firm tannins, and a brisk acidity. The finish is long and structured, with lingering notes of red and black berries. The DWWA Judging Panel described the wine as showing 'a significantly different style to Napa: amply fleshed, yes, but with a savory, mountain wildness to that flesh, and with a different acid emphasis. The blend, with its seasoning of Petite Syrah, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc, surely also plays a role in lending this wine its intriguing complexities.' 'It's black-red, with open, affably fruity aromas lent depth by a dry-forest warmth; on the palate, the wine has both breadth and depth as well as a compelling inner sweetness. The acidity is low but soft, while plump tannins with that distinctive savory nuance bring the wine resolution and balance.' Aerial view of vineyards in the Napa Valley wine country of CA as shot from a hot air balloon. Napa County is known for hundreds of hillside vineyards. Hot air ballooning is a popular activity for tourists. getty Four wineries, all based on the West Coast, were awarded Platinum medals at the 2025 DWWA. All four wines received a score of 97 out of 100 points. The tasting notes are drawn from the official Decanter Judging Panel's comments. Walla Walla-based Echolands Winery focuses on expressive, terroir-driven wines. The Blue Mountain Vineyard Cabernet Franc showcases the valley's bright fruit and refined structure. The wine is floral on the nose, featuring vibrant aromas of red currant and raspberry, with subtle notes of green pepper. The palate is medium-bodied, with fresh acidity and polished tannins. The finish is long and clean, with lingering minerally notes. Chandon California, the American arm of Moët & Chandon, has pioneered méthode traditionnelle sparkling wine since 1973. Etoile Brut is their flagship cuvée, aged extensively for layered complexity. It was selected as the highest-rated American sparkling wine. The wine features a fine mousse, exhibiting aromas of baked apple, brioche, and almond. The palate is creamy yet bright, with flavors of pear, citrus zest, and toasted nuts. The finish is long, elegant, and crisp, with lingering notes of apple and brioche. Cupere is a boutique label in the Sonoma Coast AVA, renowned for its minimalist winemaking approach. 'Faces' reflects coastal Pinot Noir's purity, with vivid fruit and earthy nuance. The wine features aromas of wild strawberry, cranberry, and a subtle hint of forest floor. The palate is light-bodied and silky, showcasing pronounced red berries with soft tannins and a brisk acidity. The finish is long, clean, and refreshing, with lingering notes of red berries. Domaine Serene is a benchmark Oregon producer acclaimed for its polished Pinot Noir and Chardonnay bottlings. Yamhill Cuvée highlights the best lots from estate vineyards across Yamhill County in Oregon's Willamette Valley. This wine is typically expressive and aromatic on the nose, featuring aromas of black cherry, rose petal, and baking spice. It's medium-bodied on the palate, with a silky texture that showcases layered red fruit notes and subtle oak nuances. The finish is usually long and elegant, with lingering notes of red fruit. The Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) is one of the world's largest and most influential wine competitions, organized annually by Decanter magazine since 2004. It attracts thousands of entries from over 50 countries, judged blind by top wine experts, including Masters of Wine and Master Sommeliers. Renowned for its rigorous judging process and international credibility, a medal from the DWWA is a mark of exceptional quality and global recognition. Winning wines often gain significant attention from collectors, retailers, and wine enthusiasts alike. These six red wines, from three of the most exciting wine AVAs on the West Coast, were judged America's top wines. If your preference is for red wines, these six wines are not to be missed. They offer the layered, nuanced complexity characteristic of superb winemaking as well as an authentic representation of their regional terroir. Whether your passion is for Oregon's superlative Pinot noir or California's world-class Bordeaux blends, these wines are truly at the pinnacle of American winemaking.
