Old Bridge Cellars

08/05/2024

Did you know? Oysters are good for you and good for the ocean, too. They are filter feeders (meaning that as water passes through them, they extract plankton and other nutrients from the water). A single oyster is capable of filtering up to 25 gallons of water a day! They are also critically important to healthy ecosystems. 🦪

Pair oysters with semillon! 🥂 Fresh and zippy when it’s young, Hunter Valley Semillon is a perfect wine to accompany raw or lightly cooked shellfish. Enjoy!

08/02/2024

Greywacke didn’t just make Wine Spectator’s #10 wine of the year – Sauvignon Blanc. 🌟 Their Pinot Noir is included in this Tasting Highlight of 9 Excellent New Zealand Pinot Noirs Up to 95 Points. 👏

Wines from Central Otago, Marlborough and Martinborough feature in these new reviews of reds priced as low as $18.

GREYWACKE Pinot Noir Marlborough 2021
93 points, $41
WS review: “Spiced and juicy plum, blueberry and oolong tea elements mingle with black licorice, crushed pine needle and clove notes. Gains momentum and complexity on the long, expressive finish, where a hint of salted toffee lingers.”

Kudos to the Greywacke winemaking team. 👏🍷It’s a pleasure to represent Greywacke wines in the USA.

https://www.winespectator.com/articles/tasting-highlights-9-delicious-new-zealand-pinot-noir-wines-up-to-95-points

08/01/2024

Old Vine Day is observed around the globe on August 1 to celebrate vineyards that are several decades old. It was initiated by the Old Vine Project, a South African nonprofit that certifies the plant dates of old vineyards. The first Old Vine Day was celebrated two years ago.

Grape vines can grow for more than a century, but the percentage of notably old vines is relatively low because after about two decades vines start to produce smaller yields and become harder to maintain. However, many wine growers feel that properly handled older vines produce better and more intense wines. There is no generally agreed definition for old vines; In places with a longstanding tradition of wine production, vines that were planted 30 to 40 years ago are considered old.

South Australia’s Barossa Valley is home to some of the oldest surviving winegrape vineyards in the world, with one gnarly old cluster believed to date back to 1843.
Did you know? In the 1980s a State Government sponsored scheme to remove old unwanted varieties and “modernize” the industry saw many of these old vines fall to the bulldozer. However, a small group of true believers paid growers to keep their old vines – mainly Shiraz and Grenache – and by the 1990s they became highly prized for their low yields of concentrated fruit. Not surprisingly, d’Arenberg did not pull their vines and enjoy the fruits of these vines – contributing to Dead Arm Shiraz, Derelict Vineyard Grenache and more.

Small pockets of old vines continue to be maintained in Bethany, Langmeil, Krondorf, Greenock and in the northern Barossa. John Duval uses grape vines that are 100+ years old for Entity Shiraz, Concilio Grenache and many more delicious wines.

Great ways to celebrate Old Vine Day include learning interesting facts about the oldest vines and enjoying a bottle of wine made from them. Happy .

07/26/2024

Winning wines for your Olympic watch parties! 🍷 - https://mailchi.mp/obcwines/winning-wines-for-olympics

07/25/2024

Happy ! (Always the fourth Thursday in July each year – mark your calendar!)

When was the last time you enjoyed a Shiraz wine? It is Australia’s most widely planted varietal and one that offers tons of diversity of styles. Here are a few facts about Shiraz that you may not know:

🍷 Outside Australia, shiraz is mostly known as syrah —they are the same grape, although some winemakers refer to stylistic differences.
🍷 Australia is home to some of the oldest pre-phylloxera shiraz plantings in the world
🍷 While Shiraz accounts for 7% of global red variety plantings, its share in Australia is significantly higher at 46%
🍷 A diverse range of Shiraz styles – from the older family-owned wineries with established plantings, to newer wineries that continue to innovate and do outstanding work crafting their unique style.

How are you going to celebrate ?

07/24/2024

What a treat to have been together last week.

07/10/2024

The Impact Magazine Champagne Issue has just come out and Champagne Collet is holding strong as the #18 overall Champagne brand in the USA. 👏👏

“Champagne Collet Collet has seen good interest for newer items like its Blanc de Noirs, as well as its tete de cuvee Esprit Couture, which retails at around $180, presenting a strong price-value equation with other upscale bottlings in the market, according to Pascal Boye, Champagne Collet vice president of sales and marketing of the Americas. Looking ahead, Collet is working on new labeling that will emphasize its terroir and status as a grower-owned Champagne brand.”🥂

07/04/2024

Since our inception in 1993, our portfolio has expanded from our Australian roots. We are proud to represent these domestic wines, all made in the USA.
Happy 4th! 🇺🇸

07/01/2024

We are proud to announce that we have added Kanzler Vineyards to our portfolio. This family-owned Pinot Noir producer is known for producing small-lot, site-expressive wines from its estate vineyard in Sebastopol. Steve and Lynda Kanzler bought their property in 1992 and planted the vineyard in 1996, making them one of the first grape-growers in the Sebastopol Hills area of western Sonoma County with well-known customers like Kosta Browne, Landmark and Gary Farrell.

