Category Archives: People

Napa Sonoma Magazine: The Podcast!

Just a shout out for eager ears to tune in to a new channel!  Napa Sonoma Magazine, for which I write on occasion, has set up this interesting and convenient forum for your listening pleasure.

Thus far four episodes are posted for your perusal, more to come, with possibly a cameo from myself in the future!

Episode 1:  Napa Valley’s Oakville Grocery Then and Now

Episode 2:  Future of Food

Episode 3:  Ohm Coffee Roaster Derek Bromley

Episode 4:  The Unexpected; Screaming Eagle and Caviar

Reading Time: American Wino by Dan Dunn

At the ZAP Expo last weekend I ran into my friend Dan Dunn, author of the book American Wino: A Tale of Reds, Whites, and One Man’s Blues.  He inscribed my copy with “This doesn’t happen without you man!”  High praise.  Looking forward to the read.

Here is an informative Forbes review to warm up your mental palate for the excursion:  American Wine: A Fun New Wine Book Wine Snobs Will Hate

In Memorium: the Reynolds-Fisher Power Duo

The year 2016 ended with the unexpected loss of two women, a mother and daughter, that shocked us all.  As a film lover I have to acknowledge this and want to refer you to an upcoming documentary on HBO this coming Saturday January 7th at 8pm.  Bright Lights: Starring Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds was filmed in 2015 and set for release this summer but the demand is now.  We all need one more fix of these amazing ladies!

Read this article by SF Chronicle television reviewer David Wiegand for more insight about the film:
Debbie Reynolds, Carrie Fisher and a mother-daughter bond

Remembering Greg Walter: 1958 – 2016

Photo thanks to Gerald Weisl.
Photo thanks to Gerald Weisl.

It is with sadness that the wine industry says goodbye to a good man: My friend Greg Walter passed away September 2 from cancer. He had such an impact on this challenging industry as owner of The Pinot Report, former editor of the Wine Spectator and writer for the Sonoma Sun.

 

If you wish to join friends at his memorial please RSVP at this site.

You can catch a glimpse of him in this video about Gloria Ferrer.
Cheers to Greg, he will be dearly missed by many people!

A special bottle for a stellar occasion!

The Rehoboam! (photo thanks to Karen Hess)
The Rehoboam! (photo thanks to Karen Hess)

I have been saving this!  It was given to me by a wine colleague and waiting for just the right moment.  That moment came this weekend at Flying Cloud Farm for my brother Ethan’s nuptials and celebration.  It was an amazing event with lots of wine (of course) and the ritual Nigerian style sharing of the Kola Nut in honor of my new sister-in-law Amaka’s family heritage.  So when the time to toast the newly betrothed couple came I whipped out the Rehoboam of delectable Gloria Ferrer Brut and proceeded to fill almost every glass at the reception!

Congratulations to Ethan & Amaka!
Here’s to many happy years together.  With wine.  XO from yer bro.

Just married: Amaka & Ethan!!!!
Just married: Amaka & Ethan! (photo thanks to Cody Kirkhart)