What a night at Grape of the Night (GOTN)! As always, my favorite group of people tantalized our palates with unique Cabernet Sauvignons from Paso Robles. Yes, we all know the reputation of the heavy hitters from Napa and Sonoma such as Screaming Eagle, Caymus, Phelps Insignia, etc. However, during my last visit to Paso,…
I love the north of Spain and have been visiting the city of Bilbao and the surrounding beaches of San Sebastian for some twenty years. My frequent haunts include Concha Bay, and the golden sands beaches of Zarautz and Fuenterrabia. Today I am joined by long-time friend and fellow sommelier, Naiara Dolagaray. We are enjoying…
Even though my actual career is writing about wine and spirits and consulting for wine based businesses and events, it seems that I’ve been organizing and hosting a lot more charity wine events than usual.And there is always one winery that has supported all of the non-profit events when asked by me, or by others:…
This One-Day Tasting Event Will Allow Angelino Wine Lovers a Chance at the First Sips of The Epic 2010 and the “en primeur” 2012 vintages. Los Angeles, March 28th: For one day only on Monday, April 22nd, wine lovers, Sommeliers, connoisseurs, and neophytes alike can join together for an exclusive day of tasting the newest…
For a long time I have been asked by the GOTN group to do a road trip for one of our monthly adventures. Recently, Gary Stewart (owner/vintner) of Four Brix Winery, offered us an opportunity to come to their tasting room and sample as well as educate us on the art of winemaking. Gary and…
The Garagiste Festival: Southern Exposure www.garagistefestival.com The garagiste movement is gathering steam. After two successful festivals in Paso Robles, Doug Minnick and Stewart McLennan took their concept of showcasing small wineries to the Santa Ynez Valley. Focusing on wineries with annual production of less than 1,200 cases, The Garagiste Festival: Southern Exposure was held February…
PASO ROBLES WINE COUNTRY ALLIANCE GRAND TASTING TOUR 2013 www.pasowine.com Ever take the trip up to Paso Robles? How many wineries do you visit in a day? Three, four, five? Or do you “power taste” through a lot more? How many could you taste if they were all in one room? Periodically, the Paso Robles…
On February 28 I attended the Paso Robles Grand Tasting Tour at the Bookbindery in Culver City organized by The Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance. But, before you pull out your wine glasses to join me in your virtual tour, I had also signed up for a seated seminar led by three winemakers. And, lucky…
Aren’t we all relieved that the Mayans weren’t predicting the end of the world??? Although, no one would have been stuck with the post Christmas bills from all of our holiday shopping. For me, I would have been very disappointed, as it would have kept me from being involved in the 2013 San Francisco Chronicle…
From one of my fave educational sources, Ian Blackburn of LearnAboutWine.com, I received an invitation to attend a VIP luncheon with 16 other vinophiles followed by a tasty tour of the STARS of Santa Barbara held in the beautiful Beverly Hills Peninsula Hotel. Winemaker Luncheon There were seventeen names on the guest list, four winemakers…