Second-generation vintner Alex Kanzler and his wife Breauna now run the small family business. We look forward to promoting Kanzler’s Russian River Pinot Noir (SRP $64) in wholesale markets across the US.

06/28/2024

The always-engaging Elton Slone talking about getting his start in the wine industry and becoming head of Robert Craig Winery. Enjoy.

06/27/2024

Thank you, Dan Berger, for sharing your love of semillon. We especially love your sentiment:

"For me, the classic example of dry, age-worthy semillon comes from Brokenwood Wines in Australia. Every vintage produced by this stellar property improves in the bottle — despite alcohol levels that are almost never above 11%."

By Dan Berger

06/16/2024

At Old Bridge Cellars, we are proud to represent independently owned wineries, many of which are considered pioneers of their region. One third are family-owned and operated, and many are multi-generational. This Father’s Day, we applaud the father/son and father/daughter duos in our OBC family.

John Duval Wines
Father and Son John & Tim Duval
After Tim had practiced law for 7 years, dad John Duval welcomed him into the family business. Now, with a number of vintages under his belt Tim works hand-in-hand with his dad managing grower relations and crafting some of Barossa’s finest wines. Big shoes to fill and learning from the best!

d’Arenberg
Dad Chester Osborn & Daughter Mia
The d’Arenberg cellars were constructed in 1928 by Chester’s grandfather, Frank, and have undergone major expansion with Chester and father d’Arry at the helm. Now the 5th generation, Chester’s eldest daughter Mia, works with her dad learning the ins and outs in order to carry on the d’Arenberg torch.


Jasper Hill
Father Daughter Winemakers Ron & Emily
Emily has been passionately growing grapes and making wine alongside her father since 2001. She also has her own brand Occam’s Razor, a single vineyard shiraz. Gorgeous and highly collectible biodynamic Aussie wines from the Laughton’s estate vineyards.

Greg Norman Estates
Greg Norman & Daughter Morgan, Co-Proprietors
Growing up with a father who always inspired her to follow her dreams, Morgan’s talent as a chef was a natural transition with Greg Norman Estates. She has played an instrumental role in repositioning the brand as well as representing the family business with both trade and consumers.

Clos Cantenac
Martin runs the business & daughter Lolly makes wine
In 2017, Lolly joined the team as Technical Director and Chief Winemaker after having spent the previous 10 years working overseas in 6 countries and on 4 continents.

Leeuwin Estate
Founder Denis Horgan and Daughter Simone
Margaret River region pioneers Denis and Tricia Horgan established Leeuwin Estate in 1972. Now under the direction of their children, Simone and Justin, Leeuwin is recognized as one of Australia’s leading wine producers and wine tourism pioneers.

06/15/2024

Greywacke wine labels are distinctive and eye-catching. They are also highly personal, each being an image captured by proprietor, Kevin Judd, who is an acclaimed photographer in addition to an acclaimed winemaker.

The image chosen for the Greywacke Wild Sauvignon label features the silhouette of vine shoot tips reaching skywards, conjuring a sense of untamed freedom. The photograph was transformed digitally from its original dusky tones to an emotive pastel palette. The resulting image is highly reflective of the wine it represents – lively, textural and a little wild.

Happy

06/12/2024

A perennial Best Buy, Frisk Prickly Riesling is also naturally low in alcohol – just 10% abv – so it is perfect for warm summer days by the pool, on a boat, or really anywhere! ☀️🏝️🛥️

06/07/2024

Beautiful. ☀️

06/06/2024

This wine is a culmination of over 50 years’ experience producing world-class Shiraz from exceptional Barossa vineyards. And the media have noticed.

Wine Enthusiast named John Duval 2021 Entity Shiraz one of 11 Syrahs to drink right now. With a 95 point score from Halliday Wine Companion and 94s across the board from Wine Spectator, Wine Enthusiast, Decanter, and JamesSuckling.com, who are we to argue.

Well done, JD.

05/30/2024

Closing out with Maison l’Envoyé Two Messengers Pinot Noir. This wine is an overview of the Willamette Valley, drawn from multiple sites and their various personalities. It offers red cherry flavors with floral and forest floor notes.

It also has a great track record of accolades - 92 points or better every single year since its inception (in 2012). We will toast to that! 👏🍷

05/25/2024

Red, white and sparkling. Covering all the bases this !

