A Different Kind Of Travel

03/14/2023

Last night in Madrid.

We started with a cava toast at NH Collection’s rooftop bar on Gran Via with amazing views of the city and then moved onto dinner with wines from Codorníu and La Cartoixa D'scala Dei followed by wine and drinks Vinoteca Vides and Angelita Madrid.

It’s been 4 years since I was last in Madrid!

I lived here from 2016-2018 so I’m sad that we only get one night here, as it feels really good to be back but am excited for the next stop on our itinerary: Rioja!

03/06/2023

What are your favorite places in Tarragona, Spain?

Restaurants and cafes? Food tours? Wine bars? Scenic walks and historic sites?

I will have four days there later this month and would love recommendations!

Tarragona, Spain

03/02/2023

We've got a lot of great local coffee roasters in Sonoma County.

But how do you make sure you do great coffee beans justice when you use them at home?

Read this for notes on how roast level affects flavors and tips on at-home grinding and brewing from Black Oak Coffee.

Avid Coffee Roasters Black Oak Coffee Roasters Bella Rosa Coffee Company

When it comes to coffee, Sonoma County is blessed with a panoply of amazing local roasters and cafes. But how much of what is tasted and smelled in coffee comes from the bean itself or from the roasting process? And what is the best way to preserve the quality and flavor of favorite ethically source...

02/22/2023

An updated list of my 10 favorite Anderson Valley wineries + one local cidery that offers orchard cider tastings. Some things have changed over the past few years, but one thing that will never change is how much I love this region.

Navarro Vineyards Pennyroyal Farm Husch Vineyards Roederer Estate Phillips Hill Winery Toulouse Vineyards & Winery Gowan's Cider Drew Family Cellars Baxter Winery Handley Cellars Anderson Valley Winegrowers Association Fathers & Daughters Cellars

**Updated February 2023*** The Anderson Valley in Mendocino County is one of my favorite wine regions in California. With its forested yet coastal feel, unique…

02/19/2023

This morning started off with a tractor ride to the top of a hill overlooking a vineyard and wine tasting with owner/father Guy Pacurar and his wife Sarah of Fathers and Daughters Cellars.

Fathers and Daughters is a tiny brand (making under 1000 cases currently) that until recently didn’t offer regular customer tastings at their vineyards in the Anderson Valley. They have now started accepting guests (by appointment) at their gorgeous Ferrington Vineyard Property in Boonville.

Wines include a Pèt-Nat of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Sauv Blanc-Gewurztraminer-Chardonnay blend, and Pinot Noir.

Anderson Valley Winegrowers Association

02/19/2023

It used to be really difficult to find anything freshly baked that was also gluten free in the morning in the Anderson Valley. Not anymore. For the past few years I’ve been able to count on always finding something delicious @ The Boonville General Store Cafe— and they open early (before 9am is early here:)).

They’ve also got delicious, reasonably priced breakfast, great housemade chai & great sandwiches.

02/17/2023

My happy place.

02/15/2023

This space is AMAZING.

02/10/2023

𝐖𝐡𝐨'𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐮𝐩 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫'𝐬 𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐲?

Dates this year are February 17th to 19th with Saturday being the main day to visit wineries. There will be a grape pruning contest at Roederer on Friday the 17th, a winemaker dinner at Handley Cellars on the 18th, and lots of special food and wine pairing experiences at wineries like Pennyroyal Farm and Vineyards, Toulouse, Philip's Hill, Lula Cellars (paella!), etc.

I fell in love with Anderson Valley white wines back in 2001 when I first visited the region and tasted Navarro Winery's phenomenal Riesling, Gewurztraminer, and Edelzwicker.

I was immediately hooked.

I can't wait to be back up in the AV drinking white wine, noshing on local cheeses and fresh winter crab, and enjoying the lush green winter vineyard views.

If you'll be attending this event, let me know!

https://www.avwines.com/white-wine-weekend/

Pennyroyal Farm Anderson Valley Winegrowers Association Navarro Winery Toulouse Vineyards & Winery Lula Cellars Phillips Hill Winery Mendocino Winegrowers, Inc. Handley Cellars

02/09/2023

My next wine trips are to Rioja, Penedes, Priorat, and Aragon this Spring. I can't wait to be back in Spain for the FIRST time since before the pandemic and to spend time in these unique regions.

Estoy tan lista para probar todos los increíbles vinos de estas regiones especiales y para hablar sobre vinos españoles con enólogos españoles. ¡Vamos!

spanishwine.com : : vinos españoles Catalunya Wine

02/06/2023

The Russian River Valley’s northernmost neighborhood, Middle Reach, was the first to garner extensive recognition for its wines. It’s also home to the RRV’s oldest Pinot Noir plantings thanks to iconic growers and producers like the Bacigalupis, the Rochiolis, and Davis Bynum.

This SommJournal article (written by moi), a part of a larger Russian River Valley neighborhood series, dives into what makes this neighborhood unique.

Bacigalupi Vineyards Gary Farrell Vineyards & Winery Domaine la Rivière DuMOL Winery Russian River Valley Winegrowers Sonoma County Vintners