After 5 generations of family members grow up in Sonoma County’s Wine Country, it is safe to bet, they know how to eat & drink well. Fifth Generation Sonoma Wine-maker Steve Ledson has recently opened the new Zina Lounge at the Ledson Hotel on the historic Sonoma Square. It was great to visit recently and […]
Cabernet Food Challenge – Renowned Wine Country Educator & Chef – John Ash
When sitting down at a restaurant, many people, start with the food and next try to choose a wine to suit. Wine tasting is subjective. One’s palate knows what it likes and what it doesn’t. Wouldn’t it be wiser to choose a wine that we love, have a sip and THEN find a food item to suit…? […]
It’s All In The Dough at Vignette Pizzeria Sebastopol
A lifetime of pizza obsession leads to Neapolitan style pies at Vignette in Sebastopol. Yesterday, my favorite neighborhood community pizzeria was named one of the BEST RESTAURANTS IN SONOMA COUNTY by the Sonoma County Tourism Bureau. Not too shabby. And well deserved. I have become quite obsessed with the dough from Vignette, baked to perfection […]
How To Taste Wine For The Novice
I am often asked, how do you taste wine like a pro? Living in Wine Country, I must say I have heard many an opinion on this subject. Follow my wine tasting notes below but remember to schedule a visit to the right winery as well and do research prior to your visit. Some people, myself included, […]
Winery Celebrating 25 Years of Family Ownership
Recently I had the pleasure of sipping on a wine that was bottled when I was a very young lass. Opening a vintage bottle at a dinner party celebrating 25 years of family ownership at Rodney Strong Vineyards, just seemed appropriate for Wine Country. A 1977 Alexander’s Crown Estate Bottled Sonoma Vineyards Cabernet Sauvginon, it […]
Fierce Napa Grapes Live On Mountain Tops
One day while waiting in the car for the kids to finish school, I noticed a lovely photo on my Instagram feed of rolling mountain vineyards with a light dusting of snow. Later that same day, more grapes with snow covered grounds. Checking out the caption, I was shocked to see that these vines were […]
Elevated Cabernet on Mountains in Laurel Glen
Today I embarked on a return journey to Laurel Glen Vineyards. I had heard tell of a 94 point and a 92 pts score from Robert Parker quite recently. Time to finish a vertical tasting I started 5 months ago. I’m not actually a procrastinator, folks. I simply had to wait for them to release […]
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. […]
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 […]