Sangiacomo Family Vineyards in Sonoma Sangiacomo Family Vineyards are some of the most highly sought-after Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes in California. The Sangiacomo Family Vineyards have been farming Sonoma since 1927. They have 1600 acres throughout Sonoma, but none more famous then the Home Ranch Vineyard where this photo was taken. Italian-born Vittorio Sangiacomo … Read more
Clos Pegase – before and after – which do you prefer? Clos Pegase is one of the most striking wineries in the Napa Valley. It is located just off the Silverado Trail on Dunaweal Lane near Calistoga. Known for its art deco style and its amazing works of art, Clos Pegase has been a fixture … Read more
Pruning time in wine country These two workers will have little trouble pruning the young vines in this vineyard. Usually a good sized-crew of pruners work the rows of the vineyards from one side to the other. In the Napa Valley, Sonoma and northern California, pruning is done towards the end of January. In the colder … Read more
It is Mustard season in the Napa Valley This is a rare unobstructed view of the Culinary Institute of America’s historic Greystone building. I shot this photo in January of 2006. The beautiful field of mustard is now planted to Zinfandel vines. The vineyards belong to the Charles Krug Winery. The winery was undergoing massive … Read more
Inglenook Chateau in December Late December and into January are the slowest times of the year for the Napa Valley. Few visitors choose to travel to the Napa Valley because of the wintery climate. El Niño poses even more of a concern for travelers this season. However, there is much beauty in the Valley to … Read more
Tasting wine at Stony Hill Vineyard with winemaker Mike Chelini That’s Stony Hill winemaker Mike Chelini on the left with wine blogger Mike Beltran and myself, Joe Becerra. We did some serious wine tasting, comparing barrel samples alongside wine from the current vintages. Mike Chelini has been the winemaker at Stony Hill Vineyard since 1973. … Read more
Wine Country side trip to the Mendocino Coast Why not extend a wine country getaway to the Anderson Valley in Mendocino County out to the beautiful Mendocino Coast? Add an extra day or two after visiting the wineries in the Anderson Valley and head to the town of Mendocino. The photo above was taken on … Read more
Yountville Art Walk There are many cool things to do in the town of Yountville. You can taste wine, dine, shop, and walk. Now you can include the Yountville Art Walk. These photos show two works in the collection of the Yountville Art Walk. There are currently 40 pieces of sculptured art displayed, and they … Read more
West Dry Creek Road in November West Dry Creek Road in November is one of the most serene and pleasant roads in wine country. The smell of Fall is in the air around every wonderful twist and turn of this laid-back wine country road. West Dry Creek Road begins at Westside Road just outside of … Read more
Ciccio in Yountville The Napa Valley has many fun and interesting places to visit besides wineries. One of those is Ciccio in Yountville. It has been open for three years and has become very popular for its fine Italian food, especially pizza. In 2015, Ciccio made the San Francisco Chronicle’s Top 100 Restaurants in the … Read more