Located in the geographical heart of the Iberian Peninsula, Ribera del Duero arguably produces the best tempranillo based wines in Spain and some of the best wines in the world. Ribera has been endowed with a rich wine making tradition that began over 2000 years ago when Bacchus was the god of wine and, today, flourishes as one of the most recognizable wine regions in the world. Ribera wines are unique. They are flamboyant like a skilled flamenco dancer yet direct and decisive like a judge slamming down a gavel.

Named after the oak trees so prevalent in the area, Paso Robles may as well be the Wild West of American wine making. Driving up highway 101 seems like a straight shot through a modern day western flick. The sun is fierce; the land is arid. Plaid-clad farmers ride around in tractors and horses. Fields and vegetable patches are furiously irrigated. The region is rugged, full of mountainous terrains and a bit of a tumble. Barely 30 miles west of the Pacific Ocean, a maritime influence blows a fresh breeze during the day and facilitates a cool plunge at night. Yet despite this “Marlborough Man”

BOND Estates is Bill Harlan’s trophy project that displays multiple single vineyard expressions of Napa Valley terroir at grand cru level. With critics constantly claiming that Napa Valley is unable to produce wines at grand cru or 1st growth quality, Bill Harlan disproves the nay-sayers and does so ever so gracefully with every vintage and every bottling of BOND Estates cabernet sauvignon.

Poderi Aldo Conterno is part of one of Barolo’s iconic wine making dynasties. The son of Giacomo Conterno, arguably the best Barolo producer of all times, set his sights on his own winery due to a difference in philosophy with his family and in 1969 established Poderi Aldo Conterno in the village of Montforte d’Alba.

Amongst the royal names of Napa Valley’s proprietary blends – Opus One, Insignia, Rubicon, Dominus – one stands apart because of her elegance, power and finesse – Quintessa. Founded in 1989 by Augustin and Valeria Huneeus, the 280 acre, Rutherford estate is a tribute to Napa Valley’s splendor. Instantly enamored by Quintessa, both Valeria and Augustin knew the estate was bound for greatness and is “a property of destiny.” Twenty years later, Quintessa continues to produce classic, Napa Valley wine and is bound to do so for years to come.

Legendary for being an incredibly opinionated soul as well as a strict traditionalist, Gianfranco Soldera is a master of Brunello di Montalcino. Soldera Casse Basse enjoys the same cult status as some other wine making greats such as Screaming Eagle in Napa, Bartolo Mascarello in Barolo and Domaine de la Romanée-Conti in Burgundy; he is arguably the preeminent Brunello producer of these times.

From the Slovenian province of Brda, Aleš Kristancic, eighth generation winemaker of Movia, creates some of the most eccentric, bizarre and outlandish wines in world. So rare, they fascinate, inspire and captivate even the most adventurous and experienced wine connoisseur.

Inspired by the essence of Côte Rôtie, Austin Hope’s namesake wine merges innovative, forward-thinking winemaking techniques with the old-school classicism of French history and origin. Austin articulates his passions for Rhone Valley wines by utilizing traditional varietals, but expresses a New World sensibility full of aromatic, textural and flavorful lushness.

When a hankering for white wine descends, few reach out for a glass of grüner veltliner. “Grüner who?” Yes, grüner veltliner (pronounced groo-ner felt-lee-ner). “Why hasn’t anyone heard of grüner veltliner?”