Wander & Wine

12 Questions with Jamie Slone

written by W&W

This month’s Q&A is with one of Santa Barbara’s newest faces in the wine industry, Jamie Slone! If you recall back in November, I wrote about Jamie Slone and his new wine tasting room in Santa Barbara’s Wine Collection of El Paseo, Jamie Slone Wines. He and his wife, Kym, both hailing from Tuscon, opened up their tasting room less than 6 months ago and have made Santa Barbara their home away from home. They’re both fun-loving, nice people that deserve major props for jumping in head first into the wine biz… and so far, things seem to be going well! I was actually just in the tasting room on Valentine’s Day for some wine and chocolate and it was definitely a happenin’ spot.

February 19, 2015 0 comment

Santa Barbara Wineries

Gavin Chanin’s Lutum & Chanin Wine

written by W&W

Writing my column in the Santa Barbara Sentinel for the past 7 months has been such a great excuse to get out and meet some very talented people in the wine industry. It’s crazy to me how many people stumbled into the wine industry at a young age and have excelled, quickly making a name for themselves as reputable winemakers (although with all that hard work, it probably doesn’t seem like overnight success to them!).

January 27, 2015 0 comment

12 Questions

12 Questions with Tom Glase

written by W&W

If you haven’t yet been to Walla Walla, you’re definitely missing out! The area is seriously booming, with a growing culinary scene, awesome wineries and very nice people. It’s almost been a year since I was last in Walla Walla, when my friend Sarah and I made a quick trip before I moved. During our whirlwind tour, we met the owner / winemaker of Balboa Winery, Tom Glase. Tom and his wife, Amy, are the brains behind Balboa, where they not only make great wine but ensure each and every visitor feels welcome (doesn’t hurt that their adorable dogs are the first to greet you at the door).

January 25, 2015 2 comments

Napa Wineries

Cultivar Wine & Caspar Estate

written by W&W

I always love introducing friends and family to wines from lesser known wineries, especially in a place like Napa Valley where the big names usually dominate. Sure, there are plenty of well known names worth seeking out, but isn’t it rewarding to find a producer that is smaller and family-run sometimes?

January 20, 2015 0 comment

California Travel

Postcards of Big Sur, CA

written by W&W

Jagged cliffs. Stunning scenery. Big Sur is right up there with the most photographed places in the US for sure, and if you haven’t driven on Highway 1 between San Simeon and Carmel before, it should be on your bucket list. Heading north, the drive starts out pretty flat and then you suddenly find yourself driving along steep, cliff-hugging winding roads. Although Nick and I did the drive from Santa Barbara to Half Moon Bay a few years ago, Big Sur is definitely the type of place to visit more than once, so we were excited to get back and explore. This time, we met up with my best friend and her boyfriend in Big Sur for a couple nights of camping to ring in the new year… 30 degree weather and all. Believe it or not, we weren’t the only ones who had this brilliant idea — there were lots of campers!

January 11, 2015 4 comments

Uncategorized

2014: A Recap

written by W&W

Happy New Year! Well, another year has come and gone… but what a year it was! 2014 was complete with a move back to Santa Barbara, lots of great wine and food, getting my own wine column in a local publication and, the big one, getting engaged (at a winery of all places)! Success! 2015 has some big shoes to fill, but I have no doubts it will be even better. Before letting go of 2014, I’m taking a look back at all the neat experiences I’ve been able to share with my readers (that’s part of the fun of having a blog – to relive all the great moments!). So, to close out 2014, here are a few of my most popular blog posts that are worth checking out if you missed them.

January 5, 2015 0 comment

Uncategorized

Merry Christmas!

written by W&W

A very Merry Christmas from my table to yours! Cheers to a beautiful day full of great laughs with family and friends, delicious food and, of course, excellent wine.

December 24, 2014 0 comment

Tasting Notes

Holiday Wine & Movie Pairing: Ridgeview Grosvenor & Love Actually

written by W&W

I have to admit that I am one of those people who adores Christmas. After Thanksgiving, I can’t wait to put up the tree, decorate the house, drink egg nog and watch all my favorite Christmas movies. There are a couple movies on the yearly rotation, like The Holiday, Elf and Home Alone, but one of my favorites is Love Actually, a sorta rom-com taking place around Christmastime. Although some of the plot lines aren’t actually that heart warming and there are some cheesy moments, I still love it. Who’s with me!? So, if you haven’t yet watched this movie this year, now’s the time to put it on and bring out the bubbly! I’m pairing this movie, set in England, with a sparkling wine from the UK’s Ridgeview Winery, and I think you’re going to like it.

December 21, 2014 0 comment

12 Questions

12 Questions with Winemaker Joey Tensley

written by W&W

There are plenty of celebs and well-known people getting involved with wine these days, from Drew Barrymore to Drew Bledsoe and even Kate Hudson. For this month’s ‘12 Questions With,‘ I’m introducing you to the winemaker behind a very famous singer’s family wine label, Ferguson Crest! I got to meet ‘Fergie Ferg’ when I was at the LA Food & Wine festival this summer while she was there representing her wines, but I only got a small taste of the Viognier. The Ferguson Crest Fergalicious red blend is definitely on my list of wines to taste, but in the meantime, I’m excited to introduce you to the label’s winemaker, Joey Tensley.

December 28, 2014 0 comment

Party & Entertain

Holiday Gift Guide for Wine & Food Lovers

written by W&W

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, indeed! As much as I love the holidays, this time of year can be kind of stressful with all that we try to pack in between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Not going to lie, I’m a little in denial that Christmas is just over a week away – where did the time go?! Admittedly, I’m way behind on my Xmas gift shopping this year… oy! If you’re in the same boat and are looking for some last minute ideas other than the standard bottle of wine, check out some of my favorite gift ideas for every wine and food lover on your list!

December 16, 2014 4 comments

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