When It’s Traditional and It’s in Tuscany ~ Day 2
I was the guest of Castello di Meleto in Gaiole ~ In the Chianti Classico region of Tuscany. Hosted by Antonia Caserta (sales manager), their winemaker Matteo Menicacci, and their agronomist Giovanni Maria Farina. Antonia translated, and I was also in the company of Michael Yurch (Bluest Sky Group) and Michael Apstein from Apstein On […]
If You Love Napa Valley’s Stags Leap District, This Event Has Your Name All Over It
An American Viticultural Area (AVA) is a designated, wine grape-growing region in the United States,and has been for the nearly 39 years. The Augusta AVA surrounds the area in and around the town of Augusta, Missouri, which was the first recognized AVA recognized in the US, gaining their status on June 20, 1980. Stags Leap’s […]
Petaluma Gap Wines ~ Wildly Flavorful
[PHOTO: Dr. Mark Greenspan, borrowed from his Advanced Viticulture Website] From the famed viticulture expert Dr. Mark Greenspan in a Petaluma Gap Newsletter: According to viticulturist Mark Greenspan in this Wine Business Monthly article, “Wind is a significant factor in many regions [including] the Petaluma Gap of Sonoma County… We see thicker skins and more intense color in […]
When Opportunity Knocked ~ Siena Italy Was at the Door
[ALL PHOTO: Jo Diaz, unless noted otherwise. Shop in Sienna, Italy] PART 1 ~ CULTURE LEADS TO WINE AND FOOD In October of 2018, a door was opened for me by Bluest Sky Group, when I was invited to join a group of wine professionals traveling in Italy. We would be exploring the central wine regions of […]
Romancing the Grape ~ Relationship Selling for Hospitality Professionals
SAMPLE COPY from Lynda R. Paulson ~ PHOTO: Jo Diaz Romancing the Grape ~ Relationship Selling for Hospitality Professionals by Lynda R. Paulson should be mandatory reading for all winery tasting room personnel. This is always how I sold wine, while working in a tasting room, because my studies and background are in PR. That said, […]
Colonnara Viticultori in Cupramontana ~ In the Castelli di Jesi region of Le Marche
[PHOTO: Jo Diaz – Cupramontana Headquarters] To understand wine, first we need understand its culture and people. The first time I wrote that was in 2009, just prior to a trip to Portugal. This thought was just reaffirmed, as I’m newly returned from an Italian adventure, in the epicenter of the Renaissance. This story is about […]
Napa Valley Vintner Stuart Smith Supporting “No On C” with a Blog Devoted to Preservation
Stuart Smith has gathered in depth background materials for “No On C and Napa County’s environment” at www.stopmeasurec.com. The Webpage opens with what’s most concerning for this measure: “Because Measure C was created in secret, the only public airing of the Measure has been mailings, street signs, ads and letters to our local newspapers. Even […]
SOMM: Into the Bottle ~ This one is a hit for wine lovers
In all fairness, I watched he original SOMM, and reviewed it as “navel gazing?” Here’s the deal, I’ve been in the wine business since 1993. Combine that with me reading the book Cork Dork Bianca Bosker’s, A Wine-Fueled Adventure,” which hit a home run, IMHO. I wasn’t alone in my assessment, of a few guys […]
Wine Etiquette 101 ~ The 10 most important things to remember
I once wrote a story called Wine Country Casual, because people are so concerned, wanting to know the best thing to wear. We’re like that as people, aren’t we? It’s also one of my most clicked onto stories. Everyone wants to know what to wear. But, what about behavior? After we dress to fit in, […]
Haydon Street Inn ~ Healdsburg, CA
Healdsburg, California has turned into quite the “wine country living” town. It’s always had the flavor, but it’s more sophisticated today than ever. With the addition of Hotel Healdsburg, along came many retail shops that have created a more stylish town to visit. The charm is evident everywhere you go. For those of us who […]
