Category: Uncategorized
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Southern Oregon’s Iberian Surprise: Amazing Tempranillo
Unlike Willamette Valley to the north, Southern Oregon’s warmer and drier Rogue River and Umpqua Valleys do not have a “signature” grape. Over 20 different wine grapes grow in the region. That provides an unique wine tasting experience — something for everyone at one winery. As I tasted wine from a variety of wineries in […]
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Effortless Wine Tasting: Exploring Paso Robles
Last spring a good friend of mine had a work trip to Los Angeles with one thought – make it a wine trip. Within a month we were in Paso Robles, California. Paso offers so much for the wine lover – gorgeous – and I mean – GORGEOUS views of rolling hills and historic oak […]
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Sta Rita Hills: Pinot with a LA Vibe
In the winter of 2016, I was eight months pregnant and day-dreaming about my next wine adventure. I’d heard so much about Santa Barbara, a beach getaway for celebrities. It’s also the home of celebrity winemaker Rajat Parr, who specializes in crafting restrained Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the coastal Sta. Rita Hills AVA. I […]
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Wine in the Spotlight: Vertical (Sequel to Sideways) Book Review
Rex’s Pickett’s sequel to the phenomenal Sideways novel picks up the story of best friends Miles and Jack and their journey through wine country, this time north through California to Pinot heaven, Willamette Valley, Oregon. Vertical: Passion and Pinot On the Oregon Wine Trail, reflects the reality of the Sideways effect itself when Miles’ novel […]
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Lodi’s Verdelho Three Ways
As part of my journey to discover Lodi wine at the 2016 Wine Blogger Conference, I was very fortunate to be hosted by St. Jorge Vineyards. St. Jorge is a breathtaking vineyard and estate in Lodi’s Mekolumne River AVA, which whisk you away to the Mediterranean beauty of Portugal. Vern and Jenise Vierra have been making Portuguese wine […]
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Paso-bilities Part II: More Wine, Coastal Hikes & a Hollywood Castle
While hubby and I really enjoyed our day tasting in Paso Robles Willow Creek AVA, no visit to California is complete without exploring the natural beauty and culture of the area. Here’s a highlight of the best of our trip: Coastal hikes. The beauty of wine tasting in Paso is that the area extends west six […]
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Hirsch vs. Hirsch: A Comparison of Pinot Noir
As I explore more about what’s in my glass, I wanted to experience the hype of Hirsch wines. The name “Hirsch” inevitably pops up whenever you read about Pinot Noir in California. In fact, Jancis Robinson said* “Hirsch produce some of the finest Pinot Noir in California from exceptional vineyards. These wonderful wines are worthy […]
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Shop DC: Where to Buy Your Favorite Small Producers
After learning more about wine (and by learning I mean drinking), I wanted to know the story behind each glass. What was the winemaker’s philosophy, the history of the estate, or source of their grapes? As I learned more about winemaking techniques and styles (thanks Jon Bonné), I wanted to try wines from labels that […]