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Can You Actually Visit Ruinart in 2026?
Can You Actually Visit Ruinart in 2026? Yes, but not by walking up to the gate in Reims.
Aug 25, 2026 · 12 min read
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David Hirsch Sonoma Vintner and Earthquake Terroir
According to la_times_food, David Hirsch, who bought an 860-acre Fort Ross sheep ranch in 1978, spent 45 years turning faultline soils into Pinot Noir.
Champagne House Tours: Pol Roger and Billecart-Salmon
Champagne house tours at Pol Roger and Billecart-Salmon require pre-arranged appointments, direct contact, and serious planning before you travel.
Grange 2022 100 Point Release Leads Penfolds at 75
Penfolds’ 75th-anniversary Grange 2022 leads a 26-wine Collection after a London first tasting with Peter Gago.
Gualtallary Malbec Rutini and Mendoza’s New Fine-Wine Map
Rutini’s 2021 and 2023 Single Vineyard Gualtallary Malbecs took Decanter Best in Show, putting Uco Valley sub-regions in focus.
How to Get a Sine Qua Non Allocation
The Sine Qua Non mailing list is effectively closed. Here is how collectors actually find the wines, from auctions to specialist merchants.
Williams Selyem Tasting Room Access in 2026
Williams Selyem's Healdsburg tasting room remains members-only in 2026. Here is how to approach appointments, the waitlist, bottle access, and nearby Russian River Pinot Noir alternatives.
Sierra de Gredos Wildfire Scars Historic Garnacha
More than 50,000 hectares have burned in Ávila, with century-old Garnacha parcels in Sierra de Gredos now facing loss and uncertainty.
Château de Cîteaux Meursault Opens Above Medieval Cellars
Fontenille Collection’s first Burgundy hotel opens in Meursault with 18 rooms now, 12th-century cellars, and Célestine.
Billecart-Salmon Ratafia Arrives After 208 Years
Billecart-Salmon’s first Ratafia reaches Asia-Pacific in autumn 2026, with only two barrels from Clos Saint Hilaire Pinot Noir.
Sierra de Gredos Wildfire Threatens Old-Vine Garnacha
More than 50,000 hectares have burned in Ávila, with San Gregorio, Soto Manrique and Indiano Wines facing vineyard losses.
Billecart-Salmon Ratafia Heads to Asia in 2026
After 208 years, Billecart-Salmon sends its first Ratafia Champenois to Asia-Pacific, with Rosewood Hong Kong and Agnes Brisbane on the list.
Robert Mondavi Winery Reopening Brings $60 Napa Tastings
Robert Mondavi Winery reopens Oakville after a three-year renovation, with walk-ins as available, $60 tastings, and a new To Kalon Cellar.
Viticultores Independientes de Rioja Steps Forward
VIR brought 38 producers from 18 Rioja villages to Madrid, asking collectors to read the region through growers, villages and sites.
Hombeline Guyon at Domaine Antonin Guyon Burgundy
At Domaine Antonin Guyon, Hombeline Guyon guides 48 hectares across 25 Côte d'Or appellations toward a fresher, mineral-driven style.
Visiting Dom Pérignon at Hautvillers: What to Know Before You Go in 2026
Visiting Dom Pérignon at Hautvillers: Your 2026 Access Guide The abbey at Hautvillers sits above the Marne valley on a ridge of chalk and clay, its terrace looking out over the Montagne de Reims.
Château de Cîteaux Meursault: Fontenille Arrives
Fontenille Collection enters Burgundy with a Meursault château above 12th-century Cistercian cellars and 18 rooms at opening.
How to Visit Comtes Lafon in Meursault (and What It's Actually Like)
How to Visit Comtes Lafon in Meursault (and What It's Actually Like) Yes, you can visit Domaine des Comtes Lafon, but not by walking up to the gate on a Tuesday afternoon.
Billecart-Salmon Ratafia Champenois Arrives in Asia
After 208 years, Billecart-Salmon turns second-press Pinot Noir must into an 18% Ratafia bound for Rosewood Hong Kong and Agnes.
