Having just returned from a welcome retreat to Wine Country, I can tell you – now’s the perfect time to go get lost on the West Coast! We’re entering a GORGEOUS time of year for out there…the air cool and crisp, the scenery exploding with indescribable color. The time of year growers and wine makers live for!
Sonoma
BIG Time Savings with these Turkey Day Wines
Great news – good wines for your Thanksgiving meal don’t cost a lot of money! All you need is a wine that’s got a lot of fruit and good acidity – one that will compliment the many flavors in your feast not overpower them. Here are some of my choices to get you started as you peruse those crowded wine isles.
Healing, Detox & Therapy – Unique Cedar Enzyme Bath at Sonoma Spa
Tucked away in a beautiful stretch of oasis is a getaway along the Sonoma coast you should absolutely plan to visit someday. The Osmosis Day Spa is a little piece of Heaven on Earth!
Inn at Occidental’s Lemon Loaf
I just discovered these delicious lemon treats at the delightful Inn at Occidental in Sonoma. We love staying there when visiting the wine country. It’s only about 8 miles from the coast and is nestled in the scenic rolling Sonoma Hills. The breakfasts here are amazing! These lemon bars just happened to be on the […]
Marvelous Marmalade Benefits a Great Cause
On a recent TV segment on KPRC with anchor Courtney Zavala, I featured some of Houston’s best brunch bets. I say some … there are plenty of awesome choices. One of my favorite brunch spots is Backstreet Café and their Braised Short Rib with Butternut Squash Hash is one of the dishes I took on the show.
Brunch Time on KPRC!
If you saw our Goodtaste Houston segment this morning on KPRC News then no doubt, you’re hungry! I featured a few of my favorite brunch items in Houston and a favorite French Toast delight from the rolling hills of Sonoma, California. The recipe for Backstreet Cafe’s incredible Short Rib Hash is right here. I paired […]
Mainstay Dishes & Desserts For Your Holiday Table
‘Tis the season of joy – you want lots of smiles surrounding your beautiful holiday table. Break more than just bread with loved ones during your holiday gatherings with these diverse dishes and desserts.
The Beautiful Bubble Room at J Winery, a Sonoma Tasting Treasure
A special treat if you’re interested in exploring good food and wine pairings is the Bubble Room at J Winery. You’ll pay about $60 pp for the experience, but keep in mind, there are five courses of well paired dishes with J’s wonderful wines.
Meet the Silver Oak Winemaker
Silver Oak’s talented winemaker Daniel Baron counts some 16 years as producing the big cabernet sauvignon that so many have come to know and love.
Merlot – Your Perfect Weekend Wine
I’ve spent the past couple of weeks tasting Merlots for you – yes, you’re welcome, but believe me the pleasure was all mine! I am a BIG fan of merlot (The movie ‘Sideways’ never changed my opinion). Let’s face it, without merlot where would Bordeaux be? It’s the grape that softens those wines….the yang of […]
Texas Wineries vs Napa?
There’s a virtual goldmine right in our own backyard. Texas wineries! Texas Hill Country wineries have reason to be particularly proud. The Texas Agricultural Department asked me to host their first-ever video podcasts called ‘Go Texan Wine’, and they turned out to be a fascinating learning experience. I was surprised to find out that the […]
Les Mars, a luxurious Sonoma hotel
If you’re celebrating something really special and want a first class, elegant, cozy place to stay in delightful Healdsburg, look no further than the Les Mars Hotel. A Relais & Chateau property. Their website is right. Les Mars combines old world luxury with modern technology and does so beautifully.
"Really Goode Job" Pays $10,000 Per Month
Talk about a great gig! The Murphy-Goode Winery has a “really Goode Job” opening. The Sonoma County winery wants to find an ‘outgoing, web-savvy, articulate communicator’ to blog, Tweet and talk about Sonoma wines. The dream job pays ten grand a month for a six month contract that includes private housing in beautiful Healdsburg.
Beyond Napa There’s Mendocino
Fall is a beautiful time to explore California wine country. We recently spent some time in the Mendocino area – if you’ve already done Napa and Sonoma, head a bit north to Mendocino. The cooler climate produces some wonderful Pinot Noirs and Gerwerstraminer wines.
The Ultimate Honor System
While researching story ideas out in northern California, we fell in love with the incredible organic produce. We make every Farmer’s Market we can out here and cook freshly picked produce each night. We stumbled upon the coolest ‘tomato stand’ in Sonoma. Look at the sign closely – noone was manning the booth – you […]
