It's hard to believe I've been on the road for 5 weeks now. Serpentining through the Midwest, I've encountered all sorts. Rural farms, state high points, vegan restaurants, breweries and wineries in all states. National Parks. Art museums and sculpture gardens. Cute trendy neighborhoods and seedy ghettos. Craft cocktail dens. Water parks and arcades :-D

I'm now headed West, and as I sit in a cafe drinking a Chai and writing my masterpieces in Lincoln, Nebraska I feel very weary. I can't wait to see mountains again! Right now I feel like I could sleep for days. And then some more. But I have faith the West will revitalize me, and this is prime time to get up high in the mountains. I'm not sure where I'll head after the visit to Colorado. I would like to continue to the Northwest and California and catch up there on sights still unseen and revisit the beloved old. 

I'm currently at 22 out of 50 State high points reached and 14/54 Colorado "14-ers" submitted and I plan to knock so many more out by the end of the year. But so much is up in the air, will I continue to freelance, living out of my Jeep around the US indefinitely while I write my scripts and books, and ever studying for the Advanced Level Sommelier level that I took the course for earlier this year? Will I take some high mountain or National Park work for the end of the season? Or will I move into a Wine Director or Beverage Manager position at the right place, wherever that might be in the country?

Many options to consider, and none of them bad. But, for the time being, I can return to Boulder and the Rockies, climb, hike, clean up, regroup, take a couple art and guitar classes to brush me up and set me moving ahead better artistically. Figure out finances after draining myself down now. I'm exhausted but excited. Dreaming ahead. And putting pen to paper (or words on a laptop, more appropriately…) in documenting my strange and beautiful life. 

Just a few teaser photos for now, but soooo much more to come, I promise!

God Bless and safe travels!

Exactly 3 years ago, I took the first step in a 4-step process that is known as becoming a Master Sommelier from the most recognized authority, the Court of Master Sommeliers. I took the Intro Course in Campbell, California, a 2-day whirlwind of lectures and tastings that ends with a 100 question, multiple-choice test, with a 60% minimum passing rate, and including many questions that were harder than I expected.
I passed.
After 3 years of continuisly working in the restaurant and wine/food media fields, I finally tackled what I had been wanting and putting off of, signing up for the Certified level on September 12th, again in Campbell, CA,  a significant step up that is a series of 3 tests. A blind tasting of 1 white and 1 red wine, to be properly analyzed, followed by a 40 question test (multiple choice, matching answer, and short answer), followed by a service exam suggesting food and wine pairings, opening a bottle of champagne and duscussing cocktails and spirits. I crammed unendingly up to the last minute, uzilizing books, the Internet, my girlfriend and friends to all ends, and still worked 5-6 days a week. I was both excited and nervous going in.
I passed.
I was thrilled, humbled and relieved.
And now, the next step, Advanced. An even greater leap. But I think I'll travel to Europe and South of the Border first...

