Driving down Highway 29 in Napa Valley I spied the ivy covered grand front entrance of Cosentino Winery. Then I recalled the many times Mitch Cosentino came to Santa Clarita Valley to do tasting events for Valencia Wine Company. There were many locals that were enamored with Mitch’s wines. Fast forward a few years and…
From a recent trip to Napa I had a lot of wine, emphasis on a LOT, to taste. The story on the wineries will be in the upcoming April/May (2012) edition of Elite Magazine of Santa Clarita. But, for my wonderful readers, a thirsty audience that can’t wait until April, some of my tasting notes…
SommCon® Returns To San Diego Featuring Over 40 Educational Seminars, Certification Opportunities, Tasting Events and More This November 16-19, 2016 San Diego, CA – This fall, SommCon® returns to San Diego bringing together professionals of all levels to discuss, develop and lead the conversation on the business of wine. Held November 16-19, 2016 at the…
After a recent trip to Calistoga and Napa Valley, I wanted to do a column on some of the lesser-known restaurants, markets and what some of the wineries are doing to quench your hunger along with your thirst: Calistoga Roastery, Lincoln Avenue, Calistoga: Warm and inviting, with a Brit behind the counter that was all…
In 2005 I took a memorable trip to Napa Valley, not my first or last, with good friends. By the time we got to Joseph Phelps for our reserved tasting and lunch, I was in love with the (wine) world once again. But this time, I decided to take it home with me. Or, to…
Attended a fabulous wine tasting of Napa Valley’s Crocker & Starr followed by lunch at the AOC Wine Bar and Restaurant in Beverly Hills last week. We got to meet and interview the winemaker and winery manager, Pam Starr, while sipping on their soon to-be-released Sauvignon Blanc, several Cabernet Francs and flagship Cabernet Sauvignon. “It’s been…
After years working alongside visionaries including Robert Mondavi in Napa, the masterful winemaker continues to innovate and evolve his family’s award-winning winery. Paso Robles, California – As a child working the 740-acre vineyard planted in Atascadero by his grandfather, David Parrish knew he wanted a life among the rolling vine rows of wine country. Years later…
Larsen’s Steakhouse in Valencia, one of the few choices we have in town for a high end/fine dining experience, recently held one of its periodic “wine tasting and locker stocking” events for its VIP locker holders. My wife Karen and I had the pleasure to attend, taste some great wines, try some delicious apps and…
By now you readers are used to these “virtual tastes” from my various tastings. But, in case you are here for your first sip, a media/trade tasting, by definition, allows the wine/spirit maker or winery/spirit representative (rep) the opportunity to “sell” their product by talking about their offerings and pouring a small sample to writers,…
Awards were handed out in four categories and The SOMM Journal named its top sommelier Pismo Beach, CA – The International Chardonnay Symposium, (ICS), TheChardonnaySymposium.com, the world’s foremost gathering of premium Chardonnay producers, sommeliers, trade and enthusiasts, announced the official medal winners of the 2016 International Chardonnay Symposium Wine Competition. The ICS 2016 and The…