Latest news with #Cabernet
San Francisco Chronicle
30-07-2025
- Business
- San Francisco Chronicle
A prime Napa Valley winery hits the market for $65 million
A high-end Napa Valley winery with 13,000 square feet of caves is for sale for $65 million. Founded in 1989 within the St. Helena hillsides, Vineyard 29 is selling its high-tech winery, visitor center and caves; three vineyards totaling 38 acres; an additional tasting room; two brands; and inventory, as first reported by the Sacramento Bee. The sale also includes the estate's 2,700-square-foot residence with a pool. Vineyard 29 (2929 Hwy 29, St. Helena) is the latest in a string of high-profile winery sales taking place amid a historic, global downturn in wine sales. Just last week, legacy estate William Harrison Vineyards & Winery sold to two longtime Napa Valley wine families. But owner Chuck McMinn said industry headwinds weren't a factor in his and his wife Anne McMinn's decision to sell. 'My kids have other lives and we decided over the last year that they need to pursue what their passions are,' Chuck McMinn said. 'It's time to look for somebody else, who hopefully shares the same passion we do.' Like the William Harrison deal, Chuck McMinn admitted he'd prefer another family to take over the property instead of a corporate entity. 'We're really looking for someone willing to spend time in the community and with our customers,' he said, 'someone who will treat them like family.' The winery is set on coveted grape growing soil on the slopes of the Mayacamas Mountains, which it shares with several revered neighbors, including Grace Family Vineyards and Colgin Cellars' Tychson Hill property. Vineyard 29 is best known for its Cabernet Sauvignon, which was once awarded 100 points by wine critic Robert Parker and sells for roughly $200 a bottle. When the McMinns acquired the winery and its small Cabernet vineyard from its founders in 2000, they embarked on a major expansion, building the sleek, ultra-high-tech winery complete with caves, a wine library and tasting spaces boasting panoramic views. The family purchased two additional vineyards in St. Helena and later launched a second, more accessible label, Cru, which helped grow Vineyard 29's production from 500 cases when the McMinn's acquired it to roughly 10,000 cases a year. In 2017, the McMinns opened a more casual tasting room next to Napa's Oxbow Public Market to showcase Cru. That eventually closed, but in 2021, Vineyard 29 opened a luxe tasting room on downtown Napa's First Street. The new owner will have the option to extend the lease on the space, which expires next spring. Chuck McMinn, a former tech executive, retired in 2022 and appointed Vineyard 29's longtime winemaker, Keith Emerson, president and CEO. Emerson, who joined the winery in 2005, said he initially explored organizing a group that could purchase Vineyard 29, but is now 'open to helping whoever the new owner is.' 'We're running on all cylinders,' he said. 'The future is bright, and I'd like to stay on.' Vineyard 29's two tasting rooms will remain open to visitors throughout the sale process, and Chuck McMinn said he plans to send an offer to his mailing list customers for complimentary tastings through the end of the year. Chuck McMinn is also the founder of the Napa Valley Vine Trail Coalition, which recently completed a major section of the planned 47-mile Napa Valley Vine Trail.
