Domaine Bousquet, Discovering the Uco Valley and Standing on One’s Head
The origin of the Domaine Bousquet family travels back to the city of Carcassonne (karkasɔn), located in the southwest of France. With an elevation of 266–820 feet, roots of civilization run deeply here. With extensive remains of medieval fortifications, see the image below. Four generations of Bousquets, the family have been able to traces themselves […]
Wine Country Adapting to a Pandemic and Fires ~ Geyserville says Happy Halloween to That!
The invite to the citizens of Geyserville read: Geyserville.com ~ Feeling Creative? Paint wine barrels for the fall and spring seasons to brighten up Geyserville. Fun for the whole family. And so they came. The barrels have now been placed throughout the town of Geyserville. Very down-home, and r-e-a-l-l-y well done. Halloween wine lovers are […]
Napa Valley Beyond the Fires, Small Family Farms Are Bureaucratically Being Squeezed Out
In the event you’ve not heard about this grassroots effort, here it is again, as we wonder so much about Napa Valley these days… SAVE THE FAMILY FARMS “Save the Family Farms” is a group of owner-occupied grape growers, who make wine in Napa Valley and classify ourselves as “micro-producers.” We are small operations and […]
News from Aratas Wine of Napa Valley ~ It speaks to our collective sadness
We’re all suffering in Napa and Sonoma valleys… There are a myriad of reasons; from absorbing toxic ash from “some other place” this time, to having been evacuated and praying for about a week to learn if your home is still standing, to getting home and having some damage, to getting back to an empty […]
How many of you are left in wine country as non-believers in the power of masks?
EDITORIAL: How many of you are left in wine country as non-believers in the power of masks? What my friend just said from Italy, because Italy’s numbers are WAY down I wanted to know. And, if all goes well, I’m scheduled for a wine trip to Venice, Piedmont, and Spain in November: …we were the […]
Lucas & Lewellen Sustainably Crafted is Just So Fine ~ An Interview with Mike Lewellen
Lucas & Lewellen sustainably crafted is just so fine is not an overstatement, it’s what I’ve experienced and happy to write about it. First, I got the wine. Next, I tasted it, and found it to be really lovely. The elements of femininity really shined through. Then I discovered Lucas & Lewellen has a female […]
Earth Day in Wine Country… One Child at a Time
EARTH DAY began as a concept in the 1960s. By 1970, it was official. While living across from a school, in Windsor, CA, our house was the first place the kids leaving school would pass. For a few years, they’d come out, unwrap their candy, and throw the paper on our lawn. When Jose would […]
Who is that Global Winemaker Kerry Damskey? ~ Episode 1
Meeting Kerry Damskey, in this quick video series, begins the process of peeling away successful layers of what it takes to become an international, winemaking star, who’s successfully accomplished this particular pursuit. It is a calling, and it’s quite unique, with the people involved being very much adaptable. While using both sides of their brains […]
Touring a Chateau, Don’tcha Know, Inside and Out ~ Château des Capitans Juliénas of Beaujolais
In an effort to pay homage to all of the wineries and vineyards visited last July in France, I continue with my experiences, as a guest of both Les Vins Georges Duboeuf and Château Roubine. This story started in Northern Beaujolais, scheduled by Georges Duboeuf. The black and mustard-yellow, decorative roof (in this photo) is […]
California Wine Country ~ Blinded by the Light
Living in wine country is mostly on the upside of quite happy. But, as my husband Jose has been saying lately, “there comes a time to pay the dues.” I live about six miles from Geyser Peak, in Geyserville. To look upon it, one sees God’s Country. At this point, it’s hard to think of […]
