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May 2, 2013
The Lompoc Wine Ghetto: Simplicity and Authenticity

A look inside the metal roll up doors and angular concrete architecture of Lompoc’s Sobhani Business Park reveals an unexpected treasure.

There are no grand entrances or picturesque picnic areas. No sweeping vineyard vistas or vine-themed boutiques. But a look inside the metal roll up doors and angular concrete architecture of Lompoc’s Sobhani Business Park reveals an unexpected treasure: some of Santa Barbara County’s most talented winemakers are crafting wines in a raw, industrial space.

April 16, 2013
A Delectable Artifact: Gypsy Canyon’s Angelica

Santa Barbara County winemaker Deborah Hall followed a series of cryptic historical clues--quill-scrawled letters, a frayed 18th century tome, and a modern-day DNA sample--to find treasure in the Sta. Rita Hills.

Early Spanish explorers may have consulted elaborate treasure maps in their search of the mythical gold of El Dorado, but Santa Barbara County winemaker Deborah Hall followed a series of cryptic historical clues--quill-scrawled letters, a frayed 18th century tome, and a modern-day DNA sample--to find treasure in the Sta. Rita Hills.

April 7, 2013
Sommeliers' Choice: Trophy Reds

Defining a trophy wine is no laughing matter.

So what is a ‘trophy red?’ Nearly every member of our panel of distinguished sommeliers asked that question when we asked them if they would like to contribute their favorites for this article. Our facile and somewhat macabre answer was “a wine to die for, or perhaps even to kill for.”

February 24, 2013
Cloudy Bay Forage

A journey in the wilds becomes part search for food, part vision quest.

In recent years, Cloudy Bay – the winery that about 25 vintages ago introduced American consumers to Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc– has each February held a small event called “Forage.”  True to its name, Forage is about collecting foods – wild and cultivated, animal and vegetable and mineral – that have as their habitat the Marlborough region at the northern tip of New Zealand’s South Islan

December 6, 2012
Page Turners for Wine Lovers

Three holiday gift books that both amateur and advanced drinkers will savor.

People in the wine business who know Kevin Zraly understand that he likes to ask questions and then answer them.  He’s just that kind of guy.  And that process really works out well if you want to learn about wine, whether you’re a neophyte or have memorized all the crus of Burgundy.

November 12, 2012
Deutsch, Nantz & 'The Calling'

When a successful importer and a famous sportscaster create a new wine brand, there's more than vanity involved.

You won’t find a bottle of Jim Nantz Chardonnay on the wine list at your favorite restaurant or a bottle of Peter Deutsch Cabernet Sauvignon at your number one wine shop. You might have, but instead look for their Chard and their Cab under the name of their new joint-venture, Sonoma-based wine brand – The Calling.

October 18, 2012
Famed Chocolate Show Returns to New York for 15th Year

The ‘City That Never Sleeps’ is about to get a bit sweeter this November.

The ‘City That Never Sleeps’ is about to get a bit sweeter this November with the return of the world famous New York Chocolate Show, once again taking place at The Metropolitan Pavilion (125 West 18th Street, New York, NY) from Friday, November 9 through Sunday, November 11, 2012.

August 30, 2012
Happy Birthday Julia!

August has always been a transitional month for me, as it is my birth month. Not that there is anything particularly special in that...

August has always been a transitional month for me, as it is my birth month. Not that there is anything particularly special in that, since it can be assumed that one twelfth of the world’s seven billion inhabitants were also born in August.

August 12, 2012
Insider's Guide to Rioja

Ana Fabiano's new book tells us the stories of this classic region, plus introduces us to its winemakers.

I’ve always felt the best wine writers are not those who give ratings or who get hung up in the pedigrees of classic vintages or who clog your brain with details as though they were studying for their sommelier exams.  The best wine writers are those who tell interesting stories, give great word pictures of places and people you may not have seen and who explain with some imagination how t

June 21, 2012
Discovering Colli Euganei

Out-of-way wine region provides a taste of Bordeaux in Northern Italy.

