I’ve been to a few wine pairings in my day. French Laundry, Gary Danko, Le Bernadine, Guy Savoy, Alain Ducasse. In fact for my 16^th birthday my father brought me to Lutece (R.I.P.) and if that doesn’t raise my tasting creed here – nothing will. Which brings me to the subject. A remarkable experience that happened recently. An unexpected, almost accidental pairing that is quite possibly of the best foodwineGasm, I’ve ever had in my life.

It is this: Frick Grenache + the Cicciona Pizza from Diavola in Geyserville. I’d like to think I’m a good writer. However, words escape me right now. It seems nearly impossible that pen and paper can ever do justice to my experience. So, I’ll do my best to describe what happened on one glorious Saturday afternoon in Sonoma County. Continue Reading »

Tags: Daviola, Dry Creek Valley, Food and Wine Pairings, Frick Wines, Sonoma County Wine Tasting

Crow Bar

It’s rare that I admit I’m wrong when it comes to food. . . but, I have to admit I’ve been severely remiss to discredit the whole gastro-pub craze. The Crow Bar in Newport Beach is proof that there is merit to one of the latest food frenzies. And, I’m not talking about “oh,  cool bar, 30 beers on tap, and a few Kobe beef sliders” hell, even Molly Malone’s in Santa Monica can cough up grub like that. I didn’t know that Orange County was capable of serving up anything other than a chain restaurant or a over-priced cliché seafood restaurant. I was truly astonished by the food, service and atmosphere at The Crow. The exposed brick walls and dark wood floors are flanked by hip crow memorabilia and art. The effect retains the sense of a traditional pub, with modern sensibilities. Cool without being too cool. It all works.

A serious obvious food/beer/wine/ delirium is hindering my ability to find a starting point for the highest of Yelp reviews I’ve posted in some time. So, I am going straight to the bar, where our meal began. They have over 24 draft beers on tap – with cult classics like the Russian River Brewing Companies, Blind Pig and Blanche de Bruxelles readily flowing it’s tough to choose . The bottled beer list also boasts a number of cult beer super stars. However, out of the corner of my eye I spot a ‘06 Saxon Brown, Parmlee-Hill Pinot Noir. No f*7cking way. By the glass? No, by the bottle Miss. At $29 bucks a pop, here this is a steal. The deal is sealed and I start with Pinot. Continue Reading »

Tags: Blind Pig IPA, Gastro-Pub, Russian River Wine, Saxon Brown, The Crow Bar

In my race to create a social media storm of epic proportions, for a Really-Goode job, I have discovered some really incredible material on the internet. The “social” part of this storms keeps me very connected to my beloved laptop, far, far away from real people.

Today, I stumbled upon a company called Crushpad. Believe I dug this one up through a Facebook group? The concept is mind blowing. Crushpad is a facility that enables you to make your own wine. “Crushpad is a state-of-the-art winery where you are the wine maker.” They provide the grapes, the facility and you decide what level of involvement you have in making your own wine. Sounds too good to be true?

A step-by-step program has been created. Starting with grape and barrel selection, everything from business plans, to production and licensing; sales and marketing; logistics and storage services are provided. What seems most unique about Crushpad is its dedication to connecting its clients and creating a “virtual” community for them. “Crushnet” (http://www.crushnet.com/) is proprietary online community to connect fellow winemakers and learn about each other’s experiences. I personally LOVE all of the videos that take you through the entire wine making process. If you are new to wine and haven’t had the chance to visit a winery yet, Crushnet has some excellent video that you can watch from your computer while enjoying a nice glass of vino! They also host events and classes for members and wine makers. Continue Reading »

Tags: A Really Goode Job, crushpad

GRRR, just when you thought things were going well with the Murphy-Goode gig. . . my video is one of the top rated video’s on the “A Really Goode Job” micro-site, met the winemaker and had a phone interview with the recruiter. Game on!

It’s been three days, I haven’t showered, ate or let alone sleep. This social networking stuff is intense. The whole term “social” is completely lost on me? I haven’t had a conversation with a real person in days. I manage to make to make it around the corner to Venice Beach Wines by day to keep this Hunter S. Thompson existence alive and well by night. I need some sort of subsistence while building my “social-media dome”. My right hand is close to falling off. I write all day long. Search for a jobs, write cover letters, and blog, blog, blog. Jimmy Fallon has become my new best friend as I click through every one of my social media contacts asking them to vote on my video until the wee hours of the morning. It’s arduous work but, I happily click away. The goal is in sight. A photo of Christine, my mini cooper, in the vineyards of TEIRA Wines on Dry Creek Road(http://www.teirawines.com/)sits on my desk. Her little engine purrs when we explore the winding country roads of Sonoma. So does mine.

3am, I finally power down my computer. If only I could blog in my sleep.

The next morning the announcement comes. A message directly from Murphy-Goode Wines sits in my inbox. Great, right? Not so much. They’ve extend the application deadline. I’m not sure why? Are they not reading my blog? Have they not noticed the social media storm I have created about myself??? I think perhaps they’ve had too much wine. The best candidate is right here!