In November of 2012, George Washington’s fabled Mt. Vernon Distillery was reopened. Today a meticulous recipe of the popular 1799 blend by our first president, is taking the rye whiskey market by storm. I have it on good authority that the president’s whiskey was not only the rage of the day, it made Mr. Washington…
The theater house lights lowered to a dim. As the title flashed across the “Silver Screen,” a hush fell over the audience. With the onset of the the film’s overture, Prince of Foxes, Twentieth-Century Fox’s 1949 swashbuckler classic opened to an eager crowd anticipating high adventure. Of course, the film starred the one and only…
Sommelier and Master Sommelier Host First Master Courses in Santa Barbara WHO: Brian McClintic and Eric Railsback, managing partners of Les Marchands Wine Bar & Merchant, the wine bar and retail store which recently opened to rave reviews in Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone. Teaching the courses will be acclaimed Master Sommeliers from around the United States: Brian McClintic,…
According to Greek Mythology, it was the God of pleasure and wine, Dionysus himself who first brought grape vines to Sicily. As we all know, there is always some basis to both legend and folklore. Archeological evidence places Mycenaean traders, as early as 1500 BCE, cultivating grapes on Sicily’s Aeolian Islands. By the 8th century…
Admittedly, my wine knowledge is pretty focused on California. So, when I get an opportunity to add to knowledge outside of my primary area of expertise, especially when it is in a great environment, I do my best to jump at that. The Kobrand Tour d’Italia 2013 wrapped up its eight-city tour at the Hotel…
Autumn on the island of Malta is gloriously met by the Quormi Festival. This two day event is a celebration of the local wines. Held on the streets of Quormi and is hosted by St. George’s Parish Church … Wait just a minute! Malta? Wine? Malta as in the “Maltese Falcon?” You bet. Wine production…
Pedigree Team of Dan Russo, Jason Paluska and Nick Flores Join Forces to Create a Dynamic Culinary Destination in the Center of the Urban Wine Trail The Lark, one third of the triumvirate that also includes Lucky Penny and Les Marchands Wine Bar & Merchant, opened on Tuesday, August 6, 2013 as the latest whistle stop to the…
“Finding an organization that has a passion for people,” began assistant manager and unadvertised wine expert Corrine Ramirez. “People either go out for an experience or to wind down after work.” Whatever your reason Corrine believes that employees that “do their job from the heart” will easily please the customers. It started like this: SCV…
When I’m in for the night with my husband, we often split a bottle of wine on our front porch at 5 PM Wine Time with just enough in our glasses to carry through our dinner. Fast forward a couple of hours later, we might be watching a movie with our daughter and my husband…
Since antiquity, the island of Corsica has been colonized by one Mediterranean power after another. First the Phoenicians, who gave way to the Carthaginians, followed by the Greeks, Etruscans, and eventually, the Romans. There was a time when even the infamous Barbary pirates controlled this sun-drenched and fertile island. It is also quite interesting to…