James Nokes

Winemakers share their passion for delicious challenges with columnist James Nokes.

With winemakers' skill and experimentation, varieties known for being stars in Europe are even tastier in Lodi.

The family's wineries showcase the best Napa Valley has to offer in cabernet sauvignon.

Recommendations extend to a Texas white (made with a red grape!), a steal of a good bubbly and a wine from Virginia at a special-occasion price.

Crispy white wines are a perfect fit for summer.

Wine will be part of the most anticipated season in WNBA history.

A vintner said it’s up to winemakers to capture the essence of their vineyards and make wines that are true to the growing season.

Driving pinot noir to new heights are technological advancements and visionaries with an eye on a unique cool climate and dramatic elevation changes.

There’s no better time to be a fan of California cabernet sauvignon. Whether it’s Napa Valley, Sonoma Valley, Paso Robles or Santa Barbara, the state is flush with myriad delicious options.

Vineyards at The Hilt and Alma Rosa are in the sweet spot for maturity, and pinot noir is at a zenith in terms of quality – not to mention their chardonnays.

As a winemaker, Malone’s wines at Appassionata stand alone in their uniqueness and age.

With reasonably priced wines, loads of heritage varietals and a collection of creative winemakers who have shaped their own conventions, Lodi has carved out a fascinating niche in the American wine industry.

It’s the ideal time to pop a cork for a Valentine’s Day celebration and enjoy the bubbles. We also share gift ideas for wine lovers.

The winemaker turns out amazingly distinct wines from a site so far off the grid it’s not officially recognized as a wine grape-growing region in Argentina.

For a wine culture that stretches back generations, two winemakers have chronicled their moments in delicious and impressive fashion.

The winery marks an impressive milestone at the 15-year anniversary of the J. Lohr Touching Lives Initiative.

The flavor collection is like a murder-mystery novel where every component is gradually unraveled until a full reveal at the finish.

The winemaker's love for white Bordeaux and his addition of sémillon to the final blend of sauvignon blanc is a dynamic pairing.

Strength in Oregon's Rogue Valley wines comes in the form of variety.

The nonprofit organization Saperica is on a mission to increase awareness of the saperavi grape, already grown in the Finger Lakes region of New York for the past 60 years.

Capitalizing on the convenience of the recyclable and unbreakable aluminum can, serious wineries such as The Infinite Monkey Theorem are taking canned wine to the next level.

The beguiling Spanish white has pronounced aromas that range from lemon, lime and grapefruit all the way to gardenia blossoms, eucalyptus and mint.

With roots as the first winemaker at Opus One, the trailblazing Paul Hobbs would go on to become the owner and vintner of the Paul Hobbs Winery and seven others around the world.

Spain’s Ramón Bilbao will celebrate its centennial next year.

Valdo wine is based in Valdobbiadene in Italy, and is known for the quality of its prosecco.

Chehalem Winery in Oregon is known for the quality of its chardonnay and pinot gris.

Because it has the steepest slopes on the property, Block C is a showcase for a flashier-styled pinot from Iris Vineyards in Oregon.

Benchmark Wine Group hunts down the real thing in wine world gems.

Galena Cellars winemaker and president Eric White says he wants to prove we can make serious wines in Illinois.

A more educated American consumer is also less hesitant to venture into new countries and try new wines.

Sicily is a winemaking region where now is the time to jump in because quality is high and wine prices are still inexpensive.

Winemaker Joe Nielsen crafts a new sonata with every vintage.

The 45 vineyard acres Connor McMahon planted make distinct, flavorful wines under his Fulldraw label and for other winemakers to whom he sells fruit.

There has never been a more educated American wine consumer or winemaker. A lot of that is due to Charles Krug.

"All that maritime influence and cool breeze off the Bay – the fog – allows us to capture really vivid energy in the wines."

Trapped in the relentless tentacles of a historic global heatwave, farmers across the world are being forced to adjust.

Two winemakers capture the special nature of their vineyards.

Cabernet sauvignon is the king of grapes in California, and some of Napa and Sonoma Valley’s finest are highlighted this week.

From the northern reaches of Anderson Valley to the southern sites in Santa Barbara, it’s a golden age for incredible California pinot noir.

When COVID lockdowns hit, Amy Ezrin was able to collaborate with a colleague on Rosie Giovese, a boxed wine focused on sangiovese and trebbiano, which she said are “classic central Italian varieties.”

Millennials are more experimental when it comes to the flavor profiles of wine, opening more possibilities in the future.

It’s a stunning examination of the vineyards of Santa Rosa Road, the heart of the Sta. Rita Hills AVA.

The team that made Foxen into a force in pinot noir from the Santa Maria Valley is nearing the point where they turn the reins over to their children to shepherd the California winery into the future.

Quality wine at bargain prices has led to customers making multiple purchases by the case.

The origins of what I consider America’s best chardonnay were awesome.

After 25 years as the owner of Fiddlehead Cellars and the wine grower at Fiddlestix Vineyard in the Sta. Rita Hills, Kathy Joseph decided it was time to embark on a new adventure and sold the property.

Through a plethora of decisions in the vineyard, cellar and retail environment, Robert Eden has transformed Chateau Maris into a forward-thinking member of the global wine community determined to make a positive lasting impact on the planet.

It’s a challenging site, but it’s also incredibly rewarding for winegrowers with the temperament, patience and resolve to coax out its finest expression.

“When I am tasting or blending these wines, I am thinking about what I like, and hope other people feel the same way.”

Lindsay Smith and Paola Embry offer tips on selecting wine for Easter brunch or dinner, and detail what trends they’ve spotted in the industry.