Lifestyle

Since February is Black History Month what better way to recognize it than with a dinner highlighting some great California wines made by African American Winemakers? Did you know that there are more than 7,000 wineries in the United States but only 20 of them are owned or made by African Americans? According to Roberta Rinaldi of Wine Noir, a meet-up group and broker for wines made by African Americans, history tells us that African Americans first appeared as vineyard workers for Thomas Jefferson, who liked French and Italian wines. But there is a limited amount of history known up until 1997 when Iris Rideau, who is of Creole heritage, started Rideau Vineyards in the Santa Ynez Valley, becoming the first African-American female winery owner in the United States.
27 February, 2014
While most of the country has been suffering through an exceptionally cold and never-ending winter, here in Los Angeles, we have been reveling in the summer-like days. Of course, I am not trying to rub it in to anyone as after all, what comes with our abnormally hot weather is a drought and risk of fire and earthquakes. But, nonetheless, on a Saturday in January, in our sundresses and sandals, we returned to Santa Anita Park, California’s legendary racetrack, for their first California Wine Festival at the Sunshine Millions California Cup.  
24 February, 2014
Aside from all of the history and beauty of Granada, there is one more thing that makes it unique......FREE Tapas! Granada is one of the last spots in Spain in which tapas are served for free when you order a drink. Tapas come in a variety of sizes and can be hot or cold. And, with each successive drink, the tapas get more elaborate. 'El tapeo' is what the Spanish call going from bar to bar to eat tapas and it is one of the best ways to get to know Granada. It's a great way to try out the specialties while exploring the streets. Tapa crawling is much more than having a beer, it's an art. It's a way to understand the Granadian way of life, to understand the people and their traditions. Tapas Crawls can happen in any area of the city and I started mine on the Campo de Principe in the Realejo, Granada's old Jewish Quarter. Stop 1:
21 February, 2014

From The Adventurer to The Big Lebowski, Drinking through the Movies Even before they began talking in films, cocktails were part of the story, such as...

13 February, 2014

The Gonzales family established the Gonzales Byass Winery in 1835 in the town of Jerez. Today, the company's Board of Directors is made up of...

12 February, 2014
Spaniards have elevated the Gin & Tonic (aka Gin Tonics) to an art form. Each gin is paired with a specific tonic, as well as a complementary botanical, citrus peel or other garnish, and then served in a goblet glass filled with large ice cubes. On a recent trip to Granada, Spain, I wanted to explore the Spanish obsession with Gin & Tonics first hand. While Madrid and Barcelona are the two cities most known for Gin Tonics, I found two great bars in Granada serving up Gin Tonics of note.
06 February, 2014
While on a recent trip to visit family in Sonoma Valley, I headed to the historic Sonoma Plaza as usual to check out local boutiques, bakeries and antique stores. Of course, Sonoma is also known for their quaint wine and cheese shops and various tasting rooms that can be found throughout the square. For this visit, I tried something new when I pleasantly stumbled across the Ledson Hotel & Centre du Vin.

ledson-hotel-centre-du

22 January, 2014
The 77th winter/spring Opening Day at Santa Anita took place on December 26th, the day after Christmas. With the sun shining and temperatures hitting close to 80 degrees, what better way to spend the day than drinking whiskey, and trying to bet on horses, at the Whiskey In Winter Tasting Event in the recently renovated, member-only Chandelier Room.
07 January, 2014
Located in an un-assuming building in the Arts District of Downtown LA, across the street from local market Urban Radish, Cocktail Academy has moved in. Enter the old-style, brick building to Apartment A (#107) and what's inside will transport you to another world. This new world of Cocktail Academy is the creation of three local LA guys (who have also spent time in the cocktail world in New York) - Max Kestenbaum, Matt Landes and Brandyn Tepper. The three of them met when they worked together at 41 Ocean, a private members only club in Santa Monica.
02 January, 2014
Show more
Loading...
Copied!