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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 - [...]
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 [...]
If I had to declare a favorite wine, without hesitation it would be Pinot Noir. There are a million other varietals that I love to drink but in my mind, nothing compares to an amazing Pinot. And this weekend I had the opportunity to visit one of my favorite California Pinot Noir makers, Williams Selyem. [...]
Wine-ding Road 