Wine Road Podcast: Occidental & Forestiville Itineary

 Episode 219: Occidental & Forestville Itinerary

Wine Road Podcast: 200th Episode with Richard Ross, Sound Enginer Threshold Studios.

 

The 200th episode of The Wine Road Podcast 

Beth and Marcy reminiscing on their podcasting journey, with the one and only Richard Ross, the man behind the Wine Road Podcast curtain!

Wine Road Podcast: Mitch Blakeley, Operations Manager, Pedroncelli Winery

 Episode 156 | Mitch Blakeley, Operations Manager, Pedroncelli Winery

We chat with Mitch, 4th generation working at the winery, about his duties at Pedroncelli where it’s truly a family affair as approach their 95th Anniversary! We sip on the 2019 Pedroncelli Mother Clone Zinfandel.

Wine Road Podcast - What's New in Healdsburg with Talia Hart, CEO of Healdsburg Chamber of Commerce

Talia Hart, CEO Healdsburg Chamber of Commerce fills us in on everything that’s new, upcoming and happening in Healdsburg.

Wine of the Day: 2016 Selby Sangiovese
Book of the Day: Steven Spurrier: A Life in Wine
Fast Five: Pepperoni Bread from Bobby Terrano from F. Teldeschi Winery in Dry Creek

Bells Up Winery: Small Lots Made with Heart

When I was twelve I was asked a life-changing question: “What instrument would you like to play?” I had just enrolled in the summer music program and I clearly said I wanted to play the French Horn.

But through some confusion and what I now see as a coup finagled by my mother and the music teacher—“Oh but a French Horn will be so heavy and awkward to carry around. Perhaps something smaller –maybe the English Horn?" (Which gentle reader I assure you, the English horn is nothing close to the French horn and in fact is a reed instrument- a double reed instrument!!) So in my naivety, I said “Okay, English Horn”. But it turned out the music department did not have any English Horns. And so, through this trickery --I ended up playing the oboe! And nobody in his or her right mind chooses the oboe! Trust me on this.

So what does this have to do with wine you may ask? Well, years later, wine is the balm I use to soothe that memory of never getting to play the French horn. And this brings us to the wonderful world of David and Sara Specter and their winery, Bells Up. David was a French horn player and thus the logo and name are a nod to the symphony life. Anyone who’s ever played in a band or orchestra will know “bells up” is the command to get ready, lift up your horn and give it your all.

And David truly embodies a “bells up” life in every way.  When I met David he seemed positively giddy talking about how the winery came to be and his enthusiasm was infectious. I felt at ease immediately upon meeting him.

David showing the compact winery space.

David and his wife Sara did what many of us only dream about. They took the ultimate leap of faith and went all in on starting a winery. They left their secure and comfortable life in Cincinnati, Ohio to chase a dream of wine. What started as a hobby for David became a full time obsession and led them to buy a former Christmas tree farm in Newberg Oregon. Here they toiled to clear the land and plant their first vines. And now instead of playing only the French horn David is a virtual one-man-band performing all the winemaking tasks and running the winery while Sara handles the marketing and business end of the baton.

I was lucky to get the chance to meet with David this past August along with some fellow wine writers to learn about his venture and taste the wines.

Small Lots Made with Heart

Bells Up makes very small quantities, of micro-boutique wines, and what they refer to as “un-domaine” wines.  Most of the allotments are earmarked for wine club members and those who visit the winery. So do yourself a favor and seek them out when you are in the area.

2018 Helios 
Estate Seyval Blanc, Chehalem Mountains AVA

You don’t see much Seyval Blanc in fact Bells Up is only the second vineyard in Oregon to grow it. But this was the varietal by which David won the national amateur winemaking competition prior to relocating to Oregon from Cincinnati, Ohio. One might say David is a bit of a Seyval Blanc whisperer, coaxing the grape to its full glory and expression. Grown in volcanic Jory soils, the grapes were aged sur lie for 6 months in stainless steel –delivering a gorgeous lean mouthful full of acidity with bright citrus and crisp apple flavors and a touch of pineapple and papaya on the finish.

2018 Rhapsody
Pinot Blanc Willamette Valley AVA

Light and bright the Rhapsody Pinot Blanc had a delicious peachy nose with flavors of and lemon zest and a slight nutty almond flavor on the finish along with a surprising yet enjoyable through line of salinity.

