The Napa Valley is the only region in the world where I can go to an event and feel right at home because I know so many people and instantly recognize so many faces - and that feels good. Flavor Napa valley is the latest in a number of world-class food and wine events to come to Napa. This is only its 2nd year; the event features five days of incredible food, wine, and education. Tonight was the "Appellation" tasting at the CIA (Culinary … [Read more...]
Mad Scientists at Raymond Winery
My first impression of Raymond Winery when I arrive for my "Winemaker for a Day" blending experience with my fiance, Tom, is that we are at a traditional Napa winery. The "Winemaker for Day" experience involves creating my own wine blend and bottling the wine to take home with my own label - which I am currently designing with a happy employee named Casey at the tasting room counter. The tasting room has beige walls and white counter-tops with a … [Read more...]
Finding the Flavors, Spring in West Sonoma County
The allure of wine tasting at family owned boutique wineries of West Sonoma County is calling. The romance of several nights tucked away in Guerneville - away from crowds, hidden in the gentle fog of west county is downright appealing. Located only about 25 minutes from Santa Rosa and under 90 minutes from San Francisco this region of Sonoma County makes a great multi-day destination/weekend getaway. In order to avoid the summertime crowds … [Read more...]
Moveable Thirst
Moveable Thirst by Rick Kushman and Hank Beal Join the authors as they spend time in the Napa Valley between bud break and harvest visiting every open to the public by walk-in tasting room (141 of these at the time of their project) in the valley. Insightful and often humorous commentary accompanies each one of their winery reviews. One of the authors is a "newbie" and one is the "expert". Learn about wine, the people in the industry and … [Read more...]
Lonely Planet Napa & Sonoma
Lonely Planet Napa & Sonoma by Alison Bing Based on our large project in Napa (The Napa Wine Project) we try to review as many related books as possible. Recently this one came across our desk. Napa & Sonoma Encounter is a mini guide featuring the best of the Sonoma and Napa wine regions. Locations are organized by individual valleys each of which is a prominent wine producing region in its own right. This is the perfect guide for those new … [Read more...]
Moon Napa Valley
Moon Napa Valley by Philip Goldsmith For those specifically focusing on visiting the world famous wine growing region of the Napa Valley, Moon Handbooks features the "Napa Valley" spotlight. This book is essentially contained within their much more exhaustive in focus, "Northern California Wine Country" (see below) but the advantages of this book are price and its much smaller size. This is a very good introduction guide to the Napa Valley with … [Read more...]
Enjoying downtown Napa
We spent the evening enjoying two fine Napa restaurants. Usually I'm perfectly satisfied with one meal but on this one evening we opted for two full course dinners at two different restaurants! First we popped into the new restaurant Charlie Palmer Steak at the Archer hotel but didn't eat anything. We then hit up Eiko's on 1st Street, downtown Napa. This is a restaurant that specializes in authentic Japanese cuisine including seasonal dishes … [Read more...]
Time Flies – Hanging in LA, upcoming trips
Ooops another month just went by - and haven't updated the blog. Was in Los Angeles again last week enjoying a plethora of activities, very warm weather and very clear skies. See video below taking from Mulholland overlooking the valley. Have a press trip up in Napa starting this weekend - first press trip where I'm actually an expert on the destination - and could easily lead a few of the tours! Then back to town for a week and off on our … [Read more...]
“The Daily Meal” Pours it on With West Coast Wine Country Pilot “Barrel, Bottle & Beyond”
November 7, 2011 Napa, CA "The Daily Meal" (www.thedailymeal.com) is co-producing Barrel, Bottle & Beyond, a behind the scenes look at food and wine from the Napa Valley with vintner Katie Hamilton Shaffer of Toolbox Wine Co. and San Francisco based Mobile Broadcast Network. Barrel, Bottle & Beyond is the perfect blend. Chef, winemaker and host Katie Hamilton Shaffer is uncorking MBN's first-of-a-kind mobile video platform to offer The Daily … [Read more...]
Amicis Winery Guides: Dream Tours of Napa & Sonoma
"Amicis Winery Guides: Dream Tours of Napa & Sonoma by Ralph Amicis is being hailed as the best winery guide book in the region. Don't set out to visit your favorite wineries, or to discover new ones without it! More than just a survey book, or a daytrip guide, 'Dream Tours' includes valuable guidance about enjoying the tasting room experience, easy to use mapped tours for both counties, a comprehensive winery directory, plus restaurants and … [Read more...]
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