People always love inspiring human stories.  Benoit Touquette, a Frenchman, who is currently one of Napa's rising star, who makes and owns Fait Main and sister wine Teeter-Totter.   "I don’t want anything handed to me, I want to take it. It’s only when you push yourself to the edge that you find out what you are truly capable of." quoted from Benoit Touquette. 'Fait Main' means 'Hand-made' in French.  Benoit believes in very hard working for what you like and what you want. Benoit did not start his wine career easily.  Originally, he dreamt to be a French pilot or...

1. A hole "obviously" seen in the middle of the cork. 2. Wine level was topped up almost reaching the cork.  Not normal for an old wine because wine evaporated....from aging.   To make it easier, let's compare 1999 vs. 1996 - 1999 wine has normal level of wine while the 1996 almost reaches the cork.  Go figure!

What's your first love of wine?  This is one of the questions I have been asked the most.   Like most Californian, it's a California wine.  Chalk Hill Chardonnay, Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon, or the Prisoner.  Although the palate would change over the years, but we would always remember how the first wine tasted like and how it opened the world of wine.  No matter what your first love is, I would say that when you fall in love with wine, it will be a point of no return.  Wouldn't you agree?