Eve's Wine 101

Santa Ynez Valley eager to welcome visitors back as leisure travel resumes

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SANTA YNEZ VALLEY, Calif. — The reopening of the Santa Ynez Valley to visitors, most notably lodging for leisure travel and the resumption of outdoor service for restaurants and wineries, could not have come at a better time for those struggling with the Groundhog Day-like effects of pandemic fatigue.

According to the most recent Travel Sentiment Index Report from Destination Analysts, more than half of American travelers (53.1%) indicated they experienced “cabin fever” at least half of the time during the last 30 days. As we approach one full year since COVID-19 travel restrictions were first implemented in California, it’s no wonder why the Santa Ynez Valley is emerging as a popular destination for those seeking to enrich their lives once again through travel.

“I don’t know if it’s cabin fever, travel deprivation, or simply getting back to doing what we love, but we are just as eager to see some fresh, new, and friendly faces around the valley as I’m sure visitors are to see something other than the four walls they have been largely confined to for the past year,” said Shelby Sim, President & CEO of Visit the Santa Ynez Valley. “The Santa Ynez Valley is a community of hosts, entertainers, providers, and makers. We’re in the business of providing an escape, and to be deprived of the ability to share our destination with others has been a challenge we are excited to move past.”

The path toward doing just that began on Jan. 25 when Gov. Gavin Newsom lifted the statewide stay-at-home order, paving the way for the resumption of leisure travel and related services in the process. Among the most notable Santa Ynez Valley visitor services and attractions that have reopened or have relaxed restrictions recently include the following:

  • Leisure travel is permitted to the Santa Ynez Valley
  • Hotels and accommodations are open with modifications
  • Restaurants are open for outdoor service, takeout, pick-up, and delivery
  • Wineries are open for outdoor service
  • Retail occupancy is capped at 25 percent indoors
  • Outdoor recreation remains available including golf courses, hiking trails, and parks

For the latest information and updates on travel restrictions visit the Traveling Safely in the Santa Ynez Valley section of VisitSYV.com.

“As we continue to see case numbers decrease and vaccinations increase, we’re hopeful that traveler optimism will continue its upward trajectory and that Southern Californians, followed by other Californians and ultimately visitors from outside the Golden State will be able to safely return to and find joy in a visit to the Santa Ynez Valley,” said Sim. “It’s also important to note that the resumption of leisure travel and the easing of restrictions do not mean the pandemic is over. We cannot overstate the importance of visitors remaining vigilant about their safety and the safety of others at all times, so they can continue to enjoy this beautiful valley and we can continue sharing it with them.”

For more information, or to research attractions, book lodging and activities, and create a custom travel itinerary, visit VisitSYV.com.

 About the Santa Ynez Valley:

Barely two hours from Los Angeles and a scenic four-hour drive from San Francisco, the Santa Ynez Valley is home to six distinct towns each with its own culture, vibe, and menu of experiences. Blanketed with fruitful farms and vineyards, the California Central Coast wine region’s temperate weather allows for year-round activities of all sorts, spread throughout the historical communities of Ballard, Buellton, Los Alamos, Los Olivos, Santa Ynez, and Solvang. Destination dining and world-class wines await, accompanied by lodging at every level, all painted into atmospheric backdrops that colorfully mesh Old World and Old West. Visit more than 100 wineries, feast on chef-driven cuisine, and enjoy festive events and design details from Victorian-era to mid-century to modern Danish. For more information, including a listing of wedding venues, restaurants, wineries, tasting rooms, and events, go to VisitSYV.com.

Antlers at Vail Announces New Stay and Après-ski Lodging Package Offering Complimentary In-suite Charcuterie and Spirits

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VAIL, COLO. (PRWEB) – Après is that special time after a day on the slopes where you unbuckle the boots, kick back, have a snack and enjoy a favorite beverage while recounting the day’s highlights. The tradition has become an integral part of a Vail, Colorado, ski day and while the look may be a little different this year, the Antlers at Vail hotel is offering a new package that allows guests to create their own more intimate but equally enjoyable end-of-day scene. With the Rooms, Boards and Bottles – Stay and Après package, guests can return after a day of fun in the snow to a private après-ski experience with a chef-prepared charcuterie board and wine or local beer to enjoy in the comfort of their own spacious condominium complete with a crackling gas fireplace, flat screen TV and a private balcony to take in the fresh mountain air and views.

