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Senior Wine Critic
Esther Mobley

Senior wine critic Esther Mobley joined The Chronicle in 2015 to cover California wine, beer and spirits. Previously she was an assistant editor at Wine Spectator magazine in New York, and has worked harvests at wineries in Napa Valley and Argentina.

Stories By Esther Mobley

  • Wine, Beer & Spirits January 19, 2023
    It's not just Millennials: Why 2023 will be tough for California’s wine industry
    It's not just Millennials: Why 2023 will be tough for California’s wine industry “Wine was last cool with young consumers 30 years ago.” Esther Mobley
  • Wine, Beer & Spirits January 18, 2023
    Napa wine may cost more in 2023, as 71% of wineries plan to raise prices
    Napa wine may cost more in 2023, as 71% of wineries plan to raise prices The average bottle purchased at a Napa winery last year was $73.34. Esther Mobley
  • Wine, Beer & Spirits January 12, 2023
    One thing the California storms are good for: vineyards
    One thing the California storms are good for: vineyards After several drought-ridden years, winegrowers welcomed the surge of moisture. Esther Mobley
  • Wine, Beer & Spirits January 12, 2023
    Bay Area bars hoped for a post-COVID renaissance. But people are still staying home
    Bay Area bars hoped for a post-COVID renaissance. But people are still staying home The pandemic permanently changed how much people like to go out drinking, bar owners say. Esther Mobley
  • Wine, Beer & Spirits January 10, 2023
    These wine stars are taking over a major vineyard in this coveted Napa region
    These wine stars are taking over a major vineyard in this coveted Napa region The couple behind the Favia wine label will move their production to the new 86-acre vineyard in Oakville. Esther Mobley
  • Wine, Beer & Spirits January 9, 2023
    This James Beard-nominated natural wine bar is expanding to Wine Country
    This James Beard-nominated natural wine bar is expanding to Wine Country The Punchdown will be one of the few spots dedicated to natural wine in Sonoma County. Esther Mobley
  • Wine, Beer & Spirits January 5, 2023
    A $17 glass of wine is normal at Bay Area restaurants now. Here's why
    A $17 glass of wine is normal at Bay Area restaurants now. Here's why The $12 glass of Cabernet, once ubiquitous, is now a thing of the past. Esther Mobley
  • Wine, Beer & Spirits January 5, 2023
    An easy New Year's drinking resolution: Shop for wine locally
    An easy New Year's drinking resolution: Shop for wine locally Because buying wine on the internet, it turns out, isn't always a sure bet. Esther Mobley
  • Wine, Beer & Spirits January 4, 2023
    After a 17-year battle, Napa's most controversial vineyard is going to an unexpected owner
    After a 17-year battle, Napa's most controversial vineyard is going to an unexpected owner The Land Trust of Napa County will be the new owner and protector of Walt Ranch. Esther Mobley
  • Wine, Beer & Spirits January 1, 2023
    These elite Napa estates are releasing wines from a fire-ravaged year. Do they taste smoky?
    These elite Napa estates are releasing wines from a fire-ravaged year. Do they taste smoky? Top wineries including Harlan, Spottswoode, Eisele and Dominus will soon release wines from the 2020 vintage. Esther Mobley
  • Wine, Beer & Spirits December 29, 2022
    These were the biggest California wine stories of 2022
    These were the biggest California wine stories of 2022 The most illuminating wine stories we published this year. Esther Mobley
  • Wine, Beer & Spirits December 28, 2022
    We tried a lot of Trader Joe's sparkling wines. These are the 7 best ones to buy for New Year's Eve
    We tried a lot of Trader Joe's sparkling wines. These are the 7 best ones to buy for New Year's Eve Are the cheap sparkling wines at Trader Joe’s any good? We decided to find out. Esther Mobley
  • Wine, Beer & Spirits December 27, 2022
    It was the wine world’s buzziest online club. Can it recover from bankruptcy?
    It was the wine world’s buzziest online club. Can it recover from bankruptcy? SommSelect, the brainchild of a celebrity master sommelier, has filed for bankruptcy, following a drawn-out legal battle with one of its co-founders. Esther Mobley
  • Restaurants December 23, 2022
    15 restaurants Chronicle food writers kept going back to in 2022 — off the clock
    15 restaurants Chronicle food writers kept going back to in 2022 — off the clock After constantly trying new restaurants, these were the spots we wanted to return to again and again. Janelle Bitker, Jess Lander, Cesar Hernandez, Elena Kadvany, Esther Mobley
  • Wine, Beer & Spirits December 22, 2022
    This is the best use for cheap wine on Christmas
    This is the best use for cheap wine on Christmas For mulled wine, don't break out the good stuff. Esther Mobley
  • Wine, Beer & Spirits December 20, 2022
    Has Wine Country become too expensive for its own good?
    Has Wine Country become too expensive for its own good? One thing became very clear over the course of this year: Visiting Wine Country has gotten really expensive. Esther Mobley
  • Wine, Beer & Spirits December 20, 2022
    ‘Spirits Alley’ was supposed to be a major Bay Area drinking destination. Now some say it’s in a state of disrepair
    ‘Spirits Alley’ was supposed to be a major Bay Area drinking destination. Now some say it’s in a state of disrepair The community of artisan wineries, distilleries and breweries located in Alameda's abandoned naval base is now plagued by the departure of major businesses. Esther Mobley
  • Wine, Beer & Spirits December 16, 2022
    Fiji Water owners just bought one of Napa Valley’s most beloved tasting rooms
    Fiji Water owners just bought one of Napa Valley’s most beloved tasting rooms Robert Sinskey Vineyards has sold its flagship property to the Wonderful Company, the controversial agricultural magnate, in an unusual arrangement. Esther Mobley
  • Wine, Beer & Spirits December 16, 2022
    The Bay Area’s 13 best new bars of the year
    The Bay Area’s 13 best new bars of the year The top new spots for cocktails, natural wine, craft sake and more. Esther Mobley
  • Wine, Beer & Spirits December 15, 2022
    Nutrition facts will soon appear on some wine bottles, and they might surprise you
    Nutrition facts will soon appear on some wine bottles, and they might surprise you Wine in the U.S. has never been required to list ingredients or nutrition facts. That's going to change soon, and it stands to shift the entire industry. Esther Mobley