Category: Wine

NAPA VALLEY’S WINE TRAIN: THE GILDED AGE OF TRAVEL | TRAVEL

Posted on October 6, 2022March 30, 2024 By Layne Randolph

Napa Valley Life Magazine
Riding the Wine Train is a combination of nostalgia and adventure; it is easy to imagine the amazement of the first travelers as they were wined and dined and entertained by the experience and views as they rode the rails. Today, the ancient train supplies modern conveniences like air conditioning, but the feeling of train travel during the time of the pioneers is still there. The difference lies in the miles of vineyards in every direction and mammoth world-class wineries lining the road as the train chug-chugs along Napa’s Vine Trail, whistle blowing as it passes crossroads along the way.

Sonoma (US)

CARMEL’S GOURMETFEST: BON VIVANTS DESCEN ON CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA | WINE & TRAVEL

Posted on August 26, 2021June 20, 2024 By Layne Randolph

Haute Living Magazine
The Relais & Châteaux GourmetFest is not, nor does it try to be, an event for the average food and wine lover. This is where true connoisseurs come to play, where elite wine collectors gather to share their very specialized obsession with like-minded folks such as legendary sommeliers Rajat Parr and Larry Stone.

Sonoma (US)

PALAZZO WINE | WINE

Posted on August 26, 2021March 30, 2024 By Layne Randolph

Napa Valley Life Magazine
Several years earlier, when deciding on varieties, Palazzo adamantly selected Merlot and Cabernet Franc. “Everyone discouraged me and said, ‘You’re in Napa, Cab is king,'” Palazzo said, “I said, ‘No, I’m going to make what I love – a Right Bank Bordeaux Blend.'”

Roma (Italy)

WHAT’S PERCOLATING ON THE VOLCANO: MT. ETNA, SICILY | WINE & TRAVEL

Posted on June 5, 2020July 11, 2024 By Layne Randolph

Napa Valley Register, Travel Section
“[Nerello Mascalese] is to Marcello Mastroianni as John Wayne is to Cabernet.” Alberto Graci, Graci Winery, Passopisciaro, Sicily. My mission is to explore the Etna DOC (Denominazione di Origine Controllata) wine region and find out what is percolating on Mt. Etna, other than the still-active volcano.

Art

HESS COLLECTION: WORLD CLASS WINE EXPERIENCE | WINE

Posted on May 31, 2020March 30, 2024 By Layne Randolph

Napa Valley Life Magazine
Founder Donald Hess’s art collection began when he bought a painting as décor for his new home. Years later, a friend studied the painting and informed him that he owned a Picasso. That gave Hess his first inclination that he might have an eye for art curation.

Sonoma (US)

HEALDSBURG: A FOOD LOVER’S PARADISE | TRAVEL

Posted on May 31, 2020March 30, 2024 By Layne Randolph

Napa Valley Life Magazine
Healdsburg is at the epicenter of three world-class American Viticultural Appellations. Just a few minutes outside town in any direction, estates and tasting rooms dot the rolling hills of vineyards wrapped around two-lane country roads.

Sonoma (US)

CHASE CELLARS | WINE

Posted on May 31, 2020March 30, 2024 By Layne Randolph

“We gave our babies a huge haircut this year, and it wasn’t easy.” Katie was referring to the 117-year-old Zinfandel vines on the property her family has owned for almost 150 years.

Sonoma (US)

REVIVING THE GHOSTS: NAPA’S GHOST WINERIES | TRAVEL

Posted on March 3, 2020March 30, 2024 By Layne Randolph

When Prohibition was repealed in 1933, only 40 wineries had managed to survive and hundreds were left abandoned. Called “ghost wineries,” most were lost forever, but a precious few were later restored to their former glory. These wineries make up some of the oldest, most iconic, and cherished properties today.

Sonoma (US)

ENRIQUEZ WINERY | WINE

Posted on February 25, 2020March 30, 2024 By Layne Randolph

Enriquez Estate is more than a winery and vineyard—it’s a wine country experience. Visitors to the estate can tour the beautiful 8.5-acre estate on ATVs, enjoying breathtaking vineyard views and then relaxing with a picnic lunch prepared by a private chef at the property’s lookout point.

Roma (Italy)

ROSATO: A WINE TO MAKE YOU RETHINK PINK | WINE

Posted on February 18, 2020March 30, 2024 By Layne Randolph

Inside Napa Valley Magazine
Technically, it’s the French who say rosé; the rest of us have adopted their usage of the word. It’s right that we use the French version; France is the indisputable land of rosé wine.

Sonoma (US)

SONOMA’S LAMBERT BRIDGE WINERY | WINE

Posted on August 18, 2016March 30, 2024 By Layne Randolph

The winery, named after the original owner, Jerry Lambert, is also a reference to the iconic bridge that marks its 100th anniversary this year. Established in 1975, Lambert Bridge is one of the oldest wineries in Dry Creek Valley.

Sonoma (US)

JCB TASTING SALON AND ATELIER | WINE

Posted on August 18, 2016March 30, 2024 By Layne Randolph

It might take a moment or two to adjust yourself to the sensory overload – and I suggest you have a glass of bubbles while you do.