Located close walking distance to Vail’s Eagle Bahn Gondola, the Antlers offers a convenient and amenities-filled option for travelers to stay, play – and now après – in Vail. The individually decorated condominium suites range from studios to four-bedroom units, each featuring a fully equipped kitchen, dining area and a comfy living room space to stretch out in and relax after the best of winter outdoor activities. Antlers Stay and Après guests can enjoy the ultimate in-suite experience with Chef Barry’s fabulous complimentary après-ski charcuterie board, arrayed with a hearty assortment of cheese and meat, chicken and tuna salad, pickles, olives, vegetable crudité, hummus, gluten-free crackers and sliced baguette, all paired with a bottle of wine or six-pack of Colorado craft beer.

Forget fighting for a table or waiting for what feels like an eternity for that well-earned drink. At the Antlers, the après experience begins upon your return to the suite.
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And a chance to warm up and soothe sore muscles from a day of Colorado skiing is as close as the Antlers at Vail’s two creekside hot tubs accompanied by the year-round heated outdoor pool.

The new Rooms, Boards and Bottles – Stay and Après package at Antlers at Vail starts at $932 plus tax for three nights in a studio suite (and, as always, NO resort fees). The package is available in any of the Antlers condominiums from studio to four-bedroom, with additional nights available at a 15-20% discount.
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Note that Vail skiing is by reservation only for the 2020/21 season, with priority given to Epic Pass holders (day as well as season passes available; check here on Vail.com for info and reservations).

As for guests who wish to enjoy more than one après-ski experience in their private Antlers residence, local restaurants such as Garfinkel’s, with its traditional American pub food, and El Sabor, with authentic Mexican cuisine, will deliver their popular après offerings to the Antlers front desk. Or guests can bring their own fixings to prepare DIY après snacks and meals in the suite’s full kitchen stocked with all the cooking essentials. And share the fun with others using the #AntlersApres hashtag for a chance to win a free night’s stay at the Antlers at Vail.

The Antlers is a notoriously family-friendly hotel (pet-friendly too by advance reservation), so guests can rest assured that the whole crew is welcomed, and the staff goes above and beyond to ensure the comfort and safety of guests with an extraordinary list of amenities and with strict cleaning and safety measures in place.

About Antlers at Vail
The Antlers at Vail offers a relaxed Vail lodging experience in a fabulous mountain setting. In addition to being awarded Vail’s highest-level Platinum lodging rating, the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence and GreenLeader status, Antlers has received a wide range of media coverage, including being named a Sunset “Stellar Pet-Friendly Hotel,” a best place on the planet to “Live (for a While) as a Digital Nomad” by Outside magazine, and family travel blogger kudos as both a “Best Ski Hotel for Families” and a best “Summer Camp for Families.” With condominiums ranging from studio suites to four-bedroom penthouses, every Antlers unit enjoys a fully equipped kitchen, fireplace, balcony and complimentary Wi-Fi and covered parking. The Antlers is once more offering complimentary daily housekeeping for the winter season. For more information as well as any updates on coronavirus protocols visit http://www.antlersvail.com.

New ‘Sabores de México’ Tasting Experience Featuring Regional Mexican Cuisine and Spirits Coming January 1 to Casa Velas

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PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO (PRWEB) – Beginning January 2021, travelers visiting Casa Velas in Puerto Vallarta can embark on a culinary adventure across the country with the boutique hotel’s new ‘Sabores de México’ tasting experience. Led by Executive Chef, Isaac Esparza, the new offering provides an exclusive look into culinary traditions from five regions in Mexico: Jalisco, Michoacan, Durango, Chihuahua, and Oaxaca. The curated tasting menu is available at the hotel’s Emiliano restaurant, surrounded by native fruits and vegetables in its botanical garden, or oceanfront at its luxury Beach Club. Highlights of the different dishes consist of popular Mexican ingredients such as corn, coriander, mole, and mezcal. Specialty cocktails made from lesser-known Mexican spirits such as Sotol, Charanda, and Pulque complement Mezcal and Tequila as complements to specific dishes.

