When talking about passion and the art of bread making, Amy Dixon has it all. Walking into The Baker’s Table, the artisan bakery and cafe in Santa Ynez, you are welcomed by the pleasant aromas of homemade bread drifting throughout the dining area. Those were my words for describing the café in 2013. Today you … Read more
Places I Love usually involve all my senses; taste, touch, sight, smell, and hearing. Like wine and grape growing, it involves terroir and that sense of place. This connection is dear to me, especially visiting the destinations of San Luis Obispo and Arroyo Grande. My journey begins the minute I exit the tunnel on Highway … Read more
Springtime is the perfect time to enjoy all sorts of wine, from whites to reds. Spring is also the time for bud break and the beginning of a new vintage. The weather is ever-changing, so a heavier red still works, whereas, on a nice warm spring day, a refreshing white can be ideal. Join me … Read more
In wine speak, the cycle of life for the vine begins in the spring. The vineyard starts to come to life as bud break approaches after laying barren and dormant during the winter. It is a new beginning and a new vintage and signals a time when I am ready to explore what the vineyards … Read more
When exploring the wines of Campania, one must venture into the hills north of Naples to the subzone of Sannio Benevento, located in the province of Benevento. This hilly area is still relatively unknown to most. What makes this area unique is its recognition of the Falanghina and Aglianico wines, the two defining grapes of … Read more
One mountain defines a wine region by creating a distinct microclimate with altitude and freshness to the wines and combats global warming by sheltering the region with a cooler climate. Mont Ventoux is the backbone of the Ventoux AOC, and the AOC is a rising star in the Rhone Valley. It is a wine gem … Read more
April is Walla Walla Valley Wine Month, and what better way to celebrate than sharing my latest adventure with my favorite Walla Walla Winery, L’Ecole No. 41. This year marks the 3rd year Walla Walla Valley celebrated wine month, and L’Ecole is one of three wineries in the area that helped put Walla Walla on … Read more
What is in a name? In wine speak, it means a lot. It can tell us what is inside the bottle. Welcome to the latest wine from Domaine Bousquet, Alavida but pronounced A La Vida, To Life! It is unique from other Domaine Bousquet wines because it serves a dual purpose. It is a kosher … Read more
The Álvarez family celebrates 40 years of owning Tempos Vega Sicilia, one of the most prestigious wineries in Spain. Over the years, the winery holdings have grown, yet they still produce some of the top wines in Spain and the world. It all started in 1982 when David Álvarez purchased the estate. Tempos Vega Sicilia … Read more
They swirl, flutter, and dance to the delight of the human eye. The Monarch butterfly is in all its glory at the Monarch Grove in Pismo Beach from October through February. Monarch Grove The Monarch butterfly migrates from the north to California to seek shelter from the cold and freezing weather. Five coastal sites in … Read more