Chris Macias Wine

Sean Minor Wines, headquartered in Sacramento's Sierra Oaks neighborhood, recently received some news that the company's been ranked among the nation's best. The April issue of Wine & Spirits Magazine features its 24th annual poll of the favorite wines served in restaurants, and Sean Minor Wines earned two nods.

"Wine Buzz" wishes everyone a happy holiday season, and hope you pop something special and share with good friends and family. There's plenty to toast among the local wine region, which enjoyed a fairly solid 2012.

File this one under "unintentional oversight." "Wine Buzz" mentioned last week some big accolades for Terre Rouge & Easton Wines of Amador County, which earned a spot on Wine Spectator's list of 100 outstanding values of 2012 for its Easton 2010 Zinfandel Amador County ($18).

Last week, "Wine Buzz" visited Shafer Vineyards in Napa, which recently earned "wine of the year" honors by Wine Spectator magazine. Turns out one local winery earned some year-end kudos from Wine Spectator as well.

Now that September's here, it's time to once again raise a glass in honor of California Wine Month.

For those about to drink, we salute you. Just came across two bottles of AC/DC wine – 2008 Highway to Hell Cabernet Sauvignon and 2011 Thunderstruck Chardonnay – which were released recently by the long-running rock band.

Last week in Vintages, Mike Dunne took readers to Berryessa Gap Vineyards, a Yolo County winery that emphasizes grape varietals closely associated with California history.

Lodi's wine country received a big marketing push last year with LoCA, a campaign designed to increase awareness about that area's wineries – especially with tasters in their 20s and 30s.