Travel

This story originally appeared in California Winery Advisor. Carneros sits at the base of both Napa and Sonoma. In fact, Carneros is the only AVA in the United States that is located in two counties. With 8,000 acres planted, the majority of vines are planted on the Sonoma side. Carneros is a cool-climate appellation that is influenced by the San Francisco Bay. It is known for chardonnay, pinot noir and sparkling wine production. There are thirty wineries located in Carneros and here are six unique tasting experiences you can have to get to know the wines and the region. schug-7 Schug | 602 Bonneau Rd, Sonoma, CA 95476 Try their wine: Schug Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2014 Every winery has a story to tell. Sign up for a tour and tasting at Schug to learn its history. Schug was started by pinot noir pioneer Walter Schug in 1980. A third generation winemaker from Germany, where his father ran the first pinot noir estate, Shug was raised on pinot noir. He applied for an internship in Bakersfield and emigrated with his family in 1961. After working for Julian Gallo, Shug went to Joseph Phelps Winery in 1970 where he created the infamous Insignia. Shug started his own label in 1980 focusing on pinot noir, and in 1989 opened the winery that you can visit today.
28 October, 2016
If I could, I would travel around the world eating at the best restaurants, the ones with Michelin and the World's 50 Best rankings. I dream about a trip to Copenhagen to eat at Noma or about saving up enough money to splurge at The French Laundry. While I am not packing my bags quite yet, a visit to the San Francisco restaurant In Situ at the newly designed San Francisco Museum Of Modern Art gave me a taste of what these chefs have created. In Situ Menu In Situ, which is an adverb or adjective that means 1) situated in place or position or 2) synergizing and interacting collaboratively within a context, is located on the ground floor of SFMOMA. Led by Michelin-starred chef Corey Lee (Benu, Monsieur Benjamin) and overseen by executive chef Brandon Rodgers, the rotating menu features fifteen different dishes at a time. What is unique about these dishes is that Lee collaborated with approximately eighty high profile chefs from around the world to create a menu of their "greatest hits."
30 September, 2016

This story originally appeared in the Napa Valley Register. A recent trip took me to the Languedoc in the south of France for the Jazz Festival...

28 September, 2016
This story originally appeared in the Napa Valley Register.

In the Northern Hemisphere, harvest is well underway. In many places, the grapes have already been picked and pressed, and the juice is fermenting. As the wine is being made, what happens to the skins?

In most cases, it is used as compost and in some cases it is turned into grappa. But there are so many other uses for grapes and skins as I recently experienced during my stay at the Kinsterna Hotel and Spa in Greece.

Kinsterna Hotel & Spa

Kinsterna Hotel and Spa is located in Monemvasia in the region of Laconia in the south of the Peloponnese. The hotel, a fortified manor that dates to the 12th century, sits on a hillside covered with olive trees and vineyards.

view of the vineyards and olive trees

14 September, 2016

This story originally appeared in the Napa Valley Register. I am writing my column this week from Montepulciano, where I just finished being a judge at...

31 August, 2016

When visiting Sonoma, where does one get started wine tasting? As a region, Sonoma County encompasses more than fifty miles from Carneros in the south...

26 August, 2016
Heading up to Sonoma to go wine tasting? Well, then you need some recommendations as to where to eat. The Sonoma Square, the largest plaza in California, is home to a number of winery tasting rooms but also restaurants. When you are finished tasting wine, check out these three restaurants. Not only are these restaurants showcasing the freshest local, seasonal produce but they each also offers charming outdoor patios where you can enjoy your meal. the girl and the fig 110 West Spain Street, Sonoma, CA 95476 The girl and the fig is a quintessential wine country restaurant. This iconic restaurant, owned by Sondra Bernstein, recently celebrated its 19 year anniversary. This restaurant, with strong French influences, features creative and delicious dishes. If you are a fan of figs, try the Fig and Arugula Salad and for dessert the Chocolate Dipped Figs. And for the wine lovers, the list shows its love for Rhone wines with wines from both France and California. The Fig and Arugula Salad with toasted pecans, mano formate pancetta, laura chenel chevre, fig and port vinaigrette is a classic wine country salad and a good start to any meal. 
22 August, 2016
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