An aerie perched high on Howell Mountain, the new, sleek, masculine Cade Winery reflects the appellation’s ability to produce strong, muscular wines.

The Rutherford Appellation Wineries host their Spring Passport Weekend May 2-3, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Passport holders can taste new releases, as well as current and library vintages, and wine and food pairings. Special Passport Weekend discounts will be in effect.

The Academy of Wine Communications, an organization of wine public relations and marketing professionals, is refocusing and broadening its efforts and mission to reflect the changing nature of wine communications.

Restaurateurs and upscale wine shops now can obtain hard-to-get wines directly from the producers with the introduction of a new version of Inertia Beverage Group’s Direct-to-Trade wine distribution platform.

A 10-feet tall bronze sculpture of Robert Mondavi has been commissioned by Quent Cordair Fine Art gallery in Napa. The sculptor will be Jay Hall Carpenter.

Portfolio Winery, co-founded by Dr. Luc and Genevieve Janssens, and their foundation, Lao Rehabilitation Foundation, joined with Plasticos Foundation to treat 95 Laotian children with cleft lip and palate deformities.

Appellation St. Helena will celebrate its 5th annual Ultimate Blind Date wine tasting on May 30 from 2 to 5 p.m. at Flora Springs Winery & Vineyard.

A common practice among wine tasters is to take along a toothbrush when tasting red wines. But a report from the New York University College of Dentistry says it’s a good idea to take the toothbrush along when tasting white wines, too.

A longtime fan of Hess Collection and its lotta-bang-for-buck mega-production wines, friends and I popped the corks on four of the winery’s recent releases at a dinner party last weekend.