Preview: Wine Pairing Weekend’s AUS Grilling Adventure #WinePW

It’s summertime and the grilling is easy!

That’s why the Wine Pairing Weekend crew headed to the grill this month — and paired those grilled goodies with wine from Australia — where, while it may be winter Down Under, they have some mighty fine wines to pair with your shrimp on the barbie as well as your sausages and shiraz! Plus it’s great prep for the Wine Bloggers Conference there in 2019!

Before I get further into telling you about the two wines pictured Continue reading →

Oregon’s Revitalizing Raptor Ridge

Oregon’s Raptor Ridge and grilled salmon for your spring and summer grilling pleasure.

Fresh Copper River King and Sockeye Salmon from Alaska is one of my favorite foods on the planet– and I love it with pinot noir! Continue reading →

Talking Dirty: Oregon’s Dry Farmed Chardonnay

Happy Chardonnay Day! Happy Oregon Wine Month! Here’s some dry farmed wine from Oregon for you!

Calling all Cougars! Ready to talk dirty with me?

If to you “Talk Dirty” is simply the 2013 hit by Jason Derulo with the catchy middle eastern accents (see below), then you’ve come to the wrong place.

If, however, you’re into DIRT as in EARTH as in SOIL and even DRY FARMING, hang on to your hat because we’re going for a ride starting NOW with Dry Farmed Chardonnay from Oregon on Chardonnay Day today!

To get us going, here’s Continue reading →

We need a white wine emoji for these six from Oregon!

May is Oregon Wine Month, and while most people think Pinot Noir when they think Oregon wine, we thought it would be fun to do a deep dive into a stainless steel tank filled with WHITE WINE from Oregon! Continue reading →

Affordable French Bordeaux with Bison Burgers for #Winophiles

What to do for a mid-week meal that is easy, quick and affordable? How about Bison Burgers and Bordeaux Wine? Continue reading →

Amgen Tour of CA: Ventura Hosts Stage 2, Lodi Wines Sponsor

On Monday May 14, 2018, the 2018 Amgen Tour of California came right by my doorstep as the world-renowned cyclists made their way from the Ventura pier and up San Jon Road (exit 69 on the 101) and roared through Ventura’s historic downtown.

me on my bike in felted wool by Borbala Arvai

Continue reading →

Sparkling Toast to Moms on Mother’s Day with Balletto and Stella Rosa

Fourteen years ago, this little boy arrived and made me a mom.

Today is Mother’s Day in the United States, and so the perfect time to raise a toast to all the Mothers and Others who serve as MOMS and who mother and nurture small and large humans, plants, and other beings on this planet!

To all the moms out there:

thank you for all the love and compassion you show and you shower on this world.

Thank you for being a strong, beautiful person who stands up for what’s right.

And when times get tough, remember there are millions of powerful and creative women standing with you, ready to help.

Cheers! And I’ve got two lovely wines to toast you with! Continue reading →