Sam Neill New Zealand Winegrowers Fellow Honour
Sam Neill was named a 2026 Fellow of New Zealand Winegrowers days before his death at 78, honouring 35 years building Two Paddocks in Central Otago.
Château Vignelaure Acquisition Brings English Backing
Neil Utley bought Château Vignelaure on 23 July 2026, bringing new investment to a Provence estate built on Cabernet-Syrah reds.
America's Old Vines Are Running Out of Time
Tegan Passalacqua’s old-vine argument is a collector’s warning: America has no legal standard for one of its rarest wine assets.
Chianti Rufina and 7 Tuscan Reds Beyond Classico
Eight Chianti bottles beyond Classico, from Rufina to Colli Senesi, with Sangiovese detail for summer reds and restaurant lists.
Shanti Winery Opens on Livermore Valley Home Ranch
Ray and Dimple Sharma open Shanti Winery on Livermore Valley’s Home Ranch, with estate-grown wines planned in the coming months.
Opolo Vranac Reserve Brings Balkan Rarity to Paso
Opolo’s 2022 Vranac Reserve arrives from Paso Robles with 33 cases, 100-percent varietal fruit, and a two-bottle cap.
Dark Blue Winn Lane: Hannah Wagner’s 30-Seat Follow-Up
Hannah Wagner’s Dark Red follow-up brings 30 seats, Spanish and South American bottles, cocktails and deli boards to Winn Lane.
Cuvée Pietra Trentodoc Debuts in New York and NJ
San Leonardo’s 2021 Cuvée Pietra Trentodoc lands in New York and New Jersey: Chardonnay from Trentino vineyards up to 1,800 feet.
Vega Sicilia Unico Alternatives: 6 Spanish Reds
Six Vega Sicilia Unico alternatives for collectors who want Ribera depth, cellar age, or producer pedigree without chasing Unico pricing.
Whitman Hill Winery Opens Woodinville Tasting Room in Artisan Hill
Whitman Hill Winery brings its Zillah estate story to Artisan Hill with curated flights, limited-production wines, and weekend hours.
Natural Wine of Wales PGI Faces Defra Scrutiny
Welsh producers want Natural Wine of Wales PGI status, with rules excluding synthetic chemicals, additives and industrial yeasts.
Rías Baixas Albariño Buying Guide: 8 Coastal Whites
Eight Rías Baixas Albariños to know now, from stainless-steel citrus and saline snap to lees-aged texture and old-vine depth.
Sam Neill Two Paddocks Legacy in Central Otago
Sam Neill was named a Fellow of New Zealand Winegrowers weeks before his death in July 2026, recognizing more than three decades of advocacy for Two Paddocks and Central Otago Pinot Noir.
Pol Roger 2019 Vintage: Damien Cambres' First Solo Release
Pol Roger's 2019 vintage Champagne is the first made solely by cellar master Damien Cambres, from a harvest Hubert de Billy calls 'notable.'
Yvonne Seier Christensen Champagne: How an Outsider Built Excellence
Yvonne Seier Christensen's Maison Les Cinq Filles just won Grand Master at the 2026 Global Rosé Masters, a rare feat for a Champagne house founded less than a decade ago by a Danish outsider with no winemaking lineage.
Louis Roederer Cristal 2008 Late Release: The 'Cristal of Cristals' Unveiled at 250th Anniversary
Champagne Louis Roederer unveiled a late-release Cristal 2008 at its 250th anniversary celebration in Reims, where cellar master Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon called the benchmark vintage 'the Cristal of Cristals.'
MICHELIN Guide Wine Selection Burgundy Debuts July 2026
The MICHELIN Guide launches its first wine selection on July 7, 2026, introducing a One, Two, or Three grape rating system for Burgundy estates, nearly a century after restaurant Stars appeared in 1926.
Wine News Roundup, June 2026: Amarone & Sparkling Masters
High-elevation Amarone, the Global Sparkling Masters 2026 results, a Boulder cellar earning Wine Spectator's top honour, and more from this week in wine.
Next Generation Burgundy: 4 Producers Sommeliers Track
Four emerging Burgundy producers to know now, from Bastian Wolber’s seven acres to Domaine Dandelion’s 1944 Aligoté vines.