As a teenager, I visited the arcade religiously. Meeting up with other gamers or playing through the new and old was (and sometimes still is..) a regular pastime. During that time, Street Fighter was the big game. Lines of people, everyone with their own character that they were devoted to (8 choices were available) played or waited to play. This is one of the famous games of Kenzo Tsujimoto, the proprietor of game company Capcom and now, Kenzo Estate on Monticello Road, 15 minutes east of downtown Napa.
Arriving at the gate, and driving down the long, beautiful grounds (including a lake) was in itself a pleasure. Upon arriving, we were greeted by the friendly Tamamo, who brought us into the tasting lounge and p0ured some of their Sauvingon Blanc "asatsuyu" ($80 750ml, $40 375ml) while telling of the history of the winery and Kenzo in enjoyable detail. Originally from Japan, but living in San Francisco for 10 years (including work as a concierge), Tamamo made a lovely and gracious host to Lynn and myself. After an informative tour through the grounds and the cave, we were seated in a shaded patio seating outside, where 4 wines awaited us, all Bordeaux blends. The Rindo ($100)is a lush, appraochable blend showcasing red and dark fruits, dark earth, razzleberry, graphite and a hint of smoke that ,with it's mild tannins and acid, can be approached as a drinking wine or as a pairing with a good hearty tomato dish, pesto with marinated tofu, or even an artisan pizza.
Next up was the Murasaki ($250), a huge mouthfeel of violets, raspberry, dark cherry, blackberry, graphite, scorched earth, good tannic-acidic structure. Pair this with a hearty dish. I would opt at home for a lightly smoked eggplant and porcini mushroom with garlic, and maybe some tomatoes and smoked tempeh.
Next was the Ai ($250). Velvety, plush, and loaded with opulant cherry, sweet spices and great structure that a fabulous winemaker like Heidi Barrett brings out of a great piece of land managed by a viticulture legend such as David Abreu.
Finally, we were treated to Asuka, a wine of 97% Cabernet Franc, 2% Cabernet Sauvingon, 1% of structure inducing Petit Verdot. Retaining that wonderful vegetal character of a Cab Franc, but with the lush and powerful hillside Napa fruit character, this would be wonderful with Spanish rice, with spice rubbed or bbq tempeh strips and a tomato broth, topped with sweet peppers, onions and lemon.
My hats off to another impressive series of wines from Napa stars, a stunning estate, great hospitality staff and a genius proprietor who has orchestrated a dream site for making wine and hosting. Remember, it is by appointment only, and everyone must be over 21 to visit. The three options are-$40 for a wonderful sit-down tasting; $60 for a tour and tasting; $80 for a tour, tasting and food pairing that included bites from Thomas Keller's Bouchon. Buy 6 or more bottles and the fees and shipping costs are waived!

After years in Wine Country, visiting so many wineries, tasting so many wines and seeing uet another wine cave, it's hard to believe that there's still so many wines to try and so many wineries to visit here. And that I will be impressed by another wineries' cave. But then my partner Lynn mentioned Jarvis and their amazing tasting experience. Not being familiar with them, I decided to venture 5 miles outside of Napa on 121 from Trancas on this lovely Spring day. I was met by Curtis, my tour guide, a Napa native and veteran of several wineries between Sonoma and Napa Counties. He was a most gracious and knowledgeable host, and a fine example of what I've come to love about Napa's hospitality industry.
Regailing me with a fun and informative history of the winery, I was led into into one the more impressive wine caves (where everything is done, including office work) I've visited, complete with beautifully designed rooms for entertaining,(which will include part of the famous Auction next month), passing circular barrel storage areas, and even a waterfall(!).
Following the grand tour, I was led into tasting room across a small moat, and poured what were some fabulous examples of Napa wine. Surprisingly, my favorite was the barrel-fermented 2009 Finch Hollow Chardonnay ($95), a scrumptious and complex array of green apples, lemon curd, brûlée, lime zest, balanced acidity and oak, and a solid finish. Would love to pair this wine with some of my most decadent vegan cooking, maybe some gnocchi with fava-lemon-almond pesto with a coconut-almond milk creaminess and garlic, leek and chanterelle polenta, and maybe a tart vegan lemon-lime based dessert..just some thoughts flowing...
The reds-The 95% Cab Franc/5% Merlot Science Peoject ($105), 2008 Merlot ($90), Lake William 2007 blend ($115), the 2005 Estate Cabernet Sauvingon ($95), and the 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve ($160), were all oaky (but not too much so), strong lush fruit driven Reds of structure and power. The lighter, velvety (not-yet-released) 2010 Tempranillo had a lower oak influence and tasted nicely of cherries, plums and satin..great with a vegetarian paella.
At $60 for a tour and tasting, you will definitely get your money's worth here through one of the most beautiful and unique tours of what Napa Valley is all about.

I recently had the pleasure to shoot a video aboard the Napa Valley Wine Train with PR director Ryan Neergaard and Chef Kelly MacDonald, who were wonderful hosts aboard the train, showing us the experience of this classic Napa experience through a wonderful ride, multi-course dining experience, background of the train, on-board mixology, and an insider's look into the kitchen. It was exciting and fun, educational, and I shot some wonderful video that will showcase the experience alongside other classic escapes in the Valley such as a Hot Air Balloon ride and a Calistoga Mud Bath. Don't miss these unique experiences for yourselves! Stay tuned...