The first dish served off the curated menu is tuna tlayuda with serrano pepper rings, creamy avocado, peeled orange slices, coriander leaves, and maguey salted worm paired with an Ometochtli cocktail with Pulque; Next, a citrus and fresh berries green salad with “palanqueta” peanuts, mint vinaigrette and bittersweet chocolate sauce is paired with a Raramuri Sunset cocktail with Sotol. The following dish is a corn gordita filled with octopus and pork with green sauce, avocado, fresh cilantro and cured onions served with a Sangre Cora cocktail with tequila. Then, guests will enjoy a Pastor-style salmon served over avocado mousse with grilled pineapple salad, red wine onions, and pineapple purée paired with a mezcal-based Oaxaca in the bar cocktail. Lastly for dessert, guests will be indulged with chocolate mousse with “mole” sauce and nut powder paired with Café de Olla with Charanda.
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Reminiscent of a Spanish hacienda and just 5 minutes from Puerto Vallarta International Airport, the luxury all-inclusive property features 80 spacious suites, some with private pools and Jacuzzis. Nestled on the greens of Marina Vallarta’s 18-hole golf course, Casa Velas features deluxe amenities and inclusions such as:

  • discounted golf;
  • rejuvenating spa treatments at ABJA Spa;
  • unique wellness experiences and private workout classes;
  • international cuisine from one of the area’s leading chefs;
  • and more.

Special offerings exclusive to the resort include its handbag bar where guests can enjoy use of a “loaner” designer handbag at no extra charge, a botanical garden where guests can hand pick ingredients for cocktails and their personalized menus, among others.

Velas Resorts have received the global safety stamp of approval from the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) due to its state-of-the-art safety and cleanliness protocols detailed in a 15-page Stay Safe with Velas program. Sanitizing mats and booths, touchless hand sanitizing dispensers, increased cleaning and sanitation with both EPA-chemicals and UV light, and special COVID-19 training for staff are examples of protocols being implemented by the resort collection.

The Sabores de México tasting costs $150 USD per person. Guests must book the experience at least 72 hours prior to the event. All-inclusive resort rates start at $221 per person per night based on double occupancy. At Casa Velas, luxury accommodations, gourmet meals, premium liquor and wine, 24-hour suite service, use of the fitness center facilities, WIFI, taxes, and gratuities are included in the nightly rate. With a minimum booking of 70 suites and a minimum stay of 4 nights, the nightly buyout rate is $49,420 USD per night. For more information on Casa Velas, please call 1-888-407-4869 or visit http://www.hotelcasavelas.com.

About Casa Velas
Casa Velas is a luxury all-inclusive boutique hotel with pool and Beach Club for adults only in Puerto Vallarta. Reminiscent of a Spanish hacienda, the hotel features 80 spacious suites, some with private pools and Jacuzzis. Nestled on the greens of Marina Vallarta’s 18-hole golf course, this Puerto Vallarta hotel offers guests a 25% discount on green fees. Its serene, exclusive setting provides an ideal backdrop for a Puerto Vallarta wedding ranging in size from 2 to 300. ABJA Spa encompasses treatment rooms for singles and couples, a hydrotherapy area, garden-view fitness center equipped with state-of-the-art exercise equipment, and a beauty salon. A novel service is a handbag bar where guests can enjoy use of a “loaner” designer handbag at no extra charge. Emiliano restaurant is in the hands of one of the area’s leading chefs serving Mexican and international cuisine. Eduardo Vela Ruiz, founder and president of Velas Resorts, operates Velas Resorts with brother Juan Vela, vice president of Velas Resorts, by his side. Explore tips, recipes, lifestyle and travel trends, and the latest news about Velas Resorts on the digital mag: https://velasmagazine.com.

