For my latest blog post for the Paso Robles Downtown Wine Association, I shared a bit of what is going on in the vineyards as the summer is heating up. When you walk through Downtown Paso Robles on a warm July afternoon, it’s easy to focus on the lively tasting rooms, outdoor patio dining, and…
Today, we are exploring a region that I have had the honor of visiting—one that left a permanent mark on my wine-loving soul. Navarra is one of those wine regions that quietly waits for you to notice it. It sits there, just east of Rioja and north of Aragón, stretching from the Pyrenees down to…
Remember the days when you would go to AAA and get those ridiculous TripTiks? The entire wall behind the employees was lined with individual pages that they somehow put together in a spiral booklet to get you from point A to point B. Then, of course, there was the AAA guidebook that you could grab…
It is with the deepest honor that I share some incredible news. Thirteen years ago, Mike and I decided to start a winery. The heart and soul of that dream was our first Weimaraner, Draco. Since I was deemed the official “Head of Social Media,” I dove in headfirst—consuming every YouTube video and book I…
The Bordeaux region is defined by the intersection of the Gironde Estuary and the Dordogne and Garonne rivers, a geography that mirrors the distinct character of its wines. While the Left Bank is dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, the Right Bank is defined by Merlot. In my latest TV segment, I deconstructed the essential components of…
We are officially in the thick of prime BBQ season. As we celebrate our nation’s 250th anniversary (I may or may not have memories of the bicentennial) it is the perfect time to discover a new favorite bottle to share with friends and family. But I’m here to shake things up. As you season your…
The wine industry is in trouble. Yes, it’s a rollercoaster; what goes up must come down and vice versa. But right now, we are sitting in the lull. We are all strapped into that fiberglass shell of a seat, listening to the agonizing clink-clink-clink of the chain lift working to get us to the top…
We’ve all been sold the fantasy. Wine… Chocolate… Romance… dim lighting. Maybe Barry White playing in the background reminding us that love ain’t always simple. And honestly? He’s right. Wine and chocolate sound like the ultimate power couple. But while they can be magic together, this pairing isn’t always effortless. In fact, sometimes it’s downright…
The Foreword: Setting the Scene Have you ever found yourself wandering the wine aisle, overwhelmed by enormous choices? What finally makes you reach out and grab that specific bottle? More often than not, it’s the label. That small piece of paper is a storyteller, a legal document, and a silent salesperson all rolled into one. Of…