Forbes
13-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Cabernet Franc Rising In Napa Valley
Cabernet Franc grapes, the 'father of Cabernet Sauvignon,' are gaining in popularity in Napa Valley For years, the Cabernet Franc grape has been considered just a blending grape in Napa Valley, overshadowed by the bigger, bolder, and more famous Cabernet Sauvignon grape. But recently, more Cabernet Franc wines have appeared in Napa Valley, almost always selling out immediately to avid customer lists. Another interesting fact is that Napa Valley Cabernet Franc grapes have been more expensive to purchase than Cabernet Sauvignon since 2016. According to the Napa Valley Crop Report, Cabernet Franc averaged between $500 and $1000 more per ton than Cabernet Sauvignon. For example, in 2023, Napa Valley Cabernet Franc grapes averaged $10,633 per ton, whereas Cabernet Sauvignon averaged $9235 per ton. Plus Cabernet Franc wines taste distinctly different from Cabernet Sauvignon wines, even though Cabernet Franc is considered 'the father of Cabernet Sauvignon' and is the older grape. Known most as the signature red grape of the Loire Valley where it produces medium-bodied savory wines tasting of dried berries, herbs and aromas of violets; in Napa Valley, it becomes more fleshy with velvety tannins, ripe black currants, many different spices, and a nose of violets. So what is up with Cabernet Franc in Napa Valley? Why is it more expensive than Cabernet Sauvignon? Why does it consistently sell out to consumers, but not many wineries produce it? Is Cabernet Franc rising as a new wine trend in Napa Valley? To answer these questions, I attended the Napa Valley Auction this year (which raised $6.5 million for local charities) and approached the seven wineries that featured 100% Cabernet Franc wines at the barrel auction, out of 100 winery auction barrels. These seven wineries included: Antinori Napa Valley, Barnett Vineyards, Cakebread Cellars, Crocker-Starr, Covert, Frog's Leap, and The WineFoundry. Over the course of our conversations and tastings, three clear themes rang through in the answers of all seven winemakers and winery representatives as they talked about the special attributes of growing and crafting Cabernet Franc wine. 'The reason so few wineries grow it is because it is harder to grow and needs to be grown in the right type of soil,' stated Pam Starr, Co-Owner and Founding Winemaker with Crocker-Starr Winery. 'Cabernet Franc vines need to be planted in a soil that is well draining so that you keep the balance and the freshness of it.' This may be partially why only 1224 bearing acres of Cabernet Franc are grown in Napa Valley, compared to over 25,000 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon, according to the Napa Valley Crop Report. David Tate, Winemaker and General Manager with Barnett Vineyards, agrees with Pam Starr. 'We grow our Cab Franc at the top of Spring Mountain. It's cooler there with well-draining soil, but the vines still get enough sun to ripen fully. I don't like a Cab Franc if it tastes green,' he said. However, he also added that his small production sells out right away every year to the wine club. 'People enjoy trying it, because it is something different. It is lighter in style than Cab.' Due to its tendency to exhibit strong herbal and bell pepper flavors if not grown in the right location, several winemakers described the challenge of 'taming the green notes,' in Cabernet Franc. 'It's a harder grape to grow and to get ripe to avoid the pyrazines (green notes),' stated Nikki Williams, Winemaker with Cakebread Cellars. 'But when planted on well-draining soils, it produces a light and elegant style wine with pure fruit, lovely floral aromas and an attractive spicy cigar box note.' Emily Floyd, Director of Sales and Hospitality at Covert Winery, admitted, 'When I was 23, I had an 'aha moment' when I first tasted Cabernet Franc. I fell in love with the grape but quickly realized that it's rare to find a good one. But at Covert, it's delicious.' And she was right. The Covert Cabernet Franc barrel offering was brimming with ripe berries, spice, and a very smooth, elegant, and velvety long finish. 'It was made by our consulting winemaker, Julien Fayard, and Assistant Winemaker, Sam Buckingham. It sells out immediately when we release it each year,' she reported. Pouring Wine Samples at the Napa Valley Barrel Auction 2025 Each of the seven winery representatives also commented on how Cabernet Franc, due to its lighter and more elegant style, seems to be gaining increasing appreciation from consumers. 'Cabernet Franc is all about nuance and restraint,' stated Stuart Ake, with The WineFoundry, who produced a stunning example, made from grapes grown in the Stagecoach vineyard. 'People are starting to appreciate all the layers and elegance, versus the power of a big Cabernet Sauvignon. And It seems to attract a much younger audience who are more adventurous and open to exploring new things.' Jamie Alonso, Cellar Master with Antinori Napa Valley agreed. 'We always used to use Cabernet Franc as a blender, but now a lot of young people like the fresh, lighter style.' Jessica Hager, DTC Manager with Frog's Leap spoke to changing consumer tastes. 