Judith Hollis Jones Named New President of Les Dames d’Escoffier International

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LOUISVILLE, KY. (PRWEB) – Les Dames d’Escoffier announces its new president for the 2020 – 2021 year, Judith Hollis-Jones. The announcement was made at the 2020 LDEI Conference, which took place virtually on Oct. 17.

Hollis-Jones steps into the role as Beverly Shaffer, owner of Cook. Write Travel. Repeat, a culinary consulting company, transitions into the position of Immediate Past President. In her new role, Hollis-Jones will lead Les Dames d’Escoffier International’s more than 2,400 women leaders and luminaries in the food, beverage and hospitality industries, on its mission to support its members and mentor others in the industry through education and philanthropy.

Prior to her appointment as president, Hollis-Jones served on the LDEI board as First Vice President, overseeing sponsorship and partner development. Hollis-Jones also is a founding member and board member of Les Dames d’Escoffier’s Kentucky Chapter.

“LDEI’s members are some of the smartest, most inspiring women in our industries and it’s my privilege to lead this organization – even through a pandemic – as we work to support our industries through education, philanthropy and friendship,” said Hollis-Jones.

Hollis-Jones brings decades of experience to her new role, including executive roles in supply chain management for large multinational food companies including YUM Brands and Wendy’s International. She established her consulting company, Hollis Jones & Associates, in 2009, to help guide companies in achieving their business goals. Hollis-Jones also is a founding partner of Buzzard’s Roost Spirits, a Kentucky whiskey company launched in 2019.

While her career has been at the intersection of food and drink, Hollis- Jones also has been active in industry organizations, including the Global Supply Chain Forum of The Ohio State University, Arizona State University’s Center for Advanced Purchasing Study, and recently, the Kentucky Distillers Association. Her community involvement includes serving as President of the Louisville Jazz Society, board member of the Columbus (OH) Jazz Orchestra, board member of the Louisville Visual Arts Association, and member of Bourbon Women.

LDEI is an international organization of women leaders who create a supportive culture in their communities to achieve excellence in the food, beverage and hospitality fields. To do this, 2,400 members in 43 chapters worldwide provide leadership, educational opportunities and philanthropy within their communities. For more information, visit LDEI.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Linked-in and Twitter.

Walla Walla Valley Voted ‘America’s Best Wine Region’ In The 2020 USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards

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WALLA WALLA, Wash./PRNewswire/ — The Walla Walla Valley has been named America’s Best Wine Region in the 2020 USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice awards following a month-long nationwide public vote. Walla Walla Valley has been selected as a finalist for the prestigious award three consecutive years, but this marks the first time it has earned first place. In addition to the Walla Walla Valley’s first-place win in Best Wine Region category, Long Shadows Vintners took fourth place in the Best Tasting Room category for the second consecutive year.

“I can think of no better way to honor wines from Washington state in general, and Walla Walla Valley wines specifically, than being recognized as America’s Best Wine Region by a vote of the public,” said Robert Hansen, executive director of the Walla Walla Valley Wine Alliance. “It’s a testament to the outstanding terroir, meticulous craftsmanship, and to the men and women who are committed to elevating the Walla Walla Valley from both a wine production and tourism perspective.”

A panel of five wine industry experts chose 20 finalists from a list of more than 250 American wine-growing regions. The public was then asked to vote daily for their favorite region between July 13 and Aug. 12.

“The Walla Walla Valley is no stranger to being recognized for the quality of its wines and the experience that awaits those who visit, including being recognized as America’s Best Wine Town in the 2018 Sunset Travel Awards,” said Visit Walla Walla board chair Tabitha Crenshaw. “Given today’s proliferation of American wines and wine regions, this is a particularly proud moment. It is truly special when the very people who purchase and enjoy your wines, and who choose to visit our incredible community, validate the quality and experience you are striving to achieve.”

For more information on the Walla Walla Valley and its wines, visit www.wallawalla.org or www.wallawallawine.com.