Tatler Asia
23-07-2025
- Health
- Tatler Asia
Wine, wellness and travel: 7 destinations for a luxurious vinotherapy experience
2. La Rioja, Spain For those who wish to experience Caudalie's vinotherapy treatments in Spain, La Rioja is the place to visit. Known for its centuries-old wine estates, La Rioja has leaned into vinotherapy with notable style. At Hotel Marques de Riscal—a striking Frank Gehry-designed property—Caudalie's full treatment menu is offered alongside panoramic vineyard views. The ingredients are locally sourced, and the spa makes use of grape polyphenols known for boosting collagen and improving skin elasticity. It's one of the few places where architecture, wine and wellness intersect with equal intensity. 3. Tuscany, Italy Above Clusters of Sangiovese grapes ripen under the Tuscan sun—rich in antioxidants, they're the foundation of local vinotherapy rituals. (Photo: Kstudio / Freepik) Vinotherapy in Tuscany feels less clinical and more rustic, though no less effective. At Castello di Casole, a Belmond hotel set on a historic estate, treatments focus on Sangiovese grapes grown on-site. Grape pulp, grapeseed oil and even red wine itself are used in various facials and massages. The spa menu includes antioxidant-rich wraps and exfoliations, drawing from both wine and olive oil traditions. It's a slower, more sensorial take on the vinotherapy trend. 4. Napa Valley, USA California's wine country may be better known for tasting rooms than spa treatments, but Napa has carved out a niche in vinotherapy. Spa Terra at The Meritage Resort, located in an underground cave, offers Cabernet scrubs and grapeseed facials that highlight the region's signature varietals. The treatments are designed to counteract environmental stressors—particularly sun exposure—and offer a more grounded, no-fuss approach to wine-based skincare. 5. Mendoza, Argentina At the foot of the Andes, Mendoza brings a different altitude to vinotherapy. Cavas Wine Lodge offers spa services that use Malbec grapes, which are known for their high concentration of polyphenols. Treatments include warm compresses soaked in wine and detoxifying grapeseed oil massages. The approach is less about opulence and more about results, and the surrounding snow-capped peaks add a scenic layer to the experience. 6. Douro Valley, Portugal Six Senses Douro Valley takes vinotherapy seriously, integrating local grapes into its wellness philosophy. Treatments here focus on regional varietals, and the spa works with products that use crushed skins and seeds to exfoliate and repair. The Douro setting is as much a draw as the treatments, offering forest walks, river views and a quiet atmosphere that complements the restorative nature of vinotherapy. 7. Cape Winelands, South Africa Above Vineyards at Stellenbosch, South Africa. (Photo: Wirestock / Freepik) South Africa's wine regions are joining the vinotherapy conversation, with Stellenbosch leading the charge. At Lanzerac Spa and other nearby retreats, Pinotage grapes—unique to South Africa—are turned into oils and serums used in skin-brightening facials and tension-releasing massages. The treatments often include locally sourced essential oils and botanical infusions, giving them a distinctly regional identity.
New York Post
23-06-2025
- Health
- New York Post
Gavin Newsom partied amid LA riots, no more experiments on kids and other commentary
Eye on Cali: Gavin Partied Amid LA Riots 'As riots engulfed Los Angeles and mobs vandalized public buildings, incinerated vehicles, and assaulted law enforcement officers, California governor Gavin Newsom was enjoying a swanky wine-tasting party in Napa Valley,' report City Journal's Christopher F. Rufo & Ryan Thorpe. The gov was photographed at the June 7 charity fundraiser 'at the Odette Estate Winery, which Newsom co-founded in 2011,' though 'riots had broken out in Los Angeles the day before.' This recalls his November 2020 feast 'with political allies at the Michelin-starred French Laundry, even as he had instructed California residents to avoid getting together with family for the approaching Thanksgiving holiday.' This time, 'it was wine, rather than food, that caught Newsom's attention. But the principle is the same: Newsom sips Cabernet while his state burns.' Therapist: No More Experiments on Kids Puberty is 'a normal, necessary part of growing up,' but 'the medical establishment is still flirting with the idea that we can chemically freeze children in time and expect no consequences,' fumes Stella O'Malley at Spiked. 'That's why Genspect, which I founded, has launched the 'Memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the role of puberty in adolescent development'' and created to declare 'that puberty is not optional, and children deserve the right to grow up — unmedicated and unmanipulated.' Yet the British National Health Service 'is now throwing £10 million at a study that will dole out puberty blockers to gender-distressed kids — again.' Preventing puberty traps children 'in a twilight state, medically sterilized and emotionally stalled, with no path back to normality.' It's not ' medicine,' but 'experimentation.' Conservative: Dems' Deportation Delusions Democrats may be upset by the president's deportation agenda, 'but the reality is that Trump is following through on his promises to restore safety at the southern border and to deport as