September is California Wine Month!

September 1st, 2020Rebecca2 Comments

Even though every month is technically wine month in California, September is the official California Wine Month. It occurs on this special month annually primarily to coincide with the harvest schedule, but it is also a great time for festivals (unless it is 2020), vineyard tours, dinners with winemakers, and other area events. September’s California Wine Month lets you savor the very best from the Golden State's award-winning, local favorites, and upcoming...

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State Fair Beer Judging

April 20th, 2020Rebecca2 Comments

State Fair Beer Judging

Updated with cancellation of California State Fair 2020 announcement.

Summer is my favorite season, without a doubt! Camping with friends, wineries to explore, long days to enjoy, local hikes, and warm days beg for cold beer. Every year, the California State Fair brings hundreds of thousands of people to Cal Expo in Sacramento. No Fair is complete without awards for the state's best beer.

You Judge Beer?!

Judging beer is something I have...

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Hoppy Easter Beer Baskets

April 2nd, 2020Rebecca0 Comments

Hoppy Easter Beer Baskets

Not Your Average Easter

Every year, many families gather together and celebrate Easter by going to church, having brunch, an Easter egg hunt, and enjoy time with each other. The holiday might include a nice dinner too. The exception this year is that most of this won't happen, due to the Coronavirus aka COVID-19, and guidelines set to shelter in place (SIP). My mom already had to make the decision to "cancel Easter" after 42 years of celebrating as...

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California Craft Brewers Cup Competition

September 13th, 2019Rebecca1 Comment

New Competition for California Breweries

California Craft Brewers Cup Debuts

The California Craft Brewers Cup is a new brewing competition that showcases just how far California has risen in the beer world over the past several years. The competition was a partnership between the various beer guilds and the California Craft Brewers Association (CCBA). It recognizes the best craft beers in the state of California. The brewers did not disappoint.

California Craft...

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Grape Days of Summer

July 23rd, 2019Rebecca1 Comment

Event Recap - Grape Days of Summer 2019

Grape Days of Summer

Grape Days of Summer is an annual wine lovers weekend event held on the Placer Wine Trail. This year it was held on July 20-21, 2019. Included in the price of the ticket is the wine tastings, food at each stop, and various educational experiences, such as learning about winemaking, grapes, aging styles, and blending techniques.

Because the wineries on the Trail are spread out through the cities of Auburn,...

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Zinfandel Thrives in California

November 21st, 2018Rebecca4 Comments

What You Need to Know About Zinfandel

Did you know that Zinfandel is the third most widely-planted grape varietal in California? It is grown in 45 of California’s 58 counties. According to the California Wine Institute, there were more than 44,400 acres planted and 416,615 tons crushed in 2016, as reported by the California Department of Food and Agriculture.

While most of the Zin grapes come from the Central Valley, Sonoma County also produces a fair amount. Seghesio is a...

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Special Wine Tasting at Paul Martin’s American Grill

November 8th, 2018Rebecca0 Comments

Paul Martin's American Grill Short Rib Street Tacos

Paul Martin's American Grill Hosts Founders' Selects Wine Tasting Event

After receiving an email (yes, that is very much a thing!) from Paul Martin's American Grill announcing a special wine tasting with simply paired appetizers for an amazing price of $20 per person, I immediately called my friend and asked if she and her boyfriend wanted to join my boyfriend and me. She excitedly said she didn't want to miss it and was already making her reservations. Anyone who thinks email...

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