'Consumers today want something lighter and the profile of Cabernet Franc delivers this, plus provides a nice savory element.' Indeed the Frog's Leap wine is very light and elegant, with pure fruit and spice — crafted in more of a Loire Valley style, but with the added sunshine of Napa Valley. 'I believe that our organic farming methods help to ensure that our wines do not have the pyrazines of some cab francs,' she concluded. David Tate with Barnett Vineyards added, 'People enjoy trying it because it's something new after they've been tasting Cabernet Sauvignon all day. Then they get to try Cab Franc and it's fresh and floral and different.' The other aspect of Cabernet Franc wines is that it makes a great wine to pair with many different types of cuisine. Because of its lighter style and crisp acidity, it can even be matched with heavier seafood dishes and grilled vegetables, as well as the classic beef and lamb. 'I've been swarmed by sommeliers all day long because they are attracted to cabernet franc wines to pair with their restaurant food,' stated Stuart Ake, with The WineFoundry. 'I love the wonderful spices in Cab Franc, especially when the green notes turn into a dried chipotle with cardamom, cigar, and tobacco notes,' added Pam Starr of Crocker-Starr. 'It's my favorite wine to pair with food,' said Jaime Alonso with Antinori. 'I think it pairs especially well with lamb chops and Italian food.' Visitors Celebrating at the Napa Valley Barrel Auction 2025, Louis Martini Winery Other highly rated Cabernet Franc wine brands from Napa Valley include: Caladan, Realm Cellars, Turnbull, Chappellet, La Jota, Pahlmeyer, Lithology, and Lang & Reed, amongst others. So is Cabernet Franc rising in Napa Valley? Well, it appears that consumers are quite attracted to its lighter more elegant style and most of the wine sells out to wine club members upon release. But currently, very little Cabernet Franc is grown in Napa Valley, so scarcity could also be playing a role in the high sales record. But will Cabernet Franc ever replace the powerful and very lucrative hold that Cabernet Sauvignon has on Napa Valley, with some of the most expensive and collectible wines in America comprised of Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa? Perhaps the answer lies in the words of Stuart Ake of The Wine Foundery: 'I will trumpet the subtle nods and elegant restraint of the Cabernet Franc grape until the end, but it doesn't mean I also don't appreciate the depth, breadth and chiseled muscle power of Cabernet Sauvignon.' So both styles of wine are equally attractive. In the end, it is positive to see Cabernet Franc as a new rising star in Napa Valley, even if it may be lighter than the bright wattage of Cabernet Sauvignon. Teresa Wall, Communications Director with Napa Valley Vintners, agrees: 'It's exciting to see vintners across Napa Valley focusing on the Cabernet Franc variety and consumers becoming more curious about this remarkable grape,' she concluded.
Man of Many
02-06-2025
- Business
- Man of Many
Wynns Coonawarra Estate's Latest Collection is Luxury Winemaking at its Finest
By Rob Edwards - Sponsored Published: 2 June 2025 |Last Updated: 29 May 2025 Share Copy Link Readtime: 4 min Every product is carefully selected by our editors and experts. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more. For more information on how we test products, click here. When a winery has roots going back over 160 years, it's hard to comprehend the depth of expertise built over countless decades and generations of winemaking. So, it is with Wynns Coonawarra Estate. This purveyor of luxury drops boasts world-class credentials and is famed for delivering depth of flavour and unwavering quality, meaning each release is marked on the calendars of discerning wine lovers everywhere. Wynns Senior Winemaker Sue Hodder | Image: Wynns Under the leadership of senior winemaker Sue Hodder and winemaker Sarah Pidgeon—joint winners of 'Winemaker of the Year' at the 2016 Australian Society of Viticulture and Oenology (ASVO) Awards for Excellence—Wynns has only seen its already considerable prestige grow over the last decade. Now, these skilled artisans of the Coonawarra region are preparing to launch their finest annual release yet: the Wynns Coonawarra Estate Luxury Collection. On June 4th, this stunning launch is set to establish a new benchmark for wines from South Australia and beyond. The collection of five premium drops will include a pair of releases never seen before, one of which is a limited edition, only serving to raise our anticipation. In fact, the releases already have us daydreaming about that first satisfying twist that opens a fresh bottle, so let's take a closer look at this outstanding collection of Coonawarra's finest from the masters at Wynns. Michael Shiraz 2022 | Image: Wynns Wynns Michael Shiraz 2022 Named after the first son of David Wynn (the Melbourne-based winemaker who purchased the winery with his father in 1951), this is Wynns Coonawarra Estate's best-of-vintage Shiraz, meaning any release is an event. Harnessing fruit from