2018 Prelude
Estate Rose of Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains AVA

Yow! What a beast of flavor. The color is deep with nose of crushed rose petals and a full and savory mouth full of red currants and cranberries and a hint of mint. Great ratio of acid to fruit, with the body and structure to pair well with hearty foods.

2016 Titan
Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

A blend of 35% Pommard (Chehalem Mountains), 34% 115 (Yamhill-Carlton) and 31% 777 (Yamhill-Carlton) clones. Exhibiting highly enjoyable quaffability now with great aging potential. Medium body with notes of clove and violets on the nose. Good balance with fruit forward freshness and a layering of flavors tempered by long deep earthy tannins.

2017 Candide
Nemarniki Vineyard, Reserve Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains AVA

A blend of 71% Wadenswil and 29% Pommard clones both from Chehalem Mountains AVA and grown in Loess soils. Elegant and lyrical everything you seek in a Pinot Noir is here. Bright tart berries with a powerful undercurrent of clove, white pepper, and dark plums.

2017 Villanelle
Tonnelier Vineyard Reserve Pinot Noir, Yahmill –Carlton AVA

Although this lovely pinot was named after a duet for French horn and piano—
I like to imagine it was named for my favorite assassin—Villanelle, from the TV show Killing Eve. This wine is dark and brooding revealing deep and dark fruit flavors with great balance. It’s beautiful and intense with a killer finish.

Killing Eve’s Villanelle contemplating the Villanelle Pinot

2017 Firebird
Summit View Vineyard, Walla Walla Valley Syrah

Sourced from the Oregon side of Walla Walla in the high elevations of the Milton-Freewater area. I love Walla Walla Syrah and the Firebird rings true with many characteristics from the region. Bells Up makes the Firebird Syrah in a style that echoes their Pinot methodology, giving it a lighter palate, but lush concentrated flavors and vibrating with spicy acidity.

Plan a Visit

Tastings are by appointment only as the winery is small and David himself will guide you through the wines. So plan ahead a make a visit to Bells Up. You will not be disappointed. And don’t be surprised if David’s enthusiasm doesn’t make you consider taking a leap towards a dream of your own.

Many thanks to Carl Giavanti of Giavanti PR and Consulting for arranging all the logistics and hosting a wonderful day trip in Willamette Valley.

Bells Up Winery
27895 NE Bell Road
Newberg, Oregon
503-537-1328

The Tasting Room Experience - Artisan Alley

My latest story featuring the makers of Artisan Alley for Sonoma Discoveries is now online here.

2017 Travel Guide to California - Wine Regions of California

2017 Travel Guide to California -- http://globelitetravelmarketing.uberflip.com/i/782043-2017-travel-guide-to-california

The Wines and Revelations of Josip Brkic - A Visit to Brkic Winery in Bosnia & Herzegovina

“I will make wines like this or I will not make them at all.”

ROAD TRIP SERIES: CROATIA/BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA

Of course almost all winemakers are highly passionate about their craft no matter where they are from. But I found the people I met in Croatia and Bosnia Herzegovina were deeply vested in their land and wines in an almost spiritual way.

One of our first visits was to Brkic Winery in Citluk - Bosnia & Herzegovina.

Josip Brkic is a shining example of a winemaker whose wines embody a philosophy that goes beyond mere passion for wine making. It’s a philosophy of life as well. The vineyards, grapes and wines are regarded as members of the family.

We sat down to taste several of the Brikic wines and listen to Josip tell his story.

Fifteen years ago Josip Brkic had an epiphany and it changed the course of his life and the trajectory of his wine making. While exhibiting at an Italian wine expo he learned about biodynamic practices and fell in love with the concept. Up to that point says Brik “I was not thinking of the wine as a living thing, only as a product.” He realized how one farmed and approached the land was a long-term vision that needed to be fully embraced.

After his father died, Josip took over the winery and against all conventional wisdom, and the advice of others, he set out on a new path to convert the vineyards to be fully organic and biodynamic. His goal was to showcase the wine as a document of the year in as pure a manner as possible.

The freedom of the moment, realizing that he alone was making the decision with no one telling him what to do, was thrilling but challenging. Brkic found going organic is risky, and not for everyone. With great changes, came great challenges. All biodynamic vines are organic, but not all organic vines are biodynamic. Brik wanted both.

