Archive for the ‘Wine Blog’Category

wine and chocolate fantasy

This Saturday Rodney Strong Vineyards’ 23rd Annual Wine & Chocolate Fantasy event. Tickets are still on sale, and definitely one that chocolate lovers (and wine lovers) will not want to miss!

Sonoma County Wine

This year I am bringing my sister, Kasey Alton, a mother of three, a chocolatier, and brand new to Twitter: @RainingChocolat (yup, without the e). Growing up we didn’t realize they made other desserts other than chocolate…. And each trip to the ice cream store resulted in chocolate ice cream covering our faces.

I cannot wait for Saturday!

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02

02 2012


by Shana
posted in Food/Restaurant Blog, Latest News, Social Media Blog, Sonoma County, Wine Blog
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favorite wine/food pairings.

Funny Food Images

For those who are getting all wound up by the thought of a food and wine pairing that consists of hot chardonnay and ramen, please note this funny food image was found on  The Onion.

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03

01 2012


by Shana
posted in Food/Restaurant Blog, Wine Blog
No Comments

christmas in sonoma county.

Every Christmas I have a few traditions that truly makes this time of year special. Each year, since I left for college in San Diego, I have come back home to Sonoma County for the holidays (and my dad’s in Sacramento) and have had tear-inducing laughs with friends and family.

1. Christmas Eve dinner with my mom, sister, her husband and the littles (aka my three nieces and nephews).

2. Sailer Jerry shots at the B & B Lounge in Healdsburg (either on Christmas Eve or Christmas).

3. Catching up with friends in my friend’s Mom’s garage in Healdsburg. We remember the good ol’ days back in the nineties and laugh at each other until one of us spills, falls or laughs so hard we cry.

4. Hiking or walking around Russian River Valley with my mom on Christmas Day.

Here are some of my favorite pictures from today’s walk nearby Piner Creek (and one of myself and my favorite people):

Shana RaySonoma County Vineyard

Sonoma County Vineyard

Sonoma County Vineyard

Sonoma County Vineyard

Sonoma County Vineyard

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25

12 2011


by Shana
posted in Sonoma County, Wine Blog
No Comments

flavor! napa valley vegetarian food.

Flavor! Napa Valley is a weekend long celebration of all things food and wine in the “other” Wine Country (by other, I mean not Sonoma County).  I will be attending this Friday’s main event  “The Appellation Trail: Tasting Napa Valley” at The Culinary Institute of America, making sure to taste every vegetarian dish on the very large menu of Napa Valley bites to eat.If you want to join me, tickets are still for sale online at FlavorNapaValley.com.

Flavor napa Valley

 

I got exclusive sneak peak at the menu and while much of it is not “Shana friendly” there are some bites that I am looking forward to eating:

Anette’s Chocolates created by Anette Madsen:

  • Winter Cabernet Truffles
  • Almond Nugget
  • Himalayan Salted Caramel
  • Chili Lime Tequila Tortilla Brittle

    • Chef Neela Paniz from Neela’s will be making Vegetable Samosas with Sweet Tomato Chutney

    Chef Robert Curry from The Restaurant at Auberge du Soleil will be making Celery Tarte Tatin made with Quince, Point Reyes Blue, Candied Walnut

    Chef Christopher Kostow  from The Restaurant at Meadowood will be making Whipped Sweet Potato Cake with Curried Marshmallows and Raisin

    Chef Jeffrey Jake from Silverado Resort and Spa will be making Buttermilk Panna Cotta, Citrus Marmalade and a Lavender Shortbread Cookie

    Chef Jayson DeMarco from Dolce Boston – Bedford Glen Hotel will be making Tetilla Fondue with Preserved Lemon Bread

    Pastry Chef Pascal Paulon from Dolce Chantilly will be making:

    • Choux Glaces Chocolat: Vanilla Pastry Cream Glazed with Chocolate
    • Macaron Framboise: Raspberry Flavored Cookie with a Creamy Chocolate Filling
    • Sable Vanilla a Chantilly: Cookie with whipped cream and fresh raspberry

      • Chef Andrew Chadwick from Dolce Las Vegas – Ravella at Lake Las Vegas will be making a Masutake Bouillon with Shaved Yuzu, Pine Needles

      Bravo’s “Top Chef All-Stars,” winner Richard Blais will also be showing off his culinary skills live on Friday.  While he may not be vegetarian friendly, he was a favorite to watch as the Top Chef Season 4 runner up and Top Chef All-Stars winner. He is known for his innovative and personal take on classical cuisine and is sure to be fun to watch live. Hopefully he pulls out a freeze dryer.

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    17

    11 2011


    by Shana
    posted in Food/Restaurant Blog, Wine Blog
    No Comments

    shft.com slash wine.

    I did my fair share of eating and drinking my way through the Napa Valley Film Festival this past weekend, but one wine stands out a bit more than the others… That wine is a blend of of Syrah, Mourvèdre and Grenache called Stomping Ground, made from organic vineyards in Paso Robles. This new blend (which has great potential, though it is still a bit young) will be on sale on  Shft.com/wine starting in December (price is currently unknown).

    UPDATE: This wine is officially for sale for $24.99 a bottle at http://www.shft.com/wine. 

    One thing is for sure, while it may have been young, it was tasty.

    Napa Valley Film Festival Wine   Napa Valley Film Festival Wine Blog

    This wine was introduced to the world at the Buick Tweethouse at the Napa Valley Film Festival this past Saturday by the creators of the site SHFT.com.

    According to the website: “SHFT is a multi-media platform founded by film producer Peter Glatzer and actor-filmmaker Adrian Grenier. Our mission is to convey a more sustainable approach to the way we live through video, design, art and culture.”

    In case you were wondering, yes… Adrian is Vinnie from Entourage.  Update: Robert Scoble interviewed Adrian at the Tweethouse where Adrian said that wine “it’s a social lubricant.“

    Napa Valley Film Festival Wine

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    14

    11 2011


    by Shana
    posted in Wine Blog
    No Comments

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