Exploring the menu of life.
Join me on my foodie travels throughout the west coast and other areas around the world.
We landed at noon on a Friday, ready to engulf ourselves in the culture of the liberal, hipster town of Portland. Home of beer, wine, a thriving food scene and plenty of outdoor activity. And we only had 72 hours in Portland. The weekend we landed in early May was the first sunshine-y day after many ... Read More »
The hills of El Dorado County are famed for the gold rush in the late 1800s. Hopeful prospectors arrived in the region, set up camp but also planted grapevines. So fun wine history is everywhere. Today, there are over 70 wineries to explore in the El Dorado American Viticultural Appellation (AVA). ... Read More »
With over 7,000 U.S. wineries to choose from, figuring out where to visit in wine country can be a herculean vacation task. But it starts with one question: What do you to like to drink? Crazy about Cabernet? Napa Valley is your destination. Passionate for Pinot Noir? Sonoma County or Oregon’s ... Read More »
I have a confession to make: Although I live in the fortuitous California wine country, it’s pretty rare that I visit tasting rooms. I remember back before I relocated to Sonoma County from Florida, I would ask friends who lived here what tasting rooms I should visit. I sought out the small, ... Read More »
J Vineyards and Winery in Sonoma County’s Russian River Valley is pretty well known throughout the U.S. They’re one of the few domestically-produced (and family-owned) sparkling wine houses. Founded in 1986 by Judy Jordan, the ebullient sister of John Jordan at Jordan Winery, she has led ... Read More »
Every now and then internet travel sites splash some really intriguing vacation packages up on my screen. And every now and then, like a big game fish, we bite. So when Living Social tossed out a trip for two to Rarotonga, Cook Islands… Sorry, where, you just asked? The Cook Islands are a Polynesian ... Read More »
As California wine country degenerates into adult Disneyland — and the number of rich guys’ “vanity” wineries sprout up like a conga line at a wedding — it’s becoming more difficult to uncover the “good” places. The places that 99% of the people ask ... Read More »
This is the next installment of my Life in California series, chronicling my transition to the California lifestyle after moving to northern California from Tampa, Florida.
Since we went back east in early November, Scott and I decided to stay in California for the holidays. It was only the ... Read More »
I’ve been living in Sonoma County for 10 days now and it still feels surreal. I reside in a furnished, basement apartment in Forestville, in the midst of the tallest redwood trees in North America and amongst the tree huggers. Aka the “granola” set. People bathe but they really don’t care ... Read More »
One hit of wine country and your addiction will surpass Amy Winehouse’s. I still recall the emotional rush the first time I glimpsed the undulating hills and illustrious wineries on Napa’s Highway 29. Tingly, my fresh newbie-ness bubbled with fervor and newfound pleasure. It felt good ... Read More »