LAURA SIMAK
My professional life has certainly taken me through many different twists and turns. I was born and raised in Chicago, but always had dreams of moving out West. With a Journalism degree in hand and a yearning for some new adventures, I headed out to Los Angeles. I’ve spent the last couple decades in some facet of marketing, branding, writing and PR/communications both for major global companies and smaller clients who are just getting their businesses off the ground.
While I’ve enjoyed my professional career immensely, I am now focused on combining my experience and my passion for writing with my other passion: Wine. I’ve spent the last 15+ years scouring California and the surrounding areas, searching for new, off the beaten path wineries to explore. I’ve been so inspired by the wine, food, people, and places I’ve experienced, my main goal moving forward is to share my experiences with others.
I don’t claim to be a famed wine critic like Robert Parker and don’t necessarily believe the quality or enjoyment of wine should be based on a point system, but rather on how much you like drinking it. While I can’t always decipher the slightest nuances of grass, smoke, black pepper or fresh strawberry in a wine without a moment of hesitation, I’ve continually built my palate over the 20+ years I’ve been drinking wine, and recognize the process of studying and exploring wine as a life long journey.
Wine Related Credentials:
* WSET Level 3 Advanced (with Merit) — 2019
* WSET Level 2 (with Merit) — 2018
* CSW – Certified Specialist of Wine (Society of Wine Educators) — 2017
* JWE – Junior Wine Executive — 2010
Wine-ding Road 
I stumbled across your blog by accident. I see we enjoy many of the same wines and a love for the central coast in general. I love your blog
It was nice to meet you and share wine thoughts at Foxen today! I hope you had a great afternoon and will stay in touch.
Mike McLaughlin
I too stumbled upon this blog. Happy accidents! My discovery came from a Tweet about VML. We actually found them back in November by meeting Virginia at dinner the night before.
Can’t wait to read more. My wife and I just returned from our first trip and while we’re newbies we are ardent in learning more and sampling more! Keep up the nice work.
Thank you so much!! Enjoy your wine exploration… there are so many great ones out there to try!
I hear you attended a private party at Foxen recently…….got some scoop?
JCS
Love your Blog Site! Thanks for your sharing Santa Maria Valley Wines with your followers!
Thanks so much! The wines of Santa Maria Valley are by far some of my favorites!
Greetings from The Conspirator and thank you for the kind words about Cloak & Dagger. It was a pleasure to pout for you – thanks for tasting!
Thank you! It was such a pleasure to meet you & to taste your delicious Cloak & Dagger wines! Until next time…
Top notch site, appreciate your focus and style. Along with our Winemaker Scott Hawley, we would love to have you come out to our vineyard on Peachy Canyon rd., try some of our wines, and see the progress of our winery at Law Estate Wines.
Thank you so much! I would love to come out to your winery during my next trip to Paso. I’m planning to be up there again in late June or early July & will send you a message before I come. Thank you again & can’t wait to try Law Estate Wines…
Have you planned your trip to Paso yet? We’d still love to have to come and visit Law Estate Wines next time you come to the area. Send me an email and we’ll make it happen.
Let us know when you’d like to cross paths with The Farm Winery.
I would love to! You were on my list to visit at the Garagiste Festival, but unfortunately we ran out of time. I’ll let you know when we head back up to Paso…
I love your blog! I don’t know to much about wine but I feel I can live vicariously through your experience and maybe learn a thing or two!
thanks for the blog! 🙂
Thanks so much!