Q&A with Glenn Close, soon to be in Wine Countryhttp://tastingroom.blogs.pressdemocrat.com/2010/09/02/qa-with-glenn-close-soon-to-be-in-wine-country/http://tastingroom.blogs.pressdemocrat.com/files/2010/09/Close_Color_Headshot_-_300_dpi.jpgQ&A with Glenn Close, soon to be in Wine Country. The actress who has played a Dalmatian-skinning mastermind (101 Dalmatians), an obsessed mistress (Fatal Attraction), and a high stakes litigator (Damages TV series), will be in Wine Country Sept. 11 for the Staglin Family Music Festival to support mental health research.Q&A with Glenn Close, soon to be in Wine Country
Wine label controversy. What camp are you in?http://tastingroom.blogs.pressdemocrat.com/2010/09/01/wine-label-controversy-what-camp-are-you-in/Wine label controversy. What camp are you in? The California Legislature unanimously approved a proposal by the Sonoma County Vintners to have every bottle of wine produced in the county bear the words 'Sonoma County' on the label. This means that if a bottle is produced in Dry Creek Valley, it would say 'Dry Creek Valley " Sonoma County.' And this would be the case for all of the county's 12 appellations, including Sonoma Coast and Sonoma Valley.Wine label controversy. What camp are you in?
Modern Family's Eric Stonestreet drinking in his winhttp://tastingroom.blogs.pressdemocrat.com/2010/08/30/modern-family%e2%80%99s-eric-stonestreet-drinking-in-his-win/Stonestreet, who just won an Emmy for best supporting actor in a comedy, has no doubt been uncorking cab to celebrate his win. No bubbly? Just how do we know what he fancies? Here's the skinny. When Stonestreet was in Napa in June he said, 'I really only drink wine with food and I'm a carnivore so whatever goes with steak works.'Modern Family's Eric Stonestreet drinking in his win
One Melnik Minutehttp://tastingroom.blogs.pressdemocrat.com/2010/08/29/one-melnik-minute-10/One Melnik MinuteGot 60 seconds?Righto. I'll keep it brief.Did you know that pinot gris and pinot grigio are fraternal twins?One Melnik Minute
Hemenway serves up wine by the pricehttp://tastingroom.blogs.pressdemocrat.com/2010/08/29/hemenway-serves-up-wine-by-the-price/Chef Lisa Hemenway will have an eye to budget wine when she opens 'Fresh,' a European market of sorts, at the Skyhawk Village Market space in Santa Rosa on Hwy12 in September.Hemenway serves up wine by the price
Time is ripe for tomatoeshttp://kitchentalk.blogs.pressdemocrat.com/10366/time-is-ripe-for-tomatoes/Â Finally, they're here. Those juicy orbs of heirloom tomato goodness have arrived at the markets and in our back yards, and they're making us all look like gourmet cooks. Â Slice 'em up, splash them with extra virgin olive oil and salt, and you feel like Mario Batali.What could be easier to eat? And yet – [...]Time is ripe for tomatoes
Crock around the clock with porkhttp://kitchentalk.blogs.pressdemocrat.com/10359/crock-around-the-clock-with-pork/For most families in Sonoma County, this week marks back-to-school time. It seems unfair that our kids have to head back to the classroom just as the weather warms up outdoors, but such is life on the West Coast this summer. When kids are running from school to soccer practice to homework, it's always a bit more hectic [...]Crock around the clock with pork
The ultimate Wine Country weekendhttp://kitchentalk.blogs.pressdemocrat.com/10355/the-ultimate-wine-country-weekend/ Labor Day Weekend means the end of summer, but  in Wine Country, it also marks a special opportunity for food lovers in search of the ultimate farm-to-table experience.In support of the Bocuse d'Or USA Foundation, chef/owner Thomas Keller will host an over-the-top weekend featuring the meals produced by his three Wine Country restaurants " The [...]The ultimate Wine Country weekend
Love that melon and prosciuttohttp://kitchentalk.blogs.pressdemocrat.com/10352/love-that-melon-and-prosciutto/ A Townie to Market  bike ride, hosted by the ever-effervescent Chef Duskie Estes of Zazu restaurant, rolls through Healdsburg  at 9 a.m. Saturday  as part of the annual Russian River Valley Winegrowers' Grape to Glass weekend.The casual bike brigade will breeze by the Healdsburg Farmers  Market and make pit stops at The Cheese Shop, Love [...]Love that melon and prosciutto
