Tag archives: wine
Last month, I was invited to Wiesbaden, Germany, for the 2026 VDP.GROSSES GEWÄCHS Sneak Preview, where Germany’s leading wine estates unveil their latest dry wines from the country’s finest classified vineyards. By my third day, I’d tasted my way through row after row of riesling, spätburgunder (pinot noir), silvaner, chardonnay, and more, and my palate […]
Santa Barbara’s biggest wine party of the fall is back on the calendar. With more than 70 winemakers and 20 chefs set to attend, the 42nd annual Santa Barbara Vintners Festival returns Saturday, October 17, 2026. The impending El Niño season, with its increasing chance of heavy rains and coastal erosion, drove a last-minute change […]
“I’m really just overwhelmed by the whole thing,” Richard Sanford tells me, soon after a recent dinner honoring his life’s work. And I can tell he means it, which I find a bit surprising, actually. After all, the man widely known as the pioneer of the Santa Barbara wine industry is no stranger to accolades […]
“This town is amazing,” said Grassini Family Vineyards CEO Katie Grassini, looking around a tasting room filled with supporters raising their glasses for the Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation. The gathering at Grassini’s El Paseo tasting room brought together TBCF Director Brittany Wazny, Development Director Julia George, events director Kirsten Stuart and friends of the organization […]
Last month, I went to the Finger Lakes for Riesling Camp expecting to deepen my understanding of one of the world’s great cool-climate grapes. I did, but I also came home thinking about water. In the Finger Lakes, the lakes are not simply part of the view. They are the quiet force behind the wines, […]
The Jada estate is stunning. Its 95 acres are sloped and terraced, tucked into steep hillsides, and the towering oaks dappled across the rolling ridges of the woodland floor, with their twisting branches and dense green canopies, cast constant shadows. It all coalesces to mirror beautifully the dramatic, rugged charm of the Paso Robles wine […]
Rick Caruso is singing the praises of the wine team at his namesake Montecito restaurant. And for good reason. “This award is a testament to the entire team at Caruso’s, whose passion, expertise, and dedication have created one of the world’s truly exceptional wine and dining programs,” the developer and owner of Rosewood Miramar Beach […]
There are evenings in Montecito that seem beautifully composed before the first glass is poured. Last week at San Ysidro Ranch was one of them, as guests gathered for a celebration of Champagne, caviar blinis, summer cocktails, flamenco, and hidden glamour in honor of The Speakeasy being named to Forbes Travel Guide’s 2026 Hotel Star […]
This past Saturday afternoon beneath the oaks at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, the Santa Barbara Wine Festival once again reminded me why it is one of the most beloved wine experiences in our region. With a glass in hand, Mission Creek nearby, and a collection of Santa Barbara County wineries, local culinary […]
Washington wine country is often defined by its AVAs. Walla Walla. Red Mountain. Yakima Valley. The conversation tends to revolve around vineyards and vintages, which is understandable given the quality in the glass. But after several days exploring Tri-Cities, what stayed with me most had as much to do with rivers, orchards, and people as […]
Santa Barbara’s original wine festival may also be her best. “It’s got those classic Santa Barbara vibes,” says Winemaker Mikael Sigouin, who’s been pouring at the annual wine fête for decades – as assistant winemaker for Fess Parker and Beckmen at first, and then as winemaker for his own label, Solvang-based Kaena, which he launched […]
Last month, I traveled to Kraków, Poland, where I was invited to speak at the International Wine Tourism Conference. I arrived expecting to find an emerging category that felt technically promising and logistically interesting while still finding its footing. I left thinking about something else entirely. Beauty. Ambition. The thrill of discovering a wine region […]
My husband and I went to La Jolla for the Concours d’Elegance, and somewhere between the oceanfront lawns, the village charm, the beautifully poured glasses, and dinner above the cove, I found myself thinking the same thing again and again: Santa Barbara people would love this. Of course, the La Jolla Concours d’Elegance was the […]
Earlier this year, my husband and I spent time in Milan doing one of my favorite things in the world, discovering a city by the way it eats and drinks. I have always loved aperitivo in Italy. It is one of those simple pleasures that makes life feel instantly more civilized. A glass arrives, something […]
Sunstone Wine Lounge, now open at 1294 Coast Village Road, offers locals the opportunity to enjoy the winery’s experience without the drive to its Santa Ynez estate. The lounge is open to both the public and wine club members seven days a week, with both walk-ins and reservations welcome. The space features Sunstone’s classic wines, […]
On Saturday, May 7, beneath the Santa Ynez Valley sunshine, an extraordinary group of women gathered at the beautiful 27 Vines boutique vineyard. Glasses clinked, laughter carried across the vines, and tables overflowed with wines and culinary creations that told the story of a region where women are not just participating in the wine industry… […]
Two and a half hours up Highway 101, California begins to feel different. The marine layer fades, the sky stretches wider, and the hills take on a golden hue that holds even in winter. When I visited Paso Robles earlier this month, daytime temperatures climbed to a sunlit 78 degrees, transforming January into a warm-weather […]
Each January, the historic halls of the Cloverdale Citrus Fairgrounds transform into one of the most important tasting rooms in North America. Long tables draped in white cloth line the space, and these are covered with thousands of carefully poured glasses. Judges arrive and don white lab coats, ready for days of focused evaluation at […]
Just before the clock struck midnight, I was back in the studio at KEYT News Channel 3-12, glasses lined up and bubbles ready, sharing my favorite sparkling wines for the New Year. Now that the confetti has settled and the calendar has turned, one thing feels certain: there is still plenty of room for sparkle. […]
I don’t know about you, but when the calendar flips to December, I start seeing red. Red in the ambient glow of holiday lights, to be sure. And red in my wine glass. Maybe it’s the cooler weather and the darker nights. Or the feel-good buzz of the most festive time of year. Or meals […]