many illegal immigrants as possible,' observes USA Today's Ingrid Jacques. An NBC poll 'found that 51% of Americans approve of Trump's handling of border security and immigration'; a CBS one, that 'the majority of Americans side with Trump's deportation agenda.' Wow: 'From transgender athletes in women's sports to halting illegal immigration, Democrats keep finding themselves on the wrong side of issues that Americans care about.' Get opinions and commentary from our columnists Subscribe to our daily Post Opinion newsletter! Thanks for signing up! Enter your email address Please provide a valid email address. By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Never miss a story. Check out more newsletters Business desk: RIP, FedEx's Fred Smith Frederick W. Smith, who died this weekend at 80, was among 'the great entrepreneurs of the 20th century,' notes The Wall Street Journal's editorial board. A Marine veteran, Smith 'founded FedEx in 1973 with a handful of aircraft. By 2022 it had 560,000 employees in 220 countries.' And it 'revolutionized package and letter delivery,' promising 'overnight delivery of letters and goods' — an 'exemplar of American 20th-century innovation that improved the lives and businesses of tens of millions.' Nor was Smith 'afraid to speak up on public-policy issues, especially as an advocate for free-market capitalism.' He provided 'valuable' reminders that 'the root of the country's prosperity has been its openness to trade and global competition.' 'Few Americans have contributed as much to the well-being of their country.' Legal beat: Democrats' Empty Iran-Bombing Fury After President Trump's strikes on Iran, 'Democratic politicians and pundits who were supportive of such unilateral actions by Democratic presidents such as Bill Clinton and Barack Obama are suddenly opposed to Trump using the same power,' blasts Jonathan Turley at his Res ipsa loquitur site. They cheered when Clinton 'ordered attacks in locations in Khartoum, Sudan, and Khost Province, Afghanistan.' Before Obama-era strikes on Libya, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton 'dismissed the need to consult, let alone secure authorization from, Congress.' Obama did it again on Syria. 'The War Powers Act has always been controversial and largely ineffectual,' and 'the calls for impeachment are absurd given the prior actions of presidents in using this very authority.' — Compiled by The Post Editorial Board
Scottish Sun
24-05-2025
- General
- Scottish Sun
I'm confused by frisky widow twice my age – the sex is great but could a relationship work?
She was exciting and adventurous and taught me more than a few new moves DEAR DEIDRE I'm confused by frisky widow twice my age – the sex is great but could a relationship work? DEAR DEIDRE: ONE of my painting and decorating customers has made it clear that she wants more than my handyman skills. I'm a single man aged 24 and this is a sticky situation. Advertisement A few months ago, I was asked to go round and quote for painting a huge, five-bedroom house. I expected to meet a family, but it was just a middle-aged woman living alone. Over coffee, she told me her husband had died a few years ago. She is 47 but has a great body, which was easy to see through her skin-tight gym gear. I accepted the job and got started. She was at home every day and kindly bringing me tea and biscuits every few hours. Advertisement Then her flirting began to ramp up. One day my radio was playing a Spice Girls song, and she came into the room and started doing a provocative dance. I nearly fell off my ladder. That night as I was leaving, she opened a bottle of wine and asked me to share it. Over a glass, she told me she had been lonely in the house by herself, and enjoyed my company. Advertisement Dear Deidre After Dark- Understanding open relationships As she said this, she put her hand on my leg, making her intentions very clear. We ended up on my dust sheet, having fast, passionate sex. She was exciting and adventurous and taught me more than a few new moves. I was back the following week finishing the house, and she clearly wanted a replay. But I'm unsure what to do. I really like her — she's just my type, sexy and passionate, and seems genuinely kind. Advertisement But there's a 23-year age gap, Could this relationship work, or is she just using me to fix her loneliness? DEIDRE SAYS: Relationships with an age gap can work out well, as long as you want the same things and share a similar outlook. There is no reason why an older woman and a younger man couldn't enjoy a fun, passionate fling. But difficulties could arise later down the line, if you decided you wanted a family. Women over 45 can have children, but it can be more difficult and has a higher risk of complications. Advertisement I suggest you read my support pack Age-Gap Concerns. It will give you more information on the possible problems you might face together. The sensible thing to do would be to discuss all of this with her – over a cuppa, not a Cabernet – and find out what she's looking for. And then be honest (with yourself, and her) about whether that is going to work for you. Get in touch with Deidre Every problem gets a personal reply, usually within 24 hours weekdays. Send an email to deardeidre@ You can also send a private message on the DearDeidreOfficial Facebook page. TERRIFIED BY MY ADDICT SON'S