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Please The Palate Wine of the Week: Slamdance Kooperatieve Wines 2022 Red Table Wine, Wine of California

When it comes to a wine blend, the sum is greater than its parts. But what caught my eye were the parts of this wine....

09 April, 2025

Please The Palate April 2025 Newsletter

Spring is here and I am coming up for air after having just completed the 2nd annual Festival of Forgotten Grapes. I spent most of...

03 April, 2025

Please The Palate Wine of the Week: Tablas Creek 2022 Vaccarèse, Adelaida District, Paso Robles

There are hundreds upon hundreds of unique grape varieties. In California, 93% of what is planted, is planted to 9 primary grapes. More than 100...

02 April, 2025

Discover Two Unforgettable Wine and Food Pairing Experiences in Downtown Santa Barbara

Wine and food on their own are delightful, but when paired together, they can elevate each other in unexpected ways. A sip of wine can...

27 March, 2025

Please The Palate Wine of the Week: Roark Wine Company 2022 Pocket Full of Stones, Santa Barbara County

Studies suggest that 60-70% of consumers make their wine purchasing decisions based on the label. This means that the label's design, color, font, imagery, and...

26 March, 2025

Cultivating Community: The Power of Women in Santa Barbara Wine

March 25th is National Women and Wine Day and to celebrate, I am sharing the story I wrote for The Tasting Panel Magazine (May/June 2025)...

25 March, 2025

Rethinking New Zealand Wines: Marisco Family Vineyards Offers Quality, Value, and Elegance

Forget any stereotypes you might have about New Zealand wines, especially about Sauvignon Blanc. Marisco Family Vineyards is proving that elegance, quality, and a true...

20 March, 2025

Please The Palate Wine of the Week: Bulichella 2021 Rubino IGT, Toscana, Italy

The annual Slow Wine Tour came to Los Angeles this past week. The Slow Wine Guide, which originated in Italy and also exists in the...

19 March, 2025

G.D. Vajra: A Legacy Rooted in Passion and Perseverance

In the rolling hills of Piemonte’s Langhe region, nestled within the village of Barolo, stands G.D. Vajra di Aldo e Milena Vaira, an independent, family-run...

18 March, 2025

The Ultimate Pinot Noir Blind Tasting Challenge at World of Pinot Noir 2025

Blind tasting isn’t just a party trick; it’s a skill. Think of it like a detective piecing together clues—wine tells a story of grape, region,...

13 March, 2025

Please The Palate Wine of the Week: WillaKenzie Tourdion Estate Cuvee Blanc 2022, Yamhill-Carlton, Willamette Valley, OR

Food and wine pairing is an art that transforms a meal into an experience, elevating both the dish and the wine to something greater than...

12 March, 2025

Ojai’s Hidden Gem: A High-Elevation Vineyard with a Vision

Nestled in the secluded hills of Ventura County, Ojai is often overshadowed by its more prominent neighbors, Los Angeles and Santa Barbara. While the town...

11 March, 2025

Please The Palate Wine of the Week: Rex Hill 2019 Pinot Noir, Jacob-Hart Estate Vineyard, Chehalem Mountains AVA, Willamette Valley

Wine is made to pair with food. And when you have a pairing that really works together, it might stop you in your tracks. That...

05 March, 2025

Please The Palate Wine of the Week: Tansy 2023 Fiano, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County

In Italy, Fiano is an Italian white wine grape variety that is grown primarily in the Campania region of southern Italy and on the island...

26 February, 2025

Please The Palate Wine of the Week: Kunin Wines 2022 Chenin Blanc, Jurassic Park, Santa Ynez Valley

While in Santa Barbara for a conference this past week, I spent time with Magan Eng, proprietor of Kunin Wines. From Cinsault, Counoise, Carignane, and...

19 February, 2025

Building a Festival: Lessons from Fest Forums

The first time I had the idea of creating The Festival of Forgotten Grapes, I knew it would be a challenge. I have planned events...

18 February, 2025

Please The Palate Wine of the Week: WillaKenzie Estate 2022 Chardonnay, Willamette Valley, Oregon

When someone mentions Oregon wines, what grape comes to mind? Pinot Noir? After all, Pinot Noir is the most planted grape in Oregon, making up...

12 February, 2025

Please The Palate Wine of the Week: Maculan Torcolato 2022, Breganze DOC, Italy

Sweet wines always seem to get a bad rap. They are often overlooked and underrated. But there is no shame in loving a beautiful, sweet...

05 February, 2025

The North Adriatic – Twelve Regions, Three Countries, One Destination

On a recent trip to Italy I visited the North Adriatic. The North Adriatic refers to the northernmost part of the Adriatic Sea. When I...

04 February, 2025

Please The Palate Wine of the Week: Tizona by Bokisch 2021 Old Vine Carignan, Mule Plane Vineyard, Lodi

You know those nights when you have very little food in the kitchen and you need to find something to eat for dinner? That was...

29 January, 2025