The secret is out! Idaho is the next must sip wine country
Idaho's growth in the world of fine wines is booming, making it a must visit wine destination in the United States. Here's a short guide and things to see, where to stay and sip as well as things to...
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A Guide to Texas Hill Country Wineries
Looking to visit Texas Hill Country wineries? The ultimate guide to plan the perfect Texas Hill Country wine vacation to sip in the best wineries in Fredericksburg, TX.
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10 California wine festivals not to miss this summer
Planning your summer travels? Why not work in a California wine festival or two? Here are some of the top summer California wine festivals not to miss this year.
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10 Best U.S. Cities for Wine Lovers
By Kay Harrison Wine is produced in all 50 of the United States, so you are probably sitting near a vineyard right now. If not, use this guide on the best wine getaways to plan a wine-flavored romantic vacation...
Read moreTop 10 Wine Cycling Destinations
By Mike McLeish Some of the world’s best cycling routes also happen to pass through some of the most beautiful wine growing areas. If you love globe-trotting on a bike and perhaps sipping on taste a glass of wine...
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The MUST Visit Wineries in Santa Cruz
By Tom Masters, Contributing Writer Santa Cruz is well-known for being the “birthplace” of surfing and hosting more than 20 luxurious miles of sandy shoreline where surfers gather to hit the waves. You may be surprised to hear that...
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Interview with a Winemaker: Melanie Krause, Cinder Wines
Women are helping to define the Idaho wine country… Wine is often times described with feminine qualities – sexy finish, voluptuous layers, delicate aromas – yet the job of a winemaker has traditionally been male. Take California, the leading...
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Interview with a Winemaker: Earl Sullivan, Telaya Wine
From Climbing the Corporate Ladder to Planting Cabernet Last month I had the chance to spend a few days exploring the Snake River Valley AVA with the Idaho Wine Commission. My private Idaho wine tour opened my eyes to...
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It is all about balance, balance, balance…
Interview with a winemaker…Jessica Munnell, Mercer Estates Of course it’s about the balance, we’re talking wine with Jessica Munnell, the winemaker at Mercer Estates in Washington. I have yet to spend time exploring the Washington wine region – outside...
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Interview with a Winemaker: Leo Hansen, Stuhlmuller Vineyards (and Leo Steen Wines)
The tale of a European sommelier turned California winemaker… I’m a huge fan of Cabernet Sauvignon, which Alexander Valley in Sonoma County is known for, yet I’ve never spent time sipping my way through the valley. On our last...
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Napa Valley and Sonoma County Wineries: What the Locals Recommend
The best winery recommendations from those who REALLY know – the locals. One of my favorite things to explore when I travel is wineries and what I’ve found is the locals tend to know the best wineries to visit....
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Check-in: The Craftsman Inn
A Charming Napa Valley Bed and Breakfast in Calistoga The Craftsman Inn is one of the top rated Calistoga bed and breakfast, and for good reason. This upscale bed and breakfast occupies a restored 1910 Craftsman house in downtown...
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Wine Facts Every Wine Lover Should Know About Napa Valley
15 Napa Valley Facts You Might Not Know I’ve spent a lot of time in Napa Valley exploring the different vineyards and wineries but it wasn’t until this last trip that I wanted to really dig into it. Literally,...
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Interview a Winemaker, Jeff Freeland at Oso Libre Winery in Paso Robles
Respect the fruit and great wine will follow… “Respect the fruit.” That’s one of the keys to great winemaking at Oso Libre Winery, according to Jeff Freeland, the winery’s winemaker. And, it shows. “Oso Libre” – Spanish for “Free...
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Ideas for Getting out of the Vacation Rut
Stuck in a vacation rut? With an entire world ready to be explored I’m always surprised when I hear people taking the same type of vacation year after year. With that said, if it makes you happy then go...
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Interview with a Winemaker: Michelle Cleveland, Creekside Cellars
So many varietals, so little time! My first visit to the Colorado wine region aka Grand Junction and the Palisades is not one I will soon, if ever forget. Albeit, I wouldn’t mind if I did. It was on...
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Interview with a Winemaker, Jay Christianson with Canyon Wind Cellars
Interview with a Winemaker, Jay Christianson with Canyon Wind Cellars Earlier this summer I was invited to a small, private, wine tasting for writers here in Colorado. The gathering was specifically put together to preview wines that had won...
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Interview with a Winemaker: Janet Myers at Franciscan Estate
Do you have “go-to wines”, bottles of wine you know will pair well with nearly anything you’re serving? Wines you know will always be reliable? Wines you have simply come to trust and purchase each and every time you...
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Fabulous Florida Wineries to Visit
There are so many wine regions in the United States outside of California that are often overlooked. One of these regions is Florida. Yes, Florida isn’t just Disney, beaches and oranges. Spanish explorers dubbed the states name as “Florida”...
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Interview with a Winemaker: Paul V Bonarrigo, Messina Hof
Thirty years ago no one considered Texas to be a viable wine region, but like wine, time changes everything. Now with more than 300 wineries, Texas is the fifth largest producer of wine in the United States. It boasts...
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Exploring the Pennsylvania Wine Trails
When you think of doing a wine tasting do you think of Texas, Colorado or Pennsylvania? Probably not. However, today, people don’t have to travel to Napa, Sonoma, France or Italy for a good wine destination. With winemakers in...
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Interview with a Winemaker: Renée Ary, Duckhorn Vineyards
What do the intersection of science, art and winemaking have in common? In two words, Renée Ary, a chemistry and art graduate who became a winemaker. To be exact, the fourth winemaker in Duckhorn Vineyards long winemaking history. One of the first...
