Alison Scofield, FWS, SWS, IWS

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Alison Scofield, FWS, SWS, IWS

Wine lover working and living in wine country. Let’s learn wine together!

10/30/2025

This showed up today. Sometimes bad investments turn into good holdings. There’s me throwing around terms I don’t know how to use. I’ll stick to wine!

10/18/2025

Took a trip out to Eastern Oregon and couldn’t help popping up to The Rocks District of Milton Freewater. Rotie Cellars was the perfect stop to get a good sense of the area and the wines.

The AVA is only 5.9 acres, a sub-AVA of the greater Walla Walla AVA. It’s unique and known for the literal basalt rocks that the vines are planted in. Check out the vineyard pics!

You’ll mostly find Rhone varietals like Syrah, Mourvèdre, Viognier, Marsanne, Roussane, but also Tannat and Cab Franc. We really enjoyed our tasting at and loved all the wines.

An homage to the Rhone valley, winemaker Sean Boyd is putting a unique Rocks twist on his wines. I also love the wine descriptions. Mourvedre = BEAST. 😆Yes! The Syrah was so distinctly Rocks with its tasty, savory, funky, chewiness. Loved it!

If you’re planning a trip to Walla Walla, definitely see the 15 minute drive down here. You’ll be glad you did!

10/06/2025

Boeuf bourguignon for Sunday dinner made by my fabulous chef .scofield. Paired with a lovely Pinot Noir - Santenay Premier Cru Clos Faubard from Chateau de la Crée.

They say that you should cook with a wine that you want to drink, but I was not offering up a $100+ bottle of wine to the dinner gods. So instead we threw a bottle of Barbaresco d’Asti in instead - and it was a winner!

Then we enjoyed the full bottle of wine with dinner! 😁 Layered with fruit like cherry, raspberry, and fresh blackberries, fall foliage earthiness, and nice acidity that complimented this dish perfectly. Chef’s kiss 💋

09/03/2025

And that’s a wrap on Cellar Defenders! I’ve given you 12 bottles, a case of suggested wines and styles to try all below the $20 price point.

One thing I was reminded of: there’s a lot of good wine out there and it’s not all expensive. It may not all be your style or preference, but that’s the fun part. Experiment! Try something new!

Wine does not need more snobs. Wine needs more curious drinkers. More people willing to take a gamble. Just like you would order a dish at a restaurant you’ve never tried, try a wine you’ve never had either! You may be pleasantly surprised! (And 99% of wine is NOT sweet, so let’s get that out of our heads.)

Thanks for coming along with me on this fun adventure! I hope it inspired you to try something new. Cheers to drinking well without breaking the bank! 🥂

08/29/2025

Cellar Defenders Episode 11 featured this 2024 Portlandia Pinot Gris. It’s a solid wine for the price point, and we love supporting local!

Pinot Gris/Grigio can be a bit of a divisive grape. People either love it or they don’t. But the label can give you an indication of the style. Grigio is going to be crisp and citrus driven, something to drink young. Gris will have a bit more complexity, either having seen oak during the aging process or aged on the lees like this wine to lend more body and roundness to the wine. I typically prefer the Pinot Gris style, how about you?

Check out the episode in my profile for more info!

08/26/2025

Cedar Defenders Episode 10 is up with a Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi DIC - a white wine from the eastern Italian region of Le Marche.

Don’t let the long name deter you, this is a lovely wine for any occasion. It’s loaded with citrus, but has texture and depth on the palate. It’s a great alternative to Pinot Grigio and cool climate Sauvignon Blanc (I’m looking at you Sancerre).

Let me tell you, Italian wine is where it’s at for quality wines at a consumer-friendly price point. This was on sale for $12.47 at my local Safeway, but regular retail value was still $19.99. Don’t be afraid of the imported wines section at your local store!

08/22/2025

Cellar Defenders Episode 9 features this beautiful Garnacha. Have you had it? Do you drink much Garnacha? Widely distributed and often hovering around that $20 mark, Tres Picos is one to seek out!

08/19/2025

Episode 8 of Cellar Defenders is up, and I’m talking about this easy to grab 2022 J.Lohr Riverstone Chardonnay. It’s easy to find in most retail markets, and is a great option for a casual evening at home as we transition into Fall weather. Go check it out!

08/15/2025

Cellar Defenders Episode 7 is up, and it seems like a lot of people agree that this wine is a great buy! Go back and watch it, then drop a comment with your thoughts!

08/12/2025

Cellar Defenders Episode 7 was about this Barbera d’Alba from northern Italy. Italian wine can sometimes be expensive, but often it’s not. This was a steal at $15.99! Go back and watch the episode for more info!

08/07/2025

Do you have a “house bubbles”? Would you be surprised that mine is a Prosecco? Go check out my last Cellar Defenders episode to see more about this bottle of Loredana Gasparini Asolo Prosecco DOCG Superiore. I think you’ll love it too!

Address

Hibbing, MN

Website

http://Winewondereducation.com/

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