About Walla Walla:

As the unofficial capital of Washington wine country, Walla Walla is home to more than 120 wineries, a nationally recognized culinary scene, access to an abundance of outdoor recreation, and an arts & entertainment scene that rivals cities many times its size. This community of just over 30,000 residents is known for many things, including its friendliness and hospitality, the quality of its wine, and of course the famous Walla Walla Sweet Onion. An easy and scenic four-hour drive from Seattle, Portland, or Boise, Walla Walla can also be accessed via Alaska Airlines daily non-stop flights from Seattle. For more information and to begin planning a trip to Walla Walla, visit www.wallawalla.org.

About the Walla Walla Valley Wine Alliance:

The Walla Walla Valley Wine Alliance is a nonprofit wine industry membership organization whose primary mission is to build an internationally acclaimed Walla Walla Valley wine brand among consumers, media, and trade by providing marketing programs on behalf of member wineries, vineyards, and partners.  The Wine Alliance functions as the leading informational resource for consumers, media, and trade interested in learning more about the Valley’s wine industry.

STABLES INN PASO ROBLES DEBUTS AS CENTRAL COAST’S NEWEST HOTEL AND WELCOMES FIRST-EVER GUESTS

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The 19-room hotel offers travelers and locals a Western chic design inspired by the timeless charm of horses, riders and traditional whitewashed stables

PASO ROBLES, CA – Stables Inn, http://www.stablesinnpaso.com, the newest member of the Hotel Cheval LLC family, is now open welcoming its first-ever guests beginning June 5, 2020. The 18-room plus one bunkhouse property was completely reimagined and renovated, top to bottom. Inspired by the timeless charm of horses, riders and traditional whitewashed stables, the result is a celebration of the outdoors, located just three short blocks from Paso Robles’ historic downtown park. Featuring modern, stylish and unpretentious accommodations, with touches of Western chic, it is a place unlike any other in Paso Robles.

The Stables Inn offers two room types: California King Room or Double Room with plush, pillow-top mattresses, Egyptian cotton sheets and luxury bedding. Each guestroom is outfitted with a private en-suite bathroom with shower, 43” Flat Screen Smart TV, individual air conditioning and heating, mini fridge, original artwork and complimentary high-speed WIFI is available throughout the property.

Guests can enjoy complimentary coffee and tea served in the Tack Room every morning, and a central outdoor communal fireplace located beneath a spectacular, ancient magnolia tree that beckons in the afternoon and evening. Stables Inn is also dog-friendly welcoming guests and their K-9 companions.  An Electric Vehicle Charging Station; (Level 2 | 240 volt) is also on property.

Stables Inn Paso Robles is located at 730 Spring Street in Paso Robles, California 93446. For more information, visit www.stablesinnpaso.com or call (805) 296-3636.

Wines of South Africa USA Marketing Manager Jim Clarke’s New Book on the Wine Regions of South Africa Has Been Released

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NEW YORK (PRWEB) – Wines of South Africa (WOSA) USA, the industry association that promotes the exports of South African wine, is proud to announce that Marketing Manager Jim Clarke’s new book, The Wines of South Africa, has just been released. Published by Infinite Ideas, it is the newest addition to its well-respected Classic Wine Library series of wine books.

“I’m excited to share my passion for South African wine in my new book, and am honored to be part of the Classic Wine Library series of authors,” Clarke notes. “The wine regions of South Africa are stunning, and producers are making world-class wines that deserve more attention. I hope that my in-depth research of this interesting, complex wine region will be seen as an important reference point for those to take a deeper dive into the South African wine industry.”

Pulling from his fifteen years of traveling to and working with the South African wine industry, in this project independent from his work at WOSA, Clarke covers the history of South African wine, the industry as it stands today, challenges facing winemaking in the region, as well as an overview of the major growing areas.

“Today South Africa is revealing its potential ever more rapidly. Since around 2008, more and more producers have been using the country’s terroir to represent itself unmasked and without affectation…The peaks of South African wine are higher, and the clumsy wines of the past are bygones…” writes Clarke in the book’s Introduction. “Today one can taste through the wines of South Africa and experience the expansive range of expression the Cape’s many terroirs are capable of … the industry is at a point where its right to a seat at the table is undisputed by anyone who has taken the time to taste. South Africa is making great wines.”

