Jonathan Cristaldi

San Francisco

Napa Valley Correspondent at Decanter

Writer at Freelance

Articles

Boutique bottles: 10 of the best Napa wine shops

4 weeks ago | cluboenologique.com | Jonathan Cristaldi |Charlotte Russell

Despite global economic challenges and declining wine consumption, Napa continues to thrive. Thanks to its haute-living appeal and a relentless pursuit of excellence, the region has remained in the American fine-wine winner’s circle. Once its wines achieved cult status among collectors, Napa never let up, and today, its best bottles rival Burgundy and Bordeaux in terms of quality, price and exclusivity.
Record-breaking Texas Wine Auction celebrates state-grown success

1 month ago | decanter.com | Jonathan Cristaldi

The fourth annual Texas Wine Auction Foundation kicked off its 2025 festivities on 25 April at the newly opened luxury Albert Hotel in downtown Fredericksburg, Texas, with a live taping of the Texas-based television programme Texas Music Scene. The event featured four Texas country music artists in an intimate night of storytelling and songwriting.
Cristaldi: Seeking Napa Valley's best ‘second label’ wines

1 month ago | decanter.com | Jonathan Cristaldi

In Bordeaux, the ‘second wine’ concept is both well-established and well-defined. These wines, often called ‘second labels,’ are traditionally crafted from lots that don’t make the cut for the château’s grand vin.
All Alcohol is Bad, Eh?

2 months ago | cristaldiandco.com | Jonathan Cristaldi |Joe Roberts

by Jonathan Cristaldi and Joe Roberts You’ve probably noticed that alcoholic beverages have been under siege lately.
Cristaldi: The evolution of Silver Oak

Mar 4, 2025 | decanter.com | Jonathan Cristaldi

In 2020, Decanter contributor Elin McCoy interviewed David Duncan – proprietor of Silver Oak, Twomey, OVID Napa Valley, and Timeless – profiling the iconic Silver Oak label. In her feature, McCoy observed that the most recent vintages seemed, ‘less oaky and more lifted, promising a strong future direction’.
Cristaldi: How Schrader Cellars powered its renaissance with a new approach at To Kalon

Feb 4, 2025 | decanter.com | Jonathan Cristaldi

For nearly a quarter of a century, Schrader Cellars has been a cornerstone for collectors of high-end Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Founded in 1998 by Fred Schrader, a prominent art and antiques dealer, the label’s inaugural wine was from the same vintage. Shortly after, Schrader partnered with winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown, who produced the 2000 vintage, including the first Beckstoffer To Kalon release.
Cristaldi: Tasting 40 vintages of Groth's Napa Cabernet

Dec 3, 2024 | decanter.com | Jonathan Cristaldi

Before Oakville became Napa’s golden coast of cult and iconic wineries, Dennis and Judy Groth set down roots in the area – more than a decade before Oakville became an appellation. Two real estate agents and vineyard owners – Ren Harris and Jean Phillips, who owned Paradigm Vineyards and Screaming Eagle, respectively – convinced Groth that Napa was the best place to invest in the burgeoning American wine scene.
Cristaldi: Napa Valley’s 2014 Cabernets 10 years on

Nov 3, 2024 | decanter.com | Jonathan Cristaldi

Those 2014 Napa Cabs you’ve been eyeing in the cellar? Unsure if it’s time to pop corks? You’d hardly be alone in the sheer agony of wondering. After all, the 2014 vintage has stood in the shadow of the 2013 vintage, widely hailed as one of Napa’s finest this century. Well, good news: for the most part, they are evolving quite nicely, even if inconsistency means they won’t quite qualify as anyone’s deathbed vintage. Still, right now, they make for an excellent glass, and the best have decades to go.
Cristaldi: Understanding the signature ‘Rutherford Dust’ and how to spot it

Oct 13, 2024 | decanter.com | Jonathan Cristaldi

Russian-born enologist André Tchelistcheff – whose name still evokes a hushed reverence among California winemakers – famously once quipped that ‘it takes Rutherford Dust to grow great Cabernet Sauvignon.’ ‘Rutherford Dust’ is a term that’s now so inextricably intertwined with Napa Valley’s Rutherford sub-appellation that in 1994 – several decades after Tchelistcheff’s remark – it inspired the name of the Rutherford Dust Society (a non-profit association of winegrowers and vintners dedicated...
For Outstanding California Wine, Look for Bottles Made With Grapes Grown on These 16 Vineyards

Oct 11, 2024 | msn.com | Jonathan Cristaldi |Ray Isle

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