Converting to all organic practices is a difficult for a vineyard, explained Brkic. “It’s as if the vineyards are addicts that have been on drugs and the new practices presented a shock to them.” It takes time to convert them without stressing them out. But Brik stayed the course and slowly nurtured the vines to a new reality.

As Brkic spoke, a family member translated from Bosnian for us. I focused on Josip’s voice and all of a sudden I felt like I could understand his words completely without translation. Perhaps the wines imbued me with some type of mystical language abilities. I don’t know. I suggest you try some for yourself and see what happens.

When I sampled the wines, it became clear, everything I needed to know about Josip Brkic was there in the glass. Josip’s personal creed and promise also appears on all the labels— “I will make wines like this or I will not make them at all.”

If you find yourself in Bosnia & Herzegovina by all means make the pilgrimage to Brkic tasting room in Citulk. It’s well worth the trip.

Tasting Notes

Unfortunately I spilled wine on my notebook towards the end of the trip so I can barely read my tasting notes. But here is what I could decipher:

Zilavka 2015 : (zhee-lav-ka) Fresh, creamy, bright and light, with full flavors of pear and quince, and notes of limestone and thyme. Pretty, floral nose. Friendly and approachable style.

Greda 2010: An orange wine made from skin macerated Zilavka and aged for 2 years in oak – texture is the name of the game here. Greda is name of the vineyard. Very mellowed orange style wine with long lasting flavors of mead, almonds, orange peel -- Absolutely loved this wine!

Mjesecar 2013: 100% Zilavka. Limited production, numbered bottles. You’ll have to go to Bosnia & Herzegovina for this one, but it is well worth the trip! Named “Moonwalker” after the cycles of the moon in biodynamic charts, not after Michael Jackson and his moonwalking moves as rumor has it.

Rose 2014: Lovely and light, his first time making a rose.

Plava Greda 2013: 100% Blatina fresh and juicy red fruits with a lively minerality. Soft and elegant with long finish. Would be great to pair with smoked meats.

Resources:

Brkic Winery

Kralja Tvrtka 9

Citluk

Bosnia & Herzegovina

http://www.brkic.ba

Brkic Wines are available via Blue Danube Wines.

https://www.bluedanubewine.com

Related Posts:
Možeš Možeš -- The Epic Blue Danube Wine Roadtrip in Croatia!
The Epic Blue Danube Wine Croatia Road Trip-- Video Preview
Essay on Croatia in Wine Enthusiast

Wine Road Podcast Episode 08 - California Wine Month

Wine Road EP 08 - California Wine Month - In this short but sweet episode we talk about California Wine Month and what the Wine Road is doing to feature California wine, we discuss the book Down to Earth, and taste the 2012 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon from Optima.

Listen here:



Show Notes:

• California Wine Month - 0:35
• Major Valleys and AVA’s along the wine road - 2:26
• Sub-AVA’s - 3:56
• Wine Road Map great resource for visitors- 4:45
• Wine of Day // Wine of the Cast - 2012 Optima Cabernet Sauvignon - 5:22
• Down to Earth wine book published by the Wine Institute 6:35
• George Rose Photographer 6:46

Links:

• Wine Road Website - https://www.wineroad.com
• Wine Road Map - https://www.wineroad.com/maps/
• Optima Winery - https://optimawinery.com
• Down To Earth: A Seasonal Tour of Sustainable Winegrowing in California- https://www.amazon.com/Earth-Seasonal-Sustainable-Winegrowing-California/dp/0615946615
• George Rose Photographer - http://georgerose.com

Wineries Mentioned:

• Optima - https://optimawinery.com

Music:

"Secret of Tiki Island" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Essay on Croatia in Wine Enthusiast

October 2016 Wine Enthusiast 

So this happened.... Last Drop essay in the October 2016 issue of Wine Enthusiast!

I will share the link when it’s available online, but for now it’s only on newsstands. Thanks to Mary Cressler for the above photo.

The essay in the magazine is a thin slice of life about my April road-trip. Now that it’s published, the full story of the wild and epic Blue Danube Wine road-trip along the Dalmatian coast of Croatia and through Bosnia and Herzegovina can be told.

So much wine! So much food! So much fun!

Wine Road Podcast Episode 07 - Harvest Time & Farmers Markets

Wine Road EP 07-Farmers Markets / Harvest Begins - In this episode Milly Winehouse and DJ Bethy Beth talk about the start of Harvest, Farmers Markets, Wine Tasting Tips on tasting room hours and picnic grounds, the upcoming Wine and Food Affair event, and we pop some bubbles to celebrate the move to the new Wine Road World HQ.

