Roma to Sonoma | Layne Randolph | Wine and Travel Journalist

IN THE SHADOW OF ROME: ANCIENT ROMAN GRAPES | WINE

Posted on January 14, 2023May 4, 2024 By Layne Randolph

Wine Enthusiast Magazine
Nero Buono’s history is unknown. Claudio Gargiulo of Carpineti explained. “We are working with the village of Cori to find the DNA origin of the Nero Buono grape, but we have not found a relative, and it’s possible that none exists today. So, we are [literally] writing the history of Nero Buono now.”

Art

DISCOVER ART, ARCHITECTURE, AND FINE WINE AT NAPA HOT SPOTS | ART & WINE

Posted on December 26, 2022March 30, 2024 By Layne Randolph

AFAR magazine
The worlds of wine and art have been linked for centuries. Wine appeared in ancient drawings of vines and harvest in Egyptian tombs, the Renaissance brought paintings like Caravaggio’s Bacchus, and today wine still has the power to inspire artists. Both passions are associated with creativity, culture, and pleasure, and both express and evoke emotion—so naturally blending the two creates a heightened sensory experience.

That seems especially true in Napa Valley, where oenophiles and art experts often produce the perfect pairing. Here are five places to experience them together.

Sonoma (US)

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)

JUNEAU, ALASKA: THE SPIRIT WRAPS AROUND YOU | TRAVEL

Posted on March 22, 2022March 30, 2024 By Layne Randolph

Napa Valley Register, Travel Section
It is not for the faint of heart, flying hundreds of feet above the glaciers in a tiny plane that seems to be 100 years old, but drifting over glaciers while flying so close to craggy cliffsides that you feel you could touch them is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Sonoma (US)

THE GREAT RESTORATION: PRESERVATION WITH PANACHE | WINE

Posted on March 16, 2022July 11, 2024 By Layne Randolph

Napa Valley Life Magazine
Less than 200 years ago, the winemaking industry did not exist in California. Pioneers and prospectors came here with dreams and the tenacity to build something new. This sense of exploration and innovation sets the American wine country apart in the wine world, and it melds well with two mainstays in Boisset’s life: wine and optimism.

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.'”

Art

ARTIST JESSEL MILLER: DIVINE INSPIRATION | ART

Posted on May 28, 2021March 30, 2024 By Layne Randolph

Napa Valley Life Magazine
Jessel is a bit of a Renaissance woman, fitting for an artist who studied her craft in the birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence, Italy. She is an acclaimed artist, the author of six books (a seventh to be released soon), an art and painting instructor, a songwriter, and an accomplished businesswoman.

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.