No, Sostevinobile hasn’t switched allegiances to France. Nor does this column have anything to do with Mourvèdre/Mataro/Monastrell, aka the Holy Ghost of the GSM Trinity. Although I am inordinately fond of the grape. But Your West Coast Oenophile has been on such a long hiatus from posting this blog, I was at a loss for a clever headline.

I would love to excuse my absence for medical cause, but my recent issues have only caused slight impediment. Truth be told, I’ve been inundated with sundry wine projects, starting with the milestone that I’ve now vetted 5,555 West Coast wine producers for Sostevinobile’s database! So the logical question, of course is: what do I intend to do with all this accrued information?

I haven’t given up the idea of launching a brick & mortar operation for Sostevinobile, whether it encompasses the broad parameters of sustainably-grown wines from the West Coast or a more attenuated focus on Italian varietal wines grown here. Who knows? I could conceivably launch both, if the money gods rain steadily on me. In the meantime, however, I am juggling enormous wine projects, including reviving Risorgimento, the Italian varietal trade organization I began in 2019 and spearheading the new Asian Winery Association of America. I’m also producing my first solo event, NAPA with ALTITUDE and revamping Festa Italiana di Santa Rosa, while also consulting on a number of other major tasting events.

But I have pledged to return to the keyboard with a semblance of regularity, so stay tuned!