When I was invited recently to visit the Euganean Hills as an adjunct to Vulcania 2012, a conference in the town of Soave about wines grown on volcanic soils, I must admit I had never heard of it.  Or them.  So I pulled down my 10-year-old version of the Oxford Companion to Wine to look it up.  It wasn’t there!  Silly me – try the Italian name, “Colli Euganei.”  It stil

May 17, 2012
Vineyard Roots

An empty restaurant table where Mike Wallace, William Styron and Art Buchwald once dined.

When Mike Wallace died this spring, he was the last of a trio of media amigos who for decades dined regularly at the Le Grenier restaurant on Martha’s Vineyard, where Wallace and humorist Art Buchwald had summer residences and novelist William Styron and his family lived most of the year.  Styron died in 2006, and Buchwald a year later.

March 22, 2012
New Hazard Communication Standard is Official

OSHA has implemented a new hazard communication standard that is expected to impact the majority of U.S. employers.

The Federal Department of Occupational Safety has announced the new hazard communication standard, featuring the implementation of the Globally Harmonized System (GHS), will be published in the Federal Register March 26 and become law May 25,2012.

March 10, 2012
So Many New Wines. . .

 Never has the world produced so many quality wines in so many different countries. Consequently, a beverage director/sommelier has more options to choose from than ever before.

 Never has the world produced so many quality wines in so many different countries. Consequently, a beverage director/sommelier has more options to choose from than ever before.

November 17, 2011
Reasons to Open a New Restaurant in a Down Economy

Contrary to popular belief, opening a restaurant in a down economy isn't necessarily a bad move. 

There will always be those naysayers who list a hundred and one reasons why you should avoid opening a business when times are tough.

November 7, 2011
Press Release 101

Composing a 1st rate press release is easier than you think!

Before we get down to the writing of a press release, let’s recap the reason you want to write one in the first place: media communications is a proven way to raise the profile of your busine

August 15, 2011
Wear it Well

Looking good and feeling comfortable has never been so easy.

July 8, 2011
Termination Techniques

Here’s a plan that will help lessen the unpleasantness of the termination process.

April 15, 2011
Cheese for Beginners

“Cheese has always been a food that both sophisticated and simple humans love.”
M.F.K. Fisher, How to Cook a Wolf (1942)

April 15, 2011
Open Bar: A Case for the Consultant

If you are breaking into the bar business, you must recognize your weaknesses and seek expert advice. Hiring a professional bar consultant from the beginning can help your venue get off to a flying start and keep it soaring.

April 13, 2011
Vineyard to Vintner-Stag's Leap District

World renowned for our Cabernet Sauvignons and the region's breathtaking beauty, explore our legendary wines, discover our history and plan your next visit.

 

April 8, 2011
Greek Wines Go Native in the Peloponnese

The Peloponnese, the “hand” of Greece, almost cut off from the rest of the Balkan Peninsula by the Corinthian Gulf, has “fingers” that plunge deep into the Mediterranean. 

April 7, 2011
Chianti Grand Tasting Event in New York-The Gansevoort Park Avenue

For a fresh look at Chianti, join us to explore Chianti today, with examples poured from over 30 producers at a Grand Tasting Event in New York.

 

March 9, 2011
Italian Wine Masters, NYC 2/8/11

Kevin Zraly hosted a very well attended seminar at the Hilton New York, on February 8, as part of the 2011 Italian Wine Masters. The annual event brings many great Tuscan producers, along with DOCG Prosecco to New York. This year Zraly was on h

“The Waiting Game: Age-worthy

February 24, 2011
"Secret" potions on the backbar

Apart from skilled and curious mixologists, who else knows about bitters, that underappreciated collection of “secret” potions on the backbar? Within this category are complex spirits that stimulate the appetite, aid digestion, and

February 23, 2011
Sushi and Zen

There is a reason why Sushi Zen’s meals are like Tibetan Buddhist sand paintings, with their ephemeral relationship to the artist and to the consumer. Chef Susuki has studied Buddhism all his life and brings its values and sensibilities t