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 […]
AN EVENING WITH KEVIN ZRALY in San Francisco
If you know me, you know that I enjoy helping friends with their events, etc.. I got to circle back with Kevin Zraly this past fall, when we met again; this time at Castello di Meleto in Gaiole ~ In the Chianti Classico region of Tuscany. Kevin was touring, promoting his 30th Edition of Windows on the World, I was […]
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 […]
Do You Know About This Tuscan Fail Safe Practice?
[PHOTO of Castello di Meleto, Tuscany: Jo Diaz. All photos were taken by Jo Diaz, unless otherwise noted.] This practice is one that I had no idea existed, until I was the guest of Castello di Meleto. Located in Gaiole in the Chianti Classico region of Tuscany, this past October. I was travelling with Michael […]
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 […]
When Bluest Sky Group Destiny Calls ~ Tuscany Is on the Horizon
LOGO: Permission of the Bluest Sky Group What is Bluest Sky Group? From Micheal Yurch’s Website: The Bluest Sky Group (BSG) is a brand focused organization specializing in working with wineries worldwide that are trying to either enter or improve their position in the very complex American marketplace. Our basic program is a three year […]
The best wine and food books for 2013
The best wine and food books for 2013 is a recounting of books I’ve read over the year. I enjoy recommending what I think would enrich and enlighten your life, only because that’s what they’ve done for me. I’m going to guide you toward what would work for whom, too, in the process with categories. […]
Celebrity Vineyards, written by Nick Wise about Napa, Tuscany, and beyond is a great wine read
Nick Wise has written a really great book about Celebrity Vineyards; one that I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reading. His style, grace, and stories about Napa, Tuscany, and beyond, about superlative wines and extraordinary vintners, is very informative and parallels my own story… so much so that I immediately found that common bond and was drawn in. […]
Picking the Brain of Someone in Wine Retail
I believe that it’s my duty – at this stage in my career – to mentor an upcoming wine generation. The new writers aren’t starting blogs, so much, though; they’re working for marketing companies… It seems that there’s become an established group who flew into the slight crack of the socialnomics window, and I was […]
