Montoliva Wine & Vineyards
MARK'S MUSINGS
Giving The Vineyard a Good “Greenwashing
It’s a common question. Sitting out on the deck of the winery building, looking out over acres of lovingly-tended vineyard, soaking up the ambiance (and a bit of Montoliva wine), I’m often asked, “are you certified organic?”. Hoo Boy, want to get me wound up? Ask me about “organic” farming. I am not “certified” organic.
The Benefits of Achieving “Rock Star” Status
It is during the cold, wet winter months that I endeavor to get most of our bottling done here at Montoliva. Unlike most 1,500-2,000 case-a-year wineries, I own all my own bottling equipment, and thus have the luxury of moving wine from barrel in to bottle slowly and methodically. The goal is usually to get
Mining Silver in Gold Country
Being a boutique winery among Grass Valley wineries has certain size advantages…1,500 case annual output isn’t a lot of wine. We also have certain size disadvantages…a 1,500 case a year winery isn’t going to be springing for a Publicist, PR person or “Campaign” manager. Heck, I can barely justify a gig-based “social media” manager. This
It’s Wine Competition Season
I am quite ambivalent about commercial wine competitions. In the best of circumstances they can be a bit of a crap shoot. You don’t want to be the first wine that the judging panels samples (they aren’t going to give a gold medal to the first wine they taste), and if you are in a
I’m Making Wine, Naturally.
If you have ever visited us and heard me wax philosophic about winemaking, you know that I use a lot of labels. “Olde World”, “New World”, “Organic”, “Sustainable”, “Earth-y”, “Dry”, “Flabby”, “rustic” (my new, favorite word). They are all ultimately short-hand for what can be much more complex dynamics. Here in modern American society we
Join the Chicago Park Wine Society
The Chicago Park Wine Society is a special release club, offering exclusive opportunities to sample and purchase pre-release and limited release wines.
Club Members also receive a 20% discount on all of our other wines – this means you are paying $13.50 for our multiple-award-winning Sierra Bella!
Your commitment is 2 bottles each of two different wines, four times a year. Join the club and enjoy wines nobody else makes, or can obtain.