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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...

Wine Tasting in Philly: Bucks County Wine Trail

A Guide to Bucks County Wine Trail in Pennsylvania Thirty-five miles north of downtown Philadelphia sits the Bucks County Wine Trail, made up of eight Pennsylvania wineries. The wineries themselves are within a few miles of one another, making it...

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.

For the Love of Wine…

When the winemakers fell head-over heels in love…with wine. Over the past few years I have had the privilege to interview several amazing winemakers for Carpe Travel’s Interview with a Winemaker’s series. I’ve shared most of these interviews already...

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: 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...

Savor Idaho: A Top Wine Festivel in the United States not to miss

Idaho…the new frontier for wine?!?!

“Idaho…the new frontier of wine growing?!?!” That’s exactly what I said, after I did a quick Google search to make sure there were in fact wineries in Idaho. I mean, really isn’t Idaho all about meat and potatoes? Apparently...

Five Award-Winning Wineries in Washington to Visit.

5 Award-Winning Wineries in Washington to Sip Your Way Through

Happy Wine Wednesday! Have you visited wineries in Washington? I have yet to get to any but guest blogger Caroline Davis has and she’s shared a list of five award winning Washington wineries to visit. Have you been 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...

Interview with a Winemaker: Greg La Follette

In a rather surprised and unusual tone The Husband said, “Oh my God”. He had just opened a bottle of La Follette Pinot Noir 2012 and taken a sip. At that moment I wasn’t sure just how this review...

Tips for Planning Bike and Wine Tours in Mendoza Argentina

I’ve visited several wine regions but there are still soooo many I want to try. Mendoza Argentina is one of my top five I still want to get to. My fellow travel writer and wine lover, Claudia Tavani has...

Interview Winemaker Theresa Heredia Gary Farrell Winery

Interview with a Winemaker: Theresa Heredia, Gary Farrell Winery

How does a chemistry teacher working on cancer-related peptide research at Cal Poly shift gears and become a winemaker? Just ask Theresa Heredia, the lead winemaker at Gary Farrell Winery in the Russian River Valley wine region. Theresa went...

To know a country is to know its drink...how many of these drinks from around the world have you tried?

20 Drinks From Around the World

To know a country is to know its drink… Have you ever had a Pimm’s Cup or an ice cold Abita Amber in New Orleans? Perhaps a Pina Colada in Puerto Rico – where the drink originates – or...

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...

Exploring wines in the Piemonte wine region of Italy

Putting Piedmont Wine in Perspective

I’ve been exploring the process of becoming a certified sommelier, not because I need it but because I LOVE learning about wine, the regions and different methods used to create such an important piece of so many cultures. Not...

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...

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...

Finger Lakes Wineries

This week I’ve partnered with WearEverYouGo.com for a very special and fashionable Wine Wednesday. WearEverYouGo.com is a travel site dedicated to providing women with the inspiration and ideas to pack the perfect travel wardrobe. This week we’re talking WINE...

Happy National Piña Colada Day!

Did you know today is National Piña Colada Day? When I visited San Juan, Puerto Rico my family stayed at the Caribe Hilton hotel. Upon doing my research I realized a bartender at THIS hotel was responsible for creating...

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...