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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...

A guide for planning a Texas Hill Country Wine Experience

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.

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.

10 Best U.S. Cities for Wine Lovers

All 50 of the United States produce wine, making a wine country vacation super easy. Here are our top U.S. cities for wine lovers to sip in.

Top 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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Interview with a Winemaker: Leo Hansen from Stuhmuller Vineyards and Leo Steen Wines

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...

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....

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...

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,...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Fabulous Florida Wineries to Visit

There are so many wine regions in the US outside of California that are often overlooked - including Florida wineries. Some must visit Florida wineries.

Texas Hill Country Wineries to Visit: Messina Hoff

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...

Exploring the Pennsylvania Wine Trails

Sipping in all that the Pennsylvania wine trails have to uncork Guest Post, by Kayla Matthews Did you know the state of Pennsylvania has more than 300 wineries? It ranks 5th nationally in the amount of grapes grown and...

Interview with a Winemaker: Renee Ary, Duckhorn Vineyards

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...

Planning a wine tour in Italy? Tips from wine tour guide to help you REALLY plan your wine tours..

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...

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...

A complete guide regarding how to ship wine back to the United States from overseas.

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...

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...

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...

NakedWines Interview with Ryan O'Connell

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...