Sustainable Napa Valley – Visit Long Meadow Ranch

Written by Allison Levine on December 11, 2018

Lifestyle Food Wine

Until all wineries are sustainable, it is important to share the stories of those that are. My recent story for California Winery Advisor is about Long Meadow Ranch in Napa Valley. The Hall family is focused on sustainability and health. They care about their community and are doing good, offering wine, wine tasting experiences, dining experiences and more. Can you read more in the re-post of my story below.

Driving along Main Street in St. Helena, Long Meadow Ranch provides a one-stop shop. There is a coffee stand serving breakfast and lunch, a restaurant serving lunch and dinner, a tasting room, a general store, a farmer’s market, and an event space. And, there is more than the eye can see. There are vineyards, heirloom vegetables, olive trees, and highland cattle. Read More +

A Wine and Food Pairing Experience at Jardin d’Hiver at Domaine Carneros

Written by Allison Levine on November 1, 2018

Wine

A visit to Napa or Sonoma is not complete without a stop at Domaine Carneros. Located in the Carneros AVA, between Napa and Sonoma counties, the eye-catching Domaine Carneros sits on a hill in its grandiosity. Owned by the Tattinger family, the magnificent château was inspired by the 18^thcentury Château de la Marquetterie, the Taittinger family residence in the Champagne region.

To get to the château, you walk up a large set of stairs. At the top, you will be greeted and seated at a table along the outdoor terrace where you can enjoy a flight of wine or a glass of wine. It is a relaxing, elegant wine tasting experience. But, Domaine Carneros has now taken it to the next level with the Jardin d’Hiver, a garden conservatory.

Please The Palate Pick of the Week: A Perfect Pairing of Palmina Nebbiolo and Rock Crab at Maude Restaurant

Written by Allison Levine on August 25, 2018

Lifestyle Food Wine

Sometimes there is perfect synergy in a wine and food pairing. It goes beyond just working well together to actually elevating both the food and the wine, resulting in only one response, “WOW!” These “wow” moments do not happen all the time and I had one this week. This perfect pairing of Palmina 2010 Nebbiolo, Sisquoc, Santa Maria Valley with Rock Crab with a truffle sauce at Maude Restaurant is the Please The Palate pick of the week.

The current regional theme at Maude is the Central Coast. The Central Coast menu was launched in July and I went for the first time in early July. It is a menu comprised of the bounty that the central coast has to offer, from fresh seafood to vegetables. And the wine pairings celebrate the delicious wines coming from Santa Barbara and more. One of my favorite dishes was the Rock Crab, served in the crab shell, and topped with truffles. The Rock Crab was paired with the Palmina 2010 Sisquoc Nebbiolo, Santa Maria Valley. Read More +