Listen here:



Show Notes:
• Harvest time on the Wine Road- 0:32
• Wine Tasting Tips:
⁃ Tasting room hours and winery picnic grounds- 0:59
⁃ Winery picnic grounds -1:54
• Farmers Markets (Sebastopol, Occidental, Healdsburg, Cloverdale) - 2:27
• Ring for Wine: Wine of the PodCast - Korbel Natural - 4:35
• Cork pop! - 4:46
• Event: A Wine and Food Affair - 5:30
• Recipe database on Wine Road website- 6:00
• Item of the Day: Capabunga CapaBubbles Champange/Sparkling Topper- 7:10

Links:
• Wine Road Website - https://www.wineroad.com
• Korbel - http://www.korbel.com/california-champagnes/
• A Wine and Food Affair - https://www.wineroad.com/events/wine-food-affair/
• Capabunga CapaBunga - https://www.capabunga.com/Reseal-your-Champagne-s/1827.htm

Music:
“Podcast Theme 03“ Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

The Epic Blue Danube Wine Croatia Road Trip-- Video Preview

Due to an upcoming print assignment that conflicted with my blog I’ve held back on my posts about my trip to the Dalmatian coast of Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina in April 2016. But posts are coming soon. In the meantime here is a preview video of the food, wine, rakija, vineyards, amazing views and wonderful people during the Epic Blue Danube Wine Road Trip with the Blue Danube Wine team - Frank Dietrich, Catherine Granger and Gisele Carig.

I have a separate video devoted solely to the awesome Bibich food and wine pairing in Skradin that I’ll post next. 

Enjoy! Zivili!

Wine Road Podcast Episode 6 - Outdoor Activities & Places to Stay in Northern Sonoma

Wine Road EP 06 - Beyond Wine: Activities in Wine Country - In this episode we discuss things to do and outdoor activities that are not necessarily wine specific. We debut the “time for wine” bell and Milly goes crazy for Pinot. And DJ Bethy-Beth admits she loves her name. ;-)

Listen here:



Wine Road— The Wine, When and Where of Northern Sonoma County with news on events, wineries, wines, dining, outdoor activities, and places to stay.

Show Log:
• Another Listener email! - 0:29
• Sonoma County Wine Growers Vineyard Walks - 0:55
• Rivers Edge Kayak and Canoe - 2:27
• Wine Country Bikes - 2:37
• Safari West - 3:12
• Canopy Tour Zip Line - 4:19
• Bodega Head whale watching - 4:44
• Spud Point Crab Shack 5:08
• Kendal Jackson Garden Tours 5:50
• Quivira Gardens - 6:12
• Charles M. Schulz Museum - 6:25
• Luther Burbank Gardens - 6:50
• Wine of Day // Wine of the PodCast - Woodenhead Pinot Noir - 8:24
• Event: AVA Zinfandel Blending/August 13th, 2016 - 10:40

Show Links:
• Wine Road Website - https://www.wineroad.com
• Sonoma County Wine Growers Vineyard Walks Self Guided Tours - http://www.sonomacounty.com/articles/free-vineyard-walking-tours
• Rivers Edge Kayak and Canoe - http://riversedgekayakandcanoe.com
• Wine Country Bikes - http://www.winecountrybikes.com
• Sonoma Canopy Tour Zip Line -http://www.sonomacanopytours.com
• Safari West - http://www.safariwest.com
• Charles M. Schulz Museum- http://schulzmuseum.org
• Luther Burbank Gardens- http://www.lutherburbank.org
• Bodega Head - http://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/sonoma-coast-state-beach-bodega-head-trail
• Kendall- Jackson Gardens - http://www.kj.com/the-wine-estate-gardens
• Woodenhead Winery - http://www.woodenheadwine.com
• Zinfandel Blending Seminar - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/what-goes-into-zin-a-hands-on-blending-experience-tickets-26216144193

Wineries Mentioned:
• Paradise Ridge Winery - http://prwinery.com
• Balletto - http://ballettovineyards.com
• Francis Ford Coppola - https://www.francisfordcoppolawinery.com/visit
• Woodenhead Winery -http://www.woodenheadwine.com
• Quivira Winery -http://www.quivirawine.com
• Kendall-Jackson - http://www.kj.com

Wine Road Podcast Episode 05 - Planning a Girlfriend Wine Getaway in Northern Sonoma

Wine Road Episode 05 - Help Planning Your Trip or Girlfriend Getaway - In this episode we give tips and advice on types of lodging available along the Wine Road, Spas, Wine Road Concierge service, Wine of the Day: Moshin Rose, Item of the day: Drip Teez.