RAGES DEAR DEIDRE: I AM frightened of my teenage son. His drug addiction makes him have wild, violent rages and an explosive temper. He has wrecked his bedroom several times, kicked over my TV and even smashed the windscreen of my car. Advertisement He's 19. I don't blame him. I think it's my fault he turned out this way. His father and I met when I was just 18. I got pregnant quickly. Although I tried to make a go of things as a family, my ex was rough and had a bad temper so I eventually fled with my son. From then on, I gave my son everything I could, and stopped dating to focus on him. Advertisement When he was 14, he made some bad friends at school and began taking drugs. He's been addicted ever since. When he's not using, he loses control of his temper. He shouts and swears at me. He has even threatened my old, unwell mum. It's all so loud that I'm terrified the neighbours must hear what's going on. In these rages, he screams at me that I messed up his life by leaving his father. When he's calm, he's the most kind, loving person you will ever meet. But his rages are frightening. Advertisement How do I deal with the awful situation I put him in? DEIDRE SAYS: None of this is your fault. Your ex was a violent, dangerous man – you had no choice but to leave. Since then, you have given your son everything you could, even putting your romantic life on hold so you could concentrate on raising him. His drug problem is also not your fault. It is likely the drugs have contributed to his violent rages, but you can't let this situation continue. First things first. You are in danger. The next time your son threatens you or you feel scared by his anger, call the police. Advertisement Also, look for ongoing support and advice to help you turn this situation around before you or your son do something that can't be fixed. I would urge you to contact Pegs ( It offers free support to any parent or carer suffering from abuse from a child, whether that is physical, emotional, psychological, financial or sexual. You might also find it helpful to contact Adfam, a charity set up to help families who are affected by drug abuse ( You can also get advice on your son's drug use from your GP. SEX-HELP CLINIC DEAR DEIDRE: I HAVE only just turned 30, I'm pretty and I keep myself in shape, so why does my husband never want to have sex with me? He's 37 and we have been together for five years. We were in a long-distance relationship to begin with, so when we saw each other every weekend, sparks flew and we would make love for hours at a time. Throughout the week we would exchange flirty messages, teasing each other with descriptions of what we would do on our next date together. A year later, I got pregnant with our son and the excuses started. He didn't feel comfortable getting passionate while I was pregnant, then the baby was in our room, then he was tired. He even made an excuse on our wedding night. Since then, we have had sex about once every two months. When I talk to him about how I feel, he promises to change. But he never does. I have convinced myself he is gay because I don't know why else he wouldn't want to sleep with me. I asked him, but he strongly denied it. He says he still fancies me and loves me very much, but I need that intimacy. I can't go through life in a sexless marriage. I'm at breaking point. DEIDRE SAYS: It's all very well for him to say he fancies you and loves you, but his words don't match his actions. Talk to him once more – tell him you're worried and want to regain the closeness you had at the beginning. Explain you feel sad that you're both missing out on a lot of fun. If you express it lovingly – being clear how much you care about him, how sexy you find him, and how much you'd love to express your feelings in bed – he will hopefully open up about any worries or issues that might be curbing his libido. He might be stressed about work, have financial worries or be battling depression. You deserve a good sex life, and he knows this, but he also needs to know you've had enough. Please read my support pack Reviving A Man's Sex Drive to give you more ideas and techniques. CAN'T GIVE UP THE BOOZE DEAR DEIDRE: ALCOHOL made me lose sight of what's important in life. Now I'm desperate to quit but I keep failing. Advertisement I'm 22. I started drinking six years ago when I kept having fights with my dad. I left home at 18 and my stress reduced, but I didn't manage to cut down on the drinking. My friends are getting on with their lives – going to college and starting interesting jobs – but I am just wasting my days away getting drunk. I look and feel older than I should, and I have lost all my self-esteem. Please tell me how to become a better version of myself. DEIDRE SAYS: Alcohol makes everyone lose sight of their priorities. Advertisement Instead of pursuing their dreams and ambitions, they pursue the numbness of being drunk. It's good that you've realised this at 22. There's still lots of time to turn your life around. Talk to your GP as they might be able to refer you to nearby support. You can also find help on the NHS website, at
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New, Limited-Edition Release from Washington State's Esteemed Rasa Vineyards Achieves Perfect Rating