Make the most of a crappy kitchenhttp://kitchentalk.blogs.pressdemocrat.com/10349/10349/I've had a cookbook on my desk for the past few months that never fails to elicit a laugh from passing colleagues. It's called 'Gourmet Meals in Crappy Little Kitchens,' and I think that most people can relate to that oxymoronic title.Author Jennifer Scharertl,started her career as sous chef in a Crappy Little Restaurant Kitchen [...]Make the most of a crappy kitchen
Aubert to open new wineryhttp://wineabout.blogs.pressdemocrat.com/2010/08/24/aubert-to-open-new-winery/Fans of Mark Aubert's amazingly sublime chardonnays and pinot noirs should be happy to hear Aubert and his wife will finally have a winery of their own, having purchased a new facility in Calistoga, right along the Silverado Trail.It is slated to open in January 2011 after an extensive renovation to both the winery and [...]Aubert to open new winery
Taste of Terroir opening in Healdsburghttp://wineabout.blogs.pressdemocrat.com/2010/07/22/taste-of-terroir-opening-in-healdsburg/http://wineabout.blogs.pressdemocrat.com/files/2010/07/Fullroomview-150x150.jpgBoisset is opening a new “Taste of Terroir” tasting room on the Healdsburg Square, in the location formerly used by Gallo of Sonoma. Which is interesting since Jean Charles Boisset and Gina Gallo are married.Boisset Family Estates owns DeLoach Vineyards and Raymond Vineyards locally; in France they are the family behind Domaine de la Vougeraie, [...]Taste of Terroir opening in Healdsburg
Arrowood leaves Arrowoodhttp://wineabout.blogs.pressdemocrat.com/2010/06/21/arrowood-leaves-arrowood/Richard Arrowood is making it official – no more job as winemaster at Arrowood Vineyards and Winery. Instead, he'll concentrate full-time on Amapola Creek, which he and wife Alis founded in 2007 up in the hills not far from his namesake winery.Amapola, an organically farmed, 110-acre estate winery spread along the western side of the [...]Arrowood leaves Arrowood
Olde Sonoma Pub opens in Boyes Hot Springshttp://wineabout.blogs.pressdemocrat.com/2010/06/15/olde-sonoma-pub-opens-in-boyes-hot-springs/A new pub has opened its doors in the Springs, the work of local brewmaster Coley Thinnes, who started out at Lagunitas and was most recently at Iron Springs in Marin. The Olde Sonoma Pub should have 32 beers on tap, rotating in and out depending on what's tasting really good. Beer will also be [...]Olde Sonoma Pub opens in Boyes Hot Springs
Global Toast to Robert Mondavihttp://wineabout.blogs.pressdemocrat.com/2010/06/08/global-toast-to-robert-mondavi/The Robert Mondavi Winery in Oakville will honor the late Mr. Mondavi on June 18 (Mondavi's birthday) with a special open house at the winery. Margrit Mondavi and winemaker Genevieve Janssens will lead the day of celebration with a new technology twist – they're inviting well-wishers from around the world to send in their thoughts [...]Global Toast to Robert Mondavi
Event: CCI's 2nd Annual Bone Appétit - A Celebration of Great Pairings at Canine Companions for Independence Jean and Charles Schulz Campus, Sun, Sep 12 2:00phttp://events.pressdemocrat.com/santa-rosa-ca/events/show/136258185-ccis-2nd-annual-bone-appetit-a-celebration-of-great-pairingsThis year marks CCI's 35th birthday and we want to celebrate with you! Come and enjoy gourmet food and wine pairings, and bid on exciting items in our silent and live auctions. Bring your friends and family and have them learn more about Canine Companions for Independence!Event: CCI's 2nd Annual Bone Appétit - A Celebration of Great Pairings at Canine Companions for Independence Jean and Charles Schulz Campus, Sun, Sep 12 2:00p
Event: Wines & Sunsets in Paradise at Paradise Ridge Winery, Wed, Sep 15 6:00phttp://events.pressdemocrat.com/santa-rosa-ca/events/show/112738065-wines-sunsets-in-paradiseOngoing each Wednesday evening through October 27th, the public is invited to bring a picnic and enjoy delectable award winning Paradise Ridge wines while watching spectacular sunsets from the winery's expansive veranda and beautiful poetry terrace. On Wednesday evenings our tasting room is closed, however, for your enjoyment wines are available for purchase by the glass or by the bottle. Paradise has the Most Beautiful View in Sonoma County. Guests come for the wines & stay for the view.Event: Wines & Sunsets in Paradise at Paradise Ridge Winery, Wed, Sep 15 6:00p