Listen to Episode 5 here:



Wine Road Podcast - The Wine, When and Where of Northern Sonoma County with news on events, wineries, wines, dining options, activities, and places to stay.

Show Notes:
• Places to stay along the Wine Road - 0:36
• Girlfriend Getaway ideas/Spas -1:55
• Email from Listeners -3:30
• Wine Road Concierge Service -3:50
• Wine of the PodCast - Moshin 2015 Rose of Pinot Noir - 5:08
• Item of the Week: Drip Teez - 7:11
• Wine Road.com searchable lodging tool- 8:37

Links:
• Wine Road Website - https://www.wineroad.com
• Drip Teez - http://www.dripteez.com
• Moshin Vineyards - http://www.moshinvineyards.com

Lodging Links:
• KOA Campground Cloverdale- http://koa.com/campgrounds/cloverdale/
• Farm House Inn - http://www.farmhouseinn.com
• Madrona Manor - http://www.madronamanor.com
• Hilton Sonoma Wine Country - http://www.hiltonsonomahotel.com
• Best Western Dry Creek Inn Healdsburg - http://www.drycreekinn.com

B & B’s
• Camellia Inn - http://www.camelliainn.com
• Raford Inn - http://www.rafordinn.com

Spas
• Hotel Healdsburg - http://www.h2hotel.com/home/
• Honor Mansion - https://www.honormansion.com
• Boon (Guerneville) - http://boonhotels.com

Wine Road Podcast Episode 04 - Planning Your Visit to Wine Country

Wine Road Podcast Episode 04 - Planning Your Visit to Wine Country
In this episode we give tips and advice on planing your visit, share some wineries with special food pairings, mention some wineries with great views, and and give the wine tasting tip of the day.

Listen to episode 4 here:



Wine Road provides the Wine, When and Where of Northern Sonoma County with news on events, wineries, wines, dining options, activities, and places to stay.

Show Notes:
• What’s happening in the vineyards in July - 0:28
• Planning your trip - 1:31
• Hiring a driver - 1:40
• Appointment only wineries - 2:45
• Booking a food pairing experience - 3:11
• Pick a Valley - 4:55
• Wineries with great views - 6:07
• What to wear. What does wine country casual mean? - 7:49
• Wine Guard - 8:55
• Wine of Day // Wine of the Cast - Acorn Sangiovese - 9:40
• The wine tasting tip of the podcast/day—Step aside make room for everyone at the tasting bar. - 10:23
• Event: 40 Years of Cheers - 11:30

Links:
• Wine Road Website - https://www.wineroad.com
• Wine Guard - http://wineguard.com
• Becoming Independent - http://becomingindependent.org
• 40 Years of Cheers July - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/40-years-of-cheers-registration-26161945082

Wineries Mentioned:
• Amista - http://www.amistavineyards.com
• Viszlay - http://www.viszlayvineyards.com
• Sbragia Family Vineyards - http://www.sbragia.com
• Paradise Ridge Winery - http://prwinery.com
• Trattore Farms - http://trattorefarms.com
• Fog Crest Vineyard - http://www.fogcrestvineyard.com
• Rodney Strong Vineyards - http://www.rodneystrong.com
• Kendall-Jackson - http://www.kj.com

Možeš Možeš -- The Epic Blue Danube Wine Roadtrip in Croatia!

Back in April I embarked on an epic two-week road trip through Dalmatia in Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina with Frank Dietrich, Catherine Granger and Gisele Carig of the Blue Danube Wine team. This post kicks off my blog series that will recount all the extraordinary locations, people, vineyards, wine, food and vistas and adventures from the journey.

Gisele Carig, Frank Dietrich and Catherine Granger of Blue Danube Wine

I would argue that a road trip is the best way to really experience a place. Sure you can travel by train or bus or boat, but to really get off the proverbial beaten track to truly go deep into a place and get into all sorts of adventures and tight spots (literally!) --you need to have a car. All of the best travel experiences I’ve ever had (both good and hair-raising) were with a foreign car in a foreign land.