Rasa Vineyards' ultra-premium 2021 Naravane Cabernet celebrates the power and elegance of Eastern Washington wine, inspired by generations of Naravane family matriarchs WALLA WALLA, Wash., May 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Rasa Vineyards, the premier producer of ultra-premium, terroir-specific wines from Eastern Washington and Northeastern Oregon, today announced the launch of its inaugural icon wine, the 2021 Naravane Cabernet Sauvignon. Crafted by Rasa Vineyards' co-owners and co-winemakers Billo Naravane, Master of Wine, and Pinto Naravane, the limited-edition namesake release, 18 years in the making from the winery's 2007 founding in Walla Walla, Wash., celebrates the power and elegance of Cabernet Sauvignon and is inspired by the grit and grace of generations of Naravane (pronounced nuh-row-né) matriarchs. The premium bottling recently achieved a perfect, 100-point score from wine reviewer, journalist and northwest wine expert Owen Bargreen and esteemed senior editor and wine reviewer Jeremy Young of the International Wine Report. "When we founded Rasa Vineyards in Walla Walla in 2007, we felt we'd stumbled upon a hidden gem – an area with incredibly diverse terroir capable of high-quality winemaking and a still-nascent wine industry that would allow us the freedom to develop our own unique approach to Bordeaux- and Rhône-style wines," said Pinto Naravane, co-owner and winemaker at Rasa Vineyards. "The release of our newest wine, the 2021 Naravane Cabernet, is the culmination of 18 years of honing our craft to produce our first namesake wine that honors the terroir of the Columbia Valley and interplay of power and finesse possible with Cabernet. This wine is also deeply personal to us and is an homage to our mother and grandmother, whose fortitude, strength and love shaped our own journey as people and entrepreneurs." Billo Naravane, co-owner and winemaker at Rasa Vineyards, continued, "We're driven to create expressive wines that tell a story and to inspire meaningful connection among those who open and share a bottle of our wine. This wine showcases two sides of Cabernet – its incredible structure and depth and a soft elegance we've achieved through judicious extraction techniques, use of multiple clones of Cabernet Sauvignon, and a pitch-perfect match to the rarest of French oak barrels. The 2021 Naravane Cabernet exemplifies the unique character and exceptional quality of Columbia Valley, on par with its perhaps greater-known cousins, Napa and Sonoma Valleys, to the south." The 2021 Naravane Cabernet features a blend of the highest-quality Cabernet Sauvignon grapes hand-picked from four carefully selected vineyards in Columbia Valley, including Red Mountain's Ciel du Cheval, planted to vines in 1975. In 2021, these vineyards yielded grapes with high fruit concentration, intensity and depth of phenolics. Aged for 36 months in 100% new French oak barrels, this old world-style cab delivers incredible fruit purity, elegance, and concentration in a complex, thought-provoking style. To commemorate the first vintage of the 2021 Naravane Cabernet, the Naravane brothers partnered with esteemed designer and creative director Benny Yarnell to craft the custom label, an homage to feminine strength and two generations of strong Naravane women, including Pinto and Billo's mother, Ajita, and grandmother, Laxmi. Featuring a hand-drawn classical female bust with abstract gold foil layering, the artwork is intended to evoke timelessness, grace and complexity – a balance of beauty and power that mirrors the intensity and elegance of the wine itself. The 2021 Naravane Cabernet has a suggested retail price of $800 and is now available for purchase for Rasa Vineyards' wine club members, online at and at select fine wine retailers nationally. For more information or to find a retailer near you, please visit or contact info@ About Rasa VineyardsFounded in 2007 by brothers Pinto and Billo Naravane, Rasa Vineyards is a boutique winery based in the heart of Walla Walla, Wash. With roots in the tech world and a shared passion for fine wine, the Naravane brothers left their careers to pursue a calling sparked by a profound tasting experience. Billo later earned a Master's in Viticulture and Enology from UC Davis and became a Master of Wine in 2017—the most prestigious designation in the wine world. Pinto is currently in the MW program. Together, Pinto and Billo built Rasa on a foundation of intellectual curiosity, precision winemaking, and a commitment to expressing the distinctive terroirs of Eastern Washington and Northeastern Oregon. From its inception, Rasa Vineyards has focused on small-lot, terroir-driven wines, with fruit sourced from exceptional sites, including their 25-acre estate in the Rocks District of Milton-Freewater. Their first releases, including the 2007 QED and 2007 Principia Reserve Syrah, drew immediate critical acclaim and established Rasa as a rising star in American wine. With a minimalist, hands-off winemaking approach, the Rasa portfolio ranges from Rhône and Bordeaux-inspired reds to expressive whites. Each label reflects a passion for science, logic, philosophy, and poetry—think "QED," "Occam's Razor," "Principia," and "Dream Deferred." These aren't just names; they embody the intellectual spirit, passion, and soul that define the winery. Media Contact:Kathleen Bush for Rasa Vineyards395269@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Rasa Vineyards Sign in to access your portfolio
