KAY'S WINE BLOG

Visiting Castello di Amorosa in Napa Valley During my last Napa Valley wine tasting, I visited The Castle because that's just something you do. When Napa people talk about the Castello di Amorosa, which they often do, they never use its full name. It is like a celebrity that way. When "Rolling in the Deep" plays, no one says "that Adele Laurie Blue Adkins sure can sing." Overkill. Adele is enough. So, when you ask Napa Valley locals what wineries are on the "must visit list," and they definitively answer "The Castle," they are implicitly acknowledging that the remarkable edifice built on 171 ... Continue reading...

Two Days in Santa Barbara Wine Country - Beyond the Wine Let's say you have two days in Santa Barbara Wine Country. On the first day, wine tasting is an absolute. On the second day, go wine tasting again. There are more than 120 wineries in the area, so you will have barely scratched the surface. If you are staying for more than two days, you might start wondering about what's under the surface. Here are some ideas for how to enjoy the non-wine delights that Santa Barbara Wine Country offers.... Feed an Ostrich at Ostrichland Feed an Ostrich. An Ostrich can run as fast as 45 miles per hour, ... Continue reading...

Grapeline Adds a Wine Tour That Is A One-In-Ten-Million Experience If something can be called one-in-a-million, then it is still 10 times more common than Grapeline's brand new Mercedes Panoramic touring van. The new vehicle is a first-of-its-kind hardtop convertible that seats 19. In the U.S., which has almost 300 million registered vehicles, there are only 30 of the Panoramics, making it literally a one-in-10-million sight.    On April 27, 2019, the new Panoramic made its inaugural voyage with customers on board, taking guests on a wine tour featuring the Big Red Festival in Temecula Valley ... Continue reading...

Mother’s Day in Napa Valley: Celebrate with Wine, Brunch, and Beautiful Experiences Still haven't nailed down Mother's Day plans? A day in Napa Valley wine country always scores an easy A from the woman who taught you all you needed to know about caring for others.  From classic sit-down brunches, to a vigorous work-up-a-sweat hike, Napa Valley serves up diverse maternal indulgences. For a traditional brunch with the whole brood, try out the newest Napa food and wine venue, The Meritage Resort and Spa (formerly known as Vista Collina Resort). Executive Chef Vincent Lesage’s extensive menu ... Continue reading...

Defining Moments in California Wine Country That instant when you first saw the man who would become the love of your life.  The exact time when your baby was born, and you first cradled her in your arms.  Your life is marked by significant moments that change your course and become indelible memories. Like people, wine countries have a life cycle.  And just as in our lives, there are significant events that can make a really big difference.  For three of California’s wine regions, a single event catapulted each from obscurity to fame.    Temecula Valley’s Turning Point For Temecula Valley ... Continue reading...

The Magic of Bubbles in Wine A few years ago (OK, more than a few), when I was just North of legal drinking age, I attended a wedding where the only beverage served was rosé Champagne. I thought it was the fanciest thing in the world and drank way more than my fair share, something I regretted mildly the next day until my Advil kicked in.  Those intoxicating little bubbles were irresistible. How Do the Bubbles Get There? How exactly do bubbles end up in some wine but not in all? Is it like soda, where the carbonation is forcibly added to the liquid?  Surely not. Wine snobs would never stand ... Continue reading...

Gary Eberle: Pioneer of Paso Robles Wine Country Gary Eberle is a friendly guy who likes to sit on his front porch with his two black poodles by his side and a glass of Cabernet in his hand. That’s who he was when I met him last month during the Vintage Paso Festival.   Gary Eberle is also perhaps the most well-known trailblazer in Paso Robles wine country. He is widely regarded as one of the founding fathers of Paso‘s burgeoning wine industry, and his resume is filled with firsts and surprising accolades.  From Football Fields to Wine Fields Gary's path to the front porch of one of Paso ... Continue reading...

Santa Barbara Wine Country AVAs: A Fan Favorite Beyond March Madness March Madness has begun. Water cooler conversations center on Cinderella stories, acrobatic alley-oops, downtown treys, and gravity-defying hang time. Meanwhile, Santa Barbara wine region has no hometown favorite to cheer, but does have a different kind of hang time to celebrate. Compared to other wine regions, the growing season here is longer, meaning that fruit has a considerably longer “hang time” on the vine.  An East-to-West oriented coastal valley, which is unique among California wine regions, allows a deep inland ... Continue reading...

Notable Moments in Wine History On a recent trip to Napa, I tasted a Cain Five Cabernet, and for me it was a sublime moment.  Here are some other moments in wine history that are of note:     The Ancient Origins of Wine 8000 BC -- The earliest known wine production occurred in Colchis, now known as Georgia.  No, not the Georgia next to Alabama.  The Georgia next to Azerbaijan.   4000 BC -- Discovered in Armenia, the ruins of the oldest winery are believed to date back to 4000 BC, and some historians believe they may date back to 7000 BC.   Wine in Religious and Early Cultural History 20 to 30 ... Continue reading...

Premiere Napa Valley Auction: Millions Raised for One-of-a-Kind Wines A Record-Breaking Napa Auction Last Saturday afternoon, February 23, a few hundred people visited the top floor of the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in Napa County.  A few hours later they left, but not until they had purchased some Napa wine.  $3.7 million worth of Napa wine.   "Premiere Napa Valley" is the annual auction of one-of-a-kind Napa wine selections in lots as small as 60 bottles and no larger than 240.  This year's auction featured 187 lots, mostly from the 2017 vintage, the year of the North Bay ... Continue reading...