Tight squeeze in Vrboska on Hvar

Možeš, možeš  -- You Can Do It!
But things can go wrong in a jiffy on a road trip—getting lost is a mainstay of road trips, and getting in and out of tight spaces where cars don’t belong comes with the territory. Our very first day we were blocked in parking lot by other cars until a few helpful locals simply picked up the other car allowing us room to pass.

We learned our first and most important Croatian phrase: Možeš možeš. Možeš ti to (You can do it!) Along with a few Polako, polako’s (slowly, slowly) we were on our way to the first appointment.

Making new friends in the Konzum parking lot in Trogir

Yes, having a car is more trouble. Yes, you will get lost. Yes, finding parking may be impossible. Yes, you may find yourself where no car had gone before—but the rewards are greater too.

For efficiency sake during the trip we all took on specific roles. Frank—leader and key negotiator. Catherine—navigator and relief driver. Gisele—client liaison and schedule keeper. Me? I was more than ballast, I have skills too ya know. I’m designated as the Rakija Queen and gladly step forward to take one for the team whenever the potent schnapps is presented. Trust me in Croatia it’s a very important role.

Rakija Queen at sampling the local offerings.

So fasten your seat belts, and follow along as I file reports for the Blue Danube Wine blog about the trip from Split/Torgir to Dubrovnik, Korcula, Ston, Kastela, Hvar, Skradin, plus Bosnia and Herzegovina and the places in between.

Wine Road Podcast Episode 03 - Hiking Trails and Picnic Spots in Northern Sonoma

Wine Road Podcast Episode 03-Hiking and Picnics
We discuss our favorite hiking trails and winery picnic spots, where to buy picnic supplies, a packable picnic blanket and give the wine tasting tip of the day.

Wine Road provides the Wine, When and Where of Northern Sonoma County with news on events, wineries, wines, dining options, activities, and places to stay.

Listen to Episode 3 here:



Wine Road- http://www.wineroad.com

Show Notes:
• What’s happening in the vineyards in June - 0:25
• Great hiking trails in Northern Sonoma - :21
• Parks of Sonoma County map - 5:25
• Favorite winery picnic spots - 6:20
• Places to get picnic supplies - 8:07
• Matador Pocket Blanket - 9:20
• The wine tasting tip of the day—No cologne or Perfume! 10:34
• Wine of the cast – Balletto Rose

Links Mentioned:
• Pinnacle Gulch
• Armstrong Redwoods
• Foothill Regional Park
• Taylor Mountain
• Sonoma County Park Map

Winery Picnic Spots
• Armida Winery- http://www.armida.com
• Balletto- http://ballettovineyards.com
• Cast Winery - http://www.castwines.com
• Christopher Creek - http://christophercreek.com

Picnic Supplies
• Big Johns - http://bigjohnsmarket.com
• Jimtown Store - https://www.jimtown.com
• Oakville Grocery - http://www.oakvillegrocery.com

Matador Pocket Blanket - http://matadorup.com/products/matador-pocket-blanket

Wine Road Podcast - Hilarity Ensues

There comes a time in everyones life when you must accept a challenge and step up to the plate or shy away from doing something out of your “wheelhouse” of experience and go drink wine in a corner.

Well, I’m merging the two! I’m doing something way outside my proverbial (technical) wheelhouse producing and co-hosting a podcast for the Wine Road. The best part? I still get to drink wine in a corner while I figure it all out.

Wooo Hooo, for steep learning curves!

Take a listen if you dare or sign up for the RRS and don’t miss second of the ad hoc hilarity that ensues.

Visit http://wineroadpodcast.libsyn.com for all the episodes and show notes.

The Tasting Room Experience -Two Shepherds and Wind Gap Wines

Check out my cover story in the May/June issue of Sonoma Discoveries. I talk about the Seven Percent Solution tasting event that is coming up May 13th and 14th and also cover the Tasting Room Experience at Two Shepherds and Wind Gap Wines.

You can read it online here.

2016 Travel Guide to California - Wine Section

For the fifth year in a row I’ve written the wine section for the Travel Guide to California. It’s a great resource for all things California and useful for tourists and locals alike. Plus it’s always nice to be a contributor alongside many top names in travel writing.

Check it out in digital format here: 

http://globelitetravelmarketing.uberflip.com/t/65757-travel-guide-to-california