Viognier is a grape with a remarkable history of survival and resurrection. Once on the brink of extinction, this aromatic and expressive white wine has overcome devastating challenges, from the phylloxera epidemic of the 19th century to its near disappearance after World War II. Thanks to the dedication of vintners worldwide, Viognier has made a…
Welcome to our latest installment of #WinephabetStreet brought to you by Dracaena Wines and Trio North Wildwood. In this series, Debbie Gioquindo and I work our way through the wine world one letter each month. We discuss the characteristics and history of the grape, as well as suggested wine pairings. So uncork, unscrew or saber…
In my latest Exploring the Wine Glass TV segment, I discuss four women winemakers in downtown Paso Robles. (You may recognize one of them!) As a follow-up to our discussion on the history of women in wine, this episode highlights the passion, challenges, and successes of women shaping the region’s wine scene today. Watch the…
As of 2025, according to winefolly.com, the United States has over 11,000 wineries with California holding the number one state spot with more than 4,700. Paso Robles accounts for about 300 of those and downtown has twenty nine within a four block radius. Paving the Way Hannah Weinberger is the first recognized woman winemaker in…
Christmas for us is all about a slow, relaxing start before diving into a day filled with great wine. We begin with sparkling, transition to rosé, then white, and finally, red. Instead of a big holiday meal, we prefer to graze on appetizers throughout the day. When it was time for the red wine “course,”…
It seems like only yesterday, that I was asking a college friend “What the heck is a blog?” As she explained it to me, I was baffled. I bought the “Blogging for Dummies” book (remember those? Do they still exist?) and read it and decided to start a blog. I started writing on Blogger; a…
Syrah Day, celebrated annually on February 16th, is the perfect occasion to raise a glass to this bold and expressive grape variety. To mark the occasion, I shared three standout Syrahs from Downtown Paso Robles on Your Central Valley. Known for its rich flavors, deep color, and peppery spice, Syrah thrives in Paso Robles’ varied microclimates,…
After a month of restraint and resolution, what better way to bid farewell to Dry January and welcome February than by pouring yourself a glass of Syrah? With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, Syrah offers the perfect balance of warmth, spice, and velvetiness. Its bold flavors and intense depth make it an ideal companion…
Have you ever felt that the universe was trying to tell you something? Nature has a funny way of knowing how you feel and somehow demonstrates her wisdom at moments that you need it the most. On a recent drive, I was feeling tired and just beaten down and as I turned the bend, there…
It’s the simple things in life that matter. How many times have you heard that statement? I of course had to go down the rabbit hole of where the statement began and apparently Its origins are not tied to a any specific person or event. However, it is a longstanding theme in literature, philosophy, and…
