Behind the Cork™ Reviews

Affordable & Attainable Wine Suggestions

Behind the Cork™ Reviews

Part of the fun and adventure of wine is opening a bottle and finding out what’s Behind the Cork™.

I am not paid by any producers of wine, although I may be provided with samples for review. And, in those cases where I am, I’ll be sure and tell you. I am not a professional reviewer of wine. I simply love to share recommendations on great wines. Hope you enjoy these!

I frequently get asked “What’s a good bottle of wine to buy?” And, my response always begins with “What types of wine do you enjoy drinking?”

Most people are just looking for a nice bottle of wine to have with dinner or to take to a party. Something that’s easily obtainable and affordable.

These are wines I’ve tried and liked. Wines that you should be able to find, afford and hopefully, enjoy.

While I always say that you should drink whatever you like, these Behind the Cork™ recommendations will give you the opportunity to try something new without fear of the unknown.

Behind the Cork™

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Behind the Cork™ - The Seeker Riesling

Behind the Cork™ - The Seeker Riesling

The Riesling grapes for this “The Seeker” wine were discovered by a husband and wife team in the famed Mosel Valley in Germany. This region features steep vineyard sites with fine, mineral-rich slate …

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Behind the Cork™ - Ridge Three Valleys Red Blend

Behind the Cork™ - Ridge Three Valleys Red Blend

![](/uploads/migrated/Ridge-Three-Valleys.jpeg) Ridge Vineyards was founded in 1959 when four Stanford Research Institute engineers—David Bennion, Charles Rosen, Hewitt Crane, and Howard Zeidler—p…

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Behind the Cork™ - Craggy Range Pinot Noir

Behind the Cork™ - Craggy Range Pinot Noir

Established in 1998, Craggy Range is a family-owned estate that revolutionized New Zealand wine by matching specific grapes to unique terroirs. This 2025 Craggy Range Pinot Noir is made from over te…

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Behind the Cork™ - Bezel Pinot Noir

Behind the Cork™ - Bezel Pinot Noir

This Pinot Noir is part of the “A Tour of Wine Grapes” series. Bezel Wines is a fresh wine adventure from the well-known Cakebread Family of wines. Since 1973, they’ve been making wine in Napa Valle…

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Behind the Cork™ - Tobin James Ballistic Zinfandel

Behind the Cork™ - Tobin James Ballistic Zinfandel

![](/uploads/migrated/Tobin-James-Zinfandel.jpeg) When a local grape harvester showed up at with six tons of Zinfandel grapes that he was willing to give away, Tobin “Toby” James, a young assist…

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Behind the Cork™ - Zaca Mesa Z Cuvee

Behind the Cork™ - Zaca Mesa Z Cuvee

Zaca Mesa Winery & Vineyards was founded in 1973 by John Cushman and five friends, who purchased the property the year prior. As the third winery established in Santa Barbara County, experimenta…

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Behind the Cork™ - Faustino Rivero Ulecia Reserva

Behind the Cork™ - Faustino Rivero Ulecia Reserva

Bodegas Faustino Rivero Ulecia is part of a five-generation winemaking family that started back in 1899. The winery was founded in 1899 by Olegario Rivero. It operated locally for decades selling b…

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Behind the Cork™ - Lisboa Bonita Red Blend

Behind the Cork™ - Lisboa Bonita Red Blend

Casa Santos Lima is a multi-generational, family-owned winery that stands as one of Portugal’s most prolific and highly decorated wine producers. Based at its primary estate, Quinta da Boavista …

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Behind the Cork™ - Vitis Ridge Pinot Gris

Behind the Cork™ - Vitis Ridge Pinot Gris

The Vitis Ridge winery was originally founded and operates as an equal four-way partnership between two couples: Chris and Sharon Deckelmann, and Bruce and Sally Eich.. What started as a hobby in the…

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