Sonoma Winemaker Kathleen Inman Returns to her Napa Roots

Written by Allison Levine on May 22, 2018

Lifestyle Wine

This story originally appeared in the Napa Valley Register.

After much anticipation, The Studio by Feast It Forward is opening in downtown Napa. Bringing together food, wine, design, art, music and philanthropy under one roof, The Studio is a live studio experiential showroom and wine collective. The wine collective includes 16 producers, most of whom are from Napa Valley. But one of these producers is Inman Family Wines from Sonoma whose roots are in Napa.

Inman Family Wines is owned by Kathleen Inman, née McGowan, who was born at the St. Helena Sanitarium, as was her mother. Her father was also born in Napa, as well as some of her great-grandparents. Kathleen attended Napa High and was the editor of the high school page that used to run in the Napa Valley Register. As a featured vintner at the wine collective at The Studio by Feast It Forward, Kathleen is “excited to have my wine be in Napa because it is my hometown.”

Friendship and Camaraderie Among Pinot Noir Producers Along Highway 101

Written by Allison Levine on March 15, 2018

Lifestyle Wine

This story originally appeared in the Napa Valley Register.

The 18th annual World of Pinot Noir took place in Santa Barbara this past weekend. More than 250 wineries from around the world showcased their Pinot Noirs at seminars, lunches, dinners and the grand tastings. Everyone in attendance was friendly and shared the common love of Pinot Noir. I was reminded how overall, the wine industry is one of camaraderie, friendship and support.

Winemakers share their wines and taste each other’s wines, offering their feedback. Winemakers buy fruit from each other and sometimes work in the same facility, sharing equipment. They travel together for events or on sales trips.

Even as competitors, they are friends and that was showcased at a dinner I attended featuring winemakers Wells Guthrie of Copain, Jonathan Nagy of Byron, Greg Brewer of Brewer-Clifton and Adam Lee of Siduri.

From the Alexander Valley to the Santa Ynez Valley and in between, these four winemakers have each been making wine for more than 20 years each and their relationships go back as far.

Please The Palate Pick of the Week: #SonomaStrong

Written by Allison Levine on November 18, 2017

Travel Lifestyle Wine

The recent wine country fires were horrendous. Beginning October 9th and raging for three weeks, the destruction was devastating. More than 160,000 acres (250 square miles) have burned in Sonoma, Napa and Solano counties. 100,000 people have been displaced. 43 people have died and more are still missing. More than 8000 structures were destroyed, including 5,500 homes that were completely destroyed and an additional 4,000 partially burned, as well as some wineries.

This is a crisis that continues to reverberate. It is also impossible to wrap your head around the magnitude of damage. I was in Santa Rosa this week and saw first hand the neighborhoods that are destroyed as a friend took me to see her home in the Fountaingrove neighborhood. But recovery is starting to happen and the people are strong and resilient. They are optimistic, ready to rebuild and are working hard to get back to a normal life. And the outpouring of support and the generosity of fundraising from around the world has been extraordinary! The motto is #SonomaStrong and that is the Please The Palate pick of the week.

TRAVEL TO WINE COUNTRY
Head up to Sonoma Valley right now and support local wineries, restaurants, hotels and other businesses. Bring your tourism dollars. Sonoma and Napa are tourism-based economies so now is the time to take a trip! They are open for business and would love to see you! Read More +