There’s general agreement among grapegrowers that the mid-October rains complicated this year’s harvest, but it was well worth all the work. It seems, too, that rain will define the harvest — e.g., did the fruit come in before the rain or not?

Three new wines christened ForeFront were released during harvest 2009 by the Crimson Wine Group, which consists of Pine Ridge Vineyards (Napa Valley), Chamisal Vineyards  (Edna Valley) and Archery Summit (Willamette Valley).

Give your guests a memorable experience, whether it be an intimate picnic lunch for two or a catered wedding for hundreds of people, couple it with fine Napa Valley wines and you’ve created friends and customers for life.

To winemaker Brooks Painter, V. Sattui is about the 45 or so wines he makes — one for every taste, ranging from summer sparklers to big, hearty reserve cabernets.

One passenger on the ferry to the island of Elba was determined to feed a seagull. The man rode, perched on the stern, arms outstretched, holding up a bit of bread, still as a statue, while the bird soared along above him, close but not too close, as if considering the proposition.

Two decades ago, Simi Winery in Healdsburg made a splendid chenin blanc. It was as tasty and as easy to like as a spring morning. And it was easy to make, easy to sell and it made a profit.