Making Cyser
Sonoma County produces a wide range of agricultural products in addition to wine grapes. Apples are especially abundant in the Sebastopol-Forestville area and high quality honeys are produced by local apiaries. Apple juice and honey combine to made a wonderful fermented beverage called Cyser.
[read more]
The Beverage People and Jeff Sternfeld
Gimme Some Skin (Time)
Every year, during the late summer, home winemakers can be observed exuding a certain nervous energy as they wait to see what nature has in store for them during that year's crush. Having made wine for more than 30 years now, I've done my share of anticipating, and one thing I've learned is that, if someone is paying attention, there aren't that many things that can go wrong, but each year's wine is going to have its own nuances.
Quite a few years ago, the conditions were just right for something to happen that I'd wondered about for some time.
[read more]