The book begins with the history of the Dutch bringing wine to South Africa, the establishment of Cape Town, and its rise to eminence as a wine producer. As it entered the modern era of its wine industry post-apartheid, there was recognition for the need of quality, terroir-driven wines as well as acknowledging the social context of wine production in South Africa. Clarke discusses the efforts being made by the wine business to address the issue of racial inequality, with education programs, worker empowerment initiatives, and land restitution all being employed to create opportunity and redress the balance. Additionally, there has been an increase in the variety of plantings in South Africa’s vineyards, reflecting the diverse terroir and climate that create the top- end wines of quality and character.

Finally, the wine regions are explored in detail, with references to the key producers as well as typical varietals and styles of wine to the area. The Wine of Origin system of Regions, Districts and Wards is also discussed. This is a must read for anyone that has an interest in modern South African wine.

The Wines of South Africa joins other prominent books on wine regions around the world in the Classic Wine Library. The series stretches back over fifty years, and has been published by Infinite Ideas since 2013. The books are written by experts on the topics, and serve as invaluable resources for students, sommeliers and others who work in the wine industry.

“Jim Clarke’s book is easily the most important work on South African wine to be published in recent years and a very welcome addition to our Classic Wine Library,” states Richard Burton, Publisher.

Clarke became interested in wine after moving to New York City in 2001 and taking a job waiting tables, training as a sommelier on the job and through classes with the American Sommelier Association. A writing competition led to an introduction to South African wine and the start of Clarke’s journalistic career. He has written for the New York Times, San Francisco Chronicle, World of Fine Wine, Beverage Media, and Fortune, among others. In 2013, Clarke took a position as Wines of South Africa’s U.S. Marketing Manager. He remains active as a freelance writer, covering wine, sake, and related subjects. He speaks regularly at a number of wine events and judges in several international wine competitions.

The Wines of South Africa was released on July 20th, 2020 as a 322-page paperback book, and retails in the United States for $39.95. It is available online, including at Amazon Books and Barnes & Noble.

About Wines of South Africa
Wines of South Africa (WOSA) is the organization representing all South African producers of wine who export their products. WOSA, which was established in its current form in 1999, has over 500 exporters on its database, comprising all the major South African wine exporters. It is constituted as a not-for-profit company and is totally independent of any producer, wholesaling company or government department but is recognized by the South African Export Council. WOSA’s mandate is to promote the export of all South African wines in key international markets including the United States.

Tuscan Women Cook Brings Italy to Your Kitchen with a Light, Summer Italian Recipe

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Who wouldn’t love to sit in the sun at an outdoor café in Italy sipping a chilled glass of wine and eating a favorite Italian meal? Unfortunately, we can’t travel to Italy yet and many of us are still staying close to home. But that doesn’t mean we can’t create a bit of Italy in ourselves. Coleen Kirnan and Rhonda Vilardo, the owners, and hosts of Tuscan Women Cook, the unique and popular culinary vacation located in the heart of Tuscany, want to bring a bit of Italy to home kitchens during this pandemic. Tuscan Women Cook is about celebrating the food and culture of the Tuscan region of Italy ensconced in the charming village of Montefollonico.

Photo from Tuscan Women Cook’s Facebook page.

A favorite summer meal is Pasta Fredda. Pasta Fredda, “cold pasta” or “pasta salad”, is the perfect pasta dish for spring or summer, although it can be served year-round. It is generally served chilled or at room temperature and is a popular dish throughout Italy for warm weather picnics and buffets. Tuscan Women Cook has prepared the recipe using just five ingredients plus the pasta. Feel free to add your own ingredients—vegetables, beans, nuts, seafood, poultry, and cheeses such as Parmesan and feta.

Pasta Fredda
Serves 4-6

Ingredients:
1 package (8 ounces) short pasta, such as farfalle or tubetti *
20 cherry tomatoes cut in half
7 ounces bocconcini (small balls of mozzarella cheese), or any size fresh mozzarella cut into 1.5-inch pieces
¾ cup black olives, pitted and cut in half
6 or more fresh basil leaves, torn into two or three pieces
Extra-virgin olive oil
Salt to taste

Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta following the box instructions for the time, or until al dente. Drain and cool to room temperature. Combine chopped tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil in a large serving bowl. Add the pasta to the tomato mixture, combine, and drizzle with olive oil to taste.

