Another weekend, another Festival, yes? Everyone is trying to cram in as many fun activities outside while the weather is still nice and warm (and maybe too warm lately!) before the rainy and snowy weather sets in.
This weekend I want to suggest something extra-ordinary: Continue reading
More of a beer person than a wine person? Or not enough time to leave LA for Santa Ynez for this weekend’s Celebration of Harvest? Maybe BAM in Santa Monica is more your style.
Because truly even Wine Predators can not live on wine alone! Continue reading
Miss out on the recent Sunset Savor the Central Coast during the last weekend of California Wine Month? Then definitely don’t miss this weekend’s Santa Barbara Vintners Celebration of Harvest!
Before I get to posting about Sunset Savor (including notes from two sessions I attended “Three Styles of Sparkling Wine” and “Central Coast Wine and Cheese Pairing”), I want to make sure that you know about this weekend’s Celebration of Harvest Weekend October 9-12, 2015.
During the weekend you can: Continue reading
What better way to celebrate the final weekend of California Wine Month than to attend Sunset Savor in the heart of California’s central coast wine region to taste local food and wine?
Today I am driving up to Santa Margarita to attend The Main Event where I will experience an “epicurean and adventure playground”! Sounds perfect for a Wine Predator like me Continue reading
Cal State University Channel Islands will be home to a two day Ventura County Agricultural Summit featuring panels, speakers, and food on Friday Sept. 11 from 8:30am-6:30pm and food and wine tasting on Saturday Sept. 12 from noon to 4:30pm. Continue reading
Burning Man is home to a winery, wine cellars, and plenty of wine!
Is there wine in Black Rock City, home to Burning Man? Or is it only a town of tequila shots and beers in cans and blasters and absinthe and other cocktails?
I’m here to tell you that there is more to drink in Black Rock City than cheap bottom shelf liquor prettied-up with mixers and sweet cheeks served on a mutant vehicle rolling across the desert!
Every year at Burning Man (my first Burn was in 1992 and I’ve been 15x), I have had amazing wine, including my first Barolo in 2009, thanks to Puma who always brings out some pretty special stuff to celebrate the occasion (that’s his dusty pile from 2011 pictured).
Puma and a pile of vino he brought to Burning Man to share
Many wine makers, from professional to garagiste to home brewer, attend Burning Man and bring wine to share.
In fact, Black Rock City boasts a winery, a cellar to store wine, a Champagne Lounge, and a wine tasting room–with glasses!
So five years ago when Rick Bakas started up Cabernet Day on the last Thursday before Labor Day, I decided to host a Cabernet Day event in Black Rock City–and I’ve done so in 2011, 2013, 2014 and this year too.
While Cabernet Day is really all about sharing Cabernet via social media, Black Rock City is not known for its connectivity and we were unable to get online in order to post anything in previous years but that did not stop the merriment!
This year for Cabernet Day I will be at Puma’s camp, Harmonic Convergence where he has promised to uncork at least one bottle of VERY NICE cabernet!
I haven’t decided what I will be bringing but you know it will be something good. What will be different in 2015 is that we should be able to post pics and notes online as there seems to be decent cell service on the playa this year –and Puma’s camp has wifi (and satellite tv too!)
How will you be celebrating #CabernetDay this Thursday September 3, 2015?
I don’t know about you, but I enjoy wine the most when it is paired with food –and when the pairing works.
I love how a food can bring something special out in a wine and vice versa.
One of the questions I get asked most (after what is my favorite wine!) is how do you know what wine to pair with food.
The best way is to experiment. But I get it — that can be scary and pricey. Not everyone is willing to open up a couple of $15-50 bottles to see what works!
A great way to experience great wine and food pairs is by attending winemaker dinners, and in Ventura County, there are three great ones coming up this month. Details follow.
And if you can’t attend a dinner like this, you CAN learn a lot by studying the menu! What do the experts pair with what? You’ll notice trends, for example, duck with Pinot noir; however, I’ve found that I generally prefer duck with syrah, so you still need to experiment!
For something completely different, head to the Ventura County Fair on Tuesday August 11 from 5-7pm Continue reading
wine predator.............. gwendolyn alley 