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Planning a wine tour in Italy? What the experts have to say on wine tasting in Italy.
Planning a wine tasting trip isn’t as easy as it may sound, especially if you’re planning one in a wine region you are unfamiliar with. I have learned this the hard way… When it comes to Napa Valley and...
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Interview with a Winemaker: Sergio Germano of Ettore Germano in Piedmont
Touring vineyards is one of my favorite things to do when I travel. To learn about the local grapes, the terrior (a fancy word for the soil composition, climate and all that goes into the growing conditions) and the...
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5 Tips on Shipping Wine Back from Overseas
A sudden rainstorm drove us into the small wine shop off the main road in Castellina in Chianti in Italy. The walls inside Enoteca Biologica were lined with colorful wine bottles from the floor to ceiling and the proprietor...
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Check-in: Hotel Prince De Galles in Menton, France
On our recent visit to the the French Riviera, we visited the town of Menton and stayed at Hotel Prince De Galles much to the thanks of the reviews on TripAdvisor and ratings on American Express Travel – two of...
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The French Riviera: A Short Guide to Menton
Located on the French Riviera, along the Franco-Italian border Menton has been nicknamed “The Pearl of France” and it’s very apparent as to why. Nestled in between the mountains and the Mediterranean Sea, Menton provides a slower pace to...
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Interview with a Winemaker: Ryan O’Connell, NakedWines
Have you heard the story about the family from the United States who moved to France, bought a vineyard and started making wine? And did I mention they didn’t have any winemaking experience? One might think that story ends...
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20 Things to Know About Paso Robles
It’s Wine Wednesday! Time for a little wine trivia for you wine lovers – and those traveling to Paso Robles. The Paso Robles wine region is California’s third largest and fastest growing wine region and it’s becoming quite the...
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Niagara-on-the-Lake Wineries: A Visit to Peller Estates
Last year I spent a week in Toronto and was able to see a lot of things and taste some great Candaina Icewine BUT I didn’t have a chance to get out to any wineries. So, I’m very excited...
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Interview with a Winemaker: Scheid Vineyards
The smell of wine in the air and the blast of air-conditioning welcomed me into Scheid Vineyards tasting room. Along with what seemed like 50 people packed like sardines in the small room. Should we turn and leave or...
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The Wines of Summer: Three Rose Wines to Drink this Summer
Summer doesn’t actually begin until June 21, 2014 but for my family it begins this week with the kids getting out of school for THREE MONTHS. Did I mention, they would be home for three months… There will be...
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Interview with a Winemaker: Blair Vineyard
Have you ever been to Monterey? Done any Monterey wine tasting? Last month I had the luxury of doing both and discovered the delight that Monterey wine is. I also had the opportunity to meet several wine makers in...
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15 Things to know about Monterey, CA
Planning to visit Monterey, California soon? There’s a lot to see and do but having a little background on the area brings more color and context to this little California beach town. Before visiting the area this month I...
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Wine on a Plane: World’s Best In-Flight Wine Lists
Did you know airlines are judged on their inflight wine selections? I didn’t but I do love having wine on a plane. Not only are they “judged” on the wine selections but they’re given an award for their list...
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A Winemakers Tale: Adam Campbell, Elk Cove Vineyards
Welcome to this month’s edition of A Winemakers Tale where I feature interviews with winemakers from different wine regions around the world. Seeing as I’m still feeding (or rather sipping) my mild obsession with Oregon wine country I have...
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A Winemakers Tale: Alexandrine Roy, Winemaker for Phelps Creek Vineyards & Domaine Marc Roy
Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are two of my favorite summer wines. This summer I discovered two new favorites from Phelps Creek Vineyards in the Oregon wine country. I recently had the privilege to interview its winemaker, Alexandrine Roy who brings a bit of old world to...
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Exploring Oregon Wine Country & Wine Wednesday
I have yet to visit Oregon and sip its wines in person, but guest blogger Angie Picardo has. And she has a little to share on this Wine Wednesday when is comes to exploring Oregon wine country. It’s perfect...
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Paso Robles Wine in Pictures
Ten years ago the Paso Robles wine region was home to only 35 wineries, that number has since grown to more than 200. As Matthew Liberty noted in a guest post for Carpe Travel, Paso Robles is not so...
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Guest Post: Things to do in Salt Lake City
Guest Post by travel addict and regular contributor, Shell R. Interested in guest blogging? Let us know. Salt Lake City for a week? Oh, the options are endless, really. Here are a few the things to do in Salt...
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Piedmont Wine Tours: Harvest Lunch in Barbaresco
By Valerie Quintanilla Tuesday morning started low key. I had no Piedmont wine tours planned so I thought I’d just hike it out a bit, write, read, and have a leisurely day in Neive. Returning from my morning walk...
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Wine Tours in Barolo Italy
By Valerie Quintanilla Saturday morning started bright and early with a quick breakfast at my B&B (they just kept bringing food – such is the theme here!) Then, I was off with Robert for a wine tour in Barolo...
Read moreItalian Wine Travels: Ah, Piemonte….
By Valerie Quintanilla If there is a heaven and we each get our own version, mine would mirror Piemonte. Calgone, take me away. In 2009 I had a business meeting with an Italian colleague visiting Denver for a project....
Read moreGifts for the Traveler
Confession: I haven’t done a lick of Christmas shopping yet (yes, I know it’s t-minus 14 days til jolly Ole’ Saint Nick arrives). As I continue to procrastinate my gift giving duties I created a list of ideal gifts...
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