Sonoma County Archives * Strong Coffee to Red Wine

In the Glass and On the Plate

Published July 23, 2019

Before we talk plate and glass, I have to share this series of images. These pictures of two of my favorite beings just make me smile. Breezy thinks she is a lap dog, and Gary loves all the “kisses.” She really wants to lick his eye, but his glasses are blocking her access. What Is In My Glass and On My Plate Glass – 2016 Daou Soul of the Lion, Adelaida District, Paso Robles, California This wine is an extraordinary sip. And for that, I must thank my sister. She went to a Daou Vineyards and Winery Dinner and ordered…

Russian River Valley and Hanna Wines

Published October 3, 2018

The Russian River Valley is a designated AVA* that resides within the larger Northern Sonoma AVA. AVAs located with a larger AVA share the characteristics of that AVA but also have a more unique set of attributes that further define that specific smaller portion of the region. It could be the soil type, the weather patterns or any number of things. The AVA that appears on the bottle is always the one that represents where the vineyards are precisely located. As such, the smaller AVA will always trump the larger if the vines all reside within the smaller (or sub)…

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Wine Tasting * Sonoma with Suzanne *

Wine Tasting * Sonoma with Suzanne *

Published December 11, 2017

Just One Day: Wine Tasting in The Sonoma Valley Last month at the conclusion of the Wine Blogger Conference, I added a quick two days so do some wine tasting and visit with an old friend that moved to the area. I was so lucky that Suzanne was available as I could not imagine wine tasting here without her. Suzanne is a friend from my Chicago days. It has been 14 years since we last saw each other when Gary and I moved to the southeast coast. She too left Chicago and moved to the San Francisco Bay area a few…

Hanna Winery & Vineyards

Published November 21, 2017

I had been looking forward to this day for months. I got to mingle with other bloggers, taste great wines and learn, learn, learn. This is Wine Bloggers Conference 2017, day one. This day was jam-packed starting with a tour and gourmet luncheon with pairings at Hanna Winery & Vineyards followed by a Zinfandel tasting, a Pinot Noir tasting and then the opening reception with tasting tables called, “Wines of the World.” Whew! If it sounds like a lot, it was. I was overwhelmed. The highlight of this day was Hanna Winery and Vineyards, so let’s go! Hanna Winery & Vineyards We…

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Wine Country: Wildfires & Trip Overview

Published November 17, 2017

My Wine Country Experience Whew, I can not believe it has been eleven days since I last posted. But as you know I took a trip to Northern California wine country for the 2017 Wine Bloggers Conference and then added a couple of days of touring with a dear friend. To be sure, I had no real idea what I was in for so I had to adjust on the fly. I intended to post while away, but if there is anything that some may know about me, it’s that I am an “all in” kind of person. As such,…

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Lioco Wines: Rosé and Chardonnay

Published November 6, 2017

We “fell backward” this past weekend and so my “standard time blues” should be arriving anytime. I hate when daylight savings time is over because I feel like it is always dark. I know morning folks deserve lightness too but that is not me and I am feeling selfish at the moment. Needing to pamper myself just a bit, it gave me an excuse to “sample” two wines on Sunday from Lioco Winery. Ugh… I need a nap. Heading to Sonoma & Napa Wine Country on Wednesday On Wednesday, I head out west to the 2017 Wine Bloggers Conference. It is held…

Fall into Rosé & Sonoma Pinot Noir

Published October 13, 2017

The other day I got an email about rosé wine promotions in several restaurants for the month of October in New York and San Fransico. While we drink rosé until it sells out, it seems that for many folks rosé has a season, summer and then it goes away until the following spring. Why the change? Who knows; but I can think of several reasons to continue drinking rosé. Now that does not mean that you forgo drinking anything else. Certainly with cooler temperatures (if you are lucky) a red wine is a must. Perhaps not a big Cab but…

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South Africa Hit to Sonoma County Miss – Updated

South Africa Hit to Sonoma County Miss – Updated

Published June 7, 2017

The rains on the coast have been torrential and constant these last days. So when friends from Florida showed up as they were passing through, they added some sunshine to this dreary day. We opened a Sauvignon Blanc from South Africa that was given to us by friends recently. It was the perfect wine to start the evening. Spier 1692 Sauvignon Blanc 2016 – Stellenbosch, South Africa This wine is pale yellow with flashes of green when it hits the light. My first sip is a bit bitter and astringent, but I followed my own advice and waited a few minutes…

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