Holiday Wine: Pairing Wine to Holiday Dishes
’Tis the season—for festive celebrations, grand family feasts—and questions about holiday wine pairing. What’s a great wine for the holidays? Which wine for my prime rib? How about my desserts? I recommend drinking seasonally. And this time of year,...
Lugana Wines: Liquid Gold from Glacial Soils
Not far from the soaring Alps of northern Italy lies a placid lake in a dream-like setting. At this northerly latitude we expect brisk days and a Continental climate. Instead, we find a pocket of Mediterranean-like climate, where grapevines grow amidst lemon...
Vino “Col Fondo”: Italy’s Ancestral Sparkling
Maybe decade ago, we began hearing a quiet, fizzy buzz about a sparkling wine style born of an ancient production method. You may have heard of it referred to by a few names — pét-nat, méthode ancestrale, Col Fondo, and Sui Lieviti, to list a few. That quiet...
Prosecco: The Pairing Possibilities!
When I’m asked to name my favorite wine — even my favorite wine right now — I likely won’t have an answer. That’s partially because I love too many wines at any given time. But here’s a response you’ll likely hear from me: First,...
Pairing Wine to Thanksgiving: A Tasty Guide
Of all holidays, I look forward to Thanksgiving the most – because really, it’s all about the wine pairing! Around September I start setting aside interesting bottles in anticipation. With its complexity of warm flavors, there’s a world of wine options to...About Mary Beth
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silky pasta -- strong coffee and bright wines -- a world map -- and a good dance beat 
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It was a beautiful evening at the “Aromatic Whites & Rose’” walk-around tasting at the Gravenstein Grill — the first of their Summer Wine Series. I discovered some truly (truly) stellar wines and sipped new vintages of favorites, poured by their talented winemakers. ![]()
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Chris Sawyer knows how to throw an intimate party with all the best guests (and lovely atmosphere, delicious passed apps) to accompany the killer wines from our beautiful North Coast. ![]()
I also sipped some of the most beautiful examples of Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc I’ve ever enjoyed [have to call out Porter Creek Vineyards and Davis Family Vineyards (Chard) and Quivira Vineyards and Seawolf Wines (SB)]. And I think I actually teared up over the Davis Family 2013 “Gratitude”, Sara Lee’s Vineyard Lat-Harvest Viognier. Thank you Cooper Davis for sharing the story behind this nectar. ![]()
Follow Chris and the Gravenstein Grill so you don’t miss the next event. So lovely.
And it begins. Day 1 of 2.5 judging the 2023 Sunset Magazine International Wine Competition. 117 reds ahead of me just today. Sip, judge, spit. Repeat.
A beautiful wine! Smith Story Wine Cellars’ Smith Story Wine Cellars inaugural release of a white Rhône blend-![]()
Fleur Blanc, Dry Creek Valley, 2022. ![]()
Its nose is orange blossom. Its gossamer light entry is a mineral beauty, then broadens into perfect palate weight carrying juicy green melon, citrus and a touch of sea salt. I literally swooned over it in the tasting room. Last night, enjoyed with mild Indian curry, then another glass just for sipping. ![]()
The blend- 50% Picpoul 50% Bourboulenc - yes!![]()
It will be perfection with raw seafood, oysters, salads, light pastas, and warm days… and I also suggest omelettes and eggs! Think Mother’s Day brunch, lunch or a beautiful gift.![]()
I recommend wholeheartedly. ![]()
Same for Allison and Eric - the phenomenal and coolest humans behind this craft winemaking venture. The first line of their mission statement captures why: “Smith Story Wines are made with respect for the land, kindness for the grower and, love from the winemaker.” This is their north star - care and support of the people in this industry - and they carry it forward with their daily actions and choices. ![]()
Check out the FLEUR BLANC on their website. But if you’re in the northern Sonoma area, I recommend a detour and stop for a taste of their other temptations too: ![]()
—their delicious, and also new, BRAVE carbonic Zinfandel(served chilled!)![]()
—the Cabernet Franc you’ve been dreaming of![]()
— and the 8th vintage release of a perennial Smith-Story favorite, their incredible Sauvignon Blanc. This vintage is stunning. ![]()
Enjoy!![]()
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Allison Smith Story Eric Story #sipsonoma #drycreekvalley #winelover #stayhealdsburg #sipwine #farmtobottle #craftwine #sonomawine #brightandbalanced #crushonwine #rhoneblend #whitewineblend #wineeducator