You‘ve probably heard the term “small lot wines” and took a guess that it refers to wine produced in limited quantities. You would of course be right, but there’s more to it than that. A small lot wine can be produced at a very large winery or a very small winery, or anything in between. As you can imagine, a wine that…

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There’s nothing better than good wine. Then again, there’s really nothing more inspiring than great art. But if you think about it, what could be better than an amazing hotel near the beach and amazing places to eat? Luckily, in my search for the most unique wine venues in America, I got to experience it all in Laguna Beach, California.…

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I am always on the lookout for unique up-and-coming wine regions that present an interesting story and a 2-7 day destination of food, wine, and fun. For heaven sakes, there must be a wine-life beyond Napa and Sonoma, and the Champagne region of France. Been there done that. So begins my search for fun, funky, deserving-of-press wine regions through the Wine Trippin’ series. First stop – the mid-coast wineries near Rockland, Maine.

Rockland can be a challenge to get to, but that…

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With spring in full swing and summertime in our collective sightline, I am pretty sure we’re all chomping at the bit for some time off to relax and renew. Since we're ready to go let's settle in and make plans now.…

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Looking for some high seas adventure with a decidedly gourmet food and wine focus? Then check out the Schooner Stephen Taber for a uniquely tactile and visual experience. This gorgeous century-old tall ship takes you from Rockland, Maine on a stunning tour of the untouched islands of Maine’s rocky coast. Think lush green inlets and islands, lighthouses, old farmhouses,…

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(L to R) Buzz Olson, Kimberly Olson, Etienne Cowper…

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You like wine tasting? Are you up for a little adventure? I bet you love a deal. Can I package all this for you into a rustic vineyard romantic getaway? Yup! Read on.

I know you often go wine tasting and think – OMG this is such a beautiful place, I wish I could linger longer, but alas, there’s only the vineyards, the tasting room and the road leading home at the end of the day. So when you’re in the San Diego area next time…sip, savor and sleep over at Shadow Mountain…

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I really love a bottle of wine that is not only good, but has a story behind it too. That’s why it’s such a treat to introduce you to Gioia Wines and owner/winemaker Teri Love. Gioia is one of the new breed of wineries known as a “virtual” winery – meaning it doesn’t have its own brick and mortar building to make or sell its wine. This doesn’t mean it isn’t premium wine, just the opposite. I think some of the virtual wineries really benefit from this format as they can spend more…

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I love finding the hidden jewels of big city destinations…how about you? It’s great fun to immerse yourself in the unsung areas that don’t have big promotional budgets to entice you to discover them. So it was quite a delight when quite by chance, I was introduced to the South Park district of San Diego by a fellow cruise ship traveler. Seriously, there I was floating in the Caribbean, when Jennifer Thompson from Monkey C Media gave me the 411. Now I am passing it on to you. Read…

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Time moves on, seasons change, and it’s seems inevitable that winemakers will come and go. So it is that David Raffaele, formerly part of the winemaking team at Maurice Car'rie and Van Roekel Vineyard and Wineries in Temecula Valley, CA. , has been selected as the new winemaker at Keyways Winery. I think this is an excellent choice for this winery and I know you’ll enjoy reading about this interesting young…

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Wohoo! Spring break is here and if you miss that feeling of carefree abandon and going on a road trip…via your airplane...then read on my friends. Frankly, I think many of us in our college years were too busy prepping for finals, looking for summer jobs, or just didn’t have the cash on hand or an airplane to fly to do much with their last spring break.…

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It may just be the event planner in me, but I L-O-V-E- anything with a cool theme. So it’s not going to come as a surprise to anyone that I want to introduce you to Briar Rose Winery in the Temecula Wine Country. Based on a Snow White theme, this high-end boutique winery not only showcases a Disney’esque ambiance, but it delivers the goods with ultra premium…

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