Posts by Samantha Stone
Legislative Committee Hears Bill to Expand Nevada’s Commercial Winery Business
Assembly Bill 375 would grant some of Nevada wineries’ fondest wishes, doubling the current case limit, allowing other beverages to be served in tasting rooms, and paving the way for custom crush facilities. Photo: Artesian Cellars winemaker and co-owner Tim Burke made a Zoom presentation to state lawmakers on March 29.
Read MoreNevada Winemaker to Teach 4-Week Series: “A Sensory Evaluation of Wine”
Greg Ross, the award-winning proprietor of Walker River Vineyards, will teach a series of classes for the Nevada Grape Growers and Winemakers. The format is a group tasting, with plenty of time for questions and discussion, he says. Photo: Greg Ross (center) with medalists at the 2019 Nevada Vinny Awards.
Read MoreNevada Wine One Year After the Shutdown: New Classes, Gold Medals, and a Sad Good-bye
Like everyone else, Nevada’s winemakers hope we’ll soon say good-bye to the pandemic. Grape Basin News is back after a dormant year, with news of upcoming events, competition winners, and a tribute to the late long-time Nevada Vines & Wines treasurer Lynne Keller.
Read MoreFederal Court Strikes Down In-State Grape Quota: Decision Could Have Nationwide Implications
In the first Federal ruling of its kind, U.S. District Court of Minnesota has struck down a 51 percent in-state fruit quota for Minnesota wineries, declaring the requirement an unconstitutional violation of interstate commerce. Minnesota’s winemakers are celebrating, but the finding has implications for winemakers across the nation.
Read More2020 Nevada Wine Competition Proceeds: Plenty of Great Wine, No Vinny Awards
Covid 19 restrictions meant a smaller team of wine judges worked for two days instead of one. The result was a more relaxed pace, with greater focus, and the opportunity for good discussions about the wines. The Vinny Awards show that had been scheduled for August had to be scrapped.
Read MoreWineries on 4th Say “So Long,” as Stephon’s Mobile Bistro Heads Home to New York
Stephon’s Mobile Bistro will roll home to New York next month, where owner Stephon Van Dyke has family. Nevada Sunset Winery hosted a parking lot sendoff to help finance the trip. No food truck operator has stepped up to fill Stephon’s regular gig at the Wineries on 4th.
Read MoreJoe Goes Virtual! Coronavirus Caution Sends 2020 Wine Academy to Teleconference
The prospect of a dozen or more Wine Academy students mingling in a basement classroom seemed risky in the face of the coronavirus threat, and potentially hazardous to instructor Joe Bernardo. Friends and past students were concerned. Enter the Nevada Grapegrowers and Winemakers, who immediately went to work setting up a remote class via teleconference.
Read MoreForget Stuffed Mushrooms. The Trendy Pairing is Riesling with Girl Scout Cookies
Nevada Sunset Winery hosted is third annual Girl Scout cookie pairing on Thursday, drawing 52 attendees to taste four pairings. Proprietors Allyn Delisle and Mike Steedman share the proceeds. Girl Scouts of the Sierra Nevada get 50 percent of the door and 20 percent of the evening’s wine sales .
Read More2020 Nevada Vinny Awards: Dates Announced, Show Plans on the Drawing Board
Plans are underway for the 2020 Nevada Vinny Awards. Commercial wines will again be judged separately from homemade wines. Grape Basin News will step back from its 2019 role as producer of the award show, serving only as communication advisor and title sponsor.
Read MoreGrape Grower Group Gears Up, Solicits Members, Previews Activities at First Meeting
After more than a year of discussion and a false start in early 2019, Nevada has an organization devoted exclusively to viticulture and the craft of winemaking. Nevada Grape Growers and Winemakers took flight with 34 viticulturists, and amateur and professional winemakers in attendance. The group will meet monthly, hosted by vineyard owners.
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