After leaving Cinque Terre, we headed to Fornoli - a tiny village near Lucca in northern Tuscany. Even though Fornoli was incredibly peaceful and tucked away from the rest of the world, it provided easy access to a wealth of attractions. We sampled some of the world's best Balsamic vinegar at Leonardi in Modena, drove [...]
I've been spending a lot of time recently exploring the incredible and diverse wines of Sonoma. That also means I've been seeking out the best dog-friendly wineries in the area so our furry travel companion Booker can join us on our adventures. Many wineries in the area welcome dogs in their outdoor tasting areas only, however [...]
As anyone who follows wine knows, 2015 was the year of the millennial and their ever-growing love for wine. According to a recent study, people aged 21-38 drank nearly half of the wine purchased in America in 2015, and they're willing to spend a bit more to try new, unusual varietals. Gone are the days of [...]
I just recently returned from a weekend in Baja near Ensenada and I'm already working on a plan to go back. It had been nearly a decade since my last trip south of the border, so I wan't sure what to expect. What I found when we arrived was a magical place full of beauty, [...]
Iron Horse Vineyards in Sebastopol, CA was by far my biggest wine related surprise of the year. I mean this in the best possible way for a couple different reasons. I love Champagne, but I tend to stay away from California Sparkling Wines. While there are some standouts, I find many of them too sweet [...]
Oftentimes when I visit a winery, I find that I enjoy meeting the people involved in making the wine just as much as I enjoy the wine itself. Such was the case when I visited Larner Vineyard & Winery in Los Olivos, CA. I'm fascinated by the winemaking process and am always excited when I get [...]
Last time I visited Law Estate Wines, it was more of a construction site than a finished project. This past weekend, I visited the winery again in its completed form and was utterly blown away. From the friendly and personal attention of the staff to the breathtaking architecture to the incredible wines, Law Estate is beyond [...]
I've noticed a trend recently of winemakers using a very minimalist approach to their craft. By selecting the best grapes from specific vineyard sites, using wild yeasts, and remaining as non-interventionist as possible, they're allowing the fruit to express itself in an honest, unique way. An excellent example of this sort of wine making is [...]
One of my favorite new wineries is actually not new at all. Established in 1978, Babcock Winery & Vineyards in Lompoc, CA has a rich history in the Santa Ynez Valley and is one of the best producers of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir around. Back in 1978, Mona & Walter Babcock purchased a 110 acre property on [...]
In what was once an old, rundown industrial area just west of Santa Barbara's bustling shopping district, the Funk Zone has emerged as a hub of unique art, culture, food & artisan wine. In my opinion, it's one of the best things to happen to Santa Barbara in a long time. With a number of shops, galleries, [...]
Wine-ding Road 