the best vineyard sites in Coonawarra, this wine is only made when fruit of the necessary quality is available, so you can expect demand for this one to be high. Price: AUD$150 Single Vineyard Childs Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 | Image: Wynns Wynns Single Vineyard Childs Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 Another special offering, this Cabernet Sauvignon comes from a single vineyard selected by Wynns to be bottled separately — a tradition Wynns maintains with each vintage. In 2022, it was decided the Childs Vineyard on V&A Lane was deserving of this honour, with the resulting wine showcasing the vineyard's signature superfine tannins and intricate layers. Planted in 1969, the Childs Cabernet Sauvignon has been a long-time contributor to Wynns outstanding offerings, and this release is further justification of its elevated status. Price: AUD$80 Single Vineyard Cabernet Franc 2024 | Image: Wynns Wynns Single Vineyard Cabernet Franc 2024 Lovingly produced using fruit from the McKillop Vineyard in Coonawarra's north, this vintage marks the first release of a straight-varietal, limited-edition Cabernet Franc. Thanks to a dry and mild-to-warm picking period with lower yields, the resulting wine boasts incredible brightness, balanced fruit, and intense varietal expression. The wine also features a striking vibrancy that arrives courtesy of a shorter maceration period and maturation in neutral 3000L French oak vats, making it perfect for immediate enjoyment or cellaring over the short to medium term. Price: AUD$80 Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 | Image: Wynns Wynns Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 First introduced almost 70 years ago, Wynns Black Label Cabernet has a well-earned reputation for striking varietal and regional characteristics as well as its graceful ageing. Produced using only the top quality 20 to 25 per cent of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes grown in Wynns' Terra Rossa vineyards, it has proved itself one of Australia's most collectable wines, setting the standard by which other Australian Cabernet Sauvignons are judged. Price: AUD$45 Black Label Messenger Chardonnay 2024 | Image: Wynns Wynns Black Label Messenger Chardonnay 2024 To round out the collection, we have the inaugural release of Wynns' Black Label Messenger Chardonnay. Selecting fruit from the Messenger Vineyard, located at the southern end of Coonawarra's Terra Rossa strip, this release showcases a wonderful depth of fruit flavour that's delightfully paired with a firm acidity. Thanks to hand-picked grapes, whole-bunch pressing, barrel ageing, and malolactic fermentation, this luxurious white wine is equal parts smooth in texture, complex, and bright. Price: AUD$45 Wynns Coonawarra Estate Gables | Image: Wynns The Wynns Coonawarra Estate Luxury Collection is another incredible offering from one of Australia's most beloved winemakers. It is available from Wednesday, 4th June 2025, via Wynns' online boutique, major retailers nationwide as well as fine wine retailers around Australia. Discover more via the link below.
Forbes
11-05-2025
- Climate
- Forbes
Bordeaux Wine Vintage 2024 – Varied, Challenging, Aromatic, Precise
Cabernet Franc grapes at Château Angélus, Bordeaux, France How fares Bordeaux wine vintage of 2024? That answer differa depending on who and where you ask, and whether you mean now or in the future. 'It's called the Olympic vintage, because to go to the Olympic Games you have to work very hard,' explained Pierre Courdurié of Clos de Labrie in Saint-Émilion. Weather paints part of the signature for each wine vintage, and a graphic from Cháteau La Lagune on the left bank of the Gironde Estuary tells a story. Rainfall was significantly higher than average during the months of February, March and May of 2024, while temperatures were higher than average during February, March and April. These conditions were conducive to diseases such mildew and botrytis, which winemakers resist by treating vines or removing leaves to improve air circulation. This focused work required additional labor and time, which larger estates had better capacities to fund. 'It was the vintage of great terroirs,' said winemaker Vincent Priou of Château Petit Village and Cháteau Beuregard in Pomerol on the right bank, Bordeaux. He added that it was likely the most challenging vintage he has faced in his 34 years of experience. Château Beauregard, Pomerol, Bordeaux, France There was frost for four days between April 19 and 23rd, followed by mildew and coulure on flowers in early June. These conditions resulted in some producers losing a quarter of their grapes. When storms arrived at the end of August, the choice of when to harvest turned critical. 'You had to be precise because it rained. You had to be sure the grapes were ripe,' Courdurié emphasized. Caroline Techeyney, owner or Vignobles Jade, agreed. 'There were thunderstorms and a lot of rain at key moments in the vines' growth. September was very complicated. We try to pick at the right maturity—not too ripe and not underripe.' More grapes were lost when they reached the winery after harvest. After inspection, defective grapes were discarded at a sorting table and perhaps again via technology such as laser optical or densimetric sorting equipment. 