A few favorite places to visit from a recent trip to Paso Robles, California… With big pours in the glass and a smile on my face… I enjoyed Paso Robles Wine Country very much. Looking forward to returning soon to spend more time in this fast growing wine region. Full Article HERE: A Paso Robles […]
A Paso Robles Wine Tasting Getaway Weekend
Who wants to go to Paso Robles Wine Country anyways?? I do! I do! Pick me. Quickly growing into a mecca for fine California wine varietals, Paso is a must stop for many wine country travelers. With breathtaking scenic views, a very close knit community and all that great California wine to boot… it is […]
Visit Carmel Valley & Historic Holman Ranch
As you drive up the mountainside and down again into Carmel Valley, California, your views shift & you can focus on a quieter side of life. As I headed down the California Coast for a 3 day trip in Carmel, my stay started with two nights in Carmel by the Sea where things are also quite historic. Enjoying sunsets, beaches, and shopping galore, the experience […]
Marijke’s Art Grove, A Wine Country Hidden Gem
Nestled amongst groves of ancient gnarled oak trees in Santa Rosa, CA, is a hidden gem of an art sculpture garden. Wine Country is known for it’s eclectic mix of tourist attractions along with it’s rolling hills of vineyards of course so it is no surprise. At Paradise Ridge Winery, you can wander through 4 acres […]
Flamingo Resort Champagne Brunch Staycation
I always enjoy an Endless Champagne Brunch while dining on Wine Country eats. Perhaps an eggs benedict might come into play. Yes, please. Sunday brunch, as you can imagine, is a favorite time of the week for me. I am lucky to live where there are many great options for a Wine Country brunch within […]
Lucky Wine Kids Rock Cline Cellars Field Trip
Growing up in Wine Country is such a extraordinary experience for a child. Recently I had the pleasure of accompanying 30 exuberant (to say the least) 4th graders on a field trip to Cline Cellars and their California Mission Museum. The evening prior to the Mission field trip, I had glanced at the form to see […]
Asian Flora Conservation in Wine Country California
Sonoma County is chock full of diverse activities and landscapes for exploration. Have I mentioned lately how lucky I am to live here? Children who grow up here in Wine Country are equally lucky to live in such a beautiful place. I recently had the pleasure of accompanying a group of exuberant (to say the […]
Interactive Lunch with Chef Todd English in Napa
How many chances does one get to cook in a kitchen as fabulous as the one at Culinary Institute of America? In my case…so far only one. It was memorable to say the least, however, and I very much plan to schedule another visit and cooking class at CIA Greystone in Napa, California. Microsoft’s Bing […]
Yay! Rain in Sonoma’s Wine Country, What Drought
Waking up to rain on a late January morning in Wine Country is not all too shocking, unless in happens to be 2014. Which it is. We haven’t seen rain around these parts in months and although it is not quite a down pour here today, any and all moisture is welcome at this point. […]
Little Zin Now & Then? Or A Lot… ZAP
Introducing Zinfandel outreach & education to thousands of consumers, market professionals & industry folk alike, The Zinfandel Advocates & Producers are ready for their biggest event of 2014. With only a few weeks until “Go Time”…I am hearing plenty of buzz about this world class varietal. This year’s event has been re-designed with the input of […]
A Little Slice of Italy in Napa Valley
“What is it you do for a living?” asks my 12 year old. I was owner of a web design business for the past 10 years and my kids could wrap their heads around this job description easily. I also imported & sold ergonomic chairs for several years across the U.S. Easy to explain. Recently […]
St Francis Knows His Food & Wine Pairings
Living only 15 minutes from the beauty of Mount Hood. Life is rough. Being able to enjoy it while sipping on a variety of lovely wines. Priceless. When walking through the mission style courtyard, a statue of St. Francis of Assisi points the way to the vineyards beyond. St Francis was a man who is […]
Hidden Treasures at Shell Beach Sonoma
Timed our trip out to Shell Beach perfectly for sunset views this time…always a plus when visiting the Pacific from the West Coast this time of year. With what seemed to be perfectly calm water & almost empty shores, nothing could have made our timing more ideal. Bodega Bay & the shores of the Sonoma […]
Celebrating Exquisite Local Food at Barndiva
My first visit to Barndiva was for happy hour cocktails on a Saturday afternoon. I remember someone remarking that Happy hour runs all day here on the weekends. My friend Steve & I had been wandering though the Downtown Art market that afternoon looking for a painting and had eaten tapas at Willi’s earlier that […]
Epic Roasthouse Brunch Features Epic Eats
Although I live in Northern California on the Golden Gate side of San Francisco…it is always worth it to drive through town on a Sunday afternoon to arrive at the Embarcadero and Bay Bridge. Paired with the wonderfully enticing views at Epic Roasthouse. Poised at one the tip of an iconic outdoor photography spot for […]