Organic farmer, Jay Ruskey has been at the forefront in California of commercially growing exotic and rare fruit species at his farm perched on the side of the Santa Ynez Mountains above Goleta since the mid 1990's. The 42 acre farm is about 650 feet above sea level about two miles inland from the Pacific Ocean and on a clear day (of which there are many at this elevation) there are great views of the ocean and the Channel Islands. For … [Read more...]
Chatham Vineyards Virginia
I recently ventured to Virginia to acquaint myself with this state's blossoming wine industry. Wine in Virginia has a venerable history, dating back to Jamestown and the ten vines that each settler was required to tend. Local boy Thomas Jefferson was on a life-long quest to produce a successful vineyard, and judging from my recent visit, he would be pleased with what today's producers are doing. There are nearly 200 wineries throughout the … [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...]
Venice, special places to visit
With a warm and very convenient weather during the most of the year, Italy is one of the most favorites countries when going on vacations, of course the weather, although is a very good reason to visit Italy, it is definitely not the only one. History, art, music, culture, gastronomy, and the most incredible landscapes are just some other few examples of why millions of tourists visit the country every year. One of the most visited cities … [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...]
Bliss Unleashed: Barcelona – Catalan Food
If you follow the World's Healthiest Diet, a.k.a. the Mediterranean Plan, your bliss will be unleashed in Barcelona! Before expanding on Catalan's culinary delights, let's get the housekeeping issues out of our way. Prior to departure, look on the Internet and investigate affordable Barcelona apartments. Hotels in Barcelona are pricey. You'll be able to stash "food-money" in your pocket to capitalize your culinary experience. You will have … [Read more...]
Tuscan Delights
When I first married into a Tuscan family, I was stunned at the sheer number of butcher shops that stood under the elegant porticos in Greve-in-Chianti's gracious piazza. This tiny town in the middle of the Chianti Classico wine country has a score of butchers, many more than I would have thought could possibly earn a livelihood from the miniscule population. Americans may be known for consuming large quantities of beef, but Tuscans are … [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...]
Ngoma Safari Lodge Botswana
Ngoma Safari Lodge is located on the edges of Chobe National Park in Botswana. This fairly new property opened in May 2011 and was officially dedicated in July 2011 with his Excellency, Botswana's President Seretse Khama Ian Khama attending the opening ceremonies. This is isolated luxury at its finest and rawest; the lodge is accessible by any of 3 dirt roads - which are more like 4wd tracks among the bush - there are no signs and you must … [Read more...]
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