Giddy Yap with the Rhone Rangers

Spring brings one of the most anticipated events of the year to wine lovers when the Rhône Rangers ride into town March 22 and 23 for the 16th annual Celebration of American Rhônes in Fort Mason, San Francisco. The Rhône Rangers are winemakers dedicated to producing bottles from the 22 grape varieties made famous in the Rhône Valley in France. The event celebrates the full array of wines from Syrah, Viognier, Mourvèdre, Grenache and Roussanne as well as lesser-know grapes like Cinsault, Counoise, Picpoul and the wily Carignan.

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Photos courtesy of The Rhone Rangers

What are the best attractions in Napa and Sonoma?

This post first appeared on Forbes Travel Guide here.

Napa
First and foremost, wine is the main draw in Napa Valley, and many wineries are worth a visit, even for those who are not wine tasting. My personal favorite for all-in-one wine, fun, and education is Raymond Vineyards.

In Napa proper, visit Oxbow Market for the best food purveyors all under one roof. Check the schedule at the Uptown Theater for top music and entertainment events, or board the Wine Train for a leisurely gourmet ride though the vines.

The Old Faithful Geyser in Calistoga, and the Petrified Forrest are wonders of nature at the north end of the Napa valley.

Sonoma
I think the best attractions in Sonoma County are found outdoors. Grab your hiking boots and enjoy the rugged beauty of the Sonoma Coast, the tranquility of the soaring redwoods in Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve Park, or the relaxing Russian River.

In Northern Sonoma County, follow The Wine Road for the best wineries in Russian River Valley, Dry Creek Valley, and Alexander Valley. And for an experience way beyond sniff, swirl and sip, check out Francis Ford Coppola Winery, located in Geyserville, with an array of activities including a resort style pool with cabanas, and a mini-museum of film memorabilia.

Fans of Peanuts comic strip will want to make a pilgrimage to the Charles Schultz Museum and keep an eye peeled for character statues scattered all around Santa Rosa. In tiny Bodega, flock to the spot where Alfred Hitchcock filmed the famous schoolhouse scene from The Birds.

Wild Mushroom Weekend in Sonoma

In ancient Egypt, only pharaohs were allowed to eat mushrooms, which were not only delicious, but also prized for their many health benefits and healing properties. Now you no longer need to walk like an Egyptian to partake of the gastronomic pleasures of the mighty mushroom — merely head for Sonoma.

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Photos Courtesy of Marcy Gordon and Relish Culinary Adventures

My Love-Hate Relationship with LÄRABAR

These days it’s a matter of self-sufficiency to travel with some food items in case of an emergency. For years I carried crackers. But crackers, while tasty, are not practical for long distance travel, unless of course you are the type who enjoys snorting pulverized peanut butter and cheese flavored dust out of a cellophane sleeve.

After I stopped carrying crackers I began to bring crush proof snacks like cans of Pringles and mini M&M’s in little plastic tubes. But the problem with these items was I could barely get past the pre-boarding announcement without devouring them. If the need for emergency food arrived my supply was depleted.

Enter the LÄRABAR. These no dairy, no soy, no gluten, non-GMO, kosher, vegan bars are the perfect travel stash. They don’t melt and they can maintain their blocky shape for years. If you like dried fruit and nuts mashed together in a tiny dense brick, the LÄRABAR is for you. I’ve tried other fruit and nut bars but LÄRABAR is the only one with the half-life of plutonium. They seem to last forever.

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5th International Wine Tourism Conference 2013 - Croatia

In less than thirty days, wine lovers, tour operators, and educators will gather in Zagreb, Croatia for the 5th International Wine Tourism Conference on March 15-16th. I can’t think of a more dynamic and exciting place for a conference on wine and wine tourism than Croatia. I’ve written more posts about the food and wine of Croatia than any other region.  {See the full list of links below.}

Once again I’ll be speaking at the conference and you can see the list of talk and speaker bios here. I’m especially looking forward to the Wines from the Balkans Grand Tasting led by Caroline Gilby MW. I'm also looking forward to expanding my experience of this popular destination for fans of great wine, food and natural beauty. If you'd like to attend you can register here.

Links to my Croatia series posts:
Croatia Series Preview: Zivili!
Croatia Part 1: Bibich Dégustation
Croatia Part 2: The Splendors of Split
Croatia Part 3: Šibenik Caressed by the Sea
Croatia Part 4: Zadar, The Perfect Date
Croatia Part 5: Pilgrimage to Pag: Land of Paški Sir
Croatia Part 6: Istria--Truffles, Olive Oil, Prosciutto & Wine!
Croatia Part 7: A Taste of Zagreb
More Croatia Posts:

Ajvar Smackdown

Croatia: Memories Lost and Found

Eli's Caffé in Zagreb--Wake Up and Smell the Coffee

Maraschino - Wrapped in Tradition
The Wines of Croatia: A Preview Tasting
Croatian Wines Making Waves

Country of Good Vines: Countdown to Wines of Croatia
I Can Almost Taste It! Croatian Wine is Near
Wines of Croatia Tasting: The Recap

Cruising the Caffine Causeway -- Best Coffee in Sonoma

Highway 116 in Sonoma County is known as the Gravenstein Highway, named after a local apple, but it could easily be renamed the Caffeine Causeway, as some of the best must-stop coffee shops for the coffee connoisseur are set along this scenic ribbon of road. Including local favorites such as Hardcore Espresso, Ninja Star Coffe Bar, and Flying Goat.

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Photos Courtesy of Marcy Gordon, iStock-da-kuk and Facebook-Sunshine Roasters

8th Annual International Alsace Fest Preview

When most people think “winter whites,” images of department store linen sales may pop to mind, but the first thing I think of is wine. Nothing perks up a dark winter day better than a crisp white wine. If you’re a fan of fragrant and luscious whites, the 8th Annual International Alsace Varietals Festival is for you.

This year’s event takes place February 9 through 10 in Boonville, Calif., located in Anderson Valley — the wine sweet spot of Mendocino County — tucked between rolling hills, coastal ranges and many exceptional wineries and vineyards.

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