Nose, the smell and essence of a wine. Palate, the flavors and taste of a wine. Discover more of wines' heady mixtures.

Join me at
California Wine Jaunt
as I feature wineries in the
California Bay Area & beyond, and share as I go.
Here you'll find writings on local wineries and tasting rooms
with a few field trips sprinkled in.

For the latest winery & tasting room visits...

The Unified Series #4

Mark Hoover of Integrity Wines in Watsonville shares,
"it's easy to get into the minutia of the wines."
He's looking to "get a wide angle view; a bigger perspective...” more

The Unified Series #3

We could all use someone like John McKenna, of Francis Ford Coppola Winery, in our lives. Someone who bridges the gap in relationships.  John's focus is grower relations...more

The Unified Series #2

Jerold O'Brien of Silver Mountain Vineyards shares about making organic wine over the decades.
This feature is the 2nd in a series, on winemakers and
what's ahead for wine in 2019...more

on the town...wine news

The 10th annual Dare to Pair is just around the corner.
Get your tickets, and a sneak peek, as Cabrillo Culinary Arts students and Surf City Vintners get ready for the
food and wine pairing competition...more

The Unified Series #1

An interview with Barry Jackson of Equinox Wines.
This feature is the first in a series, on winemakers and
what's ahead for wine in 2019...more

on the town...wine news

March is Spring Passport Month, Santa Clara Valley Wines.
Sip & taste through the Silicon Valley! Click SCVW for tickets.
Visit my Santa Clara Wineries page for a sample.

Stringer's Orchard Winery & Distillery

Off the beaten path,
this California high desert winery crafts wines, and more,
from the wild plum...more

on the town...wine news

It's time to grab your tickets & taste 40 wineries in one location.
Better yet, all proceeds benefit children's education in the Silicon Valley. For tix, visit the SVWA site.

Guglielmo Winery, Morgan Hill

In its 4th generation of family winemaking,
the 1920s winery offers Old World charm
in the Silicon Valley...for more

on the town...wine news

"Integrity wines, the Watsonville based winery celebrates a
new milestone this winter with the release of their
2016 Cabernet Sauvignon, Santa Cruz Mountains"...more

3 Wineries to Add to Your List

If you're tired of visiting wineries
that are overcrowded and overpriced,
it may be time to seek out a new wine region... more

Nicholson Vineyards, Corralitos

From apple country to wine country,
my childhood stomping grounds
is growing up ...more

Bay Area wineries & tasting rooms...

Santa Cruz Wineries

...tasting rooms from the Pacific coast
to the redwoods

Santa Clara Wineries

...wines from the Silicon Valley &
bucolic countryside

Monterey & Carmel Wineries

...vineyards in the valley floor & dotting the coast

Wine tasting tips...

Wine lingo
...a little wine tasting vocab

Nose & Palate

...scents and flavors for your next tasting

Tasting 101

...tips for your next wine jaunt