This guest-post comes to us from Mira Advani Honeycutt, author of California’s Central Coast, The Ultimate Winery Guide: From Santa Barbara to Paso Robles.  She frequently reports here on her various wine travels.
Auction Napa Valley raised $7.3 million at its live auction, bringing the cumulative total to over $100 million in the auction’s 31 year history. The E-auction brought in another $359,000. Proceeds go to local non-profit organizations.
I’ve been attending this three-day non-stop food and wine celebration for many years. This year marked not only the whopping grand total, it was …

This guest-post comes to us from Mira Advani Honeycutt, author of California’s Central Coast, The Ultimate Winery Guide: From Santa Barbara to Paso Robles.
The monks of Saint Honorat pray in silence, live in harmony with nature…and make very good wine!
I am at the Cannes Film Festival, and before the fest-frenzy kicks in, I took the 20 minute boat ride to nearby St. Honorat. I took in the serenity of the tiny island, enjoyed a Mediterranean lunch at La Tonnelle restaurant and tasted the wines from Abbaye de Lérins – Chardonnay, …

Stacie Hunt is a sommelier and a frequent Good Food guest.  This week on the show, she and Evan talk Rosé — just in time for Mother’s Day.  You don’t want Rosé to age, instead buy bottles only a year or two old, at the most. Keep reading for Stacie’s list of 11 Rosé’s you should try.

This guest-post comes to us from Mira Advani Honeycutt, author of California’s Central Coast, The Ultimate Winery Guide: From Santa Barbara to Paso Robles.
On a sunny spring afternoon I met up with Benoît Gouez at Shutters Hotel in Santa Monica. The Chef de Cave of the legendary champagne house, Moët & Chandon was in town to introduce, the 2002 Grand Vintage.
What determines the bottling of vintage champagne, I ask? “Feeling,” he says simply.  A wine with personality makes the vintage cut. After fermentation, the flagship Imperial champagne is blended in …

This guest-post comes to us from Mira Advani Honeycutt, author of California’s Central Coast, The Ultimate Winery Guide: From Santa Barbara to Paso Robles.

I’ve tasted Créme Brulée in many incarnations. But the one I savored recently – a Chocolate Caramel Brulee sprinkled with citrus sea salt totally jolted my taste buds.  The hint of salt in the dessert paired with Justin’s 2008 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon pushed the tasting experience to an overdrive.
The dinner, part of Justin Vineyards & Winery’s Guest Chef Series program, featured the Beard-award nominated Kent Rathbun, …

This guest-post comes to us from Mira Advani Honeycutt,author of California’s Central Coast, The Ultimate Winery Guide: From Santa Barbara to Paso Robles.
Along Paso Robles’ 46 West corridor sits the rustic tasting room of Lone Madrone, surrounded by chickens and sheep and the organic Fat Cat Farm.

This guest-post comes to us from Mira Advani Honeycutt, author of California’s Central Coast, The Ultimate Winery Guide: From Santa Barbara to Paso Robles.
Champagne is the traditional way to celebrate Valentine’s Day. But how about savoring the Pinot Noir grape (one of the varietals that goes into the bubbly) by itself?
Pinot is sensual in texture and seductive on the nose. Depending on the region and the producer, the wine can unleash lush berry aromas or exude earthy, spice notes. Either way, this soft and silky wine is ideal for …

We are so excited to present the Winter Pledge Drive edition of the KCRW Wine Club.  Sommelier Stacie Hunt (Du Vin and Splash Productions) has put together an incredible selection of wines for people who call 800-600-KCRW and join KCRW tomorrow during Good Food (Saturday, January 29 11a-1p).  Info on all the wines are after the jump…

Stacie Hunt is a sommelier with Du Vin Wine and Spirits in West Hollywood and she’s a frequent guest on Good Food.  This week on the show she shared some really interesting stories, and recommendations, of Moroccan wine.  The country is the largest producer of wine in the Muslim world, producing about 34 million bottles annually.  While Muslims are forbidden from drinking wine, the market is driven mostly by foreigners.
Her list of recommended labels is after the jump…

This guest-post comes to us from Mira Advani Honeycutt, author of California’s Central Coast, The Ultimate Winery Guide: From Santa Barbara to Paso Robles.
The annual tradition of Beaujolais Nouveau wine released on the third Thursday of November and shipped around the world originates from France’s Beaujolais region. (Hear more about Beaujolais Nouveau from Stacie Hunt on A Good Food Thanksgiving.)
But a Nouveau from the Paso Robles appellation?  When I received an email from my friends Phillip and Mary Hart owners of Ambyth Estate Winery in Templeton inviting us …