* If you have small amounts of different shaped pasta in your pantry, combine them for a unique presentation.

Arianna Moldovan, from Tuscan Women Cook, shows you how to prepare Pasta Fredda:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGOv-079biI&feature=youtu.be

Recipe reprinted with permission of www.TuscanWomenCook.com.

During each day of Tuscan Women Cook’s week-long program, their group of 18 participants learn to cook authentic Italian recipes from some of the best cooks in all of Italy…the local grandmothers, or “nonnas.” These extraordinary women teach their cooking classes sharing family recipes that have been handed down from generation to generation.

And after a day of cooking, eating, and wine tasting, participants are taken on shopping and sightseeing trips in the many beautiful villages and towns of Tuscany, with maybe a little more wine tasting and afternoon gelato sampling, ending each day with a memorable gourmet dinner in the region’s top locales.

Los Angeles-based Coleen Kirnan and Rhonda Vilardo are two inventive business dynamos who decided to take a career risk that changed their lives.  In 2016 they purchased Tuscan Women Cook, a career move that changed both of their lives personally and professionally.

For more information on Tuscan Women Cook, visit their website, www.TuscanWomenCook.com.

How Would You Like to Get Comfortable at Grapestake Cottage and Vineyards in Paso? (Promo code below!)

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We have some news from Grapestake Cottage and Vineyards in Paso Robles to share:

Grapestake Cottage is open and we miss our wonderful guests. We are waiting for you with a bottle of our 2018 Grapestake  Zinfandel  (or choose Grenache) and Owen’s hand curated olives. The vines are full and rich with flowers…roses are in bloom and the sun is shining!  We have ultra sanitized everything (actually we always did) and we assure you that your home away from home will be sparkling clean! Most restaurants have reopened and wineries are gradually opening.

We are offering a special code to entice guests to visit us. Please use: Wine101 in the promotion code box at checkout to enjoy 15% off your 2 night minimum stay. This promotion code will expire July 31st for any future travel date.

If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact me directly.  Please stay safe and healthy and hope to see you soon!

Regards from the Vineyard!

Nancy

805-888-5225

https://www.grapestakecottage.com/

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And here, as a reminder, is my story from my own visit there in 2018:

Oh dear me, what kind of karma do I have? Apparently the best. I’m sitting at a dining table, in a one bedroom cottage, set apart from a large estate, perusing an antique piano turned into a display case, a couch and two armchairs – that all recline – a beautiful modern kitchen area with everything you could possibly need for a welcome stay – from coffee maker to teapot, corkscrew to sweet and salty snacks and a large fireplace, television, another seating area…and that’s just in the front room. (Ed’s taking a nap in the bedroom so we may get there later.)

I am just starting this article and it’s slow going as I find my eyes drifting to one of many windows where the sun has begun to set behind the patio, garden and vineyards. If this isn’t my heaven then I don’t know what is.

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The sun has now set, but before it grows too dark I see little bitty lights in the tree on our patio. I’m itching to go out and sit at the table and open a bottle of wine. But we’re in Paso Robles. And since Grapestake Cottage is so inviting, I forget for a minute that I have winery appointments. I made a quick evaluation of our calendar and decide that on at least one of our nights, Sunday, we will be bringing in a pizza, opening one of the many wines we’ve purchased to enjoy on the patio, watch that sunset again, and then retreat inside when it gets cold to flip on the fireplace, take our shoes off, don one of the provided terry robes, put some popcorn in the microwave, put our feet up and get cozy.

We also made sure to set some time to get to know Nancy and Owen Belletto, our hosts, a wee bit better. “It all started with a tractor” was the joke Owen made when we first met, and that tractor – and everything that came after – was the turning point that soon meant building a cottage, an incredible garden and…vineyards.

