Blog Archives
The Pleasure of Wine: A Lesson From Poet Billy Collins
This morning I heard Poet Billy Collins give the Creative Keynote at The Symposium for Professional Wine Writers at Meadowood Napa Valley. Many things he had to say about wine and writing resonated deeply with me, but none more than this: “Obvious joys of wine get buried in the analysis.” So on that note, it [More]
Spring Mountain Cabernet from Smith-Madrone: The Perfect Gift
There is something special about Spring Mountain. Leaving behind Napa Valley’s floor, you carefully wind your way up to higher altitudes where a new world unfolds. And it’s not just scenery that is transformed; the distinctiveness of the wines bear out that change as well. I was recently sent a trio of samples from [More]
10 Thoughts About 40 Years of Joseph Phelps Vineyards
When your Mom wants to visit the place that makes her favorite wine, Joseph Phelps Vineyards Insignia, there’s only one way to respond: “Let’s go!” An iconic Napa Valley winery, it’s a short, windy-road drive to get to Joseph Phelps from the storied Silverado Trail road. We rolled into the winery and sat down with [More]
A Conversation With Michael Mondavi
A couple months ago I had the chance to have lunch with Michael Mondavi, set up by Glodow Nead Communications. Naturally, I expected to discuss wine, the history of Napa Valley, and family. (I had met his daughter, Dina, earlier in the year. A recap of our time together is on Foodista.) We ended up [More]
