Mondavi & Charleston

One of the Best Fest.... One of the best food and wine events is happening in Charleston, SC., March 6-10, Charleston Wine + Food, and Napa's own Robert Mondavi Jr. of Michael Mondavi Family Estate is going to be featured in three events: “The Bottles” Tent Tasting on March 8. Next a decadent, multi-course wine [...]

By | January 19th, 2019|Napa Wineries|Comments Off on Mondavi & Charleston

Acme Fine Wines

Something to Celebrate... Looking for rare, new, small production and coveted wines?  Acme Fine Wines located in Saint Helena has been hooking up and connecting fine wine lovers and wineries through their memberships and shop to tantalize your senses for great experiences. Acme Fine Wines's proprietor, Karen Williams, began her passion in a tasting room [...]

By | November 28th, 2018|Napa Wineries, Sonoma Wineries, Uncategorized|Comments Off on Acme Fine Wines

Mondavi, Cochon & BBQ

Good Weekend in Napa... There are some weekends in Napa where you don’t want to be anywhere else in the world. A recent one had a bunch of kicks with a Robert Mondavi dinner being the definite highlight. Mondavi’s chef Jeff Mosher provided excellent courses that matched perfectly with Mondavi’s wines, my favorite from the [...]

By | October 7th, 2018|Napa Wineries, Play in Napa|Comments Off on Mondavi, Cochon & BBQ

Robert Mondavi Winery (Harden)

Reaching for the Stars ... If you grew up in Lodi, CA and your father was a wine distributor, chances are you might take a look at the wine biz as a possible career.  But conversely if your height is 6’7” it stands to reason you might get some basketball offers as well. After winters [...]

By | August 22nd, 2018|Napa Wineries|Comments Off on Robert Mondavi Winery (Harden)

Dinner Under the Stars

Chef Likes Different Combos... Since Robert Mondavi Winery has got an upcoming Winemaker’s dinner at their estate (Aug 25, sorry gang, it’s already sold-out however some seats are still available for chef Jeff Mosher's Autumn Fête dinner on Sept 22) the Insider thought it would be cool to get the man who has been with [...]

By | August 7th, 2018|Napa Wineries|Comments Off on Dinner Under the Stars

Chateau Ste Michelle

Choice Makes Tasting Fun... I love tasting rooms. Everything from the different architecture, the views of the estates, the convivial staff to the sipping and tasting. But if there’s one drawback, it’s the lack of diversity at most tasting rooms. It’s not the wineries fault, most only make a few varietals and one can’t expect them to showcase other [...]

By | June 3rd, 2018|David's Travels, Napa Wineries|Comments Off on Chateau Ste Michelle

Caesars Palace, Las Vegas

Drinks flow at Caesars ... Some times when the Insider is on the road, it’s fun to get an outsider sommelier to do the NSI Quiz to get their perspective on the industry. Recently while in Las Vegas for Uncorked I got to sit down with Phil Park, the Director of Wine for all of Caesars restaurants, a big, demanding job, but one Park was [...]

By | May 21st, 2018|Napa Wineries|Comments Off on Caesars Palace, Las Vegas

Yountville Live Returns

Rain Didn't Dampen Yountville Live ... Had a soggy but fun time at Yountville Live’s 2018 edition. At the opening night reception under the main tent it poured as we lined up and kept raining for an hour or so while the crowd sampled the excellent cocktails and wines that were on offer for the guests. Gotta love [...]

By | April 16th, 2018|Napa Eateries, Napa Stays, Napa Wineries, Play in Napa|Comments Off on Yountville Live Returns

Vancouver Wine Festival & Victoria Beer Festival

 Great Views at Vancouver Wine Fest ...   My liver took a pounding but had a lot of fun.  Victoria’s 5th annual craft beer festival kicked off at the Victoria Public Market. Vancouver Island Brewery had a raspberry export stout that was delicious. Normally I try to avoid beers with fruit titles in them as they [...]

By | April 8th, 2018|David's Travels, Napa Wineries, Sonoma Wineries|Comments Off on Vancouver Wine Festival & Victoria Beer Festival

Seattle Wine and Food Experience

Great Food and Wine... Had some great food and drinks and viewed interesting exhibits as the Seattle Wine and Food Experience celebrated 10 years down at Pier 66 at Seattle’s Bell International Hall. Most of the wine sampling was concentrated on the ground floor with over 30 Washington State wineries and a dozen each or so [...]

By | March 6th, 2018|David's Travels, Napa Wineries, Sonoma Wineries|Comments Off on Seattle Wine and Food Experience