'Vinify the good plots correctly and then discard what's not right,' stated Thomas Peré, wine quality director for the wine properties of Pierre Jean Larraque. 'It's not a vintage of the century, but there are still some reds where we've managed to bring them to a good level and get some nice results.' Courdurié emphasized that a decade and a half ago most winemakers would not have had the technological tools to sort grapes as precisely as now. That point highlights that those who cannot afford such technology are at a disadvantage for producing quality wine after the challenging conditions of 2024. Winery owners Pierre Courdurié (right) of Croix de Labrie and Jean-Charles Joris of Chateau La Marzelle '2024 was an extremely costly vintage to produce,' wrote Colin Hay of The Drinks Business publication. Undoubtedly those lacking financial resources to fund adequate staff or equipment were at greater risk. Wine producers responded as best they could to challenges. 'A fireman doesn't complain about going to the fire,' said Benjamin Laforet from Château Angélus in Saint-Émilion. After picking, vinification was gentle and at low temperatures for many producers, who also chose to steer clear of using excessive new oak for aging. Apart from the physical demands of tending vines, what wine quality resulted? First, there is little consistency across the region, meaning the vintage is not heterogeneous. 'Between the unpredictable weather, the hail, and the disease pressure—we've seen very different ripening times depending on the appellation,' explained Thomas Peré. 'Across the Gironde region, it's very different. Even within each region, it's different. To say that 2024 is an excellent vintage or a bad vintage is not true. Some vineyards found it difficult. For others it was typical, and for others it was very good. It will be a matter of searching each region for the gems that have come out well.' Second, it was a vintage for lightness in terms of body, as well as in levels of alcohol. 'It wasn't a vintage for making powerful wines, because the climate wasn't right for making such intensity,' explained Yann Monties, technical director of Château La Dominique in Saint-Émilion. Henri Parent, co-owner of Château Le Gay and Château La Violette in Pomerol, Bordeaux Pierre Courdurié compared it to the stellar and benchmark vintage of 2022. 'It doesn't have the density on the palate and we don't have very powerful tannins compared to 2022. We're not going to see wines that are ostentatious.' Many wines I sampled in April include alcohol levels that range between 12.5% and 13.5%. At one individual tasting of 40 wines from different châteaux, the highest alcohol level was 13.7%. This lower alcohol, incidentally or coincidentally, pairs with current consumer demand trends. Third, many aromatics are perfumed and pronounced to a higher degree than any vintage during the past decade. There is semblance to Beaujolais crus, though with greater structure. Many I sampled included unusually fine, delicate, precise and attractive aromas. 'We have aromatics that are just superior to 2022,' Courdurié of Clos de Labrie noted. 'We kept the bright, vibrant side of the aromatics.' 'The wines of the 2024 vintage are distinguished by remarkable tension and delicate aromatic expression,' Château La Dominique stated. Benjamin Laforet of Château Angélus said. 'To simply translate the crisp side of the Merlot, with its freshness and floral notes, we had to preserve and protect them so carefully.' Fourth, flavors are generally also light, fine and precise and include young ripe red fruit. Vineyard in Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux, France 'The vintage was difficult to understand,' explained Karl Todeschini, winemaker and co-owner of Château Mangot. 'There was enormous work in the vines and a lot of thinking in the cellar. It needed lots of courage to get the expression—which is straightforward purity and delicacy.' Fifth, of four components of fruit, acidity, tannins and alcohol, acidity appears prominent and may help wines from this vintage age well. 'The freshness is perfect and the wines will age well because of the acidity,' oenologist Philippe Nunes from right bank Bordeaux and Entre-Deux-Mers said. 'It's a vintage that, in my opinion, will keep much longer than other vintages that aren't that old,' Courdurié emphasized. Sixth, many wines include a persistent and attractive length. 'The finish is long and comes back in successive layers,' Courdurié said, reflecting my own notes from tasting dozens of 2024 wines. 'We have a lot of precision in the wines, with refined and more precise length,' he noted. Seventh, tannins can be low key but supple. 