05/17/2024

The Hunter Valley Wine & Tourism Association held its 2024 Hunter Valley Legends Awards this week. Stuart Hordern, Chief Winemaker of Brokenwood Wines was named Winemaker of the Year.🏆🎉👏

The 2024 Winemaker of the Year was awarded to Stuart Hordern. Stuart boasts a strong winemaking history, including 15 vintages at Brokenwood and 10 in charge, promoted recently to the role of Chief Winemaker, only the second person in the 54-year history of the company to hold this position. Notably, he led Brokenwood to an exceptional 2023 show circuit, winning 5 Trophies and 24 Gold medals, as well as the 2023 Decanter World Wine Awards Best in Show for the 2017 Brokenwood ILR Reserve Semillon. Under his leadership, the Brokenwood Graveyard Vineyard Shiraz has maintained its position as the highest level of Langton’s Classification of collectible Australian wines - 1st Classified and remains the only red wine in New South Wales to hold this position. Stuart’s influence extends beyond winemaking, with significant contributions to the Hunter Valley wine Industry, highlighted by his role as President of the Hunter Valley Wine & Tourism Association 2021 – 2023.

Congratulations, Stuart! We are proud to represent Brokenwood in the USA and will raise a glass to you! 👏✨

05/17/2024

Congratulations to Brokenwood Winemaker Stuart Hordern for being named Winemaker of the Year at an awards ceremony in the Hunter Valley last night. We’ll toast you with semillon today! 👏👏

Everyone say "Winemaker of the Year" 🍷🤩

The Brokenwood Cru were out on a school night to celebrate at the 2024 Hunter Valley Wine Country Legends Awards last night! A huge round of applause to our Chief Winemaker, Stuart Hordern, who was honoured with the esteemed Winemaker of the Year award for 2024 🏆

Cheers to you, Stuart! 🍷

05/16/2024

Sharing this lovely accolade for a lovely wine. ✨👏

Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay 2021, 98 points, Vinous.

“This stunning 2021 Margaret River Chardonnay Art Series shows beautiful racy lines with a slick and seamless style as it bursts with toasted cashews, melon, lemon peel and pith aromas lifted by mandarin rind. Fabulous fruit density with immense power yet retaining refinement and shape over a long, strong finish. Energetic, vibrant, perfectly formed and built for the long haul.”

05/10/2024

We are so proud to represent Brokenwood Wines in the USA. Congratulations, Stuart Hordern, Katrina & team! 👏

05/09/2024

Happy Moscato Day! ✨ Innocent Bystander Pink Moscato is delicious on its own or as part of a fun wine-based cocktail. It offers intense aromas of cotton candy and black currant, with mandarin peel.

Naturally spritzy and naturally low in alcohol – at 7%! And it is a Best Buy recommendation from Wine Enthusiast.👏👏

05/03/2024

Happy !

On the first Friday in May, global lovers of this aromatic variety unite to celebrate Sauvignon Blanc.

We love our Sauvignon Blanc wines from Napa Valley, Margaret River and Marlborough, NZ including Greywacke Sauvignon Blanc which is Wine Spectator’s Top 10 wine of the year!

05/01/2024

Happy Oregon Wine Month!🍷

Maison L’Envoyé, ‘The House of the Messenger,’ started by exploring sites dedicated to the cultivation of Pinot Noir in Burgundy and shortly thereafter found a home in Willamette Valley as well.

Two Messengers Pinot Noir is a nod to the diverse terroirs of the Willamette Valley that includes two soil types - both volcanic and sedimentary. The grapes are handpicked, and fermented as whole berries and clusters before aging in approximately 25% new French oak. Since its inception, this wine has garnered consistent 92+ scores – that’s every year for more than a decade. Cheers to Willamette Valley.🍷

04/19/2024

Old Bridge Cellars was proud to be the official wine sponsor of the 74th Annual Writers Guild Awards at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles last Sunday.

The 800 attendees enjoyed Maison l’Envoye Straight Shooter Chardonnay and d’Arenberg Stump Jump Shiraz during the 2-hour ceremony where awards for Original Screenplay, Drama Series, Comedy Series and more were given.

Drew Carey explained why he covered meals for members of the Writers Guild of America during their 148-day strike last summer and fall, as his writers “made him a millionaire”.

It is a pleasure for our wines to share the stage with these talented writers. 👏🏆

04/19/2024

Growing Green - Every Day Is Earth Day -

04/18/2024

Throwing it back to 2014 vintage in both Burgundy and Oregon. Both holding up remarkably well. 👍🍷

Driven by a tireless hunt for elusive sites where Pinot Noir shines, Maison L’Envoyé has winemaking footprints in Burgundy and the Willamette Valley, Oregon. Maison l’Envoye champions many unsung growers who have farmed their vineyards for decades and generations, some mere feet away from more illustriously cited neighbors. This project has been a standout since its debut in 2011 including Wine & Spirits naming Maison L’Envoyé a ‘Winery To Watch’ in 2015.