Wine Tasting at Melville Winery near Santa Barbara, California
Discover the essence of Melville Winery near Santa Barbara, California. Experience Melville Winery's distinctive terroir and notable wines firsthand.
Alquimico Cartagena Review: Colombia's Greatest Cocktail Bar
Discover Alquímico Cartagena, a top bar in Cartagena known for inventive cocktails and Colombian flavors. Visit Alquímico Cartagena for a distinctive experience!
Hombeline Guyon: Winemaker, UNESCO Advocate, Third-Generation Steward
Hombeline Guyon, third-generation winemaker at Domaine Antonin Guyon, balances 48 hectares across 25 Côte d'Or appellations with civic leadership, she led communications for Burgundy's 2015 UNESCO climats bid alongside Aubert de Villaine.
Wine News Roundup: Week of 15 June 2026
From frost losses of up to 90% in France and the US to record DWWA medals and a new Alpine festival from Sacha Lichine, here's what shaped the wine world this week.
Barolo 2019 Vintage Report
Barolo 2019 Vintage Report Pull the cork on a 2019 Barolo and something shifts in the glass before you've even lifted it, a depth of color that sits closer to garnet than the pale ruby you'd expect.
Wayfinder Wines Margaret River Opens This August
Wayfinder Wines opens in Cowaramup this August, an off-grid winery and 60-seat farm restaurant with chef Brendan Pratt (Fat Duck, The Ledbury) at the stove.
Monte Rosso Estate Wine Debuts with California's Oldest Cab Block
After decades supplying Sonoma's top producers, Monte Rosso Estate releases its first wines, anchored by a 1940-planted Cabernet Sauvignon block.
Can You Actually Get on the Screaming Eagle List in 2026?
Can You Actually Get on the Screaming Eagle List in 2026? The honest answer is: almost certainly not, and not quickly.
Borgo Laudato Si Wine: The Pope's First 5,000-Bottle Harvest
Pope Leo XIV blessed the inaugural vintage from Borgo Laudato Si, 5,000 bottles of Cabernet Sauvignon grown by refugees at Castel Gandolfo.
How to Visit Krug: Booking the House and What the Tasting Is Like
How to Visit Krug: Planning Your Krug Champagne House Tour and What to Expect Krug does not operate a walk-in cellar door.
Bordeaux 2025 En Primeur: Mouton at 300 Euros Leads the Week
Mouton Rothschild's €300/bottle release broke the Vinexpo Asia lull — now the 2025 campaign's real collector value question is who priced with discipline.
1892 Château d'Yquem Found at Bečov Castle
Eight bottles of 1892 and 1896 Château d'Yquem, hidden at Bečov Castle during WWII, have resurfaced 'impressively fresh'. The collection now numbers 136 bottles of wine and cognacs.
2023 Napa Cabernet 100-Point Scores: Five Perfect Wines to Cellar
Decanter's Jonathan Cristaldi awards five well-suited 100-point scores to 2023 Napa Cabernets — including Screaming Eagle and Harlan Estate — calling it a vintage for the ages.
Emily Faulconer Joins Iconic Wineries of British Columbia
The winemaker behind Seña and Viñedo Chadwick joins Well-known Wineries of British Columbia as VP, Technical Director — a signal the Okanagan means business.
Beyond Sancerre: 5 Loire Valley Sauvignon Blanc Alternatives Under $30
Sancerre's entry-level bottles now top $40. Here are five appellations—from Menetou-Salon to Styria—delivering the same flinty minerality for $20–$30.
Piper-Heidsieck Marilyn Monroe Cuvée Marks Her Centennial
Piper-Heidsieck's limited-edition Marilyn Monroe cuvée lands June 1, 2026 — estate-approved portrait, hot-stamped signature, $70.99 SRP.
PARAGRAPH Alcohol-Removed Wine Launches June 1 with Familia Muga
Familia Muga, Duncan Shouler, and Steve Arora launch PARAGRAPH — a fine alcohol-removed Tempranillo debuting across five markets on June 1, 2026.
2023 Napa Valley Vintage: The Case for a Collector Pairing
Late harvests, record winter rains, and silky tannins: the 2023 Napa Valley vintage may be the ideal counterpart to 2021 for serious collectors.
