Author Archives: John C

Wine Road Barrel Tasting – A taste of the future of the North Coast

Posted on March 28, 2013

The first two weekends in March witnessed the 35th Annual Barrel Tasting  Wine Road – Northern Sonoma County take place in the sun-splashed hills and valleys of the three Wine Road American Viticulture Areas (AVAs – Alexander Valley, Russian River … Continue reading →

Posted in Barrel Tasting, Restaurants, Sonoma, Uncategorized, Wine Country, Wine Events, Wine Road, Wineries | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Wine and Food Affair offers best of season for Sonoma County.

Posted on December 27, 2012

The 14th Annual Wine Road Wine and Food Affair offered the best of all worlds:  two days of sunny skies, warm temperatures, glorious fall vineyard colors, the smells of harvest and, of course, great wines paired with delightful foods.  Why … Continue reading →

Posted in Sonoma, Uncategorized, Wine, Wine Country, Wine Events, Wine Road | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Mangiare, bere vino e essere felici! Eat, drink wine and be merry!!

Posted on November 27, 2012

A recent trip to Puglia, (the Italians call Apulia), and an even more recent wine event in San Francisco highlighted the advances being made in quality and marketing of these complex and interesting wines.  Puglia is bounded on the east … Continue reading →

Posted in Italian Wines, Italy, Uncategorized, Wine | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

The wines of the Rhône Valley can rock your world.

Posted on November 27, 2012

Rhône wines are not especially recognizable to many Californians.  Of the French varietals, clearly Bordeaux, Burgundy and Champagne are the most recognized,  consumed and understood in the United States. There are California wine makers (Cline Cellars) who do specialize in these … Continue reading →

Posted in Day Trips, French Wines, Uncategorized, Wine, Wine Events | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Lancaster Estate releases 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon

Posted on November 18, 2012

Last month, Lancaster Estate released their  2009 Lancaster Estate Cabernet Sauvignon.  Proprietors, Ted and Nicole Simpkins, and their staff,  lived up to the standard they had previously set  for first class food, wine and fun at a vintage release party.   … Continue reading →

Posted in Wine, Wine Country, Wine Events, Wineries | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

Its October in Healdsburg! Time for the Pinot Noir World Series!!

Posted on October 10, 2012

While the SF Giants and the Oakland A’s battle back to maintain their chances for another Bay Area World Series, the Pinot Noir World Series is only 11 days away.  Healdsburg, California is set to host the 9th Annual “Pinot … Continue reading →

Posted in Sonoma, Wine, Wine Country, Wine Events | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Home in Umbria – Fondo le Teglie

Posted on October 2, 2012

Northern California is a Mecca for lovers of  great food and wine.  So much so, that there is little or no incentive to travel away.   Residents of Italy, however, can likely say the same.  Certainly France has a claim to … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments

Michelin Star in Guerneville: Applewood Inn Restaurant

Posted on August 18, 2012

It is a dichotomy that the wine country, which is fundamentally rural farm country, might also provide the foundation for fine dining venues.  Unlike the farm country of the central valley, Sonoma wine country is both rural and cosmopolitan.  This … Continue reading →

Posted in Day Trips, Sonoma, Uncategorized, Wine, Wine Country, Wine Road, Wineries | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

1861 Napa Valley History – Rewind!

Posted on August 11, 2012

Charles Krug Winery is noted for being Napa’s first winery.  Established in 1861 by Charles Krug, a Prussian immigrant, and subsequently purchased by Cesare Mondavi and his wife Rosa, in 1943, the Charles Krug Winery is not only historic but … Continue reading →

Posted in Day Trips, Napa Valley, Wine, Wine Country, Wineries | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Where the redwoods meet the vineyards: Cloverdale

Posted on August 6, 2012

Cloverdale is a smaller city (about 9,000 souls) in northern Sonoma County but their Friday Night Live (FNL) series continues to hit the mark!  Organizer, Cloverdale Arts Alliance, and event coordinator, Mark Tharrington, bring great talent and fun activities to the scene. Beginning with a Cloverdale Certified Farmer’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Day Trips, Sonoma, Wine Country, Wine Road | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment