Announcing this amazing opportunity to attend a Broadway performance at Paradise Ridge Winery’s spectacular “Field Of Dreams” amphitheater next week, shows on July 7th & 8th…
Be sure to check out Superheroes In Love under the brilliant skies of the Russian River Valley!
Another cinematic opportunity to follow-up your Napa Valley Film Festival experience, which starts tonight, finishes on sunday November 16! Etch this FREE 4 week cinematic lecture series into your calendar starting next Wednesday November 19th “Celebrate the Art of Cinema”. 
Brought to you by Petaluma Community Access Television (PCA) in conjunction with the Petaluma Arts Center.
When people ask me what it’s like to be a professional wine judge, I explain that the keys are to keep your palate fresh and have an optimistic view of the wines before you taste them.
Every wine has its qualities and attributes. Some are fruity, and others that are graceful and elegant. Some styles that are earthy, jammy or minerally. Others are big, rich and bold. But when it comes down to it, the best wines stand out as having strong attributes in terms of color, flavor, texture, balance, structure, and admirable finish. Each wine receives medals based on the tallied scores of the judges on each team.
I bring this subject up because I’ll be judging a number of these unique wine competitions over the next two months, including the annual Thanksgiving Picks with Ziggy the Wine Gal (Nov 17); the Grand Harvest Awards (Nov 18-19); Holiday Picks with Ziggy and other pros (Dec 8); and the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition (Jan 6-9).
So watch for my upcoming reviews of each of these competitions. And in the meantime, check out the amazing photo album from the North Coast Wine Challenge posted by my friend and fellow-wine judge, Wilfred Wong. Enjoy!
North Coast Wine Challenge Photo Album
As I will begin my weekend tasting wines in scenic Santa Cruz (sorry, Sold Out!), would like to suggest some interesting treks to possibly engage your senses. Now pack the car and get rolling!
Fort Ross Historic Park: Harvest Festival and Fort Ross-Seaview Wine Festival: Take the windy drive up the coast to enjoy a variety of activities. Some family friendly, historical and definitely scenic endeavors!
Smith Vineyard Harvest & Wine Event: If you are hankering for a trip to Gold Country then head straight for Highway 49. Smith Vineyard is hosting an Open House with pumpkins to entertain the kids and wine to enthrall the adults. Outside the town of Grass Valley, and a short drive to the quaint berg of Nevada City, both with oodles of historic significance to explore.
Sonoma County Art Trails: You can stick a little closer but still have a lovely tour, just print up the Art Trails map and drop in on some Open Studios throughout the county. An amazing opportunity to view and buy some work by local artists.
Whichever adventure you choose, have fun and enjoy some wine!
For my 5th year I will be sommelier for the event Flight of Poets, at Litquake on Thursday, October 16th, Hotel Rex, San Francisco. Event starts at 7 pm. Doors open at 6:30 pm
The Featured Poets
Tsering Wangmo Dhompa, Hollie Hardy, Major Jackson, James Ragan, Tera Vale Ragan, Chad Sweeney, Arisa White
The Featured Wineries
St. Supery, Gundlach Bundschu, Rodney Strong, Miro Cellars, Uvaggio, Carol Shelton Wines