González Byass Christie's Auction Opens Its 1846 Bottle Library
For the first time in nearly three decades, González Byass is releasing archive sherries — some dating to 1846 — through a Christie's online sale running 5–19 June.
2025 Wine Tariff Crisis: The Freeze Gripping the Global Trade
U.S. tariff policy changed course multiple times in 2025, halting import orders and costing American producers their #1 export market. Here's what's at stake.
Stalin's Wine Collection: Georgia Plans 40,000-Bottle Auction
Georgia plans to auction ~40,000 bottles from Stalin's Tbilisi cellar — including Romanov-era Bordeaux — with proceeds funding the country's first wine education school.
Chateau Montelena Marks 50 Years Since the Judgment of Paris with Two Debut Releases
Chateau Montelena launches its first sparkling wine and debut brandy to mark 50 years since the 1976 Judgment of Paris — both rooted in the original 1973 vineyards.
Welschriesling & Graševina: Central Europe's Golden Grape
One grape, nine names, six countries—and most wine drinkers still can't place it. Here's why Welschriesling deserves your full attention.
Mezcal for Wine Lovers: Why Agave Belongs in Your Glass
A wine insider makes the case that mezcal's terroir, named varietals, and artisan craft make it particularly compelling spirit for serious wine collectors.
2025 Bordeaux En Primeur Releases: The June Surge Begins
After a fragmented May, the 2025 Bordeaux en primeur campaign enters its decisive phase — with Mouton Rothschild and Haut-Brion queued for June.
Wine News Roundup: Week of 25 May 2026
Lafleur exits Pomerol, Clos Pegase reopens in Calistoga, and Timorasso makes its case as Piedmont's most compelling white — plus everything we published this week.
Michelin Guide South Australia 2027: What It Means for Wine Region Dining
Michelin's first Australian guide lands in October — and it covers Barossa, McLaren Vale and Clare Valley, not Sydney or Melbourne.
Paradiso Barcelona Review: The Speakeasy Behind the Fridge
Explore the atmosphere of Paradiso Barcelona, a cocktail bar known for creative drinks and theatrical presentation. Discover what makes Paradiso a memorable Barcelona stop.
La Paulée NYC 2026: Burgundy’s Legendary Festival Took Place March 25-28
La Paulée NYC 2026 ran in Manhattan from March 25 to 28, 2026, with dinners, tastings, seminars, and a Gala Dinner celebrating Burgundy’s leading domaines.
Best Cocktail Bars in Paris
Discover strong cocktail bars in Paris, where history meets innovation. Explore well-known spots and hidden gems in the lively Paris cocktail bar scene.
Tasting at Spottswoode Estate - A Historic St. Helena Legacy with Beth Novak
Spottswoode Estate, located in St. Helena, California, is a family-owned winery with a history dating back to 1882. Known for its well-known Victorian home and organic vineyards, the estate spans 46 acres and produces highly regarded Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc wines. The estate’s legacy is deeply tied to Mary Novak, who purchased it in 1972 and became a central figure in Napa Valley winemaking after her husband’s passing in 1977. Under her leadership, Spottswoode transitioned to...
An Afternoon Visit to Dominus Estate Winery
The Estate at Dominus The History The site that would eventually become Dominus Estate has a storied past that dates back to the 19th century, long before it gained international renown. Set in the heart of Napa Valley, this historic vineyard was part of one of the earliest wine-producing regions in California. The land was originally cultivated by George Yount, the first Euro-American settler in Napa, who planted the valley’s first grapevines in the 1830s. By the 1850s, the land...
Quintonil: Mexico City’s Modern Mexican Masterpiece
An Immersive Two-Michelin-Star Experience in Polanco Located in Mexico City’s upscale Polanco district, Quintonil has secured its status...
La Paulée Verticals Tasting: San Francisco Burgundy Event Archive
A look back at La Paulée San Francisco’s Vertical Tasting, where rare Burgundy flights gave collectors a side-by-side view of domaines, vintages, and terroir.
Guide
En Primeur, or "wine futures," is an annual event in Bordeaux where wines are sold before bottling. Wine merchants, critics, and...