Several reliable sources - including NASA - predict that 2020 will be the warmest year on record. One of the worst fire seasons in history has once again ravaged vineyards in Northern California and Oregon, drought is surging to extreme levels along much of the West Coast, and temperatures are growing more extreme around the [...]
A couple of weeks ago, an ex-mormon, an ex-pro snowboarder, a man of mystery known as The Conspirator, and a group of 40 or so of their peers gathered at the Veterans Memorial Hall in Solvang, CA. You may wonder what would bring this diverse cast of characters together under one roof? Wine, of course. [...]
I've said it before and will enthusiastically say it again. As far as wine festivals go, nothing compares to the California Garagiste Festivals. From Paso Robles to Solvang to Los Angeles, the Garagiste Festivals have introduced me to some of the best wines I've ever had and have given me an opportunity to meet the [...]
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 [...]
Since returning from a once-in-a-lifetime trip through Italy this summer, it seems like most people ask the same question - what was your favorite place that you visited? The more I revisit and ponder this question, the more difficult it becomes to answer. Italy was magical beyond words and every single place we visited was [...]
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 [...]
My visit to LIOCO Wine in Santa Rosa couldn't have happened at a better time. For the past few months, I've been studying for my Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW) certification through the Society of Wine Educators, which has proven to be an extremely challenging, often overwhelming, and very exciting experience. While I've loved learning [...]
Small, back road wineries are my absolute favorite. Even though they may be harder to find, the reward is definitely worth the effort. Aside from the slightly more complicated journey, back road wineries offer an experience you'd never find along the main tasting routes. Many small wineries are family owned with rich histories and deep [...]
It's official... Baja's Valle de Guadalupe wine region has stolen my heart. I recently spent a long weekend in the area, soaking up all the food, wine and scenery the Valle has to offer. One of my favorite stops along the Valle's Ruta del Vino was Deckman's en El Mogor restaurant and the Mogor Badan Winery - [...]
With the Garagiste Festival: Urban Exposure just around the corner, I thought it was the perfect time to write about one of my favorite new Garagiste winemakers, Cholame Vineyard. Cholame (pronounced "Sho-Lamb") doesn't have a tasting room, so you have to catch them at festivals such as the Garagiste Festival, at local wine events, or [...]
Wine-ding Road 