
Cheers! Here’s to Texas Wines!
What comes to mind when you think of Texas? Cowboys. Oil. Longhorn cattle. Sports teams. Texas barbeque. What about wine? It may not be “top of mind” but, in fact, Texas ranks fifth in the nation in wine production, behind California, Washington, Oregon and New York. In some ways, Texas wine is a well-kept secret.

Exploring Oregon’s Rogue Valley Wine Region
by Pam Baker
|
When visitors call the Rogue Valley wine region the “new Napa,” its proud winemakers say, “No, we’re Southern Oregon.” With a growing reputation for expressive wines, the Rogue Valley is producing a string of outstanding vintages and quietly attracting wine lovers. And with four wine trails, 53 tasting rooms, and 88 vineyards, there’s plenty to

All I Want for the Holidays… (What’s on your list?)
As we approach the end of 2020 — the year of coronavirus — all we really want for the holidays is for our lives to go back to normal (or that “new normal”), so we can safely be with our friends and family members, and can freely travel the world again. Thankfully, several vaccines are

The Tiny Pennsylvania Wine Trail You Need To Visit
|
When you think of wine, you think of Pennsylvania, don’t you? Probably not. Neither did I when I embarked on a Wine Trail Staycation Road Trip in my own Pennsylvania county. What I learned changed my perspective and opened my mind up to a wonderful region full of delicious and affordable wines. I discovered the

Why a Visit to Australia’s Famed Hunter Valley Should Be on Your Bucket List
by Pam Baker
|
Most people picture kangaroos, the Sydney Opera House, the vast Outback, and the first fireworks of the new year over Sydney Harbor when they think of Australia. But the “Land Down Under” is also well-known for its wine, producing over one billion liters each year. Australia’s most famous wine regions include Barossa Valley, Margaret River,

Michigan Wine Country – A Guide to Exploring Its AVAs and Wine Trails
by Pam Baker
|
If you’re searching for new wine country to visit, Michigan might just be the ticket. Less than two hours from Chicago, Michigan’s wine region offers five American Viticultural Areas (AVAs), six wine trails, and one sub-wine region just waiting to be explored. Michigan’s climate is perfect for varietals such as Riesling, Pinot Grigio, and Gewürztraminer

Amador County – Wine Country the Way It’s Meant To Be
by Pam Baker
|
If you’re looking for a wine region in California where crowds are rare, prices are reasonable, and the wines will please any critic, take a trip to Amador County. The region is home to 40 wineries, many of them small, family-owned businesses. Time slows down here. Think Napa Valley before the fame. The wine industry

Discover the Carmel Valley Wine Village – A Hidden Gem in Monterey County
by Pam Baker
|
You may know many wine regions of the world well, but there are probably some you have yet to discover. If you’re on the search for some of California’s “undiscovered” wine regions, you’ll want to explore Carmel Valley Village. This hidden gem, located in Monterey County’s Santa Lucia Mountains, is home to more than 20

Drinks for the Lazy, Hazy, Crazy Days of Summer
Ready to beat the heat with a cold beverage by the pool or on the patio? As temperatures climb into the 90s or even triple digits in some parts of the country, we asked IFWTWA (International Food, Wine, Travel Writers Assn.) members to contribute a summer drink recipe they’ve enjoyed during the lazy, hazy, crazy

Seven Wines to Savor During Those “Lazy-Hazy-Crazy” Days of Summer
by Pam Baker
|
Oh sweet, sweet summertime – it’s my favorite time of year. Summer means warm days, long hours of sunshine, birds chirping outside my window early in the morning, and the sounds of children playing in the street. We revel in backyard barbeques, picnics in the park, and time around the pool. And with the warmer