You’ll Love the Vibe and the Wines at Iris Vineyards Wine Bar
by Pam Baker
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Wine lovers heading to Willamette Valley will want to carve out time for a stop in Springfield, Oregon. Iris Vineyards, a winery with bright, fruit-forward wines and stunning views from its Chalice Vineyards, recently opened a wine bar on Springfield’s Main Street. The wine bar is open Thursday through Sunday from 11:30 am to 8:00
Introducing the newest AVA – San Luis Obispo Coast
by Pam Baker
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Say hello to the newest American Viticultural Area (AVA) – San Luis Obispo Coast. This dreamy cool-climate wine region stretches roughly 60 miles long from south of Big Sur to just north of Santa Maria. Designated an AVA on March 9, 2022, San Luis Obispo (SLO) Coast includes the existing appellations of Arroyo Grande and
Journey Through Australian Wine Regions Aboard the Ghan
by Pam Baker
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A journey aboard the Ghan, Australia’s iconic train ride between Adelaide and Darwin, provides passengers with a means to explore the country’s vast interior in a luxurious setting. The experience offers excellent service, gourmet meals featuring regional cuisine, and off-train excursions. But a journey on the Ghan also allows guests to taste Australian wine from
Five Wine Tasting Rooms to Explore in Sutter Creek, California
by Pam Baker
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Sutter Creek, a gold rush town in Amador County, California draws visitors for its history, antique shops, architecture, and “vintage” Main Street. But this cheerful, inviting town, just an hour from Sacramento, also attracts wine lovers to its eclectic wine tasting rooms. Sprinkled throughout a convenient four-block radius it’s easy to visit all of the
From the Pandemic to a Wildfire – This Resilient Winemaking Team Pivots to Success
by Pam Baker
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From the pandemic to a massive wildfire, Aaron Bryan and Amy Krahe, a husband-and-wife team, found the resilience to creatively pivot and successfully keep their business going. And today, on a sun-drenched ridgetop in the Sierra Foothills, they’re building, thriving, and doing what they love – making wine. Learning to Make Wine Aaron first became
Leavenworth – Washington’s Hottest New Wine Region
by Pam Baker
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Surrounded by valleys, forests, mountains, and rivers, the Bavarian-themed village of Leavenworth, Washington, draws plenty of outdoor enthusiasts to the region. Beer gardens, costumed bands playing oom-pah music, and gabled Bavarian-style buildings turn this town of 2000 into a village reminiscent of Southeastern Germany. And its popular Oktoberfest draws thousands of thirsty visitors annually. But
Six Sparkling Wines to Elevate Your Valentine’s Day
by Pam Baker
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February brings us Valentine’s Day – the most romantic day of the year! Hearts, chocolates, flowers, and images of Cupid come to mind when I think of this special day for lovers. But don’t forget sparkling wines. So, whether you’re planning to celebrate with a romantic dinner at home or a picnic lunch, be sure
Wine Tasting in Santa Fe? Yes, You Can!
by Pam Baker
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Rated the #2 City in the US by Travel and Leisure, Santa Fe, New Mexico, draws visitors to its well-known cuisine, plentiful art, rich history, boutique shopping, Native American culture, wellness spas, and a multitude of outdoor activities. As food lovers, we came to explore the culinary scene of this high desert city. But where
Explore Washington State’s First AVA – the Yakima Valley
by Pam Baker
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The history of Washington wine is rooted in the Yakima Valley, where immigrants planted some of the first vines in the mid-1800s. And it’s here that Washington’s first official American Viticultural Area (AVA), the Yakima Valley AVA, was established in 1983. About Yakima Valley Today vineyards spread in every direction over lazy, rolling hills. On roughly the same
Downtown Napa Offers a Unique, Walkable Wine Tasting Scene
by Pam Baker
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Downtown Napa is a gateway city to the well-known Napa Valley wine region. But not to be outdone by its famous neighbor, Downtown Napa boasts its own unique wine tasting scene. With more than 50 tasting rooms, from boutique tasting rooms to highly acclaimed brands, Downtown Napa offers wine lovers a breadth of choices. Once