Event: Wisdom of We 2010 Seminar at The Hilton Sonoma Wine Country Hotel, Fri, Sep 10 5:00phttp://events.pressdemocrat.com/santa-rosa-ca/events/show/135642525-wisdom-of-we-2010-seminarJoin us for a Seminar on Friday, September 10th with leading social media icons Shel Israel (aka @ shelisrael ) and Robert Scoble (aka @ Scobleizer ). The two  will have an open table discussion on the changing landscape of social media and how communities work together. Tickets are $25.00, which includes the seminar and tweetup (wine tasting & food). Tickets will be $40.00 at the door!      The seminar will include real world examples of people coming together, best practices and where the future of collaboration, social media and community is moving. Afterward, Democrasoft  will be hosting a tweetup reception and wine tasting .  Come mingle with other leaders in social media/internet/wine/tech, eat appetizers provided by the Hilton Sonoma Wine Country  and taste some of the best wines that Sonoma County has to offer.   All food and wine are included in the price. There will be a social media game or two so make sure to bring your phone chargers! The Hilton Sonoma Wine Country will be providing special deals to stay the night and the next day everyone will have the chance to enjoy the Sonoma County by visiting participating wineries and get special deals that only #WOW10 attendees get (more info to come)! Win a night stay at the Hilton Wine Country! Join the Twitter contest .  Event: Wisdom of We 2010 Seminar at The Hilton Sonoma Wine Country Hotel, Fri, Sep 10 5:00p
Event: Siduri Winery Special Oregon Pinot Noir Tasting at Siduri Winery, Sat, Sep 11 12:00phttp://events.pressdemocrat.com/santa-rosa-ca/events/show/139081725-siduri-winery-special-oregon-pinot-noir-tastingRare Blanc de Pinot Noir Highlights Siduri's Special Willamette Valley Tasting Siduri & Novy Family Wines hosts a special tasting of their Oregon Pinot Noirs from the Willamette Valley, showcasing offerings from the outstanding 2008 and 2009 vintages. The winery's 2009 Novy Blanc de Pinot Noir " one of the only white Pinots produced by a California winery " heads up a list of wines that will be offered at special event-only pricingEvent: Siduri Winery Special Oregon Pinot Noir Tasting at Siduri Winery, Sat, Sep 11 12:00p
Event: Blessing of the Animals at St. Francis Winery & Vineyards, Sun, Oct 3 3:00phttp://events.pressdemocrat.com/santa-rosa-ca/events/show/121323405-blessing-of-the-animalsTake part in our annual tradition by bringing your pet to be blessed at St. Francis Winery. If you have a dog, plan to show it off by participating in our Winery Dog of the Year contest. We'll have wine, nibbles, and pet friendly vendors on hand to round out the afternoon. Proceeds from this event go to support local animal charities.Event: Blessing of the Animals at St. Francis Winery & Vineyards, Sun, Oct 3 3:00p
WINE AND DINE NEWS
Field Report: Will Work for Foodhttp://feeds.nytimes.com/click.phdo?i=e3ddadc9d640310fcc1bbe3c8b4a64d5Beginning farmers learn how to put down roots.
Fall Restaurant Preview: At Eleven Madison Park, Fixing What Isn't Brokehttp://feeds.nytimes.com/click.phdo?i=9e67ae515c2d851ad3ef0f631915ce5dThe chef Daniel Humm hopes to transform an overachieving neighborhood restaurant into one of the world's standard bearers of fine dining.
Fall Restaurant Preview: What's Opening This Seasonhttp://feeds.nytimes.com/click.phdo?i=cf72be41b1112bdfa25d084d74807f85New restaurants coming to New York City in the next few months.
Fall Restaurant Preview: Lincoln's New Menu Is Put to the Testhttp://feeds.nytimes.com/click.phdo?i=8744acf3d5dae4662d31112de04abbf6Making sure the pasta is not watery at a high-end Manhattan restaurant.
Fall Restaurant Preview: The Tiki Bar Has Returnedhttp://feeds.nytimes.com/click.phdo?i=de3398eedcbdab9135724616afd1490fComplete with pu-pu platters and exotic cocktails, New York's new tiki bars represent a break from serious dining.
Fall Restaurant Preview: Shea Gallante Comes Back to the Kitchenhttp://feeds.nytimes.com/click.phdo?i=3d3bb3a9ce7a5075068e17050efef8ddThe former chef of Cru has emerged from a sabbatical to open Ciano, which will serve straightforward Italian food.
51° CLEAR, 