Clos Du Val’s Tasting Room Reinvents Itself With Contemporary Flair

Clos Du Val has been a winery staple in Napa Valley ever since their Cabernet Sauvignon won eighth in the ‘Judgement of Paris’ tasting in 1976. Now the tasting room has a fresh new look with contemporary architecture and modern finishes. With all the new wineries popping up in the Napa Valley on a yearly…

Wine Aroma Training – Fun With Le Nez Du Vin

As another attempt to better myself at the art of wine tasting, I decided to purchase a training tool called, Le Nez Du Vin, to help me identify particular wine aromas in different wines that I taste everyday in and around Napa Valley. Here in Napa Valley, wine tasting is a fun and enjoyable way…

Durant & Booth Tasting Salon – A Piece of Napa Valley History in Oakville

Durant & Booth has closed their Oakville tasting salon as of June 10th, 2018. However, their wines are still available on Vivino. Durant & Booth Tasting Salon is relatively new to the Napa Valley but the building that houses the tasting room is a historic gem. Located in the small town of Oakville, lies Oakville Grocery, a popular…

VGS Chateau Potelle Tasting House & Gardens – Food & Wine Pairing

Last week I was invited to do one of my favorite things, a food and wine pairing. What could be better on a post-election Wednesday than some exquisite food bites from a Michelin-starred restaurant paired with elegant wines? After a rough week of political rants and a nation on edge, I was certainly looking forward…

Yao Family Wines in St. Helena – It’s Not Just a Name.

I was excited to get a chance to check out the fairly new Yao Family Wines tasting room located off Highway 29 in Saint Helena. If you are or aren’t a basketball fan, you would recognize Yao Ming. Standing a staggering 7ft 6in, Yao Ming played for the Houston Rockets for almost a decade, retiring…

Schramsberg Vineyards – Méthode Champenoise in Napa Valley

When friends come to town, I am always looking for a unique place to start the day; and three million hand stacked bottles of sparkling wine in a 2-1/2 mile cave is an excellent choice. Last Saturday was my second time at Schramsberg Vineyards. About 3-1/2 years ago, before I lived in the Napa Valley,…