The name Grapestake has a meaning as well. I learned that Owen used 40-year-old wooden grapestakes – now grapestakes are all made of metal – to repurpose them as fencing for the cottage just as he had seen in some homes in Carmel. After meeting Owen, and seeing the amazing property, I could easily visualize him as he “spent countless hours cutting, sanding and measuring” just for the beauty it would provide for guests…

As we were told to “please feel free to wander the vineyard and grounds” we did. But as I didn’t want to run into any gophers, I waited until our set interview time with Owen and Nancy to learn more about the Bellettos and their home. I learned that when they chose the property that the estate home was already built, which had formerly been a B and B and required no more work, a stipulation Nancy required before moving in.

That requirement was really more of a model, as within a short time the gravel parking area become the base of the cottage, the grounds now included olive trees, and the same designer that had built the home was called upon to build Grapestake Cottage – however in the original plans the cottage was only built to house Owen’s tractor. But Owen needed a bathroom near the tractor…but why just have a bathroom without a bedroom…and Grapestake Cottage began to really take shape, literally.

All in all there are 8 acres on the property under vine, 7.5 of those acres are Syrah – they are estate growers for Justin, and were named the grower of the year in 2016 – and the remaining .5 acres are for Grenache and is reserved for Owen’s winemaking alone. Owen has a background in agriculture – the pair met while in studies at UC Davis – where they were starving students for a short time, enjoying wine tasting in nearby Napa valley back in the days when it was free to taste.

Fast forward to present day in Paso. They have met welcoming and charming people in the Paso wine industry. Any local winemakers, they feel, are very free with answering any wine question put to them without a nuance of elitism.

“Paso Robles is where Napa was 30 years ago,” Owen began. “insofar as how people are treated.” And a good way to explain why so many wine people may prefer tasting and touring in Paso over Napa. It’s not just the difference in the cost of wines, but also in how Paso treats its guests.

As far as how they treat their own guests, and circling back to how we felt our accommodations were far and above the standard, Nancy explained, “I’ve traveled with Owen on many trips and have often been irritated by asking to pay for items like water bottles and snacks. So we put a lot of thought into what a guest would like that we would also appreciate.”

Come check then out for yourself, and remember to use code wine101 before July 31: https://www.grapestakecottage.com/ 

https://www.instagram.com/grapestakecottage/

Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a “certification in first globally-recognized course” as an American Wine Specialist ® from the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), Level 1 Sake Award from WSET, was the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video (over 15k views), authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru and the Global Wine Awards. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits. You can also seek her marketing advice via Eve@EveBushmanConsulting.com

Yellowstone Tours From Jackson Hole

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JACKSON HOLE, WYO. (PRWEB) – Imagine driving on a paved road in a national park, and suddenly a black sow with three cubs cross the street. Or let’s say a tour guide with tourists, are driving in the park, all of a sudden one black wolf emerges in the wilderness. He or maybe she runs casually towards a herd of bison. As the tourists watch, another wolf does the same. Twenty minutes later, another wolf appears and does the same thing! So many similar scenarios are replicated in Yellowstone and Grand Teton. Apart from wolves and bison, the two parks have elk, bighorn sheep and prong horn antelope.

Apart from wildlife, there are scenic locations for all to behold. From the Teton Mountains, to Snake River Overlook (where Ansel Adams took pictures), to the Oxbow Bend Turnout, Jenny Lake, there are may fascinating places in the Tetons. In Yellowstone, Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Spring, Fountain Paint Pots, Grand Canyon of Yellowstone lower and upper falls are places to admire and take pictures. Artist’s Point, Hayden Valley, Mud Volcano and Lake Yellowstone are also places visitors can see.

Certain tour outfits also know and talk about the history of the parks, including geological history. According to Moses Yamtal, owner of Yellowstone Tours From Jackson Hole, whose company recently received a Certificate of Excellence from TripAdvisor, “There is so much to see in Yellowstone and Teton’s 2.5 million acres. We also provide tours outside of the two parks. Our guests are not only impressed with the wildlife they see. But they also love the geology and history of this unique part of the world.”