(Flickr: KBJPhoto)

In the San Francisco Chronicle, Esther Mobley highlights Wendling Vineyard, a top site for Pinot Noir in the Anderson Valley, and a rare California vineyard that’s farmed entirely by women. “The women are not only coworkers — they’re also each other’s entire community. Most of them live in Philo and send their children to the same schools. Their care for Wendling Vineyard is an extension of their care for the place where they live.”

In Wine Enthusiast, Michael Alberty explores the near-death and resurrection of Willamette Valley Chardonnay. “Oregon’s Chardonnay plantings grew from a handful of acres in the 1960s to 1,603 acres in 1998, almost all of which was located in the Willamette Valley. As some people began doubting plant material and others were drawn to the siren song of Pinot Gris, Chardonnay plummeted as low as 842 acres a few years ago. Now, it’s roaring back to life.”

Oregon State University researchers have discovered a new class of compounds that contributes to the ashy or smoky flavors in wine made with grapes exposed to wildfire smoke.

In Club Oenologique, Essi Avellan explores how single-vineyard Champagne became the go-to for growers.

Robert Camuto delves into the history of American field blend plantings in Wine Spectator.

Researchers studying the remains of grapes from Late Antiquity settlements in Israel’s Negev desert may have found the earliest evidence of white wine grapes. István Darabán has the details in Decanter.

On JancisRobinson.com, Ferran Centelles offers a primer to Canary Island wines.