'Very silky, cashmere-like tannins, very elegant, very chiseled,' Courdurie noted. Château Angelus agreed, stating that the palate includes 'rich tannins with the texture of cashmere.' Eighth, white wines from vintage 2024 fared especially well. Concrete fermentation tanks in Château Beauregard, Pomerol, Bordeaux, France The year 2024 is the fourth year that Vignobles Jade has produced white wine. Owner Caroline Teycheney noted that, 'Our Bordeaux white wine has a beautiful expression and we're developing a distinct style with Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris and Sémillon.' Courdurie agreed, noting that, 'It's a very good year for white wine.' Ninth, the difference between good and poor quality wines for vintage 2024 is large. Although various winemakers mentioned that the vintage is superior to 2021, my limited tasting indicated that the range of difference between excellent and poor quality wines from this vintage is more noticeable than that of vintage 2021. Wines of poor quality from vintage 2024 include excessive green notes in both aromas and flavors and often disjointed flavors. Tenth, wines are ready to drink now, but many are likely to keep for a long time. 'These wines that are drinkable, easy to digest. But it's also definitely a vintage to keep,' Courdurie noted. Fresh fish and white wine during En Primeurs wine tasting in Bordeaux, France In summary? 2024 was a challenging vintage. Winemakers with financial and technical resources and good terroir fared well, whereas those unable to put in the required hard effort faced challenges achieving quality. Aromas from vintage 2024 can be beautifully perfumed, fruit flavors fine, light and precise, and acidity dominant to help wines age well. Many are fresh and ready to drink now, although certainly not all; a good percentage will need years to better integrate components. The length of some wines can be amazing, and this vintage favors wines. The best from Bordeaux 2024 will be remembered for lightness, delicacy and aromatic beauty. Tasting notes for a representative selected wines are included in these two companion articles titled Bordeaux Vintage 2024 - Tasting Notes For Right Bank Red Wines, and Bordeaux Vintage 2024 Tasting Notes - Left Bank, EDM And White Wines.
Chicago Tribune
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Oswego festival puts spotlight on Illinois wineries
Wine lovers flocked to Oswego over the weekend for the annual Wine on the Fox festival held at Hudson Crossing Park along the east bank of the Fox River in the village's downtown. The region's first outdoor spring festival – held Saturday and Sunday – featured more than 100 varietals and blends from Illinois wineries. Bill Fox of Oakbrook Terrace returned to visit his favorite wineries and get acquainted with new ones at the event. He's known among his group of friends as a 'fancy' wine taster because of his slow and steady approach to tasting. 'I gently swirl the glass and use my sense of smell,' Fox said. 'My friends think this is a fancy way to taste wine. It does work.' Experiencing the wine bouquet is almost as good as the wine itself, Fox said while enjoying an offering from Acquaviva Winery, a family-owned 85-acre estate vineyard and winery based in Maple Park. More than 40 acres are under vine there to produce wine for a variety of tastes. 'We harvest and produce on-site,' co-owner Vito Brandonisio said. The family-owned business includes five siblings plus grandchildren, some of whom are beginning to work in the winery as they become of age, Brandonisio said. The Maple Park winery's Don Giuseppe – a dry wine – is named in honor of his grandfather, he said. 'My grandfather had a vineyard in Acquaviva, Italy,' he said. Melanie Hess and Mary Toman enjoyed the Strawberry Peach Sangria – a semi-sweet rose blend – from August Hill Winery in Utica. 'It has the perfect fruity taste,' said Hess, of Yorkville. Toman, of Schaumburg, appreciated its aroma. 'It's a light wine for a sunny spring day,' Toman said. The women said samplings from Illinois wineries at the event were a refreshing change from store-bought labels. Galena Cellars returned to Wine on the Fox, now in its 19th year. 'The Wine on the Fox kicks off our festival season,' Galena Cellars Brand Ambassador Britt White said. She said that Wine on the Fox's turnout is great and the camaraderie of wineries at the event is wonderful. 'The festival runs smoothly from start to finish. Quite honestly, the folks who come are always in a really good mood and that's great for the wineries,' White said. Galena Cellars, which has a tasting room in downtown Galena, is known as one of Illinois' pioneering wineries. 'Our Cabernet Franc won a double gold medal at the 2025 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. We're very proud of that,' she said. Galena Cellars is preparing to officially release a red raspberry sweet red wine, White said. However, the producer did offer some tastings specially for Wine on the Fox, she said. Lisa and Bob Barry are owners of Tres Rojas Winery in Washington, Illinois. The winery's strawberry sweet fruit wine seemed to appeal to festival attendees. 'It's 100% strawberries,' Lisa Barry said. Thanks to the variety of wines and the ambiance, Tracy Gonzalez of Manteo said the festival is a must for her. 'I keep coming back to the Oswego Wine on the Fox every year,' Gonzalez said. 'I appreciate the friendly atmosphere, fine wine and live music.'
